Rescheduled Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf picks up four runners

ARCADIA, Calif. – The rescheduled California Cup program at Santa Anita on Saturday, consisting of five stakes for statebreds, added four runners from the original lineups on Jan. 11.

The Jan. 11 program was one of three days of racing from Friday through Sunday that were canceled last weekend because of the effects of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Three of the five California Cup races this Saturday drew the same horses entered last weekend.

The most significant change occurred in the $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course. Four runners – Barbera, Elegant Sway, Shocking Grey, and Safa – were supplemented to the race when entries were taken Sunday. Dendera was entered last Saturday, but was not entered for the rescheduled race.

The $175,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf gained an entry with the inclusion of Miso Phansy, winner of a maiden race at a mile on turf by two lengths Jan. 4.

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An extra week between the maiden race and Saturday’s program made all the difference, trainer Leonard Powell said.

“I didn’t want to come back in seven days, but I’m happy to come back in two weeks,” he said.

The inclusion of Miso Phansy has left Musical Number, who was fifth in the Soviet Problem Stakes at a mile on dirt on Dec. 8 at Los Alamitos, on the also-eligible list. The race will have a maximum of 12 starters.

The $175,000 California Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles on the main track drew a field of eight, but is lacking Northern California stakes winner Mala.

Trainer Steve Sherman said Sunday that Mala recently underwent surgery to have a bone chip removed from a knee and will be back in training in the spring. Mala was not entered for the California Cup Derby.

“He has a flake in his knee,” Sherman said. “We took it out the other day. I was looking forward to trying him, and it didn’t work out.”

Owned by Greg Avery, Mala finished second in the Bay Meadows Juvenile against open company at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 15 at Pleasanton and was promoted to first when Drop Um was demoted to second for causing interference in the stretch. Drop Um is part of a field of eight in the California Cup Derby.

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