Alert Bay wins the $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. ...
Read More →Go West Marie wins the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2015) – Win machine Alert Bay survived a steward’s inquiry to stretch his win streak to five in Saturday’s roughly run $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Alert Bay is by City Zip, out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory, was bred by Thomas Bell & Ross McLeod, is owned by Peter Redekop, is trained by Blaine Wright and was ridden by Tyler Baze. “We scooted out of a tough one there today,” said Wright. “We could have come down. Tyler thought he had room. He said he knew it was tight, but he thought the other horse was (empty) and he thought we would stay up. Myself, I sweat these things out a little bit. “…Mr. Redekop has put some good horses in my hands, and this horse has taken me to a level where you certainly want to be. I’m very proud to be a part of it.” Alert Bay has eight wins in... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2015) – Spirit Rules, the longest shot in the field, outdueled odds-on favorite San Onofre to win Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Spirit Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the Danzatore mare Heavenly Lady, was bred by John & Allegra Ernst, is owned by Jeanmarc Murphy, Barbara Accardy, Craig Siedler, Jim Xitco and Mark Xitco, is trained by Paul Aguirre and was ridden by Iggy Puglisi. “This Cal-bred program is fantastic,” said Aguirre. “We don’t have a lot of things to hang our hat on these days in horse racing, but the Cal-bred program is really something to be proud of. It’s made this horse have a nice career.” Spirit Rules won by a half length over San Onofre, with Follini finishing third in the field of five. “Just got outrun today,” said Mike Smith, San Onofre’s jockey. “I stumbled a little leaving the gate, which cost me a clear lead, but if I’d... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2015) – Go West Marie rallied along the rail to win Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Go West Marie is by Western Fame, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie’s Rose, was bred by Summer Mayberry, is owned by Peter Redekop, trained by Eddie Truman and was ridden by Gary Stevens. “A great trip,” said Stevens. “Eddie’s done a great job with this filly and I got on her at the right time. I learned a lot about her. I asked him if I could just sit on her and be quiet with her. It worked out well. She exploded with me the last eighth, and I rode her the same way today even though we were shortening up and there was so much speed. The key with a filly like this is they’re professional–let them settle and they’re going to finish for you.” She has five wins in 17 starts,... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2015) – Longshot Mischief Clem got the head bob over Pulmarack to win Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Derby for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, a race won last year by Horse of the Year California Chrome. Mischief Clem is by Papa Clem, out of the Bold Badgett mare Glitteringmischief, was bred by SLU Inc., is owned by Griffin Thoroughbreds, is trained by Robert Hess Jr. and was ridden by Kent Desormeaux. “Today he was finally able to put everything together and I was able to ride him off my finger tips and he was just the consummate professional and he got a picture taken,” said Desormeaux. Mischief Clem has three wins in six starts, earnings of $266,380 and was coming off a fourth in the Dec. 14 King Glorious Stakes. Mischief Clem was a $22,000 Barretts purchase. “If we think open company, it would be on the synthetic in Mark at Turfway ($550,000 Spiral Stakes Mar. 21),” Hess said of Mischief Clem’s future... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2015) – Recent claim Singing Kitty caught favorite Heat the Rocks at the top of the lane and went on to win Saturday’s $200,000 Xpressbet California Cup Oaks for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Singing Kitty is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Unbridled’s Son mare Natural Singer R N, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Chris Aulds, Peter Jeong and Brandon Hillman, is trained by Matthew Chew and was ridden by Aaron Gryder. She has three wins in seven starts, earnings of $175,438 and was coming off a seventh in the Jan. 1 Blue Norther. Singing Kitty was claimed for $32,000 Dec. 11. “She was brought to my attention by a friend of mine who suggested I take a look at her and I brought it up to the owners and we all agreed to take a shot,” said Chew. “We threw her into the Blue Norther to see how she would handle the turf and the... ...
Read More →By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2014)—California Chrome proved himself best of the statebreds on Saturday at Santa Anita with an overpowering victory in the $250,000 California Cup Derby, a performance that his trainer, Art Sherman, thought was in him, and which will earn California Chrome a shot to prove himself worth of getting to another Derby, the one in Kentucky on May 3. “He had been training like a bomb,” Sherman said after California Chrome rolled to a 5 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds. Tamarando, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last summer, rallied for second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Life Is a Joy. Awesome Return was fourth and was followed, in order, by Better Bet, Public Policy, and Lucky Views. Three horses did not finish the race. Aotearoa was eased on the far turn. And then in the stretch, Electric Eddie, while racing in fifth place, broke down, and, unable to run straight because of his injuries, veered into... ...
Read More →
By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Injury kept Weewinnin off the track for 11 months in 2013. After that long of a layoff, a few seconds of suspense was not an issue for his backers in Saturday’s $251,500 California Cup Turf Classic at Santa Anita. Jockey Joe Talamo had Weewinnin on the rail on the turn of the turf race over 1 1/8 miles, waiting for running room behind the pacesetters. When space developed, Talamo urged Weewinnin to the front in early stretch and guided the 4-year-old gelding to a 21-1 upset win in the year’s top race for older California-breds. Weewinnin ($44.80) finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of 10-1 Stoney Fleece, who was a neck in front of 9-2 Jules Journey. Summer Hit, the 6-5 favorite, set a quick pace of 23.45 and 46.88 seconds but faded from contention in the final furlong. Weewinnin was fourth for the first six furlongs, racing on the inside. “We had a great trip,” Talamo said. “I was able to sit behind the... ...
Read More →
From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2014)–Trainer Richard Baltas was all smiles following Saturday’s $125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint for good reason, as his Big Macher, claimed seven starts back out of a maiden $20,000 claimer on July 17 at Del Mar, had just powered to a 1 ¾ length win under Rafael Bejarano, covering six furlongs in a rapid 1:08.62. Breaking from the outside post in a nine-horse field, Big Macher, the second choice at 2-1, sat second to longshot Coach Bob and Kent Desormeaux down the backside and around the far turn before taking the lead at the top of the lane. “Rafael said he was going to sit far back, but I told him that if he breaks sharp not to be too far out of it,” said Baltas. “I think that’s where he likes to be, up close, and he still can kick when he’s up close. He just came into the race real good and it was a great day.” A 4-year-old... ...
Read More →
By Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2014)—With blinkers refitted, longshot Susans Express sat a close second at the rail going to the far turn and found a seam three off the fence turning for home and powered through the lane with Kent Desormeaux to take Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks by 1 ¼ lengths, getting one mile on turf in 1:34.72. Off at 65-1 in a field of 14 California-bred 3-year-old fillies, Susans Express, trained and co-owned by Jorge Periban, tried the grass for the first time in the Oaks. Susans Express was winless in four starts since breaking her maiden sprinting for a $50,000 claiming tag on Aug. 30. “Jorge told me exactly how to ride this filly and obviously it worked out,” said Desormeux, who collected his second stakes win of the day. “She’s a very nice filly. I’m just glad to be back here and I have to thank Jorgie for putting me on.” A filly by Decarchy, Susans Express, owned by her breeder Ed... ...
Read More →
By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2014) – Summer Hit is in the midst of a career that plays in all seasons. When the 5-year-old gelding starts as the favorite in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic at Santa Anita, Summer Hit can win his fifth stakes, and first in the winter. He won the 2012 Silky Sullivan Stakes and 2013 All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in the spring of those years, the 2013 Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar last summer, and the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate in his last race Nov. 29. The only blemish on his recent record was a seventh as a 26-1 outsider in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes on dirt at Santa Anita in September. “Look who he was running against,” said Dan Ward, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s assistant. The Awesome Again Stakes was won by Mucho Macho Man, who later won the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Summer Hit races for John Carver and Hollendorfer and has won 9 of 15... ...
Read More →
From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2014)—A winner of the Grade I Del Mar Futurity Sept. 4, and most recently third in the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles CashCall Futurity Dec. 14, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ homebred Tamarando merits top billing in a field of 11 sophomores in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles. An important component to the Golden State Series for horses bred or sired in California, the Cal Cup Derby is part of a newly created Sunshine Millions Cal Cup Day at Santa Anita that will offer fans six stakes and 10 races overall. A 3-year-old colt by Bertrando, Tamarando is a deep closer who rallied from dead last to win the open Real Quiet Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 23. He tried to employ similar tactics in the CashCall Futurity, but could never threaten stable mate and top Derby prospect Shared Belief when beaten seven lengths. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Tamarando zipped a half mile in 47.40... ...
Read More →
From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2014)—Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams, prominent among California’s top owner/breeders, will be represented by two talented homebred fillies, the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Swiss Lake Yodeler, and the Steve Specht-conditioned Alasharchy, in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. An important component to the Golden State Series for horses bred or sired in California, the Oaks is part of a newly created Sunshine Millions California Cup Day at Santa Anita that will offer fans six stakes and 10 races overall. By the venerable California-based Swiss Yodeler, Swiss Lake Yodeler comes off a rousing one length win in the seven furlong Soviet Problem Stakes versus state breds Dec. 21 at Betfair Hollywood Park and is a neck away from being undefeated in four starts. Attentive to the pace, she was an easy 2 ¼ length winner of the one mile Golden State Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1 at Santa Anita and will no doubt be favored with Rafael Bejarano... ...
Read More →
From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2014)—Veteran conditioner Bruce Headley will be represented by 6-year-old horse and likely favorite Cyclometer in Saturday’s $125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint for older horses at six furlongs, a race that attracted a field of 10 older horses. An important component to the Golden State Series for horses bred or sired in California, the Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint is part of a newly created Sunshine Millions California Cup Day at Santa Anita that will offer fans six stakes and 10 races overall. Fresh off victory in the six furlong Midnight Lute Stakes Jan. 4, Cyclometer would appear to be at the top of his game for Headley, who has specialized in taking his time with older horses throughout a storybook training career in the Golden State. Owned and bred by Headley and Irwin and Andrew Molasky, Cyclometer was a close second as the 8-5 favorite two starts back in the 7 ½ furlong On Trust Handicap Nov. 24, and was a... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2014) — The five stakes races on the Sunshine Millions/California Cup card for Jan. 25 at Santa Anita, restricted to horses bred or sired in California, drew a total of 113 nominations. The richest races will be the $250,000 Cal Cup Derby and the $250,000 Cal Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. The Derby’s 18 nominations include Grade I winner Tamarando and stakes winners California Chrome and Aotearoa. The Turf Classic’s 27 nominations include multiple graded winner Summer Hit. The 26 nominations for the $200,000 Cal Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies include multiple stakes winner Swiss Lake Yodeler, while the $125,000 Cal Cup Sprint includes stakes winner Cyclometer and graded stakes winner Rousing Sermon among its 16 nominees. The $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint’s 26 nominations include multiple stakes winner Warren’s Veneda. Here are the nominations and past performances for stakes races to be held at Sunshine Millions/California Cup on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Santa Anita: $250,000 California Cup Derby Nominations... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2014) — Draw a line through Jules Journey’s last race. That would be the advice from Jim Cassidy, who not only trains the 5-year-old Good Journey gelding but also owns half of him, along with Bradbury residents Mr. and Mrs. Kieron DeLahunt. Jules Journey closed resolutely from 11th and last at the half-mile marker to finish fourth, beaten six lengths, last out in a one mile allowance race on Santa Anita’s turf. Next up: Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, at 1 1/8 miles. “He got in trouble last time,” Cassidy said. “It was an ugly, ugly race. He ran a winning race, otherwise. He’s a very consistent horse. He tries hard every time.” Probable for the Turf Classic: China Prince, Corey Nakatani; Jules Journey, Gary Stevens; Maybe Tuesday, Kent Desormeaux; and Weewinnin, Joe Talamo. With a celebration of Cal-bred Thoroughbreds, Sunshine Millions California Cup Saturday is sure to offer an exciting day of racing, featuring six stakes.... ...
Read More →By Jack Shinar Bloodhorse.com (October 17, 2013) During a time of year when tracks across the country are featuring their state-bred stars, California Cup, a fixture on the fall racing calendar at Santa Anita Park since it was established in 1990, will not be contested this season. Instead, Cal Cup will be combined with the Sunshine Millions program this winter and will be run Jan. 25 at Santa Anita, said Doug Burge, executive director of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “Part of the reason is that we felt we needed to get Cal Cup out of the fall,” Burge said. “If you look at the results (handle and attendance) in recent years, Cal Cup has struggled, and it has really struggled in years in which Santa Anita is hosting the Breeders’ Cup.” California-breds, through the CTBA’s Golden State series, will be on display during the Breeder’s Cup World Championships Nov. 1 with a pair of stakes on the undercard, the Golden State Juvenile and Golden State Juvenile Fillies. Each is... ...
Read More →$300,000 California Breeders Champion Stakes, for three-year-olds at one mile NOMINATIONS PP’s $300,000 California Breeders Champion Stakes, for three-year-old fillies at one mile NOMINATIONS PP’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes, for four-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf NOMINATIONS PP’s $100,000 Valentine Dancer Stakes, for four and up filliesmare at one mile on turf NOMINATIONS PP’s ...
Read More →By Steve Andersen The California Cup will not be run in 2013, but will be moved to a date in January or early February at Santa Anita in 2014 as part of a revamped Golden State series for California-breds over the next 12 months. The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association released its 2013-2014 Golden State series schedule on Thursday, and the revised date for the Cal Cup is the most significant of several changes. Formed in 1990, the California Cup has been run each fall since its inception. The move to a mid-winter date is designed to boost an event that had struggled in recent years to draw attendance and handle support. The new Cal Cup program will feature a $250,000 Cal Cup Classic, worth $75,000 more than in 2012. The race has been switched from turf to dirt, while the distance remains 1 1/8 miles. Instead of the previously run Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies, the races for the foals of 2011 in 2014 will be a Derby and Oaks. The... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) – Monument put away Strong Wind at the top of the stretch and won Saturday’s $250,000 Bob Benoit California Cup Juvenile for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita, part of the Golden State Series. Monument is by Cindago, out of the Beautiful Crown mare Grant Marty a Wish, was bred by Lee and Susan Searing, is owned by CRK Stable, trained by John Sadler and was ridden by Martin Garcia. “I think he looked too much at the people in the grandstands,” Garcia said of Monument’s erratic path in the stretch. “I had a lot of horse, that’s why he had time to look around. This was the fist time he’s run at a distance, and it looks like he likes it.” Monument has three wins and a second in four starts, earnings of $193,500 and was coming off a second in the Sept. 12 C.B. Afflerbaugh. “I want to recognize bob Benoit, who was ass good a guy as there was to have at your race... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) – Favored Tiz Flirtatious returned from a nine-month break with an explosive stretch run to win Saturday’s first division of the $100,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Cat’s Cradle Stakes winner Tiz Flirtatious is a 4-year-old by Tizbud, out of the Victory Gallop mare Masquerade Belle, was bred by owner Pamela Ziebarth, trained by Martin Jones and ridden by Joel Rosario. “She’s a pretty nice filly,” said Rosario. “I’ve rode her before and she acted really good last time I rode her. She was still rank in her last race, maybe that’s why she got tired. Today she was really relaxed and she covered a lot of ground when I asked her to run. She looked good.” She has four wins in five starts, earnings of $194,800 and was coming off a third in the Jan. 22 La Canada. In her grass debut, Tiz Flirtatious ran the about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.70... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) – Maui Mark returned from a three-month layoff to New York by rallying to win Saturday’s $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Maui Mark is by Unusual Heat, out of the Man From Eldorado mare Dalymount, was bred by Fast Lane Farms, is owned by Carter or Galea, trained by Robert Hess Jr. and was ridden by Garrett Gomez. “I’m just proud of the horse,” said Hess after his first Cal Cup win. “It’s my first and that means a ton and especially with Mr. Valpredo, we go way back. It’s a real honor.” Claimed for $20,000 six races back, Maui Mark has 10 wins in 26 starts, earnings of $364,568 and was coming off a fifth in a July 25 starter handicap at Saratoga. This was his fifth win in nine races at Santa Anita. “We claimed him, took him East, did pretty well, then he injured himself (pulled left stifle),” said Hess. “So we brought him home and freshened him... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) – Longshot Bella Viaggia ran her win streak to three with an impressive turf debut in Saturday’s second division of the $100,000 John Deere Distaff for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Bella Viaggia is by Good Journey, out of the American Chance mare Miss Del Mar, was bred by Leatherman Racing, is owned by SLO Racing Stable, trained by Mike Puype and was ridden by Joe Talamo. “The rail opened up good and we just shot on through,” said Talamo. She has three wins in four starts, earnings of $155,000 and was coming off a win in an Aug. 31 optional claimer. “She has a great future,” said Puype. “When horses want to win like that, and they come out running, those are seasoned horses. She showed a big race today to be like that.” Bella Viaggia ran the about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.02 and won by 1 ½ lengths at odds of 9-1. Missdealornodeal was second and... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) – Lucky Primo, runner-up in this race last year, scored his second career California Cup victory by winning Saturday’s $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic, presented by City National Bank, at Santa Anita. Lucky Primo is a 6-year-old gelding by Atticus, out of the Personal Flag mare Live Free or Die, was bred by Joshua Litt, Jason Litt and Dennis O’Neill, is owned by JBK Stable and Jason Litt, trained by Joshua Litt and was ridden by Tyler Baze. “We go race by race with him,” said Joshua Litt. “If he’s good enough we’ll go on with him. Sometimes you have to give him time off. He’s just a solid, solid Cal-bred. Look at the size of him. He’s a big, huge horse, tries really hard, he’s extremely talented. “He’s always had soundness issues. For us, we hope to make it to these races, so we kind of strategize it so we can make it here in pretty good shape.” Lucky Primo has six wins... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) – Favored Tilde prevailed in a stretch-long duel with longshot Doinghardtimeagain to run her win streak to three in Saturday’s $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, part of the Golden State Series. Tilde is by Swiss Yodeler, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Self Taught, was bred by Revocable Trust of Mike Harrington and Patricia Harrington, is owned by Mike Harrington Trustee, trained by Mike Harrington and was ridden by Rafael Bejarano. “This new Cal-bred deal is fantastic,” said Mike Harrington. “I don’t think the purses are as big, but there are two more races for her – stakes, and you’d have tpo think that off this race, if she stays sound, she’ll be tough in both of them.” Bejarano was impressed with the winner. “As soon as I came to the stretch I let her go and she came running,” said Bejarano. “She was flying in the end. This is a good filly. She’s getting better. This was her... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2012) — Jockey Tyler Baze, sidelined since August 2011 due to substance abuse problems, earned his first stakes victory since returning to action a week ago, guiding Lucky Primo to victory in the $175,000 Lava Man California Cup Classic Oct. 13 at Santa Anita Park. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/73545/tyler-baze-back-on… ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2012) – Strong Wind is the lone stakes winner entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita, part of the Golden State Series. Warren’s Rocky is by Affirmative, out of the Awesome Again mare Awesome Rock, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Ben and Sally Warren and trained by Craig Lewis. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $17,600 and is coming off a second in a Sept. 30 starter’s allowance. Graduation Stakes winner Strong Wind is by Tribal Rule, out of the Memo mare Chalk Face, was bred by Mark Tatch, is owned by Roncelli Family Trust and Bill and Sue Tomasic and is trained by Steve Knapp. The $24,000 Barretts purchase has two wins in six starts, earnings of $124,360 and is coming off a third in the Sept. 3 I’m Smokin. The Humancomplaint is by Tribal Rule, out of the Boundary mare Holiday Sale, was bred by Jack and Barbara Hatch Living Trust,... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2012) – Mensa Heat is the high career earner of 10 entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Maui Mark is by Unusual Heat, out of the Man From Eldorado mare Dalymount, was bred by Fast Lane Farms, is owned by Michael Carter and trained by Robert Hess Jr. He has nine wins in 25 starts, earnings of $304,568 and is coming off a fifth in a July 25 starter handicap at Saratoga. Bench Points is by Benchmark, out of the Free House mare Mo Chuisle, was bred by Gary Rocks, is owned by Crevier, Mariani, Martin and Zuraitis and trained by Tim Yakteen. He has five wins in 13 starts, earnings of $294,510 and is coming off a fifth in the Sept. 5 Pirate’s Bounty. Mensa Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Ole mare Chi Chi Nette, was bred by Madeline Auerbach and David Abrams, is owned by Randall Ho, Westside Rentals.com and trainer Doug O’Neill. He has... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2012) – Grade I winner Willa B Awesome, second in last year’s Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies, is the leading money earner of 11 entered in Saturday’s second division of the $100,000 John Deere Distaff for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Bella Viaggia is by Good Journey, out of the American Chance mare Miss Del Mar, was bred by Leatherman Racing, is owned by SLO Racing Stable and trained by Mike Puype. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $95,000 and is coming off a win in an Aug. 31 optional claimer. Cayanna is by Cayoke, out of the Starborough mare Just Like That, was bred by Michael House, is owned by Oak Valley Stable, William Buster, David Johnson and Lo Hi Stable and is trained by Mike Machowsky. She has three wins in 15 starts, earnings of $190,050 and is coming off a second in an Oct. 4 claimer. Fabulous Fit is by Marino Marini, out of the Fighting Fit mare Fitting, was... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2012) – Multiple stakes winner Tilde seeks her richest win yet in Saturday’s $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, part of the Golden State Series. Doinghardtimeagain is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Silver Hawk Lady, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She is a maiden making her second start with $14,000 earnings and is coming off a second in an Aug. 26 debut. Warren’s Sugarbuzz is by Affirmative, out of the Thunder Gulch mare Warren’s Thunder, was bred by owner Benjamin Warren and trained by Jorge Gutierrez. She has two wins in five starts, earnings of $36,700 and is coming off a consecutive wins. Cotton’s Point is by Salt Lake, out of the Smart Strike mare Smart’n Striking, was bred by Adrian Gonzalez, is owned by Gonzalez, Bolton, Peskoff and Summit Racing and is trained by Jeff Bonde. The Barretts graduate is a maiden making her fifth start with... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2012) – Win machine John Scott and last year’s runner-up, Lucky Primo, are among the entries in Saturday’s $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic, presented by City National Bank, at Santa Anita. Holladay Road is by Street Cry, out of the Great Commotion mare Blending Element, was bred by Williamson Racing, is owned by Gary and Wendy Broad and is trained by Julio Canani. He has seven wins in 18 starts, earnings of $355,252 and is coming off a third in the Sept. 1 Harry F. Brubaker. He was third in this race last year. Got Even is by Stephen Got Even, out of the Blare of Trumpets mare Kathryns Birthday, was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Altamira Racing, Bruce Chandler and F U Stables and is trained by Peter Miller. The $14,000 Barretts purchase has three wins in 13 starts, earnings of $152,600 and is coming off a fourth in the Sept. 9 Jim Kostoff. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of... ...
Read More →By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2012) — In the six weeks since he finished third in the I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar on Labor Day, Strong Wind is a changed colt. http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-notes-strong-wind-going-long-cal-cup… ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2012) — Ten-time Southern California riding king Joel Rosario will return to Santa Anita Saturday to ride on California Cup Day XXIII, agent Ron Anderson said by phone Monday morning from New York. “We’re looking forward to coming back,” said Anderson, a world-class agent who has represented the likes of Jerry Bailey, Gary Stevens and Garrett Gomez. “We’ll also be at Santa Anita the week of the Breeders’ Cup (World Championships on Nov. 2 and 3).” Rosario, a native of the Dominican Republic who turns 28 on Jan. 14, has been represented by Anderson for just under two months. During that span, Rosario has won two Grade I, $1 million races, the Pacific Classic on Dullahan and the Jockey Club Gold Cup aboard Flat Out. “He won three races yesterday (at Belmont Park),” Anderson said. “We’re making progress together and moving forward. He’s a great rider and a very personable kid.” Among Rosario’s scheduled California Cup mounts are Bert’s Altercation in the... ...
Read More →
From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2012) — Holladay Road is not the type of horse that has to carry his track around with him. That’s why trainer Julio Canani is cautiously optimistic that the 7-year-old Street Cry gelding will perform admirably in Saturday’s $175,000 Lava Man California Cup Classic presented by City National Bank at 1 1/16 miles. “He won the Crystal Water on this track, so he handles dirt,” Canani said. “I ran him a mile at Del Mar and he finished third (in the Brubaker) and (Joe) Talamo wanted to ride him back. I take that as a good sign.” Owned by Gary and Wendy Broad, Holladay Road has a 7-1-4 record from 18 career starts, with earnings of $355,252. He was fourth in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap in March, beaten five lengths by Ron the Greek. Holladay Road was third by a neck in last year’s Cal Cup Classic, behind Norvsky and Lucky Primo in a blanket finish. Probable for the Classic:... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2012) – A total of four regular nominations were received Saturday for the $1 million California Cup XXIII, to be run Saturday, Oct. 13 at Santa Anita. All nominations with past performances are listed here. The maiden Real Heat was added to the $250,000 Bob Benoit Juvenile; Tasty Treat was nominated to the $125,000 John Deere Distaff; Maui Mark (whose last three races were in New York) and Obsess, a Kentucky-bred son of Roar, were added to the $100,000 Donald Valpredo Sprint. The four regular nominations join 114 early nominations for the five main stakes races on the $1 million Cal Cup card. All nominations with past performances are listed here. The California Cup XXIII Party theme this year is “Remembering Lava Man Two Time California Horse Of the Year.” The price of a 10-seat table is $850 and includes valet parking, admission, race program, giveaway item Doug O’Neill bobblehead and Santa Anita Park’s widely acclaimed buffet. Hours for buffet service are 11 a.m. to 3... ...
Read More →By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2012) – It will take all of the Santa Anita autumn meeting for John Scott to achieve the goals expected of him. http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-john-scott-looks-tough-california-cu… ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2012) – A total of 114 early nominations were received for the five main stakes races on the $1 million California Cup XXIII card, to be run Oct. 13 at Santa Anita. Regular nominations with past performances are listed here. Heading the list of 17 nominations for the $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic, presented by City National Bank, is defending champion Norvsky, along with top stakes horses Rousing Sermon and John Scott. There will be a pair of 2-year-old races, each with purses boosted to $250,000 as part of the Golden State Series. The $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies has 20 nominations, headed by the talented Tilde. The $250,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile has 19 nominations, headed by promising winners Gervinho, Life a Riley and The Humancomplaint. The $125,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff has the most nominations, 41, and they include graded winners Halo Dolly, Willa B Awesome and Teddy’s Promise. The $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint, always one... ...
Read More →$175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic presented by City National Bank for 3 Yrs. & Up at 1 1/16 mile. NOMINATIONS PP’s $125,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff for Fillies & Mares, 3 Yrs. & Up, about 6 1/2 furlongs (Turf). NOMINATIONS PP’S $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint for 3 Yrs. & Up at 6 furlongs. NOMINATIONS PP’s $250,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile for Colts & Geldings, 2 Yrs., 1 1/16 mile. NOMINATIONS PP’s $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies for Fillies, 2 Yrs., 1 1/16 mile. NOMINATIONS PP’s ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2012) – The late closing date for nominations to the Oct. 13 California Cup XXIII is Saturday, Oct. 6. Regular nominations with past performances are listed here. The fee for late closing is $1,000 per nomination. Early-bird nominations have been eliminated. The event, exclusively for horses bred or sired in California, will have total purses available of more than $1 million. There will be five stakes races: $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic presented by City National Bank for 3 Yrs. & Up at 1 1/16 mile. $125,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff for Fillies & Mares, 3 Yrs. & Up, about 6 1/2 furlongs (Turf). $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint for 3 Yrs. & Up at 6 furlongs. $250,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile for Colts & Geldings, 2 Yrs., 1 1/16 mile. $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies for Fillies, 2 Yrs., 1 1/16 mile. California Cup XXIII Party theme this year is “Remembering Lava Man Two Time California Horse Of... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2012) – The early closing date for nominations to the Oct. 13 California Cup XXIII is Wednesday, Sept. 19. The late closing date is Saturday, Oct. 6. The fee for early closing is $100 per nomination; the fee for late closing is $1,000 per nomination. Early-bird nominations have been eliminated. The event, exclusively for horses bred or sired in California, will have total purses available of more than $1 million. There will be five stakes races: $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic presented by City National Bank for 3 Yrs. & Up at 1 1/16 mile. $125,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff for Fillies & Mares, 3 Yrs. & Up, about 6 1/2 furlongs (Turf). $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint for 3 Yrs. & Up at 6 furlongs. $250,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile for Colts & Geldings, 2 Yrs., 1 1/16 mile. $250,000 Keith E. Card Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies for Fillies, 2 Yrs., 1 1/16 mile. California Cup XXIII Party theme this year... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2012) – The $1 million California Cup XXIII, to be held Saturday, Oct. 13 at Santa Anita, will salute two-time horse of the year Lava Man at the infield theme party. The price of a 10-seat table to the infield party costs $850 and includes valet parking, admission, race program, a giveaway Doug O’Neill bobblehead and Santa Anita Park’s widely acclaimed buffet. Hours for buffet service are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with coffee and desserts served until the last race. Please call or email Cookie Hackworth at cookie@ctba.com or call 800-573-2822 or x243. Here’s the lineup of the five major stakes races for horses bred or sired in California: $175,000 Lava Man Cal Cup Classic presented by City National Bank for 3 Yrs. & Up at 1 1/16 mile. $125,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff for Fillies & Mares, 3 Yrs. & Up, about 6 1/2 furlongs (Turf). $100,000 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint for 3 Yrs. & Up at 6 furlongs. $250,000 Bob Benoit... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (July 24, 2012) – There are two closing dates for nominations to the Oct. 13 California Cup XXIII at Santa Anita: early closing is Wednesday, Sept. 19 and late closing is Saturday, Oct. 6. The fee for early closing is $100 per nomination; the fee for late closing is $1,000 per nomination. Early-bird nominations have been eliminated. The event, exclusively for horses bred or sired in California, will have total purses available of more than $1 million. Details on race conditions and the annual Cal Cup Part will be announced at a later date. ...
Read More →By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (July 17, 2012) — Lucky Primo, who returned from an eight-month layoff to win an allowance race on Saturday at Hollywood Park, will be pointed for the California Cup this fall, with just one start at Del Mar, trainer Joshua Litt said Tuesday. Litt and Marty Jones, who trained Lucky Primo for Litt earlier in his career, have done an outstanding job with Lucky Primo, who has had his career interrupted several times by injury. Litt said Lucky Primo came out of the race “not too bad, for him.” “He’s the kind of horse that always needs a lot of time to recover,” Litt said. “Ideally, I’d like to run him once at Del Mar, then give him about two months to train into the Cal Cup. He’s got a heart of gold.” A gelding, Lucky Primo, 6, has now won 5 times in 14 starts. He is one of just eight horses trained by Litt, whose small stable owns 7 wins in 21 starts... ...
Read More →
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 25, 2012) – California Cup XXIII will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at Santa Anita Park’s autumn meeting. The event, exclusively for horses bred or sired in California, will have total purses available between $800,000 and $1 million. Details on race conditions and the annual Cal Cup party will be announced at a later date. ...
Read More →