First Impressions: Happy Valentine, with her newborn foal Jan. 15; the colt is the first reported foal by the stallion Suave.
Photo: LOUISE E. REINAGEL
Santa Anita hosted its Sunshine Millions program Jan. 26, sandwiched between weather-induced closures.
Photo: BENOIT PHOTO
Go Between's late-running victory in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita gave trainer Bill Mott his third victory in the eight-race series for California and Florida breds Jan. 26.
Ridden by 2007 Eclipse Award winner Garrett Gomez, Peter Vegso's homebred Go Between closed with a rush from deep in the pack to win by two lengths over a game Celtic Dreamin in a Cushion Track record time of 1:45.64 for nine furlongs.
Quite a Bride turned in quite a performance and had 3-5 favorite Nashoba’s Key playing the bridesmaid when she rolled to a solid win in the $500,000 San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes at Santa Anita Jan. 26.
Odds-on choice Bob Black Jack re-broke in upper stretch after being headed by Winsome Charm, leaving his challenger behind while winning the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash by 3 1/2 lengths in a Cushion Track-record time for six furlongs at Santa Anita Jan. 26.
Former claiming filly Dearest Trickski, hustled to the front by jockey Mike Smith, never looked back in rolling to an easy win in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Jan. 26, her fifth consecutive victory.
Stronach Stables’ Ginger Punch proved why she is a champion against an overmatched field Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, romping by 6 3/4 lengths in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff.
Peter Vegso homebred War Monger came from well off the pace, moved into contention around the final turn, and caught pacesetter Lucky J.H. in mid-stretch en route to a 1 1/4-length victory in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park.
IEAH Stables and partners’ Benny the Bull solidified himself as one of the best sprinters in the country Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, easily besting 10 rivals in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, and doing it in near-record time.