From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2018)–As he’s done literally thousands of times throughout his Hall of Fame career, Kent Desormeaux timed it to the minute when the big money was down in Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank at Santa Anita, as he was just up to win by head aboard aboard Rye, a 5-year-old full horse by English Channel.  Bred in California by H & E Ranch, Rye got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:48.01. Next to last with a quarter mile to run, Desormeaux worked out a perfect trip and was able to exploit fractions of 23.44, 46.87, 1:11.63 and 1:35.94 and thus provide a red-hot Billy Morey with his second training win on the day.  Morey now has two stakes wins at the current meet and he’s won with nine out of his 14 starts–a 64 percent strike rate. “It was very eventful,” said Desormeaux. “The horse in front of me almost fell at the three-eighths... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2018)–Upstart Heck Yeah answered any questions about his ability to handle turf as he rallied into a fast pace en route to winning Saturday’s $100,000 California Cup Turf Sprint by 2 ½ lengths under Drayden Van Dyke.  Trained by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old colt by Eclipse Champion Turf Horse Acclamation got 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:13.61. Well back early but an attentive fourth turning for home, Heck Yeah validated his 5 ¼ length main track win in his debut at Los Alamitos Dec. 7 by running lights out on turf today. Bet down to the 2-1 favorite in a field of a dozen 3-year-olds bred or sired in California, Heck Yeah paid $6.40, $5.00 and $3.60. Bred in California by his co-owner Michael Pageler, Heck Yeah is out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess.  Now perfect in two starts, he picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $124,000. “It’s wonderful,” said Pageler. “This... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2108)–Trainer John Sadler was confident he had the best horse in the $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint despite what the odds board said, and he was proven right emphatically by Edwards Going Left Jan. 27 at Santa Anita Park. What may have been most impressive in his six-length win, however, was how the 4-year-old Midnight Lute  gelding did it. With the inside post in the field of six, jockey Tyler Baze opted against Edwards Going Left’s normal stalk-and-pounce tactics, and asked his mount to keep up with heavily favored Masochistic from the first jump. Masochistic, in his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, broke best and cruised on the lead early, but Edwards Going Left forced the issue on the rail, and early in the turn, the favorite was already in retreat. Edwards Going Left hit the front, and while B Squared and Tough Sunday loomed at the top of the stretch, the Hronis Racing-owned bay continued to extend his lead to the wire. Bred by Red Baron’s Barn and Vaya Con Suerte out... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2018)–Second and on the move at the dirt crossing turning for home, Reddam Racing’s homebred How About Zero easily overhauled favored Miss Sunset to take Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint under Mario Gutierrez at Santa Anita.  Trained by Doug O’Neill, the 4-year-old filly by Reddam’s Square Eddie got 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.10. Most recently second, beaten a head in a one mile turf allowance here Jan. 1, How About Zero was off at 2-1 and paid $6.40, $3.60 and $2.40. Out of Reddam’s In Excess mare Too Much Excess, How About Zero notched her second win from six tries down the hill and improved her overall mark to 12-3-5-0.  With the winner’s share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $343,950. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Barbara Beatrice flew late to nip Miss Sunset by a nose for the place.  Off at 7-2, Barbara Beatrice, who was ridden by Tiago Pereira, paid $4.20... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2018)–Breaking from post position one, California-bred Coniah gunned to the lead under Kent Desormeaux and was in control thereafter as she cruised to a 1 ¾-length win in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita.  In providing trainer William Morey with his first-ever graded stakes victory, the 5-year-old mare by Harlington negotiated 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.17. “It took me almost 1,600 wins to get my first graded win,” said Morey.  “It feels pretty good.  I was very confident.  I thought she looked great out there and I had Kent in charge, so I wasn’t looking at the fractions.  When they turned for home, I knew they had to do some running to catch her.” Idle since June 18, Coniah had two close second-place finishes from as many tries down the hill.  Off as the 2-1 second choice in a field of seven older fillies and mares, she paid $6.40, $3.40 and $2.60. Owned... ...

From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2018) — Phil Lebherz’s Premier Thoroughbreds LLC of San Mateo, California is the recipient of the Second annual McMahon Award given to the breeder of the leading money-winning California-bred two-year-old sold at public auction.  Premier Thoroughbreds LLC bred and raised Spiced Perfection, who led all California-bred two-year-olds of 2017 sold at public auction with earnings of $167,280. Spiced Perfection was purchased from Sue Greene’s Woodbridge Farm consignment at the 2016 Barretts Fall Sale by John Brocklebank as agent, who also purchased the inaugural McMahon winner, California Diamond, at a WTBOA auction.  After receiving her early preparation in Utah, she was resold by Checkmate Thoroughbreds in the 2017 Barretts March Sale to Brian Koriner as agent for Dare to Dream Stables LLC. She made her debut as the odds-on favorite going 4 ½ furlongs at Santa Anita on June 1 and finished a close 3rd despite a wide trip while getting beat 2 noses.  She never finished worse than second the rest of her juvenile year. ... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2018) — Multiple grade 1 winner and Canadian champion Shaman Ghost will enter stud at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds near Santa Ynez, Calif., for the 2018 season, his connections announced Jan. 11. The stud fee for the 6-year-old son of Ghostzapper  will be $10,000, live foal stands and nurses. There will be special consideration for young stakes-winning mares at a reduced fee of $7,500, live foal stands and nurses. In an exclusive interview with BloodHorse Daily, owner Frank Stronach reiterated his dedication to building up the California-bred program. He said he is sending multiple mares to California to foal and be bred back to Shaman Ghost. “Basically, as you know, we own two racetracks here in Golden Gate Fieldsand Santa Anita Park,” said the founder of The Stronach Group. “We’re a little concerned there aren’t enough horses, there are small fields, so we want to make sure that we have a good horse population. Naturally, it’s also important that we get new owners (involved in the sport).” Shaman Ghost, an Ontario-bred out of the Gilded... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2018) — The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) announced today that Josh Rubinstein has been named its President. Rubinstein, 48, has worked at Del Mar in an executive capacity since 1997 and had risen to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. As President and COO, Rubinstein will continue his duties representing DMTC within the racing industry while handling aspects of strategic planning and overseeing daily operations of the company. Joe Harper, who had been DMTC’s President and Chief Executive Officer since 1990, has relinquished the title of President, but will continue on in his current capacity of CEO. “Josh works well and builds consensus with racing stakeholders and has high respect from those in the industry that he interacts with,” Harper said. “He works extremely hard and very well for Del Mar and he’s earned this promotion.” Rubinstein serves on the Equibase Management Committee, as a director and secretary of the Thoroughbred Racing Association and as a board... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2018) – Multiple stakes-winning California-bred Long Hot Summer sold at Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland January Sale for $260,000. The 6-year-old daughter of Street Boss, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Hotlantic, was bred by Harris Farms and Donald Valpredo and is a half-sister to stakes winner Pacific Heat. Shadai Farm was the listed buyer for Long Hot Summer, who sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, consigned by Ashview Farm. She was owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino, who bought her out of Barretts 2014 2-year-old Sale for $260,000. She has six wins and earnings of $424,539. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2018) — Significant changes to the property at Santa Anita Park have been proposed in the past and many went by the wayside, but the tone from Tim Ritvo, The Stronach Group’s chief operating officer, Jan. 7 was different. What Ritvo stressed Sunday was that the drastic changes this time around—ideas to expand the barn area, build a second turf course, expand the main track, and build a brand-new training facility in nearby West Covina, Calif.—are not only desired, but essential. “For racing to continue on, this has to happen.” the executive said. “If this doesn’t happen, we’re in trouble.” The first step, Ritvo said, is to build about 1,000 new stalls to the north of the main oval at Santa Anita, an area that currently serves as a parking lot. While the master plan—which would include extending the main track from a mile to 1 1/8 miles, widening the turf course enough to make two separate grass courses, adding an L-shaped training track for jogging on... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2018)–If there is such a thing as The Big Dodger in the Sky, he was smiling down on Santa Anita on Monday, as Pee Wee Reese went to the front in the $75,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes under Joe Talamo, winning by 2 ¾ lengths.  Named for the late Dodger Hall of Fame shortstop, owned and bred in California by Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato, the 5-year-old full horse by Tribal Rule got 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.37. “He’s a fun horse to ride and he’s pretty tough anywhere from 6 ½ (furlongs) to a mile and a sixteenth,” said Talamo, who’s now won five out of his seven engagements with “Pee Wee.”  “He reminds me of (2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner) California Flag.  I know we went 44 (seconds for the first half mile), but it felt like 46.  He’s got incredible speed and he has the ability to relax and finish.  This race... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Dec. 27, 2017) — Trainer John Charles “Jack” Van Berg, a Hall of Fame trainer and the son of Hall of Fame trainer Marion Van Berg, died Dec. 27. The 81-year-old conditioner had been hospitalized at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark., due to complications from cancer. Services will be held Jan. 8 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Ark. <p> Van Berg, who entered the Hall of Fame in 1985, ranks fourth on the all-time win list for North American-based trainers with 6,523 victories. His runners earned more than $85 million. His most famous runner was Alysheba, winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1). After being named champion 3-year-old male of 1987, he was dubbed “America’s Horse” and earned Horse of the Year  and champion older male crowns following his victory in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Alysheba, who entered the Racing Hall of Fame in 1993, raced for Dorothy and Pamela Scharbauer and earned... ...

By DRF.com WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2017) — When California owner Terry Lovingier left Kentucky in mid-November, he was bound for home with a renewed breeding operation. Lovingier had reached an agreement to stand Stay Thirsty at his Lovacres Farm in Warner Springs, Calif. To support the young stallion, Lovingier purchased 10 broodmares at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale alone. “By the time I left to come back, I made the deal,” Lovingier said of the acquisition of Stay Thirsty. Lovingier has numerous stallions based at his farm in California, but said Stay Thirsty was the first stallion previously based in Kentucky he has acquired. Stay Thirsty, who will stand for $5,000, previously stood at Ashford Stud, where he had his first season at stud in 2013. Stay Thirsty has had fair results. Through Dec. 15, the son of Bernardini was fourth among second-crop stallions with earnings of $3.57 million. Bodemeister led the list with earnings of $4.96 million. Lovingier is banking on that success to attract attention from California breeders. “I... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2017) — Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer for The Stronach Group, was relocated from his regular post at Gulfstream Park to Santa Anita Park earlier this year with the aim of observing the California track’s functions, identifying flaws in the operation, and fixing them. During various check-ins with the media over the summer, Ritvo said one of the most serious issues facing California’s racing industry, beyond just Santa Anita, was a low horse population, which led to small field sizes. To help reverse that trend, Stronach Group founder and honorary chairman Frank Stronach will once again reach from within his own infrastructure to combat the problems identified by Ritvo. However, the staff members making the move west are of the equine variety. Earlier in December, Stronach revealed that his homebred Grade 1 winner Shaman Ghost will enter stud in California for the 2018 breeding season, instantly giving the state one of its most buzzed-about incoming stallions in recent memory. Additionally, a pair of veteran... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 20, 2017) — The Tax Bill cleared by Congress for President Trump’s signature contains a number of provisions beneficial to horse breeders and owners, according to an initial assessment by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The tax reform package benefits the horse racing industry by slashing corporate tax rates, reducing most individual tax rates, doubling the estate tax exemption from $5 million to $10 million (indexed for inflation occurring after 2011), and generally providing special tax treatment for certain pass-through entities (sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and S corporations).    The package also includes significant and positive changes to depreciation and expensing of yearlings, breeding stock, farm equipment and other qualifying depreciable property. These include:    Bonus Depreciation. An increase in bonus depreciation from 50 percent to 100 percent for both new and used property acquired and put into service after Sept. 27, 2017, and before Jan. 1, 2023. Bonus depreciation permits first-year, full expensing for purchases such as yearlings, breeding stock, and... ...

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2017) — California stallion Misremembered has been relocated to Barton Thoroughbreds for the 2018 breeding season. The Grade I-winning son of Candy Ride, who entered stud in 2012, will stand for a fee of $2,500. He won the Santa Anita Handicap and had career earnings of more than $1.3 million.   ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2017) — It’s not every day that a racing company’s plans for the future are laid out in stark terms anyone can understand. More often than not, the public is delivered corporate platitudes and pies in the sky. Not so last Wednesday at Santa Anita, where track owner Frank Stronach and chief operating officer Tim Ritvo answered pointed questions from a group of owners and trainers concerning the future of California racing in the wake of the San Luis Rey Downs fire. The Stronach Group owns San Luis Rey Downs, and since the closure of Hollywood Park in early 2014 it has been maintained as a popular facility used by the stables of some of California’s top trainers. Horses win running out of San Luis Rey, just as they win running out of training centers like Fair Hill, Payson Park, or Palm Meadows. Stronach seemed quite taken by San Luis Rey when it was acquired by his former company Magna Entertainment Corp.... ...

By DRF.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2017) — Coolmore and Mike Repole will donate a total of $220,000 to the Thoroughbred Charities of America’s Horses First Fund following the sale of two no-guarantee seasons to champion Uncle Mo to benefit racehorses and their caretakers displaced by the wildfires that devastated California’s San Luis Rey training center earlier this month. Coolmore and Repole initially put forward the 2018 season to Uncle Mo to benefit the fund. Prominent owner and breeder Gary Barber won the auction, which concluded last week with a final bid of $110,000, fending off competition from Tom VanMeter, Joe Allen, Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock, Ken Donworth, and Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm. Following the auction, Juddmonte Farms offered to match the winning bid if a second season was made available, adding another $110,000 to the donation. Uncle Mo, who raced in Repole’s colors and stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky, stands for an advertised fee of $125,000. The leading freshman sire of 2015, he was represented by... ...

From Bean Acres NORCO, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2017) – California stallion Street Life has been relocated and will stand the 2018 breeding season at Bean Acres in Norco. Street Life is the only son of Street Sense standing in California. He will stand for a $2,500 fee with a limited number of lifetime breedings available to select mares. Also being offered are multiple-mare discounts and discounts for B+ and black-typed mares. Contact Luanne Bean, syndicate manager, at 951-377-1566 or email LuanneBean1@gmail.com. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2017) – Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith won his third stakes of the Winter Thoroughbred meet, guiding Intimidate to a 1 ¼ length score in the $100,345 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds Saturday at Los Alamitos. Smith, who captured the Grade II Bayakoa with Majestic Heat Dec. 3 and the Grade I Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity with McKinzie – via disqualification – Dec. 9, has won nine stakes locally since thoroughbred racing returned in July, 2014. Much troubled when well-beaten in the Golden Nugget Nov. 11 at Golden Gate Fields after winning the first two starts of his career over that track’s synthetic surface, Intimidate broke sharply in the King Glorious and essentially battled throughout with 7-1 shot Lucky Romano before asserting his superiority in the final sixteenth of a mile. Owned by James Eaton, Maria Hess and breeder Don Muldoon and trained by Bob Hess, Sr., Intimidate, a 2-year-old son of Vronsky and the Perfect Mandate... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2017) — California-bred Scathing, a 4-year-old gray daughter of Grazen, became the first San Luis Rey based horse to win a race since the tragic Lilac fire swept through the Bonsall, Ca. training facility Dec. 7. An $8,000 claim by trainer Adam Kitchingman for owner Cody Polansky Oct. 6, Scathing rallied to win the $17,535 starter allowance by 1 ½ lengths in her second start for her current connections. Scathing, who has won five of 22 and earned $70,341, had to pass a respiratory exam before being cleared to race.  Fortunately, Kitchingman’s San Luis Rey stable wasn’t badly affected by the fire, which destroyed eight barns and killed a reported 46 horses. The final time for the five furlongs was 58.26 seconds. Scathing paid $10.60, $5.40 and $2.80 as the 4-1 fourth choice in the field of seven. Aiming Straight returned $4.20 and $2.80 while finishing a neck in front of 5-2 favorite Papa Mambo. The show price on Papa Mambo was... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2017) — The morning of Dec. 13, nearly a week after the devastating fire at San Luis Rey Training Center, the smell still works its way through your nostrils and grips the back of your throat. It’s not reminiscent of a burning log in a fireplace or a campfire. It’s foreign, more like the smell of charred plastic. It lingers like the memories of what happened Dec. 7, and those who work at the Bonsall, Calif., facility are still trying to grapple with what exactly transpired that afternoon. Life at Del Mar, where most of the evacuated Thoroughbreds from San Luis Rey have been relocated, has moved on as much as it can, as the seaside racetrack officially converted from an evacuation center to a training center Wednesday night. Trifecta Equine Athletic Center, which sits just across the street from San Luis Rey and once had more than 100 evacuated horses, is down to about 10, with four still needing medical care at the... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2017) — More than $600,000 currently has been raised via donations to the TSG/Santa Anita & Del Mar GoFundMe account through a world-wide outpouring to help the victims of last Thursday’s devastating Lilac Fire which destroyed eight barns at San Luis Rey Downs Training Center, claiming the lives of 46 Thoroughbreds and displacing hundreds of workers. To address immediate needs, a working committee has been formed to oversee those funds and has announced that $250,000 will be distributed this week to those in critical need. The committee consists of Santa Anita/TSG’s Nate Newby (Vice President, Marketing), Del Mar’s David Jerkens (Racing Secretary), Madeline Auerbach (owner/breeder, CHRB* commissioner and founder of CARMA*), Alan Balch (Executive Director, CTT*) and Cliff Goodrich (Executive Director, CTHF*). “We have well over 200 stable workers that have been severely impacted by this fire, some have lost everything and all have been significantly affected by the fire,” said Newby. “The committee is allocating an immediate disbursement of $500 each... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2017) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association has made donations to CARMA and the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation earmarked for horse and human fire relief. CARMA is working in partnership with the racing and equestrian communities to collect monetary donations to be given directly to Thoroughbred horses affected by the Southern California wild fires. CTHF also has been taking donations to provide relief to the victims of last week’s fire, with proceeds going to those most in need as determined by the Foundation. ...

From Tommy Town Thoroughbreds SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2017) — On the heels of his most productive year at stud, the graded stakes-siring stallion Bedford Falls will relocate within California to stand at Tom and Debi Stull’s Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in 2018. The 14-year-old Forestry half-brother to the late multiple Grade 1 winner and leading sire Harlan’s Holiday is represented by 22 winners from 35 starters and lifetime average earnings per starter of more than $54,000. His top runners are the 2017 Santa Anita Park stakes winner Cuddle Alert, a $328,534-earner who ran third to Unique Bella in the track’s Grade 3 L.A. Woman Stakes in October, and the Del Mar/Santa Anita stakes performer Wonderful Lie ($318,264). “We welcome Bedford Falls to the Tommy Town stallion roster for 2018,” said Tom Stull, whose Santa Ynez farm reigned as California’s leading breeder in 2009, 2013 and 2015. “Harlan’s Holiday continues to improve this family through his successful sons including Into Mischief, and we’re hoping Bedford Falls will produce another runner... ...

From Liz Pink BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2017) — We are a group of horse owners whose horses were trapped at our boarding ranch just east of the San Luis Rey training facility during the devastating Lilac Fire. These are smaller ranches of pleasure riders many without trailers and no means of escape. Our rescue came in the form of one of your thoroughbred community who braved the smoke and fire to get us to safety. Linda Madsen of Milky Way Farms in Temecula not only drove us out but settled us into her beautiful barn and cared for our horses for four long days while the winds persisted. She made trips to the feed store for needed supplies and welcomed us for as long as we needed to stay. After returning us to our ranch she refused any type of compensation. We would like to have her kindness and generosity known throughout the community and were hoping that perhaps our story could be told in your monthly publication in... ...

By Dennis Miller, CTBA Member As with most tragedies there are examples of courage that flash to the surface in split seconds when all seems lost, when circumstances overwhelm, when seemingly ordinary people become super human and accomplish the impossible. Some are born heroes; some are born on the spot. No amount of training or preparation can predict who will emerge as a hero until the time comes. Captain Sullenberger was a hero that was well trained and experienced. When thrown in the crucible he did the right thing. The proper course of action is not always apparent in an emergency. Decision-making is split second and miscalculations unforgiving. There is no doubt the conflagration that occurred at San Luis Rey Downs on December 7th, 2017 was such an  occasion. A time when ordinary souls, forged by fire, accomplished feats beyond mortal expectations. While I have no doubt that there were numerous feats of selfless heroism that occurred as the Armageddon of San Luis Rey unfolded, I am compelled to note... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2017) — Thoroughbred horsemen have a special kind of dry, sometimes biting humor. If there was any indication healing from the devastating fire at San Luis Rey Training Center Dec. 7 was beginning, it was the return of humor the morning of Dec. 10 at Del Mar, where the majority of evacuated horses and horsemen have been relocated. With the Del Mar main track open for light training for the second day since the evacuation, the backside stand was a meeting point for some of the trainers on the grounds, as well as Southern California racetrack officials. BALAN: Equine Death Toll From San Luis Rey Fire at 46 As the first of about 40-45 horses made it to the track to jog Sunday morning, trainer Gary Mandella—who didn’t have horses at San Luis Rey, but traveled down to Del Mar to help trainer Michele Dollase—was in a conversation with Del Mar racing secretary David Jerkens. “So when are you going to open for... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2017) — Trainer Martine Bellocq continues to be treated at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego for burns she received trying to rescue her horses during the San Luis Rey Downs training center fire in Bonsall Thursday. Her status remains “critical” according to the hospital and her doctors have indicated that it will be at least several more days before any decisions can be made about further treatments. Bellocq and her husband, Pierre, Jr., had six horses at the San Diego North County facility. Four of them are known to have been rescued. Pierre, Jr. is the older brother of long-time racing executive Remi Bellocq, who currently works in Lexington, KY with the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. They are the sons of the noted equine artist Pierre Bellocq, known as PEB. Those wishing to donate funds toward Martine Bellocq’s medical expenses are encouraged to do so through the California Thoroughbred Trainers’ site by going to CTHFcares.org The donation can be specifically earmarked for Bellocq. Media... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2017)  – The Quarter Horse Benevolent Charitable Foundation and Los Alamitos Race Course owner and CEO Dr. Edward Allred have each donated $25,000 and F. Jack Liebau, the vice president of the Los Alamitos Racing Association, has donated $10,000 for a total of $60,000 to the relief efforts for the tragic Lilac fire that swept through the San Luis Rey training center in Bonsall, Ca. on December 7. The donations will be made to the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, Inc., a non-profit foundation that presently assists over 5,000 California Horse Racing Board licensed backstretch workers and their families. Donations received by the CTHF will go directly to the victims most in need once it is determined where the most need lies. For others wishing to make donations, it is suggested they be channeled through CTHF. To do so visit cthfcares.org. The Quarter Horse Benevolent Charitable Foundation was established years ago to serve the needs of the Quarter Horse backstretch community.  “When horsemen... ...

From Barretts ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2017) — In support of industry efforts to provide relief to the victims of the catastrophic San Luis Rey Downs Fire, Barretts will donate 10% of the sales commissions of horses sold at the 2018 January Mixed Sale to the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation (CTHF), a non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for backstretch workers at California racetracks and training centers. The horses of all ages sale conducted January 17 at The Finish Line Sports Grill at Fairplex, Pomona, begins at 11:00 am PST. The day of the sale, live and silent auctions of donated 2018 stallion seasons, equine artwork and racing memorabilia are planned to raise additional funds. For more information, contact Barretts (info@barrett.com, 909 629-3099). ...

From Taylor Made Stallions NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2017) — Taylor Made Stallions and the California Chrome syndicate have donated a no-guarantee season to California Chrome  to aid in helping backstretch workers most affected by the fires in California. “California Chrome was always called `The People’s Horse’, so we only thought it fitting that the funds raised from this season donation would help the people affected by this tragedy,” said Duncan Taylor, Taylor Made Farm President & CEO. “Bidding will close Thursday, and is available by going to thoroughbredlifestyle.com/signup.” Taylor said that Taylor Made and the syndicate will make the money available immediately, even before the funds have been collected, in order that the funds get to those workers in need as soon as possible. ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2017) — Defending champion Fast and Foxy successfully defended her title in the $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, when the daughter of Thisnearlywasmine went straight to the lead and scored a gate-to-wire victory in the Saturday afternoon feature for California-bred fillies and mares. Under the guidance of regular rider Catalino Martinez, Fast and Foxy dueled early on with eventual fourth place finisher Spring Heat, was able to scamper clear of her competitors on the far turn and dug in gamely down the stretch to hold off a late rally from Southern California invader Cuddle Alert. “[Fast and Foxy] only has one way of going and it’s to the lead,” said Martinez. “I tried to get her [to the lead] and save something for the end. That’s the only way you can ride her. When I took the lead at the three-eighths pole she took a big breath and I knew I had a lot of horse. When we got... ...

HEMET, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2017) — EF1 Farm announces a new home for its equine health research and wellness center. The new facility – which is offering rehabilitation for horses impacted by this week’s fire — will be housed on what was once Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms in Diamond Valley. The farm is offering rehab on horses that were in the fires with EF1 products – free of charge – that can clear and rehydrate the lungs of the horses with smoke inhalation. The only charge will be for lay-up. We are also set-up with nebulizers and oxygen. Eric (Yohan) has done successful work on burned horses and we are open to rehabilitate those as well. EF1 Farm will continue its dedication to ongoing equine research and rehabilitation under the guidance of founder Eric Yohan. The farm will still offer all of its current services including: breaking and training, lay-ups, rehabilitation, breeding, boarding and sales prep. Two new stallions, North Light and City Wolf, will be arriving from Adena Springs and... ...

By DRF.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 9, 2017) – The New York racing community is pitching in with relief efforts following the fire that impacted the Southern California racing community at San Luis Rey Downs this week. The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association donated $10,000 on behalf of the victims of the fire and has pledged to contribute additional funds, according to a release put out by the organization on Saturday. “It is truly amazing how the racing community comes together in times of tragedy,” said trainer Rick Violette, the retiring president of the NYTHA. “The scenes and stories from San Luis Rey Downs have been heart-wrenching, and we want the horsemen in California to know that we are here to help in any way we can.” Joseph Applebaum was recently elected president of the NYTHA and will preside over his first meeting on Tuesday. In a release, he said the situation in California “will be at the top of the agenda” for that meeting. “We know there is great... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2017) –The equine death toll from the devastating brushfire that ripped through San Luis Rey Downs Training Center Dec. 7 is at 46 as of the morning of Dec. 9, according to officials at the California Horse Racing Board. CHRB spokesman Mike Marten said Saturday morning that state officials “are confident” in the figure, but made sure to note that a small number of horses broke through a “knockdown fence” at the facility during the fire and are still unaccounted for. Those horses are believed to be still loose in the hills surrounding San Luis Rey in Bonsall, Calif., but Marten could not confirm the number of horses that are unaccounted for. As of 7:15 a.m. PT, between 350-370 Thoroughbred race horses from San Luis Rey (which had about 450 horses at the time of the fire) are on the grounds at Del Mar, according to Del Mar racing secretary David Jerkens. Another 60 horses or so are still at Trifecta Equine Athletic Center, a... ...

From Santa Anita and DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — Following an emergency meeting of the California horse racing industry’s Stabling and Vanning Committee Friday afternoon, it has been announced that Santa Anita Park and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club have joined forces to accommodate nearly 500 displaced horses as San Luis Rey Downs Training Center undergoes reconstruction following yesterday’s devastating Lilac Fire. The fire, first reported at 11:30 a.m. PT, near Interstate 15 and south of state Route 76, spread rapidly westward when fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds and engulfed San Luis Rey Downs early Thursday afternoon, resulting in the destruction of at least eight barns and the loss of an undetermined number of Thoroughbred horses. Owned by Santa Anita’s parent company, The Stronach Group (TSG), San Luis Rey Downs Training Center boasts a mile track and many other amenities that have served as home to trainers such as Peter Miller, Doug O’Neill, Clifford Sise and many others. “This is a horrific situation and everybody... ...

By DRF.com BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — The death toll in the San Luis Rey Downs fire in Bonsall, Calif., on Thursday is likely to surpass 40 horses, according to California Horse Racing Board chairman Chuck Winner, who toured the devastated property on Friday morning. In a phone interview, Winner said the number of horses lost cannot be immediately known because so many runners were taken to different farms in the area, sent to Del Mar, or perished in barn fires at San Luis Rey Downs. “We don’t know how many yet,” Winner said. “The estimates are above 40 to 42, I think. Those are just estimates. The problem is the vans were taking those horses in the night and taking them to farms around Bonsall. Some of them haven’t been accounted for yet.” Some horses arrived at Del Mar and local farms without lip tattoos, making identifications difficult. Three farms in the direct vicinity of San Luis Rey Downs were housing approximately 150 horses on Thursday and into... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — What this reporter witnessed Thursday was the end destination of the mass fire evacuation of the horses and people from San Luis Rey Downs Training Center in north San Diego County. The horses were transported by an impromptu caravan of horse trailers, from commercial big rigs to backyard two-stalls, to the empty stables of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which opened its doors and mustered a remarkably efficient operation of volunteers and professional handlers. It was difficult to contemplate, even in the midst of an emergency. I know just about every inch of San Luis Rey, from the old days 40 years ago when Charlie Whittingham stabled a powerful second string there, through its fallow years as an underused stepchild of the L.A. tracks, to its more recent renaissance under the ownership of The Stronach Group as a vital part of the Southern California stabling capacity. Its setting was idyllic. The air pristine, feathered by afternoon ocean breezes making their... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — When the last van from San Luis Rey Downs arrived Thursday night at Del Mar, the horse Dream Police stepped off, the last of three runners whom owner Jeff Bloom had at San Luis Rey Downs, which was hit by a devastating fire Thursday. One by one they had trickled in – first A Red Tie Day, then Sassy Ashley, and finally Dream Police – and now all were safely relocated. “When he got here,” Bloom said Friday, “the whole place erupted.” There was cause for both joy and tears in the aftermath of the fire, which left this racing community shell-shocked but also brought out the very best. Bloom was one of scores of people at Del Mar on Friday morning helping to care for the horses, some of whom had burn marks, could not be immediately identified, or both. “It’s like puzzle pieces,” said Bloom, who lives in nearby Oceanside and runs the Bloom Racing partnership. “There were so... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — The California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation has set up the website cthfcares.org to accept donations to help people and horses affected by the Southern California fire that destroyed much of the San Luis Rey training center. Cliff Goodrich, executive director of the CTHF, which runs the Noble Threewitt Health Center on the Santa Anita Park backstretch, is coordinating funds to that website so that CTHF can help get money to those most in need. Many grooms who work at San Luis Rey lost everything in the fire, even as they risked their lives to save the horses. “When something like this happens, everybody pulls together and wants to help however they can,” said Goodrich, “whether it’s hospitalization costs, blankets, or temporary housing. Our part in this is that people can donate at the site. The home page has information on what to do to donate.” The donations to the CTHF website for the fire victims are tax-deductible. Many organizations are stepping in to... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — Del Mar’s backstretch area has provided safe haven for more than 800 horses escaping a wind-blown, fast-moving fire that ripped through the North County area of San Diego Thursday. The first group of horses arrived at the Del Mar Fairgrounds late Thursday afternoon and vans continued to flow in throughout the night. By Friday morning more than 800 head – both Thoroughbreds and other breeds — had been bedded down in the 40-plus barns located on the grounds that are capable of holding as many as 1,600 horses. Other animals, including goats and pigs, also were brought on board to the 350-acre Fairgrounds. Approximately 250 of the 450 horses that had been stabled at the San Luis Rey training center just over 30 miles to the northwest of Del Mar had been moved to the Fairgrounds after that facility was hit directly by the fire with as many as 30 horses deaths reported and several of their barns burned. There... ...

From CARMA ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — CARMA is working in partnership with the racing and equestrian communities to collect monetary donations to be given directly to Thoroughbred horses affected by the Southern California wild fires. Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and families that have been so greatly impacted by this terrible natural disaster. The board and staff at CARMA are heartsick over the loss of the life and devastation at San Luis Rey Downs. We will do everything we can to ensure those in need receive the help and support they desperately need. To help the horses, donations can be made to CARMA online at www.carma4horses.org/make-a-donation. Checks can be made out to CARMA and mailed to 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA 91007. Please designate your donation by including “fire relief” in the memo line or notes. ...

By Bloodhorse.com BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — Trainer Martine Bellocq suffered second- and third-degree burns over 50% of her body while trying to rescue her horses during the Dec. 7 fire at San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall, Calif. Bellocq’s brother-in-law, Remi Bellocq, reported Dec. 8 that Martine was air-lifted to UC San Diego Medical Center where she is being treated for the burns. Doctors have put her in an induced coma as they treat her. “She’s in intensive care right now,” Remi Bellocq said Friday morning. He added that doctors examined Martine’s lungs and found no significant damage. Martine’s husband and Remi’s brother Pierre Bellocq Jr. also was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. “They had six horses at the training center and she was trying the best she could to save them,” Remi Bellocq said. “The fire hit so fast and where they were in one of the lower barns. Three of their horses died for sure and they’re not sure where the other three are. They ask... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) – Two farms have offered to accept horses displaced by the Lilac Fire in San Diego County. The farms are: EF1 Farms in Hemet area, which has an on-call veterinarian, a MASH unit, as well as handling lay-ups and training. The farm is offering help in shipping. Contact Eric Yohan, 310-383-0055; Nadine Anderson, 951-201-2278 or Sam, 310-755-5221. Dignitary Downs, in the Anza area, reports it can accept 300 horses. The farm has 200 fully fenced acres, a 40-stall training barn, a 5/8-mile track with some housing available for people. Contact Sergio Salazar, 951-858-9589. ...