Sunshine Millions Turf Appears Wide Open

Two runners undefeated on the turf will face six others in a deep renewal of the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park Jan. 29.

The Turf is one of six Sunshine Millions races, three at Santa Anita in California and three at Gulfstream Park in Florida. With sunshine and warm temperatures forecast all week and weekend, the course at Santa Anita is expected to be firm.

B.J. Wright’s Jeranimo, fourth in the 2010 Sunshine Millions Classic on the old synthetic surface at Santa Anita, has found new life on grass. The Florida-bred 5-year-old horse by Congaree   out of the Jeblar mare Jera is two-for-two on the turf, with the victories having come in his last two starts.

Trained by Michael Pender, Jeranimo won an allowance test on the turf at Hollywood Park Nov. 27, and followed up with a strong win in the 1 1/8-mile San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Dec. 27. Jeranimo defeated Proudinsky, who finished second, and The Usual Q. T.—also entered in the Millions Turf—who finished third.