LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 12, 2021) – Stakes-winning California-bred mare Mo See Cal sold for $110,000 at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton July Breeding Stock Sale. Mo See Cal is a 6-year-old by Uncle Mo, out of the Lydgate mare Do Dat Blues, was bred by Rozamund Barclay, was raced by Rockingham Ranch and was purchased by Rosemont Stud. She was not pregnant. Mo See Cal won six of 22 starts with earnings of $348,758. She won last year’s Betty Grable Stakes at Del Mar and was sixth in the Grade I Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. ...

By Bloodhorse.com COTTONWOOD, Calif. (July 12, 2021) — California stallion Far From Over, a 9-year-old son of Blame   who was standing at Dr. William Gray’s Gray Farms near Cottonwood, Calif., died July 11 after suffering a seizure the night before, Fountain of Youth Breeding announced Sunday. Bred by Alexander Groves Matz, Far From Over sold for $550,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Out of the A.P. Indy mare Alchemist, he was a half brother to the grade-1 placed And Why Not  (Street Cry), who is the dam of this year’s WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) victor Fearless  and stakes winner Just Whistle . Far From Over was trained by Todd Pletcher and raced under the colors of Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables, and James Covello. The Kentucky-bred broke his maiden at first asking as a 2-year-old at Aqueduct Racetrack, followed by a gutsy score in the 2015 Withers Stakes (G3) in his sophomore debut. He was training for a start in the Twinspires.com Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and was an early-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 11, 2021) – Back on track after a rare misfire in the Hastings Stakes last month, Daffodil Sweet overhauled fellow California-bred Ima Happy Cat in the stretch and scored a 2 ½-length victory over Dontkissntell in Sunday’s $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes for older fillies and mares. Ridden by Juan Gutierrez at 119 pounds, Daffodil Sweet covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.19 and paid $8.80 as third choice in the wagering. Chris Stenslie is the winning trainer for owners Jody Peetz of Issaquah and Steve Shimizu of Bellevue. A 4-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat bred by Michael Terry, Daffodil Sweet earned $27,500 and is 5-0-1 in seven career starts with earnings of $91,545. Her only losses were a second in the mile and a sixteenth in the 2020 Washington Oaks and a seventh in the Hastings, when she completely missed the break and never was involved as the 9 to 10 favorite. Daffodil Sweet got away cleanly Sunday, stalking Ima Happy Cat through fractions of :21.81 and... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 10, 2021) – Thirsty Always stalked and pounced five wide then pulled away for an easy win in Saturday’s $75,000 Everett Nevin Stakes for 2-year-olds at Pleasanton. Thirsty Always is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Not For Love mare Angela’s Love, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Beckerle, Carrillo and Lovingier and is trained by Walther Solis. The colt ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.40 and won by 4 ¾ lengths at odds of 6-1 in the field of nine. Drinking Again, another son of Stay Thirsty, was second with Hijo Galante third and favored Mr. T’s Thirsty, another son of Stay Thirsty, fourth. ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, Tex. (July 10, 2021) – Longshot Streak of Silver, a Louisiana-bred son of California stallion Graydar, won Saturday’s $100,000 Texas Futurity for 2-year-olds at Lone Star Park. Streak of Silver is out of the Van Nistleroy mare Sammy Van Ammy and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 17-1 in the field of nine. ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (July 5, 2021) – California stallion Prince of Love sired his first winner July 5 when his 2-year old colt Shortman  graduated first time out at Los Alamitos Racecourse for owner and breeder Sergio Zepeda Jr. Sent off at 9-1 odds in the field of 5, the bay chased his rivals in fourth position behind an early first quarter in :22.77 before moving into contention around the turn under jockey Diego Herrera. Barreling down the lane on the inside, Shortman overtook the pacesetter in the final strides for a half-length tally. Trained by Sally Rivera, Shortman ran the five furlongs in :58.65 on a fast track. Bred in California, Shortman is the third foal out of the unraced Smarty Jones  mare Shorty Jones, all of whom are winners. Shortman hails from the family of grade 1 stakes winner Jack Milton   and grade 3 victress Peace Preserver . Prince of Love, an unraced 8-year-old son of Caros Love , was bred in California by Rancho San Roberto Inc. and Genaro Vallejo. He entered stud in 2018... ...

By Bloodhorse.com WILMINGTON, Del. (July 5, 2021) — Legacy Ranch stallion Straight Fire  sired his first winner July 5 when his son Fourteeneightyfour  won a 5-furlong maiden special weight at Delaware Park in his debut effort, defeating a field of 6 other juveniles. Bred in California by Straight Fire LLC, Fourteeneightyfour is raced by Valentin Jimenez and trained by Baltazar Galvan. Straight Fire LLC bred the colt out of the stakes-winning Gone Astray  mare, It’s High Time , who won the 2015 Florida Sire Desert Vixen Stakes and was third in both the Cassidy Stakes and Florida Sire Susan’s Girl Stakes, all at Gulfstream Park. Fourteeneightyfour was the first foal on the ground for stallion Straight Fire and is the dam’s first runner; she has a Copper Bullet   colt at foot. Straight Fire, a 7-year-old son of Dominus  , bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, entered stud in 2018 at Legacy Ranch. Campaigned his 2-year-old year, he ran second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and third in the FrontRunner Stakes (G1). Straight Fire has two crops on the ground (totaling 48 foals), with 28 2-year-olds for... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ELMONT, N.Y. (July 4, 2021) —  Mind Control, son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, challenged Firenze Fire  through every point of call and edged the 2-5 favorite for good in the final furlong, gaining the slight advantage from the outside and prevailing by a head to win the July 4 $250,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. The 11th running of the John A. Nerud, for 4-year-olds and up competing at seven furlongs on the main track, secured the 5-year-old Mind Control’s spot in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier. It marked the Stay Thirsty   son’s first win in nine starts dating to his score in the Tom Fool Stakes (G3) in March 2020 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Mind Control, breaking from post 2 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, challenged Firenze Fire upfront, leading by a head with the opening quarter-mile in :23.05 seconds before Firenze Fire put his head in front with the half-mile in :46.03 over the fast track.... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (July 2, 2021) – Progeny of California first-year stallion Stanford won both maiden special weight races for 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos on Friday when Carmen Miranda took the first race and Drizella the fourth race. Carmen Miranda, out of the Tribal Rule mare Miranda Rose, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato. She ran the five furlongs in :58.48 and won by a length in a field of seven. Drizella, out of the Royal Applause mare Tinderella, was bred by Magee-Wolfson, is owned by William Peeples and trained by Luis Mendez. She ran the five furlongs in :57.95 and won by one-half length in a field of seven. ...

GIFFORD HILL, South Australia (July 4, 2021) — California stallion Sir Prancealot was represented by his first Australian winner when the 2-year-old filly Bell of Yorkes won at Murray Bridge on Saturday. Belle of Yorkes, out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Charzoo, ran the 1200 meters on turf in 1:12.63. ...

By Shelby County Post SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 2, 2021) – Ever Wonder, an Indiana-bred daughter of California stallion Jersey Town, went gate to wire to win Wednesday’s $77,300 Checkered Flag Stakes for fillies and mares at Indiana Grand. Ever Wonder, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Wildcat Wonder, ran the six furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:09.25 by 8 ½ lengths as the even-money favorite. She has nine wins in 23 starts and earnings of $269,937 after her first stakes win. Starting from post five, Ever Wonder was on top of the field of eight in the first few jumps with open lengths to the field behind her. Serena Beck and Santo Sanjur left the gate from the outside post to get good early positioning and was joined by Hungarian Princess and Sammy Bermudez as they tracked Ever Wonder on the front end. The remainder of the field was gapping behind the top three in the early stages of the race. In the stretch, the daughter of Jersey Town... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 26, 2021) – Favored Desmond Doss rallied from off the pace to wear down Tom’s Surprise, the longest shot in the field at 27-1, to win the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes Saturday for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos. Owned by breeder Nick Alexander and trained by Steve Miyadi, the 5-year-old son of Grazen and the Malek mare Malley Girl prevailed by a half-length in the race restricted to 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California. Although Desmond Doss’ trip was not what Miyadi envisioned, the result was the right one for his connections and was the fifth win in 14 starts for the versatile gray. He’s won three of five on dirt and was second in his two defeats and is also a double winner on grass. “I thought he would be where (Tom’s Surprise) the whole way,’’ said Miyadi, who also won Saturday’s first race in tandem with Alexander with Father O’Flaherty. “I think that was the plan coming out... ...

From Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2021) – A California-bred filly by first-year stallion Shaman Ghost sold for $100,000 at Wednesday’s Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Santa Anita. The filly, the first foal out of the Greeley’s Galaxy mare Pearls for Girls, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, consigned by Excel Bloodstock, agent for Lebherz Racing, and was purchased by High Tech Racing. The filly was one of eight six-figure purchases at the sale, conducted in the winner’s circle at Santa Anita Park. A large crowd occupied the boxes during the sale, which saw 52 sell for a total of $2,966,000, an average of $57,038, and a median of $50,000. A total of 16 were not sold for a buyback rate of 23.5%. Trainer Carla Gaines purchased the sale-topping Tiznow filly (Hip 36) for B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm for $250,000. The sale topper is out of the Empire Maker mare Soot Z, who has also produced 2019 Sorrento Stakes (G2) winner Amalfi Sunrise  and stakes-placed Gotti  and Senatus. Geoff Nixon’s Tolo Thoroughbreds and Art Tanaka bred... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (June 23, 2021) – California sophomore stallion Majestic Harbor  sired his first black-type winner June 23 when Pearl Tiara took the $77,200 fillies’ division of the Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes at Indiana Grand. Tim Glyshaw trains the filly for Loren Hebel-Osborne, Carol Hebel, Claudia Pirman, Fred Pirman, David Osborne, and Dan Ison. Diamond Solitaire, another daughter of Majestic Harbor, finished second.  Pearl Tiara, out of the Mineshaft mare Pearl Pendant, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.60 and won by 8 ¾ lengths at odds of 5-1 in a field of seven. The Indiana-bred has three wins in nine starts and earnings of $120,314. Majestic Harbor is a 13-year-old son of Rockport Harbor  who won the 2014 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1). He also collected wins in the Alysheba Stakes (G2), Mineshaft Handicap (G3), and Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) while racing from ages 2-8. Paul McGee and Sean McCarthy both trained Majestic Harbor for Gallant Stable throughout his career. He earned $1,295,814 from a 10-8-7 record in... ...

From Whitehouse Equine AUBURN, Wash. (June 21, 2021) — California sire Finnegan’s Wake sired his first winner June 9 at Emerald Downs when his son Club Champ easily captured a maiden claiming sprint by 3 1/4 lengths. Bred in California by Rockingham Ranch out of the Big Drama daughter Miss Big Stuff, Club Champ now has a win and three seconds out of eight career starts. This is the mare’s first foal. She has a 2-year-old full brother in training at Golden Gate Fields. Club Champ pressed the pace and drew off well in hand at the 3/8 pole, winning with plenty left in reserve under jockey Javier Matias’ guidance. Owner Eli Diamant claimed Club Champ at Turf Paradise for $7,500 in late March, The victory also marked Diamant’s first win of the 2021 racing year. Finnegan’s Wake is a grade 1 winner by Powerscourt (GB) out of the Silver Ghost winner Boat’s Ghost. He won or placed in 12 black-type stakes, with victories in the 2016 Woodford Reserve Turf... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 20, 2021)–Hard-hitting Warren’s Showtime got the early pace pressure she’s been craving the entire meet and took full advantage on closing day Sunday at Santa Anita, as she unfurled an impressive stretch kick to take the Grade III, $100,000 Wilshire Stakes.  Owned and bred in California by Ben and Sally Warren, trained by Craig Lewis and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Warren’s Showtime won going away over pacesetter and fellow Cal-bred Leggs Galore while stopping the clock of a mile on turf in 1:34.29. As expected, Leggs Galore was hustled away from the gate by Ricky Gonzalez and she held a 1 ¾ length advantage over Chilean-bred Brooke as the field straightened up for their run up the backside with long-striding Warren’s Showtime ambling along while next to last. Although Leggs Galore spurted clear, commanding a two-length edge on Brooke at the quarter pole, Warren’s Showtime was in high gear under Hernandez, who wheeled four-wide at the top of the lane.  From there, there... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 20, 2021)–A seven-length first-out maiden winner versus California-breds on May 7, Terry Lovingier’s homebred At the Spa made it look easy in open company on Sunday at Santa Anita, as she dispatched of favored Laurel Canyon turning for home en route to a 2 ¼ length score in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante.  Trained by Jorge Periban and ridden by Tyler Baze, At the Spa got five furlongs in 59.79. With Laurel Canyon hustled from her rail post, At the Spa was immediately alongside as the raced as a team into the far turn.  With Baze riding confidently, At the Spa shook loose a furlong out and proved much the best. “Today, she had to fight it out a little bit and she prevailed,” said Baze, who also won the day’s previous race aboard Restrainedvengence in the Grade III American Stakes.  “She’s matured so much from the first race, she’s just getting better.  It’s going to be a bright future for her.” Off as... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 20, 2021)–Although much the best, heavily favored California-bred Big City Lights had to survive a lengthy steward’s inquiry in winning Sunday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita.  Trained by Luis Mendez and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Big City Lights won gate to wire by 7 ¼ lengths while getting five furlongs in 58.20. Bred by Bar C Racing Stables and owned by William Peeples, Big City Lights, who is out of the Exchange Rate mare Champagne Exchange and sold for $22,000 at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearling Sale, picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $96,600. As expected, Big City Lights was in front at once from his number three post position, but 7-2 second choice Street Art, who broke from the rail with Kent Desormeaux, was a close second, just to the winner’s inside, by about three quarters of a length. Heading to the half mile pole, Desormeaux took up sharply, losing all position as things got tight. With... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2021)–As Yogi Berra once famously noted, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”  Such was the case in the 81st running of the Grade III, $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, as 7-year-old California-bred gelding Acclimate skipped to a 3 ¾ length victory, replicating his gate to wire score in the 2019 San Juan.  Trained by Phil D’Amato, who collected his third consecutive win in Santa Anita’s signature turf marathon, Acclimate was ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, who coaxed a mile and three quarters out of the son of Acclimation in 2:49.74. Bred by Old English Rancho and Sal and Patsy Berumen, Acclimate, who is out of the Boundary mare Knows No Bounds, is owned by the Ellwood Johnston Family Trust, Timmy Time Racing, LLC and Ken Tevelde, had been winless since winning the Grade II Del Mar Handicap nine starts back on Aug. 17, 2019.  With his third graded stakes win in-hand, Acclimate is now 25-7-4-4 and with the winner’s... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2021)–Unexpectedly last early, Terry Lovingier’s homebred Fi Fi Pharoah battled through the lane with Eddie’s New Dream to win by a half length in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Walther Solis and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Fi Fi Pharoah, a 3-year-old daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:46.41. Co-owned by Lovingier, Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro, Fi Fi Pharoah, who is out of the Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, notched her first stakes win today and improved her overall mark to 5-2-1-1.  With the winner’s share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $178,560. The Melair 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 from the number three post position, Fi Fi Pharoah, who had pressed the pace en route to a one length maiden score going a flat mile on May 15, found... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2021)–Attentive to the pace throughout, longshot Jimmy Blue Jeans was all heart late as he held off heavily favored None About the Law by a neck in Saturday’s $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.  Trained by Golden Gate Fields-based Andy Mathis and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Jimmy Blue Jeans got a mile and one eighth in 1:48.69. The first stakes winner by James Street, out of the Marino Marini mare Blue Blizzard, Jimmy Blue Jeans is owned by his breeders Perry Bruno and John Gezon.  With his first stakes win, “Jimmy” bagged $90,000 on the day and increased his earnings to $143,646. The Snow Chief is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Snow Chief is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Second, just off the hip of early pacesetter Found My Ball, Jimmy Blue Jeans seemed relaxed while into a rhythmic stride up the backside, took command a sixteenth of a mile from... ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (June 18, 2021) — In the $50,000 Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares, California-bred Ima Happy Cat took the early lead and was never headed while rolling to a 2 ¼-length victory over Squan’s Kingdom in 1:08.50 for six furlongs Ridden by Julien Couton at 119 pounds, Ima Happy Cat set fractions of :21.89, :44.10 and :56.10, opened a commanding five-length advantage into the stretch, and held sway to the wire. Trained by Dan Markle for owners Sue and Tim Spooner of Olympia, Ima Happy Cat paid 11.60 as third choice in the wagering. Ima Happy Cat now has three stakes wins at Emerald Downs, including the last two runnings of the Hastings Stakes. Ima Happy Cat, a 6-year-old California-bred by Smiling Tiger, has an overall mark of 8-5-3 in 27 starts with earnings of $274,962. Thursday’s win was worth $27,500. Daffodil Sweet, the 4 to 5 betting favorite, hesitated leaving the starting gate and never got untracked Thursday, losing for the first... ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (June 16, 2021) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $100,000 Dark Star Turf Sprint 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 nine wins in 29 starts, earnings of $249,988 and is coming off a sixth in the May 27 Honor the Hero. ...

From Martin Racing ALPINE, Wy. (June 15, 2021)  — It is with great sadness that Martin Racing announces the passing of Denise Martin, the co-founder, and heart, of Martin Racing, a Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding and racing organization based in Alpine, Wyoming, with global equine holdings. The accomplished chemist, business leader, horse owner and mother to two died on June 14 at 61. With her husband and co-founder, Perry, serving as the public voice and operations manager for Martin Racing, Denise took on the critical role of managing all communications and behind-the-scenes business needs for the small, family-owned organization, which was founded in 2016. The Martins were thrust into worldwide fame in 2014, when their wildly popular and charismatic colt California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the first of his two Eclipse Award titles as North America’s Horse of the Year. The California-bred superstar, whom the Martins co-bred and initially raced in partnership with another couple under the stable name Dumb Ass Partners, also won the 2016 Dubai... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 15, 2021) — The $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles is one of three stakes to be held at the upcoming Summer Thoroughbred Festival at Los Alamitos.   The one-mile Bertrando will be run on Saturday, June 26, returning to its original name (2014-2019) honoring the multiple graded stakes winner and champion older male of 1993 after being contested as the Soi Phet in 2020.   The seven-day meet is scheduled to begin Friday, June 25 and continue through Monday, July 5. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday (June 25-27) the first week and Friday-Monday (July 2-5) the second. Post time will be 1 p.m.   The richest event on the calendar is the Grade II, $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies & mares at 6 ½ furlongs. Captured by 7-1 shot California-bred Sneaking Out in 2020, the Great Lady M. will be offered Monday, July 5.   Besides Sneaking Out, the five other winners of the Great Lady M. at... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 13, 2021)–In a race in which most observers thought trainer Eric Kruljac’s talented California-bred The Chosen Vron would be on or contending for the early lead, instead the 3-year-old Vronsky gelding was last early and although Bob Baffert’s Defunded had what appeared to be an insurmountable four-length edge turning for home, it was The Chosen Vron who rallied for an impressive 1 ¼ length score in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, he got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.01. Stretching out for the first time off a huge win in the Grade III Lazaro Barrera Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs, The Chosen Vron settled nicely under Rispoli heading into the first turn as longshot Jimmy Irish and Defunded contested the early going. With Defunded assuming command around the far turn, he quickly dispatched of his favored stablemate Classier and had what appeared to be a winning advantage a quarter mile out but The Chosen... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (June 12, 2021) – When an expected pace duel didn’t materialize, Give Me the Lute ($6.60) cruised to a big lead in the $66,800 Albany and held off fast-finishing favorite Brandothebartender on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields to give trainer Andy Mathis his third straight victory in the race and Cal-breds a sweep of the top three spots. Give Me the Lute broke sharply with potential pace rivals Bettor Trip Nick and Brandothebartender, but quickly took command. Bettor Trip Nick, who had been on the lead in his past two sprints, wasn’t quick enough to match Give Me the Lute and took up just a bit approaching the half-mile pole. Brandothebartender was last down the backstretch and ran out of room after flying through the stretch, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Give Me the Lute who clocked 56.26 for the five-furlong turf race. Give Me the Lute is by Boisterous, out of the Midnight Lute mare Steal the Lute, was bred by Gary Barber, is... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 13, 2021)–Absent a suicidal pace duel, the Craig Lewis-trained Brickyard Ride settled into a rhythmic stride out of the gate and coasted gate to wire in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by 4 ¾ lengths.  Ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride got six furlongs in 1:09.34.   Winless in two starts since taking the Grade II San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 6, Brickyard Ride was pressed through opening quarter miles of 21.40 and 21 flat in his last two starts–resulting in a fourth place finish in six furlong classified allowance May 7 and a second place finish in the Grade III Kona Gold Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on April 18.   With an opening quarter mile of 22.62 today, Brickyard Ride was in complete control and although Colt Fiction appeared full of run while two lengths back turning for home, Brickyard Ride was never challenged through the lane.   “Craig told... ...

By Bloodhorse.com WILMINGTON, Del. (June 9, 2021) — Miracle’s International Trading’s Dream Marie  splashed to an upset last-to-first victory in the $100,250 Obeah Stakes June 9 at Delaware Park. The 4-year-old filly by California stallion Graydar, who was second in the Delaware Oaks (G3) last summer in her only other start at the track, won by 1 3/4 lengths and returned $19.40 on a $2 win ticket. The Obeah is the local prep for the July 10 Delaware Handicap (G2). With Joe Bravo aboard, Dream Marie covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.40 on a sloppy main track. “She really likes this course,” said Bravo, who also rode Dream Marie in last year’s Delaware Oaks. “The last time she was on this course she was a very game second, a heartbeat from winning. Today, as I was expecting, when she turned for home, she really kicked off nicely.” Dream Marie was seventh through the first quarter-mile as 53-1 shot Shyza  set opening fractions of :23.07 and :47.20. Miss Marissa , who stalked the pace in third, took over to post six furlongs... ...

MILAN, Italy (June 9, 2021) — Haven Park, an Irish-bred daughter of California stallion Sir Prancealot, scored her first black-type win in Sunday’s listed Premio XCIII Royal Mares at San Siro. Haven Park, a 4-year-old filly out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Fifth Wonder, ran the mile on turf in 1:35.10 on a course listed as good and carried 130 pounds. She has five wins in 12 starts and earnings of $66,275 Euros.   ...

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (June 8, 2021) – Longtime California stallion Old Topper was euthanized due to issues from old age at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. He was 26 and had been pensioned in 2019. The son of Gilded Time was a perennial leading sire in California, with 27 stakes winners and lifetime progeny earnings of more than $22 million. Old Topper’s leading earner is Ain’t No Other ($715,280) and his runners included multiple stakes winner Queen Bee to You, graded winner Top Kisser and this year’s Evening Jewel Stakes winner, Becca Taylor. On the track, Old Topper was a multiple graded winner. ...

By Bloodhorse.com Second-crop California sire Winning Cause  sired his first winner May 21 at Hipodromo de Las Americas when his son Winning Again captured a maiden claiming sprint by three-quarters of a length. Bred in California by Linda Madsen out of the stakes-placed Wild Again daughter Mini Skirt, Winning Again now has a win and two seconds out of seven career starts for owner Cuadra Colibri. Mini Skirt is the dam of six winners out of 10 to race. Winning Again showed determination in wearing down five challengers in a 2 1/2-furlong sprint that went an opening quarter in :22. He closed strongly to stop the timer in :27 2/5 and held off a late rally by Nogales , who was 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Pierrot . Colibri bought Winning Again for $1,500 at the 2020 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Mixed Sale out of the Havens Bloodstock Agency consignment. Winning Cause is a grade 2-placed, multiple grade 3 winner by Giant’s Causeway out of the Kingmambo winner Raffishing Look. He won or placed in 13 black-type... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 28, 2021) – California stallion Danzing Candy was represented by his first winner on Friday when Love Candy won the third race at Golden Gate in his racing debut. Love Candy, out of the Tapizar mare Love Winning, was bred by owner Stuart Tsujimoto and trained by Ed Moger Jr. He ran the five furlongs in 1:00.87 and won by 2 ¾ lengths at odds of 6-1 in the field of eight 2-year-olds. Danzing Candy stands at Rancho San Miguel. ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (May 28, 2021) — Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announced plans to open its 2021 summer race meet with 100% capacity for fans in its seating areas throughout its facility. This decision was made in accordance with state and county public health guidelines effective June 15, 2021.  Del Mar’s 82nd racing season will open on Friday, July 16 and run through Labor Day Monday, September 6. All fans wishing to attend must obtain a seating package in advance of their arrival. Admission tickets and parking passes will be included in the package. The track will put seats on sale online on Friday, June 18 (go to DMTC.com/tickets) with a pre-sale available on Thursday, June 17 for those that sign up at the Del Mar website (DMTC.com/2021). “We are delighted to be able to welcome our fans back to Del Mar,” said DMTC president and COO Josh Rubinstein. “We appreciate their patience as we have all adapted to the changing circumstances over the last 15 months. We also appreciate the... ...

By TDN Ashleyluvssugar (Game Plan), a California-bred five-time Grade II-winning 10-year-old gelding, made a splash -quite literally- on social media this week in a post from After the Finish Line, where he was seen taking an enthusiastic wade through a stream in the North Carolina mountains. Ashleyluvswater: Cal-Bred Takes on East Coast Mountainside (thoroughbreddailynews.com) ...

From Fasig-Tipton ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2021) — Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 105 entries for its Santa Anita Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, to be held on Wednesday, June 23 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.  The sale will begin at 1 p.m. PDT.  The undertack show will take place on Monday, June 21, and begin at 10 a.m. PDT. “We are pleased to be bringing this auction back following a successful inaugural sale in 2019,” said Fasig-Tipton California Representative Mike Machowsky.  “We are receiving increased participation from Florida-based consignors this year, and the sale’s sire power is much stronger, as well. Leading national and California-based sires represented include CONSTITUTION, CURLIN, EMPIRE MAKER, GRAZEN, HARD SPUN, INTO MISCHIEF, LIAM’S MAP, MALIBU MOON, MEDAGLIA D’ORO, MUNNINGS, NYQUIST, PIONEEROF THE NILE, SMILING TIGER, and SQUARE EDDIE.  Several exciting young sires with their first crop of two-year-olds are also represented, including ARROGATE, CLASSIC EMPIRE, DANZING CANDY, GORMLEY, and PRACTICAL JOKE. The catalogue primarily consists of California-breds and Kentucky-breds. The catalogue may now be viewed online and... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 23, 2021) – California-bred None Above the Law made it back-to-back stakes wins by rallying late to take Sunday’s $77,250 Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate. None Above the Law is by Karakontie, out of the Northern Afleet mare Legally Blanca, was bred by J. Kirk and Judy Robison, is owned by Downstream Racing and trained by Peter Miller. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $173,810 and was coming off a win in the Apr. 25 Silky Sullivan. He ran the mile on turf in 1:36.56 and won by 1 ½ lengths over fellow Cal-bred Seattle Bold as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 10. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. ( May 15, 2021) — With Laurel River and I’ll Stand Taller duking it out on the front-end, trainer Eric Kruljac’s The Chosen Vron flew off the turn for home and marched to an emphatic 3 ½ length win in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden for the first time by Umberto Rispoli, the California-bred gelding by Vronsky got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.28. In a field of four sophomores, it was readily apparent from the outset that I’ll Stand Taller and Juan Hernandez were not going to allow impressive recent maiden winner Laurel River and Abel Cedillo to have their way on the front end as they blazed an opening quarter mile in 21.32. With I’ll Stand Taller shrinking noticeably a quarter mile out, The Chosen Vron was making an eye catching move at the rail blew by Laurel River with a furlong to run. “I could see they were going really fast, those two horses up front,... ...