ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2018) – In the first division of Saturday’s $50,000 Miss America Stakes at Golden Gate, California-bred Lynne’s Legacy rolled from last to first to win the 1 1/16-mile contest for trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Alonso Quinonez. Lynne’s Legacy is by Unusual Heat, out of the Steinlen mare Top of Our Game, was bred by Harris Farms, and is owned by Maureen Richardson, Ritchie Robershaw and Steve Rothblum. She has five wins in 29 starts, earnings of $305,780. O’Neill claimed Lynne’s Legacy out of her most recent appearance, an allowance optional claimer at Del Mar, in which Lynne’s Legacy was in for a $40,000 tag. Lynne’s Legacy picked up her first stakes victory with the Miss America Stakes triumph. ...

NEW ORLEANS (Dec. 8, 2018) – Odds-on favorite Remember Daisy, a Louisiana-bred daughter of California stallion Misremembered, easily won Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds. Remember Daisy is out of the Speightstown mare Very Speightstown. She won by eight lengths at odds of 9-10 in the field of six running the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.09. ...

LAUREL, Md. (Dec. 8, 2018) – Alwaysmining, a Maryland-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, won Saturday’s $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Futurity for 2-year-olds at Laurel Park. Alwaysmining is out of the Anees mare What Will Be. He ran the seven furlongs in 1:21.91 and won by 2 ½ lengths at odds of 3-1 in the field of eight. ...

From Harris Farms and Old English Rancho COALINGA, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2018) — Combining over 100 years of leadership and excellence in California and national racing, John Harris’s Harris Farms and the Johnston’s family’s Old English Rancho are joining forces to keep California racing and breeding strong.  Stallions to be located at the Harris Farms facility near I-5 about midway between the Bay Area and the Los Angeles area include:  Acclamation, Clubhouse Ride, Desert Code, Jeranimo, Lakerville, Majestic Harbor, Mr. Big, Prospect Park, Smiling Tiger, Tamarando, and Vronsky.  Both farms utilize over 700 irrigated acres or irrigated pasture for boarding of broodmares as well as stallions, and the development of yearlings. Jonny Hilvers, the general manager of Old English Rancho for eight years, will become General Manager of the newly combined entity. Hilvers, 33, a Sanger native, is the grandson of popular California owner and breeder, Buddy Johnston and great-grandson of Elwood “The Pie Man” Johnston, the founder of Old English Rancho, a dominant force in California racing and breeding... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2018)–With its traditional Winter Meet opener fast approaching on Wednesday, Dec. 26, Santa Anita Park has announced substantial purse increases for all of its overnight races, with some categories getting as much as an 11 percent boost when compared to purse levels at the track’s recently concluded Autumn Meet. Santa Anita’s Winter Meet Condition Book One will be available to horsemen at santaanita.com on Tuesday, with hard copies available in the Racing Office this Wednesday, Dec. 5. In addition to higher purses, horsemen will also find increased benefits for those running in races with purse levels of $30,000 or lower, as purse distribution in those races has been adjusted to better compensate horses that finish fourth and fifth.  Percentage of purse distribution in those races, from first through fifth, will now be 55, 20, 12, 8 and 5. “The overall increase in purse money is due to increased handle over the last year,” said P.J. Campo, Vice President, Racing for The Stronach... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2018) — A pair of high-profile horse owners who have raced some of the nation’s top Thoroughbreds in recent years, as well as having long established themselves as notable leaders in their respective fields, have agreed to join the board of directors of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it has been announced. California farming magnate Kosta Hronis and radio and television star Jim Rome became the latest members of the Southern California track’s guiding council this past week bringing to 11 the number of board members who supervise the business of running one of the nation’s most popular racetracks. Hronis, 59, oversees a massive (6,000 acres) fruit farm in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, specializing in the growing, packing and shipping of table grapes and navel oranges. He has been an avid racing fan since his youth and a horse owner for the past decade. Among his stable’s current stars is the $5.7-million earner and Horse of the Year candidate Accelerate. Rome,... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2018)–Frank Mirahmadi, a well-known and popular figure in racing circles from coast to coast, has been named Santa Anita Park’s permanent announcer and will assume his duties high atop the Grandstand beginning opening day, Wednesday, Dec. 26. Having just completed his fourth season as the track announcer at Monmouth Park, Mirahmadi is currently calling races at Aqueduct and will conclude his duties in New York on Dec. 16.  Mirahmadi has also served with distinction over the last 22 years, with his first announcing job at Hialeah Park, and at several other locales, including Oaklawn Park, Golden Gate Fields and Louisiana Downs, with brief stints at Santa Anita in 2014 and 2016. “We’re very excited to be able to hand Frank the microphone here on opening day,” said Tim Ritvo, COO for The Stronach Group.  “In addition to being an outstanding communicator, to know Frank is to love him. He’s a very engaging, funny guy who brings a unique perspective to his job.... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2018) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Touched by Autism rallied late to win Saturday’s $63,375 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate. Touched by Autism is by Sierra Sunset, out of the Beau Genius mare Beau’s Gem, was bred by George and Mary Clare Schmitt, is owned by Johnny Toboada and is trained by Marcia Stortz. The $2,700 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has eight wins in 28 starts, earnings of $261,815 and was coming off a a fourth in the Oct. 14 Bull Dog. He ran the six furlongs in 1:09.16 and won by a neck at odds of 13-1 in the field of eight. ...

By Bloodhorse.com TOKYO, Japan (Nov. 24, 2018) — The winner of the first race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby is a filly. But that may not keep her from Churchill Downs on the first weekend in May. Make Happy, a California-bred daughter of grade 1 winner Square Eddie , raced close to the pace in the Cattleya Sho Nov. 24 at Tokyo Racecourse. With Japan’s leading rider Christophe Lemaire in the irons, the bay filly bided her time until midway down the stretch, then quickly found another gear and drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory. Kingen, a Darley-bred Godolphin runner with William Buick aboard, was along for second, and Johann, a Johannesburg colt, finished third in the 1,600-meter (about one mile) dirt event. Make Happy, out of the Ten Most Wanted mare Silar Rules, was bred by Reddam Racing and sold to Shadai Farm at The Gulfstream Sale in March for $650,000. She is a full sister to grade 1 winner Ralis and to the grade 3-placed multiple stakes... ...

By Paulickreport.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2018) — Fan-favorite racehorse-turned-stable pony Lava Man has once again returned to Santa Anita Park. The 17-year-old gelding underwent colic surgery on July 31 this year, and was sent back to trainer Doug O’Neill’s stable in late August. From there, the Hall of Fame racehorse was sent to a farm to continue his recovery. “Lava Man is doing really well,” O’Neill told XBTV. “We gave him extra time, and he’s been relaxing and recovering in the beautiful Sunshine Farms in Bradbury, California here about seven miles East of Santa Anita. We’ve been checking in on him a lot and he looks phenomenal.” The California-bred champion is expected to be able to return to his stable pony career, O’Neill said, but the team will wait to let the horse tell them when he’s ready to go back to work. “We’re gonna just kind of play it by ear,” O’Neill continued. “He’s a horse that just absolutely loves and thrives on working, so as long as he... ...

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2018) — Multiple graded stakes runner Niagara Falls has been relocated to Oak Creek Farm in Valley Center. The son of European Horse of the Year and three-time leading North American sire Giant’s Causeway will stand for a fee of $2,000. Out of the Kingmambo mare Istikbal, Niagara Falls hails from the strong female family of Best in Show that has produced such greats as Aldebaran, Good Journey, Spinning World and Better Than Honour.  Niagara Falls has been genetically tested to have a Genetic Stallion Marker (GSM) of 90. His sire, Giant’s Causeway, had a GSM of 94. (ThoroughGen LCC)  Niagara Falls shares a genotype with a high percentage of stallions that on average produced between 8-10% stakes winners. Niagara Falls entered stud in 2016. His impressive first-crop yearlings and weanlings of 2018 are available for viewing at Oak Creek Farm.  ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2018) — The vintage Solid Wager made an appearance Nov. 18 at Del Mar and won the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles for the third time. Gary Barber and Stanford Stable’s 7-year-old Birdonthewire gelding never seems to run poorly, but it had been a long time since he won a stakes. Almost two years ago he won the Cary Grant and Midnight Lute (G3) consecutively in 2016. He also won the Cary Grant in 2015. Since then Solid Wager, bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, placed in three stakes—including a second in the 2017 Cary Grant—and his only win for trainer Peter Miller came in an optional-claiming allowance June 9, in which he was claimed for $40,000 but the claim was voided after a post-race veterinarian inspection. Flash forward to Sunday in the seven-furlong sprint, and Solid Wager surged from sixth to first from the midway point in the turn to the top of the lane under jockey Drayden Van Dyke,... ...

By Bloodhorse.com HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2018) — Grade 1-winning owner/breeder and Broadway producer Jerry Frankel died Nov. 17, according to the Hollywood Reporter. A nine-time Tony Award winner, Frankel bred and raced California-bred grade 1 winner Joey Franco, and in a partnership with brother Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon, and Bradley Thoroughbreds campaigned multiple grade 1 winner and 2014 champion turf female Dayatthespa. Joey Franco won the Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Invitational Handicap (G1) at Hollywood Park and Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) in 2003 and earned $635,091 from his 17 starts for Frankel and trainers David Hofmans and Darrell Vienna. He also bred seven other stakes winners, including Capichi, an Agitate mare who won three graded stakes and was runner-up against males in the 1986 Santa Ana Handicap (G1). New York-bred Dayatthespa, trained by Chad Brown, won five graded stakes, including three grade 1 events, and closed her career on the track with a three-race win streak in 2014, when she took the Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga Race... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2018) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association will conduct its annual PAC stallion season telephone auction on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seasons will be sold with no guarantee. Proceeds from the auction benefit the CTBA’s Political Action Committee Fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California Breeders. For a list of stallion seasons available, click https://ctba.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/StallionAuction2018.pdf For more information, contact Christy at 626-445-7800 ext. 247 or email christy@ctba.com ...

From COALINGA, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2018) — Prospect Park, winner of the G3 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar, has been retired to stand at Harris Farms in Coalinga. The horse has been purchased by PVNC Stables LLC in a deal brokered by Chad Schumer of Schumer Bloodstock. Prospect Park retires having won four of 18 starts and $539,770 in earnings for trainer Cliff Sise. A hard-knocking and consistent graded stakes performer in California who was highly regarded from the outset by connections, the son of Tapit enjoyed his finest moment as the wide-margin winner of the La Jolla Handicap. He was also a Santa Anita maiden winner as a two-year-old and placed on ten occasions, notably when second to Dortmund in the G2 San Felipe Stakes while on the Kentucky Derby trail. He was also second in the G2 Los Alamitos Derby and G3 Affirmed Stakes and third in the G2 Del Mar Derby and G2 Californian Stakes. Along the way, he defeated some of the best of his... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, CA (Nov. 11, 2018) — With a stalk-and-pounce, half-length victory in the nightcap at Golden Gate Fields November 11, Stewball Stable, Gary Oetman, and Scott Silvestri’s Big Ceas became the first winner for his sire, Northern Causeway. Jockey Juan Hernandez guided the 9-1 Big Ceas to the win in the six-furlong maiden special weight for California-bred or -sired 2-year-olds, the gelding’s eight start for trainer Michael Lenzini. The final time was 1:10.48. Trained by Keith Nations early on at Golden Gate, Northern Causeway moved to trainer Len Kasmerski after his third start and won the British Columbia Derby (G3) at Hastings Racecourse for the conditioner in 2011. He also won the Richmond Derby Trial Handicap at Hastings ahead of his British Columbia Derby win, and placed in the 2012 BC Premier’s Handicap (G3). A five-time winner from 30 starts, the Kentucky-bred son of Giant’s Causeway , out of the Silver Deputy mare Getaway Girl, brought in $265,367 in purse earnings during his racing career. Northern Causeway stands... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2018) — Perfectly placed by jockey Flavien Prat behind dueling leaders in the early stages of the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares, Spiced Perfection surged between rivals to take command entering the stretch and drew off impressively to win the seven-furlong sprint by two and one-quarter lengths Sunday. Bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, Spiced Perfection, sent off at 4-1 odds, scored her fourth win in six lifetime starts at Del Mar and fifth in 13 career efforts, running the distance in 1:23.21. Runner-up was Just Grazed Me under Tyler Baze, with S Y Sky, the 2-1 favorite, third, a length and one-quarter farther back, and three-quarters in front of fourth-place Love a Honeybadger in the field of eight older California-bred fillies and mares. Mo See Cal was scratched. Spiced Perfection, a three-year-old daughter of former top sprinter Smiling Tiger, is owned by the Dare to Dream Stable of Michael Faber of Mundelein, Illinois and conditioned by... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2018) — Tivan, a 2-year-old California bred gelding, made his first start against winners in the $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields and passed the class test with flying colors, sitting off the pace before coming with a ferocious rally down the lane to surge past early pacesetter Tribal War Chant in the final yards. Jerry Hollendorfer conditions the 2-year-old gelding, who was ridden to victory by veteran jockey Frank Alvarado. Alvarado celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday. Tivan was bred by owner KMN Racing LLC. With the Golden Nugget win in his pocket, Tivan has won both lifetime starts with career earnings of $60,350. He completed the six furlongs in 1:09.94. “I knew they were going fast in the beginning,” said Alvarado. “This is the kind of horse that you have to let him break and let him settle down. At the three-eighths pole, I had to make up my mind on whether to go outside or... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2018) – California stallion He Be Fire N Ice was represented by his first winner when Spirited Guy won Friday’s eighth race at Golden Gate, a maiden claimer for 2-year-olds. Spirited Guy is out of the Concerto mare Glad’s Gals, was bred by owner Stuart Tsujimoto and trained by Ed Moger Jr. Spirited Guy ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.23 and won by one-half length at odds of 4-1. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2018) – California-bred stakes-placed mare Lucy in Diamonds sold for $200,000 at the Wednesday session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Lucy in Diamonds is by Rock Hard Ten, out of the Relaunch mare Spritz, was bred by Al Graziani & Joe Russell and was purchased by Stonehaven Steadings. She sold at last year’s sale for $40,000. She was sold in foal to Frosted. She is a half-sister to stakes winners Kaweah Princess and Biglie Smallworld. ...

From Ballena Vista Farm RAMONA, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2018)- I’ll Have Another, U.S. champion and dual classic winner, is relocating to Ballena Vista Farm for the 2019 breeding season.  After nearly five years in Hokkaido, Japan, I’ll Have Another will stand for the introductory fee of $6,000 live foal as the property of Ballena Vista Farm. Winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, I’ll Have Another was found to have tendinitis the morning of the Belmont Stakes and as the odds-on morning line favorite was withdrawn and immediately retired. He was purchased for $10 million and stood at Big Red Farm, becoming the second-leading first-crop sire in Japan. I’ll Have Another retired with a record of five wins and a second in seven career starts, with earnings of $2,693,600. His victories included the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby, all grade I’s. Undefeated at 3, he was the Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old of 2012. At 2, he broke his maiden July 3 at Hollywood Park, then ran second... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2018) – Allsquare, a stakes-placed California-bred broodmare, sold at Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $120,000 in foal to Speightstown. Allsquare is by Square Eddie, out of the Decarchy mare Showtime Apollo, was bred by Philip D’Amato and purchased by Andrew Williams Bloodstock. The stakes-placed Allsquare is a half-sister to the stakes winner Barbara Beatrice. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2018) – California-bred broodmare Little Swoon, a $6,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale, sold for $240,000 at Monday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Little Swoon is by You and I, out of the Swoon mare Littlesuruki, was bred by Stone Ridge Farm and was purchased by Sallusto and Albina, Agents. Her stakes-winning foals are Melmich and Iliad and she was sold in foal to Malibu Moon. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2018) – California-bred broodmares Maggie McGowan and Majestic Heat, in foal to popular Kentucky stallions, sold for mid-six figures at Sunday’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Maggie McGowan, in foal to Arrogate, sold for $775,000 to SF Bloodstock. Majestic Heat, in foal to Uncle Mo, sold for $625 to Mike Ryan, Agent. Maggie McGowan, a half-sister to millionaire Cal-bred Evening Jewel, is the dam of Grade I winner Denman’s Call. She was bred by Golden Eagle Investment. Majestic Heat, a full-sister to stakes winner Mensa Heat, was a Grade II winner of $578,329. She was bred by Madeline Auerbach and Barry Abrams. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2018) – California-bred graded stakes Miss Sunset sold for $825,000 at Sunday’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Miss Sunset is by Into Mischief, out of the mare Tuscan Sunset, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds and Alan Klein, was owned by Klein and Philip Lebherz and was purchased by Breeze Easy LLC. She had 10 wins in 19 starts, earnings of $891,895 and finished 14th in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2018) – California-bred graded stakes winner Skye Diamonds sold for $500,000 at Sunday’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The daughter of First Dude, out of the mare Exonerated, was bred by Dizney Double Diamonds, was owned by Allen Racing LLC, Bloom Racing Stables, LLC, Tom Acker and Jon Lindo, and was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida. She had 10 wins with earnings of $690,150 and finished 10th in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She was sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 3, 2018)–In what quickly developed into a two-horse race, Bob Baffert’s Cruel Intention bested Jerry Hollendorfer’s Galilean by a neck as they finished some 16 lengths clear of their competition in Saturday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile at Santa Anita. Ridden by Evin Roman, Cruel Intention, a 2-year-old California-bred colt by Smiling Tiger (who stands at Harris Farms in Coalinga), got seven furlongs in 1:22.82 as he remained unbeaten in two starts. Breaking from the far outside, Cruel Intention was a close third after the first half mile, drew even with Galilean mid-way around the far turn, and from there, it was a match race to the wire. “I knew he was a very good horse and he’s very smart,” said Roman, who also took Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes earlier in the day. “We laid close to the pace and when I asked him around the turn, he went right up with Bejarano’s horse (Rafael, aboard Galilean) and he finished... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2018)–A winner of her previous two starts by a combined 15 ¾ lengths, trainer Bob Hess’s Give Me a Hint overcame her rail post position in a field of nine 2-year-old fillies and rolled to an emphatic 2 ¼ length win in Friday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Evin Roman, Give Me a Hint, who is owned by her co-breeders Schroeder Farms, LLC and Welton Mansfield, got seven furlongs in 1:26.45. Attentive to the pace while well within herself early, Give Me Hint, a California-bred daughter of  Merit Man, out of the Beat Hollow mare Hint of Promise, was a joint fourth at the rail, about 1 ½ lengths off the lead three furlongs from home.  At the quarter pole, Roman angled out and wheeled four-wide at the top of the stretch en route to asserting her superiority late. “Absolutely I’m excited,” said co-owner/breeder Cathy Schroeder.  “When you breed in California, it’s the best.  We’ve got a... ...

From Daehling Ranch ELK GROVE, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2018) — Grade 1 winner Jersey Town will stand the 2019 breeding season at Daehling Ranch Thoroughbreds, near Elk Grove, California as the property of Charles Fipke, for a fee of $3,000, live foal guaranteed.  The 11-year-old son of Speightstown out of multiple Grade 1 winner Jersey Girl entered stud at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky before moving to Road’s End Farm in British Columbia for the 2018 breeding season, where he was one of Canada’s leading general sires in 2018 with current-year progeny earnings of more than $2 million. A Grade 1 winner of $819,668, the Fipke homebred finished first, second or third in 17 of 21 starts and won or placed in nine graded stakes, defeating ten Grade 1 winners. He earned a 111 Beyer while defeating four G1 winners in his Cigar Mile H. [G1] victory; defeated Preakness S. [G1] winner Shackleford and G1 winners To Honor and Serve and Tapizar in the Kelso H. [G2] at Belmont Park;... ...

HOBBS, N.M. (Oct. 31, 2018) – California-bred Shred the Rules survived a stretch-long duel to win Tuesday’s $50,000 Roadrunner Stakes at Zia Park. Shred the Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the In Excess mare Shred the Excess, was bred by McCormick & Son, is owned by Bill Guess and trained by Susan Arnett. He has five wins in 12 starts, earnings of $122,149 and was coming off a second in an Aug. 16 optional claimer. He ran the six furlongs in 1:09.61 and won by a neck at odds of 6-1. ...

By Bloodhorse.com AIKEN, S.C. (Oct. 28, 2018) — W. Cothran “Cot” Campbell, whose Dogwood Stable provided a successful model for making Thoroughbred ownership more attainable and inclusive, died Oct. 27 at his home in Aiken, S.C., according to longtime Dogwood vice president Jack Sadler. He was 91. Born Sept. 27, 1927, in New Orleans, Campbell began syndicating racehorses in Georgia in 1969 and created Dogwood Stable as an innovative partnership venture shortly after. Rarely without his jaunty fedora and wry sense of humor, he introduced countless newcomers to the thrills of horse racing, as he pioneered the concept of shared risk and reward—a strategy employed by many who enjoy success at the sport’s upper echelons today. In 1971, Dogwood campaigned Alcibiades Stakes winner Mrs. Cornwallis. The 2-year-old filly thrust the concept of racehorse partnership into the limelight, and Campbell was soon able to abandon his successful advertising agency in Atlanta and New York, going into the horse business full-time. Along with his wife, Anne, he moved the operation to Aiken in 1986,... ...

By SFGate.com ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2018) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Lakerball won the $101,345 Surfer Girl Stakes on Oct. 8 at Santa Anita but instead of following the second- and third-place finishers to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, she shipped to Golden Gate Fields to dominate Saturday’s $75,225 Pike Place Dancer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Lakerball was bred by Rancho de Los Aviadores and sold at the Northern California Yearling Sale for $1,000. She has three wins in five starts and earnings of $129,480. “This filly is a little feisty, and she gives you a lot of surprises,” said Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill. “We have to be careful to handle her surprises, so that’s why we came here.” At 33-1, Lakerball was the longest shot in the Surfer Girl Stakes, and she led throughout and held on by a nose over Lady Prancealot. Summering, the 3-5 favorite, finished another 1½ lengths back in third after winning... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2018)–Brandothebartender, claimed for $40,000 three races back, took advantage of a record-setting pace and rallied from next to last in a field of five to upset 3-10 favorite Richard’s Boy and capture Saturday’s $100,000 California Flag Handicap for Golden State Series eligibles by a length under 120 pounds and Joe Talamo. A five-year-old Tribal Rule gelding bred by John Haagsma & Wesley Ward, Brandothebartender covered five furlongs on a firm turf course in 55.11 seconds, breaking the former mark of 55:96 set by the seven-year-old Forest Chatter under 125 pounds on Sept. 29, 2018. Richard’s Boy, highweight under 127 pounds, was second by three-quarters of a length under Flavien Prat after enduring pressure from 5-2 second choice Eddie Haskell and 31-1 outsider Mason B, producing fractions of 20.94 and 43.22. Eddie Haskell finished third, followed by Mason B and P Club. Tribalist was scratched. “We had a sneaky feeling he was going to run well today,” said Craig Dollase, who trains the... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2018) – California stallion Daddy Nose Best was represented by his first winner on Friday when Daddy Jones won the ninth race at Golden Gate, a maiden claimer for 2-year-olds. Daddy Jones is out of the Smarty Jones mare Rachel Jones, was bred by BG Stables, is owned by George Lopez and trained by William Delia. Daddy Jones ran the six furlongs in 1:12.26 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 4-1 in the field of 10. ...

By Bloodhorse.com POMONA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2018) — A $75,000 broodmare, a $57,000 yearling colt, and a pair of $55,000 yearling fillies headed the final Barretts auction, the Fall Sale of Yearlings and Horses of All Ages, held Oct. 16 at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif. The horses went through the same sale ring in which Barretts conducted its first sale in 1990. Fairplex management has decided not to continue Barretts Equine Sales past 2018. In its heyday, Barretts was a mecca for pinhooked 2-year-olds, with the likes of Unbridled’s Song passing through the ring for $1.4 million in 1995. This past spring a $600,000 son of Uncle Mo  topped the Barretts Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds at Del Mar. Bargains have regularly come out of the October sale, such as California-bred Spiced Perfection, a $6,500 yearling in 2016. Spiced Perfection sold again for $50,000 at the 2017 Barretts March Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale and is a multiple stakes winner with earnings of $385,405. At the 2018 fall sale, 139 grossed... ...

COALINGA, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2018) – California-bred Jetinwith Kennedy, a multiple stakes winner and the 2005 California Broodmare of the Year, was euthanized at the age of 29 at Harris Farms on Monday. Jetinwith Kennedy, a daughter of Kennedy Road, out of the Blue Eyed Davy mare Blue Jet Set, was bred by owner Sidney Factor and won four of 12 starts with earnings of $103,328. Among her wins were the 1992 Las Ninas Stakes at Fairplex Park and the 1993 Karandebs Big Kat Stakes at Golden Gate. She was sold to former CTBA director Joan Rogers at the 2000 Barretts January Mixed Sale for $17,000 in foal to Apollo and went on to foal 13 thoroughbreds, the most accomplished being Jet West, who won seven of 22 starts with earnings of $554,345. Jetinwith Kennedy was named the 2005 California Broodmare of the Year by CTBA. Jet West, bred by Rogers’ Applebite Farms, was a graduate of the CTBA Del Mar Yearling Sale. His biggest win was the 2005 California... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2018)–In a race originally scheduled for turf, trainer Peter Miller’s Love a Honeybadger relished a main track listed as “good” as she repelled a stubborn challenge by favored S Y Sky to take Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita in gate to wire fashion by 1 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, the 4-year-old daughter of Bushwacker got five furlongs in 56.56. “I felt a little more confident when (the Distaff) came off the grass,” said Miller, who saddled his second winner on the day. “We thought she’d like the grass, but we know she likes the dirt. She’s a really fast filly and tries hard every time. She’s best when she can get the lead and it looked like we were the fastest in the race.” Claimed three starts back out of a $40,000 claiming win on June 28, Love a Honeybadger, who was bred in California by CTBA Board member Terry Lovingier, is out... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2018) – First-crop daughters of California stallion Merit Man won the early Daily Double at Santa Anita on Friday. All Tea All Shade won the first race, a maiden claimer for California-breds, while Give Me a Hint won the second race, a starter’s optional claimer. All Tea All Shade is out of the Whywhywhy mare Why So Serious, was bred by owner Schroeder Farms and trained by Robert Hess, Jr. She ran six furlongs in 1:13.38 and won by a nose as the 8-5 favorite Give Me a Hint is out of the Beat Hollow mare Hint of Promise, was bred by Schroeder Farms, Welton Manfield and Robert Hess, is owned by Schroeder Farms and Manfield and trained by Hess, Jr. She ran six furlongs in 1:11.04 and won by 6 ½ lengths as the 1-2 favorite. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2018)–At 33-1, the longest shot in a field of six juvenile fillies in Monday’s $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita, Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Lakerball sped to the lead from her outside post and held sway throughout under Mario Gutierrez, winning by a head as heavily favored Summering could manage no better than a third place finish under Drayden Van Dyke. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Lakerball got a mile on turf in 1:35.23 and provided her sire, the late running sprinter Lakerville, with his first stakes winner from his first crop to race. A California-bred maiden $50,000 winner going 5 ½ furlongs on dirt two starts back Aug. 8, she was well beaten versus state breds in a first condition allowance at the same distance on Sept. 2. In her first try on grass and around two turns, Lakerball, in her fourth career start, paid $69.60, $27.00 and $5.00. Owned by Janie Buss’s Purple Rein Racing, Pappas Racing and Tom... ...

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 18, 2018) – California freshman stallion Coach Bob was represented by his first winner on Sunday when First Coach won the sixth race at the Fresno Fair, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds. First Coach is out of the Tribal Rule mare Pahiatua, was bred by owners Jeff Kitchen, Boyd Arnold, Mark Beam, Tom Gerstel, et al and is trained by Reina Gonzalez. First Coach ran the five furlongs in :58.07 and won by 6 ½ lengths as the even-money favorite. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2018)–Winless in her last six starts, California-bred Skye Diamonds stalked the early pace and turned on the jets at the top of the Santa Anita stretch as she ran down favored Anonymity in taking Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 LA Woman Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Tiago Pereira and trained by Bill Spawr, the 5-year-old mare by First Dude got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.56. “My plan was to let Yuvetsi and Anonymity go because they’re fast and were clearly the speed,” said Pereira, who has ridden Skye Diamonds in 14 out of her last 15 starts. “But when I saw Show It N Moe It go too, I loved it because that was good for me too. “I let them all go and was able to easily duck out to the outside (heading to the far turn). By the three eighths pole, she was pulling me, ready to go, so I let her. I just kept her focused down the... ...

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2018) — Bold Fantasy outdueled favored Fashionably Fast to the wire for a head win in Saturday’s $100,000 Harris Farms Stakes for Golden State Series eligible at the Fresno Fair. Bold Fantasy is by Bertrando, out of the Rock Hard Ten mare Fantasy Rocks, was bred by Steve and Maria Pavich and is trained by Jonathan Wong. He has seven wins in 37 starts, earnings of $316,735 and was coming off a third in an Aug. 25 optional claimer. Bold Fantasy ran the six furlongs in 1:10.67 and went off at odds of 5-2 in the field of six. Fashionably Fast was second and Isa Firecracker third. Millionaire Masochistic, who came out of retirement for the race, finished fifth. ...

WILMINGTON, Del. (Sept. 29, 2018) –California-bred Start the Show cruised to victory in Saturday’s the $100,750 Small Wonder Stakes at Delaware Park.  With leading Delaware Park jockey Carol Cedeno aboard, the 2-year-old son of Oxbow posted a 4 ¼-length win and returned $3.80 as the favorite in the field of twelve.  Start the Show is out of the Bertrando mare Preshow, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by Blackstone Street Racing and trained by Michael Catalano. He covered the five and a half furlongs over a fast main track in 1:04.14. Start the Show raised his career record to two wins from three starts with earnings of $89,250.   ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2018) – Galilean, a California-bred son of Uncle Mo making his racing debut, won Saturday’s $100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos. A $600,000 purchase in April at Barretts, Galilean is out of the El Prado mare Fresia, was bred by Bar C Racing Stables, is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Denise Barker and William Sandbrook and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. “He broke a step slow, but he recovered quickly and showed really good speed,” said Hollendorfer. “I didn’t think they would go that fast (21.65 and 44.86 for the opening half mile), but they did and he handled it just fine. I’m happy. He’ll improve off that race. I’ve got a lot to work with because he’s got really good size and carries really good weight. “Terry Finley (president and chief executive officer of West Point Thoroughbreds) picked this horse and made the decision to buy him. I was lucky enough to get him to train. I’m very happy to work for... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2018) – California stallion Reagan Republican was represented by his first winner on Thursday when Great Ma Neri won the seventh race at Los Alamitos, a maiden special weight for California-bred fillies and mares. Great Ma Neri is a 3-year-old filly out of the Comic Strip mare Geocel’s Vismic, was bred by owner George Castanares and trained by Lorenzo Ruiz. She ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.56 and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 27-1 in the field of nine. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2018) — All of the conditions placed upon the Pacific Racing Association’s (PRA) license application for the fall meet at Golden Gate fields have been met, so that meet is fully approved to begin October 17 and run through December 18. When the Board approved the license application in August, the license was contingent on PRA submitting “agreements with each satellite wagering facility in Northern California, as required by law, including the TOC horsemen’s agreement and all other outstanding items mentioned in the staff analysis, by the close of business on September 10, 2018. This condition is in the public interest and serves the purpose of the California horse racing law.” ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (Sept. 15, 2018) – California-bred Patriots Rule rallied wide to win Friday’s $50,000 John Bullit Stakes at Canterbury Park. Patriots Rule is by Tribal Rule, out of the Seattle Bound mare Candy Factory, was bred by Dahlberg Farms, is owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has 11 wins in 38 starts, earnings of $573,173 and was coming off a fourth in the Aug. 25 Brooks Fields. He was fourth in this race last year. Patriots Rule ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.88 and won by two lengths at odds of 5-2 in the field of eight. ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Sept. 8, 2018) — Reginella, a Ministers Wild Cat four-year-old daughter, captured her second consecutive stakes win with a victory in the $50,000 Delta Colleen Handicap at Hastings Park on Saturday. Reginella took the August 12th Emerald Distaff by nearly three lengths in her previous outing. Luigi Di Pietro and Diana DiPietro’s Reginella got the wire-to-wire win in 1:52.64 for the nine furlong race. She improved her record to four wins, four seconds and four thirds from twenty-one starts. Bred in California she is out of Ghost Tree, by Cahill Road and has now earned $153,291. ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2018) – Former claimer Shades of Victory turned his first dirt route into a stunning upset in Saturday’s $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-breds at Los Alamitos. Shades of Victory’s win price of $162.60 was the second largest since daytime thoroughbred racing returned to Los Alamitos in 2014. Devils Triangle, who won the fourth race Dec. 11, 2016, holds the record at $185.80. Owned by trainer Reed Saldana and bred by C-Punch Ranch, the 5-year-old son of Thorn Song, out of the Street Sense mare Sensible Girl, has five wins in 17 starts and earnings of $136,449. He is 2-for-5 since Saldana claimed him for $12,500 April 7 at Golden Gate. “Down the stretch I was just hoping he could hold on,” said Saldana. “(Jockey) Martin (Pedroza) rode a great race. We decided to run him here because another race we wanted to run in at Del Mar didn’t fill, so this worked out great. I thought the distance would be to his benefit. One of... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2018) – California stallion Fighting Hussar was represented by his first winner on Friday when Pretty Hussar won the first race at Los Alamitos, a maiden claimer for California-bred 2-year-old fillies. Pretty Hussar is out of the Henny Hughes mare Lovely Instinct, was bred by owner BG Stables and is trained by Hector Palma. She ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:06.17 and won by 1 ¼ lengths as the 4-5 favorite in the field of six. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2018) –Millionaire Alert Bay, who won the race three years ago, on Sunday again won the $60,350 Rolling Green Stakes at Golden Gate. Alert Bay is by City Zip, out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory, was bred by Thomas Bell & Ross McLeod, is owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Blaine Wright. “[Alert Bay] has given us fantastic pleasure and excitement,” said winning owner Peter Redekop, who traveled to the Bay Area from his residence in Canada to watch his horse perform. “We’ve had good people looking after him and they’ve done a fabulous job with him.” Winning trainer Blaine Wright, emotional after the win, was equally as excited after the victory. “With a horse like this, you expect good things with him and we just try to point him in the right direction and get out of his way,” said Wright. “He’s probably a horse I can never replace. Sometimes it gets me choked up that I’ve gotten to train a horse this good.... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2018) – Graded winner Miss Sunset successfully defended her title and led a California-bred sweep of the top three spots in Monday’s $99,990 C.E.R.F. Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar. Miss Sunset is by Into Mischief, out of the Trippi mare Tuscan Sunset, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds and Alan Klein, is owned by Klein and Philip Lebherz and is trained by Jeff Bonde. She has 10 wins in 18 starts, earnings of $879,395 and was coming off a second in the May 27 Desert Stormer. She won this race last year. Miss Sunset ran the six furlongs in 1:10.48 and won by 1 ½ lengths as the 3-5 favorite in a field of seven. Fellow Cal-breds Show It N Moe It and Dis Smart Cat finished second and third. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2018) – California stallion Capital Account was represented by his first winner in Monday’s first race at Del Mar when Feeling Strong won a maiden special weight race for California-bred 2-year-olds. Feeling Strong is out of the Choctaw Ridge mare Feel Ridge, was bred by owner BG Stables and is trained by Hector Palma. The 2-year-old gelding ran the six furlongs in 1:12.63 and won by one length as the 3-2 favorite in the field of six. BG Stables also bred and owns Jump the Tracks, winner of Del Mar’s third race on Monday, a maiden claimer. ...

By Bloodhorse.com SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Sept. 3, 2018) — After securing the first grade 1 win of his career with Mind Control in the $350,000 Hopeful Stakes Sept. 3 at Saratoga Race Course, trainer Gregory Sacco’s thoughts turned to his father. “It’s my first grade 1 so it’s real special,” Sacco said after Mind Control, a Kentucky-bred by California stallion Stay Thirsty, held off favorite Mucho in the stretch of the Spa’s top race for 2-year-olds. “I’m the son of a trainer. My dad never had the opportunity to train these types of horses. It’s very meaningful. It’s a great feeling. I have my whole family here and I can’t be any happier.”  The win would follow Mind Control being tested throughout, but the son of classic-placed Stay Thirsty  would find more in the stretch to edge favorite Mucho and secure a three-quarter-length victory in the Hopeful. Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables’ Mind Control completed the seven-furlong test in 1:22.99 under jockey John Velazquez. Mind Control would race just behind... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2018) — California stallion Oh Tanner was represented by his first winner when Oh Jerry won the ninth race, a maiden special weight, at Golden Gate on Sunda. Oh Jerry is out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Swimmer, was bred by owner William Hedrick and trained by Manuel Landeros. The 3-year-old ridgling ran the six furlongs in 1:10.02 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 7-1 in the field of eight. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2018) — Winning a stakes in his career debut, Listing scored a one and one-quarter length upset victory in the $100,690 I’m Smokin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-olds on Friday at Del Mar. The unexpected win provided a fourth straight victory for jockey Mario Gutierrez and the third in a row for breeder/owners Reddam Racing LLC. “He relaxed and was running great,” said Gutierrez. “When I got to the quarter pole, I started to get excited. Then when we turned for home a hole opened and he went right through it. I thought he might run well, but this was a surprise. A very pleasant surprise.” Listing, a son of Square Eddie trained by Ben Cecil, inched away between foes midstretch and prevailed to win at 22-1 odds in a field of eight. Silken Prince, a homebred son of Kafwain trained by William Morey, was favored at 8-5 odds under Flavien Prat and was fourth behind second-place Policy and third-place... ...

POMONA, Calif. (Aug. 30, 2018) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association will conduct the 2019 January Mixed Sale on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at Fairplex in Pomona.   Details on the sale will be posted at www.ctba.com as they become available.   ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 30, 2018) — Santa Anita’s 22-day 2018 Autumn Meet includes four lucrative stakes exclusively written for Golden State Series-eligible California-breds and California-sireds. Two of the stakes will be run at a distance new to Santa Anita, five furlongs on turf. They are the $100,000 California Distaff, for California-bred or sired fillies and mares, on Oct. 13 and the $100,000 California Flag, for California-bred or sired 3-year-olds and up, on Oct. 20. Two-year-olds will get their shot at riches in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 2 and the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile on Nov. 3. Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet opens Friday, Sept. 28. The complete 2018 Autumn Meet stakes schedule is now available at http://www.santaanita.com/stakes-schedule/. For additional information, please call the Santa Anita Racing Office at (626) 574-6417. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2018) — Sent postward the 2-5 favorite under jockey Tyler Baze, Creative Instinct didn’t disappoint as she drew off in the stretch to win the featured $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-old fillies Wednesday at Del Mar. Creative Instinct, owned by Gary Barber and trained by Del Mar’s leading conditioner this summer, Peter Miller, shook loose from the first-time starting Mucho Unusual in upper stretch and went on to win by two and one-quarter lengths. Mucho Unusual, competing gamely in her career debut, held second by five and one-half lengths over Swing Thoughts, with Time for Suzzie fourth in the field of six fillies. Give Me a Hint was scratched. “The first-time starter (Mucho Unusual) ran a huge race and gave us a real battle, but I think Creative Cause’s experience and fitness paid off the last eighth of a mile,” said Miller. “We’ll keep her against Cal-bred company for as long as we can, but she’s a... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2018) — A $250,000 California-bred colt from the final crop of Unusual Heat who looked very much like his sire topped the Aug. 28 Barretts Select Yearling Sale. It is the last select yearling auction that Barretts will hold at Del Mar. Fairplex Park, which operates Barretts, does not have plans to conduct horse sales beyond 2018. The company has scheduled one more auction, a fall sale of yearlings and horses of racing age, slated for the Fairplex facility in Pomona, Calif., Oct. 16. A total of 42 yearlings grossed $2,632,000 and averaged $62,667 at the select sale. The average climbed 53% over the 2017 figure of $41,075. Buy-backs rose to 48% compared to last year’s figure of 34%. The median was $50,000 in 2018 and $32,000 last year. “It was a fantastic sale,” said Kim Lloyd, Barretts’ general manager. “It was a great way to end our tenure here at Del Mar. We wanted to finish with a bang, and mission accomplished... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 27, 2018) – Cecil Peacock, who owned California-bred Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek, died recently at his home in Calgary, Alberta, at age 91. “Just a great guy,” said Dan Hendricks, who trained Brother Derek, the fourth-place finisher to Barbaro in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. “Great owner, and lucky as hell. He had such a great attitude,” Hendricks said. “I remember when we drew post 18 for the Derby. I was devastated. He said, ‘Well, someone had to be 18.’ And when I told him how costly it would be to run in the Derby, he said, ‘Well, we’ll just have to make it a party.’ Great guy.” ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 24, 2018) — An executive from The Stronach Group said the organization is moving closer to breaking ground on a new stabling area on the north side of Santa Anita Park.. “We intend to build approximately 800 stalls in the north parking lot—that’s the parking lot on the other side of the grandstand. When you look out over the track, you see it,” Scott Daruty of The Stronach Group said during a California Horse Racing Board meeting Aug. 23 at Del Mar. “The approval process is proceeding very well with the City of Arcadia. We’ve had a number of meetings with them, and they’re very cooperative—actually enthusiastic—about the project. “At this point we expect to have approvals in the next couple of months, which will allow us to start construction and have it done here—obviously we’re targeting the end of 2019, but it might be January 2020 by the time they’re available.” The addition of stables at Santa Anita was the first step laid out... ...

By PaulickReport.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2018) — California-bred Hall of Famer Lava Man, who underwent a colic-related procedure to repair a colon displacement on July 31, has returned to trainer Doug O’Neill’s stable at Del Mar, according to drf.com. The 17-year-old gelding had previously been acting as a stable pony for O’Neill. “He’s just chillin’,” O’Neill said. “He looks phenomenal. He’s on a different diet.” Lava Man won 17 of his 47 starts for earnings of over $5.2 million. He raced from 2003-2009, with major victories in the Hollywood Gold Cup (three times), Santa Anita Handicap (twice) and Pacific Classic. ...

From Breeders’ Cup Publicity LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 17, 2018) – Breeders’ Cup, one of Thoroughbred horse racing’s most prestigious international events, today announced host sites for the upcoming 2019, 2020, and 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. In 2019, the season-ending, two-day World Championships will be hosted at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California for the 10th time. The event will then return to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky in 2020 and Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California in 2021, following highly-successful debuts in 2015 and 2017 respectively. The three-year announcement reflects Breeders’ Cup’s forward-thinking growth strategy to showcase the best racetracks across the country and allow for ample lead time to engage with local communities ahead of each event.     A formal announcement will be made at Santa Anita at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT, at Keeneland at 3:00 p.m. ET / Noon PT and at Del Mar at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT. All three announcements will be streamed live on BreedersCup.com/live and the Breeders’ Cup Facebook page. (A Future Host Site digital press kit is available at http://www.breederscup.com/presskit) “We are extremely proud and excited to... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (Aug. 14, 2018) – A colt by Ministers Wild Cat brought a sale-topping $45,000 at Tuesday’s 2018 Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The high-bid yearling is out of the multiple stakes-winning Bold Badgett mare Bold Roberta and is a full brother to stakes winner Bella Luma. The colt was bred by Thomas Bachman, consigned by Harris Farms, Agent, and purchased by Michael V. Dante of Bellflower. The high-bid filly was by Smiling Tiger, out of the Tannersmyman mare Tanned Reflection, was bred and consigned by Woodbridge Farm and purchased by Perry & Denise Martin of California Chrome fame for $24,000. Tuesday’s sale was the 15th presented in Northern California by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association in its current format. For complete sale results, click Sales Result in pdf format  ...

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2018) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate El Chavo Del Ocho won Saturday’s eighth race at Santa Rosa, a maiden special weight race. El Chavo Del Ocho is by Tannersmyman, out of the Artax mare My Sis Liz, was bred by Joseph Duffel & Woodbridge Farm, is owned by Kevin Lizardi and trained by Jonathan Wong and has one win in five starts with earnings of $38,124. The $4,000 purchase at the 2016 Northern California Yearling Sale ran the six furlongs in 1:10.83 and won by two lengths at odds of 5-2 in a field of nine. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2018) – California stallion Merit Man was represented by his first winner in Sunday’s ninth race at Del Mar when Give Me a Hint won a $50,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-old Cal-bred fillies. Give Me a Hint is out of the Beat Hollow mare Hint of Promise, was bred by owners Schroeder Farms, Welton Manfield & Robert Hess and is trained by Robert Hess Jr. In her racing debut, Give Me a Hint ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:06.26 and won by 9 ¼ lengths at odds of 9-1. ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 12, 2018) — California-bred Reginella took command three-eighths from home and held off stable mate Top Quality through the stretch for a 2 ¾-length victory in the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares. Ridden by Juan Hernandez at 119 lbs, Reginella ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.68 and paid $11.60, $3.60 and $2.80. Blaine Wright—who dominated this year’s older filly and mare series—is the winning trainer for breeders/owners Luigi DiPietro of Seattle and Diana DiPietro of Tukwila. A 4-year-old California-bred by Ministers Wild Cat-Ghost Tree, Ministers Wild Cat earned $26,675 to boost her bankroll to $131,642. Her overall record is 3-4-4 in 20 starts. She was bred by Wright capped an unprecedented feat with the victory, sweeping the four-race series with four different winners: Invested Prospect (Hastings Stakes), Alliford Bay (Washington State Legislators Stakes), Top Quality (Boeing Stakes) and Reginella (Emerald Distaff). Top Quality, the 3 to 5 favorite, loomed boldly in mid-stretch but Reginella had energy in reserve for the... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 10, 2018) — Cordiality, consistent and classy, performed to her 6-5 favoritism Friday with an easy victory under jockey Tyler Baze in the featured $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares. Perfectly positioned by Baze in the early stages of the one-mile race over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course, Cordiality pounced on pacesetting Princess Roi turning into the stretch and drew off to score by two and one-quarter lengths in 1:34.14 for the distance. Longshot Queen Bee to You rallied well through the stretch to be runner-up, a length in front of Cheekaboo, with Princess Roi fading to fourth place in the field of nine. Cordiality, bred by Dr. Edward Allred, owned by Drummond, Xitco and trainer Mark Glatt, returned $4.60, $3 and $2.80 after her ninth triumph in 23 career efforts. “It was a great trip and she’s just getting good,” said Glatt. “She ran a respectable finish in a Grade III (third in the Wilshire... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2018) — Grade 1 winner Masochistic, the gelding who was at the center of multiple controversies during his five seasons of racing and was retired in March, has returned to light training at Del Mar for a simple reason. He can’t stand being turned out, and when they tried to make him a trail horse—look out. “He’s gained a ton of weight. He’s like a pony right now,” said new trainer Kristin Mulhall, who has cared for Masochistic since his retirement. “When you get on his back, it’s a different story. He does not enjoy just being turned out. He does not enjoy being a pet. He did not enjoy not doing anything, basically. He’s not going to be a trail horse unless you plan on match racing.” So with limited options for his post-racing career because of his attitude, owner Will Shamlian and Mulhall sent Masochistic back to the racetrack. First they attempted to make him a stable pony, but he wasn’t having... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 8, 2018) – California stallion Lakerville was represented by his first winner Wednesday when Lakerball, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, won the sixth race at Del Mar, a $50,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies, by 8 ½ lengths. Lakerball is out of the Capsized mare Category Ten, was bred by Rancho de Los Aviadores, is owned by Bardy Farm, DA Meah Racing and Tom Roberts and is trained by Doug O’Neill. Lakerball ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:06.98 and went off at odds of 5-2. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 4, 2018) – Tap the Wire, who survived the Lilac Fire at San Luis Rey Downs, sped to a 3 ½-length win in Saturday’s $98,000 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds at Del Mar. Tap the Wire is by Eddington, out of the Tapit mare Tap the Till, was bred by owners John & Allegra Ernst and is trained by Daniel Dunham. “It’s special to win at Del Mar and to win a stake is even more special,” said Dunham. “I’ve won races here, but never a stake. I’ve won a stake before, but that was 15 years ago at Pomona. The (debut win by Tap the Wire) was one of the first baby races of the year, so we were able to give him a little time and have pointed to this race all along. “This horse is a San Luis Rey fire survivor. He was turned loose and I found him the next day in a field of a different ranch. No... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2018) — Naughty Tiger, a chestnut daughter of former outstanding sprinter Smiling Tiger, asserted herself in the stretch to score an upset in the featured $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible two-year-old fillies at Del Mar Wednesday. With jockey Ruben Fuentes in the saddle, Naughty Tiger, sent to the gate at 5-1, surged to the front turning into the stretch and continued on gamely to score by a length and one-quarter over Accomplishedsister who nosed out 2-1 favored Lippy for place honors. Time for Suzzie was a distant fourth in the field of eight fillies. Time for Kisses was scratched. Naughty Tiger, bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, owned by a partnership of Brian Blackburn, Shannon Hunt and Mike Marsden and trained by Edward Freeman, ran the five and one-half furlongs in 1:06.27 and returned $12.40, $5.60 and $3.20 after her second win in three races. ““She didn’t break very well and Ruben (Fuentes) used his head and just let... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (July 31, 2018) — California-bred multiple grade 1 winner and racing Hall of Famer Lava Man is undergoing treatment at a clinic due to a bout with colic, trainer Doug O’Neill posted on his social media channels July 31. “We know he’s a tough guy but certainly would appreciate your good wishes. We will keep everyone posted on his progress,” O’Neill’s team posted on Lava Man’s Facebook page. Around 9:05 p.m. EDT, the O’Neill team posted the following update on Twitter: Update—Lava Man underwent colic surgery to correct a large colon displacement. He stood beautifully and is back in his stall to begin the recovery process. We want to thank the veterinarians and staff for their quick assessment and treatment. Thanks to all for the good wishes. Lava Man has been a stable pony with O’Neill since retiring in 2010 following a brief comeback at the end of the 2009 season. The distinctive dark bay gelding known affectionately as “Coach” among his human caretakers retired with... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (July 29, 2018) – Just Grazed Me made a bold move around the turn and drew off to impressively win Sunday’s $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar. Just Grazed Me is by Grazen, out of the Cuvee mare Fairway Road, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Phil D’Amato. “The thing I like about this filly is she’s versatile,” said D’Amato. “As a 2-year-old she had some shin problems. So we took our time with her and took care of that. Since then she’s really come on strong. She’s very well composed, very rate-able, has a nice little kick, and I think she’s just going to get better.” Just Grazed Me ran the seven furlongs in 1:23.60 and won by 3 1/2 lengths as the second choice in the wagering at odds of 3-1. “She reminds me of (multiple stakes winner and Fleet Treat Stakes record holder) Enola Gray (another Alexander homebred,” said jockey Tyler Baze.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (July 28, 2018) — Gary Barber’s homebred Fly to Mars stalked a quick pace, hit the front at the top of the lane, and finished the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden State Series eligible in a course-record time of 1:39.50 for the 1 1/16 miles on turf. Fly to Mars scored a one-length win under jockey Flavien Prat. Sidney’s Candy set the previous record of 1:39.52 in the 2010 La Jolla Handicap (G2T). “Wow. Unbelievable,” said winning trainer Peter Miller. “I’m shocked. The horse has really gotten good the past two months, since we took the blinkers off and have been getting him to relax. … The pace was good, but it wasn’t crazy, and he really kicked home. To set a track record is something. “I thought he could win the race. To break the track record? That’s something you never think about.” Favored Pee Wee Reese immediately took to the front and set fractions of :22.86, :46.12, and 1:10.16 through six furlongs,... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 27, 2018) — Taking the shortest way home, Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Take the One O One rallied on the rail turning into the stretch to take the lead and continued on gamely to win the featured $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-olds under jockey Joe Talamo Friday. Take the One O One, bred by Thomas Bachman, owned by Jay Em Ess Stable and trained by Brian Koriner, held off the game late challenge of Daddysprize to win by a half-length in 1:23.40 for the seven furlongs. Third was 45-1 longshot Shaymin, who closed from last place to be one and one quarter lengths behind the runner-up and a length ahead of fourth-place Fashionably Fast in the field of seven California-bred three-year-olds. Psycho Dar was withdrawn. Smiling Angelo, unbeaten in two starts and second choice at 2-1, flattened out after setting the pace and finished fifth. Take the One O One, a son of Acclamation, was a $47,000... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (July 20, 2018) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Oliver was a 5 ¼-length winner of Friday’s sixth race at Del Mar, a $61,725 maiden special weight for California-bred 2-year-olds. Oliver is a colt by Papa Clem, out of the Premiership mare Snobby Princess, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by William Peeples and trained by Luis Mendes. The $30,000 purchase at last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale has a win, a second and a third in three starts with earnings of $51,080. He ran the five furlongs in :58.91 and went off as the 8-5 favorite in a field of 10. This year’s Northern California Yearling Sale will be held on Tuesday, August 14, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 17, 2018) — The richest Kentucky Derby winner and two time horse of the year California Chrome  has been selected as the 2018 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award winner. This award is presented to a horse who has performed at the highest levels of competition, faced a medical/ surgical issue, received veterinary care by a Rood & Riddle veterinarian, and subsequently returned to compete at his/ her previous performance level. This year’s winner, California Chrome, of course, was the exciting winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). He then followed up his Derby win with a big win in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Following this he continued to race successfully, and was scheduled to race in England in 2015, but he encountered physical issues which prevented him from racing there. After evaluation by Dr. Larry Bramlage, it was decided that California Chrome would be treated medically and rested. He shipped to Dubai the following year where he won the 2016 Dubai... ...

By Santa Ynez Valley Star SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (July 16, 2018) — The Santa Ynez Valley and equine community was shocked to learn that Doug Herthel, veterinarian and co-founder of Platinum Performance, passed away Wednesday from Lewy body dementia. “Doug succumbed to a 17-month long, hard fought battle with Lewy body disease, a progressive and aggressive form of dementia,” his sons Mark and Troy Herthel wrote on their Facebook pages. Herthel is an alumni of U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and founded the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center with his wife Sue in 1972.  Herthel has made numerous breakthroughs in abdominal surgery, fracture repair, regenerative medicine and nutrition therapy. In 1996 Herthel developed and founded Platinum Performance, a supplement which helps heal equine patients after surgery. His line of products have expanded in the past three decades to include health supplements for other domestic animals and for people. His son Mark now runs the company based in Buellton. Herthel’s youngest son Troy works at Alamo Pintado as an equine surgeon.... ...

From TDN.com ARCADIA, Calif. (July 14, 2018) — The Stronach Group, parent company of Santa Anita Park, will team with Fasig-Tipton Co. for a pair of Thoroughbred auctions to be held at the racetrack in 2019. A sale of 2-year-olds-in-training is tentatively set for June 5, while a yearling sale has been penciled in for Sept. 24. “We are very excited to be returning to the auction marketplace in California,” said Fasig-Tipton president and chief executive officer Boyd Browning, Jr. “Santa Anita is the perfect venue to conduct quality sales in California. We will work closely with The Stronach Group to serve the California West Coast marketplace.” The Stronach Group’s Gulfstream Park plays host to Fasig-Tipton’s Florida 2-Year-Olds-in-Training Sale in the Spring and the executive was looking forward to welcoming the auction house back to the Golden State. “We’re thrilled to have Fasig-Tipton back in California and to host these sales at Santa Anita Park,” said Tim Ritvo, ???. “The Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale in March has been an incredible success... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (July 14, 2018) — The Stronach Group and Fasig-Tipton announced July 13 they have reached an agreement to conduct Thoroughbred auctions at Santa Anita Park beginning in 2019. The new partnership is stepping in just as the Barretts sale company is winding down the auction business it has operated since Fred Sahadi, Jerry McMahon, and Ralph Hinds founded the company in 1989. “Fairplex, the parent company of Barretts, is shutting us down at the end of the year, so someone needed to step in,” said Barretts general manager Kim Lloyd. “I feel good about what we’ve done to support the industry and stay in there as long as we have. It is good to see Santa Anita and Fasig stepping in. I have great respect for Fasig, and they’ll do a great job.” Santa Anita and Fasig-Tipton have tentatively scheduled a 2-year-olds in training sale for June 5 and a yearling sale for September 24 or 25. “We’re thrilled to have Fasig-Tipton back in California and to host these sales at... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (July 14, 2018) — The rapidly changing Thoroughbred auction market in California will include two sales at Santa Anita in 2019 – an auction of 2-year-olds in training in June and a yearling sale in September. On Friday, the Fasig-Tipton sale company and The Stronach Group, the parent company of Santa Anita, announced an agreement to conduct the sales at Santa Anita. The sales are expected to replace auctions previously conducted by Barretts, which is owned by the Los Angeles County Fair. Barretts is not expected to conduct sales in 2019. The announcement comes less than two months after the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association distributed an email to its membership assuring state breeders that auctions would continue in the state despite concern over the future of Barretts, which has operated a variety of sales since 1990. “The CTBA has worked diligently the last few years with Barretts and the Los Angeles County Fair to guarantee a smooth transition with the commercial sales offered in California,” CTBA... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 12, 2018) — The Stronach Group and Fasig-Tipton announced today they have reached an agreement to conduct Thoroughbred auctions at legendary Santa Anita Park beginning in 2019.                    A tentative date for a 2-year-olds in training sale has been set for June 5. Tentative dates for a yearling sale are September 24th or 25th.                    “We’re thrilled to have Fasig-Tipton back in California and to host these sales at Santa Anita Park,” said The Stronach Group’s COO Tim Ritvo. “The Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale in March has been an incredible success for both Gulfstream and Fasig-Tipton and we want to continue building on that relationship here at Santa Anita. These sales are exciting for horsemen as well as fans.  Fasig-Tipton is a wonderful partner and our work with them allows us to reenergize our facilities with different events while continuing to bring the inventory right to our horsemen.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (July 12, 2018) — While bigger battles could reshape the Northern California racing and wagering landscape, those disagreements will not impact the upcoming Golden Gate Fields meeting. At its July 12 meeting at Los Alamitos Race Course, the California Horse Racing Board saw enough of an agreement between Golden Gate owner The Stronach Group, off-track betting locations, and the fair tracks to approve the Aug. 22-Oct. 2 race dates for the Northern California track. The race dates were conditionally approved June 21, but it was uncertain whether those conditions would be met. At that time, as part of being rewarded the dates, the CHRB said The Stronach Group would need to reach simulcast agreements with each Northern California satellite wagering facility as well as a horsemen’s agreement with the Thoroughbred Owners of California by July 2. The Stronach Group balked at those conditions. At Thursday’s meeting, CHRB staff confirmed those agreements had not been turned in by the deadline. While that deadline was not met, The Stronach Group’s... ...

From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (July 11, 2018) – Barretts Sales, a full-service equine sales company owned by Fairplex, is moving its July 25 Paddock sale to Del Mar to October. The Paddock sale will now be part of the Oct. 16 auction at Fairplex in Pomona. The Fall Sale will include yearlings, mixed and horses of racing age. The August Select Yearling Sale will continue in Del Mar, Aug. 28, as scheduled. For more information on Barretts, visit www.barretts.com. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 7, 2018) – Luck’s Royal Flush held on for a half-length score in Saturday’s $100,225 Everett Nevin Stakes for 2-year-old Golden State Series eligible at Oak Tree at Pleasanton. Luck’s Royal Flush is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jeff Bonde. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $109,440 and was coming off a June 15 maiden win. Luck’s Royal Flush ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.00 and went off at the second-longest odds of 9-1 in the field of six. Leadville, the longest shot at 49-1, was second and odds-on favorite Mr Paytience was third. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. – Soi Phet, the 7-2 fourth choice in a field of eight, defeated 2-1 favorite B Squared by a nose to win the $101,035 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles Wednesday at Los Alamitos. The victory was the second in the Bertrando – he gained his first in the inaugural running in 2014 – for the ageless gelding and his fifth stakes win in nine starts at Los Alamitos. Claimed for $16,000 more than five years ago at Hollywood Park by trainer Leonard Powell, the 10-year-old Tizbud gelding became a millionaire with his 15th lifetime score. The $60,000 payday pushed his bankroll to $1,015,250 through 59 starts. Trained by ARCHA Racing and owned by Benowitz Family Trust, Mathilde Powell and Paul Viskovich, who were joined in the winner’s circle by a large and jubilant group, Soi Phet, who is out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Jersey, completed the mile in 1:35.53. Worse than second only twice locally, the dark bay returned $9.60,... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 30, 2018) – Favored Lippy took the lead at the eighth pole and won Saturday’s $66,500 Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Oak Tree at Pleasanton. Lippy is by Square Eddie, out of the Jade Hunter mare Sarah Jade, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $86,700 and was coming off a June 14 maiden win. Lippy ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.57 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 7-5 in the field of five. Accomplishedsister finished second and River of Doubt was third. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 21, 2018)–Long-time racegoers know that racing’s chart books are chock-full of well-related full and half siblings that simply couldn’t run. That can no longer be said about Faversham, a chestnut full brother to two-time Horse of the Year and four-time Eclipse Champion California Chrome, as Faversham, ridden by Tiago Pereira, rallied from off the pace to take Thursday’s fifth race at Santa Anita by 3 ¼ lengths, thus breaking his maiden in his sixth career start. Conditioned by Art Sherman, who gained worldwide fame as the trainer of the aforementioned 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Faversham got a flat mile on turf in 1:36.26. “He has all kinds of talent,” said Sherman. “He had a horse fall in front of him a couple races back and it’s been tough to calm him down…I’m hoping that by winning this race the way he did, he can relax better and run to his potential.” When asked if Faversham, who is owned Perry and Denise... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 22, 2018) – California stallion Make Music for Me was represented by his first winner when Triple Shot won a maiden claiming race at Oak Tree at Pleasanton. Triple Shot, a 3-year-old colt, is out of the Fact Book mare Good Book, was bred by owner Michael Cheek and is trained by William Morey. He ran the six furlongs in 1:12.13 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 4-1 in the field of seven. ...

OCALA, Fla. (June 16, 2018) – A California-bred filly by Kentucky stallion Violence sold at the OBS June 2-Year-olds Sale for $100,000. Out of the You and I mare Veiled Threat, the filly was bred by John Antonelli, consigned by Sequel Bloodstock and was purchased by Alistair Roden Bloodstock. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (June 14, 2018) — Tim Ritvo, The Stronach Group’s chief operating officer, said June 13 that closing Golden Gate Fields could be a possibility if changes are not made to a complicated simulcast issue in Northern California. After a notice was sent Wednesday to horsemen of an “urgent meeting” June 14 about “the future of Golden Gate Fields,” Ritvo explained what will be discussed regarding Northern California Off-Track Wagering Inc. (NOTWINC), which deals with brick-and-mortar simulcast operations in the region. “The (California Horse Racing Board) has threatened our license if we do not operate (with NOTWINC), which costs the industry money,” Ritvo said. “We want to inform the horsemen to get involved. Otherwise, there will be no more racing at Golden Gate Fields.” Ritvo also said the NOTWINC setup forces Golden Gate to “subsidize” the OTB network, which is primarily run out of the region’s fair stops (Santa Rosa, as its own entity, and the California Authority of Racing Fairs). “In the end, what’s happening is (advance-deposit... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (June 9, 2018) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate My Friend Emma went wire to wire to win Saturday’s $60,650 Albany Stakes at Golden Gate. My Friend Emma is by Tannersmyman, out of the Artax mare Ma Ka Bet, was bred by Jim Eaton, is owned by Candelario Barragan or Jocelyn Robles and is trained by Rhonda March. The $1,000 Northern California Yearling Sale graduate has eight wins in 20 starts, earnings of $268,108 and was coming off a second in the May 28 All American. He was fourth in this race last year. My Friend Emma ran the five furlongs on turf in :55.42 and won by 2 ¾ lengths at odds of 1-2. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ELMONT, N.Y. (June 9, 2018) — Justify, who burst onto the scene less than four months prior with a maiden victory at Santa Anita Park, set the pace, took challenges from multiple runners, and put them all away to win Saturday’s Grade I Belmont Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths over longshot Gronkowski in a final time of 2:28.18 for 1 1/2 miles under jockey Mike Smith. Justify joins Seattle Slew as the only two undefeated Triple Crown winners and is the 13th winner of the three-race championship series for 3-year-olds. Vino Rosso was the first to take a run at the Bob Baffert-trained chestnut—who set fractions of :23.37, :48.11, 1:13.21, and 1:38.09 through a mile—and made his challenge in the final turn. Jockey John Velazquez asked his Curlin  colt to go on the attack, but he could only get to the pacesetter’s hip. After Justify dispensed of that attempt, Gronkowski was the only threat. Far back in last through the first turn in his dirt debut, Gronkowski rallied... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2018)–Despite never having run beyond six furlongs, lightly raced Loving Lynda settled nicely off the early pace and mustered a stretch drive to out-finish favored Spiced Perfection by a half length in Sunday’s $200,000 Melair Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies bred or sired in California. Ridden by Geovanni Franco, trained by Phil D’Amato and owned and bred by Darren and Jim Robbins, Loving Lynda got a mile and a sixteenth over the Santa Anita main track in 1:44.94. “Phil just said he didn’t want to see me on the lead,” said Franco, who notched his second win on the day and who had guided the daughter of Empire Way to her 5 ½ furlong maiden win here on April 28. “He said to find a comfortable spot to let her run and she sure did. I was expecting a lot from her because she’s shown me in the first few races that she’s definitely a runner. “It was just... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 2, 2018)–Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Take the One O One captured Saturday’s $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, in a race marred by the spill of stablemate Waya Ed in midstretch. Take the One O One, by Acclamation, was ridden by Joe Talamo and trained by Brian Koriner, who reported that Waya Ed suffered a fractured right hind tibia and was euthanized. His jockey, Tiago Pereira, was launched about eight feet in the air, but was ambulatory and conscious before being transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. “The highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows in a fifth of a second,” said owner Samantha Siegel, whose horses race as Jay Em Ess Stable. “I don’t even know what happened…Never had anything like this happen in all the years we’ve been in racing, except we had a filly win the Landaluce one year at Hollywood Park and she collapsed from heat exhaustion.”... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2018) –While Barretts Sales will continue to run under the auspices of the Los Angeles County Fair Association at least through the end of 2018, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association is discussing other options to ensure California has a full, year-round sales schedule in 2019 and beyond. “Breeding trends have been moving in a positive direction, and the quality of horses in the state has improved tremendously,” said CTBA president Doug Burge. “The CTBA, for several years, has been working on a transition in regards to commercial sales. We’ve had numerous conversations with Barretts, other major sales companies, and several racetracks.” The LACFA, which operates at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., in recent years has been reducing its interest in the racing industry. It closed its racetrack and moved its traditional September racing dates to Los Alamitos in 2014. Barretts currently conducts its 2-year-old sale, paddock sale of horses of racing age, and select yearling auction at Del Mar and its January and October... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 20, 2018)–In a race in which the top five finishers were separated by roughly a half length, it was trainer Leonard Powell’s veteran warhorse, Soi Phet, who carried the day, as he took Sunday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes by a head.  Ridden by Alonso Quinonez, the 10-year-old gelding, who was making his 58th career start, got one mile over the Santa Anita turf in 1:35 flat. Claimed 42 starts back for $16,000 on May 23, 2013 at Hollywood Park, the California-bred gelding by Tizbud, out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Jersey, notched his 14th career win (13 of them with his current connections) and his seventh career stakes victory in taking the Crystal Water. He was bred by ARCHA. A close third turning for home behind eventual third place finisher Well Developed and fifth place finisher Tule Fog, Soi Phet pinned his ears when challenged to his outside by second place finisher B Squared and won like a young lion. “I was... ...

By Doug Burge, CTBA President ARCADIA, Calif. (May 20, 2018) — There have been concerns regarding Barretts and the future of sales in California. Be assured that the CTBA is working with Barretts, the LA County Fair, and several other interested parties to assure continuing sales in California. There will not be any changes during 2018. The Del Mar Paddock Sale, Yearling Sale, Nor Cal Yearling & Horses of Racing Age Sale and the October Mixed Sale will be held and conducted as scheduled. There will continue to be yearling, horses of racing age and mixed sales in California, as there is strong interest from existing and other sales companies. We know how critical sales are to all of us as breeders, and CTBA will ensure that our market will continue into future years. If you have questions please feel free to call our office at (800) 573-2822. ...