Mucho Macho Man's Majestic Victory
The racing world descended on Gulfstream Park on Saturday to watch The Sunshine Millions during the day and the Eclipse Awards in the evening. The headliner of the day was Mucho Macho Man. The finalist for the older horse Eclipse and Horse of the Year never broke a sweat as he won $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic by 14 lengths. The Kathy Ritvo trainee now has options for his next start. He will probably run in either the Grade 1 Donn Handicap on Feb 9th that that up or the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8th.
We must also give credit to trainer Barry Rose. Having the two longest shots in the race, Rose finished second and third behind Mucho Macho Man with Joshua's Comprise and Decaf Again. Both horses are owned by the Rose Family Stable and collected $120,000 for their efforts in the race. Not a bad payday for getting beat badly in a race.
Todd Pletcher elected to run Sweet N Discreet in the $294,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff instead of the Filly and Mare Sprint and that turned out to be a great decision. Sweet N Discreet took the lead turning for home and won by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetting Devil's Cave. Joe Bravo rode the winner.
The Sunshine Millions Sprint was a battle between two former claimers, Ribo Bobo and Star Harbour. In the end, Ribo Bobo, who was reclaimed for $6,250 by Mr Amore Stable and Jason Servis in March, overtook pacesetting Star Harbour and won the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint by 1 ¾ lengths.
It was an exciting stretch duel in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf. Star Channel and Old Time Hockey batted each other to the wire with Star Channel finishing first by a head. There was a stewards' inquiry and claim of foul by Gary Stevens against the winner. But after a review there was no change to the order of finish. Jose Lezcano ride the winner and it was his third consecutive stakes victory of the afternoon.
After breaking sharply Ullapool was able to lead every step of way to win the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint under Jose Lezcano. The Eddie Kenneally trainee was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of My Pal Chrisy, who scratched from the Sunshine Millions Distaff earlier in the day to run in this spot.
After saving ground early, Parranda made a four wide move to the lead and drew off to win $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf by three lengths. The Rudolfo Garcia trainee has now win her last three starts in state bred competition.
At Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert ran one two in the Grade 2, $200,750 Strub Stakes as Shakin It Up up beat stable mate Governor Charlie by 2 ¼ lengths. It was the second stakes victory in a row for Shakin It Up, having won the Grade 1 Malibu last out. He is also four for five lifetime at Santa Anita.
Despite lugging in the during the stretch drive, Vicar's in Trouble was able to draw off and win the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes by 6 3/4 lengths under Rosie Napravnik at the Fair Grounds. The Mike Maker trainee earned 10 points for the Kentucky Derby Point series.
We must also give credit to trainer Barry Rose. Having the two longest shots in the race, Rose finished second and third behind Mucho Macho Man with Joshua's Comprise and Decaf Again. Both horses are owned by the Rose Family Stable and collected $120,000 for their efforts in the race. Not a bad payday for getting beat badly in a race.
Todd Pletcher elected to run Sweet N Discreet in the $294,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff instead of the Filly and Mare Sprint and that turned out to be a great decision. Sweet N Discreet took the lead turning for home and won by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetting Devil's Cave. Joe Bravo rode the winner.
The Sunshine Millions Sprint was a battle between two former claimers, Ribo Bobo and Star Harbour. In the end, Ribo Bobo, who was reclaimed for $6,250 by Mr Amore Stable and Jason Servis in March, overtook pacesetting Star Harbour and won the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint by 1 ¾ lengths.
It was an exciting stretch duel in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf. Star Channel and Old Time Hockey batted each other to the wire with Star Channel finishing first by a head. There was a stewards' inquiry and claim of foul by Gary Stevens against the winner. But after a review there was no change to the order of finish. Jose Lezcano ride the winner and it was his third consecutive stakes victory of the afternoon.
After breaking sharply Ullapool was able to lead every step of way to win the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint under Jose Lezcano. The Eddie Kenneally trainee was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of My Pal Chrisy, who scratched from the Sunshine Millions Distaff earlier in the day to run in this spot.
After saving ground early, Parranda made a four wide move to the lead and drew off to win $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf by three lengths. The Rudolfo Garcia trainee has now win her last three starts in state bred competition.
At Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert ran one two in the Grade 2, $200,750 Strub Stakes as Shakin It Up up beat stable mate Governor Charlie by 2 ¼ lengths. It was the second stakes victory in a row for Shakin It Up, having won the Grade 1 Malibu last out. He is also four for five lifetime at Santa Anita.
Despite lugging in the during the stretch drive, Vicar's in Trouble was able to draw off and win the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes by 6 3/4 lengths under Rosie Napravnik at the Fair Grounds. The Mike Maker trainee earned 10 points for the Kentucky Derby Point series.
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