PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 9, 2019) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul drew clear for a 3 ¼-length win in Saturday’s $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise. The 5-year-old gelding is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has six wins in 11 starts, earnings of $128,203 and was coming off a win in the Jan. 19 Hank Mills Sr. Stakes. He ran the six furlongs in 1:08.41 and went off as the 9-5 second choice. ...

WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2019) — Graded stakes winner Great Stuff has been retired and will stand the 2019 breeding season at Lovacres Ranch for a $5,000 fee, stands and nurses. Great Stuff is the only son of Quality to Road to stand in California. Quality Road was the No. 1 sire by Grade I winners in 2018. Great Stuff, out of the Hennessy mare Sumptuous, ran a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in winning last year’s Grade III Toboggan at Aqueduct. He was third in the Grade I Carter and Grade III Tom Fool, finishing his career with earnings of $478,902. ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 4, 2019) — Grade 2 winner Cheekaboo lit up the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale bid board when she was purchased by K R Japan for $300,000. She was the first horse to achieve six figures during the two-day auction’s first session Feb. 4. The 6-year-old mare (Hip 57) was offered as a broodmare prospect by Small Batch Sales, agent. A chestnut daughter of top California sire Unusual Heat trained by Peter Eurton for Ciaglia Racing, Burns Racing, and Sharon Alesia, Cheekaboo won or placed in 13 of 24 starts and earned $371,995. She won two stakes as a 3-year-old, including the Honeymoon Stakes (G2T), with three stakes placings. Overall, the mare placed in stakes on five occasions. In addition to being a grade 2 winner, Cheekaboo descends from a quality female family that includes grade 1 winners Miss Josh and Royal Mountain Inn, among other black-type winners. She was bred in California by Madeline Auerbach, Richard Rosenberg, and Barry Abrams. ...

DUBAI, U.A.E. (Jan. 29, 2019) – Three California-breds have been nominated for the Dubai World Cup card, to be run on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse, including Richard’s Boy, who has competed in the event the previous two years. Edwards Going Left has been nominated to the $2.5 million Group I Dubai Golden Shaheen and the $1.5 million Godolphin Mile. He is by Midnight Lute, out of the Broken Vow mare Dypsy, was bred by Red Baron’s Barn & Vaya Con Suerte, is owned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler. He has seven wins in 17 starts, has earnings of $511,390 and finished third in Saturday’s $150,000 California Cup Donald Valpredo Sprint. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Touched by Autism has also been nominated to the Dubai Golden Shaheen and Godolphin Mile. He is by Sierra Sunset, out of the Beau Genius mare Beau’s Gem, was bred by George & Mary Clare Schmitt, is owned by Johnny Toboada and is trained by Marcia Stortz. The $2,700 purchase at... ...

By Bloodhorse.com Two reported foals by Shaman Ghost, a filly and a colt, arrived in late January, the first at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and the second at Woodbridge Farm. Joanne Batchelor said that the Batchelor Family Trust’s Daddy’s Duo foaled a Shaman Ghost filly at Tommy Town Jan. 19. Daddy’s Duo is a winning daughter of Scat Daddy—Marque Gal, by Sir Cat. The Shaman Ghost colt arrived Jan. 26 at Woodbridge and is out of BKB Stables’ Chrome Princess. A daughter of Munnings, Chrome Princess is from the family of multiple black-type producer Purity. Shaman Ghost, an Adena Springs homebred, won the Queen’s Plate Stakes and then added the Woodward Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1), and three other graded stakes. The son of Ghostzapper—Getback Time, by Gilded Time, was runner-up in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and was third in the Clark Handicap (G1). He earned a total of $3,859,311. In 2018, Shaman Ghost stood in California at... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2019)–In his second start off a lengthy layoff, owner/trainer William Morey’s Rye saved every inch of ground under Kent Desormeaux as he successfully defended his title in Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic. A 6-year-old full horse by English Channel, out of the Unusual Heat mare Phi Beta Heat, Rye got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:47.56. One of four Saturday stakes restricted to horses bred or sired in California, the Unusual Heat Turf Classic is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA. Breaking from post position three in a field of nine older horses, Rye had three horses beat around the Club House turn and appeared comfortable as he maintained a stalking position into the far turn under a long hold from Desormeaux. A quarter mile out, it appeared Rye would go for an opening three off the fence, just to the outside of Accountability and Joe Talamo, but Desormeaux instead dove... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2019)–Favored in six out of her seven lifetime starts but not today, Nick Alexander’s homebred S Y Sky posted an authoritative half-length win as she led throughout in taking Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. Ridden by Joe Talamo and trained by Phil D’Amato (who picked up his fourth win on the day), the 5-year-old mare by Grazen, out of Alexander’s Sky Mesa mare Sky Marni, got 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.86. One of four stakes on Saturday restricted to horses bred or sired in California, the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA. Breaking from post six in a field of eight, S Y Sky shot to the lead and was pressured down the hill by eventual runner-up Queen Bee to You, who never threw in the towel. Second as the 3-5 favorite in a state-bred... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2019)—Deftly handled by Tiago Pereira, Touching Rainbows closed a four length gap with a quarter mile to run and overhauled pacesetting Richard’s Boy to win Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint by 1 ¼ lengths at Santa Anita.  Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 6-year-old gelding by Aragorn got six furlongs in 1:09.88.                     One of four stakes on Saturday restricted to horses owned or bred in California, the Cal Cup Sprint is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA.                     With Richard’s Boy blasting off to a commanding 2 ½ length lead after the first half mile, Pereira was content to bide his time aboard Touching Rainbows, who sat a close third, just to the outside of well fancied Heck Yeah going into the far turn.  With a roughly two length margin to overcome a furlong out,... ...

By Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2019)—Attentive to the pace throughout, Reddam Racing’s homebred Listing rallied four-wide turning for home en route to a measured half length win in Saturday’s $100,000 California Cup Turf Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Ben Cecil, the 3-year-old colt by Square Eddie got 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.86.                     One of four races restricted to California-bred or sired horses on the Saturday program, the Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA.                     Breaking sharply from post position five in a field six, Listing went straight to the front out of the gate, but was soon a comfortable fourth, about 1 ½ lengths off the lead after the first quarter mile and rallied strongly when called upon at the dirt crossing.                    “It was a bit closer than I hoped,... ...

By California Thoroughbred Fasig-Tipton, whose history in California dates back to the time Humphrey S. Finney and the company conducted the first Louis B. Mayer dispersal in 1947, is partnering with Santa Anita on sales in California. First up will be a June 5 auction of 2-year-olds in training, followed by a Sept. 25 yearling sale, both to be held in Santa Anita’s picturesque walking ring. Boyd Browning, president and chief executive officer of Fasig-Tipton, recently talked to California Thoroughbred about the company’s California plans, including the fulltime hire of trainer Mike Machowsky as its California representative. Question: How did the partnership between Fasig-Tipton and Santa Anita come about after the discontinuation of Barretts? Answer: Fasig-Tipton has had a long relationship and history of doing Thoroughbred auctions in California. As a national sales company, we’ve always watched with interest the California marketplace. It’s a vital portion of our racing and Thoroughbred industry. It’s one of the lynchpins in North American racing and the sales world. I’ve been a believer in... ...

From NYRA Publicity OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 19, 2019) — Gary Barber’s California-bred Solid Wager lived up to his name with a last-to-first rush to capture the 126th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Toboggan at odds of 5-1 on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 8-year-old Birdonthewire gelding, previously conditioned by Peter Miller, shipped in from California and made a tremendous Big A debut for new trainer Chris Englehart. Leaving from the outside post in a compact field of five under Jose Lezcano, Solid Wager settled at the back of the pack in the seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and upward as Skyler’s Scramjet, being stalked by Colonel Sharp and Gold for the King, marked the opening quarter-mile in 22.75 seconds on the fast main track. Skyler’s Scramjet, who captured the Grade 3 Tom Fool here last year, maintained his lead into the turn through a half-mile in 45.81 as Gold for the King, the 3-2 mutuel favorite, loomed large in the three-path with Bal Harbour looking for a rail run.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2019) — The announcement that trainer Mike Machowsky would head up Fasig-Tipton’s California initiative was the next step in North America’s oldest sales company’s effort to establish itself in The Golden State. A veteran trainer, Machowsky is giving up his public stable to join Fasig-Tipton in what the company hopes is a lasting endeavor in Southern California. Fasig-Tipton conducted sales in California on behalf of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, but it has been out of the marketplace there since 1984. Founded in 1898, Fasig-Tipton conducts auctions at its Kentucky headquarters as well as in Florida, New York, and Maryland. “A bunch of us have known Mike for a long time, and he’s known us for a long time,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. said of Machowsky. “As we sorted through and looked at what we really needed in California, we thought a guy like Mike would be a great fit and had discussions with him. Character is the most important thing we’re looking for in... ...

Sales Results: https://ctba.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Results.pdf By Bloodhorse.com POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2019) — Bidding by phone from Gulfstream Park, trainer Bob Hess Jr. purchased a 2-year-old, California-bred son of Merit Man for $60,000. It was the highest price at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Mixed Sale, held on a rainy Jan. 16 in Pomona, Calif. The CTBA stepped in to pinch hit with the January Mixed Sale, formerly conducted by Barretts, which ceased operation at the end of 2018. Two-year-olds made up the biggest part of the 151-hip catalog, which also included broodmares, yearlings, and a few supplemental entries.   Hess was excited to get the sale-topper—consigned as Hip 110—because he trained Merit Man to three stakes wins and a third in the 2013 Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) behind eventual Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Orb . The trainer said he would likely put together a partnership of several of his regular clients.  Hess also bought a 2-year-old, Cal-bred filly by Merit Man (Hip 138) for $30,000. Terry Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch consigned... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2019) — Fasig-Tipton has named trainer Mike Machowsky to be the company’s full-time California representative, effective mid-February. Machowsky will no longer operate his public stable as he begins his new role, which will principally consist of promoting Fasig-Tipton’s auctions at Santa Anita Park, which will commence this year. “As we organize our California division, we are pleased to have an individual of Mike’s experience and expertise to represent us year-round on the West Coast,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “Mike has worked in the California Thoroughbred industry his entire life, including nearly 30 years as a grade 1-winning trainer. His knowledge of California’s owners, trainers, and breeders should prove valuable as we begin to put together our auctions at Santa Anita.” In addition to recruiting buyers and sellers to Fasig-Tipton’s June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale and Fall Yearling Sale at Santa Anita, Machowsky will promote overall awareness of the Fasig-Tipton brand, and serve as a point of contact for any general inquiries from California... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 1, 2019) — In September, Mind Control gave trainer Gregory Sacco his first grade 1 when he turned back multiple rivals to win the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. The Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty  on Tuesday got off to a perfect start to 2019 with a similarly gritty victory in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, the first qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in 2019. With Hall of Famer John Velazquez in the irons, Mind Control bounced back from a seventh in the Nov. 2 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs last out for Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables, and picked up 10 points to rank fifth on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard. “In this race, by the way he’s been training, I knew how sharp he is and (that he) was going to come out of there bouncing,” Sacco said. “I didn’t want Johnny (Velazquez) to take a hold of him. …... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 29, 2018) – California-bred Hardcore Troubador scored a convincing win in Saturday’s $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park. Hardcore Troubador is by Roi Charmant, out of the Good Journey mare Farallon, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and is owned by trainer Edward Freeman. He has four wins in 15 starts, earnings of $176,735 and was coming off a fourth in a Dec. 14 allowance. He ran the five furlongs in :56.18 and won by 3 ¼ lengths as the 3-2 favorite in the field of nine. ...

From Paulickreport.com LAUREL, Md. (Dec. 29, 2018) — Runnymede Racing’s Alwaysmining, a Maryland-bred by California Stallion Stay Thirsty and three weeks removed from his first career stakes win, overcame an inside post and a game favorite to his inside to register a gutsy 1 ½-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Heft Stakes at Laurel Park. The Heft for 2-year-olds and the $100,000 Gin Talking for 2-year-old fillies, both at seven furlongs, were among six stakes worth $550,000 in purses on a 10-race Christmastide Day program. With jockey Daniel Centeno in from Florida to ride for trainer Kelly Rubley, Alwaysmining ($7.20) completed the distance in 1:22.60 over a main track rated good. Win Win Win, unbeaten in two previous starts and sent off as the even-money favorite, was second, six lengths ahead of Clench in third. Laurel Futurity winner Order and Law and Press Virginia, a winner of his first two races, completed the order of finish. Zulu Legend and Be Lal were scratched. It was the third straight win, all in... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2018) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters today announced that Joe Harper, who has led the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club over the past 40 years and enabled Del Mar to become one of North America’s most successful racetracks, has been selected to receive the Eclipse Award of Merit in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing. Harper, Chief Executive Officer of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, will receive the Award of Merit at the 48th annual Eclipse Awards Dinner and Ceremony honoring the 2018 champions of Thoroughbred racing on Thursday, January 24 at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Since coming on board in an executive capacity at Del Mar in 1978, Harper has guided this majestic seaside track—founded in 1937 and bordering the Pacific Ocean just north of San Diego—through a period of sustained growth and success to become one of the leading facilities in North... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2018)–Unimpeded while four-wide turning for home, California-bred Spiced Perfection proved she belongs in elite company as she powered to a 1 ¼ length win in Wednesday’s Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes. Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Brian Koriner, the 3-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger got seven furlongs in 1:23.54. Breaking from the far outside in a field of eight, Spiced Perfection sat just behind a four-horse spread that included 3-5 favorite Dream Tree heading to the three furlong pole. As Emboldened, ridden by Joe Talamo, slipped through on the rail around the far turn, Dream Tree fell out of contention a quarter mile out, leaving Hot Autumn, Happy Like a Fool and Emboldened to the winner’s immediate inside at the top of the lane. “She really did it on her own,” said Koriner. “[Flavia Prat] even had to slow her down on the backside because she was running up there. I was just hoping she wasn’t too fresh and... ...

From DRF.com In conjunction with the opening of Santa Anita’s marquee winter meeting, our annual California Stallions special edition, presented by CTBA Sales, takes a look at leading and incoming sires in the Golden State, plus the changing sale scene in the region. COMPLETE INSERT PDF: 2019 California Stallions, presented by CTBA Sales I’ll Have Another returns to where it all started New California stallions for 2019 Bluegrass Cat makes himself at home Square Eddie continues strong run Boisterous leads California freshmen With Barretts gone, sale scene changes ...

By Bloodhorse.com HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 23, 2018) — Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners’ Coal Front , a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, was back in top form Dec. 22, when he turned in a dominating performance in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.  After suffering a condylar fracture to his right front leg in 2017 that required surgery and a layoff of 13 months—the second condylar fracture of his short career—the multiple stakes winner returned to racing in the fall of 2018.  The 4-year-old colt’s first effort back in the Nov. 2 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack was not on par with his prior efforts, and he finished fifth in the six-horse field. “Last time at Aqueduct, he drew the one hole going a demanding distance in his first start off a layoff,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, “He got in a speed duel that day, and the track was very deep and tiring. It’s hard to win in those scenarios... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2018)–Santa Anita Park has announced highly respected Canadian racing official Steve Lym will become the track’s Vice President and Racing Secretary as the track readies for its 82nd Winter Meet opening day this Wednesday, Dec. 26. Steeped in the Thoroughbred business from childhood, Lym served as Woodbine Racecourse’s Racing Secretary from 2003 through 2013 and as their Director of Racing from 2013 until just recently. Lym, who is married (Jennifer) and has two sons, Curtis, 20 and Jordan, 19, will be joining his Santa Anita team just after the first of the year. “I’ll be there the first week in January and Jennifer and I are looking forward to this new chapter in our life,” said Lym today from Toronto.  “Coming from Woodbine, where we too, are a bit isolated in terms of ready access to other major tracks, I see similarities in the business model that Santa Anita is faced with an I think I bring a skill set that will... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2018) — After months of frequent—and often abrupt—change at Santa Anita Park, Tim Ritvo is not content. The chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns the Southern California racetrack, says he will continue to seek change and try to make Santa Anita as profitable as possible, but for now things have settled down ahead of opening day Dec. 26. “I can tell you there’s no more surprises. There’s no more surprises planned,” Ritvo said Dec. 20 from his office at the base of Santa Anita grandstand, in reference to recent removals of race caller Michael Wrona and racing secretary Rick Hammerle. “We’re going to do the best we can this meet, get a significant increase in field size—we hope—and add races if the inventory is there.” While Ritvo didn’t speak directly about the personnel changes, he did say the process to replace Hammerle is close to being completed. “We want to thank Rick for years of service, but the idea is to look... ...

From Milky Way Farm TEMECULA, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2018) — Two important stallions have just arrived from Chile to join the stallion roster at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, California for 2019.    Passion For Gold  (Medaglia d’Oro x C’Est L’Amour ( placed Acorn GR1) is one of five Champions sired by Medaglia d’Oro including Songbird, Rachel Alexandra and Vancouver.    He was Champion and Highweighted Two Year Old in France and won the Criterium Saint Cloud (G1) by 6 1/ 2 lengths, Tapster Stakes and  Beresford Stakes (ENG) while racing for Godophin .  He has been standing in Chile and his first crop to race consisted of 31 starters and 28 winners, including La Zurda de Oro  placed in GR1 Classico Augusto Montajo Barrera.  His get have won $902,463. He is standing 2019 for $3500.00 LFG Dosificado (CHI)  (Scat Daddy x Daja) winner of Grade 3 Alvaro Covarrubias Stake during an undefeated 2 year old season.  His complete race record included 12 starts – 7 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds.  He... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2018) – Heavily-favored Galilean rolled to a nine-length victory in the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds on Sunday, the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. Able to establish the lead immediately under jockey Flavien Prat, the 2-year-old son of Uncle Mo set moderate early fractions with 7-2 second choice Our Silver Oak in close pursuit, then kicked away in the final quarter of a mile to score in 1:35.06 for the mile. A $600,000 purchase at the Barretts sale in April, Galilean, who is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Denise Barker and William Sandbrook and trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, is now 2-for-3 and the $57,000 payday pushed his earnings to $151,000. Galilean, who is out of the El Prado mare Fresia, was bred by Bar C Racing Stable. He has earned both of his wins at Los Alamitos. He captured the Barretts Juvenile in his Sept. 22 debut during the... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2018) – After beginning her career with two races on turf, Kookie Gal made a successful transition to dirt, easily winning the $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes Saturday at Los Alamitos. Owned by breeders Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable and trained by Peter Miller, the 2-year-old daughter of Boisterous relaxed off the pace under jockey Flavien Prat, then took charge in the stretch to score by four lengths. The even-money favorite against five other California bred or sired fillies, Kookie Gal completed the one mile in 1:37.18 while winning for the second time. She’s earned $89,000 and is the first stakes winner by Boisterous. Racing without the blinkers worn in grass affairs at Santa Anita and Del Mar, the dark bay filly paid $4, $2.60 and $2.10. Hotitude, the 5-2 second choice who battled most of the way with the Miller-trained Creative Instinct on the pace, returned $3 and $2.20. Creative Instinct, who was a half-length back in third AS THE 3-1 third... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2018) — The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association thanks the many stallion owners for their donations that made the Thursday night Annual Stallion Season Auction a success. Proceeds from the auction by law go strictly toward the lobbying expenses of the CTBA, working in support of legislation that favorably impacts California Thoroughbred breeders. The sale featured seasons donated by these farms: Ballena Vista Farm, Barton Thoroughbreds, Blue Diamond Farm, BG Thoroughbreds, Daehling Ranch,  Harris Farms, Lovacres Ranch, Oak Creek Farm, Oak Hill Farm, , Pacific Coast Thoroughbreds, Rancho San Miguel, Special T Thoroughbreds, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and Woodbridge Farm. ...

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2018) — Multiple graded stakes winner Swiss Yodeler is remembered as a dominant force in California breeding. Now his son, Caballo Bonito, Swiss Yodeler – In My Life, by Byars (Deputy Minister), returns to California for the 2019 breeding season.  Caballo Bonito hails from a sire line of speed. His sire Swiss Yodeler won five stakes at the age 2, including the G1 Hollywood Futurity, the G2 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes, and the G3 Best Pal Stakes.  His grandsire Eastern Echo also showed success at 2 by winning the G1 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park.    Upon his retirement from racing, Swiss Yodeler became a most influential sire. He was consistently one of California’s leading sire of 2-year-olds. He is the sire of Thor’s Echo ($2,461,490), the 2006 G1 Breeders Cup Sprint Champion and Eclipse Award winner.  Caballo Bonito, the only son of Swiss Yodeler in California, will be standing at Oak Creek Farm for a fee of $2,000 LFG.  ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2018) – The Spiral Jetter won Saturday’s $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for California bred or sired fillies and mares three-years-old and upward. In a three-way driving finish, The Spiral Jetter rallied from well off the pace to score at 8-1 for trainer Andy Mathis and jockey Julien Couton. The grey daughter of Don’tsellmeshort was making her stakes debut in the Bear Fan, a six furlong contest on Tapeta. The Spiral Jetter is out of the Renteria mare Early Arriver, was bred by Perry Bruno, is owned by Bruno, John Gezon and Mathis. She has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $224,705 and was coming off a fourth in an Oct. 20 optional claimer. ...

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. ...