Sunshine Millions Scheduled for Saturday

It’s the battle of the breeds for the Sunshine Millions when Florida and California bred horses run against each other this Saturday, Jan. 26. (AI Wire photo)

Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and at in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Gulfstream Park will be the locations for this event where points will be awarded for each horse placing first, second and third. At the end of the racing day the results are tallied for points accumulated through all eight races. The state with the most points will be determined as the winner!

Severe weather in Southern California has turned the track at Santa Anita into a soggy mess, canceling all Jan. 24 races. Track management has stated upcoming days are listed “day to day” as rainy weather including thunderstorms are in the forecast through to Sunday.

"We're at the mercy of the weather right now," track president Ron Charles said Thursday after the weekday card was canceled due to track condition. Though rain is expected into the weekend, Charles was reluctant to pull the plug on the important Saturday card because forecasters called for a possible break from late Friday through late Saturday.

Should all races run as planned, great competition can be expected. Breeders Cup Distaff winner Ginger Punch, and fourth places finisher in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Nashoba’s Key will be ones to watch for in the west at Santa Anita. This is the first race of the 2008 season for both of these entries.

The De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park winner Benny the Bull is a strong favorite for the east, running under Edgar Prado, one of the top jockeys in the industry today. Also in the same 10 horse field as Benny the Bull, Florida bred Bushwacker who scored the win in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (gr. III) at Hollywood Park on Dec. 2 is also expected to be a strong contender.

If there is a window open, the races at Santa Anita will continue but if they are forced to close the track they will reschedule so each horse has the best opportunity to race on the best surface.

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