Benny and Trickski romp in Sunshine Millions Sprints

IEAH Stables et al’s BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) slipped through along the
rail at the top of the stretch and powered home a most impressive 4 1/2-length
winner of the $300,000
Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
Trained by Richard Dutrow and representing the Sunshine State, the five-year-old
was alert from the break and was in striking position along the backstretch,
waiting patiently under Edgar Prado for run through the lane. Benny the Bull
finished off six furlongs in a sparkling 1:08.48, just .02 off the track
record, and gave back $4, $2.80 and $2.40 as the even-money favorite.

High Standards (High Brite) broke best from the rail and established a sharp opening quarter-mile in :21 4/5, before being overtaken by 7-2 second
choice Mach Ride (Pentelicus), who clocked the half-mile in :44 2/5. Benny the
Bull was positioned to the rail approaching the final turn and left little doubt
as to who was best on this day. Santana Strings (Wheaton) closed from well back
along the rail to garner place honors, paying $22.20 and $9.60 while completing
the $35.90 exacta ($1) at nearly 50-1. Mach Ride retained third and capped the
$178.30 trifecta ($1) while giving back $3.60 to show. Tropic Storm (Stormy
Atlantic), the 7-1 third choice, traveled wide throughout and capped the
$1,235.30 superfecta ($1) (6-10-2-9).

Mr. Umphrey (Jules) was next and followed by Cobalt Blue (Golden Missile),
Storm in May (Tiger Ridge), Finallymadeit (Concerto), Praying for Cash (Songandaprayer),
High Standards and Bushwacker (Outflanker).

Benny the Bull improved his lifetime line to 14-6-1-2, $633,550. The dark bay
was exiting his biggest win to date in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S.
(G1), and also owns a tally in the Iowa Sprint H. Benny the Bull was privately
purchased following his win in Iowa, and followed with a good fourth in the A.
G. Vanderbilt H. (G2), a strong second in the Forego S. (G1) and a fourth-place
showing in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), leading up to the De Francis.

Bred by Tomoka Farms, Benny the Bull was originally purchased for $38,000 at
the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The first foal from stakes heroine
Comet Cat (Birdonthewire), he has an unnamed juvenile half-brother by Broken
Vow.

Dearest Trickski has morphed into a flying machine since switching to the synthetic (Benoit Photo) At Santa Anita in the $300,000 Filly & Mare Sprint, 4-5 favorite DEAREST TRICKSKI (Proudest Romeo) fired from the gate and was never headed in taking this one for John Sadler and the state of Florida. The surging four-year-old filly established a pressured opening quarter-mile in a sharp :20 2/5, opened up by 2 1/2 lengths when reaching the half-mile in :43 1/5, and opened up an insurmountable lead in the stretch, eventually stopping the teletimer in 1:07 3/5 while 4 1/4 lengths clear at the wire. Piloted by Mike Smith, the Grade 1 queen spearheaded $1 exotics worth $19.10 (exacta), $109.10 (trifecta) and $1,078.40 superfecta (8-10-5-2), while paying $3.60, $3 and $2.40. “She’s just about the quickest thing I’ve ever been on,” Smith said. “They just don’t come any quicker than that. She’s like a deer leaving the gate. She runs ’em off their feet, relaxes, and then she’s got another gear. She is fa-a-a-s-st, and she could have gone faster.” Dixie Dreamer (Mutakddim) went three wide turning for home and did well to gain the place spot by one length. The runner-up was worth $8.80 and $6.80 at 13-1. Prime Catch (Prime Timber) closed from well back to be a clear third, good for $3.80 at 9-1. Sekira (Holy Bull) concluded the superfecta at 41-1 and was trailed by defending champion Shaggy Mane (Bertrando), Coli Bear (Formal Dinner), Cher Ami (Lost Soldier) and More Angels (Slew of Angels). Lady Gamer (Game Plan) and Tiz Elemental (Cee’s Tizzy) were withdrawn.

Dearest Trickski has now reeled off five consecutive wins, and eight of her
last nine starts, highlighted by a conquer in the La Brea S. (G1) last out. The bay
has now amassed $445,500, from a 13-9-2-0 line. Produced from the stakes-placed Trickski (Peteski), the winner has an
unraced three-year-old full brother named Faster Than Flash, an unnamed two-year-old half-sister by Snow Ridge and an unnamed
yearling half-brother by Freefourinternet. She was bred by Drs. K. K. and V. Devi
Jayaraman.