The Sun Shines Bright for Mucho Macho Man

The Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes; The Sun Shines Bright for Mucho Macho Man

Just before the red carpet is rolled out for the Eclipse Awards, the Florida Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park is set to take place on Saturday, January 18, 2014 in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Eleven races are on the card including the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes for Florida bred four-year-olds and up on the 1 1/8 miles dirt track at Gulfstream Park. Mucho Macho Man brings the sunshine, the magic, and the fans to Gulfstream Park with 2-5 odds for the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes!

Mucho Macho Man is not only the fan-favorite in Saturday’s Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes at Gulfstream Park, he is also up for Horse of The Year in the 43rd Annual Eclipse Awards, which also takes place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday evening after the Sunshine Millions. In addition to the Eclipse Award nomination, the Mucho Macho Man team has much to celebrate after the six-year-olds Breeders’ Cup Classic victory gave Kathy Ritvo the honor of being the first female trainer to ever win a Breeders’ Cup World Championship race.

Mucho Macho Man made an attempt at winning the 2013 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic put was pulled up and unfortunately did not finish the race. Most of MMM’s loyal fans closely watched Mucho Macho Man recover from a serious virus he fought for most of 2013. He returned to the track earning two third place finishes mid-year doubting his capabilities amongst the experts. Mucho Macho Man finally captured his first GI win in the Awesome Again Stakes on September 28, 2013 at Santa Anita Park which lead him to his successful Breeders’ Cup Classic win on November 2, 2013 at Santa Anita Park.

Kathy Ritvo reported, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s like last year’s Sunshine Classic never happened. But we did find out he doesn’t care for a wet racetrack, and better to have learned that lesson early in the year than later.”

The rain gods are on Mucho Macho Man’s side as temperatures for the 2014 Florida Sunshine Millions will be in the high sixties with zero percent chance of rain, resulting in a nice dry day at Gulfstream Park.

Experts say that Mucho Macho Man looks as if he’s in the best shape of his career. Kathy Ritvo ensures quality time off and rest for the Breeders’ Cup champion between workouts. The son of Macho Uno most recently worked four-furlongs in 47.87 at Gulfstream Park on January 11th ranking him 11 out of 124. But even though the sun shines bright on Mucho Macho Man this weekend, winning the 2014 Florida Sunshine Millions will be no easy task. Mucho Macho Man and jockey Gary Stevens will face off against 6-1 Gourmet Dinner who some predict is due for a dramatic comeback. Gourmet Dinner teams up with jockey Javier Castellano who is said to be on a major hot streak at Gulfstream Park and “solidified his meet-leading total” by winning three races on Thursday, January 16th.

The 2014 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes is the 10th race of the day with a 5:03 PM EDT post time. In addition to the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes, the six-furlong $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes features fan-favorite Fort Loudon, the 1 1/8 mile $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes draws in an exciting field of ten, the six-furlong $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint Stakes is on the card, the Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint always excites the Gulfstream Park crowds, and the $300,000 1 1/8 miles Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes hosts a field of seven fillies and mares including Devil’s Cave, who last out beat Distaff rival Sweet N Discreet, who is dueled entered on Saturday, by two lengths in the one mile Ocala Stakes on December 29, 2013.

Lady and The Track would like to wish trainer Kathy Ritvo, Dean & Patti Reeves, jockey Gary Stevens, and the powerhouse of a horse Mucho Macho Man the best of luck in the 2014 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes. Good Luck! Safe Run!

Related Links:
Eclipse Awards Nominees 
What to Wear to the Eclipse Awards

2014 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes Post Positions & Odds
1 Decaf Again 20/1 Olivero/Rose
2 Joshua’s Compromise 30/1 Maysonett/Rose
3 Rule Number Six 12/1 Rispolli/Gaffney
4 Mucho Macho Man 2/5 Stevens/Ritvo
5 Bernie the Maestro 4/1 Rosario/Maker
6 Gourmet Dinner 6/1 Castellano/Triola

Mucho Macho Man schooling at Gulfstream Park. Photos: Coglianese Photos