Santa Anita revamps Sunshine Millions

Santa Anita’s version of the modified Sunshine Millions will feature three stakes for California-breds, all on Jan. 28, and the card will be supported by the Grade 1 Santa Monica Stakes for older female sprinters, the track announced Wednesday.

The Sunshine Millions had pitted Florida-breds against California-breds, with, initially, eight races, four at Gulfstream Park and four at Santa Anita, all on the same day. The program was truncated to six races last year, and this year has been revamped, with a Florida-bred program at Gulfstream and a Cal-bred program at Santa Anita.

The Cal-bred races on Jan. 28 will be the Crystal Water, for older horses at 1 1/16 miles; the Sensational Star, for turf sprinters on the hillside course; and the Valentine Dancer, for older females at one mile on turf. All three are worth $100,000 each.

The Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies, also will be part of the Jan. 28 card.