The sixth annual Sunshine Millions, the rich est  day of state-bred racing which pits Florida-breds against California-breds for $3.6 million in purses at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park, will have some Maryland flavor this year as trainer Mike Trombetta and jockey Jeremy Rose will represent the state at Santa Anita on Saturday, January 26.

Trombetta will saddle Laurel Park-based Sweetnorthernsaint in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic. The now 5-year old gelding finished second in the 2006 Preakness Stakes (Grade I) and was the betting favorite two weeks earlier in the Kentucky Derby (Grade I). Last year, the son of Sweetsouthernsaint finished fifth as the favorite in the Classic at Gulfstream from the outside post. In his last start,  on Dec .  29, Trombetta’s star finished out of the money in a minor stakes at Turfway Park off a seven-month layoff

“This has been the plan all along,” Trombetta said. “We wanted to give the horse a rest and he never does well in the summer. We wanted to get a race over a synthetic surface before the Sunshine Millions and we wanted to get a sprint in him just to make him chase the bit. He is doing fantastic. I would have liked to see him place a little better in that race but it served its purpose.”

 Trombetta has secured the riding services of Victor Espinoza, who will work him at the Southern California track Saturday morning.

 Rose will have up to three Sunshine Millions mounts in the four races conducted at Santa Anita. The 28-year-old will ride Coli Bear ($300,000 Filly & Mare Sprint) and Johns Groom ($250,000 Dash) for trainer Steve Klesaris and could be aboard Better Than Bonds in the Classic, if the Graham Motion trainee is able to secure a spot in the field.

 “It is always good to be part of big days like this,” Rose said. “You get to ride good horses and that is what it comes down to. I think all have legitimate shots and that is the key.”