ARCADIA, Calif. (May 10, 2026) – Favored California-bred Boss Sully returned from an eight-month hiatus to score his first black-type win wire to wire in Sunday’s $100,000 Siren Lure Stakes at Santa Anita. Boss Sully is by Street Boss, out of the Candy Ride mare Eternally, was bred by PT Syndicate #1, is owned by Rusty Brown, Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz and is trained by Brian Koriner. He has six wins in 17 starts and earnings of $469,392. Siren Lure ran the six furlongs on the turf in 1:08.42 and won by 1 ½ lengths as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite as the lone Cal-bred in a field of 10. Boss Sully gave Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario his first win since returning from the East coast to ride fulltime in California. ...

LIMA, Peru (May 3, 2026) – Belmont Collection, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Collected, won Sunday’s Premio Diario El Comercio at Hipodromo de Monterrico. Out of the multiple stakes-winning Malibu Moon mare Martha’s Moon, Belmont Collection has eight wins in 10 starts. He ran the 1300 meters on turf in 1:14.14 and won by 2 ¼ lengths. ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (May 7, 2026) — Trainer Vann Belvoir, who finished ninth in the standings at the recently-concluded Turf Paradise meeting in Arizona, will have a 39-horse stable in California this spring and summer.  “A lot of my clients are California people and they like to run there,” he said. Belvoir said the stable consists of numerous California-bred 2-year-olds that will start at Los Alamitos and Del Mar. The team arrived from Phoenix on Tuesday, three days after the end of the Turf Paradise meeting. Belvoir had 15 wins from 121 runners at Turf Paradise. Belvoir’s stable will be based at Los Alamitos. Belvoir plans to be active at the current Santa Anita meeting, which runs through June 14; the three-week Los Alamitos meeting from June 19 to July 5; and the Del Mar summer meeting which begins on July 17.   ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 3, 2026)—After being passed briefly for the lead in mid-stretch by 13-1 longshot Cailin Dana, California-bred Hey Jessie battled back gamely under Emisael Jaramillo to prevail over that rival in the $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 ½ miles on turf at Santa Anita. Hey Jessie (5-2) bested Cailin Dana by a half-length on the wire for her first stakes victory against open company. Trained by Sean McCarthy for owner-breeder Sayjay Racing, Hey Jessie’s only other stakes win came in the Soviet Problem Stakes for statebreds on dirt at Los Alamitos in 2024. Prior to the Santa Barbara, the 4-year-old gray filly by Grazen was sixth in the GIII Santa Ana going 1 ¼ miles on March 15 at Santa Anita. Jaramillo was riding Hey Jessie for the first time. He noted the winning move likely came when the field was on the backstretch. As 4-5 favorite Resolve was racing alone on the lead at a moderate pace, Jaramillo... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 3, 2026) — California-bred Saluto, a nine-length winner of his debut in a maiden race for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita on Friday, will be considered for the $225,000 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 28, trainer Steve Knapp said on Sunday. “He came out of it fantastic,” Knapp said. “Now we have to look around and find somewhere to run.” There are no stakes for 2-year-olds at the current Santa Anita spring meeting, or at the Los Alamitos summer meeting in late June and early July. At the Del Mar summer meeting, the first opportunity for Saluto is the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 7. Knapp said he would prefer to start Saluto sooner than the Graduation. Saluto was part of a successful start to 2-year-old racing in California this year for Knapp and Terry Lovingier, the prominent California-based owner/breeder and Board member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Saluto ($6.20) led throughout a race at 4... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 3, 2026) — California-bred Big City Lights returned from a layoff of more than five months to win a seven-furlong allowance race at Santa Anita on Saturday. The 7-year-old horse showed enough for trainer Richard Mandella to plan a start in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at six furlongs on May 23. Ridden by Kazushi Kimura, who had four winners on the 11-race program, Big City Lights was third on the backstretch before moving closer to the front on the turn. Big City Lights, the 4-5 favorite, fought through the stretch to win by a half-length over Speedy Wilson. “He ran great. I think he got a little tired,” Mandella said. “I think he probably needed the race.” :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Bred by Bar C Racing Stables and owned by Bill Peeples, Big City Lights has won 8 of 16 starts and $651,960. He... ...

ADELAIDE, Australia (May 3, 2026) – California stallion Sir Prancealot sired a stakes exacta on Saturday, as South Australian-breds Alainge and Sir Kingsford finished one-two in the $120,000 HKJC World Pool Port Adelaide Cup at Morphetteville Racecourse. Alainge, out of the Blevic mare Tipperary Lil, ran the 2518 meters on soft turf in 2:40.99 and won by 2 ½ lengths at odds of 6-1 in a field of 11. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 1, 2026) – In the second 2-year-old race of the season at Santa Anita on Friday, CTBA Board of Directors member Terry Lovingier bred the first two finishers and three of the first four. The fourth race, a maiden special weight for California-bred, saw Saluto power to a nine-length win, with King Kameha second. Both were bred by Lovingier, who is also a co-owner of them, as well as fourth-place finisher Cupid Cowboy in the field of seven. Saluto is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Flatter mare Bella Ciao and is trained by Steve Knapp. King Kameha is by McKinzie, out of the Maclean’s Music mare Honolulu and is also trained by Knapp.   ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2026) — Dream Quest, a California-bred daughter of Kentucky freshman stallion Drain the Clock, won the first 2-year-old race of the season at Santa Anita Thursday, a maiden special weight for statebred fillies. Dream Quest is out of the Collected mare Dream Collector, was bred by Terry Lovingier and is owned by trainer Steve Knapp, Lovingier and John Moroney. Dream Quest ran the 4 1/2 furlongs in :53.67 and won by a head as the 1-2 favorite in a field of seven. Longshot Thirsty Caitlin was second and Potica was third. ...

By Bloodhorse.com TORONTO, Canada (Apr. 24, 2026) — Al and Bill Ulwelling’s 2025 King’s Plate winner, Mansetti , was named Canadian Horse of the Year during the 51st Sovereign Awards hosted April 23 by The Jockey Club of Canada. The Kevin Attard trainee was also named champion 3-year-old male. Last year, the Jungle Racing-bred son of Rancho San Miguel California stallion Collected   out of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl  notched three wins and two seconds in eight starts, making CA$925,000. Besides the King’s Plate, he won the Woodstock Stakes and Marine Stakes (G3). His placings came when second in the Ontario Derby (G3) and on dirt at Fort Erie in the Prince of Wales Stakes, which follows the King’s Plate and is the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. The King’s Plate, contested on Woodbine’s Tapeta surface, is often called the Canadian equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. He did not compete in the third and final race in the Canadian Triple Crown, the 1 1/2-mile Breeders Stakes on turf. Mansetti secured 81 votes, outpacing fellow... ...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (Apr. 25, 2026) — California-bred longshot Jack Sixpack won Saturday’s $50,800 Elite Sprint Cup Stakes at Fonner Park. Jack Sixpack is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Candy Ride mare Lady Sweetness, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Spencer Kucera and trained by Marvin Johnson. The 7-year-old gelding has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of $217,046 and was coming off a third in an Apr. 4 optional claimer. He ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:19.20 on a muddy track and won by 1 ¾ lengths at odds of 10-1. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2026) — Trainer Phil D’Amato said earlier this week that he has added the multiple stakes winner Majestic Oops to his Kentucky-based stable. Majestic Oops, a 6-year-old California-bred mare, has won 9 of 36 starts and earned $1,064,808. She was previously trained by Dan Ward, who recently accepted a position as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in Kentucky. Majestic Oops has won four stakes, the most recent of which was the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 7. She was third by 8 1/4 lengths behind Claret Beret in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 11. D’Amato said Majestic Oops will be pointed to stakes later in the Churchill Downs spring-summer meeting, which runs from Saturday to June 28. “We’ll give her a little spacing” between races, D’Amato said. Majestic Oops was bred by William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp and races for Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Sheila Regan,... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 20, 2026) — Three stakes – including the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles – worth a total of $400,000 highlight the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The nine-day season will begin Friday, June 19 and continue through Sunday, July 5. Racing will be conducted on Friday-Sunday basis (June 19-21, 26-28 and July 3-5).  Post time will be 1 p.m. The richest event on the calendar is the Grade II, $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies & mares at 6 ½ furlongs. Won for a second consecutive year by Sweet Azteca – who eclipsed her own track record – in 2025, the Great Lady M. will be offered Saturday, July 4. The $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby, which was won by Nevada Beach in 2025, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his ninth consecutive victory in the race, will be run Saturday, June 27. The Derby is for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. Baffert has won the local... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 14, 2026) – Strawberrylicious, a California-sired daughter of Grazen, sold for $105,000 at Tuesday’s opening session of the OBS Spring 2-Year-Old in-training Sale. Strawberrylicious is out of the Bodemeister mare Slalom and was bred in Florida by Robyn Kaiser, whose Paradisus Acres Thoroughbreds bought the mare in foal to Grazen for $3,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton May 2023 Digital Sale. Seth Morris Thoroughbreds signed for the gray filly, who was consigned by Wavertree Stables and breezed one furlong in :10.1. ...

FARMINGTON, N.M. (Apr. 5, 2026) – California-bred favorite Vodka Vodka, runner-up in the recent Santa Anita Handicap, overcame a stumble at the start to win Sunday’s $250,000 Casa Ford Sunland Park Stakes. Vodka Vodka is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Hard Spun mare Margie’s Minute, was bred by Jerry & Connie Baker, is owned Mclean Racing Stable, Connie & Jerry Baker, William Gorman, trainer Aggie Ordonez, Anthony Parsons, Rachel Parsons and Delbert Williams with regular rider Kent Desormeaux making the trip. Vodka Vodka is a half-brother to graded winner Om N Joy. He has five wins in 13 starts, earnings of 569,950 and this was his second stakes win after taking the Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes, presented by City National Bank, on Cal Cup Day. Vodka Vodka went off at even money in the field of 10. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 4, 2026) – Mohaven was odds-on and ran like it Saturday, returning to the state-bred ranks with a convincing win in the $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes, presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Mohaven is by Youpon, out of the Into Mischief mare Bahama Mischief, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Legacy Ranch and trained by John Sadler. “I kind of wanted her in front,” said Sadler, who put blinkers on. “When I looked at the past performances, they didn’t look quite as quick as her, so I said, ‘Go out there and take control.” She has three wins in six starts, earnings of $259,750 and was coming off a fifth in the Feb. 7 Sweet Life. “The ride was great, she had a nice feeling to her,” said jockey Emisael Jaramillo, who was riding Mohaven for the first time. “She’s a classy horse.” Mohaven went off at 3-5 in the field of eight and ran the... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 4, 2026) – Longshot Fionello nailed Thirsty Rebel at the wire in Saturday’s $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes, presented by Daily Racing Form, for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita, with breeder Terry Lovingier and his stallion Stay Thirsty combining for the exacta. Fionello is out of the Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, is owned by Lovingier, Moroney, Knapp, Grey, et al and trained by Steve Knapp. He’s a full brother to stakes winner and stallion Finneus. He has two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $158,400 and was coming off a third in a Mar. 20 optional claimer. Fionello, sent off at nearly 19-1, was last down the backside, as Tommy Norris (11-1) went to the lead with Thirsty Rebel (8-5) and jockey Abel Lezcano tracking in second. Thirsty Rebel raced past Tommy Norris near the quarter pole and extended his advantage at the top of the stretch, looking poised to earn his first stakes victory for trainer Doug O’Neill. But oncoming from the back of the... ...

OPELOUSAS, La. (Apr. 4, 2026) — Perry County, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Collected, went wire to wire in easily winning Saturday’s $100,000 Evangeline Mile Stakes at Evangeline Downs. Perry County, a 4-year-old colt out of the Street Boss mare Tyrannical, has four wins in 19 starts and earnings of $227,405. He ran the mile in 1:38.59 on a sloppy track and won by six lengths as the 6-5 favorite in a field of eight. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2026) — Lovesick Blues, a 2025 Grade 1 winner who was unplaced in two $2 million sprints in Saudi Arabia and Dubai in recent months, is scheduled to return to trainer Librado Barocio’s California stable in coming days. It may not be long before Lovesick Blues is back in action. Barocio said earlier this week that he hopes to start Lovesick Blues in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for California-breds at six furlongs at Santa Anita on May 23. :: Santa Anita Classic Meet! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more. Bred by Nick Alexander and owned by Barocio’s Mi Familia Stable, Lovesick Blues finished fifth of 13 in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14, and eighth of 12 in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates last Saturday. Once Lovesick Blues arrives in California, the 8-year-old gelding will have a “couple of weeks off,” Barocio said. The rest will not... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2026) – King’s Ride, the 3-year-old full brother to popular California-bred multiple graded winner Brickyard Ride, broke his maiden in his second career start on Thursday, a $71,000 statebred maiden special weight at Santa Anita. King’s Ride is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Southern Image mare Brickyard Helen, was bred by Alfred Pais and trainer Craig Lewis and is owned by Rainmaker Racing, Bret Lewis, Pais and Peili Chen. King’s Ride stalked and collared Matt At Five at the sixteenth pole and finished six furlongs in 1:12.49, winning by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 9-5 in a field of seven. Brother Brickyard Ride was bred and owned by Pais, won 13 of 31 starts with earnings of $925,477. Now a 9-year-old, Brickyard Ride entered stud duty last year at Rancho San Miguel.   ...

By Shayna Tiller BONSALL, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2026) — Reddam Racing has been to the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle twice alongside trainer Doug O’Neill, with I’ll Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016. This time, California colt Pavlovian brings them back in a different way. “With I’ll Have Another, we had confidence, but when he got up late, I was pretty shocked,” said Paul Reddam. “With Nyquist, he was undefeated going in, so we kind of knew what we had. This is different again. Every time, it’s just a different experience.” Pavlovian, a Cal-bred son of Pavel out of Mandy’s Grace, is a homebred for his connections, who also raced both his sire and dam. Pavel was a multiple graded stakes winner, highlighted by his Grade 1 victory in the Stephen Foster, and retired with earnings of more than $2 million. Pavel, who stands at Reddam’s Ocean Breeze Ranch in California, has also quietly carved out a reputation as a quality individual in addition to his race record. By... ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 30, 2026) — California-bred Express Kid will not be sent to California for Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. “He spiked a little fever at feed time” on Sunday, trainer Justin Evans said on Monday morning from Sunland Park in New Mexico. “It blew us all out of the water. We had to treat him this morning. I’ve had two or three in the last week that have spiked a temperature.” Express Kid was second to Pavlovian in the $500,000 Sunland Park Derby on Feb. 15 in his last start. Pavlovian was second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 21, and is a candidate for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2. Bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and owned by Bradley and Sharon Klevon, Express Kid has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $345,802. He won the Springboard Mile by 6 1/4 lengths at Remington Park in December in his final start of 2025 and has... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2026) – Breeders and stallion owners in 2025 enjoyed the highest-percentage incentive awards in more than 15 years, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association announced on Tuesday. Breeders awards for 2025 were 14.94 percent of qualified purse earnings, or $4,288,140 paid in total awards. That’s the highest percentage since 2009. Stallion awards for 2025 were 11.87 percent of qualified purse earnings, or $1,429,380 in total awards paid. That’s the highest percentage since 2004. Last year, the breeders awards were 11.19 percent and the stallion awards were 8.58 percent. “These incentive awards reward those that bred horses that successfully competed and supported thoroughbred racing in the state,” said Doug Burge, CTBA President.  “We are very pleased to announce these significant increases in the percentages paid to breeders and stallion owners.”   Checks to breeders and stallion owners are being mailed today by the CTBA.   ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2026) – Longshot Flyover got the jump on odds-on favorite Man O Rose and just kept going to win Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Flyover is by Om, out of the In Excess mare First Class Flyer, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing LLC, ITR LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Tevelde, Kenneth A. and trained by John Sadler. He has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $239,138 and was coming off a fifth in the Feb. 8 Clocker’s Corner. Flyover, sent off at odds of 6-1, ran the about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.12 and won by three lengths. On the Whim was second, Man O Rose, whose five-race win streak was snapped.   SENSATIONAL STAR STAKES QUOTES JOCKEY QUOTES ANTONIO FRESU, FLYOVER, WINNER: “I was surprised that nobody else came with us. He got the lead pretty easy. I thank John Sadler... ...

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Mar. 21, 2026) – Beaten a head in Saturday’s thrilling $1 million Grade II Twin Spires Louisiana Derby for 3-year-olds, California-bred Pavlovian nonetheless collected 50 points and should earn entry into the May 2 $5 million Grade I Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. Trainer Doug O’Neill on Sunday confirmed via social media that the gray son of Pavel came out of the race well. “Pavlovian looks great this morning after a game effort in the G2 Louisiana Derby yesterday,” O’Neill wrote on X, accompanied by a video of Pavlovian being jogged in the Fair Grounds shedrow. “He’ll head back to Santa Anita on Tuesday and begin preparations for the @KentuckyDerby.” With jockey Edwin Maldonado in the saddle, Pavlovian set quick splits of :22.65, :46.23, and 1:10.85 and was still in front at the sixteenth pole, but was nailed at the wire by favorite Emerging Market. Pavlovian is out of the Bellamy Road mare Mandy’s Grace and was bred by owner Reddam Racing. J. Paul Reddam and... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 21, 2026) — California-bred longshot Distant Fleet sizzled to a stunning win in Saturday’s $50,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise. Distant Fleet is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Kodiak Kowboy mare Kowboy’s Gigi, was bred by Turner Shiew, is owned by Luis Ruiz and trained by Raymond Valerio. He has six wins in 16 starts, earnings of $102,015 and was coming off a Feb. 12 optional claiming win. Sent off at odds of 26-1, Distant Fleet ran the six furlongs in a speedy 1:07.58 and won by a neck over fellow Cal-bred Book Smart in a field of nine. Distant Fleet was claimed last September at Los Alamitos for $6,250. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2026) — Top California-bred mare Grand Slam Smile earned her ninth stakes win Saturday at Santa Anita when rolling to a 2 ¼-length victory in the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes going about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course. With jockey William Antongeorgi III aboard, Grand Slam Smile after the start found herself in the uncustomary position of being behind horses. The start was compromised when Prancingthruparis, in post position 5, appeared to spring the gate early. After a stewards’ inquiry, both Prancingthruparis—who crossed the wire third—and Miss Practical in post six were ruled non-starters. Miss Practical, who crossed the wire fifth and last, was ruled a non-starter due to being held momentarily after the gate opened early to her inside. After the slow start, Grand Slam Smile blitzed to the front while descending the hill and was never challenged. She went a half mile in 44.29, six furlongs in 1:06.95 and crossed the wire in 1:12.91 for the comfortable victory.... ...

Rancho San Miguel Press Release SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2024)—A dozen mares bred to Grade 1 winner Collected at the start of the 2026 breeding season have checked in foal to the City Zip stallion, who relocated from Kentucky last November to stand at Rancho San Miguel in San Luis Obispo County, California.   The group is part of his inaugural California book, which comprises 90 mares through mid-March — a number which is already higher than the total amount of mares that any state-based stallion covered throughout the entire 2025 breeding season.   Collected’s popularity can be widely attributed to his initial success as a West Coast runner, and now as the region’s dominant sire.   Winner of Del Mar’s $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) and four additional graded stakes races from 2015 through 2018 for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Collected retired to Airdrie Stud in Kentucky prior to the 2019 breeding season with a career bankroll of $2,975,500.   From his first four... ...

HOUSTON, Tx. (Mar. 21, 2026) — Thebabeslayer, a Louisiana-bred son of California stallion Collected, won Saturday’s $110,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby, presented by TTA, for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Sam Houston Park. Out of the Candy Ride mare Candy Bay, Thebabeslayer ran the mile and 70 yards in 1:42.05. He has two wins in 10 starts and earnings of $168,139. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2026) — Vodka Vodka and Om N Joy, Cal-bred half-siblings who were second and third in Grade 1 races on March 7, have springtime stakes at Santa Anita on their schedules. Trainer Aggie Ordonez said Om N Joy, a four-time stakes winner in 2025 who was third in the $300,000 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares on dirt on March 7 in her Grade 1 debut, is expected to start in the Grade 3 Santa Maria Stakes, a $100,000 race for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on April 19. Ordonez said the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on May 30, and the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 1 as long-range goals. They are preferred to stakes outside from California, Ordonez said. “We can try to pick up some of these home races,” she said. :: Santa Anita Classic Meet! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more. A 4-year-old filly by Om, Om N... ...

By DRF.com HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Mar. 13, 2026) — California-bred Majestic Oops has been learning some new tricks as an older mare and the 6-year-old has run arguably the best two races of her career this meet at Oaklawn Park. Bred by William and Sandy Dory and Gary and Janet Kropp, she opened up her season in February with a sweeping win in the $150,000 American Beauty over six furlongs, then came back and won the most prestigious race of her career in the Grade 2, $400,000 Azeri last Saturday. Majestic Oops emerged from the Azeri in excellent condition and is now on track for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap on April 11 at Oaklawn, according to her trainer, Dan Ward. “She’s been something else,” he said. “She’s very happy. She likes the program here. We train her easy because she’s very small. I think the farthest we worked her was half a mile. She had four works before the sprint and then I just worked her... ...

SEOUL, South Korea (Mar. 16, 2026) – Moving Volcano, a graduate of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale, won a $60,000 handicap on Saturday at Seoul Racecourse. Moving Volcano is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Munnings mare Munny Penny, was bred by Terry Lovingier and sold for $11,000 at the CTBA Winter Mixed Sale from the Lovacres consignment. The 3-year-old colt ran the 1200 meters in 1:14.5 and won by a head in a field of 11. He has back-to-back victories and total earnings of $49,932 (US) in seven starts. ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 11, 2026) — California-bred Express Kid is scheduled to make his next start in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct, according to his trainer, Justin Evans. Express Kid set the pace in the $500,000 Sunland Derby and finished second by a nose in the Feb. 15 race, one start after he won the $300,000 Springboard Mile in December at Remington Park. For those efforts, he earned a total of 20 points for the Kentucky Derby. Between those races, he was sold for $800,000. Express Kid, who had been under consideration for both the Arkansas Derby and Louisiana Derby, will be looking to carry his speed over 1 1/8 miles for the first time in the Wood Memorial. The decision to target the race was made Tuesday with owners Brad and Sharon Kleven, after Express Kid worked a strong five furlongs at Sunland in 1:00. “Shipping from New Mexico to New York, I know it’s the broad end of the... ...

From Oaklawn Publicity HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Mar. 7, 2026) – California-bred champion Majestic Oops upset odds-on Eclipse champion Nitrogen while winning Saturday’s $400,000 Grade II Azeri Stakes for fillies and mares at Oaklawn Park, her first graded victory. 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, who is scheduled for hip replacement surgery next month. “She broke on top and he (jockey Francisco Arrieta) just sat on her and got her to relax,” said Ward. “That’s the key right there. Watch how she breaks? She outbreaks the field, but he knows what to do. That’s why she finishes like that. You get can get her to finish when you get her to settle like that. The two races that she won here last year, it was the same thing.” The Cal-bred... ...

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... ...

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,” said 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,... ...