4th-Presque Isle Downs, $49,500, Hcp, 9-18, 3yo/up, 6f (AWT), 1:08.72, ft, 1 1/2 lengths.
CLOSETHEGAME SUGAR (g, 3, Girvin–Casual Cocktail, by Magna Graduate), a debut winner in a single start at two sprinting on the turf at Saratoga, was narrowly beaten in this track's Tom Ridge S. on his seasonal return June 5. The Brereton Jones-bred registered a 19-1 upset of the Aug. 13 Mahony S. at the Spa and was backing up quickly off a fourth in the GII Franklin-Stamps S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 9. Favored at 19-10 facing some seasoned synthetic sprinters, the $10,000 KEESEP acquisition led soon after the start, but was content to cede the advantage down the back and stalk from second. Asked to come after the pacesetter nearing the stretch, he was set down by Irad Ortiz, Jr. while racing well off the inside and finished with good energy for the victory. Surly Furious (Upstart) just nosed out Night Time (Majesticperfection) for a poignant Jones-bred trifecta. The winner's 2-year-old half-sister Status Seeker (Upstart) won her maiden at first asking at Belmont Park this past June, and in true Jones style, Casual Cocktail produced colt's by one of Airdrie's newest stallions, Preservationist, in 2022 and 2023. The mare visited Happy Saver this past season. Sales history: $10,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-1-0, $202,050. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Adam Rice & Sugar Diaz LLC; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Adam Rice.
#5 Closethegame Sugar closes strong to take the 4th Race @PID_Casino!
Jockey: @iradortiz
Trainer: Adam Rice
Owner: Adam Rice and Sugar Diaz LLC@PA_HBPA🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/hdqG7OCd7u
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 18, 2023
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