Sunshine Millions Repeat for Manchurian High

Manchurian High somehow found another gear late to forge to the lead in the stretch of the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf to claim victory in that race a second straight year Jan. 16 at Gulfstream Park.

Owned and trained by Lilli Kurtinecz, Manchurian High surged past Reporting Star to score a half-length victory, completing the 1 1/16-mile turf test for Florida-breds, 4-and-older, in 1:44.89 on good turf.

"I think he always tries and he's always consistent," Kurtinecz added. "He comes from behind and he always comes running, but he leaves himself so much to do. I don't think he's quite the graded stakes horse, but I'm not going to run him for a tag. Somebody called the other day and asked if he was for sale and I said no. He trains me, I don't train him. He's the boss."

Bred by Greg Norman, Manchurian High, an 8-year-old gelding by The Daddy—Corredor's Wind, by El Corredor, secured his third career stakes win. He returned $16.40 to win.

Earlier on the card, Lori's Store passed Unbridled Courage in the stretch and held off all challengers to win the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes Jan 16 at Gulfstream Park.

Miller Racing's Lori's Store picked up the most lucrative stakes win of her career and keyed the exacta for trainer Marty Wolfson, who watched E B Ryder rally for second in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for Florida-bred fillies and mares. Lori's Store finished in 1:45.93 on good turf.

"She was running pretty nicely," said winning jockey John Velazquez. "I was a little closer than I wanted to be, but they went slow enough and they backed up and I got pushed to the outside. All I could do was wait there, bide my time and make a run down the lane. She finished up really well. The turf is a little soft, but they rolled it and the horses can get a good grip to it."

Bred in Florida by Glen Hill Farm, Lori's Store is a 6-year-old daughter of El Prado—Big Promise, by Rahy. Favored Lori's Store paid $4 to win.