FIRST TURN
JANUARY 27
Looking forward to Sunshine Millions
by James Scully
Give Frank Stronach credit. The Sunshine Millions was a good idea that has
evolved into a showcase for Thoroughbred racing in the middle of winter.
Saturday’s third edition will pit horses bred in California and Florida in eight
races worth a combined $3.6 million at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.
The rivalry aspect hasn’t developed as hoped with Florida-breds dominating
the competition so far. Sunshine State natives won seven of eight in 2003 and
six races last year. However, quality racing is the most important thing for the
success of the program and the Sunshine Millions has gotten better each year.
Five of Saturday’s eight races drew full fields and the only small
collection, the six-horse Distaff, features a strong group of fillies and mares.
The $1 million Classic, which takes place this year at Gulfstream Park, is the
centerpiece event and has attracted 14 entrants, including Grade 1 winner MIDAS
EYES (Touch Gold), Del Mar Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) hero and Florida veteran SUPAH
BLITZ (Mecke), last year’s Holy Bull S. (G3) winner and Fountain of Youth S.
(G2) runner-up SECOND OF JUNE (Louis Quatorze) and the improving CLASSIC
ENDEAVOR (Silver Buck), who comes off a pair of Grade 3 victories.
The first Sunshine Millions Classic was won by Best of the Rest. The
hard-hitting gray won 13 stakes overall but didn’t compete at the highest levels
during his career. Southern Image (Halo’s Image) brought instant credibility to
the event last year. The Florida-bred went on to capture the Santa Anita H. (G1)
and Pimlico Special H. (G1) and was the top handicap runner in the nation in the
first half of 2004. Among those left in his wake in last year’s Classic was
three-time Grade 1 winner and $3 million earner Peace Rules.
Good horses are key to the series and Florida-breds have always been able to
hold their own anywhere. Affirmed, Unbridled and Silver Charm are three who
instantly come to mind. Cal-breds haven’t been as a prominent. Prior to 2000,
Swaps began and ended many discussions of top horses bred in the Golden State.
And he ran during the 1950s. However, Tiznow came along at the beginning of the
decade to restore some pride to the California breeding industry. He captured
back-to-back runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and was named Horse of
the Year in 2000.
In Excess (Ire), General Meeting, Cee’s Tizzy, Roar and Smokester are among
the leading sires presently standing in California.
The Sunshine Millions will always have its critics because there are plenty
of people who simply don’t like state-bred races. But there are enough good
horses bred in both states each year to provide the participants for an
eight-race program that features competitive fields and top-class racing. The
money (minimum purse is $250,000) gets them there, and the Sunshine Millions is
delivering.