From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (June 11, 2022) — California-bred defending champion Give Me the Lute won Saturday’s $50,000 Albany Stakes at Golden Gate, setting the pace before outfinishing his competition to win the five-furlong contest by a narrow margin. Dueling on the lead from the outside post with fourth-place finisher Away From the Sun, the two aforementioned rivals clicked off the opening quarter mile in a sizzling hot 20.83 seconds. Into the far turn, Give Me the Lute cleared off on the lead and turned for home with a length and a half advantage. He hit the furlong pole still in front, completing the half mile in 44.52 seconds. In midstretch, 5-year-old mare Carolina Mia pounced from a stalking position and moved up to battle for the win with Give Me Lute. Give Me the Lute dug in gamely on the inside of the battle and turned away the challenge from Carolina Mia in the final 50 yards. Guided to victory by jockey Irving Orozco, Give Me the... ...

OCALA, Fla. (June 7, 2022) – A California-bred daughter of Square Eddie sold for $140,000 at Tuesday’s opening session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sale June 2-Year-Olds Sale. The filly, out of the Momentum mare Puff Pastry, was bred by Reddam Racing, consigned by Wavertree Stables, agent, and purchased by Mike Akers, agent. In the pre-sale under-tack work, she sped one furlong in :10 seconds. She is a full sister to Square Peggy, a stakes-placed winner of $276,504. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (June 5, 2022)—Taking full advantage of a California-bred incentive program that allows horses to run at the same allowance condition they’ve already won at, providing they’re changing surfaces, Mark Glatt’s Teddy’s Barino stretched out nicely for the first time to register a neck victory in Sunday’s $69,000 Santa Anita allowance feature.  Ridden by Mike Smith, Teddy’s Barino got one mile on turf in 1:35.45. Settling nicely from her outside post position in the run to the Club House turn, Teddy’s Barino was a comfortable second to Ghostem up the backside and was two lengths back with three furlongs to run.  With Smith sitting motionless, Teddy’s Barino moved to engage the leader a quarter mile out, made the lead turning for home and just held sway over Eleuthera to her inside and Big Clare and Hot On the Trail to her outside with the top four finishers separated by a neck and two noses on the wire. “I think this filly is better on dirt,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 6, 2022) — It still surprises owner and breeder Nick Alexander that his 4-year-old filly Becca Taylor is not unbeaten after nine starts. Running in her first graded stakes, Becca Taylor won Saturday’s Grade 3 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita, her first start here since a nose loss in the Irish O’Brien Stakes on the hillside turf course in March. “I’d like to see the photo,” Alexander said with a smile. Becca Taylor, trained by Steve Miyadi, won her third stakes in the $98,000 Desert Stormer. The 3-5 favorite ridden by leading jockey Juan Hernandez, Becca Taylor was always near the front and pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. “We had the leading rider, the outside post, and I was still nervous,” Alexander said. “Juan said he had a lot of horse on the backstretch.” Becca Taylor is likely to start in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher won at first asking in Friday’s first race at Santa Anita, a $68,000 maiden special weight race for state-bred 2-year-old fillies. The daughter of Mr. Big, out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Dan Northrup and trained by Luis Mendez. She was a $22,000 purchase at last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale by Tari Brocklebank, agent. Sent off as the 8-5 favorite, Ceiling Crusher ran the five furlongs in :58.70 and won by 4 ¾ lengths in a field of seven. This year’s Northern California Yearling Sale will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (June 2, 2022) – California stallion Coach Bob passed away on Thursday at Daehling Ranch from complications of kidney disease. He was 13. The son of Bertrando, out of the Yankee Gentlemen mare Gentlemen’s Hope, was bred in California by Pam and Martin Wygod and sold at the 2010 Northern California Yearling Sale for $5,000. Owned by Tom Gerstel, Reina Gonzalez, Keith Hembree, Jean Hembree and Jeff Kitchen and trained by Gonzalez, Coach Bob earned $211,367 on the track, with stakes placings at ages 3, 4 and 5. That included a second-place finish behind Big Macher in the Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. “It’s a very sad day for all of us here at the farm,” said Julia Daehling Oldfield. “He was a super easy stallion to work with and he enjoyed human interaction and loved peppermints. He would run up the gate if he heard the wrappers.  We will miss him.” ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 1, 2022) — Surely there had to be a reason California-bred Brickyard Ride quit early in the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita. The 3-10 favorite after winning four successive stakes, Brickyard Ride caved at the quarter pole and finished fifth under Juan Hernandez. It turns out he had an alibi – an irritating quarter crack in a hind foot. “He came out of the race with a foot bothering him,” trainer Craig Lewis said. “Juan said he didn’t push off like he usually does, and we’re assuming that’s the reason. He just didn’t run his race.” It was not his first quarter crack, just the first to affect performance. Brickyard Ride had a quarter crack in a front foot early this year. “Once we got it patched it stayed good, cold, and never affected him,” Lewis said. “This one did affect him. He just wasn’t himself.” Brickyard Ride was to ship Wednesday to San Luis Rey Downs for hyperbaric treatment. After... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 31, 2022) – Tom’s Regret, the undefeated California-bred filly who beat males in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes on May 5 at Churchill Downs, is likely to have her next start in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante on June 18 at Santa Anita. Trainer Jorge Periban said in May that Tom’s Regret was under consideration for the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes on July 14 at Saratoga, but said over the weekend that the Fasig-Tipton Debutante at five furlongs for 2-year-old fillies is a revised goal. Tom’s Regret was recently offered in a Fasig-Tipton digital auction, but was listed as not sold for $390,000, according to the sale company’s website. Tom’s Regret, a California-bred filly by Tom’s Tribute who races for the partnership of Griffin Stables, Saul Carrillo, Victor Flores, and Eugene Zondlo, won her debut in a maiden special weight race for fillies at 4 1/2 furlongs on April 15 at Santa Anita, pulling clear by 11 1/2 lengths. :: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity BERKELEY, Calif. (May 30, 2022) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Freeport Joe sat off a wicked-fast pace before closing on the outside and passing a handful of rivals to take down the 2022 edition of the $100,000 All American Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile on Tapeta on Monday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields. Under regular rider Assael Espinoza, Freeport Joe sat well behind blazing fast fractions of 22.35, 45.60 and 1:10.46 seconds. The 5-year-old son of English Channel began a move midway on the far turn before swinging for home while remaining in the clear. He mustered up a rally on the outside of rivals and eventually wore down runner up finisher Navy Armed Guard, the defending champion of this race last year, and third place finisher Dicey Mo Chara.  Freeport Joe hit the wire a half-length in front of the runner up finisher and stopped the clock for one mile on Tapeta in 1:36.40 seconds. Freeport Joe was bred by Richard... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Although she was heavily favored, it appeared Alice Marble was in the deep end of the pool a quarter mile from home in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, but with leading rider Juan Hernandez at the controls, it indeed seems anything is possible these days at Santa Anita, as Alice Marble fairly exploded the last eighth of a mile to win going away by three quarters of a length. It was Hernandez’s fourth stakes win of the day and his fifth overall.  Owned and bred by Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato, Alice Marble got a flat mile on turf in 1:37.67. Under a snug hold at the rail while third, about 2 ½ lengths off longshot leader Flying to the Line leaving the half mile pole, Alice Marble was shuffled back to fifth around the far turn and had six lengths to make up turning for home, but Hernandez was unflappable, splitting horses while three deep and with an eye-catching... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—George Krikorian’s homebred Big Switch was completely dominant as the odds-on favorite in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by 4 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Juan Hernandez and trained by John Sadler, who coincidentally trained the race’s undefeated namesake, Big Switch got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.87 while notching her second stakes victory. The Melair is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired 3-year-old fillies. Attentive to the early pace set by It’s Simple, Big Switch easily moved on terms with the leader heading into the far turn and had a one length edge on Rose Maddox and Youteyourhonor a quarter mile out.  From there, Big Switch widened through the lane, winning like a filly with considerable upside. A winner of the seven-furlong Golden State Juvenile Fillies in her second start on Nov. 5 at Del Mar, Big Switch was most recently fifth versus open company in a 6 ½ furlong hillside... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Off mounts last weekend due to being kicked in a paddock mishap on May 20, Jessica Pyfer, America’s Eclipse Champion Apprentice Jockey for 2021, notched her first stakes win as a journeyman jockey on Saturday at Santa Anita, as she put Red Baron’s Barn homebred Bally’s Charm on the lead and never looked back en route to a 5 ¾ length win in the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank.  Trained by Jeff Mullins, Bally’s Charm got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:50.21. The Snow Chief is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired three-year-olds. The “fittest horse in the race” according to Mullins, Bally’s Charm, fresh off a three-quarter length win going a mile on turf in a first condition statebred allowance here on April 17, made a visually easy lead while in-hand going into the Club House turn.  Turning up the backside, even money favorite Smuggler’s Run settled... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Idle since Oct. 17, Nick Alexander’s homebred Desmond Doss came back running on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he rallied for a decisive 2 ¼ length victory in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes, giving Juan Hernandez consecutive stakes wins and his third win from as many mounts.  Trained by Steve Miyadi, Desmond Doss, a 6-year-old horse by Grazen, got six furlongs in 1:09.70. The Thor’s Echo is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired 3-year-olds and up. “He ran an uncharacteristically dull race in October, so we gave him plenty of time,” said Alexander. “He never left the barn and Steve had him the whole time. I think he really wanted to go in the Crystal Water, but he didn’t have enough time. His dam is 20 years old. Every foal she has had has been a winner, she’s just one of those mares. I bred the mom and then had the family for about four... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Despite a soft early pace, favored Carmalita’s Man rallied from last to take Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length under Juan Hernandez.  Trained by Dean Pederson and owned by Larry and Ann Jett, the 5-year-old gelding by Mucho Macho Man got one mile on turf in 1:37.26. A part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series, the Crystal Water is for eligible California-bred or sired horses three and up. Bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises and Robert Traynor, Carmelita’s Man, who is out of the North Light mare Carmelita, picked up his fifth win from 18 career starts and with the winner’s share of $60,000, increased his earnings to $276,538. With Loud Mouth and Umberto Rispoli showing the way early, Carmelita’s Man settled into a rhythmic stride around the first turn just outside of Irish Heatwave and about three off the lead.  Turning for home, Carmelita’s Man, under confident handling, had about five... ...

TOYOAKE, Japan (May 28, 2022) – Win Marvel, a Japanese-bred son of California stallion I’ll Have Another, won Saturday’s $605,000 Group III AOI Stakes for 3-year-olds at Chukyo Racecourse. Win Marvel has four wins in 11 starts and earnings of $740,906 (US). Win Marvel ran the six furlongs on firm turf in 1:08.20 and won by 2 ½ lengths at odds of 7-2. It was his first Group win. ...

DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (May 26, 2022) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Camino Del Paraiso has been retired after a 48-race career that began in the autumn of 2015 and ended with a third-place finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields last month.  A 9-year-old California-bred gelding, Camino Del Paraiso was recently diagnosed with a minor injury that led to the decision to end his racing career, trainer O.J. Jauregui said on Thursday.  Camino Del Paraiso was nominated for Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields and had a five-furlong workout on May 20. “He ran a good third in the San Francisco Mile,” Jauregui said. “He came out with something small. He’s been a great horse for us.”  In the 14-runner San Francisco Mile, Camino Del Paraiso stalked the pace as a 33-1 outsider, was second in the stretch and was beaten a length by winner Evening Sun.  Jauregui said a factor in the decision to retire Camino Del Paraiso was the... ...

From Santa Anita Pubicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2022)—A front-running gem of consistency, William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore registered her sixth career stakes win and third added money victory in a row as she took Saturday’s $75,000 Mizdirection Stakes by one length.  A 5-year-old California-bred mare by 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern, she got about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course under Ricky Gonzalez in 1:13 flat. Trained by the meet’s leading conditioner Phil D’Amato, Leggs Galore was shortening up off a gate to wire score going one mile on turf in the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes March 5, but she showed her customary zip back at a sprint today in a dominant performance.  “I think she’s as effective around two turns as the hill,” said D’Amato, who racked up his 13th stakes win and 45th overall win of the meet.  “She shows she can do both, that’s a great asset to have.  Ricky was able to get a length or two ahead crossing the dirt, that... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BALTIMORE, Md. (May 21, 2022) — Team Hanley and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Joy’s Rocket , winless in her previous eight starts that included four second-place finishes, looked like a winner all the way around historic Pimlico Race Course May 21 during a dominant 4 1/4-length triumph in the six-furlong $100,000 Skipat Stakes Joy’s Rocket, a Florida-bred by California stallion Anthony’s Cross, broke running and was quickly joined up front by 2-1 favorite Cilla  as they went a quarter-mile in :22.57 with Maryland stakes winner Time Limit  positioned to the outside in third. Time Limit moved up to second after a half in :45.06 and loomed a threat approaching the stretch when Joy’s Rocket began to steadily edge clear under a hand ride to win in 1:09.76 over a fast main track. “I was glad to see her get away from the gate so clean today. She’s run gamely all year. We went back to the pace she showed when she was 2 and was winning races,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “She’s competing well. But this put... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2022) — Brickyard Ride, a versatile and valiant California-bred son of Clubhouse Ride, was nominated to four stakes on Memorial Day weekend but will remain in open company and run in the Grade II Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs next Sunday, trainer Craig Lewis said this morning.             A five-year-old full horse owned and bred by Alfred Pais, Brickyard Ride has four gears: fast, faster, fastest and adios, and has used them all winning 12 of 22 lifetime starts, the last four in a row, in a main track sprint against Cal-breds, a one-mile dirt race against Cal-breds, a downhill turf sprint against Cal-breds, and a Grade III stakes against open company in the Kona Gold.             Lewis rarely has instructions for the rider of Brickyard Ride, Juan Hernandez, other than, “Good luck.” Santa Anita’s top jock has ridden the chestnut in his last seven races, winning five.             “That’s pretty much it (in the way of pre-race advice),” the sometimes-succinct but... ...

By Jay Hovdey, Thoroughbredracing.com In the third instalment of an acclaimed new series recalling his personal favorites, Jay Hovdey recalls the hugely popular Cal-bred filly who didn’t let an infamous Breeders’ Cup DQ derail a glittering career — Fran’s Valentine: ‘She continued to try so darn hard’ | Topics: Fran’s Valentine, Jay Hovdey’s Favorite Racehorses, Breeders’ Cup | Thoroughbred Racing Commentary You had to be there. Saturday, Nov. 10, 1984. Hollywood Park, located in the fair city of Inglewood, Calif., just down Century Boulevard from Los Angeles International Airport. Elizabeth Taylor was there. So was Cary Grant, along with Angel Cordero, Laffit Pincay, Bill Shoemaker, and a robust cohort of walking, talking legends of the Thoroughbred game. The inaugural presentation of the Breeders’ Cup was more than a watershed moment in the history of the sport. It was also a day of outrageously vigorous competition played out in seven heated innings, packed into a nationally televised NBC program. Those seven races went by in a hurry, beginning with a Breeders’... ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (May 18, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Honor the Hero Stakes at Canterbury Park. Minister of Soul 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 14 wins in 40 starts, earnings of $395,905 and is coming off a win in an Apr. 20 optional claimer. He was sixth in this race last year. ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (May 18, 2022) – Multiple stakes winner Tiger Dad is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Brooks Fields Stakes at Canterbury Park. Tiger Dad is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Unusual Heat mare Q T Shea, was bred by Mark Devereaux, Scott Gross & Mark Gross, is owned by Rosette Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has seven wins in 26 starts, earnings of $433,825 and is coming off a sixth in the May 4 St. Matthews Overnight Stakes. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 15, 2022) — California-bred Acclimate, a former maiden claimer who won four graded stakes on turf and was unplaced in two runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, has been retired and will be retrained for a second career as an event horse. “He had a little issue,” trainer Phil D’Amato said on Friday. “He’s long in the tooth and he’s done a lot for us. “At this stage, we’d have to give him a couple of months. It’s not worth doing that age-wise.” An 8-year-old gelding, Acclimate won 8 of 31 starts and earned $763,372, all for the family of the late Bud Johnston, Timmy Time Racing and Ken Tevelde. Acclimate won his final start, the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita in March, and worked at least until mid-April. In 2021, Acclimate won the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes and was last of 14 in the BC Turf at Del Mar last November. Acclimate was ninth in the 2019 BC Turf... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 13, 2022) — Paddle On Polly  became the first winner for first-crop sire Smokem  when she narrowly took a $67,000 maiden contest for California-bred juveniles in the second race May 13 at Santa Anita Park. Running second and third behind her in a three-horse photo were a pair of other fillies by the stallion. Making her second start after a debut fourth at Santa Anita April 30, Paddle On Polly shot to the front in the 4 1/2-furlong dash on the main track and maintained a slight advantage throughout. She turned aside Smokem for You  leaving the turn and outlasted hard-charging It’s Saul Right  for a head victory. She was timed in :54.18 on a fast track, paying $26.80. Apprentice Emily Ellingwood rode the winner for trainer Lisa Bernard, who co-owns the filly with Chris Fosselman and Michael John Ryan. Ryan purchased the Terry C. Lovingier-bred filly for $10,000 from the Lovacres Ranch consignment to the 2021 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale. Smokem (Union Rags  ) stands in California at Lovacres Ranch... ...

By Bloodhorse.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 7, 2022) — In the fifth race May 7 at Turf Paradise, Jonathan Kalman’s juvenile colt, One in Vermillion , became a winner at second asking and the first winner for freshman sire Army Mule  . The California-bred colt scored by  2 1/4 lengths for trainer Esteban Martinez, defeating eight other juveniles in the Open Spring Futurity going five furlongs on dirt. One in Vermillion broke alertly to stalk the leaders while racing four wide, then moved up to take command with a sixteenth to run and quickly drew away. His final time was :56.50 for the five furlongs. One in Vermillion paid $6.80 on a $2 wager. Diamonds Danzing  was second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Beyond Awesome . The colt is out of the winning Any Given Saturday  mare Given Star and was bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises. One in Vermillion was consigned by Few Acre Farm to the 2021 Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Fall Mixed Sale, selling to Kalman for $26,000. Given Star is the dam of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 5, 2022) — The May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs will soon shed light on where California’s 3-year-olds stand vs. the nation’s best. But the racing public already knows the high quality of one of the state’s most precocious 2-year-olds. Racing May 5 in the $179,785 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill, California-bred Tom’s Regret  scored a front-running length victory over The Big Wam . Bet down to favoritism following a quick first-out victory at Santa Anita Park last month, she sped five furlongs in :58.23 on a fast track, returning $6.40 on a $2 wager. “We have a good filly. She showed me all the time in the morning. I had a lot of confidence,” trainer Jorge Periban said in a post-race interview broadcast on the track’s in-house television feed. Bred in California by DP Racing, Tom’s Regret is the lone winner and first stakes winner from four foals produced by the Quality Road   mare Pure . Her two unraced foals are a 3-year-old full sister to Tom’s Regret named Precious Baby, and... ...

CHANTILLY, France (May 3, 2022) – Prince Lancelot, a British-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won the listed $52,000 Rix Servanne at Chantilly on Tuesday. Prince Lancelot, a 4-year-old colt out of the Moss Vale mare Rainbow Vale, ran the six furlongs on turf in 1:09.35 and won by a head at odds of 7-1 in a field of 11. He has four wins in 12 starts and earnings of $133,150. ...

By Bloodhorse.com SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (May 2, 2022) — Climax Stallions announced May 2 the retirement of fourth-crop California stallion Curlin to Mischief   due to a recent bout of infertility. “Curlin to Mischief will now have the opportunity to live out his days in a new role as an amateur-friendly riding horse for Ellie Stilson at her Daisy Acres facility in Kentucky,” Climax Stallions said in a statement. The 11-year-old unraced son of Curlin   is out of the late 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady, making him a half brother to three-time leading North American sire Into Mischief  , multiple champion Beholder , and grade 1 winner and sire Mendelssohn  . Since entering stud in 2016 at Rancho San Miguel, Curlin to Mischief was California’s leading third-crop sire for 2021. He has sired 28 winners that include multiple stakes winners Good With People  and Cobra Jet . Good With People won the Golden State Juvenile Stakes on his way to earning $321,020 through the end of last year. He is currently in training at San Luis Rey Training Center. Cobra Jet... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2022) — Like stable companion Royal ‘n Rando in the $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for colts and geldings, 3-year-old chestnut filly Ellamira sat towards the back of the field before rallying from behind to win the $75,000 Campanile Stakes, the filly division of the Golden State Series-eligible stakes for turf milers at Golden Gate Fields Sunday. Ellamira, sent off as the 2-1 co-favorite with fifth place finisher Exactly Wendy, outfinished 9-1 shot Vincero Grande to take home the gold prize in the Campanile for winning jockey Frank Alvarado and trainer Steve Specht. The two aforementioned horsemen won the Silky Sullivan Stakes earlier in the day with 3-year-old Royal ‘n Rando. Another entrant for Specht in the Campanile, Tam’s Little Angel, finished third. Vaping Angel was fourth in the 2022 Campanile followed by Exactly Wendy, Irish Wahine and Sen Sen. Ellamira completed the one mile on turf in 1:38.04 seconds. 3-year-old filly Ellamira is owned by Cole Ranch Partners, who also bred the... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2022) – Royal ‘n Rando gave sire Tamarando his first black-type winner when he rallied from the back of the pack for a narrow win in Sunday’s $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. Royal ‘n Rando is out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $106,568 and was coming off a fourth in an Apr. 1 optional claimer. Royal ‘n Rando ran the mile on turf in 1:37.28 and won by a nose over Highland Ghost at odds of 7-1, with odds-on favorite Worse Read Sanchez third in the field of five. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2022) – Sadie Bluegrass, third in the race last year, split horses in mid-stretch with an explosive kick to win Saturday’s $75,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Sadie Bluegrass is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Grazen mare Sadie Clare, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Madden Racing, Hon Cheung Kum or Hsiu Mei Tsai and is trained by Jonathan Wong. She has 12 wins in 21 starts, earnings of $286,180 and was coming off a sixth in a Mar. 5 starter’s allowance. Sadie Bluegrass won by two lengths at odds of 9-2. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2022) – Longshot California-bred Ultimate Bango, claimed out of his last start for $32,000, ran past defending champion Anyportinastorm and held off the late-closing Strongconstitution by a nose to win Saturday’s $75,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate. Ultimate Bango is by Uh Oh Bango, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Ultimate Summer, was bred by Mitchell Dutko & Bob Abrams, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He has six wins in 27 starts, earnings of $396,159 and was coming off a third in the Apr. 1 $32,000 claimer. Ultimate Bango ran the six furlongs in 1:09.40 at odds of 22-1. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 30, 2022)—Brickyard Ride, a chestnut California-bred son of Clubhouse Ride, continued his march to the Grade I Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in November with an emphatic 2 ¼ length tally in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita—his fourth consecutive stakes win at the current Winter/Spring Meet.  Owned and bred by Alfred Pais, trained by Craig Lewis and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride went straight to the front and never looked back, negotiating 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.07. Breaking like a shot from his number three post position, Brickyard Ride was in complete control throughout, dictating terms through fractions of 21.95, 44.10 and 1:08.45. “He’s pretty fast,” said Lewis, who also trained Clubhouse Ride.  “Juan said he wanted to take it easy on him, but he wouldn’t let him.  So, you saw the results and they ran fast…He was geared down so, no telling.  He just keeps getting better and better. “We’re going race to race, but our long-range... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 29, 2022) – California-breds Paisley’s Vision, Scatalicious, Diamonds Danzing and One in Vermillion are entered in Saturday’s $60,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds. Paisley’s Vision is by Prospect Park, out of the Pollard’s Vision mare Winning Vision, was bred by owner C J Racing and is trained by Scott Rollins. She is making her second start with earnings of $645. Scatalicious is by Majestic Harbor, out of the Scat Daddy mare Miss Scatalicious, was bred by owner C J Racing and is trained by Scott Rollins. She is making her second start with earnings of $2,148. Diamonds Danzing is by Danzing Candy, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Temper, was bred by H & E Ranch, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and is trained by Miguel Hernandez. She is making her second start with earnings of $2,148. 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... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 25, 2022) – California-bred stakes winner Power Surge sold for $370,000 at Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton April Digital Select Sale. Power Surge is a 3-year-old filly by Straight Fire, out of the Thunder Gulch mare Strikes of Fire, was bred by Straight Fire LLC, consigned by Blaine Wright, agent, and purchased by Jay Em Ess Stable. She won the recent Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies and has earnings of $126,590. She sold as a racing/broodmare prospect. Owned by Jungle Racing, KMN Racing, Legacy Ranch, LNJ Foxwoods, Old Bones Racing, et al, Power Surge has two wins in five starts. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 21, 2022) – A California-bred colt by U S Ranger sold for $280,000 at Thursday’s session of the OBS Spring Sale for 2-Year-Olds in Training. The colt, out of the stakes-placed El Corredor mare Meredith Bee, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, was consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales, agent, and was purchased by L.E.B., agent. He was sold for $50,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Yearling Sale. The colt was clocked in :10 1/5 in a one-furlong under-tack work. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 19, 2022) – A California-foaled filly by Kentucky stallion Upstart sold for $130,000 at Tuesday’s first session of the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The filly, out of the Include mare Behavioral, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, consigned by Grassroots Training & Sale, agent, and purchased by West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable, Inc. The filly worked one furlong in 10 seconds flat in the under-tack breeze. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 22, 2022) – A trio of California-sired Arizona-breds won Friday stakes races at Turf Paradise. Longshot Stephen James, a son of California stallion Ministers Wild Cat, won the $60,000 Dwight D. Patterson Stakes. Stephen James, out of the Mazel Trick mare Suchaprettygirl, was bred by Fleming Thoroughbred Farm. He has three wins in 19 starts and earnings of $77,594. The 4-year-old gelding ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.84 and won by a neck at odds of 15-1 in a field of six. Big Heat, a daughter of California stallion Mr. Big, won the $60,000 Joanne Dy Breeders’ Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Big Heat, out of the Unusual Heat mare California Heat, broke her maiden with the win in her fifth career start with earnings of $56,608. The 3-year-old filly ran the six furlongs in 1:1052 and won by 6 ½ lengths at odds of 5-2. Arizona Sun, a daughter of Ministers Wild Cat, won the $60,000 Ann Owens Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares. Arizona Sun,... ...