2014 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint
Las Vegas, NV - Florida Sunshine Millions Day comes our way from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida this Saturday, January 19. Purses totaling $1.3 million will be on the line that day. The main events on the card are the Sunshine Millions Classic and the Sunshine Millions Distaff but there are also four other Sunshine Millions races on the card.
Let's break down all of the other action starting with the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint - a six furlong test for older females. It is race 7 on Gulfstream's Saturday card.
Horse Race Betting at Gulfstream Park
- Open OTB Account2014 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint | Favorite Entries
R Free Roll - is the 5-2 morning line favorite and rightfully so. She is coming off a second in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl on this track December 14 after a win in the Bold World Handicap in November and a second in the Charles Town Oaks in September. She has two wins and three seconds in her last six starts overall and is expected to be the one to beat Saturday
Sweet N Discreet - Todd Pletcher trained filly has looked very good as of late - two wins and two seconds in her last four starts. Last time out was a second to Devil's Cave in the Ocala Stakes on this track December 29 after two Allowance Optional Claiming scores here earlier this winter. She has three wins, three seconds and two third place finishes in her 10 career starts and is an interesting name to watch. She is cross-entered in the Distaff but if she runs the F & M Sprint she will be another one to watch at 4-1 odds.
My Pal Chrisy - Martin Wolfson trained mare entered the Go for Wand at Aqueduct on a three race win streak including the Millions Distaff Preview Stakes November 9, the minor Musical Romance Stakes and the Pasadena Stakes - all results at Gulfstream. She went on to a third in the Grade 2 Go For Wand and was third recently in the Ocala Stakes here December 29. She also had a good stretch in the summer at Calder - the highlight being a third in the Grade 1 Princess Rooney Handicap July 6. My Pal Chrisy has three wins, a second and five third place finishes in 11 starts last year and is in the best form of her 43 race career. She is also entered in the Distaff but may opt for a more comfortable sprinting distance in which she has won five of nine career starts. She is the co-second choice at 4-1 odds.
The rest of the field looks to be a step back in class from the three favorites. But assuming two choose the Distaff over this race, 3-1 Ullapool, trained by Eddie Kenneally is one to watch. She enters on a three race win streak including the Garland of Roses Stakes at Aqueduct December 7. Classic Point at 6-1 odds could also have an impact. She is 3-for-9 at this distance and has had some success this summer finishing second in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss and an OK fifth in the Grade 1 Ballerina - both at Saratoga. Salamera at 8-1 odds and Ladyfromhavana at 10-1 odds are also entered but aren't expected to make much of an impact.
2014 Sunshine Million Sprint | Favorite Entries
The Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint is also another intriguing race to keep your eye on Saturday. It is a six furlong dash for older horses chasing the winner's share of the $150,000 purse. It goes off as race 9 with a post time of 4:33 PM
Ribo Bobo - is absolutely on fire for trainer Jason Servis winning nine of his last 10 starts overall including a Starter Stakes on this track last time out December 7, the Icecapade Stakes at Monmouth September 7 and the Maryland Million Sprint October 19 at Laurel Park. He was at or near the front in every start the last year and is the one to beat Saturday. Ribo Bobo goes off as the 5-2 morning line favorite.
Sunshine Millions Day betting at Gulfstream Park with OffTrackBetting.com
Star Harbour - finished fifth in this race last year but has looked good as of late - a third behind Caixa Electronica in the Duck Dance Stakes October 6 and a win over the impressive Jackson Bend and Bahamian Squall December 8 in the Sunshine State Stakes on this very track. Last time out was a third in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector behind Singanothersong and Fort Loudon. He has been in with the best and has fared well. Star Harbour should give Ribo Bobo quite a run Saturday and is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line.
Fort Loudon at 6-1 odds will be another big name along with My Happy Way at 5-1 odds, Bear Tough Tiger at 8-1 odds and Close It Out at 8-1 odds. Apriority at 12-1 odds and Black Diamond Cat at 15-1 odds also loom in what looks, on paper to be a wide-open field.
2014 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf | Favorite Entries
The Florida Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf features and interesting group of older females for race 6 on the Gulfstream Saturday card. A purse of $150,000 will be on the line for those willing to go 1 1/8 miles on Gulfstream's turf track.
Wishing Gate - Thomas Proctor trained filly has four wins and three seconds in 11 career starts and has looked very good recently - a win last time out in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes October 26 followed a second to Discreet Marq in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, a win in her stakes debut - the Grade 2 San Clemente at 5-1 odds at Del Mar July 21 and an Allowance Optional Claiming score at Arlington Park June 23. She has three wins and a second in her last five starts and looks terrific ahead of the Filly and Mare Turf. The legendary Gary Stevens will be in charge of Wishing Gate as she hope to make yet another statement Saturday on the 9-5 morning line favorite.
Parranda - won the Millions Filly and Mare Turf Preview Stakes here November 9 after another win in the Our Dear Peggy Stakes also on this track in September. Last time out was an OK fourth in the Grade 3 My Charmer at Calder December 7. She has won three of her last six starts and has two straight wins on this track ahead of this weekend. Parranda is expected to challenge on her favorite track and is listed as the 4-1 third choice.
Other threats in the Filly and Mare Turf are the recent second place finisher of the Millions Filly and Mare Turf Preview Stakes, Silista, the 3-1 second choice - she has experience on this track and she has also been successful at Gulfstream in the past. Millenia at 6-1 odds, Creative License at 10-1 odds Sharapova Slams at 12-1 odds, E B Ryder at 12-1 odds and Nicki Starshine at 15-1 odds complete the field.
2014 Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes | Favorite Entries
The Florida Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes has the biggest of the Sunshine Millions fields - 10 horses will be after the winner's share of the $150,000 purse when they go 1 1/8 miles on Gulfstream's turf track. The Sunshine Millions Turf goes as race 8 on Gulfstream's Saturday schedule with a post time of 4:03 PM.
Bad Debt - has impressively placed in 32 of 38 career starts and has 10 wins on turf. Last time out was a third place finish in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap at Calder December 7 after a win in the Millions Turf Preview November 9 on this track. She has been mighty impressive in her career and figures to be a tough out Saturday. Bad Debt finished fourth in this race last year and based on recent form is expected to be competitive Saturday. He goes off at 5-2 odds.
Tune Me In - has 30 career starts with just five wins, nine seconds and six third place finishes. He has three seventh place finishes in his last five starts including the Who's to Pay Stakes last time out back in September at Belmont Park which followed his best result in quite some time - a second in the Grade 3 Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth in August. He has been inconsistent the last year but when running right is a threat. Tune Me In is the 3-1 second choice for the Sunshine Millions Turf.
Others that are expected to challenge are Star Channel at 5-1 odds, Spring Up at 6-1 odds, Old Time Hockey at 8-1, Blameshifter at 10-1, Bim Bam and Racing Aptitiude who are both listed at 12-1 odds and Tiz Giania at 20-1 odds.