Edgar Prado Reaches 6,000 Wins

Posted on Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Forty-year-old jockey from Peru, Edgar Prado, reached 6,000 career wins when he rode Sumphin, 4-year-old bay gelding trained by Tom Albertrani, to a 2 1/4 length maiden victory at Gulfstream Park Sunday, February 10.

Edgar Prado is the 16th jockey in North America to achieve 6,000 victories in his career. He also achieved win number 5,000 at Gulfstream Park in 2004 Swale Stakes aboard Win Dot Comma. Edgar Prado is also 7th on the all-time money list with his mounts earning nearly $202 million.

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Pyro Shines in Fair Grounds’ Risen Star Stakes

Posted on Saturday, February 9th, 2008

Eclipse Award finalist Pyro shone brightly at Fair Grounds as he won the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. III), the final prep for the Louisiana Derby and one of the 2008 Kentucky Derby prep races.

The Risen Star Stakes win clearly shows he’s a major 2008 Kentucky Derby contender. Pyro has been working out in the mornings with Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year, for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC’s 3-year-old colt, Pyro, ridden by jockey Shaun Bridgemohan covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.68 and paid $3.80, $2.60 and $2.20. Fellow Steve Asmussen trainee, Z Fortune, under jockey Garrett Gomez, returned $3.40 and $2.60. Visionaire with rider Jose Lezcano showed $3.60.

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Jockey Russell Baze 1 Win Short of 10,000

Posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2008

The Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze put himself on the brink of career victory number 10,000 by riding a pair of winners Thursday at Golden Gate Fields.

Russell Baze recorded his victories aboard Northland Glory in the 4th race, and Judged in the 8th race. Both horses were favored in the betting, with Northland Glory paying $5.20 after romping home by five lengths and Judged $4.40 after scoring by three lengths.

Baze, who heads into Friday’s card with 9,999 wins, came up 1 win short of reaching 10,000 victories Thursday. Russell Baze and odds-on favorite Swishing Tiger lost the fifth race by a head to I. C. Rosie ($13.00).

His other mounts Thursday were Count Coup (who finished 6th in the 3rd race), Coronado’s Way (7th in the 6th race), and Shining Day (3rd in the 7th race).

Listed to ride 7 horses Friday, Russell Baze is expected to end up with 6 mounts. Ray Harris, agent of Russell Baze, said Joyful Me, Baze’s call in the 7th race, is expected to be scratched Friday morning.

Golden Gate Fields post time on Friday is 12:45 p.m. and Baze rides Brass Tacks (3-to-1 on the morning line) in the opener. His other scheduled mounts are Flirting for Love (7-to-2) in the 2nd race, Two Step Cat (2-to-1) in the 3rd, Jaywalking (8-to-5) in the 5th, Royal Wager (8-to-5) in the 6th, and Knoblock (even-money) in the 8th.

Russell Baze is the winningest jockey in North American horse racing history.

www.goldengatefields.com

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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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Curlin Wins Horse of the Year; 2007 Eclipse Award Winners Announced

Posted on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

Winners of 2007 Eclipse Awards were announced Monday night, January 21, in the 37th Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

With an overwhelming vote of 249, Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin got the 2007 Horse of the Year honors outnumbering Rags to Riches (12 votes), 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor (2 votes), Corinthian, English Channel and Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense with 1 vote each.

The 2007 Eclipse Award winners are:

Two-Year-Old Male: War Pass, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Champagne Stakes winner as well as one of the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders.

Two-Year-Old Filly: Indian Blessing who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Monmouth Park.

Three-Year-Old Male: Curlin whose 2007 campaign included winning the Arkansas Derby and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Three-Year-Old Filly: Rags to Riches who beat the boys in the Belmont Stakes.

Older Male: Lawyer Ron, Woodward and Whitney winner.

Older Female: Ginger Punch, Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion.

Male Sprinter: Midnight Lute, Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner.

Female Sprinter: Maryfield, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner.

Male Turf Horse: English Channel.

Female Turf Horse: Lahudood.

Steeplechase Horse: Good Night Shirt

Owner: Shadwell Stable.

Breeder: Adena Springs.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher.

Jockey: Garrett Gomez, leader in earnings last year.

Apprentice Jockey: Joe Talamo

The 2007 Eclipse Award winners were voted upon by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form (DRF) and National Turf Writers Association.

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2007 Eclipse Awards on January 21

Posted on Sunday, January 20th, 2008

The 2007 Eclipse Award winners together with the 2007 Horse of the Year finalists will be announced at the 37th Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony on Monday, January 21 at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Curlin is the favorite to win Horse of the Year. Unraced as a 2-year-old, Curlin had an impressive 2007 campaign. Curlin has won the Arkansas Derby, Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Preakness Stakes in May and captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic five months later.

In addition to likely being named Horse of the Year, Curlin also is one of three finalists for Top 3-Year-Old Male. Also nominated in that category are Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Hard Spun.

Belmont Stakes winner, Rags to Riches is the favorite to win Top 3-Year-Old Filly. Also in that category are Octave and Panty Raid.

Top older male nominees include 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile champion Corinthian, and Woodward and Whitney winner Lawyer Ron.

Older female nominees is topped by Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion Ginger Punch. Hystericalady and Nashoba’s Key were the other female candidates.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and one of the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders War Pass is the Top 2-Year-Old Male favorite. Also nominated were Kodiak Cowboy and Pyro.

Indian Blessing, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, is among the nominees for Top 2-Year-Old Filly along with Country Star and Proud Blessing.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute is nominated for Top Male Sprinter. Idiot Proof and Fabulous Strike were also nominated.

Top Female Sprinter finalists include Dream Rush, Maryfield and River’s Prayer.

Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel headlines the nominees for Top Male Turf Horse. After Marker and Kip Deville also are listed in that category.

Female Turf Horse nominees are Lahudood, Nashoba’s Key and Precious Kitten.

Good Night Shirt, McDynamo, Planets Aligned are in the Steeplechase Horse category.

Owners who are included in the finalists are Maggi Moss, Shadwell Stable, Stronach Stables.

Top Breeders Eclipse Award category include Adena Springs, William S. Farish and Martin and Pam Wygod.

Curlin’s trainer Steve Asmussen has been nominated in the Trainer category along with 3-time Eclipse winner Todd Pletcher and Kiaran McLaughlin.

Leader in 2007 earnings jockey Garrett Gomez is the favorite to win top Jockey. Robby Albarado, Curlin’s regular rider, and John Velazquez also were nominated.

Nominated in the Apprentice Jockey are Tyler Pizarro, Alonso Quinonez and Joe Talamo.

All awards are voted on by turf writers and racing secretaries at National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) tracks.

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McCann’s Mojave & Nashoba’s Key Among 136 Pre-Entries at Sunshine Millions

Posted on Friday, January 18th, 2008

The 6th annual Sunshine Millions, the 8-race event that pits Florida-bred horses against California-breds with $3.6 million in purse money, will be run at both Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park on January 26, and a total of 136 horses were pre-entered. Entries will be taken and post positions drawn this Sunday.

“We are extremely pleased with the large number of pre-entered horses,” said Santa Anita Racing Secretary Rick Hammerle. “We have 72 horses pre-entered to run here at Santa Anita and 64 have pre-entered to run at Gulfstream. We’re confident we’re going to have full fields in eight races”

The $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic, for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles, will highlight the 4-race Sunshine Millions program at Santa Anita Park. Millionaire McCann’s Mojave, an 8-year-old California-bred son of Memo, will defend his Sunshine Millions Classic title and will again be ridden by Frank Alvarado and is trained by Steve Specht. “Alvarado worked him and he went super,” said Steve Specht after McCann’s Mojave worked a mile at Golden Gate Fields. “He went off easy, I had him in 50 and change the first half and he came home the last quarter mile in 23 and three. He’s ready.”

A total of 26 horses were pre-entered for the Sunshine Millions Classic, which will be limited to 12 horses. By virtue of their graded stakes earnings for 2007, the top six Florida-breds are Buzzard’s Bay, Diamond Stripes, Electrify, Go Between, Going Ballistic and Gotcha Gold. Other prominent Florida-breds who were pre-entered but are not guaranteed starting positions are Iamawildandcrazyguy, Summer Book and Sweetnorthernsaint.

In addition to McCann’s Mojave, other California-breds who are expected to start are Bilo, a grade I stakes winner who, at the age of 8, has never routed and will make his first start for trainer Mike Mitchell, Bold Chieftain, Celtic Dreamin, Freesgood, and Now Victory, who defeated McCann’s Mojave at 1 1/16 miles in the December 26 Forty Niner Handicap at Golden Gate Fields. Now Victory, who was ridden in his last start by Russell Baze, will be handled by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

The filly Nashoba’s Key, who also was pre-entered in the Sunshine Millions Classic, will likely run instead in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf which attracted 12 pre-entries, according to her trainer Carla Gaines. “We’re going to look at both races, but most likely she’s going to run on the grass. She’s undefeated on the grass here and it’s a $500,000 race, so it’s probably the obvious spot at this stage.” The Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf will be run at 1 1/8 miles and is for 4-year-olds and up.

A dozen distaffers were pre-entered and among those who figure to face Nashoba’s Key are Quite a Bride, a 4-year-old Florida-bred filly by Stormy Atlantic, and the Florida-bred Placid Lake, who is trained locally by Vladimir Cerin.

The $300,000 Sushine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint will also be run at Santa Anita and it attracted 19 pre-entries. Last year’s winner, the Don Chatlos conditioned Shaggy Mane, will defend her title at six furlongs. Dearest Trickski, a Florida-bred who has risen from the claiming ranks to win the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita on December 29, is likely to run for trainer John Sadler. The Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint is for 4-year-olds and up.

Santa Anita Park will also host the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash at 6 furlongs. Georgie Boy, a California-bred gelding by Tribal Rule, has been idle since winning the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) and is expected to run for trainer Kathy Walsh. A total of 15 horses were pre-entered in the Sunshine Millions Dash, which is for 3-year-olds.

The four Sunshine Millions races to be run concurrently from Gulfstream Park are the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff for 4-year-old fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles, the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs and the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

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