By Paulick Report David Jacobson and Southern Equine Stable’s Salutos Amigos sat off the early speed before storming home to a 3 ¼ length victory in the $75,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes on Sunday at Monmouth Park. Uptown Boy sprang right from the gate to the early lead before Salutos Amigos made a vigorous move on his outside to take the lead and pull away in the final furlong. “He sat off the quick early pace and I waited to wait a little longer than usual to ask him to go,” said winning jockey Cornelio Velasquez. “Once I did at the quarter pole, there was no hesitation. He got the lead with ease and finished strong.” The 5-year-old gelding by California stallion Salute the Sarge out of the Luhuk mare Sarasota finished the six furlongs in 1:08 2/5 and paid $3.40, $2.80 and $2.10. Uptown Boy completed the $34.80 exacta and paid $10.20 and $4.80.  It was another 4 ¼ lengths back to Happy My Way, who paid $2.40 for show.... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 27, 2015) – Odds-on favorite Tribal Gal successfully defended her title by winning Saturday’s $100,000 Oak Tree Distaff for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Oak Tree at Pleasanton. Tribal Gal is an Arizona-bred by California stallion Tribal Rule, out of the Western Fame mare Famous Gal, was bred by owner John Pendergast and is trained by R. Kory Owens. She has 10 wins in 27 starts, earnings of $440,801 and was coming off a third in the May 23 Spring Fever Stakes. She won this race a year ago. Tribal Gal ran the six furlongs in 1:10.19 and won by 2 ¼ lengths at odds of 1-5. Princess Bertrando was second and Frisco Fog third in the field of five. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 27, 2015)–Heavily favored Masochistic fairly toyed with six rivals en route to a sensational 3 ½ length win in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Tyler Baze and trained by Ron Ellis, the 5-year-old California-bred gelding by Sought After cruised seven furlongs in 1:20.25. Breaking from post position five, Masochistic showed his customary zip from the gate but was soon joined to his inside by San Onofre, who with Alex Solis aboard, was sent to a narrow lead before being collared by the winner mid-way around the far turn. “He broke sharp and everything went perfect,” said Ellis, who took over training Masochistic prior to his most recent start, a three quarter length win in the Grade II Kona Gold Stakes on April 11. “It helped that we had the outside post. He’s just a super-talented horse and he’s learning to relax. That’s going to make him tough.” Off at even money, Masochistic paid $4.20, $3.20 and... ...

TORONTO, Canada (June 27, 2015) – Surtsey, an Ontario-bred daughter of California stallion Heatseeker, won Saturday’s $100,000 Zadracarta Stakes for fillies and mares at Woodbine. Surtsey is out of the Bold Executive mare Kick’em Jimmy. She ran the seven furlongs in 1:27.02 and won by one length at odds of 6-1 for breeder/owner Yvonne Schwabe and trainer Kevin Attard. Surtsey, a multiple stakes winner, has five wins in 17 starts with earnings of $366,174. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 27, 2015) – Four graduates of the Northern California Yearling Sale, two of them sons of stallion Tannersmyman, won races on the  California circuit in the last two days. My Friend Emma won the seventh race, a maiden special weight, at Oak Tree at Pleasanton on Saturday. My Friend Emma is a 3-year-old by Tannersmyman, out of the Artax mare Ma Ka Bet, was bred by Jim Eaton, is owned by Rosa Comacho and Gerardo Robles and trained by Guillermo Preciado. He ran the six furlongs in 1:09.47 and won by a neck at odds of 7-5 in the field of 10. My Friend Emma was a $1,000 purchase at the 2013 Northern California Yearling Sale. Lil Miss Awesome won the fourth race Saturday at Oak Tree at Pleasanton, a maiden claimer. Lil Miss Awesome is a 2-year-old filly by Awesome Gambler, out of the Classic Secret mare Missed The Cut, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Velocity Racing Stables and Charlie Zsebik and is... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 25, 2015) – Marquee Cat, a graduate of last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale, won the third race at Oak Tree at Pleasanton on Thursday, a $31,600 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies. Marquee Cat is by Brave Cat, out of the Marquetry mare Angie’s Marquee, was bred by George and Mary Clare Schmitt, is owned by the Schmitts, R. Meister and G. and B. Wallace and is trained by Jeff Bonde. Marquee Cat ran the five furlongs in :58.54 and won by 2 ½ lengths at odds of 2-1. ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (June 24, 2015) — The second summer Thoroughbred meeting at Los Alamitos Race Course begins July 2. The eight-day meet will continue through July 12, with racing conducted on a Thursday-through-Sunday basis. Post time will be 2:15 p.m. PT. Four stakes—including a pair of grade II races—worth more than $700,000 will be offered before the meet concludes. The $350,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II), which was won easily a year ago by Shared Belief, is the most lucrative race of the Festival. The 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds will be run July 4. BALAN: Star-Studded Group Nominated for Los Al Derby Among the leading candidates for the Derby is Kentuckian, a talented son of Tiznow   who won the Lazaro Barrera Stakes (gr. III) by 6 1/4 lengths May 10 in his most recent start at Santa Anita Park. BALAN: Kentuckian Romps in Lazaro Barrera Victory A winner twice in three races, Kentuckian is trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, who also conditions Shared Belief. The other grade II on the schedule is... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 21, 2015)–Reddam Racing’s homebred and California-bred sons of Square Eddie dominated Sunday’s $125,000 Santa Anita Juvenile, as the Doug O’Neill-conditioned twosome of Found Money and Mrazek ran 1-2, with Found Money proving best by 1 ¾ lengths under Corey Nakatani. Out of the General Meeting mare Chanel My Belle, Found Money covered 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.24. “This absolutely makes me feel proud,” said J. Paul Reddam, who along with his wife, Zillah, keeps 35 broodmares in California. (Reddam Racing has won seven races at the current stand with homebred 2-year-olds–with five of them by Square Eddie). “I’m telling you, Ed Freeman did a great job preparing these 2-year-olds and that’s a big part of this. Plus, we did believe in the stallion, Square Eddie…He’s on fire right now and there are more coming that we’re excited about.” Off at 9-2 in a field of six, Found Money, who was lapped on his stablemate into and around the far turn, paid $11.80, $6.00... ...

By SFGate.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 20, 2015) — Chuck “C.C.” Lopez, a longtime jockey on the New York-New Jersey circuit, came to the Bay Area a month ago to visit his sons, David C. and Erick Lopez, who were riding at Golden Gate Fields. The elder Lopez has picked up some mounts while he’s been in the area, won some races and accentuated his visit with a front-running 40-to-1 upset victory aboard California-bred Blues Blaster in the $65,660 Oak Tree Handicap on Saturday at the Alameda County Fair. “Speed horse, speed track, speed rider. Add two plus two and the rest is history,” Lopez said. Blues Blaster had shown speed both sprinting and routing in most of his 13 starts prior to Saturday’s 11/16-mile event, but didn’t exhibit much when he finished sixth in the Grade 3 All American Stakes on May 25 at Golden Gate Fields. “The last time we weren’t able to get the lead, but we knew after watching the races (Friday) that if we could get the lead we’d feel good,”... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (June 20, 2015) — Favored Blue Dancer, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, won Saturday’s $53,404 Ky Alta Handicap for 3-year-olds at Northlands Park. Blue Dancer is out of the Saint Ballado mare Two Halos. He has six wins in seven starts with earnings of $150,015. The multiple stakes winner’s only loss was a 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Blue Dancer ran the mile in 1:39.82 and won by 3 ¼ lengths at odds of 7-5. ...

OCALA, Fla. (June 17, 2015) — A New York-bred filly by California stallion Bluegrass Cat sold for $100,000 Wednesday in the second session of the Ocala Breeders Sales Company June 2-Year-Old in Training Sale. The filly, out of the Distorted Humor mare Giggly, was purchased by Narvick International. ...

From Tommy Town Thoroughbreds ARCADIA, Calif. (June 14, 2015) – California sire Kafwain was represented by two wire-to-wire winners on Sunday’s card at Santa Anita.   Fight Thru, a Gary Barber homebred three-year-old, earned his diploma in a $56,000 one mile maiden special event.   In just his fourth lifetime start the gelding captured the main track mile in 1:36 by over three lengths in wire-to-wire fashion. He now has earned $48,770 from his record of four starts, a win, one second and one third.   From the Ecton Park broodmare Astor Park, who was a stakes winner of over a $100,000 and she is the dam of three starters and three winners including Fight Thru.   Head South also by Kafwain went wire-to-wire in a down the hill Santa Anita allowance/optional claiming race to pick up his fourth 2015 win.   Overall this Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, LLC bred gelding has earned $190,945 from twelve lifetime starts.   Kafwain stood for $5,000 live foal in 2015. Kafwain is currently the... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (June 14, 2015) – California stallion Lucky Pulpit sired winners in three of the first six races on Sunday’s card at Golden Gate. Vegas Luck won the first race, a claimer; Lucky Oracle won the fifth race, a maiden claimer; and Summer Wine won the sixth race, a maiden special weight. Vegas Luck is out of the Crafty Prospector mare Stringtown Sally, was bred by Patricia Lagden and is owned by trainer Tim McCanna. Lucky Oracle is out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Tizzy Retsina, was bred by C-Punch Ranch, is owned by Betty and Robert Irvin and trained by Greg James. Summer Wins is out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Madeline Ruby, was bred by owner Joseph Morey Revocable Trust and is trained by William Morey. ...

From Golden Gate Publicity    ALBANY, Calif. (June 13, 2015) — California-bred Rock Me Baby, making his first start since Oct. 4, rallied from last-to-first under veteran jockey Corey Nakatani to score a one-length victory in the $61,065 Albany Stakes at Golden Gate Fields Saturday.      Trained by Craig Dollase, Rock Me Baby won the five-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds and up in 57.76 seconds and paid $6.00 as the second choice in the betting.  Streamside placed second by head over Serbian Syclone, who took third by a neck over 8-5 favorite Alert Bay.      The victory was the seventh in 19 starts for Rock Me Baby, who earned his second career stakes win.     “This horse has a lot of talent,” said Nakatani of Rock Me Baby, who was racing five furlongs for the first time.  “He’s a route horse and I didn’t want to get his momentum stopped once I got him started.  I was able to weave my way to the outside and let... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (June 13, 2015) — Hope’s Love, a full sister to 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome, made a strong debut June 13 at Golden Gate Fields when running a close second in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies (VIDEO). The Lucky Pulpit   daughter, bred by owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase, broke awkwardly in the fourth race after being fractious in the gate and was sixth inside despite being hustled by jockey Ricardo Gonzalez early on. While eventual winner Ourprincessmelanie sped straight immediately to the front to set the pace, she was almost collared by Hope’s Love in the final strides, as the chestnut filly accelerated with an eye-catching burst once swung out from the rail to close down the stretch. Final time was :52.75 on the all-weather track after Ourprincessmelanie went a quarter in :22.09 and set up a :46.15 half. Hope’s Love finished second by a neck in the nine-horse field, bringing $3.40 and $3 as the... ...

From CARMA ARCADIA, Calif. (June 9, 2015) — Bob and Jill Baffert announced major donations to four charities that care for racing’s retired athletes.  Following American Pharoah’s historic victory in the Belmont Stakes and becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, the Bafferts said donations would be given to CARMA, Old Friends, TAA, and PDJF.  “Jill and I are blessed and honored to be in a position to be able to donate a portion of my earnings to these four special charities whose work is vital to our industry,” said Bob Baffert.  “We hope these contributions will go a long way toward supporting and bringing awareness to the very important work these non-profit organizations do in caring for our human and equine athletes.” “I spoke to both Bob and Jill before the race and they told me of their plans to shine a very bright spotlight on horse retirement,” said Madeline Auerbach, CARMA’s Founder and Past President. “We are very grateful to Bob and Jill for making such... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 8, 2015) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association is launching a streamlined registration process that eliminates the need to send the original Jockey Club Certificate to the CTBA to complete the Cal-bred or Cal-Sired registration. Beginning immediately, once the Cal-bred or Cal-Sired application and fee are submitted to the CTBA, and a certificate has been issued by The Jockey Club, the CTBA will be notified by the Jockey Club and will send to the person or farm submitting the application a sticker to be affixed to the Jockey Club Certificate verifying the Cal-bred or Cal-Sired registration. The sticker will be similar to ones used for annual vehicle registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Certificates that were already processed by the CTBA and returned to applicants will not need or receive a sticker. For further information, contact Mary Ellen at CTBA, 626-445-7800, ext. 236 or Dawn Gerber, ext. 237. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 7, 2015)–Bob Baffert’s Gimme Da Lute returned to Santa Anita and responded with a half length upset win in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Affirmed Stakes. Ridden by Martin Garcia, the California-bred colt by Midnight Lute outdueled favored Prospect Park through the lane en route to getting a mile and a sixteenth in 1:41.40. A disappointing third as the favorite in the six furlong Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico May 16, Gimme Da Lute seemed to appreciate a return to familiar environs. “He’s a tough little horse,” said Baffert assistant Mike Marlow. “I think coming back to his home track helped a lot and short fields never hurt either.” The second choice in a field of four three year olds at 7-2, Gimme Da Lute paid $9.20 and $3.20 (no show wagering). Owned by his breeders, Mike Pegram Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, all three of Gimme Da Lute’s wins have come at The Great Race Place. His overall mark now stands at 6-3-1-2... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 7, 2015) – California stallion Grace Upon Grace was represented by his first winner on Sunday when London Legacy won the first race at Santa Anita. London Legacy is a 3-year-old out of the Kelly Kip mare Passionate Kip, was bred by Terry Lovingier and is owned by Templeton Horses, Patsy London and Lovingier and was trained by Gary Sherlock. London Legacy ran the five furlongs in 1:02.64 and won by 8 ½ lengths as the 9-5 favorite. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ASCOT, Great Britain (June 7, 2015) — William Buick is to ride U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-I) June 17 at Royal Ascot, Racing Post reports. While Frankie Dettori rode the Lucky Pulpit in a racecourse gallop last week at Ascot, he will have the mount on trainer John Gosden’s English/French group winner Western Hymn in the Prince of Wales’s. “They’ve asked me to find out if (Buick) can ride him and as far as I know he can, and all being well William rides,” said trainer Rae Guest, who is overseeing the California-bred at his yard in Newmarket. “They (California Chrome’s connections) wanted Frankie, but as he can’t ride they wanted another top European jockey. Buick is a retained jockey for Godolphin and was aboard Prince Bishopwhen he won the March 28 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), a race in which California Chrome was the runner-up before shipping to England “They’re very happy with him and he’ll be available, which is the main thing,” Guest said. California Chrome was... ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 6, 2015) – Bluegrass Angus, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, won Saturday’s $50,000 River Rock Casino Handicap for 3-year-olds at Hastings Racecourse. Bluegrass Angus ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.15 and won by 6 ¼ lengths over California-bred Sam Slick. He has two wins in six starts with earnings of $54,633. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 1, 2015) – A yearling full sister to Sunday stakes winner Deb’s Wildcard, the first stakes winner for Desert Code, will be offered at this summer’s Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held Aug. 11 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The filly offered at the Northern California Yearling Sale is owned by Victoria Polzin and consigned by Stony Creek Farm. Deb’s Wildcard, a graduate of the 2013 Northern California Yearling Sale, is the first stakes winner for California stallion Desert Code, out of the Demons Begone mare Deb’s Royal Flush, was bred by Victoria Polzin and Harris Farms, is owned by Robert Jones and Lloyd Mason and is trained by Mason. She has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $113,924 and she won Sunday’s Seattle Handicap at Emerald Downs. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 30, 2015)–California-bred Spanish Queen called upon her considerable class to rally three wide turning for home en route to a three quarter length win in Saturday’s Grade I, $400,000 American Oaks at Santa Anita. Ridden by Brice Blanc and trained by Richard Baltas, who celebrated his 54th birthday, the 3-year-old filly by the late Tribal Rule negotiated 1 ¼ miles on turf in 2:01.93 and stamped herself as one of the nation’s top 3-year-old fillies. Owned by her breeders, Jack Nakkashian, Harry Bederian and Harout Kamberian, Spanish Queen was heavily favored at 3-5 in a field of six sophomore distaffers and paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10.           . “My saddle slipped a little bit and it affected my steering because she was a little aggressive when that happened,” said Blanc, who has ridden Spanish Queen in all of her starts. “The more I pulled on her, the more the saddle moved forward so I was a little…I wouldn’t say out of control, but I had... ...

FARMINGTON, N.Y. (May 30, 2015) – Little Miss Lupe, a New York-bred daughter of California stallion Salute the Sarge, won Saturday’s $50,000 Susan B. Anthony Stakes for fillies and mares at Finger Lakes. Little Miss Lupe ran the six furlongs in 1:13.52 and won by one-half length. She has eight wins in 40 starts and earnings of $185,164. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (May 28, 2015) – A son of Stormin Fever sold for $130,000 at Thursday’s Barretts May Sale of 2-Year-olds in Training at Del Mar and was the highest-priced California-bred to go through the ring. The colt, out of the Salt Lake mare Margarita Salt, was consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds as part of the partial dispersal for Golden Eagle Farm and was purchased by George Bolton. The sale showed an increase of 38.5% in gross and 5.4% in average over 2014’s edition, held in Pomona. A son of J P’s Gusto topped the sale at $230,000. ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (May 25, 2015) — Showing his versatility, California-bred G. G. Ryder followed up his victory on turf in the Grade 3 $100,000 San Francisco Mile with a score on Golden Gate Fields’ synthetic Tapeta racing surface Monday in the Grade 3 $100,000 All American Stakes.      G. G. Ryder, employing the same running style he used in capturing the SF Mile on April 25, came from a few lengths off the pace to win the one-mile All American by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey Ricardo Gonzalez.  Outside Nashville, ridden by Juan Hernandez, took second by a half-length over Pepper Crown and apprentice jockey David Lopez.      Eagle Screams, ridden by Catalino Martinez, pressed front-running Summer Hit, the 2-1 favorite ridden by Russell Baze, from the start and finished fourth, a neck behind Pepper Crown and 2 1/4 lengths in front of Summer Hit.      G. G. Ryder completed the mile in 1:36.14 and paid $7.80 as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2015) — Richard Mulhall, a former trainer and racing manager of The Thoroughbred Corp., died May 25 at his home in Monrovia, Calif., following a lengthy illness, officials with Santa Anita Park publicity department said. He was 76. During his career as a trainer, which began in 1959, Mulhall became widely known as a top developer of 2-year-olds. Later he became racing manger of Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman’s The Thoroughbred Corp., which campaign numerous top horses, including dual classic winners War Emblem and Point Given  , the latter 2001 Horse of the Year. Salman entered racing in the 1980s as Universal Stable, with Mulhall, who was a friend from college, as his trainer. When the operation was retooled in 1994 into The Thoroughbred Corp., racing homebreds and sales purchases, Mulhall retired from training and became Salman’s top adviser and racing manager. The Thoroughbred Corp. achieved great success in both the sales and racing sides of the business. Prince Ahmed died age 43 in July 2002, only after Kentucky Derby and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2015)–California-bred Ashleyluvssugar wheeled four-wide turning for home and went on to a half length win under Gary Stevens in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Peter Eurton, the 4-year-old Game Plan gelding steadied mid-way around the far turn en route to covering 1 ½ miles on turf in 2:30.10. “It looked like it was going to be messy on paper and it was,” said Stevens. “There was no real speed in the race and he was very fresh today. I wasn’t afraid to put him on the lead if that’s where he wanted to be, but Mike (Smith, aboard Brazilian-bred Going Somewhere) sent his horse away from there pretty hard and was intent on getting the lead. ‘Ashley’ got a little rank with me just before we crossed over the dirt, but then he shut down for me and was push button…I got to know him even better today, it’s only the second time I’ve been... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (May 23, 2015) – Blue Dancer, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, won Saturday’s $50,000 Western Canada Handicap for 3-year-olds at Northlands Park. Blue Dancer ran the six furlongs in 1:10.31 and won by 4 ¾ lengths at odds of 7-2. ...

By TDN TIMONIUM, Md. (May 20, 2015) — Hip 400 was led out unsold at $160,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale at Gulfstream Park in March, but the Bluegrass Cat colt had flourished in the interim and sold in Timonium Tuesday for $450,000. Bluegrass Cat stands in California. Taylor Made’s Jacob West, sitting alongside pedigree consultant Eddie Rosen, made the winning bid on behalf of an undisclosed client. Todd Pletcher, who conditioned the juvenile=s Grade I-winning sire, will train the colt. “Taylor Made actually sold him as a yearling and it’s well documented in our system that we loved him,” commented West. “We just had to give a little bit more for him now.” Out of Unbridled Melody (Unbridled’s Song), the colt is a full-brother to stakes winner Michael With Us and a half to Grade I-placed Tourist (Tiznow). After working a furlong in :10 1/5 at Gulfstream in March, he worked a co-bullet in :10 flat in Timonium last week. “I think in Florida, he was a victim of... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 17, 2015) – Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale graduate Papaclem’smidnight won the seventh race at Golden Gate on Sunday, a maiden special weight for fillies and mares. Papaclem’smidnight is a 3-year-old filly by Papa Clem, out of the Bold Badgett mare Midnight Mango, was bred by SLU Inc., consigned by Harris Farms, is owned by GCCI and trained by Cliff Delima. She sold for $18,000 at the 2013 Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale. Papaclem’smidnight ran the five furlongs in :58.92 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 7-1. This year’s Northern California Yearling Sale will be held Aug. 11 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 17, 2015) – Stakes winner Home Journey is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $75,000 Mizdirection Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Home Journey is by Good Journey, out of the Came Home mare Goodtobehome, was bred by Mark and Daryle Ann Giardino & John Elick, is owned by GGG Stables and Russell Sarno and is trained by Mike Puype. She has five wins in 12 starts, earnings of $279,920 and is coming off a win in the Apr. 11 Las Cienegas Stakes. ...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (May 17, 2015) – No Tricks for Jack is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $55,000 Albuquerque Distaff for fillies and mares at Albuquerque Downs. No Tricks for Jack is by Jackpot, out of the Mazel Trick mare Swift Trick, was bred by Vessels Stallion Farm, is owned by J. Kirk and Judy Robison and is trained by Henry Dominguez. She has 14 wins in 45 starts, earnings of $208,232, and is coming off a May 1 optional claiming win. ...

By UTSandiego.com DEL MAR, Calif. (May 17, 2015) — Del Mar was banging the drum loudly Wednesday about its reduced environmental footprint thanks to its use of recycled water and the recycling of all waste off its backstretch. Considering the shortage of potable water in California due to the fourth year of drought and the state’s constant concern for the environment, what Del Mar and the 22nd District Agricultural Association are doing with water savings and a recycling program for backstretch waste is worth crowing about. Del Mar will use even less recycled water this year thanks to a switch back to a dirt track that will require far less water than the old synthetic Polytrack, which had to be watered constantly to keep the temperature of the surface down and the materials manageable. Del Mar recently completed installation of a new dirt track, El Segundo sand imported from the Los Angeles Airport area, and it will be maintained with recycled water. “We had our first horses on the new dirt... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (May 10, 2015) — The 6-year-old California-bred mare Central Heat extended her winning streak to four races and earned her first stakes victory Saturday when she out-kicked Theatre Star and Sing and Tell in the final sixteenth of a mile to capture the $61,615 Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.      Central Heat, who is undefeated under jockey Russell Baze, defeated Theatre Star and jockey Frank Alvarado by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares.  Sing and Tell, who nearly stole the race at odds of 12-1 under Abel Cedillo, finished third, a half-length behind Theatre Star.      Central Heat charged from fifth in a field of eight to earn her eighth victory in 11 starts for trainer Bill Delia, who privately purchased the California-bred daughter of Unusual Heat after she finished second in a modest $8,000 starter allowance race in February 2014. Central Heat was bred by Abrams, Huston Racing, Matties Racing and Auerbach.  ... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 7, 2015) — The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) announced Thursday that all horses stabled at or en route from Turf Paradise will be denied access to California racetracks and other facilities within the Board’s jurisdiction due to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) determination that a horse at Turf Paradise was confirmed to have vesicular stomatitis (VS). In fact, horses from confirmed VS premises are not allowed by the CDFA into California. Horses previously stabled at Turf Paradise that already have entered CHRB-controlled facilities have been placed under special surveillance and health monitoring. VS is a contagious viral disease that affects horses, cattle and pigs. It can be transmitted by insects or through animal-to-animal contact.  While human infection is not common, the virus can produce flulike illness in people. Additional information is available at the CDFA website. ...

By Bloodhorse.com E. W. “Buddy” Johnston, a major California breeder who headed his family’s Old English Rancho, died May 5 in his sleep. He would have turned 78 May 6. Old English Rancho and the Johnston family’s racing roots trace to 1939, when Johnston’s father, E.B., also known as “The Pie Man”, bought his first horse. More recently, Old English bred and raced Acclamation, champion older male of 2011. Acclamation stands at Old English in Sanger, Calif., and his first foals are yearlings. Buddy Johnston was born into the business. Though E.B. founded Old English, his son worked side-by-side with his father throughout his youth. Buddy and his wife, Judy, took over day-to-day operation of the farm in 1957. Buddy’s father died in 1981, and his mother, Betty, who was also instrumental in the family business, died in 2000. The Johnstons first established Old English in Chino, Calif., with partner Ted Tepper. They later moved it to nearby Ontario and eventually to Sanger. The ranch was named the nation’s top breeding... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 3, 2015)–Lightly raced Spanish Queen attended the pace, saved ground and accelerated through an opening two paths off the rail turning for home to register an impressive 1 ½ length win under Brice Blanc in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, covering 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:47.24. Trained by Richard Baltas, the California-bred daughter of Tribal Rule came off a close second at the distance in the Grade III Providencia Stakes April 4 and got her first stakes win Sunday and her second win from just three starts. “She has a helluva turn of foot,” said Baltas. “Brice made a good move there at the top of the lane. I thought he was going to go around, which probably wouldn’t have mattered, but he did make a helluva move there splitting horses…If she comes out of the race good and she really wants to go, then maybe we go in the American Oaks (Grade I, 1 ¼ miles... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 2, 2015) – Richard’s Boy rallied between horses to win Saturday’s $92,500 Desert Code Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Richard’s Boy is by Idiot Proof, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Marissa’s Joy, was bred Harold and Pamela Tillema, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. Richard’s Boy has four wins in five starts, earnings of $187,840 and was coming off a third in the Apr. 4 Echo Eddie. He ran the about 6 ½ furlongs down the hill in 1:14.61 and won by a neck as the 9-5 favorite in the field of seven. ...

BENSALEM, Pa. (May 2, 2015) – Bluegrass Singer, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Bluegrass Cat, won Saturday’s $75,000 Parx Derby for 3-year-olds at Parx Racing. Bluegrass Singer has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $217,135 and was coming off a fourth in the Mar. 7 Swale Stakes. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2015) – La Fiera rallied through the stretch to win Sunday’s $100,210 Campanille Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Golden Gate. La Fiera is by Comic Strip, out of the Roar mare Ms. Booty, was bred by owners Dr. & Mrs. William Gray and is trained by Greg James. She has three wins in five starts, earnings of $82,607 and was coming off a third in an Apr. 4 optional claimer. La Fiera ran the mile on turf in 1:38.92 and won by two lengths at odds of 5-1 in the field of eight, with Ashley’s Sassy second and Niassa third. “The trainer told me to try to stay close because last time she was too far back,” said jockey Juan Hernandez.  “She broke really good and then she got behind horses and I was just trying to save ground.  Around the (far) turn I got her out and she started picking it up.  When I started asking her in the stretch she... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2015) – Grazen Sky, going two turns for the first time, won Sunday’s $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. Grazen Sky is by Grazen, out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Marni, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steven Miyadi. He has three wins in six starts, earnings of $176,800 and was coming off a second in the Apr. 4 Echo Eddie. Grazen Sky ran the mile on turf in 1:38 and won by 1 ¼ lengths as the 6-5 favorite. Pulmarack was second and Cardiac third in the field of six after morning-line favorite Richard’s Boy scratched. After conceding the early lead to Cardiac, Grazen Sky moved up to challenge the pacesetter at the top of the lane and then took command in the final sixteenth of a mile. “At first I didn’t think he was handling the turf that good,” said jockey Ricardo Gonzalez.  “He was actually just kind of hanging in there.... ...

By The Grand Island Independent GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (Apr. 25, 2015) — He said the key was how Joy Boy opened up the lead on the second turn. “When they came around the corner here, he saws that corner off,” Hulse said. “He put two lengths between them coming down the back stretch. That’s his signature. Any time you’re watching him, if you bet on him when he does that, go to the window. “He’s much faster around the corners. That’s what makes him good on a bullring.” Hulse also noticed in previous races Saturday that some very good times were being put up. He saw that as a positive for his horse. “When the track tightened up and I saw the speed a couple of times, I got a little more confidence,” Hulse said. “Diamond Joe, he keeps you honest. We keep each other honest.” Joy Boy — bred in California by Dr. and Mrs. William Gray — paid $6.80, $3.60 and $2.40 to win. Diamond Joe paid $5.40... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2015) — California-bred G. G. Ryder dealt stablemate Summer Hit his third consecutive tough defeat in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile when he won the $100,000 turf stakes by a half-length Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.      Bred by Eagle Oak Ranch and ridden by Ricardo Gonzalez, G. G. Ryder ran down front-running Summer Hit and jockey Russell Baze in the final yards to give trainer Jerry Hollendorfer the exacta in the top grass race of the spring meeting.       The SF Mile was contested on rain-dampened course rated “soft” and G. G. Ryder prevailed in 1:37.87.  Summer Hit, who lost the 2013 SF Mile by a neck to Tigah and last year’s running by three-quarters of a length to Pepper Crown, took third by three-quarters of a length over Are You Kidding Me and jockey Brice Blanc.      Defending champ Pepper Crown finished fourth under apprentice David C. Lopez.      G. G. Ryder broke from... ...

From Golden Gate Fields ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2015) — Jockey Dennis Carr, who suffered a head injury in a starting gate incident on April 19 at Golden Gate Fields, was released from Highland Hospital Friday evening and plans to return to his home in the Saratoga Springs area of New York next week.      “Dennis’ progress continues to be excellent,” said Dr. David Seftel, track physician at Golden Gate Fields.  “He plans to complete his recuperation in New York in the company of his wife, Alisa, and their dogs.” ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 23, 2015) — The Stronach Group announced April 23 that senior vice president Tom Ludt has been appointed to spearhead a key company initiative, the purpose of which The Stronach Group is expected to reveal at a later date. Effective immediately, Ludt will assume control of the creation and implementation of the new national project under development within the company.As president of Santa Anita Park, Ludt oversaw a successful 68-day winter meeting, which concluded April 19.  In a meet that opened Dec. 26, the track posted a 3% year-over-year increase in overall pari-mutuel handle and a 4% year-over-year hike in on-track attendance.  As a result of his new appointment, Ludt will no longer oversee the day-to-day operations at Santa Anita.  Keith Brackpool, chairman of The Stronach Group’s West Coast operations, will assume control of Santa Anita’s day-to-day management, effective opening day of the track’s spring meeting, which begins April 24.“We very much appreciate Tom’s stewardship of the Santa Anita Park operations over the past two years and... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 23, 2015) — Del Mar‘s change from a synthetic surface to dirt on its main track is nearly complete, with horses expected to train on it starting in mid-May.About 31,000 tons of dirt has been put down on the mile oval to replace the Polytrack surface that was in place for eight years. The same dirt, referred to as “El Segundo sand,” is currently used at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.Crews are expected to be done reinstalling the main track’s inner rail by April 24. They will then adjust the outer rail, with some sections being extended upward by nearly a foot to meet safety standards. The winner’s circle was also raised to adjust for the new surface.Track superintendent Richard Tedesco says horses will be able to train on the surface by May 15.Del Mar opens its summer meet July 16. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91465/del-mars-switch-to-dirt-nearly-complete#ixzz3YBOODnvO ...

From Oak Tree Racing PLEASANTON, Calif. (Apr. 23, 2015) — For complete information on the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet, click: http://oaktreeracing.com/sites/all/themes/oaktree/pdfs/2015/oaktreeflyer.pdf ...

By Bloodhorse.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Apr. 20, 2015) – California-bred champion Lava man, trainer King Leatherbury, the late jockey Chris Antley and female sprinter Xtra Heat will receive the sport’s highest honor as the 2015 class of the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. The electees will be inducted during ceremonies at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Lava Man won seven grade I races, to date more than any other California-bred in history. With a career record of 17-8-5 from 47 starts with earnings of $5,268,706, among California-bred horses only Hall of Famers Tiznow   and Best Pal and 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome have higher career earnings. Lava Man won three consecutive editions of the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) from 2005 through 2007, matching a feat Hall of Famer Native Diver accomplished from 1965 through 1967. Lava Man also won back-to-back runnings of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in 2006 and 2007. Lava Man (Slew City Slew—L’il Ms. Leonard,... ...

By Brisnet.com BALTIMORE, Md. (Apr. 18, 2015) — California-bred Bodhisattva’s (Student Council) efforts to wire Saturday’s $100,000 Federico Tesio S. at Pimlico were derailed a bit when Noteworthy Peach (Read the Footnotes) headed him in the stretch, but the chestnut colt battled back on the inside of that rival to take command once again and this time draw off for the 1 1/2-length win.Trained by owner Jose Corrales and ridden in the 1 1/16-mile contest by Trevor McCarthy, Bodhisattva set splits of :24 4/5, :49 and 1:13 3/5 as Noteworthy Peach kept in close contact just to his outside. All Hands (Unbridled’s Song), the full brother to Eight Belles, was sent off the 6-5 favorite in this spot after breaking his maiden by seven lengths on March 15 at Aqueduct and saved ground on the inside just behind those two on the backstretch. All Hands couldn’t keep up as Noteworthy Peach began his move, ranging up to run in tandem Bodhisattva in the lane. Those two battled it out to the wire,... ...

                ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 17, 2015) – The condition book for the 2015 Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet is now online. http://www.calfairs.com/data/cbooks/pleasanton.pdf?utm_source=Overnight&utm_campaign=93615d936e-Oak_Tree_at_Pleasanton_Condition_Book4_17_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ac79a58603-93615d936e-79120121 More than $1.7 million in purses will be available and six stakes races will be run in the 12-day meeting at the Alameda Fairgrounds. Trainers making between five and nine starts will receive a $500 bonus on the last day of the meet. Trainers making 10 or more starts will receive $1,000. Shipping horses to the meet?  Call the racing office for relocation assistance at 415-271-4613. ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 16, 2015) — The Thoroughbred racing calendar for Northern California in September and October was altered at Thursday’s California Horse Racing Board meeting, interspersing county fair meetings in Stockton and Fresno with the months-long Golden Gate Fields meeting in Albany. Under dates previously allocated, Golden Gate Fields was scheduled to start its summer-autumn meeting Aug. 21 and run through Sept. 13 before pausing for race meetings in Stockton and Fresno in late September and early October. Golden Gate would have resumed racing Oct. 15. Under the new calendar, Golden Gate Fields will open its summer-autumn meeting Aug. 21 and run through Sept. 7 before taking a two-week break while the San Joaquin County Fair meeting in Stockton is held Sept. 11-20. Stockton was originally scheduled to race Sept. 18-27. The new calendar will have Golden Gate Fields resume racing from Sept. 24 through Oct. 4 and then take another break to allow for the Big Fresno Fair meeting Oct. 8-18. Fresno was allotted racing dates... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 14, 2015) – Mike Mitchell, the winningest trainer in Del Mar history who won 20 training titles in Southern California, died on Tuesday of the effects of  a brain tumor diagnosed in 2012, according to friends of the family. Mitchell was 66. Mitchell retired from active training last April, turning over his stable to longtime assistant Phil D’Amato. Mitchell took a lesser role in the stable through the rest of 2014 and into this year and frequently attended races and morning workouts. He was an occasional visitor at Santa Anita in the mornings earlier this year but was in hospice care at his home near the racetrack in recent weeks. Mitchell began training in 1974 and won 2,678 races, mostly in Southern California. His runners earned $67,206,392. Mitchell won a career-best 127 races in 1983 and set a career high for earnings in a season with $4,571,184 in 2008, when his stable had 108 wins. “He’s a Hall of Fame trainer in my mind,” D’Amato said Tuesday.... ...

By Thoroughbredracing.com Wallpapering floor to ceiling all four sides of his office at Santa Anita in a dusty and time-worn collage of photographs spanning decades are nearly all of trainer Bruce Headley’s 120-plus stake race victories during a career that has lasted a trifling 55 years.  The oldest is a grainy sepia-tinged win picture dated 1962 – Poonastar’s victory in the Junior League Stakes at Hollywood Park, a young, sandy haired Headley with a touch of James Dean about him. The most recent is of Street Boss winning G1 Bing Crosby Handicap in 2008, the trainer’s sandy hair decidedly thinner, admittedly, but the young man from 46 years before still visible behind softened edges. The effect Headley’s office has on first time eyes is two-pronged. The first is to be led through a pictorial journey over the last 50 or so years of racing in California – the shadowed peaks of Santa Anita’s San Gabriel Mountains and Hollywood Park’s bulging grandstand captured at different lights, years, and seasons in the... ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 13, 2015) – William Bianco Jr, a former racing commissioner and horse owner, who spent most of his life giving to others, suffered a stroke and passed away April 11 in San Jose at the age of 75. A self-made man, lacking a formal education, Mr. Bianco taught himself chemistry and eventually co-founded Kinetic Systems Inc, which provided process systems for the semi-conductor, biotech, pharmaceutical, and food industries, most notably containment systems and chemicals for the start-up company Intel in the early 1970s. After Mr. Bianco sold his company in 1998, he increased his involvement in thoroughbred racing and partnered in Fog City Stables, an ownership group with 35 horses. He and one of his sons, William Bianco III, bred and raced Cal-bred horses as Sunset Stables. Then-Governor Gray Davis appointed Mr. Bianco to the California Horse Racing Board in March 2001. He served six years as a racing commissioner through January 2007, including one year as vice chairman in 2005. During his years on the Board,... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com There has been plenty of uninformed speculation about California Chrome’s English adventure and whether it will turn out to be excellent or not. Just for a change of pace, how about a little informed speculation on the subject? John Gosden knows the American racehorse better than any top British trainer working today. After all, he had to deal with them for the first decade of his career, during which time he trained champions Royal Heroine, a European transplant, and Bates Motel, who was American through and through. Back in his native Britain, Gosden has won the Epsom Derby, the Epsom Oaks, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas (for a total of 3,000 Guineas), two runnings of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and four runnings of the English St. Leger. He was champion trainer there in 2012, and in 2014 he campaigned a pair of Cartier champions: the 3-year-old filly Taghrooda and the 3-year-old colt Kingman, who was also Horse of the Year. Both Kingman... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 10, 2015) – Northern California trainer William J. Morey, Jr., a member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame (class of 2014), died Friday morning at a rehabilitation facility in Los Altos after a long battle with cancer.  Mr. Morey was 74.   A native of San Francisco, Mr. Morey grew up in San Carlos and attended the races at Bay Meadows with his father.  As a teenager, Mr. Morey got a job as a hot walker at the now defunct San Mateo racetrack.   Mr. Morey received his official trainer’s license in 1970 and won his first race that year at Pleasanton with Crimson Flag.  Mr. Morey would go on to become a mainstay in Northern California racing and, according to Equibase, amassed the following career statistics: 7,885 starts, 1,347 wins, 1,290 seconds, 1,180 thirds, and $22,415,416 in earnings.   Mr. Morey won 67 stakes, including eight graded events.  Mr. Morey’s top stakes stars were millionaires Dixie Dot Com (winner of four graded stakes... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2015) – California-breds won all seven races at Golden Gate on Thursday. The winners were Beautiful Desert, bred by Harris Farms; Sourdough Sam, bred by John Nicoletti; Fancy Brandi, bred by Gloria Morton; Spending Plan, bred by Harris Farms; Double Switch, bred by Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust; Tribal Delight, bred by Pam & Marty Wygod; Himalaya Star, bred by Kullminderpal Gill. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2015) – The California-bred Turf Extravaganza will be held Sunday, Apr. 26 at Golden Gate. The inaugural event features two stakes races and two allowances races with purses totaling nearly $275,000: $100,000 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at one mile on turf. $37,000 Turf Allowance for Cal-bred or Cal-sired fillies 3-and-up. $37,000 Turf Allowance for Cal-bred or Cal-sired 3-and-up. Come and join us to celebrate Cal-breds in the beautiful and private Directors’ Room. The Directors’ Room offers all the amenities of the Turf Club with the addition of a private dining area, private restrooms, delicious buffet, private auto tote wagering and a private bar. Guests of the Directors’ Room are also treated to a welcome glass of champagne to begin your day at the races in style. The price of the party is $100 per person or tables of four or six are available. The price includes... ...

From Ballena Vista Farm DUBAI, UAE (March 28, 2015) — Dual Breeders’ Cup champion Secret Circle struck the front three-wide with a quarter mile to race, and gamely held off a late challenge to win the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen-G1 by a head. With the victory, the 6-year-old son of California stallion Eddington collected $1.2 million, increasing his lifetime earnings to $3,670,790, and further embellishing a superb record of eight wins, six seconds and one third in 16 starts for owners Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman and Karl Watson. His time of 1:10.64 for the 1,200-meter event established the track record for the new Meydan dirt track and gave trainer Bob Baffert and Victor Espinoza their first victories in the Grade I event. ...

From Barretts ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2015) — As part of a pilot out-of-competition testing (OOCT) program, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) will be collecting hair, urine and blood samples from horses to be sold at this year’s Barretts May Sale. This pilot program will not impact the Conditions of Sale for the May venue, and efforts will be made to minimize the inconvenience to both horses and consignors. The test results will not affect the sale of any horses at this auction. “We are pleased to be working closely with the CHRB as it explores a new OOCT standard for the sales industry” said Barretts General manager Kim Lloyd. “The preservation of the integrity and credibility of sales programs is a top priority. Barretts will assist the CHRB with the process of introducing and implementing the OOCT pilot protocols at the upcoming May Sale.” ...

By Bloodhorse.com MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Mar. 24, 2015) — Enrique Cantarell Diaz’s Amanecer Serrano was a convincing 2 1/4-length victor March 21 at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico and became the first winner for California-based freshman sire Sierra Sunset. The Mexico-bred chestnut colt was guided by William Antongeorgi III and was timed in :27.80 for the 2 1/2-furlong contest that drew seven contenders. His dam is Big Daddy’s Lady, by The Daddy. Sierra Sunset, a 10-year-old son of Bertrando out of Toot Sweet, by Pirate’s Bounty, stands for a 2015 fee of $2,500 at Paradise Road Ranch in near Tracy, Calif. He has 30 2-year-olds in his first crop. Winner of the 2008 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park among four stakes winners overall, including the 2007 California Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park, Sierra Sunset compiled a 5-3-1 career line from 14 starts and bankrolled lifetime earnings of $459,696. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90866/colt-first-winner-for-ca-based-sierra-sunset#ixzz3VMaaZ5v6 ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 22, 2015)–Odds-on favorite Wild in the Saddle made short work of three California-bred or sired fillies and mares in taking Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible by 6 ¼ lengths under Rafael Bejarano. Trained by Richard Baltas, the 6-year-old mare by Silic was attentive to a fast pace and took charge midway around the far turn en route to getting a flat mile in 1:36.73. Ridden by Elvis Trujillo, Sudden Sunday, who broke from the inside, was hustled to a narrow advantage over the winner into and around the Club House turn, but Wild in the Saddle opened up leaving the quarter pole and the Dream of Summer was over. “The trainer told me to go to the lead, but when I saw Sudden Sunday rushing too much into the first turn, I just decided to let her go,” said Bejarano. “My horse doesn’t have to be on the lead and the way she was going I didn’t... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2015)–In his first-ever graded stakes assignment, California-bred Ashleyluvssugar out-dueled heavily favored Finnegans Wake to win Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths under Gary Stevens. Trained by Peter Eurton, Ashleyluvssugar bested seven other older horses in negotiating 1 ½ miles on turf in 2:25.78. Well back in fifth position into the Club House turn, Ashleyluvssugar, who came off of an allowance win going 1 1/8 miles on turf Feb. 5, raced as a team with the favorite three-wide around the far turn and when Stevens went to his left handed stick at the furlong pole, the 4-year-old gelding by Game Plan seemingly found another gear and spurted clear. “I watched his last race, when Mike (Smith, who was away today to ride at Turfway Park) was on him and he battled back then too,” said Stevens. “Those were different kinds of horses but he really came back for Mike when he went left handed with the whip.... ...

LAUREL, Md. (Mar. 21, 2015) – Eddy Gourmet, a Maryland-bred daughter of California stallion Eddington, won Saturday’s $83,500 Conniver Stakes for fillies and mares at Laurel Park. Eddy Gourmet has six wins in 25 starts, earnings of $289,110 and was coming off a Feb. 8 optional claiming win. This was her stakes debut. She ran the seven furlongs in 1:23.50 and won by 7 ¾ lengths at odds of 7-2. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2015) — A good horse can come from anywhere, and have any kind of pedigree. But good horses occur far more rarely from unfashionable pedigrees than from those replete with the heavy black type of graded stakes winners. That is why the California Chromes of our small, insular world make such wonderful, populist stories. It also is why we must celebrate the Grade 1 success of horses such as Warren’s Veneda, winner of the Santa Margarita Handicap on March 14 at Santa Anita. Warren’s Veneda is the best horse bred by California businessman Benjamin C. Warren, who was once the largest Thoroughbred breeder in California. He bred more than 100 foals per year in the first decade of the 21st century but got out of the breeding business in 2012. Warren’s Veneda comes from the penultimate crop of horses bred by Warren, and her pedigree is typical of the cheaply bred horses his operation generally produced. Her sire, Affirmative, was once believed to be... ...

Ag Day photo gallery: SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2015) – 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 Jim Frazier, Matt Harper, Brian Maienschein, Chad Mayes, Brian Jones, Marc Levine and Rudy Salas; Senators Tom Berryhill, Mike Morrell, Ted Gaines, Frank Bigelow, Jim Nielson; Speaker of the House Toni Atkins; Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross and CTBA lobbyist Robyn Black. Legislators were able to visit with an 18-day-old orphan by Eddington, out of the mare Mistical Bel, being nursed by 20-year-old surrogate mare Rollete.   ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 19 2015) — John McGary is returning as the track announcer for the California Authority of Racing Fairs in 2015. McGary, who called races on the fair circuit from 2000-05, will be in the booth for the Alameda County Fair (Pleasanton), California State Fair (Sacramento), Humboldt County Fair (Ferndale),  San Joaquin County Fair (Stockton), and Big Fresno Fair (Fresno). He will also prepare the morning lines for each meet and host handicapping seminars. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the fairs and consider myself very fortunate to be able to return,” McGary said. “I’m excited to be back.” McGary currently serves as track announcer at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Ohio and has more than 20 years experience as a racetrack announcer, publicity professional, odds maker, and paddock race analyst at several tracks including Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, where he worked from 2005-14. “We are pleased to introduce John as the voice of the Northern California racing fair circuit,” said Christopher Korby, executive... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2015) — With the mixed feelings of a man about to plunge into the dark unknown, Art Sherman bade a temporary farewell to California Chrome on Tuesday morning at Los Alamitos while keeping clear of the crew loading the 2014 Horse of the Year onto a van parked in a remote corner of the stables. “I get too nervous with all that kind of stuff,” Sherman said. “It’s for the best if I just stay out of their way. Otherwise, it might be contagious.” Sherman was dealing with what was merely the first leg of a long journey to Dubai, where California Chrome will compete in the 20th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup on the evening of March 28, Dubai time (11 hours later than Pacific time). California Chrome will be running a counterclockwise 2,000 meters over a recently installed sand-based main track. The money needs no conversion, although the 2,000 meters was a different story. “Just a shade... ...