Eurton does not underestimate CA-bred foes in Turf Classic
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Ashleyluvssugar has run in a Grade I or a Grade II stakes in nine of his last 10 starts, so it might appear he’s in a softer spot Saturday when he runs in the ungraded $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic presented by City National Bank for California-bred or sired horses.
Not so says Peter Eurton, who trains the consistent six-year-old gelded son of Game Plan, winner of eight of 19 career starts, with three seconds, three thirds and earnings of $1,007,504.
“We’ll try to get him to run his race from the rail,” Eurton said. “The one hole is the one hole. (Flavien) Prat is a great rider so he’ll do his best to get him into a good position. The horse is doing well.
“Even though it’s not a Grade I race, the Cal-breds are good. We never underestimate anybody.”
The field for the Turf Classic, which goes as race seven: Ashleyluvssugar, Flavien Part; Ward ‘n Jerry, Stewart Elliott; Ralis, Mario Gutierrez; Temple Keys, Santiago Gonzalez; Cardiac, Corey Nakatani; What a View, Tyler Baze; He Will, Rafael Bejarano; Patriots Rule, Joe Talamo; Tamarando, Martin Garcia; and Poshky, Jamie Theriot.
The California Cup Turf Classic is one of five stakes Saturday in the Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses, offering a total of $1 million in purse money.
SPECIAL FIRST POST TIME SATURDAY IS 11:45 A.M.
In an effort to better accommodate both the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational from Gulfstream and a 10-race Sunshine Millions/California Cup card locally, Santa Anita has moved first post time on Saturday up to 11:45 a.m. Approximate post time for the Pegasus World Cup is at 2:44 p.m. PST.
The Pegasus, which features a widely anticipated rematch between all-time North American money-won leader California Chrome and Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Arrogate, has generated tremendous interest nationwide and Santa Anita is thus expecting a large crowd for it and its Sunshine Millions/Cal Cup program.
Separated by just a half-length in their only meeting, Arrogate prevailed in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic here Nov. 5, but it was Chrome who took home his second Eclipse Award Horse of the Year title this past Saturday, in addition to being voted Eclipse Champion Older Dirt Male.
A California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has been trained throughout his amazing career by Art Sherman, 79, who sent him out to win the 2014 Santa Anita and Kentucky Derbies. Owned by California Chrome, LLC, he has won 16 of his 26 starts and amassed earnings of $14,502,650.
Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Juddmonte Farms, Arrogate followed up on a record-setting 13 ½ length win in the prestigious Grade I Travers Stakes Aug. 27, with his Classic win over Chrome in what was only his sixth career start. He was thus voted Eclipse Champion 3-year-old Male for 2016.
For scratches, changes and complete Sunshine Millions/Cal Cup entries and morning line information, please visit santaanita.com.
DESERT STEEL RETURNS TO TURF IN SUNSHINE MILLION TEST
Desert Steel returns to the grass Saturday where she has run 11 of her 15 career races. She is coming off a wide third-place finish in a minor stakes over Golden Gate’s synthetic Tapeta surface, but prior to that ran in 11 straight grass races, winning three.
The six-year-old gray Desert Code mare bred by Harris Farms runs Saturday in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at about 6 ½ furlongs.
“I think she’s definitely better on turf,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “I don’t think she liked the surface last time, and she ran a good second last time she ran down the hill (in the California Distaff Handicap last Oct. 15) to Enola Gray. She’s the one to beat but my mare is sharp so we’re going to give it a go.”
The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, race two: Desert Steel, Rafael Bejarano; Enola Gray, Tyler Baze; How Unusual, Kent Desormeaux; All That heat, Flavien Prat; Tale of Papa Nick, Drayden Van Dyke; Late ‘n Left, Edwin Maldonado; Smoove It, Mario Gutierrez; Lucy De, Stewart Elliott; and Cuddle Alert, Agapito Delgadillo.
FINISH LINES: According to Track Superintendent Dennis Moore, Santa Anita has absorbed a whopping 11.32 inches of rain this month. Although Sunday’s races were cancelled due to extremely wet conditions, Moore has today’s main track in “fast” condition . . . Old warhorse Royal F J, still earning his keep at age 10, makes his 92nd start in today’s eighth race. Trained by Jack Carava, the chestnut Royal Academy gelding comes off a rousing 2 ½ length win at Del Mar on Dec. 3. With an overall record of 91-8-17-14, he’s earned $535,540 . . . Sham Stakes winner Gormley, mentioned by trainer John Shirreffs as possible for the March 11 San Felipe Stakes, worked five furlongs under Chantal Sutherland in company with Hollywood Strike. Gormley went in 1:00.60, while Hollywood Strike got 1:00.80 . . . Play ball! Of the 234 recorded workouts Thursday on Santa Anita’s fast main track (215) and dirt track (19), two were by horses named for diamond Hall of Famers, Catfish Hunter and Pee Wee Reese . . . Santa Anita simulcast host Megan Devine and XBTV.com’s Jeff Siegel will offer their selections at 10:50 a.m. Saturday and 11:20 a.m. Sunday, respectively, in the East Paddock Gardens. Tom Quigley hosts.
Source: Santa Anita Park
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