From Race Track Chaplaincy LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2017) – A hero is a person who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.  There are heroes all around the horse racing industry and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) recognizes some of these selfless servants through its White Horse Awards.  Established in 2003, the White Horse Awards recognizes individuals within the horse racing industry for their acts of selflessness and bravery. This year’s White Horse Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 11 a.m. PST, at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup World Championships week.  Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day will be the featured guest speaker.  The honorees are as follows: White Horse Award – Angie Cheak:  Co-founder and Executive Director of the Equine Sanctuary Center of Kentucky (ESCofKY), Angie is a strong presence in equine neglect and abuse cases throughout Central Kentucky. The most notable case to-date was Angie’s work in caring for, re-training, and... ...

From CHRB CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2017) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, September 28, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Fred Maas, Araceli Ruano 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: Chairman Winner began the meeting by announcing that George Krikorian completed his term as a racing commissioner and stated that Krikorian’s departure is a loss to the Board and the racing industry. The chairman then welcomed newly appointed Commissioner Fred Maas and expressed confidence that he will be a strong addition to the Board. Commissioner Maas fills the seat vacated by Steve Beneto. Executive Director Rick Baedeker reported that handle at all California tracks increased by 8.3 percent in August, compared with August 2016. The Board allocated 2018 racing dates for the Southern California thoroughbred and fair racing circuit that duplicate the... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board approved racing dates for the 2018 Southern California Thoroughbred circuit similar to this year at its monthly meeting on Thursday, but did not take action on the Northern California circuit after a disquieting 90-minute discussion about the state of the county fair circuit. Specific racing dates for Del Mar, Los Alamitos and Santa Anita on the Southern California circuit will be announced at the racing board’s next meeting, on Oct. 26 at Santa Anita. Racing board officials announced that Northern California racing dates will be awarded at that meeting. During the lengthy discussion on Thursday regarding Northern California dates, several speakers from Golden Gate Fields, county fairs, and horsemen’s organizations argued for a variety of positions, ranging from more racing dates at Golden Gate Fields during the summer, giving certain fairs more dates during specific weeks from July to early September, and a decline in handle at county fair meetings. Golden Gate Fields holds a majority of... ...

POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2017) – A weanling filly from the last crop of Unusual Heat and a weanling filly by Square Eddie are among the California-foaled offerings in the dispersal of J & M Thoroughbreds at the Barretts Fall Sale on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Pomona. The dispersal includes many individuals closely related to La Traviata, a multiple Grade I producer. Also included are six in-foal broodmares. ...

From TOC ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2017) — Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) invites all members to the Northern California Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 21, at Golden Gate Fields. The general business meeting will allow directors an opportunity to bring the membership up to date on important issues and will include a question-and-answer session. The business meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by a buffet lunch. The Handicapping Contest will begin at 1:00 p.m. Reservations for both events are required and can be made by calling (626) 574-6620 or by following the links below: To register for the Northern Annual Meeting, click http://www.toconline.com/events/northern-california-annual-meeting-2/. To register for the Northern Handicapping Contest, click http://www.toconline.com/events/northern-california-toc-owners-challenge-handicapping-contest/. ...

POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 15, 2017) – The Barretts Fall Sale of Yearlings and Horses of Racing Age will be held Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. at the Finish Line Sports Grill in Pomona. Among the sires of the 213 yearlings already cataloged are Animal Kingdom, Bluegrass Cat, Boisterous, Can the Man, Creative Cause, Declaration of War, First Sumarai, Ghostzapper, Goldencents, Lucky Pulpit, Macho Uno, Magician, Midnight Lute, Midshipman, Mineshaft, Mucho Macho Man, Munnings, Noble Mission, Overanalyze, Revolutionary, Shackleford, Shanghai Bobby, Smiling Tiger, Square Eddie, Tapizar, The Factor, Trappe Shot, Twirling Candy, Unusual Heat, Violence and Vronsky. Among the covering stallions of 35 broodmares already cataloged are Acclamation, Afleet Alex, Alternation, Artie Schiller, Commissioner, Competitive Edge, Creative Cause, Grazen, Run Away and Hide, Smiling Tiger, Stay Thirsty, Upstart and Wicked Strong. Also include weanlings by Boisterous, Smiling Tiger, Square Eddie and Unusual Heat. ...

January Mixed Sale To be held in Pomona, California Sale Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Early Bird Entry Deadline: Monday, November 6, 2017 Entry Deadline: Friday, November 17, 2017 Supplemental Entries Close: January 3, 2018   Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale To be held in Del Mar, California Sale Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Training Preview: Monday, April 2, 2018 Early Bird Entry Deadline: Friday, January 12, 2018 Entry Deadline: Friday, January 26, 2018 Supplemental Entries Close: Wednesday, March 21, 2018   The Paddock Sale of Race Ready Horses To be held in Del Mar, California Training Preview: Monday, July 23, 2018 Sale Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2018   August Select Yearling Sale To be held in Del Mar, California Sale Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Nominations Close: April 13, 2018   Fall Sale of Yearlings and Horses of All Ages To be held in Pomona, California Sale Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Early Entries Close: August 24 , 2018 Entries Close: August 31, 2018 Supplemental Entries Close: October 2,... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2017) – California stallion Allaboutdreams was represented by his first winner on Thursday when Trickonomics won the first race at Los Alamitos. The 3-year-old gelding is out of the Abaginone mare Trickey Diva, was bred by Charlie Robin, is owned by Lan Ding and Robin and trained by Jeff Bonde. He ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.10 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 2-1 in the field of seven. ...

From TOBA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2017) – Heinz Steinmann was named 2017 California Breeder of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Spendthrift Farm was named Western Regional Owner of the Year by the association. The winners will receive their awards at the TOBA National Awards Dinner, which will be held on Saturday, September 9 at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Ky. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2017) – Clay Murdock of Rancho San Miguel is a finalist for the second annual North American edition of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. The finalists for the other awards will be recognized at an awards ceremony luncheon Oct. 13 at Keeneland. The awards are sponsored by Godolphin, in partnership with the National Horsemens’ Benevolent and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club. For the leadership award in the farm category, the finalists are Murdock, Larry McGinnis (WinStar Farm), and Aidan O’Meara (Hill ‘n’ Dale). For the racing stable category, the finalists are Richard Budge (WinStar), Christophe Lorieul (Christophe Clement), and Hilary Pridham (Michael Stidham). For the dedication to breeding award, the finalists are Francisco “Pancho” Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds), Ronda Clifton (WinStar), and Lugusta “Gus” Gray (Double Diamond Farm). In the racing category, the finalists are Lena Lorieul (Shug McGaughey), Manuel Osoria-Perez (Chris Stenslie), and Raymond Davenport (Timothy L. Keefe). ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2017) — Fredric Maas, 59, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board of Directors. Maas has been executive chairman at MRV Systems since 2014. He was founder and chief executive officer at Pacific EcoCompanies LLC from 2009 to 2014, president and chief executive officer at Black Mountain Ranch LLC from 2003 to 2009 and chairman and chief executive officer at Centre City Development Corporation from 2005 to 2010. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Maas is a Republican. ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2017) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, August 24, at Del Mar Race Track. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano 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: ·        Chairman Winner began the meeting with a dedication to Brad McKinzie, the longtime executive at Los Alamitos Racecourse and a principal in the Finish Line Insurance Group, who passed away August 6 from cancer at the age of 62. CHRB Executive Director Rick Baedeker, a longtime friend of Mr. McKinzie, said that he will be remembered for solving two of California’s biggest problems: the workers’ compensation insurance crisis in 2004 and, more recently, the stabling shortage caused by the closing of Hollywood Park. “Brad was our voice of reason but, far more important, he was the... ...

By Bloodhorse.com AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 23, 2017) — A colt by California stallion Smiling Tiger  was sold for $67,000 to top the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association’s summer yearling and mixed sale Aug. 22 in Auburn, Wash., that saw across-the-board declines. WTBOA reported 92 yearlings grossed $1,204,600, down 15.8% from the $1,431,400 total paid for 84 head in 2016, with the average price falling 23.1% to $13,093 from $17,040, and a median price of $7,500 that was half the $15,000 figure a year ago. The sale topper, consigned as Hip 92 by Halvorson Bloodstock Services, was bought by John and Janene Maryanski. Bred in Washington by John Roche, the colt was produced from the stakes-winning Supremo mare Premo Copy, who has produced seven winners, including Washington state champion 3-year-old filly Castinette Dancer and stakes winner Seattles Best Copy. Soft Copy, the colt’s second dam, was purchased by Roche for $4,200 from McMurry Bloodstock Agency at the 1985 WTBOA winter mixed sale and went on to Washington championship honors while winning... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2017) — The Jockey Club is projecting a 2018 North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop of 21,500. The 21,500 foals estimated for 2018 is a 4.4% decrease from the 2017 foal crop projection of 22,500 that was announced in August 2016. “As always, this projection is based on reports of mares bred received to date, and we estimate that approximately 85% of those reports have been received,” said Matt Iuliano, The Jockey Club’s executive vice president and executive director. The foal crop projection, traditionally announced in mid-August, is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) received to date for the 2017 breeding season. RMBs are to be filed by August 1 of each breeding season. Additional foal crop information is available in The Jockey Club’s online fact book at jockeyclub.com/factbook.asp and in the online state fact books. Stallion owners who have not returned their RMBs for the 2017 breeding season are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Interactive RegistrationTM,... ...

From TOBA SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced today the re-election of Dr. J. David Richardson as chairman of its Board of Trustees.  Also joining Richardson on the Board of Trustees to serve three-year terms as new members are Robert Devlin, Terry Finley, Bernard McCormack, Charlie O’Connor and Garrett O’Rourke. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Barbara Banke, Mike Caruso, Brant Laue, Michael McMahon and Kenneth McPeek. “I am honored to be re-elected as TOBA chairman,” said Dr. Richardson. “Our board of trustees and the TOBA membership represent an important constituency and we look forward to working with other industry stakeholders to improve the economics and integrity of the sport.” Immediately following its annual members meeting, the TOBA Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the 1,800-member association.  Officers named for 2017-2018 are: Dr. J. David Richardson, chairman, Everett Dobson, vice-chairman, Dan Metzger, president; Michael McMahon, secretary; and Craig Bernick, treasurer. The TOBA Board also approved the reappointment of Craig Bernick to the... ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (July 22, 2017) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, July 20, at Del Mar Race Track. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano 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: •           Executive Director Rick Baedeker described significant steps being taken by the CHRB, Del Mar management and other stakeholders to protect horses and riders. In addition to major improvements to the racing surface and maintenance procedures, an increased number of Official Veterinarians and CHRB safety personnel working with track veterinarians are scrutinizing horses entered in races as well as other horses training in the mornings. Horses deemed unfit will not be permitted to run. A complete list of safeguards is posted on the CHRB Website. •           Rick Baedeker also announced that several new videos focusing on safety... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (July 21, 2017) –For the second time in 2017, the California Horse Racing Board’s Race Dates Committee bandied about the idea of restricting the amount of racing dates in the state, and again roundly faced opposition by industry stakeholders in attendance. In May, the Race Dates Committee discussed the radical idea of a single circuit in the state, rather than separate circuits in the northern and southern regions. On July 21 at Del Mar proposed calendars featuring new “dark days” (dates in 2017 that would not run in future years) on the Southern California circuit were presented. BALAN: CHRB Discusses Creating Single California Circuit CHRB executive director Rick Baedeker presented three calendars that would cut down 18-19 racing days, with the target of increased field size as the main objective. “The commissioners asked for new ideas—fresh ideas,” Baedeker said. “I decided to come at this from the perspective of the racing fan and the racehorse. It’s been said here that the last year (has been)... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21, 2017) — A document outlining upcoming federal regulatory actions released Thursday, July 20, 2017 by The White House indicates that modernized tax guidance relating to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings is nearing enactment. The “Current Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions” describes the Amendment of 3402(q) Regulations providing new rules for pari-mutuel wagering as in the “Final Rule Stage.” The regulation, detailed by the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Treasury in the December 30, 2016 Federal Register in a section titled “Withholding on Payments of Certain Gambling Winnings,” accomplishes goals started and spearheaded by the NTRA three years ago. “We are pleased to see this latest indication that the regulation continues to make its way toward final approval,” said NTRA President & CEO Alex Waldrop. “We take nothing for granted, though, and will continue to work closely with our allies in Washington, D.C., to get this important change completed. We urge Treasury and the IRS to act quickly so horseplayers, the racing... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 20, 2017) — The Jockey Club reminds stallion managers to submit their Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) for the 2017 breeding season by August 1. “We want the breeding statistics we release in the fall to be as accurate as possible, so we request that RMBs be submitted by August 1,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club. In addition, stallion managers who submit their RMBs by August 1 are among the first to receive their Stallion Service Certificates, which facilitates the timely registration of 2018 foals. Reports of Mares Bred may be submitted via Interactive Registration at registry.jockeyclub.com or a form is available by email, fax, or mail by contacting inquiries@jockeyclub.com. ...

From Paulick Report DEL MAR, Calif. (July 14, 2017)– The Edwin J. Gregson Foundation is delighted to announce that it will host a charity fundraising dinner honoring two of California’s greats, trainers Jerry Hollendorfer and Art Sherman. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 22, at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Resort, located just a few miles south of Del Mar Racetrack. This dinner marks year seventeen of fundraising activities spearheaded by Jenine Sahadi, president of the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation. “We look forward to a fabulous evening celebrating Jerry and Art for their long and remarkable careers in thoroughbred horse racing. Good friends throughout their careers, they greatly deserve being celebrated for the excitement and richness they have each brought to this sport,” says Sahadi. Among the Gregson Foundation’s past honorees are trainers Bob Baffert, Jack Van Berg, Ron McAnally, Mel Stute, and the late Warren Stute, in addition to such industry leaders as Ann and Jerry Moss, Mace and Samantha Siegel, Dr. Jack Robbins, and Joe and... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (July 13, 2017) — The catalog for the Sixth Annual Paddock Sale at Del Mar of Race Ready Horses, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, July 26 in the Del Mar paddock approximately 30 minutes after the last race is declared official, is now on-line.  This catalog currently consists of 14 horses of racing age and 21 two-year-olds. Additional horses are expected to be entered prior to sale time (check back at Barretts.com).  Information including pedigree, complete past performances and a recent race video, if applicable, for each horse can be found in a searchable and/or sortable format here. Among the horses of racing age in the sale are three-year-old Aristocratic, who earlier this year won the Listed San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita, as well as Grade 3 winner Home Run Hitter.   Additional horses are expected to start prior to the sale. The depth and quality of the unraced two-year-olds in the catalog has increased substantially this year and currently includes two-year-olds by such... ...

By Bloodhorse.com GEORGETOWN, Ky. (July 6, 2017) — Multiple grade 1 winner and former California stallion Tinners Way was euthanized July 5 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY., where he had been pensioned since 2010. The son of Secretariat was 27. Old Friends resident veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge attributed the cause of death to acute onset of a severe neurologic disease, adding that “Tinner had been treated in the past for EPM, and he did have some lingering neurologic effects from a previous infection.” Bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, Tinners Way began his career in Europe, where he won three of his seven starts in England and France. After coming stateside as a 4-year-old, Tinners Way joined the barn of California-based Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, and under his watchful eye the striking chestnut won the 1994 $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), beating future Hall of Famer Best Pal and posting a record-equaling mile and a quarter of 1:59 2/5. Tinners Way had a... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (July 5, 2017) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced July 5 that Los Alamitos Race Course has earned reaccreditation from the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance for its Thoroughbred race meet. Los Alamitos received its initial Alliance accreditation in 2014. All accreditations and reaccreditations carry an effective period of two years. The summer Thoroughbred meeting will begin July 6 and continue through July 16. The Summer Meet is one of three stands for Thoroughbred racing at the Los Angeles-area track, along with the Los Angeles County Fair and the Winter Meet. The reaccreditation of Los Alamitos was the culmination of a lengthy process that hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. An on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility. Interviews were conducted with race track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, veterinarians and stewards. The inspection team was comprised of Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, DVM, veterinary and regulatory consultant and steward at Canterbury Park, with past experiences as a state veterinarian, track veterinarian... ...

From TOC DEL MAR, Calif. (June 25, 2017) — TOC, Del Mar Racetrack and Barretts Sales Present: A Free New Owner Seminar and Preview of the Paddock Sale Sunday, July 22, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Del Mar racetrack-Veranda Cafe Come listen to a panel of experts discuss acquiring horses at auction and through private sales, claiming horses, and joining racehorse partnerships and syndicates. The seminar will include a tour of the Barretts Sales barns, where participants will get a preview of the horses entered in that evening’s Paddock Sale. Mark your calendars now for this special event. To register, please click here http://www.toconline.com/events/new-owner-seminar/ or call us at (626) 574-6620. ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (June 23, 2017) — Del Mar’s wagering menu comes with its usual full-range of betting options for 2017 and again is expected to attract some of the highest pools in racing. But additionally this year the track will include a special Pick Six bet sure to add extra buzz and further enhance one the foremost racing cards of the year, the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic Day on Saturday, August 19. The 36-day racing season, which begins on Wednesday, July 19, will have 14 different types of wagers available to fans throughout the summer, starting with the traditional win, place and show bets and expanding out to several five- and six-horse combinations. The new twist in the format comes in the presentation of a mandatory Pick Six payout that – instead of being offered only on closing day – also will be on the menu for TVG Pacific Classic Day, allowing for the track’s traditionally biggest wagering afternoon to grow bigger still with the potential of... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2017) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, June 22, at Santa Anita Park. First Vice Chair George Krikorian presided. Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano 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: The Board approved licenses for five Advance Deposit Wagering companies –NYRAbets.com, Twinspires.com/Bet America, WatchandWager.com, XpressBet and TVG – for 18 months. By the time those licenses are up for renewal at the end of 2018, the CHRB plans to have an amended license application in place requiring ADW companies to provide more extensive financial information specific to their California operations. The Board approved the license for the Los Alamitos Racing Association to conduct a daytime thoroughbred race meet at Los Alamitos from July 5 through July 18 on condition that LARA submit all required documents to the CHRB by June 30. The... ...

By BloodHorse.com SAN DIEGO, Calif. (June 22, 2017) — Veteran jockey agent Ivan Puhich died June 19 at age 89, according to a statement from Santa Anita Park June 22. “Big Ivan”—as he was affectionately known from his early days at Longacres in Renton, Wash., to Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico—was retired for several years and living with his daughter in San Diego, Calif. Born Dec. 22, 1927 in St. Helena, Calif., and raised in Renton, Puhich during his youth followed older brothers Nick and Stan to the track, where he sold newspapers, mucked stalls, and walked hots. With the outbreak of World War II, Ivan enlisted in the Marine Corps and saw combat in the South Pacific and in China. Following the war and upon his return to base in San Diego, he obtained permission from his commanding officer to take leave to attend the 1948 Kentucky Derby. “I’ll never forget it,” Puhich said during an interview in 1994 at Hollywood Park. “I hitchhiked back there in uniform... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 22, 2017) –The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) promoted Elizabeth Morey to the position of Director of Racing and Northern California Operations, effective immediately. “Elizabeth is one of the brightest young talents I have seen in my two decades in the industry,” said TOC President and CEO, Greg Avioli. “She is smart, hard-working, always prepared, and has earned the respect of our racetrack partners throughout California.” Morey joined TOC in July 2016 as Northern California Liaison. In addition to overseeing the operations of the TOC in Northern California, her role quickly expanded to encompass oversight of the organization’s racing affairs. She is staff lead on the TOC Racing Affairs Committee, working with the California racing secretaries to implement purse agreements and tracking and analyzing handle and revenue trends. A life-long equestrian, Morey worked as an exercise rider in college and after graduating worked as a liaison between horsemen and the CARMA Thoroughbred retirement program. She came to the TOC with a wide variety of hands-on experience... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 22, 2017) — TOC’s membership re-elected incumbents Mark Dedomenico, Gary Fenton, Mike Harrington, Terry Lovingier, Jack Owens, and Bill Strauss to its Board of Directors. Dedomenico, Fenton, Harrington, Lovingier, and Strauss were elected to three-year terms, and Owens was elected to a two-year term. The new Board officially takes office on July 1st. Dedomenico has served on the board since 2011 and is chair of the Medication & Integrity Committee.  Fenton, who is active on the Wagering and Owner Relations committees, was appointed to fill a board vacancy in September 2016. Harrington, who was elected to his third term, is one of five owner-trainer representatives on the board, serves on the Racing Affairs and Medication committees, and is an at-large member of the Executive Committee. Lovingier, who has served on the board since 2013, chairs the Owner Relations Committee and serves on the Racing Affairs Committee. Owens was elected to the board in TOC’s initial election and has served several terms since then including three... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, (June 8, 2017) — The sale date for the sixth annual Barretts Paddock Sale at Del Mar, originally scheduled for Sunday, July 30 has been moved forward to Wednesday, July 26 following the day’s racing. The undertack preview is now scheduled for Monday, July 24 after morning training. According to the General Manager Kim Lloyd, the new format will enhance the sales experience for all involved. “Wednesday is a short race day with eight races and having the preview on a dark day allows unraced sales entries to be showcased at a time convenient for both buyers and trainers. All horses catalogued must be “Race Ready” and able to work 3/8 of a mile or farther.” “The date adjustments are part of an evolving process to restructure the sales calendar at Del Mar to better serve our buyers, consignors and the California racing industry in the best way possible,” Lloyd continued. Successful graduates produced from last year’s sale include California-bred juvenile champion California Diamond, a stakes... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (June 2, 2017) — The State of California has officially approved rules establishing that race-day medication must be administered by independent veterinary professionals – further aligning California with the national uniform medication program. The California Office of Administrative Law advised the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday that amendments to CHRB Rules 1433 and 1845, which the Board approved in April, have passed review and can now go into effect, with full implementation expected later this year California joins 20 states across the nation that have adopted the policy governing third-party Lasix, which was developed by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and is a key component of the National Uniform Medication Policy promulgated by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI). Lasix, generically furosemide, will be the only authorized bleeder medication and the only medication that can be administered to horses on the day they race. Lasix must be administered by Board-approved independent veterinarians within certain timeframes, methods, and doses, and the syringes used... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (May 31, 2017) — The Breeders’ Cup today announced the official distances of the 13 races comprising the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held, for the first time, at the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., on November 3-4.   There are two races which will be run at a different distance this year than in 2016 due to Del Mar track configurations. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) will be run at five furlongs (6 ½ furlongs in 2016) and the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) will be run at 1 1/8 miles (1 ¼ miles in 2016).   The 34th Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held during the Bing Crosby meeting at Del Mar, will feature total purses and awards of over $29 million, including a robust undercard of supporting races over the two days. The meet opens on Wednesday, November 1. The Del Mar barn area will open on Sunday, October 22, and... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, May 25, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano 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: The Board approved the license for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet at Del Mar from July 19 through September 5. Representatives of Del Mar listed some of the steps they are taking to improve the safety of horses and riders, beginning with a delayed opening to allow more time to get their racing surfaces into excellent condition. Their dual-focus marketing plan will provide more racing-related benefits to frequent visitors, while offering more concerts, food festivals and other major events to the general public. The Board authorized Del Mar to write medication conditions for the... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2017) –In the aftermath of California-bred  Masochistic‘s disqualification from the 2016 TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Del Mar and the Breeders’ Cup asked the California Horse Racing Board May 25 for permission to avoid such an event in the 2017 World Championships. The proposal submitted to the CHRB Thursday at Santa Anita Park asked for the approval of medication-based conditions, specifically conditions that would “prohibit any horse from participating in the (Breeders’ Cup) that tests positive for anabolic steroids and/or any other prohibited substances … within six months of the running of the (Breeders’ Cup) races.” The board approved the request, which was set up by a Feb. 23 CHRB ruling that allows for medication-based eligibility conditions in the state, with the regulatory agency’s approval. The Breeders’ Cup policy follows the model rule approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners last year that calls for any horse who receives an anabolic steroid treatment sit out of racing for at least six months after that administration.... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (May 25, 2017) – Entry forms are available online for the 2017 Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale, bot be conducted on Tuesday,  August 15 at Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, beginning at noon. Entries closing will be on Monday, June 5, 2017. For an online entry form, click https://ctba.com/consignorscontract2017   ...

From TOC PLEASANTON, Calif. (May 25, 2017) — All horsemen are invited to an Open Forum at Pleasanton (Satellite facility, corner of Valley Ave. and Gate 12) on Saturday, June 24 at 10:30 a.m. Meet TOC staff and directors for a discussion of current events and a chance to have your questions answered. Mark your calendars now for this special event.  To register, please call us at (626) 574-6620. ...

From CHRI WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 25, 2017) — The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) today announced its strong support for the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017, introduced by U.S. Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) earlier today. The bill, designated H.R. 2651, would require that a uniform, anti-doping and medication control program be developed and enforced by a private, non-profit, self-regulatory organization known as the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority. The authority would be governed by a board composed of the chief executive officer of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), six individuals from the USADA board, and six individuals selected by USADA who have demonstrated expertise in a variety of horse-racing areas. The Federal Trade Commission would have limited oversight of the authority. Polling in recent years has shown widespread support for medication reform through federal legislation. “Representatives Barr and Tonko deeply appreciate the scope and economic impact of horse racing, not only in their home states but across the country, and they should be... ...

From Full Stride Communications (John Norton Photography ) GANSEVOORT, N.Y.—An unusually marked, mostly white colt from the last crop of California Chrome’s sire Lucky Pulpit was foaled on May 19 at Stone Bridge Farm in New York in ongoing fulfillment of a dream sparked in owner/breeder Gary Tolchin when he attended races with his father as a youth.       The colt was delivered by the white mare, Passionforfashion, who Tolchin acquired privately last year after a lengthy search for a white Thoroughbred.      “I always wanted a white horse after I saw one at Aqueduct with my father, Sam Tolchin, when I was growing up. My goal is to continue breeding white horses,” Tolchin said, adding that he intends to keep the newborn colt and eventually place him in training for racing.     Rick Bailey, registrar of The Jockey Club, said it is too soon to determine what color the colt officially will be given when registered. His coloring is similar, although a bit more splashed with chestnut, to that... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (May 19, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, May 25, at Santa Anita Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Race Dates Committee will meet Wednesday, May 24, at 10 a.m. followed by the Medication, Safety and Welfare Committee at 12:30 p.m. All three meetings will be held in the Baldwin Terrace Room and the public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The Board meeting agenda and supporting package of materials also are available on the website, along with the Race Dates Committee agenda and package and the Medication Committee agenda and package. ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (May 17, 2017) –Two California-breds from Kim McCarthy’s McCarthy Bloodstock Agency brought the highest prices at the Barretts May 2-year-old sale, held May 17 at Del Mar. A son of Animal Kingdom   topped the sale at $245,000, while a daughter of Unusual Heat at $195,000 brought the second-highest price and was the most expensive filly. The average rose 6.7% to $43,978 from $41,229 in 2016. Barretts sold 46 2-year-olds for a gross of $2,023,000. (In both 2016 and 2017, one older horse of racing age was also sold; that figure is not included in these numbers.) The median was $27,500 compared with $27,000 in 2016, when 63 2-year-olds grossed $2,597,400. The buyback rate was 29.2%, with 19 horses through the ring not sold. “We were very pleased, considering the size of the catalog,” said Kim Lloyd, general manager of Barretts. “There was a lot of competition for sellable horses at all spectrums of the market. This is a bread-and-butter sale, and a lot of guys bought horses... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 15, 2017) — California-bred Lost Caper received the California-bred Performance Award sponsored by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) announced a plethora of 2016 performance awards, designed to encourage the retraining of Thoroughbreds for other disciplines after racing. Kathleen Boyle of Utah owns and rides Last Caper, a 9-year-old son of Royal Cat-Mystical Caper, by Town Caper. A.C. Avila bred Lost Caper. The performance awards recognize Thoroughbreds that accumulate the most points at all horse shows in each of the 13 award categories and 77 divisions throughout the year. Winners receive ribbons, prize money, and such items as coolers, saddle pads and jackets. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2017) – With the cancellation of racing at Santa Anita on Thursday because of insufficient entries, track and racing officials plan to meet in an effort to avoid a similar circumstance through the end of the spring-summer meeting on July 4. The track announced last Sunday that there would be no racing Thursday because there were not sufficient runners for eight-race programs on Thursday and Friday. Instead, there will be nine races on Friday only. Track senior vice president Joe Morris said Wednesday that the field size situation is a concern. “The entries are lighter than I would have liked,” he said. “We’ve got to get a conversation started. “I am worried about that. I didn’t expect that to happen.” :: Enjoy news and analysis from DRF? Get handicapping analysis, real-time coverage, special reports, and charts. Unlock access with DRF Plus. Morris said there are approximately 2,800 Thoroughbreds in training in Southern California that race at Santa Anita – about 1,750 at Santa Anita,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2017) — Regulations allowing racetracks to identify wagers placed ontrack through account-wagering platforms is expected to enhance purses, but the impact will not be known for several months, according to a forum conducted by the Thoroughbred Owners of California last Saturday. Some ontrack customers frequently bet online through mobile devices, such as telephones, laptops, and tablets, instead of through tote machines. For years, track and racing officials have looked on in frustration as those bets were logged as offtrack wagers through account-wagering systems and not recognized as ontrack bets, which provide significantly greater revenue for tracks and horsemen. :: Enjoy news and analysis from DRF? Get handicapping analysis, real-time coverage, special reports, and charts. Unlock access with DRF Plus. Recent action by the California Horse Racing Board will lead to a new distribution of revenue in favor of racetracks, through commissions, and horsemen, through purses, on bets placed at racetracks through mobile devices. The locations of those devices can be tracked to identify whether... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2017) — TOC is offering a FREE “Conformation Clinic” at Santa Anita on Saturday, May 13th. The informal workshop is intended to help participants develop an “eye” for a horse. With the assistance of some expert horsemen, attendees will view a variety of horses and identify their conformation strengths and weaknesses. The workshop will take place in the stable area, so attendees are encouraged to wear suitable footwear. Mark your calendars now for this special event. We look forward to seeing you there! Sign up here: http://www.toconline.com/events/conformation-clinic/ ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2017) — The catalog for the 28th Annual Barretts May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale is now on-line and will be mailed soon.  This auction of 72 two-year-olds will be held on Wednesday, May 17 in the Surfside Raceplace located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT.   The sortable catalog can be viewed here now.  Additional information may be found here. The May Sale catalog is also available for your Ipad.  Click here for details. The official training preview is scheduled to be held on Monday, May 15 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m. PDT.   The preview will be streamed live at barretts.com.  Video clips for each preview can be viewed on-line at barretts.com by the next morning. Among the stallions represented in the sales catalog are Alternation, Animal Kingdom, Awesome Patriot, City Zip, Creative Cause, Curlin, Dialed In, Discreet Cat, Distorted Humor, Empire Way, Exchange Rate, Include, Justin Phillip, Kitten’s Joy,... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 12, 2017) – Twelve members of Congress from a number of key racing states have signed a letter delivered to the Department of Treasury requesting that recently proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations relating to the way pari-mutuel winnings are calculated for tax withholding and reporting purposes be finalized as soon as possible. The letter was in response to actions taken by the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in late December when the Treasury issued proposed regulations relating to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings. The 31-page Treasury document, entitled “Withholding on Payments of Certain Gambling Winnings,” accomplishes the goals championed by the NTRA nearly three years ago to modernize regulations related to pari-mutuel winnings. The proposed regulations will positively impact a significant percentage of winning wagers, particularly those involving multi-horse or multi-race wagers, and are expected to result in tens of millions of dollars in additional pari-mutuel wagering. The proposed regulations clarify ‘the amount of the wager’ to include the entire amount wagered... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 10, 2017) — The Jockey Club has produced and made available a three-minute instructional video that illustrates the implantation of microchips, which became a condition of registration starting with foals born in 2017 or later. The video is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USJockeyClub/posts/1367410333345505 and directly at: https://vimeo.com/212142590. It has also been tweeted at https://twitter.com/jockeyclub/status/851465724430348288. ...

From CHRB BERKELEY, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, April 6, at Golden Gate Fields. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper 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: ·        The Board approved technical and substantive revisions to a regulatory amendment requiring that race-day authorized bleeder medication be administered by independent, third-party veterinarians. The Office of Administrative Law must approve the revisions before the new regulation goes into effect. ·        Greg Avioli, president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), informed the Board that the advance deposit wagering (ADW) provider TwinSpires had not yet fulfilled its contract to provide the precise locations where bets are being made in California, so the horsemen’s group has withdrawn its authorization for Twinspires to accept wagers from California residents on California races. He said the TOC would reinstate TwinSpires whenever they begin... ...

From Richill Farms PHELAN, CALIF. (Apr. 7, 2017) – Empire of D’Nile (Pioneerof the Nile – Beauty School by Private School) sired his first foal when the mare Forest Trees (Forestry – Me Moe You Curly, by Memo) dropped a bay colt on April 7. Richill Farms owners, Richard & Hilary Trower said: “This is the first foal, for both Empire of D’Nile and Forest Trees. The foal is a very leggy and bold bay with a pedigree that includes such horses as  Pioneerof the Nile, Storm Cat, Seattle Slew and carries ten strains of the great La Troienne.” Empire of D’Nile stands at Richill Farms in Phelan, CA. ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2017) — Del Mar’s simple, yet highly effective, “Ship and Win” program, where owners and trainers are given incentives to import out-of-state horses to race locally, will be back for its seventh summer at the seaside oval with a notable bonus increase providing even more encouragement to – literally – ship and win. Previously, “S&W” horses received an automatic $1,000 check when they made their first start at Del Mar, along with an additional 30% bonus on top of whatever their purse earnings were in that initial outing. Starting in 2017, though, that automatic check has been enhanced by 50% to $1,500, with the 30% purse bonus continuing to be part of the stimulus formula.  Del Mar’s numbers with the program that originated in 2011 have been impressive. Starting with 107 horses being imported that first summer, the total of “S&W” horses had risen to more than 800 after the 2016 summer session. Further, the track attracted over 100 imports at its three... ...

From The Jockey Club DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2017) — OwnerView announced today that registration is now open for the fourth edition of the Thoroughbred Owner Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Del Mar, Calif., October 30 – November 1, 2017, immediately preceding the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. A limited number of reserved seats are available for the Breeders’ Cup races on both Friday, November 3, and Saturday, November 4, to those attending the conference and will be included with the full registration fee on a first-come, first-served basis. Prospective attendees can register at ownerview.com. Additional information about the conference is also available on that website. “OwnerView once again is excited to partner with Breeders’ Cup and expose owners and prospective owners to two days of championship racing,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “The Breeders’ Cup World Championships provide a grand finale for a conference that caters to people interested in owning Thoroughbred racehorses and experiencing the thrill that accompanies it.” “Based on early ticket... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 30, 2017) –Continuing its collaboration to raise funds for important causes, the Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® announced today that the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation, an organization focused on providing a better quality of life for California’s backstretch workers and their families, and Old Friends Farm, home to some of the most popular retired Thoroughbred race horses, have been named the official charity beneficiaries of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Fans can support these causes and receive a 2017 Maker’s Mark® limited-edition commemorative Cigar bottle by making a donation and attending the Champions for Charity event to be held Breeders’ Cup week in Del Mar, Calif. Event details will be available this summer. Please visit www.BreedersCup.com/ChampionsForCharity for further details. This year’s commemorative bottle honors Cigar (see attached), who won the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic and became the first American horse, racing against top-class competition, to win 16 consecutive races since Triple Crown winner Citation did so from 1948-1950. Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® have... ...

From Richill Farms PHELAN, CA. (Mar. 29, 2017) – California stallion Stimulus Plan (Jump Start – Dutchess Alexandra by Judge Smells) sired his first foal when the winning mare Tudie Pop (Aptitude – Otatha by Miswaki) dropped a bay colt on March. 29. Richill Farms owners’, Richard & Hilary Trower said, “This is the first foal, for both Stimulus Plan and Tudie Pop. He has a classic head and stands up and over a good bit of ground. The foals’ family includes leading sires A.P. Indy, Storm Cat, Miswaki, Buckpasser, and Native Dancer, and carries nine strains of the great La Troienne. Stimulus Plan stands at Richill Farms in Phelan, Calif. ...

CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2017) — Longtime Foothill Farms manager and Thoroughbred owner Walt Trobee passed away on Sunday at Mercy San Juan Hospital. He was 89. The family has announced that there will be no services. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2017) – A horse based at San Luis Rey Downs with trainer Adam Kitchingman was recently found to have the equine herpesvirus, and racing officials are not allowing Kitchingman’s horses to ship into Santa Anita. The horse who tested positive and whom the trainer declined to identify was placed in isolation, according to Rick Arthur, California’s equine medical director. He said the horse was found to have the non-neurological strain of herpes, a milder strain, and he was optimistic there would be no additional cases at San Luis Rey Downs, a training center in northern San Diego County. “There is no evidence of any other horses being affected,” he said. “Everyone at San Luis Rey Downs is aware of the situation.” Arthur said Kitchingman’s horses may be allowed to ship this week if the situation improves. As a result of the herpes positive, the Kitchingman-trained Chief Hosa was scratched from an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Friday, and Red Lightning was withdrawn from... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2017) – Be a part of the California-bred Turf Extravaganza Day celebration at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday, April 30. The feature events will be the $100,000 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies and the $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds. Both will be raced at one mile on turf. California Thoroughbred Breeders Association members will be welcome at a hospitality area on the Players Patio. The CTBA member track pass will serve as complimentary admission to the hospitality area, where an appetizer buffet will be provided with a private cash bar. Members of the CTBA Board of Directors will be present for a meet-and-greet. The Cal-bred Turf Extravaganza Day will be held on closing day of Golden Gate’s Turf Festival. ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 23, 2017) — California Thoroughbred Breeders Association again sponsored a booth at Ag Day March 22 at the California Capitol to educate legislators about the importance of the Thoroughbred industry to the state’s agricultural economy. CTBA Board Member George Schmitt and farm owner Joe Daehling kindly provided a mare and foal for a meet and greet with legislators: Pie Yammy, a 12-year-old daughter of Roar owned by Schmitt and his wife, Clare, along with the mare’s Brave Cat filly, who was born at Daehling Ranch Feb. 14. Schmitt, Daehling, Julia Oldfield (Daehling’s daughter), and CTBA Event Coordinator Christy Chapman represented the CTBA at the booth.   ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (mar. 23, 2017) — All horsemen are invited to an open forum at Santa Anita on Saturday, April 22nd at 10:00 a.m. in the Baldwin Conference Room. Meet TOC staff and directors for a discussion of current events and a chance to have your questions answered. Mark your calendars now for this special event. To register, please click here, or call us at (626) 574-6620. ...

By Paulickreport.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2017) — When jockey R.M. “Bobby” Gonzalez moved his tack to Northern California in the late 1970s, one of the trainers who took notice of his ability to break horses quickly out of the starting gate was Doug Utley. “He gave me first call after I started beating him in a lot of races because I would get out of the gate fast and his horses couldn’t catch me,” Gonzalez said. “I became a speed rider and he loved speed horses. We made a good team.” Over the next 30 years, until a spill ended Gonzalez’s riding career in 2009, the two men were a force to be reckoned with in Northern California. They remained close friends in the ensuing years, and when Utley was suffering through the last stages of cancer he called the rider to tell him his end was near and that he planned to return to his native Utah. “I stopped by his place in Pleasanton about 10 days ago,” Gonzalez... ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2017) –The summer of 2017 will see Del Mar offer 41 stakes races worth $7.3 million for its horsemen during a 36-day season that will be the 78th for the iconic track founded in 1937 by Bing Crosby and a crew of his Hollywood pals. Racing alongside the blue Pacific will begin on Wednesday, July 19 and move forward to Labor Day, September 4 with its richest and most prestigious afternoon coming on Saturday, August 19 when the $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic will be presented for the 27th time as the highlight of a stakes-filled card.  The robust Del Mar stakes program is expected to take on extra significance this year with the 34th edition of the Breeders’ Cup headed to the seaside track for the first time as part of its fall session.  Horsemen from around the country are expected to take advantage of the summer races as likely “preps” for their runners who are being pointed for any of the 13 championship events... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2017) — Two high quality two-year-olds have been added to the 28th Annual Barretts Select Two-Year-Old in Training Sale. Tapit has been the leading sire for each of the last 3 years and currently commands the highest stud fee of any stallion in North America.  Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables has an extremely well-bred son of Tapit who is the first foal of the Grade 1 winner Lady of Fifty.  Named Fiftyshadesoftapit, this colt sells as Hip 135. Stay Thirsty, a multiple Grade 1 winning son of major sire Bernardini, is currently the second leading second crop sire in North America in 2017.  Clovis Crane’s Crane Thoroughbred Services has a filly who is the second foal of the young War Front mare Social Amber.  Named Osteria, this filly sells as Hip 104.  This auction will be held on Wednesday, March 29 in the Surfside Raceplace located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT.   The entire catalog can... ...

From CHRB ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2017) — The Racing, Breeding and Stabling Initiatives Committee will meet Thursday, March 23, at Golden Gate Fields beginning at 10 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend. The agenda and supporting package of materials are available on the CHRB Website. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2017) — John Van de Kamp, who was TOC President and General Counsel from 1996 through 2004, died March 14 at his home in Pasadena following a brief illness. He was 81. Van de Kamp was born in Pasadena into a prominent family known for its popular baked goods and windmill-themed bakeries. He graduated from Stanford Law School in his early 20s and served a short stint in the military before being appointed an assistant U.S. attorney. He was a towering political figure who made his mark as the top prosecutor in Los Angeles County and then California, serving as California’s Attorney General in the 1980s. Most recently he served as counsel in Mayer Brown LLP’s Los Angeles office.  As the second TOC president, he helped define the position of a new entity in the industry’s decision-making process. Through his strong leadership and dedication, he gave the horse owner a greater voice in the California thoroughbred industry. “I learned early in my tenure that... ...

From CHRB ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 14, 2017) — The date for the California Horse Racing Board meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, March 23, has been changed to April 6. The location for the meeting remains at Golden Gate Fields. The meeting of the Racing, Breeding and Stabling Initiatives Committee will still take place on March 23 at Golden Gate Fields beginning at 10 a.m. ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2017) –The Breeders’ Cup released detailed ticketing information Feb. 28 for the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, taking place at Del Mar Nov. 3-4. The 2017 Breeders’ Cup will mark the first time  the World Championships will be held at Del Mar, located just north of San Diego. Beginning March 6 at Noon EST / 9 a.m. PST, fans will be able to purchase tickets online at www.BreedersCup.com/Tickets or by calling the ticketing office at 877-849-4287. A special ticket pre-sale will be conducted in the days prior to the March 6 on-sale date. Fans are encouraged to sign up now at dmtc.com/season/breeders-cup for pre-sale access as demand for tickets to the 2017 World Championships is expected to be high and reserved seating is likely to sell out quickly. Similar to when the two-day event was held at Keeneland in 2015, Breeders’ Cup and Del Mar will also cap the number of attendees at 37,500 per day. Detailed information on seating options can be viewed... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2017) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, February 23, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano 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: Acting on a recommendation from the Medication, Safety and Welfare Committee, the Board approved for public notice significant proposed regulatory amendments to improve the out-of-competition testing program as part of an aggressive enforcement program that will have the added benefit of protecting horses and riders. The proposals reflect the recommendations of the Racing Medication of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium and the Model Rules adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. The complete texts of these amendments can be found on the CHRB Website within the package for the Board meeting, agenda item 11. The Board adopted... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2017) — The catalog for the 28th Annual Barretts March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training is now on-line and will be mailed soon. This auction of 129 two-year-olds will be held on Wednesday, March 29 in the Surfside Raceplace located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT. The catalog can be viewed here now. The March Sale catalog should also be available soon for iPad. Click here for details. The official training preview is scheduled to be held on Monday, March 27 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m. PDT. The preview will be streamed live here. Video clips for each preview can be viewed on-line by the following morning of the preview here. Since its inception, the Barretts March Sale has long been the leading producer of top quality race horses west of Kentucky. Among the many Grade One winners are Awesome Gem, Brocco, Brother Derek, Danon Legend (JPN), Dubai... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board during its regularly scheduled monthly meeting Feb. 23 at Santa Anita Park unanimously approved a measure to allow races to be run with medication-based eligibility conditions. After a ruling in March by the Los Angeles County Superior Court—which forced the CHRB to set aside its approval of Los Alamitos Race Course’s “house rules” banning the use of Clenbuterol, Albuterol, Zilpaterol, and Ractopamine for Quarter Horses races—the CHRB took an emergency action in the spring of 2016 to allow Los Alamitos to continue that practice. The vote Thursday made that temporary, emergency action permanent. The Superior Court found that Los Alamitos’ “house rules” at the time had conflicts with CHRB rules, which forced the change in the CHRB rule. ANGST: Court Rules Against Los Alamitos Drug Rules Under the approved new amendment, racing secretaries in California can establish medication-based eligibility conditions as long as the conditions are “agreed to in advance in writing by the acknowledged horsmen’s organization.... ...

From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2017) — Stormy Hull of Sequim, Washington is the recipient of the inaugural McMahon Award given to the breeder of the leading money-winning California-bred two-year-old stakes winner sold at public auction.   Hull, who operates Critter Creek Farm along with Ginger Samples, bred California Diamond, recently named the California-bred Champion Two-Year-Old colt of 2016.  With earnings of $417,780 last year, he easily outdistanced all rivals. California Diamond was purchased from the Critter Creek Farm consignment at the 2015 WTBOA Summer Yearling Sale by John Brocklebank, agent for Dickman Legacy Ranch.  After receiving his early preparation in Utah, he won his 2-year-old debut, a 5-furlong Maiden Special Weight at Santa Anita on June 17 for Brocklebank, and returned 22 days later to set a new stakes record while winning the listed Santa Anita Juvenile. The sale topper at the Barretts’ Paddock Sale at Del Mar two weeks later, he continued a juvenile campaign for leading California owner Rockingham Ranch and trainer Peter Miller not seen in... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2017) – Rosemary Stringer, longtime staff member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away last week. She was 87. Stringer, reared in the San Gabriel Valley, worked for the CTBA from 1981 until her retirement in 2012. She began in the registration department, worked as a receptionist and then became membership manager. Stringer is survived by two children, Tate Stringer and Hillary Ward. A celebration of her life will be held at Santa Anita’s Clocker’s Corner on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m.  ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2017) — Trainer Jerry Weaver, 81, suffered a fatal heart attack in his tack room at Golden Gate Fields on Tuesday, according to a track executive. Weaver, who began training in 1991, saddled 142 winners from 1,488 starters. His runners hit the board 481 times. Funeral arrangements were pending. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2017) — The CHRB 2015-16 annual report is now posted on the CHRB Website at http://www.chrb.ca.gov/annual_reports/2016_annual_report.pdf. ...

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2017) – Harris Farms is pleased to announce the addition of Jeranimo to our 2017 stallion roster. The 11-year-old son of Congaree, out of Jera, by Jeblar won eight graded stakes over a six-year racing career and earned $1,525,364. Included in his stakes victories were the G1 Eddie Read stakes and G1 Shoemaker Mile. In addition, he captured the G2 San Gabriel Stakes three times, the last coming as an 8-year-old. Jeranimo displayed explosive speed winning the Shoemaker Mile and his late-running style was impressive in the Eddie Read. Jeranimo is owned by the Jeranimo Partnership and will stand for $2,500 live foal, stand to nurse for the 2017 breeding season. For additional information or contracts contact Dave McGlothlin at davem@harrisfarms.com or 559-884-2859. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2017) — Multiple stakes winner Rousing Sermon sired his first foal when Coastal Skimming delivered a colt on January 30.  The Coastal Skimming foal was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams. Coastal Skimming is a multiple winner of over $122,000 and is the dam of Swiss Skimmer, a winner of nearly $160,000 in earnings, and Sea Preacher, a winner of almost $100,000 in earnings.  Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit and is out of Rousing. He is the leading earning son of Lucky Pulpit at stud in California. Rousing Sermon is also the leading juvenile earning son of his sire, with over $274,000 earned as a juvenile, while winning the California Cup Juvenile Stakes and finishing second in both the CashCall Futurity G1 and the Real Quiet Stakes. Overall, he earned $821,572 during his 36-race campaign.  Rousing Sermon will stand his second season at Rancho San Miguel for $2,000 live foal. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2017) – California stallion Curlin to Mischief sired his first foal when Billiondollarbaby dropped a filly on Feb. 2. Rancho San Miguel farm manager Clay Murdock said, “The first foal, for both Curlin to Mischief and the dam, stands up and over a good bit of ground. Her presence is noted by her beautiful eye and classic head. The bone, the body and her confirmation is what we had expected from this sire line.” Billiondollarbaby is by Giacomo out of Sovereign Cross. Her Curlin to Mischief 2017 filly was bred by Crown Racing Stables, LTD. Curlin to Mischief is by Curlin and out of Leslie’s Lady; she is the dam of multiple champion filly/mare Beholder and the Eclipse-Award siring Into Mischief. Curlin to Mischief will stand for $3,500 live foal. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2017) — The 27th running of the $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic will be held on Saturday, August 19 at Del Mar and be broadcast live by the NBC Sports Network, it has been announced. The Grade I mile and one-quarter for 3-year-olds and up, captured last year in spectacular fashion by subsequent Horse of the Year California Chrome, will be the centerpiece of the seaside track’s 78th summer season, which runs from July 19 to September 4. It will air from 5 to 6 p.m. (Pacific). The TVG Pacific Classic is the west’s only million dollar race for older horses. It is again part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and will guarantee its winner a free spot in the starting gate for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Saturday, November 4. “The TVG Pacific Classic has grown in stature year by year,” said DMTC executive vice president and chief operating officer Josh Rubinstein. “And with the Breeders’ Cup... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2017) — The California Thoroughbred Business League (CTBL), a group comprised of racing associations, horsemen’s organizations and fairs, is responsible for overseeing funds that are to be utilized for providing workers’ compensation insurance relief to horsemen. Working with Finish Line Self Insurance Group (FLSIG), which has handled workers’ compensation for the Thoroughbred horsemen for the past six years, the CTBL has been dealing with the issue of steadily increasing statewide workers’ compensation rates. The cost of the 2017 program for Thoroughbreds is estimated to be $13,767,652 – a 3.64% increase over 2016.   As a result, it has become necessary to increase the per-start fee from $95 to $100 to cover the owners’ portion of funding for the program. The per-start fee will continue to be automatically deducted from the owner’s paymaster account every time they start a horse. This change will go into effect at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields beginning February 1.   Owners having questions concerning the FLSIG Workers’... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2017) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, January 26, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Jesse Choper, George Krikorian, Araceli Ruano, 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: ·        Chairman Winner opened the meeting by first announcing that Commissioner Steve Beneto had resigned from his position on the Board in order to devote more time to his own business interests. The Chairman described him as “a terrific member of the Board, who will be missed by the Board and by racing in general.” ·        Chairman Winner next introduced newly appointed Commissioner Araceli Ruano. He said her “background, her resume, is really special…and I think the other Board members, the staff, and everyone involved in racing will be delighted that Commissioner Ruano is now on our Board.” ·        Executive Director Rick Baedeker announced there had... ...

By Bloodhorse.com Multiple grade 1 winner and millionaire Brother Derek   has been purchased by Saudi Arabian owner/breeder Abdulaziz Albarjes and will stand at his Alysoob Stud Farm near Riyadh. The 14-year-old California-bred son of Benchmark—Miss Soft Sell, by Siyah Kalem, is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia Feb. 24. He does not have a stud fee for 2017 because breeding fees are not charged.  Alysoob Stud also owns American-bred sires Pomeroy   and Flashy Bull  , who entered stud overseas in 2015. “One of the reasons we chose Brother Derek was his sire line,” said Adullah Alanasser, the son of Albarjes. “The Alydar line is not very common in Saudi Arabia. We hope to see great runners out of his offspring.” Brother Derek, bred in California by Mary Caldwell, was sold for $275,000 as a 2-year-old to Cecil Peacock. Peacock and trainer Dan Hendricks won five graded stakes with Brother Derek, including the Hollywood Futurity and Santa Anita Derby (both G1). He retired with six wins out of 17 starts and earnings of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2017) — Love the Chase, dam of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome  , foaled a Tapit   half brother to North America’s all-time leading money earner just before midnight Jan. 25. The chestnut colt was born at Atlas Farm in Nicholasville, KY where Love the Chase has resided since selling for $1.95 million to John McCormack Bloodstock as agent on behalf of SF Bloodstock at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November sale.  “This colt has four big shoes to fill,” Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock posted when he announced the foal’s arrival on Twitter. “He has loads of character and a peculiar white blaze.” The Tapit colt is the first live foal out of Love the Chase since the daughter of Not For Love produced a son of Lucky Pulpit in 2015 that is a full brother to California Chrome. California Chrome is set to make his final career start in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park before retiring to stud... ...

From Cicero Farms HEMET, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2017) — Cicero Farms’ Grade II-placed mare Tiz A Kiss (Cee’s Tizzy – Candy Factory by Seattle Bound) has been officially retired and will head to California Hall of Fame breeder Pat Thompson’s Ridgeley Farm to begin her broodmare career.  The 7-year old is scheduled to visit He Be Fire N Ice for her first mating.  “Originally scheduled for retirement at the end of February this year, the racing connections of Tiz A Kiss decided to retire the gray mare six weeks early,” said Barbara Ranck Perry of Cicero Farms.  “In the Megahertz she showed she was ready for her next career.  She was a real gem to race and we are excited for the next chapter.  We are very excited to breed her to He Be Fire N Ice. “We believe in Cal-bred racing and saw no reason to send her to Kentucky when we can breed to such a brilliant son of Unusual Heat, the all-time leading sire in California.  We... ...

From Pacific Coast Thoroughbreds HEMET, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2017) – Ethnic Dance, winner of the Grade II Del Mar Derby, has been retired to stand the 2017 breeding season for a fee of $1,500. The son of Tribal Rule is a half brother to Twirling Candy, the second-leading second-crop sire of 2016 behind Uncle Mo. Ethnic Dance broke his maiden at a mile on turf at Betfair Hollywood Park by 6 ¾ lengths. He won the 2013 Del Mar Derby gate to wire by 1 ¼ lengths. ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2017) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, January 26, at Santa Anita Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The Medication, Safety and Welfare Committee will meet Wednesday at the same location beginning at 11 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings. The Board agenda and supporting package of materials are available on the CHRB website, as are those for the Medication Committee (agenda and package). ...

From Milky Way Farm TEMECULA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2017) – California stallion Circumference was represented by his first foal on Jan. 16, a filly out of the winning dam Nubian Priincess. John Ivory is the breeder. Circumference is the first son of Galileo to stand in California. He is a half brother to Circular Quay. Circumference stands at Milky Way Farm in Temecula for a fee of $3,000. ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2017) — Veteran trackman Dennis Moore, the track superintendent at Santa Anita Park, has agreed to accept the additional role of director of track maintenance at Del Mar, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced Jan. 19.   Moore, 67, with more than 44 years of experience working racetracks around the world, will continue his full-time role at Santa Anita while also assuming his new responsibilities at Del Mar for its summer and fall meetings.   “Having consistency is a key element in safety and that can mean surface and personnel,” said Del Mar president and general manager Joe Harper. “With Dennis Moore on board at Southern California’s two major tracks—both featuring the same racing surfaces—we’ve moved solidly in that direction. We owe Keith Brackpool and his people at Santa Anita a big thank you for their willingness to share Dennis with us, which will go a long way toward enhancing Southern California’s racing and training environment.   “We’re doing everything in our power... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 11, 2017) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today announced that a system has been established at https://www.ntra.com/comment for individuals to submit an e-mail comment directly to the United States Treasury Department in support of newly proposed regulations related to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings. The proposed regulations, which would replace outdated regulations adopted nearly 40 years ago, more accurately reflect today’s pari-mutuel wagering environment and will positively impact a significant percentage of winning wagers, particularly those involving multi-horse or multi-race exotic wagers. It is believed that the proposed changes will result in tens of millions of dollars in additional pari-mutuel wagering annually. If adopted, the new regulations will not only  promote greater compliance and more accurate reporting and withholding by taxpayers but also reduce burdensome and needless paperwork system-wide. Efforts spearheaded by the NTRA on behalf of the industry over the past two and a half years came to fruition on December 30 when Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published... ...

From Equibase LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2017) — California-bred California Chrome posted the top Equibase Speed Figure in 2016, the company announced on Thursday. California Chrome earned a 132 for his 12-length romp in the Winter Challenge Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 17. Owned by California Chrome LLC, California Chrome earned the top figure in his final start of the year, completing the 8 1/2-furlong Winter Challenge in a track record time of 1:40.03. Horse of the Year in 2014 and a finalist for the same honor in 2016, California Chrome won six other races last year in addition to his top-ranked performance, including the Dubai World Cup, Pacific Classic, and Awesome Again Stakes. California Chrome is expected to make the final start of his career in the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on January 28. “The Winter Challenge race was fun because he got to finally run where he’s been based and the Los Alamitos fans really enjoyed it,” said California Chrome’s... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2017) — Russell Baze, the winningest jockey in horse-racing history, will enter another Hall of Fame in April when he is enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in San Francisco. Baze, 58, retired from racing last June with 12,842 victories. Baze has been inducted into both the U.S. and Canadian racing halls of fame. He was awarded a special Eclipse Award in 1995 after winning 400 races for the fourth straight year. He also was honored with Santa Anita’s George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award as voted on by fellow jockeys. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2017) — Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) is offering a free seminar, “Tax Planning for Horse Owners” – an introductory seminar aimed at helping horse owners gain a working knowledge of the rules of both federal income and state sales taxation as they apply to the racehorse business. A panel of tax experts will discuss tax treatment for horse acquisitions and sales, tax deductions for business related expenses, the IRS “hobby loss” provision, depreciation, sales and use taxes, forms of doing business (sole proprietorship, partnership, syndicate, corporation or LLC), capital gains and more. The seminar will take place at Santa Anita Racetrack, in the Baldwin Conference Room (3rd floor, Clubhouse level), Saturday, Feb. 4 at 8:30 a.m.  Although it is free and open to the public, reservations are recommended and can be made by calling TOC at (626) 574-6620 or by clicking here. TOC is the official organization serving new, veteran and future Thoroughbred owners in the state. It represents, advances, and protects owners’... ...

From Equibase LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 2, 2017) – California-bred California Chrome was the leading Thoroughbred earner in the world in 2016 with earnings of $8,090,000, which included his win in the Dubai World Cup, according to final statistics released today by Equibase Company LLC, the Thoroughbred industry’s official database for racing information. Jockey Javier Castellano finished the year as the leading rider by earnings for the fourth consecutive year while Ken and Sarah Ramsey were the top earners for owners for the third time in four years and Chad Brown for the first time was the top earner for trainers. Breeders’ Cup Classic and Travers Stakes winner Arrogate led all Thoroughbreds in North American earnings with earnings of $4,084,600. California Chrome, whose other races this year included victories in the Pacific Classic, Awesome Again Stakes and San Diego Handicap and a runner-up finish to Arrogate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is also the sport’s all-time leading earner with total earnings of $14,502,650, including Dubai World Cup earnings. (California Chrome and Arrogate... ...

From CTFMA BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2016) – The California Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association will hold a San Diego Stallion Tour on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. The tour will visit Ballena Vista Farm (stallions Bluegrass Cat, Calimonco, Dixie Chatter and Eddington), E.A. Ranches (Haimish Hy and Mr. Big) and Ocean Breeze (Cogito and Square Eddie). The tour will leave the San Luis Rey Downs parking lot in Bonsall at 8 a.m. The cost is $40, with CTFMA providing transportation, lunch, morning coffee and afternoon snacks. To reserve a spot, RSVP to: ctfma@yahoo.com. Payment can be made at: paypal.me/CTFMA or mail check to CTFMA, P.O. Box 876, Fallbrook, Ca., 92088. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2016) — Araceli Ruano, 45, of Pasadena, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board of Directors, it was announced on Friday by Governor Brown. Ruano has been a senior advisor at the SFE Group LLC since 2016. She was vice president at Sotheby’s West Coast Trusts and Estates Department from 2014 to 2016. Ruano was senior vice president and director at the Center for American Progress from 2010 to 2013 and chief executive officer at the ALAS Foundation from 2007 to 2009.She was an attorney at Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw LLP from 2003 to 2007 and at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips LLP from 2001 to 2003. Ruano was a senior policy advisor for the Gore Presidential Campaign Committee in 2000. She was assistant political director and senior policy advisor to Vice President Al Gore and Second Lady Tipper Gore at the White House from 1993 to 1997. Ruano is a member of the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Board of Directors, CalArts... ...

By Bloodhorse.com RAMONA, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2016) – Retired California stallion Turkoman, an Eclipse Award winner and longtime California sire, was euthanized due to infirmities of old age Dec. 21 at E.A. Ranches in Ramona, California. The pensioned son of Alydar was 34. Trained by Gary Jones and campaigned by Saron Stable, Turkoman teased of his ability during his 3-year-old season with runner-up finishes in the grade I Swaps and Travers Stakes and a third-place finish in the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I).   It was at age four that the dark bay son of Alydar shone most brightly.  A fan favorite due in part to his 17-hand size and thrilling come-from-behind style, Turkoman won the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II), Widener Handicap (gr. I), and Tallahassee Handicap before running down Precisionist in the 1986 Marlboro Cup (gr. I).  Favored in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, Turkoman trailed the field before unleashing his trademark come-from-behind move in the homestretch only to fall short by 1 1/4 lengths to longshot Skywalker.... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2016) – This is an update of complaints, stewards’ rulings, and Board decisions involving Class 1, 2, and 3 medication violations and other significant matters. Pursuant to CHRB Rule 1859.5, the stewards at Santa Anita issued a ruling today disqualifying Masochistic from his second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and redistributing his share of the purse ($255,000) based on positive test findings for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. On November 5, 2016, Masochistic, trained by Ron Ellis, finished second in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park (the Breeders’ Cup Sprint). Post-race blood and urine samples taken from Masochistic were analyzed by the Maddy Laboratory at U.C. Davis and found to contain the Class 3 drug stanozolol and its metabolite 16-hydroxy stanozolol. Split-sample results received from Industrial Laboratory on December 16 confirmed the presence of stanozolol and/or its metabolite 16-hydroxy stanozolol in both blood and urine samples. Accordingly, the stewards conducted a hearing Friday on a complaint filed by the California Horse Racing Board,... ...

From CHRB LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, December 15, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, 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: ·        The Board gave final approval to race meets at Los Alamitos, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields after the three associations submitted (or promised) all documents required by statutes. In doing so, Scott Daruty with the Stronach Group indicated that both Santa Anita and Golden Gate will be limiting their agreements to four Advance Deposit Wagering companies: Xpressbet, TVG, NYRAbets.com, and TwinSpires. Furthermore, Xpressbet and TVG have signed agreements with the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) for a revised distribution of revenue from wagers placed through ADW by bettors while they are physically located at live race meets. Daruty indicated their intention to have the same... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2016) —Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields are planning to limit the amount of advance deposit wagering operations that are permitted to take bets on races at the two racetracks, Scott Daruty said at a California Horse Racing Board meeting Dec. 15. Ongoing financial relationships between racetracks, advance deposit wagering platforms, and horsemen were again the centerpiece of the CHRB meeting at Los Alamitos Race Course. Daruty, who often speaks at CHRB meetings representing various entities aligned with The Stronach Group (which owns both Santa Anita and Golden Gate), said the racetracks have already reached agreements with TVG and Xpressbet (another entity of The Stronach Group), and would likely reach a deal with TwinSpires and NYRA Bets. Those left out could include BetAmerica and Watch and Wager. “We came to the conclusion that we’re not sure we’re doing the right thing at Santa Anita by sticking our neck out and taking heat from horsemen and regulators on one side, and ADWs on the... ...

By Thoroughbredracing.com NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 14, 2016) — Even before California Chrome begins his new career as a stallion in about two months, co-owner and breeder Perry Martin is harboring expectations equal to the unparalleled standards the flame-colored chestnut has burned into history as North America’s all-time leading earner. “I hope and expect that he’s going to displace Tapit as the top United States sire,” Martin declared in early December after working with Taylor Made Farm at the Keeneland November sale to acquire nine mares at a total cost of $2.79 million to be bred to California Chrome. Since Tapit has set North American records for single-season progeny earnings in each of the last three years and sired 21 Grade 1 winners, beginning with champion Stardom Bound in his initial crop – and is top U.S. sire in the TRC Global Rankings, Martin’s hopes are soaring beyond earthly bounds. As he pointed out, however, there are reasons for optimism: California Chrome has a far superior race record, featuring seven Grade... ...

From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Dec. 9, m2016) — The catalog for 2017 Barretts January Mixed Sale is on-line and will be mailed soon.  This auction of 182 head will be held on Tuesday, January 17 starting at 11:00 a.m. on the grounds of Fairplex Park.   The catalog can be viewed here.   The catalog is also available on the Ipad using The Jockey Club’s free Ipad ap.  Click here for more information.   Cataloged horse’s Daily Racing Form past performances are here.   Among the sires of the 47 yearlings and 66 two-year-olds in the catalog are such stallions as Acclamation, Artie Schiller, Awesome Patriot, Bluegrass Cat, Bullet Train, Champ Pegasus, Coil, Cylcotron, Desert Code, Dominus, Empire Way, First Samurai, Flat Out, Heatseeker, Jeranimo, Lookin At Lucky, Lucky Pulpit, Macho Uno, Marino Marini, Merit Man, Ministers Wild Cat, Paddy O’Prado, Richard’s Kid, Sapphire Cat, Shackleford, Shanghai Bobby, Sierra Sunset, Slew’s Tiznow, Smiling Tiger, Stormberg, Street Boss, Street Hero, The Factor, The Pamplemousse, Tizway, Ultimate Eagle, Vronsky and Wilburn.   The... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2016) — At its meeting today, the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously elected Nick Alexander chairman. Alexander joined the board in 2013 and has served as Secretary/Treasurer since that time. Alexander replaces Mike Pegram, who will remain on the board and executive committee but is stepping down after serving as chairman for six years.   Alexander is the founder of Nick Alexander Imports and operates a horse ranch in Santa Ynez. He has raced Thoroughbreds in California for 38 years, and his homebred stallion Grazen is one of the top ten on the Lifetime Stallion Leaders list.   “Mike Pegram has been an exceptional, hard-working chairman, and his shoes will be very hard to fill,” said Alexander. “But I am committed to working diligently to protect and advance owners’ rights. The issues confronting California racing and TOC members have never been as important as they are today. I look forward to working with our president, Greg Avioli and... ...