By Bloodhorse.com HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2014) — The first grade I winner for trainer Tim Yakteen is now his first Eclipse Award winner as Points Offthebench received the award as champion male sprinter Saturday, Jan. 18 in South Florida. Donnie Crevier and Charles Martin’s Points Offthebench won four straight sprints in Southern California in 2013, a stretch capped by back-to-back grade I victories in the Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar and Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes at Santa Anita Park. In both grade I wins Points Offthebench defeated Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Goldencents, victories further flattered by Goldencents’ win in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I). Bred in California by Gary Rocks, Points Offthebench is the second Cal-bred in three years to be named champion male sprinter, joining 2011 champion Amazombie. Points Offthebench was preparing for a start in the XpressBet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) when he broke down Oct. 26 at Santa Anita. He suffered a fractured right front fetlock and was... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2014) – Lone California-bred Lakerville returns from a 17-month layoff in Sunday’s $75,000 Clocker’s Corner 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 Madeline Auerbach and trained by Barry Abrams. He has four wins in six starts, earnings of $211,540 and is making his first start since a seventh in the Aug. 15, 2012 Green Flash. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2014) – Rick Baedeker, the former president of Hollywood Park, has been named executive director of the California Horse Racing Board, the regulatory board announced Thursday. The racing board met in a private executive session before its scheduled meeting on Thursday to approve Baedeker’s appointment unanimously, according to chairman Chuck Winner. The position has been vacant since last summer, following the death of Kirk Breed from an illness. The appointment is contingent upon Baedeker completing the state’s formal hiring process, according to a statement read at the start of the meeting by Winner. Baedeker, 64, oversaw Hollywood Park from 1999 to 2005 when the track was owned by Churchill Downs Inc. In recent years, Baedeker has worked as a consultant for the Breeders’ Cup in California and has helped in the development of mini-satellites in Southern California at restaurants and bars. In the 1990s, he worked as a marketing executive at Hollywood Park and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and held leadership positions at The... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2014) – Pete Parrella was in his 20s when he first visited Los Alamitos Race Course in the 1960s. “I stood on the apron,” Parrella recalled. “There were 10,000 people there. It was standing room only.” Parrella was there to watch champion Quarter Horse Kaweah Bar and to spend time at the races with some buddies from work. “I didn’t know anything about it,” he said. “I tried to figure out all the numbers, and I was hooked.” In the past four decades, Parrella has developed a successful Southern California lumber business that allowed him to buy Quarter Horse runners, a farm in Chino, Calif., and later invest in Thoroughbreds. Today, Parrella and his wife, Evelyn, are active Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred owners who sometimes spend afternoons at the Thoroughbred races at Santa Anita and evenings watching Quarter Horses at Los Alamitos. Later this year, one trip to Los Alamitos will meet all their needs. Los Alamitos will operate Thoroughbred meetings in June and December... ...

RAMONA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2014) — According to Daily Racing Form columnist Jay Privman, the Eclipse Award for male sprinter “is a close call” between Benchmark’s Points Offthebench, a two-time Grade 1 winner who died in his final work for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and the Eddington 4-year-old Secret Circle, who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint as the 5-2 favorite in his second start following an 18-month layoff. Both stallions stand at Ballena Vista Farm. Undefeated at distances of six furlongs or less, Secret Circle has never finished worse than second in nine career starts. He earned $859,800 for his two victories in as many starts in 2013 and increased his lifetime bankroll to almost $1.9 million. Points Offthebench is the second California-bred Eclipse Award finalist for Benchmark, whose 3-year-old Idiot Proof was among the 2007 finalists in the male sprinter category. Ballena Vista sire Tribal Rule also has a close connection to the 2013 Eclipse Awards as his full sister Common Hope is the dam of the Two-Year-Old Male finalist,... ...

By Matt Burke ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2014) — Legends are not simply conjured out of thin air and pasted on to the pages of our children’s history books. Rather, they are conceived from the most exquisite blend of pinpoint timing and awe-inspiring achievement. Willie Mays knew this as he chased down an uncatchable fly ball in the 1954 World Series. Years later, fans knew it as Gale Sayers fielded a punt and galloped eighty-five yards over the Wrigley Field mud for a touchdown, thus marking his sixth score of the day as a rookie with the Chicago Bears. And in horse racing, Hollywood Park’s track announcer, Vic Stauffer certainly knew it as his deafening cries for Zenyatta shook the grandstand and echoed on up into the heavens during the 2010 Vanity Handicap. In sports, and in life, everyone needs someone or something to believe in. It is belief that nourishes the spectator’s soul as they cheer on competitors in all forms of competition. Belief unites people who would otherwise... ...

From The Unusual Heat Syndicate COALINGA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2014) – Unusual Heat (Nureyev-Rossard (DEN)) once again defended his California Leading Sire Championship in 2013 doing so for the 6th consecutive year with earnings of $4,903,019. The “Six-Peat” is the first in the modern era of California and the rare feat has only been matched and surpassed in the past by the amazing Khaled (1952-1964).  Unusual Heat now boasts career progeny earnings of over $41.8 million. Unusual Heat’s 2013 earnings of $4,903,019 are the 5th highest total in California history for a single year giving Unusual Heat 3 of the Top 5 California Sire Seasons ever and 6 of the Top 9 seasons.  Unusual Heat set the All-Time California Earnings record in 2008 with progeny earnings of $5,827,513 and is one of only 2 California sires to ever go over the $5 million mark in earnings for a single season, doing it twice (2008 and 2009). The 2013 season also marked Unusual Heat’s astonishing and unprecedented 10th consecutive California Turf... ...

From Ballena Vista Farm RAMONA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2014) – Tribal Rule led California sires by 2-year-old progeny earnings in 2013 for the third consecutive year and was a clear leader on the state’s general sire list by winners (107) and races won (199), according to statistics compiled by The Bloodhorse. Tribal Rule also had progeny earnings of $4,810,599, second overall to Unusual Heat ($4,903,019). The versatile son of Storm Cat gets runners on all surfaces. Second among California sires by turf earnings last year ($1,417,106), Tribal Rule was the leading California sire by synthetic earnings ($1,771,082) and fourth nationally behind Kentucky sires Candy Ride, Stormy Atlantic and Canadian sire Niigon. Ironically, Candy Ride’s rise to the top on the synthetic sire list was enabled by the Hollywood Futurity Grade I victory of Shared Belief, the second graded winner produced by Tribal Ruleʼs full sister Common Hope. Tribal Rule has lifetime progeny earnings of $19.6 million with eight crops to the races. His 2014 stud fee is $6,500 and he... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2014) – California-bred Cyclometer overcame a slow break for a game win in Saturday’s $88,960 Midnight Lute Stakes at Santa Anita. Cyclometer is by Cyclotron, out of the Eastern Echo mare Moana Loa, was bred by owners Bruce Headley, and Irwin and Andrew Molasky and is trained by Headley. “It was a little eventful leaving the gate, to be honest,” said jockey Mike Smith.  “A horse acted up and my horse rocked back a bit so we spotted everyone a jump at the start.  I still got away in good order…so I was just hoping I was two jumps better than (pace-setting) Anillo because I had already given him one. “Cyclometer was really on his game today.  In the stretch, I could only mess it up, at that point.  I just kept hand-riding him, and it was working.” Cyclometer has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $330,254 and was coming off a second in the Nov. 24 On Trust. Cyclometer ran the six furlongs in... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2014) — As reported last night by Daily Racing Form’s Steve Andersen, Gonzalo Nicolas suffered a chipped vertebrae on the lower part of his back and will be sidelined four to six weeks, agent Vince DeGregory said Friday morning. The seven-pound apprentice rider was thrown when his mount, Shand, broke down and fell in upper stretch in Thursday’s eighth race. Nicolas was treated at Huntington Memorial Hospital and released to his family, which took him to their home in Riverside. “It was a tough night,” DeGregory said. “He had tremendous pain in his neck and back. He won’t need surgery, but we’ll take all the time necessary before coming back. Right now, it looks like four to six weeks.” A 23-year-old native of Guatemala, Nicolas had one win from 16 mounts through Santa Anita’s first six days, with two seconds and two thirds. “He came here when he was 13 and was a wrestling champ at Riverside High,” said DeGregory, who has... ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 2, 2014) — Madeline Auerbach has been appointed, and Bo Derek has been re-appointed, to the California Horse Racing Board by Gov. Jerry Brown, it was announced on Thursday. Auerbach, 69, of Bell Canyon, has been a horse owner and breeder at M. Auerbach LLC since 2000, during which she has been most known as a primary owner of top stallion Unusual Heat. She was a chief financial officer at JSA Corporation dba Hippopatamus from 1977 to 2004. Auerbach is a director of Thoroughbred Owners of California and the founder and chair of the California Retirement Management Account. Derek, 57, of Santa Ynez, has served on the CHRB since 2008. Derek has been the owner of Bless the Beasts since 1998 and has been a film and television actress since 1977. ...

By DRF.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 2, 2014) — California stallion Unusual Heat finished fourth in the nation for 2013 progeny turf earnings, according to Daily Racing Form. Led by Grade II winner Gervinho’s $290,140 in purses, progeny by Unusual Heat totaled $3,390,407 in turf earnings, trailing only Kentucky stallions Kitten’s Joy, Giant’s Causeway and Stormy Atlantic. Ranking 10th, 11th and 15th on the list, respectively, were prominent Kentucky stallions Medaglia d’Oro, Smart Strike and Tapit. Unusual Heat stands at Harris Farms and last year’s stud fee was $20,000. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 28, 2013) – California stallion Grazen was represented by his first winner Saturday when Grazen’s Hope won the seventh race at Golden Gate, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds. Grazen’s Hope is out of the Bartok mare Chelcee’s Hope, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Steven Miyadi. He won at first asking, running the six furlongs in 1:09.87 and winning by two lengths at odds of 24-1. ...

LAUREL, Md. (Dec. 28, 2013) – California-bred She’s Ordained overcame trouble around the turn and rallied up the rail to win Saturday’s $100,000 Willa On the Move Stakes for fillies and mares at Laurel Park. She’s Ordained is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Not For Live mare Whole Lotta Love, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Ronald Ulrich and trained by Timothy Kreiser. She has 14 wins in 30 starts, earnings of $330,685 and was coming off a second in the Nov. 27 Lady in Waiting Stakes. She ran the six furlongs in 1:10.58 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 3-1. For She’s Ordained’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/shes+ordained. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2013)—Although he nearly clipped heels and was carried eight-deep turning for home, California-bred Gervinho kept to his task and proved best in Thursday’s Grade II, $200,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes, winning by a head over longshot Procurement while getting one mile on turf in 1:33.47. Well back early in a field of nine, Gervinho sat mid pack early under confident handling. “He took the path I wanted,” said winning trainer Carla Gaines. “I just told Rafael to settle into stride and make a run at the quarter pole on the outside.  He did exactly as I asked, but someone got in his way (approaching the quarter pole).  When the other horse (Si Sage) got in the way, I thought we were done, so I was so happy to see him re-rally. “He’s such a big horse, he’s huge.  He’s been delightful…We’ll see how he comes out of this, but obviously we would think about the Cal-bred race next month ($250,000, 1 1/8 miles turf California Cup Turf... ...

By Paulickreport.com INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2013) — When has a horse done enough? That was the question many people were asking a week ago when Cost of Freedom, a 10-year-old California-bred gelding by Cee’s Tizzy with career earnings of $1,018,799, was entered in an $8,000 claiming race on the final weekend of racing at Betfair Hollywood Park. http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/a-holiday-tale-rallying-to-help-old-warrior-cost-of-freedom/ ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2013) – California-bred Grade 1 winner Tiz Flirtatious will stay in training in 2014, trainer Marty Jones said last weekend. A 5-year-old mare, Tiz Flirtatious is likely to race in the spring at Santa Anita. “We’ll run her next year,” Jones said. “She’ll get a couple of months off and it will take her a couple of months to get ready. You’ll see her in April or May.” A six-time stakes winner, Tiz Flirtatious has won 8 of 14 starts and earned $779,800. She won the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita in September, and was sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf there on Nov. 2. Tiz Flirtatious, owned by breeder Pamela Ziebarth, was fifth in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes on Dec. 1 in her last start. “She’s a pretty special horse,” Jones said. “It came down to Pam wanting to see her run another year.” ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 21, 2013) — California-bred Warrens Venedalucy prevailed in a long stretch duel to win Saturday’s $50,080 Bold Ego Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Warren Venedalucy is by Doc Gus, out of the Carson City mare State the Obvious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Ace Racing Stable and trained by Justin Evans. She has five wins in 22 starts, earnings of $135,490 and was coming off a win in a Nov. 6 optional claimer. For Warrens Venedalucy’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/warrens+venedalucy. ...

By Bloodhorse.com Santa Anita Park, with the approval of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, will reduce the takeout on its Daily Double wager to 18% during the upcoming season, and will offer the bet three times daily. The track also announced it will offer a guaranteed $500,000 pool for the Late Pick Four wager on its opening day nine-race card Dec. 26. The Daily Double was first introduced at Santa Anita in 1961, one of the first so-called “exotic” wagers requiring bettors to pick consecutive winners on the first and second races daily. The minimum $2 bet later became a “rolling double” available on all races. Santa Anita’s new Daily Double will be offered each day on three separate occasions—on races one and two; four and five; and on the final two races. “After consulting with many of our best customers and the TOC, we felt it was time to make some ‘player-friendly’ adjustments to this iconic wager,” said Tom Ludt, Santa Anita senior vice president for racing and gaming,... ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2013) – Stakes-winning highweights Alpine Luck, Aotearoa and Better Bet are part of an 11-horse field entered in Sunday’s $200,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Eligible 2-year-olds, the final stakes race at Betfair Hollywood Park. Smoove It is by Square Eddie, out of the Distorted Humor mare Smoove, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill. He has one win in five starts, earnings of $58,510 and is coming off a second in a Nov. 22 allowance. Pray Hard is by Kafwain, out of the Songandaprayer mare Unbridled Prayer, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has earnings of $62,100 and is coming off a maiden win in his fifth start. Ghost of Harrenhal is by Singletary, out of the Free House mare Special Smoke, was bred by C Punch Ranch, is owned by Mark Mandala, Mike Peterson, Joseph Schneider and Helen Meredith and is trained by Derek Meredith. He... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2013) — The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California unanimously voted to appoint owner William Strauss to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of Dennis Cardoza. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82477/bill-strauss-elected-to-serve-on-toc-board ...

By Bloodhorse.com                 INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2013) — A 20-foot long monument within the garden paddock at Betfair Hollywood Park that marks the burial place of the great Native Diver will be moved, along with his remains, to Del Mar in the next few weeks. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82472/native-diver-monument-moving-to-del-mar ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 18, 2013) – The Tom Squad is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Riley Allison Futurity for 2-year-olds at Sunland Park. The Tom Squad is by Old Topper, out of the Foresty mare Lexie Miss, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnnie Nall. He is coming off a maiden win in his fourth start with earnings of $24,368. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2013) — The CTBA 2014 Stallion Directory, with Tribal Rule on the cover, is now available and online here The 220-page hard-copy version, ranging from Eclipse Award winner Acclamation to World Renowned,  can be purchased for $15 + tax + shipping fee   ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2013) — California-bred Teddy’s Promise cruised to a deceptively easy win in Sunday’s $100,000 Playa del Rey Stakes for fillies and mares at Betfair Hollywood Park. Teddy’s Promise is by Salt Lake, out of the Capote mare Braids and Beads, was bred by owners Ted and Judy Nichols and is trained by Ron Ellis. She has 11 wins in 28 starts, earnings of $882,397 and was coming off an eighth in the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Teddy’s Promise ran the six furlongs in 1:09.66 and won by 1 1/4 lengths at odds of 3-5. For Teddy’s Promise’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/teddys+promise. ...

From Betfair Hollywood Park Publicity INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2013)—In commemoration of the closing of Betfair Hollywood Park, mutuel tickets purchased on the final day of racing – Sunday, Dec. 22 – will have special messages highlighting some of the unforgettable achievments from legendary performers – both human and equine – during the 75-year history of the legendary track. Known as the Home of Champions and the Track of the Lakes and Flowers, Hollywood Park has been the playground of thoroughbred superstars such as Seabiscuit, winner of the inaugural Hollywood Gold Cup in 1938, Noor, Citation, Swaps, Round Table, Affirmed, Ferdinand, Ack Ack, Native Diver, Lava Man, Skip Away, Cigar, John Henry and Zenyatta. Many of the game’s greatest jockeys and trainers have added to their glowing resumes at Hollywood Park, including numerous Hall of Famers. Laffit Pincay, Jr. and Bill Shoemaker are the runaway leaders in terms of wins among riders at Hollywood Park, having combined for 5,465 victories – 568 coming in stakes. Other Hall of Famers who... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2013) –California’s seven racing commissioners voted unanimously Thursday for Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Winner to serve as Chairman of the California Horse Racing Board beginning January 6, 2014, the date that current Chairman David Israel’s final term will expire. The commissioners also elected Commissioner Bo Derek to serve as 1st vice chair and Commissioner Richard Rosenberg to serve as 2nd vice chair. Chair Elect Winner presented Chairman Israel with a framed gavel on behalf of their fellow commissioners and thanked him for his years of service on the Board, especially for his tireless efforts this last year as chairman, indicating that “everybody who has anything to do with horse racing owes you a debt of gratitude.” Chairman Israel was appointed to the CHRB in July 2008 and reappointed in March 2010, marking 5 ½ years of service. His parting advice to his colleagues and the industry was to “keep the sport clean and safe and it will find its audience.” CHARLES WINNER – Vice Chairman in 2013…Appointed... ...

By DRF.com                 INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2013) — Once there was a very special racetrack, a bold, proud, brassy sporting palace of lakes, flowers, and an exotic species known as the goose girl, conjured up by movie moguls, frequented by celebrities, beloved by the masses. It was the place to see or be seen, whether you were a celebrity, a political figure, an industry titan, horse owner, or racing fan. http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-what-run-it-had ...

By DRF.com INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2013) – Betfair Hollywood Park will be dismantled rapidly after the final day of racing in track history on Dec.  22. Hollywood Park president Jack Liebau said earlier this week that the track is making plans to hold a general auction of its holdings in January; that some basic equipment will be moved to Los Alamitos, which will host five weeks of Thoroughbred racing for the first time in 2014; and that arrangements have been made to move the graves of the prominent racehorses Landaluce and Native Diver who are buried on the property. The remains of Great Communicator, the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, also will be relocated, but a site has not been determined. Hollywood Park will be developed for residential and commercial uses in 2014. After the Dec. 22 closing day of the current meeting, the grandstand will no longer be used. Simulcasting will shift to the adjacent casino, which is being remodeled to accommodate more racing customers. An auction of racetrack... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2013) – California stallion Chhaya Dance was represented by his first winner on Friday when D D Dancer won the eighth race at Golden Gate Fields, a maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies. D D Dancer is out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Water Trade, was bred by Eagle Oak Ranch, is owned by trainer Jose Bautista. She ran the six furlongs in 1:12.84 and won by 2 ½ lengths at 20-1. ...