By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2026) — Lovesick Blues was half a world away when he was named the 2025 California-bred Horse of the Year March 2. The 8-year-old gelding is in Dubai preparing for the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), which is currently scheduled for March 28. Owner/trainer Librado Barocio said that he was originally scheduled to leave later in the week for Dubai to oversee Lovesick Blues’ training. But with all of the uncertainty in the Middle East, Barocio didn’t know when he could get to Dubai or when he could arrange for Lovesick Blues to return, depending on what happens with the Dubai Golden Shaheen and other races slated for the Dubai World Cup (G1) program. Lovesick Blues, winner in 2025 of the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) and Siren Lure Stakes, had already been voted champion Cal-bred older male and champion Cal-bred sprinter. He was honored along with all of the other Cal-bred divisional champions at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association annual awards banquet, held at... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2026) – Stakes winner Vodka Vodka is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, presented by Yaamava Resort & Casino at San Manuel. Vodka Vodka is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Hard Spun mare Margie’s Minute, was bred by Jerry Baker & Connie Baker, is owned by Mclean Racing Stables, Baker, Connie, Baker, Jerry, Gorman, William, Ordonez, Aggie, Parsons, Anthony, Parsons, Rachel and Williams, Delbert G. and trained by Aggie Ordonez. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $359,950 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 17 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank. Vodka Vodka is a half-sibling to Om N Joy, who is entered in the Beholder Mile earlier on the card. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2026) – Champion Om N Joy is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade I B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile, presented by FanDuel, at Santa Anita. Om N Joy is a graded winner by Om, out of the Hard Spun mare Margie’s Minute, was bred by Jerry Baker and Connie Baker, is owned by Jerry and Connie Baker, Michael Golovko and Terrence Scanlan and is trained by Aggie Ordonez. She has five wins in 13 starts, earnings of $415,203 and she recently was named California-bred champion 3-year-old filly for 2025. Om N Joy is a half-sibling to Vodka Vodka, who is entered in the Santa Anita Handicap later on the card. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2026) – California Chrome Cal Cup Derby winner Start the Ride and fellow California-bred Flashy Fritz are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II San Felipe Stakes, presented by DK Horse at Santa Anita, with Kentucky Derby points on the line. Start the Ride is by Upstart, out of the Tiznow mare Elusive Ride, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Dan Blacker. In two lifetime starts, his lone win was the Cal Cup Derby, giving him earnings of $96,750. Flashy Fritz is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Tapit mare Meghan, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Radley Equine and trained by Dan Blacker. He has one win in nine starts, earnings of $33,580 and is coming off a second when claimed Feb. 20 for $25,000. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2026) – Stakes winner Cee Drew and CTBA January Sale graduate My Love Caroline are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita, with Kentucky Oaks points on the line. Cee Drew is by Cistron, out of the Notnowcato mare You’re a Goat, was bred by owner My Way Racing and is trained by Dan Blocker. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $132,750 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 17 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks. My Love Caroline is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Zensational mare Spring Moon, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Tricar Stables and trained by Jorge Periban. The $18,000 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has two wins in four starts, earnings of $91,200 and is coming off a Jan. 23 optional claiming win. ...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Mar. 1, 2026) — California champion Majestic Oops takes on Eclipse Award winner Nitrogen in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Azeri Stakes for fillies and mares at Oaklawn Park. Majestic Oops is by Majestic Harbor, out of the Olmodavor mare Miss Oops, was bred by William and Sandy Dory and Gary and Janet Kropp, is owned by Medallion Racing (Phillip Shelton), Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez) and Sheila Regan and trained by Dan Ward. She has eight wins in 34 starts, earnings of $724,309 and is coming off a win in the Feb. 13 American Beauty Stakes. She is The 2025 champion Cal-bred older female. ...

CANOVANAS, Puerto Rico (Mar. 5, 2026) – My First Legacy, a Kentucky-bred daughter of California stallion Midnight Storm, won Sunday’s $43,200 Clasico Defensora Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Camarero Racecourse. My First Legacy, out of the Indian Charlie mare Naughty Matilda, has four wins in eight starts with earnings of $70,726. She ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:48.39 and won by 1 ½ lengths at odds of 5-2. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2026)—Thought Process, a Kentucky-bred daughter of new California stallion Collected, rolled to a dominant two-length victory in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares going one mile on turf at Santa Anita. Making her first start in more than six months, Thought Process (6-5), ridden by Hector Berrios, saved ground along the rail while stalking pacesetter Grand Slam Smile (9-2) through fractions of 23.35, 46.85 and 1:10.87 for six furlongs. Thought Process then passed Grand Slam Smile to her outside when entering the stretch and was never challenged on her way to a second graded stakes win and third stakes victory overall. Vibez, (9-2), also sired by Collected and ridden by Juan Hernandez for trainer Peter Eurton, rallied to be second by a neck over Grand Slam Smile. “I tried to wait and wait and when I asked her, she passed them easily,” Berrios said. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Thought Process won in a time of 1:34.20. “She’s... ...

By DRF.com DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Feb. 25, 2026) — California-bred Grade 1 winner Lovesick Blues has been moved to Dubai for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint on March 28 following a fifth-place finish in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14. Lovesick Blues was beaten 5 1/4 lengths by the American-based Imagination in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint at six furlongs, closing from the back of a field of 13. For the $2 million Golden Shaheen at six furlongs, trainer Librado Barocio hopes to employ a more forward strategy with Lovesick Blues. “I think he was too far back,” Barocio said. “I’ll make an adjustment and we’ll be a little closer.” An 8-year-old gelding, Lovesick Blues, acquired privately in late 2024 from breeder Nick Alexander, is best known for winning the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar last July, one of two stakes wins in the gelding’s 45-race career. :: Santa Anita Classic Meet! Get DRF Past... ...

TEMECULA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2026) – California Flag, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and co-California-bred Horse of the Year, passed away last month from the infirmities of old age at Peacefield Farm. He was 22. California Flag was by Avenue of Flags, out of the Afleet mare Ultrafleet, was bred by owners Hi Card Ranch and trained for nearly his entire career by Brian Koriner. He won 11 of 27 starts with earnings of $1,288,825. Having developed the reputation as a specialist on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course, where he won the Breeders’ Cup, the gray gelding raced over a six-year span, retiring at the age of eight having won eight stakes races, five of them graded. While the BC Turf Sprint was listed when he won it, California Flag earned widespread notoriety for winning the race. His graded wins came in the Morvich Handicap (three times), the Hollywood Turf Express Handicap and the San Simeon Handicap. His globe-trotting career also included a third-place finish in the... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 16, 2026) –Pavlovian  became owner/breeder J. Paul Reddam’s 22nd homebred black-type stakes winner since 2014 when he captured the Sunland Park Derby in dramatic fashion by a nose Feb. 15 and is on a solid track to become his first homebred Kentucky Derby (G1) starter.  The California-bred gray or roan colt is by grade 1-winning millionaire Pavel  , who Reddam raced and now stands at his Ocean Breeze Ranch near Bonsall, Calif., and rose into the top 10 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard with 20 points. Pavel stands for an advertised fee of $4,000.  “Mr. Reddam sends all his horses to John Brocklebank in Utah to be broke and trained. Pavlovian was one of the stars early on that John really liked,” said Matt Nakatani, Reddam’s racing manager. “From day one, he came in with high expectations. We felt once he got to go two turns, we’d see the best of him.” With trainer Doug O’Neill, Pavlovian became a winner in his second... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2026) – After four straight stakes wins against California-breds, Man O Rose ascended to new heights Sunday at Santa Anita when beating open company in the $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes for older horses going six furlongs at Santa Anita. Bet down to the even-money favorite, Man O Rose prevailed by 1 ½ lengths under jockey Emisael Jaramillo while displaying a new dimension. Breaking from the rail, Man O Rose was outrun early by Pilot Commander (7-5) and failed to get his customary position on the lead. Instead, he tucked in behind leader Pilot Commander and two other rivals while on the rail. Turning into the stretch, Man O Rose went four-wide for clear racing room and swept past the field to score the popular victory. A 6-year-old gelding by Stanford, Man O Rose is trained by Jeff Mullins for owner-breeder B & B Zietz Stables. “He wasn’t sharp out of the gate,” Jaramillo said. “I thought, no problem, we’ll just relax. He... ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 15, 2026) – Pavlovian nosed out fellow California-bred Express Kid at the end of a thrilling stretch duel to win Sunday’s $500,000 Sunland Park Derby and collect 20 Kentucky Derby points, with Express Kid adding 10 points to his total, now also 20. Pavlovian is by Pavel, out of the Bellamy Road mare Mandy’s Grace, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill. Reddam and O’Neill previously won the Kentucky Derby with I’ll Have Another and Nyquist. He has two wins in nine starts, earnings of $416,450 and was coming off a third in the Jan. 17 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby. The win was the fourth Sunland Park Derby training victory for O’Neill. Pavlovian ($12.20) broke sharply and settled just off leader Express Kid, who set the pace after breaking from the rail. Express Kid was favored off a win in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and proceeded to put up fractions of 23.07 seconds for the opening quarter,... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 15, 2026) – California-bred multiple stakes winner Clovisconnection added to his resume by winning Sunday’s $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. Clovisconnection is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling, was bred by William & Judy Hedrick, is owned by William Hedrick and trained by Justin Evans. The 6-year-old gelding has 13 wins in 25 starts, earnings of $592,300 and was coming off a fourth in the Nov. 8 The Chosen Vron Stakes. Clovisconnection ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.91 and won by one length as the third choice in the wagering at odds of 7-2 in a field of five. ...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Feb. 13, 2026) – California-bred Majestic Oops took the lead in midstretch and powered to a 3 ¼-length victory over Asternia in the $150,000 American Beauty Stakes for older female sprinters Friday afternoon at Oaklawn. Francisco Arrieta rode Majestic Oops, the 2-1 favorite, for trainer Dan Ward and owners Medallion Racing (Phillip Shelton), Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez) and Sheila Regan. Bred by William and Sandy Dory and Gary and Janet Kropp, Majestic Oops was making her first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 1 at Del Mar. The American Beauty was originally scheduled to be run Feb. 6, then shifted to Feb. 7 after Oaklawn lost three racing dates (Jan. 30, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1) to a winter storm late last month. The American Beauty didn’t have sufficient entries to be run Feb. 7 and was brought back Friday as an “extra” race in the condition book. Asternia finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2026) — There were times in the summer and fall of 2010 when California trainer John Shirreffs, who died on Thursday, was racing’s best promoter. Shirreffs guided the career of Zenyatta, who won an historic running of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November 2009 with a come-from-behind move that extended her unbeaten record to 14 races. That winter, owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced Zenyatta would stay in training in 2010, a wildly popular decision with her fans who often showed up unannounced on weekends at the Shirreffs barn at Del Mar and Hollywood Park for a glimpse of the brilliant mare. By the fall of 2010, with the winning streak at 19, Shirreffs had a method to accommodate the small audiences, setting up an area outside of barn 55 at Hollywood Park for fans to take pictures while Zenyatta would graze or be walked. At times, it was hard to tell who was having a better time – the people... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2026) — Del Mar Thoroughbred Club released its 2026 stakes schedule for the summer meet, which includes eight races exclusively for Golden State Series eligibles worth a total of $1 million. Del Mar opens its summer season on Friday, July 17, featuring 32 days of racing through Monday, September 7, Labor Day. The 35th edition of the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic, the west’s richest stakes race, tops a sparkling roster of 37 stakes slated for presentation at Del Mar this summer during its 87th season of Thoroughbred sport alongside the deep, blue Pacific. As it has in all its recent runnings, the $1-Million “Classic” will headline a card featuring an array of Graded stakes. Besides the Grade I centerpiece run at the classic American distance of a mile and one quarter, the Saturday, August 22 card also will present the Grade I, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks presented by Keeneland Sales for 3-year-old fillies, the Grade II, $300,000 Del Mar Mile for 3-year-olds and... ...

SAN JUAN, P.R. (June 10, 2026) – Iron Skull, a Puerto Rican-bred son of California stallion Midnight Storm, won the $57,220 Grade III Clasico Luis Munoz Marin Stakes at Camarero Race Track. The 4-year-old Iron Skull, A grade I winner as a 2-year-old, is out of the Scat Daddy mare Angela’s Smile. He has four wins in seven starts and earnings of $130,550. After starting a step slow, Iron Skull ran the six furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:11.19 and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 4-1 in a field of 10. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2026) — The $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes on Feb. 15, a six-furlong sprint for open company at Santa Anita, may have California-bred representation – but it won’t be from the 2024 Palos Verdes winner.  Big City Lights, a 7-year-old Cal-bred whose seven career wins including five stakes, was nominated to the Palos Verdes. He will miss the race, however, trainer Richard Mandella said Friday. Big City Lights grabbed a quarter days before his scheduled start on Jan. 17 in the California Cup Sprint. The setback temporarily knocked him out of training. He has not worked since Jan. 7. “He’s back galloping,” Mandella said. “We’re going to try to make the Cal-bred race in a month.” :: Santa Anita Classic Meet! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more. That race, the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes, is March 22 at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf. The next dirt stakes for Cal-bred sprinters is the $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes on April 4. Man O Rose, currently... ...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 3, 2026) – Springboard Mile winner Express Kid, a recent $800,000 purchase, is one of six California-breds among the early nominations for the Triple Crown, Churchill Downs announced on Tuesday. Dark Omen is by Om, out of the Luckdy Pulpit mare Halo Darlin, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Aggie Ordonez. He won his lone start Jan. 10 and has earnings of $42,000. Express Kid is by Bodexpress, out of the Street Sense mare Sensationalize, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Brad Kleven and trained by Justin Evans. A winner of three of five starts and $236,902 with trainer Wade Rarick, Express Kid was originally purchased for $2,000 by Steve Haahr and sold last month for $800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Flash Sale. The graded-stakes Pavlovian is by Pavel, out of the Bellamy Road mare Mandy’s Grace, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has one win in eight starts, earnings... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2026) – California-bred Grade I winner Lovesick Blues is expected to be one of six Santa Anita-based runners scheduled to start on the Saudi Cup program in Riyadh on Feb. 14. Bred by Nick Alexander, the $2 million Grade II Riyadh Dirt Sprint is the target for Lovesick Blues, winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar last July. Trained by Librado Barocio, Lovesick Blues was sixth in the BC Sprint in his last start. Barocio said Sunday that a gap of more than three months between races may suit Lovesick Blues, an 8-year-old gelding who has won 9 of 43 starts. Lovesick Blues was purchased privately by Barocio in late 2024. Lovesick Blues finished a game second in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita last March in his first start for Barocio after a six-month layoff. “He ran so well,” Barocio said. “He fired fresh. I’ll go back to... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2026) — Goodgollytizmolly, a half-sister to California-bred millionaire The Chosen Vron, earned a good-looking maiden win Friday against statebreds going 5 ½ furlongs on the main track. Goodgollytizmolly was bred by J. Eric Kruljac, Bob Fetkin & Richard Thornburgh. Making her second start for trainer Ian Kruljac, Goodgollytizmolly stalked the leaders while racing on the inside and split horses in the stretch to win comfortably by 2 ¾ lengths under Hector Berrios. She paid $6.60. Goodgollytizmolly is by Clubhouse Ride out of Tiz Molly, a daughter of Tiz Wonderful. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2026)—Multiple graded stakes winner Brickyard Ride, the leading lifetime earner for the Candy Ride (Arg) stallion Clubhouse Ride, was represented by his first foal on January 24: a filly born at Rancho San Miguel in California.   Bred by Jerry Engelauf, the youngster is the fourth foal out of the winning mare To the Limits, an 11-year-old daughter of Swiss Yodeler.   “I am very impressed by the quality of this first foal by Brickyard Ride,” said Rancho San Miguel owner Tom Clark, whose San Luis Obispo County farm stands the 9-year-old stallion. “Her sire exhibited great class, speed and longevity on the extremely tough Southern California racing circuit, and this smart-looking filly is an excellent early representative of those strengths.”   Racing as a homebred for Alfred “Sonny” Pais, Brickyard Ride won or placed in 21 of 31 starts and compiled a career bankroll of $925,477 while competing from ages 2 through 7. Eight of his 13 victories were recorded... ...

BUELLTON, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2026) – Smooth Like Strait’s first California-sired foal was a colt delivered on Monday at Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm. Out of the winning Declaration of War mare Chloe’s Crown, the foal was bred by Cannon Thoroughbreds. Chloe’s Crown, who also was bred and owned by Cannon Thoroughbreds, will be bred back to Smooth Like Strait. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2026)—Trainer James Cassidy died Wednesday at his home in Monrovia, Calif. after suffering from heart disease. He was 80. Cassidy trained California Grade I winners The Usual Q.T, Evening Jewel and Tom’s Tribute. The Usual Q.T., Evening Jewel and multiple stakes-winning Cal-bred Moscow Burning were million-dollar earners. in 2010, The Usual Q.T. finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Evening Jewel was third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. That year, Evening Jewel was Cal-bred Horse of the Year, The Usual Q.T. was champion Turf and Older Male Horse and Cassidy was CTBA Trainer of the Year. Moscow Burning also was a Cal-bred Horse of the Year. Born on Aug. 21, 1945 in New York City, Cassidy got his start working with show horses at the age of 12. He would later transition to racehorses and in 1975, Cassidy took out his trainer’s license. He then spent more than a decade working as an assistant for such top Eastern-based... ...

For CTBA Winter Sale Results, click below: ...

POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2026) – Stop the Clock, a 2-year-old California-bred son of Drain the Clock, sold to trainer Mark Glatt, agent, for $40,000 to top Tuesday’s CTBA Winter Mixed Sale at Fairplex. The colt, out of the Malibu Moon mare Bella Moon, was bred by Norman Tavares and consigned by Milky Way Farm, agent. For sale results, click CTBA 2026 Winter Mixed Sale | CTBA The sale grossed $739,200, with 114 horses sold at an average of $6,484. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2026) — The reorganization of Harris Farms, the famed California Thoroughbred breeding facility, has been underway since the death of owner John Harris last July. Gone are the stallions who stood at the Coalinga, Calif., property that is undergoing a transformation to cropland. The farm has reduced its herd of mares and moved them to nearby Sanger, Calif. A reduction sale of racing and breeding stock was conducted last August, with 75 horses selling for $1,045,000. The number of active racehorses on the Harris Farms team has been reduced, but still play a meaningful role in California racing. On Saturday, Start the Ride, a 13-1 outsider, was the surprise winner of the $175,500 California Cup Derby. “This is part of the heritage and legacy of Harris is going to continue,” farm chief executive officer Darren Filkins said in the winner’s circle, his voice tinged with emotion. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2026) — Grand Slam Smile became an eight-time stakes winner Saturday when winning the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for California-breds. She’s never missed the board in 17 starts and has banked $828,120 for owners-breeders Larry and Marianne Williams. What the ultra-consistent 5-year-old mare by Smiling Tiger has yet to do is win a graded stakes. An attempt at that coveted achievement could be next for Grand Slam Smile, trainer Sean McCarthy indicated Sunday morning. “We’ll just enjoy yesterday for now and then start looking at things in a little bit and see where we want to go. But that’s what we’d like to do eventually,” McCarthy said. ”We thought yesterday was a good spot to get her going in the new year. We’ll look at graded stakes opportunities here and elsewhere also.” In the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint on the hillside turf course, Grand Slam Smile broke in front and was never challenged on her way... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Trainer Aggie Ordonez reported “everything’s great” with Vodka Vodka the morning after earning his first stakes win in Saturday’s Unusual Heat Turf Classic for California-breds. “He ate all his dinner last night, his legs are cold and tight this morning,” she added. Vodka Vodka won the 1 1/8-mile Turf Classic by a half length under Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux. In his only previous stakes try, which came on Opening Day of the Classic Meet, Vodka Vodka finished fourth on dirt in GII Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes. Bred by co-owners Jerry Baker and Connie Baker, Vodka Vodka is a 5-year-old gelding by Stay Thirsty out of the Hard Spun mare Margie’s Minute. His 4-year-old half sister Om N Joy, by Om, provided Ordonez last year with her first graded stakes win in the GIII Torrey Pines at Del Mar. The two siblings combined helped Ordonez produce a career-best year in 2025 with $645,233 in earnings, more than double her previous... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2026)—Cee Drew and jockey Ricky Gonzalez overhauled even-money favorite Cashed in deep stretch to win Saturday’s $175,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks for California-breds going one mile on turf at Santa Anita. “This is huge,” sai breeder-owner Mike Way. “I have a small little barn and to have a homebred win a stake in California, it’s a big deal for us. Ricky had a perfect trip, he had a perfect trip in Del Mar, we just had a little bit of traffic, and he told us she had a lot of run in her that day. We were confident today in what we had. He rode her perfectly.” Sent off the 2-1 second choice in a field of eight, Cee Drew settled in mid-pack while saving ground on the rail. Too Sassy (8-1), with Diego Herrera up, would go to the lead and set fractions of 23.09, 46.67 and 1:12.16. “This horse has shown talent,” said trainer Dan Blacker. “It’s a... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2026)—After being declared a non-starter in his debut, Start the Ride ran down even-money favorite Sammy Davis inside the final furlong and won the $175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby Saturday at Santa Anita. Ridden by Armando Ayuso, Start the Ride (13-1) is a homebred colt by Upstart for owner-breeder Harris Farms. He is trained by Dan Blacker, who about 30 minutes earlier also won the California Cup Oaks with Cee Drew. ”I know John is here in spirit,” said Darren Filkins, CEO of Harris Farms. “We have a lot of people in Coalinga and Singer, and a lot of people have said Harris Farms is going away. We are not going away. Harris Farms is here and we are excited to keep running. This is part of the heritage and legacy that Harris is going to continue. This one is for John.” Sammy Davis, who was making his two-turn debut for trainer John Sadler, broke on the lead but jockey Hector... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2026) – With defending champ Big City Lights a race-day scratch, odds-on favorite Man O Rose ran his win streak to four with a devastating nine-length romp in Saturday’s $125,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Man O Rose is by Stanford, out of the Good Journey mare Katherine Rose, was bred by owner B & B Zietz Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Mullins. “I have been waiting 30 years for this,” said Dr. Bruce Zietz. “I have been breeding the whole family since the eighties, so it is quite a culmination of dreams, if you will. Today is a day that California breeders and their horses get to excel. You have to look at the amount of money spent on really good horses, four, five, six hundred thousand dollars. It is pretty hard to make a profit on those horses. These horses here, you may only have ten or twenty thousand dollars in them, so if... ...

By DRF.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 12, 2026) — California-bred Express Kid, upset winner of the Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Dec. 20, has been transferred from trainer Wade Rarick to Justin Evans after being purchased for $800,000 by Brad and Sharon Kleven in a one-horse digital sale conducted by Fasig-Tipton last week. Evans said on Sunday that he plans to start Express Kid in the $500,000 Sunland Park Derby at 1 1/16 miles in New Mexico on Feb. 15. Express Kid was based at Turf Paradise on Sunday, and was scheduled to be vanned approximately 420 miles to Sunland Park earlier this week. Express Kid was previously trained by Wade Rarick for Steve Haahr. A Bodexpress colt bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, Express Kid has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $236,902. In the Springboard Mile, Express Kid led throughout and won by 6 1/4 lengths in his first start around two turns on dirt. “From everything I’ve seen, he’s all systems go,” Evans said. “Wade Rarick did a... ...

By Bloodhorse.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 9, 2026) — Newly turned 3-year-old California-bred colt Express Kid , offered in a one-horse flash sale on Fasig-Tipton Digital, sold for $800,000 to Brad Kleven. A son of Bodexpress  bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, Express Kid was offered as a horse of racing age by Paramount Sales, agent.  Express Kid posted a 6 1/4-length win in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 20 at Remington Park, a performance for which he earned 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. His record at time of sale was three wins and one second in five starts last year as a juvenile with earnings of $236,902. “We live for results like this one,” said Paddy Campion of Paramount Sales. “A good horse really can come from anywhere and it’s made all the more rewarding when you have connections like owner Steve Haahr and trainer Wade Rarick who, from the little time I’ve spent dealing with them, it’s obvious are genuine people and love the sport. There were some serious judges that... ...

CANOVANAS, Puerto Rico (Jan. 2, 2026) – My First Legacy, a Kentucky-bred daughter of California stallion Midnight Storm, won Thursday’s $42,480 Versets Jet Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hipodromo Camarero. It was the first stakes win for My First Legacy, who has three wins in six starts. She is out of the Indian Charlie mare Naughty Matilda. Sent off at odds of 9-1, My First Legacy ran the mile in 1:40.22 and won by three-quarters of a length. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2025) — Consequences of the 2025 closure of Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., as a commercial breeding facility will not be fully known for a few years, but some clues will surface for the state’s breeding industry in coming months. By any measure, the 330-acre farm’s closure is a loss, but it also is an opportunity for other farms to gain a greater role in the region. Harris Farms, centrally located, stood nine stallions in 2025 who were bred to 187 mares, or 14.4 percent of the 1,291 bred in the state, according to The Jockey Club’s report of mares bred. The farm was run by John Harris, who died in July after a lengthy illness. Following his passing, farm officials said the property would no longer stand stallions or board mares. A reduction of racing and breeding holdings was held in August. Replacing that operation will be impossible, according to three prominent farm owners in the state. “It’s a significant blow to the... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2025) — There is plenty of change going on in the California Thoroughbred industry, with an uncertain racing landscape in the northern sector of the state; the death of major breeder John Harris and the dispersal of his stock, including stallions; and a new horse moving to the state who will factor in the stallion ranks. Remaining as constants in the Golden State are its leading sires, Stay Thirsty and Grazen. Grazen, a 19-year-old son of Benchmark, has spent his entire stud career in California since entering the stallion ranks in 2010. Nick Alexander’s Grade 3-winning homebred has resided at Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm in Solvang since the 2024 season. Grazen has ranked among the top 10 California sires by earnings, regardless of progeny conception area, every year since 2019. He claimed the state’s leading general sire title in both 2023 and 2024. Stay Thirsty, a multiple Grade 1-winning son of Bernardini, began his career in 2013 at Ashford Stud in Kentucky and moved to Lovacres... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2025) — Tangling with champions was commonplace for Collected in the late summer and fall of 2017. As a 4-year-old that season, Collected won three stakes, notably the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar, beating Arrogate by a half-length. Arrogate was the champion 3-year-old male of 2016 and later an inductee to racing’s Hall of Fame. In his following start, Collected bravely chased Gun Runner in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, only to finish second by 2 1/4 lengths. Gun Runner was named the 2017 Horse of the Year and also is in the Hall of Fame. Collected was sent to stud in Kentucky in 2019 and was based at Airdrie Farm until last month, when he was moved to Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, Calif., for the 2026 breeding season. Collected, 12, is the most prominent of a small group of stallions that have been moved to the state or are having their first seasons... ...

By DRF.com TEMECULA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2025) — In the six decades since Linda Madsen’s parents bought Milky Way Farm in Temecula, Calif., the property has undergone a few transformations. For a time, the focus was on Arabian show horses and later cattle before evolving into its current form as a full-service Thoroughbred breeding farm. There are no plans for further revisions. “It’s been the greatest place to live,” Madsen said in an interview earlier this month. “I wake up and think, ‘How can I be this lucky?’ ” Milky Way Farm had a busy breeding season in 2025, led by the stallion Midnight Storm, who was bred to 82 mares, according to The Jockey Club. No other Thoroughbred stallion was as active in the state. There are high expectations for another busy breeding season in the coming months. Aside from Midnight Storm, the farm will stand Tizamagician, who was bred to 39 mares in 2025; Graydar, who was bred to 15 mares earlier this year; American Theorem, who will... ...

From Kentuckyderby.com and Remington Park Publicity OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Dec. 20, 2025) – California-bred longshot Express Kid is suddenly on the Kentucky Derby trail after scoring a stunning win in Saturday night’s $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes for 2-year-olds at Remington Park. With the win, Express Kid earned 10 qualifying points for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Express Kid, a $2,000 yearling purchase, is by Bodexpress, out of the Street Sense mare Sensationalize, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Steve Haahr and trained by Wade Rarick. He has three wins in five starts, earnings of $236,902 and was coming off a win in a Nov. 6 allowance. Ridden by Jose Alvarez, Express Kid ran the mile in 1:38.99 and won by 6 1/4 lengths as the second-longest shot in a field of 11 at odds of 34-1. The Wade Rarick trainee was overlooked at odds of 34.50-1 in the grand finale of the Remington Park season. Although Express Kid won his latest start, a Nov. 6 allowance on... ...

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Dec. 20, 2025) – Ze’bul, a Kentucky-bred son of new California stallion Collected, closed fast to win Saturday night’s $75,000 Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial Stakes at Remington Park. Ze’bul, out of the Empire Maker mare Bahama Bound, ran the mile and 70 yards in 1:43.21 and won by three-quarters of a length. He has six wins in 27 starts with earnings of $225,563. Ze’bul won his third race in his last four starts, making a determined late rush to catch 20-1 longshot Presidential just before the finish. Jockey Floyd Wethey, Jr., knew exactly when to push the right buttons on Ze’bul to get the 5-year-old, out of the Empire Maker mare Bahama Bound, home first. He never had the lead until the last few jumps in the one mile, 70-yard race. The margin of victory for Ze’bul was three-quarters of a length over Presidential, who surprisingly was sent off at long odds despite residing in the barn of top trainer Steve Asmussen. Ze’bul broke seventh in the... ...

LIMA, Peru (Dec. 14, 2025) – Unbeaten Belmont Collection, a Kentucky-bred son of new California stallion Collected, won Sunday’s overnight handicap at Hipodromo de Monterrico. The 3-year-old colt, out of the multiple stakes-winning Malibu Moon mare Martha’s Moon, ran the 1200 meters in 1:12.19, carrying 136 pounds and winning by 7 ¾ lengths to stay perfect in six career starts. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2025) –Owner-breeder J. Paul Reddam’s Reddam Racing LLC picked up a fourth win in the King Glorious Stakes on the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred Meet when 7-2 second choice Smoovin’ Saturday rallied to capture the $101,500 event for Golden State Series -eligible 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos. A son of I’ll Have Another and the Square Eddie mare Smoove It, Smoovin’ Saturday took advantage of a quick pace set by longshot Tommy Norris to win for the second time in as many starts. He graduated at first asking going one mile Nov. 16 Del Mar. The $60,000 payday increased Smoovin’ Saturday’s earnings to $96,000. He completed the eight furlongs in 1:37.31 while defeating runner-up John Metcalfe – who was also second to him four weeks prior – by 1 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, the chestnut paid $9.20, $6 and $3.40. Jonathan Thomas saddled the winner Sunday in place of the suspended Michael McCarthy. Reddam’s four other King Glorious victories... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2025) — Liberation and Cecilia Street, the first two finishers in Sunday’s $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos, are likely to have a rematch next month at Santa Anita. Their respective trainers, John Sadler and Leonard Powell, said on Monday that the $175,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old statebred fillies at a mile on turf is a logical goal. Liberation, bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is a winner of 3 of 6 starts, but has yet to start on turf. Sadler said her pedigree “plus her action” are two reasons to give the surface a try. Liberation is by Omaha Beach out of Ponytail, by Lonhro. “I think she’ll like the grass,” he said. Liberation won the mile-long Soviet Problem Stakes by a half-length after setting the pace. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. “The race was better than shown,” Sadler said. “She would have been better off sitting second.” Cecilia... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2025)— Horses that win a California-bred first level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Dec. 26 opening of the Classic Meet at Santa Anita. The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), in collaboration with Santa Anita, Del Mar, Los Alamitos and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), have reached an agreement to broaden the available options to include two wins over the same surface in Cal-bred first conditioned allowance races. Under the existing policy, Cal-breds are entitled to two wins in the first level allowance if the wins are recorded on different surfaces (dirt or turf). The new enhancement bolsters this program by permitting two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories: one win at seven furlongs or less (short) and the other at one mile or longer (long). The agreement to expand the available options is on a one-year trial basis for 2026 with the understanding that the cap of a maximum two wins within the... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2025) — California-bred Om N Joy, a four-time stakes winner since April, is in the midst of a farm rest in central California, and will resume training in mid-December for a 2026 campaign intended to start in the Grade 1 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on March 7. Trainer Aggie Ordonez said on Wednesday that Om N Joy will have a slow build-up to her return to full training. “I’ll jog her for a good long time before I work her,” she said. “I can try to make that race in March. “She’ll need a couple of serious works to be ready for that kind of company.” Om N Joy, a 3-year-old California-bred filly by Om, won three consecutive stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies – the Melair and Fleet Treat Stakes at Santa Anita in the spring and Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar in the summer – before winning her first graded stakes in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2025) — California-bred Unrivaled Time, winner of the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes on turf at Del Mar on Sunday, is likely to have a brief rest this winter in advance of a 2026 season geared toward the leading races for 3-year-olds on turf. Trainer Leonard Powell said on Wednesday that the son of Not This Time is unlikely to start in the next stakes for 2-year-olds on turf in California, the $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita on Dec. 28. “We might give him a freshening, looking for a big year next year,” Powell said. “If he’s as good as we hope he is, we’ll have to travel East and he’ll need a little bit of a break. All the big money is East.” In the $101,000 DeMille Stakes, Unrivaled Time closed from third with a rally between runners to win by three-quarters of a length. Unrivaled Time has won 2 of 3 starts, including a maiden race... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2025) — Speaking before the California Horse Racing Board during its Nov. 19 meeting in Sacramento, Calif., an executive from the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association spotlighted three incentives aimed at reversing years of contraction in the state’s breeding industry. CTBA president Doug Burge told commissioners that California-breds account for approximately half of the fields in the state, a dramatic shift from decades ago when they played a supporting role. The absence of racing in Northern California and the resulting consolidation to the south have intensified the importance of supporting breeders. With the Thoroughbred foal crop declining in California, as it is in many parts of the country, Burge elaborated on the CTBA’s multipronged strategy, first announced in mid-August. In addition to the $30 million restricted racing and incentive program overseen by the CTBA, beginning with mares bred in 2026, “when those resulting foals hit the ground in 2027 and are registered with The Jockey Club and then Cal-bred registered with us, we’re going to pay... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2025) — Santa Anita Park will kick off a new season of top-class Thoroughbred racing on Friday, Dec. 26 with opening day of the traditional Classic Meet. From the start of the 48-day Classic Meet until the close of the Hollywood Meet on June 14, Santa Anita will host 81 stakes over 78 race days which include the newly named Grade II D. Wayne Lukas Stakes on Feb. 7, historic GI Santa Anita Handicap on March 7 and the prestigious GI I Santa Anita Derby on April 4. The Santa Anita Park Classic Meet and Hollywood Meet will offer $11.75 million in stakes purses, with overnight race purses slated to increase from the start of last year. As California-breds are a vital component to Santa Anita’s racing program, a total of 14 stakes exclusively for statebreds are on the schedule. California Cup Day is Jan. 17 featuring five stakes led by the California Chrome California Cup Derby and Leigh Ann Howard California... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2025) — Eight Rings, a Grade 1-winning son of Empire Maker whose first foals are well-regarded yearlings, has relocated within California to stand at Rancho San Miguel. The 8-year-old stallion’s 2026 fee is $6,000, with a live foal guarantee.   Sold for $520,000 as a Keeneland September Yearling, Eight Rings exploded onto the 2-year-old racing scene in 2019 when he parlayed a 6 1/4-length career debut win at 5 1/2 furlongs in Del Mar maiden special weight company into a six-length victory in Santa Anita Park’s $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at 1 1/16 miles for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.   The precocious colt went on to place in four additional graded stakes races on Southern California dirt over the following three years, topped by a narrow runner-up finish in Del Mar’s 2021 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at six furlongs. From 14 lifetime starts, he earned $474,451.   Eight Rings’ first foals have been highly regarded as yearlings... ...

By DRF DEL MAR, Calif. — Lovesick Blues and Big City Lights, California-bred stakes winners who could have given Man O Rose a battle in The Chosen Vron Stakes last Saturday at Del Mar had they not run in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, are being pointed to their next starts. Lovesick Blues and Big City Lights finished sixth and eighth, respectively, in the BC Sprint on Nov. 1. The two will head different directions. Lovesick Blues, bred by Nick Alexander, will target the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia; Big City Lights will be nominated to the $100,000 Stormy Liberal, a five-furlong turf sprint on Nov. 30 at Del Mar. Lovesick Blues “pulled up out of the [BC Sprint] in really good shape,” trainer Librado Barocio said. “He went right to his feed tub that night and he’s been good ever since. On a speed-favoring track like that, we probably have to be a little closer than we were.” :: Access the most trusted data... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2025) – Heavily favored Grand Slam Smile won her seventh stakes race Sunday at Del Mar, where she wore down stubborn pacesetter Issa Court to win the $100,500 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares by 1 1/4 lengths. Sean McCarthy trains Grand Slam Smile ($3.40), who was ridden by William Antongeorgi in the seven-furlong sprint for California-bred fillies and mares. “This filly is just so damn game,” McCarthy said. “You talk about horses around the country, and this is just a Cal-bred stakes, but she’s as game as any racehorse out there right now. She just loves to fight.” Grand Slam Smile had a fight on her hands in the Betty Grable, because longshot pacesetter Issa Court would not quit. Issa Court set the pace through fractions of :22.45 and :45.44, while shadowed by Grand Slam Smile. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Antongeorgi has ridden... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2025) – Heavy favorite Man O Rose ran his stakes win streak to three with a speedy victory in Saturday’s $100,000 first running of The Chosen Vron Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar. The race, formerly known as the Cary Grant Stakes, was renamed in honor of the two-time Cal-bred Horse of the Year, who won the Cary Grant twice.  Man O Rose is by Stanford, out of the Good Journey mare Katherine Rose, was bred by owner B&B Zietz and trained by Jeff Mullins.  Under a confident ride by regular rider Edwin Maldonado, 4-5 favorite Man O Rose went to the front of the pack and had early pressure up the back stretch to the quarter pole from long shot Drop Um (26-1) and Kyle Frey. The pair battled head and head past the half mile pole, where they were met by Clovisconnection (8-1), who put his head in front travelling up the rail into the far turn. Man O Rose... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2025) — In a watershed announcement for the California breeding and racing industry, Grade 1 winner and prominent young sire Collected will relocate from Airdrie Stud in Kentucky to stand at Rancho San Miguel in California for the 2026 breeding season. His introductory West Coast fee is $7,500, with a live foal stand and nurse guarantee. The 12-year-old son of City Zip enters the state as one of North America’s leading fourth-crop sires, and as the clear-cut, #1 California sire by 2025 progeny earnings with $6,307,233 in purse money amassed through November 5.   Collected will be featured during Rancho San Miguel’s 2025 Open House and Stallion Show at its San Luis Obispo County farm on December 6. Breeders are invited to attend this free event.   The unique partnership formed to relocate the stallion includes Thoroughbred owner and breeder Marsha Naify, a highly respected businesswoman, philanthropist and former chair of Thoroughbred Owners of California.   Saddled by Racing Hall of... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2025) — A California-bred weanling by Omaha Beach sold for $175,000 at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. The colt, out of the stakes-winning Blame mare Flame Mingo, was bred by Checkmate Thoroughbreds and Raymond Salvatore, consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds and purchased by Bourbon Meadows. The colt is a half-brother to a pair of stakes-placed fillies. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2025) — California-bred stakes winner Big Pond sold in-foal to Arabian Knight for $320,000 at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. The Grade I-placed Big Pond is by Mr. Big, out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Beside Still Water, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent, and purchased by Flying Dutchmen. On the track, Big Pond earned $322,880 with placings in the Grade I La Brea Stakes and Grade III Vagrancy. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2025) — California-bred broodmare Uncontrollable sold for $250,000 at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. The Grade I-placed Uncontrollable is by Upstart, out of the Include mare Behavioral, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, consigned byTaylor Made Sales, agent, and purchased by Haif Stud. Uncontrollable is in foal to Arabian Knight. She is the full sister of stakes winner Drop Um, who is entered in Saturday’s $100,000 The Chosen Vron Stakes at Del Mar. On the track, Uncontrollable earned $200,030, with placings in the Grade I Starlet and Grade II Chandelier Stakes. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2025) — California-bred graded winner Chismosa sold for $375,000 at Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. The 5-year-old Chismosa is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream, was bred by Jamie Renella, consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent for Renella, and purchased by Stonestreet Farm as a racing or broodmare prospect. She had six wins, highlighted by the Grade III Las Flores Stakes, with career earnings of $636,750. From the family of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, Chismosa also placed in five other graded stakes. ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 3, 2025) — Streak of Luck, the California-bred dam of unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Ted Noffey, sold Monday night for a sale-topping $6.2 million to Amo Racing at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Streak of Luck, daughter of Old Fashioned, was bred by Roncelli Family Trust and was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, for longtime client Marie Jones, who bred Ted Noffey. The 10-year-old mare was sold in foal to Taylor Made Stallions’ leading sire Not This Time  .. Ted Noffey is a three-time grade 1 winner and expected to be named 2025’s champion 2-year-old colt. “We had to wait around, and I kind of knew who was waiting around; it was going to be extremely strong,” said Ben McElroy, who signed the ticket on behalf of Amo Racing USA. “Sales like this, when you bring the elite mares, she was probably the one that came in here with all the momentum. She’s got the champion 2-year-old colt, or champion elect (Ted Noffey). Kentucky Derby... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2025) – Favored Ocean Bear ran down Sammy Davis in midstretch to win Friday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds on the Breeders’ Cup undercard at Del Mar. Ocean Bear is by Bolt D’oro, out of the Square Eddie mare Ocean Dream and was bred by owner Richard Barton Enterprises, which also bred Golden State Juvenile Fillies winner Mohaven earlier on the card. Ocean Bear is trained by George Papaprodromou. Settling in fourth on the rail in the back stretch behind pace setter Sammy Davis (4-1) and Hector Berrios, Ocean Bear saved ground to the inside of the leader who had a half-length advantage with a furlong left to run. With Umberto Rispoli swinging out at the top of the stretch, Ocean Bear responded and started to cut into the margin and overtook the leader by three quarters of a length. Trained by John Sadler, third place finisher Can’t Help Myself (10-1) was unhurried early and kicked on down the lane to just miss... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2025) – Favored Mohaven survived a stewards inquiry and scored a 4 1/4-length win in Friday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the Breeders’ Cup undercard at Del Mar. Mohaven is by Yaupon, out of the Into Mischief mare Bahama Mischief, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Legacy Ranch and trained by John Sadler. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $182,750 and was coming off a second in the Sept. 1 Generous Portion. After an early bid for the lead from Cashed (7-1) and Tyler Gaffalione, Mohaven tracked the pacesetter to the outside and launched a big bid down the lane, while slightly drifting into the leader down the stretch, straightened up to kick away. Cashed held on to second by half a length over another filly from the Sadler barn, Liberation (4-1) with Juan Hernandez up. “This filly really impressed me today,” said jockey Hector Berrios. “She moved well at the three-eighths... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2025) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today the release of a new campaign advocating for passage of a bill that would repeal an unpopular wagering tax that was part of legislation passed by Congress earlier this year. As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law on July 4, there was a tax change regarding wagering losses – reducing the deduction from 100% to 90%. The change could cost horse racing upwards of a billion dollars annually in pari-mutuel handle, according to some industry estimates. “While there were many victories for our sport in the legislation passed this summer, we noted at the time that work needed to be done to repeal the language that would effectively tax horse players on phantom income. This provision will have a negative impact on our customers who fuel a $36 billion industry responsible for nearly half a million jobs, thousands of small agribusinesses, and millions of acres of open working... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2025) – A California-bred daughter of McKinzie sold for $120,000 at Thursday’s session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale. The filly, named Looks Like N Angel, is the first foal out of the Pure Prize mare Close the Show Lo. She was bred by McKinzie Syndicate, Stormy Hull & Guy Hull, consigned by Gainesway, agent, and purchased by Dennis O’Neill, agent. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2025) —Uptown Rythem, a multiple winner by champion sprinter and sire of sires Speightstown, has been relocated to stand at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, California for the 2026 breeding season. His fee is $1,500, with a live foal guarantee.   The 14-year-old stallion previously stood within the state at Harris Farms. He is the property of C-Punch Ranch Inc., an ownership group which has been breeding horses in California for more than four decades, and which is consistently ranked among the top 20 Thoroughbred breeders in the state.   Sold for $220,000 as a Keeneland November weanling, Uptown Rythem won a pair of six-furlong dirt sprints at Santa Anita Park. He retired to stud at Harris Farms prior to the 2017 breeding season.   He has sired seven winners to date; five have won multiple races, led by the $140,800-earner Rhythem On Stage. Despite his modest-sized foal crops, his Average Earnings Index is among the best in California, at... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2025) – After coming up a half-length short of Grand Slam Smile in the Solana Beach Stakes going one mile on turf at Del Mar in August, a change in venue and cutback in distance helped turn the tables for Sneaker Sunday at Santa Anita. In the $100,000 California Distaff Handicap for Golden State Series-eligibles fillies and mares sprinting about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course, Sneaker (3-1) and Grand Slam Smile (1-1) battled almost stride-for-stride over the final furlong with Sneaker ultimately prevailing by a head under Umberto Rispoli. It was the first official stakes win for Sneaker, a 4-year-old filly by Oscar Performance bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, owned by RL Stables and trained by George Papaprodromou. Issa Court (15-1) finished another 3 ¼ lengths back in third with Bit’s Tiger Magic (9-5), who set the pace, weakening to fourth. “Going down the hill it’s a little less tactical than going a mile,” said Rispoli, who did not ride Sneaker in... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2025) – Man O Rose held off a late surge from Lovesick Blues to win Saturday’s $101,000 California Flag Stakes, presented by City National Bank, for Golden State Series eligibles on the hillside turf course by a nose, a result that will lead to divergent stakes at the Del Mar autumn meeting for the older geldings. Man O Rose will be considered for the $100,000 The Chosen Vron Stakes for California-breds at seven furlongs on Nov. 8. Lovesick Blues is bound for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at six furlongs on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Lovesick Blues earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint with an 18-1 upset in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26 at Del Mar. In the California Flag Stakes, Man O Rose was sent off favored and stalked 5-1 Flyover, who set a torrid pace of 20.88 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 42.42 for a half-mile. Man O Rose, ridden by Edwin Maldonado,... ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Oct. 18, 2025) – Stormy Blue, a British Columbian-bred son of California stallion Midnight Storm, won Saturday’s $47,000 Fall Classic Handicap at Hastings Racecourse. Stormy Blue, a 6-year-old gelding out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Bluegrass Gin, has six wins in 24 starts and earnings of $100,817. He ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:15.13 on a sloppy track and won by one length at odds of 8-1. ...

By Steve Andersen, DRF.com BRADBURY, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2025) — Jeff Siegel, the renowned Southern California television commentator and syndicated handicapper who was also a race-horse owner and college basketball enthusiast, died on Saturday after a lengthy cancer battle, Santa Anita officials said. A memorial service will be held this Monday at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Simi Valley, according to track officials. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will begin at 10 a.m. The address for Mt. Sinai is 6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley, CA 91063.  Siegel was 74. He spent nearly his entire adult life in various capacities of racing, beginning with a position on the Hollywood Park publicity staff in 1974. Southern California racegoers for decades read Siegel’s selections in Los Angeles-area newspapers, notably the Pasadena Star-News and the San Diego Union-Tribune. Later in his career Siegel ventured into television commentary, offering analysis on racetrack-sponsored programs on a Los Angeles independent television station, and for the last few decades as a mainstay on racetrack-produced... ...

From Rancho San Miguel ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2025) – Two-year-old Mo Holland Drive proved much the best in a $63,000 maiden special weight race at Santa Anita Park on September 28 to become the first winner for the young stallion Mo Forza, a Grade 1-winning son of Uncle Mo who stands at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, California. Ridden by Juan Hernandez for trainer Peter Miller, the California-bred colt took the lead at the half-mile mark of the six-furlong turf test and steadily improved his advantage to two lengths at the wire, stopping the clock in a snappy 1:08.49 while outperforming 10 rivals as the 5-2 wagering favorite.   Mo Holland Drive is the first foal out of the multiple winner Awesome Drive, by Summer Front. He was bred by River Oak Farm LLC, and has earned $58,680 to date for the ownership group of Altamira Racing Stable, California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing LLC, Tom Kagele and Nathan McCauley.   He hails from the inaugural foal crop of 9-year-old... ...

From Fasig Tipton POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2025) — The 2025 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings sale was conducted Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, California. The single-session sale grossed $4,552,400 for 137 yearlings sold, with an average of $33,229. Eleven (11) yearlings sold for $100,000 or more. A California-bred filly from the first crop of Corniche (hip 193) sold for $250,000 to Legacy Ranch to top the sale. Barton Thoroughbreds, agent, consigned the daughter of the Eclipse Champion 2YO Male. Out of the winning North Light (IRE) mare Carmelita, the chestnut filly is a half-sister to three winners, including multiple stakes winner Carmelita’s Man (Mucho Macho Man) and multiple stakes placed Buyback (Mucho Macho Man). Hip 193 was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises. A Cal-bred colt by Maxfield (hip 20) sold for $225,000 to John Moroney & Thomsen Racing & Steve Knapp from the consignment of Lovacres Ranch, agent. The bay colt is out of the Grade 2 winning Bring the Heat mare Lost Bus, already the dam of three winners... ...

By DRF.com BIG PINE, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2025) — Larry Gilligan, a former jockey who rode throughout the United States and later worked as an exercise rider and a racing official at Del Mar and Santa Anita, died on Saturday, according to his friends. Gilligan turned 88 on Sept. 14. He had been ill with cancer, his friends said. Gilligan was at his home in Big Pine, Calif., at the time of his death. Gilligan was active as recently as the final weeks of the Del Mar summer meeting that ended on Sept. 7. He worked as a “quick official” positioned on the clubhouse turn. In that capacity, Gilligan was tasked with communicating to the stewards when jockeys wanted to lodge an objection moments after a race was completed. California tracks typically make races official before horses have been ridden in front of the grandstand to be unsaddled. In a 2017 interview with Santa Anita publicity, Gilligan said he enjoyed the job as a way to stay active in the... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 18, 2025) — Beginning with the start of the Classic Meet on December 26, 2025, all maiden special weight races in restricted and open company run at Santa Anita Park will receive a $2,500 increase in the maiden bonus award from $10,000 to $12,500 and the same category of race will see a $2,500 increase from $12,500 to $15,000 during Del Mar Summer. The popular program has been in place since 2009, and the bonus is offered in races run at 4 ½ furlongs or longer. Maiden special weight races run at Los Alamitos will continue to offer a $10,000 bonus award and the $12,500 bonus award for Del Mar fall will also remain unchanged. ​“The increases reflect this year’s positive trends, resulting in an increase in fund generation to create this opportunity to offer higher incentives,” said Doug Burge, President of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (CTBA). “This adds to the growing success of the California-bred program, which is producing winners at a high rate.” ​Owners... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2025) — The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announced a renaming of one of its Bing Crosby Season stakes. The Cary Grant Stakes, which has been run 11 times during the fall stand starting in 2014, will now be called The Chosen Vron Stakes, honoring the exceptional California-bred runner who retired last year after a sparkling five-year career that saw him win 19 of 25 starts, the majority of them stakes races. The chestnut gelding by the late sire Vronsky was bred by Tiz Molly Partners and owned by the partnership of Sondereker Racing, J. Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburg. Kruljac also trained the husky speedster who finished his career with $1,709,678 in purses won, placing him in the Top 20 among all California-bred money winners. Among his major scores were twice winning the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar. He was considered good enough to be entered in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, where he finished fifth.... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2025) — California-bred graded winner Om N Joy, unbeaten in five starts at Del Mar and Santa Anita since March, including four stakes, may race outside of California for the first time in the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes for 3-year-olds fillies at Keeneland on Oct. 18. Trainer Aggie Ordonez said on Wednesday that Om N Joy has been nominated to the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 28, but that the $400,000 Raven Run Stakes has greater appeal. The Zenyatta “looks awful tough,” she said. “It seems to make sense to stick with the 3-year-olds fillies.” The Raven Run Stakes is run at seven furlongs. “The timing is really nice,” Ordonez said. The $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes is the leading race for older fillies and mares at the Santa Anita autumn meeting, which runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 26. The winner of the Zenyatta Stakes receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2025) – Two appearances at Los Alamitos have resulted in a pair of easy victories in the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for Man O Rose. Twelve months after winning the race restricted to horses bred or sired in California by eight lengths, the 5-year-old son of Stanford and the Good Journey mare Kathleen Rose scored by 5 ¼ lengths Saturday in his first outing of 2025. The prohibitive 2-5 favorite vs five opponents, Man O Rose quickly established command under jockey Edwin Maldonado and was never menaced in winning for the eighth time in 15 starts. Owned by breeder Dr. Bruce Zietz’s B and B Stables and trained by Jeff Mullins, Man O Rose, who hadn’t started since finishing second behind Big City Lights in the Cary Grant last Nov. 9, completed the mile in 1:35.52. The final clocking was exactly the same as it was in his 2024 win. The $41,625 payday pushed his earnings to $376,965 and he paid $2.80 and... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2025) — California-bred champion Kings River Knight has run his last race, and is leaving the track a winner. Kings River Knight won the $152,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 2, and later was diagnosed with an injury, trainer John Sadler said on Saturday. “He’s going to be retired,” Sadler said. “We’re going to miss him tremendously.” Sadler did not disclose the injury, but said it was “enough” to end Kings River Knight’s racing career. Bred by Old English Rancho and owned by the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbreds, the family of the late Bud Johnston, and Ken Tevelde, Kings River Knight won 13 of 20 starts and earned $855,830 in a career that began in 2022. Kings River Knight won his first stakes in the Crystal Water Stakes for statebred turf milers at Santa Anita in May 2023 and finished his career with nine stakes wins, including eight of his last nine starts and his final three. A 7-year-old by... ...

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Sept. 10, 2025) – Marking Broadway, the lone California-bred in the field, rallied past odds-on favorite Mighty Mikee to win Wednesday’s $50,000 Osiris Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Assinaboia Downs. Marking Broadway is by Marking, out of the Real Solution mare Lights on Broadway, was bred by Harry Bettis, Tosch Keshian and Cheryl Keshian and is owned by trainer Dewey Williams. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $46,909 and was coming off a second in the Aug. 19 Graduation Stakes at Assinaboia. Marking Broadway ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:07.18 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 7-1 in a field of five. ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2025) – Max Ciao held off a sustained threat from Thirsty Rebel in the final quarter-mile to post a minor upset in Friday’s $101,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for 2-year-old Golden State Series-eligibles at Del Mar, giving freshman stallion Maxfield his first stakes winner. Max Ciao ($16.60) ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.59, recording his second consecutive win. He won a maiden race for California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 8 at Del Mar by 6 1/4 lengths in his third start. The win in the I’m Smokin Stakes was a tougher test. Max Ciao, ridden by Armando Ayuso, stalked 7-5 favorite Sammy Davis, who took an early lead from an inside post and set fractions of 21.51 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.61 for a half-mile. With wide moves, Max Ciao and 3-2 Thirsty Rebel ran as a pair on the turn and passed Sammy Davis in the stretch. The two dueled to the finish before Max Ciao prevailed by a... ...

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (Sept. 10, 2025) – Kabanbay, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Catholic Boy, on Saturday won a listed seven-furlongs stakes at Almaty Hippodrome. Kabanbay, a half-brother to the graded-stakes placed St. Benedicts Prep, is a 2-year-old colt out of the War Front mare Line. ...

From Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm SOLVANG, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2025) — Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm is proud to announce that multiple graded stakes winner Smooth Like Strait will stand his third breeding season in California, alongside Nick Alexander’s highly respected stallion, Grazen. After standing his first two seasons in Kentucky, this move brings Smooth Like Strait back to the state where he enjoyed most of his racing success. Trained by Michael McCarthy and bred and campaigned by Cannon Thoroughbreds, Smooth Like Strait built his reputation primarily on the California circuit, capturing some of the state’s most prestigious turf contests. His graded stakes victories include the Shoemaker Mile (G1), Mathis Brothers Mile (G2), Twilight Derby (G2), Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3), La Jolla Handicap (G3), and the War Chant Stakes. A versatile runner, he also posted a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 119 and proved competitive on both dirt and turf. McCarthy said, “Not many horses have run triple-digit Beyers as often as Smooth Like Strait did in California (18 in a total... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 3, 2025) — With passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, yearling buyers have access to 100% bonus depreciation for the first time since 2022. This important investment incentive can benefit horse and farm owners who may be purchasing horses, tractors or other assets. The NTRA encourages anyone who is preparing to make such large asset purchases to consult with a tax professional in advance. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2025) —Four Golden State Series stakes are included in the 20 stakes races worth $3.15 million that highlight the 12th Bing Crosby Season at Del Mar beginning on Thursday, October 30 and running through to Sunday, November 30. The four races restricted to California-breds are: Fri. Oct 31 GOLDEN STATE JUVENILE STAKES Two-year-olds, Cal-Bred $175,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs Fri. Oct 31 GOLDEN STATE JUVENILE FILLIES STAKES Fillies, Two-year-olds, Cal-Bred $175,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs       Sat. Nov 08 CARY GRANT STAKES Three-year-olds & up, Cal-Bred $100,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs Sun. Nov 09 BETTY GRABLE STAKES Fillies & Mares, Three-year-olds & up, Cal-Bred $100,000 Guarantee All told there will be 16 days of racing during the 12th Bing Crosby gathering, including two days of Breeders’ Cup sport on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1. Once again a highlight of the session will be the track’s highly popular FanDuel Racing Turf Festival consisting of seven grass stakes starting on November 28 and... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2025) – Longshot Too Sassy pulled away late to win Sunday’s $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar. Too Sassy is by Om, out of the Bedford Falls mare I’m Sassy, was bred by Hugh Yamshon, Sam Scolamieri and Woodbridge Farms, is owned by Windy Ridge Stables and trained by Scolamieri. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $110,400 and was coming off an Aug. 7 maiden win. “She’s gotten better all summer and that last race was kind of convincing to me that I had to at least give it a try,” said Scolamieri. “That was a great bunch of fillies in there and I was really up against it, but I kept telling our friends, let’s mix it up. Let’s go after those guys, not just give it away, let’s go for it. “I’m really surprised, with this caliber of field. I’m pleased, believe me. A lot of work went into her and she’s still... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 30, 2025) — After going winless in her first seven starts, Om N Joy has gone nuts. The cleverly named California-bred 3-year-old daughter of Om   notched her fifth straight victory Aug. 30 in capturing the $151,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) by a half-length on Pacific Classic day at Del Mar. The win marked her first at the graded stakes level and was her fourth against stakes foes after three black-type victories against state-breds. Though Om N Joy took a class hike Saturday to race in the Torrey Pines, she showed she belonged, rallying from sixth to surge past longshot pacesetter So There She Was and heavily favored Tenma. The winner completed a mile on a fast main track in 1:36.99 under Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, returning $10 to win. Desormeaux noted the maturity shown by the sophomore filly. “She exploded,” he said. “She gave me so much confidence.  She went to the post like a 9-year-old mare.  And she had no problem taking the dirt in her face.... ...

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Sept. 6, 2025) – Marking Broadway is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Osiris Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Assinaboia Downs. Marking Broadway is by Marking, out of the Real Solution mare Lights on Broadway, was bred by Harry Bettis, Tosch Keshian and Cheryl Keshian and is owned by trainer Dewey Williams. She has one win in three starts, earnings of $16,309 and is coming off a second in the Aug. 19 Graduation Stakes at Assinaboia. ...

From WTBOA A filly by California stallion Straight Fire brought $110,000 to top the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale, held Aug. 26 at Emerald Downs. The filly, Hip 53, was purchased by Patrick Neary, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, in the name of Hard Five Inc. The purchase marked the second year in a row a yearling out of Washington champion Bella Mia from the Griffin Place consignment has topped the sale. Last year’s sale topper, Lead the Charge, by Take Charge Indy, has already placed in two stakes in his young career, while the mare’s first foal, Ship Cadet, is a Saratoga stakes winner of over $235,000.  Bringing a $67,000 final bid was Hip 17, which was purchased by trainer Andy Mathis of Walnut Creek, California. Another in the seven-horse offering from Terry and Mary Lou Griffin’s Buckley-based Griffin Place, the filly by California stallion Grazen is out of 2018 Washington champion older mare No Talking Back, by Flatter. The $170,504 earner’s first... ...

From CTBA DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 16, 2025) — The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) is thrilled to announce three groundbreaking programs designed to bolster and invigorate the California breeding industry during a time of uncertainty and significant change for California horse racing. CTBA recognizes that now is a critical time for California’s thoroughbred breeding industry, and with the recent influx of resources accumulated from selling property, the board is taking action to foster growth, enhance quality, and support our members in continuing to produce world-class racehorses. Flagship Foal Incentive Program Kicking off with mares bred in 2026 with resulting foals in 2027, CTBA will award $1,000 for each foal registered as a Cal-Bred, with a cap of 25 foals per breeder. This substantial financial incentive is set to empower breeders by providing direct financial support to offset their investment. This program aims to boost the number of registered foals and strengthen the state’s position as a premier Thoroughbred breeding hub. Payments will be made upon CTBA receiving a Cal-bred application... ...

From Fasig-Tipton The Major Reduction of Harris Farms closed Tuesday afternoon with 75 horses sold for $1,045,000. The sale offered horses of racing age and broodmares, including those with foals at foot. Nu Pi Lambda (hip 50), in foal to Liam’s Map, sold for $200,000 to Hinkle Farms to top the session. The winning City Zip mare is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and course record setter Deterministic (Liam’s Map). She was offered carrying her first foal on that proven cross. The sale led off on a high note, with Happy to Buy (hip 1) sold for $75,000 to Legacy Ranch Inc. A two-year-old daughter of Good Magic out of the winning Distorted Humor mare I’mnotshyi’llbuy, Happy to Buy entered the sale off a pair of timed works at Del Mar. “It’s bittersweet to offer a reduction of a farm that’s a household name,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton’s Director of Digital Sales. “But California really stepped up with almost 600 bidder registrations and very lively bidding. I think... ...

From Monmouth Park Publicity OCEANPORT, N.J. (Aug. 24, 2025) — Trainer Eddie Owens, Jr., has so many good Jersey-breds that sometimes the toughest part is mixing and matching them when the state-restricted stakes races come up on the racing calendar. Sunday’s New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival at Monmouth Park saw Owens push all the right buttons. Riding Pretty, a New Jersey bred daughter of California stallion Jack Milton, took on males for the first time in her 27-race career and held on for a neck victory in the $125,000 Charles Hesse III Handicap, marking the third straight year that Owens has won the race – with three different horses. Then in $100,000 New Jersey Breeders Handicap, the Owens-trained Great Navigator – who won the Charles Hesse III Handicap in 2023 – cruised to a 4¼-length victory. Bel Pensiero held on to win by a head in the Eleven North Handicap, the third stakes race on the 12-race card. “I wasn’t concerned at all about racing her against the boys because her... ...

Cal Fischer, owner of Madera Thoroughbreds Racing LLC, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the age of 88 years old, according to TDN. Prior to monitoring the development of yearlings, weanlings, and sales stock at Madera Thoroughbreds, Fischer served on the Board of the Northern California Thoroughbred Association. Fischer is survived by his wife Jill, and his son Todd, the current Assistant Stallion Manager at Calumet Farm, who provided information to TDN. ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2025) — California-bred Grand Slam Smile won the sixth stakes of her career, but first under the direction of trainer Sean McCarthy, in the $151,500 Solana Beach Stakes at Del Mar last Sunday. The win in the one-mile turf race for statebred fillies and mares, achieved in a front-running manner, has left McCarthy eager to start Grand Slam Smile at the Santa Anita autumn meeting, which runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 26. The race choices include the $100,000 California Distaff for statebred fillies and mares at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on Oct. 12, a race Grand Slam Smile won last year, or the $80,000 Swingtime Stakes at a mile on turf a day later.  :: Play to Win at Del Mar! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, Picks, and Betting Strategies all in one place.  The Swingtime Stakes is restricted to non-winners of a first-place purse of $60,000 at a mile or farther other than in statebred races in... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2025) — California stallion Halladay was represented by his first winner on Friday when Arkadelphia, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, won the third race at Del Mar, an $94,900 open maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on the turf. The lone Cal-bred in the field, Arkadelphia is a gelding out of the City Zip mare Chili Petin, was bred by HV Bloodstock, is owned by Harrell Ventures and trained by Luis Mendez. He ran the distance in :57.87 and won by 1 1/4 lengths as the 4-5 favorite in a field of six. It was Arkadelphia’s fifth lifetime start, including a third in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park May 10. Arkadelphia came out of the Checkmate Thoroughbreds consignment of the Northern California Yearling Sale. ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. – Lovesick Blues, winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26 at Del Mar, will not start again until the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Trainer Librado Barocio confirmed plans to train Lovesick Blues into the Breeders’ Cup, which means the 7-year-old gelding will go 99 days between starts. “My gut’s telling me to train him up to the race,” Barocio said last weekend at Del Mar. “He’s good fresh. When I first got him, he fired fresh. I might follow the same pattern unless he’s going crazy. Then, I’ll look for something.” :: Play to Win at Del Mar! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, Picks, and Betting Strategies all in one place.  Barocio ’s Mia Familia Racing Stables purchased Lovesick Blues last year from owner-breeder Nick Alexander. In his first start for Barocio on March 8, after a seven-month layoff, Lovesick, Blues finished second in the Grade 3 San Simeon on turf at Santa Anita. He... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2025) – California-bred champion Grand Slam Smile held off Sneaker after dueling throughout the race to win Sunday’s $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. Grand Slam Smile is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Sean McCarthy. “Once she got clear after that quarter mile and she eased up a little bit going down the backside, I felt pretty good and I felt really good around the turn,” said McCarthy. “When we got down the stretch, I could see that 8 coming and digging hard, but she too stuck it in the ground and wouldn’t weaken. I’m super impressed by her, it’s a pleasure to train her.” McCarthy had plenty of thank-yous to deliver after the race, including to retired former trainer Steve Specht, who handed off the filly earlier this year. “I’m super-happy for the Williamses and also... ...

From Fasig-Tipton POMONA, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2025) — Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 266 entries for its California Fall Yearlings Sale, to be held Sept. 23, at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. The sale will begin at 11 am PDT. “This sale annually offers the cream of the California-bred crop,” said Fasig-Tipton California representative Mike Machowsky.  “There is a strong representation from both leading California and nationally-ranked sires, as well as good depth of pedigree on offer.” Sires represented by yearlings in this year’s catalog include Army Mule  , Authentic  , Clubhouse Ride, Corniche  , Cyberknife  , Drain the Clock  , Early Voting  , Good Magic  , Grazen, Hard Spun  , Justify  , Knicks Go  , Liam’s Map  , Maxfield  , Maximus Mischief  , McKinzie  , Nashville  , Olympiad  , Omaha Beach  , Oscar Performance  , Practical Joke  , Sir Prancealot  , Stay Thirsty  , Tiz the Law  , and Vekoma  . The vast majority of yearlings cataloged are California-bred, although there are Kentucky-breds, two Arizona-breds, and one Washington-bred on offer. The sale continues to turn out a high number of stakes-winning graduates, including Big City Lights, a graded stakes winner and five-time stakes winner. Other recent... ...

AUBURN, Washington (Aug. 17, 2025) – California-bred Chatty Leroybrown, the longest shot on the board, went wire to wire to win Sunday’s $50,000 Washington Oaks, presented by 1/st Bet, for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs. Chatty Leroybrown is by Big Bad Leroybrown, out of the Grazen mare Chatty Cathy, was bred by owner Hector Preciado and trained by Hilario Perez. She has two wins in 14 starts, earnings of $47,020 and was coming off fifth in an Aug. 1 claimer. She ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.18 and won by three lengths at odds of 33-1. ...

AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 17, 2025) – Longshot Stay Sassy, a Washington-bred daughter of California stallion Stay Thirsty, caught defending champion Aloha Breeze in deep stretch to win Sunday’s $50,000 Emerald Distaff Stakes, presented by 1/st Bet at Emerald Downs. Stay Sassy, out of the Harbor the Gold mare Pippa Boy Peep, has five wins in 12 starts and earnings of $91,187. She ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.15 and won by three-quarters of a length as the longest shot on the board at 17-1 in a field of six. Aloha Breeze, the even-money favorite, blazed through fractions of :23.10, :45.31 and 1:09.22, leading by as many as five lengths, before yielding to the winner for a rare loss. ...