Front-Running Catonight Wins Sugar Bowl

Steve Asmussen saddled a New Year's Day stakes winner for the second straight year as Catonight captured the $81,600 Sugar Bowl for 3-year-olds Sunday at the Fair Grounds meet at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Catonight made every pole a winning one in finishing 2 1/2 lengths ahead of stablemate Here Tiger in 1:10.94 for six furlongs. It was another half-length back to Kingsfield in the field of seven sophomores.

Last Jan. 1, Asmussen tied a modern Fair Grounds record with four winners, including More Moonlight in the Letellier Memorial Stakes.

Catonight captured two of three starts as a juvenile – a maiden win in his debut at Keeneland and an allowance score at Sunland Park in his last try. Sunday's win more than doubled his lifetime earnings to slightly more than $90,000 for co-owners Ocean Front Property Stable and Keith Asmussen.

(Chart, Equibase)