ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2018) – California-breds will be in the spotlight at Santa Anita on Saturday, Jan. 27, with the 2018 edition of the California Cup and Sunshine Millions Day.
Four stakes restricted to California-breds or -sired with total purses of $600,000 will be supported by an overnight card of allowance, maiden and claiming races with purses supercharged by the Cal-bred race fund.
The main event will be the $200,000 guaranteed Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/18 miles on the turf.
The $150,000 guaranteed Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up will be run at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course.
The $150,000 guaranteed Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint for 4-year-olds and up will be run at six furlongs.
And the $100,000 guaranteed California Cup Turf Sprint Stakes for 3-year-olds will be run at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course.
The card also includes these races restricted to Cal-breds: a $70,000 first-condition allowance for 4-year-olds and up at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course; a $65,000 maiden special weight race for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf; a $65,000 maiden special weight race for 3-year-old fillies at 5 ½ furlongs; a $35,000 purse maiden claimer ($50,000 claiming price) for 3-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs; and a $30,000 purse claimer ($16,000 claiming price) for 4-year-olds and up.
Nominations are due on Thursday, Jan. 18. Entries for the races close on Wednesday, Jan. 24.