McCann’s Mojave Wins $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic
McCann’s Mojave pulled an upset three-quarters of a length victory in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic as Florida-bred horses edged their California counterparts on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
McCann’s Mojave, a California-bred thoroughbred co-owned and co-bred by Santa Anita publicity director Mike Willman, defeated Summer Book. The winner was the oldest in the 14-horse Classic field at age 7. Sent off at 30-1 odds, he paid $69.80 to win for the biggest score in his career and that of trainer Steve Specht.
Sweetnorthernsaint, the 2-1 wagering favorite, finished only fifth.
Florida breds won four of the eight races Saturday and outpointed California 37-35. Winners received five points each, second place was worth three points and third was worth one point. Florida has won the event every year.
Ridden by Frank Alvarado, McCann’s Mojave won his third in a row. He finished sixth in last year’s Classic at Santa Anita.
At Santa Anita, Lava Man made his 2007 debut with a victory in the $500,000 Turf. Claimed for $50,000 in August 2004, the 6-year-old Cal-bred gelding pushed his career earnings to $4,079,706.
Mistical Plan won the $250,000 Oaks at Santa Anita by a nose, kicking off a 1-2-3 sweep by California horses. Ridden by David Flores, Mistical Plan covered six furlongs in 1:10.50.
Joint Effort and Take D’Tour gave Florida a 1-2 finish in the $500,000 Distaff at Santa Anita. Joint Effort covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.36 under Eddie Castro and paid $14.60 to win by five lengths.
Florida-bred Smokey Stover won the $300,000 Sprint by 3 lengths. The 7-1 shot paid $16 to win and ran six furlongs in a stakes record 1:08.03 under Aaron Gryder. Bordonaro finished third as the even-money favorite.
At Gulfstream, Florida-bred Storm in May, a 26-1 shot, overhauled Cal-bred Idiot Proof in deep stretch for a 1-length victory in the $250,000 Dash. The 3-year-old colt, who paid $55, ran six furlongs in 1:10.22.
Cal-bred Shaggy Mane, an 8-1 shot, won the $250,000 Filly and Mare Sprint by 7 3/4 lengths and paid $19.40.
Florida-bred Miss Shop gave Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens one of his patented upsets in the $500,000 Filly and Mare Turf.
Miss Shop circled rivals on the far turn and defeated Cal-bred Memorette by 1 lengths, paying $13.40 to win.
"McCann’s Mojave Wins $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic" was posted on 28 January 2007 8:43 PM under Horses, Owners & Breeders, Race Tracks, Stakes Races, Trainers
10% Instant Bonus, Free & Fast Payouts
Up to 60% Racebook Deposit Bonus +5% Weekly Horse Betting Rebate
Get Reward Points For Free Bets