2003 Sunshine Millions

Saturday, January 25, 2003

Classy Cal-bred Lineup for Rich Distaff

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2003) -- A half-dozen stakes winners will represent California-breds in Saturday's $750,000 Vessels Stallion Farm Distaff, the richest Sunshine Millions race that Santa Anita will host.

Castling, winner of the Valkyr Handicap in July, was fourth in the Cal Cup Matron. She is by Pirate’s Bounty, out of the Executioner mare Crystal M., was bred by William Currin and foaled at River Edge Farm. She was second in the Cat’s Cradle.

Shalini is by Urgent Request, out of the Falstaff mare Code It Nikki, and was bred by Briere Thoroughbreds. She is coming off a win in the Jan. 4 Pro or Con Handicap after losing the California Cup Distance Handicap by a nose to Nicole’s Pursuit.

Cee's Elegance is by Cees' Tizzy, out of the Norcliffe mare Elegant Beauty, and was bred by Cecilia Straub-Rubens. She snapped an 11-race losing streak in the Nov. 24 Cat’s Cradle Handicap, then ran second in the Dec. 15 Bayakoa Handicap. She has four wins in 27 career starts and earnings of nearly $350,000.

Theresa's Year is by Half a Year, out of the Greenwood Star mare Theresa’s Pleasure, and was bred by Haagsma, Haagsma and Tillema. She won the Lakeview Thoroughbred Farm allowance stakes on Gold Rush Day and returned after a five-month layoff to finish second in the Jan. 3 Survive Stakes.

Nicole's Pursuit is by Flying Continental, out of the Pirate’s Bounty mare Forest Haven, and was bred by Allan Fainbarg and Arnold Feuerstein. She won the Cal Cup Distance Handicap and was fifth in the Pro or Con.

Bob's Lady is by Pirate's Bounty, out of the Flying Paster mare Lady Engineer, and was bred by Oakcrest Stable. She is coming off a smashing win in the Jan. 6 Work the Crowd Handicap, adding to her win in the CTBA Marian Stakes at Fairplex Park over the summer.

Florida-bred Smok’n Frolic, with Jerry Bailey up, is the lukewarm 7-2 morning-line favorite.