Mucho Macho Man Wins the first of two Sunshine Millions Classics
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
2012 – Florida-bred Mucho Macho Man started his 4-year-old campaign winning the first of two Sunshine Millions Classics at Gulfstream Park with Ramon Dominguez aboard, defeating Ron the Greek in second with Turbo Compressor third. However, the son of Macho Uno did not win the Classic in consecutive years as he was eased in 2013 before returning in 2014 to again win the mile-and-a-eighth test for older Florida-breds.
Mucho Macho Man was the 2-1 second choice in the 2012 Classic behind 8-5 favorite Adios Charlie, who currently stands in Florida at Ocala Stud.
Mucho Macho Man stalked Turbo Compressor throughout the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic before taking over with a quarter-mile to the finish and win by a length-and-a-half in a quick 1:47.91. He earned $240,000 that day for owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable to push his bankroll at that time to $883,643.
Trained throughout his career by Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man retired with earnings of $5,625,410 from nine wins in 25 starts with five seconds and six thirds and is one of three Florida-breds to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (2013) along with Unbridled (1990) and Skip Away (1997). He ranks third on the list of all-time leading Florida-bred money earners behind Skip Away with $9,616,360 and Silver Charm with $6,944,369.
Mucho Macho Man is out of Ponche De Leona, by Ponche and was bred in Florida by John D. and Carole A. Rio. He currently stands in Kentucky at Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa.
