Magna 5 Wager Returns

Besides the fourth annual running of the Sunshine Millions today, the Magna 5 will return.

The Magna 5 is a $2 minimum exotic wager that requires a bettor to pick the winners of five races in a span of about an hour. There is a guaranteed pool of $500,000.

Scheduled every Saturday through the end of Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet in April, the initial Magna 5 of the year will feature the ninth race from Laurel Park, the eighth at Gulfstream Park, which is the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff; the fifth at Santa Anita, the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf; the ninth at Gulfstream. the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf, and the sixth from Santa Anita, the $1-million Sunshine Millions Classic.

The race from Laurel is the $85,000 Nellie Morse at a mile for older fillies and mares. The Morse includes Promenade Girl, I’m Lucky, Princess Pelona and Ask Queenie, all sporting two-race win streaks.

At Gulfstream, Dream Of Summer, who will be ridden for the first time by two-time Eclipse Award winner John Velazquez, is the one to beat in the Distaff. Contenders in the Turf include Silver Tree, Eastern Sand, Willow O Wisp and Captain Squire.

Race of the day: Lunargal, who has won two in a row, will make her Oaklawn Park debut in the $50,000 Dixie Belle today in Hot Springs, Ark.

Luis Quinonez will ride the 3-year-old Yes It’s True filly for Bill Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and trainer Steve Asmussen in the six-furlong race.

One for the road: Way Brite gets a significant barn change after being claimed and switches to the grass in today’s eighth at Bay Meadows.

Jake Barton will ride the 6-year-old High Brite mare for a partnership and trainer Bill Morey in the $6,250 claimer at 7 1/2 furlongs.

She has won nine of 32 lifetime and was third in her only previous race on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the sixth, keying Buzzards Bay on top with Desert Boom, Lava Man and McCann’s Mojave in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 5/68. Money: (previous day/meet total): $60.20/$458.20. Total money bet: $406.