Sunshine Millions Turf Draws a Dozen

A full gate of 12 older runners passed the entry box for the Jan. 18 Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park, and why not? There's $150,000 on the table for the 1 1/16-mile race for Florida-breds.



Heading the cast figures to be Fundamental, who will be led out of Chad Brown's barn. The trainer is coming off a career year and is already off to a hot start in 2016.

Fundamental, owned by Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, has made his last three appearances in top-level company and in his last start was beaten just a length in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) at Del Mar Nov. 28. The son of Arch  —Halo's Verse, by Unbridled's Song, was a close-up fifth prior to that in Keeneland's Bryan Station Stakes and was beaten just a length Sept. 19 in the Commonwealth Derby (gr. IIT) at Laurel Park.



Fundamental was bred by Glen Hill Farm, who has homebred Old Time Hockey in the Millions Turf lineup. A 7-year-old by Smarty Jones  , Old Time Hockey is a veteran of this type of action. He'll be making his 25th turf appearance and 14th at the trip. He topped state-breds last time out, Nov. 7 at Gulfstream Park West, with a head victory in the Millions Turf Preview at the same trip.



Dead-heating for second in the Preview was One Step Salsa and fellow Millions Turf runner Rizwan, who drew the wood. The 4-year-old son of Silver Tree will be going for his fifth victory at Gulfstream on Saturday.



Another one of several to consider is the well-bred Amigo, who was third to multiple grade I winner Lochte last time out in the Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT). By Hard Spun  , the Arindel homebred is out of Dat You Miz Blue, by Cure the Blues, and is trained by Ronny Werner. The Tropical Turf was the 5-year-olds' stakes debut.



Copper Water Thoroughbred's Reporting Star also has back class. The 6-year-old Circular Quay gelding finished fifth in a pair of grade I turf tests at Woodbine last fall and won the 7 1/2-furlong El Prado Stakes Dec. 12 at Gulfstream.