How About Zero clearly best in Sunshine Millions F&M Turf Sprint

Second and on the move at the dirt crossing turning for home, Reddam Racing’s homebred How About Zero easily overhauled favored Miss Sunset to take Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint under Mario Gutierrez at Santa Anita.  Trained by Doug O’Neill, the 4-year-old filly by Reddam’s Square Eddie got 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.10.

Most recently second, beaten a head in a one mile turf allowance here Jan. 1, How About Zero was off at 2-1 and paid $6.40, $3.60 and $2.40.

Out of Reddam’s In Excess mare Too Much Excess, How About Zero notched her second win from six tries down the hill and improved her overall mark to 12-3-5-0.  With the winner’s share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $343,950.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Barbara Beatrice flew late to nip Miss Sunset by a nose for the place.  Off at 7-2, Barbara Beatrice, who was ridden by Tiago Pereira, paid $4.20 and $2.80.

The 3-2 favorite with Flavien Prat up, Miss Sunset battled for the early lead with longshot Late ’n Left and paid $2.60 to show while finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of How Unusual.

Fractions on the race were 22.13, 44.55 and 1:07.19.

MARIO GUTIERREZ, HOW ABOUT ZERO, WINNER: “I had a perfect trip. She’s proven that she likes to run down the hill a little bit fresh. It worked perfect. She’s a really good filly. We haven’t gotten a distance yet but I still feel she can run the mile or 1 1/16, too.”

 

LEANDRO MORA, ASSISTANT TO DOUG O’NEILL, HOW ABOUT ZERO, WINNER: “There was a conversation this morning (about strategy) between, Doug, Mario (Gutierrez) and Mr. Reddam, and things worked out well. She was in a perfect position down the backside and this filly’s been very honest for us. We knew she liked this downhill course, and now she’s two for two.”

NOTES: The winning owners are J. Paul and Zillah Reddam, who were not at Santa Anita today, nor was O’Neill.