Ron The Greek saunters to Sunshine Millions

Report: USA, Saturday

Gulfstream Park: Sunshine Millions Classic 1m1f dirt, 4yo+

IN an unbelievable effort, Ron The Greek (Bill Mott/Jose Lezcano) finished alone after slamming his rivals in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic.

The six-year-old, who was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic, scored by more than 11 lengths on a sloppy track in the highlight of the Sunshine Millions series, which has no Graded status because it is restricted to horses bred in Florida and California. Odds-on favourite Mucho Macho Man was last as he defended his title.

"It was a good setup," said winning trainer Bill Mott. "He was a little closer than he normally is. We had asked Lezcano, if he could, to try to be a little closer. I didn't expect him to be that close.

"I thought he might ride him away from there a little bit and the closest he'd be was 12 lengths. I guess they headed down the backside and he's five, six lengths off the lead. It looked like was in the bridle and running well. He put him in a drive and he shook loose, and the rest is history.

"We're looking ahead and maybe try to repeat what we did last year, maybe go back to California for the Santa Anita Handicap and try to do that over again."

Also on Saturday

Fair Grounds: LeComte Stakes (Grade 3) 1m, dirt, 3yo

D Wayne Lukas is back on the Kentucky Derby trail after maiden winner Oxbow (Jon Court) scored by 11½ lengths.