Noble Drama, Red Crescent among nominees to Sunshine Millions Classic

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Nominations have been released for the four Sunshine Millions races, to be decided here Jan. 16, with each carrying a purse of $75,000. The highlight of the card will be the 1 1/8-mile Classic, which drew just 10 nominations led by Noble Drama and Red Crescent, the first- and second-place finishers in this race a year ago, along with Quenane, who sprang a 27-1 upset of Noble Drama in the Sunshine Millions Classic Preview at Gulfstream Park West.

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Other prominent names on the list include Last Judgment, Roman Empire, Well Defined, and Scar, who tuned up for the race breezing five furlongs here in 1:02.22 on Wednesday.

The Turf, Filly and Mare Turf, and Sprint round out the Sunshine Millions lineup.

◗ Irad Ortiz Jr., who trailed only Luis Saez in the jockey standings heading into the week while riding at a sensational 29 percent win rate during the opening month of the Championship meet, will return to action Saturday after serving a three-day riding suspension handed down earlier in the session. Ortiz won nine races last week, including all three stakes on New Year’s Day.