Benny the Bull Romps in Sunshine Millions Sprint

IEAH Stables and partners’ 5-year-old Florida-bred Benny the Bull captured Saturday’s $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park with authority as the even-money favorite under jockey Edgar Prado, drawing 4½ lengths clear of Millenium Farms’s 6-year-old longshot Santana Strings second in the field of 11 older horses.

Trainer Rick Dutrow took over the training of Benny the Bull last summer after the son of Lucky Lionel was purchased privately by the IEAH syndicate and has emerged as a division leader, finishing fourth behind Midnight Lute in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Monmouth Park in October and capturing the DeFrancis Memorial Dash (G1) at Laurel Park last out on Nov. 24.

Rustlewood Farm’s Mach Ride, who dueled for the lead from the start, held well for third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up as the winner was timed  in 1:08.48 for the six furlongs over a fast track, narrowly missing the track mark of 1:08.46.

Winning Jockey Quotes

Edgar Prado:

“I was surprised that he was so close to the front.  I found a hole behind the leaders and let him go.  He’s a very nice colt.  I got no instructions from Rick (Dutrow) and that was the best part.  He was better today than when I rode him in the De Frances (Memorial Dash).  He was more on edge.  He was in command every step of the way.  It was a just a question of when I could let him go.”

Winning Trainer Quote

Rick Dutrow:

“We didn’t plan on him being up as close as he was today. I was a little worried for a bit, but I guess his style is just changing. It’s not that we’ve trained him any different. I don’t think he’s ever run any better than he did today. I’m thinking that the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct might be his next start. That would give him plenty of time. It’s a Grade I and the seven-eighths isn’t really an issue with me. I’m sure the people from Dubai will be calling, but that’s a decision for the owners to decide.”

Fractions: 

21:93, 44:56 & 1:08:48