Moscow Burning seeks revenge on Sunshine Millions record-setter Valentine Dancer in the $500,000 Warren's Thoroughbreds Filly/Mare Turf Saturday at Santa Anita.
Valentine Dancer has won the last two runnings of the 1 1/8-mile grass event for owners Al & Sandra Kirkwood, trainer Craig Lewis and jockey Jon Court. She is the only repeat winner in the festival's brief history.
Moscow Burning was second to Valentine Dancer in 2004, but wound up fifth behind her when the 13-10 favorite last year. According to trainer James Cassidy, Moscow Burning's owner, Don Van Kempen, is burning for revenge. Said Cassidy, "There are two things he wants in life. He wants to win the Sunshine Millions and to whip Valentine Dancer."
By any measure, Moscow Burning has been quite a bargain. She has earned more than $800,000 since being claimed for $25,000 on Aug. 7, 2003. She has a lifetime record of 9-5-2 in 24 starts for earnings of $902,535.
Valentine Dancer, a winner of $1,144,126 in her career, has accumulated $550,000 of that figure from her two victories in the Sunshine Millions race. Her career record is 8-7-5 in 28 starts.
There are seven California-bred fillies and mares in the field and five from Florida.
$500,000 Sunshine Millions Warren's Thoroughbred Filly and Mare Turf Stakes (Race 5, 2:05 p.m. PT), California and Florida-bred Fillies & Mares 4 & Up, 1 1/8 miles (turf)PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Eclipse Winner (CA) , 122, Corey S. Nakatani
2. Valentine Dancer (CA), 122, Jon K. Court
3. Allbow (CA), 122, Miguel Luis Gaeta Hernandez
4. Midwife (FL), 122, Russell A. Baze
5. First Draft (CA), 122, Kent J. Desormeaux
6. Moscow Burning (CA), 122, David R. Flores
7. Tiger Belle (FL), 120, Javier Santiago
8. Dancing General (CA), 120, Garrett K. Gomez
9. Vous (FL), 122, Victor Espinoza
10. Beneficial Bartok (CA), 122, David Cohen
11. Formal Miss (FL), 122, Cornelio H. Velasquez
12. Charmsil (FL), 120, Martin A. Pedroza
Also Eligible13. Brave Vixen (CA), 122, Victor Espinoza
