CHRB Meeting Summary

Dec 20, 2014 Posted by CTBA In Announcement

From CHRB LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2014) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, December 18, at Los Alamitos Race Course. 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 license application for the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association (LAQHRA) to conduct a quarter horse meet at Los Alamitos from December 26, 2014, through December 20, 2015. Acting on requests from the LAQHRA and the horsemen’s organization for the quarter horse meet, the Board suspended authorization for clenbuterol for quarter horses at Los Alamitos for 12 months, effective January 1, 2015. This means there can be no clenbuterol detected in post-race blood and urine samples taken from quarter horses at Los Alamitos. The Legislative, Legal and Regulations Committee, which met Wednesday,... ...

‘Chrome Drills at Los Alamitos

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2014) — California Chrome drilled a handy half mile in :49 flat at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 19 as he prepares for his 2015 debut in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II). Meanwhile, trainer Art Sherman weighed in the Horse of the Year balloting. The dual classic winner had regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard on a cleared track for the workout. The workout was California Chrome’s second drill at his home oval since capturing the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) over the Del Mar turf Nov 29. Sherman has targeted the 1 1/8-mile San Antonio for the chestnut colt’s season debut Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park. As far as the 2014 campaign is concerned, all that awaits is the counting of the ballots to determine Horse of the Year honors, to be announced at the annual Eclipse Award dinner Jan. 17. With four grade I victories to his credit and six wins overall, California Chrome is a leading contender. Sherman says he... ...

Hovdey on Art Sherman

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2014) — John Houseman was an overnight sensation at the age of 71 when he stepped out from behind his role as producer of award-winning films and mentor of acting talent to accept an Oscar for his supporting role in the 1973 movie “The Paper Chase.” Bertrand Russell finally was recognized with the Nobel Prize for literature in 1950 at age 78, already having filled the first half of the 20th century with his benchmark writings on philosophy, mathematics, history, and social criticism. Yuichio Miura waited until he was 70 before scaling the summit of Mount Everest for the first time in 2003. He made it, then he climbed it again when he was 75 and 80. Then, there is Art Sherman, who spent six decades as anything but a horse racing household name before winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with the unlikely California Chrome to become the sport’s breakthrough star of 2014 at the age of 77. Without even trying,... ...

‘Chrome a Moment of the Year Finalist

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2014) – Voting is now underway via the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) website, www.ntra.com, for the 16th annual NTRA Moment of the Year. Fans can choose from among 10 of the year’s most memorable, moving and significant events in Thoroughbred racing. The winning moment will be revealed the morning of January 16 at the annual ThoroFan Awards Breakfast at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla., and recognized at the following evening’s 44th Annual Eclipse Awards, also at Gulfstream Park. Those that vote for the eventual winner automatically will be entered in a random drawing to win a $100 gift certificate for Breeders’ Cup merchandise. To vote for the “NTRA Moment of the Year,” visit ntra.formstack.com/forms/ntra_moment_of_the_year. The eligible moments were selected to illustrate a wide range of human emotions and achievements as well as outstanding displays of equine athleticism. Listed chronologically, the events that fans can choose from are: · Seven-year-old gelding Game On Dude wins the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap by... ...

Barretts January Catalog Online

From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2014) — The catalog for the Barretts 2015 January Mixed Sale is now on-line and will be mailed later this week. This auction of 335 head will be held on Monday, January 26 in the Hinds Pavilion located on the grounds of Fairplex Park in Pomona, California beginning at 11:00 a.m. You can view the catalog now at: http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catjan2015/catalog.asp Among the sires of the yearlings and two-year-olds in the catalog are such stallions as Afleet Alex, Bullet Train, Benchmark, Calimonco, Coil, Colonel John, Desert Code, Forestry, Gone Astray, Heatseeker, Informed, Into Mischief, Line of David, Lucky Pulpit, Pala Clem, Put It Back, Quality Road, Rocky Bar, Sierra Sunset, Slew’s Tiznow, Songandaprayer, Square Eddie, Stormin Fever, Tale of the Cat, Tapizar, The Pamplemousse, Thorn Song, Tiz Wonderful, Tribal Rule, Twirling Candy, Unusual Heat and War Chant. Among the covering stallions in the catalog are such stallions as Acclamation, Bullet Train, Champ Pegasus, Coil, Decarchy, Desert Code Dixie Chatter, Eddington, First Samurai, Good Journey, Informed, Kodiak... ...

Tax Depreciation Bill Passes Senate

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2014) — A provision that retroactively extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses was passed by the United States Senate late Tuesday as part of bill H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. The bill, which extends retroactively through the end of 2014 numerous provisions which expired or were reduced at the end of 2013, passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support on December 3 and is expected to pass into law with President Obama’s approval. Maintaining the three-year recovery period for racehorse purchases has been a top legislative priority for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) since the provision’s initial enactment as part of the 2009 Farm Bill. “The renewal of three-year tax depreciation for racehorses indicates that lawmakers understand the contributions our industry makes to job creation and the country’s overall economic health,” said Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO. “We are especially grateful to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) for their leadership... ...

Kate’s Event to Stand at Special T

TEMECULA, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2014) — Kate’s Event, winner of the Tiznow Stakes at Hollywood Park, has been retired and will stand stud at Special T Thoroughbreds in Temecula for the 2015 breeding season. Kate’s Event is by Event of the Year and out of Nordidid by Mane Minister and retired sound. He earned $460,162 and is Event of the Year’s leading earner. Kate’s Event will stand for owner-breeder William Ziering for a $1,000 fee, stand and nurse. ...

Horse Slaughter Ban Maintained

By Bloodhorse.com WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 15, 2014) — Several provisions that impact the horse industry, including maintaining a ban on horse slaughter, were included in the omnibus appropriations bill passed by Congress Dec. 13. The bill is a package that includes parts of the fiscal year 2015 appropriations bills and will fund most government agencies and programs until the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30, 2015. The legislation includes language that prohibits the United State Department of Agriculture from using any funds to provide inspectors at meat processing facilities that slaughter horses, continuing a block that has been in effect since 2005, except for a brief period in 2012-13. No horse slaughter facilities are operating in the U.S. and the bill would effectively prevent any such facility from opening until Sept. 30, 2015. The language was included in the omnibus bill because both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees adopted amendments that prohibited funding for inspectors at horse slaughter facilities when they debated and approved their respective versions of... ...

Acceptance

Acceptance wins the $200,000 King Glorious Stakes. ...

Equibase Adds New Leader List

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2014) — Equibase has introduced a leaders’ list by foal crop that will enable users to determine which horse earned the most money, won the most races, or had the most stakes wins among its foal crop. The leaders’ lists by foal crop are available in the Stats Central section on equibase.com. “Comparing professional athletes by their draft year has always made for interesting water-cooler conversations and great debate on sports radio talk shows,” Equibase president and chief operating officer Hank Zeitlin. “Now, horse racing fans have the data to spark similar dialog about which horses were the best of their respective crops—not only by wins and earnings, but by age, on dirt vs. turf, etc.” The standings for horses by foal crop can be sorted by a variety of categories, including sex, age, surface and grade. The customized data set can then be sorted in ascending or descending order by column (1st, 2nd, 3rd, earnings, etc.). Equibase’s North American racing leaders’ lists include... ...

Acceptance Remains Perfect

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2014) – Jockey Elvis Trujillo has a wintertime title for Acceptance, the winner of the $200,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos on Sunday. “I think he’s my Derby horse,” Trujillo said after the race. How far Acceptance progresses in the next five months is unknown, but the colt’s career is off to a brilliant start, going undefeated in three starts. In the King Glorious Stakes for California-breds, Acceptance ($2.60) won the one-mile race by three lengths over 8-1 Pulmarack, who offered a brief threat in early stretch. The win makes Acceptance the champion 2-year-old California-bred of 2014 and a colt likely to start in a graded stakes during the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. Acceptance was well placed throughout Sunday’s race, the longest of his career. Trujillo had Acceptance in third after a quarter-mile and second after a half-mile, stalking early leader Comanche Ruler, a 40-1 shot. With a wide move, Acceptance took the lead with five-sixteenths of a mile remaining... ...

Warrens Venedalucy in Bold Ego

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 14, 2014) – Defending champion Warrens Venedalucy is one of four California-breds are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Papa’s Dancing is by Papa Clem, out of the Helmsman mare Dancing Stripes, was bred by E-Racing.com, is owned by T and T Roofing and SG Drilling Consultants and is trained by Johnnie Nall. She has three wins in 12 starts, earnings of $53,960 and is coming off a Nov. 29 allowance win. Hidethegoodstuff is by Old Topper, out of the Storm Boot mare Minimums Minimums, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnnie Nall. She has three wins in 17 starts, earnings of $155,417 and is coming off a seventh in a Nov. 16 optional claimer. Warrens 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 trained by Justin Evans. She has eight wins in 34 starts,... ...

Many Rivers Gets First Winner

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2014) — Many Routes became the first winner for sire Many Rivers when he came from off the pace to win the first race Dec. 14 at Golden Gate Fields. The initial victory for Many Routes came in a $12,500 maiden claiming event by a head. The chestnut gelding is out of the multiple winner Mood Route, by Mud Route. Bred and owned by Jerry and Margaret Martin, Many Routes is trained by Ellen Jackson, who stands Many Rivers at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds near Vacaville, Calif. Many Rivers, whose fee was $3,000 in 2014, is Storm Cat half brother to grade I winner and sire Harlan’s Holiday. He was produced by the Affirmed mare Christmas in Aiken. Stakes-placed during his 18-race career, Many Rivers has 11 2-year-olds in his first crop. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/89178/california-sire-many-rivers-gets-first-winner#ixzz3LvMkE6J8 ...

2015 Golden State Series Schedule

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2014) — To see the 2015 Golden State Series schedule, click https://ctba.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2015-goldenstateseries-nocropmarks.pdf ...

Acceptance Shoots for Third Straight

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2014) – Golden State Juvenile Stakes winner Acceptance risks his perfect record in Sunday’s $200,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos. Kluszewski is by Northern Afleet, out of the Malek mare Melinda Rose, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Phil D’Amato. He has one win in four starts, earnings of $34,100 and is coming off a Dec. 4 maiden win. Comanche Ruler is by Tribal Rule, out of the Rio Verde mare Super Flo, was bred by Judi Garfi-Partridge & Serenity Oaks Farm, is owned by John Elick, Firsthome Thoroughbreds and William Peeples and is trained by Adam Kitchingman. He has one win in four starts, earnings of $68,850 and is coming off a fourth in the Nov. 1 Golden State Juvenile Stakes. 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.... ...

Golden Gate Cancels Thursday Card

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2014) — Golden Gate Fields canceled its seven-race live program Thursday, Dec. 11, due to a severe storm that drenched the San Francisco Bay Area with heavy rains and gusty winds. The storm has caused flooding, power outages, and transportation problems throughout the Bay Area. Golden Gate Fields announced the decision to cancel the races early Thursday morning. The track plans to resume racing Friday, Dec. 12, at 12:45 p.m. PST. The full-card cancellation is believed to the first at Golden Gate Fields due to weather concerns since Dec. 22, 2002. There was a partial cancellation of a program after three races Jan. 14, 2005 due to unsafe track conditions. Golden Gate debuted its all-weather Tapeta racing surface in November 2007. ...

Dates Change for Cal-bred Stakes

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2014) — Golden Gate Fields said it will offer 12 stakes during its 97-day winter-spring meet, which begins Dec. 26. The stakes schedule is identical to that offered during the 2013-14 meet, with the exception of date changes for a pair of $100,000 turf races for 3-year-old California-breds. The Campanile for 3-year-old fillies and Silky Sullivan for 3-year-olds will be run on April 26, the day after the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile is run. The Campanile and Silky Sullivan were run in June in 2014. “We switched the races this year because we’re trying to make it a big weekend with a turf festival event with the San Francisco Mile on Saturday,” said racing secretary Patrick Mackey. Mackey said Golden Gate may schedule more stakes for California-bred turf runners on April 26. “This allows us to highlight Cal-breds, and we know both horsemen and fans like turf racing,” he said. Three-year-olds are in the spotlight early in the meeting, with the $100,000 California... ...

D. Chadwick Calvert

By Emily Shields ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2014) — As a young man, D. Chadwick Calvert was taught in church to remember the initials CTR for “choose the right.” They meant the right path, but Calvert has since converted the CTR initials to mean Calvert Thoroughbred Racing. “Plus, I’m always trying to choose the right. . .horse,” he said The past few years have seen Calvert do an excellent job of choosing profitable young horses, but he has decades of experience to pull from. With his own expertise and the help of a longtime friend, the Colorado-based attorney is building a stealthily good racing string. Born and raised in Denver, Calvert was first introduced to the game by his lawyer father, David. “Around 1968 a client approached him and asked if he wanted to buy a couple of racehorses,” Calvert recalled. “He didn’t know anything about them, but the first horse was named Flying Morman, and my dad was Mormon.” That seemed a sound enough reason to buy in. Calvert... ...

Gritty My Fiona Wins Soviet Problem

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2014) – The only time that My Fiona got away from her rivals in Sunday’s $200,250 Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos was when she was walked into the winner’s circle. The other five Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-old fillies were not invited. My Fiona faced pressure while leading on the first turn of the one-mile race, was second on the backstretch while racing on inside, and retook the lead in the stretch to win by a half-length over 5-2 Heat the Rocks. My Fiona ($3.60) was timed in 1:37.46, recording her second consecutive stakes win. “She showed me a lot of heart and how good she is,” trainer Walther Solis said. “She got pressure from the beginning to the end and she came through. This was not an easy race. It was a small field, but not an easy race.” Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, his third winner of the day, My Fiona led for the first time in her six-race career, having previously raced from off... ...

Catholic Cowboy Wins the Jewel

HALLANDALE, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2014) – Catholic Cowboy recovered from two lackluster efforts at Keeneland in the fall to grind out a victory in the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park, upsetting a group of 14 older horses at odds of 17-1 (VIDEO). Catholic Cowboy is a Florida-bred by California stallion Heatseeker. Trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, who also won the 2013 edition of the Jewel with Nevada Kid, Mossarosa’s 4-year-old Florida-bred by Heatseeker collected his fourth victory from 18 starts with a strong close under Luis Saez in the 1 1/8-mile event. He finished the distance in 1:49.70 on a fast track, holding off the late run of lukewarm favorite Page McKenney by half a length. The Claiming Crown Jewel was the last of eight stakes races worth $1 million for racing’s blue-collar workers on Gulfstream’s opening-day program. “Gulfstream is always good to us,” Zito remarked. “We were talking today, my son Alex and I, about how Gulfstream’s been good to us the... ...

Omar Wins KLAQ at Sunland Park

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 6, 2014) – California-bred Omar held off the fast-closing Wine Police to win Saturday’s $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park. 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 22 starts, earnings of $137,487 and was coming off a win in the Nov. 15 Caballos Del Sol Stakes. Omar ran the five furlongs in :56.23 and won by a neck at odds of 4-1 in the field of six. For Omar’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/omar17. ...

San Antonio Early ‘Chrome Target

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2014) — One early target in 2015 for California Chrome may be the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes, according to a report in the Daily Racing Form. The dual classic winner, who captured the G1 Hollywood Derby in his turf debut, resumed training on Thursday. Trainer Art Sherman told the DRF that the colt will likely make his 2015 debut in the San Antonio, which will be run Feb. 7 at Santa Anita. The San Antonio could lead California Chrome to a possible start in either the G1 Santa Anita Handicap March 7 or the Group 1 Dubai World Cup March 28, although Sherman indicated that he hoped to stay home with the colt. “I’d like to stay here, but I don’t know how that will go,” he said. ...

Gervinho to Stand at Tommy Town

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2014) – Grade II winner Gervinho, the 2013 champion California-bred 3-year-old male, has been retired and will stand the 2015 breeding season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds for a fee of $3,500, live foal. Gervinho, the property of Keith Brackpool, is by perennial leading sire Unusual Heat, out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame. He’s full brother to stakes winner Lakerville. Gervinho finished his career on the track with four wins in nine starts, earnings of $422,140 and was in the money eight times. His biggest win was his final race, the Grade II Sir Beaufort Stakes at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old, beating eventual Grade I Eddie Read winner Tom’s Tribute. At 2, he won his debut and followed with a win in the Zuma Beach Stakes, earning a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. For further information, contact Mike Allen at 805-686-4337 or email info@tommytownfarms.com ...

My Fiona in Soviet Problem

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner My Fiona in the leading earner and high weight in Sunday’s $200,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos. Heat the Rocks is by Unusual Heat, out of the Tribal Rule mare Rockella, was bred by Jerry Hollendorfer, George Todaro, Gallop Out Racing and John Yee, is owned by Hollendorfer, Brett Tahajian and Todaro and is trained by Hollendorfer. She has one win in three starts, earnings of $48,160 and is coming off a Nov. 7 maiden win. Easter Fever is by Stormin Fever, out of the Jade Hunter mare Hunting Jade, was bred by Schroeder Farms, is owned by Gary and Cecil Barber and trained by Peter Miller. She has one win in five starts, earnings of $59,000 and is coming off a second in a Nov. 22 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... ...

House Passes Tax Depreciation Bill

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 4, 2014) — A provision that retroactively extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses was passed by the United States House of Representatives yesterday as part of H.R. 5771, the “Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014.” The bill, which extends retroactively through the end of 2014 numerous provisions which expired at the end of 2013, was passed by a vote of 378-46 and now goes to United States Senate for consideration. Maintaining the three-year recovery period for racehorse purchases has been a top legislative priority for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) since the provision’s initial enactment as part of the 2009 Farm Bill. The provision allows taxpayers to depreciate using a three-year schedule for racehorses 24 months of age and younger when purchased and placed into service, as opposed to a seven-year schedule. The accelerated schedule better reflects the length of a typical racehorse’s career and is more equitable for owners. H.R 5771 also retroactively extends two other provisions that spur investment in racehorses.... ...

U S Ranger Moves to Rancho San Miguel

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2014) — Rancho San Miguel is pleased to announce the addition of the Danzig stallion, U S Ranger, out of the Red Ransom mare, My Annette, to the 2015 roster. U S Ranger is a proven sire on the race track and in the sales ring. He has sired three Graded SWs: $250,000 Bourbon S. (G3) winner Lawn Ranger, Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) victor Solitary Ranger, and Australian GSW Get the Nod (G3). His progeny already have lifetime earnings of over $1.1 million with only two crops of racing age. In the sales ring his 2014/2013 sales progeny sold for $190,000, $190,000, $180,000, $160,000, $115,000 and $103,832. U S Ranger’s 2013 two-year-olds averaged more than 14 times the fee – including the second-highest price for a first-year stallion at the Barretts March sale. U S Ranger is a multiple stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed with earnings of $481,775. As a precocious 2-year-old he was undefeated in 3 starts by 13 combined lengths.... ...

CTBA Thanks Stallion Owners

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2014) — The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association thanks the many stallion owners for their donations that made the Tuesday night Annual Stallion Season Auction a success. More than $50,000 was raised in the auction, with the entire proceeds by law going strictly toward the lobbying expenses of the CTBA, working in support of legislation that favorably impacts California Thoroughbred breeders. The sale featured seasons donated by these farms: Ballena Vista Farm, BG Thoroughbreds, Daehling Ranch, E.A. Ranches, Fruitful Acres Farm, Harris Farms, Legacy Ranch, Lovacres Ranch, Magali Farms, Milky Way Farm, Old English Rancho, Paradise Road Ranch, Premier Thoroughbreds, Rancho San Miguel, Rancho Temescal, Special T Thoroughbreds, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Vessels Stallion Farm, Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and Woodbridge Farm. ...

Golden Gate to Honor Art Sherman

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2014) — Art Sherman, who based his operation in Northern California for many years, will be honored by Golden Gate Fields and feted by his many friends and fans here Saturday. Sherman trained California Chrome to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness this year. The colt might have locked up Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and the nation’s top 3-year-old male with his victory last Saturday in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on turf. Fans will receive California Chrome posters, and Sherman will be available near the winner’s circle to sign the posters after being interviewed by local television and radio host Sam Spear following the fourth race. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Sherman. “I’m looking forward to seeing old friends like [trainers] Tony Diaz and Bill Delia.” ◗ The annual grooms’ Christmas party, sponsored by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America and California Thoroughbred Trainers, will be held Thursday, Dec. 11. Fans can donate gifts at specially marked locations... ...

Warren’s Veneda Enters Bayakoa

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2014) – Warren’s Veneda is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos. 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 18 starts, earnings of $367,012 and is coming off a third in the Nov. 9 Betty Grable. She was third in this race last year at Hollywood Park. ...

Lucky Forty Niner in Gold Rush

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2014) – Lucky Forty Niner is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-ods at Golden Gate. 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 10 starts, earnings of $41,110 and is coming off a fifth in the Nov. 8 Golden Nugget. ...

Glass Slipper Draws Rebecca’s Surprise

HALLANDALE, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2014) – Rebecca’s Surprise is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $110,000 Glass Slipper Starter Stakes for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park. Rebecca’s Surprise is by Marino Marini, out of the Montbrook mare Violet Brook, was bred by Milt Policzer, Zuer Racing and Ray Jones, is owned by USA Thoroughbreds and trained by Kelly Breen. She has 11 wins in 26 starts, earnings of $261,198 and is coming off a win in an Oct. 16 starter’s allowance. ...

She’s Ordained Enters at Laurel

LAUREL, Md. (Dec. 3, 2014) – Defending champion She’s Ordained is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Willa on the Move Stakes for fillies and mares at Laurel Park. She’s Ordained is by Ministers 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 14 wins in 36 starts, earnings of $386,525 and is coming off a third in the July 12 Sweet and Sassy Stakes. ...

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.... ...

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... ...

‘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... ...

California Chrome

California Chrome wins $300,000 Hollywood Derby. ...

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... ...

‘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... ...

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. ...

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. ...

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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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... ...

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.... ...

‘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... ...

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. ...

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. ...

‘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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

California Chrome

California Chrome works on the Del Mar turf course. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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... ...

‘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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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. ...

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. ...

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... ...

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.... ...

‘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. ...

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,... ...

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... ...

More Complexity

More Complexity Wins $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes. ...

Awesome Return

Awesome Return wins $93,100 Let It Ride Stakes. ...

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... ...

‘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.... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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,... ...

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.” ...

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... ...

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. ...

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. ...

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... ...

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... ...

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. ...

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. ...

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... ...

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. ...

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. ...

Acceptance

Acceptance wins $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes. ...

My Fiona

My Fiona wins $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes. ...

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... ...

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. ...

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.... ...

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.... ...

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... ...

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... ...

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. ...

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... ...

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. ...

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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