Jet Propulsion was sent to the lead immediately by jockey Julien Leparoux, and he set a pace of 24.21, 48.23, 1:11.18, and 1:33.93 over the firm turf course while allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 6 lengths over 22-1 Roman Tiger who settled in second. By mid stretch he still had a 4 length lead over 6-1 Pickapocket, who rallied to close the gap but was left with too much to make up, as Jet Propulsion cruised under the line 2 lengths in front in 1:45.96. It was another 3 lengths back to 7-1 Picou third, while favorite Soldier's Dancer checked in fourth.
Winning trainer Marty Wolfson said, "I've been watching this horse for a couple years. He's beat up on horses of mine a number of times. I never thought he'd be dropped in for a tag, but when he was, I took him ($50,000 at Calder on Dec. 12) with this race in mind. He's settled down a lot in the last six weeks. I don't have anything in mind for him right now, but I think 1 1/8 might be his best distance."
Jockey Julien Leparoux added, "I was happy, but not surprised, that they didn't come with me in the first turn. We got an easy lead and that was good for us. At the 3/8 pole I started to go, and I kind of looked back a couple of times on the final turn to see if they were coming, but they weren't. My horse made a big move and we won easily."
The $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf featured a field of 8 distaffers going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Santa Anita. Tight Precision, winner of two straight allowance races, was sent off as the 6-5 choice over 3-1 Closeout, second in the Las Palmas Handicap and then an allowance last out, and 7-1 Bootleg Annie, winner of the California Cup Distaff last October but fourth in an allowance last out.
Bootleg Annie took the early lead and saved ground around both turns through fractions of 23.24, 47.50, and 1:11.84 over the firm course, while being stalked by favorite Tight Precision to her outside a length behind. Entering the stretch, 9-1 Pretty Unusual came through to poke her head in front through 1 mile in 1:35.53, but Tight Precision found another gear to draw away to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:47.27. Pacesetter Bootleg Annie nosed out Pretty Unusual for second money.
Winning trainer Tom Proctor said, "I thought the filly that won had the better trip. I've got no thoughts right now about what might be next for her. It's just good to win a $300,000 race, and it's nice to win in California. I haven't been that lucky out here. I was here Breeders' Cup day, but as far as training on a regular basis, it's been the first part of 2001 or something like that since I left."
Jockey Joel Rosario added, "The trainer told me to do whatever I wanted. She's a very classy filly. Going to the top of the stretch, I saw the (Pretty Unusual) coming inside of me, but I wasn't worried. She's got a real long stride and when I asked her she gave it to me."
Sunshine Millions Classic
Sunshine Millions Distaff
Sunshine Millions Sprint
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint
