By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2024) – The Chosen Vron, a 17-time stakes winner who was the 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year, is on schedule for the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on July 27. A 6-year-old gelding bred by Tiz Molly Partners, The Chosen Vron was nominated for Saturday’s $100,000 Bertrando Stakes at a mile on dirt for California-breds at Los Alamitos, but is not among the six entries for the race. “We’re going to go straight into the Bing Crosby,” co-owner and trainer Eric Kruljac said earlier this week. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports The Chosen Vron won his fifth consecutive stakes in the Thor’s Echo Stakes for statebreds at six furlongs at Santa Anita on May 25 in his most recent start. Kruljac said the time between the Thor’s Echo and the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes will help The Chosen Vron. “The main thing is going in... ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 15, 2024) — Tom’s Regret closed from a stalking position to take the lead on the turn of the $70,500 Mary Clare Schmitt Pleasanton Oaks at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton on Saturday, winning the sprint stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares for the second consecutive year. Tom’s Regret’s win on Saturday gave 24-year-old jockey Luis Jimenez his first stakes win. Jimenez began riding last year. The favorite in a field of four, Tom’s Regret ($4.80) stalked pacesetter Chancery Way through an opening quarter-mile in a hand-timed 23.70 seconds. Chancery Way led on the turn while racing well off the rail. Tom’s Regret closed to the inside of Chancery Way to take the lead. Tom’s Regret pulled clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths over 9-5 Scary Fast Ride, who finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of 8-5 Chancery Way. Smiling Molly (11-1) finished fourth, beaten 9 1/2 lengths. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (June 13, 2024) — The Oak Tree Racing Association and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will partner this summer for a special day of sport that will provide extra value to horsemen and firm up the link between two of the iconic brands of West Coast Thoroughbred racing. The key person between both groups is the late Clement L. Hirsch, who will be inducted this year into racing’s Hall of Fame in the prestigious Pillars of the Turf category. That induction will take place on Friday, August 2. The following day, Del Mar will present Oak Tree Day at the Races featuring the $400,000, Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares – a race the Oak Tree group is supporting with $100,000 in purse money — as well as five special races that each will provide an additional $9,500 in purse monies to be split between owners and trainers. “We are delighted to team once more with the good people of the... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 12, 2024) — Horse racing is unique in how quickly it can take you from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, an experience on full display the weekend of June 7-9. On the East Coast, celebrations broke out as Dornoch ‘s triumph in the Belmont Stakes (G1) capped a sensational racing festival weekend at one of the sport’s most historic venues, Saratoga Race Course. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, it was a scene of mourning as Adelie  crossed the finish line in the last race ever to be held at another historic venue, Golden Gate Fields. The Belmont was held at Saratoga due to the construction of a brand new Belmont Park, set to have all the looks and amenities of a world-class sporting venue—a peek at the bright future racing can have. Meanwhile, Golden Gate’s closure has thrown California racing into a deeper hole of uncertainty and chaos—a peek at the darker future racing can have. The key to saving racing in the West could come from the source... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 9, 2024) — Kings River Knight, the winner of the $102,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita on May 25 for the second consecutive year, will have a vacation this summer. “He’ll get 60 days on the farm for a little freshening,” trainer John Sadler said on Sunday. Kings River Knight, a five-time stakes winner, has a remarkably consistent record of 10 wins in 16 starts and earnings of $649,830 for the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbred Partners, the family of the late Bud Johnston and Ken Tevelde. A 6-year-old gelding, Kings River Knight is unbeaten in three starts this year, beginning with the $201,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for statebreds at Santa Anita in January. Kings River Knight will miss the Del Mar summer meeting. He was second in the $152,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for statebreds on turf at Del Mar last August. Sadler said the current break is designed to have Kings River Knight ready for the autumn – and... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 2, 2024) – California-bred Chismosa, the pride of trainer Rafeal DeLeon’s four-horse stable, rallied from off the pace to catch the well-regarded South American import Richi in the final furlong and win her fourth stakes in Sunday’s $100,500 Desert Stormer at Santa Anita. Chismosa, ridden by Tiago Pereira, ran six furlongs in 1:09.70. Chismosa has raced from a stalking position and from well of the pace in her career. Pereira hoped to be just behind the leaders in the first half of Sunday’s race. The plan was altered when Chismosa failed to keep pace and trailed pacesetter Tom’s Regret by six lengths on the backstretch. “I wanted to be closer, but it was too fast,” Pereira said. “It was good for me. She finished really fast.” Tom’s Regret set an early pace of 22.17 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.39 for a half-mile. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Chismosa was fifth in... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – The fillies In the Air Tonight and Lil’ Bit Bossy and the colt Rumble King gave California breeder Terry Lovingier a sweep of the three maiden races for statebred juveniles at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Sunday. All three are set to run in stakes this summer. Lovingier co-owns each of the winners. Two of them are by Stay Thirsty, who stands at Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs, Calif., the other by Phantom Boss. Rumble King closed from sixth in a field of eight to win Sunday’s seventh race with a wide rally. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, Rumble King ($11.80) overcame contact shortly after the start to win by a half-length over 24-1 Charmz Away. Rumble King was timed in 52.77 seconds, the fastest of the three juvenile races. Trained by Steve Knapp, Rumble King earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 72. “For him to do that at 4 1/2 furlongs, he’s a pretty good horse,” Lovingier said in the winner’s circle.... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2024) — California stallion Phantom Boss was represented by his first winner Sunday when Lil’ Bit Bossy won a maiden special weight race for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Lil’ Bit Bossy, out of the Rock Hard Ten mare Pebble Beach Baby, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Lovingier, Amanda Navarro and David Ross and is trained by Steven Miyadi. Lil’ Bit Bossy ran the 4 1/2 furlongs in :53.34 and won by one-half length at odds of 3-1 in a field of eight.   ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (May 25, 2024)—It’s now 17 stakes wins and counting for The Chosen Vron after rolling to another comfortable victory in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for California-breds going six furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita. Breaking from the rail under regular rider Hector Berrios aboard, The Chosen Vron (1-9) tracked pacesetter Sawasdee (17-1) in second before ranging up to the leader on the outside near the three-sixteenths pole and then kicking clear to score by 2 ¼ lengths. “That was exactly the same as our practice run,” Berrios said. “Taking the inside post bothered me because I wanted to go outside. But he settled well. I thought he felt comfortable. He made everything easy. I wasn’t stressed at all. He’s a nice horse.” Trained and co-owned by Eric Kruljac, The Chosen Vron was timed in 1:09.37 on a fast track. Sawasdee, ridden by Diego Herrera in his stakes debut for trainer Craig Dollase, held second by 3 ¼ lengths over second-choice Moose Mitchell (10-1) and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2024) – In his first time racing around two turns, Shady Tiger gutted out a narrow victory in Saturday’s $125,000 Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank Saturday at Santa Anita. In the 1 1/8-mile turf contest for 3-year-old California-breds, Shady Tiger under Juan Hernandez prevailed by a half-length over a fast-closing Two By Four (5-1) with Hector Berrios up. It was another neck back in third to longshot Stolen Treasure (33-1) and jockey Umberto Rispoli. “He made me work. It wasn’t easy,” Hernandez said. “I was fighting and riding all the way to the end. It came down to the wire, but we got the job done.” Shady Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Full Mandate mare Divine Legacy, was bred by owner Rusty Brown and is trained by Phil D’Amato. This was his fourth consecutive win in five starts, raising his earnings to $241,400.  Shady Tiger, who broke from the rail, and Size Does Matter raced virtually... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (May 25, 2024)—Kings River Knight continued his winning ways with a gate-to-wire victory under Juan Hernandez in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-breds at one mile on turf. Dispatched as a heavy 1-5 favorite in a nine-horse field, Kings River Knight scored by 1 ½ lengths over 61-1 longshot Barely Funtional with Mario Gutierrez aboard. Old Pal, the 5-2 second choice with Mike Smith up, rallied from last to finish a neck back of Barely Funtional in third. Coalinga Road (26-1), with Antonio Fresu aboard for trainer Carla Gaines, rounded out the superfecta. Trained by John Sadler. Kings River Knight won in a final time of 1:35.75. He set fractions of 23.48, 48.44, 1:12.49 and 1:24.17. “Kings River Knight won the race out of the gate because he broke so sharp, two lengths in front of everyone,” Hernandez said. “You don’t do that very often. Then, he took an easy lead. That’s his style. He loves running on the lead, so I just... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2024) — Favorite Grand Slam Smile made it a successful trip south from Golden Gate for trainer Steve Specht when earning her fourth stakes win in Saturday’s $125,000 Melair Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Santa Anita. Ridden by Frank Alvarado, Grand Slam Smile won by 4 ½ lengths over 2-1 second choice Safa with another 6 ½ lengths back to Loretta Lynn (8-1) in third. On the backstretch, Grand Slam Smile moved up from second to confront early pacesetter Only One America (15-1). Grand Slam Smile put away that rival on the second turn and then had no problem holding off the late bid from Safa. Grand Slam Smile won in a final time of 1:45.82 on a fast track. Fractions were 23.62, 48.07, 1:12.57 and 1:39.27. “This is the best 3-year-old I’ve ever ridden” jockey Frank Alvarado said. “By the three-eighths pole, she was looking around, and no one was coming. I didn’t even... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2024) – Stay and Scam earned her second stakes win and first around two turns in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at one mile on turf Saturday at Santa Anita. Parked in post 11 at the start, favorite Stay and Scam (1-2) broke alertly under Mario Gutierrez and was able to ease inward multiple paths on the short run to the first turn. Sneaker, an 11-1 shot with Kyle Frey up, would take the early lead with Stay and Scam tracking on her outside in second. On the second turn, Stay and Scam comfortably ranged up to the leader, kicked away at the top of the stretch then held off a late challenge from 27-1 shot Moment’s Pleasure to win by a length. It was another 1 ¼ lengths back to Cornelia Fort (18-1). “We figured we needed to use Stay and Scam coming out of the gate because we were in the 11 post,” Gutierrez said.... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2024) – California stallion Tough Sunday was represented by his first winner when the 3-year-old filly Neezer Dalton won Saturday’s third race at Santa Anita, a $50,000 maiden claimer. Winning in her racing debut, Neezer Dalton is out of the Bertrando mare Hey Cowboy, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steven Miyadi. She ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.27 and won by 2 ½ lengths in a field of six. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2024) — Jon White, who first went to work for Santa Anita Park as a television commentator in 1993 and later took over as the morning-line oddsmaker in 2009, has announced that he will be retiring when the track’s current Hollywood meet ends on June 16. Longtime handicapper Jeff Siegel will take over as Santa Anita morning-line oddsmaker. “I’ve been contemplating retirement for four years or so and feel the time is right,” White said. “I’m about to turn 69 and would very much like to retire while in good health. I am very grateful for the opportunity to first work as a television broadcaster for both Santa Anita and HRTV and then to make the track’s morning line for all these years.” “On behalf of everyone at Santa Anita Park, we thank Jon White for his lifetime commitment to Thoroughbred racing,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Park’s Senior Vice President & General Manager. “He was incredibly and meticulously dedicated to his craft, and we wish... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA. Calif. (May 20, 2024) — Forbidden Kingdom, the winner of three Grade 2 stakes, was sold for $310,000 during the Fasig-Tipton digital sale last week as a stallion prospect for 2025. But the 5-year-old’s racing career may not be finished, trainer Richard Mandella said on Sunday. Forbidden Kingdom may have additional starts later this year after a short-term vacation at Pete Parrella’s Legacy Ranch, where the horse will be based as a stallion. “We’ll give him a little rest and we might try him again before breeding season and see how it goes,” Mandella said. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Forbidden Kingdom, the most expensive hip of the sale, was previously owned by My Racehorse and Spendthrift Farm and was sold to dissolve the partnership. Forbidden Kingdom, by American Pharoah, has won 4 of 13 starts and earned $680,000. In 2022, Forbidden Kingdom won consecutive starts in Grade 2 stakes at Santa Anita – the... ...

By DRF.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 19, 2024) — The Golden State Racing meeting at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., this fall will offer approximately $170,000 per day in purses and will run largely on a Friday-through-Sunday basis for nine weeks from Oct. 19 to Dec. 15, according to an agreement reached earlier this month between the Thoroughbred Owners of California and a consortium of executives and horsemen that will operate the race season. The terms were part of an agreement reached between the TOC and the California Authority of Racing Fairs in advance of the Alameda County Fair’s summer meeting, which will run for 13 racing days from June 14 to July 7. CARF officials will run the Golden State Racing meeting. The Golden State Racing meeting will replace Golden Gate Fields on the Northern California circuit later this year. Golden Gate Fields is scheduled to close permanently on June 9. The Golden State Racing meeting will have a minimum of 208 Thoroughbred races through the season, a... ...

From DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 8, 2024) — California trainer Jorge Periban will put a perfect record in Kentucky on the line June 30, when he sends the dazzling 2-year-old debut winner Bodacious from Santa Anita to Churchill Downs for the Bashford Manor Stakes. Periban is 2 for 2 in Churchill stakes with California-breds – Phantom Boss won the 2019 Bashford Manor, Tom’s Regret won the 2022 Kentucky Juvenile. Both were favorites. Based on an impressive debut, the newest Periban trainee may follow suit. Bodacious, a California-bred colt by Smokem and bred by Terry Lovingier, was purchased at the California Thoroughbred Breeder Association January Sale for $7,000 from the Lovacres Ranch consignment. He won by more than five lengths May 3 at Santa Anita in the meet’s first juvenile race. Bodacious zipped 4 1/2 furlongs in a quick 52.01. Before the maiden race, Periban was so confident that he already envisioned travel. “Do you want to go to Kentucky again?” Periban said to jockey Tyler Baze. Bodacious “showed me a lot... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 4, 2024) – Big Bowie, a California-sired gelded son of Mr. Big, remained unbeaten by winning Saturday’s $60,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds. Big Bowie, bred in Washington by Dr. & Mrs. Jack Root and trained by Frank Lucarelli, is out of the Artie Schiller mare Be My Baby. He has won both starts with earnings of $53,100. He ran the five furlongs in :57.41 and won by one-half length at odds of 6-1 in a field of 10. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 3, 2024) – Caution Cardinal, an Arizona-bred son of California stallion Stanford, won Thursday’s $66,278 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby for 3-year-olds at Turf Paradise. Caution Cardinal, out of the Mr. Greeley mare Ms. Caution, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.70 and won by a nose at odds of 3-1 in a field of six. He has two wins in nine starts and earnings of $69,411. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (April 27, 2024)— Nothing against morning workouts, but California-bred horse of the Year The Chosen Vron prefers afternoon races. That is why trainer Eric Kruljac supplemented the veteran gelding to a stakes he originally had no intention to enter. In the Santa Anita winner’s circle on Saturday after The Chosen Vron ($2.40) won the $101,000 Kona Gold Stakes, his 17th career win and 16th stakes, Kruljac said The Chosen Vron gave him no choice after he worked a bullet half-mile in 46.60 one week ago. “Our read on him, his last couple workouts (was) we’d better pull the trigger now and let him stretch his legs,” Kruljac said. “He just told us he was ready, and we listened.” The Chosen Vron stretched his legs 6 1/2 furlongs Saturday, winning the Kona Gold by three-quarters of a length over Happy Jack. Express Train finished five lengths back in third, while second favorite Forbidden Kingdom faded to last in the field of seven. The Chosen Vron ran a... ...

By DRF.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Apr. 23, 2024) — Clement L. Hirsch joins Thoroughbreds Justify and Gun Runner and the jockey Joel Rosario in the nine-member class elected for induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday. The class of 2024 also includes the longtime Daily Racing Form columnist Joe Hirsch (no relation to Clement L. Hirsch) and Harry Guggenheim as chosen for induction by the Pillars of the Turf Committee. Jockey Abe Hawkins and Thoroughbreds Aristides and Lecomte were selected for induction by the Pre-1900 Historic Review Committee. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. The induction ceremony will be held on Aug. 2 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs at 10:30 a.m. Justify, Gun Runner, and Rosario — all in their first year of eligibility — were chosen in the contemporary category, receiving at least 50 percent plus one vote on 177 ballots returned from eligible voters. There were 17 contemporary... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2024) – Ignored despite winning twice in March, Johnny Podres closed from fourth to record a 16-1 upset in Sunday’s $100,000 Siren Lure Stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita. Similar to his victory at 5-1 in the Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds on March 24, Johnny Podres needed the entire stretch to reach the front, catching 4-5 favorite First Peace in the final strides. Johnny Podres ($35.80) won by a half-length, finishing about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.57 on a warm afternoon. From trainer Librado Barocio’s perspective, the key to the two stakes wins was a victory in a $50,000 claimer at six furlongs on the main turf oval on March 1, a win that ended an eight-race losing streak since a turf sprint at Golden Gate Fields in October 2022. “When he won that race, it gave him confidence,” Barocio said in the winner’s circle in reference to the $50,000 claimer. “He’s always been a good horse and I think he’s a... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 19, 2024) – A California-bred daughter of Ghostzapper sold for $325,000 at the Friday session of the Ocala April Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The filly, out of the stakes-placed Maclean’s Music mare Consulting, was bred by Glen Hill Farm, consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, and purchased by George Papaprodromou, agent. A May 9 foal, the filly worked a furlong under tack in :10. ...

From TDN.com and DMTC.com RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (Apr. 12, 2024) — After a long lifetime marked by notable wins on the racetrack and in the business world, prominent owner-breeder, entrepreneur and philanthropist Marty Wygod has passed away aged 84. The hub of Wygod’s breeding empire-which he owned and operated with his wife, Pamela-was the 250-acre River Edge Farm, in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, close to Santa Barbara. There, they stood several successful stallions, like Bertrando, Tribal Rule, Benchmark and Dixie Chatter. But it’s the many talented performers Wygod bred, owned and co-owned that he’s arguably best remembered for in the racing world. The Wygods bred Life is Sweet (Storm Cat), a two-time Grade I winner who took the 2009 GI Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat) won the 2004 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Tranquility Lake (Rahy) was a seven-time graded stakes and dual Grade I winner and went on to produce a $9.7-million Keeneland September sales-topper. Idiot Proof (Benchmark) claimed the 2007 GI Ancient Title S.... ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 14, 2024) — California-bred Alotaluck, the runner-up to Kentucky Derby probable Stronghold in the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby, is getting about a month off, trainer Ty Garrett said Saturday. The horse last raced on April 7, and won the $125,000 Mine That Bird Derby by 2 1/2 lengths at Sunland. “We turned him out yesterday,” Garrett said. “We’re going to give him like 30 days. We’ll let him tell us, then we’ll look for a spot.” Garrett is racing at SunRay Park and following the meet his stable could base at either Canterbury or Arapahoe. Alotaluck is a California-bred whose dam, Colinda Dawn, won the Colorado Derby at Arapahoe. Only One America, a California-bred who won the $125,000 Island Fashion for 3-year-old fillies on the same card as the Mine That Bird, will likely get some downtime, trainer Todd Fincher said. “She might be due a little break,” he said. ...

MORPHETTVILLE, Australia (Apr. 14, 2024) – Sir Sway, an Australian-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won Saturday’s listed $120,000 The Fotobase Group Redelva Stakes at Morphettville Racecourse in Southern Australia. It was the first stakes win for Sir Sway, a 3-year-old gelding out of the Commands mare Silent Sway. He has four wins in six starts and earnings of $161,495. He ran the 1100 meters in 1:04.33 and won by three-quarters of a length in a field of 11. ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M.  (Apr. 7, 2024) — California-bred Only One America cruised to a 5 1/2-length win over Deviletta in Sunday’s $125,000 Island Fashion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies ar Sunland Park. Only One America ($12.40) set the pace in her two-turn debut, putting up fractions of 24.66 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.79 for the half-mile, and 1:14.34 for six furlongs before going on to cover the mile for 3-year-olds fillies in 1:38.23. Todd Fincher trains Only One America for her breeders, J. Kirk and Judy Robison. Only One America is a daughter of Marking and out of the mare That’s the Ideal, who also produced five-time stakes winner Competitive Idea. Sent iff at odds of 5-1, Only One America is now 2 for 9 for earnings of $123,580. ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 7, 2024) — California-bred odds-on favorite Alotaluck became a stakes winner on Sunday when he moved past No Trouble in the stretch for a 2 1/2-length win in the $125,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back in third to Young Pope. The Mine That Bird Derby was one of five stakes on the closing-day card. The stakes were worth a total of $650,000. Presidential won the richest offering, the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap. Alotaluck ($2.10) came into the Mine That Bird Derby off a runner-up finish to Stronghold in the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby. Stronghold returned to win the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. Alotaluck, meanwhile, tracked the pace set by No Trouble on Sunday, with that one taking the field through fractions of 23.54 for the opening quarter, 47.81 for the half-mile, and 1:12.65 for six furlongs. Alotaluck moved in on No Trouble from there, and worked to get past the... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2024) – Shady Tiger ran his win streak to three on Saturday, exploding from the pack at the top of the stretch to run away with the $125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at Santa Anita. Shady Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Full Mandate mare Divine Legacy, was bred by owner Rusty Brown and is trained by Philip D’Amato. ”That was an impressive performance,” said D’Amato. “This horse has done nothing wrong in the mornings. He has impressed me, and I think he wants to go longer the way he galloped out today. We’ve been trying to get him to go in a two-turn race, but there really hasn’t been anything. I think in the months to come there’s a Cal-bred stake going long. Who knows, he might be able to compete against open company going long. ”I thought Tom Seaver got the jump on him at the turn and Juan was stuck on the inside, but when Juan got him... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2024) – Longshot Roberta’s Love, fresh off a maiden win, added black type to the resume with a wire-to-wire win in Saturday’s $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. She is by Collected, out of the Broken Vow mare West Coast Gal, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by BG Stables and Royalty Stable and trained by Hector Palma. “Everyone was surprised to see her in front,” said Palma. “Last time she was in second, but she got a good kick this time. I really think this filly is going to go the distance. They are going at an easy pace, and she’s very smart. She’s been a great filly since the beginning.” Roberta’s Love has two wins in three starts and earnings of $121,800. She ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.83 and won by three-quarters of a length over Safa, with Clubhouse Bride third in a field of six at odds of nearly 10-1. Said winning... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2024) — Johnny Podres was an all-star in Sunday’s $101,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible turf sprinters at Santa Anita, as stallion Grazen sired the first two finishers. The 7-year-old gelding, named after the star pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1950s and 1960s, rallied widest of all from sixth in a field of seven to win the first stakes of his career in his 36th start. The Sensational Star was the ninth time that jockey Geovanni Franco was aboard Johnny Podres, and the third time they won as a team. Johnny Podres broke well and raced four lengths behind pacesetter Clovisconnection through early fractions of 22.14 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.66 for a half-mile. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports As the field crossed from the hillside onto the main turf overall, Franco moved Johnny Podres to the outside. “I knew he’d come out... ...

Old Friends Press Release GEORGETOWN, Ky. (Mar. 21, 2024) – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky. is pleased to announce the arrival of 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, I’ll Have Another to the farm on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 for his retirement. The 14-year old California stallion was donated to Old Friends courtesy of his owner, Paul Reddam. “Welcoming I’ll Have Another is an auspicious and historic moment for Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends. “We are deeply grateful to Paul Reddam and Doug O’Neill for choosing Old Friends to care for this great champion and to celebrate his magnificent legacy with thousands of our annual visitors. Being able to welcome our fourth Kentucky Derby winner to retire at Old Friends is further tribute to the vision and values of our founder and my friend, Michael Blowen.” “It is fantastic that he will have a permanent home at Old Friends where everyone can visit him,” said Reddam. “There... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2024) — Newly-crowed California-bred Horse of the Year The Chosen Vron, winner of the 15th stakes of his career at Santa Anita on Saturday, will not have a busy race schedule in coming months prior to an expected start in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar in the summer. The Chosen Vron won his Grade 1 debut in the Bing Crosby Stakes last July, a victory trainer Eric Kruljac said remains a personal highlight. “That’s the milestone moment of my career,” Kruljac said on Sunday. “That, and winning the Test.” Kruljac, 71, won his first Grade 1 race with Leave Me Alone in the 2005 Test Stakes at Saratoga. The Chosen Vron was Kruljac’s second Grade 1 win in the Bing Crosby. Del Mar has yet to announce its summer stakes schedule, but often runs the six-furlong Bing Crosby in late July or early August. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2024) – Favored Stay and Scam held off Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way to win Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Stay and Scam is by Square Eddie, out of the Momentum mare Puff Pastry, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $290,760 and was coming off a Feb. 10 optional claiming win. “She ran great,” jockey Mario Gutierrez said. “She broke out of there good and I was going to go to the lead but I wasn’t going to push her either. When the other horse (Chancery Way) took the lead, I settled behind her pretty nicely.  was just waiting to make my move. When I asked her to go, she went.” She has found her top form since switching to turf in the fall, particularly over Santa Anita’s unique hillside layout. Stay and Scam entered off a second-level allowance... ...

Harris Farms Press Release COALINGA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2024) – It is with much sadness that Harris Farm announces the passing of our young stallion, Cistron, to complications from colic. The grade 1 winning son of The Factor and earner of $768,719 was standing his third season in 2024. Cistron was a durable and consistent performer, winning or placing 19 times in 30 starts over a variety of distances and surfaces. Campaigning for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler, his biggest win came in the 2019 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) over the main track at Del Mar. Among his other stakes victories were the San Simeon Stakes (G3) down the hill at Santa Anita Park, the Kona Gold Stakes (G2) and Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Bred in Kentucky by St. George Farm, LLC, Cistron was produced by Officer mare Major Allie. Cistron was consigned by Lane’s End to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by D. M. I. for $180,000. Cistron’s first crop numbers... ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2024) – Stallion Touched by Autism has been relocated to Daehling Ranch, where he will stand for the remainder of the 2024 breeding season. The 11-year-old graded stakes-placed son of Sierra Sunset, bred in California by George and Mary Clare Schmitt, was purchased by Johnny Toboada at the Northern California Yearling Sale and earned $307,230 on the track, winning eight times, including the 2018 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. Touched by Autism was named to bring awareness to those living with Autism. For further information, call 510-409-5244. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2024) — Millionaire The Chosen Vron was named 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year at the CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting Tuesday night at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. Ceiling Crusher and Kings River Knight were the other finalists. The Chosen Vron was a runaway winner on the strength of a remarkable season in which he extended his winning streak to eight, all stakes, including a thrilling victory in the Grade I Bing Crosby at Del Mar. The Chosen Vron, previously named Cal-bred champion older male and turf horse for 2022, repeated as 2023 champion older male and added champion sprinter to his resume. In 2022 he was Cal-bred champion 3-year-old. His trainer, Eric Kruljac, was named 2023 Trainer of the Year. “Incredible, the whole thing, but what’s incredible is the horse,” said Kruljac. “I wish I could share his personality in the shed row when he’s not making money. He’s just the coolest dude in the world.” The Chosen Vron was bred by Tiz... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2024) — Millionaire Harris Farms California-bred Closing Remarks  is retiring following a sixth-place finish March 3 in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. “She’s 100% healthy and sound,” said trainer Carla Gaines. “I think she’s thinking of other things, kind of over this racing thing.” The 6-year-old daughter of Vronsky  was coming off a career-best year in 2023, winning four grade 2 races. Her most recent win came in the Goldikova Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Nov. 5. In addition to her graded wins, she placed in seven other graded stakes throughout her career, including a second-place finish in the 2021 Del Mar Oaks (G1T). Closing Remarks was known for her closing kick and consistency. Every race she was just phenomenal,” Gaines said. “She ran so hard for all those races. Every race was more exciting than the last.” SIGN UP FOR BLOODHORSE DAILY Ending the year with a sixth, beaten only two lengths, in Del Mar‘s Matriarch Stakes (G1T) Dec. 3, Gaines gave the mare a... ...

Arroyo Vista Farm Press Release VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2024) — Arroyo Vista Farm’s graded stakes placed and multiple stakes winner Visitant sired his first reported foal on 3/4/24 at Harris Farms.  The first foal is a colt out of Miss Graziella by Mutkaddim. Harris Farms bred and own the colt and mare, Miss Graziella, who is represented by two recent winners in Mr. Big Bucks and High Gunner. Miss Graziella is out of the stakes winner Graziella ($126,098), a half-sister to Stakes winners Room For Me ($454,650) and Uncle B (431,634). Visitant is an 8-year-old son by Ghostzapper out of the Distorted Humor mare Peppermint Lounge. Visitant is a multiple stakes winner of $712,927.00, winning five stakes races and set a new track record while also placing on dirt and turf in grade II contests. He ran from ages 3-7, with wins in each year of racing. He stood his first year at Arroyo Vista Farms in 2023 and returned to the track, placing in the Grade II Del Mar Mile. He returns to Arroyo Vista Farm for the... ...

1/ST Racing Press Release BALTIMORE, Md. (Mar. 1, 2024) – 1/ST Racing announces a $25 million racing and incentive series connecting Preakness 149, The California Crown and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup. Kicking off at Preakness 149, 1/ST’s three premier race days will feature more than $12.5 million in elevated purses and $7.5 million in incentives for both dirt and turf participants. 1/ST is offering a $5 million bonus, in addition to the respective purses, to the owner(s) of the horse who wins the 149th Preakness Stakes (GI), The California Crown (GI) and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (GI).  For turf stars, 1/ST will award a $2.5 million bonus, added to the elevated purses, to the connections who win the Dinner Party Stakes (GIII), The California Crown John Henry Turf (GII) and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (GI).Preakness 149 celebrations, taking place on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, will mark the inaugural races in this new series. The 149th Preakness Stakes purse will increase to $2 million, and the Dinner Party Stakes will increase to $500,000, making... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity CARLSBAD, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2024) — Prominent longtime Thoroughbred owner Alan Magerman passed away this past Saturday at age 88 in Carlsbad, CA.  Magerman employed racing Hall of Fame trainer  Buster Millerick in the 1960s and 70s and was the co-owner, along with Ted Aroney, of California-bred stalwart King Glorious, a son of Naevus, who won eight out of his nine starts while banking $1.1 million. Conditioned by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, King Glorious won a pair of Grade I stakes, taking the Hollywood Futurity in 1988 and the 1989 Haskell Invitational in 1989.  A Philadelphia native, memorial Services for Alan Magerman are set for Tuesday in Trevos, Pa. ...

Thoroughbred Information Agency Release TEMECULA, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2024) — Multiple graded stakes winner Tizamagician, the highest earner by Racing Hall of Fame champion Tiznow standing on the West Coast, attained his first foal on February 26: a strapping filly who was born at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, California. Bred and owned by Starlene and David Justice’s Vendetta Racing Stables, the filly is the third foal out of 9-year-old Esfera, a winning daughter of 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb. “She is a wonderful, strong foal,” said Milky Way Farm owner Linda Madsen. “She was running around her stall five hours after her birth. We are delighted with her.” Esfera is booked to return to Tizamagician this year. A 7-year-old son of California-bred two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, Tizamagician entered stud at Milky Way in 2023 with career earnings of $741,851. Campaigned in partnership by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, the two-turn specialist won five of 25 starts from ages 3 to... ...

Press Release from Gayle Van Leer CLEMENTS, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2024) — Mr. Big, a stallion George Krikorian developed into one of California’s top sires of stakes horses, was euthanized Feb. 27 due to complications from laminitis. Sire of 12 black-type winners, including California-bred champions Big Fish and Ceiling Crusher, Mr. Big was 21. “I’m heartbroken—Mr. Big was a very special horse,” Krikorian said. Mr. Big had stood the past two seasons at Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch in Clements, California, and had just begun the 2024 covering season. “Myself, Evelyn and the entire staff at Legacy Ranch are devastated by this sudden turn of events,” Parrella said. “Mr. Big has become a major influence in the breeding industry in California. His loss is not just our loss but a big loss for the entire state. We are honored that Mr. Krikorian had the confidence in Legacy Ranch to have Mr. Big stand here. He’s going to be sorely missed.” Krikorian has believed in Mr. Big since purchasing him... ...

By Bloodhorse.com AUBURN, Wash. (Feb. 27, 2024) — Slew’s Crew Racing’s multiple stakes winner Slew’s Tiz Whiz  was named Washington’s top racehorse for the second year in a row at the Washington Thoroughbred Annual Awards dinner held Feb. 24 at Emerald Downs. The now 6-year-old gelding by California stallion Slew’s Tiznow  and bred by the late Karl Krieg, also earned titles as champion sprinter and champion handicap horse. He is trained by Tom Wenzel. Blazingbellablu  earned her third state championship title as champion older filly or mare. The 6-year-old daughter of California stallion Grazen  and homebred for Petra Lewin of Rainbow Meadows Farm and trainer Charles Essex was named 2021 Washington horse of the year as a 3-year-old in 2021 and was 2022’s champion older filly or mare. For the third year in a row. Blue Ribbon Farm’s Conveyance  was named sire of the year, while Ron and Nina Hagen’s Caliofrnia-bred Moscow Symphony, a first- and second-generation multiple stakes producer, was named broodmare of the year. The Hagens, who own El Dorado Farms, were also named breeders... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 26, 2024) — Prohibitive favorite Grease Missile didn’t disappoint Monday, as the California-bred coasted to an easy victory in the $60,000 Princess of Palms Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turf Paradise. Grease Missile is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnightrush, was bred by Dino Bates and Josephine Bates. Is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bart Hone. She has three wins in five starts, earnings of $101,330 and was coming off a Dec. 12 allowance win. Ridden by Giovanni Franco, she sped the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.45, won by 4 1/2 lengths and paid $2.10 across the board. ...

TAKARAZUKA, Japan (Feb. 25, 2024) – Multiple group winner Win Marvel, a Japanese-bred son of California stallion and Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, won Sunday’s $548,644 (US) Group III Hankyu Hai at Hanshin Racecourse. The 5-year-old Win Marvel, who beat Asakara King by a nose, has six wins in 21 starts and earnings of $2,135,499 (US). He ran the 1400 meters on soft turf in 1:21.20. ...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Feb. 23, 2024) – Pagan, a 6-year-old Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, extended his win streak to four by winning Friday’s $400,000 Invest Saudi International Jockeys Challenge Round 3  at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Under jockey Luis Saez, Pagan stalked outside pacesetter Beehive and took over the lead with 300 meters to go. He has eight wins in 28 starts and earnings of $460,994, which include the $200,000 first-place purse from Friday. Pagan came into the race off a win in the Jan. 28 Dirt Sprint Qualifier and ran the 1200 meters on turf in 1:10.84. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2024) — California-bred Slow Down Andy , winner of the 2023 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), has been retired, trainer Doug O’Neill said Feb. 22. O’Neill conditioned the 5-year-old Nyquist   homebred on behalf of longtime client Reddam Racing. Slow Down Andy had not raced since winning the Awesome Again. He recorded five workouts in 2024, but exited his most recent work at Santa Anita Park with a non-displaced sesamoid fracture, according to O’Neill. “He was a dream to train—a class act who gave us 100% every morning,” O’Neill said. “We’re disappointed, but we’re proud of him. He was a super competitive, classy horse.” Slow Down Andy retired with five wins from 14 starts and earnings of $1,276,600. He won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at age 2, the Sunland Park Derby (G3) and Del Mar Derby (G2T) at age 3, and the Awesome Again at 4. SIGN UP FOR BLOODHORSE DAILY “He was our Kentucky Derby horse prior to him getting sick,” O’Neill said. “He won graded stakes at age 2,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2024) — The Chosen Vron, the winner of 10 stakes since September 2022, including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last summer, will have his graded stakes debut of 2024 in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita March 16. The winner of the California Cup Sprint at six furlongs for statebreds Jan. 13, The Chosen Vron missed a scheduled start in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes at Santa Anita when the one-mile race for statebreds was not run on Monday when that program was cancelled because of poor weather. The Tiznow Stakes failed to draw sufficient entries when offered for Friday’s program. The $100,000 San Carlos Stakes is run at seven furlongs and is a logical alternative for The Chosen Vron’s next start, trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac said. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports “It’s about the only target, I would think,” Kruljac said. The Chosen Vron,... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 18, 2024) — California-bred longshot Alotaluck picked up 10 points toward a Kentucky Derby berth by finishing second to favored Stronghold in Sunday’s $400,000 Grade III Sunland Park Derby. Alotaluck is by Sir Prancealot, out of the  Lucks Mine mare Colinda Dawn, was bred by owner Eleanor Martin and is trained by Ty Garrett. He closed fast at odds of 14-1 to nose out Lucky Jeremy and has earnings of $132,360. Cal-bred Curlin’s Kaos finished fourth and earned four Kentucky Derby points. He is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Curlin mare It’s Vengeance, was bred by James Shenouda & Alfred Pais, is owned by Zephyr Racing and Pais and is trained by Antonio Garcia.  ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 18, 2024)—Idle since a heartbreak nose defeat in the Grade I La Brea on opening day, George Krikorian’s homebred Big Pond cut back in distance a furlong and turned the tables on her California-bred rival Daddysruby as she took command a furlong out and powered to a three-length score in Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita.                 The Spring Fever is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sponsored horses.                 Trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Big Pond got six furlongs in 1:09.28 and could very likely be headed back to graded stakes competition in her most convincing win to date. “She’s a big scopey filly so the cut back in distance was just a little concerning especially when we drew the inside, with the speed on the outside of us, but I guess having the ground break out from underneath us went in our favor,” said Yakteen. “We were able to... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 18, 2024)—A racing enthusiast since childhood, the Southern California News Group’s veteran turf writer Art Wilson died early this morning near his home in Victorville, CA, at age 71.  Wilson, who had gallantly fought a form of blood cancer for more than 10 years, was scheduled to attend today’s Winter Corgi Nationals at Santa Anita but had to be transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Apple Valley late yesterday afternoon and subsequently passed due to heart failure earlier today at 3:30 a.m.                 First introduced to racing by his late father, Wilson, a 1970 graduate of Glendora High School, fell in love with the game as a railbird and relished the opportunity to cover the sport dating back to the mid-1980s and as recently as this past weekend, when he was at Santa Anita to cover the Grade III Palos Verdes for the Southern California News Group, a consortium of newspapers that includes the LA Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune,... ...

From California Horse Power Coalition ARCADIA, Calif (Feb. 15, 2024) — As California grapples with a budget deficit in the tens of billions of dollars, the horse industry has grown financially for the state over the last five years; responsible for billions of dollars in economic impact and tens of thousands of jobs, according to a report released by the American Horse Council. In 2023, the equine ecosystem provided a total value of $11.6 billion to California’s economy and a direct contribution of $6.5 billion to state GDP, according to the report. This marks a significant increase from the American Horse Council’s previous report in 2018, which found a total value of $8.3 billion to the state economy and a direct contribution of $4.5 billion to state GDP. Through the care of the state’s near-500,000 horses, events and recreation, and the ripple effect on other sectors of the economy, the California equine industry generates 132,496 jobs across the state and directly employs 93,467 workers. Five years ago, those numbers were... ...

NEWCASTLE, New South Wales (Feb. 18, 2024) – Multiple stakes winner Jack Duggan, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Jack Milton, won Saturday’s $45,000 Group Training Apprentices Benchmark Handicap at Newcastle Racecourse. The 6-year-old gelding has six wins in 27 starts and earnings of $112,000 (Aus). Jack Duggan, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Unbridled Treasure, ran the 1890 meters in 1:56.30 and won by a nose at odds of 5-1. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2024)  – Brickyard Ride, the blazingly fast California-bred who won eight stakes at Santa Anita including three graded races, has been retired at age 7. Owned and bred by Sonny Pais and trained his entire career by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride is from the first crop by prominent California stallion Clubhouse Ride. Brickyard Ride won 13 races and $925,477 from 31 starts and retires as the leading earner by Clubhouse Ride, also trained by Lewis. Brickyard Ride “did everything you could hope a horse could do,” Lewis said this week at Santa Anita. “He did enough for us. I’ve had some fast ones, but he obviously had some serious speed. He’s a tribute to Clubhouse Ride, and what a great stud he is.” The unspecified injury Brickyard Ride sustained in a Jan. 25 workout might not be career-ending for a younger horse, but Pais and Lewis figured Brickyard Ride’s time had come.  “He’s 7, it would be silly to bring him back,” Lewis said. ... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2024) — The 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year will be announced at the CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. Finalists for Horse of the Year are, in alphabetical order, Ceiling Crusher, Kings River Knight and The Chosen Vron. For ticket information for the Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting, click Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner | CTBA or contact Christy Chapman at Christy@ctba.com. Other Cal-bred champions to be recognized at the banquet: Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Yo Yo Candy, bred by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, owned by Happy Tenth Stable and trained by Daniel Velazquez.   Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Female – Grand Slam Smile, bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Steven Specht. Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Male – One in Vermillion, bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, owned by Jonathan Kalman, trained by Esteban Martinez. Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Female – Ceiling Crusher, bred by Harris Farms, owned by Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman, trained... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 10, 2024)—Although he didn’t show his customary early zip, Richard Mandella’s heavily favored Big City Lights kept to his task when it counted and was up to beat Bob Baffert’s Hopkins by a nose in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Flavien Prat, California-bred Big City Lights, got six furlongs in 1:09.91.                 With Hopkins and Juan Hernandez breaking sharply from his outside box, Big City Lights trailed by a length three furlongs from home and appeared to be in deep water at the furlong marker, as Hopkins had increased his advantage to 1 ½ lengths.  From there however, Hopkins, tired a bit late at the rail and Big City Lights was just up on the money. “He broke just okay, he was pretty quiet before the race,” said Prat. “I was kind of chasing the leader actually, but he was very game to get the job done. Turning for home I thought (Hopkins) was gone. The... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2024) — Jerry Antonucci, a public handicapper for Los Angeles-area newspaper for nearly four decades, died on Tuesday of cancer, his friends said. Antonucci was 77. From 1973 until his retirement in 2010, Antonucci was a fixture on the front row of press boxes at Fairplex Park, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita. Antonucci did selections and wrote articles for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner from 1973 until that paper folded in the autumn of 1989. Antonucci moved to the Orange County Register shortly thereafter and remained with the paper until his retirement. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Through the 2010s and as recently as last fall, Antonucci was an occasional visitor to the races, and the press box, on Saturdays. Antonucci’s career coincided with a time when newspaper handicappers developed a following among frequent racegoers. A person did not have to travel far in the grandstands or clubhouse to find racegoers who... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 8, 2024) – My Man Biggie is the lone California-bred entered in Thursday’s $60,000 Walter R. Cluer Memorial Stakes at Turf Paradise. My Man Biggie is by Mr. Big, out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Twin Spirit, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by Cameron McVay and is trained by Shannon Simpson. He has four wins in 21 starts, earnings of $84,761 and is coming off a Nov. 8 allowance win. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2024) – California-bred Grade II winner Leggs Galore sold for $200,000 at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale. Sold as a broodmare, Leggs Galore is by Bayern, out of the Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, was bred by owner William Sims, consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent, and was purchased by Gainesway Farm. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Leggs Galore won the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes, as well as the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint twice, the Mizdirection, Irish O’Brien and Fran’s Valentine Stakes. She finished her racing career with nine wins in 19 starts and earnings of $695,048. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2024) — Multiple graded winner Closing Remarks became the newest California-bred millionaire by virtue of her earnings in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita. Closing Remarks is by Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, was bred by owner Harris Farms and trained by Carla Gaines. She has seven wins in 26 starts with earnings of $1,000,320. ...

By Bloodhorse.com KINGSBURG, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2024) — Grade 2-placed, multiple stakes winner Conquest Farenheit   has been sold to Hanson’s River Ranch near Kingsburg, Calif., south of Fresno. The 10-year-old son of Scat Daddy is the farm’s first Thoroughbred stallion. “In the past, we had the pleasure of sale-prepping several of his yearlings for the Harris Farms sale consignment and were very impressed by them. When we heard he may be available, we were excited at the opportunity to acquire him,” said farm owner Dar Hanson. Conquest Farenheit will continue to stand for $3,000. A third-crop sire this year, Conquest Farenheit has sired 12 winners from 23 starters to date. His most accomplished runners include multiple stakes-placed winner Lusma, who ran third in both the Golden Gate Debutante Stakes and Everett Nevin Stakes; and, Cali Conquest, who set a nine-furlong track record of 1:50.20 at Century Downs in Canada last October. The sire was a top five second-crop sire in California for 2023 and the leading sire of his class... ...

Sale Results By Bloodhorse.com POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2024) — The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale finished with solid results as a 2-year-old Sir Prancealot   filly headlined the sale after realizing $37,000 from Harris Farms. Consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds (Adrian Gonzalez), the bay, consigned as Hip 146, was bred in California by her consignor and Hector Cuevas and sold at the end of Tuesday’s session. Out of the unraced Unusual Heat mare Katie’s Heat, she is half sibling to two winners. She boasts the family of multiple grade 1 winner Brother Derek  and graded stakes placed Don’tsellmeshort  under the second dam. The juvenile had been galloping for 90 days when it was sold and was initially offered as a yearling last year at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale but failed to sell at $27,000. Havens Bloodstock Agency sold the unraced 3-year-old stallion/racing prospect, Bling Away Baby, to his breeders H &E Ranch for $35,000; the Scottsdale, Ariz., operation initially sold him as a yearling in... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 29, 2024) — California-bred Principe Carlo snapped a nearly two-year losing streak with a speedy win in Monday’s $60,000 Hank Mills Sr. Stakes at Turf Paradise. Principe Carlo is by Coil, out of the Rahy mare Princess Ezra, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Mia Familia Racing Stable and Rockingham Ranch and is trained by Justin Evans. He has nine wins in 34, starts, earnings of $543,423 and was coming off a fourth in the Jan. 13 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2024) — California-bred Slow Down Andy, sidelined since winning the GI Awesome Again here Sept. 30, had his third work on the comeback trail Sunday for trainer Doug O’Neill. The 5-year-old Nyquist colt drilled four furlongs in 48.20 seconds.       Slow Down Andy returned to the work tab Jan. 14. He missed the final three months of 2023, including a planned start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic here Nov. 4, due to filling in an ankle that developed after the Awesome Again.        “He’s doing well,” O’Neill said. “He didn’t need any surgery. He was just jarred up after his win and needed some time. His recovery went as smooth as you could hope.”       A homebred for Reddam Racing, Slow Down Andy has a record of 5-4-3 in 14 starts with $1,276,600 in earnings. As a 2-year-old, he won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. As a 3-year-old he won both the GIII Sunland Derby and... ...

From TOC Press Release ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2024) — Arcadia, Calif., – John C. Harris, Ty Green and Andy Mathis have agreed to join the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC). Mr. Harris, owner of Harris Farms, is a legendary figure in California racing as both an owner and breeder. He was inducted into the California Racing Hall of Fame in 2008 and was honored last year by the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation for his industry service. Harris Farms has been connected to over 50 California divisional champions, including eight California Horses of the Year. He is a former California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) Commissioner and currently serves on the board of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA). Mr. Green is also an owner and breeder and is a current Board Member of the CTBA. He is a lawyer by profession, based in San Luis Obispo, and has raced under the name of SLO Racing Stable since 2010.  He brings the unique prospective identifying as the “small... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2024) – The last time The Chosen Vron and Kings River Knight met they finished a nose apart when first and second in the Sensational Star Stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita last March. Both have since have outstanding careers, including stakes wins a half-hour apart against statebreds on Saturday at Santa Anita. The wins may lead to a rematch between the 6-year-old geldings in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes for California-breds at a mile at Santa Anita on Feb. 19, a race The Chosen Vron won by 6 1/2 lengths last year. Kings River Knight did not start in the 2023 Tiznow Stakes, but did win his fifth stakes in the last year in Saturday’s $201,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports The Chosen Vron won his 14th career stakes in the $150,000 California Cup Sprint at six furlongs, his 10th stakes win in... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Mici’s Express won his 3-year-old debut in Saturday’s $188,000 California Cup Derby for statebreds at Santa Anita. But instead of being a prep for a challenging start in a graded stakes in coming weeks or months, Mici’s Express is going to the sidelines. “I’ll turn him out for awhile,” trainer Steve Knapp said on Sunday. “He’s run hard enough. He deserves time off.” Mici’s Express, bred by Eagle Ridge Racing & Rancho San Miguel and owned by Tom Halasz, had been a busy colt since last April. He has won 2 of 11 starts and earned $248,530, racing at least once a month through the final nine months of 2023. Along the way, Mici’s Express needed five races to beat maidens and then ran in five stakes in his final five starts of 2023, including a third by three-quarters of a length in the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar in August and a nose loss in the I’m Smokin Stakes there in early September. “In... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2024) – Even-money favorite Kings River Knight, a grandson of legendary California stallion Unusual Heat, went wire to wire to win Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank, at Santa Anita. Kings River Knight is by Acclamation, out of the Poteen mare Seasontoperfection, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, the Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth Tevelde and is trained by John Sadler. “Old English Rancho are just great California breeders, and Buddy Johnston was my neighbor for about 25-30 years across from Santa Anita here, so it’s wonderful to see these silks win,” said Sadler. “They have great people, and it is a great California legacy.” Kings River Knight has eight wins in 14 starts, earnings of $536,010 and has wins in three consecutive starts and five of his last six starts. He was fourth in this race last year. Kings River Knight ran the 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.02 and won by one-half... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 13, 2024)—Named for a Country Western star from years gone by, Nick Alexander’s homebred Rose Maddox proved extra game late in taking Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Spring by a nose under Flavien Prat.  Trained by Steve Miyadi, the 5-year-old mare by Grazen got about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.45.                 The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint presented by John Deere is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for registered California-bred or sired horses.                 Mid-pack about six lengths off of eventual second place finisher Chancery Way a half mile out, Rose Maddox slid up the rail to the dirt crossing, engaged Chancery Way leaving the quarter pole and proved best in a thrilling three-way photo on the money. “She fires every time,” said Alexander. “Her dam (Heat the Rocks) is by Unusual Heat and her sire is Grazen…so you’ve got the queen and the king right on top. She doesn’t... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2024) – After dumping jockey Frank Alvarado in the paddock, favored Grand Slam Smile was all business on the racetrack, shaking off challenges from Recalcitrant and Asado Fries to win Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita. Grand Slam Smile is by Smiling Tiger, out of the prolific Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. She has four wins in six starts, earnings of $329,900 and was coming off a second in the Nov. 25 Golden Gate Debutante. “I just want to say that to win this race at this point in time for Mr. and Mrs. Williams is very special,” said Specht.  “They’ve been with me a long time and with everything going on, to have a filly with this much talent…It’s really special.”  Grand Slam Smile ran the mile on turf in 1:36.59 and won by 2 ¼ lengths at odds of... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 13, 2024) — With blinkers added, Mici’s Express turned the tables on even-money favorite Last Call London and won Saturday’s $200,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Mici’s Express is by Slew’s Tiznow, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Harlan Express, was bred by Eagle Ridge Racing & Rancho San Miguel, is owned by Thomas Halasz and trained by Steve Knapp. “I’m on cloud nine, I love it!” said Halasz. “To just think about it, you win the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby, now that’s one of my favorite horses of all time and I won the race. I love it.  All of my horses are Cal-bred, I have 35 Cal-breds in the Cal-bred program, it is great, it is the perfect place to run, the purses are great, the fields are good. I love being with Steve Knapp and honestly, we are having more fun than we can stand.” Mici’s Express has two wins in 11 starts, earnings... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2024) —   California-bred Grade I winner Slow Down Andy, who was forced to miss the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita because of filling in an ankle, worked for the first time Sunday since his win in the GI Awesome Again here Sept. 30.        Trained by Doug O’Neill, Slow Down Andy worked an easy three furlongs in 37.0 seconds. The 5-year-old full horse by Nyquist, a homebred for Reddam Racing, has banked more than $1.2 million while compiling a record of 5-4-2 in 14 starts. In addition to the Awesome Again, Slow Down Andy’s other major wins came in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in 2021 and GII Del Mar Derby on turf in 2022.       Slow Down Andy was one of 210 workers at Santa Anita Sunday.  ...

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Jan. 13, 2024) – Swift as I Am is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at Fair Grounds. Swift as I Am is by Danza, out of the Artie Schiller mare As I Am, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Joel Hunsburger and trained by Tanner Tracy. He has four wins in 15 starts, earnings of $118,510 and is coming off a fourth in the Dec. 23 Richard R. Scherer Memorial. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2024) – Maybe I Will, a stakes-winning California-bred broodmare, sold for $100,000 in foal to Omaha Beach at Wednesday’s session of the Keeneland Winter Sale. Maybe I Will is by Will Take Charge, out of the Henny Hughes mare My Due Process, was bred by Thomas Bachman, was consigned by Havens Bloodstock, agent for Fairview, and was purchased by Country Life Farm, agent. A 6-year-old, Maybe I Will won the Hastings Stakes, four of 13 starts overall with earnings of $126,631. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2024) —The California-bred sprinter Big City Lights won for the first time in 17 months in an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Saturday that was likely a prep for the 5-year-old’s graded stakes debut next month. Trainer Richard Mandella said on Sunday that Big City Lights may return in the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes, a $100,000 race at six furlongs on Feb. 10. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Big City Lights was always near the front and won by a half-length over the 2023 graded stakes winner Newgate. Big City Lights was timed in 1:14.85 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99. Big City Lights is by Mr. Big, out of the Exchange Rate mare Champagne Exchange, was bred by Bar C Racing Stable and is owned by William Peeples. He has four wins in eight starts and earnings of $332,420. Big City Lights was beaten in his four previous starts by The Chosen Vron, the leading... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2024) —Eddie Truman, a fixture among Southern California trainers for 50 years, has retired. Truman, 76, had his final runner at Los Alamitos on Dec. 17, and won most recently at Santa Anita in June. His retirement, announced on Thursday through Santa Anita’s publicity department, ends a career that includes 763 wins. A former jockey, Truman had his best year as a trainer in 1980, winning 53 races, including stakes at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona with Damas and Marble Court. Truman trained Casino King, a stakes winner at Remington Park in 1999 and at Golden Gate Fields in 2001, and had two outstanding California-bred mares in the 2010s with Go West Marie and Moonless Sky. Go West Marie won three of her final four starts in 2015 in stakes for statebreds, including the Fran’s Valentine Stakes at a mile on turf in May of that year. Two years later, Moonless Sky won her lone stakes of her career in the Fran’s... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2024) — Veteran trainer Gary Stute won his first race of the Classic Meet and breeder Derek Lawson also enjoyed a lucrative payday Sunday when the 3-year-old filly Safa won Sunday’s fourth race, a six-furlong maiden race for California-breds.       Bet down to the 1-2 favorite, the daughter of Grazen blitzed the field by nine lengths under Tiago Pereira to earn her diploma. For Lawson, the victory was doubly sweet. Not only did Lawson breed Safa from his broodmare Hadarra, by Harlan’s Holiday, he also serves as Pereira’s agent.         “It was a good day certainly,” Lawson said Sunday morning. “Gary did a great job to have the filly ready and Tiago got her home.”       Safa was just the second horse to start at the Classic Meet for Stute. His first starter, Divine Feminine, ran second on Friday in a $10,000 claiming race.         Lawson said Hadarra, a five-time winner on... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2024) – Benefitting from an early speed duel between favorites Sweet Azteca and Hot Peppers, California-bred multiple stakes winner Chimosa broke through with her first graded score on Monday with a game victory in the $100,000 Grade III Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita. Chismosa is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Cat Dreams mare You Can Dream, was bred by owner Jaime Renella and is trained by Rafael DeLeon. She has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $368,250 and was coming off a fifth in the Nov. 12 Betty Grable. The key to the race was a decision by jockey Kyle Frey, when favored Sweet Azteca ducked out at the top of the stretch. Frey essentially cut the corner with Chismosa and went on to a hard-fought score. Chismosa was about two lengths off Sweet Azteca and Frankie Dettori while third mid-way on the turn.  From there, she angled outside the favorite leaving the quarter pole but when Sweet Azteca... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 27, 2023) — California-bred Ward ‘n Jerry, a graded stakes winner in 2020 who gained a following in California because of his longevity, was retired on Tuesday at the age of 10. Ward ‘n Jerry was scheduled to start in a $10,000 claimer at Golden Gate Fields in the day’s eighth race, but was withdrawn at the insistence of owners and breeders Larry and Marianne Williams. “We got to worrying that he would get claimed and end up somewhere we wouldn’t like it,” Dan Kiser, racing manager for the Williamses, said on Wednesday. “We decided not to take the chance.” Tuesday’s race would have been Ward ‘n Jerry’s final start in California anyway. Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita, both owned by 1/ST Racing, have a rule allowing horses to race only through their 10-year-old seasons. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Since racehorses have official birthdays on Jan. 1, Ward ‘n Jerry will... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2023) — Longshot Daddysruby won a head-bob by a desperate nose over Big Pond in a thrilling duel of California-breds for the prestigious $300,000 Grade I La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Daddysruby is the first graded winner by Canadian stallion Frac Daddy, out of the You and I mare Youtheprizeandi, was bred by Jethorse, is owned by Jethorse, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and is trained by Peter Miller.  “We knew from the inside that we would have to go,” said Miller. I was hoping for an outside draw, but I drew the two hole when I listened in. We knew she had a lot of speed and we knew he kind of had to go. I told Juan, ‘Help her away from there, if they go crazy, she doesn’t need the lead you can sit, but if you can get the lead take it.’ And he did. “You don’t remember all the photo finishes that you won,... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2023) — Watsonville, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Jack Milton, would not be denied in Tuesday’s Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Mile, as he bested heavily favored Almendares by a nose, providing trainer Mark Glatt with an opening day Hat Trick and jockey Antonio Fresu with a riding double as Watsonville got the one mile turf affair in 1:34.55.                 Naturally quick from his outside post, Watsonville sat just off of longshot Calm Sea into the first turn and stalked him up the backside, eventually gaining the advantage midway around the far turn, however Calm Sea battled back gamely turning for home, at which point Almendares put a head in front a sixteenth of a mile out.                 From there, Watsonville seemed to relish the fight, battling back gamely with the favorite to his outside and prevailing narrowly on the money in his first stakes triumph.                  Fourth in the Grade I Hollywood Derby Dec. 2, Watsonville, who in his only other... ...

HANSHIN, Japan (Dec. 23, 2023) — Win Marvel, a Japanese-bred son of California stallion I’ll Have Another, won Saturday’s Group II $908,931 Hanshin Cup. Win Marvel has five wins in 20 starts and earnings of $1,959,170 (US). The 4-year-old colt ran the 1400 meters in 1:19.30 on a firm turf course and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 8-1 in a field of 17. ...

By DRF.com Regardless of where in California Grazen resides, it’s a safe bet that he will continue his run at or near the top of the state’s sire charts as he comes off a strong season in 2023. Grazen, who will stand at Mike and Angie Scully’s Eclipse Thoroughbred Training center for 2024, led this year’s California general sires earnings list through Dec. 14. He has a good chance to hold sway through the end of the year, with total progeny earnings of $4,648,407 to $4,036,340 for Stay Thirsty. Grazen’s lead is even more impressive considering Stay Thirsty moved to Lovacres Ranch in California in 2018 after spending his early stud career in Kentucky, where stallions have larger books of mares. Stay Thirsty led California stallions by both runners, with 191, and winners, with 89. Grazen, who also leads California’s turf earnings list, had 65 winners from 122 runners through Dec. 14. Grazen had a strong year in the Golden State Series, a restricted stakes schedule for registered California-bred or... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2023) – After a stretch long duel with pacesetter Stolen Treasure, Last Call London got up in the final strides to win the $101,000 King Glorious Stakes Sunday, the final day of the Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The neck victory by the gelded son of Stay Thirsty and the Empire Way mare Zo Lo’s Lov gave trainer Peter Miller a sweep of the two Golden State Series stakes 2-year-olds. He won the $100,000 Soviet Problem a week earlier with the filly Madison Rae, who led throughout to post a 9-1 upset. Owned by Tom London, Eugene Zondlo and breeder Terry Lovingier, Last Call London, who was second for most of the journey, prevailed by a neck as the 2-1 second choice.  Racing without blinkers for the first time, he completed one mile in 1:38.15 and returned $6, $3.60 and $2.40. He’s now won twice in eight starts and earned $156,870. Stolen Treasure, the only member of the field of seven... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec 17, 2023) — All bonuses that are part of the California-bred Incentive Program will continue to be paid to qualifying horses that race in the upcoming Golden Gate Fields meet, according to Doug Burge, president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. That includes all existing awards for breeders, owners and stallion owners. There is a 30 percent owner award bonus in open Maiden Special Weight races and in allowance races for finishing first through fifth. There also is a 20 percent bonus for the winner of a starter allowance race.  The Maiden Bonus Program makes available a $10,000 bonus for owners of registered California-Bred or California-Sired maidens in Thoroughbred Maiden Special Weight races in Northern California. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2023) — California-bred Closing Remarks had the best season of her career in 2023, winning four graded turf stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita. With career earnings only $180 short of $1 million, the 5-year-old mare’s career is not done. Trainer Carla Gaines said on Friday that Closing Remarks will remain in training next year at the insistence of owner and breeder John Harris. “He’s very much a racing fan,” Gaines said. “He wants to continue running her.” Closing Remarks has won 7 of 25 starts and earned $999,820. In 2023, she won 4 of 10 starts and earned $601,000. The stakes wins were all at the Grade 2 level – the Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita in April, the Yellow Ribbon Handicap and John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar in the summer, and the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. The wins ranged in distances from a mile to 1 1/8 miles. :: Bet the races... ...

From Rancho San Miguel Press Release SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2023)—Southern California sprint sensation Bolden, a dual-surface winner who exhibited sub-1:08 speed during his undefeated racing career, will initiate stallion duties at Rancho San Miguel in 2024. The 5-year-old son of Santa Anita Park track record-holder and leading California sire Square Eddie will stand for an introductory fee of $3,500, live foal guarantee. Bred in California by Reddam Racing, Bolden sold for $100,000 to owner Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch as one of the top-priced colts at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale in 2019, with trainer Peter Miller serving as agent. Under Miller’s conditioning, the precocious chestnut made an auspicious career debut in June of his 2-year-old season, defeating rival state-breds with a dominating, 5 1/2-length winning margin in a five-furlong maiden special weight race on dirt at Santa Anita. Bolden’s next three starts were made in rich allowance optional claiming company for trainer Phil D’Amato, beginning with a facile, six-length win on Santa Anita dirt at six furlongs.... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2023) – Longshot Madison Rae held off odds-on favorite Loretta Lynn to give her freshman stallion, Pavel, his first stakes winner in Sunday’s $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos. Madison Rae, one of three starters bred by Reddam Racing, went wire-to-wire under jockey Edwin Maldonado. She is out of the Scat Daddy mare Tafetta, is owned by CYBT, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing Stable and Michael Nentwig and trained by Peter Miller. “Edwin on the lead is very, very hard to run down,” said Miller, who had three winners on the card. “When I saw the splits I felt pretty good. She was very game and tenacious. I thought the favorite (runner-up Loretta Lynn) looked tough and I thought it wasn’t an easy race, but I thought if this filly could get clear and make an easy lead she might get brave. Sometimes everything works out.’’ She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $109,940 and was... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2023) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Chancery Way is bound for Santa Anita this winter after she won a sprint stakes for the third time in her last four starts in Saturday’s $75,900 Bear Fan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields. Trainer Jamey Thomas said on Sunday that the $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Feb. 18 may be the next start for Chancery Way. “More than likely, it will be something down south,” Thomas said. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the Bear Fan Stakes at six furlongs, Chancery Way led throughout, pulling clear in early stretch to lead by three lengths with a furlong remaining and by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Chancery Way, bred by Harris Farms & John Nicoletti, did not face... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2023) — California-bred Slow Down Andy, who missed the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita this fall because of a swollen ankle, is scheduled to return to trainer Doug O’Neill’s stable this weekend after a rest at breeders/owners Paul and Zillah Reddam’s Southern California farm. Slow Down Andy is expected to race at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting in early 2024. “We’re excited to have him back for Santa Anita,” O’Neill said. Bred by the Reddams, Slow Down Andy was under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Classic when the injury was diagnosed. A 4-year-old, Slow Down Andy earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic with a win in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 30. Slow Down Andy has won 5 of 14 starts and earned $1,276,600. The $302,000 Awesome Again Stakes was his fourth stakes win and first in a Grade 1. ...

From Hunter Stallion Station Press Release WILTON, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2023) — Finnegan’s Wake, the Grade I-winning son of Irish champion, Powerscourt (GB), has moved to the Hunter Stallion Station of Dr. Robert Hunter in Wilton, CA for the 2024 breeding season. From a relatively small crop sample of 11 registered foals of racing age, Finnegan’s Wake has produced 10 runners (91%) and 5 winners that visited the winner circle 19 times, including two maiden allowance winners in Mogollon Rim and Lucky Lad. Pedigree researchers will also note Finnegan’s Wake is a half-sibling to Puca, the dam of this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Dornoch, who valiantly captured the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct this year. Hunter Stallion Station was established in 1985, by its founder and UC Davis graduate Robert Hunter, DVM. He and his staff will be happy to help you. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2023) – California-bred Wild Jewels re-rallied in late stretch to edge Classy City, then survived a stewards’ inquiry to win Saturday’s $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Wild Jewels is by Tamarando, out of the Distorted Humor mare Ribbon of Jewels, was bred by owner Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. The Williamses also are breeders and owners of two other winners on Saturday’s Golden Gate card — Tiger in My Tank, a 2-year-old California-sired son of Smiling Tiger who won an optional claimer and Ward ‘n Jerry, a 10-year-old Cal-bred son of Lucky Pulpit and former graded winner who took the day’s finale, a $12,500 claimer. Wild Jewels has four wins in six starts, earnings of $148,810 and was coming off a win in the Nov. 11 Golden Nugget. He ran the mile in 1:39.90 and won by a half-length at odds of 2-5 in a field of six. ...

From California Horse Power Coalition As the year draws to a close, we celebrate a significant milestone: the first anniversary of the California Horse Power Coalition. This achievement and the progress we have made are testaments to your unwavering support. Together, we’ve remained steadfast in our mission to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture. Let’s reflect on our collective accomplishments this year. Our Growing Community: We are thrilled to report that our supporter base now includes over 2,000 subscribers and followers actively engaged with our coalition, participating in industry events, and voicing their support. Notably, our partners have grown to 16 diverse organizations that are committed to furthering our shared goals.  Advocating for Equine Welfare: As a community, we know that California is the gold standard when it comes to safeguarding equine athletes, serving as a model for the rest of the country.  As you may know, California racetracks are now considered 2X safer when compared to the national average. To uplift this fact and further safeguard our industry in the years to... ...

By DRF.com HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 25, 2024) — California-bred One in Vermillion, the winner of the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga in August and stakes in three other states, has been retired after sustaining a fetlock injury in a workout at Zia Park earlier this month. Owner Jonathan Kalman said on Friday that One in Vermillion underwent successful surgery on Nov. 6, two days after the injury was diagnosed, but that the injury will prevent the colt from returning to racing. Kalman said he has held discussions with stallion farms about a stud deal for One in Vermillion, but that no deal has been finalized. :: DRF’s Black Friday Sale: Get 20% off (almost) everything in the DRF Shop. Code: BF2023 “I’m looking at a couple of different opportunities,” Kalman said. Kalman described the injury as a medial fracture and that there “is much less chance of returning to the track with that fracture” compared to a lateral injury, he said. Bred by Richard Barton Enterpises and trained... ...