BALTIMORE, Md. (Apr. 15, 2015) – Bodhisattva is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for 3-year-olds at Pimlico. 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 two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $105,095 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 21 Private Terms. ...
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BALTIMORE, Md. (Apr. 15, 2015) – She’s Ordained is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Primonetta Stakes for fillies and mares at Pimlico. She’s Ordained is by Minsters Wild Cat, out of the Not For Love mare Whole Lotta Love, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Ronald Ulrich and trained by Timothy Kreiser. She has 15 wins in 39 starts, earnings of $435,025 and is coming off a win in a Jan. 15 optional claimer. She was fourth in this race last year. ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com NEWMARKET, England (Apr. 15, 2015) — Defending U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome had Robbie Mills aboard for the first time April 15 at Newmarket, getting acquainted with the rider who will be his regular partner in the Rae Guest yard. A video posted to Youtube by Rae Guest Racing shows a short clip of the 4-year-old California-bred jogging behind 3-year-old maiden Tell Me Another in his first day ridden at Newmarket. Owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin of DAP Racing shipped California Chrome to England to compete in the June 17 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-I) with a potential prep in the May 16 J.T. Lockinge Stakes (Eng-I). NOVAK: California Chrome Arrives in Newmarket Art Sherman will remain the trainer of record for last year’s winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I). His son and assistant trainer Alan Sherman has scheduled a trip to Guest’s yard to check up on the stable star in about a month. California Chrome,... ...
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From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 15, 2015) — Del Mar’s summertime 40-day meeting will feature 43 stakes events, topped by the $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic and worth a total of $7,950,000 in black-type purses. The historic track will present its bountiful slate during its 76th season of seaside sport starting on Thursday, July 16 and running through Labor Day Monday, September 7. The track’s 33 major, or “advertised,” stakes will carry purses ranging from $100,000 to the $1-million Classic, which will be presented on Saturday, August 22, while its 10 “overnight” stakes each will be worth $80,000. Additionally, the racing headquarters “where the turf meets the surf” will provide its horsemen with purses of more than $650,000 a day, the richest output in the state of California and among the most lucrative of any race meeting in America. The TVG Pacific Classic, first presented at the shore oval in 1991, will have its silver anniversary 25th edition this year, run at its classic distance of a mile and one quarter... ...
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By Paulickreport.com A few days after Wild in the Saddle’s win in the Dream of Summer Stakes at Santa Anita, Nadine Anderson was running on a few hours’ sleep, but her voice hadn’t lost the glow of an owner’s first stakes win. Anderson is a co-owner and manager at Brazeau Thoroughbred Farm in Hemet, Calif., where she does everything from overseeing the grounds crew to helping break young horses to foaling out mares—the latter responsibility being the one that’s keeping her up all hours these days. Anderson is a life-long horsewoman who grew up showing horses and began galloping as a teenager to make extra cash. “Once you’ve gotten into it, it’s going to stick with you for life,” she said. Anderson moved on to racing Arabians, where she was enormously successful. She worked for Sheikh Mohammed, took horses to each of the major Arabian stakes races in America, and was the breeder of Pacifica, one of the first Arabians exported from the States to the UAE. “They had an... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 14, 2015) – Mike Mitchell, the winningest trainer in Del Mar history who won 20 training titles in Southern California, died on Tuesday of the effects of a brain tumor diagnosed in 2012, according to friends of the family. Mitchell was 66. Mitchell retired from active training last April, turning over his stable to longtime assistant Phil D’Amato. Mitchell took a lesser role in the stable through the rest of 2014 and into this year and frequently attended races and morning workouts. He was an occasional visitor at Santa Anita in the mornings earlier this year but was in hospice care at his home near the racetrack in recent weeks. Mitchell began training in 1974 and won 2,678 races, mostly in Southern California. His runners earned $67,206,392. Mitchell won a career-best 127 races in 1983 and set a career high for earnings in a season with $4,571,184 in 2008, when his stable had 108 wins. “He’s a Hall of Fame trainer in my mind,” D’Amato said Tuesday.... ...
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By Thoroughbredracing.com Wallpapering floor to ceiling all four sides of his office at Santa Anita in a dusty and time-worn collage of photographs spanning decades are nearly all of trainer Bruce Headley’s 120-plus stake race victories during a career that has lasted a trifling 55 years. The oldest is a grainy sepia-tinged win picture dated 1962 – Poonastar’s victory in the Junior League Stakes at Hollywood Park, a young, sandy haired Headley with a touch of James Dean about him. The most recent is of Street Boss winning G1 Bing Crosby Handicap in 2008, the trainer’s sandy hair decidedly thinner, admittedly, but the young man from 46 years before still visible behind softened edges. The effect Headley’s office has on first time eyes is two-pronged. The first is to be led through a pictorial journey over the last 50 or so years of racing in California – the shadowed peaks of Santa Anita’s San Gabriel Mountains and Hollywood Park’s bulging grandstand captured at different lights, years, and seasons in the... ...
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 13, 2015) – William Bianco Jr, a former racing commissioner and horse owner, who spent most of his life giving to others, suffered a stroke and passed away April 11 in San Jose at the age of 75. A self-made man, lacking a formal education, Mr. Bianco taught himself chemistry and eventually co-founded Kinetic Systems Inc, which provided process systems for the semi-conductor, biotech, pharmaceutical, and food industries, most notably containment systems and chemicals for the start-up company Intel in the early 1970s. After Mr. Bianco sold his company in 1998, he increased his involvement in thoroughbred racing and partnered in Fog City Stables, an ownership group with 35 horses. He and one of his sons, William Bianco III, bred and raced Cal-bred horses as Sunset Stables. Then-Governor Gray Davis appointed Mr. Bianco to the California Horse Racing Board in March 2001. He served six years as a racing commissioner through January 2007, including one year as vice chairman in 2005. During his years on the Board,... ...
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From CHRB ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 13, 2015) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting this Thursday, April 16, in the Bay View Lounge (Turf Club) at Golden Gate Fields beginning at 10 a.m. The Northern California Race Dates Ad Hoc Committee will meet at the Top of the Stretch (club house) at Golden Gate Fields this Wednesday, April 15, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend both meetings. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The Board agenda and supportingpackage of materials as well as the committee agenda and supporting package also are available on the website.. ...
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By DRF.com SAN MATEO, Calif. (Apr. 14, 2015) — Services for trainer William J. Morey Jr. will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. Pacific in the Pacific Chapel at Skyline Memorial Park in San Mateo, Calif. (Hwy. 92 at Skyline Blvd.). Morey, 74, died April 10 after a long battle with cancer. A member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame, he trained millionaire graded stakes winners Dixie Dot Com and Bold Chieftain. ...
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COALINGA, Calif. (Apr. 12, 2015) – Love The Chase, broodmare of Horse of the Year California Chrome, delivered a full brother by Lucky Pulpit on Sunday. Love The Chase also delivered full sisters to California Chrome in 2013 and 2014, but was not bred following California Chrome’s delivery in 2011 and has no 2012 foal. ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 11, 2015)–California-bred Home Journey broke running and never looked back en route to a convincing one length win in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano and trained by Mike Puype, the 5-year-old Good Journey mare negotiated 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.09. “She ran really fast last time and just got nailed (when second to Las Cienegas favorite Go West Marie in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint on Jan. 24),” said Puype. “Today, she slowed it down a little bit, she kicked, and she ran a good race.” The second choice at 3-1 in a field of eight older fillies and mares, Home Journey paid $8.40, $3.60 and $3.40. Owned by her breeders, Mark and Daryle Ann Giardino, along with Russell Sarno, Home Journey notched her first stakes win in the Las Cienegas and improved her overall mark to 12-5-3-0. With the winner’s share of $60,000, she improved... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 11, 2015)–Heavily favored California-bred Masochistic, in his first start for trainer Ron Ellis, sat a close second early and went on to an impressive three quarter length win in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Kona Gold Stakes. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Masochistic covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.69. “This was just basically, don’t change anything that ain’t broken,” said Baze, who took over from regular rider Victor Espinoza, who rides top 3-year-old American Pharoah today at Oaklawn Park. “I talked to Victor yesterday before he left and he said to just get him out of the gate and keep him going. “We (Masochistic and eventual runner-up San Onofre) weren’t really going fast down the backside, like 22 and change and 44 and change, but we picked it up around the turn. When I asked him turning for home, he pinned his ears and took off.” Purchased privately by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable following a 2 ¼ length allowance win... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 10, 2015) – California stallion Roman Commander was represented by his first winner on Friday when Ill Tell You What won the eighth race at Santa Anita. Ill Tell You What is a 3-year-old filly out of the Score Quick mare Quicksoni, was bred by Kendall Mann, is owned by Michael Cavanaugh, Mann and Gary Stute and is trained by Stute. She ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.29 and won by 3 ¼ lengths at odds of 6-1. ...
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By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com There has been plenty of uninformed speculation about California Chrome’s English adventure and whether it will turn out to be excellent or not. Just for a change of pace, how about a little informed speculation on the subject? John Gosden knows the American racehorse better than any top British trainer working today. After all, he had to deal with them for the first decade of his career, during which time he trained champions Royal Heroine, a European transplant, and Bates Motel, who was American through and through. Back in his native Britain, Gosden has won the Epsom Derby, the Epsom Oaks, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas (for a total of 3,000 Guineas), two runnings of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and four runnings of the English St. Leger. He was champion trainer there in 2012, and in 2014 he campaigned a pair of Cartier champions: the 3-year-old filly Taghrooda and the 3-year-old colt Kingman, who was also Horse of the Year. Both Kingman... ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 10, 2015) – Northern California trainer William J. Morey, Jr., a member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame (class of 2014), died Friday morning at a rehabilitation facility in Los Altos after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Morey was 74. A native of San Francisco, Mr. Morey grew up in San Carlos and attended the races at Bay Meadows with his father. As a teenager, Mr. Morey got a job as a hot walker at the now defunct San Mateo racetrack. Mr. Morey received his official trainer’s license in 1970 and won his first race that year at Pleasanton with Crimson Flag. Mr. Morey would go on to become a mainstay in Northern California racing and, according to Equibase, amassed the following career statistics: 7,885 starts, 1,347 wins, 1,290 seconds, 1,180 thirds, and $22,415,416 in earnings. Mr. Morey won 67 stakes, including eight graded events. Mr. Morey’s top stakes stars were millionaires Dixie Dot Com (winner of four graded stakes... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2015) – Guy Code is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 San Pedro Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Guy Code is by Blazonry, out of the Gone West mare Stayingalive, was bred by Running Horse Equine Training and Wellness Center, is owned by Heart Racing Stable and is trained by G.F. Almeida. He has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $77,100 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 5 optional claimer. ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2015) – California stallion Pure Thrill was represented by his first winner on Thursday when Fancy Brandi won the third race at Golden Gate. Fancy Brandi is a 3-year-old filly out of the Richly Blended mare Rich Reality, was bred by Gloria Morton and trained by Ed. Moger Jr. She ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:06.64 and won by a length at odds of 8-1. ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2015) – California-breds won all seven races at Golden Gate on Thursday. The winners were Beautiful Desert, bred by Harris Farms; Sourdough Sam, bred by John Nicoletti; Fancy Brandi, bred by Gloria Morton; Spending Plan, bred by Harris Farms; Double Switch, bred by Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust; Tribal Delight, bred by Pam & Marty Wygod; Himalaya Star, bred by Kullminderpal Gill. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2015) – California Cup Sprint winner Spirit Rules and fellow California-breds San Onofre and Masochistic are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita. Masochistic is by Sought After, out of the Unusual Heat mare Trotinette, was bred by Francoise Dupuis & Louis Julian, is owned by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable and is trained by Ron Ellis. He has four wins in six starts, earnings of $223,850 and is coming off a win in a Feb. 28 optional claimer. San Onofre is by Surf Cat, out of the Native Regent mare Marrakech Gold, was bred by Bruce Headley, is owned by Matson Racing and trained by Karen Headley. He has four wins in six starts, earnings of $195,040 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 24 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. California Cup Sprint winner Spirit Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the Danzatore mare Heavenly Lady, was bred by John and Allegra Ernst,... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2015) – Stakes winner Go West Marie and fellow California-breds Home Journey and Heavens Stairway are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita. Home Journey is by Good Journey, out of the Came Home mare Goodtobehome, was bred by Mark and Daryle Ann Giardano and John Elick, is owned by GGG Stabales and Russell Sarno and is trained by Mike Puype. She has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $219,920 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 24 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. Go West Marie is by Western Fame, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie’s Rose, was bred by Summer Mayberry, is owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Eddie Truman. She has six wins in 18 starts, earnings of $462,520 and is coming off a three consecutive wins. Heavens Stairway is by Decarchy, out of the River Flyer mare Kind Friends, was bred by Joshua Litt and AJM Racing, is owned by AJM... ...
Read More →By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2015) – California Chrome, second in the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 28, is scheduled to resume training this weekend in Newmarket, England, in advance of a spring campaign in that country. Alan Sherman, assistant to his father, trainer Art Sherman, said California Chrome will be in light training with trainer Rae Guest before starting more extensive exercise next week. The main racing goal is the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf June 17 at Royal Ascot, with a possible start in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at a straightaway mile May 16 at Newbury Racecourse. The winner of the Eclipse Award as the 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome will train at Guest’s facility this weekend before moving to the more expansive Newmarket training facilities next week, Alan Sherman said. Sherman has been in contact with Guest and plans to travel to England in early May to watch California Chrome train. Sherman and Guest... ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 7, 2015) — Bill Garr, a Southern California-based radio broadcaster whose shows included morning scratches, interviews, plus calls and results, died last week at the age of 98, according to his daughter, Jeannie Garr Roddy. Garr had been retired for years and had been in poor health, preventing him from coming to the track he loved most, Santa Anita. It was from there where, in the pre-internet days, fans would tune in to Garr in the morning to hear that day’s scratches, tune in at midday for the daily double, and tune in at night for the call of the feature race, followed by a recap of the day’s results. He’d also host a call-in show on Saturday mornings, all for years on local station KIEV in Southern California. Garr’s first live show from Santa Anita was broadcast on Dec. 26, 1959. For nearly four decades, he broadcast his show – a forerunner of today’s racing shows – from Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Del... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2015) – California-breds Melanistic and Uzziel are entered in Friday’s $75,000 Santa Lucia Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Melanistic is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Charismatic mare Back Door Girl, was bred by Ron Goodman, is owned by Abbondanza Racing and trained by Richard Baltas. She has 11 wins in 43 starts, earnings of $274,764 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 22 Dream of Summer. She broke her maiden in a $2,500 claimer at Los Alamitos in 2012. Uzziel is by Harlington, out of the Lord At War mare Pretti Woman, was bred by owners James and Tammy McKenney and is trained by J. Keith Desormeaux. She has four wins in 13 starts, earnings of $223,138 and is coming off a fourth in the Mar. 14 Santa Margarita. ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 4, 2015)–With a dramatic late surge, trainer Phil D’Amato’s Sheer Pleasure overtook Grand Yodeler to win Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length. A 3-year-old California-bred filly by Birdonthewire, Sheer Pleasure was ridden by Tyler Baze and covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.09. Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and RM Racing, Sheer Pleasure, who unseated her jockey after stumbling at the break of her most recent start on March 6, was off at 8-1 and paid $18.20, $9.60 and $6.20. Bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, LLC, Sheer Pleasure got her second win from four starts and with the winner’s cut of $110,000, increased her earnings to $147,450. Next to last going to the quarter pole in a field of 12 sophomore fillies bred or sired in California, Sheer Pleasure split horses five-wide turning for home and smoked home the final three sixteenths of a mile. “She kind of got... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 4, 2015)–Heavily favored Gimme Da Lute sat second early and marched to an emphatic 5 ¼ length win in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Ridden by Martin Garcia and conditioned by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old colt by Midnight Lute stopped the clock in a rapid 1:14.64 for 6 ½ furlongs. Off as the even money favorite in a field of nine sophomores bred or sired in California, Gimme Da Lute paid $4.00, $2.60 and $2.20. Owned by his breeders, Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, Gimme Da Lute notched his second win from three starts, with the only blemish on his resume a nose defeat against open maiden company in his first start on Jan. 31. With the winner’s share of $110,000, Gimme Da Lute’s earnings now stand at $158,160. “Winning in California is always great, especially having a Cal-bred here,” said Pegram, who also owned the colt’s sire, Midnight Lute, his dam,... ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2015) – Forest Command was represented by his first winner on Friday when Valdoura’s Command won the eighth race at Golden Gate. Valdoura’s Command, a 3-year-old filly, is out of the Valanour mare Valdoura and was bred by owner Four Quarters. She ran the six furlongs in 1:12.09 and won by 1 ½ lengths at odds of 8-1. ...
Read More →By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2015) – California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, may have a 2015 campaign that more closely resembles that of a Formula 1 car than a top-class Thoroughbred racehorse. On Thursday, trainer Art Sherman said California Chrome is likely to have two starts in England in the coming months – the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 16 and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17. Later in the year, majority owner Perry Martin has mentioned foreign races such as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Oct. 4 and the Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 29 as long-term possibilities. That could be subject to change, pending results in England, Sherman said. “I don’t think we’ll see this horse back here in California,” Sherman said between races at Santa Anita. “They’re talking about so many races. The horse will have to be a super horse to do what he wants.” California Chrome has run twice this year,... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2015) — California Chrome‘s jockey and trainer, Victor Espinoza and Art Sherman, received the Hartack Award and the Neiman Award, respectively, at Santa Anita Park April 2. The Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation annually presents those awards to the jockey and trainer of the previous year’s Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner. Espinoza thanked Sherman not only for putting him on California Chrome, but also for giving him mounts early in his career in Northern California. “Life is amazing,” said Espinoza in accepting the Hartack Award. “Who ever thought that I would win the Kentucky Derby (Presented by Yum! Brands!) for Art when I was riding in San Francisco? He was one of the trainers who helped me. I really wanted to win the Kentucky Derby for Art.” The Foundation was created to keep alive the memory of the late Bill Hartack, the Hall of Fame jockey who rode five Kentucky Derby winners. Contributions at the Hartack Award event each year benefit a charity, and Espinoza chose the City... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com NEWMARKET, England (Apr. 2, 2015) — California Chrome arrived in Newmarket April 1 and is settling in at the yard of trainer Rae Guest, who will supervise the U.S. Horse of the Year’s preparations for a tilt at Royal Ascot. After finishing second behind Prince Bishop in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), the 4-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit is expected to race in the June 17 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (ENG-I), but could first start May 16 in the J.T. Lockinge Stakes (ENG-I) at Newbury, where he would meet Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) winnerKarakontie. Art Sherman will remain the trainer of record for last year’s winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I), while his son and assistant trainer Alan Sherman has scheduled a trip to Guest’s yard to check up on the stable star in about a month. BALAN: Sherman: Ascot Could be Rough on ‘Chrome’ Guest issued a positive update on the well-being of California Chrome following his arrival in Britain, according to the... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2015) – Stakes winner Long Hot Summer leads a field of 13 entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Generous Portion stakes winner Long Hot Summer is by Street Boss, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Hotlantic, was bred by Harris Farms and Donald Valpredo, is owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino and is trained by Phil D’Amato. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $145,580 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 19 optional claimer. Niassa is by Papa Clem, out of the Tale of the Cat mare Glamour Cat, was bred by owners Barbara and Jack Owens and is trained by William Morey. She has three wins in six starts, earnings of $114,680 and is coming off a fourth in the Feb. 7 California Oaks. Desert Thief is by Desert Code, out of the Cat Thief mare Daylight Thief, was bred by Caesar Dominguez and William Foltz, is owned... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2015) – Unbeaten Richard’s Boy leads a field of nine in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Rocko’s Wheel is by Grazen, out of the Double Honor mare Honored Gold, was bred by Jimmy Ukegawa and Mike Mitchell, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing and Ukegawa and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He is coming off a maiden win Mar. 8 in his second start with earnings of $35,100. Pay the Fine is by Square Eddie, out of the Wild Rush mare Heckuva Rush, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He is a maiden making his third start with earnings of $11,450. McHeat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Half a Year mare Style of theYear, was bred by owner Madeline Auerbach and is trained by Barry Abrams. He is coming off a Mar. 22 maiden win in his fourth start with earnings of $38,330. Richard’s Boy is by Idiot... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2015) – Multiple stakes winner Singing Kitty is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Singing Kitty is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare natural Singer R N, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Chris Aulds and Peter Jeong and is trained by Matthew Chew. She has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $235,378 and is coming off a back-to-back stakes wins. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2015) – Spanish Queen is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Spanish Queen is by Tribal Rule, out of the Unusual Heat mare Spanish Bunny, was bred by owners Jack Nakkashian, Harry Bedarian & Harout Kamberian and is trained by Richard Baltas. She won her lone start Mar. 5 and has earnings of $33,600. ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com The following is a statement from Perry Martin, majority owner of Horse of the Year California Chrome, regarding a decision to send the 4-year-old colt to compete at Royal Ascot following his runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). Managing the racing career of a stallion prospect is much different than managing a gelding or a mare. The considerations for selecting races are: the notoriety, surface, distance, and sphere of influence. Many in America overlook that last one. Breeding of horses is an international business with many regional niches. Stallion value can be increased by demonstrating superior performance at different distances and over different surfaces at elite venues. Royal Ascot is such an elite venue and we are honored to be invited. The opportunity is not without risk—however, I believe the risk to be minimal. Chrome’s bloodlines descend from A.P. Indy. This line is known for superior dirt performance. However it is looked down on by the regions of the world dominated by turf racing. Chrome’s stallion... ...
Read More →By DRF.com California Chrome has taken up residence in the Newmarket yard of trainer Rae Guest, will get a break from serious training, and could make his next start May 16 in the J.T. Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, where he would meet Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie. The decision to send California Chrome to England from Dubai, where he finished second Saturday night to Prince Bishop in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, apparently was made by majority owner Perry Martin. Minority owner Steve Coburn preferred an American campaign for the 2014 Horse of the Year, while trainer Art Sherman only found out Sunday morning that California Chrome would not be returning to California from Dubai. Sherman will remain the trainer of record for California Chrome. His son and assistant, Alan, is scheduled to travel to England and check on the colt in about one month, according to Guest. Robbie Mills, who works as an exercise rider for Sherman, will ride California Chrome when he resumes training later this month,... ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2015) – The California-bred Turf Extravaganza will be held Sunday, Apr. 26 at Golden Gate. The inaugural event features two stakes races and two allowances races with purses totaling nearly $275,000: $100,000 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at one mile on turf. $37,000 Turf Allowance for Cal-bred or Cal-sired fillies 3-and-up. $37,000 Turf Allowance for Cal-bred or Cal-sired 3-and-up. Come and join us to celebrate Cal-breds in the beautiful and private Directors’ Room. The Directors’ Room offers all the amenities of the Turf Club with the addition of a private dining area, private restrooms, delicious buffet, private auto tote wagering and a private bar. Guests of the Directors’ Room are also treated to a welcome glass of champagne to begin your day at the races in style. The price of the party is $100 per person or tables of four or six are available. The price includes... ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2015) – A program to financially reward owners and trainers for bringing race-ready horses to Del Mar expands to the entire Southern California circuit on Thursday. Known as “Ship and Win,” the program has two levels of incentives – a 30 percent purse bonus in a horse’s first start in an overnight race and a $1,000 appearance fee for a horse’s first start in Southern California. Horses are eligible if they have not raced in California in the last year and are not first-time starters. The incentives will be available at Del Mar, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita. “This is a way to encourage owners who were thinking of shipping a horse here,” said Rick Hammerle, Santa Anita’s racing secretary. “Now that it’s year-round, you don’t have to wait for a certain time frame.” In 2011, the program’s first year, 107 horses from outside of California were eligible for the bonuses at the Del Mar summer meeting, and that rose to 187 horses last... ...
Read More →By Paulick Report Rae Guest may not be well-known to horse racing fans in North America, but that may change in the next few months. The Newmarket-based trainer has been put in charge of day-to-day conditioning of U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome, and will oversee the colt’s preparations for a possible start at Royal Ascot in June. “It’s a great honor to have him and we’re very lucky to be that close to a Kentucky Derby winner,” Guest told Racing UK. While a tilt at Royal Ascot had been hinted at by the ownership connections of California Chrome, the decision to move the dual classic winner to England so early – and out of the care of regular trainer, Art Sherman, came as a surprise to many. Guest, a former jockey who has been training since 1988, indicated that the transfer of ‘Chrome’ to his stable came about through Chris Mills, who has horses with Guest. Mills’ son, Robbie, worked for Art Sherman in California a few years... ...
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From Equibase LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 30, 2015) — Equibase Company announced today that, effective immediately, it will include in its data feeds, result charts and Equibase past performance products information on claims that were subsequently voided. The voided claim information is also being made available to tracks for inclusion in race programs nationwide. “As specific voided claim rules have become more prevalent at racetracks in North America, it made sense to broaden the dissemination of the information as a service to the betting public,” said Hank Zeitlin, president and chief operating officer of Equibase. Claimed horses, which are denoted with a ‘c’ at the end of the race information within Equibase past performances, now include a ‘v’ to indicate when the claim was subsequently voided. The result charts on equibase.com are denoted with “claim voided” text and also include the recorded reason for the voided claim. Equibase also announced that effective immediately result charts available on equibase.com now include the full race conditions for all races. ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2015) — Trainer Art Sherman didn’t give the decision to send Horse of the Year California Chrome to England a ringing endorsement the morning of March 29. Hours after it was announced the 4-year-old’s owners intend on sending him to race at Royal Ascot, the California-based trainer—who also wasn’t shy about expressing his opposition to sending the colt to Dubai after last year’s Breeders’ Cup—went on the Roger Stein Show, a radio program in the Los Angeles area. BALAN: California Chrome Headed to Royal Ascot “(Majority owner Perry Martin) thinks the horse will do good because he’s won on the grass, but it was a different grass,” Sherman said on the radio, referring to California Chrome’s victory in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) in November at Del Mar, his only start on turf to date. “They don’t realize the horses that are going to be involved, they go (clockwise), he’s got to learn to go the opposite way, and everything. It’s going to be... ...
Read More →By Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2015) — California Chrome will take the long way home. After a second-place finish in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, California Chrome will go directly to Newmarket, England, to prepare for a start at Royal Ascot, according to co-owner Perry Martin. “I’ve talked to (trainer) Art (Sherman) and I’ve decided we are going to Royal Ascot directly from here,” Martin said via e-mail after Saturday’s World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. “We will train at Newmarket were (European champion) Frankel trained. Then, we’ll do our best at Royal Ascot.” Making only his second start of his 4-year-old season, California Chrome finished second in the World Cup to Prince Bishop, who is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. The runner-up effort was still worth $2 million for California Chrome. He is owned by Perry and Denise Martin of Yuba City and Steve and Carolyn Coburn of Topaz Lake, Nev. “We are so proud of Chrome,” Perry Martin added. “With everything... ...
Read More →By DRF.com DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Mar. 28, 2015) – Prince Bishop ran in the 2011 World Cup, the edition won by Victoire Pisa, and finished 10th. He ran in the 2012 World Cup, with Monterosso leading a local sweep in the synthetic-surface race, and finished seventh. The next year on World Cup Night, he ran up the track in the Sheema Classic, and last year, in his third crack at the World Cup, Prince Bishop finished ninth, beaten more than 11 lengths. The switch from the old Tapeta all-weather track to dirt this year at Meydan figured to do Prince Bishop no favors, and surely, at age 8, time was nipping at his hooves. Yet there was Prince Bishop on Saturday night at Meydan, running past the 2014 U.S. Horse of the Year, California Chrome, to keep the World Cup trophy at home for the fourth time in the six years of racing at Meydan. California Chrome’s payoff was a cool $2 million. He also battled bravely in defeat,... ...
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From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2015) — The late Harris Farms stallion Thorn Song, a multiple Grade I winner, was represented by his first winner when Dream Serenade won the second race at Los Alamitos Saturday night. Dream Serenade, a filly out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Kalookan Dream, was bred by her owner Jon P. Denson and graduated in her fifth lifetime start. Bred in Kentucky by Pinnacle Racing LLC and Taylor Made Farm Inc., Thorn Song won eight of 29 starts including the Shadwell Turf Mile S.-G1 and the Shoemaker Mile S.-G1, and earned $1,132,700. Racing for Zayat Stables from 2005-2009, the big gray was trained by Dale Romans and Mike Mitchell. He sired four crops (including foals of 2015) while standing at Harris Farms. ...
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From Ballena Vista Farm DUBAI, UAE (March 28, 2015) — Dual Breeders’ Cup champion Secret Circle struck the front three-wide with a quarter mile to race, and gamely held off a late challenge to win the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen-G1 by a head. With the victory, the 6-year-old son of California stallion Eddington collected $1.2 million, increasing his lifetime earnings to $3,670,790, and further embellishing a superb record of eight wins, six seconds and one third in 16 starts for owners Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman and Karl Watson. His time of 1:10.64 for the 1,200-meter event established the track record for the new Meydan dirt track and gave trainer Bob Baffert and Victor Espinoza their first victories in the Grade I event. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2015) – California stallion Sundarban was represented by his first winner Friday when Howdy won the third race at Santa Anita, a maiden special weight for Cal-breds. Howdy is a 3-year-old colt out of the Momentum mare Foxy Babe, was bred by Crystal Valley Farm, is owned by Ciaglia Racing and Crystal Valley Farm and is trained by Peter Eurton. Howdy ran the mile in 1:36.85 and won by 5 ¼ lengths at odds of 2-1. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2015) – Storm Fighter and fellow California-bred stakes winner Rousing Sermon are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Storm Fighter is by Stormin Fever, out of the Deputy Commander mare Throne Seeker, was bred by Larry Mabee, is owned by Golden Eagle Farm and is trained by Bruce Headley. He has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $164,218 and is coming off a sixth in a Feb. 6 optional claimer. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has six wins in 32 starts, earnings of $816,042 and is coming off a Feb. 20 optional claiming win. He is also entered in Saturday’s Tokyo City Cup. ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 27, 2015) — California Chrome is rapidly morphing from “California rock star” status to “worldwide brand” and, if he does his part in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) on March 28, his connections are ready to give him the stage that status would deserve. Still, they admit they a little humbled and a little awed about it all. For trainer Art Sherman, a former jockey and veteran of decades of day-in, day-out racing, California Chrome’s victories in the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Preakness Stakes (both gr. I) were the fulfillment of a dream. “It has definitely been a dream come true for us,” Sherman said during a news conference at the plush, sprawling Meydan Racecourse complex shortly after arriving in Dubai. “You know, growing up in America, the one race you want to win is the Kentucky Derby and he did that. And everything else has kind of been a bonus. “It has just been an amazing ride. We don’t have all... ...
Read More →By DRF.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 26, 2015) — The story was told a thousand times during the 2014 Triple Crown, how a young Art Sherman had traveled by train from California to Louisville with the great Swaps in 1955. The trip Sherman took this week offered less grist for myth. It traded a dim train car smelling of horse for a business-class sleeper seat and all the free champagne one could stomach. Thousands more miles were covered in far less time, and instead of mainly glory waiting at the end of the line, there sits a vast pot of dollars, the biggest in the world, in fact. They would have it no other way here in this posh emirate. The lovable, affable Sherman blew into Dubai this week and found waiting his trusty assistant and son, Alan, the minor celebrity exercise rider Willie Delgado, and yes, the horse, too. California Chrome will try Saturday night to win the $10 million Dubai World Cup. The biggest American equine celebrity since Zenyatta... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2015) – Multiple stakes winner Rousing Sermon and fellow California-bred Image of Joplin are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Tokyo City Cup Stakes at Santa Anita. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has six wins in 32 starts, earnings of $816,042 and is coming off a Feb. 20 optional claimer win. Image of Joplin is by Southern Image, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms, is owned by Lucas Downs and trained by Matthew Chew. He has four wins in 19 starts, earnings of $100,657 and is coming off a fourth in a Feb. 25 optional claimer. ...
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From Barretts ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2015) — As part of a pilot out-of-competition testing (OOCT) program, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) will be collecting hair, urine and blood samples from horses to be sold at this year’s Barretts May Sale. This pilot program will not impact the Conditions of Sale for the May venue, and efforts will be made to minimize the inconvenience to both horses and consignors. The test results will not affect the sale of any horses at this auction. “We are pleased to be working closely with the CHRB as it explores a new OOCT standard for the sales industry” said Barretts General manager Kim Lloyd. “The preservation of the integrity and credibility of sales programs is a top priority. Barretts will assist the CHRB with the process of introducing and implementing the OOCT pilot protocols at the upcoming May Sale.” ...
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By DRF.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 25, 2015) — Claim a maiden for $20,000, and the last thing a person can realistically expect is to have a future stakes winner. Or a future Grade 1 stakes winner. Or a horse good enough to send to Dubai for Saturday’s $2 million Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse. All of that so-called logic has vanished in the last 20 months for owners Tom Mansor and Brendan Bakir and trainer Richard Baltas. Big Macher, their former maiden claimer, is a Grade 1 winner starting in the Golden Shaheen. “He’s been nothing but a blessing,” Baltas said last week before traveling to Dubai. “He has defied the odds.” On Saturday, Big Macher will be one of three American-based runners in the Golden Shaheen, including the New York stakes winner Salutos Amigos and Secret Circle, who won the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. :: DUBAI WORLD CUP: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s Meydan card live Big Macher has won 6 of 15 starts and $557,678, highlighted... ...
Read More →By DRF.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 25, 2015) — The California-bred with the humble pedigree and the first-time, one-in-a-million owners always has been a racing outsider, and so it will be Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse when California Chrome breaks from post 9 in the $10 million Dubai World Cup. A final field of nine was announced and post positions drawn late Wednesday afternoon at Meydan, and California Chrome will be loaded last into post 9. There does not appear to be a great deal of pace in the World Cup, and though inside posts have done better than outside during the Meydan racing season, California Chrome should be just fine provided he and jockey Victor Espinoza break cleanly and secure a favorable forward position before hitting the first turn. “The horse has some serious speed,” co-owner Steve Coburn said after the draw. “He can get out there.” :: DUBAI WORLD CUP: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s Meydan card live Outside may well be better than inside for California Chrome, the derailment... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Mar. 24, 2015) — Enrique Cantarell Diaz’s Amanecer Serrano was a convincing 2 1/4-length victor March 21 at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico and became the first winner for California-based freshman sire Sierra Sunset. The Mexico-bred chestnut colt was guided by William Antongeorgi III and was timed in :27.80 for the 2 1/2-furlong contest that drew seven contenders. His dam is Big Daddy’s Lady, by The Daddy. Sierra Sunset, a 10-year-old son of Bertrando out of Toot Sweet, by Pirate’s Bounty, stands for a 2015 fee of $2,500 at Paradise Road Ranch in near Tracy, Calif. He has 30 2-year-olds in his first crop. Winner of the 2008 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park among four stakes winners overall, including the 2007 California Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park, Sierra Sunset compiled a 5-3-1 career line from 14 starts and bankrolled lifetime earnings of $459,696. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90866/colt-first-winner-for-ca-based-sierra-sunset#ixzz3VMaaZ5v6 ...
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By Emily Shields When the late horse trainer John Roche asked Roy Guinnane to claim a horse with him, Guinnane felt in over his head. “I didn’t even know what claiming was,” Guinnane said. Not one to sit back and let an opportunity pass him by, Guinnane dove in and returned home with both a newly claimed Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse. “Within three months I had 13 horses,” he said. “Then I was buying weanlings and yearlings, and traveling to Kentucky to get mares in foal.” Guinnane, a 59-year-old resident of San Francisco, went from a racing novice to a regular at the sales in just a short while. Now he is represented on the track by dual stakes winner Marino’s Wild Cat, maintains a string of 25 horses, and runs a construction company in Northern California. His GCCI Thoroughbreds stands for Guinnane Construction Company Inc., which is his livelihood outside the game. “I actually love working,”Guinnane said. “I’m not one of these people who sits behind a desk... ...
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From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 24, 2015) — Click here to view the 2014 NTRA Legislative Action Campaign Annual Report. Features of the report include: · List of 2014 contributors · Federal legislative summary Contributor comments Photo collage of NTRA-attended industry events · Videos that explain NTRA fundraising programs · Contributor/membership benefits summary The NTRA proudly serves the industry on Capitol Hill. Our federal legislative team is there every day to advocate for the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. Thank you to all who supported this effort through the NTRA’s fundraising programs in 2014. Please forward this annual report to friends and colleagues who share your enthusiasm for our industry. ...
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From The Jockey Club DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 24, 2015) — How will Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome fare when he takes on a field of international standouts in the Dubai World Cup? A national television audience will find out Saturday, March 28, when The Jockey Club Tour on FOX Sports 1 airs the world’s richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup from Meydan Racecourse, for a second consecutive year. The show will air from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. EDT on FOX Sports 1, and FOX Sports Go. The telecast will feature live interviews conducted in Dubai by analyst Simon Bray as well as commentary and color from Greg Wolf, Richard Migliore, Andy Serling and Alyssa Ali in the FOX Sports studio in Los Angeles. “The Dubai World Cup generated the largest audience we had for our FOX series last year, and we expect even greater interest this year due to the presence of a horse as well known and as popular as California Chrome,” said Jason Wilson,... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 24, 2015) — With exercise rider Dana Barnes in tow, Dubai World Cup contender California Chrome breezed a half mile early Tuesday morning in :50 over a fast Meydan main track. “He got the last eighth in 11 seconds,” said Alan Sherman, assistant and son of trainer Art Sherman. “We just wanted to stretch his legs. If he’s not fit by now, it’s too late.” With all six of his wins as a 3-year-old coming against restricted company, California Chrome took full advantage of his sophomore season to claim Eclipse Award honors as Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male, but Sherman believes he can be as successful now that he is facing older horses. “He’s not a real heavy horse but I do think he’s grown into his 4-year-old season and that he’s a lot stronger,” Sherman said. “I’m just glad the owners (Steve Coburn and Perry Martin) decided to run him another year.” Jockey Victor Espinoza, who has partnered with Chrome for... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 23, 2015) — Steve Coburn and Perry Martin’s California Chrome, the likely Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) favorite, continued his preparation for Saturday’s race by galloping 2,400 meters over the Meydan dirt oval on Monday morning. According to assistant trainer Alan Sherman, the 4-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit will breeze a quarter mile Tuesday morning at approximately 5 a.m. local time “He seems to be handling the track well but we will know a little more after the work,” Sherman said. “He has run well on every track he has ever been on so it’s not a big concern.” A nine-time winner with grade I wins in the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Hollywood Derby on his resume, California Chrome would eclipse the US$10 million mark in career earnings with a win on Saturday. “I’m just glad the owners decided to run him another year,” Sherman said. “The Dubai World Cup has always been on (co-owner Martin) Perry’s radar.” Steve Coburn and 77-year-old... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 22, 2015)–Odds-on favorite Wild in the Saddle made short work of three California-bred or sired fillies and mares in taking Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible by 6 ¼ lengths under Rafael Bejarano. Trained by Richard Baltas, the 6-year-old mare by Silic was attentive to a fast pace and took charge midway around the far turn en route to getting a flat mile in 1:36.73. Ridden by Elvis Trujillo, Sudden Sunday, who broke from the inside, was hustled to a narrow advantage over the winner into and around the Club House turn, but Wild in the Saddle opened up leaving the quarter pole and the Dream of Summer was over. “The trainer told me to go to the lead, but when I saw Sudden Sunday rushing too much into the first turn, I just decided to let her go,” said Bejarano. “My horse doesn’t have to be on the lead and the way she was going I didn’t... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2015)–In his first-ever graded stakes assignment, California-bred Ashleyluvssugar out-dueled heavily favored Finnegans Wake to win Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths under Gary Stevens. Trained by Peter Eurton, Ashleyluvssugar bested seven other older horses in negotiating 1 ½ miles on turf in 2:25.78. Well back in fifth position into the Club House turn, Ashleyluvssugar, who came off of an allowance win going 1 1/8 miles on turf Feb. 5, raced as a team with the favorite three-wide around the far turn and when Stevens went to his left handed stick at the furlong pole, the 4-year-old gelding by Game Plan seemingly found another gear and spurted clear. “I watched his last race, when Mike (Smith, who was away today to ride at Turfway Park) was on him and he battled back then too,” said Stevens. “Those were different kinds of horses but he really came back for Mike when he went left handed with the whip.... ...
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LAUREL, Md. (Mar. 21, 2015) – Eddy Gourmet, a Maryland-bred daughter of California stallion Eddington, won Saturday’s $83,500 Conniver Stakes for fillies and mares at Laurel Park. Eddy Gourmet has six wins in 25 starts, earnings of $289,110 and was coming off a Feb. 8 optional claiming win. This was her stakes debut. She ran the seven furlongs in 1:23.50 and won by 7 ¾ lengths at odds of 7-2. ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2015) — Los Alamitos and Santa Anita are trying to settle a conflict over which track will host racing on the last weekend of September. Los Alamitos is scheduled to hold a September meeting on behalf of the Los Angeles County Fair from Thursday, Sept. 10 through Friday, Sept. 25, but is seeking to add Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27. Santa Anita is scheduled to open its autumn meeting on Sept. 26. The track was granted that weekend of racing when the California Horse Racing Board issued a calendar for the 2014 and 2015 seasons in September 2013. Racing dates for the last Saturday and Sunday of September were issued to Santa Anita with the expectation the Breeders’ Cup would be held in Southern California this year. The Breeders’ Cup later awarded the two days of championship races to Keeneland in Kentucky. As a result, Los Alamitos has asked the racing board to extend its September meeting through Sept. 27. The track... ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2015) — A good horse can come from anywhere, and have any kind of pedigree. But good horses occur far more rarely from unfashionable pedigrees than from those replete with the heavy black type of graded stakes winners. That is why the California Chromes of our small, insular world make such wonderful, populist stories. It also is why we must celebrate the Grade 1 success of horses such as Warren’s Veneda, winner of the Santa Margarita Handicap on March 14 at Santa Anita. Warren’s Veneda is the best horse bred by California businessman Benjamin C. Warren, who was once the largest Thoroughbred breeder in California. He bred more than 100 foals per year in the first decade of the 21st century but got out of the breeding business in 2012. Warren’s Veneda comes from the penultimate crop of horses bred by Warren, and her pedigree is typical of the cheaply bred horses his operation generally produced. Her sire, Affirmative, was once believed to be... ...
Read More →By DRF.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 20, 2015) — Alan Sherman, the son and main assistant of trainer Art Sherman, traveled with California Chrome to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, to Baltimore for the Preakness, and to Long Island, N.Y., for the Belmont Stakes. The three Triple Crown stops all have their particular charms and quirks. But none would have prepared him for his latest trip with the 2014 Horse of the Year – to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. “It’s different, I’ll say that,” Sherman said by phone Friday morning from Dubai. But good news: California Chrome seems no different to Sherman. He and 15 other American-based horses arrived in Dubai on Wednesday after a 19-hour journey, and California Chrome took the trip without issue. “He seems to be good,” Sherman said. “He’s a good traveler, and he’s in good shape.” California Chrome is one of two U.S.-based horses scheduled to start in the $10 million Dubai World Cup next Saturday at Meydan. Also slated for the big race is Lea,... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2015) – Stakes winner Sweet Marini is the linely favorite in Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Anniversary Kitty is by Tribal Rule, out of the Bertrando mare Justanotherblonde, was bred by Mike Abraham, is owned by Highlander Racing Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds and is trained by Craig Dollase. She has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $131,058 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 28 optional claimer. Sudden Sunday is by Bertrando, out of the General Meeting mare Sunday Dress, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steve Miyadi, She has five wins in 24 starts, earnings of $193,039 and is coming off a Mar. 13 optional claiming win. Melanistic is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Charismatic mare Back Door Girl, was bred by Ron Goodman, is owned by Abbondanza Racing and trained by Richard Baltas. She has 11 wins in 42 starts, earnings of... ...
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Ag Day photo gallery: SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2015) – Ag Day at the California Capitol was held Wednesday and California Thoroughbred Breeders Association was there, representing breeders and offering legislators information on the vital role the Thoroughbred industry plays in the state’s agricultural economy. CTBA past Presidents Sue Greene and Leigh Ann Howard, along with event coordinator Christy Chapman promoted the sport and educated visitors to the CTBA booth on general horse facts and Thoroughbred racing and breeding in California. Among the legislators that visited the booth were Assemblymembers Jim Frazier, Matt Harper, Brian Maienschein, Chad Mayes, Brian Jones, Marc Levine and Rudy Salas; Senators Tom Berryhill, Mike Morrell, Ted Gaines, Frank Bigelow, Jim Nielson; Speaker of the House Toni Atkins; Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross and CTBA lobbyist Robyn Black. Legislators were able to visit with an 18-day-old orphan by Eddington, out of the mare Mistical Bel, being nursed by 20-year-old surrogate mare Rollete. ...
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 19 2015) — John McGary is returning as the track announcer for the California Authority of Racing Fairs in 2015. McGary, who called races on the fair circuit from 2000-05, will be in the booth for the Alameda County Fair (Pleasanton), California State Fair (Sacramento), Humboldt County Fair (Ferndale), San Joaquin County Fair (Stockton), and Big Fresno Fair (Fresno). He will also prepare the morning lines for each meet and host handicapping seminars. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the fairs and consider myself very fortunate to be able to return,” McGary said. “I’m excited to be back.” McGary currently serves as track announcer at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Ohio and has more than 20 years experience as a racetrack announcer, publicity professional, odds maker, and paddock race analyst at several tracks including Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, where he worked from 2005-14. “We are pleased to introduce John as the voice of the Northern California racing fair circuit,” said Christopher Korby, executive... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2015), Ashleyluvssugar is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s 200,000 Grade II San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita. Ashleyluvssugar is by Game Plan, out of the Urgent Request mare Ashley’s Folly, was bred by owners Estate of Alesia, BranJam Stables & Ciaglia Racing and is trained by Peter Eurton. He has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $215,504 and is coming off a Feb. 5 optional claiming win. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2015) – Temple Keys is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Temple Keys is by Temple City, out of the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Camas Creek, was bred by Linda Madsen& Joy Seifert, is owned by JK Racing and trained by Thomas Proctor. He has one win in five starts, earnings of $49,810 and is coming off a Feb. 13 maiden win. ...
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 18, 2015) – Defending champion Warren’s Knockout and fellow California-bred Omar are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. Warren’s Knockout is by Stormed, out of the Doneraile Court mare Now My Precious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Len Schermer and trained by Justin Evans. He has 10 wins in 36 starts, earnings of $428,757 and is coming off a fourth in the Sept. 7 Premier Cup. He won this race last year and was second in 2013. Omar is by Bertrando, out of the Beau Genius mare Perfect Doll, was bred by Omar Aldabbagh, is owned by Randy Exelby, Running Rabbit, Rick and TG Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has eight wins in 24 starts, earnings of $148,017 and is coming off a third in the Feb. 14 Phoenix Gold Cup. ...
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 18, 2015) – No Tricks for Jack is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s 100,000 Harry Henson Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. No Tricks for Jack is by Jackpot, out of the Mazel Trick mare Swift Trick, was bred by Vessels Stallion Farm, is owned by J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Henry Dominguez. She has 13 wins in 42 starts, earnings of $191,552 and is coming off a three consecutive wins. ...
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LAUREL, Md. (Mar. 18, 2015) – Bodhisattva is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms Stakes for 3-year-olds at Laurel Park. 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 two wins in nine starts, earnings of $85,095 and is coming off a fourth in the Feb. 16 Miracle Wood. ...
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By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2015) — With the mixed feelings of a man about to plunge into the dark unknown, Art Sherman bade a temporary farewell to California Chrome on Tuesday morning at Los Alamitos while keeping clear of the crew loading the 2014 Horse of the Year onto a van parked in a remote corner of the stables. “I get too nervous with all that kind of stuff,” Sherman said. “It’s for the best if I just stay out of their way. Otherwise, it might be contagious.” Sherman was dealing with what was merely the first leg of a long journey to Dubai, where California Chrome will compete in the 20th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup on the evening of March 28, Dubai time (11 hours later than Pacific time). California Chrome will be running a counterclockwise 2,000 meters over a recently installed sand-based main track. The money needs no conversion, although the 2,000 meters was a different story. “Just a shade... ...
Read More →By DRF.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (mAR. 18, 2015) — They’re back. After basically saying thanks but no thanks in 2014, when a mere three horses made the trip, U.S.-based horses will travel en masse for the March 28 Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse. Prospective fields for the races provided Tuesday by Dubai Racing Club officials include 16 American horses who were to ship overseas Tuesday. The return of dirt racing this year at Meydan, which had employed an all-weather racing surface since its opening in 2010, spurred the increased participation. The American contingent includes two starters for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, California Chrome and Lea. Donn Handicap winner Constitution had been an intended World Cup runner before injuring a shin, and 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern might have traveled as well had he recovered in time from a foot problem. Still, California Chrome and Lea figure to be the favorites in an expected nine-horse field that also includes two former American runners, Candy Boy and Ron... ...
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From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2015) — The California Horse Racing Board monthly meeting that was scheduled for this Thursday, March 19, at Cal Expo has been canceled. The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held April 16 at Golden Gate Fields. ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 14, 2015)–California-bred Warren’s Veneda firmly established herself as the West Coast’s top older filly or mare with a sensational 7 ¼ length win in Saturday’s Grade I, $400,000 Santa Margarita Stakes, as she negotiated 1 1/8 miles under Tyler Baze in 1:48.73. Conditioned by Craig Lewis, the 5-year-old chestnut mare by Affirmative registered her third win in-a-row and followed up on a career-best 2 ¾ length win in the Grade II Santa Maria Stakes on Feb. 14. Drawn outside in a field of six older fillies and mares, Warren’s Veneda was hung three-wide while last into the Club House turn and cruised to the leaders while in-hand under Baze going to the far turn. Three-wide turning for home she lengthened her considerable stride and put her competition away with a furlong to run. “The last three times I’ve ridden her, she just does things so easy,” said Baze. “I haven’t gotten to the bottom of her yet. There’s so much horse... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 14, 2015) — ”It was an ugly race on my part, but a great result.” So said Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens following Go West Marie’s half length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita, a race in which the California-bred filly trained by Eddie Truman overcame seemingly insurmountable traffic trouble en route to negotiating 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.90. “I didn’t think she’d overcome that traffic that late in the race,” said Truman. “No shot. Gary was just waiting (to find an opening). Any time, right?…and then when they closed the hole coming across the dirt, what’s he going to do? He tried out, he tried in again, and then, zoom. That’s a race horse. What a heart. She is something.” Go West Marie was bred by Summer Mayberry out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie Rose. Off at 7-5 in a field of seven... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2015) — Los Alamitos Race Course‘s most famous resident ran over his home track one last time March 13 in preparation for the world’s richest race. Out on the track all alone, as has been customary since his Triple Crown run, California Chrome worked seven furlongs in an easy 1:23 4/5 in front of a group of about 50 adoring “Chromies,” many sporting the purple and green stable colors of Steve Coburn and Perry Martin’s DAP Racing. It was the final local workout for the 4-year-old son of Lucky Pulipt before shipping to Dubai March 17 for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) coming up March 28 at Meydan Racecourse. “He worked excellent today,” trainer Art Sherman said. “In the final work before Dubai, he looked awesome. It was pretty impressive.” The most impressive fraction was his first six furlongs in 1:10 1/5, along with the fact that the reigning Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male barely seemed to be breathing heavily... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2015) — An incentive program to attract out-of-state horses to race in California that has had success over the past four seasons at Del Mar will expand to the entire Southern California racing circuit April 2. The “Ship and Win” program will apply to horses that have not raced in the past 12 months in California. At Santa Anita Park, Los Alamitos Race Course, and Del Mar, the program will guarantee a $1,000 appearance fee and a 30% enhancement to all purse money earned in the horse’s initial start in the state. Funding for the program will come from the three Southern California racetracks, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and the California Marketing Committee, which is tasked with promoting racing in the state. “Horse recruitment and increasing field size are top priorities for TOC,” TOC president Joe Morris said. “We supported the ‘Ship and Win’ program at Del Mar for the last four years and believe it will be equally successful as a... ...
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By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2015) — The owners and trainers of upwardly mobile older fillies and mares were looking at $700,000 on the table Saturday and a choice between running in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park against champion Untapable or the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita Park against a California-bred winner of one major event who was sired by a $1,000 stallion. Guess which way they went. Larry Jones, who won the Santa Margarita in 2013 with Joyful Victory, put Fox Hill Farm’s Cassatt on the bus to California for her 10th start at her ninth different racetrack. And no, she’s not on the lam from loan sharks. The daughter of Tapit already has won more than 600 grand. Meanwhile, Todd Pletcher scanned his overstuffed shed row and noticed that Dame Dorothy, a daughter of Bernardini, was primed and ready to go for owner Bobby Flay, so it was off to Santa Anita for her as well. “I’d like to think they’re running here because... ...
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From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2015) — The dates for the 2015 May Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age, to be held at the Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego Country, have been changed to: Sale Date: Thursday, May 28 Training Preview Date: Tuesday, May 26 Entries will close on Friday, April 3. Horses of racing age will also be accepted into this sale. ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2015) – Marks Mine attempts to defend her title in Saturday’s $50,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Fast and Foxy is by Thisnearlywasmine, out of the Falstaff mare Zorra Roja, was bred by Daehling Ranch, is owned by Joe Daehling and Holly Evans and is trained by Evans. She has six wins in 20 starts, earnings of 4149,009 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 15 allowance. She was seventh in this race last year. Tabled With Gold is by Formal Gold, out of the Never Tabled mare Tabled with Saros, was bred by Patricia Zacker & Ellen Hughes, is owned by Zacker and trained by Antonio Diaz. She has seven wins in 16 starts, earnings of $114,541 and is coming off a Feb. 15 allowance win. Look Quickly is by Run Away and Hide, out of the Western Fame mare Fame’s Flame, was bred by William Morey Jr., is owned by Morey Family Trust and is trained by... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 11, 2015) – Trained by Eddie Truman, Stakes winner Go West Marie returns Saturday to the surface she has excelled over since joining the Truman barn this past summer, and she heads a field of seven set to go in Saturday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course. Trained by Truman since June 2014, the formerly East Coast-based Go West Marie will again attempt to prove the admonition in her name Saturday having only run out of the money once in eight starts since shipping to California. ‘GWM’ will seek her second win in-a-row down Santa Anita’s downhill turf course in the O’Brien and her third in-a-row since teaming with Hall of Famer Gary Stevens. A winner of the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes Jan. 24 in her last out, she has never been worse than third over the course. “Eddie’s done a great job with this filly,” said Stevens following the... ...
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From Bloodhorse.com WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 11, 2015) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has unveiled its federal legislative agenda for the 114th Congress, which convened in January. The organization said economic issues again dominate the agenda as tax matters re-emerge in the new Congress along with Internet gaming, immigration, and racehorse drug and therapeutic medication regulation and testing. “As always, we focus on legislation that directly affects our members and their Thoroughbred business activities, including horse racing, breeding, and pari-mutuel wagering,” said NTRA president and CEO Alex Waldrop, who directs the association’s lobbying efforts. “Our agenda each year in Washington generally has two distinct objectives—offense and defense. We attempt to advance matters that can be beneficial to the industry and at the same time monitor and prepare to act on a range of issues that could pose harm to our industry.” According to the NTRA, in the last Congress, it secured passage of three critical bills: the standardized, three-year depreciation for racehorses; bonus depreciation that permits taxpayers to depreciate 50%... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2015) — Warren’s Veneda will look to keep trending upward with a win in the $400,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (gr. I) March 14 at Santa Anita Park. Coming off her first graded score in the Feb. 14 Santa Maria Stakes (gr. II), the Benjamin Warren-owned 5-year-old daughter of Affirmative will try to extend her stakes win streak to three with her first grade I try in the 1 1/8-mile test over Santa Anita’s dirt course. Under the guidance of jockey Tyler Baze for the sixth straight race, the Craig Lewis trainee will break from the outside in a seven-horse field of older fillies and mares, and will take on many of the same rivals she has beaten in her last two wins. All entrants will carry 118 pounds. BALAN: Improving Warren’s Veneda Wins Santa Maria “Every race is a separate entity. It’s all a different occasion and a new race,” Lewis said. “You always want to ride the upswings. It’s the downswings you worry about.... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 8, 2015)–Underrated Harlington’s Rose rallied from off the pace to win Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes by three quarters of a length while covering six furlongs in 1:09.64 under Joe Talamo. Trained by Steve Knapp and bred in California by Y-Lo Racing Stables, the Harlington filly broke from the rail and lacked room while full of run into the far turn. Next to last, about three lengths off the lead at the quarter pole, she wheeled three-wide turning into the stretch to gradually inch away from runner-up Meinertzhageni inside the sixteenth pole. “I didn’t really want the rail,” said Knapp. “As you could see, she got pinched at the three eighths pole and Joe had to stand on her. He had enough horse that he could go in between and go around, but it is what it is. “She has developed. When she was two and three, she wanted to run off. Now, she’s learned how to relax behind horses and this has made... ...
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By Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2015) — On a thoroughbred ranch in Vacaville, a 3-week-old foal gallops close to its mother. Their bond seems natural, but it didn’t start out that way. When the foal was born, it completely ignored its mother and refused to nurse. University of California, Davis veterinary specialist John Madigan intervened moments after the birth with a novel treatment he calls “the squeeze.” It’s attracting attention from researchers studying autism in children, who see a possible parallel between Madigan’s work with horses and a similar technique — called kangaroo care — that’s often used on pre-term infants. “The phenomenon that Madigan has observed in foals is interesting and dramatic,” said David Stevenson, professor of pediatrics at Stanford University. Over the past five years, a dozen foals at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds in Vacaville have been born with neonatal maladjustment syndrome, or NMS, in which they are emotionally detached from their mothers. In each case, horse farm owner Ellen Jackson called Madigan, a UCD veterinary professor and... ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2015) – Singing Kitty, claimed for $32,000 at Los Alamitos in December, won her second consecutive stakes in Saturday’s $91,650 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Santa Anita. Singing Kitty ($41.60) closed from fourth in a field of eight to win the one-mile turf race by 1 1/2 lengths over Curlin’s Fox, the even-money favorite. She’s a Big Winner, who set the pace, finished third, a nose behind Curlin’s Fox. Singing Kitty, bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, was timed in 1:35.09. She’s a Big Winner set fractions of 23.07 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.34 for a half-mile. She was challenged in early stretch by Singing Kitty, who is trained by Matt Chew. Singing Kitty races for Chris Aulds and Peter Jeong. A California-bred by Ministers Wild Cat, Singing Kitty won a $32,000 claimer at Los Alamitos on Dec. 11, when she was claimed. She finished seventh in the Blue Norther Stakes on turf Jan. 1 but rebounded to win the California... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 7, 2015) — Salutos Amigos, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Salute the Sarge, continued to show he’s the top sprinter in New York with a powerful victory in the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack March 7 (VIDEO). Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Salutos Amigos rallied from third, easily going by second-choice Dads Caps in the stretch to post his fourth straight stakes victory. The 5-year-old by Salute the Sarge is now a perfect 3-for-3 over Aqueduct’s inner dirt track. Owned by David Jacobson and Southern Equine Stable, Salutos Amigos rated kindly in third under Cornelio Velasquez, as Dads Caps and 24-1 longshot Green Gratto battled from the start through a half-mile in :46.24 over the muddy track. As they turned for home, Velasquez began to ask on Salutos Amigos and the bay gelding responded, taking command from Dads Caps just inside the eighth-pole before posting the four-length score. The final time for the six furlongs was1:09.61. “Very impressive,”... ...
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