Fields Are Set for Sunshine

If nothing else, the first Sunshine Millions will present a lot of good betting opportunities.

Ninety-six horses were entered Monday in the eight races restricted to California and Florida-breds with purses totaling $3.6 million.

Four of the races will be run at Santa Anita and four at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, with the races being alternated between the two tracks.

The $1-million Classic is the day’s richest event. The 1 1/8-mile race, which will be run in Florida, attracted 13 entrants. Locals shipping south are the consistent Continental Red, Grey Memo, Slippery When Bet and Long Gone Con.

At Santa Anita, the main event is the $750,000 Distaff, a 1 1/16-mile main track race for older fillies and mares.

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Trainer Richard Mandella finished first and second in the $150,000 San Marcos Stakes on Monday at Santa Anita, but it was not easy.

Johar, the 2-1 favorite, got up in the final stride to defeat his stablemate and 9-5 favorite The Tin Man by a head with pacesetter Grammarian a nose back in third. Harrisand, who finished fourth, was only half a length behind Grammarian.

Johar, owned by the Thoroughbred Corp. and ridden by Alex Solis, won his third in a row and completed the 1 1/4 miles on turf in 1:57 4/5.

He has won five of 12 overall and is four for five on the Santa Anita grass.

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Cutting back in distance after upsetting heavily favored Composure in last month’s Hollywood Starlet, Elloluv, the 9-5 second choice, made it three wins in four starts with a 2 1/2-length win over Watching You and three other 3-year-old fillies in the $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes.