From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (July 29, 2016) — Placed in a perfect stalking position by jockey Stewart Elliott, You’re Late pounced on the front-runners turning into the stretch and drew off to an impressive victory in the featured $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-old fillies Friday at Del Mar.   Running third in the early stages of the 5 ½ furlong sprint as Love a Honeybadger set a fast pace followed closely by 3-5 favorite My California, You’re Late rallied powerfully on the outside to take command and then cruised home to score by three and one-quarter lengths.   “She’s a nice filly,” said Elliott. “I liked the post today (No. 5 in a five-horse field). You can play it as it lays in a spot like that. She ran well and I think she’ll stretch out.  It’s fun being here at Del Mar again (he rode here previously only in 2014). It’s even more fun when your business is good.”   While... ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (July 27, 2016) — Gold Rush Dancer, a 14-1 longshot piloted by Flavien Prat, rallied on the far outside entering the stretch to take command and then held off the late rush of Tough It Out to win Wednesday’s featured $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Del Mar. Well-placed in mid-pack by Prat in the early stages of the seven-furlong spring, Gold Rush Dancer swept to the front with a bold move but then was forced to go all out to survive by a half-length over Tough It Out, a 10-1 outsider under jockey Joe Talamo. “You know, he just might be better on dirt than he is on grass,” said Prat. “The seven-eighths (today) felt just about right. He’s fast and you can put him anywhere you want. That makes for good trips. Then again, you’ve got to give credit to the trainer. When you ride the best horse, it makes the job much easier.” Mrazek, the 8-5 favorite... ...

By Paulick Report DEL MAR, Calif. (July 28, 2016) — When Big Score rallied from more than seven lengths back under jockey Flavien Prat to win a one-mile maiden race for 2-year-olds on turf at Del Mar on Sunday, I glanced down at my program to look at the colt’s pedigree. Bred in Kentucky by George Krikorian and carrying his magenta, black and silver silks to an impressive 2 ¾-length win at odds of 8-1, Big Score was sired by a stallion named Mr. Big and out of a mare by leading California stallion Unusual Heat. Mr. Big? I had never heard of him. But Big Score, making his first career start, beat a field that included a hot favorite in Mystic Kid, a son of Lemon Drop Kid. Other runners in the race were sired by Midnight Lute, Congrats, Gio Ponti and Hat Trick. I did some hasty online research and saw that Mr. Big was a son of the late Dynaformer who’d won two of nine starts for Krikorian,... ...

PIRU, Calif. (July 25, 2016) – California stallion Stormin Fever has been pensioned by owner Golden Eagle Farm. The 22-year-old son of Storm Cat stood this year at Rancho Temescal. On the track, Stormin Fever earned 484,664 and won eight races, highlighted by the Grade III Sport Page Handicap at Aqueduct. Among his progeny are millionaires Fusaichi Auster and Sweet Talker and Canadian champion Biofuel. He’s had 15 crops to race with nine graded winners and total earnings of more than $30 million. Stormin Fever stood in Kentucky until Golden Eagle purchased him in 2008. He was moved to Rancho Temescal when Golden Eagle Farm in Ramona closed in 2014. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 24, 2016) — Longshot Patriots Rule rallied from last place under jockey Joe Talamo to overhaul Ambitious Brew in the final sixteenth and win Sunday’s $150,690 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar.   “He broke well and I had a beautiful trip,” said Talamo. “I got over to the fence and tried to save all I could. When you’re coming from last, you’re looking for spots to get through. I didn’t want to have to go six wide and lose all that ground. I got lucky with that and he had a good kick late. I like the way this turf course is playing. It’s fair. You can win on the front end, or you can win coming from the back – like I did.”   Boozer was third, a length back of the runner-up and a neck in front of fourth-place Alert Bay in the field of eight California-bred horses. Magic Mark was withdrawn.   Patriots Rule,... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (July 24, 2016) –“Congratulations, Mr. Sherman!” one exercise rider yelled out. “You’re a legend, Mr. Sherman!” announced a pony rider. “Atta boy, Art,” a jockey agent said as he walked by. Walking around the Del Mar barn area July 24, seemingly everyone that got within earshot of trainer Art Sherman wanted to express their appreciation for what they experienced the day before, when California Chrome   and Dortmund did battle in the stretch during the San Diego Handicap (gr. II). BALAN: ‘Chrome’ Edges Dortmund in Del Mar Battle “That was a nice prep, right?” Sherman said jokingly of the head-and-head stretch duel that ended up just 0.84 seconds off the Del Mar track record for 1 1/16 miles. What Sherman was most impressed with Sunday morning was how his star chestnut came out of his hard-earned, half-length victory. “Chrome looked good this morning,” the trainer said. “I was really happy with the way he recovered. I thought he’d be dead in the water after that trip. I... ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (July 22, 2016) — In a memorable renewal of the Grade II $200,000 San Diego Handicap, California-bred fan favorite California Chrome outfinished a stubborn Dortmund after a prolonged duel to score a half-length victory Saturday in the mile and one-sixteenth prep for the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on August 20. Dortmund, piloted by Gary Stevens, went to the front shortly after the break, but was hounded by California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza, who never allowed their rival to take a breather.  California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year and the all-time richest horse  in North American racing history with earnings of more than $12.5 million, engaged Dortmund on the far turn, took a narrow lead entering the stretch and never  relented while holding Dortmund safe under intermittent urging by Espinoza. “I saved something for the end. I knew I’d have to,” said Espinoza. “I have a lot of respect for Dortmund and he made me run hard.  I could see... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 22, 2016) — Unbeaten Enola Gray, the 1-9 favorite in a field of five, ran to her odds and then some Friday as she romped to a 7 3/4 length triumph in the featured $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar.  The issue never seemed in doubt as Enola Gray pressed the early pace, cruised to the lead in the upper stretch under little urging from jockey Tyler Baze and breezed to the wire in the stakes record time of 1:21.24 for the seven furlongs. The former stakes record of 1:21.40 was set by Princess Royalty in 1990. This was the 31st running of the race. “I’ve never won a race any easier,” said Baze. “She’s just unbelievable. She’s so special. I’d say the race was probably over by the half-mile pole. She just goes so easy. All I’ve got to do is keep her happy. She handles all the rest.” Enola Gray, a daughter of... ...

By DRF.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 23, 2016) — The favored California-bred Toomuchisnotenough lived up to expectations with a strong stretch run to score her initial stakes victory in the $63,075 California Governor’s Handicap on Saturday at the California State Fair in Sacramento. The 5-year-old Toomuchisnotenough ($5.60), claimed on Feb. 27 by trainer Jack Steiner for Dan O’Neill and Randy Marriott after spending a year on the sidelines, recorded her third straight win after running second in the Camilla Urso at Golden Gate Fields  in her debut for her new connections. Juan Hernandez, who has ridden Toomuchisnotenough in all four starts for Steiner, gave a confident ride sitting fourth while wide but in the clear down the backstretch as Marynetta set the early pace. The 3-year-old Coniah, making her first start since Jan. 18 and first start against older fillies and mares, took over for Marynetta as the field hit the stretch, but Toomuchisnotenough seemed to have her measured and won the six-furlong race by a length in 1:09.92. Marynetta held... ...

By Tracy Gantz, The BloodHorse BONSALL, Calif. (July 18, 2016) – Edward Freeman and Square Eddie have parlayed English experiences into California success. As part of Paul and Zillah Reddam’s booming operation, the trainer and the stallion are quietly building reputations, the man guiding the sire’s offspring through their early paces at San Luis Rey Downs in Bonsall, Calif. While Nyquist and the O’Neill brothers (Doug and Dennis) have quite naturally dominated headlines for Reddam Racing from last year’s Breeders’ Cup through this year’s Triple Crown trail, Freeman and Square Eddie’s names appear frequently in California race results. Freeman, a public trainer who also does substantial work for the Reddams, has trained stakes winners More Complexity and Sprouts, both by Square Eddie, and he has put in the foundation on the progeny of Square Eddie trained by others. “Edward has clearly done an excellent job over the years,” said Paul Reddam. “He’s a hands-on guy, and he’s very bright. He’s very caring about the horses, and, like most horse trainers,... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (July 16, 2016) – Blue Dancer, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, ran his stakes win streak to three by taking Saturday’s $50,000 Fred Jones Handicap at Northlands Park. Blue Dancer, out of the Saint Ballado mare Two Halos, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.16 and won by 2 ¾ lengths at odds of 3-2. He has 10 wins in 13 starts and earnings of $267,673. ...

WILMINGTON, Del. (July 16, 2016) – Longshot California-bred Bodhisattva displayed a sustained rally to win Saturday’s $50,000 Carl Hanford Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park. Bodhisattva is by Student Council, out of the Talk Is Money mare Dr. Cheryl P., was bred by Andy Stronach and is owned by trainer Jose Corrales. He has five wins in 20 starts, earnings of $237,883 and was coming off a win in a June 19 optional claimer. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.20 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 11-1. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 9, 2016)–A close third, two lengths off the lead with a quarter mile to run, aptly named California Diamond wheeled three-wide turning for home and kept to his task in game fashion en route to a three quarter length upset win in Saturday’s $125,000 Santa Anita Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds at 5 ½ furlongs. Ridden by Edwin Maldonado and trained by John Brocklebank, the California-bred colt by Harbor the Gold got the distance in 1:03.54. “He’s very game, this horse,” said Brocklebank, who registered his first Santa Anita stakes win. “We love California Diamond, but he is for sale (Barretts/Del Mar Paddock, next Friday). Today, he was sharper than in his last out. He trained sharp all week. We didn’t do a whole lot with him after his first win. Luis Mendez, my assistant, has done a great job with him.” A first-out maiden winner going five furlongs versus statebreds here on June 17, California Diamond, who broke sharply from the far outside... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 9, 2016)–Heinz Steinmann’s homebred Theonewewaitedfor outran favored Miss Southern Miss through the stretch to take the $125,000 Landaluce Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by 2 ¾ lengths Saturday at Santa Anita. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano and trained by Mike Harrington, the California-bred daughter of Creative Cause got 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.82. A first-out maiden winner going 4 ½ furlongs in open company here on May 26, Theonewewaitedfor sat a joint second with the favorite into the far turn as they pursued the pacesetter, Cioppino Pasadino. Approaching the quarter pole, Theonewewaitedfor put a neck in front and shook off Miss Southern Miss approaching the sixteenth marker to win as much the best. “I’m speechless,” said Harrington, who also trained the winner’s sire, Creative Cause, for Steinmann. “It’s very special seeing a daughter of Creative Cause winning. His first baby won a stakes too, which puts him on the map…Ironically, she lived up to her name. I named her and when I did, I told... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 8, 2016)–In a breathtaking performance, heavily favored Masochistic took Friday’s $76,700 Santa Anita allowance feature by 6 ¼ lengths under Mike Smith while covering 6 ½ furlongs geared down in 1:13.74. Breaking from post position four in a field of five older horses, Masochistic, who is conditioned by Ron Ellis and had been idle since well beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Oct. 31 at Keeneland, fairly glided through fractions of 21.53, 43.61 and 1:07.42. “That’s just not normal,” said Smith as he acknowledged the ease with which the 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Sought After, out of the Unusual Heat mare Trotinette, had just completed his assignment. “Ron’s done a tremendous job bringing him back. From the first time I got on him after the Breeders’ Cup until today…He was taking baby steps in his training and after his last work, Ron said ‘I’m running him.’ And that was the right move, as you saw.” A winner of the Grade I, seven... ...

TEMECULA, Calif. (July 5, 2016) — California-bred Sky Jack, a millionaire Grade I winner, passed away Tuesday. He was 20. The gray gelded son of Jaklin Klugman, owned and bred by Rene and Margie Lambert, won the California Cup Classic and Grade III Native Diver Handicap in 2000 before needing more than a year off with knee problems and colic. He returned in 2002 to win the Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup and Grade II Mervyn LeRoy, before going back on the shelf. He finished his career with a win in the Grade III Longacres Mile in 2003, setting a track record of 1:33, but was retired on the eve of taking another shot at the Cal Cup Classic. “He was training very well and when we entered him, we had every expectation he would run another big race,” trainer Doug O’Neill told California Thoroughbred. “But the morning before the race, he came back from a routine gallop with some soreness. Not only did we have to scratch him, but... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 4, 2016)–Red hot California-based stallion Square Eddie struck again in Monday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Handicap at Santa Anita, as Reddam Racing’s homebred Mrazek returned from a disappointing foray to New York to post a facile 1 ½ length win under Mario Gutierrez while covering six furlongs in 1:09.45. Breaking from the far outside in a field of six Golden State Series eligible three year olds and up bred or sired in California, Mrazek sat comfortably behind a group of four dueling leaders before he swung four-wide turning for home in a visually impressive display of class as Gutierrez geared him down near the wire. “He’s such an honest horse,” said O’Neill, who got his second win on the day. “Seven out of eight times now, he’s been first or second. His last race in New York (Grade II, seven furlong Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park June 11), it was just a big field, he had a lot of traffic troubles and he... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 4, 2016)–With heavily favored Sunday Rules caving to early pace pressure, Terry Lovingier’s Lost Bus, who sat a comfortable third into the far turn, rallied three-wide turning for home under Fernando Perez and took charge a furlong out en route to an impressive 2 ½ length win in Monday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Handicap for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares, three and up bred or sired in California.  Trained by Gary Sherlock, Lost Bus got six furlongs in 1:09.54. Breaking from the rail and with Sunday Rules to her immediate outside, Lost Bus, who was fourth, beaten 4 ½ lengths by the mighty Beholder in the Grade I Vanity Mile here on June 4, steadied between the favorite and speedy Codacious approaching the half mile pole, but quickly settled into stride as the leading pair dueled through splits of 21.95, 44.75 and 56.87. “The five (Codacious) went with the two (Sunday Rules) and softened her up and it may have made a... ...

By Dennis Miller PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 3, 2016) — For any jockey to win a stakes race, there needs to be a certain amount of calmness during the ride. Sunday in the $100,000 Everett Nevin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds in the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet during the Alameda County Fair, jockey Julien Couton was about as cool as the other side of the pillow in guiding Llobo — a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale — to the win. Llobo is by Tribal Rule, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Serena’s Echo, was bred by Cole Ranch, is owned by Robert Jones or Lloyd Mason and is trained by Mason. The $34,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has won both career starts with earnings of $73,520. Trained by Lloyd Mason and assistant trainer Faith Taylor, Llobo was in a power-packed field of seven 2-year-old horses going 5 ½ furlongs in the richest stakes race during the 12-day Oak Tree meet. With speed all... ...

By Dennis Miller PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 2, 2016) — The race track in Pleasanton that hosts the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet during the Alameda County Fair has long been known as a speed-favoring track and many times, the first horse into the stretch often wins the race. Often, but not always. Saturday afternoon the running of the $50,000 Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes for 2-year-old fillies run at 5 ½ furlongs did not follow the pattern of the Pleasanton tracks, as California-bred Only You Babe came from last to first to win the race. In fact, Only You Babe was still in fifth in the six-horse field as they turned for home. But jockey Frank Alvarado knew things would fall his way. Only You Babe is by Thorn Song, out of the Johannesburg mare Book’em Babe, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $74,600 and was coming off a maiden win June 11.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (July 2, 2016) — Trainer Art Sherman has said for weeks leading up to California Chrome  ‘s next start in the July 23 San Diego Handicap (gr. II)—when the blinkers go on, that’s when things get serious. Wearing his silver California Chrome-stamped hood as he stepped onto the track at Los Alamitos Race Course during his private 5:30 a.m. PT session July 2, the 2014 Horse of the Year was supposed to crank it up a notch. But right after his seventh timed work under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney in preparation for his first start since victory in the March 26 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), Sherman said he was looking for a little more. California Chrome worked six furlongs to the wire in 1:13 1/5, but will officially go onto the work tab for seven furlongs in 1:26 2/5. His last two works recorded for six furlongs went onto the tab at 1:12 2/5 each. “I’ll be honest with you, I wanted a little stronger work,” Sherman said. “When I... ...

By Bloodhorse.com HOKKAIDO, Japan (July 2, 2016) – King Glorious, a California-bred multiple grade I winner and successful sire, has passed away at the age of 30 in Japan, Kate Hunter of Paca Paca Farms shared via Twitter July 2. A son of Naevus out of Glorious Natalie, by Reflected Glory, King Glorious had been pensioned from stud duty at JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station since 2010 due to declining fertility. King Glorious won eight of his nine career starts in the United States, including his first six outings consecutively, capped by a 21-length triumph in the Piedmont Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. He owned wins in the 1988 Hollywood Futurity (gr. I), after which he was named California’s Horse of the Year. At age 3, his missed the Triple Crown series, but he captured the 1989 Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) and Ohio Derby (gr. II). Overall, he won five graded stakes. King Glorious was bred by the Halo Farms of Ted Aroney, who campaigned him with Alan Magerman of Philadelphia. He was... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 22, 2016) –Legislation that would divert up to $57 million a year to horse racing from Internet poker operations cleared the California Assembly Committee on Appropriations June 22. The bill, which authorizes card rooms and certain Indian tribes to apply for licenses to operate intrastate online poker, has broad support from the horseracing and breeding industry as well as tribes—but not all of them. Representatives of some tribal entities told the committee “suitability” language in the bill isn’t strong enough to protect against “tainted assets,” primarily service providers found to have been operating illegally in the past. The measure now heads to the full Assembly for consideration. The committee during its meeting dealt with an amended version of the bill, which sets a tax rate of 8.847% for aggregate gross revenue below $150 million and up to 15% for gross revenue above $350 million. It also sets a license fee of $12.5 million. In exchange for not having the right to have Internet poker licenses, the... ...

By TDN.com MONTERRICO, Peru (June 27, 2016) – California stallion Heatseeker had a Group I winner when Stud Nautica’s 6-year-old mare Ryan’s Charm posted a repeat victory in the Group 1 Clasico Pamplona Sunday to earn an automatic berth into the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf as part of the international Breeders’ Cup Challenge series. The Pamplona, Peru’s only Group 1 race reserved on the grass for fillies and mares, was the last of five Challenge races contested in South America in 2016 and one of four new races on this year’s Challenge calendar. Last seen winning the Clasico Mari July in October 2015, Ryan’s Charm returned from an eight- month layoff to record a scintillating victory, her eighth straight and 13th on the grass. “She’s an extraordinary mare,” said trainer Armando Filipuzzi. Ryan’s Charm ran the 2000 meters on turf in 2:00.50 and won by 1 ½ lengths at odds of 7-1. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 26, 2016)–In his 45th career start, venerable 8-year-old gelding Soi Phet rolled to the lead into the Club House turn and dictated terms throughout as he took Sunday’s $75,000 McCann’s Mojave Handicap by 2 ½ lengths while covering a mile and a sixteenth in 1:40.80–thus turning the tables on runner-up Avanti Bello, who defeated him by a nose in the one mile Tiznow Stakes here May 28. Breaking from the number three post position in a field of five California-bred or sired horses three and up, Soi Phet made the lead while well within himself and set fractions of 23.57, 46.75, 1:10.21 and 1:34.48. Called upon by Desormeaux with three sixteenths of a mile to run, Soi Phet responded eagerly and left Avanti Bello in his wake with a furlong to run. The 9-5 favorite, Soi Phet, who was bred by ARCHA Racing, is by Tizbud and is out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Jersey. He paid $5.80, $3.20 and $2.10. “The... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2016)–With Mike Smith at the controls, California-bred Cheekaboo flew late and in a three-way blanket finish, got up to win Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes by a head while covering 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.86. On an unusually hot day that saw the thermometer hit 103 degrees at Santa Anita, Cheekaboo, who is by the aptly named Unusual Heat, took the final turf race of the 2016 Spring Meet, as construction on a new course will begin this evening. With Gone to Bali carving out fast early splits, Cheekaboo settled nicely off the pace while saving ground at the rail. With three furlongs to go, she had two horses beat and Smith bided his time inside as the complexion of the race changed dramatically with a quarter mile to run. “I followed Pete’s instructions,” said Smith. “…I saved all the ground that I could and I cut every corner and he told me to ‘go for broke’ and see... ...

By Paulick Report ARCADIA, Calif. (June 16, 2016) — In talking with California breeder Nick Alexander, you’d never know that he’s an entirely self-made man. He comes across as humble, pragmatic, and occasionally even self-deprecating. His success, however, both in the business realm and the Thoroughbred industry, lends itself to a more impressive evaluation. Thirty-five years ago, Alexander negotiated a bargain-bottom price on a car dealership that was nearly going under, quickly turning it into one of the largest automotive import businesses in Los Angeles. With his children at the helm of the company these days, the retired Alexander is able to focus on his passion: Thoroughbreds. Alexander currently has one of the most talked-about California-breds on the West Coast racing scene  – Enola Gray. In training with Phil D’Amato, the 3-year-old filly took nearly 10 months to get to the races, regularly sidelined by one issue or another. “It got to where I stopped asking Phil how she was doing,” joked Alexander. Even on the day of her first race,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 15, 2016) — The 2017 racing calendar in Southern California may have fewer racing days at Los Alamitos compared to recent years, or could look similar to the 2014 and 2015 seasons, according to discussions at a California Horse Racing Board dates committee meeting at Santa Anita on Wednesday. The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was the first public discussion on racing dates at venues throughout the state for 2017. Executives with racetracks and horsemen’s organizations spoke before the three-person committee consisting of chairman Chuck Winner and commissioners Steve Beneto and George Krikorian. No final plans were determined for 2017 dates in Southern and Northern California, with conversations expected to continue in coming weeks. A summary of Wednesday’s meeting will be discussed at Thursday’s meeting of the racing board. Final decisions on racing dates for 2017 is likely by the end of summer, or September. Wednesday, the focus of discussions on Southern California dates was whether Los Alamitos will host a two-week meeting... ...

By Paulick Report ALBANY, Calif. (June 13, 2016) — After guiding Wahine Warrior to a second-place finish in the10th race on Sunday’s closing-day card at Golden Gate Fields, horse racing’s all-time winningest jockey, Russell Baze, said to his longtime agent and friend, Ray Harris: “That’s it. I’m going to retire.” So ends a Hall of Fame career that began nearly 42 years ago. Baze, who turns 58 on Aug. 7, rode another warrior, Oregon Warrior, to his first victory at defunct Yakima Meadows in Washington on Oct. 28, 1974. He retires with 12,842 wins, 9,600 second place finishes and 7,855 thirds from 53,578 mounts. Horses he’s ridden have earned $199,334.219. On Dec. 1, 2006, he passed Laffit Pincay Jr., who had been the sport’s leading rider with 9,530 victories. His only global rival in career wins is 55-year-old Brazilian jockey Jorge Ricardo, who is believed to be within 100 wins of Baze and still active. “I was surprised but I was happy,” said Harris, who has been agent to Baze since the fall of 1979... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 11, 2016)–The longest shot in the field at 21-1, Poshsky, under Fernando Perez, looped the field turning for home and held off favored Alert Bay to win Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita by a neck. Trained by Peter Miller and saddled by his chief assistant, Ruben Albarado, Poshky covered one mile on turf in 1:35.77. With longshot Spirit Rules setting a fast pace, Poshsky, who broke from the rail in a field of six older California-bred or sired horses, was last but on the move into the far turn, wheeled four-wide turning for home and was all-out to outrun the favorite who battled back gamely at the rail. “He was back with Cal-breds and I think that was the key,” said Albarado. “He likes this track and we knew there was speed in the race, so we just told Fernando to sit back and he’ll run big. He rode the horse perfect. No questions asked.... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (June 11, 2016) – California stallion Unusual Heat, who scored a progeny triple on the May 29 Gold Rush card at Santa Anita, was represented by three winners on the Saturday card at Golden Gate. An Unusual Group won a $32,000 claimer in the third race. The mare was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams, is owned by Janet Hollendorfer and George Todaro and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She is out of the General Meeting mare Gn. Group Meeting. Hittheroadrunning won a $6,250 claimer in the fifth race. The gelding was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Garry Madden & Jonathon Wong and trained by Wong. He is out of the Kennedy Road mare Gravel. Sizzlin’ Joe won a $16,000 claimer in the ninth race. The gelding was bred by AJM Racing, is owned by Mark Enlow and trained by John Martin. He is out of the Cherokee Run mare Nina’s Delight. ...

By DRF.com RUIDOSO, N.M. (May 31, 2016) – Lone California-bred Popalicious lifted jockey Ruby Gonzalez to a four-win day at Ruidoso Downs on Monday when she fought for a neck victory over Sky Rant in the $50,000 First Lady Handicap. It was another neck back to Untraveled in third. Popalicious is a daughter of Ministers Wild Cat. She was bred in California by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. Popalicious ($9.40) was always prominent, racing with the leaders through fractions of 23.06 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.16 for the half-mile. She covered six furlongs in the race for fillies and mares in 1:12.34. Popalicious races for the partnership of Solitaire Stable, Skyler Kelley, Allen Aldrich, and Tom Mansor. She is trained by Henry Dominguez. Gonzalez’s other winners came in a dead heat in the fifth with Your Miss ($3.80), in the sixth with R C Dillinger ($10.80), and the seventh with Thrifty Lad ($12.80). ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2016)–Oakcrest Stable’s Bert’s Melody shook off a late challenge from Singing Kitty and went on to an impressive one length victory as the 9-5 favorite in Saturday’s $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for Golden State Series eligible older fillies and mares bred or sired in California. Ridden by Brice Blanc and trained by Sean McCarthy, the 5-year-old mare by Bertrando got one mile on turf in 1:35.36. A close second in a mile and one eighth turf allowance at Santa Anita on May 5, she cut back in distance a furlong and paid $5.80, $3.20 and $2.60. “You get all kinds of emotions when you watch them win,” said John Barr, who races and breeds as Oakcrest Stable and is on the CTBA board of directors. “Brice rides her very well. Sean trains her beautifully and she’s got some talent, so today was the day! “The California incentive program is an outstanding program, probably the best in the nation for an individual state... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2016) –Avanti Bello can be a tricky ride for a jockey. The key to success is for a rider to stay active and not overdo it the effort. “He’s a horse that likes to be ridden and not beaten up,” said Leandro Mora, trainer Doug O’Neill’s top assistant. Rafael Bejarano rode Avanti Bello for the first time in Saturday’s $150,690 Tiznow Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles and found the ideal balance in his technique to guide the 4-year-old colt to a nose win in the one-mile race for California-breds. Avanti Bello stalked pacesetter Songforjohnmichael to the turn, took the lead before the stretch, and was fully extended to earn the win over Soi Phet. Avanti Bello ($28.80) was timed in 1:35.30. Bejarano said he had the ideal trip on Avanti Bello. He wanted to race behind Songforjohnmichael and Boozer early and maintain a close position. “I tried to let the other two horses go,” Bejarano said. “I found my position. I waited as... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2016) — Gold Rush Dancer showed his affection for turf racing with a hard-fought win in Saturday’s $188,000 Snow Chief Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Gold Rush Dancer outfinished Ralis, winning by a nose as the 3-2 favorite. There were a few tense moments after the race. The stretch run was the subject of an inquiry involving fourth-place finisher Glory Bound, who took up in the final furlong while racing alongside Gold Rush Dancer. After a review, the stewards did not change the order of finish. Gold Rush Dancer ($5) ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:49.37. He was favored on the basis of his win in the Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at a mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields on May 1, the colt’s first start on the surface. “I think we’ll keep him on the grass,” trainer Vann Belvoir said in the winner’s circle. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Gold Rush Dancer stalked pacesetter... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2016) – Enola Gray won sprinting first time out against maidens, and on Saturday at Santa Anita went two turns against stakes runners. Two starts, two easy wins, but trainer Phil D’Amato is in no hurry to throw her in against the best 3-year-old fillies around, preferring another building block as he lays a foundation. D’Amato said the Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar on July 22 likely would be next for Enola Gay, but wherever and whenever that next start comes, it will be worth watching. On Saturday, Enola Gay cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory against fellow California-breds in the $200,000 Melair for Golden State Series eligibles, needing just light encouragement from jockey Tyler Baze. “Tyler rode her very confidently,” D’Amato said. “He did the right thing. She rated, with her ears pricked. She did it in hand.” Enola Gray made the top in the 1 1/16-mile race and loped along through fractions of 23.97 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 47.72 for... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2016)–With Flavien Prat orchestrating a pedestrian opening quarter mile in 22.88, Pamela Ziebarth’s comebacking homebred Ambitious Brew marched to an impressive 2 ¼ length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Lennyfrommalibu Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles. Trained by Marty Jones, Ambitious Brew, who had been idle since Oct. 12, covered 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:13.78. “We ended up getting a great trip,” said Jones. “You could tell after the first quarter mile that he was in the right spot and he was gonna be tough to beat. I keep feeling like I should’ve gotten more out of this horse, he’s a really good horse. Hopefully, we can finish off the year with something big with him.” The 2-1 second choice in a field of five older horses bred or sired in California, Ambitious Brew paid $6.40, $2.80 and $2.20. A 6-year-old gelding by Ziebarth’s Tizbud, Ambitious Brew is out of her Forest Wildcat mare, Kathwen. Today’s win... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BALTIMORE, Md. (May 21, 2016) — Organizers of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup planned for January 2017 said they already have 12 ownership groups on board at $1 million each, including the owners of California-bred California Chrome. The announcement was made May 19 at Pimlico Race Course, which will host the Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 21. The Stronach Group, which owns and operates the Maryland Jockey Club tracks, is the driving force behind the Pegasus World Cup. Starlight Racing’s Jack Wolf, who serves as chief executive officer of the Pegasus World Cup, said the period for owners to commit to the race opened May 16. All the spots were filled in about a day, he said. Those who purchased a spot in the starting gate for the 1 1/8-mile race at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28 are California Chrome LLC; Coolmore; Jerry and Ronald Frankel; Sol Kumin and James Covello; Jim McIngvale; Paul Reddam; Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; Ruis Racing; Daniel Schafer; Starlight Pegasus Partners; The Stronach Group;... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 14, 2016) – Central Heat successfully defended her title in Saturday’s $61,025 Golden Poppy Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate, extending her win streak to seven. Central Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Smart Strike mare Miss Boomtown, was bred by Abrams, Huston Racing, Matties Racing and Auerbach, is owned by William Delia or Dana Rocheford and is trained by Delia. She has 15 wins in 34 starts, earnings of $364,101. Central Heat ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:43.54 and won by one-half length as the 7-10 favorite in the field of eight. The 2016 Golden Poppy was one of two wins on the card for Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, who was returning from a four-week absence. Baze, who leads all jockeys with 12,814 wins in North America, suffered a right collarbone fracture in a spill April 16.   After leaving from post position 1, Central Heat raced five lengths off the pace in sixth through an opening... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 12, 2016) — Grade I winning California-bred Masochistic recorded his first timed workout of 2016 on Thursday, going three furlongs in :37 1/5. Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stables’ Masochistic, last year’s Triple Bend (gr. I) winner, has been off to recover from a fractured hind cannon, which trainer Ron Ellis thinks occurred during his 14th-place run in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Keeneland. In his first work, the 6-year-old Sought After gelding was aided a bit by a slight dose of tranquilizer. Masochistic has a tendency to speed through his works, so Ellis wanted to make sure he didn’t go too fast, too soon. “If I didn’t have him a little tranquilized, he’d be a little tough, because he still has that determination to get going,” Ellis said. “I just didn’t want him to go to fast too soon and pull a ligament or a muscle. He’ll go out there and think he’s going to do (five furlongs in)... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 4, 2016) — Barry Abrams has turned in his trainer’s license and is taking a leave of absence due to health problems. “I might go back to training, I might not. At this point, I’m officially not training any horses,” said the 62-year-old Abrams, who has battled cancer for the past 11 years. Wednesday morning, back at his usual table at Clockers’ Corner, Abrams was barely audible as he explained his dire circumstances, resulting from inoperable throat cancer that first surfaced in 2005. “I had to turn in my license,” Abrams said. “Otherwise I can’t run horses that I own, even though I only own pieces of horses now. I turned over my four horses to Tim Yakteen.” Abrams also is minority owner of the remarkable 26-year-old stallion Unusual Heat, who stands for $20,000 at the Harris Ranch in Coalinga. Surgery in 2005 cost Abrams half of his voice box. He has no taste buds, can’t swallow, uses a feeding tube, can’t eat,... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2016) – Cheekaboo, far behind early, rallied wide in the stretch to win Sunday’s $101,125 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Golden Gate. Cheekaboo is by Unusual Heat, out of the Souvenir Copy mare Sandy Cheeks, was bred by Madeline Auerbach, Richard Rosenberg & Barry Abrams, is owned by Ciaglia Racing, Alesia or Burns and is trained by Peter Eurton. “She broke a little slow,” jockey Juan Hernandez said. “I didn’t move; I just stayed in position and waited to the stretch. You can do whatever you want with her. I took her outside, she kicked strongly, and we won the race.” She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $137,680 and was coming off a fifth in a Mar. 17 allowance. She ran the mile on turf in 1:38.19 and won by one length at odds of 4-1 in the field of 11. How Unusual finished second and The Spiral Jetter was moved up to third when Patriotic Diamond was... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2016) — Gold Rush Dancer pulled away in midstretch to win Sunday’s $100,450 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Golden Gate Gold Rush Dancer is by Private Gold, out of the In Excess mare Dances On Water, was bred by owner John Park and is trained by Vann Belvoir. “It was his first time on the turf, but I wasn’t worried,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “He showed he was a good horse. He’s still a little bit green. Down the lane when I was on the lead he was lugging out and lugging in, but he won pretty easily.” He has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $184,423 and was coming off a second in the Apr. 9 Echo Eddie. He ran the mile on turf in 1:37.07 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of nearly 9-1. Odds-on favorite Tough It Out was second and Midnight Ming was third in the field of eight. ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2016) — Millionaire California-bred Alert Bay continued the string of Northern California success in Golden Gate Fields’s top race for older horses, the Grade 3, $101,800 San Francisco Mile on Saturday, as he withstood Gabriel Charles’s strong finish to win by a neck. The race, which had 13 runners after the scratch of Home Run Kitten, was competitive throughout as defending champion G.G. Ryder wound up on the lead ahead of Royal F with Alert Bay, who broke from post 11 for trainer Blaine Wright, sitting a close third just outside Kenjisstorm. “Blaine sharpened him up. We wanted to show more speed and sit a little closer because of the outside post position,” said winning jockey Tyler Baze. Alert Bay ($9.80) sat outside G.G. Ryder and inched up to engage him at the half-mile pole. The pair battled on even terms but G.G. Ryder opened a 1 1/2-length lead at the quarter pole. But Baze continued on as G.G. Ryder began to falter in his... ...

By Online Poker Report SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 28, 2016) — A California legislative committee passed a bill that would legalize and regulate online poker for the second straight year. The bill — AB 2863 — passed the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee unanimously, 19-0, on Wednesday. “The question of how to regulate iPoker has been in front of the Legislature for nearly a decade,” committee chair and and bill sponsor Adam Gray said in a press release after the vote. “We have not rushed this process. We have taken the time necessary to thoroughly understand and respond to the concerns put forth by stakeholders. Through this process, we have created a coalition that is willing to acknowledge the problem and support a comprehensive solution.” Progress on the online poker bill At the start of the hearing, Gray presented the bill, saying he believes a lot of progress has been made on generating support on the two main sticking points: the horse racing industry’s involvement, and the so-called “bad actor” provision. The former provision was backed up by... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2016) — First-time starter Milton Freewater got up in the final stride in the first race at Los Alamitos Race Course April 22 to become the first winner for grade I winner and classic-placed Creative Cause. A 7-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway out of grade I winner and millionaire California-bred Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer, Creative Cause stands for a 2016 fee of $15,000 at Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky. There are 86 2-year-olds in his first crop. Creative Cause is a full brother to Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) winner Destin, a hopeful for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Creative Cause posted a 4-2-3 career line from 10 starts and earned $1,039,000. At age 2, he captured the 2011 Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) and finished second the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) and third in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I). At age 3, he took the 2012 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) and... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2016) — Despite multiple board members expressing frustration with the way the process was handled, the California Horse Racing Board approved a reallocation of dates within the Northern California fair circuit April 21 during a meeting at Golden Gate Fields. The board approved a proposal that will move six race dates assigned to the San Joaquin County Fair in Stockton (Sept. 21-Oct. 4) to the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, which already has a meet scheduled for June 15-July 5. San Joaquin County Fair chief executive officer Kelly Olds said the 2015 meet at Stockton lost money, and the fair could not afford to run the meet in 2016. “The 2014 season was only marginally profitable for Stockton,” Olds said. “I can’t say that about the 2015 races. We lost money and our fair cannot stand to lose again. The race dates that have been allocated to Stockton come at a really bad time in our county. It’s harvest season, kids are back in school,... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 16, 2016) – Boozer won his stakes debut on dirt in Saturday’s $100,345 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos, giving veteran jockey Edwin Maldonado the first stakes double of his career. Boozer is by Unusual Heat, out of the Cape Canaveral mare Kitty and Boo, was bred by Abrams, Loverso, Perez, Huston Racing, et al, is owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood and trained by Mark Glatt. Boozer has won 7 of 22 starts and earned $538,792. Maldonado, 33, won the Grade 3 Los Angeles Stakes on San Onofre earlier on the program. Maldonado, who won his first race in 2002, had won stakes on consecutive days in the past, but never two on the same program. The milestone was in jeopardy in deep stretch of the Bertrando Stakes at a mile. Boozer ($8) led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong to go, and was challenged in the final furlong by 3-2 favorite Soi Phet. “I thought that horse was... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 16, 2016) — Matson Racing’s California-bred San Onofre held off  Wild Dude through the stretch and won the $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes (gr. III) April 16 at Los Alamitos Race Course, giving jockey Edwin Maldonado a fourth successive win in the race. Bred in California by trainer Karen Headley’s father, trainer Bruce Headley, San Onofre is out the Native Regent mare Marrakech Gold. His record improves to 6-4-0 from 13 career starts with earnings of $402,385, including his first graded score in the Midnight Lute Stake (gr. III) in January at Santa Anita. A 6-year-old Surf Cat gelding who broke from the outside post 7, San Onofre finished 5 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:02.04 while adding a second grade III win to his record. He was a neck second to Distinctiv Passion, guided by Maldonado, in last year’s Los Angeles, which was run at Santa Anita Park. Maldonado also won the Los Angeles aboard Comma to the Top in 2013 at Hollywood Park and... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 16, 2016) — Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze suffered a broken right collarbone in a third-race spill April 16 at Golden Gate Fields. Baze was unseated when his mount, Hewearsthefoxhat, broke down and fell in the final sixteenth of a mile. The rider walked off the track and was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland for evaluation. Tests revealed a collarbone fracture, according to track physician Dr. David Seftel. Baze leads all jockeys with 12,812 wins in North America. He has captured 53 riding titles at Golden Gate Fields. JR Racing and Ron Brewer’s Hewearsthefoxhat, a 3-year-old son of Old Topper–Miss Pitz, by Cadeaux Genereux, was euthanized. ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 15, 2016) — Los Alamitos Race Course owner Ed Allred April 15 distributed a letter to “participants and employees” that said he plans to run races at the Cypress, Calif. racetrack for at least 10 more years. “God willing, let’s plan on 10 years … and at that time, reevaluate the status of my health and proceed as indicated,” the 79-year-old Allred wrote. A leading Quarter Horse breeder, Allred wrote in the letter that Los Alamitos is planning to present a local ballot measure to develop portions of the racetrack and the now-closed Cypress Golf Course, which he also owns. “The remaining 170 acres is a combination of the racetrack property and the ‘old back nine’ of the golf course,” Allred wrote. “Fifty to 60 acres could be developed of the 170 acres without disrupting the Quarter Horse program.” Los Alamitos expanded its track to a mile in 2014 to accommodate occasional daytime Thoroughbred meets, which now accompany its year-round Quarter Horse racing season. “I... ...

By San Diego Union Tribune DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 12, 2016) — The price tag has been set for California Chrome to run in Del Mar’s Pacific Classic this summer: $2 million. “The Pacific Classic is on our agenda,” said Art Sherman, California Chrome’s trainer, on Monday, “but we hope they raise the purse to $2 million. That would get us there. “There are a lot of other tracks out there that want us.” The Grade I Pacific Classic, scheduled for Aug. 20, has a purse of $1 million. A purse increase would take some negotiating with the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “The horse is certainly worth it,” said Joe Harper, president and CEO of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “Now the question is whether we can afford it. We’ll have to see. We’d love to have him. Maybe I can get Art down to $1.5 million.” California Chrome is coming off a victory last month in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, his third win in as many starts this... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2016) — When What a View went into the first turn of Saturday’s $102,070 Thunder Road Stakes on turf at Santa Anita, trainer Kenny Black was surprised at the 5-year-old gelding’s position. Instead of being on or near the lead, What a View was sixth in a field of 11. “I was not happy,” he said. Black expected Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux to have What a View near the front. The field was on the final turn, with What a View fighting for the lead, when the trainer’s point of view changed. “I liked it when I saw him going to the lead at the quarter-pole,” said Black. “That’s why he’s in the Hall of Fame and I’m not. To be that far back with no pace in the race, on paper, I did not see that coming.” What a View, a California-bred by Vronsky, has won 6 of 12 starts and earned $592,148. He has been in the best form of... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 9, 2016)–Nick Alexander’s homebred Tough It Out came with a late rush to take command a sixteenth of a mile out en route to winning Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Santa Anita by 4 ½ lengths. Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Joe Talamo, the 3-year-old Grazen gelding got 6 ½ furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:17.60. “This is just a tremendous feeling,” said D’Amato, who registered his second win of the day and now has a commanding five win lead (39-34) in the Winter Meet trainer standings with just one day remaining. “Mike Mitchell (his late mentor) and Nick Alexander. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.” Off at 5-1 in a field of nine California-bred or sired horses, Tough It Out paid $12.20, $5.80 and $3.40. Out of the Marquetry mare Mark Set Go, Tough It Out picked up $120,000 for the win, more than doubling his earnings to $212,790.... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 9, 2016)–Under true sloppy conditions at Santa Anita, favored Pacific Heat took charge a half mile from home and held on to win Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies by 1 ¼ lengths under Flavien Prat. Trained by Peter Eurton, the 3-year-old filly by Unusual Heat got 6 ½ furlongs on 1:17.38. “I prefer a fair track,” said Prat. “She wasn’t really comfortable on this sloppy track today, but she has so much talent that didn’t even matter. Her talent made all the difference.” Off at 6-5 in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies bred or sired in California, Pacific Heat, who notched her third career stakes win, paid $4.40, $3.80 and $3.00. Bred by Harris Farms and Donald Valpredo and owned by Sharon Alesia, Mike Burns Ciaglia Racing, LLC and Taylor Legan, Pacific Heat picked up $110,000 for the win, increasing her earnings to $366,280. She now has four wins from six starts. Longshot Run for... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2016) — Trainer Tim McCanna picked up the 2,000th victory of his career April 8 at Golden Gate Fields, when Whiskey Prince captured the third race. Ridden by jockey Frank Alvarado, Whiskey Prince made a three-wide bid from just off the pace to take the $12,500 conditioned claiming event for 3-year-olds and older by a length. “It was a lot of work, in a lot of ways,” the 54-year-old McCanna said of the accomplishment. A native of Spokane, Wash., McCanna has successfully competed in Northern California and in the Northwest. He established a full-time Northern California presence in 2012 after previously splitting the year between the Golden State and Washington. “I raised three kids (in Washington),” McCanna said. “I always had it in my mind to come to (Northern California). I just wanted to get that done. Once they were raised, I came down here. I’m going to keep most of my horses here. I’ll have a few (horses at Emerald Downs) for owners... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity BRADBURY, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2016) — Keith L. Stucki, trainer of one of the greatest California-breds of all-time, Ancient Title, passed away at his home in nearby Bradbury this past Tuesday at age 96, according to his granddaughter, Shannon Hinkley. “He lived a full 96 years, believe me,” said Hinkley. “He shared the same birthday as John Wayne, May 26, and he was always so proud of that. He met John Wayne on the backside here at Santa Anita many years ago. My grandpa would have been 97 next month.” Stucki, patriarch of a fun-loving racetrack family that included three daughters and two sons, was born May 26, 1919, in Paris, Idaho. The son of a trainer, Stucki aspired to be a jockey and his first “big time” racetrack experience, according to Hinkley, came at Longacres, near Seattle. Stucki then gravitated to Southern California, where he galloped the immortal Seabiscuit for trainer “Silent” Tom Smith. Selected for induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Apr. 8, 2016) –Robert Naify, who with his wife, Jan Van de Bos Naify, races in the name of Ran Jan Racing, died April 7 at his home in San Francisco. He was 94. Ran Jan Racing was a partner in multiple graded stakes winner Cambiocorsa and has continued to breed horses from the mare and her daughters. Homebred Moulin de Mougin, by Curlin   out of Cambiocorsa, won the 2014 John C. Mabee Stakes (gr. IIT); while homebred Schiaparelli, by Ghostzapper   out of Cambiocorsa, captured the 2013 Royal Heroine Mile (gr. IIT). Robert and his brother, Marshall, grew up in the San Francisco area after their parents emigrated from Syria and Lebanon. The brothers founded the United Artists Theater Chain of movie theaters in the 1920s and later expanded into cable television. Before his death in 2000, Marshall raced such runners as champion Bertrando, and Robert and Jan entered the racing business when they decided to buy a few horses from Marshall’s estate. Those horses... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2016) — California Authority of Racing Fairs announced April 5 that executive director Christopher Korby will retire as of Nov. 1 after 29 years. During his years of service, Korby was instrumental in leading the organization through an era of significant growth, CARF said in a release, noting he launched simulcast operations for live horse racing from fairs and played a key role in establishing California’s state-wide satellite wagering network. Korby has served as CARF’s executive director for 16 years. “We’ve been fortunate to have Mr. Korby with us for so many years,” said John Alkire, chairman of the CARF board of directors. “He’s brought foresight, energy and innovation to his service here. His contributions have been invaluable.” “I’d like to express my appreciation to our board of directors for the opportunity to serve for all these years,” Korby said. “It’s been both challenging and rewarding to be a part of the racing industry and the fair industry during years of dynamic changes to... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com Two young horses were strutting their stuff for prospective buyers last Wednesday at Del Mar, where Barretts was holding its sale of 2-year-olds, and there was David Lanzman, watching one of them walk. Lanzman knows what it’s like to buy a champion at Barretts, like he did with Squirtle Squirt in 2000. Having seen enough, he turned to the gathered group and pointed to the guy who was eyeballing the other horse. “I’ll do whatever he says to do,” Lanzman said. Everybody laughed because “he” was Art Sherman, making his first domestic appearance since winning the $10 million World Cup the previous Saturday in Dubai, and right now, everybody in horse racing wants to have whatever Art is having. At that particular moment, it was a jet-lagged high of delirious satisfaction over winning the world’s richest race, complemented by a steady gauntlet of backslaps, handshakes, and kisses bestowed upon the 79-year-old trainer by his Southern California constituency. Too bad he wasn’t running for something. Casually dapper... ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Apr. 2, 2016) – Toledo Eddie, an Idaho-bred son of California stallion Ministers Wild Cat, won Saturday’s $73,500 Stud Muffin Stakes at Aqueduct. Toledo Eddie, bred by Billingsley Ranch and owned by trainer David Jacobson, ran the mile in 1:37.43 and won by 2 ¼ lengths. He has 14 wins in 42 starts and earnings of $440,551. ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Apr. 2, 2016) – California-bred Sweetrayofsunshine took command turning for home and won Saturday’s $70,000 Xtra Heat Stakes for fillies and mares at Aqueduct. Sweetrayofsunshine is by Benchmark, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Tialinga, was bred by Black Diamond Racing and is owned by trainer David Jacobson. She has 11 wins in 24 starts, earnings of $276,462 and was coming off a second in a Mar. 13 allowance at Santa Anita. ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2016) — The unraced colt Snow Proof has proven to be popular at sales in California in the last year. Last August, Snow Proof was the most expensive hip at the Northern California Yearling Sale, selling for $72,000 to John Brocklebank, agent for Dickman Legacy Ranch. Wednesday, Snow Proof was purchased for $150,000 by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert at the Barretts March select sale of 2-year-olds in-training at Del Mar. Snow Proof was the most expensive hip among the 16 California-breds listed in the catalog of the one-day sale. Of those, eight were withdrawn and five sold for an average of $89,000. Three were listed as bought back. The overall sale averaged $124,558. The leading hip at the sale was a colt by The Factor who was purchased for $460,000 and is bound for Japan. Baffert signed the sale ticket, as agent, for Snow Proof, indicating the colt will race for one of his clients. Snow Proof is by Idiot Proof... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2016) — Golden Gate Fields will offer increased purses, free shipping to and from Santa Anita Park, and guaranteed late Pick 4 pools during its inaugural three-week Turf Festival. Golden Gate will be the only track in California with turf racing from April 14 through May 1, as Santa Anita installs a new grass course. During that time an extra $125,000 will allocated to turf races. BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Santa Anita to Install New Turf Course Free shipping from Santa Anita to Golden Gate will be provided during the Turf Festival. Bob Hubbard Horse Transportation will have two vans going north and two vans going south every week during the event. “The Golden Gate Fields Turf Festival will benefit horsemen throughout California by bolstering purses in the North and giving Southern California horsemen a place to run their grass horses,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations for The Stronach Group, which owns both Santa Anita and Golden Gate. “It’s our goal... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 30, 2016) – California-breds Whine for Wine and Real Heat are entered in Monday’s $75,000 Winsham Lad Stakes at Sunland Park. Whine for Wine is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Jump Start mare Mrs. Began, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnnie Nall. He has three wins in 18 starts, earnings of $175,500 and is coming off a fifth in the Mar. 20 Bill Thomas Memorial. Real Heat is by Unusual Heat, out of the Ole mare Chi Chi Nette, was bred by Madeline Auerbach and Barry Abrams, is owned by Class Racing Stable and trained by Bret Hone. He has five wins in 29 starts, earnings of $172,246 and is coming off a win in a Mar. 5 starter’s allowance. ...

By Sid Fernando + Observations What a change in the perception and accomplishments of California Chrome from a year ago, huh? Second in the Dubai World Cup, he was then taken from the popular trainer that had developed him and sent to Newmarket to prepare for … well, you know the strange and unflattering story that ended with Chrome’s return to the States amidst disharmony and social media outrage, etc., and news that he’d suffered a bone bruise and was done. Enter Taylor Made Farm, which bought out one of the bickering partners, Steve Coburn — a minority shareholder with a Trumpesque voice that was prone to braggadocio and was the ownership face of the horse until majority owner Perry Martin decided to call the shots, including the failed attempt to race in Europe — to ostensibly stand the horse at stud. But after vet reports indicated the Derby and Preakness winner by Lucky Pulpit would be okay to race again after some rest and relaxation on the farm, a new chapter... ...

By DRF.com DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 27, 2016) — California Chrome had a quiet Sunday at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates a day after his dramatic win in the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Alan Sherman, assistant trainer to his father, trainer Art Sherman, said in an email that California Chrome “came out of his race great.” California Chrome won the Dubai World Cup at 1 1/4 miles on dirt by 3 3/4 lengths in a stellar field. He won even though his saddle slipped, creating an awkward situation for jockey Victor Espinoza and causing concern for his backers in the stretch. The saddle was visibly farther down California Chrome’s back when he reached the wire than it was at the start. The win was worth $6 million for owners Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farms, who race as California Chrome LLC. The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome has won 12 of 21 starts and earned $12,532,650, a record for a North American-based Thoroughbred. Curlin, the Horse... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 27, 2016)–In a determined stretch drive, Sheer Pleasure, under Martin Garcia, wore down pacesetter Swissarella and held off favored Kiss At Midnight to prevail by a half length in Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Conditioned by Phil D’Amato, Sheer Pleasure got one mile in 1:36.82. “She has a lot of speed, you can put her wherever you want to,” said Garcia, who was a close fourth with the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Birdonthewire mid-way around the far turn. “I was pretty lucky to be able to ride her again today. They didn’t give me any instructions because I know her well, so I took advantage of that fact.” Off at 4-1 in a field of nine California-bred or sired fillies and mares, Sheer Pleasure, who was bred by Madera Thoroughbreds, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing and R/M Racing, paid $10.20, $4.60 and $3.20. “The Cal-bred program is so rewarding,”... ...

The Racing Post DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 26, 2016) — Victor Espinoza’s saddle may have slipped but California Chrome had the talent to ensure his connections’ dreams of finally landing the world’s richest race did not go the same way at Meydan on Saturday. As if defying a wide draw was not enough of a challenge for last year’s runner-up, Espinoza was forced to send the five-year-old for home as he felt his saddle retreating down his mount’s back. Trainer Art Sherman had boasted his Kentucky Derby winner was five-lengths better than last year and so it proved, as California Chrome streaked clear in the straight to land a decisive and impressive win. Mubtaahij bounced back to form to finish second, beaten three and three quarters of a length, with Hoppertunity running third for America’s Bob Baffert. “He has done everything right, it was perfect,” said Espinoza. The rider added: “Sometimes it’s better to stay a little bit further wide than being stuck inside but everything went well. “I sent him... ...

OAKBANK, South Australia (Mar. 28, 2016) — Scratchy Lass, an Australian-bred daughter of California stallion U.S. Ranger, won Saturday’s $100,300 Ubet Oakbank Stakes. She has six wins in 10 starts and earnings of $133,761. Scratchy Lass ran the 1100 meters in 1:05.52 and won by a nose at odds of 2-1. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2016) — Jockey Santiago Gonzalez will be sidelined for six weeks because of a broken jaw, agent Craig Stephen said March 21. Gonzalez sustained the injury March 20 at Santa Anita Park, where he fell off Follini in the fifth race after the Western Fame gelding stumbled in the turn during the six-furlong claiming race. Gonzalez appeared to fall right into the path of two horses, but Stephen said he was unsure whether the jockey was struck by one of the trailing runners. Follini, owned by William Branch, Cory Wagner, and trainer Mark Glatt, appeared to emerge from the incident unharmed and was corralled by a Santa Anita outrider. Gonzalez was immediately transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., where he was treated for his injuries. Gonzalez is second in Santa Anita’s jockey standings, with a 47-34-33 record from 269 mounts and nearly $1.9 million in purse earnings during the meet that began in late December. He only trails perennial leading jockey Rafael... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2016)–With blinkers removed, Reddam Racing’s homebred Smoove It rallied four-wide turning for home to win Saturday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles by 3 ¼ lengths over favored Velvet Mesquite. Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Doug O’Neill, the 5-year-old California-bred mare by Square Eddie got 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12.83 and survived a stewards’ inquiry into an incident at the top of the stretch. Breaking from post position three in a field of five older fillies and mares bred or sired in California, Smoove It relaxed well under Prat and was next to last after the first half mile. As the field approached the quarter pole, she was set down and rallied strongly crossing the dirt at the top of the lane, but ducked in a bit approaching the furlong pole, causing Kent Desormeaux to steady sharply aboard Velvet Mesquite. “Once she crossed the dirt, she wanted to go down towards... ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2016) — Ag Day at the California Capitol was held Wednesday and California Thoroughbred Breeders Association was there, representing breeders and offering legislators information on the vital role the Thoroughbred industry plays in the state’s agricultural economy. CTBA past Presidents Sue Greene and Leigh Ann Howard, along with event coordinator Christy Chapman promoted the sport and educated visitors to the CTBA booth on general horse facts and Thoroughbred racing and breeding in California. Among the legislators that visited the booth were: Assemblymembers Brian Jones, Steven Bradford, Brian Maienschein, Devon Mathis, Frank Bigelow, James Gallagher, Brian Dahle, Jim Cooper, Matthew Harper, Mike Gipson, Marc Steinorth, Speaker of the House Toni Atkins, Senators Andy Vidak, Cathleen Galgiani, Mike Morrell , Patricia Bates, Ted Gaines and CTBA lobbyist Robyn Black. Legislators were able to visit with a 20-year-old retired Thoroughbred racehorse named Viva Pentelicus. He is now part of an organization called Healing Arenas and works as a therapy horse with veterans with PTSD. For a photo gallery of... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2016) – California Cup turf Classic winner What a View led all the way to score a win in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. What a View is by Vronsky, out of the Manilla mare Oceans N Mountains, was bred by Old English Rancho, Patsy Berumen & Sal Berumen, is owned by Finish Line Racing, Ellwood Johnston Trust or Bermen et al and is trained by Kenny Black. “He’s in the skybox, up there cheering for us.”,” co-breeder Judy Johnston said of her late husband, Buddy. He has five wins in 11 starts, earnings of $532,148 and was coming off a win in the Jan. 30 California Cup Turf Classic. “We’ve had some issues with his feet and I just wanted to keep him on the grass,” said Black. “There were some really tough horses in here: Bolo, Bal a Bali and Om, so we knew we were going to have to run big to win.” “He was loaded... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2016) — William Mahorney, a former jockey and trainer in Northern California, died March 10 after contracting pneumonia. He was 75. Mahorney was born Oct. 22, 1940, in Washington, D.C., and he was introduced to horse racing by his father, James Mahorney, who was a bookmaker. After riding Quarter Horses in the early 1960s, he switched to Thoroughbreds in 1965 and was that year’s leading apprentice jockey in wins. Mahorney severely injured both of his knees in a 1965 automobile accident. He made a successful return from the accident, winning riding titles in Chicago and New York, but the accident required him to undergo numerous knee surgeries. Mahorney eventually received an artificial knee, earning him the nickname “Bionic Bill.” He won the 1975 Golden Gate Fields riding title with 72 wins and on four other occasions finished among the top three jockeys at Golden Gate or Bay Meadows. His major wins in Northern California include the 1966 Golden Poppy (Gala Host), 1971 Golden Poppy... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2016) –As the rain subsided at Santa Anita Park March 11 following a short but heavy rainstorm, track officials announced the final three races of the Friday card would be canceled because of concerns expressed by the jockeys about standing water on the dirt main track. Included in the canceled races was the $75,000 San Pedro Stakes, which Santa Anita racing secretary Rick Hammerle said could be rescheduled as soon as next week. “It was just the standing water on it. With the big day tomorrow, it’s best to stop now and make sure we’re set,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations for The Stronach Group, referencing the 11-race card March 12 that features the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) and the San Felipe (gr. II). Morris, who estimated the Arcadia, Calif. track experienced an inch of rain in a span of about an hour and 15 minutes, said he was not concerned with the dirt track’s condition for Saturday,... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2016) — Santa Anita Park has announced it will begin installation of a completely new Bermuda turf course on June 20, which will be ready for use in advance of Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet which begins in late September. “With the impact of additional racing dates and increased demand for turf racing, the replacement of the course is something we have been anticipating and planning for several months,” said Joe Morris, Senior Vice President, West Coast Operations for The Stronach Group. “The new course will be very tight-knit and uniform, and we’re confident that we can have it fully installed by early July, which will give it the time it needs during optimum growing conditions. “Turf racing is extremely popular with our fans and horsemen, and with our expanded racing calendar, we are placing demands on this course that have never before existed. The new turf is designed to be robust enough to handle the additional use. The horsemen are fully supportive... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2016) – Boozer caught Richard’s Boy in the final strides to win his first stakes in 16 months in Saturday’s $102,070 Sensational Star Handicap for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita. Boozer ($14) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:13.03. Boozer had endured a seven-race losing streak since winning the 2014 California Flag Handicap for state-breds on the hillside turf course in October, 2014. Boozer, a 6-year-old gelding by Unusual Heat, has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $461,192. Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, Boozer has had three starts at this meeting, finishing fifth in an optional claimer on dirt on Jan. 3, and third in the $251,000 California Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Jan. 30. Boozer was bred by Abrams, Loverso, Perez, Huston Racing and Auerbach and he gave jockey Gary Stevens his seventh stakes win of the winter-spring meeting. He leads all riders in that category, three of clear... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com In order to fully appreciate California Chrome’s race in Dubai on Thursday evening, UAE time, it was necessary to perform a few calculations and cultural translations. As breakfast was served, and with more than two hours to post (9:55 a.m. Pacific), there still was plenty of time. The race is on the dirt course at Meydan at 2,000 meters. The dirt course at Meydan is laid out inside the turf course. One meter is equivalent to 0.000621371 miles, which multiplied by 2,000 is 1.24.26, close enough to call it a mile and a quarter, the distance of the $10 million World Cup on March 26, which is why California Chrome is there in the first place. The race is called the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy. Trans Gulf Electromechanical Construction is part of the Dubai-based Al Naboodah Group, which sponsored all the racing on Thursday’s program. Al Naboodah and its subsidiaries played a key role in the construction of the Meydan complex that includes the racecourse. The... ...

PASADENA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2016) – The late Gimme Da Lute, a two-time graded winner bred and owned by the partnership of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2015 by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. The son of Midnight Lute was named champion at Wednesday night’s annual CTBA Awards Dinner at the Westin Pasadena, outpolling the other two finalists, California Chrome and Spanish Queen. Gimme Da Lute earlier had been named champion Cal-bred 3-year-old male and sprinter. Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes accepted the award on behalf of the winning connections. A five-time stakes winner, Gimme Da Lute had won five consecutive stakes when he suffered a catastrophic training injury. He won six of nine career starts, including victories in the Grade II Los Alamitos Derby and Grade III Affirmed Stakes, with earnings of $627,560. The other champions presented at the dinner: Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings – Tribal Rule, property of The Tribal Rule Syndicate. Champion Sire of... ...

By Paulick Report SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2016) — California assemblyman Adam Gray has filed a bill that is offering racetracks in the state an annual payment of $60 million in exchange for giving up the opportunity to be a part of the proposed online poker market. He has begun to flesh out the bill, AB 431, according to calvinayre.com, detailing a 15 percent tax rate and $15 million upfront deposit for poker licenses. Over 95 percent of the $60 million payment would go to California racetracks, to be split with horsemen for purse payments and breeders incentives on a formula similar to current revenue sharing. Racetrack employee pension funds would also benefit. The other five percent would support state agricultural fairs. While the racetracks’ participation in the online poker industry has been directly opposed by local tribal casinos, Gray has not been able to garner the full support of those tribes for his bill. A Thursday meeting with the tribes left some leaders feeling as though progress had been made, but others... ...

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2016) – Catholic Cowboy, a Florida-bred son of California stallion Heatseeker, won Monday’s $60,000 Old Hickory Starter’s Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Catholic Cowboy, out of the Meadowlake mare Kombat Lake, ran the 1 1/16 miles I 1:43.22 and won by three-quarters of a length as the 6-5 favorite. He has five wins in 28 starts and earnings of $403,876. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2016) — One of America’s top apprentice jockeys in the early 1980s, Kenny Black was at times overcome with emotion yesterday following his biggest training achievement to date–a brilliant 3 ¼ length win in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic by Old English Rancho-bred What a View, who was ridden by Kent Desormeaux. What made the win especially emotional was the fact that E.W. “Bud” Johnston, who had headed the farm’s breeding and racing operation (which was founded in California in 1948 by his father, E.B. “The Pie Man” Johnston and his wife, Betty) dating back to 1957, passed away unexpectedly one day shy of his 78th birthday last year on May 5. “I’ll be forever grateful to Buddy Johnston and his family for the opportunity they’ve given me,” said Black, who was hired by Johnston as the farm’s private trainer following the retirement of longtime conditioner Don Warren last year. “Buddy has had his horses here in the same stalls since... ...

By John Cherwa Los Angeles Times ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2016) — The numbers are startling, the reality is staggering. If California’s first-class horse racing tracks are to survive, they are in large part dependent on a third-place breeding program. A track such as Santa Anita needs inventory, and if it didn’t have California breds running, it probably would be racing only two days a week. Under that scenario, it wouldn’t be long before the track would be turned into a residential or retail development. Or a sports stadium. Doug Burge, president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn., took up the challenge of figuring out a way to essentially bribe people to breed, buy and race here. “We have these carrots we put out there to give people a reason to breed in California,” he said. Among those are a $30-million program of incentives, awards and purses that go to California breds racing here. Part of that is the Golden State Series of 40 stakes races with at least $6... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2016)–With the red and white colors of California’s legendary Old English Rancho flying proudly, What a View assumed command turning for home and took Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, for Golden State Series eligibles, by an impressive 3 ¼ lengths under Kent Desormeaux. Trained by former rider Kenny Black, the 5-year-old California-bred gelding by Vronsky got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:47.39. A restrained second to pacesetter Image of Joplin into and around the far turn, What a View made the lead well within himself a quarter mile from home and was clearly best among a field of 12 older horses bred or sired in the Golden State. “Kent knows what’s he’s doing, he’s won a few more of these than I have,” said Black, who registered his biggest win as a conditioner in the Classic. “He knows this horse. I always thought he was better when he (What a View) has one... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2016)–Harris Farms’ homebred Velvet Mesquite rallied four-wide at the top of the stretch to take Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for Golden State Series eligibles by 1 ¾ lengths under Kent Desormeaux. Trained by Blake Heap, the 6-year-old mare by In Excess outran 10 other older fillies and mares and got 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:13.14. Although winless in seven starts last year, Velvet Mesquite, who’s five career wins had all come over the hillside turf, was the 5-2 post time favorite and paid $7.80, $4.60 and $3.20. Today’s race was her 19th career start and with the winner’s share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $433,446. A close third while under restraint past the half mile pole, Velvet Mesquite took charge a furlong out and was clearly best. “She just strutted her stuff today,” said Desormeaux. “I was so confident after only 50 yards…This is the first time going to... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2016)–Sunday Rules, scratched out of last Saturday’s Grade II Santa Monica Stakes, took on the boys for the first time in her nine-race career and responded with a rollicking 2 ¼ length win in the $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint for Golden State Series eligibles today at Santa Anita. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the Nick Alexander homebred 5-year-old mare by Tribal Rule was ridden by Edwin Maldonado and stopped the timer for six furlongs in a rapid 1:08.42. “She’s a small filly, but she has such a long stride,” said Maldonado, who hadn’t ridden her since August of 2013 at Del Mar. “I just want to thank Phil and Nick Alexander for giving me the opportunity to get back on her…I was confident she could win this race.” The second choice at 9-5 in a field of seven, Sunday Rules paid $5.80, $4.80 and $3.80. Out of the General Meeting mare Sunday Dress, she picked up her eighth career win and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2016)–Unbeaten Smokey Image, in his first try around two turns, annihilated six California-bred rivals en route to a 8 ½ length win in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Derby for Golden State Series elibigles at Santa Anita. Ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza and trained for the first time Carla Gaines, the California-bred colt by Southern Image got a mile and a sixteenth in 1:43.49 and no-doubt stamped himself a ticket to the Kentucky Derby trail in his next start. Breaking from post position two, Smokey Image easily out-footed Glory Bound to the first turn and set comfortable fractions of 23.49, 47.48 and 1:11.63. “He reminds me of California Chrome!” said Espinoza. “I was expecting him to run a big race today. I worked him the other day and he worked unbelievably. I was very impressed. For me, I don’t look at it like Cal-bred or not. I just look at him and ask where he has potential…The way he ran... ...