Lava Man favored in Sunshine Millions Classic

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - The first million-dollar race of the year has attracted a full field of 12 older thoroughbreds. The Sunshine Millions Classic at 1 1/8 miles is the concluding race for the annual Sunshine Millions Day.

The Sunshine Millions consists of eight races for Florida- and California-bred horses. Four races are run at Gulfstream Park and four at Santa Anita Park. Both racetracks are owned by Magna Entertainment.

Lava Man has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for the Classic. Starting from post two, he will be ridden by Corey Nakatani for owner Jason Wood. Doug O'Neill trains the five-year-old gelding, who will be making his 2006 debut. Lava Man captured the Hollywood Gold Cup last year on his way to earning more than $750,000. In his career, Lava Man has won seven of 27 starts and more than $1 million.

The second choice in the program at 4-1 is Buzzards Bay, winner of the 2005 Santa Anita Derby. Buzzards Bay will be ridden by Garrett Gomez and break from post 10. The four-year-old will be going after his first win since the Santa Anita Derby for owner Gary Board and trainer Ron Ellis. Buzzards Bay has won three of 12 career starts for $654,471.

Supervisor and Who's Crying Now have both been listed at 5-1 for the Sunshine Millions Classic. Supervisor will start from post four and Who's Crying Now will break from post six. Both geldings are trained by Manny Tortora.

Supervisor will be ridden by Tyler Baze for the first time. The six-year-old gelding is owned by Rodney Lundock. In his career, Supervisor has won five of 42 starts and $343,479.

Who's Crying Now is owned by the Lewis Family Stables Partnership and will have Cornelio Velasquez in the saddle. A winner of eight races in 35 starts, Who's Crying Now has earned $392,248.

Completing the field for the Sunshine Millions Classic are Texcess, B.B. Best, Wild Buddy, Desert Bloom, Super Strut, Proud Tower Too, Trickey Trevor and McCann's Mojave,

The main interest out at Gulfstream Park will be on outgoing rider Jerry Bailey. The Hall of Famer will be concluding his career with three mounts in the Florida races. Bailey's last ride will be on Silver Tree in the Sunshine Millions Turf.