Return winners head Florida Sunshine Stakes

The second leg of the Florida Sunshine Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters and pacers takes place this Saturday (Nov. 8) at the Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Center in Delray Beach.  The races are sponsored by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.

All eight of the opening round harness racing winners from last week are returning for the second leg. First race post time is 11:00 am.

All eyes will be focused on the 7^th race trot for three-year-old colts and geldings as Delray Jet (Odino Jet), owned and bred by Amante Standardbreds of Delray Beach, goes for his fourth straight win.

Up until last Saturday, Delray Jet’s last start was one year ago at Sunshine Meadows in the Stallion Stakes Final where he scored an eight-length romp. He will start from post two for driver Robert Hoffman and trainer Nicholas Coblentz. In last week’s race, Delray Jet made a break at the start, but was able to regroup and pull away at the finish.

The winningest horse on the track this year will be It’s Margaritatime (Lockkeeper) from post one in the 3^rd race trot for two-year-old colts and geldings.

Co-owned, trained and driven by Marshall Makin with Rebecca Glass of Bell, It’s Margaritatime sports six wins this year with three second place and two third place finishes in 12 starts. He has also earned $49,430 in his first year of racing.

The Meadows top driver, Mike Wilder, is returning Saturday and has three drives on the card with two of them, Mis Amigas (Father Patrick) and McHungry (Stay Hungry), both returning winners from last week.

Mis Amigas goes from post three in the 2^nd race trot for two-year-old fillies. She is trained by Dan Altmeyer and is co-owned by Altmeyer Wilder Racing, David Wills, Beverly Ross and Nadine Kotch, bred by the Sergent Stables of PA.

Last week Mis Amigas scored her first win of the year in eight starts with a 2:04.1 triumph, the fastest mile of the day while McHungry starts from post one in the 4^th race pace for two-year-old colts and geldings.

McHungry was an easy winner at Sunshine Meadows by nine open lengths in posting his second win on the season. He is trained and co-owned by Dan Altmeyer for Altmeyer Wilder Racing, Hutchinson Harness, David Wills and Jean Allred, bred by the Sergent Stables of PA.

The eight races on Saturday are named in honor of former FSBOA Directors and prominent horsemen who have passed away, Tom Audley, Melvyn Ayor, and Jim McDonald.

Admission and parking are free at Sunshine Meadows. Those planning to attend are urged to bring lawn chairs. The FSBOA will provide free race programs.

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries

by Steve Wolf, for the Florida Chapter of USHWA