ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2012) – A total of 114 early nominations were received for the five main stakes races on the $1 million California Cup XXIII card, to be run Oct. 13 at Santa Anita. Regular nominations with past performances are listed here.
Heading the list of 17 nominations for the $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic, presented by City National Bank, is defending champion Norvsky, along with top stakes horses Rousing Sermon and John Scott.
There will be a pair of 2-year-old races, each with purses boosted to $250,000 as part of the Golden State Series. The $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies has 20 nominations, headed by the talented Tilde. The $250,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile has 19 nominations, headed by promising winners Gervinho, Life a Riley and The Humancomplaint.
The $125,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff has the most nominations, 41, and they include graded winners Halo Dolly, Willa B Awesome and Teddy’s Promise.
The $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint, always one of the most contentious races on the card, has defending champion Courtside, Derby Gold, Bench Points and the filly Teddy’s Promise among 17 nominations.
The late closing date for nominations is Saturday, Oct. 6, at $1,000 per nomination.
The California Cup XXIII Party theme this year is “Remembering Lava Man Two Time California Horse Of the Year.”
The price of a 10-seat table is $850 and includes valet parking, admission, race program, giveaway item Doug O’Neill bobblehead and Santa Anita Park’s widely acclaimed buffet. Hours for buffet service are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with coffee and desserts served until the last race.
Please call or email Cookie Hackworth at cookie@ctba.com or call 800-573-2822 or x243. Regular nominations with past performances are listed here.