2003 Sunshine Millions

Saturday, January 25, 2003

Debonair Joe Headlines Deep Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2003) -- Debonair Joe will try to continue his Cinderella story Saturday when he leads a top-heavy contingent of nine California-breds in the 11-horse $250,000 Fed Ex Sprint, part of the Sunshine Millions card at Santa Anita.

Debonair Joe is a gelded son of Ole, out of the Debonair Roger mare Malita, was bred by Craig Lewis and Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm and was foaled at Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm. He won the Grade I Malibu, his fourth win in five races since being claimed from his breeders Sept. 20 for $12,500 at Fairplex Park by trainer Juan Pablo Silva for owner Lynne Ristad.

He was coming off an equally surprising win in the Dec. 7 Grade III Vernon O Underwood Handicap at odds of 52-1. His career earnings are $314,085 on six wins in 18 races. He won his first stakes as a 2-year-old after breaking his maiden for a $40,000 claiming tag.

Jersey Rebel is coming off a Dec. 29 allowance win, his fourth in nine races. He is by In Excess, out of the Premiership mare Premier Motion, and was bred by Budget Stable. The allowance win was his second race after an 11-month layoff.

Giovannetti has turned into a monster with a four-race win streak, including the California Cup Starter Sprint, since being claimed for $20,000. He is by Memo, out of the Tsunami Slew mare Rio Tejo, and was bred by Rick and Michael Arthur.

Disturbingthepeace, the California-bred sprinter of the year, is trying to regroup after a seventh-place finish in the Breeders Cup Sprint snapped a six-race win streak. He is by Bold Badgett, out of the Sovereign Dancer mare Regal Riot, and was bred by Old English Rancho and Patsy McKuen.

Joey Franco is a son of Avenue of Flags, out of the Native Prospector mare Susan Powter, and was bred by owner Jerry Frankel. He reeled off four consecutive wins in 2002, but was 11th in the Cal Cup Mile.

Echo Eddie, bought back at auction in November for $225,000, returned from a five-month break by winning the Dayjur Handicap, his ninth win in 20 starts, leaving him less than $40,000 short of $1 million in earnings. He is a son of Restless Con, out of the Siyah Kalem mare Geri's Princess, and was bred by Bud Dardi.

Ride And Shine is by High Brite, out of the Red Ryder mare Shining Ryder, and was bred by Souheil and Raed Bisharat. He is coming off a second-place finish in a Jan. 12 optional claimer and has five wins in 40 career starts, with earnings of more than $250,000.

Men's Exclusive, now 10, is a millionaire son of Exclusive Ribot, out of the Meneval mare Men's Number, and was bred by owner H.E. Reed. He has 10 lifetime wins, but is winless since the 2001 Vernon O. Underwood Handicap.

Lennyfromalibu is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Jan. 5 Sensational Star Handicap. He is by Unusual Heat, out of the Half a Year mare Style of the Year, and was bred by J. and M. Auerbach. He is looking for his first stakes win.