Ashleyluvssugar right where he belongs in Eddie Read

DEL MAR, Calif. – Grade 2 turf stakes in Southern California are a perfect fit for Ashleyluvssugar. In nine such races, the 6-year-old has won five times, finished second on three occasions, and run third once. His success at that level of competition makes the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on Saturday an appropriate spot for Ashleyluvssugar’s first start of the summer.

Last year, Ashleyluvssugar was second in the Eddie Read to the multiple stakes winner Midnight Storm, who is not part of Saturday’s race.

“It’s a big difference,” trainer Peter Eurton said.

This year, Ashleyluvssugar will be favored in the $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Ashleyluvssugar has not raced since winning the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on May 28. The Eddie Read leads to the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 19.

Ashleyluvssugar won the California Cup Turf Classic against statebreds at the Eddie Read’s distance in January at Santa Anita.

Owned by Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Joe Ciaglia, Ashleyluvssugar is the only 2017 graded stakes winner among the seven entrants in the Eddie Read. Up With the Birds, who was supplemented for $2,500 on Wednesday, has won three graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park in 2013.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ashleyluvssugar, by Game Plan Last 3 Beyers: 99-94-100

◗ Ashleyluvssugar tends to race near the front, which could be key in the Eddie Read. Eurton fears the speedy Kenjisstorm, who won an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita in May for trainer Richard Baltas.

“You’ve got to keep an eye on Baltas’s horse trying to steal it,” Eurton said. “My horse is not a plodder, so hopefully it will work out well for us. I’d like to see him up close.”

Hunt, by Dark Angel Last 3 Beyers: 99-103-51

◗ Hunt will wear blinkers for the first time and has shown promise in workouts while wearing the equipment.

“I’m putting the blinkers on to keep him more focused and straightforward,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “The ability is there. I want it all in the stretch.”

◗ Hunt was fifth in the Grade 3 American Stakes at Santa Anita on July 4 behind the D’Amato-trained Pee Wee Reese. The American Stakes was Hunt’s first start since November.

“Hunt had his race, and I think second race off the break will shape up well for him,” D’Amato said.

Kenjisstorm, by Stormy Atlantic Last 3 Beyers: 97-101-94

◗ Kenjisstorm followed his win on May 14 with a sixth in the American Stakes. Baltas expects Kenjisstorm to be effective at 1 1/8 miles.

“It’s a good distance for the horse,” Baltas said. “There is speed in there, but do they have his speed? We’re taking a shot.”

Up With the Birds, by Stormy Atlantic Last 3 Beyers: 94-91-92

◗ The Eddie Read will be the third start for Up With the Birds with D’Amato as trainer. Up With the Birds was third in an optional claimer in April and seventh, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Whittingham Stakes.

◗ D’Amato said Up With the Birds is a threat from well off the pace.

“He looks like a marathon horse, but he has won plenty of graded stakes going a mile and an eighth,” D’Amato said.