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Los Alamitos Opens Thursday

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2014) — Los Alamitos Race Course’s 12-day winter meet opens Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 21. Two grade I races for juveniles anchor the meet: the $500,000 Los Alamitos Futurity at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 20 and the $350,000 Starlet for fillies at the same distance Dec. 13. The Los Alamitos Futurity is part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series of races that carry important points to determine preference should more than 20 horses be entered for the 2015 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Joining the Los Alamitos Futurity and the Starlet on the five-race winter stakes schedule are two major California-bred juvenile stakes, both at one mile: the $200,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for fillies Dec. 7 and the $200,000 King Glorious Stakes, which is set for Dec 14. California Chrome won last year’s King Glorious by 6 1/4 lengths to cap his 2-year-old campaign and went on to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (gr.... ...

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Pepper Crown Wins Another Graded Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2014) – Swung six wide into the stretch, lightly regarded California-bred Pepper Crown uncoiled a torrid outside rally and won the $100,315 Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) (VIDEO) going away as the longest shot in the field Nov. 30 at Golden Gate Fields. With Juan Hernandez riding for owner-breeder-trainer Alex Paszkeicz, 15-1 hope Pepper Crown tallied his third stakes win of the year at the Bay Area track, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over the Tapeta all-weather track from G. G. Ryder. A 4-year-old Peppered Cat colt out of Crown This Lady, by Crowning Storm, Pepper Crown won the San Francisco Mile (gr. IIIT) at 46-1 odds over yielding turf in April and the Rolling Green Stakes over firm turf at 10-1 in September. The California-bred came in off a third to G. G. Ryder in a one-mile allowance Nov. 13 at Golden Gate but that rival could not match the surging winner on Sunday. “At the quarter pole I started asking my horse and he responded very well,” said... ...

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‘Chrome Fine After Hollywood Derby

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2014) – Looking fresh, fit, and, if you got too close to him, quite dangerous, California Chrome was in fine condition at Del Mar on Sunday morning, the day after he made a successful move to the turf when capturing the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby. “He came out of the race real good,” trainer Art Sherman said as California Chrome was being walked Sunday morning. “His knees and ankles are nice and tight. I couldn’t be happier.” California Chrome enjoyed his time in the morning sun so much that he repeatedly balked at being put back into his stall and finally had to be backed into it. He also started to get a bit studdish, displaying the wares that will not be needed in the breeding shed for at least another year, since he is to remain in training at age 4 in 2015. “He’s still a stallion, and he’ll let you know it every once in a while,” Sherman said. California Chrome was... ...

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Dr. Jack Robbins Passes at 93

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2014) — Dr. Jack K. Robbins, one of the sport’s true Renaissance men and patriarch of an influential racing family, died late Saturday afternoon at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., after a battle with the effects of pulmonary and respiratory disease. He was 93. Robbins’s death sent a wave of sadness through a racing community that had gathered earlier in the day at Del Mar Racetrack, a few miles from his home, to witness the victory of California Chrome in the Hollywood Derby. Robbins was a regular at Del Mar, both morning and afternoon, until poor health curtailed his visits the last couple of seasons. A native of Michigan, Robbins was born on May 28, 1921, and migrated to the West Coast with his mother upon his parents’ divorce. It was in California that Robbins went on to thrive as a Thoroughbred breeder, owner, and a racing empressario, but most of all he was universally recognized as a... ...

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‘Chrome Wins Another Derby

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2014) — Dual classic winner California Chrome successfully debuted over turf in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) Nov. 29 at Del Mar when he defeated Queen’s Plate winner Lexie Lou by two lengths in a sterling performance (VIDEO). Victor Espinoza was once again aboard California Chrome for trainer Art Sherman and owner/breeders Perry Martin and Steve Coburn. California Chrome completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:47.88 over firm ground to win the Hollywood Derby, which was contested for the first time at Del Mar. After leading into the first turn, California Chrome settled into second behind Sawyer’s Hill before overtaking that rival leaving the final turn. He opened up a three-length advantage in the lane and came home impressively under urging from Espinoza. A California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit  , California Chrome was the 7-10 favorite in the field of six. The game filly Lexie Lou, who was rolling late under Corey Nakatani, came on for second, with Talco and Drayden Van Dyke... ...

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Omar Enters KLAQ Handicap

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Nov. 30, 2014) – Omar is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 KLAQ Handicap.   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 seven wins in 21 starts, earnings of $107,487 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 15 Caballos Del Sol Stakes. ...

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Soi Phet Targets Race in Tokyo

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2014) — California-bred stakes winner Soi Phet will race in Japan in December. Soi Phet is scheduled to be sent to Japan in mid-December for the $1,003,000 Tokyo Daishoten, a Grade 1 race over about 1 1/4 miles at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo on Dec. 29. The track also is known as Tokyo City Keiba. Soi Phet, trained by Leonard Powell for the partnership of Gerald Benowitz, Paul Viskowich, and Sandra and Mathilde Powell, was fifth in the Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 30. Soi Phet has won two stakes at Los Alamitos this year – the Bertrando Stakes in July and the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile in September. Soi Phet was claimed for $16,000 in May 2013. ...

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Stryker Phd, Marino’s Wild Cat in Berkeley

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2014) – California-sired Stryker Phd and California-breds Marino’s Wild Cat, G. G. Ryder and Pepper Crown are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate. Stryker Phd is by Bertrando, out of the Smart Strike mare Striking Scholar, was bred by Char Clark Thoroughbreds and Todd Havens, is owned by Mona Hour and is trained by Larry Ross. He has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $308,651 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 30 Big Bear Stakes. Marino’s Wild Cat is by Marino Marini, out of the Dayjur mare Faxene, was bred by Roy Guinnane, is owned by GCCI and is trained by Clifford DeLima. He has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $170,410 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 15 Oakland Stakes. G. G. Ryder is by Chhaya Dance, out of the Storm Boot mare Stormy Gigi, was bred by Eagle Oak Ranch, is owned by Jerry Hollendorfer and George Todaro and is trained... ...

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Salutos Amigos Wins Fall Highweight

OZONE PARK, N.Y.  (Nov. 27, 2014) – Salutos Amigos, a Kentucky-bred son of new California stallion Salute the Sarge, swung seven-wide on the turn and went on to win Thursday’s $300,000 Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct. Salutos Amigos won by 1 ¾ lengths and ran the six furlongs in 1:10.78 as the 2-1 favorite. He is out of the Lahuk mare Sarasota. Salutos Amigos has six wins in 24 starts and earnings of $627,406 and was coming off a seventh in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. ...

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Sherman Pleased with ‘Chrome’s Gallop

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2014) — Trainer Art Sherman eschewed his usual mezzanine-tier viewing spot in the grandstand for a ground-level one on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course as California Chrome went through a gallop on the grass Thursday morning just prior to 7 a.m. The purpose of the drill for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, with exercise rider Willie Delgado up, was to reaffirm Sherman’s thoughts that his star was ready for his first grass race, Saturday’s $300,000 Grade I, 1 1/8 mile Hollywood Derby. Reaffirmation accomplished. “They had a hard time pulling him up (on the backstretch), he was on the bit pretty good,” Sherman said as he turned to cross the track back to the grandstand. “Now I feel a lot better. I liked it. It was just what I wanted.” California Chrome drew the No. 5 post position in a field of six. The Hollywood Derby goes as the eighth on a nine-race program, with a post time of around 4... ...

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CHRB Committee Meeting Dec. 17

From CHRB                 CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2014) — The Legislative, Legal, and Regulations Committee of the California Horse Racing Board will conduct a public meeting on Wednesday, December 17, at Los Alamitos Race Course. The agenda, including the starting time for the committee meeting, will be posted on the CHRB website no later than December 8. The principal purpose of this meeting will be to review CHRB Rule 1699 as it pertains to the criteria for disqualifications in races. The current rule states in part that a “horse which interferes with another and thereby causes any other horse to lose stride, ground or position, when such other horse is not at fault and when such interference occurs in a part of the race where the horse interfered with loses the opportunity to place where it might, in the opinion of the Stewards, be reasonably expected to finish, may be disqualified and placed behind the horse so interfered with.” Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit written suggestions for... ...

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Alert Bay Wins Zia Park Derby

By DRF.com HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 26, 2014) — California-bred Alert Bay is in the zone. He won his third straight stakes race Wednesday, pulling clear by three lengths over 3-5 favorite Tonito M. in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby. In the process, Alert Bay set a track record for 1 1/16 miles, covering the distance in 1:41.80. “He’d been touting us in his works at Golden Gate,” said Blaine Wright, who trains Alert Bay for Peter Redekop. The Zia Park Derby was one of seven stakes on the $1.1 million Land of Enchantment card. The centerpiece of the meet’s most prestigious program was the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks, won by Cassatt. The track-record time from Alert Bay ($7.20) lowered the mark of 1:41.94 set by Ol Winedrinker Who in the 2013 running of the $55,000 Veteran. Alert Bay on Wednesday was content to sit just off the pace set by Walt, who was pressured by Alsono through fractions of 23.48 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.10 for the half-mile.... ...

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‘Chrome Enters Del Mar Derby

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2014) — Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome was entered Wednesday morning for Saturday’s Grade I $300,000 Hollywood Derby  and will face five rivals in the 1 1/8-mile run over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. California Chrome would become the seventh Kentucky Derby champion to race at Del Mar after winning the Run For The Roses. Gato Del Sol (1982 Kentucky Derby winner), Ferdinand (1986), Unbridled (1990), Silver Charm (1997), War Emblem (2002) and Giacomo (2005) all subsequently raced at Del Mar. It will be the first race on turf for California Chrome, a son of Lucky Pulpit owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn. Trainer Art Sherman nominated California Chrome for both the Native Diver Handicap, 1 1/8-miles on Polytrack, and the Hollywood Derby, two of three graded stakes on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Bing Crosby Season. California rules stipulate that only one race could be entered, and when the time came Wednesday morning, Sherman did not... ...

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Cal-bred Entered in Remsen

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Nov. 26, 2014) – Bodhisattva is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade II Remsen Stakes for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct. 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 one win in five starts, earnings of $37,155 and is coming off a third in an Oct. 16 optional claimer at Laurel Park. ...

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Can Can Babe Enters Debutante

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2014) – Can Can Babe is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Golden Gate. Can Can Babe is by McCann’s Mojave, out of the Johannesburg mare Book’em Babe, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. She has one win in five starts, earnings of $37,961 and is coming off a fourth in a Nov. 15 optional claimer. ...

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‘Chrome Nominated for Vox Populi Award

By DRF.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 25, 2014) — California Chrome, the modestly bred winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, heads the list of six horses nominated for the Vox Populi Award, the administrators of the award announced Tuesday. California Chrome was nominated along with Shared Belief, who was undefeated until his troubled trip in the Breeders’ Cup Classic; Untapable, the dominant 3-year-old filly who won the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff; Wise Dan, the reigning Horse of the Year who won all four of his starts this year before being injured; Ben’s Cat, the hardy 8-year-old gelding who jumped into graded stakes company for the first time this year; and Game On Dude, who won the Santa Anita Handicap for a record third time this year before retiring. The winner of the award, which was created by Penny Chenery, the owner of the late Secretariat, is determined by the results of an online poll and the opinion of a committee that reviews the nominees. The criteria... ...

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Native Diver Draws Tamarando

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2014) – Grade I winner Tamarando is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar. Tamarando is by Bertrando, out of the Dehere mare Tamarack Bay, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has four wins in 13 starts, earnings of $665,120 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 18 California Flag. He won last year’s Grade I Del Mar Futurity. ...

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Salute the Sarge to E.A. Ranches

From EA Ranches RAMONA, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2014) — Salute the Sarge, a brilliant multiple graded stakes winner at age two, will relocate to E.A. Ranches in Ramona, California for the 2015 season. The son of Forest Wildcat — Dixie Ghost by Silver Ghost, dominated the Grade-2 Best Pal Stakes and Grade-3 Hollywood Juvenile Championship, and finished second in the Del Mar Futurity and Norfolk Stakes, both Grade-1 races.            Awarded the fourth-highest weight on the Experimental Free Handicap, Salute the Sarge was a very precocious, top-class racehorse. He contested ten of his twelve lifetime starts in graded stakes company and set a new track record in his very first start, a Maiden Special Weight at Hollywood Park.            Salute the Sarge is already the sire of graded stakes winner and 2014 Breeders’ Cup Sprint participant Salutos Aamigos ($447,406), stakes winners Bond Vigilante ($175,217) and Fishin Frank ($113,760), plus several stakes horses in his first crops.            Available... ...

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Big Bane Theory in Seabiscuit

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2014) – Graded stakes winner Big Bane Theory and fellow California-bred stakes winner Boozer are entered in Friday’s $250,000 Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar. Big Bane Theory is by Artie Schiller, out of the Alysheba mare Shebane, was bred by owners Scott Gross and Mark Devereaux and is trained by Carla Gaines. He has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $360,640 and is coming off a fifth in the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Boozer is by Unusual Heat, out of the Cape Canaveral mare Kitty and Boo, was bred by B. Abrams, V. Loverso, C. Perez, Huston Racing and M. Auerbach, is owned by Al and Saundra Kirkwood and trained by Mark Glatt. He has five wins in 12 starts, earnings of $292,672 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 18 California Flag. ...

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Stoney Fleece in Hollywood Turf Cup

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2014) – Graded stakes winner Stoney Fleece and fellow California-bred Bench Light are entered in Thursday’s $250,000 Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes at Del Mar. Stoney Fleece is by Decarchy, out of the Deputed Testamony mare Gold Fleece, was bred by Joseph Alvarez III, is owned by Michael Terry and trained by Carl O’Callaghan. He has eight wins in 35 starts, earnings of $580,664 and is coming off a third in an Oct. 24 claimer. Bench Light is by Benchmark, out of the Habitony mare Lightly Go Lightly, was bred by Ellen Jackson and Margaret Scherr, is owned by Cunningham Stable, A. Herbertson, D. Medina, S. Herbertson, et al and is trained by Michael Pender. He has seven wins in 25 starts, earnings of $254,841 and is coming off a sixth in the Sept. 28 John Henry Turf Championship. ...

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Big Macher Rebounds to win Cary Grant

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2014) — Displaying the gameness that he has become known for, Big Macher, the 7-5 favorite ridden by Rafael Bejarano, fought off the two-pronged attack of longshot Rousing Sermon and previously unbeaten Red Outlaw to win  the featured $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles Sunday at Del Mar.   Big Macher, victor in the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes last summer at Del Mar, dueled with 16-1 longshot Rousing Sermon from the start of the seven-furlong sprint, responded in the stretch when Red Outlaw joined the battle from the outside and then prevailed by a neck in the final yards over a tenacious Rousing Sermon.   Red Outlaw, the 3-2 second choice after winning six races in a row, faltered in the late stages after his bid in upper stretch, dropping back to fourth, a length behind the closing Patriots Rule. The latter was 1 ¼ lengths behind runner-up Rousing Sermon.   Big Macher, owned by Tom Mansor and... ...

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‘Chrome Impressive in Turf Work

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2014) — Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome made his first appearance of the year at Del Mar on Sunday morning, breezing a half-mile on the turf in 52 seconds under regular jockey Victor Espinoza with trainer Art Sherman looking on from the second level of the grandstand. California Chrome is nominated to both the $300,000 Hollywood Derby on grass and the $200,000 Native Diver on Polytrack on Saturday, November 29 at Del Mar. Sunday’s workout, the first for California Chrome on turf, was to determine his affinity for the surface and help in the stakes decision. “I was satisfied with the work,” Sherman said at a news conference an hour later. “Victor said (California Chrome) didn’t know if he was going to work or gallop because he’d never been on the grass before. But Victor said he felt smooth underneath him and that was my main concern.” If California Chrome runs next Saturday, he will be the seventh Kentucky Derby... ...

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Hovdey on Cary Grant Stakes

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2014) — In “To Catch a Thief,” the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock thriller, reformed cat burglar John Robie declares to the rich girl played by Grace Kelly, “You know I have about the same interest in jewelry as I have in politics, horse racing, modern poetry, and women who need weird excitement – none.” She doesn’t believe him, of course, but not because Robie is played by Cary Grant, and everyone knew Cary Grant liked everything about horse racing. She doesn’t believe him because Robie’s got “guilty” written all over him right up until the twist at the end, when the real thief is revealed to be – But you know all that. Cary Grant movies play all the time. On the American Film Institute’s list of the Greatest Screen Legends, men’s division, Cary Grant is ranked No. 2, behind Humphrey Bogart. The list is 15 years old, but chances are Grant’s spot is still secure. That is because Cary Grant was... ...

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CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2014) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Wednesday, November 19, in the Del Mar Surfside Race Place. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. 1st Vice Chair Bo Derek, 2nd Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper and George Krikorian were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        The Board approved significant changes to the rule governing use of the whip in California horse racing by prohibiting a jockey from using the whip more than three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. Also, the word “whip” is replaced by the term “riding crop.” Violations will not lead to disqualifications of horses in races. These changes received the endorsement of the Jockeys’ Guild, and Vice Chair Bo Derek thanked Guild President John Velazquez as well as jockey Gary Stevens for their support.  Procedurally, the regulatory amendment must be... ...

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Napravnik Among Woolf Finalists

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2014) — Rosie Napravnik, who recently announced her retirement from riding to start a family, heads a list of five riders named Thursday by Santa Anita as finalists for the 2015 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. James Graham, Mike Luzzi, Leslie Mawing, and Corey Nakatani – all men – are the other finalists for the award, which has been presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950. The award is held in conjunction with the Jockeys’ Guild and is voted on by jockeys nationwide. If Napravnik were to win, she would be the first female rider so honored. Julie Krone, the only female jockey in the Hall of Fame, has never won the award. The Woolf Award is presented to a jockey whose career and personal character earn esteem for both the rider and the sport. It is named in memory of the Hall of Fame jockey who suffered fatal injuries following a racing accident at Santa Anita on Jan. 3, 1946. The winner will... ...

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Luscious Lonna Seeks Graded Win

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner Luscious Lonna is the lone California-bred in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Red Carpet Handicap for fillies and mares at Del Mar. Luscious Lonna is by Benchmark, out of the Thunder Gulch mare Striking Point, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Jon Harris, Bonnie Marshall and Nicholas Sloan and is trained by Sloan. She has nine wins in 21 starts, earnings of $271,515 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 18 Miss America Stakes. ...

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Big Macher, Red Outlaw in Cary Grant

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2014) – Multiple graded winner Big Macher and unbeaten Red Outlaw lead a contentious field in Sunday’s $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar. Celebrity Status is by Vronsky, out of the Something Lucky mare A Lucky Happening, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by E.W. and Judy Johnston and Cherry Hawk Stables and is trained by Donald Warren. He has two wins in 14 starts, earnings of $168,636 and is coming off a second in an Oct. 31 optional claimer. Got Even is by Stephen Got Even, out of the Blare of Trumpets mare Kathryns Birthday, was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Altamira Racing, Bruce Chandler and FU Stables and is trained by Peter Miller. He has four wins in 30 starts, earnings of $338,330 and is coming off a third in a Nov. 7 optional claimer. Patriots Rule is by Tribal Rule, out of the Seattle Bound mare Candy Factory, was bred by Dahlberg... ...

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Alert Bay Shoots for Zia Derby

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 19, 2014) – Multiple graded winner Alert Bay is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $200,000 Zia Park Derby for 3-year-olds at Zia Park. Alert Bay is by City Zip, out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory, was bred by Thomas Bell and Ross McLeod, is owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Blaine Wright. He has five wins in 11 starts, earnings of $368,279 and is coming off a back-to-back Grade III wins at Hastings Park. ...

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Doinghardtimeagain in Zia Distaff

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 19, 2014) – Multiple graded-stakes winner Doinghardtimeagain and fellow California-bred stakes winner Warren’s Venedalucy are entered in Wednesday’s $75,000 Zia Park Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares at Zia Park. Doinghardtimeagain is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Silver Hawk Lady, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has six wins in 16 starts, earnings of $713,766 and is coming off a fourth in the Sept. 7 Orange County Stakes. Warren’s Venedalucy is by Doc Gus, out of the Carson City mare State the Obvious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Ace Racing Stable and is trained by Justin Evans. She has eight wins in 33 starts, earnings of $206,174 and is coming off a second in a Nov. 9 optional claimer. ...

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Cal Cup Sprint Purse Boosted

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2014) — Santa Anita has raised the purses of the California Cup Sprint Stakes and two leading stakes for older horses – the Santa Anita Handicap and San Antonio Stakes – but eliminated the Strub Stakes for 4-year-olds for the track’s upcoming winter-spring meeting, which runs from Dec. 26 to April 19. The California Cup Sprint for statebreds on Jan. 24 has been increased $25,000, to $150,000. The Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7 will be worth $1 million, an increase of $250,000 from 2014. The Santa Anita Handicap, run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, offered a purse of $1 million from 1986 to 2009. The San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 7, a leading prep for the Big Cap, will be worth a record $500,000 this year, an increase of $200,000. The Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes is run at 1 1/8 miles, and may serve as a prep race for some Southern California-based runners being pointed for the $10 million... ...

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Jackpot Rebound Spot for Wake Up Nick

By DRF.com VINTON, La. (Nov. 18, 2014) — California-bred Wake Up Nick will find himself in an unfamiliar situation on Saturday when he starts in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot. He will be looking to get back into the win column after suffering his first loss in six career starts earlier this month at Santa Anita. Wake Up Nick ran second in the $196,000 Golden State Juvenile on the Breeders’ Cup undercard Nov. 1. He was beaten 1 1/4 lengths after having to go around horses when unable to advance along the inside at a key point in the race, said his trainer, Leandro Mora. “He lost his momentum,” Mora said. “It was a very good race. He’s becoming more and more of a pro.” :: DELTA DOWNS JACKPOT: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live Wake Up Nick was entered Tuesday in the Jackpot, a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds run around two turns on the six-furlong track at Delta. The field will be capped at 10.... ...

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‘Chrome Works at Los Alamitos

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2014) — Dual classic winner California Chrome handily worked four furlongs in :47 4/5 Monday, Nov. 17 at Los Alamitos Race Course. Perry Martin and Steve Coburn’s homebred California Chrome is preparing for his first career start on turf in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) Nov. 29 at Del Mar. California Chrome finished a close third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park in his most recent start. Monday’s work was the seventh fastest of 17 reported at the distance at Los Alamitos on a fast track.   ...

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Unusual Heat to Stand for $20,000

From Unusual Heat Syndicate COALINGA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2014) – Unusual Heat, the six-time leading sire in California (2008-2013) and all-time leading in California progeny earnings, will stand at John C. Harris’ Harris Farms alongside his son, Lakerville, for the 2015 breeding season. Unusual Heat will stand for $20,000 to approved mares only. Unusual Heat set the all-time California record for progeny earnings in 2008 with over $5.8 million and was again the California earnings champion for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, achieving the milestone of being leading sire in California for an unprecedented sixthconsecutive season in the modern era. In 2014 Unusual Heat is on track for an unmatched seventhconsecutive season of over $4 million in progeny earnings and also his astounding 11th consecutive California-bred North American Turf Earnings Championship. He has sired one Eclipse Award winner and 14 California champions. Unusual Heat added three new stakes winners and two new graded stakes horses to the fold in 2014. Top runners in 2014 included Boozer, Heat Du Jour,... ...

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AHC Opposes Water Act Rule

From AHC WASHINGTON, D.C.  (Nov. 17, 2014) — On November 14, 2014, the American Horse Council (AHC) submitted comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) proposed rule to redefine “Waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). (The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association also opposes the proposed rule.) Earlier this year the EPA and Corps published a new proposed rule to define “Waters of the U.S.” under the CWA.  The CWA regulates discharges of pollutants into the Waters of the United States. The proposed rule appears to redefine “Waters of the U.S.,” in a manner that would significantly expand the waters subject to the requirements of the CWA. The CWA does include exemptions for agriculture, however the AHC and other agricultural groups have serious concerns regarding the proposed rule.  The AHC believes the proposed rule uses vague and unclear terms and definitions that will create new confusion regarding what waters are subject to CWA requirements.  Furthermore, the AHC has concerns regarding... ...

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Oakland Draws Cal-bred Stakes Winners

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2014) – Five California-bred stakes winners, including Harris Farms Stakes winner Marino’s Wild Cat, are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. Marino’s Wild Cat is by Marino Marini, out of the Dayjur mare Faxene, was bred by Roy Guinnane, is owned by GCCI and trained by Cliff DeLima. He has five wins in nine starts, earnings of $157,410 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 5 Harris Farms. Ain’t No Other is by Old Topper, out of the Shadeed mare Miami Margie, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has 10 wins in 39 starts, earnings of $616,645 and is coming off a fourth in the Oct. 5 Harris Farms. He was fifth in this race last year and third in 2012. Mandala is by Benchmark, out of the Rehaan mare Kriskeri, was bred by Rhianon Farms & Don Smith, is owned by Rhianon Farms and Gloria Haley and is trained by Haley. He... ...

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‘Chrome Could Run at Del Mar

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2014) –Trainer Art Sherman indicated Wednesday morning that he is considering two possibilities at Del Mar for an additional race for California Chrome – the Hollywood Derby on grass and the Native Diver Handicap on Polytrack. Both races are at a mile and one eighth and both on Saturday, November 29. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, who most recently finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is slated to work on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course at Del Mar on Sunday, November 23, Sherman indicated. A decision on a start for the horse could be made following the drill. California Chrome, a son of Lucky Pulpit bred by his owners – Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, has never run on grass. He is a winner of eight of 15 starts and over $4 million. He ran twice on Polytrack at Del Mar as a 2-year-old in 2013, winning the Graduation Stakes for California-breds, then running sixth in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity.... ...

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TOC Open Forum Dec. 6

From TOC CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2014) — All are invited to an Open Forum at Los Alamitos Racecourse on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11:00 a.m. Attendees will have a chance to meet TOC staff and board members, ask questions, and get an update on the current state of affairs in California Thoroughbred racing. The event will be held in the Post & Paddock Room, Clubhouse First Level. To register for this free event, please click here. ...

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Del Mar Changes Weekend Post Time

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) — Starting next weekend, first post at Del Mar on Saturdays and Sundays will be shifted from noon to 12:30 p.m. The change will mean all racing programs at the seaside track for its November “Bing Crosby Season” – with one exception – will begin at 12:30. The lone exception will be Thursday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day, when racing will begin at 11 a.m. “We thought the noon post on the weekend might be a good way to go,” said DMTC president and CEO Joe Harper. “But after a sampling, our horsemen and our fans have indicated to us that they like the slightly later start for several reasons. In addition, it allows us to advertise one time for our start time and cuts down on confusion for all. In the end, we are adapting and adjusting, which is what you have to do with a new venture like this.” The track will continue to schedule nine races on weekends... ...

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More Complexity Wins Betty Grable

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) — Reddam Racing’s More Complexity, the 7-2 second choice under jockey Mario Gutierrez, collared Sweet Marini with less than a sixteenth of a mile remaining and went on to score a half-length victory in Sunday’s featured $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series eligible older fillies and mares. More Complexity, well-placed in mid-pack in a field of nine distaff sprinters in the early stages of the seven-furlong race, responded gamely to overtake Sweet Marini who had swept to the lead in the upper stretch under jockey Martin Garcia but then was unable to withstand the winner’s challenge. Sweet Marini held on to nose out Warren’s Veneda for runner-up honors, with Meinertzhageni another half-length back in fourth. More Complexity, a three-year-old daughter of Square Eddie trained by Edward Freeman, ran the distance in 1:22.51 and returned $9.20, $5.80 and 4.20. First money of $57,000 after the filly’s fourth win in ten starts increased her earnings to $214,970. More Complexity is out of... ...

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Stalk the Wildcat is Golden

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) — Even-money favorite Stalk the Wildcat proved his superiority in the stretch as he scored a five-length victory in the $62,755 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Stalk the Wildcat ($4), a Tommy Town Thoroughbreds Ministers Wild Cat homebred, ran second in a $32,000 maiden claimer in his debut before winning his maiden by three lengths in his second start. Cartoonist, a six-length winner on the same day Stalk the Wildcat scored his maiden win, led Rainsford down the backstretch and around the turn of the six-furlong race as Stalk the Wildcat was fifth ahead of only one rival in the early going. As Cartoonist maintained his margin at the quarter pole, Stalk the Wildcat was moving up while three wide and in the clear turning for home. He easily passed the leader by the eighth pole and continued to increase his lead through the stretch, winning in 1:10.31, only .05 of a second slower than older stakes-type... ...

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Awesome Return for Awesome Return

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner Awesome Return, making his first start since July 19, rallied to a convincing triumph in the featured $93,100 Let It Ride Stakes for three-year-olds at one mile over the Del Mar infield grass course. Utilizing the same patient come-from-behind tactics which brought success aboard Queen of The Sand in Friday’s Kathryn Crosby Stakes, opening-day feature of Del Mar’s fall Bing Crosby Season,  jockey Mike Smith guided Awesome Return to the outside in the upper stretch and drove  to a 1 ¼ length triumph. “I told Mike (Smith) to take him back a little bit because there was so much speed in the race in my mind,” said trainer Mike Puype. “He got to playing a little bit in the stretch but the horse does that every time.  He’s never going to pull away and win by tons, but he still has a little bit left. He runs to his competition. And, as always, you don’t see Mike Smith make any mistakes.” Awesome Return,... ...

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Big Macher Prepares for Cary Grant

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) — One week ago California-bred Big Macher, winner of last summer’s Bing Crosby Stakes, finished ninth in the  $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint after stumbling at the break.  Fifteen days from now, the  Richard Baltas-trained 4-year-old son of Beau Genius could be seen here in the  $100,000 7-furlong Cary Grant Stakes for fellow California-breds. “He came out of the race very good,” Baltas said earlier this week. “Had a bad break but ran a great race. I just (concluded) that I wasn’t supposed to win.” The timing for the Cary Grant appears very favorable. “He had two months off between the Del Mar races and the Breeders’ Cup,” Baltas pointed out. “He’s a fresh horse. He doesn’t need a rest. We’re not resting him.” ...

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California Chrome Won’t Run in Japan

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2014) — California Chrome will not race in Japan in December and appears to be done with racing for the 2014 season, according to co-owner and co-breeder Perry Martin. The close third-place finisher in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), California Chrome won this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and was under serious consideration for the $1.9 million Champions Cup (Jpn-I). The 1 1/8-mile race, previously known as the Japan Cup Dirt, is Dec. 7 at Chukyo Racecourse. But Martin, the majority owner in a partnership with Steve Coburn, said in an email Nov. 6 that the trip is “definitely off” primarily because Japanese Racing Association officials will not allow California Chrome to race with a nasal strip. A similar issue was raised by Martin and Coburn in New York prior to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) before racing officials there relented and allowed the use of nasal strips last June. “I was... ...

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Sister Kate Brings $180,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2014) – Sister Kate, a California-bred sister of millionaire Brother Derek, sold for $180,000 at Friday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Sister Kate was consigned by Brookdale Sales, agent, was purchased by Huntington Stud Farm and sold in foal to Scat Daddy. Sister Kate is a multiple stakes winner of $282,186. She is also a sister to multiple stakes winner Don’tsellmeshort. ...

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St. Malo’s Gate Sells for $210,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2014) – St. Malo’s Gate, a California-bred half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Nashoba’s Key, sold for $210,000 at Friday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. St. Malo’s Gate was consigned by Indian Creek, agent, was purchased by Barry Irwin/Team Valor and sold in foal to Animal Kingdom. St. Malo’s Gate also is a half-sister to Grade II winner Nashoba’s Gold. St. Malo’s Gate earned $16,020 on the track. ...

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CHRB Meeting Nov. 19

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2014) — The regular meeting of the California Horse Racing Board will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., at the Del Mar Surfside Race Place, (Downstairs General Admission Area) 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, California.. The audio portion only of the California Horse Racing Board regular meeting will be available online through a link at the CHRB website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under “Webcasts.” The agenda for the regular meeting will consist of the following matters: Action Items: 1. Approval of the minutes of October 23, 2014. 2. Executive Director’s Report. 3. Public Comment: Communications, reports, requests for future actions of the Board. Note: Persons addressing the Board under this item will be restricted to three (3) minutes for their presentations. 4. Discussion and action by the Board regarding the distribution of race day charity proceeds of the Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc. in the amount of $190,658.20 to 12 beneficiaries. 5. Discussion and action by the Board regarding the distribution... ...

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NTRA Candidates Overwhelm Foes

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2014)  – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced this week that 95 percent of federal candidates receiving contributions from Horse PAC, the NTRA’s bipartisan Political Action Committee, won their races in Tuesday’s general election. Horse PAC-supported candidates won 36 of 37 House races and three of four Senate races. Horse PAC disburses directly to individual candidates and/or to their leadership PACs or other PACs that support candidates. During this election cycle, Horse PAC disbursed a total of $327,000 to candidates and PACs in 19 states. Kentucky-based candidates and PACs received $52,500 in Horse PAC funds over the two-year cycle. Other leading states included New York ($46,000), Texas ($32,500), California ($26,500) and Florida ($22,500). Horse PAC supports federal political candidates who serve on Congressional committees that oversee matters pertaining to livestock and agriculture issues, Internet gaming, taxation, immigration and the Interstate Horseracing Act; are established Congressional leaders; understand horse racing’s issues; have racetracks, breeding farms, training centers and ADWs in their states; are members... ...

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CTBA Stallion Season Auction Dec. 2

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2014) — The annual California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stallion Season Auction is set to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., by phone. Call in to place your bid on the many quality stallions being offered. If you are outbid, a representative will call you and give you an opportunity to place a higher bid. For a list of stallion seasons being offered, please click here. All winners will be notified immediately at the conclusion of the auction.  All seasons are sold as no guarantee. Proceeds support the CTBA’s Political Action Committee Fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California breeders. For more information, phone the CTBA’s Christy Chapman at (626) 445-7800, ext. 247, or e-mail her at christy@ctba.com. ...

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Unusual Way Sells for $250,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2014) – California-bred stakes winner Unusual Way sold for $250,000 at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Unusual Way is a 4-year-old by Unusual Heat, out of the Great Above mare Way Up, was consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, and was purchased by Dixiana Farm. On the track, Unusual Way is a multiple stakes winner of $712,165. She was sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. ...

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He Be Fire N Ice to Rancho San Miguel

By Bloodhorse.com SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2014) — He Be Fire N Ice, a stakes winner and twice grade II-placed, will enter stud at Rancho San Miguel near San Luis Obispo, Calif., in 2015 for an advertised fee of $2,500. The striking gray 6-year-old son of perennial leading California sire Unusual Heat won last year’s California Dreamin’ Handicap at Del Mar and followed that with runner-up showings in the Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) and the City of Hope Mile (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park. On the strength of those turf efforts, He Be Fire N Ice earned a start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita, finishing eighth. Bred in California by St. George’s Farm out of the Deputy Commander mare Deputy Tombe, He Be Fire N Ice was campaigned by Cicero Farms. He won five of 16 career starts and earned $332,580. Under a promotional stallion deal, He Be Fire N Ice breeders will not pay a stud fee until after their... ...

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Starlight Magic Brings $150,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2014) — Starlight Magic, a California-bred broodmare, sold for $150,000 at Wednesday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Starlight Magic is by Marino Marini, out of the General Meeting mare Star’s Millennium, was consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, agent, and purchased by Spendthrift Farm. Starlight Magic sold in foal to Congrats. On the track, Starlight Magic was a multiple stakes winner of $334,900. ...

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Spring Awakening Sells for $500,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2014) – Spring Awakening, a California-bred broodmare, sold for $500,000 at Wednesday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Spring Awakening is by In Excess, out of the Carson City mare Catchofthecentury, was consigned by Brookdale Sales, agent, and purchased by Three Chimneys Farm. Spring Awakening sold in foal to Orb. She has produced the stakes winner Walk Close. On the track, Spring Awakening was a multiple stakes winner of $258,178. ...

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Qianoa Enters Betty Grable

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2014) – Four multiple stakes winners, led by top earner Qianoa, are among those entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. Meinertzhageni is by Stormin Fever, out of the Peaks and Valleys mare Hot Desert, was bred by Robert Harmon, is owned by Jeff Bonde, Miguel Carranza, Stephen McGovern and Mersad Metanovic and is trained by Bonde. She has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $180,370 and is coming off a seventh in the Sept. 27 Unzip Me. More Complexity is by Square Eddie, out of the Yonaguska mare Marquis Diamond, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Edward Freeman. She has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $157,970 and is coming off a Sept. 26 allowance win. Multiple stakes winner Qianoa is by Wilko, out of the Skywalker mare Starlet Sky, was bred by B&B Zietz Stables, is owned by Curt and Lila Lanning... ...

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Awesome Return Returns

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner Awesome Return is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year-olds at Del Mar. Awesome Return is by Decarchy, out of the Mr. Broad Blade mare Awesome Broad, was bred by owner Richard Kritzki and is trained by Mike Puype. He has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $270,120 and is making his first start since a third in a July 19 optional claimer. ...

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Cal-bred Quartet in Golden Nugget

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2014) – Four California-breds are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Stalk the Wildcat is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Petionville mare Silent Stalk, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $23,280 and is coming off an Oct. 18 maiden win. Cartoonist is by Comic Strip, out of the Devil On Ice mare Ivy Lane, was bred by owners Dr. and Mrs. William Gray and is trained by Greg James. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $21,630 and is coming off an Oct. 18 maiden win. Lucky Forty Niner is by Lucky J. H., out of the Forty Niner mare Miner’s Gal, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Mary Jo Bright and trained by Wendell McDaniel. He has one win in nine starts, earnings of $39,810 and is coming off a seventh in an Oct. 24 optional claimer.... ...

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Former Trainer Jacque Fulton Passes

By DRF.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 5, 2014) — Jacque Fulton, a former trainer who worked for more than a decade as racing manager for California owners Marty and Pam Wygod, died on Tuesday of Alzheimer’s disease, according to her cousin, trainer Dan Hendricks. Fulton was 60. She had spent recent months in the Phoenix area, close to family. In the 1970s, Fulton worked as an exercise rider for Charlie Whittingham, galloping such prominent horses as Dahlia, King Pellinore and Cougar II. In the 1980s, she was briefly married to former Southern California trainer John Fulton. Jacque Fulton began training in 1985 and later gave up a racing stable to work for the Wygods, when their breeding and racing stable was at its height in California. Fulton trained Blonde Fever, the winner of the 1992 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar, and won the 1988 Princess Stakes at Hollywood Park with Clean Lines, who had been claimed for $40,000, and the 1988 Songstress Stakes at Golden Gate Fields with Super Avie.... ...

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Del Mar Reopens with Hollywood Flair

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2014) — All that is familiar about Del Mar will be new when the track opens its 15-day autumn meeting Friday. Famous for its summer meeting, Del Mar has added a four-week meeting this month, replacing racing dates previously held at Hollywood Park, which closed last December. For racing fans, horsemen, track executives, and everyone else, the autumn meeting starts with questions. Will customers make their way to the track at a time when schools are in session and vacations are rare? Will owners and trainers support a meeting with a smaller purse structure than the summer season? Can track executives sell the venue in November as well as the summer? “My feeling right now is curiosity more than anything else,” track president Joe Harper said this week. The track has tapped its Hollywood roots to give the meeting an identity. The meeting is called the “Bing Crosby Season” in honor of the track’s founder, with seven stakes named after 20th-century entertainers. There... ...

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California Chrome to Race Next Year

By Reuters ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2014) — California Chrome, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion who finished third in Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, will race as a 4-year-old and forego, at least for now, a lucrative career at stud, owner Steve Coburn told Reuters. Coburn, who co-owns the horse with Perry Martin, said he would choose the races California Chrome will run in 2015 very carefully. “The future is good because we’re going to race him as a 4-year-old,” Coburn told Reuters in a telephone interview. “We’re going to be very choosy in the races we’ll put this horse in. “There’s no sense in taking a chance of hurting him.” The California-bred 3-year-old colt won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes, failing in his bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. After the Belmont disappointment, California Chrome took more than three months off and would start just once prior to the Classic, finishing sixth as the odds-on... ...

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Warren’s Veneda Enters Kathryn Crosby

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2014) – Stakes winner Warren’s Veneda and fellow California-bred Kathleen Rose are entered in Friday’s $75,000 Kathryn Crosby Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar. Warren’s Veneda is by Affirmative, out of the Flying Continental mare More Cal Bread, was bred by owner Benjamin Warren and is trained by Craig Lewis. She has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $355,012 and is coming off a sixth in the Oct. 11 California Distaff. Kathleen Rose is by Good Journey, out of the Decarchy mare Cantina’s Rose, was bred by owner B&B Zietz Stables and is trained by Michael Machowsky. She has five wins in 12 starts, earnings of $309,520 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 4 Swingtime Stakes. ...

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Street Hero to Rancho San Miguel

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2014) — Rancho San Miguel would like to welcome Street Hero, a 2-year-old Grade I stakes winner by Street Cry (IRE) out of the Summer Squall mare Squall Linda, for the 2015 breeding season. Street Hero was on the board in five out of six starts as a 2-year-old, winning the Norfolk Stakes (G1), third in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and third in the Del Mar Futurity (G1).  Street Hero sired six first-crop stakes horses, three stakes winners, including G1 winner Azarenka, Gabriel Charles-G2, and Street Girl.  Street Girl is also multiple graded stakes placed with a second in the Humana Distaff S. – G1 in May of 2014 and a third in the Cotillion S. – G1. Saturday she finished second in the Grade II Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs with (lifetime earnings of over $445,000). Street Hero also sired California-bred multiple winner Stylish In Black (2014 earnings of $91,200). With lifetime progeny earnings of over $2.5... ...

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Halo Dolly Brings $300,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2014) – California-bred millionaire Halo Dolly sold for $300,000 at Tuesday’s first session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Halo Dolly, a 6-year-old by Popular, out of the Comic Strip mare Spanish Halo, was bred by Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez, was consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, and purchased by Spendthrift Farm. She won 18 races, including the Grade III Wilshire Handicap, and earned $1,016,466. ...

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Let Faith Arise Sells for $925,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2014) – Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ Let Faith Arise, a Kentucky-bred daughter of California stallion Kafwain, sold for $925,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Let Faith Arise, a 4-year-old out of the El Corredor mare Babe Hall, was consigned by Hurstland Farm, agent, and purchased by Sport Thoroughbreds. On the track, Let Faith Arise won the Grade I Santa Margarita, the Grade III Adoration and earned $488,240. Also selling was Yearly Report, a California-bred multiple Grade II winner and the broodmare of Grade I stakes winner condo Commander. The 13-year-old sold in foal to Jimmy Creed for $175,000 and was purchased by Gainesway Farm. ...

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California Chrome Fine Day After

From Santa Anita Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2014) – Trainer Art Sherman said California Chrome “pulled up good” after finishing a close third in Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. Sherman spoke from his Los Alamitos base Sunday after shipping the 3-year-old California-bred back from Santa Anita Saturday night. “It was a great race for him, and a game race to get beat by a neck,” added Sherman of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Santa Anita Derby winner. “Maybe with a stronger race the one before (Pennsylvania Derby) he might have won, but I don’t know.” Sherman said future plans for the California-bred colt had not yet been formulated. “I’ll have to talk to the owners,” said Sherman of Steve Coburn and Perry Martin. As for Eclipse Award honors for California Chrome and Horse of the Year, Sherman thought the controversial finish left the outcome unclear. “It’s up in the air now,” said the trainer. Regardless of the outcome, the 77-year-old trainer could not imagine a more memorable... ...

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Square Eddie Fee at $10,000

From Vessels Stallion Farm BONSALL, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2014) – Square Eddie, sire of multiple stakes winner Sprouts, will stand for a $10,000 fee for the 2015 breeding season at Vessels Stallion Farm.                The 8-year-old son of Smart Strike was a Grade I winner at the age of 2 and runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He has two crops of racing age, with progeny earnings of more than $1.2 million and average earnings per starter of $38,157 for 34 runners.                From a first season foal crop of 32, Square Eddie sired five stakes horse: Sprouts, Electric Eddie, Smoove It, Eddies Curl and Eddie’s First.                For more information, contact Kevin Dickson at 760-414-3300 or email  kdvesselsfrm@aol.com. ...

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California Chrome Third in Classic

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2014) – The roller-coaster ride that was California Chrome’s star-studded 2014 campaign came to a bittersweet end in the gloaming at Santa Anita late Saturday afternoon, where the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner came within a half-length of winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and clinching not only the 3-year-old championship but perhaps Horse of the Year honors as well. In the end, California Chrome had no real excuse after avoiding the early trouble that eliminated several key contenders in the Classic,  including his chief rival for 3-year-old honors entering the race, the previously undefeated Shared Belief.  Now it is Bayern, who survived a stewards’  inquiry to add the Classic to earlier victories in the Haskell and Pennsylvania Derby, and becomes the front-runner for the title. California Chrome, who came from humble beginnings, captured the country’s imagination following his victories in the Derby and Preakness. But he became vilified in the eyes of many when his quest for the Triple Crown ended with a fourth-place... ...

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CTFMA Day at Del Mar

From CTFMA DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2014) – The California Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association is setting up a fun filled Day at the Races at the brand new “Bing Crosby Meet” at Del Mar’s new winter race meet. We are reserving tables in the Penthouse level II Palio Restaurant. Tickets are $25 per person for admission and a racing program. No host lunch and drinks can be ordered off the menu. We will have door prizes & fun throughout the day! Join us on Sunday, Nov. 16th, seating at 11 a.m. first post for race one is noon. Please e-mail CTFMA@YAHOO.COM to reserve your group today.   ...

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Acceptance Wins Golden State Juvenile

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2014)–Although he broke tardily from the rail, favored Acceptance was quickly into contention under Elvis Trujillo and fought off all challenges to win Saturday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile for Golden State Series eligible by 1 ¼ lengths while covering seven furlongs in 1:21.70. Trained by Donald Warren and owned by Judy Johnston, Bud Johnston and Robert Riggio, the 2-year-old California-bred colt by Vronsky was bred by the Johnston family’s Old English Rancho. A 13 ¼ length first-out maiden winner on Oct. 5, Acceptance faced winners for the first time in the Golden State Juvenile which attracted a field of seven juveniles that were Golden State eligible. “He was very impressive from the day we picked him, and right from the day we started breaking him,” said Johnston. “We named him Acceptance, and the ACC is no accident, because it’s like (Eclipse Award winner) Acclamation. “I was very concerned about the inside post and like usual, he did not break very well, and... ...

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Winning Rail Trip for Favored My Fiona

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2014) –Under confident handling, 6-5 favorite My Fiona rallied at the rail around the far turn en route to an impressive three quarter-length win in Friday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies, for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano and trained by Walther Solis, the daughter of Ghostzapper got the distance in 1:23.16. For HRTV video: http://www.hrtv.com/videos/race-replay-2014-golden-state-juvenile-fillies-/?VideoCategoryId=0 Bred by Terry Lovingier and owned by Lovingier, Beckerle and Navarro, My Fiona paid $4.60, $3.20 and $2.60. “I knew she likes to come from behind, but with the way speed is playing today, I didn’t want to be too far back,” said Bejarano, who rode the filly for the first time. “I put her where I felt comfortable. I decided to follow (eventual third place finisher) Stormy Adieu because I knew she would still be there in the stretch. I stayed close to the rail and when we got to the stretch, I finally got through and she showed me a big... ...

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Sherman: ‘Chrome Looks ‘Great’

From Breeders’ Cup Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2014) — California Chrome “looked great,” trainer Art Sherman said Friday after the Kentucky Derby winner galloped 1 5/8 miles at 6 a.m. under regular exercise rider Willie Delgado for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. “I plan to jog him in the morning the wrong way for a mile,” said Sherman of the final touch with the 4-to-1 second choice in the race. “I’m hoping everything goes smooth. He’s as good as I can get him. Let the cards fall where they may.” Sherman said he was concerned about a forecast of rain, but added that he did not think it would hamper California Chrome, who has raced on tracks listed fast in all 14 of his starts. “We trained him on an off track at Los Alamitos and he seemed to handle it good,” said Sherman. Co-owner and co-breeder Steve Coburn visited his colt for the second straight morning. “He’s in disguise today,” quipped Coburn. “He’s dressed like a horse. It is... ...

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Hovdey on California Chrome

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2014) –It was a sight for sore eyes. California Chrome was putting on a show Tuesday in the Santa Anita saddling barn, up on his hind legs, manhood on display, giving Alan Sherman fits on the ground and Willie Delgado all he could handle at the wheel. “The reins were in my lap,” said Delgado, the man with the slick red chaps. “I had ahold of mane with one hand and used the other to push him away from the partition. Did I have him? Sure, I had him, just like he had me.” This was the California Chrome his tribe had been waiting for – a sign that their Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner had shaken the cobwebs of his Triple Crown letdown and was back to the colt they knew last winter. A video of the moment went gleefully viral, and the message was clear: California Chrome was home, back at the track where he ripped through three straight victories... ...

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Sherman Honored by Media

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2014) — Art Sherman, who trains Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner California Chrome, and others were honored the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association the evening of Oct. 29. The award was among those presented at the NTWBA’s 55th annual dinner held at the Derby restaurant in Arcadia, Calif. Sherman, who will saddle California Chrome in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), received the NTWBA’s Mr. Fitz Award, “typifying the spirit of racing.” The Mr. Fitz Award is named in honor of James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, the trainer who won the coveted Triple Crown twice with Gallant Fox and Omaha. Sherman, 77, began training career in Northern California after a successful career as a jockey that spanned more than 20 years. He is in the twilight of his career, with Chrome’s successful Triple Crown run ending with a fourth-place effort, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner Tonalist, in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The Joe Palmer Award, named for... ...

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Cliff DeLima Trains Marino’s Wild Cat

At 82 years old, Clifford DeLima vowed to cut back on the number of horses in his care. The trainer has been busy with racehorses at the track, horses on his ranch in Livermore, and eight great-grandchildren to spoil. “I said I was going to cut down,” DeLima affirmed again, “but then Roy Guinnane and I went to a sale and came home with eight horses. We can’t go to sales anymore.” If DeLima and Guinnane are a little eager at the moment, no one can blame them. Their 5-year-old gelding Marino’s Wild Cat is now 5-for-9 lifetime after winning the $100,250 Harris Farms Stakes Oct. 5. The 5 3⁄4-length victory was so impressive that it has DeLima and Guinnane dreaming of future stakes success, maybe even in Southern California. DeLima has trained some classy horses before, but his is far from a household name. He was born and raised in Hawaii, and when he turned 15, a visiting colonel from the United States Army befriended DeLima’s father. When it... ...

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CHRB Meeting Rescheduled

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2014) — The regular meeting of the California Horse Racing Board originally scheduled for Thursday, November 20, has been moved to Wednesday, November 19. The meeting location remains the same at the Surfside Race Place (simulcast facility) in Del Mar. The agenda for this meeting, including its starting time, will be available on the CHRB website at least 10 days before the meeting. ...

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California Chrome Meets the Ducks

From Breeders’ Cup ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2014) — California Chrome galloped 1 5/8 miles at 6:30 Wednesday morning, said assistant trainer Alan Sherman said, beaming with the way the 3-year-old colt looked under regular exercise rider Willie Delgado. “He stood in the gate and was perfect,” continued Sherman. “All systems are go. He’s performed so well on this track in the past, I’m not worried about the surface.” Sherman said the California-bred colt will gallop up to the race. “He will go to the paddock tomorrow and jog the morning of the race.” Visitors to the stall of the superstar in Barn 56 included members of the Anaheim Ducks NHL hockey team. Grooming the colt has provided a thrill of a lifetime for Raul Rodriguez. “It’s like a dream,” said the veteran, who has been California Chrome’s groom since the colt joined the Sherman barn as a 2yo last year. “It is very exciting and makes me feel proud,” said Rodriguez of seeing the development of the racing star.... ...

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Barretts Moves to Del Mar

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2014) — Barretts Sales, which has conducted Thoroughbred auctions at Fairplex in Pomona since its inception in 1990, will shift its primary sales location to the Del Mar Fairgrounds starting in 2015. Kim Lloyd, Barretts’ general manager, said a deal has been agreed to with representatives of the 22nd District Agricultural Association – the state arm that operates Del Mar Fairgrounds – to move Barretts’ operations south approximately 100 miles following the group’s final sale at Fairplex in February, 2015. He noted that while the location of the business will change, the ownership will remain with the Los Angeles County Fair Association at Fairplex. Lloyd further indicated that the sales company will employ Del Mar’s covered, 100,000-square-foot Del Mar Arena, home to several major horse shows throughout the year, as their primary location for its sales. The facility offers seating for 3,500 with the floor capacity to hold an additional 5,000. Barretts also will conduct some of its sales in the paddock of... ...

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Ambitious Brew a Horse for Course

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2014) — If success over the unique downhill turf course at Santa Anita Park is a precursor to success in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT), Ambitious Brew should have some sort of advantage in the 6 1/2-furlong  race. A 4-year-old gelding who is trained by Los Alamitos-based Martin Jones for his California breeder, Pamela Zeibarth, Ambitious Brew has raced four times down the hill at the Turf Sprint distance, resulting in three wins and a second. Overall, Ambitious Brew has shown a tremendous desire to win, having never finished worse than 1 1/2 lengths back en route to four wins and four seconds from as many starts. He has earned $247,920. Ambitious Brew is a 12-1 morning-line shot who will break from post 5 under Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who has been aboard in all but one of the gelding’s starts. Ziebarth, who has a successful track record with her homebreds, said Ambitious Brew has a strong will to win. “He just... ...

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Lakerville to Stand at Harris Farms

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2014) – Lakerville, son of six-time California leading sire (2008-2013) and all-time California-bred progeny earnings leader Unusual Heat, will stand at John C. Harris’s Harris Farms in Coalinga for the 2015 breeding season. Lakerville will be available for complimentary breedings to approved mares under “Private Treaty.” Lakerville enters the breeding shed off of a dynamic career as a turf sprinting star on the Southern California racing circuit. He is a Graded placed stakes winner who recorded 5 wins and 4 seconds in 11 career starts as a deep closing turf sprinter. Out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame, he is an impeccably bred 6 year old chestnut horse and the full brother to Grade 2 and multiple stakes winner Gervinho. Lakerville stands 16.0 hands and won the 2014 Clocker’s Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Park doing so off of a 16 month layoff. He also raced to unparalleled closing fractions of 20.80 for ¼ mile, 32 1/5 for 3/8 mile and 42... ...

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‘Chrome’s Camp Likes Outside Post

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2014) — The California Chrome camp appears very confident heading into the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) despite the 3-year-old colt’s disappointing trip in the Sept. 20 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II). “He’s training great,” assistant trainer Alan Sherman said the morning Oct. 28. “I’ve never seen the horse train like he is now. He was walking around on his hind legs this morning. He’s training like a beast.” California Chrome, owned by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, drew post 13 in the 1 1/4-mile Classic at Santa Anita Park. After his trip in the Pennsylvania Derby, in which he was trapped inside early, his connections like the draw. “I can see Moreno on the lead, with Bayern right there, and California Chrome hopefully sitting a length or two back on the outside. Then he’d come running at the quarter pole, hit the lead, and keep going. “It’s nice to be out there (in post 13). He can dictate his own race. Nobody... ...

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California Chrome Draws Post 13

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) — California-bred double Classic winner California Chrome drew post position No. 13 in Monday’s draw for Saturday’s $5 million Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. The featured race drew a field of 14, with unbeaten Shared Belief the 9-5 morning-line favorite in post 6. California Chrome is the second choice at odds of 4-1. Victor Espinoza rides California Chrome. California Chrome is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase, was bred by owners Perry Martin & Steve Coburn and is trained by Art Sherman. He has eight wins in 14 starts, earnings of $3,542,650 and is coming off a sixth in the Sept. 20 Pennsylvania Derby. ...

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Cal-bred Quartet on Saturday BC Card

BREEDERS CUP PAST PERFORMANCES November 1, 2014 SA ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) – In addition to California Chrome, the 4-1 second choice in the $5 million Classic, three other California-breds drew into the rich supporting races for Saturday’s card of the Breeders’ Cup championships at Santa Anita. Ambitious Brew drew post position No. 5 in the $1 million Turf Sprint, with Mike Smith named as jockey in a field of 14. Ambitious Brew is by Tizbud, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Kathwen, was bred by owner Pamela Ziebarth and is trained by Marty Jones. He has four wins and four seconds in eight starts, earnings of $247,920 and is coming off a second in the Sept. 26 Eddie D. He is 12-1 on the morning line for the Turf Sprint. Starspangled Heat drew post position No. 10 in the $3 million Turf, with Corey Nakatani up in a field of 13. Starspangled Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Runaway Groom mare Bel Air Belle, was bred by M.... ...

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Wake Up Nick Looking for Another

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2014) – Four-time stakes winner Wake Up Nick risks his perfect record in Saturday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. Acceptance is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare Allswellthatnswell, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by E.W. and Judy Johnston and Robert Riggio and is trained by Donald Warren. He won his lone start Oct. 5 and has earnings of $33,600. Wake Up Nick is by Cindago, out of the Lion Hearted mare Storm Hearted, was bred by Lee & Susan Searing, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Leandro Mora. He’s a perfect 5-for-5 with earnings of $308,784 and is coming off a win in the Sept. 14 Barretts Juvenile. Peradventure is by Papa Clem, out of the Boundary mare Holiday Sale, was bred by Jack and Barbara Hatch Revocable Living Trust, is owned by CTR Stables and trained by Vann Belvoir. He has one win in five starts, earnings of $58,638 and... ...

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Ken Maddy Draws Velvet Mesquite

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2014) – Velvet Mesquite is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Velvet Mesquite is by In Excess, out of the Huddle Up mare Mesquite, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Blake Heap. She has five wins in nine starts, earnings of $240,606 and is coming off a win in the Oct. 11 California Distaff. ...

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Not Enough Eddie Enters Saturday

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2014) – Not Enough Eddie is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. Not Enough Eddie is by Square Eddie, out of the In Excess mare Too Much Excess, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Leandro Mora. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $25,450 and is coming off a sixth in an Oct. 3 optional claimer. ...

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Sapphire Cat Gets First Winner

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2014) – California stallion Sapphire Cat was represented by his first winner when Lindante won the sixth race at Santa Anita, an open maiden special weight, Friday. Lindante is out of the Dixie Union mare Sav Blanc, was bred by owner John Antonelli and was trained by Jerry Fanning. He has one win in five starts with earnings of $54,260 and he ran the about 6 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:13.13, winning by three-quarters of a length at odds of $12.50-1. For Lindante’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/lindante. ...

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‘Chrome Ships to Santa Anita

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) — It was 6:10 on the morning of Oct. 26 when the Hubbard horse van pulled into Santa Anita Park after the 45-minute van ride from Los Alamitos Racecourse. Aboard the van were California Chrome, America’s darling of the spring, and a pair of other horses trained by Art Sherman. Waiting at the loading ramp was assistant trainer Alan Sherman, who was at Santa Anita with his yellow lab, Jasper. The dog was enjoying being on the backstretch, having been banned, along with all canines, from the backstretch at Los Alamitos. Alan Sherman couldn’t help but exude confidence in “Chrome,” winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and San Felipe Stakes (gr. II). “His work yesterday was amazing,” he said. “I really feel he’s going to run a big race (in the grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic),” Sherman said. The Shermans actually have two stalls at Santa Anita in Tim... ...

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Soi Phet, Stryker PhD in Big Bear

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2014) – California-bred Soi Phet and fellow multiple stakes winner Stryker PhD are entered in Thursday’s $75,000 Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita. Soi Phet is by Tizbud, out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Jersey, was bred by ARCHA Racing, is owned by Gerald Benowitz and Sandra Powell and Mathilde and Paul Viskovich and is trained by Leonard Powell. He has eight wins in 30 starts, earnings of $472,936 and is coming off a seventh in the Oct. 4 City of Hope. Also entered is Stryker PhD, a Washington-bred son of California stallion Bertrando, out of the Smart Strike mare Striking Scholar, bred by Char Clark Thoroughbreds & Todd Havens, owned by Mona Hour and trained by Larry Ross. He has five wins in 16 starts, earnings of $292,751 and is coming off a three consecutive stakes wins at Emerald Downs. ...

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My Fiona Returns in Golden State Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) – Stakes winner My Fiona heads a field of nine in Friday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Stormy Adieu is by Silic, out of the Tropical Storm mare Storm Birdie, was bred by Jane Braugh, is owned by Dare to Dream Stable and trained by Ingrid Mason. She has one win in three starts, earnings of $55,060 and is coming off a third in an Oct. 2 optional claimer. Take Back Spring is by Spring At Last, out of the In Excess mare Repo, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Leandro Mora. She has one win in six starts, earnings of $55,420 and is coming off a maiden win Oct. 9. Moonie is by Square Eddie, out of the Irish River mare Moonfest, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Edward Freeman. She is a maiden making her fourth start with earnings of $19,850. My Fiona is... ...

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Volkonsky Goes Long in Marathon

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) – Volkonsky is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $200,000 Grade II Las Vegas Marathon Stakes at Santa Anita. Volkonsky is by Vronsky, out of the Perugino mare Palace Royale, was bred by Old English Rancho & Berumen, is owned by Twilight Racing & Mark Holden and is trained by Kristin Mulhall. He has two wins in 19 starts, earnings of $167,160 and is coming off a fourth in an Oct. 11 optional claimer. ...

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Patriots Rule Enters Twilight

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) – Stakes winner Patriots Rule and fellow California-bred Ashleyluvssugar are entered in Friday’s $150,000 Grade II Twilight Derby for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Patriots Rule is by Tribal Rule, out of the Seattle Bound mare Candy Factory, was bred by Dahlberg Farms, is owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $231,920 and is coming off a win in an Oct. 2 optional claimer. Ashleyluvssugar is by Game Plan, out of the Urgent Request mare Ashley’s Folly, was bred by owners Estate of Alesia, BranJam Stables and Ciaglia Racing and is trained by Peter Eurton. He has two wins in six starts, earnings of $123,214 and is coming off a fourth in an Oct. 2 optional claimer. ...

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Magic Mark Enters Damascus

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2014) – Magic Mark is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $100,000 Damascus Stakes at Santa Anita. Magic Mark is by Benchmark, out of the Deputy Governor mare Jewel Magic, was bred by owners Dorine and John Lanza and is trained by Ron Ellis. He has four wins in seven starts, earnings of $174,214 and is making his first start since a third in the July 4 American Flag Stakes. ...

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Ambitious Brew Works for Turf Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2014) – California-bred Ambitious Brew had his final workout in preparation for the $1 million Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Saturday, going five furlongs on the turf in 1:00.20 at Santa Anita. The work was third-best out of 10 on the day at the distance. Kaigun, also pre-entered for the Turf Sprint, worked the same distance in 1:00.40. Ambitious Brew is by Tizbud, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Kathwen, was bred by owner Pamela Ziebarth and is trained by Marty Jones. He has four wins and four seconds in eight starts, earnings of $247,920 and is coming off a second in the Sept. 26 Eddie D. ...

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CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2014) — ARCADIA, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, October 23, 2014, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided.  1st Vice Chair Bo Derek, 2nd Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper and George Krikorian were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board approved the Los Angeles Turf Club’s license application for a race meet at Santa Anita from December 26, 2014, through June 28, 2015. Santa Anita President Tom Ludt reported that the Stronach Group has invested more than $30 million in improvements to the facility over the last 18 months, including replacement of the main track with materials consistent with the existing track at Los Alamitos and the new track that will be in place at Del Mar for the 2015 summer meet, providing uniformity of racing surfaces at all Southern California tracks.... ...

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