News Ashleyluvssugar Holds on to Win G2 Del Mar Handicap Over Charging Metaboss August 20, 2016 News Ashleyluvssugar Holds on to Win G2 Del Mar Handicap Over Charging Metaboss August 20, 2016 By: Jared Welch twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Masterfully-rated on the lead by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, 5-2 favored Ashleyluvssugar held on desperately in the final strides to nose out rallying Metaboss and win the G2 $250,000 Del Mar Handicap on the day of the G1 $1 million TVG Pacific Classic. Ashleyluvssugar, runner-up in the mile and three-eighths grass event a year ago, went to the front shortly after the start, was well in hand while setting a slow pace under Stevens, but was forced to go all out to prevail by the narrowest of margins. Longshot Texas Ryano was third, a length behind Metaboss, who rallied from last under Rafael Bejarano to just miss, while another longshot, El Huerfano was fourth in the field of a dozen older horses. Ashleyluvssugar earned a berth in the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Nov.5 since the Del Mar Handicap is a “Win and You’re In” qualifying event. Ashleyluvssugar, a son of Game Plan owned by Alesia, Bran Jam Stable and Ciaglia Racing and trained by Peter Eurton, ran the distance in 2:16.11 and paid $7, $4 and $2.80 while recording his sixth win in 22 career starts. The $150,000 first money increased the horse’s earnings to $727,504. Meta Boss paid $5.20 and $3.80, while Texas Ryano returned $15.20 to show. DEL MAR HANDICAP QUOTES GARY STEVENS (Ashleyluvssugar, winner) – “He was waiting on horses. I tried to stay busy on him, but he was waiting. They (the other riders) know it and know him. They came at him out in the middle of the track. He never saw them. I knew we were going slow and I knew I saved all (the ground) I could. There were some photographers near the seven eighths (pole) and he propped from them. Wish they wouldn’t let them be there.” RAFAEL BEJARANO (Metaboss, second) – “Son of a ……. I hate to get beat like that. Hate it. My horse was flying. I thought sure I’d won.” JOE TALAMO (Texas Ryano, third) – “Great trip. Sitting in the right spot. He fired. Can’t ask for more than that.” PETER EURTON (Ashleyluvssugar, winner) — “That was so close. The other horse was so far from ours to the outside that I really couldn’t tell if we’d won or not. Gary (Stevens) just rode an amazing race. God that was great. That was a Hall of Fame ride. I didn’t tell him anything (strategy wise); that was all Gary.” FINAL NOTES FRACTIONS :25.27 :49.62 1:14.58 1:39.49 2:03.87 2:16.11 The stakes win was the third of the meet for rider Stevens and his first in the Del Mar Handicap. He now has 93 stakes wins at Del Mar, seventh best all time. The stakes win was the second of the meet for trainer Eurton and his first in the Del Mar Handicap. He now has seven stakes wins at Del Mar. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Churchill Downs Preview & FREE Pick 4 Tickets | Blinkers Off 695 The Racing Dudes preview Churchill Downs on Saturday & give… Read More
College Football Week 13 and NFL Week 12 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 216 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Del Mar Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 574 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 First Look | Blinkers Off 694 The Racing Dudes take a very early look at the… Read More
Aqueduct Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 573 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday… Read More
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Picks and Preview 2024 Aaron previews the 2024 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at… Read More
Clark Stakes Picks and Preview 2024 Aaron previews the 2024 Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Latest News & Top 5 | Potential Super Star Debuts Wednesday The top 5 contenders list for the 2025 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Rockets CASH Late Pick 5 at Aqueduct for $348.75 on $96 Ticket 11/24/24 The Racing Dudes Rockets stayed hot on Sunday with another… Read More
Racing Dudes Premium Picks CRUSH Trifecta at Del Mar for $536.65 on $12 Ticket 11/23/24 Saturday was a huge day for the Racing Dudes Premium Picks… Read More