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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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/.   ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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 ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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,... ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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. ...

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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.”   ...

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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... ...

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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... ...

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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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CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2014) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Friday, February 21, 2014, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. 1st Vice Chair Bo Derek, 2nd Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg, and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, and George Krikorian were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        The Board approved the application for the Los Angeles Turf Club to conduct a race meet at Santa Anita Park from April 25 through June 29, essentially a continuation of the current meet in Arcadia that runs through April 20, with a four-day break in between. The application was approved pending clarification of the schedule of stake races historically run in Southern California. ·        Several commissioners reported on working with racetracks on the development of fire evacuation plans as well as fire prevention measures. These efforts will continue and their progress will be detailed in public reports.... ...

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Native Diver’s Journey Continues

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com Of all the loose ends left by the closure of Hollywood Park, none has generated more attention than the remains of the great Native Diver. A California-bred winner of three Hollywood Gold Cups in the mid-1960s and member of Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame, Native Diver was buried in what eventually became the walking ring behind the grandstand, beneath an imposing monument. Richard Shapiro, the grandson of Native Diver’s owner and breeder, Louis K. Shapiro, has become involved with the efforts of exhumation on behalf of the family. On Thursday, he had the opportunity to observe the first tentative exploration of the site. Based on reports that Native Diver’s remains were not buried directly beneath the monument, or that the monument had been moved at some point, he was ready for anything, including complete frustration. “Look, I have in a trunk at home the rundown patches he wore in his races – the little rubber patches they put on his heels,” Shapiro said before the digging... ...

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Hovdey on San Luis Rey Downs

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com BONSALL, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2014) — It’s not like the place wasn’t already on the map. San Luis Rey Downs was built in 1969. But the cluster of runners that vanned up to win at Santa Anita Park last weekend helped poke a hole in the idea that the newly invigorated training center is located somewhere near the ends of the earth. It’s not, although you can see it from there. Last Saturday, Peter Miller’s San Luis Rey stable cracked with On the Backstreets (by Street Boss, out of a Springsteen classic) in the $81,650 Sweet Life Stakes down the hillside turf course, then came right back on Sunday to win the $97,450 Baffle Stakes, also down the hill, with the Tribal Rule gelding Red Outlaw. For icing, the Miller barn popped later on Sunday with the 29-1 Rathbaun in a $60,000 allowance/optional claimer, then kept rolling into the Monday holiday program with the $25,000 claimer Keyboard Courage in the first and the Street Cry colt... ...

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Lakerville Heads Sensational Star Field

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2014)—Owner, trainer and breeder Barry Abrams hopes for some personal “Showtime” at Santa Anita on Saturday, as his Lakerville heads a field of seven in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for older California-breds going 6 ½ furlongs down the Camino Real Turf Course. Idle 17 months, Lakerville, a 6-year-old horse by Unusual Heat, came back running to easily win the restricted Clockers’ Corner Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths down the hill on Jan. 26.  Lightly raced, Lakerville, in his only other try down the hill, was a first-out maiden winner over the course on Oct. 22, 2011. Owned in-part by Abrams and Madeline Auerbach, Lakerville has a tremendous closing kick and has five wins and two seconds from seven overall starts.  He’ll be ridden for the first time by Gary Stevens, as Corey Nakatani, who was up for the Clockers’ Corner win at 8-1, is committed to ride Gold Hawk in the Grade II Risen Star at Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Jerry... ...

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NTRA Thanks Supporters

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 20, 2014) — The NTRA thanks those industry members and partners who supported the NTRA’s federal legislative fundraising effort in 2013. More than 700 individuals, farms and racing partnerships contributed an amount to the ¼% Check-off and Foal programs that was nearly 25 percent greater than in 2012. This diverse group represents more than 40 states and 10 countries and is 12 percent larger than in 2012. The NTRA also recognizes the following industry partners for their support of this initiative: Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, Barretts Sales & Racing, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and Breeders’ Sales Company of Louisiana. Other organizations supporting the program include (in alphabetical order) California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), Daily Racing Form (DRF), Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA), New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), Texas Horsemen’s News, Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN) and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). Learn more about how you can join your peers in support... ...

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Jones Duo in Sensational Star

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2014) — Marty Jones plans to test the stakes waters Saturday with Ambitious Brew and Mr. Ornery in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s unique downhill turf course. Ambitious Brew will be making only his second stakes start in this, his seventh lifetime race, while Mr. Ornery makes his stakes debut in start No. 13. “They’re stepping up in class and Lakerville’s a tough horse, but they both have run well down the hill and they’re doing well, so we’ll try him,” Jones said. Ambitious Brew, a 4-year-old gelded son of Tizbud owned and bred by Pamela Ziebarth, won Nov. 3 in his first try over the downhill course. He has never been worse than second in six starts. Mr. Ornery, a 5-year-old Cee’s Tizzy gelding owned and bred by Donald and Sally Valpredo, also won over the same course on Jan. 20 despite an eventful trip. ...

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Del Mar Plans Dirt Track in 2015

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2014) — Del Mar plans to install a dirt track for its 2015 summer season, replacing the existing synthetic surface, track president Joe Harper said Tuesday. Harper cautioned that the move to a dirt track was contingent on finding the “right material” and gaining the necessary permits, including approval from the California Coastal Commission. “I hope it happens,” he said. “I think that’s our plan. It’s one step at a time with making sure we get the right permits. “It’s a matter of finding the right surface. It’s a long list to check off before we can say it.” Harper said that track officials are currently searching for material for a dirt track. Del Mar has had a Polytrack synthetic surface since 2007 and is the only Southern California track with such a surface. Barretts Sales and Racing at the Los Angeles County Fair, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita have dirt tracks. Hollywood Park, which closed permanently in December, had a Cushion Track... ...

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Greene Donates Time to Second Chances

From Second Chances CA ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2014) — Leave it up to Sue Greene to volunteer her valuable time to provide Mid-Term Practical Skills assessments for the student grooms at Second Chances CA (SCC).  Among her CTBA duties, the foaling, and now breeding season, Sue’s impact on this program has remained unmatched. “It’s only through the support of our industry that our program exists”, states Julie Baker, former assistant trainer and now SCC Equine Program Director.  “The retired thoroughbreds we use in our program have all raced in California at one time or another.  Sue’s support is just one indicator that as we are receiving some recognition now in the industry, for training grooms and re-training the retired horses fit for adoption” Early in its second year, SCC facilitates a three month version of the Groom Elite Horseman’s Education (vocational) program and provides EAGALA sessions, or equine assisted psychotherapy (the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), to former inmates of Stanislaus County in Modesto, CA.  SCC is also... ...

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CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2014) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular meeting Friday, February 21, in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park. This meeting will begin at 9 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 and supporting package of materials are available on the CHRB website through the following links: agenda, package. ...

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Tamarando Pointed Toward Spiral Stakes

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2014) — California-bred Tamarando and Dance With Fate, the one-two finishers in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) Feb. 15 at Golden Gate Fields, exited the race in good order and will likely make their next starts in Kentucky. Tamarando came from last in a field of eight to win the 1 1/8-mile El Camino Real Derby by a half-length over Dance With Fate, who took second by 2 1/4 lengths over 6-5 favorite Enterprising. “He came out of the race real well,” said trainer Jerry Hollendorfer of Tamarando, who earned his third career stakes victory at odds of 2-1. All three of Tamarando’s stakes wins have come on synthetic surfaces, including the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) on Polytrack, the Real Quiet Stakes on Cushion Track at Betfair Hollywood Park, and the El Camino Real Derby on Tapeta. Hollendorfer said he is looking at the $550,000 Spiral Stakes (gr. III), a 1 1/8-mile race that will be run March 22 at Turfway Park,... ...

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Red Outlaw in Tough Baffle Win

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2014)—Red Outlaw, with Joel Rosario up, prevailed in a head and head battle the length of the stretch to take Sunday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes by a head over favored Gangnam Guy and Victor Espinoza, getting 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12.05. The second choice at 5-2 in a field of seven 3-year-olds, Red Outlaw broke alertly from post six and sat a close second down the hill to longshot Noble Metal through fractions of 21.64, 43.69 and 1:06.39. He was carried wide by the pacesetter crossing the dirt at the top of the lane and was immediately engaged to his outside by the favorite as the field straightened for home and those two bumped a furlong out, resulting in a stewards’ inquiry. After a review of several minutes, the stewards ruled unanimously that the contact did not affect the original order of finish and they let the original result stand. Trained by Peter Miller, Red Outlaw paid... ...

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Tamarando Wins El Camino Real

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2014) — California-bred Tamarando was content to sit last through the first six furlongs, but then unleashed a strong closing run to score a solid victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday. Tamarando, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, was not exactly a last-minute replacement for his unbeaten stablemate Exit Stage Left, who suffered a tendon injury one week earlier. “We had talked about running him anyway,” said winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who had given Tamarando, a son of  Bertrando, a strong five-furlong work after his second-place finish in the Jan. 25 Cal Cup Derby at Santa Anita. Hollendorfer said that owner-breeders Larry and Marianne Williams did not want to run at Santa Anita again because the track does not play well to Tamarando’s late-closing style. Tamarando ($6.60) was last in the field of eight but sat closer to the lead than he had in recent starts. He was five lengths behind pacesetting I’ll Wrap... ...

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California Chrome Works at Los Al

From Santa Anita Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2014) — California Cup Derby winner California Chrome worked four furlongs at Los Alamitos Saturday in 47.80 in preparation for his foray into open company in the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 8, where it is expected he will face, among others, the Bob Baffert-trained Bayern, smashing 15-length allowance winner on Thursday. “I got him galloping out (five furlongs) in 1:00 3/5,” said trainer Art Sherman, who had his regular exercise rider, Jay Conklin, aboard the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit. Sherman was philosophical about facing tougher foes in the San Felipe. “We can’t duck anybody,” he said. “We need points (to qualify for the Kentucky Derby on May 3). I’ll just keep my fingers crossed.” The San Felipe is worth 50 Kentucky Derby points to the winner. ...

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Buena Vista Draws Cal-bred Pair

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2014) – California-breds Dancingtothestars and Unusual Hottie are entered in Monday’s $200,000 Grade II Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Dancingtothestars is by Good Journey, out of the In Excess mare A Lil Excess, was bred by owner Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has six wins in 20 starts, earnings of $400,872 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 18 Megahertz. Unusual Hottie is by Unusual Heat, out of the Ski Champ mare Branca Como Neve, was bred by Ali Nilforushan, is owned by Seyyed Nilforushan and is trained by Jeff Mullins. She has seven wins in 18 starts, earnings of $397,278 and is coming off a fourth in the Jan. 25 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...

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Cal-bred Pair Lost in the Fog

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2014) – California-breds Mah Gellin and Ourwestcoastghost are entered in Monday’s $50,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate Mah Gellin is by Skimming, out of the Maheras mare Mahrin, was bred by Racing Edge, is owned by Joe and Lola Sample and trained by Duane Offield. He has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $122,078 and is coming off a second in a Jan. 18 optional claimer. Ourwestcoastghost is by Muqtarib, out of the In Excess mare Xpress Xcess, was bred by owners Ron and Lillian Lang and D. Wayne Baker and is trained by Baker. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $135,462 and is coming off a ninth in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

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Grazen’s Hope Enters San Vicente

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2014) – Unbeaten Grazen’s Hope is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade II San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Grazen’s Hope is by Grazen, out of the Bartok mare Chelcee’s Hope, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steve Miyadi. He has won both career starts with earnings of $43,680. ...

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Cal-bred Trio in Baffle

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2014) – California-breds Gangnam Guy, Red Outlaw and Life Is a Joy are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Gangnam Guy is by Roi Charmant, out of the Unusual Heat mare The Toast of Troy, was bred by B&B Zietz Stables, is owned by Richard Barton and trained by Mike Machowsky. He has one win in eight starts, earnings of $113,420 and is coming off a second in a Jan. 16 optional claimer. Red Outlaw is by Tribal Rule, out of the Slewpy mare Anachristina, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, is owned by Blinkers On Racing Stable, Aurelio, Bizovi, Coons, Dizonno, Gaylord, et al and is trained by Peter Miller. He has won both career starts with earnings of $54,600. Life Is a Joy is by Globalize, out of the Indian Charlie mare Tadita, was bred by owners Jerry and Janet Hollendorfer and George Todaro and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has three wins in seven starts, earnings of... ...

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Valpredo Elected CTBA President

BERKELEY, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2014) — Donald Valpredo was elected President, Harris Auerbach Vice President, Tim Cohen Treasurer and Sue Greene Secretary of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association at Monday night’s Board of Directors meeting in Berkeley. It was also announced at the meeting that John Barr, Leigh Ann Howard and Jane Johnson were re-elected to Board seats and Edward Freeman won election as the newest member of the Board. Greene had been President for the previous three years but was termed out per association by-laws. “After three outstanding years as serving as President of our organization the CTBA, Sue Green was termed out. The directors wrestled with the thought of a change in the by-laws to extend the term for another year, but after good discussion decided to pass on a by-law change,” said Valpredo. “We have some outstanding and energetic newcomers on the board and one or two oldtimers. To encourage and facilitate the learning process of some younger directors I inherited the position of once again serving as... ...

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Cal-bred Pair in El Camino Real

ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2014) – Grade I winner Tamarando and fellow California-bred Infosec are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III El Camino Real Derby for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate   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 three wins in nine starts, earnings of $505,120 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 California Cup Derby.   Infosec is by Heatseeker, out of the Vindication mare Sistine, was bred by Kaleem Shah, is owned by Remmah Stable and trained by Frank Lucarelli. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $40,020 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 18 California Derby. ...

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Sweet Life Draws Cal-bred Quartet

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2014) – California-breds Sprague River, Susans Express, Harlington’s Rose and Smoove It are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.   Sprague River is by Tribal Rule, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Tina’s Love, was bred by Carl Asadurian, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $59,440 and is coming off a seventh in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks.   Susans Express is by Decarchy, out of the In Excess mare Excessive Susan, was bred by Ed Delaney, is owned by Elliston Black, Saul Carrillo, Ed Delaney and Jorge Periban, et al, and is trained by Periban. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $143,140 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks.   Harlington’s Rose is by Harlington, out of the Orientate mare A Rose for You, was bred by Y-Lo Racing Stable, is owned by Thomas Halasz,... ...

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Cal-bred Trio in Gold Cup

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 12, 2014) – California-breds Spirit Rules, Goodbye Charlie and L. A. Weekend are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap at Turf Paradise.   Spirit Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the Danzatore mare Heavenly Lady, was bred by John and Allegra Ernst, is owned by Barbara Accardy, Paul Aguirre, Craig Siedler, Jim Xitco, et al and is trained by Aguirre. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $135,598 and is coming off a fourth in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint.   Goodbye Charlie is by Old Topper, out of the Relaunch a Tune mare Musical Girl, was bred by owner Pete Gallegos and trained by Dan McFarlane. He has four wins in 22 starts, earnings of $74,411 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 25 Swift Stakes.   L. A. Weekend is by Tribal Rule, out of the Avenue of Flags mare Storybook Fair, was bred by Dennis Johnston, is owned by Rick Wiest and trained by... ...

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Horseman Bill Currin Passes at 77

By Bloodhorse.com Bill Currin, who bred, owned, and trained 2006 Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) winner Stormello, died Feb. 11 in Solana Beach, Calif., after a long illness. He was 77. His wife of 58 years, Betty, was at his side, as she has been since they became childhood sweethearts in North Carolina. The Currins have raced several major stakes winners. Bill trained their homebred Memorette, a graded stakes-winning earner of $896,753. As Bill liked to tell the story, the only reason the mare raced in Betty’s name was because Bill didn’t have time to get to a jewelry store one Christmas. Memorette’s second dam, Fondre, won five stakes for Currin and W.R. Hawn. She became a foundation mare for the Currins’ breeding operation. Memorette is by Memo out of Fondre’s daughter Forever Fondre. The Currins moved to California when Bill wanted to be an actor and followed Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz west when they formed an acting school. During those days, Bill lived in the Chateau Marmont hotel in... ...

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Avoiding IRS Tax Audits

By Herb Wittenberg, CPA COVINA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2014) — An IRS Audit is disagreeable. It’s time consuming, requiring you and/or your accountant to gather up your supporting documentation.  Perhaps you can end up paying additional taxes.  Some things trigger an audit, so here are some tips to help you avoid them. The Schedule C Form requires you to enter an occupational code number for your business.  The correct number for Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding is 711210.  Failure to enter this number on the Schedule C can get you an IRS Audit. Each Race Track sends you a Form 1099 at year end showing your gross purse earnings.  They also send the IRS a copy of the Form 1099.  You must show gross purse income of at least this amount on your return or it will trigger a letter, (and perhaps an audit), from the IRS. The actual money you receive from the Race Track will always differ from the Form 1099 because the track deducts various expenses – i.e.... ...

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Tamarando Confirmed for El Camino Real

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2014) — Eight 3-year-olds, including Grade 1 stakes-winner Tamarando, are confirmed to start in the Grade 3 $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields Saturday.      Entries for Northern California’s official Kentucky Derby prep will be taken Wednesday morning and the following horses are scheduled to start: Craftsman (Dennis Carr will ride), Dance With Fate (Aaron Gryder), Enterprising (Gary Stevens), I’ll Wrap It Up (Juan Hernandez), Infosec (Isaias Enriquez), Neverwherecauseway (Alex Bisono), Puppy Manners (Frank Alvarado), and Tamarando (Russell Baze).      Grazen’s Hope, Life Is A Joy and Pearl Spectre are listed as possible entrants.      The El Camino Real Derby is a 1 1/8-mile contest and is part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” a 34-race series that awards points to the top four finishers in each race.  The top 20 point earners nominated to the Triple Crown will get a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.... ...

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Calimonco’s First Foal Arrives

By Bloodhorse.com RAMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2014) — The first reported foal for Storm Cat’s dual stakes-winning son Calimonco   was a filly born Feb. 5 at Don and Karen Cohn’s Ballena Vista Farm near Ramona, Calif. Bred by Ballena Vista Farm and Martin J. Wygod, the dark bay or brown filly is the first foal out of Action Nine, a winning daughter of War Front  . Calimonco, who had career earnings of $391,486, won the 2011 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar and 2012 Sidd Finch Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He is a full brother to champion 2-year-old filly Sweet Catomine and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) winner Life is Sweet. Calimonco was bred to 50 mares his first year at stud and stands his second season at Ballena Vista Farm for a fee of $1,500. Bred in Kentucky by Pam and Martin Wygod, Calimonco is out of the Kris S. mare Sweet Life. Read more on BloodHorse.com:  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83305/first-foal-for-storm-cat-son-calimonco#ixzz2t3uuEetm ...

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Lookn Wild Win Streak at 9

From Tommy Town Thoroughbreds PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 12, 2014) — Lookn Wild, a gelded 6-year-old son of Ministers Wild Cat, made it nine-in-a-row with another wire-to-wire win in a Turf Paradise allowance/optional claiming six furlong race. Lookn Wild has won 14 races from 30 lifetime starts with earnings of $113,405. Bred in California by Darren Carraway & Judd Whitworth this gelding is out of the Smoke Glacken broodmare Smokin Sasa. He has won at seven different racetracks during his four-year campaign. Ministers Wild Cat was the fourth ranked 2013 sire in California with progeny earnings over $3.5 million. He sired seven 2013 stakes winners that have won eleven stakes. ...

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Points Offthebench Horse of the Year

BERKELEY, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2014) — The late Points Offthebench was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2013 at Monday night’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley. Halo Dolly, Teddy’s Promise and Tiz Flirtatious were the other finalists for Horse of the Year. Points Offthebench was sired by Benchmark, out of the Free House mare Mo Chuisle, was bred by Gary Rocks, was owned by Donnie Crevier and Charles Martin and trained by Tim Yakteen. Points Offthebench was a two-time Grade I winner in 2013 (Bing Crosby Stakes and Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes) and had a five-race win streak when he suffered a fatal injury working out in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He had six wins in eight starts and earnings of $514,940. Earlier this year Points Offthebench was named Eclipse Award champion sprinter for 2013. He also was named champion Cal-bred sprinter and older male. The other champions presented at the dinner: Champion... ...

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New Del Mar Turf Course by Feb. 21

By utsandiego.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2014) — If you think putting in a new turf course at a racetrack is as simple as watching grass grow, well, you don’t know worms about turf. For an understanding of how complicated it is to install a new grass course for 1,200-pound racehorses at Del Mar, know this: It all started Oct. 1, 2012 when sprigs of Greg Norman 1 (GN1) Bermuda grass were planted on a sandy, 12-acre plot in the Coachella Valley. Now, that grass is mature and ready to be cut, rolled and transported to where the new and improved turf will meet the surf at Del Mar. For nearly 18 months, the Pacific Sod Company has followed a stringent growing and maintenance plan developed by Del Mar for its turf course. “That’s almost a year and a half of growing, which is unheard of (for a project like Del Mar’s),” said Leif Dickinson, turf and landscape superintendent at Del Mar. “It was costly to do, and we don’t... ...

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California Handle Jumps in January

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Wagering at California tracks rose 14 percent in January, bucking a national trend, according to discussions at an open forum conducted at Santa Anita by the Thoroughbred Owners of California on Saturday. “With the country being down on handle, a lot of that has to do with weather on the East Coast, wagering on California was up 14 percent and purse generation was up 12 percent,” said TOC president Joe Morris. “We’ve been consistently outperforming this year. That’s good news for us out here.” California had a dry January, with hardly any rainfall, leaving the state in a drought. That led to little disruption to racing. Across the country, many tracks were affected by snow and cold weather. Nationwide, wagering was down .23 of a percentage point in January, from $802.3 million to $800 million, according to figures released last week by Equibase. The California handle figures mentioned by Morris were part of a wide variety of issues discussed before a small group of owners... ...

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California Chrome Works at Los Al

From Santa Anita Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2014) — California Chrome, seeking to become the first California-bred to win the Kentucky Derby since Decidedly in 1962, worked towards his ultimate goal Saturday morning at Los Alamitos, going four furlongs in 48 seconds under regular rider Victor Espinoza. “Perfect,” is how trainer Art Sherman described the move for the chestnut son of Lucky Pulpit, owned and bred by Martin Perry of Yuba City, California, and Steven Coburn of Wellington, Nevada. “He went in 48, just breezing,” Sherman continued. “Espinoza said he went really nice.” In eight career starts, California Chrome has faced open company twice, finishing fifth in the Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park last June, and sixth, beaten only two lengths, in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 4. He daylighted Cal-breds in his last two races, winning the King Glorious by 6 ¼ lengths and the California Cup Derby by 5 ½ lengths. Next up: the Grade II San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita... ...

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California Chrome, Espinoza at Los Al

From Santa Anita Publicity The Kentucky Derby is still three months away, but Victor Espinoza is hopeful both he and California Chrome can make it to the 140th Run for the Roses on May 3. Hard to believe it’s going on 12 years since Espinoza scored a 20-1 Derby upset in 2002 when he piloted War Emblem to a front-running victory for trainer Bob Baffert. Art Sherman trains California Chrome, a 3-year-old California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit owned and bred by Martin Perry and Steven Coburn. Espinoza has ridden California Chrome twice, registering impressive daylight wins against Cal-breds each time, in the King Glorious at Hollywood Park and the California Cup Derby at Santa Anita. Next up: open company in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 8. “He’s very consistent,” said agent Brian Beach in evaluating the 41-year-old Espinoza’s success this meet which has placed him among the top five in victories. “People know what they’re going to get from him. He’s not one of the young guys;... ...

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‘America’s Best Racing’ App Released

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2014) — The Jockey Club and Equibase Company announced the release of the America’s Best Racing app for iPhone and Android. The free app includes video replays provided by Roberts Communications plus full charts and pari-mutuel payoffs of all graded stakes races (including the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup) for the current year as they occur, as well as every graded stakes race run since 2010. The 2014 America’s Best Racing app can be downloaded at itunes.com and play.google.com. A web version of America’s Best Racing is available at americasbestracing.net and equibase.com. “This app is the perfect tool to follow graded stakes races from your mobile device as they happen throughout the year and watch the best of racing from the past several years,” said Jason Wilson, vice president, business development, The Jockey Club. “We are happy to partner with Equibase to bring this app to a new audience of fans as part of America’s Best Racing’s fan initiatives.” “As it turns... ...

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Fatalities Down in 2012-13

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2014) – Equine fatalities at California tracks dropped 24 percent in the 2012-13 fiscal year to its lowest number in more than two decades, according to the California Horse Racing Board’s annual report, published earlier this month. From July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, 209 horses of all breeds died within enclosures under the jurisdiction of the racing board throughout the state. By comparison, there were 278 fatalities in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, and 265 in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The figure reached 325 in the 2007-08 fiscal year. “That’s a substantial drop,” said California equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur. For the 2012-13 fiscal year, the racing board listed 90 fatalities during racing, 56 fatalities during training and 63 other deaths from such causes as heart attacks, diseases including colic, colitis and enteritis, and respiratory and neurological causes. Although the commission did not release fatalities by breed, Arthur said there were fewer Thoroughbred fatalities during the last fiscal year than any year since... ...

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Relocating Native Diver

By Paulick Report INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2014) — Following the closure of Hollywood Park, the only horse remaining in track’s walking ring is one who had been in the ground for 46 years. Native Diver, often heralded as the West Coast’s Kelso, was brought to rest there after dying suddenly from a bout of colic. After the track closed on Dec. 22, officials made the decision to move the horse’s remains to Del Mar, but activists say that isn’t the end of the story. http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/dust-to-dust-exhuming-native-diver-from-hollywood-park/ ...

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Lombardini, CANTER President, Passes

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 6, 2014) — Bob Lombardini, president of the national and Michigan chapters of the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER) died Jan. 28. He was 63. Lombardini was key in helping establish CANTER as a national organization, and one of the most recognizable resources in finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses. “As an officer and friend of CANTER, Bob gave countless hours in this endeavor, sacrificing his time to help establish CANTER as a national organization, while still being actively involved in CANTER Michigan,” said Nancy Koch, executive director of CANTER USA. “He was that rare person that could run a successful business and be completely accessible to help our volunteers and our horses, sometimes at all hours. Losing Bob, a man who felt a need and a duty to support CANTER, saddens us all.” Lombardini was a partner in Meier, Lombardini and Lemanski, an insurance company in East Lansing, Mich. He opened his farm in Williamston, Mich., to injured Thoroughbreds recovering from... ...

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Oscillator Makes a Wish

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2014) – Oscillator is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Oscillator is by Decarchy, out of the In Excess mare Excessive Susan, was bred by Ed Delaney, is owned by Stephen Campbell and trained by Jorge Periban. She has three wins in 13 starts, earnings of $140,548 and is coming off a third in a Jan. 18 allowance. ...

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