Rose Dawson

Jan 29, 2023 Posted by CTBA In Video

Rose Dawson wins $75,000 Moscow Burning Stakes. ...

CTBA Winter Mixed Sale on Tuesday

By DRF.com POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2023) — Tuesday’s CTBA Winter Mixed Sale at Faiplex Pomona follows a 2022 auction that had substantially higher prices than past years. Conducted by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Tuesday’s sale had a main catalog of 148 horses and nine supplemental entries as of Thursday. The auction consists largely of California-bred horses of racing age, 2-year-olds, yearlings, and some broodmares. The sale begins at noon Pacific. Including supplemental entries, this year’s sale has a slightly larger catalog than last year. In 2022, the mixed sale saw 113 horses sell for $1,306,500, an average of $11,562 and a median price of $5,450. The figures were considerably higher than the 2021 auction that saw 73 horses sell for $575,100 for an average of $7,878 and a median of $3,200. Tuesday’s sale includes 2-year-olds by first-crop stallions Catalina Cruiser, Coal Front, Om, and Rumpus Cat as well as I’ll Have Another and Sir Prancealot, who began stud service at California farms in recent years. The early 2-year-olds... ...

Opening Buzz Best in Wishing Well Stakes

FLORENCE, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2023) – Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ homebred Opening Buzz, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, won Saturday’s $97,852 Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway Park. Opening Buzz is by Stanford, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Open Mic and was trained by Jonathan Wong. Opening Buzz has four wins in six starts, earnings of $152,585 and was coming off a Dec. 1 allowance win. She ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.65 and won by one length, paying $5.54 for a $2 win bet as the second choice in a field of 11. ...

Rose Maddox Wins Moscow Burning Stakes

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Jan.28, 2023) — Rose Maddox closed from fifth along the inside in the final furlong to win the first stakes of her career in Saturday’s $75,900 Moscow Burning Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields. Ridden by Assael Espinoza, Rose Maddox ($8.40) closed from seventh in a field of eight to finish a length in front of 7-5 favorite Chancery Way. Rose Maddox was timed in 1:38.67 for a mile on the synthetic main track. Chancery Way was beaten for the first time in her fifth start in the Moscow Burning. Chancery Way set early fractions of 23.90 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.57 for a half-mile, leading by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining. Chancery Way finished three-quarters of a length in front of 48-1 Shezarunaway, who closed from last and was briefly second in the stretch. :: DRF Bets players have exclusive access to FREE DRF Past Performances – Classic or Formulator! Join today. Momma Mocca finished fourth, followed by... ...

Closing Remarks Enters Megahertz

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2023) – Stakes winner Closing Remarks is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Closing Remarks is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has three wins in 15 starts, earnings of $398,820 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 31 Robert J. Frankel. ...

Beaudacious Cases the Promised Land

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2023) – Beaudacious is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita. Beaudacious is by Karakontie, out of the Smart Strike mare She’s Striking, was bred by Richard Barton Thoroughbreds, is owned by Big Barn Thoroughbred and is trained by Ryan Hanson. He has one win in 10 starts, earnings of $75,516 and is coming off a sixth in a Jan. 8 optional claimer. ...

Sir Prancealot’s Pagan Wins Saudi Qualifier

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Jan. 28, 2023) — Pagan, a 5-year-old Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancelot, ran his win streak to three by taking Friday’s Dirt Sprint Qualifier at King Abdulaziz Race Course. Pagan has seven wins in 27 starts and earings of $260,994 (AUD). He ran the 1200 meters in 1:13.40. ...

Options Being Investigate for Clouseau

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2023) — Borrowing a tagline from the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, it pays to own a Cal-bred if you’re the connections of 3-year-old Clouseau, who on Friday became the first two-time winner at the Classic meet. After earning his diploma against state-breds going six furlongs on dirt here Jan. 6, Clouseau returned in a first-level state-bred allowance going the same trip and scored at 7-1 for trainer Ian Kruljac. Clouseau’s winning time of 1:10.52 was nearly equal that of the 1:10.47 posted later on the card by the hard-hitting 5-year-old Saffa’s Day in a $32,000 claimer. As for Clouseau, he is about as well-pedigreed a Cal-bred as you will find. Bred by PT Syndicate #1 LLC, the bay colt is by top Kentucky-based stallion Distorted Humor out of the winning mare English Garden, who herself is a daughter of classic winner Bernardini. Clouseau went through the sale’s ring at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All... ...

Opening Buzz Enters Wishing Well Stakes

FLORENCE, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Opening Buzz is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares at Turfway Park. Opening Buzz is by Stanford, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Open Mic, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jonathan Wong. The Northern California Yearling Sale graduate has three wins in five starts, earnings of $105,961 and is coming off a Dec. 1 allowance win. ...

Uncontrollable Takes Aim at Las Virgenes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2023) — Uncontrollable is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Uncontrollable is by Upstart, out of the Include mare Behavioral, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, is owned by Repole Racing and trained by Michael McCarthy. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $147,750 and is coming off a third in the Dec. 10 Starlet. ...

Unbeaten Chancery Way in Moscow Burning

ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2023) – Unbeaten Chancery Way is one of three Northern California Yearling Sale graduates among entries for Saturday’s $75,000 Moscow Burning Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Chancery Way is by Mr. Big, out of the War Chant mare This Means War, was bred by Harris Farms & John Nicoletti, is owned by Andy and Rob Smolich and trained by Jamey Thomas. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has won all four starts with earnings of $110,520 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 10 Bear Fan. Belleo’s Forest is by Forest Command, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Missbelleo’s Cause, was bred by owner Four Quarters Corp. and is trained by Brendan Galvin. She has one win in 10 starts, earnings of $49,796 and is coming off a second in a Jan. 8 allowance. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate All Dialed In is by Dialed In, out of the Mutakddim mare Nuffsaid Nuffsaid, was... ...

One in Vermillion Targets Riley Allison Derby

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 22, 2023) – One in Vermillion is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Riley Allison Derby for 3-year-olds at Sunland Park. One in Vermillion is by Army Mule, out of the Any Given Saturday mare Given Star, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Jonathan Kalman and trained by Esteban Martinez. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $89,620 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 21 Lost in the Fog. ...

NorCal Sale Grad Minister of Soul in Ft. Bliss

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 22, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Ft. Bliss Stakes at Sunland Park. A 9-year-old by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, Minister of Soul was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 16 wins in 49 starts, earnings of $496,470 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 1 KLAQ Handicap. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: Executive Director Scott Chaney (ED) reported that “in 2021, there were 71 total catastrophic injuries at California regulated facilities. In 2022, that number was 64 for a decrease of 10 percent. Since calendar-year 2019, total catastrophic injuries have decreased 50 percent. To put 2022 in context, of the 64, less than half, 30, were musculo-skeletal injuries, the rest being sickness, accidents, and sudden deaths. For further context, there are approximately 30,000 runners (starts) each year in California and 70,000 workouts. On any given day, there are approximately 4,000 horses at CHRB regulated facilities and around 8,000 to 10,000 unique horses at our facilities in any given year. ... ...

Stallion Halladay’s First Foal a Cal-bred Colt

Press Release from Checkmate Thoroughbreds PARKFIELD, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2023) — Grade 1 winner Halladay sired his first reported foal when a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare Katie’s Heat was born on Jan. 17 at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkfield, Calif. Owned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds LLC, Hector and Denise Cuevas, Raul Montenegro, and Javier Montenegro, Katie’s Heat is a daughter of California Broodmare of the Year Miss Soft Sell, who produced multiple G1 winner Brother Derek, winner of the Hollywood Derby (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) en route to earnings of more than $1.6 million. Katie’s Heat is a half-sister to Dontsellmeshort, a multiple stakes winner of $402,365, Sister Kate, multiple stakes winner of $282,186, and Swizzle Stick, a stakes-placed earner of $129,964. Grade 1-Winner HALLADAY, was represented by his first foal on January 17th with a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare KATIE’S HEAT who was foaled at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkfield California. Halladay- a G1 winning son of... ...

Golden Gate Fields Update

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2023) — The State of California’s Caltrans agency is doing construction in and around Golden Gate Fields. The horsemen’s lot and overflow parking lot will be repaved and realigned starting January 23rd. If the weather cooperates, this phase of the project is expected to take 5-6 weeks to complete. Please take caution and plan a little bit more arrival time during the construction. Turf Club We are pleased to announce that the Golden Gate Fields Turf Club will be open on all Fridays starting February 3rd and all Monday holidays during live racing for the remainder of the Winter-Spring meet. We hope this will provide an additional opportunity for owners to come and enjoy the Turf Club amenities and food. Exacta Café – Coming Soon! We are also excited to announce that the Gift Shop on the second level of the grandstand is being converted into a coffee shop. Called the ‘Exacta Café,’ this new addition will provide a convenient and enjoyable... ...

Brickyard Ride Closing in on Comeback

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2023) — California-bred Brickyard Ride, a seven-time stakes winner for trainer Craig Lewis, continued preparations for his 6-year-old bow when drilling six furlongs Thursday at Santa Anita. Brickyard Ride completed the move in 1:12.80, which was the fastest of five works at the distance. The full horse by Clubhouse Ride has been off since last May when he finished fifth in the Grade II Triple Bend. “He went great, really doing well,” Lewis said from Clocker’s Corner after his charge cooled out. The work on Thursday was Brickyard Ride’s sixth since Dec. 9. Lewis indicating he’s getting close to a race, but nothing has been decided at this point. “When he’s ready he’ll tell me. It’s a long year,” the trainer noted. A homebred for Alfred A. Pais, Brickyard Ride has racked up a record of 23-12-1-1 with earnings of $744,977. His biggest wins... ...

Warrens Candy Girl Leads Cal-bred Quartet

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2023) – Stakes winner Warrens Candy Girl is one of four California-breds among entries in Saturday’s $100,000 Astra Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Warrens Candy Girl is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Affirmative mare Warrens Jitterbug, was bred by owners Benjamin and Sally Warren and is trained by Craig Lewis. She has four wins in 19 starts, earnings of $347,160 and is coming off a fifth in the Dec. 31 Robert J. Frankel. Almost a Factor is by The Factor, out of the Tiznow mare Tizn’t Caught, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Harris Farms & Gary Parker and trained by Carla Gaines. She has two wins in 17 starts, earnings of $138,832 and is coming off a sixth in a Dec. 26 allowance. Barrister’s Ride is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Unusual Heat mare Q T Shea, was bred by Mark Devereaux & Scomar Enterprises, is owned by Devereaux and Scott Gross and is trained by Carla Gaines.... ...

Self Isolation Enters Interborough Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 18, 2023) – Self Isolation is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Interborough Stakes for fillies and mares at Aqueduct. Self Isolation is by Square Eddie, out of the Spring At Last mare Loan Savant, was bred by Reddam Racing and is owned by trainer David Jacobson. She has six wins in 17 starts, earnings of $306,410 and is coming off a 10th in the Dec. 3 Go for Wand. ...

NorCal Sale Grad Enters Xtra Heat Stakes

LAUREL, Md. (Jan. 17, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ojitos Bellos is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Xtra Heat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Laurel Park. Ojitos Bellos is by Anchor Down, out of the Lookin At Lucky mare Looks Promising, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and is owned by trainer Mario Serey Jr. The $5,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has one win in four starts, earnings of $21,600 and is coming off an eighth in a Jan. 7 claimer. ...

My Blue Eyes Eyes Spectacular Bid Stakes

LAUREL, Md. (Jan. 17, 2023) – My Blue Eyes is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds at Laurel Park. My Blue Eyes is by Kantharos, out of the Tiznow mare Aerial Prancer, was bred by Superhorse Inc., is owned by David Anderson and trained by Bruce Kravets. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $32,093 and is coming off consecutive wins at Penn National. ...

Santa Anita Hosting Hunter Jumper Event

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2023) — On February 19, 2023, Santa Anita Park will host the Inland Empire Hunter Jumper Association (IEHJA) in celebrating their 2022 champion riders and medal winners. Wreaking Havoc, ridden by Kaitlyn Williams, will be awarded the 2022 IEHJA hi-point Thoroughbred award at the February banquet, and will be awarded a custom-made tack trunk courtesy of Showcase Training Stables and Caroline Betts, filled with merchandised provided by Santa Anita Park. The event will be held in the beautiful grandstand finish line banquet area and includes a wonderful catered meal. Five lucky banquet participants will be selected to visit the Winner’s Circle to watch a race close up. A full day of exciting racing and cheering for the incredible racehorses, will complete the banquet activities. The awards banquet is the second major IEHJA event sponsored by Santa Anita Park. In November of 2022 Santa Anita Park provided financial support for the IEHJA “Fest in the ... ...

Stallion Mo Forza’s First Foal a Cal-bred Filly

Press release from Thoroughbred Information Agency SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2023)—Grade 1-winning millionaire Mo Forza, the highest earner by leading sire Uncle Mo standing outside Kentucky, was represented by his firstborn foal on January 10: a filly out of the multiple winner Californiasunshine who was foaled in California. Owned by Alice Bamford, Californiasunshine was the first of 99 mares bred to the Rancho San Miguel stallion in 2022. Her 2023 Mo Forza filly is the fourth offspring for the 10-year-old Lucky Pulpit mare, whose first foal, Sweet California, was a Santa Anita Park winner at 2 last year. “She is quite a character already, thrilling everyone with her looks,” Bamford said of the Mo Forza filly, whom she owns with her co-breeder, Ann Eysenring. “In addition to being correct, she is a beautiful mover and a very good reason for her mama to return to Mo Forza next year.” Mo Forza won seven graded stakes races in Southern California from 2019 through 2021, highlighted by the... ...

TOC Owners Event at Golden Gate Feb. 11

From TOC ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2023) — Enjoy an afternoon at Golden Gate Fields with fellow owners on Saturday, February 11, at 12:00 p.m. in the Turf Club. Licensed Owners plus one guest are invited to attend this buffet event that includes carving stations, build your own salad bar, a dessert buffet, and much more! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Wayne Atwell at watwell@toconline.com. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED – RSVP BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6. ...

Santa Anita Cancels Saturday, Monday Cards

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2023)—With heavy rain in the forecast, Santa Anita Park has announced there will be no live racing on Monday. Santa Anita will instead run Friday, Jan. 20, which was originally scheduled to be an off-day. Although there is no racing this Saturday and Monday, Santa Anita will be open as planned for live racing this Sunday, with first post time for an eight-race card, consisting of all main track races, at 12:30 p.m. The Grade III, $200,000 La Canada Stakes, originally scheduled for Saturday, will now be run this Sunday. The La Canada, for fillies and mares at a mile and one sixteenth, has been carded as Sunday’s seventh race, with assigned post time at 3:29 PT. With sunny skies forecast next week, Santa Anita will run next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with first post time each day at 12:30 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE. ...

Jockey Club Taking Internship Applications

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 13, 2023) — Applications for The Jockey Club’s summer internship program for college students and recent college graduates will open Tuesday, January 17. The program will accommodate up to three interns. “The first two years of our internship program were very successful,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club. “The interns have been intelligent and motivated, and they have all done a tremendous job working within The Jockey Club companies. They will be an asset to any organization within our industry, which is the goal of the program.” Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks. The internships will take place in The Jockey Club’s offices located in Lexington, Ky., and New York, N.Y. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates... ...

Tizamagician to Stand at Milky Way Farm

Press Release from Milky Way Farm TEMECULA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2023) — Milky Way Farm in Temecula is proud to announce they have been selected to stand the very popular race horse, Tizamagician, a son of Tiznow out of Magic Union by Dixie Union. Trained by Richard Mandella for Spendthrift and Myracehorse, Tizamagician earned $741,851, with major accomplishments winning the Cougar 11 (Gr 3) at Del Mar and Tokyo City Cup (GR 3). He also thrilled his connections by finishing 2nd in the TVG Pacific Classic (GR 1) as well as 2nd in the Brooklyn Stakes (GR 2) at Belmont and 2nd in the San Pasquel Stakes (GR 2) at Santa Anita. His stud fee will be announced soon. ...

Golden Gate Adds Trio of Golden State Stakes

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2022) — Golden Gate Fields officials, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) have joined forces to add three stakes races to the 2023 Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet schedule. The trio of stakes are a part of the Golden State Series, a stakes schedule throughout the year designed specifically for California-bred or sired horses. Del Mar, Golden Gate, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita all conduct numerous Golden State Series races throughout the calendar year. Nominations close on Thursday for the inaugural running of the Moscow Burning, for California-bred or sired fillies and mares 4-years-old and upward at one mile on the Tapeta main track. The race is slated for next Saturday, January 21. On Saturday, March 18, Golden Gate presents the first edition of the McCann’s Mojave, for state-bred 4-year-olds and upward at one mile and an eighth on the Tapeta. The final stake of the Winter/Spring meet is also the last of the... ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Cal Expo. This meeting will be open to the public. Those providing unsolicited public comments on individual agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda items. Note that for agenda item #7, Public Comment, no further comments will be permitted after 30 minutes. For those who do not attend, the webcast audio link on the CHRB website will provide a way to listen to the meeting. The agenda and package of materials for the meeting are available on the CHRB website. ...

Smoothlikebuttah Enters La Canada

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2023) – California-bred Smoothlikebuttah, who hit the board in each of her last 12 starts, is entered in Sunday’s 200,000 Grade III La Canada Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. The race was rescheduled from Saturday. Smoothlikebuttah is by Mr. Big, out of the Five Star Day mare Eight Daughters, was bred by NP Thoroughbreds, is owned by Robert Bach and William Tessar and trained by Steve Knapp. She has two wins in 35 starts, earnings of $292,620 and is coming off a second in a Dec. 2 optional claimer ...

Longtime Breeder Mary Clare Schmitt Passes

PLEASANTON, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2023) — Longtime breeder and owner Mary Clare Schmitt, wife of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board member and vice chairperson George Schmitt, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 10. She was 77. Mary Clare was born in Butte, Montana as the second daughter of John Joseph and Patricia Sullivan. A lifelong practicing Catholic, Clare and George Schmitt were married on February 19, 1966 in Butte. She had nine brothers and sisters and has a myriad of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She bore three children and is blessed with six grandchildren. Daughter Joan Marie, married to Jeff Hawkins, has three lovely and smart granddaughters: Madison, Noel and Isabela. Son George the 8th, married to Jennifer, also has three children: Mary Grace, George the 9th, and Gavin, all smart and athletically gifted. She is now in heaven with her third child, John Joseph Schmitt, who died in 1983. She attended Catholic schools in Butte and college at the Montana lnstitute of Technology and Carroll College. She is an Honorary... ...

Fun to Dream’s Sibling Added to Winter Sale

POMONA, Calif. (Jan 10, 2023) – Six horses have been supplemented to the CTBA’s Winter Mixed Sale, including a half-sister to recent California-bred Grade I winner Fun to Dream. The supplements are now online at 2023 Index to Supplemental Entries | CTBA. Acclaim the Queen is by Acclamation, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess. Acclaim the Queen earned $68,884 on the track and sells in foal to Finnegans Wake. Her half-sister, Fun to Dream, won the Grade I La Brea Stakes Dec. 26. Stakes winner Heck Yeah is a full sibling to Acclaim the Queen, who is consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds. Checkmate Thoroughbreds also consigned the supplemental entries Luckfromabove, an Irish-bred mare in foal to Halladay and the producer of two winners by Straight Fire; and D’s Lovely Sophia, a Big Bad Leroybrown mare with winnings of $168,143 that sells as a racing or broodmare prospect. Easterbrook Livestock Management is the consignor of three supplements. They are: Ultimate Assay, an unraced 4-year-old colt by Point of Entry; Hard But... ...

California Kook Sells for $170,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2023) – Grade I-placed California-bred California Kook sold for $170,000 as a racing or broodmare prospect at Monday’s opening Session of the Keeneland January Sale. California Kook is a 6-year-old by Boisterous, out of the Comic Strip mare Kukaluka, was bred by Wachtel Stable & Gary Barber, consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, and was purchased by Nicoma, agent for JLM Estates. California Kook has four wins and earnings of $323,681. She was second in the Del Mar Oaks. She’s a full sister to stakes winner Kookie Gal. ...

Lovingier Has Big Plans for Thirsty John

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Thirsty John could appear in a stakes for 3-year-olds anywhere in the nation after winning his stakes debut in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby for statebreds at Santa Anita. The win had breeder and co-owner Terry Lovingier eager to try Thirsty John in a Triple Crown prep race, pending conversations with trainer Peter Miller. “I told Peter, ‘We’ll travel anywhere and do anything you want to do,’ ” Lovingier said Saturday afternoon. Thirsty John, a son of Stay Thirsty co-owned by Tom London and Eugene Zondlo, won his debut in a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita last May. The California Cup Derby was his second start. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Thirsty John ($6.60) led throughout and held off a late threat from 8-5 Giver Not a Taker to win the California Cup Derby by a half-length while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.51. “He’ll get five to 10 lengths [benefit] off of that,” Lovingier said of Thirsty John. “I’m excited about... ...

Rancho San Miguel Open House on Jan. 21

Press Release from Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2023) — Showcasing a robust stallion roster, a strong farm management team and a new emphasis on sales preparation and consignment, California mainstay Rancho San Miguel invites current and prospective Thoroughbred breeders, owners and enthusiasts to attend its 2023 Open House & Stallion Show on Saturday, January 21. Participation is free in this casual event, which is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Attendees will be treated to a catered lunch, with fun giveaways and a stallion season raffle included in the activities. There will also be opportunities to take a “sneak peek” at many of the mares, yearlings and 2-year-olds who will be consigned by Rancho San Miguel to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s 2023 Winter Mixed Sale, which will be held in Pomona on January 31. Established in 2000, Rancho San Miguel is one of California’s largest and most customer-focused Thoroughbred farms. Its 2023 stallion roster reflects this status, with... ...

Coalinga Road

Coalinga Road wins $200,000 Unusual Heat California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. ...

Coalinga Road Rallies in Unusual Heat

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—In the final race of the day on California Cup Day Saturday at Santa Anita, one of the state’s longest and most successful Thoroughbred owner/breeders, John Harris, witnessed his homebred Coalinga Road rally to take the $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank by neck under Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Trained by Carla Gaines, Coalinga Road got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:49.79. The Unusual Heat Turf Classic is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Content to stalk the early leaders into the first turn, Coalinga Road was fourth, about two off Kings River Knight with three quarters of a mile to run. Leaving the three furlong pole, Velazquez was on the move three-deep, gradually overtook Kings River Knight inside the sixteenth pole while prevailing over the onrushing Aligato and Luvluv on the money. Bred and owned by Harris Farms, Inc., Coalinga Road, who... ...

Grazed My Heart

Grazed My Heart wins $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks. ...

Thirsty John

Thirsty John wins $200,000 California Cup Derby. ...

Big Summer

Big Summer wins $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...

Grazed My Heart by a Nose in Howard Oaks

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—In an agonizingly tight finish, the Jeff Mullins-trained Grazed My Heart was up to win Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks by a nose, giving jockey Hector Berrios his second stakes win on Cal Cup Day at Santa Anita. A 3-year-old filly by Grazen, Grazed My Heart got one mile on turf in 1:37.41. The Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Last, about seven lengths off pacesetter and eventual runner-up Sell the Dream three furlongs out, Grazed My Heart hugged the rail around the turn, angled three-deep at the furlong pole and managed to get up in time. “At the three-eighths pole what was going through my mind was, you have a lot of work to do buddy and at about that time here she comes,” said Mullins. “I could see she had a big run in her and all she needed was... ...

Comebacking Thirsty John a Derby Winner

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Away since May 14 and in only his second career start, Terry Lovingier’s homebred Thirsty John proved too much for six fellow California-breds on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he went to the front and took the $200,000 California Cup Derby by a half length under Juan Hernandez. Trained by Peter Miller, the 3-year-old colt by Stay Thirsty got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:45.51. The Cal Cup Derby is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. “I was confident that he’s a good horse,” said Lovingier. “With all the rain and stuff, we couldn’t get works over this track with him. But I thought if he’s good enough, he’d be able to get it done and he is a very, very good horse and visually to look at him he’s a pretty horse. Really well put together. He hung in there and without working on this track. He worked one time and... ...

Big Win for Big Summer in F&M Turf Sprint

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Two for two down Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course coming into Saturday’s $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, presented by John Deere, the Carla Gaines-conditioned Big Summer was all heart in winning her biggest race to date by three quarters of a length. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Big Summer, a 5-year-old mare by Mr. Big, got about 6 ½ furlongs down the hill in 1:13.10. The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired runners. “She’s just got a great finishing kick,” said Gaines. “She breaks and she settles and when Joe calls on her, she goes, she’s perfect. The ownership makes the Cal-Breds special, the people who breed them, thank you.” Bred by Bob Abrams and Michael Dutko, Big Summer, who is out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Ultimate Summer, is owned by Robert Abrams, Mitchell Dutko and Michael Paran. Big Summer’s siblings include stakes winners... ...

The Chosen Vron

The Chosen Vron wins $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

The Chosen Vron Gamely Extends Streak

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Although he took intense pace pressure to the three sixteenths pole, heavily favored The Chosen Vron managed to dig deep and find more when it counted as he held off a late charging Big City Lights by a neck to win Saturday’s $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Ridden by Hector Berrios and trained by Eric Kruljac, The Chosen Vron got six furlongs in 1:08.96. The first of five statebred stakes on Cal Cup Day at Santa Anita, the Cal Cup Sprint is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired runners. Although Berrios said following the race that his intention was not to go to the early lead, that’s where The Chosen Vron took him from his number four post position and he was immediately engaged to his outside by Resilient and the pair went head and head through scintillating splits of 22.07, 44.36 and 56.60. Three sixteenths out, the... ...

Dr. Gregory Ferraro Reappointed to CHRB

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2023) — Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Gregory Ferraro, 76, of San Francisco, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board, where he has served since 2019. Ferraro was Director of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Center for Equine Health from 1997 to 2014. He was Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Gregory L. Ferraro DVM, LLC from 1972 to 1997. Ferraro earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ferraro is registered without party preference. ...

Alice Marble Gets Prat in Turf Sprint

sunshine_millions_stakes_pp_s.pdf (ctfassets.net) From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2023)—In a very competitive affair at about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s one-of-a-kind hillside turf course, Nick Alexander’s consistent homebred Alice Marble, who will be ridden by Flavien Prat, should be tough to beat among a field of nine older fillies and mares in Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. Presented by John Deere, the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred of sired runners. Most recently third off the bench versus open company in a five furlong turf allowance at Del Mar Nov. 26, Alice Marble, who was second in last year’s Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, has been no worse than third in nine races with trainer Phil D’Amato—winning four of them. Winless in her first three starts at age three at Golden Gate Fields, 6-year-old Alice Marble has thrived with D’Amato in Southern California, winning two statebred stakes... ...

Cast Member, Carole Lombard in Oaks

cal_cup_oaks_stakes_pp_s.pdf (ctfassets.net) From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2023)—In what appears to be a wide-open betting race, owner/breeder Nick Alexander’s recent maiden winner Carole Lombard and stakes winner Cast Member figure prominently among a field of nine sophomore fillies going one mile on turf in Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita. Named for the highly respected late trainer and farm manager, the Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Carole Lombard gets jockey Ramon Vazquez, who rode trainer Tim Yakteen’s Cast Member to a pair of recent stakes victories on dirt but has chosen the Phil D’Amato-trained Carole Lombard off of her impressive 2 ¼ lengths maiden scored versus statebred fillies at one mile over the Del Mar turf on Nov. 20. By Grazen out of the Afleet Alex mare Shesabronxbomber, Carole Lombard, who split a 10-horse maiden field... ...

Carmelita’s Man in Deep Turf Classic

unusual_heat_turf_classic_stakes_pp_s.pdf (ctfassets.net) From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2023)—With seven-time stakes winner The Chosen Vron expected to run earlier on Saturday’s Cal Cup program, trainer Dean Pederson’s hard knocking Carmelita’s Man heads a deep and competitive group of nine entrants going a mile and one eighth on grass in Santa Anita’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic. Presented by City National Bank, the Unusual Heat Turf Classic is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired older horses. A 6-year-old gelding by Mucho Macho Man out of the North Light mare Carmelita, Carmelita’s Man had his finest year to date in 2022, winning Santa Anita’s one mile turf Crystal Water Stakes on May 28, taking Del Mar’s California Dreaming Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 6 and then taking an open company allowance at Del Mar going 1 3/8 miles on turf Sept. 2. Most recently fourth going one mile on turf versus open runners in the restricted Lure Stakes here on Oct. 29, Carmelita’s Man... ...

Passarando Targets Cal Cup Derby

cal_cup_derby_stakes_pp_s.pdf (ctfassets.net) From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2023)—A springboard to superstardom in 2014 for California Chrome, Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita may also have a star in the making as seven California-bred or sired sophomores go a mile and one sixteenth. Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ Passarando, trained by Steve Specht and fresh off a stirring come from behind win versus open company going a mile on synthetic Tapeta Dec. 3 in the Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, rates top billing on Saturday. A winner versus statebreds of the seven furlong Golden State Juvenile here three starts back, he’ll be reunited with Umberto Rispoli, who was aboard for the Santa Anita win on Oct. 29. A gelding by Tamarando out of the Lucky Pulpit mare I’m Passing Ya Now, Passarando is in top form and is scheduled to van down from Golden Gate early Friday morning. With two stakes wins to his credit, Passarando is 7-4-2-0 with earnings of $218,830.... ...

The Chosen Vron Risks Streak

cal_cup_sprint_stakes_pp_s.pdf (ctfassets.net) From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2023)—Trainer Eric Kruljac’s highly accomplished The Chosen Vron, a winner of three consecutive statebred stakes who also has a pair of graded stakes wins to his credit, towers over five rivals going six furlongs in Saturday’s $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Although he’s also nominated to Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, it would appear more likely The Chosen Vron will kept on dirt around one turn off of his stirring 3 ¼ length score in Del Mar’s seven furlong Cary Grant Stakes Nov. 19. With Hector Berrios back aboard for the fifth consecutive time, The Chosen Vron will be seeking his eighth overall stakes victory—with four of them coming in main track sprints. A 5-year-old gelding by Vronsky out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly and bred by Tiz Molly Partners, The Chosen Vron, with an overall mark of 12-8-1-2 and earnings of $522,678, has proven to be a remarkable athlete for Kruljac. With... ...

NorCal Graduate Enters Bold Ego Stakes

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 5, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Brave Cinderella and fellow California-bred Respect the Ride are entered in Sunday’s $65,000 Bold Ego Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Respect the Ride is by Boat Trip, out of the In Excess mare Zoe’s Baba, was bred by Mike & Megan Stiehr and is owned by trainer Vilma De La Cruz. She is a maiden making her fifth start with earnings of $4,610. Cinderella is by Brave Cat, out of the Liberty Gold mare Cinderella Liberty, was bred by Beorge & Mary Clare Schmitt, is owned by Amanda Sweeten & Blanca Verela and is trained by Andres Gonzalez. The $1,400 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has four wins in 19 starts, earnings of $98,726 and is coming off a fourth in a Dec. 6 optional claimer. ...

Multi-stakes Winner Fashionably Fast Retired

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2023) — California-bred Fashionably Fast, a six-time stakes winner for breeder and co-owner Harris Farms, has been retired. Trainer Dean Pederson said the 7-year-old gelding was sent last week to Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., where he will reside. “He’ll have a great life there,” Pederson said. “Mr. (John) Harris will take really good care of him.” By Lucky Pulpit, Fashionably Fast compiled a record of 33-10-8-7 in five seasons of racing with $807,143 in earnings. His final race was a fifth-place finish in the Oct. 8 Harris Farms Stakes at Fresno. Fashionably Fast’s six stakes wins included two additions of the Harris Farms Stakes at Fresno (2019, 2020), two runnings of the Tiznow Stakes for state-breds (2020, 2021), the 2020 California Cup Sprint Stakes and 2019 Cary Grant Stakes. Fashionably Fast had been breezing at Santa Anita towards a possible tilt in this year’s edition of... ...

California Cup Nominations and PPs

California Cup, Santa Anita Park, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 Cal Cup Derby, 3 YO (CA), 1 1/16 M – $200,000 CAL_CUP_DERBY_STAKES_NOMS.pdf (ctfassets.net) CAL_CUP_DERBY_STAKES_PP_S.pdf (ctfassets.net) Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cups Oaks, F, 3 YO (CA), 1 M (T) – $200,000 CAL_CUP_OAKS_STAKES_NOMS.pdf (ctfassets.net) CAL_CUP_OAKS_STAKES_PP_S.pdf (ctfassets.net) Don Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint, 4 & UP (CA), 6 F – $150,000 CAL_CUP_STAKE_NOMS.pdf (ctfassets.net) CAL_CUP_SPRINT_STAKES_PP_S.pdf (ctfassets.net) Unusual Heat Turf Classic, 4 & UP (CA), 1 1/8 M (T) – $200,000 UNUSUAL_HEAT_TURF_CLASSIC_STAKES_NOMS.pdf (ctfassets.net) UNUSUAL_HEAT_TURF_CLASSIC_STAKES_PP_S.pdf (ctfassets.net) Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint, F/M, 4 & UP (CA), 6 1/2 F (TH) – $150,000 SUNSHINE_MILLIONS_STAKES_NOMS.pdf (ctfassets.net) SUNSHINE_MILLIONS_STAKES_PP_S.pdf (ctfassets.net) ...

Cal-bred Bossy Mama Favored at Delta Downs

VINTON, La. (Jan. 3, 2023) – Bossy Mama is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $75,000 Orleans Stakes for fillies and mares at Delta Downs. Bossy Mama is by Street Boss, out of the War Front mare Carmen’s Mystery, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, is owned by Jeff Ganje and trained by Tom Amoss. She is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in a field of eight. She has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $72,050 and is coming off a Nov. 24 claiming win. ...

4th Time a Charm for NorCal Sale Grad

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 1, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul finally won the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap in his fourth try at Turf Paradise on Sunday. Minister of Soul, who turned 9 on Sunday, is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 16 wins in 49 starts, earnings of $496,470 and was coming off a win in a Nov. 28 optional claimer as the 1-10 favorite. He was third in this race last year and fifth in 2019 and 2018. He ran the five furlongs in :57.06 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 4-5 in a field of nine. ...

Santa Anita Cancels New Year’s Day Card

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2023) — Santa Anita Park canceled the New Year’s Day racing program as steady rain soaked the Southern California area throughout Saturday night and into early Sunday morning. The rain began as a light drizzle Saturday morning but increased in strength throughout the completion of the program, continuing throughout the night. Racing will resume at Santa Anita on Monday, January 2nd, with 10 races and a first post at 12 noon. The popular Corgi Winter Nationals, which was set to be held in the infield, has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 19th. Pre-purchased tickets have already been transferred to the new date. Horsemen and horseplayers have been incredibly supportive of Santa Anita’s 2022-23 Classic Meet. An all-time handle record was set for an Opening Day with over $26 million wagered all sources. The December 26th crowd of 41,446 was the largest gathering on-track for a non-Breeders’ Cup... ...

Fun to Dream

Fun to Dream wins $300,000 Grade I La Brea Stakes. ...

Ready for a Fight in Holiday Cheer

FLORENCE, Ky. (Dec. 29, 2022) – Ready for a Fight is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $125,000 Holiday Cheer Stakes at Turfway Park. Ready for a Fight is by Boisterous, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Irish Tart, was bred by owner Gary Barber and is trained by Mark Casse. He has six wins in 15 starts, earnings of $187,114 and is coming off a win in a Dec. 11 optional claimer. ...

Cal-bred Trio Tangles in Frankel Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 28, 2022) – Stakes winners Closing Remarks and Warren’s Candy Girl and fellow California-bred New Heat are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Closing Remarks is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has three wins in 14 starts, earnings of $378,820 and is making her first start since a fourth in the Mar. 26 Santa Ana Stakes. Warren’s Candy Girl is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Affirmative mare Warren’s Jitterbug, was bred by owners Benjamin and Sally Warren and is trained by Craig Lewis. She has four wins in 18 starts, earnings of $345,160 and is coming off an eighth in the Nov. 12 Kathryn Crosby. New Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Touch Gold mare Helluva Hooley, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, is owned by Newfield Farm and Jennifer Saavedra and is trained by... ...

Doris Mae Enters Las Flores Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. Dec. 28, 2022) – Doris Mae is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Doris Mae is by Dads Caps, out of the Western Fame mare Tizalovelylady, was bred by owner Richard Barton and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $84,000 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 18 optional claimer. ...

Bafferts’ Cal-bred Fun to Dream Comes True

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2022)—A California bred daughter of 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate, Bob Baffert’s Fun to Dream, in her first graded stakes assignment, demonstrated her immense talent on Monday at Santa Anita, as she rallied to take the Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes under Juan Hernandez, giving Baffert his fourth overall win on the day and a homebred victory in North America’s final Grade I test for 3-year-old fillies. Out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, Fun to Dream got seven furlongs in 1:21.99 and provided both Hernandez (who notched his third overall win) and Baffert with two stakes wins each on the day with a pair of Grade I events, the Runhappy Malibu and the American Oaks remaining on the opening day card. Breaking sharply from her number five post position, Fun to Dream was just a half length off dueling leaders Ganadora and Ain’t Easy three furlongs from home. With stablemate Ganadora dropping back at the rail leaving the... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Takes 4th Crack at KLAQ

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 28, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul takes his fourth crack at winning the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap on Sunday at Sunland Park. Minister of Soul, who turns 9 on race day, is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 15 wins in 48 starts, earnings of $457,470 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 28 optional claimer as the 1-10 favorite. He was third in this race last year and fifth in 2019 and 2018. ...

NTRA Responds to Congressional Action

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 23, 2022) — Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending package that will fund the federal government through September 2023. The spending package is the last major must-pass bill on the legislative docket before the start of the new divided Congress in January. Unfortunately, Congress did not include popular pro-business tax extenders including some that are valuable to the Thoroughbred industry. Provisions such as the 3-year depreciation schedule for racehorses under age 2, which expired at the end of 2021, will remain expired and 100% bonus depreciation will phase down in 2023 to 80%. Those provisions remain a top priority for the NTRA, and we are hopeful to work with the new Congress in the first quarter of next year to address these issues. In addition, meaningful immigration reform was also not included in the end of the year spending package. NTRA was supportive of Senator Bennet’s (D-CO) Affordable and Secure Food Act being included in the spending package. The inclusion of this bill would have... ...

DRF.com on New California Stallions

By DRF.com Eight Rings had a dynamic start to his racing career in the summer and fall of 2019, winning a maiden race in his debut at Del Mar and the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita in his third outing. As the most prominent new stallion in California in 2023, Eight Rings has a chance for a splashy beginning to his stud career as well. By Empire Maker, Eight Rings will stand the 2023 breeding season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez for a fee of $7,500, the highest price among a small number of new stallions in the state. A $520,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland in 2018, Eight Rings was retired earlier this year after winning 3 of 14 starts. He earned $474,451, all in a four-season campaign for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles was the lone stakes win for Eight Rings, who raced for a large partnership that included Coolmore Stud, Golconda Stable, Madaket Stable,... ...

Indian Charlie’s California Impact Continues

By DRF.com California-bred Indian Charlie stood his entire stud career outside of his home state, and it was a relatively brief career at that. The stallion died at age 16, following a battle with cancer. But Indian Charlie left a sizeable influence on the breed that is continuing to grow nationwide, including stretching back to the state of his birth. The stallion has become a prominent sire of sires, and several of his younger grandsons are among the California stallion ranks. He also has become a successful broodmare sire, with representatives including likely 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline. Indian Charlie, by In Excess, was bred in California by Hal Earnhardt, who also had campaigned his dam, graded stakes winner Soviet Sojurn. Racing for Earnhardt and John Gaines, Indian Charlie won his first four starts, all in California, including a 2 1/4-length victory over stablemate Real Quiet in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Real Quiet turned the tables in the 1998 Kentucky Derby, with Indian Charlie third as the... ...

Horse Power Coalition at Santa Anita

From California Horse Power Coalition The California Horse Power Coalition (CHPC) is creating an opportunity for the public to learn about the significant impact that the industry has on California’s economy, jobs, tourism, agricultural sustainability, and culture. We encourage you to visit us at our upcoming events listed below! Upcoming Events: 26 December: Santa Anita Opening Day Located on the east side of the Paddock Gardens, near the gift shop. 30 December: EquestFest The coalition’s mission is to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture by bringing together equine industry leaders, workers, families and fans of the sport to illustrate its significant benefits. Click the button below to receive their newsletter. ...

One in Vermillion Wins Lost in the Fog

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 21, 2022) – California-bred One in Vermillion gamely held on to win Wednesday’s $60,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes for 2-year-olds at Turf Paradise. One in Vermilion is by Army Mule, out of the Any Given Saturday mare Given Star, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Jonathan Kalman and trained by Esteban Martinez. He has two wins in three starts and earnings of $89,620. One in Vermilion ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.25 and won by a head at odds of 5-2 in a field of nine. ...

Fun to Dream Steps Up to Grade I La Brea

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2022) – Multiple stakes winner Fun to Dream is the lone California-bred entered in Monday’s $300,000 Grade I La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Fun to Dream is by Arrogate, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, was bred by Connie Pageler & trainer Bob Baffert and is owned by Pageler & Natalie Baffert. She has four wins in five starts, earnings of $246,590 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 13 Betty Grable Stakes. ...

NTRA Launches D.C. Internship Program

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 18, 2022) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) is seeking highly motivated current students or recent graduates for its internship program in Washington, D.C. The NTRA’s new Washington office is located on Capitol Hill under the operation of former U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney, the President and CEO of the NTRA. “With the new Congress in January and everything in Washington reopening after COVID, we are very eager to welcome interns into our D.C. office,” Rooney said. “The dynamic work environment of Capitol Hill is great for young people, and we hope to bring students with an interest in Thoroughbred racing and government affairs onto our team. One of my favorite things about being a Congressman was helping bring young people to D.C. and showing them how it works, and it is our hope that our internship program can do just that.” Qualifications include but aren’t limited to strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to take direction, learn and work independently and proactively,... ...

CTBA Winter Mixed Sale Catalog Online

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2022) — The catalog for the upcoming 2023 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale held Jan. 31 is now available for viewing online. The sale, which takes place at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., begins at 12:00 pm PST and will see 148 horses head through the ring during the single selling session. The catalog showcases 49 broodmares, 46 2-year-olds, 28 horses of racing age, and 24 yearlings for consideration. Mares in foal to Clubhouse Ride-1, Danzing Candy -2, Goldencents -1, Governor Charlie-1, Grazen-1, Halladay -1, Honor A.P.-1, I’ll Have Another-1, Jersey Town -1, Majestic Harbor-1, Mesa Thunder-1, Mo Forza -1, Om -2, Rumpus Cat-5, Sir Prancelot-4, Smiling Tiger -2, Smokem-3, Stanford -9, Stay Thirsty -3, Straight Fire -1, Texas Ryano -4, Tom’s Tribute -1, and Union Rags -1. Two-year-olds by Catalina Cruiser -1, Classic Empire -1, Clubhouse Ride-2, Coal Front -1, Danzing Candy-3, Enticed -1, Flintshire-1, Goldencents-1, Graydar -2, Grazen-2, I’ll Have Another-1, Kitten’s Joy-1, Merit Man-1, Northern Causeway -4, Om-1, Omaha Beach -1, Outwork -1, Palace Malice -1, Rumpus Cat-2, Sir Prancealot-7, Stanford-1, Stay Thirsty-3, Texas Ryano-3, Uncle Mo -1, Vronsky-3.... ...

Giver Not a Taker Wins King Glorious

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2022) – Heavily-favored Giver Not a Taker rallied along the rail in the stretch to get up in the final strides to defeat 47-1 shot Crypto Ride by a head in the $101,500 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-olds Sunday, the final day of the Winter meet at Los Alamitos. Ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat, the 2-year-old homebred for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison earned his third win in five starts in his first venture beyond seven furlongs, completing the mile in 1:38.16 in a race restricted to juveniles bred or sired in California. The race was marred early on the backside when Please Focus, who was on the lead, ducked out and unseated jockey Mario Gutierrez. A homebred for owner J. Paul Reddam’s Reddam Racing LLC, Please Focus, a gelded son of Mrazek, ran loose afterwards, but was uninjured. Gutierrez also escaped unscathed and walked back to the jockey’s room. A Danzing Candy gelding out of the Kitten’s Joy... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Enters Laurel Stakes

LAUREL, Md. (Dec. 27, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ojitos Bellos is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $100,000 Gin Talking Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Laurel Park. Ojitos Bellos is by Anchor Down, out of the Lookin at Lucky mare Looks Promising, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and is owned by Mario Serey Jr. The $5,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has one win in two starts, earnings of $20,300 and is coming off a Dec. 10 maiden claiming win. ...

Lava Man Adapts to Life at Old Friends

By Thoroughbredracing.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2022) — A month into official retirement and about to turn 22, Lava Man has seemingly adapted to his new life with ease. After leading Hot Rod Charlie to the gate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, the fan favorite headed a few miles up the road to Old Friends, the equine retirement farm at Georgetown, Kentucky. He has already made friends with Silver Max, who resides in the neighboring paddock, and perhaps most importantly, he is bringing a new generation of horse racing fans to visit Old Friends. “Lava Man’s figured it out pretty quickly, although if I didn’t have his cookies, I am not sure our relationship would be working so well, so fast,” joked Old Friends founder Michael Blowen. “He is unbelievable,” Blowen went on. “There was never an anxious moment. He never ran the fence; he never sweated; he never neighed in anxiety. A little intimidating “I think his only concern was, ‘How long is it going to take... ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board and presenters discussed the critical issue of federal oversight of horse racing, prompted by court and regulatory challenges to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which for now are placing the authority of HISA in jeopardy. Because HISA was scheduled to supersede state oversight of medication and drug testing enforcement on January 1, racing jurisdictions are in somewhat of a legal limbo. However, the message at the Board meeting Thursday was that California is less affected by those uncertainties than most other jurisdictions because, as Josh Rubinstein of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club put it, “Rules that we’ve put in place are... ...

Slate of Promotions for Santa Anita Opener

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2022)—In addition to a full menu of world class racing highlighted by six graded stakes, Santa Anita’s Classic Meet opening day, Monday, Dec. 26, will offer fans a number of promotions, including the track’s traditional wall calendar, a magnificent Flightline Print giveaway and signing with jockey Flavien Prat and trainer John Sadler, a $1 million Single Ticket Rainbow Pick Six guarantee and much more with early first post time set at 11 a.m. Flightline, who retired to stud undefeated in six starts following his 8 ¼ length triumph in the Grade I, $3 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Nov. 5, finished off his 2021 campaign with a sensational 11 ½ length score here at Santa Anita in last year’s opening day Grade I Malibu Stakes. Fans are advised that Prat and Sadler will be available to sign a limited number of Flightline prints near the Kingsbury Fountain in the Paddock Gardens Area on Dec. 26 from 9:45 a.m. to... ...

Geezer the Right Age for King Glorious

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec.15, 2022) – A winner of his last three starts by a combined 11 ½ lengths, Geezer will stretch to two turns for the first time in the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes Sunday. Named in honor of the winner of the 1988 Hollywood Futurity and 1989 Haskell, the one-mile King Glorious is restricted to 2-year-olds bred or sired in California. Post time for the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet is 12:30 p.m.The King Glorious will be the last of 10 races. A son of Merit Man and the More Than Ready mare Pat Olcott, Geezer has rattled off his victories at three different tracks – Los Alamitos, Santa Anita and Del Mar – after finishing fifth in his Aug. 27 debut. Owned by Royalty Stable and trained by Hector Palma, who bred the gelding with Melody Conlon, Geezer has banked $89,760. He broke his maiden locally by three lengths during the September meet. Palma will also be represented by Merit Song, another... ...

Jack Duggan Wins Down Under

WYONG, Australia (Dec 14, 2022) — Jack Duggan, a Kentucky-bred gelded son of California stallon Jack Milton, won Wednesday’s Handicap at Wyong Race Club. Jack Duggan. a 4-year-old out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Unbridled Treasure, ran the 2100 meters on turf in 2:09.73. He has four wins in 15 starts and earnings of $76,523. ...

Shadrack Enters Jeffrey A. Hawk Stakes

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Dec. 16, 2022) – Shadrack is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial Stakes at Remington Park. Shadrack is by Gig Harbor, out of the Tiznow mare Devilinabaydress, was bred by Ray McCanna, is owned by George Sharp and trained by Shawn Davis. He has six wins in 29 starts, earnings of $190,415 and is coming off an eighth in an Oct. 27 allowance. ...

One in Vermillion Lost in the Fog

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 16, 2022) – One in Vermillion is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $60,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes for 2-year-olds at Turf Paradise. One in Vermillion is by Army Mule, out of the Any Given Saturday mare Given Star, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Jonathan Kalman and trained by Esteban Martinez. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $53,908 and is making his first start since winning the May 7 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Arizona Juvenile Fillies

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 16, 2022) – California-breds Richardsbrightstar and Don’t Get Pickled are entered in Wednesday’s $60,000 Arizona Juvenile Fillies Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Turf Paradise. Richardsbrightstar is by Richard’s Kid, out of the Lucky Pulpit mare Starbright, was bred by Napoleon Lopez and is owned by trainer Lisa Baze and Luis Torres. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $12,780 and is coming off a Nov. 30 maiden claiming win. Don’t Get Pickled is by Misremembered, out of the Successful Appeal mare C C’s Pride, was bred by Harry and Cheryl Keshian, is owned by Stable H.M.A. and is trained by Miguel Hernandez. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $12,988 and is coming off a Nov. 25 maiden optional claiming win. ...

Cast Member Stars in Soviet Problem

From Los Alanitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2022) — Ridden with confidence by jockey Ramon Vazquez, favored Cast Member remained undefeated with a 1 ¼ length victory in the $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies Sunday at Los Alamitos. Trained by Tim Yakteen for owner-breeder George Krikorian, the 2-year-old daughter of Munnings and the Artie Schiller mare Be My Baby tracked the pace while kept in the clear over the wet fast track, took over from pacesetter Cocktail Princess with less than quarter of a mile to run and held 9-2 third choice Grazed My Heart safe in the final furlong. Trying two turns for the first time after a pair of sprint wins – including the Golden State Juvenile Fillies Oct. 29 – Cast Member, the 7-10 favorite in a race restricted to fillies bred or sired in California – completed the mile in 1:38.26. She paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10 and the $60,000 payday pushed her bankroll to $213,000. “We had a... ...

Chancery Way

Chancery Way wins $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes. ...

Unbeaten NorCal Sale Grad Wins Bear Fan

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2022) — On Saturday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields, unbeaten 3-year-old filly Chancery Way faced older foes for the first time in her stakes debut, the $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for California-bred or sired fillies and mares 3-year-olds old and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta. She picked a good day to run a career best. Breaking sharply from the gate, Chancery Way went to the lead and set fractions of 22.20, 45.53, 56.7.3 before holding off a late challenge in deep stretch from even-money race favorite Big Summer. Ridden by Kevin Radke, Chancery Way had not competed since a two-turn allowance victory at Sacramento in July. She hit the wire a length and a quarter ahead of Big Summer and stopped the clock for six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:09.89 seconds. Chancery Way, sent off at odds of 10-1, paid $22.40 to win, $7.80 to place, and $5.00 to show. Big Summer... ...

Nominations Released for King Glorious

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2022) — A razor-sharp Geezer and Giver Not a Taker, runner-up in the Golden State Juvenile Oct. 29, are among the 2-year-olds nominated to the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos. A one-mile race restricted to horses bred or sired in California, the King Glorious will be run for the 11th time – twice at Hollywood Park before moving to Los Alamitos in 2014 – Sunday, Dec. 18, the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet. Owned by Royalty Stable and trained by Hector Palma, Geezer, a son of Merit Man and the More Than Ready mare Pat Olcott, will be trying two turns for the first time after three consecutive wins at six furlongs. After finishing fifth in his career debut Aug. 27, the gelding defeated maidens by three lengths Sept. 16 at Los Alamitos, then won a pair optional claimers Oct. 30 and Nov. 27 at, respectively, Santa Anita and Del Mar. He’s earned $89,760. Owned by breeders J. Kirk... ...

La Vikina Vies for Miss America

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2022) — La Vikina is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Miss America Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. La Vikina is by Many Rivers, out of the Roman Ruler mare Roman Angel, was bred by owner Julio Enciso and is trained by Isidro Tamayo. She has four wins in 21 starts, earnings of $124,418 and is coming off a fourth in an Oct. 22 optional claimer. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From TOC SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct a meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Cal Expo. The Jockey and Driver Welfare Committee will meet the previous day at 1:00 p.m., also at Cal Expo. These meetings will be open to the public. Those providing unsolicited public comment on individual agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda items. Note that for agenda item #12 of the Board meeting and agenda item #3 of the committee meeting, Public Comment, no further comments will be permitted after 30 minutes. For those who do not attend, the webcast audio link on the CHRB website will provide a way to listen to the meeting. The agenda and package of materials for the Board meeting and agenda and package for the committee meeting are available on the CHRB website. ...

Gary Barber Named to TOC Board

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2022) — The Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously named Gary Barber to fill the board vacancy created by the recent resignation of Bill Strauss. Barber was named National Owner of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) two years in a row (2019 and 2020) and his trademark hot pink silks are well known throughout the world, particularly in his home state of California. He has won more than 1,000 career races, on his own and in partnership, and has enjoyed top-level success at the Breeders’ Cup as well as the Preakness Stakes. Barber said, “My passion for Thoroughbred racing is steadfast. I look forward to joining the Board of the TOC and hope to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of our sport and help attract a new generation of fans.” Barber, originally from South Africa, is the founding partner of Spyglass Entertainment, whose commercial hits generated over $5 billion in worldwide... ...

Unbeaten Cast Member in Soviet Problem

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2022) – Perfect in two starts for owner-breeder George Krikorian and trainer Tim Yakteen, Cast Member will stretch to a mile for the first time in the $100,000-guaranteed Soviet Problem Stakes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Restricted to 2-year-old fillies bred or sired in California, the Soviet Problem attracted five entrants. Part of the Golden State Series, the Soviet Problem is the third of nine races. Post time Sunday is 12:30 p.m. Scheduled post time for the main event is 1:30 p.m. A daughter of Munnings and the Artie Schiller mare Be My Baby, Cast Member graduated by three lengths in her debut Sept. 3 at Del Mar, then stepped into stakes company and stretched out an eighth of a mile to win the seven-furlong Golden State Juvenile Fillies eight weeks later. She’s earned $153,000. Big Celebration, also bred by Kirkorian, will return to the scene of her seven-length maiden victory for owner William R. Peeples and trainer Luis Mendez after trailing in... ...

Uncontrollable Enters Grade I Starlet

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2022) – Uncontrollable is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade I Starlet Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos. Uncontrollable is by Upstart, out of the Include mare Behavioral, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, is owned by Repole Stable and trained by Michael McCarthy. She has one win in three starts, earnings of $111,750 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 8 Grade II Chandelier Stakes. ...

Field of 11 Entered in Bear Fan Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2022) – Three graduates of the Northern California Yearling Sale and stakes winner Tam’s Little Angels are among the entries in Saturday’s $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Tip Top Gal is by Old Topper, out of the Royal Anthem mare El Sierra Tahoe, was bred by owners George and Mary Clare Schmitt and is trained by Quentin Miller. She has five wins in 38 starts, earnings of $221,913 and is coming off a ninth in a Nov. 27 optional claimer. She was third in this race last year. Exactly Wendy is by Nyquist, out of the Square Eddie mare Redo It, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Jerry Jamgotchian and trained by Leandro Mora. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $69,140 and is coming off a fifth in an Oct. 28 optional claimer. Hot Rageous is by Idiot Proof, out of the Free at Last mare Iforgottobeme, was bred... ...

Passarando

Passarando wins $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes. ...

Hat Ranch West Manager Joe Pruett Passes

From Daniel Schiffer TEMECULA, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2022) — Joe Pruett, the only ranch manager for the Hat Ranch West in Temecula from 1971 to its closure in 2005, passed away on Tuesday. He was 78. During his tenure he foaled broodmares such as General Store (California Broodmare of the Year) and Magnificent Crown (dam of Hanover Road, a Cal Cup Classic winner). He foaled and/or oversaw the early growth and/or rehab of such outstanding horses as Double Discount, Chain Store, Telly’s Pop, Summer Sale, Hanover Road and Best Dress. Pruett was one of 17 children raised at his parents’ chicken ranch in El Cajon. He served in the National Guard and was deployed to Hollywood Park during the Watts Riots. He went to work at Mel Stute’s training barn and it was Mel who introduced him to Ken Schiffer, owner of Hat Ranch West. He and his then-wife Irma raised five children at the Hat Ranch West. He later married his second wife Robbie and upon... ...

Passarando Hits Paydirt in Gold Rush Stakes

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2022) — The signature race on a cool afternoon at Golden Gate attracted a full field of ten 2-year-olds. The $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes, for 2-year-olds routers at one mile on the main track Tapeta. California-bred winner Passarando hit the wire a length and a half in front after sitting off fast fractions of 23.53, 47.43 and 1:11.72. From the second last position, Passarando began a move into the far turn run, saved ground around that turn and cut the corner as he turned for home. By upper stretch, Passarando had made his way into fourth position. From there, winning jockey Catalino Martinez switched his mount to the outside of horses and, when in the clear, Passarando unleashed a powerful move to run past the battling leaders in the final 50 yards. Passarando stopped the clock for one mile in 1:37.78 seconds. Passarando paid $8.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $3.80 to show. 60-1 second place finisher Chase the Chaos ran... ...

Mind Control Wins Cigar Mile in Farewell

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 3, 2022) — Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables’ multiple Grade 1-winner Mind Control will retire on top of his game after securing a trademark gutsy score in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap presented by NYRA Bets, at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and piloted by fellow Hall of Famer John Velazquez, the 6-year-old son of 2012 Cigar Mile-winner and California stallion Stay Thirsty entered his swan song a fresh horse out of a victory via disqualification on September 24 in the Parx Dirt Mile. Mind Control crossed the wire a winner by less than one length on Saturday for the seventh time in his 29-race career, including for his former conditioner Gregg Sacco with a three-quarter length score in the 2018 Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga Race Course and a nose win in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial one year later at the same track. Pletcher, who took over training duties of the talented bay last July,... ...

Record Purse Structure at Santa Anita

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2022)—Santa Anita Park’s Classic Race Meeting, which opens on Monday, Dec. 26, will offer horsemen the largest purse structure in Santa Anita’s storied 88-year history with significant increases in both allowance and stakes race monies. Additionally, Santa Anita will again offer fans and horsemen the best winter turf racing in America, as its downhill Camino Real, turf chute and turf oval will provide a wide variety of options for horses sprinting and going a route of ground. “Our turf is in tremendous condition,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. “With our downhill and turf chute components, we are pleased to offer the betting public and fans alike a cornucopia of turf racing options. With so much emphasis now on recruiting turf prospects from all over the world, turf racing is more popular than ever before. “As the meet progresses, we are also going to initiate a $25,000 starter series in March for boys and... ...

Eddie’s New Dream in Matriarch

DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2022) – Eddie’s New Dream is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $400,000 Grade I Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar. Eddie’s New Dream is by Square Eddie, out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Ben Cecil. She has six wins in 19 starts, earnings of $485,600 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 15 California Distaff. ...

Cal-breds Steaming Toward Gold Rush

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2022) – Stakes winners Clovis Connection and Passarando are part of a contingent of five California-breds among entries in Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Clovisconnection is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling, was bred by owners William and Judy Hedrick and is trained by Blaine Wright. He has won both starts with earnings of $62,700 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 12 Golden Nugget. Happy Does is by Southern Image, out of the Comic Strip mare Handfull, was bred by Dr. & Mrs. William Gray, is owned by Gray Farms and trained by Felix Rondan. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $48,516 and is coming off consecutive wins. Passarando is by Tamarando, out of the Lucky Pulpit mare I’m Passing Ya Now, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. He has three wins in six starts, earnings of $173,830 and is coming off... ...

Self Isolation Goes for Wand at Aqueduct

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Nov. 23, 2022) – Streaking California-bred Self Isolation is entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III Go for Wand for fillies and mares at Aqueduct. Self Isolation is by Square Eddie, out of the Spring At Last mare Loan Savant, was bred by Reddam Racing and is owned by trainer David Jacobson. She has six wins in 16 starts, earnings of $305,210 and is coming off three consecutive optional claiming wins. ...

Quickly Park It Vies in Jimmy Durante

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2022) – Stakes winner Quickly Park It and fellow California-bred Sell the Dream are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Jimmy Durante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar. Quickly Park It is by Prospect Park, out of the Lucky J. H. mare Quick Luck, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Sean McCarthy. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $95,520 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 29 Pike Place Dancer. Sell the Dream is by Munnings, out of the Run Away and Hide mare Enayat Alsalam, was bred by PT Syndicate #1, is owned by Brown, Klein and Lebherz and trained by Brian Koriner. She has one win in five starts, earnings of $137,760 and is coming off a fourth in the Oct. 29 Golden State Juvenile Fillies. ...

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