The seventh annual battle of thoroughbreds from Florida and California features a slew of horses, several full fields and total purse money of nearly $3.6 million.
In the past half-dozen Sunshine Millions, eight races divided evenly between Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita, Florida-breds proved the best each time. Based on a points system for win (5), place (3) and show (1), California-breds have inched closer, losing the last three years 37-35.
Florida-bred entries dominate the contests at both tracks. At Gulfstream, only seven of the 46 entered horses were bred in California. At Santa Anita, however, 20 of the 47 entries were bred in Florida.
The richest, and perhaps the most interesting, race on Saturday is the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic for 4-year-olds and up at Gulfstream. The 1 1/8-mile contest will feature a field of 12 headed by Delightful Kiss.
The graded-stakes winner is one of four Florida-breds considered top contenders. Although the son of Kissin Kris drew the No. 12 post, he is the likely favorite. The 5-year-old rallied from last in the 14-horse Hal’s Hope Handicap on Gulfstream’s opening day to win handily by three lengths under regular rider Calvin Borel.
A trio of notable 3-year-olds from last season aiming for the winner’s circle includes Macho Uno, runner-up to Big Brown in the Preakness who last won at 1 1/8 miles in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga in July.
Hey Byrn, seventh in the Preakness, won a mile allowance contest at Gulfstream this month, his first victory since taking the Holy Bull last March. Atoned is coming off a triumph at the distance in his ’08 finale in the Pegasus at the Meadowlands in October.
The best race at Santa Anita could be the $300,000 Sprint for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs. It features a field of 11, including top class speedsters like Florida-bred In Summation and Cal-bred Georgie Boy.
In Summation, winner of 10 stakes, has been very effective over the Pro-Ride main track, winning the New Year’s Day El Conejo Handicap at 5 ½ furlongs for the second consecutive time. The 6-year-old son of Put It Back is 5-2-1 in 10 outings on such synthetic surfaces.
Newly turned 4-year-old Georgie Boy ran third in Santa Anita’s Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 26. Last March, the son of Tribal Rule captured the San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles on the Pro-Ride surface.
Another Florida-bred is going for his seventh victory in a row after scoring in his first graded stakes on Dec. 13 at Calder Race Course. Five-year-old Yesbyjimmy boosted his earnings over $560,000 by winning the Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap at seven furlongs.
Full fields will contest the following races:
At Santa Anita, Florida-breds Briecat, Dawn After Dawn and Leah’s Secret will take on Cal-breds Bai and Bai and Spenditallbaby in the $500,000 Distaff for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles.
At Gulfstream, Cal-bred Mistical Plan challenges Florida-breds High Resolve and Lovely Isle in the $300,000 Filly and Mare Sprint for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs.
Horse Racing betting at WagerWeb.com
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