Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) heroine GINGER PUNCH (Awesome Again), who is
expected to take home the Eclipse Award as champion older mare on Monday
evening, is the main attraction on Gulfstream Park’s Sunshine Millions Day
program on Saturday. A one-day, eight-race extravaganza pitting Florida-breds
against California-breds, the Sunshine Millions events are split between
Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita, with each track hosting four stakes. Gulfstream
will stage the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff, where Ginger Punch will kick
off her five-year-old campaign, along with the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf,
the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint and the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks.
The Florida-bred Ginger Punch rapidly developed into a top-class performer
for Bobby Frankel last year. After just missing by a neck in the Ogden Phipps H.
(G1), the Stronach Stables homebred rattled off consecutive scores in the First
Flight H. (G2), Go for Wand H. (G1) and Ruffian H. (G1). Her streak was broken
when she finished third in the Beldame S. (G1), but Ginger Punch came right back
to capture the Breeders’ Cup Distaff by a hard-fought neck.
Ginger Punch has been training forwardly in advance of this 1 1/8-mile test,
and she will break from post 2 beneath regular rider Rafael Bejarano.
Florida holds a similarly strong hand in the 1 1/8-mile Turf, with nine of
Other top Florida-bred threats include PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem), who
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The Florida-bred domination is even more apparent in the Sprint, claiming 10
of the 11 speedsters set to line up in the six-furlong scramble. The most
accomplished member of the field is BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel). Runner-up in
the Forego S. (G1) and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), the Richard
Dutrow charge broke through with his first top-level victory in the Frank J. De
Francis Memorial Dash S. (G1) last time out. Edgar Prado will be back in the
saddle as Benny the Bull breaks from post 6. The confirmed closer will be
assisted by his rabbit of a stablemate, MR. UMPHREY (Jules), who will try to
pour gas on the fire early.
Also likely to wing it up front are Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) winner
BUSHWACKER (Outflanker), who counts as a Florida-bred even though he is trained
in California by Bill Currin; Smile Sprint H. (G2) hero MACH RIDE (Pentelicus)
and multiple stakes victor FINALLYMADEIT (Concerto), who were respectively
second and third in the Mr. Prospector H. (G3) most recently; and the lone
Cal-bred, Grade 3 scorer HIGH STANDARDS (High Brite).
Besides Benny the Bull, COBALT BLUE (Golden Missile) and STORM IN MAY (Tiger
Ridge) should relish the prospect of a pace meltdown. Conditioned by Doug
O’Neill, Cobalt Blue came from the clouds to garner the Select S. on the
Breeders’ Cup undercard at Monmouth two back, while Storm in May rallied from
far back to land the Sunshine Millions Dash at this track and trip last year.
Florida is the home state of eight of the 11 sophomore fillies, and all of
the prime contenders, in the six-furlong Oaks. Steve Asmussen will send out
BLITZING (Montbrook), a 7 1/2-length romper in the Letellier Memorial S. at Fair
Grounds in her latest venture. The bay sports a two-for-three mark at this
distance, with her lone loss being a near-miss third in the Schuylerville S.
(G3) at Saratoga. Regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan will renew his partnership with
Blitzing, who has drawn post 5.
Grade 3-placed AMERICAN COUNTY (Gibson County) chased Blitzing home in a
Churchill Downs allowance two back. In her only subsequent start, the Dale
Romans trainee powered to a 5 1/2-length tally beneath the Twin Spires. She
figures to flash speed, along with N.A.T.C. Futurity heroine PHANTOM INCOME (Montbrook),
Moccasin S. runner-up SINDY JACOBSON (More Than Ready), and the Cal-bred duo of
YOGI’SSPLASHOFGOLD (Touch Gold) and LOVEHI (Swiss Yodeler).