From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2024) — Del Mar once again will offer eight black-type events strictly for California-breds at its 31-day meeting that runs from Saturday, July 20 through Sunday, Sept. 8. Del Mar will offer the most lucrative purses in California and the west, with an average daily distribution to horsemen and women of $860,000. Maiden Special Weight races will be run for $75,000. Del Mar will be the host track for this year’s renewal of the Breeders’ Cup on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 with its more than $33 million in purses and awards to go along with its 14 championship races.  The Cal-bred stakes, which carry overall purses of $1 million:   Fri. Jul 26 FLEET TREAT STAKES Fillies, Three-year-olds, Cal-Bred $150,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs Fri. Aug 02 REAL GOOD DEAL STAKES Three-year-olds, Cal-Bred $150,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs Sat. Aug 03 CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ STAKES Three-year-olds & up, Cal-Bred $150,000 Guaranteed 1 1/16 Miles (T) Sun. Aug 04 CTBA STAKES Fillies, Two-year-olds,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – The plan for The Chosen Vron to take it easy in April went out the window when the popular chestnut gelding worked four furlongs in a blazing 46.60 seconds last weekend under a hold by jockey Hector Berrios. “I wanted to freshen [The Chosen Vron] off his previous race, but thought better of it because he’s just feeling so good,” trainer Eric Kruljac said. Instead of two months between starts, waiting for a California-bred stakes in May, The Chosen Vron was supplemented to the $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. “He’s just training so sharp, he hasn’t been any better,” Kruljac said. Few sprinters in California are better. The Chosen Vron, a 16-for-21 millionaire 6-year-old with 15 stakes wins, seeks another on Saturday against Grade 2 winner Forbidden Kingdom and classy comebacker Express Train. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Seven entered the Kona Gold, a 6 1/2-furlong... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Freeport Joe and fellow California-breds Clovisconnection and Coalinga Road are entered in Saturday’s $175,000 Grade III San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate. Coalinga Road is by Quality Road, out of the Johannesburg mare Coco Ecolo, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. He has four wins in 24 starts, earnings of $430,234 and is coming off a fifth in the Mar. 24 Sensational Star. Graded winner Freeport Joe is by English Channel, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Winds of March, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Larry Odbert and trained by Gloria Haley. He has nine wins in 28 starts, earnings of $345,102 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 5 allowance. The $2,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale was seventh in this race in 2022. Clovisconnection is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling, was bred by owners William and Judy Hedrick... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – The main question in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita concerns the likely pacesetter – can California-bred Stay and Scam stay the trip? At a mile on turf, the Royal Heroine may or may not be within reach for Stay and Scam. She ran well finishing second last out in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes, her initial try at two turns. But she also squandered a 2 1/2-length lead in the stretch. “I guess until you win [at two turns], it’s always going to be a question mark,” trainer Doug O’Neill acknowledged. “She really stepped up against open company and showed she belongs. I’m just confident she’s doing well. I think she fits in there.” Stay and Scam fits perfectly in the $100,000 Royal Heroine, which is race 9 on Saturday. The card includes the $100,000 Kona Gold, race 4, in which The Chosen Vron could be odds-on. By comparison, the Royal Heroine is wide open. Stay... ...

By DRF.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Apr. 23, 2024) — Clement L. Hirsch joins Thoroughbreds Justify and Gun Runner and the jockey Joel Rosario in the nine-member class elected for induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday. The class of 2024 also includes the longtime Daily Racing Form columnist Joe Hirsch (no relation to Clement L. Hirsch) and Harry Guggenheim as chosen for induction by the Pillars of the Turf Committee. Jockey Abe Hawkins and Thoroughbreds Aristides and Lecomte were selected for induction by the Pre-1900 Historic Review Committee. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. The induction ceremony will be held on Aug. 2 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs at 10:30 a.m. Justify, Gun Runner, and Rosario — all in their first year of eligibility — were chosen in the contemporary category, receiving at least 50 percent plus one vote on 177 ballots returned from eligible voters. There were 17 contemporary... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2024) – Ignored despite winning twice in March, Johnny Podres closed from fourth to record a 16-1 upset in Sunday’s $100,000 Siren Lure Stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita. Similar to his victory at 5-1 in the Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds on March 24, Johnny Podres needed the entire stretch to reach the front, catching 4-5 favorite First Peace in the final strides. Johnny Podres ($35.80) won by a half-length, finishing about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.57 on a warm afternoon. From trainer Librado Barocio’s perspective, the key to the two stakes wins was a victory in a $50,000 claimer at six furlongs on the main turf oval on March 1, a win that ended an eight-race losing streak since a turf sprint at Golden Gate Fields in October 2022. “When he won that race, it gave him confidence,” Barocio said in the winner’s circle in reference to the $50,000 claimer. “He’s always been a good horse and I think he’s a... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 19, 2024) – A California-bred daughter of Ghostzapper sold for $325,000 at the Friday session of the Ocala April Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The filly, out of the stakes-placed Maclean’s Music mare Consulting, was bred by Glen Hill Farm, consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, and purchased by George Papaprodromou, agent. A May 9 foal, the filly worked a furlong under tack in :10. ...

From TDN.com and DMTC.com RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (Apr. 12, 2024) — After a long lifetime marked by notable wins on the racetrack and in the business world, prominent owner-breeder, entrepreneur and philanthropist Marty Wygod has passed away aged 84. The hub of Wygod’s breeding empire-which he owned and operated with his wife, Pamela-was the 250-acre River Edge Farm, in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, close to Santa Barbara. There, they stood several successful stallions, like Bertrando, Tribal Rule, Benchmark and Dixie Chatter. But it’s the many talented performers Wygod bred, owned and co-owned that he’s arguably best remembered for in the racing world. The Wygods bred Life is Sweet (Storm Cat), a two-time Grade I winner who took the 2009 GI Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat) won the 2004 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Tranquility Lake (Rahy) was a seven-time graded stakes and dual Grade I winner and went on to produce a $9.7-million Keeneland September sales-topper. Idiot Proof (Benchmark) claimed the 2007 GI Ancient Title S.... ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 14, 2024) — California-bred Alotaluck, the runner-up to Kentucky Derby probable Stronghold in the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby, is getting about a month off, trainer Ty Garrett said Saturday. The horse last raced on April 7, and won the $125,000 Mine That Bird Derby by 2 1/2 lengths at Sunland. “We turned him out yesterday,” Garrett said. “We’re going to give him like 30 days. We’ll let him tell us, then we’ll look for a spot.” Garrett is racing at SunRay Park and following the meet his stable could base at either Canterbury or Arapahoe. Alotaluck is a California-bred whose dam, Colinda Dawn, won the Colorado Derby at Arapahoe. Only One America, a California-bred who won the $125,000 Island Fashion for 3-year-old fillies on the same card as the Mine That Bird, will likely get some downtime, trainer Todd Fincher said. “She might be due a little break,” he said. ...

MORPHETTVILLE, Australia (Apr. 14, 2024) – Sir Sway, an Australian-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won Saturday’s listed $120,000 The Fotobase Group Redelva Stakes at Morphettville Racecourse in Southern Australia. It was the first stakes win for Sir Sway, a 3-year-old gelding out of the Commands mare Silent Sway. He has four wins in six starts and earnings of $161,495. He ran the 1100 meters in 1:04.33 and won by three-quarters of a length in a field of 11. ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M.  (Apr. 7, 2024) — California-bred Only One America cruised to a 5 1/2-length win over Deviletta in Sunday’s $125,000 Island Fashion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies ar Sunland Park. Only One America ($12.40) set the pace in her two-turn debut, putting up fractions of 24.66 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.79 for the half-mile, and 1:14.34 for six furlongs before going on to cover the mile for 3-year-olds fillies in 1:38.23. Todd Fincher trains Only One America for her breeders, J. Kirk and Judy Robison. Only One America is a daughter of Marking and out of the mare That’s the Ideal, who also produced five-time stakes winner Competitive Idea. Sent iff at odds of 5-1, Only One America is now 2 for 9 for earnings of $123,580. ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 7, 2024) — California-bred odds-on favorite Alotaluck became a stakes winner on Sunday when he moved past No Trouble in the stretch for a 2 1/2-length win in the $125,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back in third to Young Pope. The Mine That Bird Derby was one of five stakes on the closing-day card. The stakes were worth a total of $650,000. Presidential won the richest offering, the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap. Alotaluck ($2.10) came into the Mine That Bird Derby off a runner-up finish to Stronghold in the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby. Stronghold returned to win the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. Alotaluck, meanwhile, tracked the pace set by No Trouble on Sunday, with that one taking the field through fractions of 23.54 for the opening quarter, 47.81 for the half-mile, and 1:12.65 for six furlongs. Alotaluck moved in on No Trouble from there, and worked to get past the... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2024) – Shady Tiger ran his win streak to three on Saturday, exploding from the pack at the top of the stretch to run away with the $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at Santa Anita. Shady Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Full Mandate mare Divine Legacy, was bred by owner Rusty Brown and is trained by Philip D’Amato. ”That was an impressive performance,” said D’Amato. “This horse has done nothing wrong in the mornings. He has impressed me, and I think he wants to go longer the way he galloped out today. We’ve been trying to get him to go in a two-turn race, but there really hasn’t been anything. I think in the months to come there’s a Cal-bred stake going long. Who knows, he might be able to compete against open company going long. ”I thought Tom Seaver got the jump on him at the turn and Juan was stuck on the inside, but when Juan got him... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2024) – Longshot Roberta’s Love, fresh off a maiden win, added black type to the resume with a wire-to-wire win in Saturday’s $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. She is by Collected, out of the Broken Vow mare West Coast Gal, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by BG Stables and Royalty Stable and trained by Hector Palma. “Everyone was surprised to see her in front,” said Palma. “Last time she was in second, but she got a good kick this time. I really think this filly is going to go the distance. They are going at an easy pace, and she’s very smart. She’s been a great filly since the beginning.” Roberta’s Love has two wins in three starts and earnings of $121,800. She ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.83 and won by three-quarters of a length over Safa, with Clubhouse Bride third in a field of six at odds of nearly 10-1. Said winning... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2024) — Johnny Podres was an all-star in Sunday’s $101,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible turf sprinters at Santa Anita, as stallion Grazen sired the first two finishers. The 7-year-old gelding, named after the star pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1950s and 1960s, rallied widest of all from sixth in a field of seven to win the first stakes of his career in his 36th start. The Sensational Star was the ninth time that jockey Geovanni Franco was aboard Johnny Podres, and the third time they won as a team. Johnny Podres broke well and raced four lengths behind pacesetter Clovisconnection through early fractions of 22.14 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.66 for a half-mile. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports As the field crossed from the hillside onto the main turf overall, Franco moved Johnny Podres to the outside. “I knew he’d come out... ...

Old Friends Press Release GEORGETOWN, Ky. (Mar. 21, 2024) – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky. is pleased to announce the arrival of 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, I’ll Have Another to the farm on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 for his retirement. The 14-year old California stallion was donated to Old Friends courtesy of his owner, Paul Reddam. “Welcoming I’ll Have Another is an auspicious and historic moment for Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends. “We are deeply grateful to Paul Reddam and Doug O’Neill for choosing Old Friends to care for this great champion and to celebrate his magnificent legacy with thousands of our annual visitors. Being able to welcome our fourth Kentucky Derby winner to retire at Old Friends is further tribute to the vision and values of our founder and my friend, Michael Blowen.” “It is fantastic that he will have a permanent home at Old Friends where everyone can visit him,” said Reddam. “There... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2024) — Newly-crowed California-bred Horse of the Year The Chosen Vron, winner of the 15th stakes of his career at Santa Anita on Saturday, will not have a busy race schedule in coming months prior to an expected start in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar in the summer. The Chosen Vron won his Grade 1 debut in the Bing Crosby Stakes last July, a victory trainer Eric Kruljac said remains a personal highlight. “That’s the milestone moment of my career,” Kruljac said on Sunday. “That, and winning the Test.” Kruljac, 71, won his first Grade 1 race with Leave Me Alone in the 2005 Test Stakes at Saratoga. The Chosen Vron was Kruljac’s second Grade 1 win in the Bing Crosby. Del Mar has yet to announce its summer stakes schedule, but often runs the six-furlong Bing Crosby in late July or early August. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2024) – Favored Stay and Scam held off Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way to win Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 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 five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $290,760 and was coming off a Feb. 10 optional claiming win. “She ran great,” jockey Mario Gutierrez said. “She broke out of there good and I was going to go to the lead but I wasn’t going to push her either. When the other horse (Chancery Way) took the lead, I settled behind her pretty nicely.  was just waiting to make my move. When I asked her to go, she went.” She has found her top form since switching to turf in the fall, particularly over Santa Anita’s unique hillside layout. Stay and Scam entered off a second-level allowance... ...

Harris Farms Press Release COALINGA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2024) – It is with much sadness that Harris Farm announces the passing of our young stallion, Cistron, to complications from colic. The grade 1 winning son of The Factor and earner of $768,719 was standing his third season in 2024. Cistron was a durable and consistent performer, winning or placing 19 times in 30 starts over a variety of distances and surfaces. Campaigning for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler, his biggest win came in the 2019 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) over the main track at Del Mar. Among his other stakes victories were the San Simeon Stakes (G3) down the hill at Santa Anita Park, the Kona Gold Stakes (G2) and Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Bred in Kentucky by St. George Farm, LLC, Cistron was produced by Officer mare Major Allie. Cistron was consigned by Lane’s End to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by D. M. I. for $180,000. Cistron’s first crop numbers... ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2024) – Stallion Touched by Autism has been relocated to Daehling Ranch, where he will stand for the remainder of the 2024 breeding season. The 11-year-old graded stakes-placed son of Sierra Sunset, bred in California by George and Mary Clare Schmitt, was purchased by Johnny Toboada at the Northern California Yearling Sale and earned $307,230 on the track, winning eight times, including the 2018 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. Touched by Autism was named to bring awareness to those living with Autism. For further information, call 510-409-5244. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2024) — Millionaire The Chosen Vron was named 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year at the CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting Tuesday night at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. Ceiling Crusher and Kings River Knight were the other finalists. The Chosen Vron was a runaway winner on the strength of a remarkable season in which he extended his winning streak to eight, all stakes, including a thrilling victory in the Grade I Bing Crosby at Del Mar. The Chosen Vron, previously named Cal-bred champion older male and turf horse for 2022, repeated as 2023 champion older male and added champion sprinter to his resume. In 2022 he was Cal-bred champion 3-year-old. His trainer, Eric Kruljac, was named 2023 Trainer of the Year. “Incredible, the whole thing, but what’s incredible is the horse,” said Kruljac. “I wish I could share his personality in the shed row when he’s not making money. He’s just the coolest dude in the world.” The Chosen Vron was bred by Tiz... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2024) — Millionaire Harris Farms California-bred Closing Remarks  is retiring following a sixth-place finish March 3 in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. “She’s 100% healthy and sound,” said trainer Carla Gaines. “I think she’s thinking of other things, kind of over this racing thing.” The 6-year-old daughter of Vronsky  was coming off a career-best year in 2023, winning four grade 2 races. Her most recent win came in the Goldikova Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Nov. 5. In addition to her graded wins, she placed in seven other graded stakes throughout her career, including a second-place finish in the 2021 Del Mar Oaks (G1T). Closing Remarks was known for her closing kick and consistency. Every race she was just phenomenal,” Gaines said. “She ran so hard for all those races. Every race was more exciting than the last.” SIGN UP FOR BLOODHORSE DAILY Ending the year with a sixth, beaten only two lengths, in Del Mar‘s Matriarch Stakes (G1T) Dec. 3, Gaines gave the mare a... ...

Arroyo Vista Farm Press Release VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2024) — Arroyo Vista Farm’s graded stakes placed and multiple stakes winner Visitant sired his first reported foal on 3/4/24 at Harris Farms.  The first foal is a colt out of Miss Graziella by Mutkaddim. Harris Farms bred and own the colt and mare, Miss Graziella, who is represented by two recent winners in Mr. Big Bucks and High Gunner. Miss Graziella is out of the stakes winner Graziella ($126,098), a half-sister to Stakes winners Room For Me ($454,650) and Uncle B (431,634). Visitant is an 8-year-old son by Ghostzapper out of the Distorted Humor mare Peppermint Lounge. Visitant is a multiple stakes winner of $712,927.00, winning five stakes races and set a new track record while also placing on dirt and turf in grade II contests. He ran from ages 3-7, with wins in each year of racing. He stood his first year at Arroyo Vista Farms in 2023 and returned to the track, placing in the Grade II Del Mar Mile. He returns to Arroyo Vista Farm for the... ...

1/ST Racing Press Release BALTIMORE, Md. (Mar. 1, 2024) – 1/ST Racing announces a $25 million racing and incentive series connecting Preakness 149, The California Crown and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup. Kicking off at Preakness 149, 1/ST’s three premier race days will feature more than $12.5 million in elevated purses and $7.5 million in incentives for both dirt and turf participants. 1/ST is offering a $5 million bonus, in addition to the respective purses, to the owner(s) of the horse who wins the 149th Preakness Stakes (GI), The California Crown (GI) and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (GI).  For turf stars, 1/ST will award a $2.5 million bonus, added to the elevated purses, to the connections who win the Dinner Party Stakes (GIII), The California Crown John Henry Turf (GII) and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (GI).Preakness 149 celebrations, taking place on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, will mark the inaugural races in this new series. The 149th Preakness Stakes purse will increase to $2 million, and the Dinner Party Stakes will increase to $500,000, making... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity CARLSBAD, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2024) — Prominent longtime Thoroughbred owner Alan Magerman passed away this past Saturday at age 88 in Carlsbad, CA.  Magerman employed racing Hall of Fame trainer  Buster Millerick in the 1960s and 70s and was the co-owner, along with Ted Aroney, of California-bred stalwart King Glorious, a son of Naevus, who won eight out of his nine starts while banking $1.1 million. Conditioned by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, King Glorious won a pair of Grade I stakes, taking the Hollywood Futurity in 1988 and the 1989 Haskell Invitational in 1989.  A Philadelphia native, memorial Services for Alan Magerman are set for Tuesday in Trevos, Pa. ...

Thoroughbred Information Agency Release TEMECULA, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2024) — Multiple graded stakes winner Tizamagician, the highest earner by Racing Hall of Fame champion Tiznow standing on the West Coast, attained his first foal on February 26: a strapping filly who was born at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, California. Bred and owned by Starlene and David Justice’s Vendetta Racing Stables, the filly is the third foal out of 9-year-old Esfera, a winning daughter of 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb. “She is a wonderful, strong foal,” said Milky Way Farm owner Linda Madsen. “She was running around her stall five hours after her birth. We are delighted with her.” Esfera is booked to return to Tizamagician this year. A 7-year-old son of California-bred two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, Tizamagician entered stud at Milky Way in 2023 with career earnings of $741,851. Campaigned in partnership by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, the two-turn specialist won five of 25 starts from ages 3 to... ...

Press Release from Gayle Van Leer CLEMENTS, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2024) — Mr. Big, a stallion George Krikorian developed into one of California’s top sires of stakes horses, was euthanized Feb. 27 due to complications from laminitis. Sire of 12 black-type winners, including California-bred champions Big Fish and Ceiling Crusher, Mr. Big was 21. “I’m heartbroken—Mr. Big was a very special horse,” Krikorian said. Mr. Big had stood the past two seasons at Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch in Clements, California, and had just begun the 2024 covering season. “Myself, Evelyn and the entire staff at Legacy Ranch are devastated by this sudden turn of events,” Parrella said. “Mr. Big has become a major influence in the breeding industry in California. His loss is not just our loss but a big loss for the entire state. We are honored that Mr. Krikorian had the confidence in Legacy Ranch to have Mr. Big stand here. He’s going to be sorely missed.” Krikorian has believed in Mr. Big since purchasing him... ...

By Bloodhorse.com AUBURN, Wash. (Feb. 27, 2024) — Slew’s Crew Racing’s multiple stakes winner Slew’s Tiz Whiz  was named Washington’s top racehorse for the second year in a row at the Washington Thoroughbred Annual Awards dinner held Feb. 24 at Emerald Downs. The now 6-year-old gelding by California stallion Slew’s Tiznow  and bred by the late Karl Krieg, also earned titles as champion sprinter and champion handicap horse. He is trained by Tom Wenzel. Blazingbellablu  earned her third state championship title as champion older filly or mare. The 6-year-old daughter of California stallion Grazen  and homebred for Petra Lewin of Rainbow Meadows Farm and trainer Charles Essex was named 2021 Washington horse of the year as a 3-year-old in 2021 and was 2022’s champion older filly or mare. For the third year in a row. Blue Ribbon Farm’s Conveyance  was named sire of the year, while Ron and Nina Hagen’s Caliofrnia-bred Moscow Symphony, a first- and second-generation multiple stakes producer, was named broodmare of the year. The Hagens, who own El Dorado Farms, were also named breeders... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 26, 2024) — Prohibitive favorite Grease Missile didn’t disappoint Monday, as the California-bred coasted to an easy victory in the $60,000 Princess of Palms Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turf Paradise. Grease Missile is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnightrush, was bred by Dino Bates and Josephine Bates. Is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bart Hone. She has three wins in five starts, earnings of $101,330 and was coming off a Dec. 12 allowance win. Ridden by Giovanni Franco, she sped the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.45, won by 4 1/2 lengths and paid $2.10 across the board. ...

TAKARAZUKA, Japan (Feb. 25, 2024) – Multiple group winner Win Marvel, a Japanese-bred son of California stallion and Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, won Sunday’s $548,644 (US) Group III Hankyu Hai at Hanshin Racecourse. The 5-year-old Win Marvel, who beat Asakara King by a nose, has six wins in 21 starts and earnings of $2,135,499 (US). He ran the 1400 meters on soft turf in 1:21.20. ...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Feb. 23, 2024) – Pagan, a 6-year-old Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, extended his win streak to four by winning Friday’s $400,000 Invest Saudi International Jockeys Challenge Round 3  at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Under jockey Luis Saez, Pagan stalked outside pacesetter Beehive and took over the lead with 300 meters to go. He has eight wins in 28 starts and earnings of $460,994, which include the $200,000 first-place purse from Friday. Pagan came into the race off a win in the Jan. 28 Dirt Sprint Qualifier and ran the 1200 meters on turf in 1:10.84. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2024) — California-bred Slow Down Andy , winner of the 2023 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), has been retired, trainer Doug O’Neill said Feb. 22. O’Neill conditioned the 5-year-old Nyquist   homebred on behalf of longtime client Reddam Racing. Slow Down Andy had not raced since winning the Awesome Again. He recorded five workouts in 2024, but exited his most recent work at Santa Anita Park with a non-displaced sesamoid fracture, according to O’Neill. “He was a dream to train—a class act who gave us 100% every morning,” O’Neill said. “We’re disappointed, but we’re proud of him. He was a super competitive, classy horse.” Slow Down Andy retired with five wins from 14 starts and earnings of $1,276,600. He won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at age 2, the Sunland Park Derby (G3) and Del Mar Derby (G2T) at age 3, and the Awesome Again at 4. SIGN UP FOR BLOODHORSE DAILY “He was our Kentucky Derby horse prior to him getting sick,” O’Neill said. “He won graded stakes at age 2,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2024) — The Chosen Vron, the winner of 10 stakes since September 2022, including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last summer, will have his graded stakes debut of 2024 in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita March 16. The winner of the California Cup Sprint at six furlongs for statebreds Jan. 13, The Chosen Vron missed a scheduled start in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes at Santa Anita when the one-mile race for statebreds was not run on Monday when that program was cancelled because of poor weather. The Tiznow Stakes failed to draw sufficient entries when offered for Friday’s program. The $100,000 San Carlos Stakes is run at seven furlongs and is a logical alternative for The Chosen Vron’s next start, trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac said. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports “It’s about the only target, I would think,” Kruljac said. The Chosen Vron,... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 18, 2024) — California-bred longshot Alotaluck picked up 10 points toward a Kentucky Derby berth by finishing second to favored Stronghold in Sunday’s $400,000 Grade III Sunland Park Derby. 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 closed fast at odds of 14-1 to nose out Lucky Jeremy and has earnings of $132,360. Cal-bred Curlin’s Kaos finished fourth and earned four Kentucky Derby points. He is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Curlin mare It’s Vengeance, was bred by James Shenouda & Alfred Pais, is owned by Zephyr Racing and Pais and is trained by Antonio Garcia.  ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 18, 2024)—Idle since a heartbreak nose defeat in the Grade I La Brea on opening day, George Krikorian’s homebred Big Pond cut back in distance a furlong and turned the tables on her California-bred rival Daddysruby as she took command a furlong out and powered to a three-length score in Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita.                 The Spring Fever is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sponsored horses.                 Trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Big Pond got six furlongs in 1:09.28 and could very likely be headed back to graded stakes competition in her most convincing win to date. “She’s a big scopey filly so the cut back in distance was just a little concerning especially when we drew the inside, with the speed on the outside of us, but I guess having the ground break out from underneath us went in our favor,” said Yakteen. “We were able to... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 18, 2024)—A racing enthusiast since childhood, the Southern California News Group’s veteran turf writer Art Wilson died early this morning near his home in Victorville, CA, at age 71.  Wilson, who had gallantly fought a form of blood cancer for more than 10 years, was scheduled to attend today’s Winter Corgi Nationals at Santa Anita but had to be transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Apple Valley late yesterday afternoon and subsequently passed due to heart failure earlier today at 3:30 a.m.                 First introduced to racing by his late father, Wilson, a 1970 graduate of Glendora High School, fell in love with the game as a railbird and relished the opportunity to cover the sport dating back to the mid-1980s and as recently as this past weekend, when he was at Santa Anita to cover the Grade III Palos Verdes for the Southern California News Group, a consortium of newspapers that includes the LA Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune,... ...

From California Horse Power Coalition ARCADIA, Calif (Feb. 15, 2024) — As California grapples with a budget deficit in the tens of billions of dollars, the horse industry has grown financially for the state over the last five years; responsible for billions of dollars in economic impact and tens of thousands of jobs, according to a report released by the American Horse Council. In 2023, the equine ecosystem provided a total value of $11.6 billion to California’s economy and a direct contribution of $6.5 billion to state GDP, according to the report. This marks a significant increase from the American Horse Council’s previous report in 2018, which found a total value of $8.3 billion to the state economy and a direct contribution of $4.5 billion to state GDP. Through the care of the state’s near-500,000 horses, events and recreation, and the ripple effect on other sectors of the economy, the California equine industry generates 132,496 jobs across the state and directly employs 93,467 workers. Five years ago, those numbers were... ...

NEWCASTLE, New South Wales (Feb. 18, 2024) – Multiple stakes winner Jack Duggan, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Jack Milton, won Saturday’s $45,000 Group Training Apprentices Benchmark Handicap at Newcastle Racecourse. The 6-year-old gelding has six wins in 27 starts and earnings of $112,000 (Aus). Jack Duggan, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Unbridled Treasure, ran the 1890 meters in 1:56.30 and won by a nose at odds of 5-1. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2024)  – Brickyard Ride, the blazingly fast California-bred who won eight stakes at Santa Anita including three graded races, has been retired at age 7. Owned and bred by Sonny Pais and trained his entire career by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride is from the first crop by prominent California stallion Clubhouse Ride. Brickyard Ride won 13 races and $925,477 from 31 starts and retires as the leading earner by Clubhouse Ride, also trained by Lewis. Brickyard Ride “did everything you could hope a horse could do,” Lewis said this week at Santa Anita. “He did enough for us. I’ve had some fast ones, but he obviously had some serious speed. He’s a tribute to Clubhouse Ride, and what a great stud he is.” The unspecified injury Brickyard Ride sustained in a Jan. 25 workout might not be career-ending for a younger horse, but Pais and Lewis figured Brickyard Ride’s time had come.  “He’s 7, it would be silly to bring him back,” Lewis said. ... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2024) — The 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year will be announced at the CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. Finalists for Horse of the Year are, in alphabetical order, Ceiling Crusher, Kings River Knight and The Chosen Vron. For ticket information for the Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting, click Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner | CTBA or contact Christy Chapman at Christy@ctba.com. Other Cal-bred champions to be recognized at the banquet: Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Yo Yo Candy, bred by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, owned by Happy Tenth Stable and trained by Daniel Velazquez.   Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Female – Grand Slam Smile, bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Steven Specht. Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Male – One in Vermillion, bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, owned by Jonathan Kalman, trained by Esteban Martinez. Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Female – Ceiling Crusher, bred by Harris Farms, owned by Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman, trained... ...