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NASHOBA'S KEY, McCANN'S MOJAVE TOP SUNSHINE MILLIONS NOMINATIONS
ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2007)-Nashoba's Key, a winner of her first seven starts and millionaire McCann's Mojave top a list of 57 nominees to the $1,000,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, which will highlight a series of four Florida-bred versus California-bred stakes at Santa Anita on Sunshine Millions Day, Jan. 26.
In addition to the Classic, to be run at 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita will also host the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at 1 1/8 miles, the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint at 6 furlongs, and the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash, also at 6 furlongs.
Nashoba's Key, a 4-year-old California-bred by Silver Hawk, will attempt to become the first filly or mare to win the Classic, which will be run for the sixth time. A perfect seven for seven going into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Oct. 27, Nashoba's Key finished a much-troubled fourth, beaten two lengths on a soft turf at Monmouth Park. She is owned by her breeder, Warren Williamson, and is trained by Carla Gaines. Nashoba's Key was also nominated to the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf.
McCann's Mojave, a 7-year-old California-bred horse by Memo, is the defending champ in the Classic, having won it on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park at odds of 33-1. He was most recently victorious in the Gr. III, $150,000 All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Nov. 17. McCann's Mojave has a 29-11-2 record, with earnings of $1,346,555. He is owned by his co-breeder Mike Willman, who also serves as Santa Anita's publicity director, and is conditioned by Steve Specht.
Florida-bred Sweetnorthernsaint, idle since finishing second in the Gr. III Lone Star Park Handicap, has also been nominated. A 4-year-old gelding by Sweetsouthernsaint, he won the Gr. II Illinois Derby at age 3 and finished fifth as the favorite in the 2007 Sunshine Millions Classic. He is owned by Joseph Balsamo and Ted Theos, and is trained by Michael Trombetta.
Bold Chieftain, a 4-year-old California-bred colt by Chief Seattle, also looms as a serious nominee with recency in his corner. Although he finished sixth in the Gr. III Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park on Dec. 8, he notched the biggest win of his career in the $250,000 California Cup Classic at Oak Tree on Nov. 3. Bold Chieftain is owned by Hall or Langbein Trust or Robinson and partners. He is trained by his co- breeder, William Morey.
Bilo, a 7-year-old California-bred gelding by Bertrando, will be attempting two turns for the first time in his career if he runs in the Classic. A Gr. I winner of the 7 furlong Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park on July, 7, Bilo will be seeking his fourth consecutive win, with his most recent triumph coming on Nov. 3, in the $150,000 California Cup Sprint at 6 furlongs. Bred and formerly owned by the late Edward Nahem, Bilo had been conditioned by Marty Jones but has now been transferred by new owners Capan, Anastasi and Anastasi, to trainer Mike Mitchell.
Ginger Punch, a 4-year-old Florida-bred filly by Awesome Again, heads a list of 40 nominees to the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf. Bred by Magna Entertainment (MEC) Chairman Frank Stronach and owned by Stronach Stables, Ginger Punch is trained by Bobby Frankel and she comes off a game score in the Gr. I Breeders' Cup Distaff on Oct. 27. Ginger Punch has a 14-7-5-1 record, with earnings of $1,901,679.
The California-bred Dancing Edie could also figure prominently in the Filly and Mare Turf. A 5-year-old mare by Moscow Ballet, Dancing Edie won the Gr. I John C. Mabee Handicap at Del Mar in 2006, and she won the Gr. III Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap two starts back at Oak Tree on Sept. 26. She is owned by Basin, Fast Lane Farms, Reddam and partners and is trained by Craig Dollase.
Although she is also nominated to the Classic, Nashoba's Key would obviously be a solid contender in the Filly and Mare Turf.
The Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint also attracted 40 nominees, including defending champion Shaggy Mane. Owned by IEAH Stables, Cohen, Kwong and partners, Shaggy Mane is a 4-year-old California-bred filly by Bertrando. Winless in four starts since her win in the Filly and Mare Sprint, Shaggy Mane comes off a seventh place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. She is trained by Don Chatlos.
The Sunshine Millions Dash, for 3-year-olds, attracted 50 nominees, including the up-and-coming Florida-bred Fort Funston. A colt by Snow Ridge, Fort Funston has a 4-2-1 record and comes off a solid allowance score at Golden Gate Fields on Nov. 22. He is owned by Harry Aleo and trained by Greg Gilchrist.
Another prominent nominee would appear to be Sierra Sunset. A California-bred colt by Bertrando, he comes off a game win in the 1 1/16 miles California Cup Juvenile at Oak Tree. He is owned by Lebherz or Mariani or Schmitt and partners. He is trained by Jeff Bonde and has a record of 7-3-2-1.
Four other Sunshine Millions races--the $500,000 Distaff, the $500,000 Turf, the $300,000 Sprint and the $250,000 Oaks--will be run at Gulfstream Park in Florida on Jan. 26 as well. The races will run alternately between Santa Anita and Gulfstream until all eight have been completed.
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