Ron the Greek have a score to settle with Mucho Macho Man in the Sunshine Millions Classic
Two of the leading older horses of 2012, Mucho Macho Man and Ron the Greek, will face off in the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park on 19 January, 2013.
Bill Mott trained 6-year-old horse, Ron the Greek, was at one point last year the main contender for the Eclipse Award for champion older male, but it was his to lose, as the Full Mandate horse lost his way at the backend of the season and lost three races
in a row, which made his chances slim for winning the prestigious award.
Out of Fortunate Prospect mare Flambe`, Ron the Greek started the 2012 season brilliantly with a second place finish in the Sunshine Millions Classic at about 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park. He lost the race to Mucho Macho Man, and the rematch for another
quest for a title will reignited when the two meet once again to start off the new season on a winning note.
Until June last year, Ron the Greek had finished second in the Sunshine Millions Classic, won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, finished second in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, and won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap in a thrilling encounter at Churchill
Downs.
He finished second in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga, and then finished worse than second for the first time in 2012 in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, where he finished sixth. He capped off the season with a fourth place finish in the Grade
1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
Mucho Macho Man on the other hand kicked off 2012 with a bang, where he defeated Ron the Greek to win the Sunshine Millions Classic, which followed up by a two length score in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap.
He won in July at Belmont Park once more, when he downed the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap, and then scored back-to-back finished in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, and a strong finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
"He came out of the Breeders' Cup Classic really, really well," Ritvo said. "He's older and stronger now than last year. He will be wearing blinkers (for the first time) to keep him a little more focused. He's been training great and loves this track. He'll
stay on his usual schedule of racing about every two months. "
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