Juliesugardaddy, unbeaten in three turf starts, could be just the tonic that ailing trainer Barry Abrams needs when the gray colt seeks his first graded stakes victory Saturday in the $100,000-added Will Rogers Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Hollywood Park.Abrams, 51, is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for throat cancer and was joined by a surprise visitor at Arcadia Methodist Hospital Wednesday when his assistant Washington was admitted after experiencing vision problems at Santa Anita. Washington underwent blood-sugar tests for diabetes."I'm having my last chemotherapy (Wednesday) and the 30-day session ends Saturday night," said Abrams, hopeful he will be able to celebrate a victory by Juliesugardaddy in the Will Rogers, restricted to 3-year-olds at one mile on turf.Alex Bisono will be aboard Juliesugardaddy, a California-bred son of Unusual Heat that won the Harry Henson Stakes on opening night at Hollywood Park April 22 and came back to win an allowance race on the course May 7. Juliesugardaddy faces eight rivals in a turf event that was one of 12 stakes scheduled during Hollywood Park's inaugural season in 1938.Most accomplished Will Rogers participant is Texcess, the 123-pound high weight who will be attempting a grass surface for the first time. Compared to the $188,575 earnings by Juliesugardaddy, Texcess is a money magnet with $768,427 in the bank from a 3-2-1 log in eight starts. Much of the Paul Aguirre-trainee's earnings came when victorious as a 2-year-old in the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot in Louisiana Dec. 4. Texcess has gone winless in four subsequent starts.Following a maiden victory and four defeats on dirt, Juliesugardaddy blossomed when moved to grass. He won his first try over the surface at Santa Anita at 9-1 odds, returned to take Hollywood Park's $92,000 Harry Henson Stakes, and stretched out to capture an allowance event at one-mile on May 7. He may be favored for the first time in his career on Saturday."He has had a couple of slow works here since and is doing good," said Abrams. "I hope he continues his winning streak. It's a tough field, but he's a pretty good horse."
$100,000-added Will Rogers Stakes (gr. IIIT), 3-year-olds, 1 mile (turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight
1. Texcess, David Flores, 123
2. Sunny Sky, Corey Nakatani, 115
3. Easter Sand, Rene Douglas, 117
4. Juliesugardaddy, Alex Bisono, 117
5. Osidy, Alex Solis, 115
6. Talking To John, Tyler Baze, 115
7. Willow O Wisp, Garrett Gomez, 119
8. Moth Ball, Victor Espinoza, 115
9. Claymont, Isaias Enriquez, 117.
