Racing Integrity Act Introduced

May 25, 2017 Posted by CTBA In Announcement

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. ...

Grazen Sky Enters Los Angeles Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 13, 2017) – Stakes winner Grazen Sky is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Los Angeles Stakes at Santa Anita. Grazen Sky is by Grazen, out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Marni, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steve Miyadi. He has four wins in 20 starts, earnings of $412,638 and is coming off a second in the Feb. 26 Tiznow Stakes. ...

What a View Ships to Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 11, 2017) – Grade I winner What a View is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $300,000 Grade I Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland. What a View is by Vronsky, out of the Manila mare Oceans N Mountains, was bred by Old English Rancho, Patsy and Sal Berumen and is owned by Finish Line Racing, the Elwood Johnston Trust and Taste of Victory Stables and is trained by Kenny Black. He has six wins in 18 starts, earnings of $763,326 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 11 Frank E. Kilroe Mile. ...

Microchip Video Available

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 10, 2017) — The Jockey Club has produced and made available a three-minute instructional video that illustrates the implantation of microchips, which became a condition of registration starting with foals born in 2017 or later. The video is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USJockeyClub/posts/1367410333345505 and directly at: https://vimeo.com/212142590. It has also been tweeted at https://twitter.com/jockeyclub/status/851465724430348288. ...

Mr. Hinx Noses Out B Squared

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2017) – In sprints, Mr. Hinx is unbeaten in three starts, the latest win occurring in Saturday’s $200,345 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. In two-turn races, Mr. Hinx has struggled, finishing a well-beaten fourth twice. The way Mr. Hinx won the Echo Eddie at 6 1/2 furlongs, fighting for the lead throughout, sprints may be the focus of his 2017 campaign. 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 Peter Miller. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $195,368 and was coming off a fourth in a Mar. 9 optional claimer. “He left there running,” jockey Tyler Baze said. “I didn’t want to take anything out of him. “He’s got so much talent. There is a lot there.” Mr. Hinx ($19) won the Echo Eddie by a nose over B Squared, the two dueling for the lead... ...

Mr. Hinx

Mr. Hinx wins $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes. ...

Sircat Sally

Sircat Sally wins $150,000 Grade III Providencia Stakes. ...

Sircat Sally Perfect in Hand-Ride Win

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2017) – On turf or dirt, against state-breds or in graded stakes, Sircat Sally has been unbeatable the last six months. In Saturday’s Grade 3 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita, Sircat Sally ($2.60) led throughout to win her graded stakes debut with little urging from jockey Mike Smith. The $150,345 Providencia Stakes was the fourth consecutive stakes win for Sircat Sally. She won the Soviet Problem Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies on dirt at Los Alamitos in December and is unbeaten in three stakes this year, all on turf: the Cal Cup Oaks against Cal-breds in January, the minor China Doll Stakes against open company March 11 and the Providencia. “It looks like she can do anything,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “She has speed and can run long. You can’t ask for more.” Sircat Sally, by Surf Cat, races for owner and breeder Joe Turner. Sircat Sally has earned $348,860. She won her debut at Del Mar... ...

S Y Sky

S Y Sky wins the $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes. ...

S Y Sky Debuts with Evening Jewel Romp

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 8, 2017)–Head and head with heavily favored Miss Sunset turning for home, Nick Alexander’s homebred first-time starter S Y Sky powered to a convincing 5 ½-length win in Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes under Joe Talamo. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 3-year-old chestnut filly by Grazen got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.52. Off at 6-1 in a field of eight sophomore fillies eligible for the Golden State Series, S Y Sky paid $14.80, $7.80 and $3.80. Out of Alexander’s Sky Mesa mare, Sky Marni, S Y Sky, who broke from post position six, got the winner’s share of $110,000, plus a Cal-bred incentive bonus for breaking her maiden of $17,500, resulting in a total payday of $127,500. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Radish, who broke from post two, sat third most of the way and overhauled the favorite by a head at the wire for second money. Off at 18-1, she paid $13.20 and $4.40. Miss Sunset, who added blinkers today and broke from... ...

Big Score for Big Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 7, 2017) – Big Score, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Mr. Big, won Friday’s $150,000 Grade III Transylvania Stakes presented by Keeneland Select, at Keeneland. Big Score, out of the Unusual Heat mare Not Unusual, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.23 and won by one-half length at odds of 10-1. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $237,800 and was making his first start since a fifth in the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB BERKELEY, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, April 6, at Golden Gate Fields. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper 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 technical and substantive revisions to a regulatory amendment requiring that race-day authorized bleeder medication be administered by independent, third-party veterinarians. The Office of Administrative Law must approve the revisions before the new regulation goes into effect. · Greg Avioli, president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), informed the Board that the advance deposit wagering (ADW) provider TwinSpires had not yet fulfilled its contract to provide the precise locations where bets are being made in California, so the horsemen’s group has withdrawn its authorization for Twinspires to accept wagers from California residents on California races. He said the TOC would reinstate TwinSpires whenever they begin... ...

Empire of D’Nile Has First Foal

From Richill Farms PHELAN, CALIF. (Apr. 7, 2017) – Empire of D’Nile (Pioneerof the Nile – Beauty School by Private School) sired his first foal when the mare Forest Trees (Forestry – Me Moe You Curly, by Memo) dropped a bay colt on April 7. Richill Farms owners, Richard & Hilary Trower said: “This is the first foal, for both Empire of D’Nile and Forest Trees. The foal is a very leggy and bold bay with a pedigree that includes such horses as Pioneerof the Nile, Storm Cat, Seattle Slew and carries ten strains of the great La Troienne.” Empire of D’Nile stands at Richill Farms in Phelan, CA. ...

Del Mar Upgrades Ship and Win

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2017) — Del Mar’s simple, yet highly effective, “Ship and Win” program, where owners and trainers are given incentives to import out-of-state horses to race locally, will be back for its seventh summer at the seaside oval with a notable bonus increase providing even more encouragement to – literally – ship and win. Previously, “S&W” horses received an automatic $1,000 check when they made their first start at Del Mar, along with an additional 30% bonus on top of whatever their purse earnings were in that initial outing. Starting in 2017, though, that automatic check has been enhanced by 50% to $1,500, with the 30% purse bonus continuing to be part of the stimulus formula. Del Mar’s numbers with the program that originated in 2011 have been impressive. Starting with 107 horses being imported that first summer, the total of “S&W” horses had risen to more than 800 after the 2016 summer session. Further, the track attracted over 100 imports at its three... ...

California Diamond in Echo Eddie

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2017) – Multiple stakes winner California Diamond is the leading earner entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Will Tell is by Creative Cause, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Little Bit a Swiss, was bred by owner Teresa Stapleton and is trained by Vladimir Cerin. He has two wins in five starts, earnings of $44,665 and is coming off a Mar. 23 starter’s allowance win. B Squared is by Square Eddie, out of the Ten Most Wanted mare Silar Rules, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He won his lone start Mar. 4 and has earnings of $32,400. Tribal Storm is by Papa Clem, out of the Tribal Rule mare Tribal Feathers, was bred by owners Curt & Lila Lanning and is trained by Ed Moger Jr. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $103,580 and is coming off a third in the Feb. 18 El Camino Real... ...

Miss Sunset Enters Evening Jewel

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2017) – Multiple stakes winner Miss Sunset is the leading earner entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Cioppino Pasadino is by Time to Get Even, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Clawpuccino, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Brown or Martin and trained by Rafael Becerra. She has three wins in 12 starts, earnings of $103,855 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 25 optional claimer. 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. She is a maiden making her 10th start with earnings of $64,400. Adios Cali is by Adios Charlie, out of the Tale of the Cat mare Cali Cali, was bred by Steve Bussjaeger, Ed Gredvig, John Mendenhall & Marko Swan, is owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller. She has one win in three starts, earnings of... ...

Milton Freewater in S.A. Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2017) – Milton Freewater is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $1 million Grade I Santa Anita Derby for 3-year-olds. Milton Freewater is by Creative Cause, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Lovehi, was bred by Dr. Mikel and Patricia Harrington, is owned by Kramer Racing or Sheep Pond Partners or Jaime, et al and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $128,360 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 19 optional claimer. ...

Sircat Sally Seeks Another Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2017) – Unbeaten multiple stakes winner Sircat Sally and fellow California-bredPrincess Roi are entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Providencia 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 trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has won all four of her starts with earnings of $258,860 and is coming off a win in the Mar. 11 China Doll. Princess Roi is by Roi Charmant, out of the Native Storm mare Stormin Lucy, was bred by GGG Stables, is owned by GGG Stables or Sarno and is trained by Richard Baltas. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $131,500 and is coming off a win in a Mar. 2 optional claimer. ...

Registration Open for Owner Conference

From The Jockey Club DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2017) — OwnerView announced today that registration is now open for the fourth edition of the Thoroughbred Owner Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Del Mar, Calif., October 30 – November 1, 2017, immediately preceding the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. A limited number of reserved seats are available for the Breeders’ Cup races on both Friday, November 3, and Saturday, November 4, to those attending the conference and will be included with the full registration fee on a first-come, first-served basis. Prospective attendees can register at ownerview.com. Additional information about the conference is also available on that website. “OwnerView once again is excited to partner with Breeders’ Cup and expose owners and prospective owners to two days of championship racing,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “The Breeders’ Cup World Championships provide a grand finale for a conference that caters to people interested in owning Thoroughbred racehorses and experiencing the thrill that accompanies it.” “Based on early ticket... ...

She’s So Fine Wins Another

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Apr. 1, 2017) – She’s So Fine, a Kentucky-bred daughter of California stallion Haynesfield, ran her win streak to four in Saturday’s $80,000 Karakorum Elektra Stakes for fillies and mares at Aqueduct. She’s So Fine has five wins in 16 starts, earnings of $201,737 and has won all four of her starts this year, including a $20,000 claimer. She’s So Fine, out of the Value Plus mare Speed Has Value, ran the seven furlongs in 1:26.53 and won by 3 ¼ lengths at odds of 5-2 in a field of six. ...

Breeders’ Cup Supports Gregson Foundation

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 30, 2017) –Continuing its collaboration to raise funds for important causes, the Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® announced today that the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation, an organization focused on providing a better quality of life for California’s backstretch workers and their families, and Old Friends Farm, home to some of the most popular retired Thoroughbred race horses, have been named the official charity beneficiaries of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Fans can support these causes and receive a 2017 Maker’s Mark® limited-edition commemorative Cigar bottle by making a donation and attending the Champions for Charity event to be held Breeders’ Cup week in Del Mar, Calif. Event details will be available this summer. Please visit www.BreedersCup.com/ChampionsForCharity for further details. This year’s commemorative bottle honors Cigar (see attached), who won the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic and became the first American horse, racing against top-class competition, to win 16 consecutive races since Triple Crown winner Citation did so from 1948-1950. Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® have... ...

Stimulus Plan First Foal a Colt

From Richill Farms PHELAN, CA. (Mar. 29, 2017) – California stallion Stimulus Plan (Jump Start – Dutchess Alexandra by Judge Smells) sired his first foal when the winning mare Tudie Pop (Aptitude – Otatha by Miswaki) dropped a bay colt on March. 29. Richill Farms owners’, Richard & Hilary Trower said, “This is the first foal, for both Stimulus Plan and Tudie Pop. He has a classic head and stands up and over a good bit of ground. The foals’ family includes leading sires A.P. Indy, Storm Cat, Miswaki, Buckpasser, and Native Dancer, and carries nine strains of the great La Troienne. Stimulus Plan stands at Richill Farms in Phelan, Calif. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 30, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, April 6, at Golden Gate Fields beginning at 10:30 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. ...

Del Mar Modifies Main Track

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 30, 2017) — Under the direction of its new director of track maintenance, Dennis Moore, Del Mar has begun a process designed to modify its main track with an end result of having it replicate the banking and grading of its sister track to the north, Santa Anita Park. Crews began their work on the track on Wednesday (March 29) and the stripping and grading activity is expected to take several weeks. The plan is to adjust the seaside oval’s main track banking to 5% (from 4%) on the turns and 2 1/2% (from 2%) in the straightaways — as is the case currently with Santa Anita – well in advance of the opening of Del Mar’s 78th summer season on Wednesday, July 19. “Our priority, of course, is safety,” said Joe Harper, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s president and CEO. “One of the key elements in safety is consistency and this adjustment will give our horses and horsemen that consistency when it comes... ...

NorCal Grad Filly Sells for $360,000

DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 30, 2017) – A Northern California Yearling Sale graduate by Lucky Pulpit brought $360,000 at Wednesday’s Barretts March Select Sale of 2-Year-Olds in training at Del Mar. Californiabyanose, a filly out of the Mr. Greeley mare Nine to Five Lady, was bred by Cole Ranch, consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency and purchased by Dennis O’Neill for Amr Zedan. She was the fastest previewer in the sale. Another purchase of interest to California breeders was a Kentucky-bred colt by California stallion Haynesfield for $130,000. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Santana Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2017) – California-bred multiple stakes winners Magic Mark and Avanti Bello are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Santana Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Magic Mark is by Benchmark, out of the Deputy Governor mare Jewel Magic, was bred by owners Dorine and John Lanza and is trained by Ron Ellis. He has six wins in 20 starts, earnings of $359,969 and is coming off a fifth in the Feb. 26 Tiznow Stakes. Avanti Bello is by Include, out of the Mizzen Mast mare Masterful Lass, was bred by Lou Neve, is owned by Suarez or Keh or Richardson, et al and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has six wins in 23 starts, earnings of $413,416 and is coming off a win in the Feb. 26 Tiznow Stakes. ...

Cal-bred Filly Sizzles in Preview

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2017) — A California-bred filly by Lucky Pulpit and a colt by Justin Phillip recorded the fastest times back to back at the Barretts under tack preview at Del Mar March 27. The filly worked a furlong in :09 4/5, followed by the colt who worked a quarter-mile in :20 3/5, in preparation for the Barretts select 2-year-old sale March 29. “We had a wonderful breeze show,” said Kim Lloyd, general manager of Barretts. “I was very pleased with the turnout and very pleased with the performance of the horses.” Bred by The Cole Ranch in California, the filly who breezed in :09 4/5 is the only horse in the catalog by the late Lucky Pulpit, sire of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome . Andy Havens’ Havens Bloodstock Agency consigned the youngster as Hip 6. Now named Californiabyanose, the filly is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Nine to Five Lady, from the family of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Concern. Californiabyanose sold for... ...

Walt Trobee Passes at 89

CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2017) — Longtime Foothill Farms manager and Thoroughbred owner Walt Trobee passed away on Sunday at Mercy San Juan Hospital. He was 89. The family has announced that there will be no services. ...

Herpes Positive at San Luis Rey Downs

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2017) – A horse based at San Luis Rey Downs with trainer Adam Kitchingman was recently found to have the equine herpesvirus, and racing officials are not allowing Kitchingman’s horses to ship into Santa Anita. The horse who tested positive and whom the trainer declined to identify was placed in isolation, according to Rick Arthur, California’s equine medical director. He said the horse was found to have the non-neurological strain of herpes, a milder strain, and he was optimistic there would be no additional cases at San Luis Rey Downs, a training center in northern San Diego County. “There is no evidence of any other horses being affected,” he said. “Everyone at San Luis Rey Downs is aware of the situation.” Arthur said Kitchingman’s horses may be allowed to ship this week if the situation improves. As a result of the herpes positive, the Kitchingman-trained Chief Hosa was scratched from an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Friday, and Red Lightning was withdrawn from... ...

Skye Diamonds

Skye Diamonds wins $100,000 Dream of Summer. ...

Skye Diamonds Wins Dream of Summer

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 26, 2017)–Patiently handled by Tiago Pereira, streaking Skye Diamonds, claimed for $40,000 this past August, ran down Roo’s Valentine to take Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares by 1 ¼ lengths at Santa Anita. Trained by Bill Spawr, the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of First Dude got a flat mile in 1:37.34. A close second to Roo’s Valentine going to the far turn, Pereira sat motionless as “Roo,” who was ridden by Martin Pedroza, opened up by nearly three lengths leaving the three furlong pole, only to be collared a furlong from home. “I had a lot of horse left that last part,” said Pereira, who has ridden Skye Diamonds in her last six starts. “I pushed and I smooched, but she had plenty left. I waited a little bit today. The one time I moved early with her, she got tired. Today I waited, she made a move and the last part was easy.” With... ...

Bluegrass Flag Wins Cicada

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 26, 2017) – Odds-on favorite Bluegrass Flag, a New York-bred daughter of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, ran off with Saturday’s $90,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Bluegrass Flag ran the six furlongs in 1:11.99 and won by six lengths at odds of 3-10 in the field of three. Bluegrass Flag has two wins in four starts, earnings of $113,220 and was coming off a second in the Franklin Square Stakes. ...

Barbara and Ron Perry

Read it in our magazine online: By California Thoroughbred Barbara Ranck-Perry can still recall when, as a kid showing horses in Montana, she asked her father for a Dutch warmblood to school over jumps. “He grabbed one of his racehorses and said, ‘Here, this one can’t run. Take him and teach him how to jump.’ ” That was the genesis of a racing and breeding operation that Barbara and her husband, Ron Perry, have today, anchored by the California stallion He Be Fire N Ice. Like many other children growing up in rural Montana, Barbara and her three sisters always had horses. “Our idea of getting together with friends was to jump on a horse and ride a half-mile to the neighbor’s house,” she recalled. “My mom would drag us all over the state, as well as Idaho and Washington for horse shows. I think their plan from day one was how to keep the girls out of trouble. The answer was horses.” While racehorses were beloved to Barbara’s father, Red,... ...

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