Sunshine Millions Results

Horse Racing

Filed In:

Horse Racing

Sunshine Millions Results

Frank Stronach
Photo courtesy of Tina Hines

Dateline: 01/25/2004

The Sunshine Millions takes place at two racing venues, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, and Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Four races are run at each track for a total of eight, and they are restricted to horses bred in California or Florida only. Magna Entertainment chairman Frank Stronach said, "This was the second time (for the Sunshine Millions) and it was good. I think it's going to get better every year. I'd like to see a $2 million [Classic] someday. It wasn't a sunny day. Nevertheless, we were up about 1,500 [in on-track attendance at Santa Anita]."

Gulfstream Park Races

Proud Man winner of the Sunshine Millions Turf.

The highlight race at Gulfstream was the $500,000 Franks Farm Turf Stakes, over 1 1/8 miles on the turf for older horses. 5-1 third choice Proud Man rallied from ninth after 3/4 mile to nail pacesetter and 22-1 shot Hear No Evil by a length in the final strides, in course record time of 1:45.69 over the firm course. It was just a half-length back to another late runner, 9-1 chance Special Matter. 3-1 favorite Man From Wicklow was never in it, trailing the field the whole way finishing last of eleven, while defending champ Adminniestrator was eighth. Results Chart

Winning jockey Rene Douglas said, "I was happy to ride this horse again today because I know him and I know when he likes to move. Today I knew when to ask him, and when I did, he responded." Trainer Christophe Clement added, "He finally got a good trip. He's been very unlucky. You give him a strong pace and he's very tough."

Secret Request winner of the Sunshine Millions Distaff.

The $500,000 Ocala Breeders' Sales Distaff featured older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The 5-2 favorite was House Party, who has finished on the board in five straight starts, all in graded stakes competition. However, the largest payoff in Sunshine Millions' short history came about when 74-1 Secret Request, the second longest shot on the board, came from dead last at the half-mile point to nail Smok'n Frolic in the final strides to win by 3/4 length in 1:45.16. The win lit up the tote with a $150.40 win payoff. It was another 1 3/4 length back to 11-1 shot Scapade, while favored House Party showed no rally, finishing seventh. Results Chart

Winning jockey Eibar Coa said, "On paper I didn't have a shot. So I decided to take my own shot and take back and save ground along the rail. I waited for a spot, and then one opened up. At the three-eighths pole, I still didn't know if I could get there, but at the eighth pole, I knew I could." Trainer David Brownlee added, "It surprised me only because she broke from the 12 hole. I knew she would hit the board, though. She's got a ton of class."

Shake You Down winner of the Sunshine Millions Sprint.

The Padua Stables Sprint was for older sprinters going six furlongs for a $300,000 purse. As expected. 3-5 favorite Shake You Down easily shook off his six rivals, leading every step of the way and drawing clear in the lane to win by 3 lengths over 7-1 shot Green Team, in a time of 1:09.18. It was a neck back to 3-1 second choice Valid Video in third. Results Chart

Winning trainer Scott Lake said, "It could not have worked out any better." Winning jockey Mike Luzzi added, "It was typical Shake You Down. He broke sharp and I just sat there. He jumped right into the bridle. The fractions were fast, but he was just having fun out there. He's awesome."

Silent Sighs winner of the Sunshine Millions Oaks.

The $250,000 Ocala Stud Oaks featured three-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs on the main track. The prohibitive 1-5 favorite Silent Sighs lived up to expectation, rallying from third place despite a bumpy start to just get up for the win in the final strides by a neck over 9-2 second choice and pacesetter Wacky Patty in a time of 1:10.82. It was 2 lengths back to 8-1 third choice Dixie High in third. Results Chart

Trainer Julio Canani said, "She's an amazing filly. It's a lot to ship a young horse across the country. We won't run her again for two and a half months. The goal is the Kentucky Oaks [April 30 at Churchill Downs]."