Cal-bred News

Sunshine Millions Entries Drawn

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2004) -- Saturday's $3.6 million Sunshine Millions II, to be held for California-breds and Florida-breds at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, Monday drew 85 entries for the eight-race event, which will be televised nationally on NBC.

The four races in Florida drew 39 horses, while the four races in California drew 46. Six California-breds will ship to Gulfstream Park, including Silent Sighs, the likely favorite in the $250,000 Ocala Stud Oaks.

The only two active millionaires among Saturday's entries are California-breds Grey Memo and Continental Red, both taking part in the $1 million Barretts/CTBA Classic at Santa Anita. They will be gunning for Florida-bred and likely favorite Peace Rules, who will have Jerry Bailey in the irons.

Defending champion Adminniestrator will be joined by Bourbon County as California-bred representatives in the $500,000 Franks Farm Turf at Gulfstream. Green Team is the lone Cal-bred shipping to Florida for the $300,000 Padua Stables Sprint, while Royally Chosen is the lone Cal-bred entered in the $500,000 Ocala Breeders Sales Distaff.

While only six Cal-breds will run in Florida, 25 of the 46 horses running at Santa Anita are Cal-breds. They include multiple stakes winner Don'tsellmeshort in the $250,000 NATC Dash for 3-year-olds, Bear Fan and Bailey in the $300,000 Nextel Filly & Mare Sprint, and Valentine Dancer and Moscow Burning in the $500,000 John Deere Filly & Mare Turf.

First post for the card at Santa Anita is noon, with the first leg of the Sunshine Millions (the Ocala Stud Oaks at Gulfstream) going off at 12:45 p.m.

On-track events at Santa Anita include a beach party, the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Model Search, free Sunshine Millions sports caps to all patrons, a drawing for a new vehicle, a Sunshine Millions Sweepstakes with trips to New Zealand, Las Vegas and the 2004 Preakness Stakes, Sunshine Millions cheerleaders, a handicapping seminar and a concert by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy after the races at the new Sirona's restaurant overlooking the paddock gardens.