Santa Anita Cancels Thursday Card

Jun 5, 2017 Posted by CTBA In Uncategorized

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 4, 2017) —Santa Anita Park cancelled its second Thursday card of the season because of a lack of entries for the June 8 slate, and track executives put most of the onus on the local horsemen June 4 to run more horses and fill cards. “You have to be concerned if you have a good horse population and you’re not getting participation in the (entry) box,” said Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns and operates Santa Anita. “We want to look at every aspect of it, even ourselves. Are we doing the right thing? Are we laying out the card properly? We’ll look at that first, and obviously investigate what the horsemen are doing with their horses and why they’re not participating.” Both Ritvo and Joe Morris—The Stronach Group’s senior vice president of West Coast operations—emphasized the importance of getting horses on the track’s grounds to run more often. “The game evolves and changes, and we can’t keep doing the... ...

Richard’s Boy Wins via Disqualification

By DRF.com GRANTVILLE, Pa. (June 3, 2017) — California-bred Richard’s Boy was the official winner of the $200,000 Governor’s Cup at Penn National on Saturday – but it wasn’t easy. As a matter of fact, things were difficult for several horses in the $200,000 Governor’s Cup as there were a pair of jockey objections regarding separate incidents. Bold Thunder, at 24-1, outsprinted 3-5 favorite Richard’s Boy for the early lead in the five-furlong turf sprint. Bold Thunder, with Irad Ortiz Jr., was digging in during the stretch run when Ortiz switched from a right-handed stick to a left and hit the 7-year-old. Bold Thunder immediately ducked outward. Ortiz quickly grabbed a hold but the damage had been done as Bold Thunder herded Richard’s Boy outward several paths. Jockey Paco Lopez, who was beaten a head on Richard’s Boy, lodged an objection and the stewards reversed the order of finish. “He carried my horse out, and then my horse was coming on again,” Lopez said. Ortiz said he did all he... ...

‘Chrome’s Last Full Sibling Nears Race

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2017) –Time has a funny way of warping in the human brain. Only four years ago, a humbly bred chestnut with a white blaze was just starting his racing career for trainer Art Sherman, but it almost feels like ancient history. Part of that can probably be attributed to the closure of Hollywood Park. California Chrome began his journey toward 16 wins, seven group/grade 1 victories, two Horse of the Year honors, and more than $14.7 million in earnings at the Inglewood, Calif., racetrack, which isn’t even ruins on the west side of Los Angeles any longer. The new Los Angeles Stadium development for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers is being constructed on top of the former racetrack grounds. Sherman laughed at the thought June 3 at his new base, Los Alamitos Race Course. “We had the horse in training for (almost four years), so it feels like longer,” the 80-year-old conditioner said. The nostalgia and good vibes California Chrome provided for... ...

Third-party Lasix Approved by CHRB

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (June 2, 2017) — The State of California has officially approved rules establishing that race-day medication must be administered by independent veterinary professionals – further aligning California with the national uniform medication program. The California Office of Administrative Law advised the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday that amendments to CHRB Rules 1433 and 1845, which the Board approved in April, have passed review and can now go into effect, with full implementation expected later this year California joins 20 states across the nation that have adopted the policy governing third-party Lasix, which was developed by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and is a key component of the National Uniform Medication Policy promulgated by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI). Lasix, generically furosemide, will be the only authorized bleeder medication and the only medication that can be administered to horses on the day they race. Lasix must be administered by Board-approved independent veterinarians within certain timeframes, methods, and doses, and the syringes used... ...

Champ Pegasus Gets First Winner

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 2, 2017) – Schulace gave California stallion Champ Pegasus his first winner on Friday by taking the sixth race at Santa Anita, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds, in his debut. Schulace is out of the Holy Bull mare Tillie Lou, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Richard Barton, trained by Mike Machowsky and was ridden by Rafael Bejarano. He ran the 4 ½ furlongs in :52.68 and won by 3 ¾ lengths at odds of 6-5 in the field of eight. Champ Pegasus stands at Legacy Ranch. ...

Barbara and Jack Owens

By Emily Shields The historic and scenic qualities of the property now called Riveroak Ranch are what first attracted Jack and Barbara Owens. They bought the land in California’s Stanislaus County in 1981 and named it Riveroak because the river oak trees that ring it are part of that charm. The large main barn that went up in the early 1900s remains in use today. A dairy for decades, the property under a prior owner was later converted to an Arabian and Quarter Horse facility. Over time the Owenses shifted its focus to Thoroughbreds. Eventually they retired some of their racemares to become broodmares. The mares shuttle to Kentucky in alternate years, returning to California to be foaled and bred back to California sires. Jack and Barbara race a few of their California-breds and sell some, the latter through Sue Greene’s Woodbridge Farm. Bill Morey trains their runners. “Our ranch is a boutique nursery and layup facility,” Jack said. “We do not stand stallions here, but there have been a... ...

Stylish in Black Possibly Perfect

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 1, 2017) – Stylish in Black is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Stylish in Black is by Street Hero, out of the Dixieland Band mare Juliard, was bred by Sean and Barbara Speck and is owned by trainer Bobby Grayson. She has two wins in 12 starts, earnings of $137,913 and is coming off a second in a May 13 optional claimer. ...

Sharkzilla Could be the Real Thing

AUBURN, Wash. (June 1, 2017) – Stakes winner Sharkzilla and fellow California-bred Sure Sweet are entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Coca Cola Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs. Sharkzilla is by Distorted Reality, out of the Moscow Ballet mare Blue Ice Shark, was bred by Roger Downes, is owned by John Parker and trained by Candi Tollett. He has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $70,134 and is coming off a win in the May 14 Auburn Stakes. Sure Sweet is by Elusive Warning, out of the Slew of Angels mare Candy Gal, was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Donna Hjort and Johen Moresco and is trained by Hjort. He has two wins in five starts, earnings of $18,475 and is coming off a third in the May 14 Auburn Stakes. ...

What a View Enters Shoemaker Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 31, 2017) – What a View can become the newest California-bred millionaire when he runs in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. What a View is by Vronsky, out of the Manila mare Oceans N Mountains, was bred by Old English Rancho, Patsy Berumen and Sal Berumen, is owned by Finish Line Racing, the Ellwood Johnston Trust or T.O.V. Stables and is trained by Kenny Black. He has seven wins in 20 starts, earnings of $824,326 and is coming off a win in the May 20 Crystal Water. ...

Breeders’ Cup Race Distances Set

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (May 31, 2017) — The Breeders’ Cup today announced the official distances of the 13 races comprising the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held, for the first time, at the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., on November 3-4. There are two races which will be run at a different distance this year than in 2016 due to Del Mar track configurations. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) will be run at five furlongs (6 ½ furlongs in 2016) and the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) will be run at 1 1/8 miles (1 ¼ miles in 2016). The 34th Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held during the Bing Crosby meeting at Del Mar, will feature total purses and awards of over $29 million, including a robust undercard of supporting races over the two days. The meet opens on Wednesday, November 1. The Del Mar barn area will open on Sunday, October 22, and... ...

Richard’s Boy Continues World Tour

GRANTVILLE, Pa. (May 31, 2017) – Multiple stakes winner Richard’s Boy is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Stakes at Penn National. 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 Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. He has nine wins in 22 starts, earnings of $646,080 and is coming off a win in the May 19 Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes at Pimlico, his first start since racing in Dubai. ...

Whatsthequestion Seeks the Answer

GRANTVILLE, Pa. (May 31, 2017) – Whatsthequestion is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Mountainview Stakes at Penn National. Whatsthequestion is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Horse Chestnut mare You Are the Answer, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Vagas Allen Mathieson and Cody Beattie and is trained by Beattie. He has 11 wins in 40 starts, earnings of $286,876 and is coming off a May 19 claiming win. ...

Marckie’s Water Upsets Snow Chief

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 29, 2017)–A joint fourth heading into the Club House turn, Little Red Feather Racing’s Marckie’s Water, under patient handling from Joe Talamo, bided his time around the far turn, swung five-wide turning for home and exploded late to take Monday’s $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles by 2 ¼ lengths. Trained by Richard Baltas, the 3-year-old Tribal Rule colt got a mile and one eighth over the Santa Anita turf in 1:46.45. Bred in California by Frank Mermenstein and Tom McCrocklin, Marckie’s Water picked up his second win from six starts and with the winner’s check of $110,000, he increased his earnings to $155,585. “We had a perfect trip,” said Talamo, who was aboard for the first time. “Billy Koch (Little Red Feather Racing) pretty much told me about the horse and how he likes to run. I basically just followed Mario (Gutierrez, aboard favored B Squared, who finished sixth) around the turn and when Edwin (Maldonado, aboard third place... ...

Marckie’s Water

Marckie’s Water wins $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes. ...

S Y Sky

S Y Sky wins $200,000 Melair Stakes. ...

G. G. Ryder Wins All American Again

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (May 29, 2017) –In a thrilling finish of the $100,000 All American Stakes (G3), Jerry Hollendorfer and George Todaro’s California-bred G. G. Ryder won a four-way blanket finish to claim a victory May 29 against familiar foes. The 6-year-old son of Chhaya Dance ran into traffic issues in last year’s edition of the All American and finished 11th, but was an easy winner two years ago, finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead. Bred in California by Eagle Oak Ranch out of the Storm Boot mare Stormy Gigi, G. G. Ryder now boasts a record of 13-9-3 from 36 starts, with earnings of $611,095. In the one-mile test over Golden Gate Fields‘ synthetic track Monday, Alert Bay broke sharply and headed for the lead but had to settle for second behind longshot Street Lad. Dalmore raced in third and G. G. Ryder, with jockey Irving Orozco up, was fourth. Street Lad set fractions of :25.14 and :49.46 through the first half-mile. Into the second turn, jockey Juan Hernandez asked... ...

S Y Sky Holds on in Melair

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 29, 2017)–Nick Alexander’s homebred S Y Sky, heavily favored at 2-5, repelled a tenacious Miss Sunset after a protracted stretch duel to take Monday’s $200,000 Melair Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies by a half length. Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Joe Talamo, S Y Sky got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.69. Ridden by Mike Smith, Miss Sunset showed the way to the far turn, was collared by the winner turning for home, but proved a most-worthy adversary as she grudgingly gave way well inside the sixteenth pole. When asked about the psychology of facing Smith in such circumstances, Talamo responded, “I just wish he’d retire, that sonuvagun! Mike’s filly really tried hard, but my filly is so nice. She’s getting better with every race and she kept to her task and fought that other filly off.” Dispatched at 2-5 in a field of six California-bred or sired 3-year-old fillies, S Y Sky, a 3-year-old filly by... ...

Ashleyluvssugar

Ashleyluvssugar wins $200,000 Grade II Charles Whittingham. ...

Ashleyluvssugar Wins Second Whittingham

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2017)–Full of run and fourth at the rail turning for home under Gary Stevens, California-bred Ashleyluvssugar managed to split horses a sixteenth of a mile from home en route to an impressive half length win in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes. Trained by Peter Eurton, the 6-year-old Game Plan gelding negotiated a mile and a quarter on turf in 1:58.49, his second win in the race named for racing’s legendary “Bald Eagle.” In a reversal in tactics from his third place finish going a mile and one half in the Grade II San Luis Rey Stakes on March 25, a race in which he went to the early lead, “Ashley” was taken back and covered up in the early stages by Stevens today. “I talked to Pete this morning and we were on the same page, we didn’t want to be sitting ducks like last time,” said Stevens. “My horse can’t sustain a long run, but he run a long... ...

B Squared in Snow Chief

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 27, 2017) – An overflow field of 13, including Silky Sullivan Stakes winner B Squared, is entered in Monday’s wide open $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Calli Way is by Unusual Heat, out of the Great Above mare Way Up, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by Paymaster Racing and trained by Richard Baltas. He has two wins in five starts, earnings of $69,490 and is coming off an Apr. 28 allowance win. B Squared is by Square Eddie, out of the Ten Most Wanted mare Silar Rules, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $130,400 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 30 Silky Sullivan. Alsatian is by Acclamation, out of the A.P. Indy mare Lucky C. H., was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Calumet Farm and trained by Neil Drysdale. He has one win in five starts, earnings of... ...

S Y Sky Odds-on in Melair

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 27, 2017) – S Y Sky, a stakes winner her first time out, is the 4-5 morning-line favorite for Monday’s $200,000 Melair Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Miss Sunset is by Into Mischief, out of the Trippi mare Tuscan Sunset, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds & Alan Klein, is owned by Klein or Lebherz and trained by Jeff Bonde. She has four wins in seven starts, earnings of $265,930 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 30 Campanile. So Heres the Thing is by The Pamplemousse, out of the Take Me Out mare Ihaveadate, was bred by Rancho San Miguel, is owned by C T R Stables and trained by Scott Rollins. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $32,865 and is coming off a second in an Apr. 29 allowance. Radish is by Square Eddie, out of the Yankee Victor mare Ann Summers Gold, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill.... ...

Alert Bay, G. G. Ryder in All American

ALBANY, Calif. (May 27, 2017) – Multiple graded winners Alert Bay and G. G. Ryder, along with fellow California-bred Camino Del Paraiso, are entered in Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes at Golden Gate. Alert Bay is by City Zip, out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory, was bred by Thomas Bell & Ross McLeod, is owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Blaine Wright. He has 14 wins in 31 starts, earnings of $1,228,555 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 29 San Francisco Mile. G. G. Ryder is by Chhaya Dance, out of the Storm Boot mare Stormy Gigi, was bred by Eagle Oak Ranch, is owned by Hollendorfer or Todaro and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has 12 wins in 35 starts, earnings of $551,095 and is coming off a second in the Apr. 29 San Francisco Mile. He was 11th in this race last year but won it in 2015. Camino Del Paraiso is by Suances, out of the Successful Appeal mare Loni’s Appeal, was... ...

P Club Enters Honor the Hero

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (May 27, 2017) – P Club is the lone California-bred entered in Monday’s $50,000 Honor the Hero Stakes at Canterbury Park. P Club is by Bushwacker, out of the Nor For Love mare Sheila’s Prospect, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Jerome & Kristina Russell and is trained by Ryan Kenney. He has two wins in 15 starts, earnings of $84,704 and is coming off a seventh in an Apr. 24 allowance. On the also-eligible list for main track only is Cal-bred World Famous Sam T, by Misty’sgoldentouch, out of the Olympio mare Yo Sal, bred by Laura Bailey and owned by trainer Troy Bethke. He has 14 wins in 38 starts, earnings of $158,772 and is coming off a fifth in the May 6 Paul Bunyan. He was seventh in this race in 2015. ...

Patriotic Diamond Surfaces at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (May 29, 2017) – Stakes winner Patriotic Diamond is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $50,000 Ana T. H. Stakes for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park. Patriotic Diamond is by Hat Trick, out of the Whywhywhy mare Patriotic Viva, was bred by Kin Hui Racing Stables, is owned by Diamond 100 Racing Club and trained by Patrick Biancone. She has two wins in 12 starts, earnings of $221,969 and is making her first start since a fourth in a Dec. 4 optional claimer. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, May 25, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano 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 approved the license for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet at Del Mar from July 19 through September 5. Representatives of Del Mar listed some of the steps they are taking to improve the safety of horses and riders, beginning with a delayed opening to allow more time to get their racing surfaces into excellent condition. Their dual-focus marketing plan will provide more racing-related benefits to frequent visitors, while offering more concerts, food festivals and other major events to the general public. The Board authorized Del Mar to write medication conditions for the... ...

Nite Delite in Blue Sparkler

OCEANPORT, N.J. (May 26, 2017) – Nite Delite is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes for fillies and mares at Monmouth Park. Nite Delite is by War Chant, out of the Mountain Cat mare One Tough Cat, was bred by Angel Crest Farms, is owned by F. Jack Liebau and is trained by Linda Rice. She has five wins in 20 starts, earnings of $251,615 and is coming off a fourth in the Mar. 11 Captiva Island. She was second in this race last year. ...

Breeders’ Cup Medication Rules Set

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2017) –In the aftermath of California-bred Masochistic‘s disqualification from the 2016 TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Del Mar and the Breeders’ Cup asked the California Horse Racing Board May 25 for permission to avoid such an event in the 2017 World Championships. The proposal submitted to the CHRB Thursday at Santa Anita Park asked for the approval of medication-based conditions, specifically conditions that would “prohibit any horse from participating in the (Breeders’ Cup) that tests positive for anabolic steroids and/or any other prohibited substances … within six months of the running of the (Breeders’ Cup) races.” The board approved the request, which was set up by a Feb. 23 CHRB ruling that allows for medication-based eligibility conditions in the state, with the regulatory agency’s approval. The Breeders’ Cup policy follows the model rule approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners last year that calls for any horse who receives an anabolic steroid treatment sit out of racing for at least six months after that administration.... ...

NorCal Yearling Sale Entry Forms Online

PLEASANTON, Calif. (May 25, 2017) – Entry forms are available online for the 2017 Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale, bot be conducted on Tuesday, August 15 at Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, beginning at noon. Entries closing will be on Monday, June 5, 2017. For an online entry form, click https://ctba.com/consignorscontract2017 ...

NorCal Sale Grad Wins Debut

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2017) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Saudi Chroma won at first asking on Thursday in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. The Lucky Pulpit colt, out of the Mr. Greeley mare Nine to Five Lady, was bred by Cole Ranch, is owned by Zedan Racing Stables and trained by Doug O’Neill. The colt, named Californiabyanose at the time, was a buyback at last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale, then was resold for $42,000 and again this year at Barretts for $360,000. Saudi Chrome ran the 4 1/2 furlongs in :52.08 and won by 3 1/4 lengths at odds of 5-2 in a field of seven. ...

Ashleyluvssugar Seeks Another Whittingham

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2017) – Millionaire Ashleyluvssugar is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade II Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita. Ashleyluvssugar is by Game Plan, out of the urgent Request mare Ashley’s Folly, was bred by owners Alesia, Bran Jam Stable or Ciaglia Racing and is trained by Peter Eurton. He has nine wins in 21 starts, earnings of $1,169,004 and is coming off a third in the Mar. 25 San Luis Rey Stakes. He won this race two years ago. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Kent Stakes

AUBURN, Wash. (May 25, 2017) – California-breds Reginella and Sorceress Warning are entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Kent Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs. Reginella is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Cahill Road mare Ghost Tree, was bred by owners DiPietro Thoroughbreds and is trained by Blaine Wright. She has two wins in nine starts, earnings of $61,623 and is coming off a fifth in the May 7 Seattle Stakes. Sorceress Warning is by Elusive Warning, out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Lady Sorceress, was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Ezra Craig, Thomas Glasgow or Manuel Ortiz, Sr., and is trained by Ortiz. She has two wins in 11 starts, earnings of $30,276 and is coming off a Mar. 29 optional claiming win. ...

TOC Open Forum at Pleasanton

From TOC PLEASANTON, Calif. (May 25, 2017) — All horsemen are invited to an Open Forum at Pleasanton (Satellite facility, corner of Valley Ave. and Gate 12) on Saturday, June 24 at 10:30 a.m. Meet TOC staff and directors for a discussion of current events and a chance to have your questions answered. Mark your calendars now for this special event. To register, please call us at (626) 574-6620. ...

Racing Integrity Act Introduced

From CHRI WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 25, 2017) — The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) today announced its strong support for the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017, introduced by U.S. Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) earlier today. The bill, designated H.R. 2651, would require that a uniform, anti-doping and medication control program be developed and enforced by a private, non-profit, self-regulatory organization known as the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority. The authority would be governed by a board composed of the chief executive officer of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), six individuals from the USADA board, and six individuals selected by USADA who have demonstrated expertise in a variety of horse-racing areas. The Federal Trade Commission would have limited oversight of the authority. Polling in recent years has shown widespread support for medication reform through federal legislation. “Representatives Barr and Tonko deeply appreciate the scope and economic impact of horse racing, not only in their home states but across the country, and they should be... ...

Rare Colored Lucky Pulpit Foal Delivered

From Full Stride Communications (John Norton Photography ) GANSEVOORT, N.Y.—An unusually marked, mostly white colt from the last crop of California Chrome’s sire Lucky Pulpit was foaled on May 19 at Stone Bridge Farm in New York in ongoing fulfillment of a dream sparked in owner/breeder Gary Tolchin when he attended races with his father as a youth. The colt was delivered by the white mare, Passionforfashion, who Tolchin acquired privately last year after a lengthy search for a white Thoroughbred. “I always wanted a white horse after I saw one at Aqueduct with my father, Sam Tolchin, when I was growing up. My goal is to continue breeding white horses,” Tolchin said, adding that he intends to keep the newborn colt and eventually place him in training for racing. Rick Bailey, registrar of The Jockey Club, said it is too soon to determine what color the colt officially will be given when registered. His coloring is similar, although a bit more splashed with chestnut, to that... ...

CHRB Considers Combining Circuits

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2017) –The California Horse Racing Board’s Race Dates Committee, which normally handles year-to-year disputes between industry stakeholders in the Northern and Southern regions of the state, discussed a wider issue of horse racing’s future May 24 at Santa Anita Park. Spurred by CHRB commissioner George Krikorian, the Dates Committee set out to discuss a radical idea—combining both regions of the state into one racing circuit, rather than two independent circuits. A move to one circuit would be a monumental shift from the current operating procedure in California, which has both circuits running concurrently throughout the year. This year Santa Anita has seen a significant dip in field size and even cancelled a Thursday card April 27 because the track’s racing office could not get enough entries to fill the scheduled races. BALAN: Santa Anita Cancels April 27 Racing “We’re faced with a number of challenging issues right now,” Krikorian said. “Field sizes, number of races, number of race days per week, inventory of horses,... ...

Enola Gray Risks Stakes Win Streak

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2017) – California-breds Enola Gray and Coniah are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Monrovia Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Enola Gray is by Grazen, out of the More Than Ready mare Unsung Heroine, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Phil D’Amato. She has six wins in nine starts, earnings of $509,100 and is coming off consecutive wins in the Irish O’Brien and California Cup Filly & Mare Turf Stakes. Coniah is by Harlington, out of the Lord At War mare Pretti Woman, was bred by owners James or Tammy McKenney and is trained by Bill Morey. She has three wins in 17 starts, earnings of $175,365 and is coming off a second in the Apr. 22 Mizdirection. ...

Ambitious Brew, Eddie Haskell in Daytona

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2017) – Graded stakes winner Ambitious Brew and fellow California-bred Eddie Haskell are entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. Ambitious Brew is by Tizbud, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Kathwen, was bred by owner Pam Ziebarth and is trained by Martin Jones. He has eight wins in 23 starts, earnings of $579,425 and is coming off a second in the Apr. 23 Siren Lure. Eddie Haskell is by Square Eddie, out of the Boston Harbor mare Teresa Ann, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $146,043 and is coming off a third in the Apr. 23 Siren Lure. ...

Pineda Enters at Northlands Park

EDMONTON, Alberta (May 24, 2017) – Pineda is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Western Canada Handicap at Northlands Park. Pineda is by Angus, out of the City Zip mare City Zip Premium, was bred by Greg James, is owned by Amanda & Gary & Lesley Gregory and is trained by Amanda Gregory. He has one win in 11 starts, earnings of $21,474 and is coming off a fourth in a May 13 allowance. ...

Stronach Sending Ritvo to Santa Anita

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 22, 2017) — Tim Ritvo, the chief operating officer of the Stronach Group, the parent company of Santa Anita, said on Sunday that he plans to spend time in California in an effort to determine how to improve business at Santa Anita. In a phone interview, Ritvo said he plans to arrive at Santa Anita this weekend. “I want to spend more time out there like I should be,” he said. “I want to observe. There are no silver bullets and I can see what we can do to make things better. “We’re going to come in and evaluate and see what’s been working and what needs help. “I can dig into different issues.” Ritvo is based in Florida where The Stronach Group owns Gulfstream Park. The company also owns Laurel and Pimlico in Maryland and Golden Gate Fields in Northern California. Ritvo spent time at Santa Anita last winter, but has largely been based at the company’s other tracks. :: Enjoy news and analysis... ...

Moonless Sky

Moonless Sky wins $125,000 Fran’s Valentine. ...

Moonless Sky Wins Fran’s Valentine Via DQ

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2017)–Although beaten 2 ¼ lengths, fast improving Moonless Sky was awarded the win via a stewards’ disqualification in Sunday’s $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Trained by Eddie Truman and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Bold Chieftain got a mile on grass in 1:33.57. In winning, 4-year-old Moonless Sky, who was originally based in south Florida, is now a perfect three for three in Truman’s barn and in addition to picking up her first stakes victory, she also provided her California-based sire Bold Chieftain with his first stakes winner as a stallion. She was bred by Willow Tree Farm. Ridden by Flavien Prat, favored Pacific Heat, who rallied from last at the quarter pole, ducked in a furlong out, causing Moonless Sky, who appeared full of run, to break stride. Although impeded, Moonless Sky kept to her task, finishing second, a half length in front of Roo’s Valentine. “Flavien’s... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Wins at Golden Gate

ALBANY, Calif. (May 20, 2017) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Holy Yodeler won a maiden special weight race at Golden Gate on Saturday. Holy Yodeler is a 2-year-old son of Swiss Yodeler, out of the Holy Bull mare Holy Script, was bred in California by Rozamund Barclay, is owned by Steve Moger and trained by Ed Moger, Jr. The $18,000 Northern California Yearling Sale purchase ran the 4 ½ furlongs in :53.06 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 4-1 in the field of eight. ...

What a View

What a View wins $100,000 Crystal Water. ...

Can’t Catch What a View

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 20, 2017)–After three solid performances in graded stakes competition, classy What a View returned home to Santa Anita and relished his role as favorite among Golden State Series eligibles in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes, winning in gate to wire fashion by one length. Trained by Kenny Black and ridden by Tyler Baze, he negotiated one mile on turf in 1:33.24. “I thought (eventual second place finisher) Pee Wee Reese would be on the lead, but Tyler read it right and took the initiative,” said Black, who sent his stable star out to a good sixth place finish in the Grade I Maker’s 46 Mile (turf) at Keeneland on April 14. “I was hoping he wouldn’t have to run as hard as he did today, but my horses have been coming out of their races on this turf course better than they come out of their works, so I’m not concerned. “We’ll come right back in the Shoemaker Mile (Grade I, $400,000 turf... ...

Richard’s Boy Wins Jim McKay Turf Sprint

By Bloodhorse.com BALTIMORE, Md. (May 19, 2017) –The horse who ended the dominance of Ben’s Cat in the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 19 was taking a pretty significant step down in class. Richard’s Boy—Rockingham Ranch’s West Coast-based gelding, bred by Harold Tillema & Pamela Tillema—encouraged his connections to send him overseas to take on some of the best turf sprinters in the world March 25 in the Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments (G1) in Dubai, and he gave a good account of himself. The gray 5-year-old son of Idiot Proof finished fifth, 2 1/2 lengths behind winner The Right Man, in the $1 million race, but the six furlongs really wasn’t his specialty. Even his game efforts in recent months in races down the Santa Anita Park hillside turf course—where he’s placed in four straight stakes—just really aren’t his best distance. The five grassy furlongs of the Jim McKay, however, are just up his alley. He came into the Jim McKay... ...

CHRB Meetings Advisory

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (May 19, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, May 25, at Santa Anita Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Race Dates Committee will meet Wednesday, May 24, at 10 a.m. followed by the Medication, Safety and Welfare Committee at 12:30 p.m. All three meetings will be held in the Baldwin Terrace Room and the public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The Board meeting agenda and supporting package of materials also are available on the website, along with the Race Dates Committee agenda and package and the Medication Committee agenda and package. ...

Cal-bred Links to Past Two Derby Winners

By Bloodhorse.com BALTIMORE, Md. (May 19, 2017) — For the second year in a row, the late In Excess—a former juggernaut on the California stallion scene—has figured in the first three generations of a Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (G1) winner. As the broodmare sire of Always Dreaming, a Bodemeister colt who captured the Derby May 6, In Excess is also the paternal great-grandsire of last year’s Derby winner Nyquist . Nyquist is by 2010 champion juvenile colt and leading freshman sire of 2015 and second-crop sire of 2016 Uncle Mo , himself by Indian Charlie (a son of In Excess). In Excess—bred in Ireland by Ahmed Foustok—sired 57 black-type stakes winners from 1,046 foals (a strike rate of 5.4%) and progeny that earned more than $46.8 million. He represents an increasingly rare branch of the Nasrullah sire line, whose tail-male descendants are now mostly represented in America by Nasrullah’s son Bold Ruler and paternal grandson Blushing Groom. Nasrullah also sired Grey Sovereign, who shared his sire’s disagreeable temper and talent on... ...

Cheekaboo Enters Fran’s Valentine

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 18, 2017) – Graded winner Cheekaboo is among the entries in Sunday’s $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Pacific Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Hotlantic, was bred by Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo, is owned by Alesia, Burns Racing or Ciaglia and is trained by Peter Eurton. She has four wins in seven starts, earnings of $380,840 and is coming off a second in an Apr. 16 optional claimer. Roo’s Valentine is by Vronsky, out of the Cindago mare Black Valentine, was bred by owner Kretz Racing and is trained by Kristin Mulhall. She has four wins in 14 starts, earnings of $275,555 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 26 Dream of Summer. Shehastheritestuff is by Unusual Heat, out of the Bold Badgett mare Strut Your Stuff, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Day, Day or DiPietro and is trained by Patrick Gallagher. She has three... ...

Cal-breds Sell Well at Barretts

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (May 17, 2017) –Two California-breds from Kim McCarthy’s McCarthy Bloodstock Agency brought the highest prices at the Barretts May 2-year-old sale, held May 17 at Del Mar. A son of Animal Kingdom topped the sale at $245,000, while a daughter of Unusual Heat at $195,000 brought the second-highest price and was the most expensive filly. The average rose 6.7% to $43,978 from $41,229 in 2016. Barretts sold 46 2-year-olds for a gross of $2,023,000. (In both 2016 and 2017, one older horse of racing age was also sold; that figure is not included in these numbers.) The median was $27,500 compared with $27,000 in 2016, when 63 2-year-olds grossed $2,597,400. The buyback rate was 29.2%, with 19 horses through the ring not sold. “We were very pleased, considering the size of the catalog,” said Kim Lloyd, general manager of Barretts. “There was a lot of competition for sellable horses at all spectrums of the market. This is a bread-and-butter sale, and a lot of guys bought horses... ...

Unusual Heat Passes at 27

By Bloodhorse.com Perennial leading California sire Unusual Heat, the all-time leading sire by California progeny earnings, died May 17 at the age of 27 due to complications from arthritis-induced laminitis. “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to report the passing of Unusual Heat today,” said Harris Auerbach, managing partner of the Unusual Heat Syndicate. “He gave so much to racing, breeding, and Thoroughbred retirement here in California. He provided the impetus for Cal-breds to be at the forefront of California racing with runners that filled fields and raised the quality standard of the state-breds during his era. He was also the driving force behind the creation of CARMA, which has led to millions of dollars of funding for our retirees here in California.” “I will miss him sorely,” said co-owner Madeline Auerbach. “He has been part of my family and life for the last 20 years. Being a part of him is a gift and a blessing that cannot be replicated. What his stature and presence has... ...

Vacation for Masochistic

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 17, 2017) – California-bred Masochistic, one of the leading sprinters in California and whose recent career has been mired in controversy, has been turned out for at least 60 days, essentially ending his 2017 campaign. Masochistic finished 13th as the 2-1 favorite in the Churchill Downs Stakes on a wet-fast track in Kentucky on May 6. Trainer Ron Ellis said Masochistic is being given a rest at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky. “We’ve turned him out for a while,” he said. With a break of at least two months, Masochistic would not return to training until the summer and would need a few months to regain fitness. Many leading stakes for sprinters would be run before Masochistic was ready to resume racing. Masochistic, 7, has won 8 of 16 starts and earned $857,550. He was second in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita in March. Bred by Francoise Dupuis & Louise Julian and owned by Samantha Siegel and Will Shamlian, Masochistic finished... ...

What a View in Crystal Water

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 17, 2017) – Grade I winner What a View and streaking Pee Wee Reese are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. What a View is by Vronsky, out of the Manila mare Oceans N Mountains, was bred by Old English Rancho, Patsy Berumen and Sal Bermen, is owned by Finish Line Racing, Ellwood Johnston Trust or T.O.V. Stables and is trained by Kenny Black. He has six wins in 19 starts, earnings of $764,326 and is coming off a sixth in the Apr. 14 Maker’s 46 Mile. Smokey Image is by Southern Image, out of the Free House mare Special Smoke, was bred by C Punch Ranch, is owned by Irvin Racing Stable and trained by Carla Gaines. He has six wins in 12 starts, earnings of $470,601 and is coming off a third in a Mar. 31 optional claimer. Pee Wee Reese is by Tribal Rule, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Bluegrass Belle, was bred by... ...

Touched by Autism in Kona Gold

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 17, 2017) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Touched by Autism in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita. Touched by Autism is by Sierra Sunset, out of the Beau Genius mare Beau’s Gem, was bred by George and Mary Clare Schmitt, is owned by Johnny Taboada and is trained by Marcia Stortz. The $2,700 Northern California Yearling Sale purchase has four wins in 17 starts, earnings of $149,928 and is coming off a fifth in a Mar. 31 optional claimer. ...

Nite Delite Enters The Very One

BALTIMORE, Md. (May 17, 2017) – Nite Delite is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 The Very One Stakes for fillies and mares at Pimlico. Nite Delite is by War Chant, out of the Mountain Cat mare One Tough Cat, was bred by Angel Crest Farms, is owned by F. Jack Liebau and is trained by Linda Rice. She has five wins in 20 starts, earnings of $251,615 and is coming off a fourth in the Mar. 11 Captiva Island Stakes. ...

Barretts May Preview Results

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (May 16, 2017) — Fifteen horses breezed an eighth of a mile in 10 1/5 seconds on Monday during the under-tack show for the Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training to create a logjam at the top for the fastest time. The horses breezed over the main track at Del Mar. Following are those 15 juveniles. • Hip 22, a Shackleford colt out of the stakes-winning Walter Willy mare Miss Nicolie, whose seven winners include stakes winner Repo, who is the dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Ann Arbor Eddie. Argentine champion Mach Glory and Grade 3 winner Remote Ruler are in the California-bred’s extended family. McCarthy Bloodstock consigns the colt as agent. • Hip 26, an Unusual Heat filly who is the first foal out of the winning Redattore mare Patriot C H. The California-bred is from the family of Grade 1 winner Cacoethes and Grade 3 winner Lucky J.H. McCarthy Bloodstock consigns as agent. • Hip 29, a Baryshnikov filly out of... ...

Lost Caper Finds New Career

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 15, 2017) — California-bred Lost Caper received the California-bred Performance Award sponsored by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) announced a plethora of 2016 performance awards, designed to encourage the retraining of Thoroughbreds for other disciplines after racing. Kathleen Boyle of Utah owns and rides Last Caper, a 9-year-old son of Royal Cat-Mystical Caper, by Town Caper. A.C. Avila bred Lost Caper. The performance awards recognize Thoroughbreds that accumulate the most points at all horse shows in each of the 13 award categories and 77 divisions throughout the year. Winners receive ribbons, prize money, and such items as coolers, saddle pads and jackets. ...

Bodhisattva Enters Pimlico Special

BALTIMORE, Md. (May 14, 2017) – Bodhisattva is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $300,000 Grade III Pimlico Special Handicap. Bodhisattva is by Student Council, out of the Talk Is Money mare Dr. Cheryl P., was bred by Andy Stronach and is owned by trainer Jose Corrales. He has six wins in 30 starts, earnings of $385,383 and is coming off a fourth in the Apr. 22 Charles Town Classic. ...

Richard’s Boy Returns at Pimlico

BALTIMORE, Md. (May 14, 2017) – Richard’s Boy is the lone Californa-bred entered in Friday’s $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico. Richard’s Boy is by Idiot Proof, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Marissa’s Boy, was bred by Harold and Pamela Tillema, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and is trained by Peter Miller. He has eight wins in 21 starts, earnings of $586,080 and is coming off a fifth in the Mar. 25 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. ...

Grecian Fire Captures Alcatraz

From Golden Gate Fields ALBANY, Calif. (May 14, 2017) — California-bred Grecian Fire held the pace then was much the best in the stretch to win Sunday’s $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate by 1 ¼ lengths. Grecian Fire is by Unusual Heat, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey, was bred by owner KMN Racing and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has two wins in six starts, earnings of $90,625 and was coming off a sixth in the Apr. 30 Silky Sullivan. Ridden by William Antongeorgi III, Grecian Fire completed today’s route in 1:37.81. The performance rewarded fans $11 for their $2 wager. The runner up, fellow Cal-bred More Power To Him, by Slew’s Tiznow, trained by Faith Taylor, kept pace to the turn then moved outside to close in late for the nod. “My horse was running in spots in the last race and so I felt ok coming back in two weeks,” said Hollendorfer. “Actually, jockey Frank Alvarado, told me to try some... ...

Sharkzilla Kills it in Auburn Stakes

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (May 14, 2017) – California-bred Sharkzilla rallied from the clouds and tagged So Lucky in the final yards for a one-length victory Sunday in the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs. Rallying from last in the eight-horse field, Sharkzilla ran six furlongs in 1:08.92 under Erick Lopez and paid $37, $14.20 and $7.40. Candi Tollett—winning her first stakes race at Emerald Downs—is the winning trainer for owner John Parker of Lake Bay, Wash. Purchased for $1,200 at the 2015 Barretts January Sale, Sharkzilla earned $27,500 for Sunday’s victory and is 2-2-2 in seven lifetime starts with $70,134 in purses. The winner, bred in California by Roger Downes, is by Distorted Reality. He finished third as a maiden in the 2016 Gottstein Futurity and was coming off a runner-up finish in a starter allowance last month at Golden Gate Fields. So Lucky, ridden by Rocco Bowen, did everything but win the race. The 2016 state champion 2-year-old set blistering factions—21.25,... ...

Barretts May Preview Monday

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (May 13, 2017) — The official training preview for the 2017 Barretts May Two-Year-Old Sale is scheduled to be held this Monday, May 15 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m. PDT. The new and improved live HD stream of the preview can be watched here. Replays of the individual workouts will be shown on the live stream during the track renovation breaks held during the official training preview. Video clips for each preview will be posted live during the preview here. The tentative schedule for the May 15th training preview can be downloaded here. This auction will be held on Wednesday, May 17 in the Surfside Race Place located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT. The live auction will be streamed live here. The entire May Sale catalog, including the 21 supplemented horses, can be viewed here. Current Daily Racing Form past performances on horses in the May Sale which have already run... ...

Barretts May Sale on Wednesday

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (May 12, 2017) — The Barretts sale company has been in a fairly constant state of evolution over the past few years. Recent calendars have seen the California-based auction house relocate from its longtime home at Fairplex Park to Del Mar, invest in the racing-age market with its paddock sale, and move its sale of select 2-year-olds in training from the beginning of the season to a few weeks down the road. The trend continues with the Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training, which will be the last edition of the late-season, open juvenile sale for the foreseeable future. Kim Lloyd, general manager at Barretts, said the decision came down to difficulty finding a suitable place on the calendar. Since moving to Del Mar, the May sale has had to work around the Del Mar National Horse Show, which runs on the same property from mid-April to early May. The placing for this year’s auction clashes with the under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic... ...

Five Cal-breds Locked in Alcatraz

ALBANY, Calif. (May 11, 2017) – Graded-stakes placed More Power to Him is one of five California-breds among the entries in Sunday’s $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate Harvest a Storm is by Tribal Rule, out of the Tiznow mare R Luck’s Lady, was bred by Kehner Thoroughbreds, is owned by Curt and Lila Lanning and trained by Ed Moger, Jr. He has two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $75,303 and is coming off an Apr. 23 optional claimer. Grecian Fire is by Unusual Heat, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey, was bred by owner KMN Racing and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has one win in five starts, earnings of $45,625 and is coming off a sixth in the Apr. 30 Silky Sullivan. More Power to Him is by Slew’s Tiznow, out of the Beau Genius mare Pundit, was bred by owner Brett Mason and is trained by Faith Taylor. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $139,653 and is coming... ...

Qiaona Enters Golden Poppy

ALBANY, Calif. (May 10, 2017) – Stakes winner Qiaona and fellow California-breds Warrens Goldnugget and Precious Time are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Poppy Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Warrens Goldnugget is by Affirmative, out of the Touch Gold mare Warren’s Gold, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Leon Scott and trained by William Morey. She has eight wins in 36 starts, earnings of $69,785 and is coming off a third in an Apr. 16 claimer. Precious Time is by Grazen, out of the Tribal Rule mare Rule the Storm, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by McLean Racing Stables and is trained by Aggie Ordonez. She has six wins in 15 starts, earnings of $126,147 and is coming off a second in an Apr. 27 optional claimer. Qiaona is by Wilko, out of the Skywalker mare Starlet Sky, was bred by B&B Zietz Stable, is owned by Curt & Lila Lanning and is trained by Ed Moger, Jr. She has seven wins in... ...

Squeeze Me Wins at Turf Paradise

PHOENIX – Odds-on favorite Squeeze Me, a Washington-bred daughter of California stallion Papa Clem, won Sunday’s $74,060 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds. Squeeze Me is out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Great Mom. She ran the five furlongs in :58.09 and won by 6 ¼ lengths at odds of 1-10. ...

Above Perfection Produces Derby Winner

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 6, 2017) – California-bred stakes winner Above Perfection is the dam of Always Dreaming, winner of Saturday’s 143rd running of the Grade I Kentucky Derby. Always Dreaming, a son of Bodemeister, was bred in Kentucky by Santa Rosa Partners. Above Perfection, a daughter of In Excess, was bred by Old English Rancho and won seven of 10 starts with earnings of $380,737. She won the Grade III Las Flores Handicap and was second in the Grade I Prioress Stakes in 2001. ...

Sircat Sally

Sircat Sally wins $100,000 Grade III Senorita Stakes. ...

Perfect Sircat Sally Takes Senorita

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 6, 2017)–Undefeated Sircat Sally unleashed another completely dominant front-running performance on Saturday at Santa Anita, taking the Grade III, $100,000 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 1 ½ lengths under Stewart Elliott. Owned and bred in California by Joe L. Turner and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, she got a flat mile on turf in 1:35.83 while notching her sixth consecutive win. With regular pilot Mike Smith away to ride at Churchill Downs, Elliott put Sircat Sally on the lead and dictated terms through leisurely splits of 24.24, 48.45, 1:12.83 and 1:24.46. “She made the lead easily and she’s push-button to ride,” said Elliott. She’ll slow down, speed up, whatever you want. When I asked her the last part, she finished out.” Off at 2-5 in a field of six 3-year-old fillies, Sircat Sally, the lone California-bred in the lineup, paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. “She’s very professional,” said Hollendorder assistant, Dan Ward. “She has just as much kick as the closers, but she... ...

Reginella Enters Seattle Stakes

AUBURN, Wash. (May 5, 2017) – Reginella is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Seattle Stakes for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs. Reginella is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Cahill Road mare Ghost Tree, was bred by owners DiPietro Thoroughbreds and is trained by Blaine Wright. She has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $60,373 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 31 optional claimer. ...

Skye Diamonds in Adoration

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 5, 2017) – Skye Diamonds, the lone California-bred entered, risks her three-race win streak in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Adoration Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Skye Diamonds is by First Dude, out of the Johannesburg mare Exonerated, was bred by Dizney Double Diamond, is owned by Allen Racing, Bloom Racing Stable or Acker and is trained by Bill Spawr. She has seven wins in 13 starts, earnings of $309,150 and is coming off three consecutive wins. ...

Barretts Provides Supplemental Entries

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (May 5, 2017) — Twenty 2-year-olds and one four-year-old have been supplemented to the 2017 Barretts May Sale at Del Mar of Two-Year-Old in Training and Horses of Racing Age. The supplemental horses will be sold directly after the end of the main catalog on Wednesday, May 17. A complete list of the catalog supplement is shown at the bottom of this e-mail and can be found in PDF format here. These horses have been added to the Jockey Club Ipad App for the May Sale. Hard copies of the supplemental catalog can found both in the Santa Anita racing office in Arcadia and on the sales grounds located on the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California early next week. The entire sale sortable, searchable catalog in can be viewed here. The current list of withdrawn horses can be found here. Other valuable information can be found here. The training preview is scheduled to be held on Monday, May 15 on the Del Mar... ...

Sircat Sally Risks Unbeaten Record

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 4, 2017) – Unbeaten Sircat Sally is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Sircat Sally is by Surf Cat, out of the In Excess mare Sister Sally, was bred by owner Joe Turner and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She is 5-for-5 with earnings of 348,860 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 8 Providencia Stakes. ...

Masochistic Returns to Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 3, 2017) – Grade I winner Masochistic and fellow California-breds Solid Wager and Chief of Staff are entered in Saturday’s $500,000 Grade II Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Twinspires.com. Masochistic is by Sought After, out of the Unusual Heat mare Trotinette, was bred by Francoise Dupuis & Louise Julian, is owned by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable and is trained by Ron Ellis. He has eight wins in 15 starts, earnings of $852,550 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 11 Triple Bend. He broke his maiden at Churchill Downs. Solid Wager is by Birdonthewire, out of the Valid Wager mare G Ma, was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller. He has eight wins in 33 starts, earnings of $484,921 and is coming off a third in the Feb. 26 Tiznow. Chief of Staff is by Majestic Warrior, out of the Awesome Again mare Morning Jewel, was bred by Lou Neve, is owned... ...

El Huerfano Ships to Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 2, 2017) – El Huerfano is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $400,000 Grade II Alysheba Stakes, presented by Big Fish Casino at Churchill Downs. El Huerfano is by Tannersmyman, out of the Capsized mare Adriftinthebay, was bred by M.A. Douzos, is owned by Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and is trained by Peter Miller. He has four wins in 25 starts, earnings of $253,801 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 31 optional claimer. ...

World Famous Sam T Chases Paul Bunyan

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (May 3, 2017) – World Famous Sam T is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Paul Bunyan Stakes at Canterbury Park. World Famous Sam T is by Misty’sgoldentouch, out of the Olympio mare Yo Sol, was bred by Laura Bailey and is owned by trainer Troy Bethke. He has 14 wins in 37 starts, earnings of $158,022 and is coming off a fourth in the Apr. 15 Dowd Mile Stakes. ...

Spending Bill Might Provide Visa Relief

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2017) – Congress reached an agreement late yesterday on a bipartisan bill to fund the federal government through September 30, 2017. The bill contains language related to various H-2B visa program concerns, including possible relief from the annual 66,000 cap of H-2B visas issued if the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of labor, finds economic necessity. The total number of H-2B visas available in fiscal year 2017 may increase to as high as 129,547 from 66,000 if language in the bill is fully applied. The higher H-2B visa cap was derived from the number of new and returning workers admitted in the U.S. in fiscal year 2007, which is the fiscal year when the highest number of H-2B nonimmigrants participated in the H-2B returning worker program. Below is the related language from the bill: SEC. 543. Notwithstanding the numerical limitation set forth in section 214(g)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B)), the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation... ...

B Squared Wins Silky Sullivan

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2017) — Although his career is less than two months old, B Squared has accomplished plenty. A 3-year-old California-bred, B Squared ($5.60) scored his first stakes victory in his third start Sunday, stalking nicely and pulling away in the lane to win the $100,450 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Golden Gate Fields. B Squared was making his first start on turf and first start around two turns but was still favored in the Cal-bred stakes He lived up to the favoritism with a strong performance. A son of Square Eddie owned and bred by Redham Racing, B Squared won his March 4 debut at seven furlongs with ease. He then dueled all the way in the 61/2-furlong Echo Eddie, losing by a nose to Mr. Hinx, who wound up fifth Sunday. Two other rivals from the Echo Eddie took charge of the race early. Tribal Storm set the early pace before Elwood J claimed it at the half-mile pole and... ...

Miss Sunset in Game Campanile Win

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2017) — Miss Sunset showed her gameness while scoring a wire-to-wire victory in the $100,225 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields. A homebred daughter of Into Mischief, Miss Sunset had previously won the Generous Portion as a 2-year-old and the Sweet Life this year, but her victory Sunday in the one-mile turf stakes for California-breds may have been her sweetest win yet. She was coming off a third in the Evening Jewel when she was nipped at the line by Radish, who was unable to beat her Sunday. As expected, Miss Sunset ($3.20) made the lead and was able to set comfortable fractions under Juan Hernandez. She picked up the pace after going a 49.60-second half-mile and was challenged at the quarter pole by Radish, who ran second all the way. The two ran in tandem through the stretch, and Radish may have stuck her nose in front at some point. But Miss Sunset... ...

Alert Bay Repeats in S.F. Mile

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 29, 2017) — Peter Redekop’s Alert Bay was sent off at 3-5 to defend his title in the $100,000 San Francisco Mile (G3T) April 29, and the 6-year-old gelding had no problem doing so, as he held on gamely to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Watch Video “Everybody kept telling me that it was going to be a walkover, but I know better than that. It’s a horse race … He’s a heck of a horse,” winning trainer Blaine Wright said of his millionaire runner. “We’ve got to earn every one of them and I’m very happy to be standing here.” In the one-mile test over the firm turf at Golden Gate Fields, Many Roses went to the lead, as Alert Bay tracked closely to his outside. G. G. Ryder, winner of the 2015 edition of the San Francisco Mile, raced two lengths back in third, followed by Camino Del Paraiso, Star Student, and Stryker Phd at the back of the six-horse field. Many Roses, the 5-2... ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 28, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, April 27, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper and Araceli Ruano 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 and those in attendance acknowledged the contributions of the late John Van de Kamp, who after serving as Los Angeles County District Attorney and then Attorney General of California served as president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California from 1996 to 2004. · The Board approved a request from the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) to run five of the northern fair meets as one combined fair race meet, which among other things will allow for Pick Six carryovers from meet to meet, culminating in Fresno. As allocated, those venues and dates are: Oak Tree at Pleasanton... ...

Miss Sunset Enters Campanille

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2017) – Multiple stakes winner Miss Sunset is the 7-5 morning line favorite in Sunday’s $100,000 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Miss Sunset is by Into Mischief, out of the Trippi mare Tuscan Sunset, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds & Alan Klein, is owned by Alan Klein or Philip Lebherz and is trained by Jeff Bonde. She has three wins in six starts, earnings of $205,930 and is coming off a third in the Apr. 8 Evening Jewel. You’re Late is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Smart Strike mare Coastal Strike, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jeff Bonde. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $107,665 and is coming off a seventh in the Apr. 8 Evening Jewel. C. R. Golden Queen is by Coil, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Kimberly’s Gold, was bred by Campbell & Reifman, is owned by Stephen Campbell and is trained... ...

Mr. Hinx Returns in Silky Sullivan

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2017) – Echo Eddie Stakes winner Mr. Hinx and three who chased him are among the entries in Sunday’s $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible at Golden Gate. Mr. Hinx is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Put It Back mare Kitten Exchange, was bred by owner Gary Barber and is trained by Steve Miyadi. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $195,368 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 8 Echo Eddie. Grecian Fire is by Unusual Heat, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey, was bred by owner KMN Racing and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has one win in four starts, earnings of $45,400 and is coming off a fifth in a Mar. 31 allowance. More Power to Him is by Slew’s Tiznow, out of the Beau Genius mare Pundit, was bred by owner Brett Mason and is trained by Faith Taylor. He has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $133,653 and... ...

Dressed to a T Enters Santa Barbara

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2017) – Dressed to a T is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Santa Barbara Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Dressed to a T is by Square Eddie, out of the Kendor mare Clerical Error, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Ben Cecil. She has four wins in 14 starts, earnings of $220,932 and is coming off a third in the Mar. 26 Dream of Summer. ...

Big Turf Weekend at Golden Gate

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2017) — Golden Gate Fields hosts its biggest weekend of the year Saturday and Sunday when it runs a trio of turf stakes – the Grade 3, $100,000 San Francisco Mile on Saturday and a pair of $100,000 races Sunday, the Campanile for 3-year-old fillies and the Silky Sullivan for 3-year-olds. Of late, Northern California runners have dominated the San Francisco Mile, having won six of the past seven editions beginning with Bold Chieftain in 2010. Other locally raced winners were Our Nautique in 2011, Hudson Landing in 2012, Pepper Crown in 2014, G. G. Ryder in 2015, and Alert Bay in 2016. The Southern California-based Tigah won the race in 2013. Alert Bay and G. G. Ryder each will be looking to become only the third runner to win two San Francisco Miles, with Alert Bay hoping to match Battle Dance (1957-58) as a back-to-back winner. Alert Bay scored a one-length victory over Star Student in an April 2 prep race when returning... ...

Alert Bay Seeks S.F. Mile Repeat

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2017) – Millionaire and defending champion Alert Bay and fellow California-breds G. G. Ryder, Many Roses and Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Camino Del Paraiso are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III San Francisco Mile Stakes at Golden Gate. Alert Bay is by City Zip, out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory, was bred by Thomas Bell and Ross McLeod, is owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Blaine Wright. He has 13 wins in 30 starts, earnings of $1,168,555 and is coming off an Apr. 2 allowance win. He won this race last year. G. G. Ryder is by Chhaya Dance, out of the Storm Boot mare Stormy Gigi, was bred by Eagle Oak Ranch, is owned by Hollendorfer or George Todaro and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has 12 wins in 34 starts, earnings of $531,095 and is coming off a third in an Apr. 2 allowance. He won this race in 2015 and was fifth last year Many Roses is by Many Rivers,... ...

Horsemen to Discuss Entries Issue

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2017) – With the cancellation of racing at Santa Anita on Thursday because of insufficient entries, track and racing officials plan to meet in an effort to avoid a similar circumstance through the end of the spring-summer meeting on July 4. The track announced last Sunday that there would be no racing Thursday because there were not sufficient runners for eight-race programs on Thursday and Friday. Instead, there will be nine races on Friday only. Track senior vice president Joe Morris said Wednesday that the field size situation is a concern. “The entries are lighter than I would have liked,” he said. “We’ve got to get a conversation started. “I am worried about that. I didn’t expect that to happen.” :: Enjoy news and analysis from DRF? Get handicapping analysis, real-time coverage, special reports, and charts. Unlock access with DRF Plus. Morris said there are approximately 2,800 Thoroughbreds in training in Southern California that race at Santa Anita – about 1,750 at Santa Anita,... ...

Geolocating Could Boost Purses

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2017) — Regulations allowing racetracks to identify wagers placed ontrack through account-wagering platforms is expected to enhance purses, but the impact will not be known for several months, according to a forum conducted by the Thoroughbred Owners of California last Saturday. Some ontrack customers frequently bet online through mobile devices, such as telephones, laptops, and tablets, instead of through tote machines. For years, track and racing officials have looked on in frustration as those bets were logged as offtrack wagers through account-wagering systems and not recognized as ontrack bets, which provide significantly greater revenue for tracks and horsemen. :: Enjoy news and analysis from DRF? Get handicapping analysis, real-time coverage, special reports, and charts. Unlock access with DRF Plus. Recent action by the California Horse Racing Board will lead to a new distribution of revenue in favor of racetracks, through commissions, and horsemen, through purses, on bets placed at racetracks through mobile devices. The locations of those devices can be tracked to identify whether... ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, April 27, at Santa Anita Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. 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 meeting agenda and supporting package of materials also are available on the website. ...

Espinoza, Gomez Elected to HOF

By Bloodhorse.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Apr. 24, 2017) — Three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) winner Goldikova, multiple Eclipse Award-winning jockeys Javier Castellano and the late Garrett Gomez, and Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza have been elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in the contemporary category, it was announced April 24. The electees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion. The ceremony is open to the public and free to attend. Goldikova, Castellano, Espinoza, and Gomez will be inducted along with the previously announced steeplechase selections of Tom Voss and Good Night Shirt. The Pillars of the Turf inductees will be announced in May. Bred in Ireland, Goldikova (Anabaa—Born Gold, by Blushing Groom) posted a career record of 17 wins from 27 starts and earned $7,176,551. The only three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner (2008, 2009, 2010)—and one of only two horses along with Beholder to win three Breeders’ Cup races—Goldikova won the Eclipse Award for Champion Turf... ...

Santa Anita Cancels Thursday Card

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 23, 2017)–Live racing will resume at Santa Anita on Friday, with a nine-race card that will begin with first race post time at 1 p.m. Thursday’s live racing card has been cancelled due to a shortage of entries. Santa Anita will be open for simulcast wagering on Thursday with free parking and admission. Admission gates will open at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. For more information please visit santaanita.com. ...

Turf Extravaganza at Golden Gate

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 10, 2017) – California-bred Turf Extravaganza Day will be held at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday, Apr. 30. The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hospitality Area will be outside the Players Patio. The CTBA Board of Directors will be available for a meet-and-greet session, with an appetizer buffet and a cash bar. The racing will feature two Cal-bred $100,000 stakes races on the turf: the Campanile Stakes for fillies and mares and the Silky Sullivan for colts and geldings. Access to the Hospitality Area will be granted by presenting the CTBA member track pass. There will be no additional fee and reservations are not necessary. For further information on Turf Extravaganza Day, contact Christy Chapman, CTBA event coordinator, at 626.445.7800, ext. 247, or email Christy@ctba.com. ...

TOC Conformation Clinic May 13

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2017) — TOC is offering a FREE “Conformation Clinic” at Santa Anita on Saturday, May 13th. The informal workshop is intended to help participants develop an “eye” for a horse. With the assistance of some expert horsemen, attendees will view a variety of horses and identify their conformation strengths and weaknesses. The workshop will take place in the stable area, so attendees are encouraged to wear suitable footwear. Mark your calendars now for this special event. We look forward to seeing you there! Sign up here: http://www.toconline.com/events/conformation-clinic/ ...

Bluegrass Flag Wins at Aqueduct

By DRF.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Apr. 22, 2017) — Bluegrass Flag, a Kentucky-bred daughter of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, had experience, recency, and speed on her side. The only place she didn’t seem to have an advantage over Nobel Freud in Saturday’s $100,000 Park Avenue division of the New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct was on the toteboard. Despite the public hammering Noble Freud to 1-5 favoritism, it was Bluegrass Flag who was standing proudly in the winner’s circle afterward, storming to a six-length victory in the Park Avenue. Noble Freud, making her first start for trainer Chad Brown after a private purchase, chased Bluegrass Flag all the way around the track and was fortunate to hold second by a neck over Frosty Gal. Toni Tools, Dublin Girl, Unbridledadventure and Karen Kan completed the order of finish. The win was the third in five starts for Bluegrass Flag, a daughter of Bluegrass Cat owned by Thomas Albrecht and Vincent Fusaro and trained by Tom Morley. She was coming off a... ...

Barretts May Catalog Online

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2017) — The catalog for the 28th Annual Barretts May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale is now on-line and will be mailed soon. This auction of 72 two-year-olds will be held on Wednesday, May 17 in the Surfside Raceplace located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT. The sortable catalog can be viewed here now. Additional information may be found here. The May Sale catalog is also available for your Ipad. Click here for details. The official training preview is scheduled to be held on Monday, May 15 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m. PDT. The preview will be streamed live at barretts.com. Video clips for each preview can be viewed on-line at barretts.com by the next morning. Among the stallions represented in the sales catalog are Alternation, Animal Kingdom, Awesome Patriot, City Zip, Creative Cause, Curlin, Dialed In, Discreet Cat, Distorted Humor, Empire Way, Exchange Rate, Include, Justin Phillip, Kitten’s Joy,... ...

Richard’s Boy Back from Dubai

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 20, 2017) – Richard’s Boy, who last ran in Dubai, joins fellow California-breds Ambitious Brew and Eddie Haskell in Sunday’s $75,000 Siren Lure Stakes at Santa Anita. 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 Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. He has eight wins in 21 starts, earnings of $586,080 and is coming off a fifth in the Mar. 25 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. Ambitious Brew is by Tizbud, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Kathwen, was bred by owner Pamela Ziebarth and is trained by Mary Jones. He has eight wins in 22 starts, earnings of $559,225 and is coming off a win in the Feb. 25 Sensational Star. Eddie Haskell is by Square Eddie, out of the Boston Harbor mare Teresa Ann, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $133,923 and is... ...

Cal-bred Trio in Mizdirection

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2017) – California-breds Desert Steel, Coniah and Smoove It are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Mizdirection Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Desert Steel is by Desert Code, out of the Cozzene mare Lujien Lujien, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Alice Bamford, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House and is trained by Simon Callaghan. She has four wins in 17 starts, earnings of $292,779 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 18 Irish O’Brien. Coniah is by Harlington, out of the Lord At War mare Pretti Woman, was bred by owners James and Tammy McKenney and is trained by William Morey. She has three wins in 16 starts, earnings of $159,365 and is coming off a fourth in the Mar. 18 Camilla Urso. Smoove It is by Square Eddie, out of the Distorted Humor mare Smoove, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has five wins in 29 starts, earnings of $383,265 and is... ...

Bodhisattva Shoots for the Classic

CHESTER, W. Va. (Apr. 19, 2017) – Bodhisattva is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $1.25 million Grade II Charles Town Classic. Bodhisattva is by Student Council, out of the Talk Is Money mare Dr. Cheryl P., was bred by Andy Stronach and is owned by trainer Jose Corrales. He has six wins in 29 starts, earnings of $324,383 and is coming off a sixth in the Mar. 18 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial. ...

U S Officer Wins Ragin Cajun

By EvangelineDowns.com OPELOUSAS, LA (April 15, 2017)–U S Officer, a Louisiana-bred son of California stallion U S Ranger, has faced some tough competition in his past, with two of his losses coming to 2017 Louisiana Derby winner, Girvin, and 2017 Arkansas Derby winner, Classic Empire, and in the $50,000 Ragin Cajun at Evangeline Downs on Saturday, the colt wasn’t even the betting favorite. However, that didn’t matter as he scored a victory as the 2-1 second choice in a field of four, covering the seven furlongs in 1:24.54 over a fast track. The betting favorite in the Ragin Cajun was Laughingsaintssong, who was sent off at odds of 3-5. He ended up dueling throughout the early stages of the race with Jilotepec. That pair set solid fractions of 22.56 seconds for the quarter-mile and 45.11 for the half-mile. U S Officer tracked that twosome under rider Diego Saenz before making a strong three-wide move to take the lead as the field came to the final furlong. From there, U S... ...

Legislators Press Treasury on Taxes

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 12, 2017) – Twelve members of Congress from a number of key racing states have signed a letter delivered to the Department of Treasury requesting that recently proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations relating to the way pari-mutuel winnings are calculated for tax withholding and reporting purposes be finalized as soon as possible. The letter was in response to actions taken by the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in late December when the Treasury issued proposed regulations relating to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings. The 31-page Treasury document, entitled “Withholding on Payments of Certain Gambling Winnings,” accomplishes the goals championed by the NTRA nearly three years ago to modernize regulations related to pari-mutuel winnings. The proposed regulations will positively impact a significant percentage of winning wagers, particularly those involving multi-horse or multi-race wagers, and are expected to result in tens of millions of dollars in additional pari-mutuel wagering. The proposed regulations clarify ‘the amount of the wager’ to include the entire amount wagered... ...

Chief of Staff in Count Fleet Sprint

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Apr. 13, 2017) – Chief of Staff is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park. Chief of Staff is by Majestic Warrior, out of the Awesome Again mare Morning Jewel, was bred by Lou Neve, is owned by Mark Dedomenico & Muddy Waters Stables and is trained by Jack Van Berg. He has three wins in 21 starts, earnings of $255,874 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 23 optional claimer. ...

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