State-bred showcase days often offer contentious, intriguing fields and a fun chance to feature fan favorites. The Sunshine Millions, one of the more innovative of these showcases, is no exception. The brainchild of Frank Stronach, the program consists of six races (two were cut this year to save the purses of the others) limited to horses bred in Florida or California. Three races are run at Santa Anita, the other three at Gulfstream Park, with the locales trading races each year. The eighth annual rendition of the event is this afternoon.

The highlight of the program will be the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, to be run at Santa Anita this year. A standout on class is The Usual QT, who puts a six-race win streak on the line while switching from turf to the Pro-Ride main track. Three of those victories came in stakes, including the Grade I Hollywood Derby. The Usual QT, making his 4-year-old debut, leaves from post seven in an expected field of 10 under Victor Espinoza.
The colt's chief competition could come from the popular California campaigner Bold Chieftain, who breaks from the nine under Russell Baze. The 7-year-old, who has earned over $1.1 million lifetime, ended his 2009 campaign with wins in the Governors Handicap, California Cup Classic and San Quentin Handicap.

Also on the Santa Anita portion of the card:
Filly and Mare Sprint: Last year's 1-2 finishers in this event, High Resolve and Dubai Majesty, return for a rematch. Both could be compromised by the draw in a full field for the six furlong event; High Resolve drew the 11 under Baze and Dubai Majesty breaks from 10 under Jamie Theriot.
Filly and Mare Turf: Pretty Unusual wheels back after upsetting the Grade II El Encino on Jan. 17. She was the second graded winner in as many days for Chantal Sutherland, who will be back aboard today.

On the Gulfstream portion of the card:
Sprint: This figures to be a blazingly fast affair between This Ones For Phil and Pashito the Che. This Ones For Phil won the now-defunct Sunshine Millions Dash last year and competed successfully in graded company in the spring; he returned from a five-month break to win an optional event at Laurel last time out. Johnny Velazquez will be aboard for trainer Rick Dutrow, and they leave from the six. Pashito the Che breaks from the four under Eibar Coa and adds blinkers for the first time. He won the Gallant Bob and Jack Dudley Sprint last fall and was second in the Gravesend at Aqueduct last time out. An upset threat is Accredit, who won the Grade II Churchill Downs Stakes last year and gets the services of Eclipse champion jockey Julien Leparoux.
Distaff: Sweet Repent came on late to nip Amazing by a nose in the Grade III Stage Door Betty at Calder last time out. Both return for a rematch today - and Sweet Repent gets an extra sixteenth of a mile to rally into.
Turf: Duke of Mischief, who spent some time on the major 3-year-old circuit last year, won the Grade III Fort Lauderdale here last time out and figures in this spot. He breaks from the three under Coa. Soldier's Dancer, who has battled minor injuries throughout his career and continually returns to compete at the stakes level, was second in this race last year. He won the PTHA Presidents Cup and the Bonnie Heath Turf Cup leading into this and drew post 8 under Manuel Cruz.
Former claimer Jet Propulsion gets the services of Leparoux. The 7-year-old is 44-12-10-3 lifetime, including several graded placings, and has earned nearly $400,000.

Meanwhile, at Aqueduct, a small but contentious field of five fillies and mares goes six furlongs in the listed Correction Handicap. Hold That Prospect, a 2-1 shot on the morning line, breaks from the five under Jorge Chavez and has the speed to control the race from the outset. She is 11-for-25 lifetime and sports a mark of 6-4-1-0 since trainer Gary Gullo claimed her last March; she also has an affinity for Aqueduct, winning an optional claimer and a starter handicap here in the fall.
Fascinatin’ Rhythm kept solid company in 2009; she finished third in the Grade II Fritchie at Laurel behind Royale Michele and Seventh Street, who went on to win the Grade I Go For Wand at Saratoga. The Laurel-based mare breaks from the three under Rosie Napravnik, who has enjoyed a solid winter in New York.
Fascinatin’ Rhythm and fellow Correction entrant Heaven’s Voice were 2-3 in the Squan Song at Laurel last out. Heaven’s Voice picks up the services of leading rider Ramon Dominguez and leaves from the two. What Time It Is, on the rail, won twice and was third in a handicap in five starts last year, but is making her first start since June 6. Rounding out the field is the Brazilian-bred Bright Halo, the 2007 champion 2-year-old filly in Uruguay. She has seven wins from nine lifetime starts, but missed the board in her first start in this country.