From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2019) – Making his first start around two turns on dirt, Club Aspen drew off late to post an 8-1 upset in the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles on Sunday at Los Alamitos, the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet. Bred by Harris Farms, trained by Craig Lewis for his brother Larry and ridden by apprentice Jorge I. Velez, the 2-year-old Clubhouse Ride colt out of the Talkin Man mare Aspen Gal tracked pacesetter and 3-5 favorite Tap Back for most of the trip, then kicked away in the final eighth of a mile to win by 2 ½ lengths. The victory was the second in seven starts for Club Aspen, who completed the mile in 1:36.28 in a race restricted to juveniles bred or sired in California. He paid $19.40 and $4.80 while increasing his bankroll to $118,211. There was no show wagering. Dominant at 14-1 in the Golden State Juvenile Nov. 1, Tap Back returned... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2019) – Longshot Princess Vivian held off the late rally by odds-on favorite Apache Princess to win Saturday’s $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate. A 21-1 shot, Princess Vivian is by Uh Oh Bango, out of the Macho Uno mare Seductive Charm, was bred by MNM Thoroughbreds, is owned by MNM Thoroughbreds, Mary MacDonald, Tom Marsh and Henry Mendoza and is trained by Sergio Ledezma. Princess Vivian, a 3-year-old filly, has three wins in six starts and earnings of $107,634 after winning her stakes debut. Ima Happy Cat was third in the field of seven. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2019) – Making her first start over the track where she is stabled, Cholula Lips, a graduate of the CTBA January Mixed Sale, scored a decisive victory in the $101,053 Soviet Problem Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies Saturday at Los Alamitos. After tracking the early pace set by 187-1 outsider Phoenix Tears, the daughter of Empire Way  took over with a little over a quarter of a mile to run and went on to win by three lengths under jockey Tyler Baze. An 8-1 shot owned by Amanda Navarro and breeder Terry Lovingier and trained by Mike Harrington, Cholula Lips completed the mile in 1:37.85 in a race restricted to 2-year-old fillies bred or sired in California. Out of the Rio Verde mare Sweet Lips Pooh, Cholula Lips paid $18.40, $6.80 and $5.60 while winning for the second time in seven starts. The $57,000 payday pushed her bankroll to $159,250. “(Baze) rode a heckuva race,’’ said Harrington. “He said... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2019) – California-bred Queen Bee to You, last in the early going, wore down the field to win Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos. Fresh off a blowout victory in the Betty Grable at seven furlongs Nov. 17 at Del Mar, Queen Bee to You returned to the track where she defeated males in the one-mile Bertrando Stakes on June 29. “There was a little hesitation running her back (three weeks after her win in the Betty Grable at Del Mar), but she came out of the race so well and we worked her back and she went so spectacularly that we said we have to go for it,” said trainer Andrew Lerner. “The plan wasn’t to take her back that far, but she kind of missed the break a little bit. I could see she was traveling smoothly and (jockey) Ruben (Fuentes) always does a fantastic job with her. They’ve done a great job with this track.’’ Bred... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 7, 2019) — After being bought back for $1.35 million at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, California-bred Spiced Perfection returned to winning ways Dec. 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack for Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch, and trainer Peter Miller. The 4-year-old Smiling Tiger  filly led the $252,250 Go for Wand Handicap (G3) wire to wire for her third graded stakes victory of the year with jockey Javier Castellano. “We thought she was the best coming in,” Adam Wachtel said of the 124-pound highweight. “We were a little concerned about the distance—she hadn’t run a mile in a while. We were concerned about the weight. She was spotting the other fillies an awful lot of weight. I thought Javier did a brilliant job of keeping the early fractions on the slower side so she would have plenty left in the tank. She’s just a classy filly that gives her all every time.” Spiced Perfection, the 7-5 favorite, relaxed on the lead and set fractions... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2019) — It was not surprising to see odds-on favorite California-bred Bettor Trip Nick ($3.60) setting the the pace in the $76,200 Gold Rush at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday. After all, he’d just won the six-furlong Golden Nugget in front-running style while earning an 81 Beyer and had run a 21-and-change opening quarter in four prior career starts. But when co-owner/trainer Bill Delia saw a 24.08-second opening quarter, he began smiling. When he saw a 48.34 half-mile fraction, the smile broadened into a grin. “I was loving every second of it,” he said of watching Catalino Martinez keeping the Boat Trip gelding relaxed as he glided along on the lead. “It was awesome,” Delia said. “It was unbelievable. He’d never gone 48 before [in a race].” Delia and partners Gary Oetman and Ray Pagano purchased Bettor Trip Nick and two other 2-year-olds who have yet to start after seeing them at the Running Horse Equine Training Center. “He was always leading the pack... ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2019) – Longtime California breeder and owner Joe Daehling, owner of Daehling Ranch in Elk Grove, passed away on Thursday. He was 82. The German-born Daehling, who immigrated to the United States in 1960, bought the 400-acre ranch in 1973, originally for cattle. He and his wife began boarding horses in the early 1980s and eventually horses replaced all of the cattle. Daehling stood the Alydar stallion Alymagic, whose best runner was Sing and Tell, a Daehling homebred born in 2009. Daehling and trainer Holly Evans co-owned the Daehling-bred multiple stakes winner Fast and Foxy, who banked $514,030 on the track. The ranch will continue operations under the management of Joe Daehling’s daughter, Julia. Current stallions at the ranch are Mesa Thunder, Coach Bob, City Wolf, Sierra Sunset, Gallant Son, Fullbridled, Jersey Town and Rumpus Cat. ...

By Bloodhorse.com HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 28, 2019) – California-bred Midnight Emma, trained and owned by Jose Luna Silva, scored her second straight stakes victory with a 1 1/2-length score in the $75,000 Zia Park Princess Stakes on Wednesday. The 2-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute  entered off a wire-to-wire effort in the ATBA Fall Sales Futurity fillies division at Turf Paradise. Wednesday she settled in fifth before rallying past Cal-bred pacesetter Smart N Wicked, who held for second over favorite Wasabi Girl. Midnight Emma wrapped up six furlongs in 1:10.47 and paid $24.80. Jason Allen Tackitt bred the filly in California out of the stakes-placed Eskendereya mare Little Emma. Luna purchased the filly her second time through the sales ring, going to $10,000 to secure her from Ride Hard Farm at the 2018 ATBA Fall Mixed Sale. She’s won three of four starts and $87,343 in earnings. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2019) – California stallion Cogito was represented by his first winner on Friday when You’reright Again won the ninth race at Del Mar, a maiden claimer for 2-year-olds. You’reright Again is out of the Tribal Rule mare You’vegotthatright, was bred by owner Greg Aguilar and trained by Lloyd Wicker. He ran the six furlongs in 1:10.76 and won by one length at odds of 6-1. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2019) — Scoring his fourth consecutive victory, even-money favored Fashionably Fast resisted the stretch challenge of Oliver to register a half-length triumph in the featured $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles on Sunday at Del Mar. Always prominent under regular pilot Tiago Pereira, Fashionably Fast took the lead in upper stretch and prevailed gamely in 1:22.13 for the seven furlongs. Oliver, the lone three-year-old in a field of five older California-bred runners, was a clear second, a length and one-half ahead of third-place Ultimate Bango, with Grinning Tiger fourth and longshot Shades of Victory fifth and last. Withdrawn from the sprint was Rick’s Dream. Fashionably Fast, a four-year-old gelded son of Lucky Pulpit, was bred by the Harris Farms of John Harris who co-owns the horse with partners Per Antonsen and Paul Nicoletti. Dean Pederson is the trainer. “Him maturing quite a bit has played a big roll (in his four straight wins), and obviously taking the blinkers off... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2019) – Santa Anita announced the stakes schedule for its 2020 winter meet, which includes 17 stakes for Golden State Series eligibles, headed by the five-stakes California Cup on Saturday, January 18. The Cal Cup races are: $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for 4 year-olds & up at 1 1/8 miles; $200,000 California Cup Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; $200,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf; $150,000 California Cup Sprint at six furlongs; $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at 5 ½ furlongs. The other stakes races for Golden State Series eligible: February 23, $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes for older fillies and mares at six furlongs. March 1, $100,000 Tiznow Stakes for 4-year-olds & up at one mile. March 15 $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for older fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs on turf. March 22 $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for 4-year-olds & up at 5 ½ furlongs on turf. April 4 $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes... ...

By Bloodhorse.com COALINGA, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2019) — Harris Farms has set stud fees for its 2020 stallion roster, which includes multiple grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Om . A son of Munnings  out of Tabasco Cat’s winning daughter and multiple stakes producer Rare Cat, Om will stand for $7,500 with a live-foal guarantee. Bred by partners Lavin Bloodstock, Bernie Sams, and Bill Farish, Om was bought as a juvenile at the Barretts March Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale by trainer Dan Hendricks for $125,000 out of Niall Brennan’s consignment. The colt broke his maiden in his second start at 2 and continued to excel at 3, when he won the Del Mar Derby (G2T), Twilight Derby (G2T), and Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes (G2T) for the Sareen Family Trust. Om contested the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) when the race was run at 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita Park‘s downhill turf course. He closed with a furious rally to catch frontrunner and favorite Obviously, but jockey Gary Stevens lost his... ...

From Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2019) — Dr. Greg Ferraro, a former racetrack veterinarian and former director of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Center for Equine Health, was elected chairman of the California Horse Racing Board during its monthly meeting Nov. 21 in Del Mar, Calif. He replaces Chuck Winner, who stepped down this summer. His election, and that of Oscar Gonzales as vice chairman, were among the first items addressed by the board Thursday as its makeup shifts under the direction of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Ferraro, Gonzales, and Wendy Mitchell were appointed to the CHRB by Newsom over the past year. In an opening statement, Ferraro announced his intention to follow a mandate from the governor’s office to make the health and safety of horses the CHRB’s principal focus. “I can tell you, in short, that the days of permissive medication are over,” he said. “We will gradually eliminate medications and keep them away from racing dates and training. That’s the goal. We... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2019) — Many of the leading racing associations and track owners in the United States have formed a coalition that will work to further safety initiatives across their tracks and events. The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, which includes Churchill Downs Inc., the New York Racing Association, The Stronach Group, Del Mar, Keeneland, and Breeders’ Cup, will unveil its plans at an 11 a.m. press conference Nov. 19 at the Keeneland library. Keeneland vice president and chief operating officer Vince Gabbert said the group has been working together since the spring on the new coalition, which will work together to put uniform best practices and reforms in place to improve safety.  “We’re fortunate that we’re at a point in time that we probably have more uniformity across boundaries than we’ve historically had, but our goal is to create as much uniformity and for all of us to be working under the same conditions and rules and particulars, whether you’re in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, or New York,”... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) — A solidly supported second choice at 3-1, Queen Bee to You surged to the lead turning into the stretch and went on to score an impressive triumph in the featured $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares on Sunday at Del Mar. With jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle for his second victory of the afternoon, Queen Bee to You won by four and one-half lengths in 1:22.90 for the seven furlongs. Shoe It N Moe It closed to be runner-up, three and one-quarter lengths in advance of the 3-5 favorite, Mo See Cal, who faded in the stretch. Fourth in the field of six older California-bred fillies and mares was Creative Instinct. Love a Honeybadger was scratched. Queen Bee to You, bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, owned by Christopher St. Hilaire and Adam Vali of Newport Beach, Ca., and trained by Andrew Lerner, recorded her sixth win in 31 starts. The five-year-old daughter of... ...

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2019) – Baja Sur, a Washington-bred son of California stallion Smiling Tiger, sizzled to a 4 ¼-length win in Saturday’s $52,150 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. After breaking alertly from post position 2, Baja Sur dueled on the lead for the first quarter mile with eventual runner up finisher Sigur Ros. After conceding the lead to the aforementioned rival by the far turn, Baja Sur came on again in upper stretch, opened up on the competition late and finished the six-furlong contest 4 and a 1/4 lengths clear of Sigur Ros. 8-5 favorite Oiseau de Guerre could only manage to be third while Smokey Image, the longest shot in the field, rounded out the superfecta. Indian Zip, My Friend Emma and Quick and Silver completed the field. “It looked like there was a lot of pace in the race,” said winning jockey Juan Hernandez. “I wanted to get him out of the gate and put him in a good spot. In... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2019) — A coalition of Native American tribes throughout California has proposed a constitutional amendment for the November 2020 statewide ballot that would allow sports wagering in the state at both licensed racetracks and American Indian gaming casinos. BloodHorse was not immediately able to reach representatives from the California tracks for comment on the proposal. A Nov. 13 news release was signed by a number of Native American tribes in the state, but no tracks signed the release. The release from the coalition said sports wagering would be limited to the bricks and mortar locations of the tracks and Indian casinos, would not allow wagering on college events involving California teams, and would impose a 10% tax on gross gaming revenues from sports wagering, with that money committed to “public safety, mental health programs, education, and regulatory costs.” “Californians should have the choice to participate in sports wagering at highly regulated, safe, and experienced gaming locations,” said tribal chairman Mark Macarro of the Pechanga... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2019) – California-bred broodmare Inflamed sold at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $170,000. Inflamed, by Unusual Heat and out of the Afternoon Delites mare Little Hottie, was purchased by Glen Hill Farm. She is a full sister to stakes winning Cal-bred Burns. She sold in foal to Tapiture. ...

From Auerbach Racing ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2019) — Madeline Auerbach retired Monday from the California Horse Racing Board after serving nearly six years as a racing commissioner, the last three as vice chair. She was first appointed to the Board on January 2, 2014, and then reappointed through January 1, 2022. “During the decades I have been involved in the horse-racing industry, my work has centered on doing what is best for these amazing animals,” she said. “I want to thank Governor Jerry Brown for appointing me to the Board and allowing me to do so.” She served on the CHRB Medication, Safety and Welfare Committee from 2014, initially as vice chair and the last five years as chair. She founded the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) in 2007 to raise money for retired racehorses and plans to continue supporting CARMA in its ongoing efforts to provide proper care for horses. For more information about Madeline Auerbach go to www.auerbachracing.com ...

PIRU, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2019) — California stallion Suances was euthanized on Monday at the age of 22 after suffering complications from an infection, Rancho Temescal owner Tim Cohen announced. Suances, an English-bred son of Most Welcome, was a high-weighted 3-year-old in France, a champion in Europe and a graded winner on two continents. He was undefeated in four starts in France and Spain. He came to the U.S. to race at age 5 and won the Grade II San Francisco Breeders’ Cup Mile at Bay Meadows. He retired with eight wins in 12 starts and earnings of $402,559. At stud, Suances was represented by the Golden Gate stakes winner Feisty Suances, the stakes-placed Camino del Paraiso and multiple winner Adam Suances, with progeny earnings of $3 million. ...

From DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2019) — California-bred Bettor Trip Nick was never headed as he scored an upset victory in the $63,800 Golden Nugget Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday. Five of the six entrants in the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds had shown early speed in previous races, but Bettor Trip Nick, one of two runners going off at double-digit odds, was the quickest after breaking on top under Catalino Martinez. The Boat Trip gelding had a 1 1/2-length lead over No Longer Silent, one of the favorites, after 21.53-second opening quarter-mile, a margin he maintained through a half mile in 44.30. Bettor Trip Nick seemed to be on cruise control before Martinez asked for a little more turning for home. His mount responded, spurting to a 3 1/2-length lead over favored Fore Left. Doc Tommy, third at the eighth pole closed well, but Martinez had enough horse left to win by a half-length in 1:09.35. Fore Left, a multiple stakes winner, was third, beaten by three... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2019)–Nick Alexander’s homebred Just Grazed Me rallied from off the pace to take Saturday’s first race at Santa Anita, the Grade III, $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes, by 1 ¼ lengths under Geovanni Franco. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Grazen notched her third consecutive win while getting 5 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:02.94. With favored Girls Know Best and longshot Kentan Road battling for early supremacy, Just Grazed Me got a perfect stalking trip under Franco while a joint fifth heading into the far turn, advanced to third leaving the quarter pole and and accelerated through the final eighth of a mile to win as much the best. “We broke nice and she settled into a good spot,” said Franco, who has been aboard Just Grazed Me in her last four starts. “There were some really fast fillies in there today. She just does what she does and took off on the turn. Once she pinned her... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2019) –In a direct affront to his 14-1 odds, Richard Barton’s homebred Tap Back was in command throughout today’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile at Santa Anita, powering to a six-length win under Victor Espinoza.  Trained by Jeff Bonde, Tap Back got seven furlongs in 1:24.98. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Juvenile is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, available to eligible California-bred or sired horses. Breaking from post position three, Tap Back, a 2-year-old colt by Einstein, out of the Tapit mare Tap Tap Ur It, went to the front out of the gate, opened up on eventual runner-up Cali Dude by 2 ½ lengths at the quarter pole and was in a race of his own late. A first-out Cal-bred maiden winner going 5 ½ furlongs three starts back at Del Mar on Aug. 16, Tap Back was most recently a well beaten fourth in the restricted Capote Stakes at Los Alamitos Sept. 21 and paid $30.00, $13.80... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2019)–With a return to sprinting and her fellow California-breds, KMN Racing’s Been Studying Her responded with a resounding 3 ¼ length victory in Friday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Dan Ward, the 2-year-old daughter of Fast Anna got seven furlongs in 1:25.25. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Juvenile Fillies is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Most recently fourth in the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Chandelier Stakes here on Sept. 27, Been Studying Her broke from post position 11 and was third, about a length and a half off pacesetter Bulletproof One. Three-deep turning for home, Been Studying Her won with her ears pricked in a dominant performance. A winner of the state-bred Generous Portion Stakes going six furlongs two starts back at Del Mar on Aug. 28, Been Studying Her now has three wins from four starts and with the winner’s share of $110,000, she has earnings... ...

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2019) — California-bred Wise Rachel surged from the back of the field to win the first stakes race of the 2019 Fall Meet, the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes, on Saturday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields. The Pike Place Dancer was contested at one mile on firm turf for 2-year-old fillies. After breaking well from the gate, Wise Rachel sat at the rear of the field for the first three-quarters of a mile. At the top of the lane, she angled outside for the stretch drive and finished with a flourish, racing past runner-up The Adrie Factor and third place finisher Convoluted in the final sixteenth of a mile. The win margin was a measured half-length. Jockey Alejandro Gomez guided Wise Rachel to victory, picking up his first stakes win of 2019. Wise Rachel was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is trained by Quinn Howey and owned by Allen Aldrich, who purchased the daughter of English Channel for $7,000 as a... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2019) – A California-bred son of Munnings sold for $260,000 at Thursday’s final session of the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale. The colt, out of the unraced Medaglia d’Oro mare Seaside Treasure, was bred by Linda Madsen, consigned by Ballysax Bloodstock and was purchased by JCM. ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 24, 2019) — U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) re-introduced the Race Horse Cost Recovery Act (H.R. 4786) that would renew three-year race horse depreciation, an important tax provision for the horse racing industry that expired in 2017. Three-year depreciation would become permanent under the new legislation.   “We thank Congressman Barr for filing legislation this week that would make three-year depreciation available to all race horse owners,” said Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO. “This is a much-needed option because it ensures that the tax code will continue to allow businesses in the horse racing industry the flexibility to make decisions about their capital assets in a manner that is consistent with the true economics of their business. This is precisely what the tax code strives for with respect to assets used in other types of businesses.”   Three-year race horse depreciation was most recently available to the industry in 2017 but Congress did not renew it for 2018 as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2019)–Claimed for $40,000 last time out, trainer Mark Glatt’s Castle broke sharply and made every pole a winning one in Saturday’s $100,000 California Flag Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles, as he prevailed by a neck under Abel Cedillo in 1:01.51–the fastest 5 ½ furlongs on turf at Santa Anita’s current Autumn Meet. With even money favorite Tribalist unexpectedly far back early, Castle cleared off by a length heading into the far turn, with eventual second place finisher Grinning Tiger tracking in second. “It looked like there was a lot of speed in the race and all Mark said was ‘Stay Close,’ said Cedillo, who was aboard the 6-year-old Slew’s Tiznow gelding for the first time.  “My horse broke really good and we made the lead very easy and that was good for me.” Claimed out of a close sixth-place finish going five furlongs on turf Aug. 25 at Del Mar, Castle was off at 5-1 and paid $12.00, $5.00 and $3.00. “I thought he was... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2019) — Lady Prancealot was scratched from the Oct. 12 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes Presented by Lane’s End (G1T) at Keeneland to target a softer spot in the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (G3T), and the calculated move paid off Oct. 18 when the 3-year-old filly rallied past 13 rivals to win the 1 1/16-mile turf test. With jockey Joe Bravo in the irons, the Irish-bred daughter of California shuttle stallion Sir Prancealot survived a bump at the start and raced far back early as 8-5 choice Blowout and John Velazquez showed the way with a one-length advantage through a quarter in :23.72 and a half in :48.26. Blowout still had the lead through three-quarters in 1:13.57, but Bravo swung his mount into the six path on the far turn and set her down for a rally down the lane. Taking control through a 1:37.33 mile, Lady Prancealot drove past the leaders three wide in the final stages and won by three-quarters of a... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2019)-Rousing Sermon sired his first winner when Arouse N Go crushed a field of Fresno maiden fillies, going a mile, by five lengths. Arouse N Go is out of the Bertrando broodmare Go Jaylo and the homebred juvenile filly was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams. The Williams’ also bred and campaigned Rousing Sermon. Arouse N Go has earned $10,330 from her four starts. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit and is out of Rousing. He is the leading son of Lucky Pulpit at stud in California. Rousing Sermon is also the leading juvenile earning son of his sire with over $274,000 earned. As a juvenile, he won the California Cup Juvenile Stakes and finished second in both the CashCall Futurity G1 and the Real Quiet Stakes. Overall, he earned $821,572 during his 36 race campaign. Rousing Sermon 2020 stud fee is yet to be announced.   ...

From Legacy Ranch CLEMENTS, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2019) – Millionaire earner Clubhouse Ride, the sire of recent stakes winner Warren’s Showtime, has relocated to Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch in Clements and will stand the 2020 breeding season for a fee of $3,500 live foal. “We have been looking to add another high-quality stallion to our roster and are very excited that Clubhouse Ride became available and that owners Rick Seidner and Craig Lewis felt Legacy Ranch would be the right fit for the stallion,” said Pete Parrella. “We saw at the recent sales the popularity of Clubhouse Ride. Terry Knight, our ranch manager and trainer, has followed the Clubhouse Ride foals closely and was instrumental in getting this deal completed. We will support the stallion with a large number of our mares and believe, as do Rick and Craig, that Clubhouse Ride has the potential to become a leading sire in California for years to come.” Clubhouse Ride, the 11-year-old son of Pacific Classic winner Candy Ride, out... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2019)–Patiently handled by Geovanni Franco, Nick Alexander’s homebred Just Grazed Me drew off to an impressive 1 ¾ length win in Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 4-year-old gray filly by Grazen got 5 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:01.82. Breaking from the far outside in a field of six California-bred fillies and mares, Just Grazed Me was sitting second, a length off her more fancied stablemate S Y Sky heading to the half mile pole, but when Don’t Sell and Mario Gutierrez rushed up to apply serious pressure from the outside, Franco was able to ease back off of a head and head battle for the lead heading into the far turn and it paid dividends in the final sixteenth of a mile. “At first, we were running one-two with her stablemate and I thought it was sweet,” said Franco. “Then the number five (Don’t Sell)... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2019)–Sherwood C. Chillingworth, a longtime director and executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association, passed away on Tuesday at age 93. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Chillingworth, known affectionately as “Chilly” to all who knew him, was named an Oak Tree director in 1989, and later assumed the title of Executive Vice President in 1993. A tireless advocate for the many causes that the not for profit Oak Tree Racing Association funded since its inception at Santa Anita in October, 1969, Chillingworth was a truly beloved figure in California racing. “He was a great man who was a very big part of the Oak Tree Racing Association for many years,” said Hall of Fame trainer and fellow Oak Tree Board member Richard Mandella on Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. “He lived a full life and from what I knew, he loved every minute of it. He had a great sense of humor, he loved to bet and he loved our... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2019)–Patiently handled at odds of 35-1, Ben and Sally Warren’s California-bred Warren’s Showtime rallied from off the pace to take Sunday’s $100,00 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length under apprentice Jorge Velez. Trained by Craig Lewis, the daughter of Clubhouse Ride got one mile on turf in 1:35.06. Next to last and about three lengths off the lead heading into the far turn, Warren’s Showtime, who is out of the Warren’s Grade I stakes winning mare Warren’s Veneda, saved ground at the rail, kicked into high gear straightening for home and collared pacesetter Savvy Gal a sixteenth of a mile out en route to victory. A much-troubled eighth in a one mile turf stakes at Del Mar Sept. 2, Warren’s Showtime, one of two California-bred juvenile fillies in a field of six, paid $72.00, $18.20 and $5.80. “I’m very grateful, luck is on my side,” said Lewis, who also conditioned the winner’s sire and dam, and... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2019) — Sent off at odds of 23-1, Slam Dunk Racing and Michel Nentwig’sCalifornia-bred  El Tigre Terrible turned in a massive upset win in the $101,755 Speakeasy Stakes Oct. 6 at Santa Anita Park and punched his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in one fell swoop. Trained by Peter Miller, El Tigre Terrible broke slowly in the 10-horse field and settled at the rear under jockey Ruben Fuentes. Greg’s Diva set the pace through fractions of :20.76 and :43.39 for a half-mile, followed by Alfie Solomons in second and El Tigre Terrible’s stablemate, Bulletproof One, who overtook Biddy Duke early for third. Angled in, El Tigre Terrible saved ground off the pace before advancing up the inside and through the stretch. Cutting a path between Bulletproof One and Greg’s Diva, El Tigre Terrible got up just in time to get his head in front at the wire and complete the five-furlong turf sprint in :55.78 on a firm course. “I had never been on this... ...

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2019) – Fashionably Fast kept it in-house on Saturday, winning the Harris Farms Stakes at the Fresno Fair for breeder Harris Farms and owner Harris Farms, in partnership with Per Antonsen and John Nicoletti. Fashionably Fast is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Forestry mare Fall Fashion and was trained by Dean Pederson. He has four wins in 13 starts and earnings of $242,745. He ran the six furlongs in 1:10.52 and won by three-quarters of a length as the 7-5 favorite in the field of six. It was his third consecutive win. He was second in this race last year. Baja Sur was second and My Friend Emma was third. ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2019) — California-bred Spiced Perfection, making her first start since running fourth in the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs, overcame a stumble at the start to win the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. The 4-year-old California-bred filly earned a berth in the starting gate for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The West Coast-based daughter of Smiling Tiger  won the Dec. 26 La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita at seven furlongs, the same distance as the Filly & Mare Sprint. Spiced Perfection held off the late-running Dawn the Destroyer by a head in the six-furlong TCA, hitting the wire in 1:10.60 on a fast track. Mia Mischief was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Chalon, the 2-1 favorite, was 1 3/4 lengths behind in fourth. The winner, bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, races for the coalition of Pantofel Stable, Adam Wachtel’s Wachtel Stable, and Peter Deutsch. “She never quits,”... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2019) – Don’t Sell rallied three-wide into the stretch and drew away to win Saturday’s $100,205 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and at Santa Anita. Don’t Sell is by Square Eddie, out of the In Excess mare Too Much Excess, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. “Square Eddies will sprint, route, turf and dirt,” said O’Neill. Don’t Sell has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $235,760 and was coming off a second in the Aug. 9 Solana Beach. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2019)–Full of run while an attentive third around the far turn, Nick Alexander’s homebred Pee Wee Reese slipped through an opening turning for home en route to an impressive half-length win over favored Eddie Haskell in Friday’s Grade III, $200,000 Eddie D Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat and trained by Phil D’Amato, Pee Wee Reese, named for the late Dodger Hall of Fame shortstop, got five furlongs on turf in 55.33, just .27 seconds off the track record set by Eddie Haskell on Feb. 22. Off at 5-2 in a field of eight 3-year-olds and up, Pee Wee Reese paid $7.00, $3.80 and $2.80. Bred in California, Pee Wee Reese is a 6-year-old full horse by Tribal Rule out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Bluegrass Belle. In notching his second graded stakes win, Pee Wee Reese is now 15-8-2-1 and with the winner’s share of $120,000, he now has earnings of $532,901. “When you see... ...

By Thoroughbred Daily News POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2019) — A California-bred colt by two-time GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents topped Thursday’s inaugural Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale in Pomona, bringing a final bid of $150,000 from Steve Gasparelli’s Slugo Racing. The yearling was one of six Cal-breds to sell for six figures during the one-session auction. In all, 137 yearlings sold for $3,667,800. The sale average was $26,772 and the median was $13,000. The Fall Yearling Sale was the second Fasig-Tipton auction of the year in California, following June’s Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, as the sales company takes up the baton from the now-defunct Barretts. “All in all, it was a successful effort and something to build upon,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Thursday. “I think what we saw today is that there is a viable marketplace and that there was significant interest in a large number of offerings. I think it should give breeders confidence that, if they... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BENSALEM, Pa. (Sept. 21, 2019) — Rebounding from a third-place finish in the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3), Coal Front turned back a second-turn bid from Diamond King and inched clear from that rival for a three-quarter-length victory in the $153,500 Parx Dirt Mile Stakes Sept. 21 on the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) undercard. Under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, the Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty sped to the early lead, setting relatively easy opening splits of :23.90 and :47.34. Then as the six-horse field advanced down the backstretch, Diamond King, who was perched on the outside, dialed up the pressure. He cut into Coal Front’s lead before poking a neck in front with a six-furlong split in 1:11.63. Smith had something saved aboard his mount, and under urging down the lane, Coal Front asserted his superiority over the final furlong. He hit the wire with his ears pricked, finishing in 1:37.53 for a mile on a fast track at Parx Racing. Diamond King, winner of last... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2019) – A California-bred filly by Distorted Humor sold for $140,000 at Sunday’s session of the Keeneland September Yearling Session. The filly, out of the Super Saver mare Super Savvy, was bred by Straight Fire LLC, consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock and purchased by Bruno DeBerdt, agent. ...

DONCASTER, England (Sept. 15, 2019) — Sir Dancealot, an Irish-bred son of California shuttle stallion Sir Prancealot, won Saturday’s Group II Hird Rail Group Park Stakes at Doncaster. Sir Dancealot is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Majesty’s Dancer and has 10 wins in 33 starts and earnings of $939,089. He won by 1 1/2 lengths at odds of 5-2. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2019) – A California-bred Ghostzapper colt sold for $100,000 at Friday’s session of the Keeneland Yearling Sale. The colt, out of the stakes-winning Smoke Glacken mare One Smokin’ Lady, was bred by Terry Lovingier, consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, was purchased by John Campo III and is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Smokem. ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2019) –Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Oliver won Saturday’s $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-breds at Los Alamitos. Oliver is by Papa Clem, out of the Premiership mare Snobby Princess, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by William Peeples and trained by Doug O’Neill. “I am very proud of him,” said assistant trainer Leandro Mora. “I talked to Doug this morning and he asked me which one of our horses I liked on the card today and I told him I liked Oliver. I like the way this horse is improving, so I felt confident. He’s just matured a lot as he’s gotten older.’’ The $30,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has won two in a row – he romped to a five-length score in an optional claimer at six furlongs last month at Del Mar. He has four wins in 13 starts and earnings of $228,076. The 3-1 second choice in the field of eight horses bred or sired in California, Oliver... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2019) – From two named foals in his first crop, California stallion Tiz a Minister  was represented by his first winner when Vastly Deep scored on debut in a maiden claiming race Sept. 6 at Los Alamitos Race Course for trainer Steven Miyadi. Going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track, Vastly Deep settled in midpack as early fractions clicked off in :21.72 and :45.66 for a half-mile. He took the lead a furlong from the finish and pulled away to win by two lengths. The gelding finished in 1:04.89 on a fast track. Off at odds of 21-1, Vastly Deep paid $45 for a $2 win bet. A homebred for BG Stables, the California-bred is the second winner from as many foals out of the Into Mischief  mare Miss Beastmode. Tiz a Minister, a 9-year-old son of Ministers Wild Cat who raced exclusively in Southern California, broke his maiden as a 2-year-old and returned at 3 to win the California Breeders Champion Stakes at... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2019) — Rancho San Miguel is greatly saddened to announce the passing of our General Manager Clay Murdock on September 3, 2019. Clay was not only an incredible horseman, but he was an extraordinary man who touched the lives of those around him. He was 58. A viewing will be held at Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home in Paso Robles, California on Friday, September 13, 2019 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held in Atascadero, California at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 2 p.m. Murdock was an member of the board of directors of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He broke into the business at the age of 12 as an exercise rider for his father’s race horses in Idaho and Montana. At 16, Murdock took out his jockey license and in his early 20s migrated to California, first galloping horses at Golden Gate, then coming south to head up a breaking... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2019) — Square Deal, disqualified from victory as a 13-1 longshot in the Graduation Stakes August 2, gained a measure of redemption Friday with a decisive triumph in the featured $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-olds. With leading rider Flavien Prat in the saddle, Square Deal rallied on the far outside turning into the stretch and went on to score by a length and three-quarters in 1:11.72 for the six furlongs on the main track. Bluegrass Faith, a 20-1 longshot, outfinished Tap Back for runner-up honors by three-quarters of a length with Pas de Panique checking in fourth in the field of eight runners. Phantom Boss, the 8-5 favorite, was seventh after breaking slowly. Withdrawn from the race were Riding With Dino, El Tigre Terrible and Big Returns. Square Deal, a son of Square Eddie bred by Thomas Bachman, owned by Arnold Zetcher and Qatar Racing and trained by Simon Callaghan, was a solid second choice at 2-1... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2019) — KMN Racing’s Been Studying Her, winner of a maiden race at Sacramento in her career debut, stepped into stakes company Wednesday to score an upset victory in the featured $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-old fillies. Sent postward at 8-1 despite the presence in the saddle of Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Been Studying Her surged to the lead in the upper stretch and tallied by a length and one-quarter in 1:11.56 for the six furlongs. Cholula Lips, also at 8-1, moved with the winner into the stretch but was unable to keep pace in the final stages while finishing two and one-quarter lengths ahead of third-place Smiling Shirlee. Wise Rachel was fourth. Unbeaten Bulletproof One, the 3-10 favorite on the basis of three impressive wins, including the CTBA Stakes, dueled for the lead until the top of the stretch and tired badly to be next-to-last in the field of seven fillies. Roses for Laura and... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2019) – California stallion Govenor Charlie was represented by his first winner on Sunday when Side Street Dave won the fourth race at Del Mar, a maiden claimer for 2-year-olds. Side Street Dave is out of the Street Cry mare Jolly Days, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by London, Lovingier or Zondlo and is trained by Gary Sherlock. Side Street Dave ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:07.73 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 6-1 in a field of 10. ...

By Bloodhorse.com SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Aug. 24, 2019) — In a dramatic photo finish involving three horses, Mind Control was declared the victor by a nose over a stout-closing Hog Creek Hustle and Shancelot in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty  is perfect in two starts at the Spa, having won last year’s Hopeful Stakes (G1) while on the front end. Hall of Famer John Velazquez gave him a stalking trip in the seven-furlong Jerkens, and he cut through horses late to get the win in a final time of 1:21.43. With Shancelot a strong 3-10 favorite, Mind Control paid $22.80. Shancelot, by Shanghai Bobby, ran off the screen July 28 in the Amsterdam Stakes (G2), winning by 12 1/2 lengths and getting 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.01. Owned by Ivan Rodriguez, Albert Crawford, and Michelle Crawford, he’s trained by Jorge Navarro. Perhaps the “Graveyard of Favorites” and an additional half-furlong got the best... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2019) –Special T Thoroughbreds’ freshman sire Boat Trip had his first winner from his first starter Aug. 23 when his gelded son Bettor Trip Nick held on by a nose to win a maiden claiming race at Golden Gate Fields. Trained by co-owner William Delia for his partners Gary Oetman and Ray Pagano, Bettor Trip Nick broke alertly and was guided to the rail by Catalino Martinez where he led through the first three-sixteenths of a mile but was pressured by Cartellate, who took over to post a quarter-mile in a quick :21.68. The half went in :45.74 with Cartellate leading the way. Although Bettor Trip Nick trailed in the stretch by 3 1/2 lengths, he was able to rally to get a nose in front just in time, completing the five furlongs over the all-weather track in :58.80. Bred in California by Running Horse Equine Training Center, which stood Boat Trip for his first two years at stud, Bettor Trip Nick is the third winner for his... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2019) — Two Thirty Five, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, hit the front in the last stride to nose out Leading Score and win the featured $89,201 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes Wednesday at Del Mar. With talented Del Mar newcomer Abel Cedillo in the saddle, Two Thirty Five, sent to the gate at 6-1, won by a nose over Leading Score, who was piloted by Martin Garcia at 9-2. Line Judge, the 9-5 favorite, was third, a length and one-quarter behind the runner-up and two and one-half lengths in front of Isotherm in the field of six older runners. Two Thirty Five, continuing the hot streak of trainer Richard Baltas, who won four races on Pacific Classic Day last Saturday, ran the mile on turf in 1:37.51 and returned $14.80, $6.40 and $3.40 while earning first money of $53,310 with his fifth win in 18 starts. Two Thirty Five, a five-year-old son of Stay Thirsty, is owned by Baltas, Tom... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2019) — Unraced since last December, California-bred Prince Earl made an auspicious return to competition Sunday with a sparkling come-from-behind victory in the featured Grade II $200,000 Del Mar Mile. Patiently handled in striking position by jockey Geovanni Franco, Prince Earl was able to slice through between horses in deep stretch to take command and then withstood the late challenge of Sharp Samurai to score by three-quarters of a length. Sharp Samurai nosed out Grecian Fire for third money, with Ohio fourth another three-quarters of a length away. Bowies Hero, the 7-5 favorite, checked in fifth in the field of ten runners. Bombard was withdrawn. Prince Earl, a four-year-old son of Paddy O’Prado owned by the Old Bones Racing Stable of Andrew Molasky of Las Vegas, Nevada and Todd Marshall of Minersville, Utah, is trained by Phil D’Amato. “I thought a lot of him as a 3-year-old,” said D’Amato. “He had some unlucky trips in some pretty strong races his last two... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2019) — California-bred Acclimate, masterfully-rated on the lead by jockey Florent Geroux, went to the front shortly after the start and won the marathon Grade II $250,000 Del Mar Handicap presented by the Japan Racing Association from wire-to-wire Saturday. Acclimate, winner of the San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita in June, qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November since the Del Mar Handicap is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series event. He was bred by Old English Ranch, Sal Berumen and Patsy Berumen. The five-year-old son of Acclamation, owned by the Ellwood Johnston Trust and Timmy Time Racing, set a comfortable pace in the mile and three-eighths distance test on the grass and had enough in reserve to score by one length in 2:12.71 over Oscar Dominguez. Ritzy A.P. was third, a length behind the second-place runner and a neck in front of Blended Citizen. The Great Day, the 9-5 favorite, was fifth, while 2-1 supported Marckie’s... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Aug. 16, 2019) — Scott Herbertson’s Monstrodamous became the first winner for freshman sire Curlin to Mischief  Aug. 16 when he won a Golden Gate maiden claiming race by three lengths. The colt trained by Ari Herbertson broke his maiden in just his second start after finishing second in a maiden claiming event at Sacramento. In Friday’s five-furlong test on the all-weather track, Monstrodamous stalked the pace in second as a quarter-mile went in :22.40 and a half in :46.97. Driving through the stretch, Monstrodamous completed the distance in :59.71 on a fast track. The gray/roan colt was bred in California by Barbara Corey and Tony Citarella from the Rock Hard Ten mare Monstro Ness. Curlin to Mischief was bred in Kentucky by Clarkland Farm and is an unraced son of Curlin . Out of broodmare of the year Leslie’s Lady, he is a half brother to grade 1 winner and sire Into Mischief , four-time champion Beholder, and grade 1 winner Mendelssohn . Spendthrift Farm’s Into Mischief, by Harlan’s Holiday, is... ...

From Fasig-Tipton POMONA, Calif. (Aug. 16, 2019) — Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 285 yearlings for its California Fall Yearlings Sale, to be held on Thursday, September 26, at Fairplex in Pomona, California.  The sale will begin at 12 pm PDT. “Fasig-Tipton is excited to conduct our first yearling sale since we have returned to the California marketplace,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.  “Our inaugural two-year-old sale at Santa Anita this past June was an excellent launching point, and we look forward to building on that success in the yearling market.” “There is quality sire power in this catalogue, from both leading sires in California and nationally,” added Browning. The catalogue may now be viewed online, and will also be available via the equineline sales catalogue app.  Print catalogues will be available the beginning of next week. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2019) – California stallion Unusual Heatwave was represented by his first winner on Thursday when Always in Vegas won the second race at Golden Gate. Always in Vegas is out of the Tiznow mare Tizalwaysomething, was bred by Alexis Barba, is owned by Begley, Mathis, Panian and Porreca and is trained by Andy Mathis. The 2-year-old filly ran the five furlongs in 1:00.73 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 9-2 in a field of six. ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 11, 2019) — Overcoming a poor start, My Grandpa out dueled the gutsy filly Alittlelesstalk in a prolonged drive and scored by 1-¼ lengths in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby at Emerald Downs. My Grandpa, as Washington-bred son of California stallion Grazen, was ridden by Jorge Carreno at 123 lbs and paid $17, $6 and $4.20, Tom Wenzel is the trainer for owner Ron Crockett of Seattle. My Grandpa has two wins in six starts and earnings of $48,075. Alittlelesstalk dug in gamely when challenged by My Grandpa at the five-sixteenths pole and yielded grudgingly in the final furlong. Ridden by Scott Stevens at 118 lbs, Alittlelesstalk paid $3.60 and $2.80. Time ’n Time Again finished third and paid $6 to show, while Rally Cat, El Borracho, Sky Confidential and Todo Es Toro rounded out the order of finish. Rally Cat and Alittlelesstalk were co-favored at 3 to 2, although Rally Cat had a tad more money in the win pool—$23,050 to $22,423. Wenzel’s... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2019) — In a rousing finish, Lynne’s Legacy rallied from dead last to forge to the front in the final strides and win the featured $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares Friday at Del Mar. With Rafael Bejarano in the saddle, Lynne’s Legacy closed powerfully to win by a neck over 9-5 favored Pulpit Rider, with Don’t Sell third another head away and nose in front of Mo See Cal. However, the order of finish was revised by the board of stewards who posted the inquiry sign after the race. Upon viewing videotape, Pulpit Rider was disqualified from the runner-up spot for interfering with Fiery Lady in mid-stretch. Moved up to second was Don’t Sell, followed by Mo See Cal in third and A Walk in the Park in fourth as Pulpit Rider was demoted to sixth in the seven-horse field behind Fiery Lady. Withdrawn from the one-mile contest on grass were Battleground State, Donut Girl... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 8, 2019) — A pair of stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds are included in Santa Anita’s upcoming 23-day Autumn Meet, which opens Friday, Sept. 27 and will include the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 1 & 2. Santa Anita will again offer a pair of $200,000 stakes for horses bred or sired in California–the Golden State Juvenile and the Golden State Juvenile Fillies, both at seven furlongs on Friday, Nov. 1. In addition, Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet, which will conclude on Nov. 3, will offer fans and horsemen a full complement of world class racing highlighted by a total of 43 graded stakes–18 of which are Grade I events. For the first time ever, a total of three graded stakes, two of them Grade I Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” qualifying events, will be carded on opening day. In addition to the traditional meet opener, the Grade II, $200,000 Eddie D. Stakes, the Grade I, $300,000 American Pharoah... ...

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (Aug. 3,2019) — Bella Luma, sixth in this race last year, went wire to wire to win Saturday’s $62,950 Luther Burbank Handicap for fillies and mares at Santa Rosa. Bella Luma is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bold Badgett mare Bold Roberta, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by Fairview LLC and Linda Brown and is trained by Ed Moger Jr. She has six wins in 25 starts, earnings of $239,824 and was coming off a fourth in the June 22 Dream of Summer. Bella Luma ran the 1 1/16 on turf in 1:43.51 and won by one-half length at odds of 9-1 in a field of seven. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2019) — Beau Recall, an Irish-bred daughter of new California shuttle stallion Sir Prancealot, who as a three-year-old filly suffered a nose loss in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks, was on the right side of the photo Saturday as she edged longshot Storm the Hill by the narrowest of margins in the Grade II $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for older fillies and mares. With Drayden Van Dyke in the saddle, Beau Recall, now based on the east coast after competing in California for most of her early career, rallied on the rail in the stretch to win a head-bobbing decision over Storm the Hill, a 10-1 outsider piloted by Rafael Bejarano. Vasilika, the 4-5 favorite seeking her fifth victory without a loss this year, was a close-up third under highweight of 125 pounds, finishing a half-length farther back in third. Julien Leparoux piloted Vasilika in the absence of regular rider Flavien Prat who competed at Saratoga Saturday. Fourth in the field... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2019) — Big Returns, the 6-5 favorite, was second under the wire in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds on Friday but was elevated into first place when 13-1 longshot Square Deal, the original winner, was disqualified for causing interference in the stretch. Square Deal, with jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr., in the saddle, reached the wire a length and three-quarters in front but drifted in late in the stretch, interfering with Pas de Panique, third at the end of the five and one-half furlongs, a length and one-half behind Big Returns. After viewing the videotape of the stretch run, Del Mar’s board of stewards disqualified Square Deal, placing him third and moving Big Returns into first and Pas de Panique to runner-up. Big Returns, piloted by Ruben Fuentes for owner William R. Peeples and trainer Luis Mendez, earned $57,000 with his second victory in as many starts. The winner, a son of Mr. Big bred by George Krikorian,... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2019) — Michael Wrona will replace Ed Burgart as the year-round announcer at Los Alamitos beginning in December, the track announced Friday. Wrona, 53, will begin calling races at Los Alamitos during the track’s two-week daytime Thoroughbred meeting that begins Dec. 5 and will start calling the night-time Quarter Horse and lower-level Thoroughbred meeting on Dec. 27. The Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meeting operates year-round on a Friday-through-Sunday basis. Burgart is retiring as track announcer Dec. 15, having held the position since the early 1980s. “It’s a great honor to be selected as Ed Burgart’s successor at Los Alamitos,” Wrona said in a statement released by Los Alamitos. “However, it’s also a somewhat daunting task because Ed personifies Los Al and is truly irreplaceable.” A native of Queensland, Australia, Wrona previously called races at Santa Anita from the spring of 2016 through the fall of 2018 before being dismissed last November. In the past, Wrona has called at tracks such as Arlington Park, Golden... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 31, 2019) — Making her debut for new owners, odds-on favorite Bulletproof One provided a quick return on their investment as she cruised to an impressive triumph in the featured $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-old fillies Wednesday at Del Mar. Also noteworthy Wednesday was the performance of the stable trained by Doug O’Neill, which sent out five winners on the seven-race program, matching the Del Mar record for most winners in a day that the O’Neill barn set July 29, 2015. In the C.T.B.A. Stakes, Bulletproof One, piloted by Norberto Arroyo, Jr., quickly dashed to the front after the break, shook off longshot Unchain Her Heart turning into the stretch and cruised to the wire six and one-quarter lengths on top in 1:04.70 for the five and one-half furlongs. Bulletproof One, a daughter of Idiot Proof, was bred by Victory Rose Thoroughbreds & KMN Racing and purchased by Gary Barber, Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbreds and... ...

From Rancho San Miguel Sir Dancealot, by California shuttle stallion Sir Prancealot, became just the second horse to win the Lennox Stakes twice as he struck at 6-1 for David Elsworth and Gerald Mosse on Tuesday at Glorious Goodwood. The win signalled a return to form for Elsworth, who had not enjoyed a winner since Dandhu’s Fred Darling success in April. Sir Dancealot emulated Nayyir, who won the Group 2 contest in 2002 and 2003. The five-year-old got on top in a narrow finish last year but it was more straightforward this time as he overhauled the well-backed 5-2 favourite Hey Gaman in the final furlong to score by a length. “He’s a very good horse and he’s run a series of solid races,” Elsworth said of the gelding, who won the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury following his success in the race last year. He was also full of praise for Mosse, who has ridden him exclusively for his last 11 starts, saying: “I’m his biggest fan. He’s a wonderful... ...

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 27, 2019) – Unbeaten Richard Ronald, a Louisiana-bred son of California stallion Misremembered, won Friday’s $65,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds at Prairie Meadows. Richard Ronald is out of the Tale of the Cat mare Reining Cats, ran the six furlongs in 1:11.28 and won by a head at odds of 5-2 in the field of six. He has won both of his starts with earnings of $55,800. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (July 27, 2019) — Lieutenant Dan put away odds-on favorite Cruel Intention in midstretch and pulled away late to win Saturday’s $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Del Mar. “We were going a little fast in the beginning, but he was comfortable and good horses can do that,” said winning jockey Drayden Van Dyke. “The key with him is to get him to switch leads properly. I was on him for his most recent work and we were working on that (changing of leads). Today he did it perfectly.” Lieutenant Dan is by Grazen, out of the Indian Charlie mare Excusabull, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steve Miyadi. “The turf  to dirt (switch) was because that’s the Golden State series, we have no choice,” said Miyadi. “The cutback (in distance) meant that I didn’t have to train him as hard and I’m always worried about his weight, so that was a blessing in disguise. We trained... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 26, 2019) — Grecian Fire, the lukewarm 3-1 favorite under Hall of Famer Mike Smith, withstood serious traffic trouble on the far turn and a subsequent stewards’ inquiry to win the featured $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles Friday. Grecian Fire, a five-year-old son of Unusual Heat bred by owner KMN Racing, was forced to take up sharply while rallying when The Hunted bore in, causing the eventual winner to bear out and interfere with runners to his outside. After posting the inquiry sign and viewing videotape of the incident, the stewards absolved Grecian Fire of blame and certified his triumph. “My goodness, I got hit hard on the turn there,” said winning rider Mike Smith. “The six horse (The Hunted) came over and hit me hard. I was lucky we didn’t go down. It was good they ran that :22 and :45 early. That allowed me to come late and get up, even after what happened. If I don’t... ...

From Milky Way TEMECULA, Calif. (July 22, 2019) — Grade 1 winner Graydar has moved from Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky to Linda Madsen’s Milky Way Farms in Temecula, California. The 10-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song out of Sweetest Smile, by Dehere, is currently a Top 10 third-crop sire by earnings ($2,534,001), stakes winners (3), and winners (48). He is represented this year by standout 3-year-old colts Gray Attempt, winner of the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes and Gazebo Stakes, and Gray Magician, second in the UAE Derby (G2) and Indiana Derby (G3), as well as the recent stakes-winning filly Wondrshegotthundr, who won the Ellen’s Lucky Star Stakes at Indiana Grand. Graydar is also the sire of Lombo, winner of the 2018 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita  “There aren’t many Grade 1-winning sons of Unbridled’s Song and we are very excited to bring one of Graydar’s caliber to California,” said Madsen. “He was an accomplished racehorse and a dominant performer on the track. He is passing on his... ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (July 21, 2019) – After riding two stakes winners last Sunday, Kevin Orozco repeated the feat on Championship Sunday Preview Day, capped with a perfectly timed ride on California-bred More Power to Him in the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Stakes for 3-year-olds and up. Orozco, 22, scored his other stakes win Sunday aboard Show Me the Mints in the $50,000 King County Express as Emerald Downs presented four $50,000 stakes races on a 10-race card. In the Mt. Rainier, More Power to Him closed from far back in the eight-horse field, surging past El Huerfano and Oh Marvelous Me in the final strides for a 1 ½-length victory. The winner covered 1 1/16 miles under 120 lbs. in 1:42.62 and paid $10.20, $4.60 and $2.80. Faith Taylor is the winning trainer for owner/breeder Brett Mason of Vacaville, Calif. Fellow Cal-bred El Huerfano, the 9-to-5 favorite ridden by Agapito Delgadillo at 124 lbs, finished second and paid $3.40 and $2.40, while ultra-consistent Oh Marvelous Me, ridden... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 20, 2019) — After winning the Grade II $200,000 San Diego Handicap earlier in the afternoon aboard 1-9 favored Catalina Cruiser, jockey Joel Rosario made his trip West even more worthwhile as he rallied 5-2 betting choice Mucho Unusual from last place to capture the Grade II $200,000 San Clemente Stakes for three-year-old fillies Saturday. Mucho Unusual, owned and bred in California by George Krikorian and trained by Tim Yakteen, returned $7, $4 and $3.40 while earning $120,000 with her fourth victory in only seven outings. Krikorian’s Hollywood Hills won Thursday’s Fleet Treat Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies. Apache Princess paid $11.80 and $7.20, while Over Emphasize returned $4.60 to show. Outrun in the early stages of the one-mile grass event, Rosario cut loose Mucho Unusual on the far turn, swung wide to rally entering the stretch and collared another late-runner, 17-1 Cal-bred Apache Princess, in the final yards to win by a neck in 1:34.66. “I left it (race... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 18, 2019) — Northern California invader Hollywood Hills, piloted by Flavien Prat, rallied in the stretch to nose out prohibitive favorite Sneaking Out in the final stride to win the featured $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies Thursday at Del Mar. Hollywood Hills is the first stakes winner for her stallion, Hoorayforhollywood. Send postward at 8-1 for breeder/owner George Krikorian and trainer Steve Sherman, Hollywood Hills responded generously to Prat’s encouragement in the stretch to upset the 1-9 betting choice, Sneaking Out, who was piloted by Drayden Van Dyke. A distant third, nine and one-half lengths farther back, was Ruby Bradley, with Tiz a Master fourth in the field of five fillies. Takethediamondlane and Opus Won were scratched. Hollywood Hills accomplished seven furlongs in 1:24.96 and paid $19.40, $3.40 and $2.40 while earning first money of $85,500 with her first success in a stakes race. Over-all, it was the filly’s sixth victory in 11 starts. Runner-up Sneaking Out returned... ...

From NYRA Publicity SARATOGA, N.Y. (July 11, 2019) — Reddam Racing’s California-bred Listing enjoyed stakes success in the Golden State and continued his winning ways on the opposite coast, surging from second-to-last to overtake Neverland Rock and fend off Elektronic in deep stretch for a half-length win in the 10th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Quick Call for 3-year-olds on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course. Off as the 7-5 favorite, Listing stayed covered up in sixth as jockey Joel Rosario kept the Square Eddie colt tucked inside as Abyssinian led the seven-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 21.68 seconds and the half in 45.54 into the turn in the 5 ½-furlong sprint on the yielding Mellon turf. Rosario, bidding for his third win on Opening Day at the Spa, capitalized on a ground-saving trip out of the turn and tipped Listing out wide for his move, with his charge responding by running down five competitors, including Neverland Rock just before the wire, and outkicked a charging Elektronic, recording... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 10, 2019) – A California-bred Kitten’s Joy filly sold for $100,000 at Tuesday’s session of the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale. The filly, out of the Dynaformer mare Dynarhythm, was bred by Hanson’s River Ranch, consigned by Bluewater Sale, agent, and purchased by Becky Thomas. The filly is a full sister to graded-stakes placed Fear the Kitten. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 8, 2019) — Old Friends welcomed Soi Phet, the 11-year-old son of Tizbud who was retired following his 64th and final start June 29 at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The dark bay gelding arrived at Lexington Bluegrass Airport July 8 and was vanned to Old Friends’s Georgetown, Ky., farm. Bred in California by ARCHA Racing, Soi Phet was claimed by conditioner Leonard Powell for $16,000 in May 2013 at Hollywood Park for the partnership of Mathilde Powell, the Benowitz Family Trust, and Paul Viskovich. He went on to earn nearly $1 million for his new owners. He scored his first stakes win in the 2014 Bertrando Stakes at Los Alamitos—a race he captured again in 2018—and later that year he returned to the one-mile oval to register a 7 1/4-length romp in the inaugural $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile. In 2018, Soi Phet became the oldest stakes winner in Santa Anita Park history when he captured the Crystal Water Stakes as a 10-year-old. Soi Phet finished his career with 15 wins,... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 6, 2019) – Bulletproof One, a daughter of speedy Idiot Proof, beat the boys with a 9 ¼-length win in Saturday’s $101,500 Everett Nevin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds at the Alameda County Fair. Bulletproof One is by Idiot Proof, out of the Decarchy mare Onefunsonofagun, was bred by Victory Rose Thoroughbreds & KMN Racing, is owned by Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and trained by Ellen Jackson. She won her lone previous start May 11 and now has earnings of $83,400. Bulletproof One ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.04 and went off at odds of 7-2. Roses for Laura was second and Drippin Sauce was third in the field of 10. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 4, 2019) – Favored California-bred Summersimage finished steadily to win Thursday’s $65,500 Oak Tree Sprint Stakes at the Alameda County Fair. Summersimage is by Slew’s Tiznow, out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Swimmer, was bred by owner William Hedrick and is trained by Ricardo Perez. He has seven wins in 19 starts and earnings of $231,143. The 5-year-old ran the six furlongs in 1:10.88 and won by one-half length over fellow Cal-bred Touched by Autism as the 7-5 favorite. ...

From CTBA POMONA, Calif. (July 3, 2019) — California Thoroughbred Breeders Association will again conduct a January Mixed Sale on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at Fairplex Park. ...

From Fasig-Tipton POMONA, Calif. (July 2, 2019) — Fasig-Tipton announced today its California Yearling Sale will now be held on Thursday, September 26 at Fairplex in Pomona, California, rather than at Santa Anita.  “We appreciate Fairplex working with us to utilize the existing permanent facilities there to host our California yearling sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.  “Our inaugural two-year-old sale at Santa Anita last month generated positive momentum in the California marketplace, and we look forward to building on that momentum with a strong yearling sale in September at Fairplex.  We will be returning to Santa Anita next year for another outstanding two-year-old sale.” ...

By San Diego Union-Tribune DEL MAR, Calif. (July 2, 2019) — Del Mar Thoroughbred Club staged the safest horse racing among major tracks in the country in 2018, but after a recent meet with 30 horse deaths at Santa Anita Park, Del Mar’s leadership hardly felt like it could go about business as usual. For the 36-day summer meet that begins July 17, Del Mar is adding a number of safety and oversight measures to those it instituted two years ago following difficult 2016 summer and fall racing seasons in which a total of 23 horses died in racing or training. In the last two years, Del Mar’s horse deaths dropped to eight in 2017 (five in summer, three in fall) and seven in ’18 (six in summer, one in fall). In a 2018 report from the Jockey Club Equine Injury Database, Del Mar ranked best in safety among nearly two dozen self-reporting tracks, with a rate of 0.79 fatal injuries per 1,000 starts — or fewer than half the... ...

From Bloodhorse.com/daily LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 1, 2019) — Terry Lovingier made the trip to Kentucky to watch two of his homebred juveniles compete in stakes June 29 at Churchill Downs. The owner of Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs, Calif., said he would have been happy if Phantom Boss and Cholula Lips had finished in the top three, but the California-breds made it a bumper weekend. Phantom Boss lived up to his favoritism and scored in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) despite being bumped multiple times, and Cholula Lips was a strong second to Magic Dance after dueling near the lead in the Debutante Stakes. “I thought ‘Cholula’ ran lights out against that really good filly, because that filly’s like a Breeders’ Cup filly. She’s really good,” Lovingier said. “‘Cholula’ moved way forward, and I loved her gallop out. If you watch the gallop out, she galloped right on past the other horse. I think ‘Cholula’ ran just really, really big. Phantom Boss is just a super good horse. “While the... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 29, 2019) — California-bred invader Phantom Boss inched clear in the final eighth of a mile to win the $125,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) June 29 at Churchill Downs, which concluded its 38-day spring meet Saturday. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Phantom Boss edged Rowdy Yates by three-quarters of a length and ran six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:10.78 for trainer Jorge Periban and owners Bada Beng Racing, Tom Beckerle, Terry Lovingier, and Amanda Navarro. Phantom Boss is a 2-year-old son of 2011 Preakness Stakes (G1) and 2012 Clark Handicap (G1) winner Shackleford  out of the Street Boss  mare Bossy Belle. He was bred in California by Lovingier and is the first foal out of the mare, who produced an Empire Way filly, her most recently reported foal, in 2018. Phantom Boss broke alertly from the inside post but settled nicely behind early leaders Verb and Rowdy Yates. Before the pacesetters hit the first quarter-mile marker in :21.84, Phantom Boss switched to an outside tracking position... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 29, 2019) – Taking on males in her first start for trainer Andrew Lerner, Queen Bee to You, the third longest shot in the field at 10-1, held on to defeat 16-1 outsider Tule Fog by a nose in the $100,351 Bertrando Stakes Saturday, opening day of the Summer Thoroughbred Festival at Los Alamitos. After battling with the eventual runner-up and 4-5 favorite King Abner early, the 5-year-old daughter of Old Topper and the Touch Gold mare Silk Queen opened a clear lead entering the long stretch, then held off a rejuvenated Tule Fog late to narrowly prevail. Ridden by Ruben Fuentes, Queen Bee to You, who is owned by Christoper St. Hilaire and Adam Vali, completed the mile in 1:35.95. The win was her fifth in 27 starts and the $60,000 payday pushed her bankroll to $410,419. She paid $23.80, $10.60 and $4. It was the first stakes success for Lerner, 30, who was first involved in racing as an owner before... ...

From Thoroughbred Daily News LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2019) — Think the local industry can easily shrug off the loss of California racing? Think again. That was one of the key takeaways during Tuesday evening’s June membership meeting of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club. The KTDMC invited executives from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to review the response to the current crisis in California and to explain the NTRA’s role in addressing this and similar issues. The five-strong panel also included Dr. Steve Vickner, an economist and faculty member of the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program. http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/pdf/tdn/tdn190627.pdf ...

From Ballena Vista Farm RAMONA, Calif. (June 25, 2019) — Grade I winner and Grade I sire Bluegrass Cat has been sold to Nimet Arif Kurtel to stand at his Karacabey Boarding Stud near Izmit, Turkey; where he will join Victory Gallop, Lion Heart and Corinthian. He is scheduled to depart Ballena Vista Farm late June for Sancal Racing at Elmendorf Farm in Kentucky prior to shipping overseas. A multiple stakes winner at two, Bluegrass Cat took the Grade I Haskell by seven lengths during his sophomore campaign. He also finished second to Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby, finished second in the Belmont and second in the Travers that season. Trained by Todd A. Pletcher for owner breeder Winstar Farm, LLC Bluegrass Cat retired with earnings of $1.7 million. The 2003 son of Storm Cat is out of the multiple stakes producing A. P. Indy broodmare She’s a Winner. Bluegrass Cat has sired 33 stakes winners and one champion in his career.  From ten crops of racing age, Bluegrass Cat... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2019)–California-bred Eddie Haskell overcame self-inflicted trouble to recover and win Saturday’s $75,000 Siren Lure Stakes by three quarters of a length while covering five furlongs on the Santa Anita turf in 55.45. Trained by Mark Glatt and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the 6-year-old Square Eddie gelding now has eight wins from 11 tries going five furlongs on grass. Breaking from the rail in a field of five horses three and up, Eddie Haskell seized the bit and drug Desormeaux into a precariously close position off the heels of pacesetter and eventual runner-up What’sontheagenda heading to the far turn, but Desormeaux was able to wrangle him back and had clear sailing with three lengths to make up turning for home. “I was a little bit worried about the one hole and you could see Kent had his hands full there heading into the turn,” said Glatt, who has now won six out of his 10 starts with “Eddie” since claiming him for $50,000... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2019)–In sharp recent form and blessed with an abundance of natural speed, California-bred Acclimate took six rivals on a merry chase that resulted in a stirring half length victory in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Martin Garcia and trained by Phil D’Amato, the 5-year-old gelding by Acclamation got the marathon mile and three quarters on turf in 2:48.80. Fresh off a gate to wire victory in a 1 1/8 mile turf starter allowance on May 31, Acclimate broke sharply and was immediately under a snug hold down the hill and enjoyed a three-length advantage heading into the Club House turn. With favored Causeforcommotion beginning to tire in second position, Garcia let out a notch a quarter mile from home and Acclimate enjoyed a three length advantage over eventual runner-up Oscar Dominguez a furlong from home en route to a hard fought win. Off at 9-1, Acclimate paid $21.00, $8.60 and $4.40. “It was all... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2019)–Winless in her five previous tries, Nick Alexander’s homebred Ruby Bradley, who was trying two turns on dirt for the first time, put in a determined stretch-long bid to prevail by a half length in Sunday’s $200,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Aaron Gryder, Ruby Bradley got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:49.92. Next to last in a compact field of five sophomore fillies turning for home, the daughter of Grazen kept to her task late to prevail over Tiz a Master, who was to her outside.   Named for the Millard and Rous homebred daughter of Our Blue Chip, Melair, a foal of 1983, was a multiple graded stakes winner who was conditioned by John Sadler.  The Melair Stakes is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses which is sponsored by the CTBA.   Most recently second at 4-5 in a Cal-bred maiden special going six furlongs on... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 22, 2019)–Based at Golden Gate Fields, Our Silver Oak rallied from off the pace and outran a determined Irish Heatwave to prevail by a head in Saturday’s $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Mike Smith, the 3-year-old Unusual Heat gelding provided trainer Jonathan Wong with his first Santa Anita stakes win by traversing a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:50.04. Named for the Mel Stute-conditioned California-bred son of Reflected Glory, who was named Eclipse Champion 3-year-old male of 1986, the Snow Chief Stakes is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State series is for California-bred or sired horses. Breaking from the rail in a field of nine California-bred or sired sophomores, Our Silver Oak was in the two-path around the Club House turn and although he was next to last at the five furlong pole, he was full of run as Smith began working his way towards to the front of... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 22, 2019)–Beaten nearly 40 lengths in her most recent start, trainer Bill Spawr’s Starr of Quality ran down a determined Coco Kisses in deep stretch to take Saturday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Tiago Pereira, Starr of Quality, a 5-year-old California-bred mare by First Dude, got one mile in 1:40.26. Breaking from post position two in a field of four California-bred or sired fillies and mares, Starr of Quality was in-hand while Coco Kisses, who broke from the outside, worked her way gradually to the lead into the first turn.  Starr of Quality eased off the lead a bit turning down the backside, enabling  Pereira to shift off the rail, just to the outside of the eventual runner-up. “This was an easier spot today,” said Pereira, in reference to Starr of Quality’s 38 ¾ length defeat at the hands of Paradise Woods in the Grade II Santa Margarita Stakes here... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (June 22, 2019) — Del Mar will present a unique “baby bonus” to horsemen who run 2-year-olds in open maiden special weight races this summer at the seaside track, offering a 25% boost to purse winnings on top of their regular payouts. There are two provisos that go with the arrangement: The races can be run short or long, but must be run on dirt. And in order to qualify for the bonus monies, the trainer involved must have fewer than 50 horses stabled in Southern California. “What we’re primarily trying to do with this ‘bonus’ plan is to encourage our ‘smaller’ outfits to get quality 2-year-old runners and enter them in our key building block events for our young horses,” said Tom Robbins, Del Mar’s executive vice president for racing. “Our ‘big’ trainers – about a half-dozen or so guys who have large strings on the circuit – understand what we’re doing with this program and are in favor of it. They want... ...

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (June 22, 2019) – California stallion Old Topper has been retired from breeding and pensioned at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. He is 24. The son of Gilded Time was a perennial leading sire in California, with 24 stakes winners and lifetime progeny earnings of more than $22 million. Old Topper’s leading earner is Ain’t No Other ($715,280) and his runners included graded winner Top Kisser. On the track, Old Topper was a multiple graded winner. ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (June 16, 2019) – Baja Sur, a Washington-bred son of California stallion Smiling Tiger, remained undefeated with his latest impressive victory in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs. Scoring his third stakes win and fourth victory overall, Baja Sur held off Runningwscissors for a 1 ¾-length victory in 1:15.60 for 6 ½ furlongs. Ridden by Franklin Ceballos at 124 lbs, Baja Sur paid $2.60 as the 3 to 10 betting favorite. Baja Sur, bred by John Roche and sold at the WTBA Yearling Sale for $67,000, set fractions of :22.58 and :45.12, shook off Perfect Dude into the stretch and held sway to the wire. Runningwscissors was clearly second best, 5 ¼ lengths clear of Perfect Dude in third, while Verynsky and Fuzzy Dolphin rounded out the order of finish. Baja Sur, Runningwscissors and Perfect Dude also finished first, second and third in the Auburn Stakes last month. Baja Sur improved to two for two this year with wins in the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 15, 2019)–In what must rate as one of the most impressive sprint performances of the Spring Meet, Harris Farms’ homebred Desert Law seized the moment turning for home and marched to an emphatic 6 ¼ length win in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Carla Gaines and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, the 5-year-old Desert Code gelding got six furlongs in a sizzling 1:09.49. The Thor’s Echo is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for California-bred or sired horses. Breaking from post position five in a field of six California-bred or sired 3-year-olds and up, Desert Law sat an attentive second to speedball Smiling Angelo up the backside and around the far turn and drew even at the quarter pole, whereupon the Thor’s Echo was for all intents and purposes, over. “He has been training fantastic, he loves the track,” said Gaines. “He’s one of those that just glides over... ...

OCALA, Fla. (June 14, 2019) – A 2-year-old filly by California stallion Stay Thirsty sold for $160,000 at Friday’s session of the Ocala Breeders Sales June Sale. The Kentucky-bred filly is out of the mare Stunning Electra and was purchased by Emerald Sales, agent. The filly was a $1,500 pinhook out of the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 12, 2019) – Effective immediately, in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s direction, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), working closely with The Stronach Group (TSG), owner of Santa Anita Park, will implement enhanced safety measures and reviews to further protect horses at Santa Anita. “On behalf of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and our 1,000 members, we commend Governor Newsom, the CHRB and The Stronach Group on their commitment to the safety of our equine and human athletes and the recent announcement of enhanced safety measures at Santa Anita Park”, stated Doug Burge of the CTBA. “In this current time, it is immensely important that we all remain committed, and stand together, to show our industry and the public that our athletes’ safety and welfare are of utmost importance.” Led by CHRB Equine Medical Director Dr. Rick Arthur, DVM, and Chief Steward Darrel McHargue, a five-member team will provide additional review of horses’ medical, training and racing history. This team consists of independent CHRB veterinarians... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 9, 2019)–Head and head early, Reddam Racing’s California-bred Listing spurted clear turning for home en route to an authoritative 2 ¼ length win in Sunday’s $75,000 Desert Code Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez and trained by Ben Cecil, the 3-year-old colt by Square Eddie got five furlongs on turf in 55.21. Breaking from post position two in a field of five sophomores, Listing and New York-bred Rafal were at once engaged in a hot speed duel. Approaching the three sixteenths pole, Listing gained the advantage and went on to win in-hand. “He ran really good,” said Gutierrez, who had guided Listing to a close fourth place finish in the one mile turf Silky Sullivan Stakes versus Cal-breds on April 28 at Golden Gate Fields. “He was sharp today. I was able to sit pretty comfortably with Baffert’s horse (Rafal) and I was able to move with him before I got pressure from those other horses.” Off at 7-2, Listing, who... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (June 8, 2019) – Favored Mikes Tiznow went wire-to-wire to win Saturday’s $65,750 Albany Stakes in a California-bred sweep of the top three spots. Mikes Tiznow is by Slew’s Tiznow, who sired the first and second finishers. Mikes Tiznow is out of the Maria’s Mon mare Babes Bridge It, was bred by Eagle Ridge Racing, is owned by Mike Schott and trained by Andy Mathis. He has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $157,555 and was coming off a May 4 allowance win. Summersimage was second and Brandothebartender was third in the field of seven. Mikes Tiznow ran the five furlongs in :56.83 and won by 1 ½ lengths at odds of 3-2. ...