Gulfstream Park will be the exclusive host of the Florida Sunshine Millions Day on January 18th, 2014.
The Sunshine Millions will feature six races at Gulfstream Park, exclusively for Florida-breds, with a combined purse of $1.3 million.
Prior to 2013, the Sunshine Millions showcased horses bred in Florida and California with the races divided evenly between Gulfstream and Santa Anita. The new format is a result of Santa Anita and the Thoroughbred Owners of California not being able to come to an agreement during purse negotiations. Santa Anita officials had planned to card a similarly-themed program for California-breds on the same afternoon.
The $1.3 million Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 18 received 145 nominations, including Mucho Macho Man, who captured the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita in November.
The Sunshine Millions will be followed that evening by the 43rd Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony in the Sport of Kings. Thoroughbred racing's version of the Academy Awards was held at a racetrack for the first time last year at Gulfstream Park.
Sunshine Millions Day - Gulfstream Park is the exclusive host of the Sunshine Millions Day.
The six Florida Sunshine Millions races will be:
$400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic The "Classic" is open to horses four-years-old and older willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt.
$300,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff Open to fillies and mares four-years-old and older willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.
$150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Open to four-year-olds and older willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the turf.
$150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Open to four-year-olds and older fillies and mares willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the turf.
$150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint Open to four-year-olds and older willing to race six furlongs on the dirt.
$150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint Open to fillies and mares aged four and up willing to race six furlongs on the dirt.
Sunshine Millions betting at OTB