From Fasig-Tipton ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2020) — Due to current restrictions in place at Santa Anita Park as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as recent changes in the 2020 thoroughbred auction calendar, Fasig-Tipton announced today the cancellation of its 2020 Santa Anita Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.  The auction had been scheduled for June 3 in Arcadia, California. “Factors beyond our control have necessitated the sale’s cancellation,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.  “We greatly appreciate the support we received from those that had already committed entries, as well as the efforts and cooperation of Santa Anita’s management and staff these past several months.  With so much uncertainty, we felt it was best to go ahead and announce the sale’s cancellation to provide sellers with ample time to redirect their horses to other venues.” “While disappointed with this outcome, we look forward to continuing to work with California breeders and sellers on the California Fall Yearlings Sale scheduled for October 19 of this year at Fairplex in... ...

By America’s Best Racing Staff The current COVID-19 pandemic has touched every aspect of American life, and in the grand scheme of things, pursuing entertainment—and the almighty dollar—by wagering on horse racing certainly takes a back seat to the essential tasks we all must take right now to keep ourselves and our families safe and help our neighbors as much as possible. Still, a lot of us have time for leisure, but now are faced with far fewer options. It’s been the mission of America’s Best Racing since it was founded to promote what’s best about this sport, and for us as well as most everyone else, that’s attending the races in person. Nothing else matches the excitement of gathering with friends, enjoying a perfect-weather day, partaking in local/regional food and drink faves, and witnessing up close the beauty and intensity of racehorses competing. Those times will soon return. But for now, there are other ways to enjoy the sport, especially the complex and captivating practice of handicapping and wagering... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 22, 2020)–With a light rain falling at post time, conditions proved ideal for Nick Alexander’s homebred Lieutenant Dan, as he sat close to the early pace and reeled in lightning quick distaffer Stealthediamonds late to take Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles by three-quarters of a length under Drayden Van Dyke. Trained by Steve Miyadi, the 4-year-old gelding by Grazen got 5 ½ furlongs over a “firm” turf at Santa Anita in 1:02.32. Breaking from post position seven in a field of 10 older runners, Lieutenant Dan sat third, about 2 ½ lengths behind Stealthediamonds with longshot Grinning Tiger to his inside. Leaving the quarter pole, Van Dyke swung three-deep and overhauled a tiring Stealthediamonds with 50 yards to run while ridden confidently. “It set up perfectly for him today,” said Van Dyke, who guided Lieutenant Dan to a close second-place finish behind multiple stakes winner Fashionably Fast in the Cal Cup Sprint going six furlongs on dirt here... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2020) — Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Ciaglia Racing’s Ashleyluvssugar was retired from racing March 22, according to his trainer, Peter Eurton. The 9-year-old California-bred gelded son of Game Plan raced 38 times over a span of eight years, primarily in California, winning 10 starts and placing in 12 others to earn $1,488,083. Ashleyluvssugar’s most recent win was in the 2017 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. He also won that race in 2015 and took the 2015 San Luis Rey Stakes (G2T), as well as the Del Mar Handicap Presented by the Japan Racing Association (G2T) and John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) in 2016. He placed fifth in that year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T). Bred in California by the partners who raced him, he is out of the Urgent Request mare Ashley’s Folly, who produced five other winners, including stakes-placed Ashley’s Sassy. In his most recent effort, he placed sixth in the March 21 San Luis Rey, which was downgraded to a grade 3 for... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2020)–Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams had reason to smile from afar on Saturday at Santa Anita, as their 7-year-old homebred gelding Ward ‘n Jerry rallied boldly off the turn for home en route to an emphatic 1 ¼ length win in the Grade III, $100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes.  Ridden for the first time since June of 2016 by Flavien Prat and trained by Mike Puype, the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit got the marathon mile and one half over a “good” turf course in 2:28.67. With the San Luis Rey starting gate set halfway up the hillside turf course, Ward ‘n Jerry was a bit aggressive while a joint third, about three lengths behind pacesetter Go for a Ride and Ashleyluvssugar. With the pace quickening noticeably leaving the half mile pole, Ward ‘n Jerry wrested the lead from Ashleyluvssugar at the top of the lane and was all business through the drive as he held fellow Cal-bred Camino Del Paraiso... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2020) – California stallion Tigah was represented by his first winner when Siberian Tigah won the first race at Golden Gate on Thursday. Siberian Tigah, out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Lass, was bred by Vincent Harris & Peter Guidry, is owned by Guidry and trained by Leobardo Rivera. He is Tigah’s first foal to race. Siberian Tigah, a 4-year-old gelding, ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.55 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 3-1 in a field of six. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2020) — Longtime jockey agent Pat McDowell passed away on Friday at age 84 near Seattle. McDowell represented many riders dating back to the late 1950s, primarily on the West Coast and at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. McDowell had great success in the 60s and 70s with Jerry Lambert, who was best known as the regular rider of the legendary California-bred Hall of Famer, Native Diver. McDowell, who also represented Hall of Famer Russell Baze for a time when he rode full-time in Southern California in 1989-90, was a popular figure at the track, on the golf course and about town. Following his career as an agent, McDowell worked for a number of years and as recently as this past September, as paddock judge at Emerald Downs near Seattle. Pat McDowell is survived by his wife Janice and several children and grandchildren. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Mar. 17, 2020) – A California-bred pinhooked colt by Run Away and Hide sold for $170,000 at Tuesday’s session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Chiran, out of the Cal-bred Officer mare Officer Allie, was bred by Jack Owens and Barbara Owens, consigned by Havens Bloodstock, Agent, and was purchased by Hideyuki Mori. The colt was timed in :09.4 in a one-eighth mile breeze. He was purchased for $40,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale. ...

From Bloodhorse.com Queen Bee to You, the California-bred who rose up the stakes ranks to become a dual graded stakes winner this winter in Southern California, has been retired due to a minor right ankle injury, according to trainer Andrew Lerner. The winner of the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) and La Canada Stakes (G3) under jockey Ruben Fuentes, the 6-year-old Old Topper mare had been pointed toward the March 14 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park but had inflammation in her ankle March 4 after a six-furlong workout in 1:13 4/5. “It was nothing serious. I would have recommended to the owners to turn her out for 60 or 90 days, bring her back, and let her roll again,” Lerner said. “But we’re kind of at the point where we decided to run her this year, and if we had done that, we might have gotten one or two races in her anyway before going in the November sale. “It made more sense to take her out of training now... ...

From Governor Newsom SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2020) — Damascus Castellanos, 53, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board. Castellanos has been a business representative for Teamsters Local No. 495 since 2012. He was a business representative for Teamsters Local No. 630 from 2001 to 2012. Castellanos is a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Castellanos is a Democrat. Castellanos is a board member of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation. According to the CTHF website, Castellanos has been a Teamster member for 30 years, including a Business Representative for the past 15 years. As the labor representative on the CTHF board, Damascus has seen the passion his members have for the racing industry, given many of them come from families steeped in California racing’s history. Their passion has been contagious, and Damascus now brings that passion over to the backstretch community. Damascus has a son and a daughter. He grew up in... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 7, 2020)–Mid-pack among a field of 13 sophomore fillies heading to the far turn, Benjamin and Sally Warren’s homebred Warren’s Showtime somehow found room a furlong from home and roared up the rail to take Saturday’s $75,000 China Doll Stakes by a half length.  A California-bred daughter of red hot sire Clubhouse Ride, Warren’s Showtime, who was ridden by apprentice Jorge Velez and is trained by Craig Lewis, got a mile on turf in 1:36.24. A winner of the California Cup Oaks at one mile on turf here Jan. 18, Warren’s Showtime was off as the narrow 3-1 favorite over highly regarded Irish-bred Stela Star and paid $8.00, $4.20 and $3.00. Out of Warren’s Grade I winning Affirmative mare Warren’s Veneda, Warren’s Showtime picked up her third stakes win, all in combination with Velez, and registered her fourth overall win from seven starts.  With the winner’s share of $45,000, she now has earnings of $281,271. Ridden by Joel Rosario and trained by John... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 7, 2020) — When trainer Gregg Sacco gave Junior Alvarado a leg up on favored Mind Control in the $213,000 Tom Fool Handicap (G3), he told the veteran jockey to “ride his race.” Midway on the final turn, Sacco was wondering what he had done. Normally close to the pace, the multiple grade 1 winner was fifth, a little more than seven lengths off the lead. Even when Alvarado steered to the outside for a clear run at the top of the stretch, the homebred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty  was still about eight lengths behind Happy Farm, who was drawing off to what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. That’s when Sacco heard something that made him chuckle. “My son told me Mind Control was going to win,” Sacco said. “I just laughed off as him being young and not seeing enough races.” Well, score one for youth. Staging a furious and improbable rally, Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables’ Mind Control not... ...

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2020) — The first reported foal by Conquest Farenheit, a grade 2-placed, multiple stakes-winning son of Scat Daddy, is Rockingham Ranch’s dark bay or brown colt out of Miss Sea Cup, an allowance-winning daughter of Sea of Secrets. Foaled February 14 at Harris Farms, the colt is a half-brother to six-time winner Astonishing Tweet, their dam’s only foal to race. A five-length winner of his 2-year-old debut at Woodbine, Conquest Farenheit followed with a second-place finish in G2 Summer Stakes before his $735,000 purchase by Rockingham Ranch at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale. At three, he posted back-to-back black type wins in the 6 ½-furlong Baffle Stakes (1:12.83) and the Pasadena Stakes at one mile (1:33.58) at Santa Anita on turf. In his final career start, he was second in the Rainbow Stakes at 1 1/8 miles and retired to stud with earnings of $187,655 in seven starts. Conquest Farenheit stands his first season at Harris Farms for $3,000 live foal. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 1, 2020)–Harris Farms’ homebred Fashionably Fast stretched out to a flat mile off of five consecutive sprint victories with aplomb on Sunday at Santa Anita, as the 5-year-old gelding by Lucky Pulpit pressed the pace and registered a half length win while hand ridden late by Tiago Pereira in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes form Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Trained by Dean Pederson, he got the distance in 1:36.64. Breaking from post position three in a field of five California-bred or sired older horses, Fashionably Fast, who’s last three wins had come in California-bred stakes, sat just off the early pace set by Tiger Dad, who was drawn to his immediate inside and overhauled him in mid-stretch. “I thought the number two (Tiger Dad) would go and he did,” said Pereira, who has been aboard Fashionably Fast in his last 10 races. “When we got by the two (leaving the furlong pole), he saw the one (Oliver) coming and he’s just... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2020) — Santa Anita Park has announced a new program to reward the owners of horses who have supported the current race meeting with a Loyalty Bonus to horses who have raced from December 28, 2019 through February 29, 2020.  From March 6 through the end of the season on June 21, all eligible horses will receive an additional 10 percent bonus in their first start during that period (paid on first through fifth place earnings). The bonus money will be fully funded by Santa Anita and The Stronach Group and is separate from the purse account.      Santa Anita also announced that beginning March 6 and through the end of the meet, the track will pick up the costs for up to two veterinary examinations for each horse entered.  All horses are eligible for the reimbursement, whether or not they have previously run at the track this season.        “It is very important that we reward those who have been loyal... ...

From Bloodhorse.com BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2020) — Ray York, who gained international fame by winning the 1954 Kentucky Derby at the age of 20, has died at age 86 due to the effects of pneumonia at an extended care facility near Bakersfield, Calif. “Ray passed away peacefully this past Sunday,” said Michael McKay, York’s longtime girlfriend. “He loved racing so much and all the people he had known over the years, but we haven’t been able to visit Santa Anita for several years due to his health. “We had a great time together, and we traveled quite a bit. We went to China, Ireland, Italy, Nova Scotia, Alaska, and we visited England three times. Ray was so much fun, always laughing and always talking.” York, who was born Nov. 23, 1933, in Gloucester, Mass., was gregarious and full of energy well into his 80s. He won major stakes on both coasts and was considered one of the top riders of his era, which included the likes of Bill Shoemaker,... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2020) – Spiced Perfection became the first female to repeat as California-bred Horse of the Year, which was announced at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner at the Sheraton San Gabriel on Tuesday night. The complete list of champions: Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings – Square Eddie, property of Reddam Racing LLC. Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Number of Winners – Lucky Pulpit, property of Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams. Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Turf Earnings – Square Eddie, property of Reddam Racing LLC. Champion Sire of California Conceived Two-Year-Olds by Earnings – Clubhouse Ride, property of Six-S Racing Stable and Craig Lewis. Champion First-Crop Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings – Govenor Charlie, property of Terry Lovingier. Broodmare of the Year – Perfect Feat, property of Premier Thoroughbreds LLC. Champion Breeder of California Foaled Thoroughbreds by Earnings – Reddam Racing LLC. Trainer of the Year – Bill Delia. Champion Horse of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 25, 2020) — Grinning Tiger, a son of California stallion Smiling Tiger, was named the Oregon-bred Horse of the Year and Older Gelding of the Year at the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association annual awards banquet Feb. 22. The sold-out event featured racing videos of the winners from six different racetracks. Oregon-breds have been seen competing and winning at Churchill Downs, Emerald Downs, Los Alamitos Race Course, Century Mile, and Grants Pass Downs. In 2019, Tyree Wolesenky’s Grinning Tiger compiled a 2-1-1- record from 11 starts and earned $87,091. That record includes a runner-up finish in the black-type California Flag Handicap at Santa Anita Park, in which the Smiling Tiger  gelding was beat a neck, and two victories at Los Alamitos in allowance optional claiming. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2020) — Longtime horseman Richard Tate passed away over the weekend in Sheridan, Wy, according to former California Thoroughbred Breeders Association director Daniel Schiffer. Tate worked for the Schiffer family at Galway Downs and then for Mel Stute on the Southern California racing circuit before taking out his trainer’s license. He trained in Montana and at Denver’s Arapahoe Park before setting up a stable at Golden Gate. Tate trained the California-bred Summer Sale to win the Hollywood Turf Express over Answer Do. He also trained Cal-bred Arvada for The Hat Ranch. ...

By Bloodhorse.com SIERRA MADRE, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2020) — Henry Moreno, a California training icon in a career that began more than half a century ago, died Feb. 2 following a lengthy battle with dementia at The Kensington care facility in Sierra Madre, Calif. He was 90 years old. Immensely popular among his peers, Moreno was born in Corona, Calif., and grew up on his father’s Quarter Horse ranch. He began as a Quarter Horse trainer before switching to Thoroughbreds in the early 1960s. He conditioned Chilean import Tizna, who won seven Santa Anita Park added money events, often competing against males. In the 1993 Vanity Handicap (G1), he saddled Re Toss to upset Eclipse Award winner Paseana, 28 years after he won the race the first of three times. Moreno also won multiple stakes with Irish-bred Sangue, including the 1983 Matriarch Stakes (G1T). His last stakes winner was California-bred Spud Spivens. Moreno, who saw combat while serving in the Army during the Korean War and reached the rank of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com AUBURN, Wash. (Feb. 23, 2020) — John and Janene Maryanski and Gerald and Gail Schneider’s Baja Sur, a son of California stallion Smiling Tiger, brought home titles as horse of the year, champion sprinter, and champion 3-year-old to add to his 2018 Washington state champion juvenile title. Bred by the late John Roche and trained by Blaine Wright, the gelded son of Smiling Tiger —Premo Copy, by Supremo, won three stakes (two at Emerald Downs and one at Golden Gate Fields) and was a close second in another in his four 2019 outings.  In addition, the Maryanski/Schneider partnership was also named the leading owner of Washington-bred earners in 2019 and Wright received one of two special training achievement awards handed out during the festive celebrations. Among Wright’s 2019 accomplishments were his close seconds in two grade 1 races with juvenile Anneau d’Or, nine stakes wins at Emerald Downs and having his first Preakness Stakes (G1) starter. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2020)–Next to last in a field of five heading into the far turn, Reddam Racing’s homebred An Eddie Surprise relished a change in tactics as she rallied from off the pace to take Monday’s $70,000 Wishing Well Stakes by a half length, providing Joel Rosario with his fourth win on the day. Trained by Doug O’Neill, An Eddie Surprise got 5 ½ furlongs in 1:02.40. Ridden for the first time today by Rosario, An Eddie Surprise, a 5-year-old California-bred mare by Square Eddie, was into the bridle about four lengths off the lead at the rail approaching the quarter pole and swung three-wide a furlong out to win under confident handling. “We were very confident, she got out of there not very quick in the beginning,” said Rosario. “I just let her be where she was and she started getting better going into the turn…I just try to figure out what makes my horse happy and to help them run their best.... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2020) – Full siblings Askin’ for Trouble and Baby Hang On won the third and fifth races at Golden Gate on Monday. Askin’ for Trouble and Baby Hang On are by Comic Strip, out of the Roman Dancer mare Honoree Lady and were bred by Dr. & Mrs. William Gray, who also own Baby Hang On. Askin’ for Trouble is owned by Leon Scott. Askin’ for Trouble, a 5-year-old gelding trained by Isidro Tamayo, won the third race by one-half length at odds of 8-1. Baby Hang on, a 3-year-old filly trained by Felix Rondan, won the fifth race by a neck at odds of 8-1. ...

From Laurel Park Publicity LAUREL PARK, Md. (Feb. 15, 2020) — Runnymoore Racing’s Alwaysmining, a Maryland-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, flashed his championship form Saturday at Laurel Park, fighting back tenaciously in deep stretch to capture the $100,000 John B. Campbell. The 4-year-old son of Stay Thirsty, who was honored as the champion Maryland-bred 3-year-old of 2019, claimed his second consecutive stakes victory of 2020 in the about 1 1/16-mile stakes for 4-year-olds and up. “I think it’s going to be a great year, even better than last year,” trainer Kelly Rubley said. “He continues to mature and has filled out a lot. He’s got a lot of heart.” Alwaysmining, the 2-1 third choice ridden by Julian Pimentel, set the pace while pressed by Monongahela, the 6-5 favorite ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., posting fractions of 24.58 and 48.11 seconds for the first half-mile. The multiple-graded stakes winning gelding continued to show the way into the stretch, where Monongahela pulled alongside in mid-stretch. Alwaysmining, though, would not be... ...

By California Thoroughbred Many individuals were involved with the creation of California Cup in 1990, leading to increased opportunities for California-bred runners. At the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Lou Rowan and Don Valpredo spearheaded efforts to create such a program. The Oak Tree Racing Association quickly signed on, led by its board and then-general manager Ray Rogers. Sherwood “Chilly” Chillingworth had come onto the Oak Tree board in 1989 and became its executive vice president in 1993. His efforts to promote California Cup in subsequent years have immeasurably helped the state’s breeding industry and make him a worthy addition to the Hall of Fame. When California Cup celebrated its 25th running in 2015, Chillingworth recalled those early years. “Oak Tree was bred to be helpful to the industry, and we thought this was a fine idea,” he said. “But we had to write new legislation and alter our stakes schedule. It wasn’t an easy thing to do. Oak Tree put up a lot of the money to make it happen,... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2020)–California-bred Lil Milo got a perfect waiting ride from Ruben Fuentes and responded with a 1 ¼ length win in Sunday’s $70,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Alfredo Marquez, the 5-year-old Rocky Bar gelding got 5 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:02.62. Breaking from post position three in a field of seven older horses, Lil Milo was full of run while a comfortable third, about three lengths behind dueling leaders Bay Muzik and What’sontheagenda mid-way around the turn. Leaving the quarter pole, Fuentes angled three-wide turning for home quickly assumed command a furlong out. “We had a perfect trip,” said Fuentes, who was aboard Lil Milo for the first time today. “I was behind those two speed horses and I thought the seven (Bay Muzik) would stop, so I waited until we turned for home and then we angled out. When I asked him, he took off and he was gone. It’s great to ride for Alfredo. He’s a... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020)–With a recent minor illness a concern, Benjamin and Sally Warren’s homebred Warren’s Showtime assuaged any doubts as to her readiness with a powerful stretch kick that resulted in a runaway3-½ length win in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita.  Ridden by apprentice Jorge Velez and conditioned by Craig Lewis, the 3-year-old chestnut filly by Clubhouse Ride got one mile on turf in 1:36.50. Breaking from post position five in a field of 12, Warren’s Showtime was a reserved fifth at the rail, about four lengths off the lead at the three furlong pole, she hugged the rail while unleashing a devastating turn of foot through the lane in what was arguably the most impressive win on the day. “She’s got a terrific turn of foot and it helped her today,” said Lewis, who conditioned Warren’s Showtime’s sire and dam, Warren’s Veneda.  “It got a little tight around the turn, but the jock waited and the rail opened up and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020)–A 4 ½ furlong first out maiden winner on May 31, Craig Martin’s homebred Fast Enough rallied late to collar longshot Sacred Rider close to home in winning Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby by a neck under Tiago Pereira, who collected his second stakes win of the day. Trained by Rafael Becerra, Fast Enough, a 3-year-old gelding by Eddington, got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:45.23. The Cal Cup Derby is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for California-bred or sired horses. Seventh, about five lengths off the lead mid-way around the far turn, Fast Enough rallied five-deep turning for home and gradually gained the advantage with about 30 yards to run. Off at 9-2 in a field of nine Cal-bred or sired sophomores, Fast Enough paid $11.60, $8.60 and $5.80. Out of the Bertrando mare Brilliant Melody, Fast Enough is now two for two and with the winner’s check of... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020)–It what was a virtual walk in the park, Matt Nelson’s homebred Wound Tight was in complete control throughout as he waltzed to a front-running 3 ½ length victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank for Golden State Series eligibles. Ridden by Abel Cedillo and trained by Bob Hess, Jr., the 5-year-old gelding by top sprinter Coil got a mile and one eighth over the Santa Anita turf in 1:48.24. A neck and a nose away from having won three straight races, Wound Tight came off of a nose win in a one mile turf allowance at Del Mar on Dec. 1 and was off at 3-1 in a field of eight older horses, returning $8.00, $3.80 and $3.20. Out of the Mr. Broad Blade mare Bellsblade, Wound Tight was making his first stakes appearance and improved his overall mark to 10-4-2-2. With the winner’s share of $110,000, he now has earnings of $266,340. “The race... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020)–Head and head for the early lead, Harris Farms homebred Fashionably Fast proved tough as nails late, as he repelled a stout challenge from late closing Lieutenant Dan to take Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita by a neck, providing him with his fifth consecutive victory dating back to July 27 at Del Mar. Ridden by Tiago Pereira and trained by Dean Pederson, the 5-year-old California-bred gelding by Lucky Pulpit got six furlongs in 1:09.60. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses. “I don’t know if that is his ideal running style, but you gotta ride to win,” said Pederson. “I kind of left it in (Pereira’s) hands. The horse was just game as can be coming down the stretch. The horse has done so much for us, how can you be disappointed in anything he does. We are just very thankful... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020)–Claimed two starts back for $80,000, trainer Mike Puype’s Stealthediamonds stole away on a comfortable lead and never relinquished command, taking Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint by one half length. Ridden by Agapito Delgadillo, the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Unusual Heat got 5 ½ furlongs on the Santa Anita turf in 1:01.61. The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses and is sponsored by the CTBA. Bred by KMN Racing, Stealthediamonds enjoyed a 1 ½ length advantage over heavily favored Just Grazed Me mid-way around the turn and looked all a winner every step of the way. “She got away pretty easy an she was just breezing,” said Delgadillo, who had guided her to an allowance win in her most recent start. “At the top of the lane, I asked her for more and she put it in another gear and we came home easily.”... ...

By Theracingbiz.com LAUREL, Md. (Jan. 18, 2020) –Last winter and spring, Maryland-bred Alwaysmining caught the imagination of racing fans everywhere while reeling off a six-race win streak that landed him in the Preakness starting gate. His future, of course, remains to be written. But on a cold, gray Saturday at Laurel, the four-year-old gelding by California stallion Stay Thirsty served notice that he may be ready to start making some noise in the regional ranks when he posted a 1 3/4-length victory in the Jennings Stakes for Maryland-breds. It was Alwaysmining’s third race since returning from a nearly-five-month break. “He’s trained great since he’s come back, and he’s gotten better with each race,” winning trainer Kelly Rubley said afterwards. “We’re glad to be here again. Alwaysmining looks to us to be better and more developed,” said Greg Bentley, who with his wife Caroline formerly raced as Runnymede Racing LLC and now race as Runnymoore Racing. “We have quite looked forward to his racing against older horses, being a gelding, and... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 18, 2020) — Mind Control may not make it easy on his connections to watch, but the multiple grade 1 winner sure knows how to hit the finish line first. The 4-year-old’s penchant for waiting on horses after getting the lead came into play once again in his first test against older rivals, but the end result was quite satisfying as he managed to prevail by a nose in a three-horse photo in the $151,500 Toboggan Stakes (G3) on a snowy Jan. 18 afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack. “He gives us all a heart attack,” trainer Gregg Sacco said. “He has a tendency to wait on horses. He does it in the mornings when we breeze him behind horses. He got the lead today, then waited on horses and you think he’s tiring. But as soon as he heard the footsteps, he surged and galloped out way ahead of everyone.” Mind Control, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, won for the sixth time in 11... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2020) – California stallion Circumference was represented by his first winner when Sassyserb won the ninth race at Santa Anita on Saturday, a maiden special weight for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies. Sassyserb is out of the Rock Hard Ten mare incredible Ten, was bred by John and Allegra Ernst, owned by DA Meah Racing & Next Wave Racing and was trained by Anna Meah. Sassyserb went wire to wire, running the mile on turf in 1:36.20 and winning by 5 ¼ lengths in a field of 12. Circumference, an Irish-bred and the only son of Galileo standing in California, resides at Milky Way Farm. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2020)–When you’re hot you’re hot. Not just according to the late Country Music star Jerry Reed, but with horses the same applies, as evidenced by Queen Bee to You’s thrilling nose victory in Saturday’s Grade III, $200,000 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Andrew Lerner and ridden by Ruben Fuentes, the California-bred Queen Bee to You got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.36 while registering her second consecutive Grade III win and her third consecutive stakes victory dating back to Nov. 17. Bred by Tommy Town thoroughbreds and owned by An Equal Amount of Blueberries, LLC and Adam Vali, Queen Bee to You, a 6-year-old mare by Old Topper out of the Touch Gold mare Silk Queen, got her third career stakes win, all with Lerner and improved her overall mark to 33-8-11-5. With the winner’s share of $120,000, she now has earnings of $658,770. Part of a four-horse scrum into the first turn, Queen Bee to You seemed... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2020) — Nominations and Past Performances for California Cup Day stakes races: $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic sponsored by City National Bank, at 1 1/18 miles on turf; Nominations PPS $200,000 California Cup Derby, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; Nominations PPS $200,000 California Cup Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on turf; Nominations PPS $150,000 California Cup Sprint at 6 furlongs; Nominations PPS $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at 5 ½ furlongs on turf Nominations PPS ...