From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 2, 2023)–Safe to say Bill Spawr, 83, who announced earlier this week that he had disbanded his stable, perhaps did more with less over a remarkable 46-year career as a public trainer than most all of his contemporaries.                 A star running back at Downey High School who got hooked on racing while working as a part time clerk in a local liquor store that served up Daily Racing Form, Bill Spawr, who was born on Dec. 13, 1939 in Bell, CA, gravitated to the racetrack full-time at age 23 and gained invaluable experience as a veterinarian assistant for 14 years, prior to forming a public stable in 1977.                 Although he was never positioned to receive a steady influx of well-bred talent, Spawr’s successes came largely through the claim box and via a time-tested formula for doing well—hard work.  With 1,709 career wins, Spawr amassed two Winter/Spring training titles at Santa Anita, in 1991 and 1996, two titles at the track’s Oak... ...

From DMTC Publicity Del Mar Thoroughbred Club projected its most lucrative racing season ever last summer, then backed it up with a record-breaking meet that saw purse levels total above $25-million for the session resulting in an unprecedented average purse payout of more than $800,000 per day. Those numbers, the highest in California racing history, are in the track’s sights once again with the aim, amazingly enough, to go even bigger and better for this year’s 31-day stand, which will be the iconic track’s 84th season. As it did in 2022, the seaside oval will present 39 major stakes, six of which are designated as Breeders’ Cup Challenges races, offering a total of $8,275,000 during its eight-week summer run. It also will continue its highly successful “Ship & Win” program to attract more horses to come and take part in the summer festivities and continue with its well-received Maiden Dirt Bonus plan, which was fully implemented last summer. Del Mar’s summer meet set records in 2022 with more than $18.7 million... ...

By DRF.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Feb. 28, 2023) — First-time eligible Thoroughbred champions Arrogate, California Chrome, Lady Eli, and Songbird are among six new names that will appear on the ballot for the first time for possible election into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was announced on Tuesday. Trainer John Sadler along with retired trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, though previously eligible, are also newcomers to the Hall of Fame ballot. The aforementioned quartet of horses join previously nominated racehorses Blind Luck, Game On Dude, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, and Rags to Riches on the ballot. Sadler and McLaughlin join previously nominated trainers Christophe Clement, Graham Motion, Doug O’Neill, and John Shirreffs for consideration. Corey Nakatani, who has been on the ballot the last several years, is the only jockey who appears on the ballot this year. Hall of Fame voters may select as many candidates as they deem worthy of induction. To gain election, each candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote from the voting... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (Jan. 27, 2023) – California stallions are making an impact in the Pacific Northwest, as the recently held Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association annual awards demonstrated. Three of the awards were presented to horses sired by California stallion. They were: Slew’s Tiz Whiz, a son of Slew’s Tiznow, was named Richard Wright Memorial Horse of the Year and Scatter Training Center champion holder horse; Blazingbellablu, a daughter of Grazen, was named champion older filly or mare; The Big Wam, a son of Mr. Big, was named champion 2-year-old male.   ...

From Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2023) — The Breeders’ Cup, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end global championship event, announced that the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships would take place at Del Mar next year, marking the third time the Southern California track will serve as host of the two-day event. The 2024 dates for the Breeders’ Cup are Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships consists of 14 grade 1 races with purses and awards totaling more than $31 million, drawing the many of the world’s best horses, trainers, and jockeys to compete. An event that rotates among host sites, the Breeders’ Cup has been staged exclusively in California and Kentucky since 2008. Fans interested in ticket information for the 2024 World Championships can sign up here. “We are delighted to announce that the World Championships will be returning to Del Mar next year for what is sure to be an unforgettable two-year-run on the West Coast,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup president and CEO. “Breeders’ Cup has always been a... ...

Press release from EquiRing LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 23, 2023) – EquiRing, in conjunction with Adrian Gonzalez of Checkmate Thoroughbreds, will be joining forces to create a sales venue for the California market. The first sale will be held in April and will have a focus on two-year olds, horses in training, and current proven horses that might have a particularly interesting update.  This will be open to breeding stock as well. Adrian Gonzalez discussed the market, saying, “California is a vibrant market with great owners and breeders. We are hungry for a consistent and efficient way to trade horses. We have worked with EquiRing and enjoyed success with our stallion season auctions, and we look forward to building on that success with this venture.” Jamie LaMonica, President of EquiRing, said, “Adrian is a rising star in the business and is knowledgeable in all aspects of the game. We could not be more delighted and enthusiastic to be working together on this project. California has some of the best racing and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2023)—In another thoroughly dominant performance, the Eric Kruljac-trained The Chosen Vron made every pole a winning one as he amassed his ninth career stakes victory by taking Monday’s $100,000 Tiznow Stakes by 6 ½ lengths.  Ridden by Hector Berrios, the 5-year-old gelding by Vronsky got a flat mile in 1:36.16.                 The Tiznow, for older horses, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 Breaking like a shot from his outside post, The Chosen Vron was immediately in control in the run to the Club House turn and although pressed by eventual runner-up Leyas Candy to his outside, shook clear while in-hand at the top of the lane and was only running against the clock the final three sixteenths of a mile.                 “It was a huge effort for him,” said Kruljac.  “Coming back off of the sprint (a neck victory in the six furlong Cal Cup Sprint on Jan. 7) where he used himself... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2023)—Although in top recent form on grass, Nick Alexander’s homebred Alice Marble proved invincible in taking Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita, as she rallied from off the pace under Flavien Prat to win by 1 ¾ emphatic lengths and is thus unbeaten in four tries on the main track. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Alice Marble got six furlongs in 1:10.29. The Spring Fever is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Quick from her rail post, but content to let a threesome of Doris Mae, Chancery Way and Eddie’s New Dream duke it out on the front end, Prat bided his time to deep stretch, where he found a seam between horses a furlong out and burst clear in short order. “She broke well, I was traveling super,” said Prat, who recommended Alice Marble run in today’s Spring Fever instead of against open company going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2023) — In turf sprints at Del Mar and Santa Anita and 1,000-yard races at Los Alamitos, California-bred See Through It was unbeatable in his final five starts of 2022. It turns out the versatile 6-year-old gelding can handle the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields just fine, too. In his debut on the surface, See Through It closed from sixth in a field of eight to win his Thoroughbred stakes debut in Saturday’s $76,350 El Dorado Shooter Stakes for California-breds at six furlongs. See Through It is by Curlin to Mischief, was bred by Los Alamitos owner Dr. Ed Allred, is owned by Belico Racing LLC and Lizbeth Medina and trained by Milton Pineda. He has 11 wins in 30 starts and earnings of $250,694. Ridden by Brayan Pena, See Through It ($21) caught 8-5 favorite Top Harbor in the final sixteenth to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:09.18. Top Harbor led in the stretch and held second, finishing... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 18, 2023) – Longshot California-bred Special Moment rallied from last to win Saturday’s $60,000 Startac Stakes for 3-year-olds at Turf Paradise. Special Moment is by Stanford, out of the Blame mare Blame It Onthesong, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Chris Aulds and Gaylon McGee and trained by Bart Hone. He has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $59,669 and was coming off a maiden optional claiming win. Special Moment ran the 7 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:32.19 and won by three-quarters of a length and odds of 13-1 in a field of nine. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 18, 2023) – Favored California-bred Don’t Get Pickled rallied from the back of the pack to win Saturday’s $60,000 Princess of Palms Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turf Paradise. 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 H. M. A. Stable and trained by Miguel Hernandez. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $68,051 and was coming off a second in the ATBA 3-Year-Old Sales Stakes. She ran the 7 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:32.22 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 5-2 in a field of eight. ...

Press Release from Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal PIRU, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2023)—In a major move to make Thoroughbred racing partnerships more accessible, fun and affordable, the successful team of California-based owner Tim Cohen of Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal and Kentucky-based bloodstock agent Joe Miller of Kern Thoroughbreds are launching Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners (RTTP). This new boutique initiative will allow individuals to tap into a winning formula that has yielded dozens of stakes winners and top ownership honors at Del Mar and Santa Anita Park, primarily through the acquisition and import of quality international runners.   Founded by the late Jed Cohen, Tim’s father, Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal utilizes Miller’s expertise to identify and acquire race-ready European and North American bloodstock through public and private purchases. This finely tuned business model has yielded multiple Grade 1 winner Janet (GB), Grade 1 winner River Boyne (Ire) and multiple Grade 1 winner and 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Dr. Schivel, among other notable color bearers, while boosting the Cohen family’s... ...

Press Release from Arroyo Vista Farm VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2023) — Visitant, a multiple stakes winner of 11 races in 20 career starts, a track-record holder with earnings of over $676,000 by the very popular sire Ghostzapper, has been retired from racing and will begin his stallion career in 2023 at Arroyo Vista Farm in Southern California. Visitant is a homebred owned by Henry Williamson of Williamson Racing LLC, and has been part of the generationally successful thoroughbreds campaigned in California and Kentucky under those silks. The 7-year-old horse is out of the black-type mare, Peppermint Lounge, by Distorted Humor, who had four wins in just six starts for Williamson Racing and trainer Carla Gaines in Southern California. Visitant’s stud fee is set at an introductory rate of $2,500 live foal stand and nurse guarantee. “Visitant is our number one earning homebred male horse of all time and leads all runners in number of wins. He has been versatile, winning stakes races from six furlongs to a 1-1/8... ...

ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2023) — John Barr, prominent California breeder and owner for the past half century and past president of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away on Sunday. He was 93. Barr and wife, Betty, raced under the nom de course Oakcrest Stable. In addition to his 25 years of service on the CTBA Board of Directors, Barr served as president and director of the Oak Tree Racing Association, the Board of Stewards of The Jockey Club and for five years on the Board of Directors for Breeders’ Cup Ltd. In addition, the Army veteran served on the Board of Directors and was the Treasurer of the Richard Nixon President Library & Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda. At the racetrack, Barr’s stable included California Cup Distaff winner Bountiful Dreamer, multiple stakes winner Bob’s Lady, stakes winner and prolific broodmare Beverly Z., Real Good Deal Stakes winner Waingarth and Fran’s Valentine Stakes winner Bert’s Melody. In a 2016 California Thoroughbred profile, Barr explained that his career, which began in... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2023)—Ridden with supreme confidence by Juan Hernandez, California-bred Fun to Dream made short work of five rivals as she rallied from off the pace to take Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes by 2 ½ lengths.  Bred in-part and trained by Bob Baffert, the 4-year-old daughter of Arrogate got seven furlongs in 1:22.75.                 Unhurried out of the gate, Fun to Dream, the 1-2 favorite in a field of six older fillies and mares, was fifth, about two lengths off the lead at the three furlong pole and in very tight quarters.  Hernandez played it cool though and split horses while three-deep at the top of the lane and easily inhaled a well-meant Awake At Midnyte inside the furlong pole.                 “Juan rides her with so much confidence,” said Baffert, who got his second stakes win on the afternoon.  “He has gotten a chance to ride these good horses and that’s what he does—Is ride them with such confidence hoping they... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2023) — Santa Anita will conduct live racing on Friday, Feb. 24, which was a scheduled dark day.  First post time will be at 12:30 p.m. The card has been added as a makeup for weather-related cancellations earlier in the Classic Meet. ...

Press Release from Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2023) — Grade 1 winner Cistron sired his first reported foal, a filly out of the Acclamation mare Patriot Missile, born Jan. 30 at Harris Farms. A fourth generation Harris Farms homebred, she is the first foal from her dam, a half-sister to the G3-placed stakes winner Super Patriot ($371,554). The second dam Patriot C H is a half-sister to the Harris homebred G3 stakes winner Lucky J. H. ($632,065). This is the family of numerous G1 stars including City of Light, Cacoethes and Fabulous Notion. A stakes-placed winner at 2, Cistron won Oaklawn ‘s Northern Spur Stakes at 3 and graded stakes victories on both dirt and turf at 5 and 6 in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), Kona Gold Stakes (G2) and San Simeon Stakes (G3T) while earning $768,719 for owner Hronis Racing. Cistron is one of four graded winners from the first crop of the multiple War Front G1 winner The Factor. He stands his second season at Harris Farms for $3,500 Live Foal. ...

 2023-winter-sales-result.pdf (ctba.com) ...

Sale Results: 2023-winter-sales-result.pdf (ctba.com) POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 31 2023) – Poster Girl, a stakes-placed broodmare in foal to California stallion Halladay, sold for $70,000 to top Tuesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale at Fairplex. The 10-year-old Poster Girl, by English stallion Excellent Art and consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, was purchased by Cedros Bloodstock. She has a yearling filly by More Than Ready. The highest-priced 2-year-old at the sale was Rachael’s Ride, a California-bred filly by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Bodemeister mare Slalom, bred by Tony Busching and Carol Busching and purchased for $43,000 by Nick J. Hines, agent for M. Nentwig. Hines and Nentwig also combined to purchase a 2-year-old Cal-bred filly by Om, out of the stake-placed Good Journey mare Kathleen Rose and a 2-year-old Sir Prancealot colt out of the stakes-placed Havana Gold mare Nonna Giana. Both sold for $33,000. A 2-year-old Sir Prancealot filly, out of the Candy Ride filly Candy Forest, sold for $40,000 to Jeff Bonde. There were 90 horses sold for... ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND Park, N.M. (Jan. 29, 2023) – California-bred One in Vermillion won his third consecutive stakes race Sunday, when he came back along the rail after being passed for a length victory in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park. One in Vermillion is 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 three wins in four starts, earnings of $149,620 and was coming off a win in the Dec. 21 Lost in the Fog.   How Did He Do That was a fast-closing second, finishing three lengths clear of third-place finisher Loudmouthsoup.   The Riley Allison, which was run at one mile, served as the first of two local steppingstones to the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Derby on March 26. It also was one of four stakes on the card, including the $65,000 Borderplex won by Christian d’Oro. The Borderplex is one of two local preps for the $300,000... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...