NEWS
Ginger Punch among Sunshine Millions entrants
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:14 PM
GINGER PUNCH
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
The sixth edition of the Sunshine Millions will contested on Saturday with eight stakes races—four at Santa Anita Park and four at Gulfstream Park—pitting California-bred horses against Florida-breds.
Champion Ginger Punch headlines the list of entrants as she is one of 12 older females slated to contest the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff for older females at Gulfstream. The five-year-old Awesome Again mare enters the 1 1/8-mile race off a victory in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park.
Santa Anita will host the $1-million Sunshine Millions Classic, which drew a full field of 12 horses as well as two also-eligible entrants. Four Roses Thoroughbreds’ Diamond Stripes was tabbed the 7-to-2 morning-line favorite for the 1 1/8-mile race on the main track.
A two-time graded stakes winner, the five-year-old Notebook gelding will make his first start in California for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. Also among the entrants are 2007 Sunshine Millions Classic winner McCann’s Mojave, Grade 1 winner Buzzards Bay, and graded stakes winner Electrify, who is listed as the 5-to-1 second choice on the morning line.
The Arcadia track also will host the $500,000 San Miguel Indian Bingo and Casino Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf, which is expected to include Nashoba’s Key, the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint, and the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash for three-year-olds.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Nashoba’s Key, a finalist for the Eclipse Award as both champion older female and champion turf female, was tabbed as the even-money favorite on the morning line.
Gulfstream also will host the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf, the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, and the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks.
Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G1) winner Benny the Bull is one of 11 horses entered in the Sunshine Millions Sprint. The five-year-old Lucky Lionel horse finished fourth in the 2007 TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Diamond Stripes (Notebook), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 122, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., 7-to-2;
2. Bilo (Bertrando), Tyler Baze, 122, Mike R. Mitchell, 8-to-1;
3. Buzzards Bay (Marco Bay), Jose Valdivia, Jr., 122, Ronald W. Ellis, 8-to-1;
4. Bold Chieftain (Chief Seattle), David Romero Flores, 122, William J. Morey, Jr., 10-to-1;
5. Celtic Dreamin (Game Plan), Alex O. Solis, 120, Rafael Becerra, 8-to-1;
6. Now Victory (Sharp Victor), Mike E. Smith, 122, Dean Pederson, 15-to-1;
7. Seminole Native (Lil Tyler), Michael C. Baze, 122, Jorge Gutierrez, 12-to-1;
8. Electrify (Delaware Township), Eddie Castro, 122, Edward Plesa, Jr., 5-to-1;
9. Go Between (Point Given), Garrett K. Gomez, 122, William I. Mott, 8-to-1;
10. McCann's Mojave (Memo [CHI]), Frank T. Alvarado, 122, Steven Specht, 12-to-1;
11. Going Ballistic (Lite the Fuse), Joseph Talamo, 120, Donnie K. Von Hemel, 15-to-1;
12. Gottcha Gold (Coronado's Quest), Charles C. Lopez, 122, Edward Plesa, Jr., 8-to-1;
13. Joy's Comet (Comet Shine), Tyler Baze, 122, Ted H. West, 30-to-1; and
14. Better Than Bonds (Sweetsouthernsaint), Jeremy Rose, 122, H. Graham Motion, 30-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Somethinaboutlaura (Dance Floor), Michael C. Baze, 122, Jerry Hollendorfer, 8-to-1;
2. Placid Lake (Greenwood Lake), David Romero Flores, 122, Vladimir Cerin, 20-to-1;
3. Snow Cone (Cryptoclearance), Eddie Castro, 120, Martin D. Wolfson, 8-to-1;
4. Lady Tropicana (Cloud Hopping), Alex O. Solis, 122, Alan Benning, 30-to-1;
5. Gentle Charmer (Bertrando), Kyle Kaenel, 122, Ed Moger, Jr., 20-to-1;
6. Nashoba's Key (Silver Hawk), Joseph Talamo, 122, Carla Gaines, 1-to-1;
7. Quite a Bride (Stormy Atlantic), Garrett K. Gomez, 122, William I. Mott, 9-to-5; and
8. Bai and Bai (Falstaff), Victor Espinoza, 122, Craig Dollase, 15-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Peach Flambe (Flying Chevron), Eibar Coa, 122, Mark A. Hennig, 8-to-1;
2. Ginger Punch (Awesome Again), Rafael Bejarano, 122, Robert J. Frankel, 6-to-5;
3. Leah's Secret (Tiger Ridge), John R. Velazquez, 122, Todd A. Pletcher, 5-to-1;
4. Saffronista (Ecton Park), Julio A. Garcia, 122, Jose Pinchin, 20-to-1;
5. Swiss Current (Swiss Yodeler), Aaron T. Gryder, 120, Doug F. O'Neill, 20-to-1;
6. Night Power (Benchmark), Miguel Hernandez, 122, Manuel E. Uriza, 30-to-1;
7. Exchanging Fire (Exchange Rate), Edwin L. King, Jr., 120, Stephen L. DiMauro, 30-to-1;
8. Bayou's Lassie (Outflanker), Elvis Trujillo, 122, Christophe Clement, 4-to-1;
9. Prop Me Up (Reparations), Jose Lezcano, 122, Gregory D. Sacco, 20-to-1;
10. Memorette (Memo [CHI]), Kent J. Desormeaux, 122, William L. Currin, 15-to-1;
11. Curiously Sweet (Mud Route), Javier Castellano, 120, John W. Sadler, 12-to-1; and
12. Lost Etiquette (Lost Soldier), Shaun Bridgmohan, 120, Steven M. Asmussen, 20-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. War Monger (War Chant), Kent J. Desormeaux, 120, William I. Mott, 4-to-1;
2. Pickapocket (Mecke), Shaun Bridgmohan, 120, William I. Mott, 20-to-1;
3. French Vintage (Mecke), Joe Bravo, 120, Joseph H. Pierce, Jr., 15-to-1;
4. Add Heat (Unusual Heat), Eibar Coa, 122, Barry Abrams, 15-to-1;
5. Birdbirdistheword (Pure Prize), Javier Castellano, 120, Kenneth G. McPeek, 6-to-1;
6. Icy Atlantic (Stormy Atlantic), John R. Velazquez, 122, Todd A. Pletcher, 3-to-1;
7. Soldier's Dancer (Lost Soldier), Rene R. Douglas, 120, David A. Vivian, 6-to-1;
8. Lucky J. H. (Cee's Tizzy), Aaron T. Gryder, 122, Carla Gaines, 20-to-1;
9. Ruff and Ready (More Than Ready), Jose Lezcano, 122, Todd A. Pletcher, 8-to-1;
10. Epic Power (Epic Honor), Rafael Bejarano, 122, Jack Carava, 12-to-1;
11. Summer Book (Notebook), Edgar S. Prado, 122, Frank L. Brothers, 12-to-1; and
12. Presious Passion (Royal Anthem), Elvis Trujillo, 122, Mary Hartmann, 10-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. High Standards (High Brite), Jorge F. Chavez, 122, Martin F. Jones, 10-to-1;
2. Mach Ride (Pentelicus), Elvis Trujillo, 122, Steven W. Standridge, 4-to-1;
3. Praying for Cash (Songandaprayer), John R. Velazquez, 122, Kiaran P. McLaughlin, 6-to-1;
4. Finallymadeit (Concerto), Eduardo O. Nunez, 121, Javier Negrete, 8-to-1;
5. Storm in May (Tiger Ridge), Manoel R. Cruz, 121, William A. Kaplan, 20-to-1;
6. Benny the Bull (Lucky Lionel), Edgar S. Prado, 122, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., 8-to-5;
7. Cobalt Blue (Golden Missile), Rafael Bejarano, 121, Doug F. O'Neill, 12-to-1;
8. Mr. Umphrey (Jules), Javier Castellano, 122, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., 15-to-1;
9. Tropic Storm (Stormy Atlantic), Aaron T. Gryder, 121, Craig Dollase, 20-to-1;
10. Santana Strings (Wheaton), Rene R. Douglas, 122, Steven M. Asmussen, 12-to-1; and
11. Bushwacker (Outflanker), Kent J. Desormeaux, 122, William L. Currin, 12-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. More Angels (Slew of Angels), Richard Migliore, 122, Bruce N. Levine, 8-to-1;
2. Sekira (Holy Bull), Alex O. Solis, 121, Dan L. Hendricks, 20-to-1;
3. Coli Bear (Formal Dinner), Jeremy Rose, 122, Steve Klesaris, 10-to-1;
4. Tiz Elemental (Cee's Tizzy), Victor Espinoza, 121, Carla Gaines, 7-to-2;
5. Prime Catch (Prime Timber), David Romero Flores, 121, Bob Baffert, 20-to-1;
6. Cher Ami (Lost Soldier), Ariel Smith, 121, Larry Bates, 8-to-1;
7. Lady Gamer (Game Plan), Garrett K. Gomez, 122, John W. Sadler, 3-to-1;
8. Dearest Trickski (Proudest Romeo), Mike E. Smith, 121, John W. Sadler, 4-to-1;
9. Shaggy Mane (Bertrando), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 122, Donald Chatlos, Jr., 6-to-1; and
10. Dixie Dreamer (Mutakddim), Eddie Castro, 122, Martin D. Wolfson, 20-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Dash Stakes
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Little Nick (Tiger Ridge), Cornelio H. Velasquez, 120, Dale L. Romans, 8-to-1;
2. Johns Grooms (Put It Back), Jeremy Rose, 120, Steve Klesaris, 20-to-1;
3. Winsome Charm (Silver Charm), Tyler Baze, 120, Jeff Mullins, 9-to-2;
4. Afleet Ruler (Northern Afleet), Joseph Talamo, 120, John W. Sadler, 6-to-1;
5. Dee Dee's Legacy (Bartok [IRE]), Michael C. Baze, 120, Mike Puype, 6-to-1;
6. Georgie Boy (Tribal Rule), Garrett K. Gomez, 120, Kathy Walsh, 5-to-2;
7. Bob Black Jack (Stormy Jack), David Romero Flores, 120, James M. Kasparoff, 3-to-1;
8. Italian Rules (Tribal Rule), Joel Rosario, 120, Mark Glatt, 30-to-1;
9. Nevada Worrier (Lord Carson), Jon Kenton Court, 120, Jerry Wallace, II, 20-to-1; and
10. Topper Shopper (Old Topper), Isaias D. Enriquez, 120, Doug F. O'Neill, 30-to-1.
Sunshine Millions Oaks
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. American County (Gibson County), Edgar S. Prado, 120, Dale L. Romans, 4-to-1;
2. Banga Ridge (Snow Ridge), Elvis Trujillo, 120, Jose Pinchin, 15-to-1;
3. Sindy Jacobson (More Than Ready), Javier Castellano, 120, John W. Sadler, 6-to-1;
4. Yogi'ssplashofgold (Touch Gold), Jose Lezcano, 120, Wesley A. Ward, 12-to-1;
5. Blitzing (Montbrook), Shaun Bridgmohan, 120, Steven M. Asmussen, 5-to-2;
6. Billie Bob (Bring the Heat), John R. Velazquez, 120, Wesley A. Ward, 10-to-1;
7. Validain (Kafwain), Kent J. Desormeaux, 120, Rebecca Maker, 8-to-1;
8. Phantom Income (Montbrook), Eibar Coa, 120, Richard A. Violette, Jr., 5-to-1;
9. Lovehi (Swiss Yodeler), Rafael Bejarano, 120, Patricia Harrington, 20-to-1;
10. Cape Cod Lady (Yonaguska), Eduardo O. Nunez, 120, Rodolfo Garcia, 12-to-1; and
11. Robbie's Gal (Straight Man), Jorge F. Chavez, 120, Stephen L. DiMauro, 20-to-1.
