Purses reworked for Sunshine Millions

Purses for three of the eight stakes in the Sunshine Millions program have been increased and one reduced for next year's second running of the series. The second Sunshine Millions, for California-breds and Florida-breds, will be run on Jan. 24, 2004.

The biggest change is in the purse for the Distaff, run over 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares, which has been reduced by $250,000, from $750,000 to $500,000.

That $250,000 was added to the purses of three races. The Filly and Mare Turf, over 1 1/8 miles on grass, was increased by $150,000, to $500,000. Purses for two sprints for older horses - the Sprint and Filly and Mare Sprint - were increased by $50,000, to $300,000.

Distances for two stakes for 3-year-olds - the Oaks and Dash - were cut from seven furlongs to six furlongs.

The locations of the races will be reversed from the 2003 running. Santa Anita will host the $1 million Classic, Filly and Mare Turf, Filly and Mare Sprint, and $250,000 Dash. Gulfstream Park will host the $500,000 Turf, Distaff, Sprint, and $250,000 Oaks.

The program will carry $3.6 million in purses, the same amount as in 2003.