Gulfstream Park: Awesome Feather set for Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff

The $300,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff attracted only a dozen nominations, led by the undefeated, 2010 Eclipse Award winner Awesome Feather, who won the first five starts of her career in south Florida at Calder but has never raced at Gulfstream. Awesome Feather ran just twice in 2011, capping the brief campaign with her easy victory in the Grade 1 Gazelle.

“She’s doing really well and will probably have her last work here at Palm Meadows on Saturday,” said trainer Chad Brown who also won his first Eclipse Award Monday evening when Stacelita was named the top female turf horse in 2011. “As of now, we’re a go for the Distaff.” Among those likely to take on Awesome Feather in the nine-furlong Distaff are the 2010 winner Sweet Repent, Tiz The Argument, and Trip For A. J.

Little Mike figures to be the heavy favorite in the Florida Sunshine Millions Turf, a race that could mark the return of long-time local favorite Presious Passion.

Apriority, the heroic winner of the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector here last month, could wheel back in the Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint.

Entries for all six Florida Sunshine Millions races will be drawn Sunday. The remainder of the Jan. 28 card will be drawn at regular entry time next Wednesday, according to racing secretary Dan Bork.

Brown pleased with Stacelita’s title

Brown, who did not attend Monday’s Eclipse Award ceremonies in California, expressed his pleasure regarding Stacelita’s championship the following morning at Palm Meadows.

“I was relieved to see her win,” said Brown who trained Stacelita for owner Martin Schwartz. “I think she deserved it. I think she was the best turf filly over here this year, and it was good to see the owner get rewarded. We did not have to run her in the Breeders’ Cup, she had an excuse not to run because of the eye injury. We could have played it conservatively, but Mr. Schwartz is a real sportsman, we rolled the dice and took a shot, and I would have hated for that to have cost her the award.”