January 29, 2006
Four of the eight Sunshine Millions events were contested at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey rode his final card of racing on Saturday afternoon, with his final mount to be Silver Tree in the Sunshine Millions Turf. An on-track crowd of 8,440 was on hand to witness the end of an era, as well as the traditional matchup of California and Florida-breds. Although the Florida-breds still got more points, 37 total, it was much closer than in previous years with the Cal-breds coming in with 5 wins our of the 8 races and 35 points.
With a tremendous rally from well off the early pace, 50-1 longshot Miesque's Approval took command in the upper stretch and drove on to win the $500,000 Turf by 3/4 length. While Miesque's Approval was weaving his way into contention up the backstretch in the 1 1/8-mile turf test, most eyes were focused on Silver Tree, the 4-5 favorite as Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey's final mount. They, too, rallied, getting through on the inside into the stretch, but had to settle for second in the field of 12. Ironically, Miesque's Approval spent most of his career in the Mott barn with Bailey often the rider. However, Saturday he was making his second start for trainer Marty Wolfson. The final time was 1:44.81 over the firm course. Icy Atlantic finished third, 3 lengths behind Silver Tree.
Winning trainer Marty Wolfson said, "Believe it or not, I loved this horse today. He got very sick last November and I had to take him to the hospital, but since I've got him back, he's been training great for the last month. So I really expected him to run well today."
Retiring jockey Jerry Bailey said, "You can only hope to get a good spot and wait for a hole to open up. I guess today it came a bit too late. I guess you could say I went out with a bang, because the horse kicked me in the hip in the paddock. If I weren't in so much pain (from the kick) going into the gate, I probably would have broken down (cried). The crowd has been beautiful. I just hope more of them bet to place than to win."
California-bred mare House of Fortune took command at the top of the stretch in Saturday's $500,000 Distaff at Gulfstream Park before drawing clear to a commanding 6 1/2 length victory in the 1 1/8 mile test. Trained by Ron McAnally, House of Fortune went off the second choice in the field of 8 fillies and mares, and jockey Patrick Valenzuela allowed her to settle in fourth along the rail near the leaders in the first turn and into the backstretch. Favored Dream of Summer came up to challenge in the middle of the far turn, but House of Fortune easily put her away. Third choice and defending champion Sweet Lips rallied to finish second, 7 1/4 lengths ahead of Dream of Summer.
Winning jockey Pat Valenzuela said, "She didn't break the best today and I had to take her back, but she relaxed. On the (far) turn I saw an opening and I took it. She went right in there and took off right away."
Florida-bred filly Joint Effort rallied from off the pace to win the $250,000 Oaks by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Mark Guidry. Trained by Dale Romans, Joint Effort was twice stakes-placed last year in Kentucky, but Saturday's victory was her first in a stakes and third from nine career starts. The daughter of Runaway Groom ran the six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.49 and paid $10.40 for $2. Longshot A Seas Trippi rallied for second, a length ahead of Lake Alice with Peach Flambe another length back in fourth in the field of 12 sophomore fillies.
Winning jockey Mark Guidry said, "She broke great and that got her in good position early. Basically, she just turned it up a little when I got her in the clear, and that was all she needed." Trainer Dale Romans added, "She had been training great and started to peak last fall. We've always thought long distances with her, but we shortened her up at Churchill with this race in mind."
Bordonaro drew first blood for the California-bred and trained team invading Gulfstream Park on Sunshine Millions Day Saturday as the son of Memo drove to a 3/4 length victory in the $300,000 Sprint. Bordonaro was the 3-2 favorite in the bulky field of 13 older horses. He stalked a very fast early pace in the 6-furlong event as Thor's Echo led through the first half-mile in 43.66. Bordonaro paid $5 to win after crossing the line in 1:08.57 on the fast track, just 7/100 of a second off the track record. Tacirring rallied through the stretch to finish second at 19-1 with Bushwacker third at 33-1, 1 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up.
Co-owner Dan Cassella said, "Me and Fred (Carrillo) have just one broodmare, and between the runners we've gotten from her we've won about 17 races. Obviously, we're not a big farm, but this mare (Miss Excitement) has been very good to us."
