Slow Down Andy Returns to Work Tab

Jan 13, 2024 Posted by CTBA In News

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2024) — California-bred Grade I winner Slow Down Andy, who was forced to miss the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita because of filling in an ankle, worked for the first time Sunday since his win in the GI Awesome Again here Sept. 30. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Slow Down Andy worked an easy three furlongs in 37.0 seconds. The 5-year-old full horse by Nyquist, a homebred for Reddam Racing, has banked more than $1.2 million while compiling a record of 5-4-2 in 14 starts. In addition to the Awesome Again, Slow Down Andy’s other major wins came in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in 2021 and GII Del Mar Derby on turf in 2022. Slow Down Andy was one of 210 workers at Santa Anita Sunday. ...

One in Vermillion Sibling Enters Borderplex

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 13, 2024) – Raspberry Wine, a half-sister to Grade I winner One in Vermillion, and fellow California-bred Only One America are entered in Friday’s $65,000 Borderplex Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Sunland Park. Raspberry Wine is by Cat Burglar, out of the Any Given Saturday mare Given Star, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and is owned by trainer Terri Rust and Rusty Wire Racing. The half-sister to Grade I winner One in Vermillion has one win in three starts, earnings of $28,050 and is coming off a Jan. 12 maiden win. Only One America is by Marking, out of the Diabolical mare That’s the Idea, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Todd Fincher. She has one win in six starts, earnings of $44,140 and is coming off a second in a Dec. 12 allowance. ...

Cal-bred Pair Enter Riley Allison Derby

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 13, 2024) – California-breds Alotaluck and Surroundedbyangels are entered in Friday’s $100,000 Riley Allison Derby for 3-year-olds at Sunland Park. Alotaluck is by Sir Prancealot, out of the Lucks Mine mare Colinda Dawn, was bred by owner Eleanor Martin and is trained by Ty Garrett. He won his lone start Dec. 11 with earnings of $27,000. Surroundedbyangels is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Dunkirk mare Angel of Battle, was bred by Willow Tree Farm & G.W. Thomas, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and is trained by Bart Hone. He won his lone start Jan. 5 with earnings of $16,000. ...

Good With People, Ohhh Daddy in Ft. Bliss

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 13, 2024) – Multiple stakes winner Good With People and fellow California-bred Ohhh Daddy are entered in Friday’s $75,000 Ft. Bliss Stakes at Sunland Park. Good With People is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Roar of the Tiger mare Gator Prowl, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Todd Fincher. He has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $402,972 and is coming off an eighth in the Jan. 5 KLAQ Handicap. Ohhh Daddy is by Dads Caps, out of the Pioneering mare Wedding in Sorano, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises & Robert Traynor, is owned by Bob Matney and trained by Luis Rojero. He has three wins in 14 starts, earnings of $69,500 and is coming off a sixth in a Dec. 20 allowance. ...

Swift as I Am Can Prove It in Duncan Kenner

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Jan. 13, 2024) – Swift as I Am is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at Fair Grounds. Swift as I Am is by Danza, out of the Artie Schiller mare As I Am, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Joel Hunsburger and trained by Tanner Tracy. He has four wins in 15 starts, earnings of $118,510 and is coming off a fourth in the Dec. 23 Richard R. Scherer Memorial. ...

Alexander’s Roses Duel in F&M Turf Sprint

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 10, 2024)—Owner/breeder Nick Alexander is hoping Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, presented by John Deere, comes up roses as his homebreds Rose Maddox and Rose Dawson figure prominently among eight older fillies and mares going about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s one-of-a-kind hillside turf course. The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series, for registered California-bred or sired horses. When last the pair met, it was all Rose Maddox, as she rallied from well off the pace to take the Cal Cup Distaff down the hill, winning by two lengths while her stablemate checked in fourth, beaten 5 ¼ lengths. Subsequently an even fourth, beaten 2 ¾ lengths down the hill versus open company in the Senator Ken Maddy on Nov. 3, Rose Maddox, who is trained by Steve Miyadi, gets a new rider in Flavien Prat. A three-time stakes winner, Rose Maddox, a 5-year-old mare by... ...

The Chosen Vron Stars in Valpredo Sprint

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 10, 2024)—An incredible California-bred story, trainer Eric Kruljac’s The Chosen Vron is without question the A-List attraction on Santa Anita’s California Cup Day this Saturday as he towers over four rival older horses going six furlongs in the $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint. The Don Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses. A winner of 14 races, 13 of them stakes, including last year’s Cal Cup Sprint from 19 starts, The Chosen Vron comes off a facile 2 ¾ length score versus statebreds in the seven furlong Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 18. A three-time graded stakes winner and a winner of the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes three starts back on July 29, this rugged 6-year-old chestnut gelding by Vronsky had an eight-game winning streak snapped two starts back, as he finished fifth in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint here on Nov. 4. Although disappointed,... ...

Grand Slam Smile Tries Turf in Howard Oaks

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 10, 2024)—Among California’s most successful breeders for many years, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams are very well represented indeed in Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks, as their homebred Grand Slam Smile stretches out and looms a solid favorite among eight rival sophomore fillies at one mile on turf. The Cal Cup Oaks is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for registered California-bred or sired horses. Unbeaten in two starts on the Santa Anita main track, Grand Slam Smile, who is trained by Steve Specht, had her biggest career moment here two starts back on Nov. 3, as she dominated nine rivals in taking the seven furlong Golden State Juvenile Fillies by 7 ¼ lengths while earning a solid 70 Beyer Speed Figure. Subsequently trailered back to her Golden Gate Fields base, she was a disappointing second as the 2-5 favorite in the six furlong Golden Gate Debutante on Nov. 25. Freshened since, Grand Slam Smile... ...

Cal Chrome Derby Next for Last Call London

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 10, 2024)—Fresh off the biggest win of his young career, Peter Miller’s Last Call London heads a wide-open field of five sophomores going a mile and one sixteenth in Saturday’s $200,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby at Santa Anita. The Cal Cup Derby is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for registered California-bred or sired horses. Extra game in taking the statebred King Glorious Stakes at one mile on Dec. 17 at Los Alamitos, Last Call London, who will be making his second two-turn start, has proven effective at Santa Anita, posting a win, a second and a third-place finish from four tries here. Bred in California by Terry Lovingier and owned by Lovingier, Tom London and Eugene Zondlo, Last Call London is a bay gelding by top California juvenile sire Stay Thirsty and is out of the Empire Way mare Zo Lo’s Lov. With an overall mark of 8-2-2-2 and earnings of $156,870, it’ll be up to... ...

Streaking Kings River Knight in Turf Classic

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 10, 2024)—Never better as a recently turned 6-year-old gelding, John Sadler’s Kings River Knight, a winner of four out of his last five starts, all stakes, should be plenty tough to beat as he stretches his considerable speed to a mile and one eighth on grass in Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, at Santa Anita. The Unusual Heat Turf Classic is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for registered California-bred or sired horses. With 10 older horses engaged, Kings River Knight, who comes off a smashing 1 ½ length score in the California Flag Handicap at about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course Oct. 15, was a solid fourth in last year’s Turf Classic when trained by Andy Mathis, as he pressed the pace and was beaten one length on the money. With four wins and two seconds, all in statebred stakes since joining the Sadler barn, Kings River Knight, a bay... ...

Maybe I Will Sells for $100,000 at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2024) – Maybe I Will, a stakes-winning California-bred broodmare, sold for $100,000 in foal to Omaha Beach at Wednesday’s session of the Keeneland Winter Sale. Maybe I Will is by Will Take Charge, out of the Henny Hughes mare My Due Process, was bred by Thomas Bachman, was consigned by Havens Bloodstock, agent for Fairview, and was purchased by Country Life Farm, agent. A 6-year-old, Maybe I Will won the Hastings Stakes, four of 13 starts overall with earnings of $126,631. ...

Big City Lights Headed to Palos Verdes

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2024) —The California-bred sprinter Big City Lights won for the first time in 17 months in an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Saturday that was likely a prep for the 5-year-old’s graded stakes debut next month. Trainer Richard Mandella said on Sunday that Big City Lights may return in the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes, a $100,000 race at six furlongs on Feb. 10. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Big City Lights was always near the front and won by a half-length over the 2023 graded stakes winner Newgate. Big City Lights was timed in 1:14.85 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99. Big City Lights is by Mr. Big, out of the Exchange Rate mare Champagne Exchange, was bred by Bar C Racing Stable and is owned by William Peeples. He has four wins in eight starts and earnings of $332,420. Big City Lights was beaten in his four previous starts by The Chosen Vron, the leading... ...

Rancho San Miguel Open House Jan. 20

Rancho San Miguel Press Release SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2024) — Featuring an informational program that has been crafted for current and prospective Thoroughbred owners and breeders, the venerable California farm Rancho San Miguel will host its 2024 Open House & Stallion Show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 20. The free event will be held at the farm’s 250-acre site in San Luis Obispo County, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Anchoring this year’s robust agenda are horse husbandry seminars, networking opportunities and a parade of the farm’s nine-horse stallion roster. In addition to a catered lunch, attendees can participate in fun giveaways and a stallion season raffle. Among the scheduled activities are a discussion on equine reproduction by Stacy Potter, DVM, of S&S Equine Veterinary Services and a session on equine nutrition by Purina feed representative Jordan Baumgartner. Several horses representing Rancho San Miguel’s large consignment to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s 2024 Winter Mixed Sale will be on display during the... ...

Trainer Eddie Truman Retires

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2024) —Eddie Truman, a fixture among Southern California trainers for 50 years, has retired. Truman, 76, had his final runner at Los Alamitos on Dec. 17, and won most recently at Santa Anita in June. His retirement, announced on Thursday through Santa Anita’s publicity department, ends a career that includes 763 wins. A former jockey, Truman had his best year as a trainer in 1980, winning 53 races, including stakes at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona with Damas and Marble Court. Truman trained Casino King, a stakes winner at Remington Park in 1999 and at Golden Gate Fields in 2001, and had two outstanding California-bred mares in the 2010s with Go West Marie and Moonless Sky. Go West Marie won three of her final four starts in 2015 in stakes for statebreds, including the Fran’s Valentine Stakes at a mile on turf in May of that year. Two years later, Moonless Sky won her lone stakes of her career in the Fran’s... ...

Petit Filet Hungry for Santa Ynez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2024) – Petit Filet is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Petit Filet is by Pavel, out of the Momentum mare Charred Rare, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Victor Rodas III, Holly Rodas and Oscar Garcia and is trained by Alfred Vuocolo. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $76,350 and is coming off a fourth in the Dec. 10 Soviet Problem. ...

Maiden Winner Safa Pays Off for Connections

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2024) — Veteran trainer Gary Stute won his first race of the Classic Meet and breeder Derek Lawson also enjoyed a lucrative payday Sunday when the 3-year-old filly Safa won Sunday’s fourth race, a six-furlong maiden race for California-breds. Bet down to the 1-2 favorite, the daughter of Grazen blitzed the field by nine lengths under Tiago Pereira to earn her diploma. For Lawson, the victory was doubly sweet. Not only did Lawson breed Safa from his broodmare Hadarra, by Harlan’s Holiday, he also serves as Pereira’s agent. “It was a good day certainly,” Lawson said Sunday morning. “Gary did a great job to have the filly ready and Tiago got her home.” Safa was just the second horse to start at the Classic Meet for Stute. His first starter, Divine Feminine, ran second on Friday in a $10,000 claiming race. Lawson said Hadarra, a five-time winner on... ...

California Cup Nominations Due Thursday

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2024) — Nominations close on Thursday, Jan. 4, for the five stakes races of California Cup, the 34th annual winter showcase for many of the top Cal-bred and Cal-sired horses in training, to be held at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, Jan. 13. The 34th edition of Cal Cup will feature $900,000 in stakes purses, with no reduction in those purses from last year. Also on the card will be additional races for various levels of state-breds that will boost total purses for the day to more than $1 million, exclusively for Cal-breds. New this year is a fitting renaming of the California Cup Derby to the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby, honoring the all-time leading Cal-bred money-earner whose victory in the 2014 edition was the springboard to a Horse of the Year campaign that included wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and, ultimately, a Hall of Fame selection. To nominate, contact the Santa Anita Racing Office at 626-574-6352. Conditions for the Cal Cup stakes:... ...

Chismosa

Chismosa wins $100,000 Grade III Las Flores Stakes. ...

Chismosa Upsets Grade III Las Flores Stakes

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2024) – Benefitting from an early speed duel between favorites Sweet Azteca and Hot Peppers, California-bred multiple stakes winner Chimosa broke through with her first graded score on Monday with a game victory in the $100,000 Grade III Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita. Chismosa is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream, was bred by owner Jaime Renella and is trained by Rafael DeLeon. She has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $368,250 and was coming off a fifth in the Nov. 12 Betty Grable. The key to the race was a decision by jockey Kyle Frey, when favored Sweet Azteca ducked out at the top of the stretch. Frey essentially cut the corner with Chismosa and went on to a hard-fought score. Chismosa was about two lengths off Sweet Azteca and Frankie Dettori while third mid-way on the turn. From there, she angled outside the favorite leaving the quarter pole but when Sweet Azteca... ...

Brickyard Ride Will Race in 2024

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2023) — Following Brickyard Ride’s solid third-place effort in the GII San Antonio here on opening day Tuesday, trainer Craig Lewis confirmed the popular California-bred full horse will be back next year as a 7-year-old. “He bounced out of the San Antonio in great shape. We’ll look at a few different spots for him next,” Lewis added. Brickyard Ride’s effort in the San Antonio pushed his career earnings to $895,477 for owner-breeder Alfred A. “Sonny” Pais. The son of California stallion Clubhouse Ride has won 13 times in 30 starts, which includes three graded stakes and eight stakes overall. In the 1 1/16-mile San Antonio, Brickyard Ride, set the pace under Umberto Rispoli before being overtaken in the stretch. He crossed the wire 2 ¾ lengths behind winner Newgrange. ...

Minister of Soul Seeks Repeat in Fifth KLAQ

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 29, 2023) – Defending champion and Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul and fellow California-bred multiple stakes winner Good With People are among the entries in Friday’s $65,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park. Minister of Soul is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The 10-year-old, purchased for $16,000 at the Northern California Yearling Sale, has 18 wins in 62 starts, earnings of $575,822 and is coming off a win in a Dec. 20 allowance. In addition to winning this race on New Years Day of 2023, he was third in 2022, fifth in 2019 and fifth in 2018. Good With People is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Roar of the Tiger mare Gator Prowl, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robinson and trained by Todd Fincher. He has five wins in 16 starts, earnings of $402,972 and is coming off a second in... ...

Chismosa Lone Cal-bred in Las Flores Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2023) – Multiple stakes winner Chismosa is the lone California-bred entered in Monday’s $100,000 Grade III Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Chismosa is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream, was bred by owner Jaime Renella and is trained by Rafael DeLeon. She has three wins in 11 starts, earnings of $308,250 and is coming off a fifth in the Nov. 12 Betty Grable. ...

Graded Winner Ward ‘n Jerry Retired

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2023) — California-bred Ward ‘n Jerry, a graded stakes winner in 2020 who gained a following in California because of his longevity, was retired on Tuesday at the age of 10. Ward ‘n Jerry was scheduled to start in a $10,000 claimer at Golden Gate Fields in the day’s eighth race, but was withdrawn at the insistence of owners and breeders Larry and Marianne Williams. “We got to worrying that he would get claimed and end up somewhere we wouldn’t like it,” Dan Kiser, racing manager for the Williamses, said on Wednesday. “We decided not to take the chance.” Tuesday’s race would have been Ward ‘n Jerry’s final start in California anyway. Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita, both owned by 1/ST Racing, have a rule allowing horses to race only through their 10-year-old seasons. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Since racehorses have official birthdays on Jan. 1, Ward ‘n Jerry will... ...

Nose Separates Cal-breds in Grade I La Brea

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2023) — Longshot Daddysruby won a head-bob by a desperate nose over Big Pond in a thrilling duel of California-breds for the prestigious $300,000 Grade I La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Daddysruby is the first graded winner by Canadian stallion Frac Daddy, out of the You and I mare Youtheprizeandi, was bred by Jethorse, is owned by Jethorse, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and is trained by Peter Miller. “We knew from the inside that we would have to go,” said Miller. I was hoping for an outside draw, but I drew the two hole when I listened in. We knew she had a lot of speed and we knew he kind of had to go. I told Juan, ‘Help her away from there, if they go crazy, she doesn’t need the lead you can sit, but if you can get the lead take it.’ And he did. “You don’t remember all the photo finishes that you won,... ...

Daddysruby

Daddysruby wins $300,000 Grade I La Brea Stakes. ...

Jack Milton’s Watsonville Wins Mathis Mile

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2023) — Watsonville, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Jack Milton, would not be denied in Tuesday’s Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Mile, as he bested heavily favored Almendares by a nose, providing trainer Mark Glatt with an opening day Hat Trick and jockey Antonio Fresu with a riding double as Watsonville got the one mile turf affair in 1:34.55. Naturally quick from his outside post, Watsonville sat just off of longshot Calm Sea into the first turn and stalked him up the backside, eventually gaining the advantage midway around the far turn, however Calm Sea battled back gamely turning for home, at which point Almendares put a head in front a sixteenth of a mile out. From there, Watsonville seemed to relish the fight, battling back gamely with the favorite to his outside and prevailing narrowly on the money in his first stakes triumph. Fourth in the Grade I Hollywood Derby Dec. 2, Watsonville, who in his only other... ...

Sassy Nature Back Where She Won a Stake

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 26, 2023) – Stakes winner Sassy Nature is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Abundantia Stakes for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park. Sassy Nature is by Straight Fire, out of the After Market mare Renee’s Queen, was bred by Straight Fire, LLC, is owned by C T R Stables and is trained by Jack Sisterson. She has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $271,610 and is coming off a fourth in a Nov. 3 allowance. This is her first race at Gulfstream since winning the Mar. 25 Melody of Colors Stakes. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Joe Hernandez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2023) – California-breds Lovesick Blues and Johnny Podres, both sons of stallion Grazen, are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita. Lovesick Blues is out of the Ministers Wild Cat mare Queenofhercastle, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steve Miyadi. He has seven wins in 28 starts, earnings of $329,646 and is coming off a sixth in a Nov. 23 optional claimer. Johnny Podres is out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Malibu Holiday, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by David Bernsen and Mia Familia Racing Stable and trained by Librado Barocio. He has six wins in 32 starts, earnings of $327,310 and is coming off a sixth in the Dec. 2 Stormy Liberal. ...

Win Marvel Takes Hanshin Cup

HANSHIN, Japan (Dec. 23, 2023) — Win Marvel, a Japanese-bred son of California stallion I’ll Have Another, won Saturday’s Group II $908,931 Hanshin Cup. Win Marvel has five wins in 20 starts and earnings of $1,959,170 (US). The 4-year-old colt ran the 1400 meters in 1:19.30 on a firm turf course and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 8-1 in a field of 17. ...

DRF.com on California Stallions

By DRF.com Regardless of where in California Grazen resides, it’s a safe bet that he will continue his run at or near the top of the state’s sire charts as he comes off a strong season in 2023. Grazen, who will stand at Mike and Angie Scully’s Eclipse Thoroughbred Training center for 2024, led this year’s California general sires earnings list through Dec. 14. He has a good chance to hold sway through the end of the year, with total progeny earnings of $4,648,407 to $4,036,340 for Stay Thirsty. Grazen’s lead is even more impressive considering Stay Thirsty moved to Lovacres Ranch in California in 2018 after spending his early stud career in Kentucky, where stallions have larger books of mares. Stay Thirsty led California stallions by both runners, with 191, and winners, with 89. Grazen, who also leads California’s turf earnings list, had 65 winners from 122 runners through Dec. 14. Grazen had a strong year in the Golden State Series, a restricted stakes schedule for registered California-bred or... ...

Brickyard Ride Stretches Out for San Antonio

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2023) – Top California-bred sprinter Brickyard Ride stretches out to 1 1/16 miles in Tuesday’s $200,000 Grade II San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita. Brickyard Ride is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Southern Image mare Brickyard Helen, was bred by owner Alfred Pais and is trained by Craig Lewis. He has 13 wins in 29 starts, earnings of $871,477 and is coming off a fourth in the Oct. 15 California Flag. His graded wins have come in the 6 1/2-furlong Kona Gold Stakes (twice) and the seven-furlong San Carlos. ...

Krikorian’s Big Pond Eyes Grade I La Brea

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2023) — With his turf star War Like Goddess scheduled to race next year at age 7 and near-certain 2-year-old filly champion Just F Y I set to embark on a 3-year-old campaign, owner George Krikorian can look forward to much in 2024. Even late 2023. His stable pursues another grade 1 when Big Pond carries his colors in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park. The California-bred filly, winner of the restricted Fleet Treat Stakes this summer at Del Mar, is an anticipated threat against an evenly matched lineup expected for the seven-furlong race on opening day of the winter/spring meet at the Southern California track. The other Cal-bred in the race is Daddysruby, by Frac Daddy out of the You and I mare Youtheprizeandi, bred by Jethorse, owned by Jethorse, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller. She has four wins in five starts, earnings of 172,114 and is making her stakes debut. Krikorian, already enjoying his finest year by earnings ($2.4 million)... ...

Santa Anita Prepared for Tuesday Opening

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2023) — A crown jewel of American sports, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. kicks off its 89th anniversary year of operation Tuesday with a traditional day-after-Christmas opening-day program that gets underway early with first post time at 11 a.m. PT. The Santa Anita’s Classic Meet includes 49 days of live Thoroughbred racing ending on April 8. Following a 12-day break, Santa Anita will reopen for its 29-day Hollywood Meet on April 19. The Hollywood Meet concludes June 16. Santa Anita is set to hit the ground running on Tuesday. Among the opening-day attractions are six graded stakes. This includes six Grade I races: the $300,000 Malibu for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on the main track; $300,0000 La Brea for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on the main track; and $300,000 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies going 1 ¼ miles on turf. The remaining opening-day stakes are all Grade II’s worth $200,0000 in prize money. They are the Mathis... ...

Last Call London Wins King Glorious Stakes

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2023) – After a stretch long duel with pacesetter Stolen Treasure, Last Call London got up in the final strides to win the $101,000 King Glorious Stakes Sunday, the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The neck victory by the gelded son of Stay Thirsty and the Empire Way mare Zo Lo’s Lov gave trainer Peter Miller a sweep of the two Golden State Series stakes 2-year-olds. He won the $100,000 Soviet Problem a week earlier with the filly Madison Rae, who led throughout to post a 9-1 upset. Owned by Tom London, Eugene Zondlo and breeder Terry Lovingier, Last Call London, who was second for most of the journey, prevailed by a neck as the 2-1 second choice. Racing without blinkers for the first time, he completed one mile in 1:38.15 and returned $6, $3.60 and $2.40. He’s now won twice in eight starts and earned $156,870. Stolen Treasure, the only member of the field of seven... ...

Statement from CTBA

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec 17, 2023) — All bonuses that are part of the California-bred Incentive Program will continue to be paid to qualifying horses that race in the upcoming Golden Gate Fields meet, according to Doug Burge, president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. That includes all existing awards for breeders, owners and stallion owners. There is a 30 percent owner award bonus in open Maiden Special Weight races and in allowance races for finishing first through fifth. There also is a 20 percent bonus for the winner of a starter allowance race. The Maiden Bonus Program makes available a $10,000 bonus for owners of registered California-Bred or California-Sired maidens in Thoroughbred Maiden Special Weight races in Northern California. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Damascus Castellanos and Brenda Washington Davis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: Dr. Francisco Uzal, a professor of pathology at U.C. Davis and head of the CHRB Postmortem Program, reported on the program findings for 2022-23. Of particular importance, he reported that of the 65 postmortem examinations for the year, for the first time in the 34-year history of the program, the majority of the equine fatalities were due to medical causes, not musculoskeltetal injuries. This was evidence that the many new regulations and procedures introduced in California in recent years to protect horses and riders have had the desired effect of reducing breakdowns in racing and training. Dr. Uzal went on... ...

Closing Remarks to Continue Racing in 2024

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2023) — California-bred Closing Remarks had the best season of her career in 2023, winning four graded turf stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita. With career earnings only $180 short of $1 million, the 5-year-old mare’s career is not done. Trainer Carla Gaines said on Friday that Closing Remarks will remain in training next year at the insistence of owner and breeder John Harris. “He’s very much a racing fan,” Gaines said. “He wants to continue running her.” Closing Remarks has won 7 of 25 starts and earned $999,820. In 2023, she won 4 of 10 starts and earned $601,000. The stakes wins were all at the Grade 2 level – the Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita in April, the Yellow Ribbon Handicap and John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar in the summer, and the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. The wins ranged in distances from a mile to 1 1/8 miles. :: Bet the races... ...

2-year-olds Vie in Sunday’s King Glorious

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2023) – One week after Madison Rae became the first stakes winner for the stallion Pavel in the Soviet Problem, Stay On the Fence will try to become the second for the son of Creative Cause in the $100,000 King Glorious Sunday. Named in honor of the winner of the 1988 Hollywood Futurity and 1989 Haskell, the one-mile King Glorious is restricted to 2-year-old Golden State Series-eligibles. Post time for the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet is 11:30 a.m. The King Glorious will be the last of 12 races. Approximate post time is 4:30 p.m. Owned by breeder J. Paul Reddam’s Reddam Racing LLC, Stay On the Fence, who is out of The Factor mare Factor of Two, broke his maiden in his fifth career start, winning by 1 ½ lengths Nov. 18 at Del Mar. Trained by Antonio Garcia, Stay On the Fence, who has earned $70,660, will be racing beyond seven furlongs for the first time. Reddam, who... ...

Early Sunday Post Time at Los Alamitos

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2023) – Post time for Sunday, Dec. 17 – the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos – will be 11:30 a.m., one hour earlier than the first five programs of the season. There will be 12 races – with 97 entrants – on the closing day card, topped by the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes. The one-mile race, which will be the 12th on the program, is restricted to 2-year-olds bred or sired in California. There will be mandatory payouts in all wagers. The $2 Pick Six will cover Races 7-12. The 50-cent Players’ Pick 5 will be Races 1-5 while there will be $1 Pick Fours on Races 2-5, 6-9 and 9-12 and a $1 Super High 5 on Race 12. ...

Paddock Captain John Shear Passes at 102

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 13, 2023)—A nice man who was quick with a smile, loved everything about the racing industry and greeted thousands of fans as Santa Anita’s popular Paddock Captain, John Shear passed away Tuesday from natural causes at age 102 in a rehabilitation facility in Arcadia, according to a statement from the Shear family. Beloved by the many fans with whom he came in contact, as well as by his fellow employees, jockeys and horsemen, Shear opted to retire while in good health at age 100 in July of 2021. “John will be deeply missed by countless life-long friends here at Santa Anita,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager. “We were honored to have him as part of the Santa Anita family for more than 60 years of dedicated service and we’ll never forget him.” Born Jan. 17, 1921 in England, Shear was raised in an orphanage from age four to 14. At four feet, 11 inches,... ...

Gifts Aplenty Planned for Santa Anita Opening

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 13, 2023)—Widely considered America’s most picturesque racing venue dating back to Christmas Day, 1934, Santa Anita Park will play host to its Classic Meet opening day on Tuesday, Dec. 26, as Santa Anita’s traditional wall calendar giveaway again complements a stocking-full of world class racing, highlighted by six graded stakes—three of which are Grade I events. With first post time set for 11 a.m., some of the nation’s top jockeys, Juan Hernandez, Flavien Prat, Frankie Dettori, Joel Rosario, Antonio Fresu, Umberto Rispoli and others, will compete in tandem with top trainers such as Bob Baffert, Phil D’Amato, Doug O’Neill, Mark Glatt, John Sadler, Richard Mandella, Peter Miller and others as Santa Anita offers three Grade I, $300,000 stakes, the Malibu for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, the La Brea for 3-year-old fillies at the same distance and the American Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at a mile and one quarter on turf. Three Grade II, $200,000 stakes,... ...

Swift as I Am Enters Scherer Memorial Stakes

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Dec. 16, 2023) – Swift as I Am is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. Swift as I Am is by Danza, out of the Artie Schiller mare As I Am, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Joel Hunsburger and trained by Tanner Tracy. He has four wins in 14 starts, earnings of $114,510 and is coming off a fourth in the Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Classic. ...

CTBA Stallion Season Catalog Now Online

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2023) – The catalog for the CTBA’s 2024 Stallion Season Auction is now available for preview viewing via EquiRing at California Thoroughbred Breeders Association – 2024 Stallion Seasons (equiring.com). Bidding starts Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 at 8 a.m. PT and concludes Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at 8 p.m. PT. All seasons listings are being sold with NO GUARANTEE. Proceeds from the auction benefit the CTBA’s Political Action Committee Fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California breeders. The auction features seasons to 34 California stallions. Among the seasons available are to the top three leading California seasons of 2023: Grazen, Stay Thirsty and Smiling Tiger. ...

Bolden Retired, to Stand at Rancho San Miguel

From Rancho San Miguel Press Release SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2023)—Southern California sprint sensation Bolden, a dual-surface winner who exhibited sub-1:08 speed during his undefeated racing career, will initiate stallion duties at Rancho San Miguel in 2024. The 5-year-old son of Santa Anita Park track record-holder and leading California sire Square Eddie will stand for an introductory fee of $3,500, live foal guarantee. Bred in California by Reddam Racing, Bolden sold for $100,000 to owner Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch as one of the top-priced colts at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale in 2019, with trainer Peter Miller serving as agent. Under Miller’s conditioning, the precocious chestnut made an auspicious career debut in June of his 2-year-old season, defeating rival state-breds with a dominating, 5 1/2-length winning margin in a five-furlong maiden special weight race on dirt at Santa Anita. Bolden’s next three starts were made in rich allowance optional claiming company for trainer Phil D’Amato, beginning with a facile, six-length win on Santa Anita dirt at six furlongs.... ...

Madison Rae is Pavel’s First Stakes Winner

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2023) – Longshot Madison Rae held off odds-on favorite Loretta Lynn to give her freshman stallion, Pavel, his first stakes winner in Sunday’s $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos. Madison Rae, one of three starters bred by Reddam Racing, went wire-to-wire under jockey Edwin Maldonado. She is out of the Scat Daddy mare Tafetta, is owned by CYBT, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing Stable and Michael Nentwig and trained by Peter Miller. “Edwin on the lead is very, very hard to run down,” said Miller, who had three winners on the card. “When I saw the splits I felt pretty good. She was very game and tenacious. I thought the favorite (runner-up Loretta Lynn) looked tough and I thought it wasn’t an easy race, but I thought if this filly could get clear and make an easy lead she might get brave. Sometimes everything works out.’’ She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $109,940 and was... ...

Chancery Way

Chancery Way wins $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the California Exposition and State Fair Grandstand, 1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento, California. This meeting will be open to the public. Those who wish to provide unsolicited public comment on agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda item. Note that for agenda item #11, Public Comment, no further comments will be allowed after thirty minutes. For those who are unable to attend the meeting, a webcast audio link is available on the CHRB website via the Media Room link. The agenda and meeting packet of materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

NorCal Sale Grad Chancery Way Repeats

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2023) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way is bound for Santa Anita this winter after she won a sprint stakes for the third time in her last four starts in Saturday’s $75,900 Bear Fan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields. Trainer Jamey Thomas said on Sunday that the $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Feb. 18 may be the next start for Chancery Way. “More than likely, it will be something down south,” Thomas said. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the Bear Fan Stakes at six furlongs, Chancery Way led throughout, pulling clear in early stretch to lead by three lengths with a furlong remaining and by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Chancery Way, bred by Harris Farms & John Nicoletti, did not face... ...

Slow Down Andy on Comeback Trail

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2023) — California-bred Slow Down Andy, who missed the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita this fall because of a swollen ankle, is scheduled to return to trainer Doug O’Neill’s stable this weekend after a rest at breeders/owners Paul and Zillah Reddam’s Southern California farm. Slow Down Andy is expected to race at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting in early 2024. “We’re excited to have him back for Santa Anita,” O’Neill said. Bred by the Reddams, Slow Down Andy was under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Classic when the injury was diagnosed. A 4-year-old, Slow Down Andy earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic with a win in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 30. Slow Down Andy has won 5 of 14 starts and earned $1,276,600. The $302,000 Awesome Again Stakes was his fourth stakes win and first in a Grade 1. ...

Smoothlikebuttah Enters Bayakoa Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2023) – Smoothlikebuttah is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos. Smoothlikebuttah is by Mr. Big, out of the Five Star Dave mare Eight Daughters, was bred by NP Thoroughbreds, is owned by Robert Bach and William Tessar and trained by Steve Knapp. She has three wins in 46 starts, earnings of $457,436 and is coming off a seventh in the Nov. 12 Betty Grable. ...

Finnegan’s Wake Moves to Hunter Stallion Station

From Hunter Stallion Station Press Release WILTON, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2023) — Finnegan’s Wake, the Grade I-winning son of Irish champion, Powerscourt (GB), has moved to the Hunter Stallion Station of Dr. Robert Hunter in Wilton, CA for the 2024 breeding season. From a relatively small crop sample of 11 registered foals of racing age, Finnegan’s Wake has produced 10 runners (91%) and 5 winners that visited the winner circle 19 times, including two maiden allowance winners in Mogollon Rim and Lucky Lad. Pedigree researchers will also note Finnegan’s Wake is a half-sibling to Puca, the dam of this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Dornoch, who valiantly captured the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct this year. Hunter Stallion Station was established in 1985, by its founder and UC Davis graduate Robert Hunter, DVM. He and his staff will be happy to help you. ...

Reddam-bred Trio Entered in Soviet Problem

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2023) – Loretta Lynn, a first-out winner Oct. 29 at Santa Anita, will stretch out to one mile in the $100,000-guaranteed Soviet Problem Stakes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Restricted to 2-year-old fillies bred or sired in California, the Soviet Problem attracted six entrants. Part of the Golden State Series, the Soviet Problem is the last of nine races. Post time Sunday is 12:30 p.m. Approximate post time for the main event is 4:30 p.m. Owned by breeder Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato, Loretta Lynn, a daughter of Grazen and the Tribal Rule mare Sunday Rules, pressed the pace, then drew clear in the final eighth of a mile to win by 2 ¼ lengths in her debut at six furlongs. The victory was worth $36,600 and Loretta Lynn has returned to work four times since the score. Asada Fries will try to go back-to-back for owner-breeder Legacy Ranch, Inc. and trainer Craig Lewis after graduating on grass in her fifth... ...

Nominees Released for Dec. 17 King Glorious

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2023) — Nominees to the $100,000-guaranteed King Glorious for Golden State Series eligibles, which will be run Sunday, Dec. 17 – the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet – include four last-out winners. This will be the 10th time the King Glorious, a one-mile race restricted to 2-year-olds bred or sired in California, will be run at Los Alamitos. The juveniles coming off wins are Halo Uncle, who defeated $50,000 maidens Nov. 10, Size Does Matter, who cashed in his debut at Golden Gate Fields Nov. 3, Stay On the Fence, who rallied to defeat seven rivals Nov. 18, and Tom Seaver, who clicked as the favorite in his debut Oct. 22 for D’Amato and owner-breeder Nick Alexander. Other nominees to the King Glorious are Clever Clover, Gentlemen’s Club, Immelman, Last Call London, Mici’s Express, Mr. Suds and Stolen Treasure. Entries for the King Glorious will be drawn Thursday, Dec. 14. ...

Cal-bred Trio in Miss America Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2023) – California-breds Councilwoman Jilly, Bold Daughter and Callhercontessa are entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Miss America Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Councilwoman Jilly is by Roi Charmant, out of the Skywalker mare Starlet Sky, was bred by Cassie and Keenan Freeman, is owned by Sido Racing Partners and Cassie and Keenan Freeman and is trained by Simon Hobson. She has four wins in 18 starts, earnings of $81,432 and is coming off a Nov. 12 optional claiming win. Bold Daughter is by Bold Chieftain, is out of the Bertrando mare Pali Girl, was bred by Mike O’Farrell, is owned by Paul Lininger and is trained by Roger Hansen. She has five wins in 18 starts, earnings of $82,098 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 26 starter optional claimer. Callhercontessa is by Acclamation, out of the Cyclotron mare Eden Mirelle, was bred by owners Ron and Courtney Rand and is trained by Andy Mathis. She has four wins in nine starts,... ...

Chancery Way Seeks Repeat in Bear Fan

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way attempts to defend her title in Saturday’s $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Since Chancery Way recorded a 10-1 upset in the Bear Fan Stakes at Golden Gate Fields last December, she has become established as one of the better California-bred fillies and mares. Stakes wins in Sacramento and Del Mar since July have helped her reputation. Bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti and owned by Andy and Rob Smolich, the speedy Chancery Way is expected to be part of the pace in a field of seven, along with Baby Kristen, who drew the inside post, and Tamara Wine, who starts from post 5. Chancery Way, the mount of Evin Roman, will start from post 3, which trainer Jamey Thomas considers an advantage. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has six wins in 11 starts and earnings of $270,770. “You figure the one-horse is going... ...

Self Isolation Enters Garland of Roses

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 6, 2023) – Self Isolation is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $120,000 Garland of Roses Stakes for fillies and mares at Aqueduct. Self Isolation is by Square Eddie, out of the Spring At Last mare Loan Savant, was bred by Reddam Racing and is owned by trainer David Jacobson. She has nine wins in 27 starts, earnings of $453,670 and is coming off a second sin a Nov. 3 allowance. ...

Pair of Cal-bred Stakes Slated at Los Alamitos

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2023) – Five stakes worth a combined $700,000, including a pair restricted to Golden State Series-eligibles, highlight the 2023 Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos that opens on Friday. The state-bred races are at one mile for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California. The $100,000-guaranteed Soviet Problem – for fillies – will be run Sunday, Dec. 10 while the King Glorious – for colts and geldings – will be contested Sunday, Dec. 17. The six-day season continues through Sunday, Dec. 17. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday both weeks (Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17). Post time will be 12:30 p.m. The first of the stakes races is the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Starlet for 2-year-old fillies. The race at 1 1/16 miles will be run Saturday, Dec. 9 and is part of the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks,” with the winner receiving 10 points towards a berth in the May 3 Kentucky Oaks. One week later – Saturday, Dec. 16 – the Grade II,... ...

Wild Jewels Game in Gold Rush Win

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2023) – California-bred Wild Jewels re-rallied in late stretch to edge Classy City, then survived a stewards’ inquiry to win Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Wild Jewels is by Tamarando, out of the Distorted Humor mare Ribbon of Jewels, was bred by owner Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. The Williamses also are breeders and owners of two other winners on Saturday’s Golden Gate card — Tiger in My Tank, a 2-year-old California-sired son of Smiling Tiger who won an optional claimer and Ward ‘n Jerry, a 10-year-old Cal-bred son of Lucky Pulpit and former graded winner who took the day’s finale, a $12,500 claimer. Wild Jewels has four wins in six starts, earnings of $148,810 and was coming off a win in the Nov. 11 Golden Nugget. He ran the mile in 1:39.90 and won by a half-length at odds of 2-5 in a field of six. ...

Wild Jewels

Wild Jewels wins $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes. ...

Milestones on the Line for Closing Remarks

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2023) – Multiple Grade II winner Closing Remarks can score her first Grade I race and surpass $1 million in earnings on Sunday when she runs in the $300,000 Grade I Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar. Closing Remarks is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has seven wins in 24 starts, earnings of $999,320 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 5 Goldikova. ...

Just a Guess Enters Cecil B. DeMille Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2023) – Just a Guess is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-olds at Del Mar. Just a Guess is by Nyquist, out of the War Front mare Epistemology, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Antonio Garcia. He has one win in three starts, earnings of $42,020 and is coming off an 11th in the Nov. 3 Golden State Juvenile. ...

See Through It, Johnny Podres in Stormy Liberal

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2023) — Stakes winner See Through It and fellow California-bred Johnny Podres are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar. See Through It is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Chester House mare Crystal House, was bred by Edward Allred, is owned by Belico Racing and Lizbeth Medina and is trained by Salvador Naranjo. He has seven wins in 28 starts, earnings of $292,712 and is coming off a fourth in an Oct. 20 allowance. Johnny Podres is by Grazen, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Malibu Holiday, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by David Bernsen and Mia Familia Racing Stable and is trained by Librado Barocio. He has six wins in 31 starts, earnings of $326,810 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 15 California Flag. ...

Wild Jewels Seeks More Riches in Gold Rush

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2023) – Stakes winner Wild Jewels is one of four California-breds entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Immelmann is by Take Charge Indy, out of the Dandy Man mare Berryessa, was bred by owners Perry and Denise Martin and is trained by Jesus Nunez. He has one win in six starts, earnings of $57,080 and is coming off a Nov. 17 maiden win. It Aint Over is by Far From Over, out of the Tribal Rule mare Oh The Joy, was bred by Dr. & Mrs. William Gray, is owned by Gray Farms and trained by Felix Rondan. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $28,580 and is coming off back-to-back wins. Wild Jewels is by Tamarando, out of the Distorted Humor mare Ribbon of Jewels, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $103,810 and is coming off a win in... ...

Later Opening for Del Mar 2024 Summer Meet

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2023) — Del Mar will open its 2024 summer meeting – the 85th at the iconic seaside oval – on Saturday, July 20. The slightly-later-than-usual start to the season was keyed by the fact that the San Diego Country Fair will conduct its popular gathering a bit past its usual finale on July 4, going forward instead to Sunday, July 7. Del Mar will need the extra time from July 8 onward to prepare its racing surfaces and stable area for the start of the meet and to ensure its safety protocols are all in place. The summer meet will provide eight weeks of racing and conclude on Sunday, September 8. Further, Del Mar also has finalized its fall racing dates which will be highlighted by the 41st edition of the Breeders’ Cup, the third time the championship event has come to the shore. Opening Day of the 11th Bing Crosby Season will be on Thursday, October 31. Then that Friday and Saturday... ...

Cal Horse Coalition Issues Year-end Review

From California Horse Power Coalition As the year draws to a close, we celebrate a significant milestone: the first anniversary of the California Horse Power Coalition. This achievement and the progress we have made are testaments to your unwavering support. Together, we’ve remained steadfast in our mission to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture. Let’s reflect on our collective accomplishments this year. Our Growing Community: We are thrilled to report that our supporter base now includes over 2,000 subscribers and followers actively engaged with our coalition, participating in industry events, and voicing their support. Notably, our partners have grown to 16 diverse organizations that are committed to furthering our shared goals. Advocating for Equine Welfare: As a community, we know that California is the gold standard when it comes to safeguarding equine athletes, serving as a model for the rest of the country. As you may know, California racetracks are now considered 2X safer when compared to the national average. To uplift this fact and further safeguard our industry in the years to... ...

One in Vermillion Retired After Surgery

By DRF.com HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 25, 2024) — California-bred One in Vermillion, the winner of the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga in August and stakes in three other states, has been retired after sustaining a fetlock injury in a workout at Zia Park earlier this month. Owner Jonathan Kalman said on Friday that One in Vermillion underwent successful surgery on Nov. 6, two days after the injury was diagnosed, but that the injury will prevent the colt from returning to racing. Kalman said he has held discussions with stallion farms about a stud deal for One in Vermillion, but that no deal has been finalized. :: DRF’s Black Friday Sale: Get 20% off (almost) everything in the DRF Shop. Code: BF2023 “I’m looking at a couple of different opportunities,” Kalman said. Kalman described the injury as a medial fracture and that there “is much less chance of returning to the track with that fracture” compared to a lateral injury, he said. Bred by Richard Barton Enterpises and trained... ...

The Chosen Vron Will Run in 2024

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2023) — It has become a sore spot with many racing fans. The trend of the sports superstars, the horses that capture the public’s imagination, the winners of the big stakes races like the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders’ Cup, to ship-off to the breeding shed soon after their big win. Some by their fourth birthday. But there’s a horse capturing the hearts of Southern California racing fans that has built his reputation on winning Cal-bred races and his trainer has no intention of retiring his budding star. While The Chosen Vron has won a Grade I, the Bing Crosby this past summer at Del Mar, he has done his best work in Cal-bred company, winning eight Cal-bred races in-a-row including this past Saturday’s popular victory in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes. The story will continue in 2024 as trainer Eric Kruljac has announced he is bringing the 5-year old gelding back for another year. Bred by Tiz Molly Partners, The Chosen... ...

Grand Slam Smile Enters Debutante

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2023) – Multiple stakes winner Grand Slam Smile and fellow California-bred Lusma are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Grand Slam Smile is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. She has three wins in four starts, earnings of $206,900 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 3 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes. Lusma is by Conquest Farenheit, out of the Strike for Glory mare Strike at Daylight, was bred by Rockingham Ranch, is owned by Hector Preciado and is trained by Jose Bautista. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $39,498 and is coming off a fourth in an Oct. 2 optional claimer. ...

16 Cal-bred Stakes at Santa Anita Meet

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2023) — As California-bred and -sired runners are a vital component to the Southern California racing program, Santa Anita has included 16 stakes restricted to Golden State Series eligibles in its schedule for the upcoming Classic meet, it was announced on Wednesday. Two of the Cal-bred stakes will be run on Santa Anita Derby day April 6 — the $125,000 Echo Eddie and the $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes — and five will be run both on California Cup Day, Jan. 13 and again on California Gold Rush Day, May 25. The Cal Cup card consists of: California Cup Derby, 3 YO (CA), 8 1/2 F – $200,000 California Cup Oaks, F, 3 YO (CA), 8 F (T) – $200,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint, 4 & UP (CA), 6 F – $150,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, 4 & UP (CA), 9 F (T) – $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, F/M, 4 & UP (CA), *6 1/2 (TH) – $150,000 ... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Minister of Soul at Zia Park

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 21, 2023) – Multiple stakes winner Minister of Soul and fellow California-bred Prayer of Jabez are entered in Tuesday’s $100,000 Zia Park Sprint. Minister of Soul is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 17 wins in 60 starts, earnings of $536,402 and is coming off a fifth in an Oct. 27 allowance. Prayer of Jabez is by Stanford, out of the Kafwain mare Alwazabridesmaid, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Anthony DeMarco and trained by Edward Kerelik. He has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of $148,226 and is coming off an Oct. 27 allowance win. ...

Star Racer

Star Racer wins $50,000 Oakland Stakes. ...

The Chosen Vron

The Chosen Vron wins $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes. ...

The Chosen Vron Rebounds in Cary Grant

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2023) – The Chosen Vron, showing unusual early speed two weeks after a Breeders’ Cup Sprint foray, successfully defended his title in Saturday’s $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar. The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Sondereker Racing, trainer Eric Kurljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburg. He has 14 wins in 19 starts, earnings of $1,149,678 and was coming off a fifth in the Nov. 4 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint. “He’s been unreal,” said Kruljac. “Coming back in two weeks is something I’ve never done. I was a little nervous but he came back so well and so fast from Breeders’ Cup. The horse was so lively today maybe we’ll just let him roll early from now on. Once he started widening I felt pretty certain. What a blessing this horse is.” The Chosen Vron ran seven furlongs in 1:21.22 and won... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Star Racer in Oakland Upset

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Star Racer emerged from a wall of horses at the head of the stretch and pulled away to win Saturday’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. Star Racer is a California-bred by Vronsky, out of the Bold Badgett mare Honey Bee Lucky, was bred by Old English Rancho and Bruce Headley, is owned by Blue Moon Racing & Steven Dietrich and is trained by Angelo Tekos, Jr. The $10,000 purchase from the Harris Farms consignment at the Northern California Yearling Sale has six wins in 21 starts, earnings of $128,178 and was making his first start since a second in an Apr. 1 allowance. Star Racer went off at 3-1 in a field of eight. ...

Zia Park Princess Lures Cal-bred Pair

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 21, 2023) – California-breds Only One America and Grease Missile are entered in Tuesday’s $100,000 Zia Park Princess Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Only One America is by Marking, out of the Diabolical mare That’s the Idea, was bred by owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Todd Fincher. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $30,700 and is coming off a Nov. 6 maiden win. Grease Missile is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnighthush, was bred by Dino Bates & Josephine Bates, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bart Hone. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $23,430 and is coming off a third in the Oct. 14 Marzano Stakes. ...

Lite Ranchin Kid Enters Zia Park Juvenile

HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 21, 2023) – Lite Ranchin Kid is the lone California-bred entered in Tuesday’s $100,000 Zia Park Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds. Lite Ranchin Kid is by Lemon Drop Kid, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Lorelei’s Song, was bred by owner Regan Wright and is trained by Rafael Barraza. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $40,050 and is coming off a fifth in the Oct. 14 Marzano Stakes. ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: Continuing to cooperate with the Horseracing and Safety Authority (HISA) in every way, the Board agreed to collect and remit fees on behalf of HISA, as the Board did in 2022. The HISA assessments will cover California’s share of both the anti-doping and medication control program and the racetrack safety program. Discussions are ongoing with HISA to determine the amount of credits California will receive for enforcing the federal rules. The Board also adopted HISA’s recommended national concussion protocol for jockeys, which includes return-to-ride guidelines for jockeys declared fit to ride following an incident. The... ...

Top Harbor Out to Defend Oakland Title

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2023) – Defending champion Top Harbor has five California-bred challengers among entries in Saturday’s $50,000 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. Love Candy is by Danzing Candy, out of the Tapizar mare Love Winning, was bred by Stuart Tsujimoto, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He has five wins in 21 starts, earnings of $165,274 and is coming off a second in the Oct. 15 Bull Dog. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Talbot Bay is by Northern Causeway, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Swiss Gem, was bred by owner Rozamund Barclay and is trained by Jorge Bautista. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $85,680 and is coming off a third in an Oct. 22 allowance. Alexander’s Dream is by Gervinho, out of the Alphabet Soup mare Strawberry Flash, was bred by M. Auerbach, is owned by RKJ Stable and is trained by Reid France. He has five wins in 22 starts, earnings of $123,170 and is coming off back-to-back... ...

NorCal Sale Grad Wins Stakes in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Mex. (Nov. 17, 2023) – Baby Got Rhythm, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, won last week’s $60,086 Grade I Fasig-Tipton Classico Lea for 2-year-old fillies at Hipodromo de las Americas. Baby Got Rhythm is the first stakes winner for sire Uptown Rythem, out of the Eskendereya mare It’sallyoursbaby and was bred by C-Punch Ranch. She ran the mile in 1:40 4/5 and won by a nose at odds of 5-1 in a field of 11. She was a $1,200 purchase at last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale out of the Harris Farms consignment. ...

Two Weeks Later, The Chosen Vron Returns

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2023) – The Chosen Vron is expected to begin a new win streak Saturday at Del Mar, where he faces easier company than two weeks ago at Santa Anita. After a fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint ended an eight-race win streak, The Chosen Vron drops into the same California-bred division he has dominated for more than a year. The Chosen Vron did not have to run back this soon after the Breeders’ Cup, but why wait? He is a racehorse, after all. “He’s going to the track, feeling good, and I don’t think there’s an appropriate race for him until January,” trainer Eric Kruljac explained. “If I don’t run him in this race, he’ll be off for more than two months.” The California Cup Sprint, which he won last year, is in early January. The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Sondereker Racing LLC, Eric Kruljac,... ...

Jockey Club Offers Internships, Scholarships

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2023) — Applications for The Jockey Club’s paid internship program for college students and recent college graduates and its five academic scholarships opened today. The internship program will accommodate up to three interns and is now available in the summer or fall based on the intern’s preference. Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks. The internships will take place in The Jockey Club’s offices located in Lexington, Ky. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates should visit bit.ly/tjcinternships. Applications are being accepted through January 5, 2024. Selected interns will be notified in February 2024. The Jockey Club scholarships will apply to the 2024-2025 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for those enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student... ...

Chancery Way

Chancery Way wins $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes. ...

NorCal Sale Grad Wires Betty Grable Field

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way went wire-to-wire to win Sunday’s $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. Chancery Way is by Mr. Big, out of the War Chant mare This Means War, was bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti, is owned by Andy Smolich and Rob Smolich and is trained by Jamey Thomas. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale out of the Harris Farms consignment has six wins in 11 starts, earnings of $270,770 and was coming off a third in the Aug. 25 Solana Beach. “I didn’t know anything about this filly before I rode her today, but I went back and looked at film of some of her races,” said jockey Antonio Fresu. “I could see she had speed and it looked like she could finish well. I thought the seven furlongs would be a good distance for her. When we turned for home, she really went. It... ...

Jazz Hands to Perform in Kennedy Road

TORONTO, Alberta (Nov. 15, 2023) – Jazz Hands is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes at Woodbine. Jazz Hands is by Square Eddie, out of the Russian Courage mare Nicole and Ben, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Kirk Sutherland and trained by Harold Ladouceur. He has five wins in 26 starts, earnings of $195,388 and is coming off a second in an Oct. 29 optional claimer. ...

The Chosen Vron Back in with Cal-breds

From DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2023) — The Chosen Vron will be dropping in class just a wee bit next Saturday at Del Mar. Two weeks after he finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, The Chosen Vron will wheel back to face California-breds in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes on Nov. 18. “He’s doing great, I’m going to come back in two weeks,” trainer Eric Kruljac said Sunday. The Chosen Vron is virtually certain to be favored in the seven-furlong Cary Grant as he tries to begin a new win streak. Prior to his Breeders’ Cup fifth, the 5-year-old gelding won eight straight stakes including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar. He met his match in the BC Sprint, finishing 5 1/4 lengths behind winner Elite Power. “Those East Coast horses might have been a notch above anything that he’s run against,” Kruljac acknowledged. “For once, (The Chosen Vron) was kind of dumbfounded. He wasn’t himself.” :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match... ...

Wild Jewels

Wild Jewels wins $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes. ...

Wild Jewels Mines Golden Nugget Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2023) – Odds-on favorite Wild Jewels wore down fellow California-bred Good Lovin in the last sixteenth of a mile to win Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Wild Jewels is by Tamarando, out of the Distorted Humor mare Ribbon of Jewels, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $94,460 and was coming off a Sept. 11 optional claiming win. Wild Jewels won by a half-length at odds of 3-5 in a field of seven and ran the six furlongs in 1:09.77. ...

Stay Thirsty’s Sadeedd Wins in Dubai

DUBAI, UAE (Nov. 10, 2023) – Sadeedd, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, won Friday’s $175,000 emirates.com Handicap at Meydan Racecourse. Sadeedd, a 6-year-old gelding out of the stakes-winning Whywhywhy mare Patriotic Viva, ran the 1400 meters in 1:25.58 and won by three-quarters of a length. He is a half-sibling to stakes winners Diamond Oops and Patriotic Diamond. ...

Cajun Turkey Day for Swift as I Am

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Nov. 16, 2023) – Swift as I Am is the lone California-bred entered in Thursday’s $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds. Swift as I Am is by Danza, out of the Artie Schiller mare As I Am, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Joel Hunsburger and is trained by Tanner Tracy. He has four wins in 13 starts, earnings of $106,510 and is coming off a fourth in a Sept. 22 starter’s allowance at Los Alamitos. ...

Rumpus Cat Represented by First Winner

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2023) – California stallion Rumpus Cat was represented by his first winner on Sunday when Clever Clover won the third race at Golden Gate, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds. Clever Clover is a California-bred out of the Peppered Cat mare Paprika Red, was bred by Daehling Farms, is owned by Daehling Farms and Norman Tavares and is trained by Victor Trujillo. Clever Clover ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.49 and won by a head as the 5-2 favorite in a field of six. In two starts, he has earnings of $31,200. Rumpus Cat, out of the champion Storm Cat mare Sweet Catomine, stands at Daehling Ranch. ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Los Alamitos Race Course. This meeting will be open to the public. Those who wish to provide unsolicited public comment on agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda item. Note that for agenda item #12, Public Comment, no further comments will be allowed after thirty minutes. For those who are unable to attend the meeting, a webcast audio link is available on the CHRB website via the Media Room link. The agenda and meeting packet of materials are also available on the CHRB website. ...

Cal-bred Pair Fetch Six Figures on Friday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2023) – A pair of California-breds brought six-figure purchase prices in Friday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The stakes-producing broodmare Black Valentine sold for $180,000 to St. Venturea, in foal to Justify. Out of the Mulholland Springs consignment, the 14-year-old Black Valentine is by Cindago and out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Jewel of the night, making her a half-sister to millionaire Cal-bred Evening Jewel. Black Valentine produced stakes winner Roo’s Valentine, and the stakes-placed Dr. Troutman and Sweetest Angel. A weanling filly by Maclean’s Music sold for $100,000 to Gayle Van Leer, agent. The weanling, from the Checkmate Thoroughbreds consignment, is out of the stakes-placed Ghostzapper mare Fujairah. She was bred by Glen Hill Farm and is from the family of the stallion Bodemeister. ...

Loaded Field for Sunday’s Betty Grable

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way and fellow multiple stakes winner Chismosa are among the entries in Sunday’s $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. Chancery Way is by Mr. Big, out of the War Chant mare This Means War, was bred by Harris Farms and John Nicoletti, is owned by Andy Smolich and Rob Smolich and is trained by Jamey Thomas. The $6,500 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale out of the Harris Farms consignment has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $213,770 and is coming off a third in the Aug. 25 Solana Beach. Bella D is by Decarchy, out of the Good Journey mare Bella Viaggia, was bred by SLO Racing Stable, is owned by Out of the Blue Stables and is trained by Carla Gaines. She has three wins in 22 starts, earnings of $213,110 and is coming off a sixth in an Oct. 6 optional claimer. Glorious Spring... ...

Back-to-back Breeders’ Cups at Del Mar

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2023 — Del Mar, which is already set to host the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, also will host the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, it was announced via press release Wednesday afternoon. The Breeders’ Cup was previously held at Del Mar in 2017 and 2021. In 2024, the Breeders’ Cup will be held Nov. 1-2. In 2025, the event will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held at the same venue in consecutive years was Santa Anita in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Santa Anita held the 40th Breeders’ Cup last weekend for a record 11th time. “Our return to Del Mar in back-to-back years marks the continuation of a wonderful collaboration and successful partnership, both with our friends at the track and with the greater San Diego area, demonstrating our continued commitment to California horse racing,” Drew Fleming, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited, said in a press release. “We look forward to once again gathering... ...

Laurel Canyon Sells for $250,000 at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2023) – California-bred stakes-placed filly Laurel Canyon sold for $250,000 to Jody Huckabay, agent, at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The 4-year-old Laurel Canyon is by Nyquist, out of the Malibu Moon mare Moon River Gal, was bred by Thomas Bachman, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller. She had one win in five starts and earnings of $38,640, finishing third in the Fasig-Tipton Debutante Stakes in her second career start. She sold in foal to Jack Christopher. ...

Becca Taylor Brings $350,000 at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2023) – California-bred multiple graded-stakes winner Becca Taylor sold for $350,000 to Solis/Litt at Wednesday’s opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Becca Taylor is by Old Topper, out of the General Meeting mare Lady Sax, was bred and owned by Nick Alexander and trained by Steven Miyadi. She won nine of 10 starts and $499,160, including wins in the 2022 Grade II Great Lady M and the Grade III Desert Stormer. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, Becca Taylor sold as a broodmare prospect. She is a half-sister to Hail Mary, a stakes-placed winner of $254,188. ...

Fun to Dream, Ceiling Crusher Sell at F-T

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2023) – California-bred Grade I winners Fun to Dream and Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher were included in the spending spree at Tuesday night’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Fun to Dream, the Cal-bred Horse of the Year in 2022, sold for $1.9 million to Japan’s K I Farm. Consigned by Hill ‘N’ Dale at Xalapa, Fun to Dream sold as a broodmare prospect. By Arrogate, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, she was bred by Connie Pageler and Bob Baffert, was owned by Natalie Baffert and Pageler and trained by Bob Baffert. A half-sister to multiple stakes winner Heck Yeah, the 4-year-old Fun to Dream won the Grade I La Brea Stakes and the Grade II Santa Monica Stakes, with six wins and earnings of $670,190. Ceiling Crusher sold for $750,000 to Katsumi Yoshida. She is by Mr. Big, out of the mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by Harris Farms, was owned Wonderland Racing Stable, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman and was trained... ...

Jack Sprat Fattens Up in Illinois Futurity

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 7, 2023) – Jack Sprat, an Illinois-bred son of California stallion Jack Milton, won Tuesday’s $65,825 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity for 2-year-old statebreds at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing. Jack Sprat, out of the Shaniko mare Look Who’s Here, has won both career starts with earnings of $71,415. He ran the six furlongs in 1:14.02 and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 4-1 in a field of nine. ...

Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks wins $200,000 Grade II Goldikova Stakes. ...

Closing Remarks Wins Another Grade II

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2023) – With a hot pace to run at, California-bred Closing Remarks rallied from far back to take Sunday’s closing day co-feature at Santa Anita, the Grade II, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes, getting one mile on turf in 1:32.69. Trained by Carla Gaines and ridden by Juan Hernandez, the 5-year-old mare by Vronsky was up to win by a half length over favored Queen Goddess. As expected, Irish-bred Hamwood Flier went to the front out of the gate and enjoyed a two length advantage over Queen Goddess around the Club House turn. Heading up the backside, Closing Remarks had one horse beat while about seven off the lead. Heading to the far turn, Hernandez opted to sit chilly as Lucky Girl rallied from last to her outside but Closing Remarks would soon be into gear three-deep turning for home and rolled late to easily reel in the favorite well inside the sixteenth pole. “This mare she tries all the time, she’s... ...

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