McCann's Mojave takes Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. - McCann's Mojave completed a day of upsets with a three-quarters of a length victory in the $1 million Classic as Florida-bred horses edged their California counterparts in the fifth annual Sunshine Millions yesterday.

McCann's Mojave, a California-bred co-owned and co-bred by Santa Anita publicity director Mike Willman, defeated Summer Book at Florida's Gulfstream Park.

At 7, McCann's Mojave was the oldest in the 14-horse Classic field. Sent off at 30-1 under Frank Alvarado, he paid $69.80. Sweetnorthernsaint, the 2-1 wagering favorite, finished fifth.

Florida-breds won four of the eight races and outpointed California 37-35. Florida has won the event every year.

At Santa Anita, Lava Man made his 2007 debut with a victory in the $500,000 Turf. Claimed for $50,000 in August 2004, the 6-year-old Cal-bred gelding pushed his career earnings to $4,079,706, beating Florida-bred Icy Atlantic by two lengths. He ran 11/8 mile in 1 minute, 35.39 seconds.

Mistical Plan won the $250,000 Oaks at Santa Anita by a nose, kicking off a 1-2-3 sweep by California horses. Ridden by David Flores, Mistical Plan covered six furlongs in 1:10.50.

Joint Effort and Take D'Tour gave Florida a 1-2 finish in the $500,000 Distaff at Santa Anita. Joint Effort covered 11/16 mile in 1:43.36 under Eddie Castro and paid $14.60 to win by five lengths.

Florida-bred Smokey Stover won the $300,000 Sprint by 31/4 lengths. The 7-1 shot paid $16 to win and ran six furlongs in a stakes record 1:08.03 under Aaron Gryder. Bordonaro finished third as the even-money favorite.

At Gulfstream, Florida-bred Storm in May, a 26-1 shot, overhauled Cal-bred Idiot Proof in deep stretch for a 11/4-length victory in the $250,000 Dash. The 3-year-old colt, who paid $55, ran six furlongs in 1:10.22.

Cal-bred Shaggy Mane, an 8-1 shot, won the $250,000 Filly and Mare Sprint by 73/4 lengths and paid $19.40.

Florida-bred Miss Shop gave Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens one of his patented upsets in the $500,000 Filly and Mare Turf.

Miss Shop circled rivals on the far turn and defeated Cal-bred Memorette by 11/4 lengths, paying $13.40 to win.