Quenane splashes to upset in Sunshine Millions Classic Preview

MIAMI, Fla. - Quenane took advantage of a wet track and a relatively soft pace scenario to register a stunning upset as a 27-1 outsider in a field of only five horses in the $60,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Preview, the first of five Florida-bred stakes on Saturday’s program at Gulfstream Park West.

Quenane surprisingly took the early advantage in the one-mile Classic Preview under jockey Angel Arroyo, shook off an early challenge from defending champion Red Crescent after six furlongs, settled into the stretch with a comfortable advantage, then held off 6-5 favorite Noble Drama to win by a length over the sloppy going. Quenane was easily the most accomplished member of the field on an off track, having won three times and finished second on four other occasions over similar footing during his career.

Noble Drama, a stakes winner in each of his two previous starts but winless in three previous tries on wet tracks, raced at the rear of the compact lineup during the early going, came wide into the stretch and was gaining, but never seriously threatened the winner at the end. Diablo’s Passion finished third, followed by Garter and Tie and a tiring Red Crescent.

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

Quenane, a 6-year-old son of Algorithms, is trained by Tamara Levy, who claimed the horse for the partnership of IAB Stables and Walter Fralick for a bargain $6,250 in July 2017. Final time for the mile over the sealed track was 1:37.04. Quenane paid $57.60.

“He (Quenane) really hadn’t been effective keeping company with them (Noble Drama and Red Crescent) over the summer,” Levy said. “But he’s exceeded our expectations time and time again, and if he can work it out and find a way, he’ll get it done.”

Levy said Quenane would likely make his next start in the Claiming Crown at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 5.

The wet track may have also contributed to several other upsets in the four other stakes events on the card.

In the co-featured Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview, another former claimer, Tiz Possible Dear, led throughout under jockey Paco Lopez to capture the seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares, defeating the 6-5 Sound Machine by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths. The win was the fourth in seven starts on wet footing for Tiz Possible Dear, who ran for $8,000 in early May and was haltered for $16,000 by trainer Peter Walder for current owner Paradise Farms Corp. out of a winning effort on September 6 at Gulfstream Park.

Tiz Possible Dear returned $9.20 for her sixth win in 13 starts this season.

Legal Deal, a winner of two of his three previous outings on the wet going, narrowly outfinished the rail-skimming Jackson to win the Sunshine Millions Sprint Preview, the second of two consecutive stakes wins on the card for trainer Carlos David, who also sent out Shea D Summer to a popular victory in the Juvenile Fillies Sprint.

Lopez rode Legal Deal, claimed for $12,500 at Gulfstream Park for owners Michele Rosa and Lawrence Sargent at Gulfstream on August 15. Legal Deal completed six furlongs in 1:09.51 and returned a $7.00 mutuel. Shivaree checked home fourth as the 8-5 favorite.

Shea D Summer was a dominant winner of the 6 1/2-furlong Juvenile Fillies Sprint, drawing away through the stretch to a popular 6 3/4-length victory over Briella, who was easily second-best, finishing 5 1/2 lengths in front of Sky Proposal.

Ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, Shea D Summer, undefeated after two starts, paid $4.00.

Poppy’s Pride continued to show his fondness for the off going, leading at every call to register a 1 1/2-length decision over Gatsby in the Juvenile Sprint. Real Talk, the even-money favorite, finished a troubled fourth in a race marred when Tiz Handsome lost his rider at the start.

Poppy’s Pride, who won the Armed Forces Stakes over similar footing in his previous outing, paid $10.00.