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Later Opening for Del Mar 2024 Summer Meet

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2023) — Del Mar will open its 2024 summer meeting – the 85th at the iconic seaside oval – on Saturday, July 20. The slightly-later-than-usual start to the season was keyed by the fact that the San Diego Country Fair will conduct its popular gathering a bit past its usual finale on July 4, going forward instead to Sunday, July 7. Del Mar will need the extra time from July 8 onward to prepare its racing surfaces and stable area for the start of the meet and to ensure its safety protocols are all in place. The summer meet will provide eight weeks of racing and conclude on Sunday, September 8. Further, Del Mar also has finalized its fall racing dates which will be highlighted by the 41st edition of the Breeders’ Cup, the third time the championship event has come to the shore. Opening Day of the 11th Bing Crosby Season will be on Thursday, October 31. Then that Friday and Saturday... ...

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Cal Horse Coalition Issues Year-end Review

From California Horse Power Coalition As the year draws to a close, we celebrate a significant milestone: the first anniversary of the California Horse Power Coalition. This achievement and the progress we have made are testaments to your unwavering support. Together, we’ve remained steadfast in our mission to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture. Let’s reflect on our collective accomplishments this year. Our Growing Community: We are thrilled to report that our supporter base now includes over 2,000 subscribers and followers actively engaged with our coalition, participating in industry events, and voicing their support. Notably, our partners have grown to 16 diverse organizations that are committed to furthering our shared goals.  Advocating for Equine Welfare: As a community, we know that California is the gold standard when it comes to safeguarding equine athletes, serving as a model for the rest of the country.  As you may know, California racetracks are now considered 2X safer when compared to the national average. To uplift this fact and further safeguard our industry in the years to... ...

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One in Vermillion Retired After Surgery

By DRF.com HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 25, 2024) — California-bred One in Vermillion, the winner of the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga in August and stakes in three other states, has been retired after sustaining a fetlock injury in a workout at Zia Park earlier this month. Owner Jonathan Kalman said on Friday that One in Vermillion underwent successful surgery on Nov. 6, two days after the injury was diagnosed, but that the injury will prevent the colt from returning to racing. Kalman said he has held discussions with stallion farms about a stud deal for One in Vermillion, but that no deal has been finalized. :: DRF’s Black Friday Sale: Get 20% off (almost) everything in the DRF Shop. Code: BF2023 “I’m looking at a couple of different opportunities,” Kalman said. Kalman described the injury as a medial fracture and that there “is much less chance of returning to the track with that fracture” compared to a lateral injury, he said. Bred by Richard Barton Enterpises and trained... ...

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The Chosen Vron Will Run in 2024

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2023) — It has become a sore spot with many racing fans. The trend of the sports superstars, the horses that capture the public’s imagination, the winners of the big stakes races like the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders’ Cup, to ship-off to the breeding shed soon after their big win. Some by their fourth birthday. But there’s a horse capturing the hearts of Southern California racing fans that has built his reputation on winning Cal-bred races and his trainer has no intention of retiring his budding star. While The Chosen Vron has won a Grade I, the Bing Crosby this past summer at Del Mar, he has done his best work in Cal-bred company, winning eight Cal-bred races in-a-row including this past Saturday’s popular victory in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes. The story will continue in 2024 as trainer Eric Kruljac has announced he is bringing the 5-year old gelding back for another year. Bred by Tiz Molly Partners, The Chosen... ...

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Grand Slam Smile Enters Debutante

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2023) – Multiple stakes winner Grand Slam Smile and fellow California-bred Lusma are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Grand Slam Smile is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. She has three wins in four starts, earnings of $206,900 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 3 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes. Lusma is by Conquest Farenheit, out of the Strike for Glory mare Strike at Daylight, was bred by Rockingham Ranch, is owned by Hector Preciado and is trained by Jose Bautista. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $39,498 and is coming off a fourth in an Oct. 2 optional claimer. ...

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16 Cal-bred Stakes at Santa Anita Meet

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2023) — As California-bred and -sired runners are a vital component to the Southern California racing program, Santa Anita has included 16 stakes restricted to Golden State Series eligibles in its schedule for the upcoming Classic meet, it was announced on Wednesday. Two of the Cal-bred stakes will be run on Santa Anita Derby day April 6 — the $125,000 Echo Eddie and the $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes — and five will be run both on California Cup Day, Jan. 13 and again on California Gold Rush Day, May 25.  The Cal Cup card consists of:  California Cup Derby, 3 YO (CA), 8 1/2 F – $200,000 California Cup Oaks, F, 3 YO (CA), 8 F (T) – $200,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint, 4 & UP (CA), 6 F – $150,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, 4 & UP (CA), 9 F (T) – $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, F/M, 4 & UP (CA), *6 1/2 (TH) – $150,000  ... ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Minister of Soul at Zia Park

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 21, 2023) – Multiple stakes winner Minister of Soul and fellow California-bred Prayer of Jabez are entered in Tuesday’s $100,000 Zia Park Sprint. Minister of Soul is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 17 wins in 60 starts, earnings of $536,402 and is coming off a fifth in an Oct. 27 allowance. Prayer of Jabez is by Stanford, out of the Kafwain mare Alwazabridesmaid, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Anthony DeMarco and trained by Edward Kerelik. He has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of $148,226 and is coming off an Oct. 27 allowance win. ...

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The Chosen Vron Rebounds in Cary Grant

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2023) – The Chosen Vron, showing unusual early speed two weeks after a Breeders’ Cup Sprint foray, successfully defended his title in Saturday’s $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar. The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Sondereker Racing, trainer Eric Kurljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburg. He has 14 wins in 19 starts, earnings of $1,149,678 and was coming off a fifth in the Nov. 4 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint. “He’s been unreal,” said Kruljac. “Coming back in two weeks is something I’ve never done. I was a little nervous but he came back so well and so fast from Breeders’ Cup. The horse was so lively today maybe we’ll just let him roll early from now on. Once he started widening I felt pretty certain. What a blessing this horse is.” The Chosen Vron ran seven furlongs in 1:21.22 and won... ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Star Racer in Oakland Upset

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Star Racer emerged from a wall of horses at the head of the stretch and pulled away to win Saturday’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. Star Racer is a California-bred by Vronsky, out of the Bold Badgett mare Honey Bee Lucky, was bred by Old English Rancho and Bruce Headley, is owned by Blue Moon Racing & Steven Dietrich and is trained by Angelo Tekos, Jr. The $10,000 purchase from the Harris Farms consignment at the Northern California Yearling Sale has six wins in 21 starts, earnings of $128,178 and was making his first start since a second in an Apr. 1 allowance. Star Racer went off at 3-1 in a field of eight. ...

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Zia Park Princess Lures Cal-bred Pair

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 21, 2023) – California-breds Only One America and Grease Missile are entered in Tuesday’s $100,000 Zia Park Princess Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Only One America is by Marking, out of the Diabolical mare That’s the Idea, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Todd Fincher. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $30,700 and is coming off a Nov. 6 maiden win. Grease Missile is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnighthush, was bred by Dino Bates & Josephine Bates, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bart Hone. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $23,430 and is coming off a third in the Oct. 14 Marzano Stakes. ...

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Lite Ranchin Kid Enters Zia Park Juvenile

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 21, 2023) – Lite Ranchin Kid is the lone California-bred entered in Tuesday’s $100,000 Zia Park Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds. Lite Ranchin Kid is by Lemon Drop Kid, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Lorelei’s Song, was bred by owner Regan Wright and is trained by Rafael Barraza. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $40,050 and is coming off a fifth in the Oct. 14 Marzano Stakes. ...

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CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: Continuing to cooperate with the Horseracing and Safety Authority (HISA) in every way, the Board agreed to collect and remit fees on behalf of HISA, as the Board did in 2022. The HISA assessments will cover California’s share of both the anti-doping and medication control program and the racetrack safety program. Discussions are ongoing with HISA to determine the amount of credits California will receive for enforcing the federal rules. The Board also adopted HISA’s recommended national concussion protocol for jockeys, which includes return-to-ride guidelines for jockeys declared fit to ride following an incident. The... ...

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Top Harbor Out to Defend Oakland Title

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2023) – Defending champion Top Harbor has five California-bred challengers among entries in Saturday’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. Love Candy is by Danzing Candy, out of the Tapizar mare Love Winning, was bred by Stuart Tsujimoto, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He has five wins in 21 starts, earnings of $165,274 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 15 Bull Dog. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Talbot Bay is by Northern Causeway, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Swiss Gem, was bred by owner Rozamund Barclay and is trained by Jorge Bautista. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $85,680 and is coming off a third in an Oct. 22 allowance. Alexander’s Dream is by Gervinho, out of the Alphabet Soup mare Strawberry Flash, was bred by M. Auerbach, is owned by RKJ Stable and is trained by Reid France. He has five wins in 22 starts, earnings of $123,170 and is coming off back-to-back... ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Wins Stakes in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Mex. (Nov. 17, 2023) – Baby Got Rhythm, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, won last week’s $60,086 Grade I Fasig-Tipton Classico Lea for 2-year-old fillies at Hipodromo de las Americas. Baby Got Rhythm is the first stakes winner for sire Uptown Rythem, out of the Eskendereya mare It’sallyoursbaby and was bred by C-Punch Ranch. She ran the mile in 1:40 4/5 and won by a nose at odds of 5-1 in a field of 11. She was a $1,200 purchase at last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale out of the Harris Farms consignment. ...

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Two Weeks Later, The Chosen Vron Returns

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2023) – The Chosen Vron is expected to begin a new win streak Saturday at Del Mar, where he faces easier company than two weeks ago at Santa Anita. After a fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint ended an eight-race win streak, The Chosen Vron drops into the same California-bred division he has dominated for more than a year. The Chosen Vron did not have to run back this soon after the Breeders’ Cup, but why wait? He is a racehorse, after all. “He’s going to the track, feeling good, and I don’t think there’s an appropriate race for him until January,” trainer Eric Kruljac explained. “If I don’t run him in this race, he’ll be off for more than two months.” The California Cup Sprint, which he won last year, is in early January. The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Sondereker Racing LLC, Eric Kruljac,... ...

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Jockey Club Offers Internships, Scholarships

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2023) — Applications for The Jockey Club’s paid internship program for college students and recent college graduates and its five academic scholarships opened today. The internship program will accommodate up to three interns and is now available in the summer or fall based on the intern’s preference. Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks. The internships will take place in The Jockey Club’s offices located in Lexington, Ky. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates should visit bit.ly/tjcinternships. Applications are being accepted through January 5, 2024. Selected interns will be notified in February 2024. The Jockey Club scholarships will apply to the 2024-2025 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for those enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student... ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Wires Betty Grable Field

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way went wire-to-wire to win Sunday’s $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. Chancery Way is by Mr. Big, out of the War Chant mare This Means War, was bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti, is owned by Andy Smolich and Rob Smolich and is trained by Jamey Thomas. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale out of the Harris Farms consignment has six wins in 11 starts, earnings of $270,770 and was coming off a third in the Aug. 25 Solana Beach. “I didn’t know anything about this filly before I rode her today, but I went back and looked at film of some of her races,” said jockey Antonio Fresu. “I could see she had speed and it looked like she could finish well. I thought the seven furlongs would be a good distance for her. When we turned for home, she really went. It... ...

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Jazz Hands to Perform in Kennedy Road

TORONTO, Alberta (Nov. 15, 2023) – Jazz Hands is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes at Woodbine. Jazz Hands is by Square Eddie, out of the Russian Courage mare Nicole and Ben, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Kirk Sutherland and trained by Harold Ladouceur. He has five wins in 26 starts, earnings of $195,388 and is coming off a second in an Oct. 29 optional claimer. ...

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The Chosen Vron Back in with Cal-breds

From DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2023) — The Chosen Vron will be dropping in class just a wee bit next Saturday at Del Mar. Two weeks after he finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, The Chosen Vron will wheel back to face California-breds in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes on Nov. 18. “He’s doing great, I’m going to come back in two weeks,” trainer Eric Kruljac said Sunday. The Chosen Vron is virtually certain to be favored in the seven-furlong Cary Grant as he tries to begin a new win streak. Prior to his Breeders’ Cup fifth, the 5-year-old gelding won eight straight stakes including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar. He met his match in the BC Sprint, finishing 5 1/4 lengths behind winner Elite Power. “Those East Coast horses might have been a notch above anything that he’s run against,” Kruljac acknowledged. “For once, (The Chosen Vron) was kind of dumbfounded. He wasn’t himself.” :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match... ...

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Wild Jewels Mines Golden Nugget Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2023) – Odds-on favorite Wild Jewels wore down fellow California-bred Good Lovin in the last sixteenth of a mile to win Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Wild Jewels is by Tamarando, out of the Distorted Humor mare Ribbon of Jewels, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $94,460 and was coming off a Sept. 11 optional claiming win. Wild Jewels won by a half-length at odds of 3-5 in a field of seven and ran the six furlongs in 1:09.77. ...

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Stay Thirsty’s Sadeedd Wins in Dubai

DUBAI, UAE (Nov. 10, 2023) – Sadeedd, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, won Friday’s $175,000 emirates.com Handicap at Meydan Racecourse. Sadeedd, a 6-year-old gelding out of the stakes-winning Whywhywhy mare Patriotic Viva, ran the 1400 meters in 1:25.58 and won by three-quarters of a length. He is a half-sibling to stakes winners Diamond Oops and Patriotic Diamond. ...

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Cajun Turkey Day for Swift as I Am

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Nov. 16, 2023) – Swift as I Am is the lone California-bred entered in Thursday’s $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds. Swift as I Am is by Danza, out of the Artie Schiller mare As I Am, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Joel Hunsburger and is trained by Tanner Tracy. He has four wins in 13 starts, earnings of $106,510 and is coming off a fourth in a Sept. 22 starter’s allowance at Los Alamitos. ...

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Rumpus Cat Represented by First Winner

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2023) – California stallion Rumpus Cat was represented by his first winner on Sunday when Clever Clover won the third race at Golden Gate, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds. Clever Clover is a California-bred out of the Peppered Cat mare Paprika Red, was bred by Daehling Farms, is owned by Daehling Farms and Norman Tavares and is trained by Victor Trujillo. Clever Clover ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.49 and won by a head as the 5-2 favorite in a field of six. In two starts, he has earnings of $31,200. Rumpus Cat, out of the champion Storm Cat mare Sweet Catomine, stands at Daehling Ranch. ...

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CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Los Alamitos Race Course.  This meeting will be open to the public.  Those who wish to provide unsolicited public comment on agenda items will be limited to two minutes.  Comments must relate specifically to the agenda item.  Note that for agenda item #12, Public Comment, no further comments will be allowed after thirty minutes.  For those who are unable to attend the meeting, a webcast audio link is available on the CHRB website via the Media Room link.  The agenda and meeting packet of materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

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Cal-bred Pair Fetch Six Figures on Friday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2023) – A pair of California-breds brought six-figure purchase prices in Friday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The stakes-producing broodmare Black Valentine sold for $180,000 to St. Venturea, in foal to Justify. Out of the Mulholland Springs consignment, the 14-year-old Black Valentine is by Cindago and out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Jewel of the night, making her a half-sister to millionaire Cal-bred Evening Jewel. Black Valentine produced stakes winner Roo’s Valentine, and the stakes-placed Dr. Troutman and Sweetest Angel.   A weanling filly by Maclean’s Music sold for $100,000 to Gayle Van Leer, agent. The weanling, from the Checkmate Thoroughbreds consignment, is out of the stakes-placed Ghostzapper mare Fujairah. She was bred by Glen Hill Farm and is from the family of the stallion Bodemeister. ...

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Loaded Field for Sunday’s Betty Grable

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way and fellow multiple stakes winner Chismosa are among the entries in Sunday’s $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. Chancery Way is by Mr. Big, out of the War Chant mare This Means War, was bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti, is owned by Andy Smolich and Rob Smolich and is trained by Jamey Thomas. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale out of the Harris Farms consignment has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $213,770 and is coming off a third in the Aug. 25 Solana Beach. Bella D is by Decarchy, out of the Good Journey mare Bella Viaggia, was bred by SLO Racing Stable, is owned by Out of the Blue Stables and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has three wins in 22 starts, earnings of $213,110 and is coming off a sixth in an Oct. 6 optional claimer. Glorious Spring... ...

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Back-to-back Breeders’ Cups at Del Mar

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2023 — Del Mar, which is already set to host the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, also will host the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, it was announced via press release Wednesday afternoon. The Breeders’ Cup was previously held at Del Mar in 2017 and 2021. In 2024, the Breeders’ Cup will be held Nov. 1-2. In 2025, the event will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held at the same venue in consecutive years was Santa Anita in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Santa Anita held the 40th Breeders’ Cup last weekend for a record 11th time. “Our return to Del Mar in back-to-back years marks the continuation of a wonderful collaboration and successful partnership, both with our friends at the track and with the greater San Diego area, demonstrating our continued commitment to California horse racing,” Drew Fleming, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited, said in a press release. “We look forward to once again gathering... ...

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Laurel Canyon Sells for $250,000 at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2023) – California-bred stakes-placed filly Laurel Canyon sold for $250,000 to Jody Huckabay, agent, at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The 4-year-old Laurel Canyon is by Nyquist, out of the Malibu Moon mare Moon River Gal, was bred by Thomas Bachman, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller. She had one win in five starts and earnings of $38,640, finishing third in the Fasig-Tipton Debutante Stakes in her second career start. She sold in foal to Jack Christopher. ...

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Becca Taylor Brings $350,000 at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2023) – California-bred multiple graded-stakes winner Becca Taylor sold for $350,000 to Solis/Litt at Wednesday’s opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Becca Taylor is by Old Topper, out of the General Meeting mare Lady Sax, was bred and owned by Nick Alexander and trained by Steven Miyadi. She won nine of 10 starts and $499,160, including wins in the 2022 Grade II Great Lady M and the Grade III Desert Stormer. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, Becca Taylor sold as a broodmare prospect. She is a half-sister to Hail Mary, a stakes-placed winner of $254,188. ...

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Fun to Dream, Ceiling Crusher Sell at F-T

LEXINGTON, Ky.  (Nov. 7, 2023) – California-bred Grade I winners Fun to Dream and Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher were included in the spending spree at Tuesday night’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Fun to Dream, the Cal-bred Horse of the Year in 2022, sold for $1.9 million to Japan’s K I Farm. Consigned by Hill ‘N’ Dale at Xalapa, Fun to Dream sold as a broodmare prospect. By Arrogate, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, she was bred by Connie Pageler and Bob Baffert, was owned by Natalie Baffert and Pageler and trained by Bob Baffert. A half-sister to multiple stakes winner Heck Yeah, the 4-year-old Fun to Dream won the Grade I La Brea Stakes and the Grade II Santa Monica Stakes, with six wins and earnings of $670,190. Ceiling Crusher sold for $750,000 to Katsumi Yoshida. She is by Mr. Big, out of the mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by Harris Farms, was owned Wonderland Racing Stable, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman and was trained... ...

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Jack Sprat Fattens Up in Illinois Futurity

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 7, 2023) – Jack Sprat, an Illinois-bred son of California stallion Jack Milton, won Tuesday’s $65,825 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity for 2-year-old statebreds at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing. Jack Sprat, out of the Shaniko mare Look Who’s Here, has won both career starts with earnings of $71,415. He ran the six furlongs in 1:14.02 and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 4-1 in a field of nine. ...

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Closing Remarks Wins Another Grade II

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2023) – With a hot pace to run at, California-bred Closing Remarks rallied from far back to take Sunday’s closing day co-feature at Santa Anita, the Grade II, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes, getting one mile on turf in 1:32.69.  Trained by Carla Gaines and ridden by Juan Hernandez, the 5-year-old mare by Vronsky was up to win by a half length over favored Queen Goddess.                 As expected, Irish-bred Hamwood Flier went to the front out of the gate and enjoyed a two length advantage over Queen Goddess around the Club House turn.  Heading up the backside, Closing Remarks had one horse beat while about seven off the lead.                 Heading to the far turn, Hernandez opted to sit chilly as Lucky Girl rallied from last to her outside but Closing Remarks would soon be into gear three-deep turning for home and rolled late to easily reel in the favorite well inside the sixteenth pole.  “This mare she tries all the time, she’s... ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Enters Golden Nugget

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Capo Luigi is one of four California-breds entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Good Lovin is by Stanford, out of the Street Sense mare Wife Approved, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Steve Sherman. He won his lone start Oct. 15 with earnings of $20,280. Wild Jewels is by Tamarando, out of the Distorted Humor mare Ribbon of Jewels, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $64,460 and is coming off a win in a Sept. 11 optional claimer. Capo Luigi is by Dads Caps, out of the Smart Strike mare She’s Striking, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Moger Inc, James Ghidella, Janice Kosel, Gary Kropp, Janet Kropp, Andy Miller and Paul Pimental and is trained by Ed Moger Jr. The $7,000 purchase at the Northern California... ...

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Magic Spoon Wins Golden State Juvenile

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 3, 2023) — Sitting just off of an all-out mad-dash for early supremacy, the Jose Valdez-trained Magic Spoon rallied wide turning for home en route to a convincing half-length tally in Friday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Tiago Periera, the 2-year-old colt by Good Magic got seven furlongs in 1:24.60.                 The Golden State Juvenile is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 Racing one length off of a three-horse spread consisting of Dr. No No, Stay on the Fence and Shady Appeal mid-way around the turn, Magic Spoon rallied wide and overtook a stubborn Private Gem a sixteenth of a mile from home and won as best in her second career start. “I’ve been waiting for this horse to run again,” said Valdez.  “This was fantastic.  He had trouble in his first race and overcame it.  Today we stayed behind horses and then when it was time to run, he... ...

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Grand Slam Smile All the Way to the Bank

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif (Nov. 3, 2023)—Based for decades at Golden Gate Fields, trainer Steve Specht and jockey Frank Alvarado teamed for an emotional score in Friday’s $177,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, as Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ homebred Grand Slam Smile steamed to a huge 7 ¼ length score, getting seven furlongs in 1:24.55.                 The Golden State Juvenile Fillies is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 Breaking from post position seven, Grand Slam Smile was in hand early as Recalcitrant and heavily favored Mirinda traded punches on the front end.  Confidently handled by Alvarado, Grand Slam Smile engaged the top pair a half mile out and raced as a team with Mirinda to the quarter pole, with the winner gaining the advantage shortly thereafter in a huge effort. Specht said he wasn’t surprised with the ease in which Grand Slam Smile pulled away from the field. “She’s been training super and she’s a... ...

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The Chosen Vron Gives Kruljac Another Shot

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2023) — In 2009 at Santa Anita, veteran Southern-California based trainer Eric Kruljac had his one and only Breeders’ Cup starter, 17-1 longshot La Nez, who finished off the board in that year’s Juvenile Fillies turf.             Kruljac holds a much stronger hand for his second go-around at the Breeders’ Cup. On Saturday, the 70-year-old conditioner will saddle one of the top contenders in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, The Chosen Vron.             Listed at 5-1 on the morning line, The Chosen Vron will attempt to become just the sixth California-bred to win a Breeders’ Cup race. Three of those previous winners prevailed in the Sprint – Thor’s Echo (2006), Dancing In Silks (2009) and Amazombie (2011).             “This is really the highlight of my career,” said Kruljac, who has won 1,241 races and trained seven graded-stakes winners in a career that began in 1986. “At my age, to have a horse like The Chosen Vron, it’s an absolute gift.”             The Chosen... ...

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Madiha Rallies to Win Lucrative Finale

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2023) – Running in a fillies and mares allowance race with a stakes-like purse, California-bred Madiha rallied in the stretch to win the $127,500 finale on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday card at Santa Anita. Madiha is by Shaman Ghost, out of the Great Notion mare Very Few Details, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Lovingier, Zahra Madiha and Amanda Navarro and trained by Craig Dollase. She has three wins in 20 starts and earnings of $282,735. She ran the 6 ½ furlongs down the hill in 1:12.85 and won by one-half length at odds of 6-1. Fellow Cal-bred Stay and Scam was second. ...

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Sir Prancealot’s Sir Kingsford Wins Down Under

ADELAIDE, Australia (Nov. 3, 2023) — Sir Kingsford, an Australian-bred gelded son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won Friday’s $55,000 Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap at Morphettville. Sir Kingsford, out of the mare Mighty Maher, has four wins in 12 starts and earnings of $95,475. He won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 7-2 in a field of six, running the 1 ¼ miles on turf in 2:05.47. ...

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Plan B for Closing Remarks, Eddie’s New Dream

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2023) – California-breds Closing Remarks and Eddie’s New Dream, previously targeted to run on the Breeders’ Cup cards Friday and Saturday, have been entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade II Goldikova Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Multiple graded winner Closing Remarks is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has six wins in 23 starts, earnings of $879,320 and is coming off a fourth in the Oct. 7 Rodeo Drive. She was pre-entered, but not entered, in Saturday’s $3 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Eddie’s New Dream is by Square Eddie, out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Ben Cecil. She has eight wins in 27 starts, earnings of $712,540 and is coming off a fourth in the Oct. 9 Swingtime Stakes. She was scratched from Friday’s $150,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes. ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Yo Yo Candy in Nashua

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Nov. 2, 2023) – Graded stakes-winning Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Yo Yo Candy is one of five entered in Sunday’s $150,000 Nashua Stakes for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct. Yo Yo Candy is by Danzing Candy, out of the Two Punch mare Yolanda B. Too, was bred by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, is owned by Happy Tenth Stable and is trained by Daniel Velazquez. The $6,000 purchase out of the Checkmate Thoroughbreds consignment has two wins in four starts, earnings of $143,050 and is coming off a 10th in the Sept. 4 Grade I Hopeful. ...

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The Chosen Vron Enters BC Sprint

From Breeders’ Cup Press Release ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2023) – Millionaire The Chosen Vron is entered in the $2 million Grade I Qatar Cup Breeders’ Cup Sprint, to be run at six furlongs on the dirt as the 11th race on Saturday, Nov. 4. Winner of the Grade I Bing Crosby “Win and You’re In” at six furlongs in his most recent start on July 29, The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mar Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners and is owned by Sondereker Racing, trainer J. Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburgh. The two-time Cal-bred champion has 13 wins in 17 starts, earnings of $1,032,678 and an eight-race win. He will break from post position six under Hector Berrios and is 5-1 on the morning line. The 40th Breeders’ Cup World Championships will feature 14 races with purses and awards totaling more than $31 million Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. It’s a record 11th time the event has... ...

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Stakes-winning Pair in Golden State Fillies

JUVENILE_FILLIES_PP_S | Santa Anita Park ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2023) – Stakes winners Grand Slam Smile and Crazy Hot and Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Fly a Fantasy are entered in Friday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Recalcitrant is by Pavel, out of the Square Eddie mare Hacktivism, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $48,800 and is making her first start since a May 20 maiden win. Borntostaythirsty is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Zensational mare Spring Moon, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Thomsen Racing and Thomas Halasz and trained by Steve Knapp. She has one win in five starts, earnings of $63,640 and is coming off a Sept. 16 maiden win. Satellite Heart is by Accelerate, out of the Unusual Heat mare Tahitian Lagoon, was bred by Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo, is owned by Valle Las Palmas, Robert Cannon,... ...

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Dr. No No in Golden State Juvenile

Past Performances — GOLDEN_STATE_JUVENILE_STAKES_PP_S | Santa Anita Park ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2023) – Stakes winner Dr. No No and Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Going Mobile are among the entries in Friday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. Dr. No No is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Run Away and Hide mare Enayat Alsalam, was bred by PT Syndicate #1, is owned by Edward Brown, Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz and trained by Brian Koriner. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $130,290 and is coming off a win in the Sept. 8 I’m Smokin. Stay On the Fence is by Pavel, out of the The Factor mare Factor of Two, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Antonio Garcia. He is a maiden making his fourth start with earnings of $33,560. Just a Guess is by Nyquist, out of the War Front mare Epistemology, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Antonio... ...

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Love Candy Tries Golden Gate Handicap

ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2023) – Love Candy is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Golden Gate Handicap. Love Candy is by Danzing Candy, out of the Tapizar mare Love Winning, was bred by Stuart Tsujimoto, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. Claimed for $20,000 in June, he has five wins in 21 starts, earnings of $165,274 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 15 Bull Dog. ...

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‘Chrome’s California Bay Enters Twilight Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2023) – California Bay is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Grade II Twilight Derby for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. California Bay is by California Chrome, out of the Dehere mare Tamarack Bay, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jeff Mullins. He has two win in five starts, earnings of $83,540 and is coming off an Oct. 9 optional claiming win. ...

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Rose Maddox Entered in Ken Maddy

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2023) – California-bred multiple stakes winner Rose Maddox is entered in Friday’s $150,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Rose Maddox is by Grazen, out of the Unusual Heat mare Heat the Rocks, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steven Miyadi. She has six wins in 18 starts, earnings of $416,782 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 14 California Distaff. ...

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Equine Photographer Katey Barrett Passes

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2023) — Renowned equine photographer Katey Barrett, whose work was an integral part of Santa Anita’s opening day Winter Meet souvenir calendar for more than three decades, passed away following a bout with cancer this past Sunday, Oct. 22 at age 91 according to her sister, Jane Barrett.             “Katey had been on hospice and was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months ago,” she said. “She was at Santa Anita and took beautiful pictures for more than 40 years. She received many awards and she was dedicated to serving animals, all animals.  A lot of people have been calling and expressing what she has done for them personally, in their lives.              “Katey was a very selfless person.,” Jane Barrett continued. “She was dedicated to helping with the operation of a wild horse sanctuary near Mt. Lassen and keeping the horses free.  She was very dedicated to that place.  She hadn’t been up there in a while because she was unable... ...

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Ceiling Crusher, Fun to Dream Cataloged

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher has been added to the Fasig-Tipton November Sale as a racing/broodmare prospect, joining fellow Grade I winner Fun to Dream, the 2022 Cal-bred Horse of the Year. Ceiling Crusher is a 3-year-old filly is by Mr. Big, out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has six wins in seven starts, earnings of $938,400 and in her last start defeated Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous to win the Cotillion S. (G1) at Parx on September 23. She is a four-time stakes winner this year, including the Torrey Pines S. (G3) at Del Mar.  Fun to Dream is by Arrogate, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, was bred by Connie Pageler and Bob Baffert, is owned by Natalie Baffert and Pageler and trained by Bob Baffert. She has six wins in 10 starts... ...

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Runaway Storm Wins Bryan Station

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2023) — Runaway Storm, a Kentucky bred son of California stallion Midnight Storm, blew the break, circled the entire field then held on for a game win in Saturday’s $297,307 Grade III Bryan Station Stakes  for 3-year-olds at Keeneland. The gelding, out of the Run Away and Hide mare Runaway Betty, has theee wins in five starts and earnings of $288,520. He ran the mike on turf in 1:35.93 on a good turf course at odds of 20-1 in a field of eight for a head win over odds-on favorite Talk of the Nation. Midnight Storm stands at Milky Way Farm in Temecula. ...

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Bally’s Charm, Shortman Enticed by Lure

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 25, 2023) – Stakes winner Bally’s Charm and fellow California-bred Shortman are entered in Saturday’s $80,000 Lure Stakes at Santa Anita. Bally’s Charm is by Roi Charmant, out of the Arch mare Ballydonnell Drive, was bred by owners Red Baron’s Barn & Vaya Con Suerte and is trained by Jeff Mullins. He has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $315,500 and is coming off an Oct. 1 optional claiming win. Shortman is by Prince of Love, out of the Smarty Jones mare Shorty Jones, was bred by Sergio Zepeda, is owned by Zepeda Racing and trained by Salvador Naranjo. He has four wins in 23 starts, earnings of $180,414 and is coming off a third in the Sept. 16 E.B. Johnston Stakes. ...

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NorCal Sale Grad Entered in Pike Place Dancer

ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Kristin Lee and fellow California-bred Susie Cru are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Golden Gate Susie Cru is by Conquest Farenheit, out of the Ready’s Image mare Hot, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Monty Meier. She is a maiden making her second start. Kristin Lee is by Cat Burglar, out of the City Zip mare Norma, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Robert Jones and trained by Faith Taylor. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has one win in five starts, earnings of $31,982 and is coming off a third in a Sept. 25 starter’s allowance. ...

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Golden Gate Adjusts for Breeders’ Cup Week

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2023) — Golden Gate Fields officials announced Monday morning that Golden Gate will conduct live racing on a Friday through Sunday basis on the week of the 2023 Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. First post on Friday, November 3, Saturday, November 4, and Sunday, November 5 will be 1:15 PM. The Breeders Cup, hosted at Santa Anita Park this year, features five championship races on Friday and nine more on Saturday. Golden Gate, which has conducted Monday race cards since the beginning of the Summer Meet in August, will be dark on Monday, November 6. The first Monday race card to be offered in the month of November will be on November 13. The feature race on Saturday, November 4 at Golden Gate is the $100,000 Grade 3 Golden Gate Handicap (formerly known as the Berkeley). The mile and one-sixteenth race for 3-year-olds and up is run on the all-weather Tapeta main track. Along with the live race card at Golden... ...

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Daddysruby Speeds to Feature Victory

From Santa Anita Publicity             ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2023)—Shortening up out of a pair of turf routes, trainer Peter Miller’s California-bred Daddysruby led throughout and registered a resounding 5 ¼ length victory in Friday’s $63,000 Santa Anita allowance feature.  With Juan Hernandez collecting his second win of the day, the 3-year-old filly by Frac Daddy got six furlongs in 1:09.56.                 Breaking sharply from the rail, Daddysruby was quickly on terms with 7-5 favorite Report and took command leaving the five furlong pole without being sent.  With a one length advantage three furlongs from home, Daddysruby opened up by three furlongs an eighth of a mile out and won geared down in what certainly appeared to be the best race of her young career.                 “She’s always shown a lot of talent, but I didn’t think she had that kind of speed,” said Miller.  “But she broke sharp and Juan just kind of inherited the lead and took it to ’em.  We’re very pleased. ... ...

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Cal-bred Standout Lieutenant Dan Retired

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2023) — Lieutenant Dan, 2021 California-bred Horse of the Year and a six-time stakes winner who was second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in 2021, was recently retired and sent to the central California ranch of owner-breeder Nick Alexander. “He had an ankle that was causing problems,” Alexander said. “We didn’t want to push it.” Lieutenant Dan, a 7-year-old gelding by Grazen, won 9 of 18 starts and earned $923,740. All six of the stakes wins were achieved in sprints in Southern California, including three stakes for statebreds in 2019 and 2020. Trained by Steve Miyadi, Lieutenant Dan had his best year in 2021, winning three of four starts in turf sprints, including consecutive stakes in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar and the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at Santa Anita. Lieutenant Dan was second by 1 1/4 lengths to Golden Pal in the BC Turf Sprint at five furlongs in 2021. He won his final... ...

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Kings River Knight Wins California Flag

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 15, 2023)—A winner of three out of his last four starts coming in, John Sadler’s talented 5-year-old gelding Kings River Knight rallied powerfully under Juan Hernandez to take Sunday’s $100,000 California Flag Handicap by 1 ½ lengths as he got about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in a quick 1:10.75.               The California Flag is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.               As expected, highly accomplished stakes winner Brickyard Ride went to the front out of the gate, leading by a half length over Sadler’s other entrant, Lil Nass, to the dirt crossing at the top of the stretch.  From there, heavily favored Kings River Knight loomed menacingly four-deep and wrested control from Brickyard Ride a furlong out.               “This horse is getting better every race,” said Hernandez.  “Today, he broke really sharp but a couple of those other horses are faster early so I just let him see what was... ...

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Rose Maddox Hits Right Notes in Distaff

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2023)—With a blistering early fractions of 21.10 and 43.81 to run at, Nick Alexander’s homebred Rose Maddox unleashed a powerful stretch run to win Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap by two lengths in a very impressive effort.  Ridden for the first time by Tiago Pereira, Rose Maddox got about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in a speedy 1:11.22.                 The California Distaff Handicap is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sire horses. “We were long overdue. We’ve been a slump since April,” said Alexander. “I bet on the other Rose (Dawson). We thought Rose Dawson would follow that leader and hopefully soften her up. I think 6 ½ down the hill is perfect for (Rose Maddox). She had had a mile race before. I lot of time milers come back and win on this course. She’s a cool little horse.”                 In-hand early, Rose Maddox was about 9 ½ lengths off of... ...

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Rocktillyoudrop in Don Getty Handicap

CALGARY, Alberta (Oct. 18, 2023) – Rocktillyoudrop is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Don Getty Handicap at Century Downs. Rocktillyoudrop is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Northern Devil mare Red Hot Rocket, was bred by Patricia Wall & Bill Delia, is owned by Al Pitchko and trained by Rodney Cone. He has seven wins in 39 starts, earnings of $151,710 and is coming off a third in an Oct. 8 optional claimer. ...

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He Be Fire N Ice Relocates to Legacy Ranch

Cicero Farms Press Release CLEMENTS, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2023) — California stallion He Be Fire N Ice has been relocated to Legacy Ranch to stand the 2024 breeding season, owner Cicero Farms announced on Friday. He Be Fire N Ice, a 15-year-old California-bred stakes-winning son of Unusual Heat, has six crops of racing age with progeny earnings of more than $1.3 million, including top-earner Oubabe and Lil Nas, who is entered in Sunday’s California Flag Stakes at Santa Anita.   ...

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CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet in Del Mar from November 10 through December 3, plus non-racing simulcast dates. This fall meet will offer racing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, plus Thanksgiving Day. The Board approved the license application for Watch and Wager LLC to operate a harness race meet at Cal Expo in Sacramento from November 17, 2023, through May 3, 2024. General Manager Chris Schick reported that harness racing in California is continuing its upward trend by attracting more experienced drivers and... ...

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Kings River Knight in California Flag

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2023)—On a roll at age five, John Sadler’s Kings River Knight, who is a nose shy of being a four-time stakes winner, heads a field of seven going about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in Sunday’s $100,000 California Flag Handicap.  The California Flag, for three year olds and up, is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.  Unraced until June of his 4-year-old campaign, Kings River Knight is enjoying a banner year, with three wins and two seconds (one of them by a nose to top-rated Cal-bred The Chosen Vron) from six starts, good for $221,750 in earnings in 2023.  Although he’ll likely have to contend with classy Brickyard Ride for early supremacy, Kings River Knight is without question the “now horse,” coming off a facile two length win going a flat mile on dirt in the statebred E.B. Johnston Stakes at Los Alamitos Sept. 16—his third win of the year. ... ...

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Distaff a Run for Alexander’s Pair of Roses

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2023)—Longtime California owner/breeder Nick Alexander appears well represented by a pair of homebreds, Rose Dawson and Rose Maddox, as they figure prominently among a wide-open field of seven fillies and mares three and up going about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap.  The California Distaff is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.  Fourth in last year’s Cal Distaff, the Phil D’Amato-trained Rose Dawson comes off a runaway five length score in a six furlong first condition allowance run on dirt at Los Alamitos on Sept. 16.  A 4-year-old filly by Grazen out of the Bertrando mare Sudden Sunday, Rose Dawson was second in her only other try over the course, a classified allowance on June 11 of last year.   A winner of the one mile turf California Oaks at Santa Anita on Jan. 15, 2022 Rose Dawson earned a career-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure in... ...

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Stanford, Eight Rings Move to Harris Farms

From Harris Farms Press Release COALINGA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2023) – Stanford, California’s Leading Freshman Sire of 2021 and current co-leading Third-crop sire by black type winners and Eight Rings, the G1-winning son of Empire Maker, will stand the 2024 breeding season at Harris Farms in Coalinga, California. Stanford, the multiple graded stakes winning son of Malibu Moon, entered stud in 2018 and was an immediate success. Leading the sire charts in California as a freshman and finishing second on the sire of Two-year-olds list that same season, has sired 5 black-type horses, including multiple stakes winner, Opening Buzz, and 61 individual winners from his first two crops to race. Stanford stands as the property of Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. His 2024 stud fee is $5,000, Live Foal. Eight Rings, entered stud in 2023. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, he was a $520,000 purchase by SF Bloodstock and Starlight West at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. At 2, he won his racing debut by 6 1/4 lengths at Del Mar with trainer Bob Baffert... ...

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Autumn Equine Fair Saturday

Milky Way Farm Press release TEMECULA, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2023) — Information-packed seminars, horse demonstrations, stallion viewings, prize giveaways and networking opportunities headline an ambitious agenda for the 2023 Autumn Equine Fair which will be conducted at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, California from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 14. Participation in this educational event is free for current and prospective horse owners and breeders.   Sponsored by the California Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association and California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the event will feature several 20-minute sessions led by professional speakers on a wide variety of topics, including horse health, feeding and nutrition, broodmare care, foal imprinting, halter breaking, weanling training, yearling conformation, evacuation preparedness for fire and flood emergencies, racing partnerships, handicapping tips, wagering strategies and racehorse retirement and retraining. A question-and-answer period will follow each session.   Attendees will be treated to coffee and donuts in the morning and street tacos for lunch. Equine-related prizes, including 2024 seasons to selected stallions, will be offered as raffle... ...

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Cal-bred Trio Enters Bull Dog at Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2023) – California-bred geldings Love Candy and Druidic and the Cal-bred filly Glorious Spring are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Bull Dog Stakes at the Big Fresno Fair. Love Candy is by Danzing Candy, out of the Tapizar mare Love Winning, was bred by Stuart Tsujimoto, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He has five wins in 20 starts, earnings of $150,274 and is coming off an Oct. 2 claiming win. Druidic is by Boisterous, out of the Rocky Bar mare Shared Image, was bred by owner Robert Traynor and is trained by D. Wayne Baker. He has three wins in 13 starts, earnings of $50,970 and is coming off a fifth in the Sept. 4 Sam Spear Memorial. Glorious Spring is by Grazen, out of the Candy Ride mare Maziette, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Dan Blacker. She has three wins in nine starts, earnings of 153,580 and is coming off an eighth in the Aug. 25... ...

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Clovisconnection Digs in to Win Harris Farms

By DRF.com FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2023) — When Clovisconnection was passed by Top Harbor in early stretch of Saturday’s $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes at The Big Fresno Fair in central California, trainer Blaine Wright expected a second-place finish. “I would have settled for that,” Wright said. Despite losing his lead, Clovisconnection was not finished. Racing on the inside, Clovisconnection ($5.80) rallied from a length behind 3-5 Top Harbor to win by a head. “That was a heckuva win,” Wright said. :: Bet the races with a $250 First Deposit Match + $10 Free Bet and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.  “What a game race throughout. They hadn’t been winning from off the lead and they haven’t won from the inside and he did both.” The win was the fourth consecutive stakes win for Clovisconnection, who races for owners and breeders William and Judy Hedrick. Clovisconnection, who was ridden by William Antongeorgi, ran six furlongs in 1:09.50. The Harris Farms Stakes was restricted to Golden State Series eligibles. Top Harbor,... ...

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Fashionable Fillies Luncheon Nov. 1

From The Jockey Club ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2023) — The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will honor trainer Carla Gaines at its Fashionable Fillies luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 3:30 p.m. in the Chandelier Room at Santa Anita. There will be cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, shopping and live music at the two-hour event, with tickets beginning at $125. For further information, contact Shannon Kelly at skelly@jockeyclub.com. The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is a charitable trust founded in 1943 that provides financial relief and assistance to the individuals that are the backbone of the Thoroughbred racing industry: grooms, hotwalkers, night watchmen, jockeys and exercise riders, as well as office personnel, and farm and training center workers. For some individuals, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is their sole means of support in times of medical or financial distress. Over the last 30 years, the foundation has disbursed more than $16 million in support. ...

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Slow Down Andy to Miss Breeders’ Cup

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) — California-bred Slow Down Andy, emphatic winner of the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes last weekend at Santa Anita, will have to wait until next year for another shot at the Breeders’ Cup, trainer Doug O’Neill said Thursday. The good news is breeders-owners Paul and Zilla Reddam plan to race the son of Nyquist next season at age 5. O’Neill said the colt’s setback is minor, though untimely.  “He came out of the [Awesome Again] with a little bit of filling in an ankle,” O’Neill said. “He was sound on it, but had a little bit of filling. We X-rayed him, and he X-rayed clean. We followed up with a nuke scan, and he’s got some heat in the ankle.” Expectations are Slow Down Andy, the leading money earner sired by Reddam-owned and O’Neill-trained Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, will return next season as good as ever. :: BREEDERS’ CUP 2023: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more for... ...

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CTBA Winter Mixed Sale Jan. 30 at Fairplex

POMONA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale will be held at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at Fairplex in Pomona. The deadline for entries is Friday, Nov. 16, 2023. The sale will include breeding stock, 2-year-olds, horses of racing age and yearlings. Internet live bidding will be available. For further information, contact Loretta Veiga at (800) 573-2822 Ext 227 or email: loretta@ctba.com. ...

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Top Harbor, Clovisconnection in Harris Farms

By DRF.com FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – The Northern California sprinter Top Harbor has started only five times this year. The races are usually worth the wait. Top Harbor has won two stakes and finished second in two others. Add an allowance race win and it’s easy to see why the 5-year-old horse will be favored to win Saturday’s $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at six furlongs at The Big Fresno Fair. “It’s hard to get a race for him,” trainer Tim McCanna said on Wednesday. “He’s a good horse and he stays sharp.” The Harris Farms Stakes drew a field of five. Top Harbor has drawn a favorable post on the outside of the small field, and should have a pace to follow from the former claimer Evenerevenworse, and the streaking 3-year-old Clovisconnection, who has won his last three starts, all in stakes. :: Bet with the Best! Get Free DRF PPs and Cashback when you wager. Join DRF Bets. Larry’s Legend and Lmlooknformischief are the other... ...

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Cal-bred Pair Enters Surfer Girl Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – California-breds Putt for Dough and Sushi Sticks are entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade III Surfer Girl Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Putt for Dough is by Nyquist, out of the Distorted Humor mare Almost Guilty, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and trained by Antonio Garcia. She has one win in three starts, earnings of $61,700 and is coming off a fifth in the Sept. 4 Generous Portion. Sushi Sticks is by Karakontie, out of the Tapit mare Renewed Energy, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Repole Stable and trained by Michael McCarthy. She won her lone start Aug. 25 with earnings of $49,200. ...

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Mici’s Express Hits the Zuma Beach

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – Mici’s Express is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade III Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. Mici’s Express is by Slew’s Tiznow, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Harlan Express, was bred by Eagle Ridge Racing & Rancho San Miguel, is owned by Thomas Halasz and trained by Steve Knapp. He has one win in seven starts, earnings of $112,030 and is coming off a second in the Sept. 8 I’m Smokin. ...

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Eddie’s New Dream Enters Swingtime

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – Eddie’s New Dream is the lone California-bred entered in Monday’s $80,000 Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Eddie’s New Dream is by Square Eddie, out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Ben Cecil. She has eight wins in 26 starts, earnings of $705,580 and is coming off win in the Aug. 25 Solana Beach. ...

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Cal-bred Trio Tangles in Manzano

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Oct. 7, 2023) – A trio of California-breds is entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Manzano Stakes for 2-year-olds at Albuquerque. Lite Ranchin Kid is by Lemon Drop Kid, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Lorelei’s Song, was bred by owner Regan Wright and is trained by Rafael Barraza. He has won both starts with earnings of $37,800. Salsation is by Far From Over, out of the Munnings mare Music and Art, was bred by Cynthia White, is owned by Dan Northrup and trained by Luis Mendez. He has one win in three starts, earnings of $23,900 and is coming off a third in an Aug. 27 starter optional claimer. Grease Missile is a filly by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnighthush, was bred by Dino Bates and Josephine Bates, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bart Hone. She won her lone start Sept. 30 with earnings of $15,930. ...

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Closing Remarks Takes Spin Down Rodeo Drive

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2023) — Multiple graded-stakes winner Closing Remarks is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. The consistent 5-year-old mare is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, and is a Harris Farms homebred. Closing Remarks rallied for a solid 1 ¾ length tally going a mile and one eighth on turf in the Grade II John C. Mabee Stakes on Sept. 9 and prevailed by a neck in the Grade II Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar Aug. 12. Trained by Carla Gaines and favored in both of her Del Mar wins, Closing Remarks has proven effective rallying from far back, mid-pack and as she demonstrated in the Yellow Ribbon, when she lays close to a legitimate early pace.  A three-time graded stakes winner, Closing Remarks has three wins from 14 tries over the Santa Anita lawn and is enjoying her best year ever, winning three out of... ...

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Lord Prancealot the Speed in Speakeasy

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2023) — Stakes winner Lord Prancealot is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-olds, to be contested at five furlongs over the Santa Anita grass. Trainer Jeff Bonde’s Lord Prancealot would appear to be the speed of the field and looms very dangerous with Kent Desormeaux riding back.  A gate to wire Cal-bred maiden winner going five furlongs on dirt, Lord Prancelot came back as the 3-1 favorite in the statebred Graduation Stakes and set splits of 21.80 and 46 flat before prevailing by a head going 5 ½ furlongs on dirt in 1:04.40—thus earning a 71 Beyer Speed Figure. A disappointing fifth as the 2-1 favorite in the Cal-bred I’m Smokin at six furlongs Sept. 8, Desormeaux figures to try and ration his considerable speed while trying turf for the first time in what will be his fourth start. A colt by Sir Prancealot out of the Country Reel mare Disko Dasko, Lord Prancelot is owned by his... ...

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Jazz Hands on Stage in Woodbine Nearctic

TORONTO, Canada (Oct. 5, 2023) – Jazz Hands is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $250,000 Grade II Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine. Jazz Hands is by Square Eddie, out of the Russian Courage mare Nicole and Ben, was bred by Reddam Racing, is trained by Kirk Sutherland and trained by Harold Ladouceur. He has five wins in 24 starts, earnings of $183,777 and is coming off a second in an Aug. 25 starter waiver claimer. ...

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Pair of Cal-bred Stakes at Bing Crosby Meet

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2023) — Del Mar will present its 10th fall racing session – dubbed the Bing Crosby Season to honor the track’s iconic founder – starting on Friday, November 10 and highlighted by a stakes schedule that features 15 major events over the course of its 13-day run. Two of the stakes races are for Golden State Series eligibles — the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on Sunday, Nov. 12; and the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes at seven furlongs on Saturday, Nov. 18. Topping the list of black-type tests again will be a pair of Grade I grass features – the $300,000 Hollywood Derby at nine furlongs for 3-year-olds on Saturday, December 2 and the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares run at a mile on closing day, Sunday, December 3. Also on the agenda are twin Grade II turf offerings for 3-year-olds and up – the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup at the marathon distance of 12... ...

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Slow Down Andy Speeds into Breeders’ Cup

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2023)—Breaking like a shot on wet-fast track, Reddam Racing’s homebred Slow Down Andy never did, taking eight rivals on a merry chase en route to a smashing 2 ¼ length victory in Santa Anita’s Grade I Awesome Again Stakes, final steppingstone to the Grade I, $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic here on Nov. 4.                 Trained by Doug O’Neill and ridden by Mario Gutierrez, the 4-year-old California-bred colt by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist got a mile and one eighth in 1:47.62. “(He) ate up a full feed tub and is doing great this morning,” said Leandro Mora, assistant for trainer Doug O’Neill, said on Sunday.             Slow Down Andy won the 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again by 2 ¼ lengths as the 2-1 favorite under Mario Gutierrez, earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.  The victory was his first since winning the GII Del Mar Derby on turf last September and his first-ever Grade I score.  In three previous starts this year, the... ...

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Slow Down Andy Speeds into Breeders’ Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2023)—California-bred millionaire Slow Down Andy earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a wire-to-wire win in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. Owned by breeder Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill, Slow Down Andy is by Nyquist, out of the Square Eddie mare Edwina E. By taking the “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race Qualifier, the winner earns a fees-paid berth into the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Slow Down Andy’s biggest previous performance to date came four starts back when he finished third, beaten 1 ¾ lengths by eventual Eclipse Champion Cody’s Wish in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 5, 2022 at Keeneland—earning an Awesome Again best 103 Beyer Speed Figure. Slow Down Andy, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, was third in last year’s Awesome Again and has five wins in 14 starts with earnings of $1,276,600. ...

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Son of Dads Caps Wins Iowa Breeders’ Derby

ALTOONA, Iowa (Oct. 2, 2023) – Longshot Rockin the Dad Bod, an Iowa-bred son of California stallion Dads Caps, won Saturday night’s $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Derby for 3-year-olds at Prairie Meadows. Rockin the Dad Bod, out of the Crowd Pleaser mare Cagey Girl, has three wins in 13 starts and earnings of $141,599. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.30 and won by a head at odds of 51-1. ...

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Don’t Get Pickled in Miss Gracie Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2023) – Stakes winner Don’t Get Pickled is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Miss Gracie Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park. Don’t Get Pickled is by Misremembered, out of the Successful Appeal mare C C’s Pride, was bred by Harry Keshian & Cheryl Keshian, is owned by Blu Boy Racing Stables and is trained by Patrick Biancone. She has two wins in 15 starts, earnings of $114,718 and is coming off a fifth in an Aug. 27 claimer. ...

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$250,000 Vronsky Colt Tops Fasig-Tipton Sale

By Bloodhorse.com POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2023) — Buyers with connections to many equine families on offer at the Sept. 26 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of Racing Age Sale in Pomona, Calif., were willing to step up for prospects. From trainer John Sadler assisting in buying the $250,000 sale topper, a half brother to Sadler-trained Kings River Knight , to Eric and Sharon Waller’s emotional acquisition of a half-sister to their deceased graded stakes winner Spectator , the kinship felt for the horses brought buyers out in ways not every sale accomplishes. West Point Thoroughbreds purchased the sale topper, with Sadler and his assistant, Juan Leyva, doing the bidding. John Harris’ Harris Farms consigned the colt, a California-bred son of Vronsky —Seasontoperfection, by Poteen. The mare has produced Kings River Knight, a three-time stakes winner this year under Sadler’s tutelage, most recently in the Sept. 16 E.B. Johnston Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course, and the stakes-placed Irrefutable  (Big Bad Leroybrown ). “This horse looks a lot like (Kings River Knight), so we thought he’d be good for the Cal-bred program,” said... ...

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Donner Lake Enters Tokyo City Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2023) – Donner Lake is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita. Donner Lake is by Hard Spun, out of the Quality Road mare Pure, was bred by DP Racing, is owned by The Warnick Stable and Joseph Hinkhouse and is trained by Michael McCarthy. He has two wins in 11 starts, earnings of $154,400 and is coming off a Sept. 2 optional claiming win. ...

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Santa Anita Autumn Meet Opens Friday

From Santa Anita Publicity           ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2023) — Santa Anita will host 19 days of live racing beginning Friday and culminating with the 40th edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 3 & 4. Entries for Friday’s opening day program, which includes the GIII Chillingworth Stales for female sprinters, will be taken on Tuesday.             This year will be a record 11th time Santa Anita has hosted the Breeders’ Cup, which is the richest two days of racing in North America and lures worldwide participation and interest. This week Santa Anita will host nine stakes with Breeders’ Cup implications including the GI Awesome Again on Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again is a “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race qualifier for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 ¼ miles on Nov. 4.             In addition to the Awesome Again, Saturday’s blockbuster card will also include the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs, GII City of Hope Mile on turf... ...

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Cal-bred Stakes Set for LosAl Winter Meet

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2023) — Four stakes for 2-year-olds – including a pair for Golden State Series eligibles at one mile – highlight the upcoming Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The $100,000 Soviet Problem – for fillies – will be offered Sunday, Dec. 10 while the $100,000 King Glorious will be run Sunday, Dec. 17. The six-day season is scheduled to begin Friday, Dec. 8 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 17. Racing will be conducted on a Friday-Sunday basis (Dec. 8-10 and 15-17) both weeks. Post time will be 12:30 p.m. The $300,000-guaranteed Starlet, a Grade II for 2-year-old fillies, will be renewed for the 10th time at Los Alamitos Saturday, Dec. 9 one week before the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Futurity, which was captured by Practical Move in 2022. Won a year ago by Faiza, the Starlet – like the Futurity – will be contested at 1 1/16 miles. Completing the stakes schedule is the Grade III, $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies... ...

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Ceiling Crusher Wins Grade I Cotillion

By DRF.com BENSALEM, Pa. (Sept. 23, 2023) — “This was our Breeders’ Cup,” exclaimed trainer Doug O’Neill after Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher took them gate to wire in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies racing 1 1/16 miles at Parx Racing. Ceiling Crusher is the first Grade I winner for her sire, Mr. Big. She’s out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by Harris Farms and is owned by Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman. The $22,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale from the Harris Farms consignment has six wins in seven starts, earnings of $938,400 and was coming off a win in the Grade III Torrey Pines on Sept. 2. Making her initial start over a sloppy track and starting for the first time outside of Southern California, Ceiling Crusher showed her customary gate speed under jockey Edwin Maldonado. Ceiling Crusher cleared to the lead going into the first turn and faced only token... ...

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TOC NorCal Annual Meeting Oct. 21

From TOC ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2023) — Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) invites all members to the Northern California Annual Meeting, to be held Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Bay View Lounge at Golden Gate Fields. The general business meeting will allow directors an opportunity to bring the membership up to date on important issues and will include a question-and-answer session. An award presentation will also be made to the winner of the Northern CA Rookie of the Year. Following the meeting, a complimentary buffet luncheon will be served.  Registration required with current CHRB License. To register, click: Northern California Annual Meeting Tickets, Berkeley | Eventbrite ...

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CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board allocated race dates to Northern California thoroughbreds and fairs for the first nine months of 2024, including six months to Golden Gate Fields (GGF), after industry negotiations and pending legislation prompted The Stronach Group to delay shuttering GGF until late-June 2024. Date allocations for the final quarter of 2024 will be determined at later meetings after racing fairs decide whether to request dates beyond the normal summer fair season to fill the gap created by the closure of GGF. During any weeks when there is no racing in the north, simulcast revenue will... ...

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