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... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2015) — An incentive program to attract out-of-state horses to race in California that has had success over the past four seasons at Del Mar will expand to the entire Southern California racing circuit April 2. The “Ship and Win” program will apply to horses that have not raced in the past 12 months in California. At Santa Anita Park, Los Alamitos Race Course, and Del Mar, the program will guarantee a $1,000 appearance fee and a 30% enhancement to all purse money earned in the horse’s initial start in the state. Funding for the program will come from the three Southern California racetracks, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and the California Marketing Committee, which is tasked with promoting racing in the state. “Horse recruitment and increasing field size are top priorities for TOC,” TOC president Joe Morris said. “We supported the ‘Ship and Win’ program at Del Mar for the last four years and believe it will be equally successful as a... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 8, 2015)–Underrated Harlington’s Rose rallied from off the pace to win Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes by three quarters of a length while covering six furlongs in 1:09.64 under Joe Talamo. Trained by Steve Knapp and bred in California by Y-Lo Racing Stables, the Harlington filly broke from the rail and lacked room while full of run into the far turn. Next to last, about three lengths off the lead at the quarter pole, she wheeled three-wide turning into the stretch to gradually inch away from runner-up Meinertzhageni inside the sixteenth pole. “I didn’t really want the rail,” said Knapp. “As you could see, she got pinched at the three eighths pole and Joe had to stand on her. He had enough horse that he could go in between and go around, but it is what it is. “She has developed. When she was two and three, she wanted to run off. Now, she’s learned how to relax behind horses and this has made... ...

By Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2015) — On a thoroughbred ranch in Vacaville, a 3-week-old foal gallops close to its mother. Their bond seems natural, but it didn’t start out that way. When the foal was born, it completely ignored its mother and refused to nurse. University of California, Davis veterinary specialist John Madigan intervened moments after the birth with a novel treatment he calls “the squeeze.” It’s attracting attention from researchers studying autism in children, who see a possible parallel between Madigan’s work with horses and a similar technique — called kangaroo care — that’s often used on pre-term infants. “The phenomenon that Madigan has observed in foals is interesting and dramatic,” said David Stevenson, professor of pediatrics at Stanford University. Over the past five years, a dozen foals at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds in Vacaville have been born with neonatal maladjustment syndrome, or NMS, in which they are emotionally detached from their mothers. In each case, horse farm owner Ellen Jackson called Madigan, a UCD veterinary professor and... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2015) – Singing Kitty, claimed for $32,000 at Los Alamitos in December, won her second consecutive stakes in Saturday’s $91,650 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Santa Anita. Singing Kitty ($41.60) closed from fourth in a field of eight to win the one-mile turf race by 1 1/2 lengths over Curlin’s Fox, the even-money favorite. She’s a Big Winner, who set the pace, finished third, a nose behind Curlin’s Fox. Singing Kitty, bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, was timed in 1:35.09. She’s a Big Winner set fractions of 23.07 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.34 for a half-mile. She was challenged in early stretch by Singing Kitty, who is trained by Matt Chew. Singing Kitty races for Chris Aulds and Peter Jeong. A California-bred by Ministers Wild Cat, Singing Kitty won a $32,000 claimer at Los Alamitos on Dec. 11, when she was claimed. She finished seventh in the Blue Norther Stakes on turf Jan. 1 but rebounded to win the California... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 7, 2015) — Salutos Amigos, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Salute the Sarge, continued to show he’s the top sprinter in New York with a powerful victory in the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack March 7 (VIDEO). Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Salutos Amigos rallied from third, easily going by second-choice Dads Caps in the stretch to post his fourth straight stakes victory. The 5-year-old by Salute the Sarge is now a perfect 3-for-3 over Aqueduct’s inner dirt track. Owned by David Jacobson and Southern Equine Stable, Salutos Amigos rated kindly in third under Cornelio Velasquez, as Dads Caps and 24-1 longshot Green Gratto battled from the start through a half-mile in :46.24 over the muddy track. As they turned for home, Velasquez began to ask on Salutos Amigos and the bay gelding responded, taking command from Dads Caps just inside the eighth-pole before posting the four-length score. The final time for the six furlongs was1:09.61. “Very impressive,”... ...

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2015) – Clubhouse Ride, the son of Candy Ride, has been retired and will enter stud for 2015 at Harris Farms for an introductory fee of $2,500. Campaigned by Six-S Racing Stable and Bonnie and Nikolas Petralia, and trained throughout his career by Craig Lewis, the chestnut earned $1,341,132 in 43 starts including victories in 2013 and 2014 Californian Stakes. A graded-stakes performer from ages 2 through 5, Clubhouse Rideplaced in nine additional graded stakes, including the Santa Anita Handicap, Santa Anita Gold Cup, Cash Call Futurity, Charles Town Classic, San Antonio Stakes and the Daytona Stakes. He ran eight triple-digit Beyers numbers in 2013-14. Clubhouse Ride co-owner Rick Seidner commented, “He was a great horse with a huge heart that ran on all surfaces. I was thrilled to witness every race. We’re looking forward to his second career.” Lewis said, “Clubhouse Ride was a top athlete, with a great mind. He was all racehorse.” John Harris of Harris Farms said, “I thought... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Mar. 2, 2015) — The 10 finalists on this year’s National Museum of Racing’s 2015 Hall of Fame ballot are jockeys Chris Antley, Victor Espinoza, Corey Nakatani, and Craig Perret; Thoroughbreds Black Tie Affair, Kona Gold, California-bred Lava Man, and Xtra Heat; and trainers King Leatherbury and David Whiteley. Four jockeys, four Thoroughbreds, and two trainers comprise the 10 finalists on the ballot, as selected by the Museum’s Hall of Fame nominating committee. Espinoza, Nakatani, Black Tie Affair, Lava Man, Leatherbury, and Whiteley are first-time finalists. Hall of Fame voters may select as many candidates as they believe are worthy of induction to the Hall of Fame. The four candidates with the highest vote totals will be elected. The voting results on contemporary candidates will be announced Monday, April 20. The induction ceremony will be at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Friday, Aug. 7, at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public. The finalists were selected by the... ...

By DRF.com SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2015) — Jerry Lambert, best known for riding Hall of Famer Native Diver in the 1960s and for winning a celebrated match race aboard Convenience against Typecast in 1972, was found dead Monday at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, Calif., where he had been working, according to a release put out Tuesday by Santa Anita. Lambert was 74. Lambert, nicknamed “Clyde” after the city in Kansas where he was born, rode Native Diver to consecutive victories in the Hollywood Gold Cup from 1965-67. In 1972, he won a match race at Hollywood Park aboard Convenience, who just held off the late charge of Typecast and Bill Shoemaker. “He was a great rider,” Don Pierce, the Hall of Fame rider who retired in 1984, told the Santa Anita publicity department. “I rode with him from the time he came to California in 1961 until I retired. Any time he was in a race, you had to deal with him because he didn’t make mistakes.... ...

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2015) – Four California-breds brought six-figure prices at Monday’s Barretts’ 2-Year-Old in Training Sale. A Heatseeker filly out of the Capote mare Cinema Paradisa, was consigned by Brocklebank Training & Sales, agent for Dimple Dell Farms & D Legacy Farms, was purchased by Legacy Ranch for $185,000. A Lucky Pulpit filly out of the Rock Hard Ten mare Fantasy Rocks, consigned by Havens Bloodstock, agent, was purchased by Three Amigos for $180,000. A Gio Ponti colt, out of the Is It True mare Ring True, consigned by Havens Bloodstock, agent, was purchased  by Point Richmond Bloodstock for $140,000. An Aragorn colt, out of the Indian Charlie mare Tavern on Rush, was consigned by Havens Bloodstock, agent, was purchased by Ryan or Liedel or Auerbach for $100,000. Falling just shy of six figures was a Slew’s Tiznow colt, out of the Unusual Heat mare Presidential Heat, consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, agent, and purchased by Barnabus Molle for $92,000. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2015)  – Highly respected longtime Southern California trainer Leonard Dorfman passed away peacefully early Sunday evening at his daughter’s home in Round Rock Texas. The affable Dorfman, a decorated World War II combat veteran who lied about his eyesight to enlist in the Army at age 19, would have been 93 on June 22. Best known as the conditioner of multiple stakes winners Biggs, Travel Orb, Minnesota Chief, Joni U. Bar and McCann’s Mojave, Dorfman gravitated to the track at an early age and one of his first jobs was grooming horses at movie mogul Louis B. Mayer’s farm in Hemet, Calif., circa, 1939 at age 15. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Dorfman emigrated to Los Angeles with his mother at the age of 7 and soon thereafter cultivated a lifetime love affair with horses. “He was such a kind and gentle man,” said retired Hall of Fame jockey Donald Pierce, from his home in Encinitas. “He was without a doubt... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2015) — A front-running victory aboard 3-2 California-bred favorite Marino’s Wild Cat in the $60,460 Lost in the Fog Stakes highlighted a four-victory afternoon for jockey Silvio Amador at Golden Gate Fields Monday.      Marino’s Wild Cat sped to the lead soon after the start of the six-furlong sprint for older horses and set fractions of 22.78 and 45.17 while being tracked by come-backing Exit Stage Left, who entered the race undefeated in three starts – all stakes victories.      Marino’s Wild Cat held Exit Stage Left at bay through the length of the stretch and scored by 1 3/4 lengths in an impressive 1:08.92.  Exit Stage Left, making his first start since winning the California Derby on Jan. 18, 2014, took second by a length over 15-1 outsider Giant Sandman.     “I was very happy the race went the way I thought it would,” said Amador.  “It was good that nobody came out to fight me on the... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2015) — After clearing away all of the synthetic Polytrack material that made up the main track surface for the past eight years, crews have almost completed removing the stone sub-base of the main track. Those two-inch blue granite stones, approximately 15,000 tons worth, are earmarked for recycled uses on the 350-acre fairground.   A large rock crusher has been assembled to grind or break the stones into three products – rock dust, pea gravel and three-quarter-inch rock. The rock dust will make up a portion of the new track’s sub-base; the pea gravel will be used to line the track’s inside drainage channel, and the three-quarter-inch rock will be employed on several additional maintenance projects on the fairgrounds. Digging for the inside drainage channel – which measures approximately a foot wide and 18 inches deep — began this past Monday. Water that drains down through the main track will use the existing perforated drainage pipes hooked into a new main pipe... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2015)–Although she was caught wide around both turns, Warren’s Veneda rallied from off the pace to an emphatic 2 ¾ length win in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita, as the California-bred daughter of Affirmative covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.18. Trained by Craig Lewis and owned by her breeder, Benjamin C. Warren, Warren’s Veneda, who notched her second win in a row and got her first graded stakes victory, was the second choice in a field of eight older fillies and mares at 9-5 and paid $5.60, $3.40 and $2.60. “I was on her when she broke her maiden a couple of years ago and I knew she was a nice filly then,” said Baze. “Going into the first turn I thought about taking her back and dropping her in, but I told myself to just have confidence and I knew she was the best in the field. I lost a little ground, which I really don’t... ...

By Art Wilson, Pasadena Star News ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2015) — Got about an hour? Maybe two? That’s how long it will take for Bruce Headley to tell you about all the standout California-bred horses he’s trained during his 56-year career. The old-school Headley, who believes hay, oats and water are the only ingredients a horse needs to be successful, received the highest honor a local horseman can receive Monday night at the Pasadena Westin when he was inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame. According to his daughter, Karen, his acceptance speech brought down the house. Not surprising, since Headley can be as delightful off the track as he is lethal on it. “There are a lot of great men in there, in that Hall of Fame, that I learned from, so to be in there with the guys I learned from is quite an honor,” said Headley, who discovered at a young age that if you’re good to the horses, they’ll be good to... ...

To view the presentation of 2014 Horse of the Year at the CTBA Annual Awards Dinner, click http://bit.ly/1KQ9kLr ...

By Bloodhorse.com OCEANPORT, N.J. (Feb. 10, 2015) — Monmouth Park Racetrack has announced that Frank Mirahmadi will become its new track announcer when the 2015 racing season kicks off on Saturday, May 9. “Frank is an exceptional talent and we’re delighted that he will be joining the Monmouth Park team,” Bob Kulina, president of Darby Development LLC, operators of the racetrack, said in a release. “His style and accuracy will be a perfect fit for Monmouth and I’m sure everyone on-track and those listening worldwide will be equally delighted with his race calls.” A veteran of the announcer’s booth for nearly 20 years, Mirahmadi got his start at Hialeah Park in 1996. Since then he’s called the races at Louisiana Downs, Turf Paradise and for the last nine years the Northern California fair circuit. He’s currently the announcer for Oaklawn Park and Los Alamitos Racecourse and works for TVG as a racing analyst and with their sales department. In addition, Mirahmadi has voiced race calls for the movie “Seabiscuit” as... ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Feb. 7, 2015) – Salutos Amigos, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Salute the Sarge, wouldn’t be denied Feb. 7, rallying through the stretch to take the $147,000 Toboggan Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack by 1 3/4 lengths over Dads Caps. Sent off as the 3-4 favorite in the field of five competing over a fast inner track, Salutos Amigos overcame a four-length deficit in the stretch to reel in 9-5 second-choice Dads Caps. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Salutos Amigos won his third straight stakes race and fourth stakes in the past five starts. “He’s just getting better and better,” said Jacobson, who also trains the 5-year-old Salute the Sarge gelding. “(Dads Caps) is a tough horse to run down and beat.” Dads Caps, wearing blinkers, went right to the front and set the pace under Jose Ortiz, covering the half mile in fractions of :23.08 and :45.30 while Salutos Amigos raced fourth, over six lengths behind the speedy front-runner. Turning for home,... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2015) — Promising California-bred 3-year-old Acceptance, who suffered his first defeat in four starts when fourth as the 1-2 favorite in the California Cup Derby Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Park, has been turned out at Old English Rancho in Sanger. “He left today (Feb. 6),” said Kenny Black, assistant to trainer Don Warren. “He’ll be freshened to deal with some shin issues.” Warren conditions the homebred son of Vronsky for Bud and Judy Johnston, who own the dark bay colt in partnership with Robert Riggio. Acceptance won the first three starts of his career, including stakes victories last year in Santa Anita’s Golden State Juvenile and the King Glorious at Los Alamitos Racecourse. Heavily favored in the Cal Cup Derby, his 2015 debut, Acceptance set the pace while under pressure from eventual winner Mischief Clem before dropping back in the homestretch to lose by 12 1/4 lengths. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90008/acceptance-turned-out-with-shin-issues#ixzz3R0TDK2J8 ...

VINTON, La. (Jan. 17, 2015) – Hip Four Sixtynine, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Southern Image, won Saturday’s $70,000 Fremont Stakes at Delta Downs. Hip Four Sixtynine is out of the Mt. Livermore mare Gentle Wave. He ran the mile in 1:38.95 and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 7-2. He has six wins in 22 starts and earnings of $238,827. ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 19, 2015) – California-breds Urgraceisenough and Wackett are entered in Sunday’s $50,000 El Paso Times Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Urgraceisenough is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Lord Carson mare You Life Me Up, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnny Nall. She has one win in six starts, earnings of $11,605 and is coming off a fourth in a Nov. 22 allowance. Wackett is by Bushwacker, out of the Half Term mare Spring Term, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Jeff and Sally Bustamante and is trained by Jeff Bustamante. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $15,755 and is coming off a sixth in an Oc. 23 claimer. ...

By DRF.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2015) — Respondents to an online poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association overwhelmingly tabbed California Chrome’s Kentucky Derby win last year as the “Moment of the Year,” according to a release from the NTRA. Of the approximate 2,000 voters, 30.5 percent chose the Derby as the “Moment of the Year,” outpolling Wise Dan’s win in the Bernard Baruch at Saratoga in the two-time Horse of the Year’s first start after emergency colic surgery, which received 20.1 percent of the vote. The NTRA allowed voting on 10 specific moments. California Chrome, who is being pointed to the San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita on Feb. 7, was one of the most popular horses to compete in the Triple Crown in a decade. He won the 2014 Derby as the 5-2 favorite, extending his winning streak to five races. In third place was Tom Durkin’s final race call and emotional farewell ceremony in the Saratoga winner’s circle on Aug. 31. The nominee received 17.5... ...

By DRF.com TEMECULA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2015) — Galway Downs in Temecula, Calif., was approved as an auxiliary stabling venue to replace Fairplex Park, which is closing in February. Joe Morris of the TOC and Alan Balch of the California Thoroughbred Trainers association told the racing board that up to 400 horses can be accommodated at Galway Downs, but that considerably fewer are expected to be based there in coming months. Most horses in training in Southern California are based at Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, and the San Luis Rey Downs training center in northern San Diego County. Those four venues will give Southern California racing capacity for 3,400 to 3,500 horses. The Galway Downs license approval was contingent on the completion of several technical issues, such as receiving clearance from local fire officials, emergency protocols, and completing security arrangements. The facility is expected to open by Feb. 4. Fairplex Park will close for year-round stabling next month, but will continue to operate as an off-track betting site. Fairplex Park... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2015) – An incentive program designed to entice owners to acquire horses from other states or countries and race in Southern California is being expanded from two race meetings at Del Mar to the entire circuit in April, the California Horse Racing Board was told on Thursday. Beginning April 2, horses other than first-time starters will be eligible for a 30 percent bonus of purses earned in overnight races in their first starts at Del Mar, Los Alamitos, or Santa Anita  if they have not raced in California in the preceding 12 months. All runners who have not raced in California in the last 12 months, except for first-time starters, will receive a $1,000 appearance fee for their first starts at those tracks. Known as the “Ship and Win” program, the incentives have proven a useful way to attract runners to California in recent summers. In 2011, 107 horses from outside of California were eligible for the bonuses at the Del Mar summer meeting, a... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2015) – Two mares with California ties sold for $100,000 each in Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland January Breeding Stock Sale. Kentucky-bred Winning Image, a multiple stakes-winning daughter of California stallion Southern Image, sold as a broodmare prospect. The 8-year-old, out of the California-bred Apollo mare Harvest Girl, was consigned by Four Star Sales, agent, and purchased by Calumet. She earned $729,237 on the track. California-bred May Fine was unplaced in one start, but she is a full sister to Grade I winner Romance Is Diane and she sold in foal to Candy Ride. The 4-year-old is by In Excess, out of the mare Romantic Fibs, was consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent, and was purchased by Berkey Bloodstock. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2015)–Warren’s Veneda shot through an opening at the rail turning for home and went on to a 5 ½ length in Sunday’s $75,000 Paseana Stakes at Santa Anita, as she covered a mile and a sixteenth on a wet fast track in 1:42.97 under Tyler Baze. Trained by Craig Lewis, the 5-year-old California-bred mare avenged a head defeat to Tiz Midnight on Dec. 6 in the Grade II Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos. (Tiz Midnight, who was off at 3-5, ended up sixth in the field of seven older fillies and mares). “This mare is really handy,” said Lewis, who sent her out to her sixth win from 20 starts. “Tyler told me that he wanted to lay a little closer to the pace today, and I thought maybe she should be further back. He told me when he cut her loose, it was over. She’s feeling good right now and she’s just a hard-trying mare.” Owned by her breeder, Benjamin Warren,... ...

From E.A. Ranches RAMONA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2015) — Game Plan, by five-time champion sire Danzig, was humanely put to sleep at E.A. Ranches after he was found recumbent in his pasture on the morning of January 7. He was 22 years old. “He was such a magnificent, classy horse and always acted half his age,” said Marguerite Eliasson, General Manager of E.A. Ranches, where Game Plan resided during the past 10 years. “He was the Grand Master in the stallion barn, commanding respect from everybody. He will be sorely missed by all who cared for him.” Game Plan has sired 24 stakes winners and 27 stakes horses to date, including 7 graded stakes performers led by Grade-1 winner Mistical Plan. Three more crops, including two-year-olds of 2015, will be coming to the track. Owned by a syndicate, Game Plan began his stud career in Washington, then was moved to California where he established himself quickly among the top stallions in several categories. In 2005 Game Plan took residence at... ...

By DRF.com INGELWOOD, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2015) — The old home of Hollywood Park racetrack might be the new home of an NFL team as early as 2016. Stan Kroenke, the owner of the St. Louis Rams, and Stockbridge  Capital Group, which owns the 238-acre site of the former racetrack, have reached an agreement to build an NFL stadium, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times on Monday. Kroenke owns 60 acres that once were the racetrack’s parking lot. Stockbridge would add to the project with land formerly used for the racetrack. The proposal is the latest in a two-decade push by various parties, including former Hollywood Park owner R.D. Hubbard, to build an NFL stadium in the Los Angeles area. Hubbard was in talks with the Oakland Raiders in 1995 to move the team to Hollywood Park, discussions that eventually fell apart. Various other sites around the Los Angeles area have been mentioned as venues for a stadium. The league has not had a presence in the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2015) — Big Macher, winner of the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last July, worked five furlongs Sunday morning in a bullet 59 seconds flat as he prepares for the $150,000 California Cup Sprint at six furlongs on Jan. 24. With Rafael Bejarano aboard, the California-bred son of Beau Genius worked in company with Black Betsy, who was timed in 49.60 for four furlongs, but Baltas got her in 59 3/5 for five furlongs. “He went off in 24 4/5, but the gallop out is what was impressive,” Baltas said of Big Macher, claimed for $20,000 by Baltas in 2013. “He galloped out six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 and (seven furlongs) in 1:25 3/5.” ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2015) — Tough Sunday defied the odds of a difficult birth and multiple serious health issues as a youngster to finally become a winning racehorse Dec. 28 at Santa Anita Park. A 3-year-old California-bred by Grazen trained by Steve Miyadi for owner/breeder Nick Alexander, Tough Sunday broke his maiden in fine style in his third career start, scoring in the second race by an emphatic 6 1/4 lengths. It’s not only amazing that Tough Sunday made it to the races, it’s a miracle the colt is even alive. Alexander, a Santa Ynez ranch owner and supporter of California racing for 36 years, gave the following detailed account of Tough Sunday’s extreme ordeal at his birth on March 23, 2012. “This colt had a tough beginning,” Alexander said. “He was very big and got stuck during delivery, and in struggling to get out his (umbilical) cord was severed and by the time we pulled him out, he had been without oxygen for some time. “We... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2015) — Del Mar and the landlord of its property, the California 22nd District Agricultural Association, have launched a feasibility study on year-round stabling at the popular seaside racetrack. Track president Joe Harper said on Sunday that the study will focus on the costs of year-round stabling, and how stabling will affect other events held on the property through the year. “From their point of view, they are very open to some kind of increase in stabling and training,” Harper said of the agricultural association. “Their concern is they have a number of things go on there that make it difficult to have training.” Currently, Del Mar hosts stabling for its two race meetings – from mid-July to early September and in November – but is not open on a year-round basis. The track typically opens its barn area one week to 10 days before the start of a race meeting. Harper said the most significant issue is the presence of the San... ...

By Bloodhorse.com HALLANDALE, Fla. (Jan. 3, 2015) — A fast pace under strong pressure failed to deter front-running Bluegrass Singer, who shook loose of his rivals in the lane and held sway to the wire in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Jan. 3 (VIDEO). Ridden for the first time by Javier Castellano, the gelded son of  California stallion Bluegrass Cat   registered his first stakes win in the listed event for trainer Marcus Vitali and owner Crossed Sabres Farm. Bluegrass Singer ran the one-mile distance in 1:35.83 over a fast track, defeating Ami’s Flatter by 1 3/4 lengths as the 2-1 second choice in a field of nine. It was nearly nine lengths farther back to 13-10 favorite Mawthooq in third. “We had some issues with him that made me feel it was necessary to geld him,” Vitali said. “I like to keep them all colts if I can. But we’re in the racing game, not the hoping game. He’s matured; he’s blossomed.” Off a... ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 31, 2014) — Big Business closed out a productive year with a flourish, winning Aqueduct’s $100,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes by a head for owner Gary Barber and trainer David Jacobson. The victory was the first stakes win for the ultra consistent gelding by California stallion Eddington. Big Business has compiled a 10-3-5-1 record in 2014 which included a runner-up finish to Palace in the Grade I Forego and seconds in four other stakes at Belmont and Saratoga. With earnings of $763,430, Big Business ranks second to Secret Circle (G1, $2,430,790) among Eddington’s leading money winners. Bred in New York by Henthorn Racing Inc., Big Business is the fourth foal and first winner produced from Spanish Guitar, a stakes-winning daughter of Birdonthewire.   ...

By Bloodhorse.com OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 26, 2014) — After not winning a stakes in his first two seasons of racing, Salutos Amigos, a son of California stallion Salute the Sarge, nailed down the third of his 4-year-old campaign when he drew off in the stretch to win the $98,000 Gravesend Dec. 26 at Aqueduct Racetrack (VIDEO). Campaigned by Southern Equine Stable and trainer David Jacobson, 6-5 choice Salutos Amigos delivered a 2 1/2-length score in the Gravesend even though jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. appeared to have lost the whip during the inner track race. Salutos Amigos has won stakes races in three of his past four starts. He entered Friday’s race against four opponents off a clear victory in the Fall Highweight Handicap (gr. III) Nov. 27 on the Aqueduct main track. He also won the Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III) Oct. 25 at Belmont Park before finishing seventh in the XpressBet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. “He was spectacular, as usual,” Jacobson said. “The... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2014) – The 2015 Sunshine Millions/California Cup XXV will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at Santa Anita, which co-hosts the event with the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Gates open at 10 a.m. and first post is 12 noon for the card, highlighted by a series of five stakes for horses bred or sired in California. Here are the five stakes and conditions: $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic Presented by City National Bank for 4-year-olds & up at 1 1/18 miles (Turf). $250,000 California Cup Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. $200,000 Xpressbet California Cup Oaks for Fillies 3-year-olds at 1-mile (Turf). $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for 4-year-olds & up at 6 1/2 furlongs (Turf). $150,000 California Cup Sprint for 4-year-olds & up at 6 furlongs. The celebrated California Cup party will be on the front side in the same location as last year. The party will be held on the third floor mezzanine located between rows L and O and is... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2014) — One was a Grade 1 winner on turf. Two ran in the Kentucky Derby. Another won the same stakes three times. The new stallions in California for the 2015 breeding season are an eclectic mix of horses with lengthy racing careers and lightly raced runners. Here is an alphabetical list of first-year stallions in California and five notable stallions that were moved to the state for the 2015 breeding season. FIRST-YEAR STALLIONS Boisterous (Distorted Humor–Emanating, by Cox’s Ridge) Farm: Tommy Town Thoroughbreds Fee: $5,000 A veteran turf marathoner, Boisterous won 12 of 35 starts and earned $1,458,792 in a career largely spent on the New York circuit with trainer Shug McGaughey. Boisterous, by Distorted Humor, won eight stakes, most notably the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Belmont Park in July 2013. The highlight of his 2014 campaign was a third behind 2012 and 2013 Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Grade 1... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner California-bred Doinghardtimeagain is among the entries in Sunday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queen Handicap for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Global Hottie is by Dixie Chatter, out of the Desert God mare Sonora Desert, was bred by Baseline Equine, is owned by Watson, Pegram and Weitman and is trained by Bob Baffert. She has three wins in four starts, earnings of $109,440 and is coming off three consecutive wins. Harlington’s Rose is by Harlington, out of the Orientate mare A Rose for You, was bred by Y-Lo Racing Stables, is owned by Thomas Halasz, Ryan Johnson, Paul Newhart, Martha Miller, et al and is trained by Steve Knapp. She has two wins in 17 starts, earnings of $216,840 and is coming off a fourth in a Nov. 22 optional claimer. Doinghardtimeagain is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Silver Hawk Lady, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has six wins... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2014) – California-breds Eddie’s First and Bettys Bambino are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. Eddie’s First is by Square Eddie, out of the Boston Harbor mare Teresa Ann, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He has two wins in 11 starts, earnings of $99,010 and is coming off a Nov. 16 allowance win. Bettys Bambino is by Unusual Heat, out of the High Brite mare Brite Betty, was bred by Alesia, Ciaglia & Mellen, is owned by Alesia, BranJam Stable and Cialia and is trained by Peter Eurton. He has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $198,036 and is coming off a consecutive wins. ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2014) — John Houseman was an overnight sensation at the age of 71 when he stepped out from behind his role as producer of award-winning films and mentor of acting talent to accept an Oscar for his supporting role in the 1973 movie “The Paper Chase.” Bertrand Russell finally was recognized with the Nobel Prize for literature in 1950 at age 78, already having filled the first half of the 20th century with his benchmark writings on philosophy, mathematics, history, and social criticism. Yuichio Miura waited until he was 70 before scaling the summit of Mount Everest for the first time in 2003. He made it, then he climbed it again when he was 75 and 80. Then, there is Art Sherman, who spent six decades as anything but a horse racing household name before winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with the unlikely California Chrome to become the sport’s breakthrough star of 2014 at the age of 77. Without even trying,... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2014) — A provision that retroactively extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses was passed by the United States Senate late Tuesday as part of bill H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. The bill, which extends retroactively through the end of 2014 numerous provisions which expired or were reduced at the end of 2013, passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support on December 3 and is expected to pass into law with President Obama’s approval. Maintaining the three-year recovery period for racehorse purchases has been a top legislative priority for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) since the provision’s initial enactment as part of the 2009 Farm Bill. “The renewal of three-year tax depreciation for racehorses indicates that lawmakers understand the contributions our industry makes to job creation and the country’s overall economic health,” said Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO. “We are especially grateful to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) for their leadership... ...

TEMECULA, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2014) — Kate’s Event, winner of the Tiznow Stakes at Hollywood Park, has been retired and will stand stud at Special T Thoroughbreds in Temecula for the 2015 breeding season.   Kate’s Event is by Event of the Year and out of Nordidid by Mane Minister and retired sound. He earned $460,162 and is Event of the Year’s leading earner.   Kate’s Event will stand for owner-breeder William Ziering for a $1,000 fee, stand and nurse. ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2014) – Jockey Elvis Trujillo has a wintertime title for Acceptance, the winner of the $200,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos on Sunday. “I think he’s my Derby horse,” Trujillo said after the race. How far Acceptance progresses in the next five months is unknown, but the colt’s career is off to a brilliant start, going undefeated in three starts. In the King Glorious Stakes for California-breds, Acceptance ($2.60) won the one-mile race by three lengths over 8-1 Pulmarack, who offered a brief threat in early stretch. The win makes Acceptance the champion 2-year-old California-bred of 2014 and a colt likely to start in a graded stakes during the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. Acceptance was well placed throughout Sunday’s race, the longest of his career. Trujillo had Acceptance in third after a quarter-mile and second after a half-mile, stalking early leader Comanche Ruler, a 40-1 shot. With a wide move, Acceptance took the lead with five-sixteenths of a mile remaining... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2014) — Many Routes became the first winner for sire Many Rivers when he came from off the pace to win the first race Dec. 14 at Golden Gate Fields. The initial victory for Many Routes came in a $12,500 maiden claiming event by a head. The chestnut gelding is out of the multiple winner Mood Route, by Mud Route. Bred and owned by Jerry and Margaret Martin, Many Routes is trained by Ellen Jackson, who stands Many Rivers at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds near Vacaville, Calif. Many Rivers, whose fee was $3,000 in 2014, is Storm Cat half brother to grade I winner and sire Harlan’s Holiday. He was produced by the Affirmed mare Christmas in Aiken. Stakes-placed during his 18-race career, Many Rivers has 11 2-year-olds in his first crop. Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/89178/california-sire-many-rivers-gets-first-winner#ixzz3LvMkE6J8 ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2014) — Golden Gate Fields said it will offer 12 stakes during its 97-day winter-spring meet, which begins Dec. 26. The stakes schedule is identical to that offered during the 2013-14 meet, with the exception of date changes for a pair of $100,000 turf races for 3-year-old California-breds. The Campanile for 3-year-old fillies and Silky Sullivan for 3-year-olds will be run on April 26, the day after the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile is run. The Campanile and Silky Sullivan were run in June in 2014. “We switched the races this year because we’re trying to make it a big weekend with a turf festival event with the San Francisco Mile on Saturday,” said racing secretary Patrick Mackey. Mackey said Golden Gate may schedule more stakes for California-bred turf runners on April 26. “This allows us to highlight Cal-breds, and we know both horsemen and fans like turf racing,” he said. Three-year-olds are in the spotlight early in the meeting, with the $100,000 California... ...

HALLANDALE, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2014) – Catholic Cowboy recovered from two lackluster efforts at Keeneland in the fall to grind out a victory in the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park, upsetting a group of 14 older horses at odds of 17-1 (VIDEO). Catholic Cowboy is a Florida-bred by California stallion Heatseeker. Trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, who also won the 2013 edition of the Jewel with Nevada Kid, Mossarosa’s 4-year-old Florida-bred by Heatseeker   collected his fourth victory from 18 starts with a strong close under Luis Saez in the 1 1/8-mile event. He finished the distance in 1:49.70 on a fast track, holding off the late run of lukewarm favorite Page McKenney by half a length. The Claiming Crown Jewel was the last of eight stakes races worth $1 million for racing’s blue-collar workers on Gulfstream’s opening-day program. “Gulfstream is always good to us,” Zito remarked. “We were talking today, my son Alex and I, about how Gulfstream’s been good to us the... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 6, 2014) – California-bred Omar held off the fast-closing Wine Police to win Saturday’s $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park.   Omar is by Bertrando, out of the Beau Genius mare Perfect Doll, was bred by Omar Aldabbagh, is owned by Randy Exelby, Running Rabbit, rick and TG Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro.   He has eight wins in 22 starts, earnings of $137,487 and was coming off a win in the Nov. 15 Caballos Del Sol Stakes.   Omar ran the five furlongs in :56.23 and won by a neck at odds of 4-1 in the field of six.   For Omar’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/omar17. ...

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2014) – Grade II winner Gervinho, the 2013 champion California-bred 3-year-old male, has been retired and will stand the 2015 breeding season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds for a fee of $3,500, live foal. Gervinho, the property of Keith Brackpool, is by perennial leading sire Unusual Heat, out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame. He’s full brother to stakes winner Lakerville. Gervinho finished his career on the track with four wins in nine starts, earnings of $422,140 and was in the money eight times. His biggest win was his final race, the Grade II Sir Beaufort Stakes at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old, beating eventual Grade I Eddie Read winner Tom’s Tribute. At 2, he won his debut and followed with a win in the Zuma Beach Stakes, earning a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. For further information, contact Mike Allen at 805-686-4337 or email info@tommytownfarms.com ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2014) — Rancho San Miguel is pleased to announce the addition of the Danzig stallion, U S Ranger, out of the Red Ransom mare, My Annette, to the 2015 roster. U S Ranger is a proven sire on the race track and in the sales ring. He has sired three Graded SWs: $250,000 Bourbon S. (G3) winner Lawn Ranger, Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) victor Solitary Ranger, and Australian GSW Get the Nod (G3). His progeny already have lifetime earnings of over $1.1 million with only two crops of racing age. In the sales ring his 2014/2013 sales progeny sold for $190,000, $190,000, $180,000, $160,000, $115,000 and $103,832. U S Ranger’s 2013 two-year-olds averaged more than 14 times the fee – including the second-highest price for a first-year stallion at the Barretts March sale. U S Ranger is a multiple stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed with earnings of $481,775. As a precocious 2-year-old he was undefeated in 3 starts by 13 combined lengths.... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2014) — The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association thanks the many stallion owners for their donations that made the Tuesday night Annual Stallion Season Auction a success. More than $50,000 was raised in the auction, with the entire proceeds by law going strictly toward the lobbying expenses of the CTBA, working in support of legislation that favorably impacts California Thoroughbred breeders. The sale featured seasons donated by these farms: Ballena Vista Farm, BG Thoroughbreds, Daehling Ranch, E.A. Ranches, Fruitful Acres Farm, Harris Farms, Legacy Ranch, Lovacres Ranch, Magali Farms, Milky Way Farm, Old English Rancho, Paradise Road Ranch, Premier Thoroughbreds, Rancho San Miguel, Rancho Temescal, Special T Thoroughbreds, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Vessels Stallion Farm, Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and Woodbridge Farm. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2014) – Swung six wide into the stretch, lightly regarded California-bred Pepper Crown uncoiled a torrid outside rally and won the $100,315 Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) (VIDEO) going away as the longest shot in the field Nov. 30 at Golden Gate Fields. With Juan Hernandez riding for owner-breeder-trainer Alex Paszkeicz, 15-1 hope Pepper Crown tallied his third stakes win of the year at the Bay Area track, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over the Tapeta all-weather track from G. G. Ryder. A 4-year-old Peppered Cat colt out of Crown This Lady, by Crowning Storm, Pepper Crown won the San Francisco Mile (gr. IIIT) at 46-1 odds over yielding turf in April and the Rolling Green Stakes over firm turf at 10-1 in September. The California-bred came in off a third to G. G. Ryder in a one-mile allowance Nov. 13 at Golden Gate but that rival could not match the surging winner on Sunday. “At the quarter pole I started asking my horse and he responded very well,” said... ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2014) — Dr. Jack K. Robbins, one of the sport’s true Renaissance men and patriarch of an influential racing family, died late Saturday afternoon at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., after a battle with the effects of pulmonary and respiratory disease. He was 93. Robbins’s death sent a wave of sadness through a racing community that had gathered earlier in the day at Del Mar Racetrack, a few miles from his home, to witness the victory of California Chrome in the Hollywood Derby. Robbins was a regular at Del Mar, both morning and afternoon, until poor health curtailed his visits the last couple of seasons. A native of Michigan, Robbins was born on May 28, 1921, and migrated to the West Coast with his mother upon his parents’ divorce. It was in California that Robbins went on to thrive as a Thoroughbred breeder, owner, and a racing empressario, but most of all he was universally recognized as a... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Nov. 30, 2014) – Omar is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 KLAQ Handicap.   Omar is by Bertrando, out of the Beau Genius mare Perfect Doll, was bred by Omar Aldabbagh, is owned by Randy Exelby, Running Rabbit, rick and TG Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro.   He has seven wins in 21 starts, earnings of $107,487 and is coming off a win in the Nov. 15 Caballos Del Sol Stakes. ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2014) — California-bred stakes winner Soi Phet will race in Japan in December. Soi Phet is scheduled to be sent to Japan in mid-December for the $1,003,000 Tokyo Daishoten, a Grade 1 race over about 1 1/4 miles at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo on Dec. 29. The track also is known as Tokyo City Keiba. Soi Phet, trained by Leonard Powell for the partnership of Gerald Benowitz, Paul Viskowich, and Sandra and Mathilde Powell, was fifth in the Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 30. Soi Phet has won two stakes at Los Alamitos this year – the Bertrando Stakes in July and the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile in September. Soi Phet was claimed for $16,000 in May 2013. ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y.  (Nov. 27, 2014) – Salutos Amigos, a Kentucky-bred son of new California stallion Salute the Sarge, swung seven-wide on the turn and went on to win Thursday’s $300,000 Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct. Salutos Amigos won by 1 ¾ lengths and ran the six furlongs in 1:10.78 as the 2-1 favorite. He is out of the Lahuk mare Sarasota. Salutos Amigos has six wins in 24 starts and earnings of $627,406 and was coming off a seventh in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. ...

By DRF.com HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 26, 2014) — California-bred Alert Bay is in the zone. He won his third straight stakes race Wednesday, pulling clear by three lengths over 3-5 favorite Tonito M. in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby. In the process, Alert Bay set a track record for 1 1/16 miles, covering the distance in 1:41.80. “He’d been touting us in his works at Golden Gate,” said Blaine Wright, who trains Alert Bay for Peter Redekop. The Zia Park Derby was one of seven stakes on the $1.1 million Land of Enchantment card. The centerpiece of the meet’s most prestigious program was the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks, won by Cassatt. The track-record time from Alert Bay ($7.20) lowered the mark of 1:41.94 set by Ol Winedrinker Who in the 2013 running of the $55,000 Veteran. Alert Bay on Wednesday was content to sit just off the pace set by Walt, who was pressured by Alsono through fractions of 23.48 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.10 for the half-mile.... ...

From EA Ranches RAMONA, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2014) — Salute the Sarge, a brilliant multiple graded stakes winner at age two, will relocate to E.A. Ranches in Ramona, California for the 2015 season. The son of Forest Wildcat — Dixie Ghost by Silver Ghost, dominated the Grade-2 Best Pal Stakes and Grade-3 Hollywood Juvenile Championship, and finished second in the Del Mar Futurity and Norfolk Stakes, both Grade-1 races.            Awarded the fourth-highest weight on the Experimental Free Handicap, Salute the Sarge was a very precocious, top-class racehorse. He contested ten of his twelve lifetime starts in graded stakes company and set a new track record in his very first start, a Maiden Special Weight at Hollywood Park.            Salute the Sarge is already the sire of graded stakes winner and 2014 Breeders’ Cup Sprint participant Salutos Aamigos ($447,406), stakes winners Bond Vigilante ($175,217) and Fishin Frank ($113,760), plus several stakes horses in his first crops.            Available... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2014) — Santa Anita has raised the purses of the California Cup Sprint Stakes and two leading stakes for older horses – the Santa Anita Handicap and San Antonio Stakes – but eliminated the Strub Stakes for 4-year-olds for the track’s upcoming winter-spring meeting, which runs from Dec. 26 to April 19. The California Cup Sprint for statebreds on Jan. 24 has been increased $25,000, to $150,000. The Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7 will be worth $1 million, an increase of $250,000 from 2014. The Santa Anita Handicap, run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, offered a purse of $1 million from 1986 to 2009. The San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 7, a leading prep for the Big Cap, will be worth a record $500,000 this year, an increase of $200,000. The Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes is run at 1 1/8 miles, and may serve as a prep race for some Southern California-based runners being pointed for the $10 million... ...

From Unusual Heat Syndicate COALINGA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2014) – Unusual Heat, the six-time leading sire in California (2008-2013) and all-time leading in California progeny earnings, will stand at John C. Harris’ Harris Farms alongside his son, Lakerville, for the 2015 breeding season. Unusual Heat will stand for $20,000 to approved mares only. Unusual Heat set the all-time California record for progeny earnings in 2008 with over $5.8 million and was again the California earnings champion for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, achieving the milestone of being leading sire in California for an unprecedented sixthconsecutive season in the modern era. In 2014 Unusual Heat is on track for an unmatched seventhconsecutive season of over $4 million in progeny earnings and also his astounding 11th consecutive California-bred North American Turf Earnings Championship. He has sired one Eclipse Award winner and 14 California champions. Unusual Heat added three new stakes winners and two new graded stakes horses to the fold in 2014. Top runners in 2014 included Boozer, Heat Du Jour,... ...

From AHC WASHINGTON, D.C.  (Nov. 17, 2014) — On November 14, 2014, the American Horse Council (AHC) submitted comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) proposed rule to redefine “Waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). (The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association also opposes the proposed rule.) Earlier this year the EPA and Corps published a new proposed rule to define “Waters of the U.S.” under the CWA.  The CWA regulates discharges of pollutants into the Waters of the United States. The proposed rule appears to redefine “Waters of the U.S.,” in a manner that would significantly expand the waters subject to the requirements of the CWA. The CWA does include exemptions for agriculture, however the AHC and other agricultural groups have serious concerns regarding the proposed rule.  The AHC believes the proposed rule uses vague and unclear terms and definitions that will create new confusion regarding what waters are subject to CWA requirements.  Furthermore, the AHC has concerns regarding... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) — Even-money favorite Stalk the Wildcat proved his superiority in the stretch as he scored a five-length victory in the $62,755 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Stalk the Wildcat ($4), a Tommy Town Thoroughbreds Ministers Wild Cat homebred, ran second in a $32,000 maiden claimer in his debut before winning his maiden by three lengths in his second start. Cartoonist, a six-length winner on the same day Stalk the Wildcat scored his maiden win, led Rainsford down the backstretch and around the turn of the six-furlong race as Stalk the Wildcat was fifth ahead of only one rival in the early going. As Cartoonist maintained his margin at the quarter pole, Stalk the Wildcat was moving up while three wide and in the clear turning for home. He easily passed the leader by the eighth pole and continued to increase his lead through the stretch, winning in 1:10.31, only .05 of a second slower than older stakes-type... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner Awesome Return, making his first start since July 19, rallied to a convincing triumph in the featured $93,100 Let It Ride Stakes for three-year-olds at one mile over the Del Mar infield grass course. Utilizing the same patient come-from-behind tactics which brought success aboard Queen of The Sand in Friday’s Kathryn Crosby Stakes, opening-day feature of Del Mar’s fall Bing Crosby Season,  jockey Mike Smith guided Awesome Return to the outside in the upper stretch and drove  to a 1 ¼ length triumph. “I told Mike (Smith) to take him back a little bit because there was so much speed in the race in my mind,” said trainer Mike Puype. “He got to playing a little bit in the stretch but the horse does that every time.  He’s never going to pull away and win by tons, but he still has a little bit left. He runs to his competition. And, as always, you don’t see Mike Smith make any mistakes.” Awesome Return,... ...

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2014) — One week ago California-bred Big Macher, winner of last summer’s Bing Crosby Stakes, finished ninth in the  $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint after stumbling at the break.  Fifteen days from now, the  Richard Baltas-trained 4-year-old son of Beau Genius could be seen here in the  $100,000 7-furlong Cary Grant Stakes for fellow California-breds. “He came out of the race very good,” Baltas said earlier this week. “Had a bad break but ran a great race. I just (concluded) that I wasn’t supposed to win.” The timing for the Cary Grant appears very favorable. “He had two months off between the Del Mar races and the Breeders’ Cup,” Baltas pointed out. “He’s a fresh horse. He doesn’t need a rest. We’re not resting him.” ...