Awesome Feather, Mucho Macho Man Headline Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park

A decade ago track owner Frank Stronach had a vision of pitting California breds versus Florida breds, bought some national television time and the Sunshine Millions were born.

There was a point system to determine which state won the showdown, and I think we were supposed to root for our favorite state and actually care.

However, I certainly did not care which state won, as long as I cashed a few tickets.

I don’t recall which state led the series, although in the marquee event, the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, Florida breds have a 5-4 edge over California breds in the first nine running’s of the race.

The revamped version of the Sunshine Millions is now exclusively for Florida breds, with $1.3 million up for grabs among the six stakes on Saturday’s card.

I remember last year’s running of the Classic fondly as we had Tackleberry on top at 27/1, and we will look for a bit of an upset this year as well.

Headlining this year’s action is the undefeated Awesome Feather, who is the 4/5 morning line favorite in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff.

The four-year-old filly makes her first start since winning the Gazelle (G1) at Aqueduct on Nov. 26. She is perfect in eight starts with career earnings of $1,681,746.

Mucho Macho Man, one of just three runners that appeared in all three Triple Crown races last year, returns to stakes company in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic.

The Kathy Ritvo runner was third in last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1), sixth in the Preakness (G1) and faded to finish a well beaten seventh in the Belmont (G1).

The colt returned off a five month layoff to take beat Alw-3L optional claimers in a gate to wire score at Aqueduct going a one turn mile on Nov. 9.

The colt is the 5/2 second choice on the morning line behind the Todd Pletcher trainee Turbo Compressor, winner of the Carl G. Rose Classic Handicap at Calder on Nov. 12.

Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for Aqueduct each racing day. Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations. Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest plays and selections including the top stakes races.

Let’s head out to Gulfstream Park for Saturday’s featured race of the day:

Gulfstream Park Race 10 The Sunshine Millions Classic
Post time 4:55 CT

• Duke of Mischief 6/1
• Adios Charlie 3/1
• Turbo Compressor 2/1
• Mucho Macho Man 5/2

Duke of Mischief came back off a four month break last out and failed to fire, tiring to finish fifth in the Harlan’s Holiday over the main track here. The six year old put in several solid performances last year including a runner up in this race behind Tackleberry, who got loose on the lead. He earned back to back triple digit Beyers with a close up fourth in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) last march, then won the Charles Town Classic in the slop over a solid group that included Game On Dude, Tizway, Acclimation, Awesome Gem, and Tackleberry. He put in a couple of bullet drills since his last outing. He has won three of four starts over wet tracks and there is a chance we could see some thunderstorms in the afternoon. He should move forward second off the bench and the 6/1 morning line looks fair enough in this spot.

Adios Charlie was a smart looking winner last out against Alw-2 optional claimers in his first start off a 5 ½ month layoff. The colt has not missed landing in the exacta in any of his six starts including winning the Jerome (G2) in the slop last April and runner up finishes in the Peter Pan (G2) and Dwyer (G2). This guy still appears to have a ton of upside potential, with the main question the ability to handle two turns and nine furlongs.

Turbo Compressor was able to control things on the front and take the field gate to wire to win the Rose Classic last out at Calder at nine furlongs, drawing clear to win by 10 ¼ lengths. The ridgling matches his career top speed fig in the effort, previously earning the same fig winning the Curlin at Belmont Park. Things will not be as easy on the front in this spot. He does own a win over the surface, breaking his maiden last March in his second career start.

Mucho Macho Man returned off a five month layoff after competing in all three Triple Crown races with a gate to wire score over Alw-3L optional claimers. He did not exactly beat a tough group, as the five he beat are a combined 0 for 10 since that win. The colt figures to be fitter second off the bench, but he may end up taking too much attention at the betting windows and we will try to beat him for the top spot.

Wagering:
WIN: Duke of Mischief to win at 4/1 or better.
EX: 1,3 / 1,3,5,6
TRI: 1,3 / 1,3,5,6 / 1,3,5,6,7