OCALA, Fla. (Mar. 18, 2021) – Five California-breds sold at this week’s Ocala Breeders’ Sale March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, led by an Asturn colt that brought $95,000. The colt, out of the Tiznow mare Tisbury, was bred by Linda Madsen, consigned by Lucan Bloodstock and was purchased by Cary Bloodstock, agent for Intrepid Thoroughbreds. A filly by first-year stallion Stanford sold for $85,000. Named Drizella, she is out of the Roayl Applause mare Tinderella, was bred by Magee-Wolfson, consigned by Havens Bloodstock and purchased by William Peeples. Peeples also bought a filly by Grazen named Grazen’s Touch, out of Touch Gold mare Lavender Touch, bred by Gilman Racing and consigned by Havens Bloodstock. She cost $80,000. A colt by Munnings sold for $65,000. He is out of the War Front mare Mobilize, was bred by Terry Lovingier, consigned by Wavertree Stables and purchased by Michael Maker. A Champ Pegasus colt sold for $45,000 to Maker. He is out of Vale of York mare Little Rooster, was bred by Cicero... ...

HEMET, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2021) – Multiple graded stakes winner Oscar Nominated has been retired to California and will stand the 2021 breeding season at BG Thoroughbred Farm in Hemet for a fee of $2,500. Oscar Nominated is a son of Kitten’s Joy, out of the Theatrical mare Devine Actress, was bred by Mrs. Jerry Amerman and is a full brother to Oscar Performance, whose multiple Grade I wins include the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Oscar Nominated will be the only son of Kitten’s Joy standing in California. On the track, Oscar Nominated had six wins in 30 starts and earnings of $1,502,639. His biggest wins include the Grade III Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, the Grade III Kentucky Downs Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs and the Grade III W.L. McKnight Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He also placed in the Grade I Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine.   ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2021) — Grade I winner Mucho Unusual was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2020 during Monday’s annual awards presentation by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Mucho Unusual is a 5-year-old mare by Mucho Macho Man, out of the Unusual Heat mare Not Unusual, was bred by owner George Krikorian and is trained by Tim Yakteen. She has career earnings of $862,715, of which $317,333 were earned in 2020 when she scored her greatest career triumph in the Sept. 26 Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita. She also won the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 27. The former California Cup Oaks winner has placed in nine graded stakes. The other finalists for Horse of the Year, in alphabetical order, were Bulletproof One and Warren’s Showtime. Other Cal-bred champions recognized during the teleconference: Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Tie between Big Fish and Good With People. Big Fish, bred by George Krikorian, owned by Legacy Ranch, trained by David Hofmans;... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 14, 2021)–William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore was long gone in Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita as she waltzed to a 2 ¼ length win, which was her fifth consecutive triumph dating back to Aug. 7.  Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Leggs Galore, a 4-year-old California-bred filly by 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern, got six furlongs over a firm turf in 1:08.17. The Irish O’Brien is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Breaking like a rocket from her outside post position, Leggs Galore opened up a four length cushion after the first quarter mile and it was readily apparent no one was capable of pressuring her, thus assuring the brilliantly fast grey her second consecutive stakes win over the course in what may’ve been her best effort to date. “This race, she really started to remind me of Enola Gray... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2021) – Charlene “Charlie” Markel, a former longtime staff member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away Sunday night. She was 74. Markel worked on the California Thoroughbred magazine as a graphic artist from 1978-2014. A fixture in the FrontRunner and infield at Santa Anita, she was an avid racegoer. She is survived by husband Donn Markel. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2021) — With COVID numbers declining and vaccines on the rise, The Stronach Group and TOC are pleased to announce new protocols at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields to allow licensed owners more access to the grounds. If COVID numbers continue to decline, please expect to see further loosening of restrictions in the coming weeks and months. SANTA ANITA PARK Winner’s Circle After each race, the winning horse will be brought into the Winners’ Circle and a limited number of owners will be allowed access for the customary photo.  To continue to keep the trainers, jockeys, and other essential employees safe, the following protocols are in place: While this is a celebratory event, social distancing (minimum of 6-feet) in the Winner’s Circle will be strictly enforced. Entrance to the Winner’s Circle will be restricted to a maximum of 8 owners and/or guests to allow for social distancing.   Owners and/or guests will be asked to stand on the West Side of the Winner’s... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 12, 2021) — It’s My House, a Florida-bred son of California stallion Anthony’s Cross, won Friday’s $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby for 3-year-olds. It’s My House, out of the Grand Reward mare Gerry’s Reward, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 2-1 He has two wins in four starts with earnings of $59,760. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 6, 2021)–Fresh off a huge win versus California-breds, Alfred Pais’s homebred Brickyard Ride made short work of open company in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita, as he made every pole a winning one in covering seven furlongs in 1:21.51.  Ridden by apprentice Alexis Centeno and trained by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride, a 4-year-old colt by top California-based stallion Clubhouse Ride, was never threatened as he won by four lengths. Breaking like a shot from post position six in a field of nine, Brickyard Ride outfooted 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court while under restraint in the early running and was merely a chestnut blur around the far turn.  With just three taps of the stick to keep him focused, Brickyard Ride cruised to the wire, where he received a congratulatory pat on the right shoulder from Centeno, who celebrated his first-ever graded stakes victory. “Well, speed kills and he killed today, with his speed,” said Lewis,... ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2021) — Building on the positive news it announced last week concerning a 30% increase to overnight purses and major enhancements to its popular “Ship & Win” program, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club today released this year’s summer stakes schedule showing a similar healthy increase of 30% to its major stakes compared to its 2020 racing season. The track once more will tender its usual complement of eight California-bred stakes, part of the Golden State Stakes Series that consists of 36 stakes worth more than $4.4 million. Those stakes are the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, the $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes, the $100,000 CTBA Stakes, the $100,000 Graduation Stakes, the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes, the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes and the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes. In 2020, the track presented 32 major stakes worth $5,175,000. For this year there will be two additional stakes and total purses will be $6,750,000, a value increase of 30%. Twenty-one of this season’s... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2021)–In a race in which the emphasis was on speed, speed and more speed, Harris Farms’ hard knocking Fashionably Fast proved gamest of all, as he dug deep while in between horses late to win Sunday’s $100,000 Tiznow Stakes at Santa Anita by a head.  Trained by Dean Pederson and ridden by Tiago Pereira, Fashionably Fast, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Lucky Pulpit, got a flat mile in 1:37.14 while taking the Tiznow for the second consecutive year. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Tiznow is part of the Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired older horses.  The Tiznow is named for the California-bred two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner from 2000 and 2001 who was trained by Jay Robbins. Breaking from the outside in a field of five, Fashionably Fast was part of a four-horse scramble for the lead, as recent allowance winner Desmond Doss had a head advantage over Margot’s Boy, with Surfing Star just a half length in front... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2021)–In a thoroughly dominant performance, Kaleem Shah’s Bella Vita, idle since May 16, made short work of six rivals as she powered to a 4 ½-length win in Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Flavien Prat, the California-bred filly by Shah’s 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern got six furlongs in 1:10.33. The Spring Fever is part of the CTBA’s Golden States Series, for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Breaking alertly from her outside post position, Bella Vita looked to be in control the entire trip, as she sat a measured fourth, about two lengths off the lead 3 ½ furlongs from home.  With Square Peggy rushing up on her outside, Bella Vita shifted out and in an eye-catching move, collared her approaching the quarter pole and drew off to win in-hand with her ears pricked. “One thing about this filly, she’s very tractable,” said Callaghan.  “(Prat) said she’s very push button.  You can put her wherever you... ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2021) — Stakes-placed Sparticle will stand the 2021 breeding season at Daehling Ranch. Sparticle is the son of the late sire Field Commission, out of the mare Clara Bow, and was foaled May 10, 2015. A Florida-bred colt, his track earnings were $171,099. Sparticle was the top progeny in 2018 for Field Commission with a speed rating of 101 and earnings that year of $92,490. In 2019 he ranked in the top five progeny of Field Commission with an Equibase speed figure of 113 and earnings of $66,639.  Sparticle set the track record for six furlongs of 1:07.68 on August 24, 2019 in a six-length win at Penn National Race Track. Sparticle is a handsome hard-knocking sprinter with the potential to pass on his capabilities to his progeny. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2021) — Joe Herrick Racing Stables, LLC and Red Silk Stables LLC.’s Lovely Finish scored an emotional maiden victory for her connections in the first race on Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course three years after the now 6-year-old mare survived the 2017 Lilac Fire while at San Luis Rey Downs.           Ridden by Anthony Locke from post number eight, the California-bred won in style, pulling away from her rivals in route to a 3 1-2 length win in the 1,000-yard race.           “I had to keep myself from getting emotional because her and I almost lost our lives together,” said Herrick, who trains the now 6-year-old California-bred mare by Marino Marini.           In saving Lovely Finish from the wildfire on December 7, 2017, Herrick was burned on 23 percent of his body. After months of recovery for both trainer and horse, Lovely Finish made her return to the races, running third in a 5 1Ž2 furlong race during the LA County... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2021) — Regarded as one of the best jockey agents in America for decades, George O’Bryan, who turned 100 years of age on Oct. 25, passed away early Thursday afternoon at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, according to his son, Craig O’Bryan. Following his career as an agent, O’Bryan, along with his late wife Mercedes, was also an owner/breeder of note in California.  His biggest achievement in the breeding arena came with the California-bred Don B. mare, Don’s Quillo, who was the dam of California-bred champion Megan’s Interco, an earner of $1,062,000. One of nine children, George Albert O’Bryan was born in Taylorville, Illinois and left home at age 16 for a career in racing, which included a brief career as a jockey, riding for eventual Hall of Fame conditioners Ben Jones and his son Jimmy in the Midwest. Athletic, hard working and tremendously knowledgeable, O’Bryan went from exercise boy to jockey to jockey agent, representing many jockeys, including five Hall of Fame riders, Johnny... ...

DUBAI, U.A.E. (Feb. 3, 2021) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Take the One O One has been nominated to the $1.5 million Grade I Dubai Golden Shaheen and the $750,000 Grade II Godolphin Mile. The races will take place as part of the Dubai World Cup card on Saturday, March 27, at Meydan Racecourse. Take the One O One is by Acclimation, out of the Jump Start mare North Freeway, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by Jay Em Ess Stable and trained by Brian Koriner. The 6-year-old California-bred, sold for $47,000 at the Northern California Yearling Sale, has six wins in 20 starts, earnings of $490,826 and most recently ran sixth in the Jan. 23 Palos Verdes Stakes. In 2018, Take the One O One scored back-to-back stakes wins in the Snow Chief and Real Good Deal. ...

From Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2021) — Julio Canani, a successful trainer of Breeders’ Cup winners who died Feb. 5 at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena at age 83, reveled in attention. Much as he enjoyed accepting trophies after a big race, he also would dress up in a giant green hat at Santa Anita Park on St. Patrick’s Day. He loved the few episodes of the HBO series Deadwood that he did for producer and writer David Milch. “I get to be in a bar and spit on someone,” Canani once said of the old West series. Canani trained such horses for Milch as 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) winner Val Royal. Prior to Deadwood, Milch put Canani in a couple of episodes of the television series NYPD Blue. “I go over there for fun, and they say, ‘Let’s dress him up,’ ” Canani explained. A decade ago, Milch created the Peruvian trainer Turo Escalante based on Canani for the short-lived racetrack-based series Luck. Milch infused the character with... ...

From Daehling Ranch ELK GROVE, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2021) — California stallion Rumpus Cat’s first foal is a filly out of the Tribal Rule mare Medicine Gal. The filly was delivered at Daehling Ranch, where Rumpus Cat, a son of Street Sense, stands for a $2,500 fee. ...

From Eddie Rich Racing On Thursday January 21st, longtime trainer and California based horseman Dagoberto Perez passed away at the age of 80.  A familiar and well-liked person, he was a fixture at Hollywood Park for decades, he was often seen with his signature cigar and fedora as he followed each of his horses to the track and back. Dagoberto was born in Cuba and was a trainer in his homeland before immigrating to the United States in 1961.  After many years on the East Coast as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer, Frank “Pancho” Martin during the years Martin dominated the New York racing scene with training titles at Aqueduct and Belmont, “Dago” was there for it all and had the pleasure of working with great horses such as Autobiography, Rube The Great, Never Bow and of course, Sham. The Martin barn headed west and so did Dagoberto. Settling in at his beloved Hollywood Park, the warm California sunshine suited him well and Dago chose not to return... ...

From Barton Thoroughbreds SANTA YNEZ, CA—Bodexpress has been retired from racing and will enter stud for the 2021 season at Barton Thoroughbreds for $5,000 LFSN. The five-year-old Grade 1-winning son of Bodemeister out of a City Zip mare retires with lifetime earnings of nearly $700,000. This includes his notable victory in the G1 Clark in November 2020 defeating Code of Honor, as well as his second to Maximum Security in the G1 Florida Derby in 2019. Bodemeister has also sired Always Dreaming, the winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, and both Always Dreaming and Bodexpress have shown that they were able to carry their front-running speed over a distance of ground. Julio Rada of Platinum Bloodstock brokered the deal and was critical in the securing of the new stallion for Barton Thoroughbreds. Barton Thoroughbreds is pleased to add a stallion to their roster of this caliber and looks forward to supporting him with mares.  Bodexpress is available for inspection at the farm in Santa Ynez, California. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2021) — Veteran stallion Surf Cat, a multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire and the sire of 2017 California Horse of the Year Sircat Sally, will stand at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, California during the 2021 breeding season. His fee is $2,500, live foal guarantee. The 19-year-old son of Storm Cat’s multiple graded stakes winner Sir Cat has stood exclusively in California since his retirement from racing in 2009 — originally at historic Old English Rancho and most recently at a small, private farm near Chowchilla. From nine crops of racing age, Surf Cat has sired 57 winners from 84 starters to date, with lifetime progeny earnings of $4,046,140 and average earnings per starter of $48,168. His five black-type runners are led by Sircat Sally, a $552,860-earner who won three graded turf stakes at Santa Anita Park and California-bred Horse of the Year honors from the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 2017. He is also represented by the dual Grade 3 winner... ...

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2021) — The first reported foal by multiple graded winner Om was born January 18 at Harris Farms. Bred by Al and Saundra Kirkwood, the chestnut filly is the third foal from the Unusual Heat allowance winner All the Heat who is a full sister to Inflamed, dam of Grade I winner Mo Forza.   Making headlines breaking his maiden in his second start at 2 defeating Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Om continued to excel at 3 through his 7-year-old season winning four graded races including the Del Mar Derby (G2T), Twilight Derby (G2T) and Mathis Brothers Mile (G2T), in addition to second and third-place finishes in 13 other graded stakes including two editions of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.   Om recorded 14 Triple Digit Beyers at five different race tracks coast to coast, including a new course record at Churchill Downs for 5 ½ furlongs. He retired with earnings of $1,355,082.   The leading money-winning son of his sire Munnings, Om will stand his second season at Harris... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2021)–Although spring training in Arizona and Florida is a month and a half away, George Krikorian’s homebred Mucho Unusual nonetheless took a base on balls Monday at Santa Anita, as she powered to a three-quarter length win at odds of 2-5 in the Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes.  Trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by Joel Rosario, the 5-year-old California-bred mare by Mucho Macho Man got one mile on turf and thus became the Winter Meet’s first two-time stakes winner in the process. With a pair of program scratches reducing the field of older fillies and mares to four, Mucho Unusual broke alertly from her number three post and was immediately lapped on Chilean import Brooke, who went straight to the lead from her rail post. Second, while a measured three quarters of a length off the leader at the three furlong pole, Mucho Unusual drew alongside leaving the quarter pole and was carried out to the four-path by Brooke at the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2021)–Quick from the blocks and completely dominant thereafter, the Alfred Pais homebred Brickyard Ride made every pole a winning one as he registered an impressive 3 ¼ length win in Saturday’s $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita.  Trained by Craig Lewis and ridden by Alexis Centeno, the 4-year-old chestnut colt by red hot California-based stallion Clubhouse Ride got six furlongs in a rapid 1:09.42. Named in honor of the longtime owner/breeder Donald Valpredo, the Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint is part of the CTBA’s lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. With a two length advantage at the quarter pole over stablemate Club Aspen, Brickyard Ride widened late and easily prevailed late over post time favorite Tigre Di Slugo. “I felt pretty good about it because I thought we had them double teamed, we knew we were going to try to speed away with Brickyard because he’s got wicked speed,” said Lewis, who also trained his... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2021)–Content to sit well off the early pace, North County Guy wheeled four-wide at the top of the stretch en route to a hard-earned neck victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic at Santa Anita.  Trained by Richard Baltas and ridden by Mario Gutierrez, North County Guy, a 6-year-old gelding by The Pampelmousse, got a mile and one eighth in 1:46.34. Presented by City National Bank, the Unusual Heat Turf Classic is part of the CTBA’s lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. With 70-1 longshot Cono winging on an uncontested early lead, North County Guy was a distant fifth, about 20 lengths off the lead with a half mile to run.  As Cono stopped mid-way around the far turn, the entire field moved into contention, with North County Guy about three lengths off the lead at the top of the lane. With favored Acclimate and Tyler Baze hitting the front at the quarter pole, North County Guy... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2021)–Patiently handled by leading man Juan Hernandez, Legacy Ranch’s Big Fish reeled ’em in late to take Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby by 1 ½ lengths. Trained by David Hofmans, Big Fish got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:46.37. A Northern California Yearling Sale purchase for $45,000, Big Fish was bred by George Krikorian. A joint sixth, about four lengths off the lead going into the far turn, Hernandez bided his time, angled outside three sixteenths from home and Big Fish unleashed a powerful stretch kick to run down None Above the Law in the final sixteenth. Fourth in the one mile turf Eddie Logan Stakes here on Dec. 27, Big Fish, a 3-year-old gelding by Mr. Big out of the Into Mischief mare Perched, had been on turf and faced open company in his last four races, with both of his wins coming on the grass. Ridden for the first time by Hernandez, he was also fitted with blinkers, after having... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2021)–With a nightmarish trip in her last start behind her, Harris Farms’ homebred Closing Remarks powered to an impressive one-length win in Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita.  One of three fillies in the field trained by Carla Gaines, Closing Remarks was ridden by Umberto Rispoli and covered one mile on turf in 1:35.62. Named for the longtime owner/breeder and trainer who passed away this past Sept. 3 at 79, the Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks is part of the CTBA’s lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired three year old fillies. Fourth, about two lengths off of longshot leader Super Game at the top of the stretch, Closing Remarks wheeled three-wide and was free-running to the wire as she easily held off the late run of Warrens Candy Girl on the money. Full of run with nowhere to go turning for home in the Grade III Jimmy Durante Stakes going a mile on... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2021)–Never headed at any point, trainer William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore sped to an emphatic 3 ¼ length win in Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Leggs Galore got six furlongs out of Santa Anita’s new turf chute in 1:08.90 while collecting her fourth consecutive win. Presented by John Deere, the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the CTBA’s lucrative Golden State Series for eligible older fillies and mares bred or sired in California. Breaking from post position two in a field of nine, Leggs Galore went right to the lead, enjoyed a one length advantage three furlongs from home and easily repelled a challenge mid-way around the turn from Mo See Cal to register her first stakes victory. “I knew it was going to be hard for them to beat her,” said Gonzalez.  “She was doing it so easily, and running so relaxed.  She had a lot... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2021) — Nat Wess, a popular and highly respected racing publicist who began his career in racing in 1964 at Santa Anita, died Thursday at age 81 from complications related to a recent fall. In a story written by Steve Andersen at DRF.com, Andersen reported that Wess, who retired in 2009, held a variety of jobs in racing, including management positions at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, Bay Meadows, Hollywood Park and with the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. As director of publicity at Hollywood Park, he oversaw the implementation of the wildly popular Two Dollar Pick Six in 1980, which helped the Inglewood oval become the first track in America to average more than $5 million in daily handle, which was bet entirely on-track. As general manager of the CTBA, he was part of a team that developed the concept of California Cup Day, which debuted during Santa Anita’s Oak Tree Meeting in 1990. A man of boundless energy, Wess had a love... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2021)–Veteran California-based trainer Bruce Headley, the developer of 2000 Eclipse Champion Sprinter Kona Gold and many other stakes winners, died this morning at Arcadia Methodist Hospital from the effects of a stroke at age 86. Headley was inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame in 2015. Born Feb. 17, 1934 in nearby Baldwin Park, Headley was first introduced to racing at Santa Anita by an aunt at age six.  At age 14, he was mucking stalls and walking hots alongside a diminutive 16-year-old from El Monte named Willie Shoemaker at the Suzy Q Ranch in La Puente and from there, it was all racetrack–Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, the LA County Fairgrounds, Bay Meadows, Tanforan, Golden Gate Fields and more. “I started out with nothing and grew up learning under great horsemen,” said Headley in an interview with Dan Ross of Thoroughbred Daily Commentary in April, 2015.  “I grew up watching trainers like Charlie Whittingham, Buster Millerick, Les... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2021) – California stallion Ministers Wild Cat was represented by three winners, all bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, on Friday’s card as racing resumed at Golden Gate. Run the Blues Away won the first race, an $8,000 maiden claimer. She is out of the Eurosilver mare Blues and Silver and was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. Ragin Waters won the fourth race, a starter allowance. He is out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Calm the Sea, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and owned by Jedd Josephson and Liam Lynch. Stalking Shadows won the fifth race, a maiden special weight. He is out of the Petionville mare Silent Stalk and was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2021) – California-bred multiple stakes winner Pacific Heat sold in-foal in Omaha Beach for $150,000 in Monday’s session of the Keeneland January Horses of all Ages Sale. Pacific Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Hotlantic, was bred by Harris Farms and Donald Valpredo and was purchased by Avocet Bloodstock/Betz Thoroughbreds. Pacific Heat has a 2-year-old by Ghostzapper and a yearling by Jimmy Creed. ...

From 1/st Racing BERKELEY, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2021) – 1/ST RACING is pleased to announce that Golden Gate Fields will resume live racing on Friday, January 15. After extensive testing in collaboration with the Berkeley Public Health Division, it has been determined that the COVID-19 concerns on the campus have decreased to levels to allow the resumption of live racing. Golden Gate Fields is indebted to both the Berkeley Public Health Division and the Alameda County Public Health Department for their assistance and advice during the period of temporary closure. As the Golden Gate Fields Racing Office remains closed for in-person business, entries will be taken via telephone for racing on Friday, January 15 on Tuesday, January 12. As part of the continued COVID-19 safety protocols in place at Golden Gate Fields, we are unable to allow owners to attend training or live racing as we begin this meet. We will continue to monitor this situation and will update the Thoroughbred Owners of California of any changes to this policy.” For... ...

Click here for sale results POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2021) – Chasing Moments, a daughter of Orb in foal to California stallion Smokem, sold for $70,000 to top Wednesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Mixed Sale at Fairplex Park. Marcelo Aguera purchased the 6-year-old mare, who is a half-sister to the Grade II-winner Authenticity, herself the dam of stakes winner Hanalei Moon. The second-highest priced purchase was a yearling filly by Malibu Moon, out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Brush Strokes, purchased for $60,000 by Double Chevron Racing. Aguera also made a pair of $40,000 purchases – Mobilize, a War Front mare in foal to Stay Thirsty, and Wedding Dress, a Medaglia d’Oro mare in foal to Stay Thirsty. The 72 horses sold for a gross of $574,100, an average of $7,974 and median of $3,450. ...

From NYRA OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 1, 2021) — California-bred Capo Kane made his stakes debut – and first start in New York – a successful effort, leading gate-to-wire for a 6 1/4-length victory in Friday’s 151st running of the $150,000 Jerome for newly minted 3-year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack. Owned by Bing Cherry Racing and Leonard Liberto, Capo Kane made his debut on October 28 at Parx, running second in a seven-furlong sprint. He ended his juvenile campaign with a maiden-breaking victory on November 25 on the same track, being stretched out to a mile and 70 yards. Returning to action on an overcast New Year’s Day, Capo Kane broke sharp from the inside post under jockey Dylan Davis and led the compact five-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in 23.53 seconds and the half in 47.83 on the muddy main track with 7-5 favorite Swill in close pursuit. Jockey Manny Franco urged up Eagle Orb out of the turn, making a bid from the outside. But Davis responded to... ...

From Bloodhorse.com Most people would say William H. Nichols was a likeable guy, a nice guy even. But history tells another story: He is the one who famously made Charles Howard cry.  “My friends teased me about that for quite a while,” he recalled.  Nichols, who went on to success as a stakes-winning breeder in the Golden State and member of the Board of Directors of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, died Dec. 29 at his Mares’ Nest Farm near Wilton, Calif. He was 95. The famed crying incident happened back in the spring of 1944 at Howard’s Buick dealership on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. Nichols had been invited by Howard to meet after the audacious teenager sent the “richest man west of the Mississippi” a letter asking for a job.  While in Howard’s office, Nichols noticed a painting on the wall of Frankie, Howard’s late son who died tragically as a young boy. Nichols asked Howard if the painting was of him, bringing tears to Howard’s eyes as... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 28, 2020) – President Trump on Sunday signed into law COVID-19 relief and government funding legislation that includes the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 (HISA), historic legislation that will establish national standards to promote fairness and increase safety in Thoroughbred racing nationwide. The legislative package also includes key tax reform, COVID-19 relief provisions and extensions of current H-2B visa amendments beneficial to the horse racing industry.   Passage of the HISA culminated a multi-year effort by many industry stakeholders to establish national standards for anti-doping, medication control and increased racetrack safety for horses and riders. The movement gained momentum in early September when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) authored and sponsored the HISA legislation. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 29 by an overwhelming majority and was passed by the Senate on December 21, again, by an overwhelming majority. The HISA legislation will go into effect no later than July 1, 2022, but could be effective earlier following... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2020)–Well beaten in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Nov. 7, George Krikorian’s homebred Mucho Unusual seemed to relish a return home to Santa Anita as she rallied under eastern-based John Velazquez to take Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes by three quarters of a length.  Trained Tim Yakteen, the California-bred daughter of Mucho Macho Man got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:46.94. Comfortably in-hand while second, about two lengths off of pacesetting She’s Our Charm around the first turn, Mucho Unusual inched up outside a three-horse spread that included favored Miss Teheran and She’s Our Charm heading to the three furlong pole and held sway late under a hand ride from Velazquez, who collected his third win on the day. “She broke good and it looked like the one speed filly (She’s Our Charm) would go and she did.  Down the backside, Joel (Rosario, aboard favored Miss Teheran) moved a little early... ...

LAUREL, Md. (Dec. 26, 2020) — Five Hellions Farm’s Dontletsweetfoolya, a Maryland-bred daughter of California stallion Stay Thirsty, extended her win streak to five races, putting away main rival Malibu Mischief at the top of the stretch and sprinting clear to her second straight stakes victory in the $100,000 Willa On the Move. Dontletsweetfoolya ($4.20), favored at even money in a field of eight, hit the wire 2 ¼ lengths in front in 1:09.47 for six furlongs over a fast main track. It was the closest a horse had come to beating Dontletsweetfoolya during her streak, where she had won by an average of 6 ½ lengths.   “Ever since we drew the one-hole we were kind of dreading it, especially with the weather coming in. The track guys did a fantastic job with working this rail all day,” winning trainer Lacey Gaudet said. “We’ve had rain and cold weather and this rail is beautiful so it did give us a little more confidence when we led her over here. [There... ...