Sunshine Millions CASHES
- Updated: January 23, 2017
Sunshine Millions Turf
The Sunshine Millions Turf went off with one less entrant with the scratch of the likely pace leader, Class and Cash, so our top pick, Go Around, which was projected to stalk that leader, instead, inherited the pace leader role running gamely through late stretch before yielding to the trio of pressers. The winner, Our Way, was what the Super Screener was projecting as the top price play in the race but in the end he became the third choice in a raced reduced to 7 runners with the scratch. Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about the winner:
“TOP LONG SHOT (Our Way) 6 for 7 in the Trifecta on firm turf but has been away since Oct. Super work last out lends more confidence that this lightly raced 4 year-old has a lot of upside. Ortiz jumps off for #6 Enterprising…value play.”
Enterprising was a logical choice to hit the board in this field and he did hold that recent good form here to complete the Exacta which within the Super Screener wagers there was a connect for $375. This was the scoop on Enterprising:
“(Enterprising) 6 year old popped a lifetime top on Polytrack against lesser last out. Top barn and tends to hold form after tops. Last work was a bullet and done the right way. Contender here but value may be lacking. Top 3 better choices.”
Sunshine Millions Classic
Hy Riverside, a Super Screener “A” pick did not disappoint winning this race by the narrowest of margins to deny the front-running, game, but hard-to-have bomb, Nauset Beach, the victory. Hy Riverside repeated a pattern of coming back quick while in form to submit another top effort as described by the Super Screener:
“(Hy Riverside) Just ran 7 days ago against so much better. Did run 4 races in 6 weeks last Summer and won 3 of 4 so not concerned about the quick wheel back. Will be sitting closer than normal on the stretch out to 1 1/8 mile distance. Should handle it and finds so much easier here. Game back up to #8 Awesome Slew for the win spot. Needs some pace.”
Awesome Slew was a big disappointment as the odds-on favorite running gamely but evenly on the outside but didn’t have another gear to drive by the top pair. Not quite the same horse.
The Super Screener top bomber pick, Tiger of Wales did what was expected by the Super Screener finishing 4th at odds of 17-1.
Wish we could say Nauset Beach would have been had, but on second review, the Super Screener still comes up as non contender. Congrats to you if you had it.
Lecomte Stakes
The Super Screener top board hitter candidate, Guest Suite, did more than that by submitting an impressive and very professional looking effort off the layoff on what was sludge-like surface rated as muddy (sealed). Guest Suite sat the perfect trip as the front runners slipped back to catch the win. Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about Guest Suite:
“(Guest Suite) Super Screener’s top board hitter pick is as consistent as they come. Had progressed steadily in each race. Comes back after about a 2 month layoff…may need a race before resuming his positive form cycle ascent.”
What was super disappointing was the no-show by Asmussen-trained, Totality. He broke last of all and was clearly not comfortable on the gooey surface tossing his head about and running erratically throughout most of the race. The Super Screener is tabbing this one as a playback horse with a return to a fast track and what will be huge value. Just toss this race as it is non representative of the colt’s true ability.
Takeoff and Arklow ran better-than-they-looked races here. They each exited the same maiden race at Fair Grounds which is clearly coming up as a key race. It would have been interesting to see how this pair would have run if the track came up fast.
Pegasus World Cup
Huge Saturday of racing coming up as the $12 million Pegasus World Cup looms big and is becoming what is essentially a repeat of last year’s Breeder’s Cup Classic but at a shorter distance of 1 1/8th. This could level the playing field between California Chrome and the beast that is Arrogate. In addition, it looks like there will be more pace than what we saw in the BC Classic making the race more interesting. In addition, the rest of card will be quite salty with full, contentious fields as we now really break from the gate into the core 2017 racing season. Santa Anita will be featuring California Cup day which puts the spotlight on California breds so there may be a few races to consider from that venue as well.
Until next weekend…Go fast and win!
Mike Shutty
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