New York City-born trainer James Cassidy figures to be
a force on Saturday in Santa Anita's portion of the ninth annual Sunshine Millions
competition when he saddles multiple Grade 1 winners THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual
Heat) and EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) in their respective events.
Conducted in concert with Gulfstream Park, the bicoastal event offers purses of $1.8 million and
is comprised of six
races exclusively for California- and Florida-breds. The Usual Q. T. will be the
leading challenger to Floridian multi-millionaire PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal
Anthem) among eight entrants in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Turf while Evening
Jewel heads a cast of nine in the $300,000 Distaff. The $200,000 Sprint,
featuring COST OF FREEDOM (Cee's Tizzy), completes the Sunshine Million races at
Santa Anita.
The Turf, set for 1 1/8 miles over Santa Anita's Camino Real turf course, has
attracted a formidable lineup that includes such notables as Florida-bred
JERANIMO (Congaree) and Cal-bred CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams), in addition to
Presious Passion and The Usual Q. T.
The Mary Hartmann-trained Presious Passion has amassed $2,679,099 in earnings
while racing 49 times, compiling a mark of 14-7-2 along the way. The
eight-year-old gelding will be joined in the Turf by Elvis Trujillo, aboard for
his last 16 races.
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