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

[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

[Stickhorse]

The original Sunshine Millions is now dead? The series was an annual rout for the Sunshine State as the Golden State usually came away very tarnished. I guess the powers that be decided:
What the hell? Let's just scrap the original premise and let the Florida breds have a day just for themselves!

I say good riddance; this series of races besides making Cal breds look bad also diminished the Strub Series. Any 4YO that was a Florida bred or Cal bred found it more profitable to run in the Sunshine Millions instead of the Strub Stakes.

This weekend both tracks have nice cards and maybe some regulars don't like the food trucks but big deal. The food trucks will not inconvenience regulars in any way since they are in the infield. This promotion is a good idea to get a few novices and foodies out to the track because Santa Anita is so striking a few will want to venture back to the Great Race Place.