Sunshine Classic Showdown: Can Lightning Strike Again?
By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power
The $75,000 Sunshine Classic is a far cry from the heyday of the Sunshine Millions, when eight races were split between Florida and California between 2002 and 2011. We saw a $1 million purse up for grabs and Grade 1 winners like Southern Image, Lava Man, and Go Between in the winner’s circle. Who can forget Mucho Macho Man and Ron the Greek? The former won in 2012 and 2014, while Ron the Greek was second in 2012 and won in 2013.
This year, 2024 Sunshine Classic hero Lure Him In faces last year’s winner, Lighting Tones and four other rivals. The 1 1/16 mile event is carded as race 10 of 11 with a 4:50 PM EST post time.
Let’s take a look at the field.
Lightning Tones (5-2) returns to defend his Sunshine Classic crown. Since then, the Jose Castro trainee has placed worse than fourth only once in six starts, including third in the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2). He most recently placed third, beaten 3 1/2 lengths for second by Lure Him In in a $70,000 Handicap after breaking slow and getting a wide trip. With Brisnet ratings in the 90s, Lightning Tones is competitive and could surprise if he gets a setup like last year. Contender.
Lure Him In (8-5) does his best work as a pacesetter – presser. Something his jockey Edwin Gonzalez understands as they teamed for a 5-2-1-1 record since November 2024. This Sam Wilensky trainee won the 2024 edition of the Sunshine Millions Classic, one of his only two wins in a dozen starts at 1 1/16 miles, but has placed second 5 times, giving him the best record in the field at the distance. Contender.
Neoequos (3-1) took a well-deserved break after touring the country this summer and picking up checks in some minor sprints. He’s back to his favorite track, where he has hit the board in six of seven starts, including a pair of thirds in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1). The Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee is winless around two turns but faces softer company. His speed was honed with a pair of pre-race bullet works. Exotics.
Awesome Train (6-1) hopes to better last year’s fifth-place finish in the Sunshine Classic. Since then, he’s won two optional claiming contests, including his last start, and placed second or third in four additional tries against most of this field. The Antonio Sano trainee recorded back-to-back victories once in his career and has only one win in four starts at 1 1/16 miles. Exotics.
The 5-year-old Hades (9-2) had a brief freshening and returned a winner in his last start against optional claimers at Tampa. He has back class, winning the 2024 Holy Bull (G3) and finishing in the money in four other stakes, including the Dwyer (G3). Last year, the Joe Orseno trainee managed only one victory, picked up a check for second place and was well-beaten twice by Lightning Tones. Hades could improve enough to pick up a check, but would have to revert to 2024 form to win. I’m taking a pass.
Pure Class (20-1) makes his first start for Laura Cazares and turns around in just 17 days. Race Lens shows that over the last five years, Cazares has an 8% win and a 33% in-the-money rate first after the claim between 8 and 30 days. Cazares is noted for improving horses, but Pure Class was off form in his last two starts against lesser rivals. He’s also trying two turns for the first time. Pass.
Analysis
This field is filled with sprinter–milers, and things get iffy when they try two turns.
Lure Him In and Lightning Tones are the only ones with multiple victories at 1 1/16 miles and the previous Suns. Lure Him In suffers from seconditis, with a 12-2-5-0 record versus Lightning Tones at 7-2-0-2.
They have opposite running styles, too. Lure Him In is a pacesetter, Lightning Tones a one-run closer.
I’m giving the nod to Lightning Tones because Lure Him In will have the speedy Neoequos to keep him busy on the front end, if Lure Him In can run with him.
Awesome Train just keeps chugging along. He can be counted on to pick up a check, and the presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr. could spell upset.
Selections:
5. Lightning Tones (5-2)
4. Lure Him In (8-5)
3. Awesome Train (6-1)
6. Neoequos (3-1)
No comments:
Post a Comment