Fun in the Sunshine Millions

As Sunshine Millions Day at Santa Anita drew to a close, the rain finally gave way to some spectacular sunlight.

Even though there was no sunshine to speak of most of the day at Santa Anita, I have to admit that Sunshine Millions Day was as fun as always. What is it about "big days" at the track? It's just hard not to get excited about them!

In spite of a steady light rain, which began early in the morning and continued most of the day, I was right there with the crowd, lined up to get the "beach radio" giveaway. Once inside the track, there was a flurry of activity, not to mention a pretty decent 11-race card that included four of the Sunshine Millions races. The other four Sunshine Millions races were run at Gulfstream Park -- where it apparently WAS sunny.

In the competition between Florida- and California-breds, the Florida-breds won six of eight races. California owners and trainers, however, fared well; and special kudos go to Northern California trainer Greg Gilchrist and the estate of Harry Aleo, who won the Filly & Mare Turf with Wild Promises and the Filly & Mare Sprint with High Resolve -- both at Gulfstream Park.

In the Grandstand, I ran into none other than the Marx Brother and Mae West! Actually, they were a troupe of very talented celebrity look-alikes hired by Santa Anita to add a little fun to the day.

Groucho, Mae West, Harpo and Chico

And of course, I didn't want to miss the Miss Sunshine Millions contest. So there I was, front row center for the bikini contest, in the middle of a crowd of guys, to take photos for my blog readers who couldn't be there. Now that's dedication!

Miss Sunshine Millions Contestants at Santa Anita