California Chrome Fine the Day After

Apr 6, 2014 Posted by CTBA In Uncategorized

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2014) — Racing has itself a Rock Star. He’s California Chrome, who on Saturday started on the path of legends, winning the Santa Anita Derby in breathtaking fashion, overpowering seven rivals, including well-regarded stakes winners Hoppertunity and Candy Boy. He was all but eased up at the end of a mile and an eighth, floating home by 5 1/4 lengths under a nonchalant Victor Espinoza. Call it Superman compared to Clark Kent. It was bedlam in the winner’s circle, replete with TV cameras, photographers, social media groupies, traditional media, autograph seekers and assorted hangers-on, but both horse and trainer survived the well-intentioned ordeal. The national, yea, international, spotlight grows ever larger now as trainer Art Sherman prepares California Chrome for racing’s biggest stage, the 140th Kentucky Derby on May 3. Although off a bit slowly and crowded early, California Chrome battled longshot Dublin Up and second choice Candy Boy for the lead until the quarter pole, then took off like a Jet,... ...

California Chrome

California Chrome wins $1 million Santa Anita Derby. ...

Alert Bay

Alert Bay wins $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes ...

Rovenna

Rovenna wins $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes ...

California Chrome Romps in SA Derby

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (April 5, 2014) — It has been 59 years since Art Sherman first went to the Kentucky Derby as an 18-year-old exercise rider for 1955 Derby winner Swaps. After that, he was a jockey, then a trainer, but never has he returned to the Derby. But now he has a good reason to go back, and no one is riding higher. The Sherman-trained California Chrome, already considered the ante-post favorite for the May 3 Derby, emphatically solidified that position Saturday with a powerhouse performance in the Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, which he won by 5 1/4 lengths after a bit of early difficulty. So impressive was the win, his fourth straight, that Sherman, 77, joked, “Maybe I should take my jock’s license out.” Victor Espinoza had the mount Saturday, but the way California Chrome ($3.40) ran, Shaquille O’Neal could have ridden him. Facing two other highly regarded stakes-winning 3-year-olds, Hoppertunity and Candy Boy, California Chrome blew them off the racetrack. “It’s kind of... ...

Evening Jewel Goes to Rovenna

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2014) – With three furlongs remaining in Saturday’s $200,250 Evening Jewel Stakes at Santa Anita, jockey Victor Espinoza decided to challenge the competition aboard Rovenna. Rovenna was disputing the pace when Espinoza urged the filly clear. She responded to take a two-length lead and held it to the finish of the race over 6 1/2 furlongs for California-bred 3-year-old fillies. “I wanted to do that,” he said. “I wanted to beat everybody and take an advantage. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.” Rovenna ($5) was timed in 1:15.55. She finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of Harlington’s Rose, who closed from fifth in the field of nine. Cause Ur My Babe, an 8-1 shot, finished third, followed by Sprouts, Princess Genevieve, Gouyen, Chati’s On Top, Sprague River, and Norastone. Rovenna set an early pace of 21.81 and 44.48 seconds. She has shown speed in the past, a tactic that Espinoza wanted to use on a track that played friendly to front-runners Saturday. “That’s... ...

Alert Bay Rallies to Win Echo Eddie

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 5, 2014)—A close fifth going into the far turn, longshot Alert Bay, with Tyler Baze up, rallied at the rail to win Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligible by a half length over a fast-finishing Life Is a Joy, providing trainer Blaine Wright with his first-ever Santa Anita stakes win while covering 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.61. “This is my first stakes win here,” said Wright, who is based at Golden Gate Fields. “I’ve been training my whole life, really, but on my own since 2006. Tyler and I go back a ways…We told him the track was real tight today, try to stay as close as you can without taking the run away from him. I said ‘Watch when the dirt hits him in the face,’ because he’s run on turf, he run on Tapeta synthetic, and sometimes those horses get to stinging a little bit in their face and they’ll back up.” Owned by Peter Redekop B.C.,... ...

Derby Winner Has Harris Farms Connection

By AP ARCADIA, Calif. — Art Sherman knows what it takes to get a horse to the Kentucky Derby and win. He had a close-up view as an 18-year-old workout rider when Swaps won the 1955 Run for the Roses. Nearly 60 years later, Sherman is taking his own colt to Louisville as the early Derby favorite.California Chrome romped to a 5 ¼-length victory in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, a race Swaps won by a half-length before he went on to Kentucky Derby glory.Like Swaps, California Chrome is a California-bred chestnut — born and raised at Harris Farms in Coalinga.”He’s my Swaps,” said Sherman, now a 77-year-old trainer assisted by his son Alan. “I’m very humbled to have a horse like this.” Ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome ran 1 1-8 miles in 1:47.52. He paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 3-5 favorite of 35,241 fans. California Chrome has won his last four races by a combined 24 1/4 lengths for Sherman, a former jockey... ...

Machowsky Eyes California-bred Gold

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 4, 2014) — Mike Machowsky goes for a Cal-bred double tomorrow. The 48-year-old Cincinnati native sends out Rovenna in the $200,000 Evening Jewel for 3-year-old fillies bred in California or sired by a California stallion, and Gangnam Guy in the $200,000 Echo Eddie, the Evening Jewel’s counterpart for male 3-year-olds. Gangnam Guy, owned by Dick Barton of Ontario, California, returns to the main track after two seconds on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course at about 6 ½ furlongs. Rovenna, owned by Donald Dizney of Ocala, Florida, is coming off a daylight win in an optional allowance race. “He’s training super; I don’t think dirt’s an issue,” Machowsky said of Gangnam Guy, a son of turf specialist Roi Charmant. “When he ran going two turns on dirt here (Golden State Juvenile at one mile last Nov. 1) it was too far for him, and at Fairplex (fourth in the Barretts Juvenile at 6 ½ furlongs last Sept. 15), he blew both turns. But he’s... ...

Spensive’s Image in Sunland Park

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 6, 2014) — Spensive’s Image is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Sunland Park Stakes. He is by Spensive, out of the Well Decorated mare Image Ofa Princess, was bred by Y-Lo Racing Stables, is owned by 5 Star Racing and trained by Michael Valdez. He has five wins in 25 starts, earnings of $58,681 and is coming off a Mar. 11 allowance win. ...

Uzziel Enters Santa Paula

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2014) — Uzziel is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $75,000 Santa Paula Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Uzziel is by Harlington, out of the Lord At War mare Pretti Woman, was bred by owners James and Tammy McKenney and is trained by Mike Puype. She has two wins in five starts, earnings of $49,690 and is coming off a 13th in the Mar. 8 China Doll. ...

Tax Depreciation Bill Advances

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, April 3, 2014) – The United States Senate Finance Committee approved today legislation that would extend expired or expiring tax provisions for race horses, including a provision to extend the three-year recovery period. This provision – originally passed by Congress and enacted into law in 2008 – accelerates, simplifies and makes uniform the depreciation period for race horses. The provision expired at the end of 2013 along with several other tax provisions. The proposed version of the provision that moved out of committee today more accurately reflects current-day investments in race horses and helps to spur continued investments in the racing industry. “I applaud the Committee for moving this bill and for including this important provision in the legislation,” said Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO. “I especially appreciate that the Committee understands the continued importance of our industry and the contribution of the equine economy to job creation and added investment.” The three-year recovery provision was a top priority for the National Thoroughbred Racing... ...

Hovdey on Bertrando

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2014) — With major stakes winners Candy Boy, Hoppertunity, and California Chrome in the mix, there is a good chance that the results of the $1 million Santa Anita Derby will resonate well past the end of its nine furlongs late Saturday afternoon. You like to see a race have legs, especially a historically rich race like the Derby, despite its role as a feeder event for that other Derby at Churchill Downs. Of course, there’s no getting around it. But nothing says the top finishers of the Santa Anita Derby can’t have lives of their own after the first Saturday in May. [Santa Anita Derby Day: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live] Neither A.P. Indy nor Bertrando, 1-2 in the 1992 Santa Anita Derby, had anything to do with the Kentucky Derby that year. In the end, it did not matter. A.P. Indy, a $2.9 million yearling, recovered from foot trouble to win the Belmont Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and... ...

NTRA Legislative Annual Report Online

From NTRA WASHIINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 3, 2014) — Click here to view the 2013 NTRA Legislative annual report. Features of the report include: · List of 2013 contributors · Federal legislative summary · Maps that depict contributor locations · Contributor testimonials · Videos that explain NTRA fundraising programs · NTRA Advantage membership benefits The NTRA proudly serves the industry on Capitol Hill. Our federal legislative team is there every day to advocate for the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. ...

Hovdey on Art Sherman

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — If California Chrome performs the way Art Sherman thinks he can Saturday in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby, look out. Here comes Art Sherman. If he wins Saturday, California Chrome would be heading to the May 3 Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites. This would not be unusual. Any Santa Anita Derby winner, barring the rankest of longshots, heads to Louisville as a horse to watch – even if his trainer is a 77-year-old Derby rookie. “I know the horse is doing terrific, and I’m kind of anxious to see if he can pass this test,” Sherman said. “If he can beat this field, I think he’s got a legitimate shot at the Derby.” It was the Tuesday before the race, and Sherman was sitting in the kitchen of his home in the north San Diego County enclave of Rancho Bernardo. Sherman and his wife, Faye – they were married in 1962 – bought the place a year... ...

Life Is a Joy in Echo Eddie

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) – Life Is a Joy is the leading earner entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligbile 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Frensham is by Square Eddie, out of the Formal Gold mare Farnham, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Zillah Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill. He is a maiden making his third start with earnings of $11,450. Whine for Wine is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Jump Start mare Mrs. Began, was bred by owners Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He is coming off a maiden win Mar. 15 in his second start with earnings of $44,800. Well Measured is by Benchmark, out of the Bertrando mare Miss Thirtyfour D, was bred by Michael and Cory Wellman, is owned by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Cory and Michael Wellman and is trained by Peter Miller. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $45,200 and is coming off a second... ...

Sprouts High Weight in Evening Jewel

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner Sprouts is the 122-pound high weight in a field of nine set for Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Norastone is by Kafwain, out of the Deputy Commander mare Throne Seeker, was bred by Larry Mabee, is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Michael McCarthy. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $45,850 and is coming off a 13th in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Sprague River is by Tribal Rule, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Tina’s Love, was bred by Carl Assadurian, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $65,416 and is coming off a fourth in the Feb. 15 Sweet Life Stakes. Sprouts is by Square Eddie, out of the Yankee Victor mare Ann Summers Gold, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Edward Freeman. She... ...

All Systems Go for California Chrome

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 2, 2014)—California-bred sensation California Chrome heads a field of eight sophomores set to go 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, as the Art Sherman trainee seeks his fourth consecutive win and 100 additional Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The second, third and fourth place finishers will each receive 40, 20 and 10 qualifying points respectively. A chestnut colt by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has become the talk of the racing world since going gate to wire in the Grade II, 1 1/16 miles San Felipe Stakes on March 8, winning by 7 ¼ lengths under Victor Espinoza. A winner of his last three races, all stakes, by a combined 19 lengths, California Chrome, with Espinoza up, worked a half mile at his Los Alamitos base on Saturday in 46.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.40. “He looked sharp and he galloped out strong,” said Sherman on Saturday. “All systems are go. His work was super, I was... ...

Smoove It in the Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — Smoove It is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Smoove It is by Square Eddie, out of the Distorted Humor mare Smoove, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $79,760 and is coming off a third in the Feb. 15 Sweet Life Stakes. ...

Kukaluka Enters Providencia

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — Kukaluka is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Kukaluka is by Comic Strip, out of the Roar mare Ms. Booty, was bred by Mr. and Mrs. William T. Gray, is owned by Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and is trained by Peter Miller. She has one win in six starts, earnings of $36,464 and is coming off a fifth in a Mar. 13 allowance. ...

Warren’s Venedalucy in Czarina

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 3, 2014) — Warren’s Venedalucy is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Czarina Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. 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 trained by Justin Evans. She has six wins in 25 starts, earnings of $150,384 and is coming off a fourth in the Mar. 23 Harry Henson ...

Relay for Life of Ferndale May 3

From Relay for Life FERNDALE, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — 10th Annual HERO Ride For Life will be Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Ferndale Fairgrounds race track. The HERO Ride For Life is a relay fundraiser on horseback and the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Teams of horses and riders relay at a walk at the Ferndale Fairgrounds Racetrack from 9am to 4pm. Download and mail a team registration form or register at the event beginning at 7 a.m. http://www.herorideforlife.org/ In 2004, as a freshman at Eureka High School in Eureka, California, Holly LaCount enrolled in a service learning program called Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) in which students develop projects to solve problems in their community. Holly wanted to develop a project that would combine her love of horses and her desire to make a difference in her community. To honor her Grandma Joy, who died of ovarian cancer in 2003, she decided to develop a project that would help fund cancer research and support services. Through planning and perseverance Holly founded the... ...

O’Neill Knows How Sherman Feels

By Brisnet.com It’s been nearly 60 years since Art Sherman had a horseman’s interest in the Kentucky Derby. He was 18 in 1955 when he accompanied the great Swaps and his trainer Mesh Tenney to Churchill Downs to prepare the colt for his victory in the Run for the Roses 59 years ago. If the fates allow, Sherman, now 77, will make it back to Louisville, Kentucky, for the 140th classic, this year with California Chrome, like Swaps a California-bred chestnut. Sherman is advised to enjoy the ride, from no less an authority than Doug O’Neill, who fulfilled every trainer’s dream two years ago by winning the Derby with 15-1 longshot I’ll Have Another. After winning the Preakness, the upstart three-year-old came within hailing distance of going for the Triple Crown but was sidelined with an 11th-hour injury a day before the Belmont Stakes. But first things first, and for streaking California Chrome, that would be Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, a race O’Neill won the last... ...

Santa Anita Traffic Closure on Saturday

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 30, 2014)—Those wishing to spend the morning at Santa Anita’s Clockers’ Corner on Saturday, April 5, are advised that Baldwin Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic between the 210 Freeway and Huntington Drive from 7:45 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in order to accommodate Santa Anita’s annual Santa Anita Derby Day 5k Run & Walk. Accordingly, Santa Anita’s Gate 8, which adjoins the Westfield Shopping Mall on Baldwin Ave., and Gate 7, at the track’s northeast end, will also be closed to vehicles during the same time frame. Those wishing to visit Clockers’ Corner will be able to enter the track on Santa Anita’s east end, through Gate 5, or on the track’s southern perimeter, through Gate 3. Gates 3 & 5 will be open for easy access to Clockers’ Corner beginning at 5 a.m. and will remain open throughout the day. Santa Anita’s main track will be closed for training at 7:30 a.m. Gate 3 is located at the intersection of Holly... ...

California Chrome Drills for SA Derby

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2014) — California Chrome and Candy Boy, the two favorites for next Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, had their final major drills Saturday morning for their highly anticipated meeting, California Chrome working four furlongs at his Los Alamitos headquarters in 46.40 under regular rider Victor Espinoza, and Candy Boy going six furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:11.80 under regular rider Gary Stevens. “He looked sharp,” trainer Art Sherman said of California Chrome. “He galloped out strong, five furlongs in a minute, and three-quarters in 1:13 2/5. All systems are go. His work was super; I was very impressed . . . I’ll get him over there, school him in the gate, go through the paddock and then we’ll be ready to go. Since it’s supposed to rain Tuesday, we might go over Wednesday. “He’s doing great over here. All our horses are running good from here, and they go over (to Santa Anita) and win so it must be... ...

Gold Rush at Santa Anita Apr. 26

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2014) – Here’s the lineup for the five stakes races of the $850,000 California Gold Rush XV, for California-breds and sired, to be held for the first time at Santa Anita on Saturday, Apr. 26, 2014: $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes, 3-year-olds, at 1 1/8 miles on turf (purse paid down to eighth place). $250,000 Melair Stakes, 3-year-old fillies, at 1 1/16 miles (purse paid down to eighth place). $125,000 Tiznow Stakes, 4-year-olds & up, at one mile. $125,000 Spring Fever Stakes, 4-year-olds & up, fillies and mares, at 6 furlongs. $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, 4-year-olds & up fillies and mares, at one mile on turf. Nominations close Saturday, Apr. 12. For more information, contact Rick Hammerle at the Santa Anita Racing Office, 626-574-6352. ...

Bertrando Passes at 25

By DRF.com BUELLTON, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2014) — Bertrando, who received the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding older male of 1993 and was a former leading stallion in California, died recently of infirmities of old age, owner Marty Wygod said on Friday. Bertrando was 25. On the racetrack, he won 9 of 24 starts and earned $3,185,610 in a career highlighted by eight stakes wins, including three Grade 1 races – the 1991 Norfolk Stakes and the Pacific Classic and Woodward Stakes in 1993. Bertrando started in three Breeders’ Cup races, finishing second in the 1991 Juvenile, second in the 1993 Classic, and sixth in the 1994 Classic. Bertrando entered the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Classic with a chance at the Horse of the Year title, but was beaten by the European longshot Arcangues. By Skywalker, Bertrando was bred by Edward Nahem and was raced by him in partnership with 505 Farms and Gus Headley early in his career. Later, Nahem and Marshall Naify’s 505 Farms were listed as owners.... ...

DRF.com on Lucky Pulpit

By DRF.com If Rousing Sermon didn’t put California sire Lucky Pulpit in the consciousness of breeders, California Chrome sure has. Lucky Pulpit is a 13-year-old son of Pulpit, who stands at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., for the modest fee of $2,500. But great ones can come from anywhere, and California Chrome’s dominating win in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes has raised awareness in Lucky Pulpit, who was California’s leading freshman sire in 2010. On the racetrack, Lucky Pulpit won three of 22 starts, but the résumé includes a turf win at five furlongs in the Arlington Park Smile Stakes at age 4 and graded placings at 2 and 3. Lucky Pulpit was bred and raced by Larry and Marianne Williams, who still own him, along with his biggest winner. That would be Rousing Sermon, a multiple stakes winner of $710,092 out of Lucky Pulpit’s second crop. Rousing Sermon made it to the Kentucky Derby in 2012, finishing eighth behind winner I’ll Have Another. Now Lucky Pulpit has another... ...

Gold Rush at Santa Anita Apr. 26

Spud Spivens Enters Santana

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2014) — Spud Spivens is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Spud Spivens is by Tizbud, out of the Cutlass Reality mare Oceans Reality, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Vincent and Audrey Marchionno and Henry Moreno and is trained by Moreno. He has four wins in 26 starts, earnings of $269,544 and is coming off a seventh in a Feb. 7 allowance. He was sixth in this race two years ago. ...

Increased Security for Santa Anita Derby

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2014) – In an effort to safeguard the health and welfare of horses and riders, Santa Anita Park officials have announced they will provide round-the-clock surveillance of all horses entered in the Santa Anita Derby beginning 72 hours before the April 5 race. This security measure will be similar to that provided for 2013’s Derby and for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup in Arcadia. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) will also have an increased security presence on the backside of Santa Anita for Derby Day. In addition to the usual CHRB enforcement personnel at Santa Anita, additional investigators and safety stewards are being brought in from Sacramento and Los Alamitos. The added CHRB staffing will augment Santa Anita’s stakes race security, allowing for broad stable area coverage for the Derby program, which also includes the Santa Anita Oaks, and three other stakes on an 11-race card. The CHRB also plans to conduct out-of competition testing for those horses nominated to the Santa Anita Derby,... ...

Unusual Hottie in American Beauty

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 26, 2014) – California-breds Unusual Hottie and Journey On are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 American Beauty Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Unusual Hottie is by Unusual Heat, out of the Ski Champ mare Branco Como Neve, was bred by owner Ali Nilforushan and is trained by Jeff Mullins. She has seven wins in 19 starts, earnings of $397,528 and is coming off an eighth in the Feb. 17 Buena Vista Stakes. Journey On is by Good Journey, out of the American Chance mare Miss Del Mar, was bred by Leatherman Racing, is owned by Neil Haymes and Robert Master and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $154,660 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 16 optional claimer. ...

Ludt, Haines Get New Jobs

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 26, 2014) — Santa Anita Park will soon have a new president in Tom Ludt, the former chairman of the Breeders’ Cup, after longtime executive George Haines was selected to head Southern California’s offtrack wagering facility network. Ludt, 49, is to assume his new duties April 7, the Los Angeles Turf Club announced in a statement released March 26. He was hired a year ago at Santa Anita as senior vice president, racing, and gaming by The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita. Ludt served a two-year term as chairman of the Breeders’ Cup board from 2011-13, and was president of Vinery Farms from 2004-2013. Haines was selected by unanimous vote to oversee Southern California Off Track Wagering, Inc., known in the industry as SCOTWINC, which is responsible for the region’s brick-and-mortar simulcast locations. In recent years, the simulcast network has expanded to include mini-satellites at card clubs, restaurants, and sports bars, in addition to the traditional racetrack and county fairground sites. Haines has served... ...

California Chrome Derby Future Favorite

By DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Mar. 24, 2014) – Talk about attrition. Since Churchill Downs offered its earliest-ever Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool in late November, only two horses have been listed in all four pools toward the 2014 Derby – Cairo Prince and Strong Mandate. The lineup for the fourth and last 2014 futures pool was released by Churchill Downs on Monday, and the customary turnover from the previous pool is evident. Nine new names are on the roster for Pool 4, which opens Thursday at noon Eastern and closes Saturday at 6 p.m. Both the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby are scheduled to be run Saturday after the pool closes. The new horses for Pool 4 are Bobby’s Kitten, Chitu, Hoppertunity, In Trouble, Midnight Hawk, Ride On Curlin, Ring Weekend, Social Inclusion, and We Miss Artie. Those horses displace the following from Pool 3, which was held Feb. 27 to March 1: Conquest Titan, Honor Code, Indianapolis, Kobe’s Back, Kristo, Noble Moon, Shared Belief, Tamarando, and Top Billing. Besides Cairo... ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 23, 2014) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Friday, March 21, 2014, at Cal Expo. 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 finalized the Northern California racing calendar for 2015 by allocating racing dates for the latter half of the year to Golden Gate Fields and the northern fairs. The Board earlier approved the racing calendar for the first half of 2015 by allocating dates for the current meet at Golden Gate Fields through June 15. The racing season will continue with dates allocated to the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton (June 17 through July 6) followed by the State Fair at Cal Expo (July 9 through July 26), the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa (July... ...

Halo Dolly

Halo Dolly Wins $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes ...

Halo Dolly Nearly a Millionaire

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 23, 2014)—Halo Dolly made an easy lead and coasted to a gate to wire score in Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita, prevailing by 1 ½ lengths over favored Unusual Way while getting one mile in 1:35.73. Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Halo Dolly, one of two Jerry Hollendorfer-trained horses in the five-horse field for older fillies and mares bred or sired in California, cleared the favorite, who stumbled leaving the gate with Edwin Maldonado, by two lengths around the Club House turn and repelled a stiff challenge through the drive to win going away. “She got a good jump out of the gate, and if it (getting to the lead) was going to come easy, we weren’t going to stop her from taking what was easy for her,” said Nakatani. “Jerry does a great job with the horses. It doesn’t matter what the odds are, they’ve always got a shot.” Owned by... ...

Warren’s Knockout Scores KO

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 23, 2014) – California-bred Warren’s Knockout was rewarded for a persistent stretch with a win in Sunday’s $75,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. Warren’s Knockout is by Stormed, out of the Doneraile Court mare Now My Precious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Len Schermer and trained by Justin Evans. He has 11 wins in 22 starts, earnings of $365,040 and was coming off asecond in a Feb. 18 optional claimer. For Warren’s Knockout’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/warrens+knockout ...

Mackey New Golden Gate Racing Secretary

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 23, 2014) — Patrick Mackey has been named as racing secretary at Golden Gate Fields and will begin his duties in mid-May. He replaces David Jerkens, who earlier this year accepted the racing secretary position at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Mackey served as assistant racing secretary for the New York Racing Association from 2010-12 after holding the same position at Arlington Park and Gulfstream Park. He is set to arrive at Golden Gate March 27 and will a work with Jerkens for six weeks before Jerkens departs for Southern California. The 36-year-old Mackey comes from a racing family. His late father, Michael, served as general manager at several tracks, including Thistledown, Hialeah Park, Tampa Bay Downs, and Detroit Race Course. His late grandfather, Oscar Mackey, was a steward, starter, and trainer. Mackey began his career in racing in 1998, working as a racing official at Hialeah Park, Atlantic City Race Course, Great Barrington Fair, and Northampton Fair. Before joining NYRA, he served as assistant racing... ...

CHRB Releases NorCal Fair Schedule

By DRF.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2014) — After months of discussion, the California Horse Racing Board finalized the racing schedule for the Northern California fair circuit in July and August of 2015 at its monthly meeting on Friday, giving Cal-Expo in Sacramento and the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa consecutive three-week meetings. Cal-Expo was awarded dates from the week of July 9 through July 26, followed by Santa Rosa from the week of July 29 through Aug. 16. In addition, the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale will race from Aug. 19-30, while Golden Gate Fields will begin its late summer meeting on Aug. 21. The Cal-Expo and Santa Rosa dates for 2015 are different than this year’s schedule when Cal-Expo has a two-week meeting in July, and Santa Rosa has a three-week meeting ending on Aug. 10. The 2015 dates for Cal-Expo and Santa Rosa were the subject of a two-hour debate on Friday, with officials from Santa Rosa unable to confirm to the racing board that it... ...

TOC Announces Leading Owners of 2013

Arcadia, Calif., March 21, 2014 – The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) has announced the winners of its 2013 statistical awards for leading California owners. Hronis Racing, LLC was leading owner in purse money won in California last year; the partnership of Jerry Hollendorfer and George Todaro led all owners by number of wins for the second consecutive year; and Glen Hill Farm took the leading owner award for California stakes wins. Brian Decker was selected as Rookie of the Year. Hronis Racing runners earned a total of $1,976,632 in California last year, including five stakes wins. Top earners were Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap winner Vagabond Shoes, Grade 2 Santa Barbara Handicap winner Lady of Shamrock, Rising Legend, winner of the Oceanside Stakes, Sky High Gal, and Iotapa. Hollendorfer and Todaro won a remarkable 38 races from 125 starts in California last year for total purse earnings of $1,033,195. Their leading earners were Lady of Fifty, winner of the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, and Zeewat, winner of... ...

New Immigration Bill Introduced

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 20, 2014) — Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) recently introduced H.R. 4238 to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act that provides requirements for employers of H-2B nonimmigrant workers and is the basic body of immigration law. Rep. Harris’ bill includes, among its provisions, an amendment that covers returning workers and how they impact the annual cap on the number of H-2B visas available to employers. Specifically, H.R. 4238 reinstates the returning worker exemption so that those workers who complied with the terms of previous H-2B visas can return to the U.S. and not count against the cap of 66,000 visas. Of that number, 33,000 are made available for the first half of the fiscal year and 33,000 for the second half. The first half cap already has been reached. The legislation also clarifies the methodology used to determine the prevailing wage rate that H-2B employers must pay and ensures that workers receive compensation that is both fair and reflective of current market conditions. The H-2B visa... ...

Halo Dolly in Dream of Summer Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2014) – California champion Halo Dolly leads a compact but competitive field of five entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Halo Dolly is by Popular, out of the Comic Strip mare Spanish Halo, was bred by Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez, is owned by Hoefflin, Hoefflin, Hollendorfer, O’Farrell, Robin, et al, and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has 17 wins in 36 starts, earnings of $922,316 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 12 Paseana Stakes. She was the 2012 champion Cal-bred older female. Warren’s Rosebud is by Affirmed, out of the Cozzene mare Elusive Rose, was bred by owner Benjamin Warren and is trained by Jorge Gutierrez. She has two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $96,080 and is coming off a Feb. 20 allowance win. Could Be Trouble is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Devon Lane mare To B. Devon, was bred by John... ...

Swiss Lake Yodeler in Kentucky

FLORENCE, Ky. (Mar. 20, 2014) – Swiss Lake Yodeler is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $125,000 Grade III Fathead Bourbonette Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turfway Park. Swiss Lake Yodeler is by Swiss Yodeler, out of the Meadowlake mare Domasco Lake, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer She has three wins in six starts, earnings of $247,850 and is coming off a third in the Mar. 1 Santa Ysabel Stakes. ...

California Chrome to Santa Anita Derby

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2014) – California Chrome, the easy winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 8, is being prepared for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Trainer Art Sherman said Wednesday that the Santa Anita Derby over 1 1/8 miles gives California Chrome an important prep for the Triple Crown races. After the San Felipe, Sherman said he was considering skipping the Santa Anita Derby and going straight to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3. “I’m looking toward the Santa Anita Derby,” Sherman said. “We’ll give it a shot and we’ll see where we’re at.” Sherman said California Chrome needed a few extra days to recover from the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe, which the colt won by 7 1/4 lengths for his fourth career stakes win and first in a graded stakes. “He’s picked his head up a little bit,” Sherman said. “It took him a good week to start acting like his old self. I was... ...

Tamarando Favored in Spiral Stakes

By Bloodhorse.com FLORENCE, Ky. (Mar. 19, 2014) — Susan Moulton’s Solitary Ranger, the first horse she ever purchased, will attempt to become only the second runner in history to take the local prep at Turfway Park and win the $550,000 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes (gr. III) March 22 at the Florence oval. Concerto, who won the 1997 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and what was then the grade II Jim Beam Stakes (now the Spiral again), is the only 3-year-old to have aced both Turfway tests on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The Spiral, to be run as the 11th on a 12-race card with an approximate post time of 6:28 p.m. EDT, is worth 50 qualifying points to the winner—enough to secure a spot in the Derby starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Solitary Ranger, a son of first crop sire U S Ranger trained by Wayne Catalano, won the March 1 Battaglia on Turfway’s Polytrack by 4 3/4 wire-to-wire lengths... ...

CTBA With a Presence at Ag Day

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2014) – Ag Day at the California Capitol was held Wednesday and California Thoroughbred Breeders Association was there, representing breeders and offering legislators information on the vital role the Thoroughbred industry plays in the state’s agricultural economy. CTBA past Presidents Sue Greene and Leigh Ann Howard, along with event coordinator Christy Chapman promoted the sport and educated visitors to the CTBA booth on general horse facts and Thoroughbred racing and breeding in California. Long time CTBA member Ellen Jackson once again provided a mare and foal (Maddie’s Odyssey accompanied by her two-week-old Unusual Heat colt) for the CTBA booth so visitors could have a personal experience with a Thoroughbred. Among the legislators that visited the booth were Assemblymembers Isadore Hall III, Jimmy Gomez, Frank Bigelow, Christina Garcia, Steven Bradford, Brian Jones, Adam Gray, Cheryl Brown and Senator Tom Berryhill. Many members of the local media also stopped by to take photos and visit with the horses. For more information on California’s Ag Day, click http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agday/. ...

Bill Thomas Draws Cal-bred Pair

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 20, 2014) – California-breds Warren’s Knockout and L.A. Weekend are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. Warren’s Knockout is by Stormed, out of the Doneraile Court mare Now My Precious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Len Schermer and trained by Justin Evans. He has eight wins in 31 starts, earnings of $344,057 and is coming of a second in a Feb. 18 optional claimer. L.A. Weekend is by Tribal Rule, out of the Avenue of Flags mare Storybook Fair, was bred by Dennis Johnston, is owned by Simon Hudy and trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has 10 wins in 21 starts, earnings of $319,040 and is coming off a second in the Feb. 15 Phoenix Gold Cup. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Harry Henson

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 20, 2014) – California-breds Wine Thief and Warren’s Vendalucy are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Harry Henson Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Wine Thief is by Benchmark, out of the French Parliament mare Malbay Slew, was bred by Robert and Eileen Osaki and West 12 Ranch, is owned by SEJ Stables and trained by Justin Evans. She has seven wins in 26 starts, earnings of $166,613 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 1 optional claimer. Warren’s Vendalucy 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 six wins in 24 starts, earnings of $147,384 and is coming off an eighth in the Feb. 15 Sun City Handicap. ...

Dr. William Gray and Jill Gray

Dr. William Gray and Jill Gray are longtime members of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Q: When and how did you first get involved in the Thoroughbred breeding industry? How does your professional background influence your Thoroughbred breeding plan? A: My first experience with breeding began in 1969 with my father, Wesley Gray in New Mexico. We hauled an old mare in a one-horse trailer pulled behind our car to a small farm south of Albuquerque. We unloaded the mare, she was in heat (apparently), bred the mare, paid the $100 stud fee, loaded her back up and took her back to the pasture. She had a colt 11 months later. It was easy money! Now, 45 years later, I am a practicing veterinarian, running a multi-doctor practice and a small breeding/racing operation. Now I have to deal with problem mares, sick foals, lame and colicky horses. Many days I wish I could go back to that one-horse trailer, $100 dollar stud fees, and my dad paying for the... ...

Classic Horse Show Apr. 12-13

From CARMA LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2014) — Entries are now being taken online for the initial Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show event to be held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, presented by Siegel-CARMA Foundation, Apr. 12-13. Entries can be submitted at horseshowtime.com. The other two other dates for the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show Series – June 14-15 at Galway Downs and Dec. 13-14 at Los Angeles Equestrian Center. ...

Tribal Rule Progeny Top $1 million in 2014

From Ballena Vista Farm ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2014) — A Tribal Rule one-two finish in Santa Anita’s Irish O’Brien Stakes and Joy Boy’s two-turn allowance win at Oaklawn Park propelled Tribal Rule’s 2014 progeny earnings to $1,035,189 by the end of the day and a $276,418 lead on California’s General Sire list. Tribal Spy became Tribal Rule’s 36 stakes winner when she broke smartly and led gate-to-wire in the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes covering the hillside course of about 6 ½ furlongs in 1:12.59 while defeating Tribal Rule’s Grade 2 winner Ciao Bella Luna who closed bravely from last after “missing” the break. With her first stakes victory and fifth career win, Tribal Spy increased her earnings to $238,610. Trained by Adam Kitchingman for Triple B Farms owner Paul Boghossian, Tribal Spy was bred by Gary Barber and is the first foal from the Victory Gallop allowance winner Victory Spy. Tribal Rule’s 5-year-old Joy Boy handled the wet fast surface in Arkansas with ease, controlling the pace throughout the 1... ...

Tamarando Aims for Spiral Stakes

By Thoroughbred Daily News ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2013) — The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained California-bred Tamarando tops the list of probable for Turfway Park’s Grade III Horseshoe Casino Spiral Stakes for 3-year-olds on Mar. 22. The Grade III El Camino Real Derby winner will attempt to attain some of the 85 Kentucky Derby points up for grabs. “He’s been very sound and he’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do,” said Hollendorfer. “He fits in this race. It looks like a good spot.” Tamarando breezed seven panels at Golden Gate in 1:28 with Russell Baze up on Sunday. ...

California Chrome’s Next Start Uncertain

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2014) — Recent San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winner California Chrome could be entered for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) next month, but firm plans for the colt’s next race were still undetermined as of the morning of March 16. The Santa Anita Derby, run at 1 1/8 miles, is set for April 5 at Santa Anita Park. “We’re playing it by ear with him,” trainer Art Sherman said. California Chrome, who most recently captured the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) by 7 1/4 lengths March 8, is on a three-race winning streak, all in stakes. “The horse is doing well,” Sherman added. “He galloped this morning (at his headquarters at Los Alamitos Race Course). Let’s say he’s on the Derby trail and there’s a chance he could run in the Santa Anita Derby.” The California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit , who has won his three most recent starts by a combined margin of 19 lengths, earned 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky... ...

Tribal Spy

Tribal Spy Wins $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes. ...

Tribal Spy Wins Irish O’Brien

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2014) – Tribal Spy really did have the luck of the Irish on her side in the $100,500 Irish O’Brien Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. She was one of two horses in the race seemingly with early speed, but when Ciao Bella Luna got off absolutely last in the field of seven, Tribal Spy found herself with an uncontested lead, and she nursed it all the way to the wire to win the downhill turf sprint for California-bred females. Tribal Spy ($10.40) got away with soft fractions – for the downhill course — of 22.36 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.75 for a half-mile while covering the about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12.59 to give jockey Irving Orozco his first stakes win. Tribal Spy held on to win by one length over an unlucky Ciao Bella Luna, who bravely got back into contention and fought on along the rail through the lane. Ciao Bella Luna finished second by a head over Dancingtothestars, with... ...

Kafwain’s Let Faith Arise Wins Grade I

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2014) — Seeking her first graded stakes win, Let Faith Arise put away pace rivals Fiftyshadesofhay and Iotapa in the stretch to win the $350,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (gr. I) March 15 at Santa Anita Park (VIDEO). Let Faith Arise, runner-up in both the La Canada (gr. II) and Santa Maria (gr. II) stakes to begin the year, prevailed by 1 3/4 lengths with Corey Nakatani aboard. It was Nakatani’s fifth win in the Santa Margarita, but his first since 2000 with Riboletta. Let Faith Arise, a Kentucky-bred 4-year-old daughter of Kafwain , is a homebred for Tommy Town Thoroughbreds trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. It was the first Santa Margarita win for the Hall of Fame conditioner. Let Faith Arise, always prominent while racing between Fiftyshadesofhay and 7-5 favorite Iotapa, completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:48.70. Iotapa, who defeated Let Faith Arise by 1 3/4 lengths in winning the Santa Maria Feb. 15 in front-running fashion, held second by half a length with Stanwyck... ...

Jockey Club Fact Book Online

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 15, 2014) — The Jockey Club announced today that the 2014 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of its website at jockeyclub.com. The online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing and auction sales in North America. It also features a directory of state, national and international organizations. Links to the Breeding Statistics report that is released by The Jockey Club each September and the Report of Mares Bred information that is published by The Jockey Club each October can now be found in the Breeding section of the Fact Book. The 2014 editions of State Fact books, which feature detailed breeding, racing and auction sales information specific to numerous states and Canadian provinces, are also available on The Jockey Club website. The State Fact Books are updated monthly. “The information available in both the online Fact Book and the State Fact books provide not only a statistical history of the sport but... ...

Media Turn Out for California Chrome

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 14, 2014) — Plans for California Chrome’s next race are still on hold but that hasn’t diminished interest in the California-bred colt one whit. When it comes to gaining mainstream recognition, he may not be in Silky Sullivan’s league yet, but he’s getting there. The son of Lucky Pulpit, smashing winner of his last three starts, including the Grade II San Felipe Stakes last Saturday, is on the fast track to the May 3 Kentucky Derby after earning 50 qualifying points by winning the San Felipe. “We just had Channel 8 from San Diego and ESPN here and I’ve done nine radio interviews,” trainer Art Sherman said Thursday morning by phone from his headquarters at Los Alamitos. “I don’t know why he’s so popular, but there’s a ton of interest in him.” As to whether he would run in the Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5, Sherman said, “It’s too early to know right now. He came out of... ...

James Street, Wolfcamp to Fruitful Acres Farms

From Fruitful Acres Farm AGUANA, Calif. (Mar. 14, 2014) — James Street, a multiple graded stakes winner of $637,723 and stakes placed Wolfcamp, winner of $189,148, out of the multiple graded stakes winning mare Bauhauser (ARG), have been retired from racing to stand at Fruitful Acres Farm, providing California breeders a fresh option for their mares. The sons of El Prado were responsible for eight Grade I winners in 2013. His progeny at stud are led by 2013 Champion Sire, Kitten’s Joy, Medaglia d’Oro (sire of Grade I stakes winners Rachel Alexandra, Marketing Mix and Violence ) and Artie Schiller, sire of recent Grade II San Antonio Stakes winner Blingo. James Street will stand for $10,000 and Wolfcamp for $3,000. Inquiries to Mike Tippett at (909)518-0018 or farm manager Vincent Harris (951)219-1916. ...

Marks Mine Captures Camilla Urso

By SFGate.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2014) — It’s always advantageous for a horse to possess natural speed, but sometimes you need some grit, too, which is how Marks Mine won the $59,400 Camilla Urso Stakes on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Marks Mine, the even-money favorite, broke from the No. 5 post position under Frank Alvarado in the 6-furlong race for fillies and mares. Fellow front-runner Fast and Fury, ridden by Leslie Mawing, broke from the outside slot in the field of eight. “I told Frank to back off if the eight goes, and he tried to do that, but the eight backed off, too, so he was stuck on the inside,” winning trainer Steve Specht said. “I was a little concerned that it would soften her up for someone else from behind, but she digs in and gives you what she’s got.” Marks Mine disposed of Fast and Fury at the top of the stretch and spurted to a two-length lead, but just as Specht feared, Happybirthdaybaby and jockey Russell Baze... ...

Hovdey on Stulls

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2014) — This is a big week for Tom and Debi Stull of Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. Their investment is considerable. Their name is on the product, with a lot of talented people in the mix. And yet there is no guarantee of a happy ending. On the contrary, such endeavors fail miserably far more often than they succeed. They are also running a horse in a Grade 1 race. Let Faith Arise, second in the La Canada and Santa Maria this year, will carry the Tommy Town colors Saturday at Santa Anita in the $350,000 Santa Margarita Invitational, traditionally the high point of the meet for older fillies and mares. Her opposition includes La Canada winner Spellbound and Santa Maria winner Iotapa, as well as Black-Eyed Susan winner Fiftyshadesofhay and the Argentine Group 1 winner Miss Serendipity. (Those familiar with the history of the Santa Margarita might rue the lack of true marquee names, but the recent California landscape in the division... ...

Ciao Bella Luna Runs by the Rules

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2014) — Ciao Bella Luna is the rare Kentucky-bred eligible to race in stakes for California-breds. The 4-year-old filly is by the California-based stallion Tribal Rule. A few years ago, conditions for California-breds were broadened to include California-bred and California-sired horses. The new restriction allowed Ciao Bella Luna to start in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint here Jan. 25, a race she won. On Saturday, Ciao Bella Luna is back with California-breds in the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course. Ciao Bella Luna is the only filly or mare in the field of seven not bred in the state. In the Sunshine Millions race, Ciao Bella Luna was always near the front and won by a half-length over Marks Mine. Trainer Peter Miller said Ciao Bella Luna is capable of repeating that performance. [Santa Margarita: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live] “She’s got a very good chance,” Miller said. “She’s doing well. She runs... ...

Marks Mine in Camilla Urso

ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2014) –Stakes winner Marks Mine and fellow California-bred Fast and Foxy are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Marks Mine is by Benchmark, out of the Capote mare Ermine Fever, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. She has seven wins in 15 starts, earnings of $324,454 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. Fast and Foxy is by Thisnearlywasmine, out of the Falstaff mare Zorra Roja, was bred by Daehling Ranch and is owned by Daehling Ranch and Holly Evans and is trained by Evans, She has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $66,540 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 17 allowance. ...

Go West Marie in the East

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 13, 2014) — Go West Marie is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Go West Marie is by Western Fame, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie’s Rose, was bred by Summer Mayberry, is owned by Funky Monky Stable and is trained by David Donk. She has one win in five starts, earnings of $51,700 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 24 optional claimer. ...

CHRB Meeting Moved to Cal Expo

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2014) — The March 21 meeting of the California Horse Racing Board that was originally scheduled to be held at Santa Anita Park has been moved to Cal Expo in Sacramento on that same date. This meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only Webcast of the meeting can be heard through the “Webcasts” link on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov). The agenda for this meeting is currently available on the CHRB Website and the supporting package of materials will be available on the Website later this week through the following link: agenda. ...

Dancingtothestars in Irish O’Brien

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 12, 2014)—Classy Dancingtothestars, a winner of the one mile turf Megahertz Stake two starts back, Ciao Bella Luna, an extra game winner of the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint going 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course Jan. 25, and Tribal Spy, who pressed the pace and was third, beaten a half length by “Ciao,” head a competitive field of seven in Saturday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for older fillies and mares coming down the hill. Easily the leading money earner in the field with $401,122 to her credit, Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds homebred Dancingtothestars ran an even seventh, beaten 5 ½ lengths, in her most recent start, the Grade II, one mile turf Buena Vista Handicap on Feb. 17. A 6-year-old mare by Good Journey, Dancingtothestars was third in last year’s Irish O’Brien and was second coming down the hill in the Feb. 10, 2013 Wishing Well Stakes. Conditioned by Doug O’Neill, Dancingtothestars has been ridden in 13 of her... ...

Jerardi on California Chrome

By Dick Jerardi, DRF.com Sometimes, you know in November. Many years, it is April, or even Kentucky Derby Week. You see a horse and say, “That is the one.” Given that I am in the middle of chasing basketballs around the country, I will admit that I had not seen a single one of California Chrome’s races until I fired up my laptop to watch the San Felipe Stakes last Saturday. It was disappointing to see that Bayern had to be scratched after those two dazzling wins, but I was looking forward to seeing Midnight Hawk, who I thought had run a very impressive third behind Candy Boy in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. I thought he would improve off that race. Well, Midnight Hawk did improve and still got crushed. [ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays] California Chrome absolutely flew out of the gate to clear the field instantly. But jockey Victor Espinoza obviously knew what he had under him, so he just let the... ...

Campanile Stakes Moved to June 8

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2014) — Golden Gate Fields announced that the Campanile, a one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies bred in California, has been moved from May 31 to June 8, the same day as the $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes, a one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds bred in California. Both races are Golden State Series Stakes. “By moving the Campanile to June 8, we create a day where California-breds are showcased in two stakes,” said Jerkens. “We are also going to try to card a couple of allowance races for California-breds that day. As California Chrome proved with his dominating victory in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita (Saturday), California-breds deserve to be spotlighted.” Golden Gate also announced that the Alcatraz Stakes has been added to the winter-spring meeting stakes schedule. The Alcatraz is for 3-year-olds and will be run at one mile on the turf May 11. Nominations for the race will close May 1. The addition of the Alcatraz means Golden Gate Fields will present a... ...

Pressure Off California Chrome’s Trainer

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2014) — Following a dazzling win from California Chrome in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at Santa Anita Park, trainer Art Sherman says he can concentrate on the best way to get to this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). “I’m not making any plans (for his next race), you know what I mean?” said the 77-year-old Sherman, whose long years of toil are being rewarded by the unlikely California-bred colt. “I’m in the Derby now; I’ve got enough points. That took a lot of pressure off me. I’m just going to play it by ear. There is a chance we might go to the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).” Speaking by phone to the Santa Anita publicity department March 9, Sherman added, “The horse has to let me know. He came out of the race good, he ate up last night. I was happy. He’s a cool horse. I just don’t want to do too much with... ...

California Chrome

California Chrome wins San Felipe Stakes. ...

California Chrome Romps in San Felipe

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 6, 2014)—In a breathtaking performance, California Chrome, under Victor Espinoza, won Saturday’s Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes in gate to wire fashion by 7 ¼ lengths, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.59, the second fastest final time in the 77-year history of the race, potentially stamping himself as the horse to beat in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Breaking like a shot from the number two post position as the 7-5 favorite in a field of six 3-year-olds, the Art Sherman-conditioned California Chrome was quickly in-hand around the Club House turn with second choice Midnight Hawk to his outside and was full himself through splits of 23.09, 45.55, 1:09.45 and 1:35.94. “He ran like I expected him to,” said Espinoza. “I wanted to try something new today, so I let him go right out of the gate. I don’t know if people expected me to go right to the lead, but I wanted to let him enjoy his... ...

Bloodhorse.com on California Chrome

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2014) — Favored California Chrome proved he belongs on the Triple Crown trail with a front-running stampede to victory in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at gleaming Santa Anita Park (VIDEO). The modest California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit ran his current winning streak to three while scoring his first triumph over open company in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds by 7 1/4 lengths. His combined margin of victory during his current streak is 19 lengths. The victory was worth 50 points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) for California Chrome, who is trained by Art Sherman. The shiny chestnut colt posted prior stakes wins over restricted foes in the King Glorious Stakes Dec. 22 and California Cup Derby Jan. 25, and also captured the Graduation Stakes last summer at Del Mar. Sherman, who has been in the racing business for more than 50 years as jockey and trainer, has his first serious... ...

DRF.com on California Chrome

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – California Chrome is training at a place known for horses that run a quarter-mile, but on Saturday at Santa Anita he ran like a horse who wants every part of 1 1/4 miles. California Chrome crushed his rivals in the Grade 2, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes, a major prep for 3-year-olds for both the Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby. Under the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the May 3 Derby, California Chrome earned 50 points, which should be enough to make the maximum field of 20. If that happens, he will be the first horse to run in the 1 1/4-mile Derby who trains at Los Alamitos, which became California Chrome’s home after he was displaced by the closure of Hollywood Park. Los Alamitos is primarily a track for Quarter Horse racing, but has taken on an important role for Thoroughbreds on this circuit. Art Sherman, who trains California Chrome, joked that California Chrome’s alert start on Saturday... ...

Hovdey on California Chrome

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) — One of the prime items on the dinner menu of the Vessels Club at Los Alamitos Race Course is Art Sherman’s Petite Filet, Lobster and Shrimp, with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and veggies, all for $38. Better get it while it’s hot. The timing of the entrée’s appearance on the Los Alamitos bill-of-fare is suspicious, roughly coinciding with the emergence of California Chrome as a serious 3-year-old colt who just happens to be trained by Art Sherman at – where else? – Los Alamitos. California Chrome is the impressive winner of two straight races for products of the California breeding industry. That’s usually not enough to get your trainer enshrined on a menu. But in these early days of the Los Alamitos transformation into a key component of the Southern California Thoroughbred community, management is giddy over the idea that a bona fide Kentucky Derby horse might be training at the track better known as the Quarter Horse capital of... ...

California Chrome Seeks Derby Points

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – California Chrome is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. California Chrome is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase, was bred by owners Martin Perry and Steve Coburn and is trained by Art Sherman. He has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $354,850 and is coming off consecutive wins in the King Glorious and California Cup Derby. ...

Rousing Sermon Goes for the Big ‘Cap

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – Rousing Sermon is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $750,000 Grade I Santa Anita Handicap. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has five wins in 25 starts, earnings of $709,842 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 11 San Pasqual. ...

Lakerville Enters Kilroe Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – Lakerville is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $350,000 Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Lakerville is by Unusual Heat, out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame, was bred by Abrams & Team Green, is owned by Barry Abrams and Madeline Auerbach and trained by Abrams. He has five wins in eight starts, earnings of $292,660 and is coming off a second in the Feb. 22 Sensational Star. ...

San Carlos Draws Cal-bred Duo

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – California-bred stakes winners Big Macher and Cyclometer are entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Grade II San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita. Big Macher is by Beau Genius, out of the Kris S. mare Insight, was bred by Ballena Vista Farm, is owned by Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables and is trained by Richard Baltas. He has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $146,428 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. Cyclometer is by Cyclotron, out of the Eastern Echo mare Moana Loa, was bred by owners Bruce Headley, Irwin Molasky and Andrew Molasky and is trained by Headley. He has five wins in 18 starts, earnings of $332,754 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

Cal-bred Pair in China Doll

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – California-breds Anniversary Kitty and Uzziel are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Anniversary Kitty is by Tribal Rule, out of the Bertrando mare Justanotherblonde, was bred by Mike Abraham, is owned by Highlander Racing Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Craig Dollase. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $65,000 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Uzziel is by Harlington, out of the Lord At War mare Pretti Woman, was bred by owners James and Tammy McKenney and is trained by Mike Puype. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $49,440 and is coming off a win in a Jan. 31 optional claimer. ...

The Pamplemousse Colt Brings $105,000

From Rancho San Miguel POMONA, CA (March 3, 2014)-The Pamplemousse colt hip number 135 fetched $105,000 from the consignment of Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), he was purchased by Laurence F. Leavy. Hip 135 is from the first crop of The Pamplemousse. After previewing in .10 seconds the gray or roan became the highest selling California sired colt in the sale. The Pamplemousse colt was bred and raised at Rancho San Miguel and is out of the Storm Cat broodmare Hurricane Alert. Hurricane Alert is the dam of stakes winner Golden Hurricane and is from the immediate family of multiple grade one winning millionaire Fly Till Dawn. The Pamplemousse started off the 2014 juvenile sales year with a six figure two-year-old; after having his yearlings average over $53,000 last fall. The Pamplemousse was a multiple graded stakes winner at Santa Anita and is standing in 2014 for $2,500. For information on breeding to The Pamplemousse please contact Clay Murdock at (805) 467-3847. ...

Three Cal-breds Bring Six Figures at Barretts

By DRF.com POMONA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2014) — Led by the buying power of the Coolmore group, the Barretts March select sale of 2-year-olds in training at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., showed gains in gross, average, and median prices on Monday. Three California-breds brought six-figure prices: A Desert Code filly out of Lujien Lujien sold for $130,000 to St. George Sales; a Dixie Chatter filly out of Never to Excess sold for $125,000 to Jerry Hollendorfer; and a The Pamplemousse colt out of Hurricane Alert sold for $105,000 to Laurence Leavy. Demi O’Byrne, seated with Michael Tabor of Coolmore, bought the sale-topper, a Giant’s Causeway colt, for $1.15 million. O’Byrne also paid $450,000 for a Malibu Moon filly. Trainer Todd Pletcher, in the company of Tabor and O’Byrne, bought two juveniles by Malibu Moon, as agent – a filly for $950,000 as the sale’s second-highest price, and a colt for $550,000. Overall, Barretts reported that 60 horses sold for a gross of $10,665,000 on Monday, an average of $177,750... ...

Northern Indy Has First Foal

By Bloodhorse.com KENNEWICK, Wash. (Mar. 3, 2014) — Stakes winner Northern Indy was represented by his first foal when a filly was born March 2. Born at breeder Keith Marks’ farm near Kennewick, Wash., the newborn filly is the third offspring out of the winning Crowning Storm mare Storming Slew. During his race career, Northern Indy compiled a career record of 3-1-1 from 18 starts, and earned $133,407 for owner Highland Yard. His best performances included a victory in the 2012 Hasta La Vista Handicap at Turf Paradise and a runner-up effort in the 2011 Canadian Derby (Can-III). Bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Walsh, Northern Indy stands for $2,500 at Paradise Road Ranch near Lathrop, Calif. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83633/ca-stallion-northern-indy-sires-first-foal#ixzz2uxYUvK9v ...

Talamo Reclaims Mount on Cyclometer

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2014) — With Mike Smith opting to ride Shakin It Up in the San Carlos Stakes, one of four graded races on next Saturday’s blockbuster card, it opened the door for Joe Talamo to reunite with Cyclometer, and he’s happy to be back. “He’s a nice horse,” said Talamo, who rode Cyclometer in his first 10 starts, winning three. Smith had ridden Cyclometer in six of his last seven races, the last four in a row. “He runs hard every single time,” Talamo said of Cyclometer, a 6-year-old Cyclotron horse owned and bred by Irwin and Andrew Molasky and Bruce Headley, who also trains the California-bred chestnut. “I think he’s a better seven-eighths horse than six (furlongs), because he often doesn’t break that sharp, even though he’s a speed horse,” Talamo said. “That first jump, he always seems to break a little slow.” Such was the case last out, when Cyclometer bobbled at the start and finished fifth as the 3-2 favorite... ...

California Chrome Preps for San Felipe

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2014) — California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Los Alamitos March 2 in preparation for the upcoming San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. Jockey Victor Espinoza was aboard. “He went perfect,” said trainer Art Sherman. “He galloped out (six furlongs) in 1:13 and change. The horse looks like he’s ready to go.” Because of the recent heavy rain that has hit Southern California, Sherman delayed the work a day. “I was the only horse out here,” said Sherman. “Los Alamitos bent over backward for me to have a good track.” It was an important workout for California Chrome with the San Felipe set for March 8. It was his first drill since Feb. 22. The rain forced Barretts Sales & Racing to move its preview for the March 2-year-old sale up a day from its originally scheduled Feb. 28. Los Alamitos canceled its live Quarter Horse racing from Feb. 28-March 2 due to the weather. Sherman plans to... ...

Barretts March Sale on Monday

By DRF.com POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2014) — Average price has risen three consecutive years at the Barretts March select sale of 2-year-olds in training – and may be going higher on Monday. The Barretts sale is the first of the year for the 2-year-old market, and can serve as a barometer for the nation. Last year, Barretts had the year’s first 2-year-old sale and saw a 31 percent increase in average price to $143,459, compared with $109,429 in 2012. Three other select sales – Fasig-Tipton Florida, Ocala Breeders’ March select sale, and Keeneland April – subsequently showed increases in average price last spring. The Barretts March sale had declining average prices of $178,027 in 2008 and $123,245 in 2009, bottoming out at $90,652 in 2010. The average increased to $100,709 in 2011. Monday’s sale, which begins at 2 p.m. Pacific, has a catalog of 140 juveniles. “There is a lot of depth,” said Barretts general manager Kim Lloyd. “With the upswing in the market, we expect an uptick in... ...

Santa Anita Stakes Look Like Hollywood

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2014) – The first Santa Anita spring-summer meeting from April 25 to June 29 will look very similar to the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting it replaces even though some of the race names have been changed. The list of 34 stakes includes six Grade 1 races with familiar names such as the Gamely Stakes, American Oaks, Vanity Stakes, Shoemaker Mile, and Triple Bend Stakes. The Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup has been renamed the Gold Cup at Santa Anita, and will be run on June 28, the final Saturday of the meeting. Hollywood Park closed for development after its autumn meeting in December. Ten other stakes have been renamed – the Last Tycoon Stakes was the Inglewood, the Spring Fever was formerly the B. Thoughtful, the Desert Code had been run as the Harry Henson, the Precisionist Stakes was the Mervyn LeRoy, the Adoration Stakes was the Marjorie Everett Stakes, the Angels Flight Stakes was the Railbird, the Singletary Stakes was the Tsunami Slew, the... ...

Lakow Hired by Santa Anita

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2014) – Mike Lakow, a former director of racing at the New York Racing Association, has been hired as racing director at Santa Anita, the track announced Friday. Lakow, 57, will begin working at Santa Anita on March 24 and will assistant Santa Anita racing secretary Rick Hammerle, the track said. Lakow currently works as a steward at Calder Race Course in Miami. Aside from NYRA, Lakow has worked at tracks in Delaware, Dubai, Florida, Kentucky, and New Jersey. He spent 12 years with NYRA as director of racing. “Mike brings a breadth of experience and close personal relationships with horsemen nationwide that will serve us well as we move forward into this era of expanded dates and opportunities here at Santa Anita,” Santa Anita chairman Keith Brackpool said in a statement. Santa Anita added a spring-summer meeting to its schedule this year following the closure of Hollywood Park at the end of 2013. In the past, Santa Anita ended its winter-spring meeting in mid-April,... ...

Espinoza Excited About California Chrome

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, m2014) — It’s been more than a dozen years since Victor Espinoza won his only Kentucky Derby, and more than a half a century since a California-bred won the Run for the Roses. Espinoza and his No. 1 Derby prospect, California-bred California Chrome, could end those voids if the fates allow come May 3, when the 140th Derby unfolds at Churchill Downs. As always in horse racing, however, it’s first things first, and next up for Espinoza and California Chrome is a major test against open company in the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 8, a race worth 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Since he has been beating up on state-breds in his last two races, presently, California Chrome has zero points, and trainer Art Sherman is acutely aware of that deficiency. Espinoza, who won the 2002 Kentucky Derby wire-to-wire on War Emblem for Bob Baffert, has ridden California Chrome in his last two victories, the King... ...

Cal-bred Pair in Santa Ysabel

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2014) — Multiple stakes winner Swiss Lake Yodeler and fellow California-bred Anniversary Kitty are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Swiss Lake Yodeler is by Swiss Yodeler, out of the Meadowlake mare Domasco Lake, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has three wins in five starts, earnings of $235,850 and is coming off an 11th in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Anniversary Kitty is by Tribal Rule, out of the Bertrando mare Justanotherblonde, was bred by Mike Abraham, is owned by Highlander Racing Stable and trained by Craig Dollase. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $65,000 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. ...

Poker Bills Would Exclude Racing

By Bloodhorse.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2014) — Two Internet poker bills have been introduced in the California Legislature for consideration this year, but neither includes the racing industry on the short list of entities eligible for licensing. Josh Rubenstein, senior vice president for development of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and spokesman for a coalition of racing interests, said the bills were disappointing in that regard but were by no means the final word. “That’s the initial language. But the way bills start out and the way they finish, as we have seen, are usually quite different,” Rubenstein said by phone Feb. 26. The measures were among hundreds introduced Feb. 21 in time to meet the submission deadline for 2014 legislation. Senate Bill 1366, authored by Sen. Lou Correa, and Assembly Bill 2291, by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, received their first readings Feb. 24. Correa’s bill is a reintroduction of SB 678, which was submitted last year but never moved out of committee. The Jones-Sawyer legislation essentially reworks a bill advanced... ...

Magnum Force Enters Maxaam Gold Cup

HOUSTON, Tex. (Feb. 25, 2014) – Magnum Force is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Maxaam Gold Cup Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. Magnum Force is by Redattore, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Tonsilitis, was bred by Carol Lingenfelter, is owned by Brent Gasaway and Brian Poppenberg and is trained by Dallas Keen He has two wins in 14 starts, earnings of $72,839 and is coming off a Jan. 31 allowance win. ...

Santa Anita Field Size Declines

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2014) – The winter-spring meeting at Santa Anita reached the halfway point earlier this month with an increase in all-sources handle, but a decline in average field size that has concerned officials. The 69-day meeting began Dec. 26 and continues through April 20. Thursday’s program at Santa Anita will be the 40th day of the winter-spring meeting. The track’s spring-summer meeting begins April 25 and runs through June 29, replacing much of the former Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting. At Santa Anita, all-sources handle has risen approximately 3 percent through last Saturday’s program, but field size has dropped from 8.3 runners per race at this point of the 2012-13 meeting to 7.69 runners through Sunday. The entire 2012-13 meeting averaged 8.08 runners per race. “We’re all concerned about field sizes,” track president George Haines said last weekend. Despite the drop in average starters, Haines said there are no plans to alter the racing schedule, such as going to a three-day racing week. “It’s not something we’ve... ...

Santa Anita ‘Cap Added to FOX Lineup

From The Jockey Club ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2014) — FOX Sports 1 and The Jockey Club announced today that the network will provide live coverage of the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap from Santa Anita Park on Saturday, March 8. The telecast, as part of The Jockey Club Tour on FOX, will air from 7 – 7:30 p.m. ET. The 77th edition of the Big ‘Cap is expected to feature leading handicap horses Game On Dude, Mucho Macho Man and Will take Charge. Game On Dude won the historic race in 2011 and 2013 and Mucho Macho Man beat Will Take Charge by a nose in the $5 million Breeders’s Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November 2. Will Take Charge, the Eclipse Award winner as outstanding 3-year-old of 2013, was second to Lea in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park in his 2014 debut, which was shown live on FOX Sports 1 on February 9. Mucho Macho Man won the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park on January 18... ...

Barretts Preview Rescheduled

From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2014) — With rain predicted for the end of the week, Barretts Sales officials have made the decision to re-schedule the March Sale Training Preview from Friday, February 28 to Thursday, February 27 at 10 a.m. The 25th annual auction of 141 selected 2-year-olds in training will begin at 2 p.m., Monday, March 3 in the Hinds Pavilion located at Fairplex Park in Pomona California. For further information, contact the Barretts sales office: www.barretts.com Tel: (909) 629-3099. ...

Ambitious Brew

Ambitious Brew wins the Sensational Star Stakes. ...

California Chrome Preps for San Felipe

From Santa Anita Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2014) — California Chrome worked six furlongs at Los Alamitos Saturday morning in 1:11.80 under regular rider Victor Espinoza as the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit moved closer to a start in the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 8. “I’m real happy with the work,” trainer Art Sherman said. “I got him galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25. He’ll have one more breeze at Los Al and we’ll ship to Santa Anita five days before the race for schooling and final preparations. Victor said he went really nice.” ...

Ambitious Brew Wins Sensational Star

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2014)—Ambitious Brew, ridden by Brice Blanc, got a perfect stalking trip and upset favored Lakerville to win Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds by 1 ½ lengths, covering 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12 flat. The 4-5 favorite in a field of six older horses bred in California, Lakerville, ridden by Gary Stevens, finished second, a half length in front of Summer Hit and Rafael Bejarano. A 4-year-old Tizbud gelding trained by Marty Jones, Ambitious Brew sat third early, stalking pacesetting longshot Coach Bob and Summer Hit through fractions of 22.00, 44.22 and 1:06.28 and hit the front three-wide a furlong out. “Mike (Smith, regular rider) was out of town today and I worked him the other morning,” said Blanc. “…I talked to Mike a little about the horse, I watched the replays and it seemed pretty straight forward. He has plenty of tactical speed and this race looked like it had a few speed horses... ...

The Usual Q. T. Passes at 8

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2014) — California-bred millionaire The Usual Q. T. passed away Thursday at the age of 8, according to posts on his and co-owner Michael Nentwig’s Facebook pages. “We are very sad to announce that Multiple Grade 1 Stakes Winner, THE USUAL Q. T. has passed away at the age of eight. He brought so much joy to our lives. Melinda and I would like to thank Jim and Melanie Bassett Cassidy for providing the best care for him during his racing career and in his retirement. He was a tremendous race horse and he will live on in our hearts forever!” The Usual Q. T. was a gelding by Unusual Heat, out of the Western Fame mare Lunge, was bred by Carlee Van Kampen, was owned by Don Van Racing, Nentwig, Goerge Saadeh and Jeffrey Byer and was trained by James Cassidy. He has eight wins in 23 starts and earnings of $1,531,240. The Usual Q. T. was a multiple Grade I winner (Hollywood Derby and... ...

CHRB Questions Santa Anita Stakes

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2014) — Santa Anita Park gained approval for its first spring/summer meet from the California Horse Racing Board Feb. 21 and presented a stakes schedule for the nine-week stand that looks quite a bit like Hollywood Park, which it is replacing. The meet follows a brief break from the Arcadia track’s winter/spring stand and will run for 40 days, April 25 through June 29. The schedule calls for racing on a Thursday through Sunday schedule with an additional card for Memorial Day, May 26. The regular first post will be 1 p.m. PDT, expect for twilight Friday programs, which will begin at 3 p.m. There will be an 11 a.m. first post for each of the Triple Crown cards. Santa Anita will run 33 stakes, most of those taken over from Betfair Hollywood Park, which closed for racing in December and is expected to be demolished in 2014, then replaced by commercial and residential development. Nineteen graded stakes are on the new Santa Anita... ...

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