‘Sunshine Is Back at 10

By the time the 2003 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita rolls around, six years will have passed since thoroughbred racing’s richest day had been held in California.

Bet On Sunshine, a gelded son of Bet Big, was here for the last one, finishing third behind Elmhurst and Hesabull in the Sprint in 1997 at Hollywood Park.

It wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Florida-bred out west again next year.

Owned by David P. Holloway Racing and trained by Paul McGee, Bet On Sunshine is scheduled to make his first start as a 10-year-old in today’s ninth race at Churchill Downs. A winner of 22 of 43 lifetime and more than $1.4 million, Bet On Sunshine will be favored in the $58,500 allowance race, breaking from the outside in the field of six under Pat Day.

The old-timer has trained well for his return, which marks his first race since he won by 71/4 lengths over a sloppy track on Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs.

That race was at 11/16 miles, but he always has been best as a sprinter and has been especially effective at 61/2 furlongs, the distance of today’s race. He has won 13 of 19 at the distance and hasn’t finished worse than third.

He has also won eight of 17 races at Churchill Downs and only one time has he finished worse than third.

Bet On Sunshine’s opponents include Bright Valour--a 6-year-old Wild Again horse who has won eight of 16 races--U.S. Jets, District, Bidis and Find The Mine.

Race of the day: The sixth at Hollywood Park is a contentious 11/16-mile race for $40,000 older horses. Among the contenders are J.T.’s Song, The Denver Dream, Dinnerathepalms and Max Power.

Who’s hot: Bill Mott. The trainer won with five of six starters during the first five days of the Belmont Park meet.

Who’s not: Horses breaking from post position 1 at Churchill Downs. In 47 races under a mile on the main track, there has been only one winner from the rail.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Western Stranger, Road To Justice, Quick Talker and Sheikh Fever in the fifth, The Denver Dream, Dinnerathepalms and J.T.’s Song in the sixth, Kalatiara and Twin Set in the seventh and singling Tiz A Pirate in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/36. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18.60/$195.40. Total money bet: $260.