Snoopy Now Reps Sir Prancealot

May 2, 2025 Posted by CTBA In News

By Racing.com KAROONDA, South Australia (May 2, 2025) — With a population of about 300, the tiny South Australian town of Karoonda isn’t much more than a dot on the map. There’s a small pub, some popular silo art and a struggling footy club. But after Saturday, it might also be home to Australia’s newest Group 1 winner. Local Darryl Hewitt will carry the hopes of the proud community, and indeed those of the broader South Australian racing industry, when he saddles up emerging three-year-old Snoopy Now in the $1 million SA Derby at Morphettville. The gelding — an Australian-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot — has already done his trainer proud with a win in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) last month, before hitting the line off a sedate tempo in last week’s G3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m). The Hewitt name is synonymous with sporting success in South Australia but a G1 win would set a new benchmark. Hewitt, his brother Glynn and his father Max were all... ...

Eric Kruljac Retires from Training

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2025) — Eric Kruljac, whose stable included retired two-time Cal-bred Horse of the Year The Chosen Vron, has retired from training. Kruljac, 72, said last weekend that he plans to continue his involvement in the sport as an owner and breeder, and recently transferred his small stable to his son, Ian, 36. Eric Kruljac had his last runner at Santa Anita when Uffda finished fourth in a $20,000 claimer at Santa Anita on March 15. Three of his former runners started for Ian Kruljac at Santa Anita last weekend. He was named 2023 trainer of the year by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “It’s time,” Eric Kruljac said in a recent interview. “I turned my license in. I’ll just be an owner.” :: Santa Anita Clocker Reports are available every race day. Access now. Kruljac said he wants to focus on his group of four broodmares and a small number of horses he owns, and move away from training, notably clerical billings. “I still love... ...

Peter Stern Appointed to CHRB

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2025) — Peter Stern, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Stern has been Chief Revenue Officer at Skedulo and an Advisor at Berkeley SkyDeck since 2025. He held several roles at Authorium from 2024 to 2025, including Advisor and Executive Vice President. He was the Co-Founder of VoiceBrain from 2021 to 2023. He was a Commissioner at California State Lottery Commission from 2019 to 2022. He held several positions at Inxeption from 2017 to 2021, including Executive Vice President of Business Operations and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. Stern was the Airport Commissioner at the San Francisco International Airport from 2010 to 2019. He was Chief Revenue Officer at Skedulo from 2015 to 2017. Stern was the Chief Revenue Officer at Autopilot from 2013 to 2015. Stern was the Vice President of Sales at Kenandy, Inc. from 2011 to 2013. He held numerous positions at Salesforce from 2007 to 2011, including Vice President of... ...

TJC Award Applications Due June 30

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 29, 2025) — Applications for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program’s (T.I.P.) two annual awards, the Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the Young Rider of the Year Award, are now available online at tjctip.com. Applications are due June 30, 2025. The T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted services or police work. The award includes a $5,000 grant to the non-profit organization associated with the horse or, if no organization is associated with the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Club. To apply for the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award, owners can go to bit.ly/3REPP4f. The T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award recognizes young riders, 18 or under, as of January 1, 2025, who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club, or other activities. The winner(s) will be determined through an essay contest with a total award of $5,000. Award funds can be applied... ...

Gregson Foundation Recipient Perseveres

By Jay Privman Gregson Foundation ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 29, 2025) – There are many adjectives that could describe Zavina Castaneda, but perhaps the most appropriate is “determined.” At age 12, she was in a horrific car crash and nearly lost her life, yet her determination to get well brought her back to full health. Later, as a teenager, she was determined to advocate for a younger nephew with autism; he finally was properly diagnosed, and has subsequently received appropriate education. And now, in her early 20s, she is earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Riverside, and this fall intends to start law school, en route to becoming the first in her family to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. Her journey has been aided by the Gregson Foundation, which provides scholarships for children of backstretch workers. Castaneda was determined to get the organization’s support, and said the financial and emotional backing have been invaluable. She will graduate free of student-loan... ...

Boss Sully Sprinting at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 27, 2025) – Multiple stakes-placed Boss Sully is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $600,000 Grade II Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes, presented by Accenture at Churchill Downs. Boss Sully is by Street Boss, out of the Candy Ride mare Eternally, was bred by PT Syndicate #1, is owned by Edward Brown, Jr., Philip Lebherz and Alan Klein and is trained by Brian Koriner. He has four wins in 13 starts, earnings of $248,372 and is coming off a Mar. 15 optional claimer. ...

Majestic Oops

Majestic Oops wins $200,000 Dig A Diamond Stakes. ...

Majestic Oops Upsets Hoosier Philly

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Apr. 26, 2025) – California-bred Majestic Oops, who twice went unclaimed running for a $12,500 tag, outran millionaire odds-on favorite Hoosier Philly to win Saturday’s $200,000 Dig A Diamond Stakes for fillies and mares at Oaklawn Park. Majestic Oops is by Majestic Harbor, out of the Olmodavor mare Miss Oops, was bred by William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp, is owned by Sublime Stables, Inc. and Kropp, Janet and trained by Dan Ward. “It’s exciting. I’m really grateful to the owner, Bill Dory, and then Ed Moger (the mare’s previous trainer) recommended he give the horse to me. I’m grateful to him, too,” said Ward. “She’s been doing great. It makes the whole meet. She just keeps getting better and better. He (jockey Abel Cedillo) did a great job. I told him: ‘Just let her take you wherever she wants.’ He had the favorite (Hoosier Philly) boxed in, too. That was pretty nice.” It was the first stakes win for the 5-year-old mare, who... ...

Bertrando Stakes Slated for June 21

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 23, 2025) — Three stakes, including the $100,000 Bertrando for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California, highlight the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The nine-day season will begin Friday, June 20 and continue through Sunday, July 6. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday (June 20-22, June 27-29 and July 4-6). Post time will be 1 p.m. The one-mile Bertrando will be run Saturday, June 21. The richest event on the calendar is the Grade II, $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies & mares at 6 ½ furlongs. Won by Sharp Azteca in track record time in 2024, the Great Lady M. will be offered Saturday, July 5. The $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby, which was won a year ago by the Bob Baffert-trained Wynstock, will be contested Saturday, June 28. Baffert has won the Derby eight consecutive years and nine times since the race – which was formerly called the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park – has been run... ...

Cal-bred Trio Enters Turf Paradise Futurity

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 24, 2025) – California-breds Ooh Baby It’s Me, Tommy Norris and Marking Broadway are entered in Saturday’s $60,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds. Ooh Baby It’s Me is a filly by Cat Burglar, out of the Dialed In mare Maximum Edge, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Monica Ruether and trained by Wade Rarick. She is coming off a third in an Apr. 10 trial. Tommy Norris is a gleding by Stanford, out of the Ministers Wild Cat mare Minster’sadventure, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Justin Evans. He is coming off a second in an Apr. 10 trial. Marking Broadway is a colt by Marking, out of the Real Solution mare Lights On Broadway, was bred by Harry Bettis, Tosch Keshian & Cheryl Keshian and is owned by trainer Dewey Williams. He is coming off a sixth in an Apr. 10 trial. ...

None Above the Law Enters Hazelton

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 22, 2025) — Graded-stakes winner None Above the Law and fellow California-bred Capiat are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Richard Hazelton Stakes at Turf Paradise. None Above the Law is by Karakontie, out of the Northen Aflert mare Legally Blanca, was bred by J. Kirk and Judy Robison, is owned by Les Blake and trained by Peter Miller. He has seven wins in 42 starts with earnings of $673,302 and is coming off a seventh in a Mar. 28 optional claimer. Capiat is by Anthony’s Cross, out of the Mr. Big mare Big Alice, was bred by owner James Dixon and is trained by W.L. Matt. He has one win in 19 starts, earnings of $25,486 and is coming off a third in a Mar.19 claimer. ...

Majestic Oops Enters Dig a Diamond

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Apr. 20, 2025) – Multiple stakes-placed Majestic Oops is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Dig a Diamond Stakes for fillies and mares at Oaklawn Park. Majestic Oops is by Majestic Harbor, out of the Olmodavor mare Miss Oops, was bred by William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp, is owned by Sublime Stables, Inc. and Kropp, Janet and trained by Dan Ward. She has five wins in 27 starts, earnings of $262,559 and is coming off an Apr. 6 allowance win. ...

Sir Kingsford Wins Onkaparinga Cup

OAKBANK, South Australia (Apr. 19, 2025) – Sir Kingsford, an Australian-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won the $107,205 Coopers Brewery Onkaparinga Cup at Oakbank Racecourse. Sir Kingsford, a 5-year-old gelding, is out of the Al Maher mare Mighty Maher. He won by one-half length and ran the 2150 meters in 2:12.38 on a turf course rated “good” in a field of 12 as the 4-1 faorite. ...

Handicapper Gorden Jones Passes at 95

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Professor Gordon Jones died April 18, only four days after his 95th birthday. Jones was a pioneer of speed and pace handicapping. His best-selling book, “Gordon Jones to Win,” inspired his popular prerace handicapping seminars attended by legions of race goers. He brought his numbers to the track at a time when people would laugh at him, and he would hide his spiral notebook. Speed numbers are now a common barometer. He graduated from Whittier College, where his father had been president for several years. He went on to get his master’s degree from the University of Oregon. Jones taught journalism at the University of Southern California and Arizona State University. He was awarded the Top Banana Award several times by his students at USC, which was awarded to their favorite professor. Many of his students went on to say that he was the reason they went on to successful careers as journalists. Renown sportscaster Al Michaels has said numerous times that Jones was his favorite professor. He... ...

Straight Up G Sibling Brings $100,000

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 19, 2025) – A California-bred son of Maxfield, a half-brother to Cal-bred multiple-stakes winner Straight Up G, sold for $100,000 at Friday’s final session of the Ocala Breeders Sales Spring 2-Year-Old in-training sale. The Cal-bred, out of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, was bred by Jungle Racing, consigned by Hoppel LLC, agent, and purchased by Amerman Racing. He was timed in a two-furlong breeze in :21.4. Straight Up G won the King Glorious Stakes and Mine That Bird Derby. The colt also is a half-brother to Mansetti, a stakes winner in Canada. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting Thursday, April 17, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, 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: Two requests for date allocations in Northern California failed to pass, meaning that as things stand, there will not be any thoroughbred or fair racing in the north this year. There will be harness racing at Cal Expo. A request for thoroughbred dates at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton was rejected outright by a 4-1 vote with Vice Chair Gonzales casting the only vote in support. (Commissioner Damascus Castellanos did not attend, and the Board has six appointed members, one short of the normal seven.) Chairman Ferraro stated the prevailing opinion of the Board majority when he declared at the... ...

Santa Anita to Host Olympics Equestrian

Fédération Equestre Internationale Press Release ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 15, 2025) — Santa Anita Park has been confirmed as the venue of the equestrian events of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. “Santa Anita Park will be a spectacular venue for the LA28 Olympic equestrian events,” Fédération Equestre Internationale president Ingmar De Vos said. “The FEI has very fond memories of Santa Anita, which had hosted the equestrian events at the 1984 Olympic Games. The venue is set to offer a breathtaking stage for all the Olympic equestrian competitions, and the proximity to LA city will undoubtedly attract many spectators to Santa Anita. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with LA28 to deliver spectacular equestrian events at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.” “I would like to thank the FEI on behalf of the IOC for the active engagement in all the discussions regarding the venue,” International Olympic Committee sports director Kit McConnell said. “We have created a strong partnership with the Organizing Committee and the city of Los Angeles, which enjoys the... ...

Racing Manual Now Available

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 15, 2025) — The PDF of the 2025 edition of The American Racing Manual, which contains historical data on Thoroughbred racing through 2024, is now available through The Jockey Club Fact Book. The Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America. ...

Cal-bred Trio Enters Kendrick Inaugural

FARMINGTON, N.M. (Apr. 14, 2025) – Graded stakes-placed Alotaluck and fellow California-breds Sawasdee and Joe Don Looney are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Kendrick Inaugural Stakes at Sunray Park. Alotaluck is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Lucks Mine mare Colinda Dawn, was bred by owner Eleanor Martin and trained by Ty Garrett. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $298,788 and is coming off a second in the Feb. 7 Winsham Lad. Sawasdee is by Desert Code, out of the Congaree mare Scary Fast, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Kane Kachur and trained by Isaiah Ortiz. He has seven wins in 31 starts, earnings of $285,130 and is coming off a third in a Mar. 27 starter optional claimer. Joe Don Looney is by Boisterous, out of the Old Topper mare Carrie Rose, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Justin Evans. He has eight wins in 38 starts, earnings of $282,866 and is coming off three consecutive wins. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 12, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Cal Expo in Sacramento. 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 #8, 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 package of materials have been newly formatted into a single link: https://www.chrb.ca.gov/meeting_agendas.asp These materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

Santa Anita Meet Posts Significant Gains

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 7, 2025) – Santa Anita Park’s 2024-25 Classic Meet finished strongly on Sunday, April 6, with significant gains in handle, attendance, field size and safety. Bookended by a strong opening week and a robust Santa Anita Derby weekend, the track’s total all source handle topped $510 million. Horseplayers from around the world responded enthusiastically to the player-friendly modifications to Santa Anita’s wagering menu, with the total handle on just Santa Anita’s races increasing 5% from the 2023-24 Classic Meet. The season began on Dec. 26, 2024, with the third largest opening day handle in the track’s 90-year history. The Classic Meet’s final three-day weekend boasted more than $40.6 million wagered on Santa Anita’s races and attracted almost 50,000 people to the track. On track attendance posted a gain of 6% from last year, with more than 340,000 people attending the 49 day meeting, despite losing a weekend in January when the neighboring community was impacted by the Eaton Fires. More than 34,000 were... ...

Om N Joy

Om N Joy wins $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes. ...

Style Cat

Style Cat wins $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes. ...

Om N Joy’s Evening Jewel Win a First for Om

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2025) – Om N Joy, with Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux in the saddle, provided stallion Om with his first stakes winner, pulling away from a pack in midstretch to win Saturday’s $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Om N Joy was last in the early going before steadily making up ground behind splits off 22.43 and 45.52 seconds for a half mile. When the field reached the stretch, Desormeaux appeared loaded with Om N Joy but found himself blocked behind multiple horses. When a seam did open, Om N Joy shot through and drew off to win by 2 ½ lengths. “She got to ‘em,” Desormeaux said. “They were all coming back to her down the stretch. I picked a pocket for her to jump through, she took off like she was going to plow through it if she had to.” Sunset Grazen (12-1) was second followed by Hot Girl Walk (3-1) and Going Deep (7-1). “She was... ...

Style Cat Wins Echo Eddie Stakes in Style

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2025) – Racing outside and with clear sailing under Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez, Style Cat surged to the front at the top of the stretch and continued on gamely to the wire to score by 2 ¼ lengths in the $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-olds going 6 ½ furlongs at Santa Anita. Sent off as the 7-2 third choice, Style Cat was returning to dirt and was also reunited with Hernandez following a try against open 3-year-olds in the Baffle Stakes on the hillside turf course, Feb. 16. He sat just off the pace down the backstretch as multiple horses battled for the lead. Style Cat ranged up to the leaders while widest of all on the turn, and when he reached the quarter pole, the race was down to just himself and Drop Um (9-2) with Kyle Frey aboard. In a two-horse sprint to the wire, Style Cat would finish best to earn his first... ...

Jockey Club Fact Book Available

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 4, 2025) — The Jockey Club announced today that the 2025 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section at jockeyclub.com. The online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America, which is updated quarterly. Later this year, many of the statistics in the fact book will begin to be updated on a weekly basis, and new statistics will be added. The Jockey Club is continually seeking ways to provide information in novel formats concerning the Thoroughbred industry. Please email Shannon Luce, vice president, Communications, with your ideas: sluce@jockeyclub.com. The 2025 State Fact Books, which feature detailed breeding, racing, and auction sales information specific to numerous states, Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico, are also available on The Jockey Club website. The State Fact Books are updated monthly. The 2025 edition of The American Racing Manualwill be available as part of the Fact Book in the coming weeks. ...

‘Meet Martha Miller’ Screening Apr. 11

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2025) – A special screening of the documentary “Meet Martha Miller,” longtime member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and a Yosemite icon, will be held at the Yosemite Exploration Center Theater on Friday, Apr. 11, at 5 p.m. In addition to her role as a breeder, the documentary chronicles her life and contributions as one of Yosemite National Park’s longest-serving employees. The film follows her journey from Tuolumne Meadows Lodge to her influential tenures at The Ahwahnee Hotel and Badger Pass, as well as a distinguished career in opera production and racing. A meet-and-greet reception will be held in her honor following the screening. For more information, email fvvld@islllc.com. ...

Purse Increases for Upcoming Meets

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2025) — Overnight purses will increase at the forthcoming Santa Anita spring and Los Alamitos summer meetings. Santa Anita’s spring meeting runs from April 18 to June 15. The Los Alamitos summer meeting begins a three-week season on June 20. Both tracks will have higher prize money than the corresponding meetings in 2024. The added prize money is available from betting revenue through account wagering and simulcast locations throughout the state that has been consolidated and directed to Southern California tracks and purse accounts at those venues. Previously, part of that money was devoted to Northern California racing. There is no racing scheduled in Northern California in coming months after the permanent closure of Golden Gate Fields last June and the cancellation of a proposed winter-spring meeting on the Alameda county fair grounds in Pleasanton. An autumn meeting at Pleasanton had lower-than-expected business. :: Playing Santa Anita? Get the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports available... ...

Cal-breds Crucial for Santa Anita Derby Day

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2025) – Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby card is filled with California-breds. Illustrating the critical role state-breds play in the California Thoroughbred ecosystem, six of the 12 races carded on the track’s marquee day are exclusively for Cal-breds, totaling $512,000 in purses, with an average field size of 11.16. Cal-breds make up two-thirds of all Saturday entries at the Great Race Place. That includes the pair of $125,000 stakes – the Echo Eddie for 3-year-olds and the Evening Jewel for 3-year-old fillies, which will be run as races 2 and 6, respectively. In addition, race 1 is a $65,000 maiden special weight race for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on the turf; race 7 is a $65,000 maiden special weight race for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on the turf (a split of the oversubscribed race 1, with 12 entered in both); race 8 is a $65,000 maiden special weight race for Cal-bred 3-year-olds at six furlongs on dirt with 13 entered; and race 9... ...

UC Davis Receives Three Grants

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 2, 2025) — The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced that it has authorized expenditure of $2,693,312 to fund 16 new projects and 10 continuing projects at 17 universities as well as two career development awards. The 2025 slate of research brings Grayson’s totals since 1940 to more than $44.4 million to underwrite more than 450 projects at 48 universities. “I’m very proud of Grayson’s commitment to furthering the research and development of projects that affect all horses, no matter their breed or discipline,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. “We are equally ecstatic that we could offer our two career development awards to this year’s recipients, continuing to cultivate a future for young researchers.” Among the grants are three associated with UC Davis: Organoid Model For Equine Placentitis Research Pouya Dini, University of California-Davis This project’s aim is to develop an in vitro model of equine placentitis to advance the study of this condition, ultimately improving diagnostics, treatments, and... ...

Santa Anita’s Strong Gains Continue

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2025) – Santa Anita Park’s 2024-25 Classic Meet is heading into the homestretch by maintaining the strong gains in on track attendance and total all-sources handle that began on the Opening Day of the track’s 90th year. This year’s Classic Meet comes to a close this weekend, which features the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. The season kicked off Dec. 26, 2024, with the largest non-weekend or holiday opening day crowd in 34 years. Attendance kept that momentum, despite the local community being severely impacted by January’s Eaton Fire, with last weekend’s on-track crowd up over 30%. To date, Santa Anita has hosted more than 293,000 visitors during the Classic Meet, a gain of more than 8% over last year. The total all-sources mutuel handle has been paced by the opening day number of more than $21.4 million, the third highest for an opening in the track’s history. Horseplayers on-track and around the world have continued to back Santa Anita’s races, wagering... ...

Cal-bred Pair Line Up for John Shear Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2025) – California-breds Triple Diamonds and Cali Cat are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 John Shear Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Triple Diamonds is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Smiling Tiger mare Florentine Diamonds, was bred by Paula Capestro, is owned by Saints or Sinners or Seahawk Racing and is trained by Mark Glatt. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $71,000 and is coming off a fifth in the Feb. 16 Baffle Stakes. He’s also entered in Saturday’s Echo Eddie Stakes. Cali Cat is by American Pharoah, out of the More Than Ready mare Ready for Romance, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler. He has two wins in five starts, earnings of $94,800 and is coming off a win in a Feb. 17 optional claimer. ...

Lonesome Stew

Lonesome Stew wins $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes. ...

Lonesome Stew Leads Grazen-sired Trifecta

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 30, 2025) – Lonesome Stew headed a Nick Alexander-bred and Grazen-sired trifecta while winning Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at Santa Anita. Lonesome Stew is out of the Maria’s Mon mare Stash, is owned by Linear Bannasch and trained by Mark Glatt. He went last to first through the stretch under jockey Antonio Fresu. “That wasn’t the plan,” Fresu said of his tardy beginning. “He usually shows some speed, but today he was acting up a little bit inside the gate and I didn’t leave the gate very well so I just tried to bide my time and improvise a little bit and get him comfortable going down the hill. “Once the horse was nice and settled, I put him on the outside to not get him in trouble and he just flew home. Amazing job done by Mark and his team.” Glatt claimed Lonesome Stew for $32,000 out of his last-place debut Sept. 1, 2022 from Alexander. He had only four starts... ...

Safa Seeks First Stakes Win in Monrovia

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2025) – CTBA January Sale graduate Safa is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Monrovia Stakes, presented by Don Julio, for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Safa is by Grazen, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Hadarra, was bred by Derek Lawson, is owned by Bisharat or Khoury and is trained by Gary Stute. The $23,000 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has four wins in 20 starts, earnings of $344,600 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 7 optional claimer. ...

Gold Currency Faces Winners in Evening Jewel

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2025) – Sharp maiden winner Gold Currency takes on a trio of stakes winners in Saturday’s $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Om N Joy is by Om, out of the Hard Spun mare Margie’s Minute, was bred by Jerry Baker & Connie Baker, is owned by Baker, Golovko or Scanlan, et al and is trained by Angel Ordonez. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $75,640 and is coming off a Mar. 14 maiden win. Big Soiree is by Mr. Big, out of the Tapizar mare Silver Soiree, was bred by owner Paradox Stables and is trained by Jorge Bautista. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $57,158 and is coming off a 12th in the Jan. 18 Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks. America’s Mark is by American Pharoah, out of the Benchmark mare Marks Mine, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Mike Puype. She has... ...

R Heisman, Drop Um in Echo Eddie Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2025) – Stakes winners R Heisman and Drop Um lead a field of eight entered in Saturday’s $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Triple Diamonds is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Smiling Tiger mare Florentine Diamond, was bred by Paula Capestro, is owned by Saints or Sinners or Seahawk Racing and is trained by Mark Glatt. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $71,000 and is coming off a fifth in the Feb. 16 Baffle Stakes. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate I’m a Bad Boy is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Roman Ruler mare Donita’s Ruler, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by C T R Stables and is trained by Luis Mendez. The $18,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $188,780 and is coming off a Feb. 28 optional claiming win. Stakes winner R Heisman is a Kentucky-bred by California stallion Far From Over, out... ...

Sabertooth Steps Up to Transylvania

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 31, 2025) – Multiple graded-placed Sabertooth, a Maryland-bred son of California stallion Grazen, is entered in the $600,000 Grade III Transylvania Stakes for 3-year-olds, presented by Keeneland Select, rescheduled for Monday at Keeneland. Sabertooth is out of the Johannesburg mare Hard to Resist, was bred by 2500 Determine Stud, is owned by George Sharp and trained by Brittany Russell. He has one win and six seconds in nine starts, earnings of $136,500 and is coming off a Mar. 18 maiden win at Fair Grounds. ...

Kings River Knight Returns in Sensational Star

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2025) – California-bred champion turf horse Kings River Knight returns from nearly 10 months on the bench in Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Kings River Knight is by Acclamation, out of the Poteen mare Seasontoperfection, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Tevelde, Kenneth A. and trained by John Sadler. He has 10 wins in 16 starts, earnings of $649,830 and is making his first start since winning the May 25 Crystal Water Stakes. Prior to the layoff, he dominated the California-bred turf division. In 2023 and 2024, Kings River Knight racked up six stakes wins against statebreds. “We’re really excited to have him back,” Sadler said. “He’s won so many races for us.” Kings River Knight has a win and a second in two starts on the hillside turf course, both statebred stakes. In the 2023 Sensational Star, he finished just a... ...

CHRB Pleasanton Advisory (Updated)

(Updated Mar. 25, 2025) — Pleasanton Trainers: Post Time Self Insurance Group will be extending your workers’ compensation coverage until midnight on March 28th, to allow trainers time to vacate the Pleasanton facility. From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 23, 2025) — Licensees and Stakeholders: Please be aware that as of March 25 at midnight, Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton will no longer be an approved auxiliary training facility of Santa Anita Park. The agreement between the Southern Stabling and Vanning Committee (TOC and the southern tracks), the California Authority of Racing Fairs, and the Alameda County Fair will end on that date. From a regulatory standpoint, California Horse Racing Board rules will no longer be applicable to Pleasanton. Racing rules will apply for horses shipping to tracks from non-regulated facilities (i.e. Pleasanton). Importantly, Post Time workers’ compensation insurance policies only cover activity at approved training facilities, meaning your policy will no longer cover activity at Pleasanton beginning March 26. ...

Jockey Club Produces Off-Track Profile

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 19, 2025) — The Jockey Club today announced the new Off-Track Thoroughbred Profile, the first equineline.com report centered on Thoroughbreds in their second careers. The report, 9OT, provides information customized to off-track Thoroughbred owners and those shopping for a Thoroughbred. Based on feedback received from off-track Thoroughbred owners, the report contains a bespoke summary of the horse’s race record, including comments, owners, and trainers for each race; the last 10 workouts; a list of the horse’s siblings; auction history; and, if applicable, the subject mare’s produce record. To encourage the promotion of Thoroughbreds in their second career, this report is shareable through SMS messaging and email and across multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. Equineline product 9OT is available for purchase for any registered Thoroughbred at equineline.com. The report will be available for free to all off-track Thoroughbreds with a T.I.P. number as a benefit to those participating in The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.). OTTB Profiles for existing T.I.P. numbers can be accessed... ...

CTBA Champion The Chosen Vron Retired

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2025) — The Chosen Vron, recently voted California-bred Horse of the Year for a second consecutive year, has been retired. Co-owner John Sondereker and trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac said March 17 that the decision has been made to let the 7-year-old gelding continue his rehabilitation and segue into a second career at the appropriate time. “It’s just wear and tear,” Kruljac said of the reasoning behind the decision. “We just don’t want to risk any further injury, especially since he’s 7. He’ll be going up to Katie Fisher’s ranch up in Solvang.” The Chosen Vron had been sidelined with an ankle injury since late last year, and Sondereker said that a recent follow-up MRI performed at Santa Anita showed that it had not yet healed enough for the gelding to return to training. “He’s been the horse of a lifetime for all of us,” Sondereker said. Sondereker, Kruljac, Richard Thornburgh, and Robert Fetkin bred The Chosen Vron in the name of Tiz Molly... ...

Reynolds Named to Gregson Board

From Gregson Foundation ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2025) — Tom Reynolds, a horse owner and long-time racing fan who had a successful career in sales and marketing in the food service industry, has been named to the board of directors of the Gregson Foundation, the organization’s president, Jenine Sahadi, announced Monday. The Gregson Foundation, named for the late Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Eddie Gregson, provides scholarships for the children of backstretch workers in California. The 501(c)(3) charity has been in existence for nearly 25 years. “I greatly admire what the Gregson Foundation accomplishes for the backstretch families,” Reynolds said. “I strongly believe that as a society, our biggest mission is to educate our children.” “Tom has been a passionate and long-time supporter of the Gregson Foundation, and we are thrilled to have him join our board,” Sahadi said. Reynolds retired after working for nearly 35 years as a sales and marketing executive for the Quaker Oats Company, Gatorade, and PepsiCo. Reynolds started the Gatorade business in Europe, ran the Gatorade business... ...

Prancingthruparis Wins Irish O’Brien Stakes

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2025) – Longshot Prancingthruparis caught pacesetter Pushiness in midstretch and won Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Prancingthruparis is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Bellamy Road mare She’s a Big Winner, was bred by owner Ciaglia Racing, SAF Racing and Crusberg and trained by Peter Eurton. “It’s great to breed Cal-breds,” said co-breeder Joe Ciaglia. “Her mom was a little bit crazy. The first time she went to the track, she kicked (jockey Kent) Desormeaux in the chest, so we had to scratch her, he got a big hoofprint on his chest. It was nice that we bred her to Sir Prancealot, so we got a little bit of relax so she wouldn’t be a speedball. It’s pretty exciting to make the right choice.” :: Playing Santa Anita? Get the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports available now. Prancingthruparis, by Sir Prancealot, races for owners and breeders SAF... ...

Prancingthruparis

Prancingthruparis wins $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes. ...

Cal-bred Stakes Winners in China Doll

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2025) – California-bred stakes winners Take Another Card and Tequilaandtherapy are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Take Another Card is by I’ll Have Another, out of the Lookin At Lucky mare You Missed It, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Simon Callaghan. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $141,766 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 21 optional claimer. Tequilaandtherapy is by Mrazek, out of the In Excess mare Chexcess, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Here We Go Brothers and trained by Doug O’Neill. She has two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $212,075 and is coming off a fourth in a Feb. 21 optional claimer. ...

Shocking Grey Returns in Irish O’Brien

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2025) – Stakes winner Shocking Grey makes her first start since being the sale-topper at the CTBA January Sale in Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita. Shocking Grey is by Grazen, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Seoul Unbridled, was bred by Don Valpredo, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by George Papaprodromou. The $170,000 purchase at the CTBA Winter Mixed Sale from the Checkmate Thoroughbreds consignment has three wins in 14 starts, earnings of $250,750 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 18 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, presented by John Deere. Cornelia Fort is by Grazen, out of the Unusual Heat mare An Unusual Group, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Luedtke, Oracheff or Oracheff and Scott and trained by Ian Kruljac. She has four wins in 24 starts, earnings of $260,038 and is coming off a fourth in a Feb. 22 optional claimer. Lamporghini is by Danzing Candy, is out of the... ...

Phoenix Gold Cup Draws Tapatio Leo

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 18, 2025) – California-breds Tapatio Leo, Bridleuptothebar and Prayer of Jabez are entered in Saturday’s rescheduled $50,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise. Tapatio Leo is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Rio Verde mare Sweet Lips Pooh, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Griffin Stables LLC, Lovinger, Terry C., Navarro, Amanda, Ryan, Michael John and Moroney, John and trained by Craig Dollase. He has five wins in nine starts, earnings of $268,339 and is coming off a third in the Mar. 7 Eclipse Stakes. Bridleuptothebar is by Fullbridled, out of the Thisnearlywasmine mare Nearlycocktailtime, was bred by Mark Rydman and Holly Rydman, is owned by Holly Rydman and is trained by Valorie Lund. He has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $113,535 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 11 optional claimer. 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 Kereluk. He... ...

Cal-bred Trio Enters Turf Paradise Derby

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 18, 2025) – California-breds Thirsty Vision, Regarding Harry and Just Trust Me are entered in Saturday’s rescheduled $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby for 3-year-olds. Thirsty Vision is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Grace Upon Grace mare My Scarlett, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Jose Saldivar and trained by Jorge Rosales. The $7,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale from the Lovacres consignment has one win in eight starts, earnings of $38,836 and is coming off a fourth in the Feb. 19 Luke Kruytbosch Stakes. Regarding Harry is by Instilled Regard, out of the Hard Spun mare Seaside Magic, was bred by Harry K. Keshian, Cheryl Keshian & Harry Bettis, is owned by Keshian and Keshian and trained by Stacy Campo. He is a maiden making his second start. Just Trust Me is by Bodexpress, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Trust Fund Kitty, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Eugene Burns and Dewey Williams and is trained by Williams. The... ...

Nostri Vires to Show Strength in Arizona Oaks

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 18, 2025) – Nostri Vires is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s rescheduled $50,000 Arizona Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Turf Paradise. Nostri Vires is by Phantom Boss, out of the Wicked Strong mare Wicked Fresh, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Hawkins, Lovingier and Navarro and is trained by Craig Dollase. The $10,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale from the Lovacres Ranch consignment has one win in seven starts, earnings of $39,060 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 28 claimer. ...

CHRB Meeting Canceled

From CHRB The California Horse Racing Board meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at Cal Expo has been canceled. The few items that were on that agenda will be considered at a future meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for April 17 at Cal Expo. ...

Juan Delgado a Gregson Scholarship Star

From Gregson Foundation By Jay Privman ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2025) — Juan Delgado is in his first year at UCLA, the next step on a journey that has seen him excel at Pasadena City College, and in a research program at Stanford, impressing his mentors as he moves towards his goal of obtaining a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology. Delgado said his desire is to “build a career focused on improving health outcomes for immigrant and marginalized communities.” He has been laser-focused on that target, with stellar grades and a work ethic that helped him get into UCLA, as well as receive scholarship funds from the Gregson Foundation. At Pasadena City College, Delgado was “one of the most promising students I have had the pleasure of teaching,” Jessica Rusk, an adjunct professor of psychology, wrote in support of Delgado’s scholarship application. “In my class, I assign a research paper which involves reading, conducting academic research, summarizing three peer-reviewed journal articles, and arguing one’s opinion on a premise,” Rusk... ...

Denman Retires; Collmus Gets Del Mar Mic

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2025) — Iconic race caller Trevor Denman has announced his retirement after 40 years on the job at Del Mar. Denman will be succeeded at the seaside track by veteran track announcer Larry Collmus, the voice of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup for NBC Sports. Denman, 72, who first started calling races in 1971 in his native South Africa, has been in the booth atop the Del Mar grandstand for all but one summer racing season since 1984. A Southern California racing institution, he also served as the caller at Santa Anita from 1983-2015, and for a time, called races at every stop on the Southern California circuit, including Hollywood Park and Fairplex Park. “This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made,” Denman said. “But my soul is telling me that now is the time.” Denman and his colorful story-telling style of race calling effectively changed how the sport was heard in America. Rather than the... ...

Smiling Molly Retired

Hoof Pick Racing Partners Release W. Morgan Fussell Jr., managing partner of Hoof Pick Racing Partners LLC, is pleased to announce the retirement of our six-year-old homebred mare, Smiling Molly (Smiling Tiger). Molly enjoyed a successful racing career, earning over $200,000 in purses and an additional $40,000 in California Breeders and Owners awards. Racing over multiple seasons, she was a five-time winner at four different California tracks and placed in 56% of her 25 career starts at eight different tracks, demonstrating versatility on turf, all-weather, and dirt surfaces. Molly retired sound. “Molly was our second foal from the Exchange Rate mare, Jilted Lady, and we are immensely proud of her accomplishments,” said Fussell. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Per Antonsen, Ryan Hanson, and Wayne Baker, whose expertise and dedication were instrumental in Molly’s successful career.” Smiling Molly has settled in at Kismet Farms, located in Midway, KY, and will be bred to Two-Year-Old Champion, Corniche (Quality Road). We wish her all the best in her new endeavor... ...

TOC Fills Five Open Board Positions

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) — Nomination for the 2025 Ballot closed on March 1 with five candidates for five open positions. As a result, and consistent with previously established TOC procedures (and Section 7522 of the California Nonprofit Benefit Corporation Law), the TOC Board declared the five candidates that were nominated and qualified as having been elected without the vote of the full membership. This has the added benefit of saving the organization approximately $18,000 in election expenses. I am pleased to announce the election of five directors to three-year terms: Nick Alexander – After joining the TOC Board in 2013, Nick served as Chairman from 2017-2021 and has raced Thoroughbreds in California for over 40 years. He has enjoyed great success as an owner and breeder with California homebreds. Joe Ciaglia – CEO of the world’s most recognized skatepark design and build form, Joe claimed his first horse in 1999 and has gone on to enjoy success at the highest level. John Harris – Owner of Harris Farms and... ...

The Chosen Vron Repeats as Horse of the Year

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2025) — The Chosen Vron, winner a year ago, was named the 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year at Monday night’s CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at Le Meridien Hotel. The Chosen Vron became the 10th back-to-back winner of the award and also picked up hardware for champion older male and sprinter. The other finalists for Horse of the Year were Big City Lights and Chismosa. The Chosen Vron won seven of eight starts in 2024, including the Grade I Bing Crosby. He is by Vronsky, out of Broodmare of the Year Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh and trained by Eric Kurljac. Other Cal-bred champions recognized at the banquet: Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Speedy Wilson, bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato. Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Female – In the Air Tonight, bred by Terry Lovingier, owned by Anthony Chacon, Victor Flores and Terry Lovingier and trained by Steve Knapp.... ...

Pasadena Stakes Next for Shea Brennan

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) – Stakes winner Shea Brennan is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s 100,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Shea Brennan is by Tough Sunday, out of the Old Topper mare Carrie Rose, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He has two wins in six starts, earnings of $177,850 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 18 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby. ...

Lovesick Blues Enters San Simeon Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) — Graded-stakes placed Lovesick Blues is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita. Lovesick Blues is by Grazen, out of the Ministers Wild Cat mare Queenofhercastle, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Mia Familia Racing Stable and is trained by Librado Barocio. He has seven wins in 36 starts, earnings of $432,000 and is making his first start since a ninth in an Aug. 3 optional claimer. ...

Del Mar Announces Stakes Schedule

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2025) — For its 86th summer season by the blue Pacific, Del Mar is planning a $7,825,000 stakes program that provides 38 opportunities for a piece of its distinctive black type headed by the iconic track’s piece de resistance – the 35th edition of the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic, a Grade I headliner that often lures top horses from across the nation for its mile and one quarter testing. Exactly half – 19 – of the 38 races, which include five overnight stakes, will be contested on the turf and eight of the stakes will be for California-breds, offering a total of $1-million in purses. Additionally, the five overnight stakes each will carry a purse of $100,000. The Pacific Classic will be run on Saturday, August 30 as the centerpiece for a sparkling card offering five graded stakes and more than $2-million in purses, including a pair of Grade II features – the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap and the $300,000 Del Mar Mile... ...

Hey Jessie Enters Santa Ysabel Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2025) – Stakes winner Hey Jessie is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Fasig-Tipton Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Hey Jessie is by Grazen, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Bea’s Cee, was bred by owner SayJay Racing and is trained by Sean McCarthy. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $99,140 and is coming off a seventh in the Jan. 18 Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting Thursday, February 20, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Brenda Washington Davis. 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 reaffirmed California horse racing’s commitment to working with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act/Authority (HISA) by redirecting revenue from Advance Deposit Wagering to allow racetracks to pay their fair shares of 2025 HISA costs. Santa Anita will pay the most, $471,958, because it operates seven months of the year and has the most thoroughbred starts. Del Mar’s assessment is $277,437 for its 2½ months of racing. Altogether the tracks will pay $876,872 to HISA. California’s obligation to HISA actually is significantly higher, nearly $7 million, but HISA credits California for picking up the substantial costs of drug testing, sample... ...

Maiden Winner Berlin Wall in San Felipe

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Berlin Wall is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II DK Horse San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Berlin Wall is by Practical Joke, out of the Uncle Mo mare Caymanbird, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Thomsen Racing or Knapp and is trained by Steve Knapp. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $43,200 and is coming off a Feb. 1 maiden win. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, February 20, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Cal Expo. 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 #5, 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 meeting materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

Cal-bred Champions Entered for Saturday

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2025) – A pair of 2024 California-bred champions take on open allowance company on Saturday’s Santa Anita card. In the Air Tonight, champion Cal-bred 2-year-old female, is entered in the second race for 3-year-old fillies. She is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Sky Mesa mare Angel Allie, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Chacon, Flores or Lovingier and trained by Steve Knapp. She has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $161,900 and she won last year’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar. Shady Tiger, champion Cal-bred 3-year-old male, is entered in the sixth race. He is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Full Mandate mare Divine Legacy, was bred by owner Rusty Brown and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He has four wins in six starts, earnings of $259,400 and won last year’s Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank and the Echo Eddie Stakes, both at Santa Anita. ...

Cal Poly Pair Intern at Santa Anita

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2025)— Two students from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), studying in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Equine Studies program, have been selected to join Santa Anita as interns through an ongoing partnership between the famed racetrack and the world-renowned university. Sabrina Nakasone, a senior and Leslie Batista, a junior, were selected for this year’s class. Both are majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary with a minor in Equine Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. The internship program, which began last year, is designed to provide students with authentic work experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry with a focus on veterinary best practices and racetrack operations. Each student will complete a minimum of 60 hours between now and the internships end on May 10. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, providing driven Equine Studies students an introduction to the Thoroughbred racing industry and best veterinary practices with Santa Anita’s incredible team,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Vice... ...

Del Mar to Increase Purses

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2025) — Del Mar is planning across-the-board increases to its overnight purse schedule from its top allowance offerings all the way down to the maiden-claiming ranks for its upcoming summer racing season that kicks off on Friday, July 18. This will be summer #86 in the storied history of the America’s only seaside racing headquarters and it will be conducted for 31 days over eight weeks going forward to Sunday, September 7. All told Del Mar will present approximately 300 races with overnight purses projected to be $15.7 million. That represents a blended increase of 8% over 2024’s purses. Additionally, the track will offer 38 stakes races valued at $7,825,000. Once again the highlight of that schedule will be the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic, a mile and one-quarter test that will be run as part of a sparkling five graded stakes card on Saturday, August 30. Notable in the overnight purse increases is the fact that the vast majority of the track’s owners and... ...

Former California Stallion Papa Clem Passes

By Bloodhorse.com Multiple graded stakes winner Papa Clem who took his stud career from California to Turkey died recently, according to his owner Reşat Akkan. The son of Smart Strike was 19. Bo Hirsch bred and raced Papa Clem, who was the second foal out of the grade 1 winner Miss Houdini, who Hirsch also bred and raced. Trained by Gary Stute, Papa Clem won at 2 and then blossomed at 3. He ran second in the 2009 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) before grabbing the brass ring in the Arkansas Derby (G2). He would go on to finish a good fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Papa Clem made his only start at 4 a winning one, taking the 2010 San Fernando Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park but came out of the race will filling in his left front ankle. Hirsch decided to retire the horse, who he named after his late father Clement Hirsch, and stood him initially at Pete Parrella’s Legacy Ranch. He retired with a... ...

The Jockey Club Launches ‘Naming AI’

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2025) — The Jockey Club today introduced Naming AI, a new tool designed to assist customers with naming their horses. Naming AI enables users to generate five or 10 name options with a choice of one-, two-, or three-word names. Customers can use the tool to generate names based on words of their choosing or based on a foal’s pedigree. The tool adheres to the naming rules outlined in Rule 6F of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, but as with all names being claimed or reserved, those generated by Naming AI are subject to approval by The Jockey Club Registry. “We’re very excited to launch this new naming feature,” said Andrew Chesser, director of Registration Services and director of Business Development for The Jockey Club. “Offering a naming tool that can be used to generate names from the horse’s pedigree or based on user input will help owners find creative names to submit for their horses.” Developed by... ...

Santa Anita Increases Purses Starting Feb. 28

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2025) — Santa Anita Park will increase purses beginning Feb. 28 for the Classic Meet, which runs through April 6. The boost in prize money comes after increases in key business metrics for the Southern California landmark through the first six weeks of the season, which began Dec. 26. The purse increases are the result of collaborative discussions with the Thoroughbred Owners of California and will take effect with the fourth Condition Book to be issued by the track later this month. Overnight purses, or the amount of money paid out to racehorse owners each day, are set to increase an average of eight percent. Additionally, purses for Santa Anita Park’s Hollywood Meet will increase an average of 10 percent over the 2024 season, with increases ranging from eight to 11 percent depending on class level. The Hollywood Meet begins April 18 and runs through June 16. Santa Anita has had a solid start to the year, with increases in total all-sources... ...

Majestic Oops Visits Oaklawn Park

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Feb. 18, 2025) – Majestic Oops is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $145,000 Trivista Overnight Stakes for fillies and mares at Oaklawn Park. Majestic Oops is by Majestic Harbor, out of the Olmodavor mare Miss Oops, was bred by William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp, is owned by Sublime Stables, Inc. and Kropp, Janet and trained by Dan Ward. She has four wins in 24 starts, earnings of $152,409 and is coming off a fifth in a Feb. 1 allowance. ...

Stay and Scam Enters Wishing Well Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2025) –Multiple stakes winner Stay and Scam is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Stay and Scam is by Square Eddie, out of the Momentum mare Puff Pastry, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has six wins in 18 starts, earnings of $465,360 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 18 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...

From Palos Verdes to Dubai for Big City Lights

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2025) — Big City Lights, the dazzling winner of two stakes for California-bred sprinters in November and January, is set to start in Saturday’s Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita in a prep race for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint in Dubai on April 5. After Big City Lights won the California Cup Sprint at six furlongs by 7 3/4 lengths, earning a lofty Beyer Speed Figure of 103, trainer Richard Mandella mentioned that the 6-year-old horse may not start again until the $2 million Golden Shaheen at six furlongs. Mandella on Sunday said that the $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs became a more viable option after watching Big City Lights train since the California Cup Sprint on Jan. 18. “He’s doing good,” Mandella said. “Timing-wise, it’s a good fit for Dubai.” :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Bred by Bar C Racing Stables and owned by Bill... ...

Triple Diamonds, Style Cat in Baffle Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2025) – Unbeaten Triple Diamonds and multiple stakes-placed Style Cat are the California-breds entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Triple Diamonds is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Smiling Tiger mare Florentine Diamond, was bred by Paula Capestro, is owned by Saints or Sinners and Seahawk Racing and is trained by Mark Glatt. He has won both starts with earnings of $69,000. Style Cat is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Kittens Trip, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Ruben Alvarado. He has two wins in nine starts, earnings of $154,490 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 18 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby. ...

NorCal Sale Grad Enters Sunland Park Oaks

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 9, 2025) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Street Colors is the lone California-bred entered in Sundays $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Street Colors is by Mucho Macho Man, out of the Orientate mare Ocean Colors, was bred by Jason Hall & Joe Wheeler, is owned by Juan Zamora and trained by Luis Rojero. The $4,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale is a maiden making her sixth start with earnings of $6,370. ...

Santa Anita Posts Attendance, Handle Increase

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2024)— Santa Anita Park’s 90th year finished the first six weeks of the season with continued momentum, posting gains over a strong first weekend in February. Through last weekend, the Classic Meet maintained increases in both on-track attendance and total all-sources handle for the season, which opened on Dec. 26. Wagering is up more than 7 percent as total all-sources handle has exceeded $185 million. The business increases are despite the track being closed for a week due to the impact of the Eaton Fire on the local community. The weekend of Jan. 10-12 racing was postponed as Santa Anita hosted a pop-up relief effort/donation site in the south parking lot. Southern California Edison continues to use the north parking lot at Santa Anita as their command center, while Cal Fire (California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection) is using a large part of the south parking lot as their base camp though mid-February. Field size continues to be a factor in sustaining... ...

World People Wins Handicap in Korea

SEOUL, South Korea (Feb. 17, 2025) – World People, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Midnight Storm, won Sunday’s $33,000,000 (SKW) Overnight Handicap at Seoul. World People ran the 1200 meters in 1:15 and won by one-half length at odds of 2-1 in a field of 11. Out of the multiple stakes-winning Salty Sea mare Salty Wave, World People is a 3-year-old colt with two wins in seven starts. ...

O’Neill’s Cal-bred Trio in Sweet Life Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2025) – Stakes winner Tequilaandtherapy and stablemates How About Pavel and Going Deep give trainer Doug O’Neill a California-bred trio entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. How About Pavel is by Pavel, out of the Square Eddie mare How About Zero, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has one win in seven starts, earnings of $62,220 and is coming off a Jan. 23 maiden win. Tequilaandtherapy is by Mrazek, out of the In Excess mare Chexcess, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Here We Go Brothers and trained by Doug O’Neill. She has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $195,317 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 18 Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks. Going Deep is by Bodexpress, out of the Indian Charlie mare Quick Wampum, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and Robert Traynor, is owned by Todd Cady and Ty Leatherman and trained by... ...

Connie Swingle Sells for $290,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 3, 2025) – California-bred stakes winner Connie Swingle sold for $290,000 as a broodmare prospect at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Mixed Sale. Connie Swingle is by Grazen, out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Marni, was bred by Nick Alexander, was consigned by Taylor Made Sale, agent, and purchased by Mulholland Springs, agent. A 6-year-old mare, Connie Swingle is a full sister to graded winner S Y Sky and stakes winner Grazen Sky. She earned $509,564 with seven wins in 11 starts, including victories in the Generous Portion Stakes at 2, the Unzip Me Stakes at 3 and the Daisycutter Handicap at 5 off a layoff of nearly two years. ...

TOC Honors Cal-bred Connections

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2025) — The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) has announced the winners of its 2024 statistical awards for leading California owners. For the fourth consecutive year, Reddam Racing was leading owner in total purse earnings and topped the standings for most California starts. Hronis Racing LLC led all owners by number of California wins; and leading owner honor for most California stakes wins was shared in a two-way tie by Cuyathy LLC and the partnership of Sondereker Racing, Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburgh, owners of Cal-bred sensation The Chosen Vron. Reddam Racing runners earned a total of $2,031,442 in California last year, with 32 wins from 252 starts. Multiple stakes winner Stay and Scam won the Irish O’Brien and Fran’s Valentine stakes at Santa Anita. Bred by Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill, Stay and Scam was also second in the Grade 3 Wilshire S. and third in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine S. Reddam’s other stakes placed runners included Don’t Fight the Fed (2nd in the E.B. Johnston S.), Barely Functional (2nd... ...

Alotaluck Enters Winsham Lad Stakes

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 2, 2025) – Graded stakes-placed Alotaluck is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $65,000 Winsham Lad Stakes at Sunland Park. Alotaluck is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Lucks Mine mare Colinda Dawn, was bred by owner Eleanor Martin and is trained by Ty Garrett. He has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $285,788 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 17 Ft. Bliss Takes. ...

TJC Releases Industry Impact Report

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 22, 2025) — Each year The Jockey Club publishes a report about how it supports the Thoroughbred industry. The 2025 report can be found here: The Jockey Club 2025 Industry Impact Report. Since 2010, The Jockey Club has invested more than $110 million in the Thoroughbred industry. This year, it will invest more than $6 million to support initiatives such as equine safety and aftercare, industry growth, promotion of the sport, education, and national and international collaboration. “We are proud of the many initiatives we support and that The Jockey Club’s mission has not wavered in more than 130 years,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “It is so encouraging to see how many other organizations are committed to improving and growing Thoroughbred racing, especially in the areas of welfare of our athletes and promotion of our sport.” As the Thoroughbred breed registry for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, The Jockey Club Registry is a not-for-profit organization with the... ...

Winter Mixed Sale Posts Jump in Averages

POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Tuesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale posted a hefty increase in average and median sale price from last year’s sale. For sale results, click here Fueled by high-priced purchases out of the Valpredo Family Trust dispersal consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, the sale recorded an average sale price of $14,799 for 83 horses sold, compared to $8,568 from 111 sold last year, an increase in price of 73 percent. The median rose 23 percent, from $6,500 to $8,000. The sale topper was Shocking Grey, who on Saturday won the $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. The 6-year-old daughter of Grazen sold for $170,000 to Francoise DuPuis, agent, for Rockingham Ranch. Shocking Grey has won 3 of 14 starts with earnings of $250,750. She was third behind Eddie’s New Dream and Stay and Scam in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for statebred fillies and mares in May 2023, her only stakes appearance prior to Saturday. She was trained by Jeff... ...

Reddam’s Advice: Dont Fight the Fed

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Dont Fight the Fed is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita. Dont Fight the Fed is by Nyquist, out of the Scat Daddy mare Taffeta, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Antonio Garcia. He has three wins in 14 starts, earnings of $208,330 and is coming off a win in a Dec. 27 optional claimer. ...

Johnny Podres Gets the Start at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Multiple stakes winner Johnny Podres is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $165,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes. Johnny Podres is by Grazen, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Malibu Holiday, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by David Bernsen and Rockingham Ranch and is trained by Jose D’Angelo. He has nine wins in 43 starts, earnings of $540,650 and is coming off a sixth in the Dec. 1 Stormy Liberal Stakes. This will be his first start out of California. ...

Winter Mixed Sale Grad Takes a Shot

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2025) – California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale graduate Valentine’s Candy takes on a trio of Bob Baffert trainees and a graded stakes-winning Wesley Ward invader in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III Robert B. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Valentine’s Candy is by Danzing Candy, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Ancient Holiday, was bred by Rancho San Miguel, is owned by Dale Brewer and trained by Jesus Mendoza. In nine starts, the $10,000 purchase at the Winter Mixed Sale has one maiden-claiming win, earnings of $30,640 and is coming off an eighth in the Dec. 15 King Glorious Stakes. ...

Winter Mixed Sale Outs

These are the hip numbers that are out of the Winter Mixed Sale, as of 1/20 (newest in bold). 4, 8, 10, 11, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 44, 47, 50, 53, 55, 56, 63, 64, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 80, 85, 93, 94, 96, 100, 104, 109, 111, 115, 116, 117, 119, 124, 131, 134, 136, 140, 143. ...

Valpredo’s Shocking Grey Wins First Stakes

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2025) – How is this for a catalog update – Shocking Grey, scheduled to be sold on Tuesday at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale in Pomona, won her first stakes in Saturday’s $126,500 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. Shocking Grey, trained by Jeff Mullins, is part of a dispersal of racing and breeding holdings of the prominent owner and breeder Don Valpredo, who died in October. Shocking Grey is Hip No. 12 in the one-day auction. On Saturday, Shocking Grey ($19) closed from fifth to reach a contending position when the field crossed from the hillside turf course to the main turf course. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Shocking Grey fought briefly with even-money favorite Stay and Scam before taking the lead with more than a furlong remaining. Shocking Grey extended her advantage from a half-length in the stretch to 2 1/4 lengths at the finish. :: Playing Santa Anita? Get the most trusted data and information in... ...

CTBA Winter Mixed Sale Tuesday, Jan. 21

POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2025) – The 2025 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale will be held Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 12 noon at Hines Pavilion at Fairplex. The sale will include a 22-horse dispersal from the farm of Donald Valpredo, California industry leader and former President of the CTBA, who passed away in November. Checkmate Thoroughbreds has the consignment. Including the Valpredo dispersal, there are 143 cataloged and supplemented broodmares, racing prospects, yearlings and 2-year-olds available in a sale that previously produced stakes winners like Bodacious (2024 I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar), Lord Prancealot (2023 Graduation Stakes at Del Mar) and Grade I-producing broodmares like Expo Gold (dam of Preakness-winning filly Swiss Skydiver). For further information and to obtain credit, contact Loretta@ctba.com or call 626-445-7800 ext: 227. ...

Take Another Card

Take Another Card wins $175,000 Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks. ...

Take Another Card Deals in Howard Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2025) – Favored Take Another Card closed with a rush to win Saturday’s $175,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Take Another Card is by I’ll Have Another, out of the Lookin At Lucky mare You Missed It, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Simon Callaghan. “It was very exciting. Hector (Berrios) gave her a lovely ride. She was very brave, went through a very tight hole,” said Callaghan. “Nice to see she could stretch out.” Take Another Card, off at 9-5, has won both career starts with earnings of $131,000. She ran the mile on turf in 1:36.98 and won by a half-length. Miso Phansy was second and Tequilaandtherapy was third in the field of 12. “She broke perfectly out of the gate,” said Berrios. “I told her to go and she was comfortable and settled perfectly. When I saved ground, she stayed comfortable, I knew I had it. The last quarter, there was a... ...

Whiskeyginandbrandy

Whiskeyginandbrandy wins $175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby. ...

Old Pal

Old Pal wins the $175,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes, presented by City National Bank. ...

Whiskeyginandbrandy Wins Derby by DQ

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2025) – Whiskeyginandbrandy, interfered with turning for home by Shea Brennan, was moved up for the win in Saturday’s $175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby for 3-year-olds, with Shea Brennan placed second. Whiskeyginandbrandy is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Successful Appeal mare Appealing Susan, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Chacon, Anthony J., Flores, Victor M. and Lovingier, Terry C. and trained by Steve Knapp. Stewards ruled that Shea Brennan pushed Whiskeyginandbrandy as they both circled the field, knocking Whiskeyginandbrandy off stride. Shea Brennan finished a head in front of Whiskeyginandbrandy and the stewards’ ruling was unanimous. “My horse had a lot of trouble in his last start,” said Knapp. “He got scared in that race and he has really been training great since that race. I knew he was ready for another great race. I saw the other horse knock my horse off stride. That’s a fantastic horse (Shea Brennan) too, but that bump clearly decided the race.” He has two wins in eight... ...

Shocking Grey

Shocking Grey wins $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Stakes. ...

Old Pal Wins Cal Cup Turf Classic Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2025) – Favored Old Pal closed with a rush to win Saturday’s $175,000 Unusual Heat California Cup Turf Classic Stakes, presented by City National Bank, at Santa Anita. Old Pal is by Grazen, out of the English Channel mare Athina Lee, was bred by Ken Miles & Sheridan Jones, is owned by Blinkers On Racing Stable, Corbett, Carolyn, Desai, Jai H., Dizonno, Frederick A., Garcia, Chris, Harris, Cheryl, Hocevar, Craig, Lewis, Tom, Pate, Garrett, Titus, James and Wagner, Les and trained by Mark Glatt. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $334,940 and was coming off a third in a Nov. 17 optional claimer. “He can win at a mile or a mile and a sixteenth — he just needs a good, hot pace,” said Glatt. Coalinga Road was second and On the Whim third in a field of 11. Old Pal, ridden by Antonio Fresu, ran the 1 1/18 miles in 1:47.93 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 9-5.... ...

Big City Lights

Big City Lights wins $125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

Big City Lights Routs in Valpredo Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2025) – Prohibitive favorite Big City Lights made easy work of a small field on Saturday with a victory in the $125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita that could send him next to Dubai. Bred by Bar C Racing Stable and trained by Richard Mandella for owner Bill Peeples, Big City Lights won by 7 3/4 lengths over Clovisconnection with Smiling Beast third in the field of four. “He’s a beautiful horse. He has a classy head, great balance. Just a classy looking horse,” said Mandella. “I got a good work in him. He’s just a good horse with a lot of class. “(William R. Peeples) wasn’t here. He had shoulder surgery Monday, and I got a message that he wasn’t quite up to it. But he and this horse have been a pleasure all along. “Not sure what’s next. We kind of want to nominate him to Dubai ($2 million Golden Shaheen Sprint April 5) and daydream a little bit. I don’t... ...

CHRB Meeting Canceled

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board meeting that was to be held this coming Thursday, January 16, has been canceled out of consideration for those affected by the fires in Southern California. The few items on that agenda will be moved to the February meeting, which will be held at Cal Expo on February 20 at 9:30 am. ...

Cal Cup Rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18

From Santa Anita Publicity and DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2025) – Santa Anita Park has cancelled racing this weekend, given the overnight developments with the wildfires on the west side of Los Angeles. The air quality standards at the racetrack remain well within the limits established by the CHRB and HISA, and are forecast to remain so, but the impact of these devastating fires is growing throughout Los Angeles County. According to DRF.com, Saturday’s 11-race California Cup card, including five stakes races, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18, Sunday’s card has been rescheduled to Sunday, Jan. 19. Santa Anita Park’s expansive property is currently being used to support several relief efforts. The large charity drop-off that was set up at the Rose Bowl was relocated to Santa Anita Park’s south parking lot Friday afternoon, with thousands driving in to give what they can or pick up what they need. Southern California Edison is using the entire north parking lot as their basecamp to restore power to those in... ...

Fire Relief Efforts Staged at Santa Anita

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2025) — What started with a food truck guy, a street vendor, and a self-described “food enthusiast,” all wanting to provide food to Los Angeles County wildfire victims, has grown into a massive effort to collect donations and distribute them to those in need. It began at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., and has now moved to Santa Anita Park‘s parking lot. Thousands of people are pouring into the racetrack, some bringing items to donate and others lining up for a chance to pick up needed supplies—all provided for free. The wildfires that have broken out across Los Angeles County are still raging, with the Eaton Fire closest to Santa Anita, but not threatening the racetrack. As more and more people lost their homes, Jerry Martinez, Juan Diaz, and Jimmy Medina wanted to help. “This all started with wanting to give hot dogs out to the local community of Pasadena that were victims of the fire,” Martinez said. “Originally, this was only supposed to be... ...

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