Spiced Perfection Again Horse of the Year

Feb 25, 2020 Posted by CTBA In News

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... ...

More Honors for Smiling Tiger

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. ...

Longtime Horseman Richard Tate Passes

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. ...

Trainer Henry Moreno Passes at 90

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... ...

Baja Sur Adds to Smiling Tiger’s Resume

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. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2020) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, February 20, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro presided. Vice Chairman Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Wendy Mitchell and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board adopted a rule strictly limiting the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on racehorses. While this form of therapy may still be used to treat horses during non-racing periods, the new rule prohibits any horse from racing or even working in the mornings within 30 days of such treatment. ESWT can only be administered in clearly designated areas and each treatment must be carefully documented. Furthermore, no horse that received ESWT elsewhere can be brought to a CHRB-regulated facility without prior approval. After moving regulatory language in December that will further restrict use of the riding crop, or whip, in both racing and training, the... ...

Mucho Unusual Looking for Buena Vista

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2020) – Grade II winner Mucho Unusual and fellow California-bred Super Patriot are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Mucho Unusual is 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 four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $445,382 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 28 American Oaks. Super Patriot is by Unusual Heat, out of the Redattore mare Patriot C H, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Peskoff or Salvatore, et al, and is trained by Richard Baltas. She has five wins in 26 starts, earnings of $293,454 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 20 Megahertz. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2020) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, February 20, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the clubhouse at Cal Expo in Sacramento. The public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only webcast of the meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The agenda and package of materials also are available on the website. ...

An Eddie Surprise Gets Her Wish

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.... ...

Brave Cinderella Enters Island Fashion

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 17, 2020) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Brave Cinderella is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Island Fashion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Sunland Park. Brave Cinderella is by Brave Cat, out of the Liberty Gold mare Cinderella Liberty, was bred by George and Clare Schmitt, is owned by Stable H.M.A. and trained by Justin Evans. The $1,400 Northern California Yearling Sale purchase has one win in four starts, earnings of $11,191 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 13 claimer. ...

Siblings Win at Golden Gate

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. ...

An Eddie Surprise

An Eddie Surprise wins $87,860 Wishing Well Stakes. ...

Apache Princess in Wishing Well Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2020) – Graded winner Apache Princess and fellow California-bred An Eddie Surprise are entered in Monday’s $70,000 Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. An Eddie Surprise is by Square Eddie, out of the High Demand mare Dani Reese, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has four wins in 25 starts, earnings of $284,952 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 2 optional claimer. Apache Princess is by Unusual Heat, out of the Indian Charlie mare Puskita, was bred by owner KMN Racing and is trained by J.K. Desormeaux. She has three wins in 16 starts, earnings of $310,162 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 18 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...

Alwaysmining Game Winner of Campbell

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... ...

Florentine Diamond Seeks Sweet Life

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2020) – Florentine Diamond is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Florentine Diamond is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Even the Score mare Silver Score, was bred by Woodbridge Farm and is owned by Woodbridge Farm and trainer Paula Capestro. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $30,840 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 7 optional claimer. ...

Cal-breds Show Up for El Camino Real

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2020) – Six California-breds are among the entries in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. Indian Peak is by Comic Strip, out of the Roar mare Ms. Booty, was bred by owner Dr. & Mrs. William Gray and is trained by Quinn Howey. He has two wins in six starts, earnings of $64,660 and is coming off a seventh in the Jan. 18 California Cup Derby. Praise Loudly is by Boisterous, out of the Ministers Wild Cat mare Made to Worship, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is owned by trainer Daniel Franko. He has one win in six starts, earnings of $17,200 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 8 starter’s allowance. American Farmer is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Quiet American mare Farmers Wife, was bred by BKB Stables, is owned by BKB Stables or trainer Steve Sherman. He has one win in five starts, earnings of $33,360 and is coming off a Jan. 26... ...

Wound Tight Ships to Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Feb. 8, 2020) – Stakes winner Wound Tight is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III Fair Grounds Stakes. Wound Tight is by Coil, out of the Mr. Broad Blade mare Bellsblade, was bred by owner Matt Nelson and is trained by R.B. Hess. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $266,340 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 18 Unusual Heat California Cup Classic presented by City National Bank. ...

Tom’s Tribute Represented by First Winner

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2020) – California stallion Tom’s Tribute was represented by his first winner on Friday when Ecologist won the fourth race at Golden Gate. Ecologist is out of the Exchange Rate mare Lady Katfish, was bred by owner DP Racing and trained by Sherrie Monroe. The 3-year-old gelding ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.08 and won by 1 ½ lengths in his debut at odds of 47-1. ...

NorCal Sale Grads in Thunder Road

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2020) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduates Take the One O One and Camino Del Paraiso, along with fellow California-bred The Hunted, are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita. The Hunted is by Unusual Heat, out of the Jade Hunter mare Lethal Hunter, was bred by M. Auerbach, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, M. Auerbach or Ciaglia Racing and is trained by Richard Baltas. He has four wins in 16 starts, earnings of $236,514 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 18 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. Camino Del Paraiso is by Suances, out of the Successful Appeal mare Loni’s Appeal, was bred by Red Baron’s Barn, is owned by Glen Road Racing or Paradise Road Ranch and is trained by O.J. Jauregui. The $5,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has five wins in 33 starts, earnings of $318,192 and is coming off a Jan. 4 allowance win. Take the One O... ...

CTBA Sale Grad Cholula Lips in Las Virgenes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2020) – Cholula Lips, a graduate of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Sale, is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Cholula Lips is by Empire Way, out of the Rio Verde mare Sweet Lips Pooh, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Lovingier or Navarro and is trained by Mike Harrington. She has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $159,750 and is coming off a ninth in the Jan. 18 California Cup Oaks. ...

Joy Seifert, Linda Madsen

Read online: By California Thoroughbred The business partnership between Joy Seifert and Linda Madsen has a personal thread. They met when their children were showing dairy cattle more than 20 years ago and became fast friends, traveling up and down the state hauling both children and cows. Madsen’s oldest son later married Seifert’s youngest daughter, cementing the storybook friendship forever. “We became in-laws, then grandparents-in-law,” Seifert said. Almost a decade ago bloodstock agent and consultant Gayle Van Leer mentioned to the friends that they should get involved with thoroughbreds. Madsen had plenty of equine experience in the Arabian industry. Seifert had some experience in racing, as her husband once had a racehorse-turned-broodmare, but “nothing that ever amounted to more than just a horse.” Seifert was dubious about getting into the industry; she and her family already own and operate a dairy farm in the Central Valley between Stockton and Sacramento with 2,500 cows. “It’s a lot of mouths to feed and keeps us pretty busy,” Seifert said. Van Leer found... ...

Prospect Park’s First Foals Arrive

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2020) — The first foals by the Tapit Grade II stakes winner of $539,770 Prospect Park arrived almost simultaneously at 7:00 am Saturday, February 1 at Harris Farms. Classy Lady Liz, a winning daughter of Papa Clem, delivered a dark bay colt – her first foal – for breeder Dana Rocheford. Stakes-class producer Clouds of Glory (by Beau Genius), a winning half-sister to stakes winners Super Tuesday and Vaderator, foaled a dark bay colt bred by John C. Harris. Harris Farms welcomed a third Prospect Park foal on Monday, February 3. The homebred dark bay filly is the second foal from Quick Luck, a winning daughter of Lucky J. H. Foals are available for viewing at https://harrisfarms.com/foals/ On the board in 16 of 18 starts, Prospect Park won or placed in five graded stakes in seven starts at 3 including a 4-plus length victory in the Grade II La Jolla Handicap posting a 103 Beyer Speed Rating. Prospect Park stands at Harris Farms... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Seeks Gold Cup Repeat

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 3, 2020) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate and defending champion Minister of Soul, and fellow California-breds Royal Trump and League of Shadows, are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap at Turf Paradise. Royal Trump is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Woodman mare Royal Woodman, was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams, is owned by Rodney Orr and trained by Mark Glatt. He has six wins in 22 starts, earnings of $219,900 and is coming off a third in a Jan. 10 optional claimer. 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. He has seven wins in 22 starts, earnings of $188,846 and is coming off a fifth in the Dec. 28 KLAQ Handicap. He won this race last year. League of Shadows is by Gotham City, out of the Siberian Summer mare Siberian Song, was bred by Daehling Ranch, is owned by... ...

Bulletproof One Takes on the Boys in Baffle

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2020) – Multiple stakes winner Bulletproof One, one of three California-breds entered, takes on the boys in Friday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Rookie Mistake is by Square Eddie, out of the General Meeting mare Meetmeinthewoods, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has one win in five starts, earnings of $55,551 and is coming off an eighth in the Jan. 18 California Cup Derby. Bulletproof One is by idiot Proof, out of the Decarchy mare Onefunsonofagun, was bred by Victory Rose Thoroughbreds & KMN Racing, is owned by Barber, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners or Wachtel Stable and is trained by Peter Miller. She has three wins in seven starts, earnings of $203,400 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 18 California Cup Oaks. Big Returns is by Mr. Big, out of the Orientate mare Quick Chick, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by William Peeples and trained by Doug O’Neill. He has two wins... ...

‘Chilly,’ Lucky Pulpit Newest Hall of Famers

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,... ...

King Abner Takes on San Pasqual

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2020) – King Abner is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita. King Abner is by Hansen, out of the Salt Lake mare Margarita Salt, was bred by Golden Eagle Farm, is owned by Summit Racing, Ticket to Ride or Branch, et al, and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He has six wins in 23 starts, earnings of $381,309 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 28 San Antonio Stakes. ...

Lil Milo

Lil Milo wins $70,000 Clocker’s Corner. ...

Lil Milo Springs Clocker’s Corner Upset

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... ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2020) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Wednesday, January 22, at the Department of Consumer Services. Chairman Gregory Ferraro presided. Vice Chairman Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri and Wendy Mitchell also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board acted to severely limit medications that can be present in horses participating in timed workouts. Similar restrictions already are in place at some tracks by house rules and horsemen’s agreements. The rule adopted by the Board applies these restrictions to all tracks and gives the CHRB authority to deal with violations. The goal of the new rule is to eliminate medications that may mask injury or increase the chance of injury for a horse running at full speed and to protect the wagering public. The Board approved an emergency regulation essentially permitting only “hay, oats and water” during a race with the exception... ...

Spiced Perfection Ships to Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2020) – Spiced Perfection, the 2018 California-bred Horse of the Year, is entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Inside Information Stakes for fillies and mares, presented by Runhappy Matchmaker Series, at Gulfstream Park. Spiced Perfection is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Pleasantly Perfect mare Perfect Feat, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, is owned by Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch and is trained by Peter Miller. She has nine wins in 20 starts, earnings of $1,214,405 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 7 Go For Wand. ...

Lil Milo Entered in Clocker’s Corner

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2020) – Lil Milo is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $70,000 Clocker’s Corner Stakes at Santa Anita. Lil Milo is by Rocky Bar, out of the Editor’s Note mare Solid Brass Cat, was bred by Jack Weinstein, is owned by Weinstein or Cannon and trained by Alfredo Marquez. He has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $160,665 and is coming off a third in a Dec. 29 optional claimer. ...

Sports Betting Could Make November Ballot

By LosAngelesTimes.com SACRAMENTO — Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court removed legal barriers to sports betting, California voters could be asked in November to join 14 other states in allowing legal wagers on athletic contests, creating a lucrative industry worth billions of dollars and intense competition among rival gambling interests in the state. On Tuesday, a coalition of 18 Native American tribes was given approval to begin circulating petitions for a statewide ballot initiative that would allow sports betting at tribal casinos and horse racing tracks, but not at rival card clubs or on the internet. “This is an important step in helping ensure sports wagering is restricted to adults over 21 at highly regulated and experienced locations,” said Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, which operates a casino in Temecula. “The measure will also result in new revenue for mental health programs and vital services like public safety and education.” Card clubs vowed to campaign against the tribal casino proposal and instead support another ballot... ...

First California Foal for Passion for Gold

TEMECULA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2020) — Passion for Gold’s first California foal arrived this week, a filly out of the mare Sundar Creek. Passion for Gold, a son of Medaglia d’Oro, stood for five years in Chile and now stands at Milky Way Farm. He was champion and high-weighted 2-year-old in France and won the Group 1 Criterium Saint Cloud by 6 1/2 lengths. ...

Online Voting Open for Cal-bred Champions

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2020) — Online balloting has begun at CTBA.com for the 2019 California-bred champions, to be honored at the Feb. 25, 2020 CTBA Awards Banquet. Voting will close on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Click HERE to vote. ...

Richard’s Boy Enters Stakes at San Houston

HOUSTON, Tex. (Jan. 20, 2020) – Millionaire California-bred Richard’s Boy, claimed three races back for $40,000, is entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint Stakes at Sam Houston. Richard’s Boy is by Idiot Proof, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Marissa’s Joy, was bred by Harold and Pamela Tillema, is owned by Clark Brewster and trained by Steve Asmussen. He has 10 wins in 42 starts, earnings of $1,005,024 and is coming off a fifth in a Nov. 13 optional claimer. ...

Side Street Dave in Riley Allison

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 20, 2020) – Side Street Dave is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Riley Allison Derby for 3-year-olds at Sunland Park. Side Street Dave is by Govenor Charlie, out of the Street Cry mare Jolly Davis, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Frank Bemis and Shawn Davis and is trained by Davis. He has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $44,982 and is coming off a sixth in the Dec. 28 Lost in the Fog. ...

Wound Tight

Wound Tight wins $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. ...

Fast Enough

Fast Enough wins $200,000 California Cup Derby. ...

Warren’s Showtime

Warren’s Showtime wins $200,000 California Cup Oaks. ...

Fashionably Fast

Fashionably Fast wins $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

Warren’s Showtime Wins Cal Cup Oaks

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... ...

Fast Enough is Fast Enough in Cal Cup Derby

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... ...

Stealthediamonds

Stealthediamonds wins $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...

Wound Tight Wins City National Classic

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... ...

Fashionably Fast Enough in Valpredo Sprint

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... ...

Stealthediamonds Stealstheturfsprint

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.”... ...

Another Stakes Win for Alwaysmining

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... ...

Mind Control Returns with Toboggan Win

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... ...

Blue Diva, Lostintranzlation in Astra

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduation Lostintranzlation and fellow Cal-bred Blue Diva are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Astra Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Lostintranzlation is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Granny Got Game, was bred by Lilley Ranch, is owned by Hendrickson, Hesz or McClanahan and is trained by Richard Baltas. The $18,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has three wins in 16 starts, earnings of $176,529 and is coming off a seventh in the Nov. 30 Red Carpet. Blue Diva is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Quiet American mare Farmers Wife, was bred by BKB Stables, is owned by Frances Rainin and is trained by Ari Herbertson. Six wins in 17 starts, earnings of $167,469 and is coming off win in the Dec. 15 Miss America. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Megahertz

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2020) – California-breds Streak of Luck and Super Patriot are entered in Monday’s $100,000 Grade III Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Streak of Luck is by Old Fashioned, out of the Elusive Quality mare Valeria, was bred by owner Roncelli Family Trust and is trained by Matthew Chew. She has five wins in 24 starts, earnings of $291,591 and is coming off a sixth in the Dec. 28 Robert Frankel. Super Patriot is by Unusual Heat, out of the Reddatore mare Patriot C H, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Peskoff or Salvatore, et al and is trained by Richard Baltas. She has five wins in 25 starts, earnings of $273,454 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 8 Kathryn Crosby. ...

California Cup Notes for Friday

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2020) — A day of racing which showcases California-breds without a Nick Alexander owned or bred horse would be rare indeed these days, like an NFL game without a single review. Not to worry Saturday when the 77-year-old native of Santa Monica has three horses he owns and bred entered on Santa Anita’s nine-race program featuring runners from the Golden State: Desmond Doss in the $250,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank; Just Grazed Me in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint; and Lieutenant Dan in the $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. They are three of five stakes tomorrow focusing on California-bred runners, the others being the $200,000 California Cup Derby and the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint. Desmond Doss, Just Grazed Me and Lieutenant Dan were all sired by Alexander’s prolific homebred gray stud Grazen, who stands at Nick’s Horse Haven Farm in Santa Ynez for $6,000 live foal. “Grazen is 14 now,” said Alexander, Chairman of... ...

I’ll Have Another’s First N.A. Foals Arrive

From Ballena Vista Farm SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2020) — Champion I’ll Have Another’s first two North American foals have arrived. The first was dropped January 14, 2020 at Rancho San Miguel. The 2020 filly is out of the winning mare Year of Light by Event of the Year. The filly was bred by Jacqueline Bousquet and Dr. Jeaneen Metzler. She was followed on January 15, 2020 by a filly born at Ballena Vista Farm, out of the Tribal Rule broodmare Jennifer’s Joy, bred by Harold and Pamela Tillema and Richard Tillema. Jennifer’s Joy is from the immediate family of millionaire Cal-bred Richard’s Boy. Richard’s Boy is a multiple stakes winner and Grade 1 placed. The 2020 fillies are from the first domestic crop of 3-year old champion I’ll Have Another, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. I’ll Have Another began his breeding career in Japan at Big Red Farm and was repatriated by Ballena Vista Farm for stud duty in California. Farm manager Miguel Jimenez said... ...

Borderplex Stakes Draws Roses for Laura

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 20, 2020) – Roses for Laura is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $65,000 Borderplex Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Sunland Park. Roses for Laura is by Time to Get Even, out of the Gold Case mare Amorous Angie, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by William Pailley and Shawn Davis and is trained by Davis. She has two wins in nine starts, earnings of $78,959 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 28 Arizona Juvenile Fillies. ...

Rancho San Miguel Open House Jan. 25

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020) — Tom and Nancy Clark’s Rancho San Miguel has scheduled an open house on Saturday, January 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All farm stallions will be available for viewing, new General Manager Dennis Yokum and other farm personnel will be available for introductions and answer questions, as will Sir Prancealot and Danzing Candy syndicates manager, Adrian Gonzalez. The following stallions will be available for inspection: Curlin to Mischief — Perhaps the best bred stallion in California. 1st foals only 3yos. Danzing Candy — Multiple G2 winner by Twirling Candy. Bred 244 mares in 1st 2 years. Golden Balls — G3SP Listed SW at 3 by top sire Danehill Dancer (172 SWs worldwide). Northern Causeway — Well-bred G3 winner by top sire of sires Giant’s Causeway. Richard’s Kid — Multiple G1 winner had 3 Allowance winners in 1st 12 days of 2020. Sir Prancealot — Sire sensation in North America based on first 14 starters. Slew’s Tiznow — 2019... ...

Harris Farms Stallion Showcase Jan. 25

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020) — Harris Farms will host their 2020 open house and stallion show on Saturday, January 25th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Please join us for inspections of the 2020 stallion roster and enjoy food and refreshments. All of the farms stallions will be available for viewing including new for 2020: Conquest Farenheit, Om, and Rousing Sermon. Joining an already impressive lineup: Acclamation, Desert Code, Jeranimo, Lakerville, Majestic Harbor, Prospect Park, Smiling Tiger, Tamarando, and Vronsky. For more information on stallions, click here http://harrisfarms.com/ Harris Farms is located at 27366 West Oakland Ave, Coalinga, CA 93210 RSVP 559-884-2859 or debbiewinick@harrisfarms.com ...

Streaking Just Grazed Me in F&M Turf Sprint

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020)–A Grade III winner in her most recent start over the course and a winner of her last three races, Nick Alexander’s homebred Just Grazed Me deserves top billing among a field of seven older fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs on grass in Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. A respectable fifth in the Grade I American Oaks here Dec. 28, KMN Racing’s classy homebred Apache Princess cuts way back in distance, gets an infrequent appointment with Cal-breds in the Turf Sprint and rates a huge chance as well. Claimed two starts back for $80,000, trainer Keith Desormeaux’s Stealthediamonds comes off a big five furlong turf allowance win on Nov. 24 at Del Mar, a race in which she earned a lofty 92 Beyer Speed figure. The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred... ...

Wide Open Classic Presented by City Natl.

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020)–Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ homebred Ward ‘n Jerry, Madeline Auerbach’s homebred The Hunted and owner/breeder Nick Alexander’s upstart Desmond Doss headline Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank, a wide open affair that has attracted eight older horses who will contest a mile and one eighth over the Santa Anita turf. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Turf Classic is part of the Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. WARD ‘N JERRY Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams Trainer: Mike Puype Although he’s still looking for his first stakes victory at age seven, this Lucky Pulpit gelding exits the best race of his career on Dec. 1 at Del Mar, as he was third, beaten a neck by highly respected eastern invader Oscar Dominguez in the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at a mile and one half under Florent Geroux at odds of 23-1. Lightly raced,... ...

Been Studying Her Targets Cal Cup Oaks

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020)–KMN Racing’s homebred Been Studying Her, a two-time stakes winner on dirt, will try turf for the first time on Saturday as she heads field of 12 sophomore fillies in the $200,000 California Cup Oaks, to be contested at one mile over the Santa Anita turf. Other top Oaks contenders would appear to be Benjamin and Sally Warren’s homebred Warren’s Showtime, a one mile turf stakes winner and trainer Peter Miller’s Bulletproof One, a two-time stakes winner who will be stretching out to a route of ground for the first time. The Cal Cup Oaks is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. BEEN STUDYING HER Breeder: KMN Racing, LLC Owner: KMN Racing, LLC Trainer: Dan Ward A scintillating 3 ¼ length winner of the seven furlong Golden State Juvenile Fillies two starts back on Nov. 1, she was a disappointing fourth, beaten 10 lengths as the 2-5... ...

Club Aspen Takes on Cal Cup Derby

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020)–Club Aspen, an impressive 2 ½ length stakes winner in his most recent start, heads a field of nine sophomores going a mile and one sixteenth in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita. Trained by Craig Lewis and owned by his brother Larry, Club Aspen is by the hottest sire currently standing in California, Clubhouse Ride, who was also conditioned by Craig Lewis. Golden Gate Fields invader Bettor Trip Nick, a two-time stakes winner on synthetic Tapeta, rates a big chance in the Cal Cup Derby and is owned in part and trained by William Delia. Reddam Racing’s homebred Rookie Mistake, a son of top sire Square Eddie, comes off a 3 ¼ length maiden turf win at 5 ½ furlongs and also figures very prominent for trainer Doug O’Neill. The Cal Cup Derby is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA and is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. CLUB ASPEN Breeder: Harris... ...

Fashionably Fast, Lieutenant Dan in Valpredo

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2020)–A pair of homebreds, Harris Farms’ Fashionably Fast and Nick Alexander’s Lieutenant Dan, along with Bob Baffert’s comebacking Heck Yeah, head a field of seven older horses going six furlongs in Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. A 5-year-old gelding by Lucky Pulpit, Fashionable Fast comes off the best year of his career, which saw him win four of six starts, including his last four in a row, with two of them being stakes. Lieutenant Dan, a 4-year-old Grazen gelding, has been idle since Aug. 25 and he too, enjoyed a banner 2019, winning four out of nine starts, which included two stakes victories. Idle since March 9, lightly raced 5-year-old Heck Yeah, whose four wins include three stakes victories, has trained lights-out for his return to action and could well command considerable pari-mutuel interest. FASHIONABLY FAST Breeder: Harris Farms Owner: Harris Farms, Inc., Per Antonsen & John Nicoletti Trainer: Dean Pederson A winner of two allowance sprints... ...

Inflamed Sells for $525,000 at Keeneland

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2020) – Ten-year-old California-bred Inflamed, who was thrust into the spotlight when her first foal Mo Forza ran away with the Hollywood Derby (G1T) on his way to earning an Eclipse Award nomination, will take the long trip to Japan in the coming months to join the ranks of Shadai Farm. Consigned by Glen Hill Farm as Hip 795E to the Jan. 14 session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, the mare was purchased on a final bid of $525,000 by bloodstock agent Naohiro Hosoda, who signed the ticket on behalf of Terry Yoshida of Shadai Farm. The price was the third-highest paid for a mare during Tuesday’s session. Hosoda said that Shadai was impressed with the mare’s pedigree as much as they were with her progeny, which have showed considerable strength and speed on the track so far. “She is the dam of Mo Forza, who is a tough horse,” said Hosoda. “Japanese racing is tough on the main track.... ...

TOC Offers Free Tax-planning Webinar

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2020) — The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) is offering a free webinar, “Tax Planning for Horse Owners” – an introductory seminar aimed at helping horse owners gain a working knowledge of the rules of both federal income and state sales taxation as they apply to the racehorse business. The webinar will be held Saturday, Feb. 1. Registration closes on Friday, January 31, at 12:00 p.m. PST. ...

Circumference has First Winner

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. ...

Spiced Perfection Targets Inside Information

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2020) – The multiple Grade 1 winning California-bred Spiced Perfection and the graded stakes winners Mo Forza and Texas Wedge are scheduled to start at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 for trainer Peter Miller. Spiced Perfection was withdrawn from Saturday’s Grade 3 La Canada Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in favor of the $200,000 Grade 2 Inside Information Stakes at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park later this month. Miller said on Saturday that the owners of Spiced Perfection – Adam Wachtel, Peter Deutsch, and Len Schleifer – want to keep the 5-year-old mare in one-turn races. ...

Queen Bee to You

Queen Bee to You wins $200,000 Grade III La Canada. ...

California Cup Notes

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2020) — Ashleyluvssugar, as familiar to fans at Santa Anita as its art deco façade, could make his last start in Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. The nine-year-old gelded son of Game Plan has raced 18 times at Santa Anita, winning six, with two seconds and four thirds, earning almost a million dollars, at $948,963. Overall, he has 10 wins from 36 starts with earnings of $1,475,583. He worked Sunday morning for the Turf Classic, one of five attractive stakes for California-breds Saturday, the others being the $200,000 California Cup Derby, the $200,000 California Cup Oaks, the $150,000 California Cup Sprint and the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. Ashleyluvssugar went “an easy five-eighths” in 1:01.80 for trainer Peter Eurton. “We’ll just play it by ear every race from here on out,” Eurton said. “We expect him to run well Saturday, but if he doesn’t, he could be retired at any time.” Ashleyluvssugar last... ...

Queen Bee to You by a Nose

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... ...

Cal Cup Nominations, Past Performances

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 ...

Show It N Moe It in Kalookan Queen

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2020) – Show It N Moe It is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Show It N Moe It is by Grace Upon Grace, out of the Ide mare robotica, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by London, Lovingier or Zondlo and is trained by Edwin Alvarez. She has six wins in 27 starts, earnings of $511,541 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 17 Betty Grable. ...

Top Cal-bred Distaffers vie in La Canada

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2020) – Millionaire multiple Grade I winner Spiced Perfection, graded winner Queen Bee to You and fellow California-bred stakes winner Starr of Quality are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III La Canada Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Queen Bee to You is by Old Topper, out of the Touch Gold mare Silk Queen, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by An Equal Amount of Blueberries or Vali and is trained by Andrew Lerner. She has seven wins in 32 starts, earnings of $538,770 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 8 Bayakoa. Spiced Perfection is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Pleasantly Perfect mare Perfect Feat, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, is owned by Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable or Deutsch and is trained by Peter Miller. She has nine wins in 20 starts, earnings of $1,214,405 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 7 Go For Wand. Starr of Quality is by First Dude, out of the... ...

Cal Cup Nominations Deadline on Thursday

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2020) – Nominations close on Thursday, Jan. 9, for the five stakes races to be held on the lucrative California Cup card on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Santa Anita. The five stakes for Golden State Series eligibles are: $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic sponsored by City National Bank, at 1 1/18 miles on turf; $200,000 California Cup Derby, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; $200,000 California Cup Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on turf; $150,000 California Cup Sprint at 6 furlongs; $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Entries for the stakes close on Wednesday, Jan. 15. ...

An Eddie Surprise Enters Las Cienegas

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2020) – An Eddie Surprise is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Las Cienegas Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. An Eddie Surprise is by Square Eddie, out of the High Demand mare Dani Reese, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has four wins in 28 starts, earnings of $262,612 and is coming off a Jan. 4 optional claiming win. ...

$60,000 Filly Tops CTBA Jan. Mixed Sale

For Sale results: CLICK HERE By Bloodhorse.com POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2020) – A 2-year-old Declaration of War filly sold for $60,000 to top the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s January Mixed Sale Jan. 7 at the Hines Pavilion at Fairplex Park near Pomona, Calif. Consigned as Hip 50 by Adrian Gonzalez’s Checkmate Thoroughbreds, the filly was purchased by O.J. Jauregui, agent for Highland Yard. Bred in Kentucky by Indian Creek, John and Riley Hess, Dr. William Hess, and Jess Hess, the filly was produced from the Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemarchos, a half sister to grade 1-winning millionaire Celestine and to multiple stakes winners Haunted Heroine and Silent Sting. The filly had been sold twice previously, with C & S Thoroughbreds acquiring her for $9,000 from consignor Indian Creek as a short yearling at last year’s Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. Sent through the ring at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale as part of the Four Star Sales consignment, the filly was bought by Valle Las Palmas/Jose Zulaica for... ...

Click HERE to View CTBA January Mixed Sale

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Live Stream of CTBA January Sale

https://ctba.com/click-here-to-view-ctba-january-sale/ ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2020) — The regular meeting of the California Horse Racing Board will he held Wednesday, January 22, in Sacramento at the Department of Consumer Affairs, 1625 N. Market Blvd, 1st Floor Hearing Room, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ...

Outs for Tuesday’s CTBA January Mixed Sale

POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2020) — Click headline for complete list of outs (Tuesday’s outs in bold). Outs — 4, 5, 10, 22, 30, 32, 34, 37, 40, 41, 45, 49, 52, 53, 57, 58, 61, 66, 76, 78, 85, 92, 94, 102, 108, 115, 116, 122, 129, 131, 136, 137, 138, 141, 143, 146, 148, 172, 173, 174, 183, 188, 196, 208, 213, 217, 226, 231, 232, 234, 235, 237, 242, 243, 246, 249, 251, 253, 256, 265. ...

DRF.com on CTBA January Mixed Sale

By DRF.com POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2020) — California’s only annual mixed sale will be held on Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, the second consecutive year the event has been conducted by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. This year’s sale is considerably larger than the 2019 auction. Tuesday’s sale, which begins at 11 a.m., has a catalog of 269 broodmares, horses of racing age, yearlings and 2-year-olds. The main catalog has 256 horses, with 13 supplemental entries. Moonless Sky, the winner of the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita in 2017, sells as Hip No. 86. Moonless Sky, who has won 5 of 23 starts, finished fifth in an optional claimer for California-breds at 1 18 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Friday when eligible to be claimed for $20,000. In 2019, the January Mixed Sale had a catalog of 154 horses, with 81 horses listed as sold for $589,300, an average of $7,275, according to CTBA figures. There were 41 horses... ...

Tee Em Eye Rallies to Win Bold Ego

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 4, 2020) – California-bred Tee Em Eye circled seven wide to get up in time and win Saturday’s $65,000 Bold Ego Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Tee Em Eye is by Cyclotron, out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Supermodel, was bred by Karen Headley and is owned by trainer Jose Silva. She has 11 wins in 36 starts, earnings of $208,607 and was coming off a win in the Dec. 21 City of Phoenix Stakes. Tee Em Eye ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.80 and won by one-half length at odds of 15-1 in a field of seven. ...

Boisterous Heads to Pennsylvania

From Tommy Town Thoroughbreds SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Jan. 2, 2020) — The connections of the Grade I-winning millionaire Boisterous, California’s leading freshman sire of 2018 and sophomore sire of 2019, are excited to announce his relocation to the Diamond B Farm, 1671 Tilden Rd, Mohrsville, PA, operated by Glenn and Becky Brok. Boisterous will be an excellent addition to the PA Breeding Program. Boisterous was a 8-time stakes winner, including winning the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes with earnings of over $1.4 million. A son of Distorted Humor out of a stakes-winning Cox’s Ridge mare, he is from the good sire family of Out of Place and Gold Fever. He is the sire of the stakes winner Kookie Gal from his first crop. He will stand for $3,000 live foal. ...

North County Guy in San Gabriel Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2020) – North County Guy, making his stakes debut, is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita North County Guy is by The Pamplemousse, out of the Unusual Heat mare Warmth, was bred by Edward Allred, is owned by Messineo or Sands and is trained by Richard Baltas. He has four wins in 21 starts, earnings of $176,507 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 24 optional claimer. ...

Breeders Await Sir Prancealot’s Arrival

By Bloodhorse.com Breeders in California will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sir Prancealot at Rancho San Miguel for the 2020 breeding season after the son of Tamayuz supplied his first top-flight winner when Lady Prancealot struck in the Dec. 28 American Oaks (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. The winner was given a masterclass ride by Joe Bravo up the inside rail to lead close home, and is one of three US graded turf winners by her sire along with Beau Recall and Madam Dancealot. The 3-year-old filly was bred in Ireland by Tally-Ho Stud, whose other graduates Desert Encounter and Fairyland also struck at the highest level this year, and was bought as a yearling for €9,500 (US$11,301) by Eoghan T O’Neill at the 2017 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. Lady Prancealot shares her granddam with Almanaar, a British-bred son of Dubawi who won the 2017 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1T). Lady Prancealot raced five times over the minimum trip as a juvenile in Britain for trainer David Evans, and was... ...

And There They Go in Joe Hernandez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2019) – Stakes winner Tribalist and fellow California-bred Carnivorous are entered in Wednesday’s $200,000 Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita. Tribalist is by Tribal Rule, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Ultimate Summer, was bred by Dutko & Abrams, is owned by Dutko, Abrams or Paran and is trained by Blake Heap. He has four wins in 14 starts, earnings of $296,915 and is coming off a fifth in the Oct. 19 California Flag. He as fifth in this race last year. Carnivorous is by Square Eddie, out of the Momentum mare Charred Rare, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Thomsen Racing and is trained by Steve Knapp. He has five wins in 13 starts, earnings of $250,409 and is coming off an optional allowing win on Oct. 18. ...

Tee Em Eye in Bold Ego Handicap

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 30, 2019) – California-bred Tee Em Eye is entered in Saturday’s $65,000 Bold Ego Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Tee Em Eye is by Cyclotron, out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Supermodel, was bred by Karen Headley and is owned by trainer Jose Silva. She has 10 wins in 35 starts, earnings of $169,607 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 21 City of Phoenix Stakes. ...

Trainer Gary Sherlock Passes at 73

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2019) – Trainer Gary Sherlock, who guided the Thoroughbred fillies Intangaroo and Lost Bus to graded stakes wins in recent years and started Uncle Lino in the 2016 Preakness Stakes, died on Sunday of cancer, according to his friends and officials at Santa Anita. Sherlock was 73. A native of San Francisco, Sherlock had a lifelong background in racing. His father, William, was a jockey, and his mother, Mary, was a racing official in Northern California. Sherlock initially made his mark as a Quarter Horse trainer at Los Alamitos where he won such races as the 1977 Los Alamitos Derby with Azure Three and the 1980 Doc Severinsen Handicap with American Jet and was among the leaders on the circuit along with D. Wayne Lukas and Blane Schvaneveldt. Sherlock trained Quarter Horses from 1966 to 1980, winning 353 races, before he switched to Thoroughbreds on a full-time basis. Sherlock had a small Thoroughbred stable through the 1980s and early 1990s in Southern California. His... ...

Lady Prancealot Wins Grade I American Oaks

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 28, 2019)–Lady Prancealot, an Irish-bred daughter of California stallion Sir Prancealot, notched her second consecutive graded stakes victory as she outran California-bred Mucho Unusual by a half length in a thrilling finish to Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 American Oaks at Santa Anita. Trained by Richard Baltas and ridden by Joe Bravo, Lady Prancealot split horses a furlong out and finished with a rush to get the mile and one quarter over a “good” turf in 2:01.70. Taken in hand by Bravo early, Lady Prancealot was full of run at the rail while a close sixth as the field went under the wire in the first run by the Grandstand. With longshot So Much Happy carving out legitimate fractions for the conditions, Bravo had a ton of horse under him as the field straightened up for the stretch run, at which point he was able to split horses and out-run a gallant Mucho Unusual, who had a similar trip under Joel Rosario. A three... ...

Apache Princess, Mucho Unusual Duel

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – California-bred graded winners Apache Princess and Mucho Unusual are entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade I American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Apache Princess is by Unusual Heat, out of the Indian Charlie mare Puskita, was bred by owner KMN Racing and is trained by J.K. Desormeaux. She has three wins in 14 starts, earnings of $286,162 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 14 Bear Fan. Mucho Unusual is 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 four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $385,382 and is coming off a ninth in the Dec. 1 Matriarch. ...

San Antonio Stakes Draws King Abner

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – King Abner is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita. King Abner is by Hansen, out of the Salt Lake mare Margarita Salt, was bred by Golden Eagle Farm, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Summit Racing or Ticket to Ride and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He has six wins in 22 starts, earnings of $341,309 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 16 optional claimer. ...

Loafers Boy Tackles Grade II Competition

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – Loafers Boy is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Loafers Boy is by Coil, out of the Theatrical mare All Star Cast, was bred by owner George & Martha Schwary Racing and is trained by Andrew Lerner. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $24,351 and is coming off a Dec. 8 maiden win. ...

Streak of Luck Seeks Stakes Win

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – Streak of Luck is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Streak of Luck is by Old Fashioned, out of the Elusive Quality mare Valeria, was bred by owner Roncelli Family Trust and is trained by Matthew Chew. She has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of $291,240 and is coming off a ninth in the Dec. 15 Miss America. ...

NorCal Grad Lakerball in Lady of Shamrock

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Lakerball is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Lakerball is by Lakerville, out of the Capsized mare Category Ten, was bred by Rancho de Los Aviadores, is owned by Pappas Horse Racing Corp., Purple Rein Racing or Roberts and is trained by Doug O’Neill. The multiple stakes winner has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $163,176 and is coming off a 10th in the Dec. 1 Matriarch. ...

Santa Anita Delays Opening Until Saturday

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2019) — The opening day of Santa Anita’s 83rd season will be postponed two days until Saturday, December 28th, ahead of next week’s declining weather forecast. “Opening Day is traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, but our commitment to safety is first and foremost,” said Aidan Butler, Acting Executive Director of California for The Stronach Group. “It was very important to make this call as early as possible for our horsemen, fans and employees. There are many moving parts, especially in the training of these wonderful horses, and this decision is being made at this time out of respect to give all involved plenty of advance notice.” “It is very difficult to predict weather forecasts in Southern California more than 48 hours in advance,” said Dennis Moore, who has returned to his responsibilities overseeing Santa Anita track surfaces. “Right now, they have rain Monday through Thursday morning. But the models are continuing to change and when they do that, they... ...

Irish Heatwave Tries Woodchopper

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Dec. 21, 2019) – Irish Heatwave is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Woodchopper Stakes for 3-year-olds at Fair Grounds. Irish Heatwave is by Unusual Heat, out of the Broken Vow mare Irish Winnie, was bred by Moger Inc. & Neary Racing, is owned by Calumet Farm and trained by Jack Sisterson. He has three wins in 11 starts, earnings of $205,284 and is coming off a sixth in the Sept. 4 Caesars Stakes. ...

NorCal Sale Grad Enters KLAQ ‘Cap

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 21, 2019) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul and fellow California-bred Hardcore Troubador, the defending champion, are entered in Saturday’s $65,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park. Minister of Soul is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms, is owned by Esteban Valdez and trained by E Martinez. He has seven wins in 19 starts, earnings of $186,896 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 28 Roadrunner. He was fifth in this race last year. Hardcore Troubador is by Roi Charmant, out of the Good Journey mare Farallon, was bred by Richard Barton Ent., and is owned by trainer Edward Freeman. He has five wins in 20 starts, earnings of $209,816 and is coming off a fourth in a Dec. 6 starter’s allowance. He won this race last year. ...

Race Horse Depreciation Extended

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 21, 2019) — A key provision that extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses through 2020 was signed into law by the President late Friday. The racehorse provision, which received bi-partisan support within both Houses of Congress, was passed by the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 71-23 and passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a vote of 297-120. “We are very pleased that Congress and the President worked together on a bi-partisan basis to reinstate tax extenders legislation including 3-year depreciation for racehorses,” said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop. “We especially applaud Senate Leader McConnell, Rep. Andy Barr and Rep. John Yarmuth for helping to make this happen for Kentucky’s signature industry and the many other jurisdictions throughout the United States that contribute to this $36.6 billion sport and agribusiness. We also thank the sales companies and thousands of individuals who support our legislative efforts in Washington.” Uniform three-year racehorse depreciation was among numerous tax... ...

Spending Bill Could Increase H-2B Visas

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 20, 2019) — Horse trainers who utilize the H-2B guest worker visa program to fill various backstretch positions are expected to have increased access to H-2B visas as a result of language included in the 2020 spending bill passed by Congress this week and expected to be signed by the President today. The bill gives the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) the discretion to release additional visas above the statutory cap and also includes related labor provisions that have been in place for several years. “Many horse trainers are unable to secure enough H-2B visas to fulfill their work force needs due to the limited availability of these visas,” said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Waldrop. “This bill gives trainers a better chance to obtain the guest worker visas they need.” The H-2B non-immigrant visa program allows U.S. employers who meet specific statutory and regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. There is a... ...

Senate Also Passes Horse Depreciation Bill

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 19, 2019) — A key provision that extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses through 2020 passed the Senate by a vote of 71-23 earlier today. The racehorse provision was passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a vote of 297-120 as part of a larger tax package. “We appreciate the Senate’s work to include this important provision,” said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop. “We especially applaud the efforts of Leader McConnell, who does so much to support Kentucky’s signature industry.” Uniform three-year racehorse depreciation was among numerous tax provisions across many industries that either expired at the beginning of 2018 or this year, or were set to expire as of Jan. 1, 2020. The bill reinstates the 3-year schedule for all racehorses retroactive to 2018 and through 2020. The provision allows taxpayers to depreciate, on a three-year schedule, racehorses 24 months of age and younger when purchased and placed into service, as opposed to a seven-year schedule.... ...

House Passes Horse Depreciation Extension

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2019) – A key provision that extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses through 2020 today passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 297-120. The racehorse provision is part of a larger tax package agreed to by Republican and Democratic leaders and now expected to be taken up by the Senate in the next several days. Uniform three-year racehorse depreciation was among numerous tax provisions across many industries that either expired at the beginning of 2018 or this year, or were set to expire as of Jan. 1, 2020. The bill reinstates the 3-year schedule for all racehorses retroactive to 2018. The provision allows taxpayers to depreciate, on a three-year schedule, racehorses 24 months of age and younger when purchased and placed into service, as opposed to a seven-year schedule. “Reinstatement of three-year depreciation for all racehorses helps attract and retain investment in the horse racing industry,” said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop. “We appreciate the House’s work to... ...

Club Aspen

Club Aspen wins $100,000 King Glorious. ...

Jockey Club Considering Breeding Cap

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2019) — The Jockey Club board of stewards today announced that it is continuing its consideration of a rule to limit the annual breeding of individual stallions. The Jockey Club stated further, “We are grateful for the many thoughtful comments in response to our September proposal. The stewards are considering those comments as we continue to study the cause and effects of decreasing diversity of the Thoroughbred gene pool and finalize a rule to protect the breed’s health and welfare.” The Jockey Club is the breed registry for Thoroughbreds in North America. Since its founding 125 years ago, it has been dedicated to the improvement of breeding and racing of Thoroughbreds, focusing on improvements to the integrity, health, and safety of the sport. ...

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