Fundamental Hopes to Ascend Again in Sunshine Millions Turf

Fundamental will attempt to continue his upward ascent when he faces 11 Florida-breds in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Chad Brown on behalf of owners Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, the son of Arch added blinkers prior to scoring in a Saratoga allowance in August. After finishing second in the $400,000 Commonwealth Derby (G2) at Laurel Park, he finishing a close fifth in the $100,000 Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland in October, and most recently ran fourth, beaten just a length, in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar on November 28.

“He had a bit of trouble that day, but I think he’s a nice horse,” Brown said. “He’s been training very well. The distance might be a bit short for him, but it’s worth taking a shot for the money. He doesn’t have much early speed so he’ll have to run late.”

Fundamental, bred by Glen Hill Farm and sold as a yearling for $225,000, has drawn post two and will have the services of jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. 

Veteran campaigner Old Time Hockey first contested the Sunshine Millions Turf in 2014, when he finished second by a head. Now seven, the Glen Hill Farm homebred is coming into this year’s renewal on the strength of two straight victories, a 19-length romp in an allowance at Parx Racing on September 13 and a determined score in the Sunshine Millions Turf Preview at Gulfstream Park West on November 7. The son of Smarty Jones, who has earned over $550,000 during his career, will break from post eight and will be ridden by Ronald Allen Jr.

Manchurian High is set to defend his title in the Sunshine Millions Turf. Owned and trained by Lilli Kurtinecz, the chestnut gelding was given some time off following an allowance victory at Keeneland on October 2, and returned to run sixth in the $100,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap over 12 furlongs on the Gulfstream grass on December 26. The 8-year-old will break from the six hole with jockey Luis Saez in the irons.

The Sunshine Millions Turf will also have Black Martino kicking off his 4-year-old season. Second by a neck in the King Cugat Handicap over this course and distance last June, the son of Two Step Salsa finished third in the Lamplighter Stakes at Monmouth Park in July. He defeated fellow Florida-breds in an allowance test at Gulfstream Park West on November 14, but made little impact in his two subsequent outings, including a ninth-place effort at Gulfstream on December 16. Trainer Jose Garoffalo believes that the colt can turn things around on Saturday. Black Martino posted a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.90 on January 8 in preparation for his seasonal bow. 

“He’s been a decent horse,” Garoffalo said. “The last two races were not impressive, but he worked pretty good and I think he fits very good in that spot. I think that race is easier than the allowances with open company. I’m going to give him a shot to run in there. He always runs good and he has made some good money. He has previous stakes experience and he has done good in the stakes before. Now he’s a better horse. He’s going to be four years old and he’s a horse that’s going to be better with the time. The distance will be better for him. For him, the longer is the better.”

The Sunshine Millions Turf field is completed by Rizwan, Cement Clement, My Point Exactly, Firespike, Amigo, Gourmet Delight, Reporting Star and Prince Vincenzo.

Unbridled Courage Takes on Six in Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf

The consistent Unbridled Courage will face her fellow Florida-breds in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf on Saturday. Owned by Loooch Racing Stables and trained by Peter Walder, the daughter of Leroidesanimaux has raced at six tracks during her nine lifetime starts. She recorded three straight victories over the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs last spring and summer before fading to ninth in the $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park in August. A close fourth in the $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Ladies Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs in September, the chestnut filly ran third in the Battle of New Orleans Stakes at Fair Grounds on November 28. 

She finished a commendable fourth against a solid group that included Tuttipaesi and Lori’s Store in the $100,000 South Beach Stakes at Gulfstream on December 12, and Walder has secured leading jockey Javier Castellano for Saturday’s test.

“She only got beat, what, a couple lengths? She came out really good,” Walder said. “She’s run against some nice horses and she’s got some talent herself. She ran at the Fair Grounds on a Saturday and she shipped down here the following Friday and literally ran a week later. Now that she’s been in the barn a while, she should be more settled in and I’m looking forward to the race. I think she might be a little bit better on the dirt, but her turf form is good. It’s strictly a Florida-bred race and you’ve got the best rider in the country on her, so why not? Hopefully all things add up to a win.”

Unbridled Courage is drawn on the outside in post seven and will carry 117 pounds.

Confirmed closer Lori’s Store has shown her best form on the turf at Gulfstream, pairing up victories in the Spook Express Stakes and Soaring Softly Stakes during the summer. Owned by Miller Racing and trained by Marty Wolfson, the gray mare finished three lengths behind Unbridled Courage when seventh at Kentucky Downs in September. She was a rallying fourth in the $100,000 My Charmer Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park West on November 21, and comes into the Sunshine Millions off another late-charging effort when third in the South Beach Stakes.

The 6-year-old daughter of El Prado will have jockey John Velazquez aboard when she breaks from post five.

Marty Wolfson will also saddle E B Ryder, a daughter of Bluegrass Cat who has not raced since finishing second to Lori’s Store in the Soaring Softly on August 8. Irad Ortiz Jr. will have the mount aboard E B Ryder, who drew post four.

Pink Poppy will attempt to hang on to her Sunshine Millions crown on Saturday for owner and breeder Arindel Farm and trainer Ronny Werner. Since her 11-1 score 12 months ago, the daughter of Tiznow has yet to visit the winner’s circle, but was a close sixth in the My Charmer, and can be forgiven for her eighth-place effort last out on the dirt in the $100,000 Rampart Stakes (G3) on December 12. 

Pink Poppy will break from the rail with jockey Joel Rosario in the irons.

The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf field is rounded out by Comet Sixty Two, Naval Command and Daddy’s Boo.

Source: Gulfstream Park