1/28 (GP/SA): Florida & California Sunshine Millions

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by gamblin4ever

I can't remember who said but I believe it was due to not many shippers, so they decided it best this way. I'm probably wrong though.

You're probably right. I thought the horsemen in CA squawked a bit too about how much money was going to restricted races. The whole concept is pretty idiotic in the end.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

The whole concept is pretty idiotic in the end.

Being there though... there was something fun about it.

I don't like the 50 million food truck days or the 10k run, beer festivals, etc. but this was like just a little extra fun betting. Maybe cause you'd root for horses from your state and the other people who were there understood it... it wasn't so much one of those days where the track would try to lure in new people as it was(seemed like) more for the fans who are also bettors. The other people knew the horses names (too) and it made for fun conversation with strangers, etc.

I don't know, it was just fun even though the concept might have been silly.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I don't know, it was just fun even though the concept might have been silly.

It's not silly, it's destructive to top class racing.

The only way a microbrew festival can impact top class racing is if some drunken idiot gets onto the track and takes a swing at a champion sprinter racing down the stretch.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

It's not silly, it's destructive to top class racing.

I'm a little surprised by this line...

Did the Sunshine Millions ever draw many top class horses?

I've been a fan of many but top class?

... or am I completely misunderstanding?

Too many tracks... that could make a good argument but a series of races one day a year? I'm sorry I don't unerstand.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I'm a little surprised by this line...

Did the Sunshine Millions ever draw many top class horses?

I've been a fan of many but top class?

... or am I completely misunderstanding?

Too many tracks... that could make a good argument but a series of races one day a year? I'm sorry I don't unerstand.

You're kidding, right?

Lava Man, Southern Image, Go Between, Miesque's Approval, Caracortado, Forbidden Apple, Star Over The Bay, Presious Passion, The Usual QT, War Monger, Silver Wagon, Ginger Punch, Lost In The Fog, Bob Black Jack, Idiot Proof, Evening Jewel, Dream Of Summer, Silent Sighs, Bordonaro, Benny The Bull, Georgie Boy, Amazombie, Apriority,...

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

You're kidding, right?

Lava Man, Southern Image, Go Between, Miesque's Approval, Caracortado, Forbidden Apple, Star Over The Bay, Presious Passion, The Usual QT, War Monger, Silver Wagon, Ginger Punch, Lost In The Fog, Bob Black Jack, Idiot Proof, Evening Jewel, Dream Of Summer, Silent Sighs, Bordonaro, Benny The Bull, Georgie Boy, Amazombie, Apriority,...

Yeah right after I posted that I started remembering some of these names.

I'm a moron. Ignore me.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I'm a little surprised by this line...

Did the Sunshine Millions ever draw many top class horses?

I've been a fan of many but top class?

... or am I completely misunderstanding?

Too many tracks... that could make a good argument but a series of races one day a year? I'm sorry I don't unerstand.

What is so hard to get Missy? You have the Donn and a myriad of important graded races at GP its suppose to be the Mecca of Winter racing. Good horses like MMMan Sweet Repent and Awesome Feather are going to run in easy spots to pad trainers/owners pockets vs. more difficult open company. There just arent a lot of good horses(fast) and when these easy slushy spots open up it hurts the value of a Great race like the Donn etc.

[my miss storm cat]

Got it.

[gamblin4ever]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

You're probably right. I thought the horsemen in CA squawked a bit too about how much money was going to restricted races. The whole concept is pretty idiotic in the end.

I understand,but, I think it's a good concept if later in the meet so it doesn't hurt stakes like the Donn. The 3 yr olds not good enough for the Derby would be able to run also.

[Travis Stone]

The concept is fine, but the timing is not.

[RolloTomasi]

I don't see how it's a good concept regardless of calendar placement.

The inflated purses and state-bred restrictions will always take away from tougher graded stakes races.

[NTamm1215]

For what it's worth, the F/M Sprint race is interesting with It's Me Mom in it. She has won three in a row overall and her last two at Tampa were very impressive. On paper, she will be a tough match for Pomeroys Pistol and Musical Romance. Beat the Blues is no slouch either.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

For what it's worth, the F/M Sprint race is interesting with It's Me Mom in it. She has won three in a row overall and her last two at Tampa were very impressive. On paper, she will be a tough match for Pomeroys Pistol and Musical Romance. Beat the Blues is no slouch either.

The Classic seems interesting as well.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

The Classic seems interesting as well.

Absolutely. You have the suddenly surprising Ron the Greek, the Pletcher super-charged Turbo Compressor, Mucho Macho Man, and Adios Charlie, both of whom had solid comeback races.

[gamblin4ever]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I don't see how it's a good concept regardless of calendar placement.

The inflated purses and state-bred restrictions will always take away from tougher graded stakes races.

There are too many graded stakes as is that top horses can bypass each other. At least these can bring the better horses from the state together for good racing. These FLA races are interesting from a betting point and due to the over abundance of graded stakes, most probably bypass the Donn and others looking for easier spots.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by gamblin4ever

There are too many graded stakes as is that top horses can bypass each other. At least these can bring the better horses from the state together for good racing. These FLA races are interesting from a betting point and due to the over abundance of graded stakes, most probably bypass the Donn and others looking for easier spots.

There certainly are a lot of reasons why top class racing has declined.

I'd rather see racing administrators make moves to improve the quality on a national scale, not embrace gimmicky one-offs.

[Kasept]

SANTA ANITA 4th - THE SENSATIONAL STAR STAKES (4:35 p.m.)

(1) Luckarack Hector Berrios 15
(2) Ain’t No Other Martin Garcia 6
(3) Tamarack Smarty David Flores 20
(4) Compari Mike Smith 5/2
(5) Caracortado Rafael Bejarano 4/5
(6) My Summer Slew Alonso Quinonez 20
(7) Mega Heat Joe Talamo 12
(8) Red Defense Joel Rosario 8



SANTA ANITA 5th - THE CRYSTAL WATER STAKES (5:05 p.m.)

(1) Legal Separation Victor Espinoza 6
(2) Bluegrass Reward Joe Talamo 9/2
(3) Spud Spivens Mike Smith 9/2
(4) Thirtyfirststreet Joel Rosario 2
(5) Holladay Road Rafael Bejarano 5/2
(6) Macho Dorado Corey Nakatani 9/2



SANTA ANITA 6th - THE VALENTINE DANCER STAKES (5:37 p.m.)

(1) Secret Cove Joel Rosario 15
(2) Warren’s Got Game Santiago Reyes 20
(3) Antares World Martin Garcia 9/2
(4) La Sombre Alonso Quinonez 4
(5) Chokecherymary Corey Nakatani 10
(6) Cayanna Victor Espinoza 15
(7) Unzip Me Rafael Bejarano 5/2
(8) California Nectar Hector Berrios 10
(9) Halo Dolly Joe Talamo 3
(10) Bench Glory Brice Blanc 20