The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and Gulfstream Park announced Monday the creation of the Sunshine State Bonanza on April 24 at the Hallandale Beach track. The day of racing, slated for the Saturday before the Kentucky Derby, will feature two Florida Thoroughbred Charities Stakes – the Island Whirl FTC Stakes and the Capital Request FTC Stakes for fillies and mares – each worth $100,000 and to be run at 1 1⁄16 miles on turf.
To be eligible, horses must be Florida-breds registered with the FTBOA and sired by stallions whose seasons have been offered at FTC auctions. Check the FTBOA website at www.ftboa.com for sire eligibility.
Also featured on the Sunshine Bonanza program will be four Florida-bred-restricted starter races worth $50,000 apiece. The Caterista Starter, at one mile on turf, will be for 3-year-olds and up who have started for $25,000 or less since Aug. 1, 2008. The Coolbythepool Starter will be the filly-and-mare counterpart to the Caterista. The Shake You Down Starter, at seven furlongs on the main track, is for 3-year-olds who have started for a claiming price. The Cherokee Frolic Starter has the same conditions as the Shake You Down and is for 3-year-old fillies.
“This should be a great day of racing for Florida-breds,” said Fred Brei, an FTBOA board member and chairman of its stakes committee. “With this placement on the racing calendar, following the Florida Derby and before the Kentucky Derby, Florida-breds will have an additional opportunity to receive national exposure.”
All races have a closing date of April 14, with no nominations due. The two FTC stakes each will have an entry and starting fee of $500. The day will feature an emphasis on the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm as well as targeting new Thoroughbred owners.
