ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2016) — The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association thanks the many stallion owners for their donations that made the Thursday night Annual Stallion Season Auction a success. More than $50,000 was raised in the auction, with the entire proceeds by law going strictly toward the lobbying expenses of the CTBA, working in support of legislation that favorably impacts California Thoroughbred breeders. The sale featured seasons donated by these farms: Ballena Vista Farm, BG Thoroughbred Farm, Blue Diamond Farm, Firth Ranch, Fruitful Acres Farm, Harris Farms, Legacy Ranch, Lovacres Ranch, Magali Farms, Milky Way Farm, Oak Hill Farm, Ocean Breeze Ranch, Old English Rancho, Paradise Road Ranch, Rancho San Miguel, Ridgeley Farm, Special T Thoroughbreds, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and Woodbridge Farm. ...

By Bloodhorse.com TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 6, 2016) — Calling his career in horse racing as well as his association with California Chrome   “a lifetime dream,” trainer Art Sherman accepted the 2016 Big Sport of Turfdom Award from the Turf Publicists of America at the Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming Nov. 6 in Tucson, Ariz. Sherman guided 5-year-old California Chrome this season to prestigious victories in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) and Pacific Classic (gr. I), and won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Preakness Stakes (both gr. I) with him in 2014. California Chrome is the all-time leading money-earning Thoroughbred based in North America. “I wouldn’t be here without my crew and my wife of 55 years, Fay,” Sherman said. “This has been a great life for me and my family, and I appreciate this honor.” Master of ceremonies and Santa Anita Park track announcer Michael Wrona introduced Sherman by saying “His responsiveness to all requests and his accessibility and likability,” are what earned the award. Sherman received... ...

From BetAmerica SAN FRANCISCO, (Dec. 6, 2016) – BetAmerica, the online advance deposit wagering website,  is pleased to announce they will be the presenting sponsor for the 2016 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) Annual Awards Dinner. Every year the CTBA names California-bred champions in nine categories, including the prestigious Horse of the Year. California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, 3 Year Old and Turf Horse winner, as well as the 2015 Older Male, looks to pick up another trophy for his collection. Hall of Fame inductions for  Donald Valpredo, Bob Baffert and Art Sherman, as well as Trainer of the Year, Leading Breeder and five categories of Leading Stallion awards will also be included in the night’s honors. “We are looking forward to teaming together with the CTBA on a fantastic night honoring California horses and connections,” said Michelle Yu, VIP Manager for BetAmerica. “ Cal breds have become a staple across the country, and thanks to Chrome across the world, and we are proud of the affiliation.... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 5, 2016) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), through its involvement in the H-2B Workforce Coalition, has joined other organizations and businesses in pushing to have the H-2B visa returning worker exemption reinstated in a continuing resolution that is being drafted to fund the federal government through March 31, 2017. H-2B visas are used by employers to fill temporary, non-agricultural positions that they are unable to fill with domestic workers. Horse trainers and other industry participants use the H-2B visa program to hire grooms and other stable help. The H-2B visa program has an annual cap of 66,000 visas. Qualified workers who complied with past visa requirements and worked in the program during one of the preceding three years will be excluded from the cap through the returning worker exemption. The NTRA asks industry members to contact Congressional leadership immediately and express the horse industry’s concerns and the need to reinstate the H-2B visa returning worker exemption. Starting today, Dec. 5, industry stakeholders are... ...

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2016) — Fast and Foxy, with jockey Catalino Martinez aboard, spent no time waiting for the group as she took off in the stretch to win inaugural Sunday’s $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields. by 4 ½ lengths. Trained by Holly Evans, Fast and Foxy, is the winner of the inaugural $75,000 Bear Fan stakes for California-bred fillies and mares. Fast and Foxy is by Thisnearlywasmine, out of the Falstaff mare Zorra Roja, was bred by Daehling Ranch, is owned by Joe Daehling or Holly Evans and is trained by Evans. She has 12 wins in 36 starts, earnings of $341,300 and was coming off a Nov. 12 optional claiming win. Fast and Foxy won by 4 1/2 lengths, going wire to wire in 1:09.48. Favorites Desert Steel and Toomuchisnotenough never offered closing responses and placed third and fourth respectively behind runner-up Light One, who circled five wide to the stretch. Fast and Foxy... ...

By Paulick Report PLEASANTON, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2016) — Some Northern California horsemen are seeking new training facilities after it was announced that the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association would close for the winter beginning Dec. 26. According to the Pleasanton Weekly, representatives from the fair association are set to meet Thursday with horsemen to discuss the closure and get feedback. The majority of the horses will be sent to Golden Gate Fields, which until this year had provided the funding needed to keep the fairgrounds open for year-round training. Golden Gate Fields had been using the Alameda County fairgrounds as an auxiliary training facility since 2008, and had paid the fair association $7,100 per day to transport and stable horses in Pleasanton. However, more space has become available at Golden Gate due to both a decline in horse population and an expansion of its stable area, so track officials decided that the Pleasanton facilities would no longer be needed. “Golden Gate Fields decided they reached the end of the line as far as going into their... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2016) — Los Alamitos has added a stakes race to its winter meeting to give California Chrome a local prep race before the final start of his career in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28. The Winter Challenge will be run Dec. 17 at 1 1/16 miles with a purse structure designed to entice owners and trainers to run against California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year who was second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. The race is likely to be worth more than $100,000, as it will offer $50,000 to the winner, $30,000 to the runner-up, $20,000 for third, and $15,000 for the fourth and fifth finishers, according to Los Alamitos racing secretary Bob Moreno. If the race draws a larger field, additional finishers will earn $10,000 each. “If I get six or seven, it’s gravy,” Moreno said. “I think we can get five or six.” California Chrome is scheduled... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2016) – California-bred Isa Firecracker held off favorite Grand Prix to win Friday’s $60,065 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Isa Firecracker is by Heatseeker, out of the Tannersmyman mare Caroline Elena, was bred by owner Myles McMahon and is trained by Jamey Thomas. The filly ran third in the Golden State Juvenile in her previous start at Santa Anita, overcoming trouble in the stretch. “She got in trouble down the lane and looked like she was backing out of it, but she came back on,” Thomas said of her performance earlier in the month. “That’s her heart, how well she wants to compete.” Isa Firecracker had no trouble in the lane Friday after sitting behind Zensational Dancer under Kyle Frey during the opening half-mile of the six-furlong race. She made a strong move into the lane and had a 1½-length lead at the eighth pole, but had to fend off the stout rally by Grand Prix who battled her to the wire.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2016) –The purse for the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) is being withheld until at least mid-December, according to California Horse Racing Board spokesman Mike Marten. Marten would not disclose why the purse was being withheld, but did say 12 Breeders’ Cup races have been cleared in respect to drug test results and that the Sprint has not been cleared. The Sprint was won by Drefong, followed by California-bred Masochistic and Mind Your Biscuits. “At this point, the Sprint has not been cleared,” Marten said. “All the other races have been cleared and we expect the Sprint to be cleared in mid-December.” Breeders’ Cup confirmed the purse withholding in a Nov. 23 statement. “Breeders’ Cup has been advised by the California Horse Racing Board that 12 of 13 races from this year’s event at Santa Anita, not including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, have been cleared following post-race testing by the Maddy Laboratory at the University of California at Davis,” the statement read. “Inquiries... ...

By BloodHorse.com The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) announced Nov. 22 that Art Sherman, trainer of champion and all-time North American earnings leader California Chrome, will be honored with the 2016 Big Sport of Turfdom Award—which recognizes a person or group of people who enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists. Sherman won in a vote determined by the nearly 150 active members of the TPA, a trade organization of Thoroughbred racing publicists and marketing executives. “I am so delighted and honored to be among the people that have won this award, a who’s who of racing,” Sherman said. “I’ve always tried to be accommodating to the press and even anyone that asks me for an autograph. It’s for the betterment of the game. Anything for racing.” Under Sherman’s care, California Chrome has won 15 of 25 starts while amassing $14,452,650 in earnings across four seasons. As a 3-year old, the son of Lucky Pulpit won the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr.... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2016) — Rallying from last place under jockey Victor Espinoza, Solid Wager, the defending race champion, forged ahead in the final strides to win the featured $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligible Sunday at Del Mar. Providing Espinoza and trainer Peter Miller with their third victories of the afternoon, Solid Wager, the 5-2 second choice in a field of eight older Thoroughbreds, scored by a half-length over Grazen Sky, with Acceptance third and Gold Rush Dancer fourth. Magic Mark, the 2-1 favorite, was fifth. “At first I was cussing Victor (Espinoza) wondering why he was so far back,” said Miller. “Then he winds up with this amazing move, and what can you say about Victor, there’s a reason he’s the best. It means a lot to win for the owners of this horse, who are really good friends of mine and great clients. Solid Wager, bred by Madera Thoroughbreds and owned by Barber, Barber and Stanford Stable, negotiated the... ...

                VINTON, La. (Nov. 20, 2016) – Odds-on favorite Kathballu, a Kentucky-bred daughter of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, won Saturday’s $75,000 Orleans Stakes for fillies and mares at Delta Downs.                 Kathballu ran the seven furlongs in 1:26.11 and won by eight lengths as the 2-5 favorite in the field of eight.                 Out of the Devil’s Bag mare Abba Gold, Kathballu has five wins in 21 starts and earnings of $296,864. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2016) –Chao Chom hooked 1-9 favored Enola Gray shortly after the start and never relented in scoring a convincing victory in the featured $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares Sunday at Del Mar. Chao Chom is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Soi Phet by Tizbud, out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Jersey, was bred by ARCHA Racing, is owned by S Samdow and trained by Gary Stute. She has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $146,600 and was coming off a second in an Oct. 20 optional claimer. With Kent Desormeaux in the saddle, Chao Chom dueled with Enola Gray until mid- stretch where she asserted herself over the betting choice and drew away to score by a length and three-quarters in 1:22.53 for the seven furlongs.   “We won easy, so easy,” said Desorneaux. “There were dawdling fractions. She was just cantering down the backstretch. Then we turned for home and... ...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2016) — Hay Dakota, a Kentucky-bred by new California stallion Haynesfield, wheeled out into the middle of the Churchill Downs turf course and went on to a 29-1 upset Saturday in the 13th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Commonwealth Turf. Ridden by Denny Velazquez and trained by Joel Berndt, Hay Dakota rallied outside of Bondurant, the 3-1 favorite in a field of 11 3-year-olds, to prevail by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile race. The Chicago shipper returned $60.20 after finishing in 1:43.60 over firm going. For horse, trainer, and jockey, it was their first graded stakes victory. “It’s one of those boxes I’ve wanted to check,” said Berndt, who has trained since 1991 and oversees a medium-sized stable that competes in Chicago and Minnesota. Hay Dakota lagged back until the field straightened for home. Both he and Bondurant angled out to launch big runs leaving the quarter pole, with Hay Dakota proving narrowly best when farthest outside. Scholar Athlete, the leader for much of... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2016) – A trio of California-sired mares were six-figure purchases at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Journey On, a stakes-placed California-bred mare, was sold for $240,000 at Friday’s session. Journey On, by Good Journey, was purchased by California Chrome/KatieRich Farms, in foal to Candy Ride, to be bred to champion Cal-bred California Chrome. She was consigned by James Keough. Somethinaboutlaura, a California-bred millionaire and multiple Grade II winner, sold at Thursday’s session for $150,000. Somethinaboutlaura, by Dance Floor, was consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, and was purchased by Calumet Farm in foal to Candy Ride. Grade II winner Ciao Bella Luna, out of the California stallion Tribal Rule, sold for $450,000 at Thursday’s session. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent, Ciao Bella Luna was purchased by Clarkland Farm in foal to Pioneerof the Nile. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2016) – California-bred millionaire mare Evening Jewel sold for $950,000 at Tuesday’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The multiple Grade I-winning daughter of Northern Afleet, in foal to Pioneerof the Nile, was consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent, for Aaron and Marie Jones and purchased by Shadai Farm. ...

By Bloodhorse.com NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2016) —California Chrome  , the 2014 Horse of the Year and North America’s all-time richest racehorse, will stand his first season at Taylor Made Farm in 2017 for an advertised fee of $40,000, Taylor Made president Duncan Taylor confirmed Nov. 8 during the opening session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.  The initial stud fee for the 5-year-old California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit is at a range Taylor called “fair, maybe even a little lower than fair” and puts the chestnut colt at a level that should give him a competitive book of mares while allowing breeders room to make a profit. To help get their future stallion off to a strong start, the Taylor Made team has already started purchasing mares to support the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) runner-up, purchasing the grade I placed Eskendereya filly Right There for $325,000 and graded stakes producer Uchitel for $420,000 under the name California Chrome, LLC during Keeneland’s opening session. “Our ultimate goal is, we’re... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2016) — Love the Chase, dam of California-bred dual classic winner and 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome  , brought $1.95 million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Nov. 7 in Lexington. Bloodstock agent John McCormack signed the ticket for the daughter of Not For Love offered by Taylor Made Sales. “She was a nice mare, physically, she had a lovely quality,” said McCormack, who did not identify his client. “It’s right there for everyone to see that she’s the dam of a Horse of the Year and in foal to Tapit  . You can hope and believe that the story will get better and not stay static just where it is. California Chrome is a lovely looking horse; he’s a very good horse, he’s a very honest horse, and he’s a deserved champion. And when a mare like this comes into the ring producing the horse of the caliber that she has, you have to pay the market price and I thought this was the market... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2016) — In show business, it’s how you leave ’em that counts – laughing, crying, wanting even more. Last Saturday’s Day 2 of the Breeders’ Cup provided all that and then some. Brilliant races from Arrogate, California Chrome, Highland Reel, and Tourist marked the day, while Peter Eurton, Phil D’Amato, Seamus Heffernan, and Flavien Prat joined the company of Breeders’ Cup winners. Even the fans, 72,811 strong, got into the act by the end of the long, dramatic afternoon, although with varying effects. As the soft twilight settled and the dying sun glowed in the distance, those heading for the exits near the walking ring were greeted by a woman wearing a red dress and a broad grin proudly waggling a homemade banner that read, “Hillary for Prison.” Times change. In 1996, signs at the Cup shouted “Cigar for President.” In 2009, it was “Girl Power! Go Zenyatta!” When someone suggested that perhaps this of all places on this of all days... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2016) – Arrogate and California Chrome, both of whom put on a show in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Santa Anita, emerged from the race in good order and could meet again in January in the inaugural Pegasus at Gulfstream Park, their connections said Sunday morning. Trainer Bob Baffert got his third straight Classic victory with Arrogate’s win. As with last year’s winner, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Arrogate was trained into the Classic after running in the Travers. ”I saw him this morning, gave him a carrot, and thanked him. I told him American Pharoah is proud you’re sleeping in his bed,” said Baffert, who put Arrogate in the stall at his barn that had been occupied by American Pharaoh. “How lucky am I to have a horse like Pharoah, and come back with a horse like this?” Baffert asked. “That race was so exciting. I lost my voice. I thought he could do it. We don’t know how good he... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2016) –After checking in on California Chrome   early Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park, trainer Art Sherman made his way back to his home base at Los Alamitos Race Course. Losing the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) for the second time Nov. 5 to conquering general Bob Baffert doesn’t change the reality of a Sunday morning. There are still horses to work. “We’ve got workers and things to do,” Sherman said. “That’s what this business is all about. You can’t sit around and cry about it.” Although there was a tinge of disappointment in the trainer’s voice, the ever-present pep Sherman displays whenever he talks about his star chestnut was still underlying. “He’s still a champion in my eyes,” Sherman said of California Chrome’s half-length loss to Arrogate in Saturday’s Classic. “He ran a great race. They were 10 lengths in front of the rest of them. It was a dominant performance by two horses.” NOVAK: Arrogate Upsets ‘Chrome’ in BC Classic The 79-year-old... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2016) — A year ago, jockey Victor Espinoza basked in the glow of an adoring Keeneland crowd after guiding American Pharoah to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, capping an unforgettable season that included the Triple Crown. On Saturday, Espinoza’s emotions were on the opposite end of the spectrum after Arrogate, under Mike Smith, went past California Chrome in the final 20 yards to win the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by half a length, ending California Chrome’s bid for a perfect season. For once, Espinoza was searching for an excuse as he walked back to the Santa Anita jockeys’ room. And he pinned the blame on himself. “Now that I think back, I should have just opened it up a little earlier,” Espinoza said. “I waited a little longer, and the other horse caught me in the end. When I saw California Chrome’s ears pinned back, I said, ‘I’m in trouble,’ and the wire was just a little bit further.” Espinoza said that... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2016) – On Saturday, he took his first step toward doing that by taking the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds by three-quarters of a length over Hot Smoke at Santa Anita. It was 2 1/2 lengths farther back to Milton Freewater in third. The win was the fifth from seven starts for California Diamond, a son of Harbor the Gold trained by Peter Miller for Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch, which purchased the colt after his second win in July. He was bred by Stormy Hull out of the Slewdledo mare Carrie’s a Jewel. In winning the Golden State Juvenile under Kent Desormeaux, California Diamond showed he could sit a little bit early and finish. The Golden State Juvenile was his first attempt at seven furlongs. “I think he can stretch,” said Miller, who recorded his meet-leading 17th victory. “Kent’s always thought he could. We’ve been working on getting him to relax and getting him to finish and not pull... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2016) – Bettors jumped off the bandwagon at the wrong time Friday as maiden How About Zero, equipped with blinkers for the first time, registered a one-length victory in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies at odds of 10-1 at Santa Anita. Under Mario Gutierrez, How About Zero settled in fifth position in the early stages of the seven-furlong race and made a three-wide move around the far turn. Straightening away in the stretch, How About Zero made the lead, and despite lugging in during the final furlong, she was able to hold Ms Wakaya at bay near the finish. The result was a reversal of the order of finish of a Sept. 30 maiden race here, where Ms Wakaya beat How About Zero by 2 1/4 lengths. How About Zero, who had debuted in a stakes at Del Mar, was the 1-2 favorite in that Sept. 30 race. “She was bet way down last time,... ...

By RemingtonPark.com OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Nov. 4, 2016)–U S Officer, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion U S Ranger, lodged a big closing move along the rail to pass the pace-setting Divine Kaleb in the final yards to win Friday’s $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington Park. The race is the final local prep event for 2-year-olds aiming for the Springboard Mile in December. Owned by the Weatherford, Texas partnership of Jerry Durant and Bill Jordan, U S Officer is trained by Danny Pish. Jockey David Cabrera, the only jockey to win on the colt, had the mount for the second race in a row. U S Officer settled near the back of the nine-horse field in the Clever Trevor and was last, nearly 10 lengths from the front, as the field turned for home, with plenty of work to do. “I was not really expecting to be that far back but the race played out like that,” Cabrera said after the trophy presentation. “This horse, he can sit anywhere... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 6, 2016) — Yo Y Me, an Arizona-bred son of California stallion Dixie Chatter, won Saturday’s $96,645 ATBA Fall Sale Stakes for 2-year-olds at Turf Paradise. Yo Y Me is out of the Bertrando mare Miss Ballard ran the six furlongs in 1:10.92 and won by one length as the even-money favorite in a field of 11. He has two wins in six starts with earnings of $86,858 and was coming off a maiden win Oct. 17. ...

By DRF.com NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2016) –The China Horse Club, the international horse-racing partnership, has purchased an undisclosed share in 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome, the club said on Twitter. The China Horse Club, which was launched in 2013 and has quickly purchased stakes in horses across the world, said in a tweet Friday that it was “very pleased to join ownership of California Chrome heading into [the Breeders’ Cup] and Pegasus events.” The Pegasus World Cup is a $12 million race scheduled for Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park. Duncan Taylor, the president of Taylor Made Farm, which owns a stake in California Chrome that it has divided into marketable shares, said on Monday at the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale that the stake purchased by the China Horse Club will give the group a share in the colt’s racing and breeding career. Taylor did not disclose the size of the stake. Last year, Taylor Made purchased a 30 percent share in California Chrome from Steve and Carolyn... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2016)–Sent hard from the gate, trainer Kenny Black’s Acceptance proved extra game in deep stretch, as he held off a tenacious Richard’s Boy to win Saturday’s $100,000 California Flag Handicap for Golden State Series eligibles under veteran Stewart Elliott. Bred in California by Old English Rancho, the 4-year-old colt by Vronsky got 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:11.51. Breaking from post position six in a field of seven California-bred or sired runners three and up, Acceptance out-dueled the runner-up going to the half mile point and was able to secure an inside position at the rail prior to crossing the dirt at the top of the lane. From there, he was all heart to the wire as he fended off serious challenges from both Richard’s Boy and favored Boozer, who ended up finishing fifth. “He was tough today,” said Black, himself a former top apprentice rider in the early 1980s. “I thought they had him two or... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2016)–Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, heavily favored California Diamond rolled to a 2 ¼ length win in Sunday’s $70,000 Speakeasy Stakes, a six furlong affair for 2-year-olds.  Owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller, the son of Harbor the Gold bred in California by Stormy Hull covered six furlongs in 1:10.96. With Crosscheck Carlos and Right Hand Man setting a fast early pace, California Diamond, who came off a restricted stakes win going 6 ½ furlongs at Los Alamitos on Sept. 18, rolled three-wide to the leaders leaving the quarter pole and put Right Hand Man away with consummate ease a sixteenth out. “He’s really talented,” said Desormeaux, who has ridden California Diamond in his last two starts.  “I think the sky’s the limit with him.  I was impressed with his performance today.  He’s quirky when he makes the lead…I think I’ve got it handled and he won very handily today.” Off at 3-5 in a field of six (four of... ...

From Unusual Heat Syndicate COALINGA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2016) – Unusual Heat, the All Time Leading Sire in California Progeny Earnings has been pensioned from stud at 26. “It is with great emotion that we have to announce the retirement of Unusual Heat”, said Harris Auerbach, managing partner of M. Auerbach, LLC. “He’s been remarkable and even in his final season at stud in 2016 managed to get 25 of 30 bred mares in foal. It’s been an amazing run and I’m happy that “Heat” can now just relax and enjoy the rest of his days just being a horse.” Doug Burge, longtime President of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association remarked “He’s been the perennial leading sire in California for over a decade and his influence on CA breeding and racing through his sons and daughters will be prevalent for years to come.” Bred by John T. Jones in Kentucky, Unusual Heat is the son of Nureyev and Danish Champion mare Rossard. In 1991, he became the highest priced horse... ...

By Thoroughbred Daily News When Valerie Ashker and Peter Friedman set out to ride two retired Thoroughbreds some 3,500 across the country, they didn’t know what to expect or even if they would complete the journey. But some five months after they started the finish line is nearing, and the horses are holding up fantastically. The same can’t be said for their riders. Their mission is to promote the adoption of off-the-track Thoroughbreds, which they believe are under-appreciated by people looking for a sport horse. They figured if they could show that their two horses, Primitivo and Solar Express, could get through something so grueling and taxing then they could open people’s eyes about the temperament and fortitude of the Thoroughbred. Ashker’s daughter, Laine, is an accomplished equestrian and most of her success has come aboard off-the-track Thoroughbreds. “This has been the hardest thing I have ever done and I have done a lot of hard things,” Ashker said. “It is oppressive day in and day out, just the grind.... ...

By DRF.com FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2016) — Jimmy Bouncer dominated a small field, scoring a wire-to-wire win in the $100,000 Harris Farms Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at the Big Fresno Fair on Saturday. The 5-year-old Jimmy Bouncer ($6.60), a gelding by Square Eddie and a Reddam Racing homebred, took the lead out of the gate and was never seriously challenged by four rivals while setting mundane fractions of 23.03 and 45.22 seconds in the six-furlong race. As he controlled the pace, Jimmy Bouncer extended his margin to four lengths by the eighth pole before galloping home a 3 3/4-length winner under Abel Cedillo. The winning time was 1:10.17. Odds-on favorite Well Measured sat close early and was an easy second, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of Cartoonist. :: Enjoy news and analysis from DRF? Get handicapping analysis, real-time coverage, special reports, and charts. Unlock access with DRF Plus. The victory continued trainer Doug O’Neill’s string of success in Northern California. He won the El Camino Real... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2016) –The difference in a year for Masochistic has been noticeable, and in a good way. The California-bred Sought After gelding is still blazing fast, but during morning workouts, he’s learned to settle down. When Masochistic moved to the Ron Ellis barn in 2015, he could hardly be contained in the mornings and would often run off during works. The horse out on the track Oct. 6 at Santa Anita Park, in his fourth work in preparation for the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I), looked like a different animal. The three-time graded stakes winner relaxed well under exercise rider Balthazar Contreras and finished off his six-furlong drill in 1:12 3/5. His furlong fractions went in :12 4/5, :24 4/5, :36 2/5, :48 1/5, and 1:00 1/5. “He’s much more relaxed now,” Ellis said. “It also depends on who you put on him. (Contreras) has him down pretty good.” Thursday’s drill was Masochistic’s fourth straight bullet work since a dominant 3 3/4-length victory in... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2106)–Forwardly placed throughout, California-bred Ashleyluvssugar got a perfect stalking trip under Gary Stevens and went on to an impressive half length win in the Grade II, $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita. Trained by Peter Eurton, the 5-year-old gelding by Game Plan got 1 ¼ miles on turf in 1:58.35. A gate to wire winner of the Grade II, 1 3/8 miles turf Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 20, “Ashley” notched his second consecutive win and his fourth from seven starts over the Santa Anita lawn. Breaking from post position six in a field of 10 and with the temporary inner rail set at 10 feet, Ashleyluvssugar sat a controlled second to longshot El Huerfano the entire trip until assuming command three sixteenths of a mile from home. “This is his kind of track,” said Eurton. “You gotta think this horse is just full of heart. When he’s healthy like he is right now, he’s great…The six hole helped us... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2016)–Superstar California Chrome was sensational yet again at Santa Anita on Saturday, taking the Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes in gate to wire fashion by 2 ¼ lengths over rival Dortmund, who pressured him early. Ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome covered 1 1/8 miles while geared down in 1:48.07, and thus served notice to the world that at age five, he is the horse to beat in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at The Great Race Place on Nov. 5. Breaking from the rail, the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit was hustled out of the gate as Dortmund, adding blinkers and to his immediate outside, was sent as well by Rafael Bejarano. The pair were separated by a neck into and around the Club House turn and Espinoza with a look to his outside, stepped on the gas at the 4 ½ furlong pole and the Awesome Again, was for all intents and purposes,... ...