ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2015) – In his first-ever graded stakes assignment, California-bred Ashleyluvssugar out-dueled heavily favored Finnegans Wake to win Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths under Gary Stevens. Trained by Peter Eurton, Ashleyluvssugar bested seven other older horses in negotiating 1 ½ miles on turf in 2:25.78.
Well back in fifth position into the Club House turn, Ashleyluvssugar, who came off of an allowance win going 1 1/8 miles on turf Feb. 5, raced as a team with the favorite three-wide around the far turn and when Stevens went to his left handed stick at the furlong pole, the 4-year-old gelding by Game Plan seemingly found another gear and spurted clear.
Owned and bred by Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable and Ciaglia Racing, LLC, Ashleyluvssugar was off at 5-1 and paid $13.20, $4.80 and $3.00. In getting his first stakes win, he notched his fifth win overall from 10 starts. With the winner’s share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $335,504.
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