Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds Race Course

Posted on Friday, January 25th, 2008

Nominations close this Saturday for the six stakes, with purses totaling $1 million, that make up Louisiana Derby Preview Day on February 9 at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Headlining Preview Day is the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16-miles, the final major local prep for the $600,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) on March 8 that annually attracts sophomores with 2008 Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown aspirations.

Also on Preview Day is the Risen Star’s feminine equivalent – the $200,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies – and it is this race that has been creating most of the buzz in recent days as the final prep for the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) on March 8.

At the present time, both Eclipse Award-winning juvenile filly champion Indian Blessing and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Proud Spell, owned by former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones, are being pointed for the Silverbulletday, and appear increasingly likely to face each other in a rematch of the top two finishers in the Juvenile Fillies.

Also prominent on the showcased February 9 program is the $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) over Fair Grounds’ main track at 1 1/16 miles, final prep for the New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) at a 1 1/8 miles on the second Saturday in March, as well as the $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. III) at about nine furlongs over the Stall-Wilson turf course as the preview for the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (gr. II) at that same distance four weeks later.

Completing February 9’s stakes slate is the $100,000 Pan Zareta Stakes for older sprinting fillies and mares at six furlongs, and the $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes for older grass sprinters at about 5 1/2 furlongs over the Stall-Wilson turf course.

www.fairgroundsracecourse.com

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Santa Anita Park Cancels Racing Again; Sunshine Millions Still Doubtful

Posted on Friday, January 25th, 2008

Santa Anita Park canceled their January 25 horse racing program because of continued drainage problems with their Cushion Track. It is their second consecutive day to cancel, however, track officials still remain hopeful that it can conduct the West Coast half of the Sunshine Millions on January 26.

Rain began falling in the Los Angeles area on January 23. Hail struck in the morning of January 24, leading to Santa Anita Park’s January 24 cancellation.

The Santa Anita Winter/Spring Meet started last December 26. The track lost 3 days of racing from January 5-7 and 2 days from January 24-25 due to heavy rainfall on their newly installed synthetic track. New material from Pro-Ride Racing of Australia that track officials expect will fix the drainage problem is expected to arrive in the next few days, and work will begin on its installation as soon as weather permits.

If the Sunshine Millions at Santa Anita Park on January 26 be canceled, track president Ron Charles has said that they would reschedule it after talks with horsemen as to what would be best for them. It became impossible due to tote equipment and other logistical difficulties to move the program to Hollywood Park. In addition, Hollywood Park’s turf course is being renovated for its spring season that begins in April and would not be available.

Ron Charles said that the Gulfstream Park portion of the Sunshine Millions in Florida will continue as scheduled irregardless of what happens in California.

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Sunshine Millions Day January 26 at Gulfstream & Santa Anita Park

Posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008

The 6th annual Sunshine Millions, a series of 8 races that pits Florida-bred against California-bred horses, with guaranteed purses totaling $3.6 million will take place on January 26. Half of the races will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and the other half at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park

Five-year-old mare Ginger Punch, Eclipse Award winner in the Older Female category, and 5-year-old sprint star Benny the Bull are among the most prominent names on the list of 46 horses entered in the 4 Sunshine Millions races, worth a total $1.55 million, to be run Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Below are the Sunshine Millions races that will take place at Gulfstream Park with horses, post positions, jockeys, weight and odds.

$300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint

  1. High Standards under jockey Jorge Chavez carries 122 lbs. and odds of 10-1
  2. Mach Ride under jockey Elvis Trujillo, 122 lbs., 4-1
  3. Praying for Cash under jockey John Velazquez, 122 lbs., 6-1
  4. Finallymadeit under jockey Eduardo Nunez, 121 lbs., 8-1
  5. Storm in May under jockey Juan Leyva, 121 lbs., 20-1
  6. Benny the Bull under jockey Edgar Prado, 122 lbs., 8-5
  7. Cobalt Blue under jockey Rafael Bejarano, 121 lbs., 12-1
  8. Mr. Umphrey under jockey Javier Castellano, 122 lbs., 15-1
  9. Tropic Storm under jockey Aaron Gryder, 121 lbs., 20-1
  10. Santana Strings under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, 122 lbs., 12-1
  11. Bushwacker under jockey Kent Desormeaux, 122 lbs., 12-1

The Sunshine Millions is run at 6 furlongs and is open to 4-yeal-olds and up. It is scheduled as the 7th race in Gulfstream Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 4:02 pm CST.

$250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks

  1. American County under jockey Edgar Prado carries 120 lbs. with odds of 4-1
  2. Banga Ridge under jockey Elvis Trujillo, 120 lbs., 15-1
  3. Sindy Jacobson under jockey Javier Castellano, 120 lbs., 6-1
  4. Yogi’ssplashofgold under jockey Jose Lezcano, 120 lbs., 12-1
  5. Blitzing under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, 120 lbs., 5-2
  6. Billie Bob under jockey John Velazquez, 120 lbs., 10-1
  7. Validain under jockey Kent Desormeaux, 120 lbs., 8-1
  8. Phantom Income under jockey Eibar Coa, 120 lbs., 5-1
  9. Lovehi under jockey Rafael Bejarano, 120 lbs., 20-1
  10. Cape Cod Lady under jockey Eduardo Nunez, 120 lbs., 12-1
  11. Robbie’s Gal under jockey Jorge Chavez, 120 lbs., 20-1

The Sunshine Millions Oaks is run at 6 furlongs and is open to 3-year-old fillies. It is scheduled as the 8th race in Gulfstream Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 4:35 pm CST.

$500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff

  1. Peach Flambe under jockey Eibar Coa carries 122 lbs. with odds of 8-1
  2. Ginger Punch under jockey Rafael Bejarano, 122 lbs., 6-5
  3. Leah’s Secret under jockey John Velazquez, 122 lbs., 5-1
  4. Saffronista under jockey Julio Garcia, 122 lbs., 20-1
  5. Swiss Current under jockey Aaron Gryder, 120 lbs., 20-1
  6. Night Power under jockey Miguel Hernandez, 122 lbs., 30-1
  7. Exchanging Fire under jockey Edwin King, Jr., 120 lbs., 30-1
  8. Bayou’s Lassie under jockey Elvis Trujillo, 122 lbs., 4-1
  9. Prop Me Up under jockey Jose Lezcano, 122 lbs., 20-1
  10. Memorette under jockey Kent Desormeaux, 122 lbs., 15-1
  11. Curiously Sweet under jockey Javier Castellano, 120 lbs., 12-1
  12. Lost Etiquette under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, 120 lbs., 20-1

The Sunshine Millions distaff is run at 1 1/8 miles and is open to 4-year-old and up fillies and mares. It is scheduled as the 9th race in Gulfstream Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 5:02 pm CST.

$500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf

  1. War Monger under jockey Kent Desormeaux carries 120 lbs. with odds of 4-1
  2. Pickapocket under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, 120 lbs., 20-1
  3. French Vintage under jockey Joe Bravo, 120 lbs., 15-1
  4. Add Heat under jockey Eibar Coa, 122 lbs., 15-1
  5. Birdbirdistheword under jockey Javier Castellano, 120 lbs., 6-1
  6. Icy Atlantic under jockey John Velazquez, 122 lbs., 3-1
  7. Soldier’s Dancer under jockey Douglas R R, 120 lbs., 6-1
  8. Lucky J. H. under jockey Aaron Gryder, 122 lbs., 20-1
  9. Ruff and Ready under jockey Jose Lezcano, 122 lbs., 8-1
  10. Epic Power under jockey Rafael Bejarano, 122 lbs., 12-1
  11. Summer Book under jockey Edgar Prado, 122 lbs., 12-1
  12. Presious Passion under jockey Elvis Trujillo, 122 lbs., 10-1

The Sunshine Millions Turf is run at 1 1/8 miles (turf) and is open to 4-year-olds and up. It is scheduled as the 10th race in Gulfstream Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 5:02 pm CST.

Sunshine Millions at Santa Anita Park

This year, Santa Anita Park will host $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic, the interstate competition’s premier event. Florida-bred Diamond Stripes has been established as a 7/2 favorite to thwart 12-1 California-bred McCann’s Mojave’s attempt to become the first two-time Sunshine Millions Classic champion on Saturday.

Below are the Sunshine Millions races that will take place at Santa Anita Park with horses, post positions, jockeys and weight.

$300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint

  1. More Angels under jockey Richard Migliore carries 122 lbs.
  2. Sekira under jockey Alex Solis, 121 lbs.
  3. Coli Bear under jockey Jeremy Rose, 122 lbs.
  4. Tiz Elemental under jockey Victor Espinoza, 121 lbs.
  5. Prime Catch under jockey David Flores, 121 lbs.
  6. Cher Ami under jockey Ariel Smith, 121 lbs.
  7. Lady Gamer under jockey Garrett Gomez, 122 lbs.
  8. Dearest Trickski under jockey Mike Smith, 121 lbs.
  9. Shaggy Mane under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, 122 lbs.
  10. Dixie Dreamer under jockey Eddie Castro, 122 lbs.

The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint is run at 6 furlongs and is open to 4-year-old and up fillies and mares. It is scheduled as the 4th race in Santa Anita Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 1:14 pm PST.

$500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf

  1. Somethinaboutlaura under jockey Michael Baze carries 122 lbs.
  2. Placid Lake under jockey David Flores, 122 lbs.
  3. Snow Cone under jockey Eddie Castro, 120 lbs.
  4. Lady Tropicana under jockey Alex Solis, 122 lbs.
  5. Gentle Charmer under jockey Kyle Kaenel, 122 lbs.
  6. Nashoba’s Key under jockey Joseph Talamo, 122 lbs.
  7. Quite a Bride under jockey Garrett Gomez, 122 lbs.
  8. Bai and Bai under jockey Victor Espinoza, 122 lbs.

The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf is run at 1 1/8 miles (turf) and is open to 4-year-old and up fillies and mares. It is scheduled as the 5th race in Santa Anita Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 1:44 pm PST.

$250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash

  1. Little Nick under jockey Cornelio Velasquez carries 120 lbs.
  2. Johns Grooms under jockey Jeremy Rose, 120 lbs.
  3. Winsome Charm under jockey Tyler Baze, 120 lbs.
  4. Afleet Ruler under jockey Joseph Talamo, 120 lbs.
  5. Dee Dee’s Legacy under jockey Michael Baze, 120 lbs.
  6. Georgie Boy under jockey Garrett Gomez, 120 lbs.
  7. Bob Black Jack under jockey David Flores, 120 lbs.
  8. Italian Rules under jockey Joel Rosario, 120 lbs.
  9. Nevada Worrier under jockey Jon Court, 120 lbs.
  10. Topper Shopper under jockey Isaias Enriquez, 120 lbs.

The Sunshine Millions Dash is run at 6 furlongs and is open to 3-year-olds. It is scheduled as the 6th race in Santa Anita Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 2:15 pm PST.

$1,000,000 Sunshine Millions Classic

  1. Diamond Stripes under jockey Cornelio Velasquez carries 122 lbs.
  2. Bilo under jockey Tyler Baze, 122 lbs.
  3. Buzzards Bay under jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr., 122 lbs.
  4. Bold Chieftain under jockey David Flores, 122 lbs.
  5. Celtic Dreamin under jockey Alex Solis, 120 lbs.
  6. Now Victory under jockey Mike Smith, 122 lbs.
  7. Seminole Native under jockey Michael Baze, 122 lbs.
  8. Electrify under jockey Eddie Castro, 122 lbs.
  9. Go Between under jockey Garrett Gomez, 122 lbs.
  10. McCann’s Mojave under jockey Frank Alvarado, 122 lbs.
  11. Going Ballistic under jockey Joseph Talamo, 120 lbs.
  12. Gottcha Gold under jockey Charles Lopez, 122 lbs.

The Sunshine Millions Classic is run at 1 1/8 miles and is open to 4-year-olds and up. It is scheduled as the 7th race in Santa Anita Park’s January 26 program. Estimated post time is at 2:46 pm PST.

You can bet on the 2008 Sunshine Millions at Bodog Racebook:

Sunshine Millions at Gulfstrea & Santa Anita Park on January 26

The Sunshine Millions is based on a cumulative total of points for all races taking place on January 26, 2008 at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park. Points are allocated so that the winner of each of the eight races receives 5 points. Each second place winner will receive 3 points and 1 point is awarded for third place. At the end of the day, the results are tallied for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in all eight races and the state with the most points wins!

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Santa Anita Park Cancels Thursday Racing Program; Sunshine Millions In Doubt

Posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008

Santa Anita Park canceled their Thursday horse racing program for the 4th time this month due to heavy rainfall and overnight hail on its Cushion Track that has had drainage problems since its installation. This situation leaves the West Coast half of Sunshine Millions in serious doubt.

“We received an inch and a half of rain overnight and we got hit with two inches of hail early this morning,” Ron Charles, Santa Anita Park president, said. “We had a good seal on the track and we were actually in pretty good shape until the hail hit at 5 a.m.”

“Obviously, we are hoping to get a break in this weather pattern and we’re concerned about being able to run our Sunshine Millions races here on Saturday. We will assess the condition of the track on a day-to-day basis and we’re just hoping conditions will improve.”

Santa Anita track superintendent Richard Tedesco said they could scrape off the top two inches of the Cushion Track and have a safe surface on which to race. However, the rain and hail that has fallen already puts the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf in doubt.

Ron Charles and Santa Anita Park vice president and general manager George Haines said that they are discussing all options if Sunshine Millions cannot proceed as scheduled, from relocating the races to Golden Gate Fields or Hollywood Park to rescheduling the races. Changing venues creates new problems, though, from moving horses 500 miles north to moving tote equipment across town.

Ron Charles said decisions will be made in full consultation with trainers, owners, jockeys, officials and track maintenance personnel. He also said the track is eager to amend the surface with the Australian-based Pro-Ride polymer binder.

“We will have the necessary material in place here over the weekend and we are confident that barring weather problems, once this project is undertaken it can be completed in a very short time period,” Charles said. “Again, we are at the mercy of the weather.

“If we can get dried out, we can get to work on this and we firmly believe this will fully address our drainage problems and promote a kinder racing surface for the remainder of this meet.”

Santa Anita Park previously canceled racing from January 5-7 because of heavy rain. The Santa Anita Winter/Spring Meet runs through April 20 and Sunshine Millions Day is at January 26.

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Shotintheheart Stakes Added To Gulfstream Park’s 2008 Stakes Schedule

Posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Gulfstream Park racing Secretary Bill Couch announced on January 23 the addition of the $75,000 Shotintheheart Stakes to the 2008 Gulfstream Park stakes schedule.

The 1 1/16 mile turf race will be run Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14, and is open to Florida-bred 4-year-olds and up.

Nominations close Monday, February 4.

Gulfstream Park closes Sunday, April 20.

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Oaklawn Park 2008 Horse Racing Stakes Schedule

Posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Live racing returns to Oaklawn Park at Hot Springs, Arkansas on Friday. There will be nine races on Friday with a CLASSIX carryover pool at $21,683. Saturday’s weekly feature will be the $50,000 Dixie Belle Stakes, for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

2008 Oaklawn Park Stakes Schedule

Date Horse Racing Stakes Conditions Purse Distance
18-Jan Dixieland 3-Year-Olds $50,000 5 1/2 Furlongs
19-Jan American Beauty 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $50,000 6 Furlongs
21-Jan Smarty Jones 3-Year-Olds $50,000 1 Mile
26-Jan Dixie Belle 3-Year-Olds, Fillies $50,000 6 Furlongs
2-Feb King Cotton 4-Year-Olds & Up $50,000 6 Furlongs
9-Feb Essex Handicap 4-Year-Olds & Up $100,000 1 1/16 Miles
16-Feb Pippin 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $50,000 1 1/16 Miles
17-Feb Martha Washington 3-Year-Olds, Fillies $50,000 1 Mile
18-Feb Southwest 3-Year-Olds $250,000 1 Mile
23-Feb Mountain Valley 3-Year-Olds $50,000 6 Furlongs
1-Mar Spring Fever 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $50,000 5 1/2 Furlongs
8-Mar ** Razorback Breeders’ Cup Handicap 4-Year-Olds & Up $150,000 1 1/16 Miles
9-Mar *Azeri Breeders’ Cup 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $175,000 1 1/16 Miles
15-Mar Rebel 3-Year-Olds $300,000 1 1/16 Miles
16-Mar Honeybee 3-Year-Olds, Fillies $100,000 1 1/16 Miles
22-Mar Hot Springs 4-Year-Olds & Up $50,000 6 Furlongs
28-Mar Rainbow Miss 3-Year-Olds, Fillies (Ark. Bred) $50,000 6 Furlongs
29-Mar Carousel 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $50,000 6 Furlongs
30-Mar Rainbow 3-Year-Olds, C&G (Ark. Bred) $50,000 6 Furlongs
5-Apr Oaklawn Handicap 4-Year-Olds & Up $500,000 1 1/8 Miles
5-Apr Apple Blossom Handicap 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $500,000 1 1/16 Miles
6-Apr Fantasy 3-Year-Olds, Fillies $250,000 1 1/16 Miles
6-Apr Bachelor 3-Year-Olds $50,000 6 Furlongs
9-Apr Bayakoa 4-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares $100,000 1 1/16 Miles
10-Apr Count Fleet Sprint Handicap 4-Year-Olds & Up $150,000 6 Furlongs
11-Apr Fifth Season 4-Year-Olds & Up $100,000 1 1/16 Miles
11-Apr Prima Donna 3-Year-Olds, Fillies $50,000 6 Furlongs
12-Apr ***Northern Spur Breeders’ Cup 3-Year-Olds $100,000 1 Mile
12-Apr ***Instant Racing Breeders’ Cup 3-Year-Olds, Fillies $100,000 1 Mile
12-Apr Arkansas Derby 3-Year-Olds $1,000,000 1 1/8 Miles

Oaklawn Park’s three-year-old centerpiece event is the $1 million Arkansas Derby, which will be run on Saturday, April 12. The Arkansas Derby is an important prep race leading up to the 2008 Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown races this spring. Also, 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin is the first Arkansas Derby winner to be given that honor.

Racing at Oaklawn Park runs from January 18 through April 12. Live racing occurs Thursday through Sunday until March 19, when Wednesday racing is added to the schedule. Information on the upcoming meet and special holiday racing dates may be found on the Oaklawn Park official web site.

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Curlin Not To Be Auctioned

Posted on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

Special Judge Roger Crittenden disallowed to auction off ownership stake of William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr. in 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin. During a 90-minute hearing on Tuesday, it was concluded that the plaintiffs did not have enough information about the assets of attorneys Gallion and Cunningham to force the auction.

The ruling comes in a lawsuit against Gallion and Cunningham, who were Curlin’s original owners through Midnight Cry Stables. They, together withMelbourne Mills Jr., are accused of bilking former clients out of at least $42 million in a $200 million settlement involving the diet drug fen-phen.

Their criminal trial is set for May 12. They have pleaded not guilty and are being held in the Boone County jail.

William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr. sold an 80% stake in Curlin to a group led by Jess Jackson, the founder of Kendall-Jackson Winery and owner of Stonestreet Stables, and his wife, Barbara Banke, in February 2007. Jackson has since bought out two partners and became Curlin’s majority owner.

A state judge ordered Cunningham’s and Gallion’s assets, including Midnight Cry Stables, turned over to the plaintiffs to satisfy a $42 million judgment stemming from the lawsuit.

Lexington attorney Angela Ford who represents the plaintiffs said Gallion and Cunningham and the companies and foundations they ran have refused to turn over financial information since the judgment. “To date, there’s not been any answer served by any of the entities,” Angela Ford said. “And they haven’t turned over any assets.”

Ford sought to foreclose on Curlin after accusing Gallion and Cunningham of trying to sell the 20% stake in the horse.

Andre Regard, the attorney representing Tandy LLC, the parent company of Midnight Cry Stables, said Tandy and other companies aren’t party to the lawsuit and not required to turn over information to the plaintiffs.”We’re bringing these LLCs into court when they aren’t really plaintiffs,” Andre Regard said.

Judge Crittenden ordered Ford to issue requests for specific information about the companies and foundations and also ordered attorneys for Gallion and Cunningham to turn over to him their fee arrangements for a private review. He said any money paid to the attorneys but not spent could be turned over to the former clients. “That money may have been paid, but it still belongs to the defendants,” Crittenden said of legal fees paid by Gallion and Cunningham.

Curlin, who won Horse of the Year and top 3-Year-Old Male honors at the 37th Eclipse Awards Monday night, has been in training at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans.

Richard Getty, the attorney for Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables, echoed comments Jackson made Monday night about Curlin racing as a 4-year-old. JessJackson is considering running Curlin in the Dubai World Cup in March.

“I don’t think the horse is training for no particular reason,” Richard Getty said after the court hearing. “The horse is training because we expect to do something with it.”

Curlin won $5.1 million in purses in 2007, winning the Preakness Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup before his Breeders’ Cup Classic win at Monmouth Park last October.

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