Versatile Rye finds logical spot in Crystal Water

ARCADIA, Calif. – Rye won the California Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles in January, finished fifth in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles in March, and was third in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at about 1 3/4 miles on turf last month.

Distances do not seem to matter when planning races for the 5-year-old Rye, which makes his presence in the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita seem logical.

“It’s like shortening up to a sprint,” trainer William E. Morey said.

Rye will race at a mile for the first time in 21 months in the Crystal Water Stakes. In August 2016, Rye won a starter allowance at a mile on turf at Del Mar for horses that had run in cheap claimers.

Rye once ran in a $12,500 claimer for maidens at Golden Gate Fields in 2016 and was claimed for $20,000 from a maiden race later that year by Morey on behalf of Joseph Morey, who is not related to the trainer.

This year, Rye has earned $126,000 in three starts. He will figure prominently in the betting for the Crystal Water, which drew a field of 12, including stakes winners Ashleyluvssugar, B Squared, Smokey Image, and Soi Phet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Rye, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 92-92-92

◗ Rye was beaten a length by Nessy in the San Juan Capistrano, closing from sixth in a field of seven under jockey Kent Desormeaux. Rye was on the inside for much of the race and finished a head behind runnerup A Red Tie Day.

“Kent said he was frustrated being inside,” Morey said. “He said he could have been second if he hadn’t wasted time trying to get out.”

◗ Rye will be at the back of the Crystal Water field early, but could be helped if runners such as B Squared and Tule Fog take their customary positions near the front early.

“With the right pace, I think he can be right there,” Morey said.

Ashleyluvssugar, by Game Plan Last 3 Beyers: 101-103-99

◗ Ashleyluvssugar will have his first start of 2018 on Sunday. Last year, Ashleyluvssugar won two stakes in five starts – the 1 1/8-mile California Cup Turf Classic and Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf. He was in need of a rest by the end of the summer.

“We decided to freshen him,” trainer Peter Eurton said.

◗ Ashleyluvssugar has not started at a mile since finishing third in the 2016 Crystal Water. Eurton considers Sunday’s race as the start to a year-long campaign.

“A mile is not his best gig,” he said. “He does run decent numbers going a mile. I think the race will do him a lot of good.”

B Squared, by Square Eddie Last 3 Beyers: 94-82-90

◗ B Squared won the Thor’s Echo Stakes for Californiabreds at six furlongs April 14. He has drawn the rail Sunday for his first start at a mile on turf since a fifth in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds last December.

“I would think drawing the rail, he would be forwardly placed,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.

◗ B Squared won the Silky Sullivan Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred turf milers at Golden Gate Fields in April 2017.