What a View

Mar 12, 2016 Posted by CTBA In Video

What a View wins $400,000 Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile. ...

What a View Steals Kilroe Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2016) – California Cup turf Classic winner What a View led all the way to score a win in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. What a View is by Vronsky, out of the Manilla mare Oceans N Mountains, was bred by Old English Rancho, Patsy Berumen & Sal Berumen, is owned by Finish Line Racing, Ellwood Johnston Trust or Bermen et al and is trained by Kenny Black. “He’s in the skybox, up there cheering for us.”,” co-breeder Judy Johnston said of her late husband, Buddy. He has five wins in 11 starts, earnings of $532,148 and was coming off a win in the Jan. 30 California Cup Turf Classic. “We’ve had some issues with his feet and I just wanted to keep him on the grass,” said Black. “There were some really tough horses in here: Bolo, Bal a Bali and Om, so we knew we were going to have to run big to win.” “He was loaded... ...

Mahorney Passes at 75

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2016) — William Mahorney, a former jockey and trainer in Northern California, died March 10 after contracting pneumonia. He was 75. Mahorney was born Oct. 22, 1940, in Washington, D.C., and he was introduced to horse racing by his father, James Mahorney, who was a bookmaker. After riding Quarter Horses in the early 1960s, he switched to Thoroughbreds in 1965 and was that year’s leading apprentice jockey in wins. Mahorney severely injured both of his knees in a 1965 automobile accident. He made a successful return from the accident, winning riding titles in Chicago and New York, but the accident required him to undergo numerous knee surgeries. Mahorney eventually received an artificial knee, earning him the nickname “Bionic Bill.” He won the 1975 Golden Gate Fields riding title with 72 wins and on four other occasions finished among the top three jockeys at Golden Gate or Bay Meadows. His major wins in Northern California include the 1966 Golden Poppy (Gala Host), 1971 Golden Poppy... ...

Weather Disrupts Santa Anita Card

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2016) –As the rain subsided at Santa Anita Park March 11 following a short but heavy rainstorm, track officials announced the final three races of the Friday card would be canceled because of concerns expressed by the jockeys about standing water on the dirt main track. Included in the canceled races was the $75,000 San Pedro Stakes, which Santa Anita racing secretary Rick Hammerle said could be rescheduled as soon as next week. “It was just the standing water on it. With the big day tomorrow, it’s best to stop now and make sure we’re set,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations for The Stronach Group, referencing the 11-race card March 12 that features the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) and the San Felipe (gr. II). Morris, who estimated the Arcadia, Calif. track experienced an inch of rain in a span of about an hour and 15 minutes, said he was not concerned with the dirt track’s condition for Saturday,... ...

Smokey Image Adds to McCaffery Legacy

By Nicole Russo, DRF.com Nearly a decade after the death of prominent California owner, breeder, and racing-industry philanthropist Trudy McCaffery, her legacy lives on – both on the track and off. The undefeated California-bred Smokey Image hails from a female family cultivated by McCaffery, who died at age 62 in 2007 following a battle with cancer. The colt will take his first shot against open company Saturday in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita – the same race that his grandsire, Free House, McCaffery’s favorite runner, won nearly two decades ago. Watching intently around the country will be dozens of racing-industry professionals who are alumni of Kids to the Cup, the organization McCaffery founded to expose young people to racing. Many have gone on to follow their dreams of working in the industry. “She genuinely believed that giving young people access to the barns, the horsemen, and the inner workings of the sport would give us the courage and contacts to pursue our dreams, and I think... ...

Golden Gate to Broadcast in HD

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2016) — Golden Gate Fields will begin to broadcast its races using high-definition cameras and video March 17, The Stronach Group announced March 10. The new high-definition Golden Gate signal also will feature three new cameras—one on the starting gate, a camera near the walking ring for paddock coverage, and a scenic camera. The track will implement a new high-definition graphics package, similar in format to the one currently in use at Santa Anita Park. More cameras will be added in the future., the track said in a release. On-track patrons will be able to watch Golden Gate’s races on 500 new high-definition televisions that have been installed on the Turf Club tables, in the Top of the Stretch betting carrels, and throughout the Golden Gate facility. “Taking the Golden Gate broadcast signal HD is another example of The Stronach Group’s continuing commitment to long-term racing in California,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations for the company. “Golden Gate, with... ...

‘Chrome Tops Longines Rankings

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 10, 2016) — The top spots in the 2016 season’s initial Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings feature a trio of U.S.-trained horses, headed by 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome . Off season-opening victories in the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park and a handicap at Meydan, where he spotted his rivals 15 pounds, California Chrome is tied for first in the rankings that consider races from Jan. 1-March 6. ANGST: Another Shining Victory for California Chrome California Chrome, who is being pointed by trainer Art Sherman to the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), where he finished second last year, is tied in the initial rating with Dubai City of Gold Sponsored by Skycargo (UAE-II) winner Postponed and Duramente, winner of the Nakayama Kinen (Jpn-II). All three have earned a 121 ranking. Just behind the top three is Frosted, who opened his 4-year-old season for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin with a five-length score in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Sponsored by EGA (gr.... ...

Smokey Image Risks Perfect Record

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2016) – Unbeaten Smokey Image gets the class test as the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade II San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Smokey Image is by Southern Image, out of the Free House mare Special Smoke, was bred by C Punch Ranch, is owned by Irvin Racing Stable and trained by Carla Gaines. He has six wins in six starts, earnings of $435,100 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 30 California Cup Derby. ...

What a View in Kilroe Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2016) — California Cup Turf Classic winner What a View is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. What a View is by Vronsky, out of the Manilla mare Oceans N Mountains, was bred by Old English Rancho, Patsy Berumen & Sal Berumen, is owned by Finish Line Racing, Ellwood Johnston Trust or Bermen et al and is trained by Kenny Black. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $292,148 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 30 California Cup Turf Classic. ...

San Onofre Enters San Carlos

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2016) – Graded winner San Onofre is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita. San Onofre is by Surf Cat, out of the Native Regent mare Marrakech Gold, was bred by Bruce Headley, is owned by Matson Racing and trained by Karen Headley. He has five wins in 11 starts, earnings of $342,040 and is coming off a fourth in the Jan. 30 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

Pacific Heat Returns in China Doll

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar 9, 2016) – California Cup Oaks winner Pacific Heat and fellow California-breds Nine Point Nine and How Unusual are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Nine Point Nine is by Tribal Rule, out of the Cahill Road mare Cielo Dulce, was bred by Stormy Hull and Ginger Samples, is owned by Holly and David Wilson and trained by Vladimir Cerin. She has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $77,200 and is coming off a consecutive claiming wins. Pacific Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Hotlantic, was bred by Harris Farms and Donald Valpredo, is owned by Alesia, Burns or Ciaglia Racing and is trained by Peter Eurton. She has three wins in four starts, earnings of $250,250 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 30 California Cup Oaks. How Unusual is by Unusual Heat, out of the Bartok mare Veela, was bred by owners Madeline Auerbach and Barry Abrams and is trained... ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2016) — The Medication and Track Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting March 16 in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park beginning at 10 a.m. The agenda and package of materials, which are for discussion only, focus on horse welfare and expanded out-of-competition testing, including a ban on anabolic steroids. The horse welfare items would mandate the transfer of records pertaining to joint injections for claimed horses, require trainers to maintain records of veterinary treatments, and insure that all treatments are justified by a medical condition and based on advice from a veterinarian. ...

TOC Open Forum Apr. 23

From TOC CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2016) — All horsemen are invited to an open forum at Los Alamitos Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m. in the Post & Paddock Room. Meet TOC staff and directors for a discussion of current events and a chance to have your questions answered. For more information or to register for this event, click http://www.toconline.com/events/open-forum-at-los-alamitos-2/. Registration opens March 23. ...

California Chrome Tops NTRA Poll

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 9, 2016) – California-bred California Chrome, off his win in a prep for the Dubai World Cup, is ranked No. 1 in the weekly NTRA weekly top thoroughbred poll. California Chrome received 24 of 44 first-place votes and 402 points, with Mshawish second and 301 points and Beholder third with 205 points. ...

Ernie Myers Passes at Age 86

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2016) — Ernie Myers, a San Diego media star whose two great passions in life were radio and horse racing, died Tuesday morning of the effects of Parkinson’s disease at his home in La Mesa. He was 86. Myers, who at one point was the top radio DJ in San Diego over a career that spanned nearly four decades, died in the company of his longtime friend Onyx Novelle Jones. She said he had been fighting Parkinson’s for the past four years and had just recently entered into a hospice care arrangement. He grew up in Glendale and aspired to be an actor as a teenager, landing parts in several movies. Subsequently he did a four-year tour in the Army, then turned to the radio business. The affable and smooth-toned Myers was a “DJ” from the 1950s through the 1980s. He started playing big band music, then transitioned to “rock” and subsequently talk radio and was the leading radio personality in San... ...

Gold Rush Dancer in San Pedro

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2016) – Gottstein Futurity winner Gold Rush Dancer is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $75,000 San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita. Gold Rush Dancer is by Private Gold, out of the In Excess mare Dances On Water, was bred by owner John Parker and is trained by Van Belvoir. He has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $83,393 and is coming off a fifth in the Dec. 5 Gold Rush Stakes. ...

‘Chrome Works for World Cup

By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 6, 2016) — He may have been half a world away when California Chrome recorded his first breeze March 6 since scoring a victory in a Dubai handicap Feb. 25, but Art Sherman got a good report from his son and assistant Alan Sherman about the half-mile run. “He went a half in :48 and seems to be right on his toes,” the elder Sherman said of his workout session for the March 26 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). “Alan just said (exercise rider Dihigi Gladney) worked him handily.” ANGST: Another Shining Victory for California Chrome Sherman added that they don’t have to do too much in training with the son of Lucky Pulpit leading into the World Cup, because the 1 1/4-mile handicap laid a good foundation as a prep. “It was just what I wanted,” the trainer said. “He was under wraps the whole time and we don’t have to do much with him now. He’s got that mile and a quarter in him,... ...

Diane and Betty Irvin

BY EMILY SHIELDS As longtime, staunch supporters of California racing, the Irvin family has had its share of stakes wins. Watching their Triple Crown trail-bound homebred Smokey Image storm to an impressive victory in the $245,000 California Cup Derby tops the list. Although family patriarch Robert Irvin passed away in 2015, his legacy lives on through the efforts of his wife, Betty, daughter Diane, and the exploits of Smokey Image. Robert Irvin was a lawyer-turned-businessman, acquiring Armored Transport Inc. and turning it into a nationwide livelihood. His passion, however, lay in both ranching and horses. In 1968 he purchased C-Punch Ranch in Lovelock, Nev. The fully functional cattle ranch and alfalfa farm has been operating since the mid-1800s, and now boasts an inn and casino in addition to its horse division. The Irvins tried Quarter Horse racing at first and found modest success, but the pull of Thoroughbred racing soon won them over. A $12,000 purchase, Tepee Party, went on to produce stakes winners Big Squaw and Indian School. Big... ...

Santa Anita Replacing Turf Course

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2016) — Santa Anita Park has announced it will begin installation of a completely new Bermuda turf course on June 20, which will be ready for use in advance of Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet which begins in late September. “With the impact of additional racing dates and increased demand for turf racing, the replacement of the course is something we have been anticipating and planning for several months,” said Joe Morris, Senior Vice President, West Coast Operations for The Stronach Group. “The new course will be very tight-knit and uniform, and we’re confident that we can have it fully installed by early July, which will give it the time it needs during optimum growing conditions. “Turf racing is extremely popular with our fans and horsemen, and with our expanded racing calendar, we are placing demands on this course that have never before existed. The new turf is designed to be robust enough to handle the additional use. The horsemen are fully supportive... ...

Warrens Puppy Love Wins El Diario

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 2, 2016) – Warrens Puppy Love rallied late to win Tuesday’s $75,000 El Diario Overnight Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Warrens Puppy Love is by Mongol Warrior, out of the Mecke mare Brrneedfur, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Donna Eaton and trained by Camille Telford. Warrens Puppy Love has five wins in 15 starts, earnings of 125,776 and was coming off an eighth in the Sept 27 Flashy Lady Stakes. She ran the six furlongs in 1:10.09 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 7-1. ...

NTRA Recognizes Legislative Supporters

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 2, 2016) — The NTRA’s federal legislative team relies on the NTRA Legislative Action Campaign’s ¼% Check-off Program and the Foal Program for funding of its effort to advocate for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Washington, D.C. In 2015, the Campaign realized a double-digit percentage increase over 2014 from nearly 900 industry members worldwide. Thank you to all who contributed in 2015. The NTRA also recognizes the following industry partners for their support: Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, Barretts, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and Breeders’ Sales Company of Louisiana. Other organizations supporting the Campaign include (in alphabetical order): The Blood-Horse, California Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (CTBA), Daily Racing Form (DRF), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA), New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), Santa Anita Park, Texas Horsemen’s News, The Saratoga Special, Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN), Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association (TOBA) and Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC). Learn more about how you can join your peers... ...

Haimish Hy to Stand at E.A. Ranches

From E. A. Ranches RAMONA, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2016) — Forty Niner grandson and Grade 1 stakes winner Haimish Hy (by Ecton Park), will stand his first season at stud in California at E.A. Ranches in Ramona. The Art Sherman-trainee won the 2010 Grade 1 Hollywood Derby and placed in the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo Stakes, the Grade 2 Jim Murray Handicap, and the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby for total earnings of $360,988. During a campaign that was conducted exclusively in California and spanned four years, Haimish Hy competed in 13 stakes, of them graded, and was on the board in 10n of his 19 career starts. Retired to present owner George Krikorian’s private farm in Kentucky, the now 9-year old dark bay or brown horse returns to the state of his impressive racing career to embark on his stallion career. His first foals will arrive in 2017.Haimish Hy will take up stud duty at E.A. Ranches to continue a sire line that also produced millionaire and... ...

Boozer

Boozer wins $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes. ...

Boozer Takes Sensational Star

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2016) – Boozer caught Richard’s Boy in the final strides to win his first stakes in 16 months in Saturday’s $102,070 Sensational Star Handicap for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Boozer ($14) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:13.03. Boozer had endured a seven-race losing streak since winning the 2014 California Flag Handicap for state-breds on the hillside turf course in October, 2014. Boozer, a 6-year-old gelding by Unusual Heat, has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $461,192. Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, Boozer has had three starts at this meeting, finishing fifth in an optional claimer on dirt on Jan. 3, and third in the $251,000 California Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Jan. 30. Boozer was bred by Abrams, Loverso, Perez, Huston Racing and Auerbach and he gave jockey Gary Stevens his seventh stakes win of the winter-spring meeting. He leads all riders in that category, three of clear... ...

Smokey Image Finds Morning Competition

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2016) — California-bred Smokey Image and Danzing Candy put on an unintentional preview of the March 12 San Felipe (gr. II) during their morning workouts Feb. 27 at Santa Anita Park. In the last workout session of the day, the two Triple Crown hopefuls found each other. Danzing Candy, with Mike Smith aboard, and workmate Radio Silent broke first, but Smokey Image and Victor Espinoza were right behind. A little rank early and four lengths back, not overjoyed with the dirt in his face, Smokey Image moved three wide alongside the Cliff Sise-trained pair through most of the turn but settled in the stretch and cruised to hit the wire in 1:12 1/5, about two lengths behind Danzing Candy. The time was tied for the fastest drill at the distance, among 30 workers at six furlongs Saturday morning. Cautious Giant also worked 1:12 1/5. “Do you believe we did that again?” trainer Carla Gaines said to Espinoza after the work, referencing the Southern Image ... ...

Barretts March Catalog Online

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2016) — The catalog for the 27th Annual Barretts March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training is on-line and will be mailed soon. This auction of 121 two-year-olds will be held on Wednesday, March 30 in the Surfside RacePlace located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. The catalog can be viewed now at http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catmarch2015/catalog.asp The March Sale catalog is also now available for your ipad. Click here for details. The official training preview is scheduled to be held on MONDAY, March 28 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m. The preview will be streamed live at http://www.barretts.com/sales/ViewSale/index.asp Video clips for each preview can be viewed on-line by the following morning the preview at http://www.barretts.com/sales/TrainingPreviews/index.asp Since its inception, the Barretts March Sale has been the leading producer of top quality race horses west of Kentucky. Among the many Grade One winners are Awesome Gem, Brocco, Brother Derek, Dubai Escapade, Henny... ...

CHRB Meeting Summary

From CHRB ARCADIA, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, February 25, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, George Krikorian, and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: * A representative of the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau (TRPB) reported industry progress in updating odds postings more rapidly, so that significant odds changes late in the running of the race have been greatly reduced. Efforts are continuing to further speed up final pool reports from all locations after the start of the race. * The TRPB also reported that 90 percent of wagering locations now are providing Santa Anita with sufficient data for the track to post the details of noteworthy winning Pick 6 tickets as they occur – nearing the level of transparency that the CHRB has been advocating for many... ...

How Sensational Star Stakes Got Its Name

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2016) — It’s approaching 30 years since Bill Spawr claimed Sensational Star for $32,000 with the hopes of turning him into a stakes winner. Spawr wasn’t disappointed. Sensational Star would go on to become a graded stakes winner under Spawr’s tutelage and retired with a career record of 39 starts, 13 wins, 11 seconds and $442,445 earned, this in the pre-inflation era. Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes, for Golden State Series eligibles, is named for Spawr’s clever claim. Spawr is known for his keen eye at the claim box. His most accomplished bargain was Exchange Rate, taken for $50,000. She went on to win three Grade I stakes and earn more than a million dollars. Spawr, a native of Bell, California, who turned 76 last Dec. 13, had his day in the sun with 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Amazombie, who would go on to win an Eclipse Award. Claimed in 1988, Sensational Star later won the Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap... ...

Hovdey on California Chrome

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com In order to fully appreciate California Chrome’s race in Dubai on Thursday evening, UAE time, it was necessary to perform a few calculations and cultural translations. As breakfast was served, and with more than two hours to post (9:55 a.m. Pacific), there still was plenty of time. The race is on the dirt course at Meydan at 2,000 meters. The dirt course at Meydan is laid out inside the turf course. One meter is equivalent to 0.000621371 miles, which multiplied by 2,000 is 1.24.26, close enough to call it a mile and a quarter, the distance of the $10 million World Cup on March 26, which is why California Chrome is there in the first place. The race is called the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy. Trans Gulf Electromechanical Construction is part of the Dubai-based Al Naboodah Group, which sponsored all the racing on Thursday’s program. Al Naboodah and its subsidiaries played a key role in the construction of the Meydan complex that includes the racecourse. The... ...

Arabian Race at Santa Anita Approved

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board Feb. 25 approved a proposal from Santa Anita Park to offer gambling on an Arabian race in April, with pending legislation on the topic expected to pass soon in Sacramento. Santa Anita representative Scott Daruty said a group from Abu Dhabi is willing to contribute $175,000 to a potential April 2 race, with $100,000 going to the purse and $75,000 going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund. The pending legislation, AB 558, would allow Santa Anita to conduct six Arabian races a year with wagering, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Northern California fair circuit, which also puts on races for the breed, and gets approval from the CHRB and the Thoroughbred owners of California. But there were still concerns expressed on the board and by industry stakeholders about how Santa Anita should go about carding the Arabian race during its Thoroughbred meeting. “I don’t have a problem with this, per se. What I would have... ...

California Chrome

California Chrome wins the $150,000 Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy Handicap in Dubai. ...

California Chrome Wins in Dubai

By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Feb. 25, 2016) — California Chrome appears to be going into the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) in top form after cruising to an easy two-length victory in the $143,000 Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy Handicap Feb. 25 at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates. With Victor Espinoza sitting chilly, California Chrome tracked two- or three-wide in the far turn just behind early leader Success Story, a Korean-bred who had not previously placed in a stakes. When asked just a bit in early stretch, the 2014 Horse of the Year quickly opened up on the over-matched field and waltzed to the wire. The winning effort marks a second straight stakes score for California Chrome, who opened his 5-year-old season for trainer Art Sherman with a clear victory the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park. Now campaigned by “California Chrome Inc.”, which includes Perry and Denise Martin, Taylor Made, and several prominent breeders, California Chrome is being pointed to the... ...

California Chrome Draws the Rail

By Paulick Report DUBAI, U.A.E. (Feb. 24, 2016) — California-bred California Chrome drew the rail and will face seven rivals when he goes to the post in a 2000-meter (about ten furlongs) handicap on the main track at Meydan Racecourse Feb. 25. The 2014 Horse of the Year will be spotting his rivals 15 pounds in the race, which he is using as a prep for the G1 Dubai World Cup March 26. “He is a bigger and stronger horse this year,” assistant trainer Alan Sherman told the Dubai Racing Club. “He has done everything we have asked of him and are very pleased with his preparations. “We decided to run this week rather than on Super Saturday to give him a month between races before the World Cup. “We could not be happier with him and are really excited about having another crack at the Dubai World Cup.” Unsurprisingly California Chrome heads the weights, carrying 7kg more than his seven opponents with the handicapper giving him 60kg – the... ...

Alert Bay Enters Sensational Star

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2016) – Millionaire Alert Bay leads a talented field of 11 entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Image of Joplin is by Southern Image, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms, is owned by Lucas Downs and is trained by Matthew Chew. He has seven wins in 27 starts, earnings of $199,887 and is coming off an 11th in the Jan. 30 California Cup Turf Classic. Solid Wager is by Birdonthewire, out of the Valid Wager mare G Ma, was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Barber or Barber or Sanford Stable and is trained by Peter Miller. He has six wins in 26 starts, earnings of $350,296 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 30 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint. Aotearoa is by Good Journey, out of the Lil Tyler mare Madera Royal, was bred by owner Paul Viskovich and trained by Leonard Powwell. He has four wins... ...

Espinoza Wins George Woolf Award

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2016) — As America’s first Triple Crown-winning jockey in 37 years, Victor Espinoza helped Thoroughbred racing project a positive image far beyond the confines of the industry throughout 2015. Accordingly, Espinoza, a 43-year-old native of Mexico City, has been selected by a vote of jockeys nationwide as the winner of Santa Anita Park‘s highly coveted 2016 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. “It’s quite an honor for any rider to be selected by his peers as the winner of such a prestigious award,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “And I would like to congratulate Victor on this great achievement.” In addition to numerous national television appearances through the 2015 Triple Crown and last fall’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Espinoza also remained tireless in his efforts on behalf of cancer-stricken youth, donating a percentage of his winnings to support pediatric cancer research at City of Hope, in Duarte, Calif. In addition to winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes (all... ...

Santa Anita to Overhaul Turf Course

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2016) —Santa Anita Park plans a complete overhaul of its turf course and officials will meet Feb. 25 to decide details and timing of the plan. The Stronach Group senior vice president of West Coast operations Joe Morris said Feb. 23 that track executives will discuss details of the plan, including timing. Morris said the course has not been completely redone in 20 years. Santa Anita will host this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 4-5. Should the track opt to completely renovate the turf course before Breeders’ Cup, the longest gap of time without live racing is July 11 to Sept. 29. With heavy rains associated with El Nino hitting Santa Anita this year, races have been taken off the course several racing days at the current meet. Beyond the races taken off the main turf course, additional races using the hillside turf course also have been moved to the main track. ...

Warrens Puppy Love at Sunland

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 23, 2016) – Warrens Puppy Love is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 El Diario Overnight Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Warrens Puppy Love is by Mongol Warrior, out of the Mecke mare Brrneedfur, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Donna Eaton and trained by Camille Telford. She has four wins in 14 starts, earnings of $80,776 and is making her first start since an eighth in the Sept. 27 Flashy Lady Stakes. ...

Cal-bred Trio in Island Fashion

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 23, 2015) – California-breds Sweet Bea, Mc Hottie and L J’s Awesome Girl are entered in Friday’s $75,000 Island Fashion Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Sunland Park. Sweet Bea is by Grace Upon Grace, out of the Gilded Time mare Sweet Elite, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Jeff Plotkin and trained by Justin Evans. She has one win in six starts, earnings of $27,880 and is coming off a third in a Jan. 1 allowance. Mc Hottie is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Mr. Greeley mare Gender Motors, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Henry Dominguez. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $30,030 and is coming off a Jan. 16 maiden win. L J’s Awesome Girl is by Awesome Gambler, out of the In Excess mare Excessive Girl, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by A and A Equine and EC Racing and is trained by Justin Evans. She has two... ...

Sherman Expects Big ‘Chrome Effort

By Paulick Report DUBAI, U.A.E. (Feb. 23, 2016) — Trainer Art Sherman and jockey Victor Espinoza both departed the United States en route to Dubai on Monday, where California Chrome is set to make his Meydan debut in a handicap event on Thursday. The 5-year-old will be making his second start off the layoff in preparation for the Dubai World Cup to be held March 26, and blazed through his final work Friday in 47.2 seconds for the half-mile, according to The National. “He’s never carried so much in a race before,” said Sherman. Chrome is slated to carry 60kgs (132lbs) in the race Thursday. “With Dihigi (Gladney, exercise rider) on board he has 150lbs on his back every day anyway. He’s been training great, has been forward in his training and is right on schedule. I know weight is a denominator and it kills horses at some point but I think you’re going to see a champion run from him this Thursday.” California Chrome will face eight rivals on... ...

‘Chrome Enters World Cup Prep

By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Feb. 22, 2016) — California Chrome , the U.S. Horse of the Year of 2014, as expected was entered for a 1 1/4-mile handicap at Meydan Racecourse Feb. 25 that will be his first start in Dubai this year and serve as his prep for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 26. The 5-year-old California-bred Lucky Pulpit horse, who finished second to Prince Bishop in last year’s World Cup, has an official rating of 121, which makes him the highest-rated horse in the field of 10 when entries were revealed Feb. 22. Final declarations, along with jockeys, post positions, and post time will be announced Feb. 23. It’s the same race Curlin used to prepare for his 2008 World Cup win. Winner of the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park in his last start, California Chrome, trained by Art Sherman for owners Perry Martin and Taylor Made, is the 132-pound highweight in the handicap and will be giving from... ...

Whine for Wine in Curribot

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 21, 2016) – Whine for Wine is the lone California-bred entered in $75,000 Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park. Whine for Wine is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Jump Start mare Mrs. Began, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnnie Nall. He has three wins in 16 starts, earnings of $172,000 and is coming off a fourth in a Dec. 28 optional claimer. ...

Eventful Workout for Smokey Image

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2016) — Smokey Image just seems to find trouble working recently in the mornings at Santa Anita Park, and although that might make trainer Carla Gaines uncomfortable in the moment, it may end up being a blessing in disguise. Encountering traffic in training may prepare the California-bred son of Southern Image for potential trouble on the Triple Crown trail. The morning of Feb. 21, things didn’t go quite as planned for the second week in a row. Irvin Racing Stable’s chestnut colt was supposed to trail a workmate by two lengths on the outside, but jockey Victor Espinoza had to make a decision in the backstretch when some interference entered their path. The pair moved to the inside to avoid a potential collision and worked along the rail inside his workmate. BALAN: Smokey Image Logs First Work for San Felipe “It was so close,” Espinoza said after the five-furlong drill in 1:00 2/5. Smokey Image did just fine after that, though. He moved past... ...

CHRB Meeting Advisory

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, February 25, in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Legislative, Legal, and Regulations Committee will meet in the same location on Wednesday, February 24, beginning at 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend both meetings. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The meeting agendas (Board/Committee) and supporting packages of materials (Board/Committee) also are available on the CHRB website. ...

Los Alamitos Stakes Schedule Released

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2016) — Five stakes—two of them graded—worth $625,000 highlight the inaugural spring Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos Race Course. The 12-day meet will begin April 14 and continue through May 1 on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule. At 6 1/2 furlongs, the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes (gr. II) is the richest event on the schedule. For fillies and mares, the Great Lady M. will be run April 23. A longtime fixture at now-closed Hollywood Park, the race had been run during Los Alamitos’ summer Thoroughbred meet in July the previous two years. Los Alamitos ran in the summer during each of its first two years putting on afternoon Thoroughbred races, but will run the spring dates instead in 2016. BALAN: CHRB Approves 2016 California Race Dates The $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes (gr. III)—run previously at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park (2014-2015)—is the other graded race on the schedule. For 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs—a sixteenth of a mile shorter than in the past—the... ...

He Be Fire N Ice’s First Foals Arrive

From Ridgeley Farm HEMET, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2016) – He Be Fire N Ice, a stakes winner and multiple Grade II-placed son of dominant California sire Unusual Heat, sired his first foal on February 4 at Ridgeley Farm. The big roan colt born out of multiple stakes winner and Grade III-placed Smoke Glacken mare Dimple Punch was bred by Cicero Farms. Dimple Pinch’s 2014 Uncle Mo colt sold for $170,000 at the Keeneland September Sale last year. He Be Fire N Ice’s first filly foal arrived on Super Bowl Sunday, out of Quiet Optimism, a Deputy Minister mare with five prior winners, also owned by Cicero Farms. He Be Fire N Ice burst upon the national scene in the summer of 2013 when the handsome gray won three straight races in electrifying come-from-behind style culminating in a victory in the California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar. In his next two starts, He Be Fire N Ice made his usual thrilling stretch runs but lost by a head in both the... ...

Barretts Sets Sale Calendar

DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2016) — The Barretts sales calendar will again feature an August selected yearling sale at Del Mar and a Fall yearling sale in October. Last year’s select sale was held after the races at Del Mar’s Surfside RacePlace ITW, but this year’s sale will be conducted during daylight hours on Tuesday, August 30th. Barretts general manager Kim Lloyd: “Despite the fact that we had an all-time California yearling record median sales price in our inaugural August sale last year, it made for too long of a day for both buyers and consignors. The move to a dark day of racing will benefit everyone involved in this sale.” Due to stabling concerns in Southern California resulting from the Breeders’ Cup, the October Yearling Sale will be held at the Los Angeles Fairgrounds in Pomona on Monday, October 17th. Yearlings will be stabled in the Barretts barns. Nominations for the Select Yearling Sale close April 1, 2016. ...

Balance the Books, Big Surf to Special T

From Special T Thoroughbreds TEMECULA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2016) — EAS Equine Alliance welcomes to California multiple graded stakes winner Balance the Books, the son of champion and Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid, and winning Storm Cat son Big Surf, whose dam is the Champion 3-year-old filly and four-time Grade I winner Surfside, and grand dam is the champion 2-year-old filly and three-time Grade I and Breeder Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Flanders. The stallions will stand at Rick Taylor’s Special T Thoroughbreds in Temecula. For viewing information call Special T at (951) 303-0313. To discuss breeding options contact Crystal Conway at (845) 332-8292 or (760) 239-0004. ...

Cal-bred Champions for 2015 Announced

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2016) — The California-bred Horse of the Year for 2015 will be announced at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, to be held Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Pasadena Westin. The three finalists for Horse of the Year, in alphabetical order, are: California Chrome, Gimme Da Lute and Spanish Queen. The business session of the annual meeting begins at 4 p.m. with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception and a 7 p.m. awards dinner. For reservations, please contact Christy Chapman at 626-445-7800 ext: 247 or email at christy@ctba.com. The other champions that will be presented at the dinner: Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings – Tribal Rule, property of The Tribal Rule Syndicate. Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Turf Earnings – Unusual Heat, property of The Unusual Heat Syndicate. Champion Sire of California Conceived Two-Year-Olds by Earnings – Square Eddie, property of Reddam Racing. Champion Freshman Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings – Slew’s Tiznow, property of Joseph... ...

Omar, Canducharlie in Phoenix Gold Cup

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 9, 2016) – Multiple stakes winner Omar and fellow California-bred Canducharlie are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap at Turf Paradise. Omar is by Bertrando, out of the Beau Genius mare Perfect Doll, was bred by Omar Aldabbagh, is owned by Randy Exelby or Rick Running Rabbit or TG Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has 13 wins in 34 starts, earnings of $206,443 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 23 Hank Mills Sr. Handicap. He was third in this race last year Canducharlie is by Cindago, out of the Bertrando mare Nandu, was bred by Lee & Susan Searing, is owned by Ernie Turner and trained by Dan Morgan. He has four wins in 18 starts, earnings of $69,717 and is coming off a Jan. 27 allowance win. ...

Touched by Autism in El Camino Real

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2016) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Touched by Autism is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III El Camino Real Derby for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. Touched by Autism is by Sierra Sunset, out of the Beau Genius mare Beau’s Gem, was bred by George and Mary Clare Schmitt, is owned by Johnny Toboada and trained by Marcia Stortz. The $2,700 Northern California Yearling Sale purchase has one win in five starts, earnings of $57,936 and is coming off a Jan. 7 maiden win. ...

Marino’s Wild Cat Seeks Repeat

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2016) – Marino’s Wild Cat seeks to repeat his 2015 victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate. Holdthismiss is by Hold Me Back, out of the Northern Afleet mare Glamorous Miss, was bred by Malibu Valley Farms, is owned by Below the Rim Stable and is trained by Blaine Wright. He has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $114,452 and is coming off a second in a Jan 2 optional claimer. Marino’s Wild Cat is by Marino Marini, out of the Dayjur mare Faxene, was bred by Roy Guinnane, is owned by GCCI and is trained by Cliff DeLima. He has eight wins in 16 starts, earnings of $271,388 and is coming off a third in an Apr. 19 allowance. Mah Gellin is by Skimming, out of the Maheras mare Mahrin, was bred by Racing Edge, is owned by Joe & Lola Sample and is trained by Blaine Wright. He has six wins in 21 starts, earnings of $193,968 and... ...

How Unusual Debuts in Sweet Life

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2016) – How Unusual is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. How Unusual is by Unusual Heat, out of the Bartok mare Veela, was bred by owners Madeline Auerbach and Barry Abrams and is trained by Abrams. She is making her racing debut. ...

Indian Gods has First Foal

From Brazeau Thoroughbreds HEMET, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2016) — Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms stallion Indian Gods was represented by his first foal, a filly out of Silent Deposition, a winning daughter of Breeders Cup Turf Champion Silic (FR). ...

Burton Johnson

By Emily Shields The adage goes, “How can you tell if a pilot is in the room? He’ll tell you.” While JetBlue pilot Burton Johnson still enjoys his job, he has a new passion to discuss to anyone who will listen: horse racing. His favorite racing-related topic? Ultimate Eagle, his young stallion whose first foals are yearlings this season. “I had no connection to horse racing,” Johnson said. “It’s the kind of sport where you are either born into it or you’re rich enough to get involved.” A friend of Johnson’s urged him to visit the racetrack and mentioned meeting up with another friend, Santa Anita-based trainer Mike Pender. “It turned out we already knew each other,” Johnson said. “I said, ‘I went to kindergarten with that guy!’ Sure enough, around the corner comes the Mike Pender I knew.” Johnson immediately took to the sport, falling madly in love and devouring all the information he could find. But when Pender asked why Johnson didn’t buy into a racehorse, Johnson replied,... ...

CHRB Annual Report Available

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2014-15 and racing year 2015 is available on the CHRB Website. The CHRB no longer publishes a print edition. ...

Alert Bay Latest Cal-bred Millionaire

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2016) – With his second-place finish in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, Alert Bay became the latest Cal-bred million-dollar earner. Alert Bay, second to What a View in the Turf Classic, pocketed $47,500 to increase his career earnings to $1,028,235. That made him the 62nd Cal-bred millionaire and 57th on the all-time earnings list as he climbed past Native Diver’s $1,026,500. Alert Bay is by City Zip, out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory, was bred by Thomas Bell and Ross McLeod, is owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Blaine Wright. The multiple graded winner has 11 wins in 23 starts. ...

Sleep Apnea Tools Might Help Foals

By Paulick Report For many foals born on farms too remote to easily access an equine hospital with ventilators and round-the-clock care, the inability to catch their breath can spell big trouble. The Horse reports that a group of Australian veterinarians have recently modified a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help foals breathe better. This machine could allow veterinarians to provide respiratory support in the field, without sending the neonatal foal to a hospital. At the 2015 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, Rosemary McKean, BVetBio/BVSc (Hons. 1), explained the system’s design, which utilizes a human sleep apnea machine attached to an equine anesthesia mask. The machine uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open, which can help prevent airway collapse, decrease the effort needed to take a breath, increase oxygenation and reduce lung inflammation. The Horse reports that the CPAP research team determined that: The system was effective and had no adverse effects on the foals’ heart rates, blood pressure, or other measurements Treatment improved foals’ oxygen extraction... ...

‘Chrome Owners Sell Share

By Paulick Report In a move that both parties hope will improve his future success as a sire, co-owners Taylor Made Farm and Perry Martin both gave up 10 percent of their share in champion California Chrome. According to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, 10 unnamed breeders were sold a two percent share of the future stallion, which would entitle them to two lifetime breeding rights as well as a percentage of his earnings over the rest of his career. “To allow them to come in,” said Martin, “we made them promise they would send two of their very best mares to California Chrome. So we’re not only looking toward his future at the racetrack, but his future as a sire as well and we brought on a whole bunch of excited partners in the process.” Set to enter stud in 2017, California Chrome has a few more conquests to make before he retires, including the March 26 Dubai World Cup. The $10 million (US) purse in that race would allow new... ...

Black Savors Biggest Training Win

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2016) — One of America’s top apprentice jockeys in the early 1980s, Kenny Black was at times overcome with emotion yesterday following his biggest training achievement to date–a brilliant 3 ¼ length win in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic by Old English Rancho-bred What a View, who was ridden by Kent Desormeaux. What made the win especially emotional was the fact that E.W. “Bud” Johnston, who had headed the farm’s breeding and racing operation (which was founded in California in 1948 by his father, E.B. “The Pie Man” Johnston and his wife, Betty) dating back to 1957, passed away unexpectedly one day shy of his 78th birthday last year on May 5. “I’ll be forever grateful to Buddy Johnston and his family for the opportunity they’ve given me,” said Black, who was hired by Johnston as the farm’s private trainer following the retirement of longtime conditioner Don Warren last year. “Buddy has had his horses here in the same stalls since... ...

Northern Causeway has First Foal

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2016)-Graded stakes winner Northern Causeway, standing at Rancho San Miguel, sired his first foal on Jan. 28, a filly out of the stakes-placed Swiss Bliss. Mike Harrington bred the filly, whose multiple winning dam won $122,210. Farm manager Clay Murdock said, “I see lots of Giant’s Causeway expressed in her with that beautiful face and body.” Northern Causeway, owned by Rozamund Barclay, is a graded stakes winner of $265,367 by sire-of-sires Giant’s Causeway, out of Getaway Girl (Silver Deputy). This is the immediate family of successful sires Ghostzapper and City Zip. Northern Causeway covered 35 mares in 2015 and will once again stand for a $2,500 live foal fee payable October 1 of the year bred with no booking fee. For additional information contact Rancho San Miguel farm manager Clay Murdock at (805) 467-3847. ...

Lakerville has First Foal

COALINGA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2016) — California stallion Lakerville had his first foal when a filly out of the Smokester mare Craven Cottage was delivered Jan. 25 at Harris Farms, bred by Barry Abrams. ...

Los Angeles Times on Cal-breds

By John Cherwa Los Angeles Times ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2016) — The numbers are startling, the reality is staggering. If California’s first-class horse racing tracks are to survive, they are in large part dependent on a third-place breeding program. A track such as Santa Anita needs inventory, and if it didn’t have California breds running, it probably would be racing only two days a week. Under that scenario, it wouldn’t be long before the track would be turned into a residential or retail development. Or a sports stadium. Doug Burge, president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn., took up the challenge of figuring out a way to essentially bribe people to breed, buy and race here. “We have these carrots we put out there to give people a reason to breed in California,” he said. Among those are a $30-million program of incentives, awards and purses that go to California breds racing here. Part of that is the Golden State Series of 40 stakes races with at least $6... ...

Cal Cup Stable Notes — Friday

From Santa Anita Publicity UNBEATEN SMOKEY IMAGE TRIES TWO TURNS IN CAL CUP DERBY Undefeated Smokey Image seeks his sixth straight victory and his first for Carla Gaines when the son of 2004 Santa Anita Handicap winner Southern Image goes two turns for the first time in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles. “He’s been here since the first week in November,” Gaines said of the chestnut colt owned by Betty Irvin of Pacific Palisades, who campaigns as Irvin Racing Stable. Smokey Image won his first four races by daylight margins, and his last, the seven furlong Golden State Juvenile at Del Mar on Oct. 30, by three-quarters of a length after he bobbled at the start and steadied at the 5/16 marker. “We have a good feeling about his going two turns,” Gaines said. “We’ll find out Saturday. His pedigree indicates he’ll do it and we’re hoping he’ll improve going two turns, but if doesn’t, he’s still a good sprinter. He’s always galloped out beautifully from... ...

Stellar Field in Filly & Mare Turf Sprint

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016)–In what looms as the most competitive race on an action-packed Sunshine Millions Day program Saturday at Santa Anita, the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for Golden State Series eligibles, to be run at 6 ½ furlongs down the Camino Real Turf Course at Santa Anita, has attracted a field of 14 older fillies and mares, with 12 to start. In a tough call, Harris Farms’ homebred Velvet Mesquite, who comes off a close seventh place run in the Grade II Monrovia Stakes down the hill on Jan. 3, may rate top billing for trainer Blake Heap. A 6-year-old mare by In Excess, she is 11-5-1-2 over the course, including a win in the Calirornia Distaff Handicap here in October, 2014. Although winless in seven starts last year, she had a pair of seconds and thirds, which included a close second down the hill in the Grade III Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes three starts back on Oct. 25. Out... ...

Smokey Image in Derby Stretchout

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016)–Unbeaten in five starts, Irvin Racing Stable’s Smokey Image heads a field of seven Golden State Series-eligible sophomores as he tries two turns for the first time in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Derby. The Derby, to be contested at 1 1/16 miles, will be run for the 26th time and is one of five stakes restricted to California-bred or sired horses on Santa Anita’s annual $1 million Sunshine Millions Day. Originally trained by Northern California-based Greg James and currently conditioned by Carla Gaines, Smokey Image, a chestnut colt by Southern Image, has been idle since winning the seven furlong Golden State Juvenile at Del Mar at odds of 1-2 on Oct. 30. Favored in four out of his five starts, “Smokey” overcame significant early trouble in the Juvenile to win by three quarters of a length. Ridden in all five of his races by Golden Gate Fields-based Juan Hernandez, he’ll be handled for the first time Saturday by Victor Espinoza. Bred by... ...

Roo’s Valentine Seeking Oaks Win

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016) – With the only turf attempt under her belt, Roo’s Valentine heads a field of eight in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks, presented by Xpressbet, for 3-year-old Golden State Series eligible fillies going one mile on the Santa Anita turf. Owned and bred in California by Kretz Racing, LLC, Roo’s Valentine has never been out of the money in five lifetime starts. After two thirds and a second when sprinting over the main track in maiden special weights late summer and into the fall, Roo’s Valentine seemed to finally find her footing around two turns. After breaking her maiden going a mile on the grass Nov. 5 at Del Mar, she followed up with a win in the one mile Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos. Trained by Kristin Mulhall, Roo’s Valentine is by California sire Vronsky, out of the Cindago mare Black Valentine. Cindago, who died in Sept. 2012 was a California sire who stood at Legacy Ranch. Roo’s Valentine... ...

Alert Bay Seeks Turf Classic Repeat

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016) – Northern based defending champion Alert Bay heads a wide open field of 12 California bred or sired, 4-year-olds and up, in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, for Golden State Series eligibles going 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita turf course. Bred in California by Thomas Newton Bell and Ross John McLeod, Alert Bay will once again ship in from Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, CA in hopes of winning the Turf Classic for the second year in-a-row. Since joining the barn of Blaine Wright in November, 2014 Alert Bay has gone on to win the Grade II Mathis Brothers Turf Mile on Opening Day of Santa Anita’s Winter Meet Dec. 26 in 2014, the Cal Cup Turf Classic by a neck over returning rival Boozer Jan. 24, 2015 and the Grade II City of Hope (Turf) Mile, Sept. 27. Alert Bay, who boasts the highest-ever Beyer Speed Figure in this group with a... ...

Sunday Rules Faces Boys in Sprint

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016)–Trainer Karen Headley’s graded stakes winning San Onofre will square off with top distaffer Sunday Rules as they headline Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. The Sprint, to be run for the 26th time, attracted a field of seven older horses and will be contested at six furlongs. The Sprint is one of five stakes restricted to horses bred or sired in California on Santa Anita’s annual Sunshine Millions Day. A “blast off” sprinter with an abundance of natural speed, San Onofre exhibited a new dimension in winning the Grade III, 6 ½ furlong Midnight Lute Stakes here on Jan. 2, as he rated kindly in second positon early and rallied strongly under Alex Solis for a half length win. A 6-year-old gelding by Surf Cat who was bred in California by Headley’s father, veteran conditioner, Bruce Headley, and is owned by the family’s Matson Racing, San Onofre has five wins from 10... ...

‘Chrome to Run in Dubai Prep Feb. 25

By Bloodhorse.com DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Jan. 27, 2016) — California Chrome will run in a 2,000-meter (1 1/4 miles) handicap Feb. 25 at Meydan Racecourse to prep for the March 26 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) rather than racing on the March 5 “Super Saturday” program, assistant trainer Alan Sherman confirmed Jan. 26. “I want to run him in the handicap and not on Super Saturday because it gives us another week before the World Cup.” Sherman told The National. “The World Cup will be his third race after a long layoff and I just think it suits our schedule better.” The 2014 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male will have his first serious breeze in about 10 days as he begins tuning up for his second start of the season. He has settled in well at Meydan after arriving Jan. 22 off his successful return to the races Jan. 9 with a victory in the San Pasqual (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. That was the first... ...

High Cotton Filly Tops Barretts

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016) — A 2-year-old Florida-bred daughter of High Cotton topped the Barretts January mixed sale, selling for $55,000. The sale, held at Del Mar Jan. 20, had an average of $8,239, down 2.9% from the 2015 average of $8,487. Elena Crim’s H & E Ranch consigned the High Cotton filly, and Kristina and Jerome Russell of Lincoln, Neb. purchased her. The filly is out of the stakes-placed Crafty Prospector mare Think Fast, who has also produced Canadian stakes winner Ciaran’s Prize. The Russells were the sale’s leading buyers, with six horses purchased for a total $134,000. They also went to $35,000 for a 2-year-old son of War Chant from the consignment of Mary Knight, the leading seller. The top-priced 2-year-old colt of the sale, he is out of the Bernardini mare Primp. Knight also sold the second-highest-priced horse, a 2-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Eskendereya. Ted Aroney’s Halo Farms paid $45,000 for the filly, who is out of the stakes-placed Old Trieste mare Sandra’s... ...

California Chrome Departs for Dubai

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2016) — California Chrome will begin another journey to the other side of the world Jan. 21, when he’ll depart from his double-wide stall at Los Alamitos Race Course at 5 a.m. PT with Dubai in his sights. The California-bred and 2014 Horse of the Year got in a final two-mile gallop the morning of Jan. 20, and assistant trainer Alan Sherman, exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, and groom Raul Rodriguez departed for the United Arab Emirates later Wednesday afternoon. “He went really good this morning,” said Art Sherman, who will remain in California to continue training his local stock for the time being. “It’s going to be a long trip—almost 24 hours—so he’s getting a lot of electrolytes, and he’ll be traveling with a vet, Chuck Jenkins.” While in Dubai, the 5-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit owned by Perry Martin and Taylor Made will have one local prep race before trying the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) for the second straight year. In... ...

Somethings Unusual

Somethings Unusual wins $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap. ...

Noms Due Thursday for Cal Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2016) – Nominations are due Thursday, Jan. 21, for the California Cup/Sunshine Millions stakes races, to be held at Santa Anita on Saturday, Jan. 30. The stakes races on the card for Golden State Series eligibles are: The $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic presented by City National Bank for 4-year-olds & up at 1 1/8 miles on turf. The $250,000 California Cup Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The $200,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. The $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for 4-year-olds & up at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf. The $150,000 California Cup Sprint for 4-year-olds & up at six furlongs. To nominate, call the Santa Anita racing office at 626-574-6471. ...

Gervinho Relocates to Legacy Ranch

From Legacy Ranch CLEMENTS, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2016) – Grade II stakes winner Gervinho has relocated for his second season to Legacy Ranch in Clements. A stakes winner at 2 and 3, and a California Champion at 3, Gervinho won Santa Anita’s $200,000 grade II Sir Beaufort Stakes along with Del Mar’s $100,000 Oceanside Stakes. Gervinho earned over $420,000 and was on the board in eight of nine career starts, including the $250,000 grade I Hollywood Derby, the $250,000 grade II Del Mar Derby and Santa Anita’s $150,000 grade III Twilight Derby. A 6-year-old son of the remarkable Unusual Heat out of Foreverinthegame, by Out of Place, although raced primarily on the turf, Gervinho possess solid credentials for racing on multiple surfaces. “One of the best horses I have ever trained, Gervinho had an amazing turn of foot and an incredible mind. It’s very disappointing we never had the chance to try him on the dirt as he trained brilliantly on it,” said trainer Carla Gaines. “Gervinho is absolutely gorgeous... ...

Cal-bred Pair in Winsham Lad

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 19, 2016) – California-breds He’s Very Rare and Whine for Wine are entered in in Saturday’s $65,000 Winsham Lad Handicap at Sunland Park. He’s Very Rare is by Unusual Heat, out of the Perfect Mandate mare Grilltoperfection, was bred by Old English Rancho and is owned by trainer W.R. Whitehouse. He has six wins in 24 starts, earnings of $170,389 and is coming off a second in a Dec. 21 allowance. Whine for Wine is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Jump Start mare Mrs. Began, was bred by owners Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnnie Nall. He has three wins in 16 starts, earnings of $172,000 and is coming off a fourth in a Dec. 28 optional claimer. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Santa Monica

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2016) – Stakes winner Kiss at Midnight and fellow California-bred Lost Bus are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Santa Monica Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Kiss at Midnight is by Decarchy, out of the Distinctive Cat mare Mink Kiss, was bred by Steven Greco, is owned by Marasa, Messineo or Robershaw, et al and is trained by Richard Baltas. She has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $273,180 and is coming off a second in the Dec. 30 Kalookan Queen. Lost Bus is by Bring the Heat, out of the Stravinsky mare Frysland, was bred by John Haagsma & Wesley Ward, is owned by Terry Lovingier and is trained by Gary Sherlock. She has two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $136,018 and is coming off a third in the Dec. 30 Kalookan Queen. ...

Somethings Unusual Wins Fitzsimmons

PHOENIX, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2016) – Somethings Unusual, the lone California-bred in the field, rallied from next to last to win Saturday’s $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile at Turf Paradise. Somethings Unusual is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Unusual Prospect, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Bruce Treitman and trained by Michael McCarthy. He ran the mile on turf in 1:37.01 and won by a head at odds of 8-1 in the field of nine. ...

Siegel Named to TOC Board

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2016) — The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) voted to appoint Samantha Siegel to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of George Todaro. Siegel, who races as JayEmEss Stable, is an active owner and breeder whose family has been involved in California Thoroughbred racing for more than five decades. Her late father, Mace, was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. JayEmEss has campaigned many graded stakes winners, including multiple Grade I winners Urbane, I Ain’t Bluffing, and Include Me Out, Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup winner Rail Trip, 2004 champion juvenile colt Declan’s Moon, multiple Grade 2 winner Arson Squad, and homebred Grade I winner By the Moon. Siegel is also passionate about horse retirement and serves on the board of CARMA and as Treasurer of that organization. She resides in Beverly Hills. “We are very pleased to welcome Samantha and feel that, with her involvement and experience as an owner... ...

Baltas’ Cal-bred Trio in Megahertz

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2016) – A trio of California-breds trained by Richard Baltas is entered in Monday’s $100,000 Grade III Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Tiz a Kiss is by Cee’s Tizzy, out of the Seattle Bound mare Candy Factory, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by Cicero Farms. She has three wins in 15 starts, earnings of $231,396 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 27 optional claimer. Chaulk O Lattey is by Silic, out of the Bertrando mare Business Model, was bred by Nadine Anderson and is owned by Brazeau Thoroughbreds Farms, Little Red Feather Racing or Anderson. She has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $237,928 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 7 Kathryn Crosby. Journey On is by Good Journey, out of the American Chance mare Miss Del Mar, was bred by Leatherman Racing and is owned by Robert Master. She has four wins in 18 starts, earnings of $226,678 and is coming... ...

NTRA to Stream Eclipse Awards

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2016) — Thoroughbred racing fans can find exclusive content from behind the scenes of the 45th Annual Eclipse Awards Saturday by following the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, @NTRA, on Twitter. Followers can expect plenty of candid images from backstage in the Sport of Kings Theatre at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino, featuring Eclipse Award winners and the presenters. To join in the social media conversation surrounding the Eclipse Awards, the NTRA is urging viewers to use the hashtag #EclipseAwards. Backstage scenes will be tagged #BehindtheCurtain. In addition to @NTRA, other accounts expected to be very active during the show include those of title sponsors Breeders’ Cup Ltd. (@BreedersCup) and Daily Racing Form (@DRFInsidePost), as well as the industry-supported fan development initiative America’s Best Racing (@ABRLive). The Eclipse Awards will be live streamed on DRF.com and Xpressbet.com. Pre-show coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time with the ceremony set for 5 p.m. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and... ...

Lava Man Joins Walk of Champions

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2016) — California-bred Lava Man and the sensational Zenyatta are among the honorees being inducted in the Arcadia Historical Society’s Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions at a gala on Tuesday evening, May 24. The event will be held from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the historic core of the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, site of Lucky Baldwin’s landmark Queen Anne Cottage and matching Carriage Barn and birthplace of racing in Southern California. The theme will be “Salute in Red and Black,” honoring Baldwin’s racing colors. Champion jockey Chris McCarron, training stars Gary Jones, Ron McAnally, Mike Mitchell, and Mel Stute, and breeder/owner Buddy Johnston’s Old English Rancho also will be honored. Victor Espinoza, the only active jockey to have won racing’s Triple Crown, and who just piloted California-bred California Chrome’s comeback win at Santa Anita Saturday, will receive special recognition for his achievements in the sport and community service. Proceeds from the celebration will fund the placement of 24″... ...

Somethings Unusual in Fitzsimmons Mile

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 12, 2016) – Somethings Unusual is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmon’s Mile Handicap at Turf Paradise. Somethings Unusual is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Unusual Prospect, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Bruce Treitman and trained by Michael McCarthy. He has three wins in 27 starts, earnings of $259,004 and is coming off a 12th in the Dec. 26 Daytona. ...

CHRB Meeting Canceled

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2016) — Notice is hereby given that the regular meeting of the California Horse Racing Board scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2016, in the Baldwin Terrace Room at the Santa Anita Park Race Track, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California has been canceled. The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 25, 2016 at Santa Anita Park Race Track. Additional information regarding this meeting may be obtained from the CHRB Administrative Office, 1010 Hurley Way, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95825; telephone (916) 263-6000; fax (916) 263-6042. This notice is located on the CHRB website at www.chrb.ca.gov. *Information for requesting disability related accommodation for persons with a disability who require aid or services in order to participate in a CHRB public meeting, should contact Jacqueline Wagner. ...

California Chrome

California Chrome wins $200,000 Grade II San Pascual Stakes. ...

‘Chrome Passes Tiznow in Cal-bred Earnings

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2016)–Idle since March 28 in Dubai, 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome came back running on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he forged to a 1 ¼ length win in the Grade II, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes. Trained by Art Sherman and ridden by Victor Espinoza, the 5-year-old California-bred horse by Lucky Pulpit covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.39. Breaking from post position four in a field of seven older horses, California Chrome utilized his natural speed to sit a comfortable second behind pacesetter Alfa Bird into and around the Club House turn. Well in hand under Espinoza, “Chrome” cruised to the lead under a hold approaching the quarter pole and kept runner-up Imperative at bay the final sixteenth. “He could’ve opened up turning for home, but Victor put the Full-Nelson on him,” quipped Sherman. “It was just what we needed. He’ll get a lot out of this race, believe me. It set up just as we figured. I knew he’d... ...

Beneto Reappointed to CHRB

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2016) — Steve Beneto, 78, of Carmichael, has been reappointed by Gov. Brown to the California Horse Racing Board of Directors, where he has served since 2012. Beneto has been president at Beneto Inc. since 1979. He was a member of the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors from 2000 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2011, where he served as chair from 2001 to 2002. Beneto is a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Board of Directors and a founding member and chair of the University of California, Davis Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute. He was a member of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Board of Directors from 2008 to 2010, inducted into the California State Fair Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2011 and awarded the California State Fair Golden Bear Award in 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Beneto is a Republican. ...

Barretts Supplemental Catalog Online

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2016) — The supplemental catalog of 13 horses, consisting of three short yearlings, three broodmare/broodmare prospects, one just turned 2-year-old and six horses of racing age, for the 2016 Barretts January Mixed Sale is now on-line and can be viewed within the entire sortable catalog at www.barretts.com. Supplemental entries will be automatically added to the Jockey Club Ipad catalog app. The January Sale will be held on Wednesday, January 20 on the grounds of the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 11 a.m. ...

Storm Damages San Luis Rey Barn

By Paulick Report BONSALL, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2016) — Severe storms have battered Southern California this week, one of which spawned a small tornado which damaged one of the barns at San Luis Rey Training Center. The Daily Racing Form reports that trainer Peter Miller’s barn was damaged late Wednesday afternoon when an apparent tornado ripped the roof off several stalls. Miller told the Form that none of his horses or employees were injured. All of the horses in the damaged barn have been relocated. Miller believes that the damage is so extensive that the barn will have to be torn down. “It’s miraculous that no person or horse was injured,” Miller said early Thursday. “I’ve had to move the entire barn. The barn is compromised.” ...

Tedesco Switches Del Mar Role

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2016) — Rich Tedesco, one of the nation’s top track maintenance men with an extensive job history stretching back more than 50 years, has stepped down from his day-to-day role as Del Mar’s track superintendent and now will serve as a consultant for the shore oval. Steven Wood, Tedesco’s track foreman during his Del Mar tour, will assume the role of track superintendent. Tedesco, 78, has been Del Mar’s head maintenance man for the past six years. Over the course of his professional career, the California native has headed up the track crews at all of Southern California’s major racetracks — Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Los Alamitos and Del Mar. “Rich has been solid for us since he came on board in 2010,” said Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s president Joe Harper. “He helped oversee our Polytrack years, then was instrumental in guiding us through our return to dirt. We are delighted he’s agreed to stay on in an advisory role and we... ...

California Chrome Returns Saturday

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2016)–Idle since collecting a tidy $2 million in running second in the Dubai World Cup March 28, trainer Art Sherman’s superstar California Chrome heads a field of eight older horses going 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita. With regular rider Victor Espinoza up, the 5-year-year-old California-bred horse by Lucky Pulpit worked six furlongs before Santa Anita’s first race this past Saturday in a scintillating 1:10.04. “He’s the best he’s ever been since I’ve had him,” proclaimed Sherman on Saturday. “He looks ready to me. I got him (galloping out) in 1:22.20 for seven eighths. If he has a good trip (in the San Pasqual), he’ll be tough to beat. He hasn’t run in nine months and there’s nothing like a having a race, but working like this in front of the public is the next-best thing.” A winner of four Grade I stakes in 2014; the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Hollywood... ...

Found Money in Sham Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2016) – Found Money is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Sham Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Found Money is by Square Eddie, out of the General Meeting mare Chanel My Belle, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has three wins in seven starts, earnings of $286,100 and is coming off a win in the Dec. 12 King Glorious. ...

California Chrome has New Website

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2016) — In anticipation of his 2016 comeback in the Jan. 9 San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park, Taylor Made Stallions launched the new official home on the web for California Chrome Jan. 6 at TheChampIsBack.com. The interactive website features a modern, responsive, and media-rich design that offers fans a premier experience and the ability to follow California Chrome on their favorite device, as the champ embarks on his much-anticipated 5-year-old campaign. There will be special features announced as target races are established throughout the racing season, providing for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to California Chrome and his journey towards capturing another championship. Taylor Made will give away new collectable 2016 California Chrome calendars to the first 100 visitors that sign up on the contact form at the new site. “We could not be more excited about California Chrome’s comeback, and this website is a way for us to share his 2016 season with the fans that have really embraced and supported him... ...

Sunday Rules

Sunday Rules wins $98,850 Kalookan Queen Stakes. ...

Sunday Rules the Kalookan Queen

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2015)–Favored California-bred Sunday Rules made short work of seven rivals in storming to a 4 ¼ length win in Wednesday’s $98,850 Kalookan Queen Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Owned and bred by Nick Alexander, the 4-year-old daughter of Tribal Rule got 6 ½ furlongs under Mike Smith in 1:14.77. Blessed with an abundance of natural speed, the Phil D’Amato-conditioned Sunday Rules broke running from post position five, shook clear of longshot Dancinthenightaway leaving the quarter pole and cruised home to her seventh win from eight lifetime starts. Off at 4-5, Sunday Rules paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.40. “Once we jumped well and she got a clear lead, I felt confident that she was going to run well, but you also never know how fast they’re going to push you,” said Smith. “The track is playing really quick and although we were running fast, it was well within her scope and she was fine. When Dancinthenightaway came up to me... ...

San Gabriel Draws Poshsky

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2015) – Poshsky is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita. Poshsky is by Vronsky, out of the Bold Badgett mare Pinky’s Posh, was bred by Old English Rancho and Berumen, is owned by Barber, Silver Ranch Stable or Wachtel Stable and is trained by Peter Miller. He has six wins in 22 starts, earnings of $313,320 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 29 Berkeley Handicap. ...

Cal-bred Pair in Midnight Lute

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2015) – Stakes winner Raised a Secret and fellow California-bred San Onofre are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Midnight Lute Stakes at Santa Anita. San Onofre is by Surf Cat, out of the Native Regent mare Marrakech Gold, was bred by Bruce Headley, is owned by Matson Racing and trained by Karen Headley. He has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $273,040 and is making his first start since a fourth in the June 27 Triple Bend. Raised a Secret is by Songandaprayer, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms, is owned by Rodney Orr and trained by Mark Glatt. He has five wins in 25 starts, earnings of $419,610 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 22 Cary Grant. ...

Tribal Custom a Win Machine

FLORENCE, Ky. (Dec. 29, 2015) – Tribal Custom, a Kentucky-bred by California stallion Tribal Rule, scored win No. 12 on the year Sunday in a Turfway Park starter’s allowance, topping all North American Thoroughbreds in wins for 2015. Tribal Custom is a 5-year-old out of the Bertrando mare Villa Marqurite, and was bred by Pam and Marty Wygod. She has earnings of $89,203 this year. ...

Sunday Rules in Kalookan Queen

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2015) – Multiple stakes winner Sunday Rules and defending champion Harlington’s Rose are among five California-breds entered in Wednesday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Kiss At Midnight is by Decarchy, out of the Distinctive Cat mare Mink Kiss, was bred by Steven Greco, is owned by Marasa, Messineo or Robershaw, et al and is trained by Richard Baltas. She has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $253,200 and is coming off a second in the Nov. 8 Betty Grable. Lost Bus is by Bring the Heat, out of the Stravinsky mare Frysland, was bred by John Haagsma and Wesley Ward, is owned by Terry Lovingier and trained by Gary Sherlock. She has two wins in nine starts, earnings of $124,030 and is coming off a second in a Dec. 13 optional claimer. Sunday Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the General Meeting mare Sunday Dress, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Phil D’Amato. She... ...

Bully Pulpit Enters Eddie Logan

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2015) – Bully Pulpit is the lone California-bred entered in Thursday’s $75,000 Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. Bully Pulpit is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Good Journey mare Brave Journey, was bred by Larry Stein, is owned by Six-S Racing Stable and is trained by Craig Lewis. He has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $121,680 and is coming off a sixth in a Nov. 27 optional claimer. ...

California Chrome Works in Company

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2015) — California Chrome ‘s workout Dec. 27 at Los Alamitos Race Course looked a lot like his drills of old, with the track empty as he stepped onto the dirt surface, but it also had a touch of something new. Escorted by a pony, the 4-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit worked in company for the first time in his career, breaking behind stablemate Unusually Big and passing him in the stretch to cover seven furlongs in 1:25 2/5 under Victor Espinoza in preparation for the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park. The 2014 Horse of the Year clicked off fractions of :24 4/5, :48 1/5, and 1:12 1/5 through six furlongs. “I thought the work went really well,” trainer Art Sherman said. “I worked him in company because I’m going to try him without blinkers now. This is a new thing for him and I figure, without the blinkers on, he’ll be able to see horses coming up on... ...

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