2006 Sunshine Millions

Proud Tower Too Stretches Out

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2006) -- Proud Tower Too, upset winner at 20-1 in the Grade I Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 26, will attempt to carry his speed nine furlongs Saturday in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita.

Jockey David Cohen feels he’ll be up to the task.

A 4-year-old California-bred son of Proud Irish bred and owned by the Tricar Stable and trained by Sal Gonzalez, Proud Tower Too won the On Trust Handicap at 7 ½ furlongs prior to the Malibu. He has raced beyond that distance only twice in a 16-race career, finishing eighth in the Snow Chief in his lone attempt at 1 1/8 miles.

“It doesn’t seem to make a difference to me,” said Cohen, who was aboard in both the Malibu and the On Trust. “He doesn’t have the personality of a sprinter. His stride isn’t one of a sprinter. We’ve been working him a mile and he seems to be handling it well. I don’t think he’ll have any problem getting the distance.”

In other Sunshine Millions news:

California Cup Classic winner McCann’s Mojave drew post position 12, which did not please trainer Paddy Gallagher.

“The horse is doing real good but he didn’t draw a very good post,” Gallagher said. “That’s a tough spot and he’s at kind of a disadvantage starting out but he’s training super. It looks like the race is going to be set up for a come-from-behinder because there’s a lot of speed in there. We’ll see what happens when the gate opens and keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.”

Texcess was purchased at Monday’s Barretts mixed sale for $300,000 by trainer Mike Mitchell on behalf of long-time client Carl Van Burger and associates Scott and Andy Anastasi. The Delta Jackpot winner drew post position No. 1.

David Cohen had ridden Beneficial Bartok in 17 consecutive races before Corey Nakatani rode her in the Monrovia Handicap on Dec. 31.

Cohen and Beneficial Bartok will be reunited in Saturday’s $500,000 Warren’s Thoroughbreds Filly & Mare Turf at 1 1/8 miles. In her career of 25 races, she has been favored only three times. The 5-year-old California-bred daughter of Bartok will be a fair price again on Saturday.

“She’s always been underrated if you look at her form,” said Cohen, a 21-year-old native of Torrance, who knows the gray mare like the back of his hand. “Before I became a jockey, I exercised her, I groomed her for about seven months and I rode her when she broke her maiden (Dec. 18, 2004).”

There were 140 pre-entries for the fourth annual Sunshine Millions, which offers $3.6 million in eight races—four at Santa Anita and four at Gulfstream Park—matching horses from two of the nation’s leading thoroughbred breeding states, California and Florida in head-to-head competition
Festivities include the Miss Sunshine Millions Pageant, a KROQ Microbrew Festival, Family Fun Day and free Sunshine Millions cooler bags to everyone in attendance with paid admission at Santa Anita only while supplies last.

Track superintendent Steve Wood said Saturday’s weather forecast calls for clear and fast conditions, with temperatures in the 60s. There will be a Sunshine Millions Pick 4 on races three through six at Santa Anita. Sticky Fingers, a Rolling Stones tribute band, will perform at Sirona’s after the last race.

NBC and HRTV will televise the event, with first post at 11:45 a.m.