Free: Speed winning ticket at Gulfstream and Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park lost its relevance in the shadow of the Pegasus World Cup, while the California Cup program at Santa Anita ceded its autumn importance by moving to the dead of winter six years ago.

But even if significance is marginal compared to the graded stakes calendar, the Saturday stakes for Florida- and California-bred runners at Gulfstream and Santa Anita at least proved that anyone – small breeders to claiming owners – can find a good horse.

For handicappers, Saturday was a reminder that speed is always dangerous. Gulfstream ran four stakes races; Santa Anita ran five. Along with racing from Fair Grounds, plenty of notes. Stuff like this . . .

GULFSTREAM PARK

◗ Hand a lonely lead to the best horse, and the race is over. It was for 7-year-old Starship Jubilee, the odds-on pacesetter who won her third straight Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf. An opening quarter-mile in 25.63 seconds is “pretty easy for her,” trainer Kevin Attard said. What’s not easy is winning 12 races and $1.2 million after claiming a horse for $16,000. Tino Attard claimed her in winter 2017, and Kevin Attard has trained Starship Jubilee since spring 2017.

◗ Another 7-year-old acquired via claim, Extravagant Kid won the Sunshine Millions Sprint over the mare Lady’s Island. Since he was claimed for $75,000 two years ago, Extravagant Kid has won six stakes and $527,769. He earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure. As for pacesetter and runner-up Lady’s Island, she can be long gone next time against fillies and mares.

◗ The pace was slow in the Sunshine Millions Turf, but no matter to March to the Arch. He was up to win by a head. Higher class levels will be a challenge this year for the Grade 2 winner, owned and bred by Live Oak Plantation. Exciting race, but of dubious importance.

◗ Tough times for the Sunshine Millions Classic. Inaugurated in 2003 with a $1 million purse for horses bred in Florida and California, alternating between Gulfstream and Santa Anita, the race is now a $200,000 Gulfstream race for Florida-breds. Noble Drama gutted out the win with a 90 Beyer, which is the lowest winning figure in the history of the race. Pretty sure the $3 million Pegasus on Saturday will be faster than Noble Drama’s grinding 1:50.78.

SANTA ANITA

◗ After three weeks during which Santa Anita turf sprints were dominated by closers, speed is back in vogue. Stealthediamonds, claimed for $80,000 in October, wired the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint over favorite Just Grazed Me. The rematch is March 15 in the Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-bred filly-mare turf sprinters. Coin flip.

◗ Fashionably Fast ran rival Baja Sur into the ground and won the California Cup Sprint, earning a modest 90 Beyer again. Next for Fashionably Fast is two turns in the Tiznow Stakes, one mile for California-breds on March 1. His main rival might be King Abner, who is faster on figures and proven at a route. Fashionably Fast has won five straight, all sprints. As for Cal Cup favorite Baja Sur, he was hounded, hard-ridden, and cracked. Thought he was better than that.

◗ Another turf route with a lone front-runner, the nine-furlong Unusual Heat Turf Classic was won by Wound Tight, who walked on the lead – 48.62 and 1:13. But give him credit – Wound Tight finished in a sharp 35.24 while strong to the wire. It’s a potent combo – tactical speed and finishing kick. Closers had no shot, including Ashleyluvssugar, the 9-year-old who actually ran well for fourth while compromised by pace and ground loss.

◗ Nice training job by Rafael Becerra bringing back Fast Enough from a seven-month layoff to win the California Cup Derby. The race was slow – 1:45.23 for a 76 Beyer. The favorite Club Aspen misfired. Doubt this race will be productive. Fast Enough is owned and bred by Craig Martin, who claimed his dam, Brilliant Melody, for $40,000. After the claim, she never ran again.

“It didn’t work out, but I’ve been able to breed her,” Martin said. Fast Enough is her first runner.

◗ Clubhouse Ride is a hot new stallion, and Warren’s Showtime is his top runner after she uncorked a final quarter in under 23.40 to crush the California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf. She fits against open company. Owner-breeder Ben Warren is back in the game with higher-quality broodmares, including several bred to Clubhouse Ride. Warren’s Showtime was produced by Grade 1 winner Warren’s Veneda. Full siblings are in the pipeline. Stay tuned.

FAIR GROUNDS

◗ An underappreciated debut Saturday at Fair Grounds was a 71-Beyer victory by 3-year-old filly Charming Lady. She walked out the gate, rushed to fourth on the rail, waited, angled out, and won by more than three. Super debut for the Ghostzapper filly trained by Tom Amoss. Charming Lady might be a good one, low figure notwithstanding.

◗ Impressive comeback by gelding Silver Dust in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes. He won by more than four lengths while racing for the first time in nearly four months. Who’s going to beat him Feb. 15 in the Grade 3 Mineshaft?

◗ Finite does not run fast, but she runs fast enough. The 3-year-old filly won her fourth straight in the Silverbulletday Stakes while earning a mere 80 Beyer. That is just two points less than her career high. Sooner or later, she will have to run faster to be considered a genuine Kentucky Oaks contender. In the meantime, all she does is win.