Cal-bred News

Sunshine Millions V Preview

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2007) – California-breds must rely on quality over quantity as they take on Florida-breds in the $3.6 million Sunshine Millions V, to be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park.

When entries were taken Sunday, Florida-breds outnumbered California-breds, 66-39, for the eight stakes races, which include the richest state-bred restricted race in America, the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic, presented by the Ocala Breeders Sales Co., at Gulfstream Park.

Four of the Cal-breds are Grade I winners, including likely favorites Lava Man in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino Turf and Bordonaro in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Padua Stables Sprint, both races to be contested at Santa Anita.

In the four stakes at Santa Anita, 27 Cal-breds entered and 21 Florida-breds entered. At Gulfstream Park, Cal-breds will be out-numbered, 45-12.

The 12 Cal-breds shipping East include a trio with a legitimate shot in the Classic – millionaire Texcess, the revitalized McCann’s Mojave and the improving Armenian Summer. Florida-bred Sweetnorthernsaint, fourth as the Kentucky Derby favorite, was installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Texcess is the 4-1 second choice.

The Sprint will showcase a powerhouse Cal-bred lineup that includes Grade I winners Bordonaro, Proud Tower Too and Debonair Joe and doesn’t even include Eclipse Award candidate Thor’s Echo, who is bypassing the race to prepare for the Dubai Golden Shaheen after his recent sale.

Proud Tower Too defeated eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion Thor’s Echo twice last year before hitting the sidelines. Bordonaro was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint following nine victories in his 11 previous starts. Although both are California based and bred, the two crack sprinters have never met.

Proud Tower Too prepared for the Sunshine Millions Sprint by running a close third in Santa Anita’s El Conejo Handicap on New Year’s Day, his comeback race after defeating Thor’s Echo by 1 ¼ lengths in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen last March 25 in the United Arab Emirates.

Bordonaro defeated Thor’s Echo by one length as the odds-on favorite in Oak Tree’s Grade I Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap last October. Thor’s Echo was 14-1 when he scored his Breeders’ Cup upset. Trainer Bill Spawr named Richard Migliore to replace injured jockey Patrick Valenzuela aboard Bordonaro. The 6-year-old gelding, owned by Fred Carrillo and Daniel Cassella, has earned $750,794 from 9 wins in 13 starts.

Proud Tower Too, a 5-year-old homebred owned by Tricar Stable Inc., shows earnings of $1,645,572 from a record of 7-3-2 in 20 starts. David Cohen, who has been aboard for his last six starts, has the riding call in the six-furlong event. Bordonaro, No. 7, and Proud Tower Too, No. 8, drew side-by-side in the field of nine. Each carries 122 pounds.

In addition to the Sprint and the Turf, Santa Anita will host the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, presented by Pepsi and the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff for fillies and mares, presented by Warren’s Thoroughbreds.

A special early first post of 11:45 a.m. will be in effect at Santa Anita on Sunshine Millions Day. On a 10-race program, the Sunshine Millions events will be the second through the fifth. Much of the competition will be televised live nationally by NBC between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. locally. HRTV will show the Sunshine Millions Preview at 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 26, and again at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27.