From Godolphin LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 5, 2024) — Nominations for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards will close Monday, July 15th. The TIEAs were held in America for the first time in 2016. Godolphin, the global racing and breeding operation founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Breeders’ Cup. Godolphin also sponsors equivalent awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France. Cash prizes totaling $122,000 will be awarded to winners and two finalists in a total of seven categories as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Newcomer Award, Support Services Award and Management Award. TIEA is also pleased to announce that our category sponsors, which lent their support last year, will be returning as... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 5, 2024) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Freeport Joe is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $150,000 Pleasanton Mile Stakes at the Alameda County Fair. Freeport Joe is by English Channel, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Winds of March, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Larry Odbert and trained by Gloria Haley. The graded stakes winner has nine wins in 29 starts, earnings of $345,552 and is coming off a seventh in the Apr. 27 San Francisco Mile. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 5, 2024) – Six California-breds are among entries in in Sunday’s $75,000 Everett Nevin Stakes for 2-year-olds at the Alameda County Fair. Riverside Rose is by filly Many Rivers, out of the Benchmark mare Benchmark Rose, was bred by owners Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and Jerry and Margaret Martin and is trained by Alberto Ruvalcaba. She won her lone start June 8 and earnings of $17,550. Coracoracora is by Bodexpress, out of the Tapizar mare Vai, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Randy Morris and trained by Blaine Wright. The $8,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale won her lone start June 22 with earnings of $19,500. Sensational Z Z is by Om, out of the Smiling Tiger mare Z Z Tiger, was bred by owner Martin Bach and is trained by Manuel Badilla. She won her lone start with earnings of $17,550. Far Over Loaded is by Far From Over, out of the Comic Strip mare Handfull, was bred by Dr. & Mrs.... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (July 3, 2024) — Stakes winners Daddysruby and Chismosa, as well as fellow California-bred Irish Wahine, are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Great Lady M Stakes for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos. Daddysruby, a 4-year-old gray daughter of Frac Daddy and the You and I mare Youtheprizeandi bred by co-owner Jethorse, earned her signature win in the Grade I La Brea – in her graded stakes debut – by a nose over Big Pond last Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. The Great Lady M will be the first start for Daddysruby since she was second in the Matron March 30 at Oaklawn Park. She’s 5-for-8 with earnings of $410,264. Runner-up in this race a year ago, defeated by a neck by Eda when 19-1, Chismosa will be trying for consecutive stakes wins for owner-breeder Jaime Renella and trainer Rafael DeLeon. The 4-year-old Clubhouse Ride filly out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream captured the Desert Stormer last month in Arcadia.... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 3, 2024) – Si That Tiger is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $50,000 King County Express Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs. Si That Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Rosberg mare Ros’s Girl, was bred by Darlyne Krieg, is owned by Maryanski, John, Maryanski, Janene, Schneider, Gerald E. and Schneider, Gail and trained by Blaine Wright. She is a maiden making her second start. ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 3, 2024) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Her Blind Side is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Angie C. S. Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs. Her Blind Side is by Bodexpress, out of the Graeme Hall mare Holograeme, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and Robert Traynor, is owned by John Parker and trained by Candice Cryderman. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale won her lone start June 22 with earnings of $7,695. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Jun 28, 2024) — California-bred stakes winners Chismosa, Daddysruby, Tom’s Regret and Connie Swingle are among the nominees for the $200,000 Grade II Great Lady M Stakes for fillies and mares.  The race at 6 ½ furlongs will be run for the 11th time at Los Alamitos Saturday, July 6, the next-to-last day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet. Owned by breeder Jaime Renella and trained by Rafael DeLeon, Chismosa, a 4-year-old Clubhouse Ride filly, was beaten by a neck when 19-1 a year ago. A winner of five of 18 with earnings of $501,750, the California-bred enters the Great Lady M off a win, rallying to capture the Desert Stormer June 2 at Santa Anita. Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and trained by Phil D’Amato, Elm Drive has been third in the Great Lady M. in consecutive years. She was defeated by a half-length in 2023 after finishing 3 ½ lengths behind winner Becca Taylor a year earlier. A 5-year-old Mohaymen mare,... ...

By DRf.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 27, 2024) — Top Harbor has been a mainstay in the Northern California sprint division, winning five stakes in the last four years. The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton has been pivotal to that success. A winner of 3 of 4 starts at Pleasanton, Top Harbor makes his 2024 debut in Saturday’s $50,000 Oak Tree Sprint at six furlongs, a race he won last year and nearly won in 2021. To succeed this year, Top Harbor races against a daunting fellow California-bred rival in Clovisconnection, a five-time stakes winner who is expected to set the pace. Top Harbor, trained by Tim McCanna, will be closing. Top Harbor’s layoff since November does not concern McCanna as much as the presence of Clovisconnection, who is trained by Blaine Wright and will be a strong favorite. “The horse of Blaine’s is really tough,” McCanna said. “We need to sneak up on that guy.” Top Harbor has been sharp after lengthy rests since his career began with a win... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (June 25, 2024) — Curlin’s Kaos, fourth in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby, is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds. Curlin’s Kaos is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Curlin mare It’s Vengeance, was bred by James Shenouda and Alfred Pais, is owned by Zephyr Racing and Pais and is trained by Antonio Garcia. He has two wins in six starts, earnings of $144,700 and is coming off a seventh in the May 25 Snow Chief Stakes, presented by City National Bank. ...

By Drf.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 25, 2024) – California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Sale graduate Bodacious is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $225,000 Bashford Manor Stakes for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs. Drawing a field of 13 2-year-olds, all are making their stakes debuts in the six-furlong race. Six members of the field are Churchill maiden winners. Of the others, just one is a maiden winner in California. One might be all a noteworthy West Coast contingent needs. Bodacious earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84 winning his debut on May 3 at Santa Anita for trainer Jorge Periban. The figure is the third best by a 2-year-old this year behind the 88 jointly posted by Mentee and Colloquial in a track-record performance on June 15 at Aqueduct. Going 4 1/2 furlongs, Bodacious set the pace before powering clear to win by 5 3/4 lengths over next-out winner R Heisman. California-bred Bodacious, owned in partnership by Griffin Stables, breeder Terry Lovingier, and Paul Sabesky, has breezed six times since his... ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 27, 2024) – Miss Union is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Monashee Handicap for fillies and mares at Hastings Racecourse. Miss Union is by Unionize, out of the Perfect Mandate mare Rachels Belle, was bred by Francis O’Leary, is owned by J.G. Williamson and is trained by Steve Henson. She has nine wins in 34 starts, earnings of $266,108 and is coming off a second in the June 8 Emerald Downs Stakes. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 19, 2024) – California-breds Princesa Del Tigre and Bold Daughter are entered in Sunday’s $50,000 She’s a Tiger Stakes for fillies and mares at the Alameda County Fair. Princesa Del Tigre is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Flame Thrower mare Corazon de Leo, was bred by Roberto Gonzalez, Wright Batlin, Marc Batlin & Kathleen Parnello, is owned by La Penita Racing Stable, Batlin, Marc, Batlin, Wright, Donsife, Rebecca and Parnello, Kathy and trained by Tim McCanna. She has four wins in 17 starts, earnings of $132,934 and is coming off a second in a May 4 optional claimer. Bold Daughter is by Bold Chieftain, out of the Bertrando mare Pali Girl, was bred by Mike O’Farrell, is owned by Paul Lininger and trained by Roger Hansen. She has five wins in 25 starts, earnings of $97,411 and is coming off a fourth in a May 18 optional claimer. ...

By DRF.com and Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 20, 2024) — There has already been a major bet associated with Cowboy Mike’s appearance in Saturday’s $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for California-bred milers on the opening day of the Los Alamitos summer meeting. Earlier this week, Cowboy Mike was supplemented to the Golden State Series of stakes for statebreds for $25,000, a prerequisite for a start in the Bertrando. The expensive fee makes the 4-year-old Cowboy Mike eligible for the statewide series for the remainder of his career. “We took a gamble,” trainer Bob Baffert said. The idea for the supplemental nomination was discussed in 2023 by Baffert and owner-breeder Connie Pageler. The presence of The Chosen Vron in many of the leading stakes for statebreds last year prevented the investment. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. “We were going to do it as a 3-year-old,” Baffert said. “He was going to be running against The Chosen Vron. We... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (June 17, 2024) – Multiple stakes winner Daffodil Sweet returns from a 10-month layoff as the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Hastings Stakes for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs. Daffodil Sweet is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Lion Heart mare Easy on My Heart, was bred by Michael Terry, is owned by One Horse Will Do and is trained by Marshall Allen. She has 10 wins in 20 starts, earnings of $206,161 and is coming off a third in the Aug. 13 Emerald Distaff. She was seventh in this race last year, third in 2022 and sixth in 2021. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 15, 2024) —The Chosen Vron, one of the most accomplished California breds in history, is among 11 nominees to the $100,000-guaranteed Bertrando Stakes. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in the state will be run Saturday, June 22, opening day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The eight-day LACF season will continue through Sunday, July 7. Owned by Sondereker Racing LLC, Richard Thornburgh, Eric Fetkin and trainer J. Eric Kruljac, the 6-year-old Vronsky gelding has won 18 of 23 and banked $1,419,678. He has won 13 of his last 14 with the lone defeat coming when he was fifth in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint last Nov. 4. Out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, The Chosen Vron is 1-for-1 at Los Alamitos, having won the E.B. Johnston Stakes – at the Bertrando distance – Sept. 17, 2022. Owner-breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi, who teamed to win the Bertrando with Desmond... ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (June 15, 2024) — Stakes winner Big Pond is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Bed ‘o Roses Stakes for fillies and mares at Aqueduct. Big Pond is by Mr. Big. Out of the Lemon drop Kid mare Beside Still Water, was bred by owner George Krikorian and is trained by Bill Mott. She has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $314,480 and is coming off a second in the May 18 Vagrancy. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 14, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, June 20, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Cal Expo.  This meeting will be open to the public. Those who wish to provide unsolicited public comment on agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda item. Note that for agenda item #14, Public Comment, no further comments will be allowed after thirty minutes.  For those who are unable to attend the meeting, a webcast audio link is available on the CHRB website via the Media Room link. The agenda and meeting package of materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 12, 2024) – In her 14-race career, which includes four stakes wins and seven overall victories, Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way is unbeaten in one aspect of her career – she has never lost on the California fair circuit. Chancery Way has won three races in as many starts at fair meetings at Pleasanton and Sacramento since her career began in 2022. The streak is in jeopardy when Chancery Way starts in Saturday’s $75,000 Mary Clare Schmitt Pleasanton Oaks for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at six furlongs at the Alameda County Fair. Chancery Way is by Mr. Big, out of the War Chant mare This Means War, was bred by Harris Farms & John Nicoletti, is owned by Andy and Rob Smolich and is trained by Jamey Thomas. The $6,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has seven wins in 14 starts, earnings of $365,770 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 17 Irish O’Brien. Chancery Way, a... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 11, 2024) – Three stakes worth a combined $400,000 highlight the 2024 Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The eight-day season will begin Saturday, June 22 and continue through Sunday, July 7. Racing will be conducted Saturday-Sunday (June 22-23 and 29-30) the first two weeks and Thursday-Sunday (July 4-7). the final week. Post time will be 1 p.m. The initial stakes of the season is the $100,000 Bertrando for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California. The one-mile race will be run Saturday, June 22. The richest of the stakes races is the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Great Lady M. Stakes. The race at 6 ½ furlongs for fillies and mares – 3-year-olds & up – will be offered Saturday, July 6. The other stakes event is the $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. The Derby will be run Saturday, June 29. Grandstand admission is $3 and $2 for seniors 62 and older. Admission to Burgart’s and... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (June 6, 2024) – Multiple stakes winner Grease Missile and fellow California-breds Signora Vittoria and Victoria’s Charge are entered in the June 15 $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs. Grease Missile is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnighthush, was bred by Dino Bates and Josephine Bates, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and is trained by Miguel Hernandez. She has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $126,528 and is coming off a sixth in a May 27 optional claimer. Signora Vittoria is by Bernardini, out of the Ghostzapper mare Pragmatic Princess, was bred by Warlock Stables, Myrick, Dougan, English, Perry and Denise Martin, is owned by Warlock Stables and Perry Martin and is trained by Tim McCanna. She is a maiden making her 10th start with earnings of $14,200. Victoria’s Charge is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Mr. Greeley mare Feel the Charge, was bred by owners Brett Brophy & Kelly Dougan and is trained by Alan Bozell. She... ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 5, 2024) – Miss Union is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Emerald Downs Stakes for fillies and mares at Hastings Racecourse. Miss Union is by Unionize, out of the Perfect Mandate mare Rachels Belle, was bred by Francis O’Leary, is owned by JG Williamson Racing and is trained by Steve Henson. Miss Union has nine wins in 33 starts, earnings of $258,844 and is coming off a third in a May 18 allowance. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 30, 2024) – Graded stakes winner Chismosa and fellow California-bred stakes winner Tom’s Regret are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Chismosa is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream, was bred by owner Jamie Renella and is trained by Rafael DeLeon. She has four wins in 17 starts, earnings of $441,750 and is coming off a third in the May 18 Mizdirection Stakes. Tom’s Regret is by Tom’s Tribute, out of the Quality Road mare Pure, was bred by DP Racing, is owned by Cinema Thoroughbreds, Beckerle, Michelle K., Flores, Victor M., Johnson, Burton and Zondlo, Eugene and is trained by Steven Miyadi. She has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $306,073 and is coming off a second in a May 11 optional claimer, her first race in nearly 11 months. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 29, 2024) – State-bred stakes usually give horses an option to obtain black type while ducking tougher competition they might encounter in graded stakes. The talented California-bred sprinter The Chosen Vron  has turned that scenario upside down for the June 1 Triple Bend Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, to the potential benefit of fellow Cal-bred Big City Lights . It has already worked once. After winning two stakes, Big City Lights finished second to The Chosen Vron in four consecutive Cal-bred stakes, the only losses of his career. So trainer Richard Mandella and owner William Peeples skipped the Jan. 13 California Cup Sprint with Big City Lights, leaving that victory to The Chosen Vron. Big City Lights instead faced open company in an allowance optional claimer and the Feb. 10 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3), acing both tests. The Chosen Vron and Big City Lights appeared together in the entries for the May 25 Thor’s Echo Stakes for Cal-breds, but Mandella and Peeples may have found a better path yet again. They... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2024) – Grand Slam Smile continued the favorite fest on Gold Rush Day with an emphatic win in Saturday’s $125,000 Melair Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies. Grand Slam Smile is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. She has five wins in seven starts, earnings of $404,900 and was coming off a win in the Jan. 13 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks, one of her four stakes wins. Grand Slam Smile ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.70 and won by five lengths over Safa, with Loretta Lynn third. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2024) – The winning streak began with a come-from-behind victory in a $50,000 claimer in a turf sprint at Santa Anita on a Friday in early March. Nearly three months later, the 7-year-old California-bred gelding Johnny Podres is a multiple stakes winner, has won three consecutive starts, and is possibly on the verge of his first graded stakes win in Sunday’s Grade 3 Daytona Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita. It will not be easy. The race is full of contenders. The $100,000 Daytona Stakes drew a field of 10, including six other stakes winners capable of a victory – Air Force Red, Astronomer, First Peace, Lane Way, Mucho Del Oro, and Whatmakessammyrun. The other runners are Almendares, Daniel’s Magic, and Nineeleventurbo. Johnny Podres, claimed for $40,000 in May 2023, was bred by Nick Alexander and races for David Bernsen and Mi Familia Racing Stable. Since being claimed, Johnny Podres has earned $191,950, with the bulk... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2024) – There is no red carpet for the star of the show Saturday at Santa Anita, but there certainly is for the main supporting player. Seems it should be the other way around. Millionaire gelding The Chosen Vron probably will win the $100,000 Thor’s Echo anyway, but he must overcome an unwelcome obstacle – post position – in the race 3 sprint that is the first of five Cal-bred stakes on Saturday. A half-hour later in race 4, Kings River Knight is lone speed in the $100,000 Crystal Water at a mile on turf. Kings River Knight figures to be long gone and win the Crystal Water a second time. The Chosen Vron and Kings River Knight, 6-year-old geldings, enter their races as perceived low-odds standouts. From a betting perspective, the Thor’s Echo and Crystal Water offer less appeal than three stakes later. From a sporting perspective, who doesn’t love The Chosen Vron? A winner of 16 stakes, The Chosen Vron is stuck... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2024) – California-bred Horse of the Year The Chosen Vron faces four opponents when he attempts to defend his title in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at Santa Anita. The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners and is owned by Sondereker Racing, Fetkin, Thornburgh and trainer J. Eric Kruljac. He has 17 wins in 22 starts, earnings of $1,359,678 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 27 Kona Gold, his 12th win in the last 13 starts.   Sawasdee is by Desert Code, out of the Congaree mare Scary Fast, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Ronald Yayoshi and trained by Craig Dollase. He has seven wins in 29 starts, earnings of $262,780 and is coming off a May 5 allowance win. Graded stakes winner Big City Lights is by Mr. Big, out of the Exchange Rate mare Champagne Exchange, was bred by Bar C... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2024) – Defending champ Kings River Knight risks his four-race win streak in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at Santa Anita. Barely Functional is by Mrazek, out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Antonio Garcia. He has three wins in 17 starts, earnings of $215,262 and is coming off a third in a May 5 optional claimer. Coalinga Road is by Quality Road, out of the Johannesburg mare Coco Ecolo, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. He has four wins in 25 starts, earnings of $438,814 and is coming off a third in a May 5 optional claimer. He was second in this race last year. None Above the Law is by Karakontie, out of the Northern Afleet mare Legally Blanca, was bred by J. Kirk & Judy Robison, is owned by Hector Castrellon and trained by Jorge Periban. He has six wins in 32 starts, earnings... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2024) – Stay and Scam, who hit the board in graded stakes in her last two starts, gets the outside post in a field of 11 in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Carmen Miranda is by Stanford, out of the Tribal Rule mare Miranda Rose, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler. She has five wins in 18 starts, earnings of $326,576 and is coming off a fourth in a Mar. 29 optional claimer. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Jessebear is by Misremembered, out of the Crowd Pleaser mare Cagey Girl, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by McLean Racing Stables and trained by Aggie Ordonez. The $6,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has one win in 11 starts, earnings of $104,960 and is coming off a fourth in a Mar. 15 optional claimer. Abhita is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Wildcat Heir... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2024) – Stakes winner Shady Tiger draws the rail in Saturday’s $125,000 Snow Chief Stakes, presented by City National Bank, for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Shady Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Full Mandate mare Divine Legacy, was bred by owner Rusty Brown and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He has three wins in four starts, earnings of $166,400 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 6 Echo Eddie Stakes, his third consecutive win. CTBA January Sale graduate Size Does Matter is a Kentucky-bred by California stallion Mr. Big, out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Belloma, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by Brent Malmstrom and trained by Peter Miller. The $2,000 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has one win in five starts, earnings of $31,200 and is coming off a third in an Apr. 28 optional claimer. Takes Three is by Nyquist, out of the Square Eddie mare Radish, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2024) – Multiple stakes winner Grand Slam Smile seeks to continue her division domination in Saturday’s $125,000 Melair Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. CTBA January Sale graduate Safa is by Grazen, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Hadarra, was bred by Derek Lawson, is owned by Souheil Bisharat and Khalil Khoury and is trained by Gary Stute. A $23,000 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has one win in 10 starts, earnings of $148,060 and is coming off four consecutive runner-up finishes. Only One America is by Marking, out of the Diabolical mare That’s the Idea, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Peter Miller. She has two wins in nine starts, earnings of $123,580 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 7 Island Fashion Stakes at Sunland Park. Loretta Lynn is by Grazen, out of the Tribal Rule mare Sunday Rules, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Phil... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y.  — (May 16, 2024) — California-bred Big Pond  was a big deal at Santa Anita Park over the winter, winning the Feb. 18 Spring Fever Stakes in fast time after a nose defeat when second in the Dec. 26 La Brea Stakes (G1). Now George Krikorian’s homebred 4-year-old daughter of Mr. Big   battles five East Coast rivals in the $175,000 Vagrancy Stakes (G3) May 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Her principal foes in the 6 1/2-furlong dirt sprint are stakes winners Hot Fudge , Leave No Trace , and Beguine . Saturday’s race marks Big Pond’s first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and her second outside California, where she was foaled. All seven of her prior starts previously came for trainer Tim Yakteen, including a recent seventh in the April 6 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland that came after an awkward start. She recorded three wins and two seconds for Yakteen, earning $279,480. Junior Alvarado will be the fourth jockey to ride Big Pond in her last four races, following Flavian Prat, Frankie Dettori and... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 15, 2024) – Graded winner Chismosa and fellow California-bred Rebalation are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Mizdirection Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Chismosa is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream, was bred by owner Jaime Renella and is trained by Rafael DeLeon. She has four wins in 16 starts, earnings of $429,750 and is coming off a sixth in the Mar. 6 Monrovia. Rebalation is by Acclamation, out of the He’s Tops mare Reba Is Tops, was bred by Eric Schweiger, Gordy Jarnig & Kenny Marshall, is owned by Mia Familia Racing Stable and trained by Librado Barocio. She has nine wins in 19 starts, earnings of $249,828 and is coming off a win in an Apr. 19 starter’s allowance. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 12, 2024) – California-breds Luca Grazie, Big Event and Galactic Core are among the entrants in Sunday’s $75,000 San Juan County Commissioners Stakes at Sunray Park. Luca Grazie is by Boisterous, out of the Comic Strip mare Kukaluka, was bred by Gary Barber and Aam Wachtel, is owned by Homer Thoroughbreds and is trained by Travis Wheeler. He has one win in 15 starts, earnings of $99,250 and is coming off ninth in an Apr. 16 optional claimer. Big Event is by Mr. Big, out of the Forestry mare Magnetic, was bred by George Kirkorian, is owned by Gina Lujan and Marissa Esquibel and is trained by Danny Morales. He has three wins in 16 starts, earnings of $74,798 and is coming off a fourth in an Apr. 28 optional claimer. Galactic Core is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Mizzen Mast mare Masterful Lass, was bred by Louis Neve, is owned by Christine Belt and trained by Danny Morales. He has one win in seven starts,... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 10, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Cal Expo.  This meeting will be open to the public. Those who wish to provide unsolicited public comment on agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda item. Note that for agenda item #10, Public Comment, no further comments will be allowed after thirty minutes.  For those who are unable to attend the meeting, a webcast audio link is available on the CHRB website via the Media Room link. The agenda and meeting package of materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 8, 2024) – California-breds Illhaveanotherkiss and Vincero Grande are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Illhaveanotherkiss is by I’ll Have Another, out of the Tribal Rule mare Family Girl, was bred by Ballena Vista Farm, is owned by Joe Navarro and trained by Doug O’Neill. She has two wins in 11 starts, earnings of $95,280 and is coming off a win in an Apr. 26 starter’s allowance. Vincero Grande is by Mr. Big, out of the Unusual Heat mare Patsy G and Me, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by SLO Stables and trained by Mike Puype. She has  two wins in 17 starts, earnings of 141,886 and is coming off a second in an Apr. 4 optional claimer. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 3, 2024) – Shamrockin is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Shamrockin is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Broken Vow mare Irish Winnie, was bred by Moger Inc. & Neary Racing, is owned by Metanoia Racing and Craig Seidler and is trained by Pau Aguirre. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $83,220 and is coming off a Mar. 16 optional claiming win. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 28, 2024) –California-breds Bel Ragazzo and Hapi Hapi are entered in Saturday’s $60,000 Hasta La Vista Stakes at 1 7/8 miles at Turf Paradise. Bel Ragazzo is by Exaggerator, out of the Belgravia mare Bricks and Clicks, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Anthony DeMarco and trained by Edward Kereluk. He has four wins in 35 starts, earnings of $48,322 and is coming off a third in an Apr. 24 claimer. Hapi Hapi is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Wildcat Heir mare Wild Caroline, was bred by James Shenouda and is owned by trainer Jesus Uranga. He has eight wins in 46 starts, earnings of $225,095 and is coming off a sixth in an Apr. 21 starter’s allowance. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 28, 2024) – Six California-breds are part of a full field of 12 entered in Saturday’s $60,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds. Ligerazo, a graduate of the CTBA January Sale, is by Stanford, out of the Royal Applause mare Tinderella, was bred by Rancho San Miguel and Var Reeve, is owned by Tijuana Racing Stables and Tricar Stables and is trained by Jose Silva. He finished second in his lone start with earnings of $6,000. Inexpress is a filly by Bodexpress, out of the Declaration of War mare Love of Art, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and is owned by trainer Jacque Guerra. He is a maiden making his second start with earnings of $1,500. Narizon is by Stanford, out of the Into Mischief mare Zakar, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Tijuana Racing Stables and is trained by Jose Silva. He was second in his lone start with earnings of $5,700. Bottle Caps, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – The plan for The Chosen Vron to take it easy in April went out the window when the popular chestnut gelding worked four furlongs in a blazing 46.60 seconds last weekend under a hold by jockey Hector Berrios. “I wanted to freshen [The Chosen Vron] off his previous race, but thought better of it because he’s just feeling so good,” trainer Eric Kruljac said. Instead of two months between starts, waiting for a California-bred stakes in May, The Chosen Vron was supplemented to the $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. “He’s just training so sharp, he hasn’t been any better,” Kruljac said. Few sprinters in California are better. The Chosen Vron, a 16-for-21 millionaire 6-year-old with 15 stakes wins, seeks another on Saturday against Grade 2 winner Forbidden Kingdom and classy comebacker Express Train. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Seven entered the Kona Gold, a 6 1/2-furlong... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Freeport Joe and fellow California-breds Clovisconnection and Coalinga Road are entered in Saturday’s $175,000 Grade III San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate. Coalinga Road is by Quality Road, out of the Johannesburg mare Coco Ecolo, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. He has four wins in 24 starts, earnings of $430,234 and is coming off a fifth in the Mar. 24 Sensational Star. Graded winner Freeport Joe is by English Channel, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Winds of March, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Larry Odbert and trained by Gloria Haley. He has nine wins in 28 starts, earnings of $345,102 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 5 allowance. The $2,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale was seventh in this race in 2022. Clovisconnection is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling, was bred by owners William and Judy Hedrick... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – The main question in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita concerns the likely pacesetter – can California-bred Stay and Scam stay the trip? At a mile on turf, the Royal Heroine may or may not be within reach for Stay and Scam. She ran well finishing second last out in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes, her initial try at two turns. But she also squandered a 2 1/2-length lead in the stretch. “I guess until you win [at two turns], it’s always going to be a question mark,” trainer Doug O’Neill acknowledged. “She really stepped up against open company and showed she belongs. I’m just confident she’s doing well. I think she fits in there.” Stay and Scam fits perfectly in the $100,000 Royal Heroine, which is race 9 on Saturday. The card includes the $100,000 Kona Gold, race 4, in which The Chosen Vron could be odds-on. By comparison, the Royal Heroine is wide open. Stay... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 18, 2024) – Multiple stakes-placed Big Novel is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade II Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Big Novel is by Mr. Big, out of the Heatseeker mare Steamy Novel, was bred by owner George Krikorian and is trained by John Sadler. She has four wins in 19 starts, earnings of $370,902 and is coming off a win in a Mar. 22 optional claimer. ...