By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2013) — The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California unanimously voted to appoint owner William Strauss to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of Dennis Cardoza. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82477/bill-strauss-elected-to-serve-on-toc-board ...

By Bloodhorse.com                 INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2013) — A 20-foot long monument within the garden paddock at Betfair Hollywood Park that marks the burial place of the great Native Diver will be moved, along with his remains, to Del Mar in the next few weeks. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82472/native-diver-monument-moving-to-del-mar ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Dec. 18, 2013) – The Tom Squad is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Riley Allison Futurity for 2-year-olds at Sunland Park. The Tom Squad is by Old Topper, out of the Foresty mare Lexie Miss, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Johnnie Nall. He is coming off a maiden win in his fourth start with earnings of $24,368. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2013) — The CTBA 2014 Stallion Directory, with Tribal Rule on the cover, is now available and online here The 220-page hard-copy version, ranging from Eclipse Award winner Acclamation to World Renowned,  can be purchased for $15 + tax + shipping fee   ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2013) — California-bred Teddy’s Promise cruised to a deceptively easy win in Sunday’s $100,000 Playa del Rey Stakes for fillies and mares at Betfair Hollywood Park. Teddy’s Promise is by Salt Lake, out of the Capote mare Braids and Beads, was bred by owners Ted and Judy Nichols and is trained by Ron Ellis. She has 11 wins in 28 starts, earnings of $882,397 and was coming off an eighth in the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Teddy’s Promise ran the six furlongs in 1:09.66 and won by 1 1/4 lengths at odds of 3-5. For Teddy’s Promise’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/teddys+promise. ...

From Betfair Hollywood Park Publicity INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2013)—In commemoration of the closing of Betfair Hollywood Park, mutuel tickets purchased on the final day of racing – Sunday, Dec. 22 – will have special messages highlighting some of the unforgettable achievments from legendary performers – both human and equine – during the 75-year history of the legendary track. Known as the Home of Champions and the Track of the Lakes and Flowers, Hollywood Park has been the playground of thoroughbred superstars such as Seabiscuit, winner of the inaugural Hollywood Gold Cup in 1938, Noor, Citation, Swaps, Round Table, Affirmed, Ferdinand, Ack Ack, Native Diver, Lava Man, Skip Away, Cigar, John Henry and Zenyatta. Many of the game’s greatest jockeys and trainers have added to their glowing resumes at Hollywood Park, including numerous Hall of Famers. Laffit Pincay, Jr. and Bill Shoemaker are the runaway leaders in terms of wins among riders at Hollywood Park, having combined for 5,465 victories – 568 coming in stakes. Other Hall of Famers who... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2013) –California’s seven racing commissioners voted unanimously Thursday for Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Winner to serve as Chairman of the California Horse Racing Board beginning January 6, 2014, the date that current Chairman David Israel’s final term will expire. The commissioners also elected Commissioner Bo Derek to serve as 1st vice chair and Commissioner Richard Rosenberg to serve as 2nd vice chair. Chair Elect Winner presented Chairman Israel with a framed gavel on behalf of their fellow commissioners and thanked him for his years of service on the Board, especially for his tireless efforts this last year as chairman, indicating that “everybody who has anything to do with horse racing owes you a debt of gratitude.” Chairman Israel was appointed to the CHRB in July 2008 and reappointed in March 2010, marking 5 ½ years of service. His parting advice to his colleagues and the industry was to “keep the sport clean and safe and it will find its audience.” CHARLES WINNER – Vice Chairman in 2013…Appointed... ...

By DRF.com                 INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2013) — Once there was a very special racetrack, a bold, proud, brassy sporting palace of lakes, flowers, and an exotic species known as the goose girl, conjured up by movie moguls, frequented by celebrities, beloved by the masses. It was the place to see or be seen, whether you were a celebrity, a political figure, an industry titan, horse owner, or racing fan. http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-what-run-it-had ...

By DRF.com INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2013) – Betfair Hollywood Park will be dismantled rapidly after the final day of racing in track history on Dec.  22. Hollywood Park president Jack Liebau said earlier this week that the track is making plans to hold a general auction of its holdings in January; that some basic equipment will be moved to Los Alamitos, which will host five weeks of Thoroughbred racing for the first time in 2014; and that arrangements have been made to move the graves of the prominent racehorses Landaluce and Native Diver who are buried on the property. The remains of Great Communicator, the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, also will be relocated, but a site has not been determined. Hollywood Park will be developed for residential and commercial uses in 2014. After the Dec. 22 closing day of the current meeting, the grandstand will no longer be used. Simulcasting will shift to the adjacent casino, which is being remodeled to accommodate more racing customers. An auction of racetrack... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2013) – California stallion Chhaya Dance was represented by his first winner on Friday when D D Dancer won the eighth race at Golden Gate Fields, a maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies. D D Dancer is out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Water Trade, was bred by Eagle Oak Ranch, is owned by trainer Jose Bautista. She ran the six furlongs in 1:12.84 and won by 2 ½ lengths at 20-1. ...

POMONA, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2013) — The catalog for Barretts 2014 January Mixed Sale is now on-line and will be mailed soon.  This auction will be held on Monday, January 27 in the Hinds Pavilion located on the grounds of Fairplex Park in Pomona, California beginning at 11:00 a.m.   You can view the catalog now at: http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catjan2014/catalog.asp Among the sires of the yearlings and two-year-olds in the catalog are such stallions as Awesome Gambler, Cape Blanco, Colonel John, Cyclotron, Desert Code, Desert Party, Dixie Chatter, Forestry, Giacomo, Henrythenavigator, Limehouse, Lucky Pulpit, Majestic Warrior, Marino Marini, Midnight Lute, Midshipman,  Northern Afleet, Old Fashioned, Papa Clem, Parading, Scat Daddy, Sierra Sunset, Square Eddie, Surf Cat,, Stormin Fever, The Pamplemousse, Tiz Wonderful, Tribal Rule and Unusual Heat. Among the covering stallions in the catalog are such stallions as Atticus, Calimonco, Coil, Decarchy, Desert Code, Dialed In, Dixie Chatter, Good Journey, Hansen, Heatseeker, Informed, Lucky Pulpit, Marino Marini, Midnight Lute, Papa Clem, Sierra Sunset, Slew’ Tiznow, Square Eddie, The Pamplemousse, Thorn Song, Tizbud, Tribal... ...

By DRF.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2013) – Los Alamitos Race Course received approval from the Cypress City Council on Monday evening to expand its racetrack to a mile in circumference to accommodate Thoroughbred racing in 2014, a construction project track officials said was to begin Tuesday. The council voted 5-0 to approve the expansion after hearing 50 minutes of testimony in favor of the project. There were no speakers in opposition of the plan. Los Alamitos will host five weeks of Thoroughbred racing in 2014, two weeks in July and three weeks in December. The racing dates are part of a revamped Thoroughbred racing schedule in Southern California following the permanent closing of Betfair Hollywood Park on Dec. 22. Santa Anita and Del Mar also will have expanded racing schedules in 2014. Brad McKinzie, a consultant at Los Alamitos who is leading the track’s new Thoroughbred operation, said after Monday’s meeting that the track will begin removing trees Tuesday on the property. The property for the redesigned racetrack is west... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2013) –The CTBA website now includes a Breeders Spotlight feature that will be updated regularly. If you would like to be considered for inclusion, please forward us your answers to the following questions along with a photo: When and how did you first get involved in the Thoroughbred breeding industry? How does your professional background influence your Thoroughbred breeding plan? What has been the highlight of your career in the industry, and what are your ultimate goals? If you could make one change to the industry what would it be? How do you think it would benefit both your business plan and that of others? In five years, do you anticipate having more, less or the same degree of involvement in the industry, and please explain why? Please email responses and photo to: ctbaken@aol.com. ...

                ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2013) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association has redesigned its website, CTBA.com, to be more user-friendly and efficient.                 The redesign has made the site cleaner and more accessible, minimizing clicking and maximizing the user experience for all devices – desktop, smartphone and tablet. The new site utilizes color and navigation schemes to improve the overall ease of use, with a modern look and a horizontal navigation bar. Among the additions is a dedicated front-page breeder spotlight.                 Data from the previous site has been preserved and integrated into the new site, with a fully functional search tool.                 The site was designed by Mad Haus Creative of Monrovia, Calif. ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 6, 2013) — Eight stakes were elevated in or to graded status and 11 were downgraded for 2014 during the meeting of the American Graded Stakes Committee Dec. 4 in Lexington. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82327/eight-stakes-elevated-in-status-for-2014 ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2013) — The California Horse Racing Board is to hold its final meeting of 2013 on Dec. 12 at Santa Anita Park with several items on the agenda related to racing in the state next year after the closure of Betfair Hollywood Park. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82330/chrb-to-meet-as-hollywood-park-closure-nears ...

From Magali Farms SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2013) –Millionaire and multiple GI winner, Richard’s Kid  (Lemon Drop Kid – Tough Broad, by Broad Brush) has been retired and relocated to Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, where he will stand the 2014 season for $4,500. Richard’s Kid won multiple GI races, including the prestigious Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar in back to back years (2009 and 2010) while earning $2,482,259. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to stand Richard’s Kid,” said Tom Hudson of Magali Farms. “I loved this horse as a racehorse. He is a brand in himself. He made 47 starts in his career, which shows great heart and soundness. He ran and won at multiple distances ranging from 1 to 11/2 miles. This coupled with his pedigree and conformation makes him a great choice for California breeders.” Contact Hudson at Magali Farms for an appointment to see Richard’s Kid and the rest of the Magali Farms stallion roster. ...

By Bloodhorse.com                 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 5, 2013) — The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing at 12:30 p.m., Dec. 10 on “The State of Online Gaming.”  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82310/house-subcommittee-to-discuss-internet-gaming ...

By DRF.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2013) — Wagering on U.S. races in November was up 4.4 percent compared to wagering during the same month last year, when many betting outlets in the Northeast were still feeling the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, according to figures released on Wednesday by Equibase. http://www.drf.com/news/november-betting-handle-rises-last-year ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2013) — 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, Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms, E.A. Ranches, Firth Ranch, Fruitful Acres Farm, Harris Farms, Legacy Ranch, Lovacres Ranch, Madera Thoroughbreds, Magali Farms, Milky Way Farm, Old English Rancho, Premier Thoroughbreds, Rancho San Miguel, Rancho Temescal, SK Racing Stable, Special T Thoroughbreds, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Vessels Stallion Farm, Victory Rose Thoroughbreds and Woodbridge Farm.   ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2013) – Odds-on favorite California-bred Look Quickly remained unbeaten by winning Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Look Quickly is by Run Away and Hide, out of the Western Fame mare Flame’s Fame, was bred by William J. Morey, is owned by Morey Family Trust and is trained by William Morey Jr. She has won all four starts with earnings of $125,230. Look Quickly ran the six furlongs in 1:10.09 and won by 13/4 lengths in the field of four. For Look Quickly’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/look+quickly. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2013) – Odds-on favorite Summer Hit cruised to a six-length win in Friday’s $100,000 Grade III Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate. Summer Hit is by Bertrando, out of the Tough Knight mare Mia F Eighteen, was bred by Kenneth and Janice Heidt, is owned by John Carver and Jerry Hollendorfer and is trained by Hollendorfer. Summer Hit has nine wins in 15 starts, earnings of $417,505 and was coming off a seventh in the Sept. 28 Awesome Again. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.65 at odds of 4-5 in the field of five. He earlier won the Grade III All American at Golden Gate. For Summer Hit’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/summer+hit3. ...

                HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 27, 2013) – California-bred Unusual Way romped to her richest victory in Wednesday’s $300,360 Zia Park Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.                 Unusual Way is by Unusual Heat, out of the Great Above mare Way Up, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by Edward Brown Jr. and Philip Lebherz and is trained by Jeff Bonde. She has five wins in 14 starts, earnings of $588,360 and was coming off a ninth in the Sept. 28 Unzip Me Stakes.                 Unusual Way ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.01 and won by six lengths as the 2-1 second choice. For Unusual Way’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/unusual+way. ...

                HOBBS, N.M. (Nov. 27, 2013) – California-bred Wine Thief rallied four-wide through the stretch to win Wednesday’s $55,180 Zia Park Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares.                 Wine Thief is by Benchmark, out of the French Parliament mare Malbay Slew, was bred by Robert and Eileen Osaki and West 12 Ranch, is owned by SEJ Stables and is trained by Justin Evans. She has seven wins in 23 starts, earnings of $150,035 and was coming off a consecutive wins in optional claimers. She ran the six furlongs in 1:10.31 and won by four lengths at odds of 6-1 in the field of eight. For Wine Thief’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/wine+thief. ...

By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com                 TEHACHAPI, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2013) — Let us pause in the public rending of garments over the last days of Hollywood Park in order to give thanks and pay tribute to another Southern California institution sailing into the sunset. http://www.drf.com/news/jay-hovdey-tranquility-farms-fate-needs-industrys-attention ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2013) — Five veteran jockeys, including Scott Stevens – the older brother and early mentor of Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens – and Aaron Gryder, whose major wins include the Dubai World Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Marathon, are the finalists for the 2014 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, it was announced on Wednesday by Santa Anita. http://www.drf.com/news/scott-stevens-gryder-among-woolf-finalists ...

By Paulick Report HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2013) — Stating that there was “no actual evidence presented” to support allegations of animal abuse, a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney has closed an investigation involving the canceled HBO series ‘Luck’ without pressing any charges against those involved in the production of the series. http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/case-closed-no-charges-filed-in-alleged-animal-abuse-on-set-of-hbos-luck/ ...

TEMECULA, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2013) — Hoorayforhollywood, a stakes-placed son of Storm Cat, will stand his first season at stud in 2014 at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, Calif. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82167/hoorayforhollywood-to-debut-at-milky-way-farm ...

By Thousand Oaks Acorn THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2013) — Local horse-racing enthusiasts who can’t make it out to Hollywood Park or Santa Anita can now place their bets to win, place or show at the Mermaid Tavern in Thousand Oaks. http://www.toacorn.com/news/2013-11-21/Business/Step_up_and_place_your_bets.html ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2013) — Dan Ward, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, said that Rousing Sermon, winner of the On Trust Handicap Nov. 24, bounced out of the race well, according to the Betfair Hollywood Park Publicity Department. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again and was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams. Rousing Sermon has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of $682,842 and was coming off a second in the Oct. 31 Big Bear Stakes.   ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2013) – Rousing Sermon outdueled favored Cyclometer through the stretch and won Sunday’s $100,000 On Trust Handicap for Golden State Series eligibles at Betfair Hollywood Park, giving his owners a sweep of the weekend stakes. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. The Williamses and Hollendorfer are also the connections of the Cal-bred Tamarando, who won Saturday’s $100 Real Quiet Stakes. Rousing Sermon has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of $682,842 and was coming off a second in the Oct. 31 Big Bear Stakes. Rousing Sermon ran the 7 ½ furlongs in 1:29.73 and won by a length at odds of 2-1. Cyclometer was second and Mobilized third in the field of eight. For Rousing Sermon’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/rousing+sermon. ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2013) – California-breds He Be Fire N Ice and Big Bane Theory are entered in Friday’s $250,000 Grade II Citation Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park. He Be Fire N Ice is by Unusual Heat, out of the Deputy Commander mare Deputy Tombe, was bred by St. George’s Farm, is owned by Cicero Farms and trained by John Sadler. He has five wins in 15 starts, earnings of $332,330 and is coming off an eighth in the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Big Bane Theory is by Artie Schiller, out of the Alysheba mare Shebane, was bred by owners Scott Gross and Mark Devereaux and is trained by Carla Gaines. He has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $171,640 and is coming off a win in an Oct. 14 optional claimer. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2013) – Summer Hit is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $100,000 Grade III Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate. Summer Hit is by Bertrando, out of the Tough Knight mare Mia F Eighteen, was bred by Kenneth and Janice Heidt, is owned by John Carver and Jerry Hollendorfer and is trained by Hollendorfer. He has eight wins in 14 starts, earnings of $357,505 and is coming off a seventh in the Sept. 28 Awesome Again. ...

GRANTVILLE, Pa. (Nov. 24, 2013) – She’s Ordained is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $150,000 Lady in Waiting Stakes for fillies and mares at Penn National. She’s Ordained is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Not For Love mare Whole Lotta Love, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Ronald Ulrich and trained by Timothy Kreiser. She has 13 wins in 28 starts, earnings of $241,585 and is coming off a win in a Nov. 5 starter’s allowance. ...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2013) – Grade I winner Tamarando rallied from last to pull away and win Saturday’s $100,000 Real Quiet Stakes for 2-year-olds at Betfair Hollywood Park. Tamarando is by Bertrando, out of the Dehere mare Tamarack Bay, was bred by owner Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has three wins in seven starts, earnings of $355,120 and was coming off a third in the Nov. 1 Golden State Juvenile. Third over Santa Anita’s dirt surface in his initial two starts beyond seven furlongs, Tamarando, who won the Del Mar Futurity Sept. 4, will get another crack at a second Grade I victory in the $750,000-guaranteed CashCall Futurity Dec. 14. “We’ve had some chances to prove ourselves with some of our 2-year-olds this year and we’re just thankful for the opportunity,’’ said Hollendorfer. “I think he’ll definitely run in the CashCall Futurity. He just loves the distance.’’ Jockey Rafale Bejarano hopes Tamarando can complete the Real Quiet-CashCall Futurity parlay Liaison did with... ...

SELMA, Tex. (Nov. 10, 2013) – Broadway Missile, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Heatseeker, won Saturday night’s $75,000 El Joven Stakes for 2-year-olds at Retama Park. Broadway Missile is out of the Theatrical mare Theater Fan. He has two wins in five starts, earnings of $61,475 and was coming off a win in a $30,000 maiden claimer at Keeneland Oct. 12. He ran the mile on turf in 1:36.12 and won by a nose at odds of 4-1. For Broadway Missile’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/broadway+missile. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2013) – Salvar, a daughter of California stallion Eddington, sold for $120,000 at Saturday’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Salvar is a 4-year-old out of the Arch mare Bend. She was consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, and was purchased by Lane’s End Bloodstock, in foal to The Factor. ...