2006 Sunshine Millions

House of Fortune Florida-bound

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2006) -- Ron McAnally has one California-bred horse in his abundant and successful barn: House of Fortune, and the Hall of Fame trainer will ship her to Florida next Tuesday for the $500,000 Distaff at 1 1/8 miles on the main track. Pat Valenzuela has the mount.

“She’s doing very good,” McAnally said of the daughter of the late Free House. “There’s no speed in the race and there’s one filly to beat, that’s Dream of Summer. The rest of them, I understand, are claiming horses.”

House of Fortune, graduate of the Del Mar Yearling Sale and Barretts, worked one mile Friday in 1:43.40.

With Valenzuela opting to ride House of Fortune, trainer Juan Garcia said he has engaged John Velazquez to ride Dream of Summer, who worked six furlongs Friday in 1:13.60.

Jockey Jon Court is on Valentine Dancer, who worked six furlongs Friday in 1:13 for the $500,000 Filly & Mare Turf, a race she is seeking to win for an unprecedented third straight time.

I hope we have the success we had in the other two Sunshine Million races,” said Court. “That race down the hill wasn’t her best performance. She’ll rise to the occasion on Sunshine Millions day.”

Court has ridden Valentine Dancer in 11 consecutive races.

Probable for the Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita: Beneficial Bartok, David Cohen; Dancing General, Garrett Gomez; Moscow Burning, David Flores; Midwife, no rider; Vous, no rider; Tiger Belle, no rider; Formal Miss, no rider; and Valentine Dancer, Jon Court.

All Sunshine Millions races will be televised live on NBC and HRTV. First post time at Santa Anita on Sunshine Millions day is 11:45 a.m.