McCann’s Mojave Seeks First Repeat

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2008) – Cinderella story millionaire McCann’s Mojave will try to become the race’s first repeat winner when he leads the California-bred contingent in Saturday’s $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita.

McCann’s Mojave is by Memo, out of the Nordic Prince mare Joni U. Bar, was bred by Hunt and Willman and is owned by Mike Willman. He has 11 wins in 30 starts, earnings of $1,361,555 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 26 Forty Niner. He won this race last year and was sixth in it in 2006.

Bilo is by Bertrando, out of the Devil’s Bag mare Raffie’s Bag, was bred by Ed Nahem, foaled at River Edge Farm and is owned by Scott and Wayne Anastasi and Dan Capen. He has seven wins in 15 starts, earnings of $524,036 and is coming off three consecutive wins, most recently the Nov. 3 California Cup Sprint.

Now Victory is by Sharp Victor, out of the Dynaformer mare Zoelu, was bred by and foaled at Harris Farms, co-owner with Per Antonsen. He has nine wins in 26 starts, earnings of $428,246 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 26 Forty Niner.

Celtic Dreamin is by Game Plan, out of the On the Sauce mare Astra Dreamer, was bred by Rainbow Meadows Farm, was foaled at Fincher Ranch and is owned by K.K. Sangara. The $25,000 Barretts purchase has five wins and three seconds in eight starts, earnings of $334,663 and is coming off a second in a Dec. 14 allowance after finishing second in the California Cup Classic.

Freesgood is by Free House, out of the Housebuster mare Fun Project, was bred by owners Currin and Eisman and foaled at Blooming Hills. He has two wins in 16 starts, earnings of $207,116 and is coming off a fourth in a Dec. 30 allowance.

Bold Chieftain is by Chief Seattle, out of the Seattle Dancer mare Hooked on Music, was bred by owners Langbein, Hall, Robinson, et al and was foaled at Cardiff Stud Farm. He has seven wins in 14 starts, earnings of $465,775 and is coming off a sixth in the Dec. 8 Native Diver.

The highest-rated Florida-breds in the race are Going Ballistic and Diamond Stripes.