On Saturday, Gulfstream Park has the Sunshine Millions. We take a look at three of the most intriguing Sunshine Millions races on the card. We also provide information for a couple of stakes races at Santa Anita and two graded events at the Fair Grounds, including the Grade 3 Lecomte, the next race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, January 16th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks for January 16th Races
Gulfstream Park – Saturday, January 16
- Sunshine Millions Sprint – 6 furlongs dirt – $100,000
Last year winner Extravagant Kid is in good enough form to try for the repeat. The 8-year-old gelding has finished second in 3 of its last 4 races. If Lady’s Island runs in the Sprint, though, she will go off the chalk.
- Sunshine Millions Turf – 1 1/16 miles turf – $100,000
In the Millions Turf preview on Nov. 21, Venezuela Hugs beat Second Mate and Scraps. All three of those horses should enter the starting gate for the Sunshine Millions Turf.
- Sunshine Millions Classic – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $100,000
Quenane, Noble Drama, and Debbie’s Passion, the top three finishers in the Millions Classic Preview, should battle for the top prize in the Classic. Jackson and Shivaree may also try for the winner’s share of the purse.
Fair Grounds Racetrack – Saturday, January 16
- Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $125,000
Nine runners are pointing to the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes on Saturday. My Boy Jack and Wells Bayou figure to grab most of the attention. Title Ready and Sonneman will also get some looks.
- Silverbulletday Stakes – 1 mile 70 yards dirt – $150,000
No word yet on which fillies will enter the gate for the Silverbulletday Stakes. When they draw entrants, expect some big names to come out of the hat. Serengeti Empress and Monomoy Girl won past events while Swiss Skydiver finished third in last year’s race.
- Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $200,000
Midnight Bourbon, which finished third behind Jackie’s Warrior and Reinvestment Risk in the Grade 1 Champagne, headlines a solid group in the Lecomte. Arabian Prince will get some play. The favorite should be undefeated Brad Cox trainee Mandaloun. Sired by Into Mischief and from an Empire Maker broodmare, Mandaloun could jump onto the Kentucky Derby Rankings with a Lecomte win.
Santa Anita Park – Saturday, January 16
- Unusual Heat Turf Classic – 1 1/8 miles turf – $200,000
If Ward ‘N Jerry runs in the Unusual Heat turf classic, the gelding will be taking a backward step in class. Jerry ran third in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano last June. So don’t look past the runner to get it done on Saturday even though the form is not good. Stealthediamonds and Lieutenant Dan are a couple of other runners that could try for the Turf Classic.
- California Cup Oak Stakes – 1 mile turf – $100,000
So far, no horses have committed to the California Cup Oak Stakes. Stakes races on the turf for fillies and mares often attract large fields. Like with most unlisted stakes, make sure to do your handicapping before settling on a horse to bet.
Have a great week!
