Spun Sugar is sweet in victorious return

Returning to action from a six-month layoff, Stronach Stables' SPUN SUGAR

(Awesome Again) showed no signs of rust, drawing off to a 4 1/4-length victory

in Gulfstream Park's 4TH race on Monday, a one-mile allowance/optional claiming

event. On paper, her five opponents appeared outclassed, and that's just how it

played out on the track.

Last year's Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) winner closely attended the pace on the

outside through steady fractions. Given the cue by rider John Velazquez, Spun

Sugar asserted her superiority coming out of the far turn and strode clear while

in hand. The Todd Pletcher trainee finished the one mile on a fast track in 1:36

4/5.

Spun Sugar is likely to return to graded stakes company for her next start.

One of the divisional leaders last season at three, she finished second to

eventual champion Smuggler (Unbridled) in the Mother Goose S. (G1) and was third

to Smuggler in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). In her final outing of

2005, she was a distant runner-up to Sweet Symphony (A.P. Indy) in the Alabama

S. (G1) at Saratoga in August.

The bay four-year-old filly's record now stands at 8-4-3-1 with $464,171 in

earnings.