The Sunshine Millions 2009

The Sunshine Millions 2009 is held on the January 24th at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The brainchild of prominent horseman Frank Stronach, half of the eight Sunshine Millions races are run at one track and half at the other.

The Classic is one of four Sunshine Millions races that will be run at Gulfstream Park. The other four races, including the $500,000 Turf, will be run at Santa Anita. Total prize money is $3.6 million.

The Sunshine Millions matches California-breds against Florida-breds, but in the entries taken at both tracks on Monday the Florida-breds led by a wide margin, 59-34.

In the four races at Gulfstream Park, just seven California-breds were entered, compared to 39 Florida-breds. The Classic has just two California-breds, compared to 13 Florida-breds, three of whom wound up on the also-eligible list.

At Santa Anita, the spread was equitable, with 27 California-breds and 20 Florida-breds making up the 47 entries in four races.

Here are the race post times and tracks.
Sunshine Millions Dash Stakes - Gulfstream Park, Race 7 (Post time 4:07 )
Sunshine Millions Fillies & Mares Sprint- Gulfstream Park, Race 8 (Post time 4:36 )
Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf- Gulfstream Park, Race 9 (Post time 5:05 )
Sunshine Millions Turf - Santa Anita, Race 6 (Post Time: 2:15 )
Sunshine Millions Oaks - Santa Anita, Race 7 (Post Time: 2:45 )
Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes - Santa Anita, Race 8 (Post Time: 3:15 )
Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes - Santa Anita, Race 9th (Post Time: 3:45 )
Sunshine Millions Classic - Gulfstream Park, Race 10 (Post time 5:45 )

Kentucky Horse Racing Industry Struggles

It's a wager on the horse racing industry. Some lawmakers are betting that slot machines in racetracks will boost Kentucky's signature sport. House Bill 158 would allow video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks.

Supporters say the race is on to pass this bill because Indiana and other states are becoming more competitive for horsemen. Indiana allows other gaming revenues, like slot machines and video poker. Also off track betting sites are becoming a big competition.

"A lot of trainers and owners are starting to move their horses out to Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia," said Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park.

Geary says horsemen are passing up Kentucky venues for states with more racing purses. Fifteen other states have alternative gaming.

"We really need this legislation in order to stay in business and also to keep our signature industry," Geary said.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo filed the bill and says the plan could bring in $700-million into Kentucky. The new bill could be voted upon by mid-February. Unlike last year's gambling proposal, this year's effort in Frankfort wouldn't require amending the Kentucky state constitution.

Local leaders say the bill could save what some call a struggling industry.

"It's apart of the very fabric that makes up the state of Kentucky. The thoroughbred industry is part of this fabric that we call Kentucky and gaming goes along with the industry," said Sandy Watkins, Henderson County Judge Executive.

The bill calls for revenues to be spent on problem-gambling treatment, elementary education and drug-treatment programs.

Equine Herpes Virus

An outbreak of a common horse virus is causing some concern in the racing community. In late December, veterinarians found a number of horses in Louisiana had contracted equine herpes and several tracks there have now quarantined their barns.

Equine herpes disease is highly contagious among horses and can be contracted through the air or even from people's clothes. It can cause a host of problems for horses, including causing mares to abort, respiratory illness and neuro-muscular failure. In its most deadly and virulent form, the disease can lead to peracute pulmonary vasculitis, a lung disease which can kill an adult horse in 24 hours. It is not dangerous to humans, but can cause neurological problems including inability to stand or walk. If left untreated it can be fatal.

On January 4th, Oaklawn Park became the first horse racing track in the nation to ban the shipment of horses from Louisiana race tracks, an attempt to stem the potential spread of the equine herpes virus. A horse at New Orleans' Fair Grounds racetrack tested positive for the disease on Dec. 24.

Oaklawn's ban was quickly picked up by the Texas Racing Commission, and other tracks are considering similar action.