SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.  - Even as he was stretching him out in distance, trainer Steve Asmussen knew Great Mills was at his best as a turf sprinter.

That fact was reinforced Thursday afternoon at Saratoga when Great Mills corralled the pacesetting Fudgesicle in the final yards to win the $78,000 Quick Call Stakes by a head. It was 1 3/4 lengths back to Bug Juice in third.

The $2 pick six was hit for $1,109,920 at Del Mar on Wednesday, the fourth-highest payout in track history.

Horse owner Scott McKeever told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he purchased the winning ticket. Track officials said the ticket cost $3,094, was bought ontrack, and had 20 of the 85 winning consolation combinations, each worth $4,386.

Trainer Leon Bard might not have the fastest qualifier for Saturday night’s $400,000 Texas Quarter Horse Association Sale Futurity at Retama Park near San Antonio, but he will send out two of the field’s most accomplished runners in Hiclass Heat and Twilight B.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Nick Zito has two wins, three seconds, and two thirds in the last 10 runnings of the Whitney.

“I love that race,” Zito said. “It’s one of my favorite races. We’ve done well in the Whitney.”

The comebacking stakes winners Humble Destin and Pantara Phantom will both have to catch Ranger Danger to make successful returns Saturday in the featured eighth race at Louisiana Downs.

The three horses will meet in a $25,000 optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up that has second-level allowance conditions. The race will be run over six furlongs, and it drew a field of 10.

DEL MAR, Calif. - A six-week gap between the Manhattan Beach Stakes at Hollywood Park and Saturday’s $100,000 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar has left trainer Ron McAnally confident that Sugarinthemorning is on the verge of her third career stakes win.

“She’s had enough time,” McAnally said. “We have to give her a little bit of time. She’s not the biggest eater in the world.”

Owned by breeder Stephen Weissman and his granddaughter Samantha Clement, Sugarinthemorning will be favored in the Fleet Treat, which is run over seven furlongs for state-bred 3-year-old fillies.

The 3-year-old filly Startin Something takes on three Ohio-accredited males and one other female in the $50,000 Horizon at River Downs on Saturday. Startin Something will try to remain unbeaten on the River Downs grass, having won the $50,000 Cincinnatian – the female version of the Horizon on June 25 – going the same 1 1/16 miles.

Broadway King, winner of the $130,000 colt and gelding division of the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on July 2, goes for the second leg of the Evangeline triple crown for 2-year-olds on Saturday night. He heads up the field in the colt and gelding division of the $60,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes, where he will take on six foes at 5  1/2 furlongs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The complexion of Sunday’s $150,000 Fourstardave changed several hours before the race was drawn early Thursday afternoon when trainer Tom Bush made the decision to withdraw his multiple Grade 1 winner Get Stormy from consideration for the event. Get Stormy would have gone postward as the 122 pound highweight and vied for favoritism with Sidney’s Candy had he started.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Maristar went off as the surprisingly solid favorite June 25 in the $103,000 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine, and she probably will be the chalk again if Saturday’s featured race 6 is rained onto Arlington’s main track.