In contrast to Gulfstream Park, the 22,155 fans in attendance at Santa Anita were treated to dark overcast skies, temperatures in the mid 60's, and a turf course rated good after rains earlier in the week. The synthetic Pro-Ride main track was officially fast.
The marquee race at Santa Anita on Saturday was the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff. A field of 12 older fillies and mares went to post in this 1 1/16 mile Pro-Ride feature, with Leah's Secret sent off as the 6-5 favorite exiting wins in the Chilukki at Churchill and the Top Flight at Aqueduct. 20-1 Waveline set the pace of 23.50, 46.50, and 1:11.64 with 11-1 Bai and Bai stalking her length behind. Leah's Secret sat in sixth saving ground the whole way. Entering the stretch, Leah's Secret moved up to challenge, and shook off the pacesetters at the 1/8 pole. She drew off late to win by 2 1/4 lengths over 11-1 Lady Railrider in 1:42.58. It was another 1/2 length back to 7-1 Unforgotten third.
Mike McCarthy, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "She brought her 'A' game today. A mile and a sixteenth is probably as far as she wants to go. She had plenty left in the tank today." Jockey Eibar Coa added, "She showed me last time out in New York that she was a really good horse. Today, she placed herself in a very good position and at the 1/4 pole, I thought I was on the best horse. Today, she had a little bit more left at the finish than she did last time."
$500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf featured a field of 13 older horses going 1 1/8 miles over the Santa Anita turf. Soldier's Dancer was sent off as the 7-5 favorite off a close second place finish in the Tropical Turf Handicap at Calder. 13-1 Liberian Freighter set the pace of 23.76, 47.29, and 1:11.58 over the good turf course, with 36-1 Victory Pete stalking him to the outside. Soldier's Dancer was unhurried at the back of the field, saving ground around both turns. At the top of the stretch, Victory Pete took over the lead briefly, but he was passed by 9-1 Presious Passion inside the 1/8 pole. However, Soldier's Dancer closed with a rush down the center of the course to win by 1/2 length in 1:49.64. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back from Presious Passion to 53-1 longest shot Unusual Suspect third.
Winning jockey Rafael Bejarano said, "I really wasn't worried because he was so far back early. It's the style of the horse. He likes to come from behind like this. I always felt comfortable because I knew I had a lot of horse. I made a move from the 5/8 to the 1/2 mile to get my position. After that, he started running, and he has a big, big kick. The horse that ran second (Presious Passion) was very tough in the end. But my horse was coming at the right time to catch him."
In the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, only 9 older horses went to the gate in this 6 furlong Pro-Ride feature, with El Conejo Stakes winner In Summation sent off as the 2-1 favorite. 8-1 Machismo led most of the way, getting fractions of 21.79, 44.34, and 56.17 while as many as 1 1/2 lengths in front of In Summation in second. Entering the stretch, In Summation moved out for the drive but failed to respond, tiring to finish fifth. 5-2 second choice Georgie Boy rallied on the inside to pass the pacesetter inside the 1/8 pole, pulling away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:08.12. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back from Machismo to 26-1 Partywithlarryz third.
Winning jockey Garrett Gomez said, I knew the fractions ought to help him today. My only problem was going so short with his turn of foot. When he started building, my only option was to either go around or go inside. He's a long striding horse, and I really wanted to go around with him, but he wasn't traveling exactly the way I wanted. So I said I gotta go inside and it was perfect." Trainer Kathy Walsh added, "The horse was a little rank the first part of it but Garrett was able to get him back where he needs to be."
The $250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks featured a field of 8 three-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs on Pro-Ride. Landaluce Stakes winner Emmy Darling was the 8-5 favorite exiting a close fourth in the Miesque at Hollywood. 22-1 Dancing Erin set the pace of 21.86, 44.90, and 57.10 while being stalked by 501 Ten Churros down the backstretch. 11-1 Beltene, seventh early, came four wide into the lane to get the win by a head over 7-1 Hooh Why in 1:09.16. It was another 2 lengths back to 12-1 Yodelady O third. Favorite Emmy Darling was wide throughout and never in contention, showing no rally late to finish seventh.
Winning trainer Jack Carava said, "This was a big step up for her, but I thought she was capable and she improved enough to have a chance. She'll probably run long, and so far she's done everything right." Jockey Joel Rosario added, "I thought I had a chance to win with this filly because she finishes well. Today, there was a lot of speed in the race and she relaxed very well and finished real good. She tries very hard and she's been running good every time."
