Cal Cup Early Bird Noms Online
ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2011) – The five stakes races that will comprise the 22nd California Cup on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Santa Anita attracted a total of 136 nominations, which are now online.
The stakes, topped by the $175,000 California Cup Classic, presented by City National Bank, are part of a card restricted to California breds that also includes two allowance races and two maiden races.
Among the 25 nominees to the Classic, which will be run at 1 1/8 miles on turf for the first time, are millionaire Acclamation and fellow graded winner Caracortado, Lone Star Derby winner Thirtyfirststreet and last year’s Cal Cup Classic winner, Soul Candy.
The $125,000 John Deere Distaff, run at about 6 ½ furlongs on the downhill turf course, has the most nominations at 34, led by multiple graded winner Unzip Me. Also on the list are multiple stakes winners California Nectar and Sugarinthemorning.
Caracortado also shows up on the list for the $100,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint, as do Amazombie, 2010 Cal Cup Sprint winner Cost of Freedom, M One Rifle and former Grade I winner Bob Black Jack, who is coming off a 20-month layoff.
The pair of races for 2-year-olds – the $100,000 Bob Benoit Juvenile for colts and geldings and the $100,000 Robert H. Walter Juvenile Fillies – had a total of 47 noms. Among the 30 for the Juvenile is Ruler of Dubai.
The Juvenile Fillies lists rivals Willa B Awesome and Heleonor Rugby.
The annual gala party for Cal Cup will be themed “The Art of Racing,” and will be held in Santa Anita’s Club Court and Club Plaza areas.
The annual Cal Cup party, previously held in Santa Anita’s infield area, will afford attendees excellent viewing and comfortable accommodations in addition to a spectacular Cal Cup buffet, open bar and festive decorations.
The public is invited to this “Art of Racing” themed party that will feature many renowned equine artists displaying their finest work, including a silent auction to benefit the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA).
The exhibit will include the stunning “Tiznow, America’s Horse” painting by former jockey Tom Chapman. The painting honors the great California-bred Tiznow’s 10th anniversary of winning back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Classics in 2000 and 2001. Many local equine artists will also have their work on display.
“The California Cup has become a time-honored tradition here at Santa Anita and we’re pleased to be hosting it on Oct. 29,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “The Cal Cup Party has been moved to our Club Court area this year to provide everyone much better access to the paddock and winner’s circle while offering a much better view of the track and the races.
“We look forward to welcoming horsemen and fans from all over the state. It should be a great day and we look forward to some very competitive racing,” he added.
Admission to the “Art of Racing” Cal Cup Party is $85 per person which includes parking, program, admission, a beautiful Cal Cup T-shirt, the Cal Cup buffet and open bar, throughout the race day. Groups may also reserve 10-seat tables for $850.00, which includes all of the afore-mentioned amenities.
Walk-up admission to the Cal Cup Party will also be available for $85 per person, on an as-available basis.
To make reservations or purchase tickets in advance, contact the CTBA offices at (626) 445-7800, ext. 243 or 244. Fans may also email Cookie [at] ctba [dot] com or Rosemary [at] ctba [dot] com for further information.
