By Bloodhorse.com GEORGETOWN, Ky. (Apr. 28, 2023) — Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., announced April 28 the passing of Disturbingthepeace  due to complications from colic. The two-time winner of the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) and earner of over $650,000 was 25. The beautiful bay gelding by Bold Badgett out of Regal Riot, by Sovereign Dancer, was bred in California by Old English Rancho and Patsy McKuen. Disturbingthepeace scored his first win as a 3-year-old in his fourth start in a maiden special weight race at Del Mar Aug. 27, 2001, under the care of trainer Darrell Vienna, and owners David and Rita Milch. He would improve substantially with maturity and strung together six straight wins at 4. Three of those victories were captured at Del Mar in the Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Invitational Handicap (G2), Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2), and his first win in the Pat O’Brien. The win streak began with wins in two allowance races at Santa Anita Park, and one allowance optional claiming race at... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 27, 2023) – A pair of California-breds brought six-figure prices at Thursday’s session of the OBS 2-Year-Old in Training Spring Sale. Hip 843, a Nyquist colt, sold for $400,000 to Slugo Racing. The colt, out of the stakes-placed Square Eddie mare Radish, was bred by Reddam Racing and consigned by Wavertree Stables, agent. He posted a 10.0 second time in the under-tack furlong workout. Hip 834, a colt by Maclean’s Music, sold for $240,000 to Jet Horse LLC. The colt, out of the Bernardini mare Queen Bernardina, was bred by Liberty Road Stables and consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales, agent. A $145,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton California Yearling Sale, he also was timed in 10.1 for one furlong. ...

From National Museum of Racing SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Apr. 25, 2023) — Eight new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The class of 2023 is comprised of jockey Corey Nakatani and the racehorses Arrogate (KY), California Chrome (CA), and Songbird (KY) in the contemporary category; jockey Fernando Toro via the Historic Review Committee; and Pillars of the Turf selections John W. Hanes II, Leonard W. Jerome, and Stella F. Thayer. Arrogate, California Chrome, and Songbird were all elected in their first year of eligibility. The 2023 Hall of Fame class will be enshrined on Friday, Aug. 4, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Museum website at www.racingmuseum.org. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Corey Nakatani, 52, a native of Covina, Calif., won 3,909 races with purse earnings of $234,554,534 in a career that spanned from 1988 through 2018. His 341 graded stakes victories included 10 Breeders’... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 23, 2023)— California-bred Brickyard Ride was in fine fettle Sunday morning after successfully defending his title in the $100,000 Grade III Kona Gold here on Saturday.             “All good,” trainer Craig Lewis said trackside Sunday morning.             In the 6 ½-furlong Kona Gold, odds-on favorite Brickyard Ride sped to the front under Juan Hernandez and clicked off sharp fractions of 21.77 and 43.92 seconds for the opening half mile. He was being pressed throughout by 9-5 second choice Anarchist, who would prove a stubborn foe in his first graded stakes on dirt for trainer Doug O’Neill.              Brickyard Ride continued to motor in the stretch and held a one length advantage when reaching the eighth pole in 1:08.95. He held well in the final furlong, ultimately crossing the wire a half-length winner in a time of 1:15.84. The effort returned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form.            “He’s a warrior. This horse has won 13 races.... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 20, 2023) — California-bred multiple graded winner Slow Down Andy, sidelined since a third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland Nov. 5, had his first work of the year on Sunday for trainer Doug O’Neill. The Grade II winner drilled three furlongs in 36.6 seconds on a track listed as “fast.”             Slow Down Andy was originally slated to return in the GI Malibu here on Dec 26, but that plan was scrapped when O’Neill was not satisfied with how he had been training. Slow Down Andy was sent to owner Paul and Zilla Reddam’s Ocean Breeze Ranch in early February where he was turned out.             Slow Down Andy has four wins in 10 starts with earnings of $909,100. Last year, he won the GIII Sunland Park Derby on dirt and GII Del Mar Derby on turf. In the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Slow Down Andy was forwardly placed throughout before crossing the wire third, less than two lengths behind... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. ( Apr. 16, 2023) — California-bred Luv Luv won Saturday’s $60,000 Wildcat Stakes at Turf Paradise. Luv Luv is by Lakerville, out of the Fasliyev mare Lucera, was bred by Michael Neumann & Francoise Dupuis and is owned by trainer Adam Kitchingman. He has four wins in 27 starts and earnings of $269,750. Luv Luv ran the 1 3/8 miles on turf in 2:14.64 and won by a head at odds of 9-2. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (April 8, 2023)—In a thrilling stretch duel that included some contact, Tim Yakteen’s Kangaroo Court prevailed by a head over Steve Knapp’s Bus Buzz in Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita.  A 3-year-old gelding owned by George Sharp, trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by Flavien Prat, Kangaroo Court got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.66.                 The Echo Eddie is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired 3-year-olds and was one of six stakes on the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Day card.                 With Edwin Maldonado up, Bus Buzz out-footed the winner early, but was engaged to his outside leaving the three furlong pole by Kangaroo Court and the two were head and head from the top of the stretch to the wire, with each horse contributing equally to bumping approaching the eighth pole and again a sixteenth of a mile out.                 After a stewards’ inquiry, the original order of finish was allowed to stand.  ... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (April 8, 2023)—To quote the late, legendary Charlie Whittingham, “It was over when we entered.”  And The Bald Eagle would’ve been right, as Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher pressed Tom’s Regret to the far turn and then opened up to air by 15 ½ lengths in Saturday’s $150,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.  Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Ceiling Crusher got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.18 to remain unbeaten in three starts.                 Presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners, the Evening Jewel attracted a field of five.                 With Abel Cedillo and Tom’s Regret speeding to a narrow early lead, Ceiling Crusher put a head in front mid-way around the turn and from there, her only competition was the clock.                 “All the credit to my filly, she’s really great!” said Hernandez, Santa Anita’s runaway leading rider who registered his meet-leading 13th stakes win.  “Doug brought her ready... ...

From LOSANGELES, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2023) — California Horse Power Coalition (CHPC), a growing partnership of Thoroughbred associations, organizations representing backstretch workers and jockeys, animal wellness advocates and more, announced today the coalition’s commitment to fund the California breakout report as part of the American Horse Council’s California Economic Impact Study.   The American Horse Council consistently produces the most comprehensive national economic impact studies that showcase the vast benefits that the equine industry brings to communities across the country,” said Josh Rubinstein, President of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, an American Horse Council member. “As our industry continues to evolve, we are confident that the results will underscore our industry’s commitment to advancing California’s economy, expanding the travel and tourism industry, and creating a space for friends and family to create unforgettable shared experiences together.”   The American Horse Council’s economic impact studies examine the industry’s contributions to the national GDP as well as individual states, which includes employment, volunteers, equid population, acreage, and more. Each category is also broken... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2023) – California stallion I’m Lock N Load was represented by his first winner on Sunday when Lucky Lockett won the first race at Golden Gate. Lucky Lockett is out of the Lucky Pulpit mare Blue’s Lucky Girl, was bred by owner Carol Anderson and trained by Isidro Tamayo. The 3-year-old filly ran the mile in 1:41.70 and won by one length at odds of 2-1 in a field of six. ...

PISA, Italy (Apr. 5, 2023) — Rio Natal, a 5-year-old Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won Sunday’s listed 42,900 (Euro) Premio 24 Regione Toscana at Hippodromo San Rossore. Rio Natal, out of the Azamour mare Dansalong, ran the 2200 meters on turf in 2:18.80 and won by a length. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, CA (April 1, 2023)—Recently troubled but worry-free today, Harris Farms’ homebred Closing Remarks got a perfect trip in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita and she responded with an authoritative 1 ½ length score under Joe Bravo.  Trained by Carla Gaines, Closing Remarks, the lone California-bred in the field, got one mile on turf in 1:34.82.                 A much-troubled third at the same trip in the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes here on March 4, Closing Remarks was a settled fourth early as recent allowance winner Honey Jar sped to the lead which she held to the quarter pole.  On the move at that point and just two lengths off the lead, Closing Remarks wheeled four-deep into the lane and won as much best.                  “She just leaves the gate so settled and relaxed,” said Bravo, who was aboard for the eighth consecutive time today.  “Carla has done a great job bringing her around in each one of these races.  She... ...

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Mar. 25, 2023) – California-bred Sassy Nature led all the way to win Saturday’s $100,000 Melody of Colors Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park. Sassy Nature is by Straight Fire, out of the After Market mare Renee’s Queen, was bred by Straight Fire LLC, is owned by CTR Stables and trained by Jack Sisterson. The even-money favorite in a field of 10, Sassy Nature has three wins in five starts, earnings of $151,440 and was coming off a Mar. 1 optional claiming win. She ran the five furlongs on turf in :55.50 and won by 2 ¼ lengths. ...

SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2023) – Stakes-winning California stallion Touched by Autism has been relocated to Easterbrook Ranch in San Miguel for the remainder of the 2023 breeding season, owner Johnny Toboada announced. Touched by Autism, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, is a 10-year-old son of Sierra Sunset who won the 2018 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate, one of his eight career wins. His first foals arrived this year. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Mar. 22, 2023) – A graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale sold for $100,000 in Wednesday’s session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sale 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The Cat Burglar colt, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Janice Sue, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, consigned by Triple J Equine Sales and was purchased by Michael Pender, agent for Fihn Holdings. He was timed in 9.4 for on furlong in the under-tack workout. A half-brother to the stakes-placed Sharetheblame, the colt sold for $4,500 to Juan Zamora at the Northern California Yearling Sale. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, CA (March 19, 2023)—First by a millimeter, heavily favored The Chosen Vron found a way to get it done in Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita as he had show punters looking for a bridge to jump from before the photo finish came down.  Owned in-part and trained by Eric Kruljac, The Chosen Vron nosed out a game Kings River Knight while getting about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.97 under Hector Berrios as the pair posed for their sixth consecutive win in what was The Chosen Vron’s 10th career stakes victory.                 The Sensational Star is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 Ridden by Flavien Prat, Kings River Knight took the lead from Fast Buck at the half mile pole and these two went head and head for the front approaching the dirt crossing at the top of the lane as The Chosen Vron, who was bothered by an erratic... ...

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2023) – American Farmer stalked the pace, moved up to challenge the leaders approaching the quarter pole, put away pacesetter Jimmy Blue Jeans at the furlong pole, and out-finished runner up Crazy Dreams for a hard-fought, half-length victory in the signature race of the day at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, the $75,000 McCann’s Mojave Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles. Winning jockey William Antongeorgi III guided American Farmer to victory for trainer Steve Sherman.           The McCann’s Mojave, named in honor of the California-bred millionaire owned and bred by Santa Anita Publicity Director Mike Willman, was one of three new races for California-bred or sired runners added to the Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet stakes schedule this year. As a racehorse, McCann’s Mojave won the 2007 Grade 3 All American 2008 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate. He was victorious in the Sunshine Millions Classic in 2007, the California Cup Classic in 2005, and the Grade 2... ...

FLORENCE, Ky. (Mar. 17, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Opening Buzz rallied through the stretch to win Friday night’s $97,550 WEBN Frog Stakes for fillies and mares at Turfway Park. A multiple stakes winner, Opening Buzz is by Stanford, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Open Mic, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jonathan Wong. She has five wins in eight starts and earnings of $201,993. She ran the six furlongs in 1:09.62 and won by a neck at odds of 3-2. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2023) — Alice Marble’s productive winter at Santa Anita continued Friday with a second-straight stakes win in the 6 1/2-furlong Irish O’Brien Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares, which was scheduled for the hillside turf course but moved to the main track.             Trainer Phil D’Amato Saturday morning said the Nick Alexander homebred “came out of the race in good shape” and would likely target a two-turn race for her next start. A leading possibility is the Fran’s Valentine Stakes, a one-mile turf race for California-breds which Alice Marble won last year.             “We’ll check out our options, but the Fran’s Valentine would be a logical choice,” D’Amato said.             In the Irish O’Brien, Alice Marble stalked the pace in second under Flavien Prat before taking over near the quarter pole and crossing the wire a 1 ¼-length winner. The runner-up, Rose Maddox, finished well in an encouraging effort after having to check hard on the turn. Rose Maddox,... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2023) — Last Monday, Nashoba’s Key was inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame for a brilliant 10-race career that spanned just 14 months starting in January 2007.             Carla Gaines, who trained Nashoba’s Key for owner-breeder Warren B. Williamson, was on hand for the ceremony. She reminisced on the life and times of Nashoba’s Key earlier this week.             “This means a lot,” Gaines said of the induction. “She was just a consummate, tenacious racehorse. She so deserves this.”             Nashoba’s Key didn’t debut until January of her 4-year-old season. She would win her first seven starts, all in Southern California, including the Grade I Yellow Ribbon, Grade I Vanity Handicap, Grade II Clement L. Hirsch and Grade II Milady Handicap. The streak was finally snapped in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at a rainy Monmouth Park when she finished fourth, beaten about two lengths by Lahudood.             “I gave Joe Talamo specific instructions, don’t... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2023) – California stallion Gato Del Oro was represented by his first winner on Thursday when Storm d’Oro won the eighth race at Santa Anita. Storm d’Oro is a 3-year-old filly out of the Distorted Humor mare Sardonic, was bred by BG Thoroughbred Farm, which is also co-owner with Royalty Stable, and is trained by Hector Palma. She won by seven lengths at odds of 2-1 in a field of seven and ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:19.61. Gato Del Oro, a son of Medaglia d’Oro, stands at BG Thoroughbred Farm in Hemet. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2023) – Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will hold eight stakes restricted to Golden State Series eligibles worth a total of $1.15 million at this year’s 84th season of racing. “We’ve got a stakes schedule that mirrors our record program of last year,” noted Del Mar vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. “We made a couple of very minor tweaks, but otherwise it’s the same offerings at the same value that our horsemen and women found especially pleasing last year.” As it has for decades, the $100,000 Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds on the grass will kick off the proceedings on opening day. And closing day – Sunday, September 10 – once more will be headlined by the Grade I, $300,000 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs, the championship event for 2-year-olds at the session. The track’s six Grade I affairs are led by the FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic, of course, but also include the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes for... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2023) — Grade I winner Fun to Dream added the title of 2022 California-bred Horse of the Year to her resume, it was announced at the CTBA Awards Dinner on Monday night at Le Meridien Hotel. Fun to Dream is by Arrogate, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, was bred by Connie Pageler & Bob Baffert, is owned by Natalie J. Baffert & Pageler and trained by Bob Baffert. She had already been named champion Cal-bred 3-year-old female and sprinter and her dam was named Cal-bred broodmare of the year. “I did this, it was a crazy thing, I called Garrett O’Rourke at Juddmonte and I told him I’m going to do something really crazy, I’m sending you a mare that I claimed for $8,000,” said Bob Baffert, who was voted Trainer of the Year. “I saw those guys with California Chrome and an $8,000 mare and thought, why can’t we do that? I told Connie, we’re going to breed her to Arrogate, one of... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 2, 2023)–Safe to say Bill Spawr, 83, who announced earlier this week that he had disbanded his stable, perhaps did more with less over a remarkable 46-year career as a public trainer than most all of his contemporaries.                 A star running back at Downey High School who got hooked on racing while working as a part time clerk in a local liquor store that served up Daily Racing Form, Bill Spawr, who was born on Dec. 13, 1939 in Bell, CA, gravitated to the racetrack full-time at age 23 and gained invaluable experience as a veterinarian assistant for 14 years, prior to forming a public stable in 1977.                 Although he was never positioned to receive a steady influx of well-bred talent, Spawr’s successes came largely through the claim box and via a time-tested formula for doing well—hard work.  With 1,709 career wins, Spawr amassed two Winter/Spring training titles at Santa Anita, in 1991 and 1996, two titles at the track’s Oak... ...

From DMTC Publicity Del Mar Thoroughbred Club projected its most lucrative racing season ever last summer, then backed it up with a record-breaking meet that saw purse levels total above $25-million for the session resulting in an unprecedented average purse payout of more than $800,000 per day. Those numbers, the highest in California racing history, are in the track’s sights once again with the aim, amazingly enough, to go even bigger and better for this year’s 31-day stand, which will be the iconic track’s 84th season. As it did in 2022, the seaside oval will present 39 major stakes, six of which are designated as Breeders’ Cup Challenges races, offering a total of $8,275,000 during its eight-week summer run. It also will continue its highly successful “Ship & Win” program to attract more horses to come and take part in the summer festivities and continue with its well-received Maiden Dirt Bonus plan, which was fully implemented last summer. Del Mar’s summer meet set records in 2022 with more than $18.7 million... ...

By DRF.com SARATOGA, N.Y. (Feb. 28, 2023) — First-time eligible Thoroughbred champions Arrogate, California Chrome, Lady Eli, and Songbird are among six new names that will appear on the ballot for the first time for possible election into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was announced on Tuesday. Trainer John Sadler along with retired trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, though previously eligible, are also newcomers to the Hall of Fame ballot. The aforementioned quartet of horses join previously nominated racehorses Blind Luck, Game On Dude, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, and Rags to Riches on the ballot. Sadler and McLaughlin join previously nominated trainers Christophe Clement, Graham Motion, Doug O’Neill, and John Shirreffs for consideration. Corey Nakatani, who has been on the ballot the last several years, is the only jockey who appears on the ballot this year. Hall of Fame voters may select as many candidates as they deem worthy of induction. To gain election, each candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote from the voting... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (Jan. 27, 2023) – California stallions are making an impact in the Pacific Northwest, as the recently held Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association annual awards demonstrated. Three of the awards were presented to horses sired by California stallion. They were: Slew’s Tiz Whiz, a son of Slew’s Tiznow, was named Richard Wright Memorial Horse of the Year and Scatter Training Center champion holder horse; Blazingbellablu, a daughter of Grazen, was named champion older filly or mare; The Big Wam, a son of Mr. Big, was named champion 2-year-old male.   ...

From Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2023) — The Breeders’ Cup, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end global championship event, announced that the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships would take place at Del Mar next year, marking the third time the Southern California track will serve as host of the two-day event. The 2024 dates for the Breeders’ Cup are Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships consists of 14 grade 1 races with purses and awards totaling more than $31 million, drawing the many of the world’s best horses, trainers, and jockeys to compete. An event that rotates among host sites, the Breeders’ Cup has been staged exclusively in California and Kentucky since 2008. Fans interested in ticket information for the 2024 World Championships can sign up here. “We are delighted to announce that the World Championships will be returning to Del Mar next year for what is sure to be an unforgettable two-year-run on the West Coast,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup president and CEO. “Breeders’ Cup has always been a... ...

Press release from EquiRing LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 23, 2023) – EquiRing, in conjunction with Adrian Gonzalez of Checkmate Thoroughbreds, will be joining forces to create a sales venue for the California market. The first sale will be held in April and will have a focus on two-year olds, horses in training, and current proven horses that might have a particularly interesting update.  This will be open to breeding stock as well. Adrian Gonzalez discussed the market, saying, “California is a vibrant market with great owners and breeders. We are hungry for a consistent and efficient way to trade horses. We have worked with EquiRing and enjoyed success with our stallion season auctions, and we look forward to building on that success with this venture.” Jamie LaMonica, President of EquiRing, said, “Adrian is a rising star in the business and is knowledgeable in all aspects of the game. We could not be more delighted and enthusiastic to be working together on this project. California has some of the best racing and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2023)—In another thoroughly dominant performance, the Eric Kruljac-trained The Chosen Vron made every pole a winning one as he amassed his ninth career stakes victory by taking Monday’s $100,000 Tiznow Stakes by 6 ½ lengths.  Ridden by Hector Berrios, the 5-year-old gelding by Vronsky got a flat mile in 1:36.16.                 The Tiznow, for older horses, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 Breaking like a shot from his outside post, The Chosen Vron was immediately in control in the run to the Club House turn and although pressed by eventual runner-up Leyas Candy to his outside, shook clear while in-hand at the top of the lane and was only running against the clock the final three sixteenths of a mile.                 “It was a huge effort for him,” said Kruljac.  “Coming back off of the sprint (a neck victory in the six furlong Cal Cup Sprint on Jan. 7) where he used himself... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2023)—Although in top recent form on grass, Nick Alexander’s homebred Alice Marble proved invincible in taking Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita, as she rallied from off the pace under Flavien Prat to win by 1 ¾ emphatic lengths and is thus unbeaten in four tries on the main track. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Alice Marble got six furlongs in 1:10.29. The Spring Fever is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Quick from her rail post, but content to let a threesome of Doris Mae, Chancery Way and Eddie’s New Dream duke it out on the front end, Prat bided his time to deep stretch, where he found a seam between horses a furlong out and burst clear in short order. “She broke well, I was traveling super,” said Prat, who recommended Alice Marble run in today’s Spring Fever instead of against open company going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2023) — In turf sprints at Del Mar and Santa Anita and 1,000-yard races at Los Alamitos, California-bred See Through It was unbeatable in his final five starts of 2022. It turns out the versatile 6-year-old gelding can handle the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields just fine, too. In his debut on the surface, See Through It closed from sixth in a field of eight to win his Thoroughbred stakes debut in Saturday’s $76,350 El Dorado Shooter Stakes for California-breds at six furlongs. See Through It is by Curlin to Mischief, was bred by Los Alamitos owner Dr. Ed Allred, is owned by Belico Racing LLC and Lizbeth Medina and trained by Milton Pineda. He has 11 wins in 30 starts and earnings of $250,694. Ridden by Brayan Pena, See Through It ($21) caught 8-5 favorite Top Harbor in the final sixteenth to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:09.18. Top Harbor led in the stretch and held second, finishing... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 18, 2023) – Longshot California-bred Special Moment rallied from last to win Saturday’s $60,000 Startac Stakes for 3-year-olds at Turf Paradise. Special Moment is by Stanford, out of the Blame mare Blame It Onthesong, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Chris Aulds and Gaylon McGee and trained by Bart Hone. He has two wins in seven starts, earnings of $59,669 and was coming off a maiden optional claiming win. Special Moment ran the 7 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:32.19 and won by three-quarters of a length and odds of 13-1 in a field of nine. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 18, 2023) – Favored California-bred Don’t Get Pickled rallied from the back of the pack to win Saturday’s $60,000 Princess of Palms Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turf Paradise. Don’t Get Pickled is by Misremembered, out of the Successful Appeal mare C C’s Pride, was bred by Harry and Cheryl Keshian, is owned by H. M. A. Stable and trained by Miguel Hernandez. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $68,051 and was coming off a second in the ATBA 3-Year-Old Sales Stakes. She ran the 7 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:32.22 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 5-2 in a field of eight. ...

Press Release from Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal PIRU, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2023)—In a major move to make Thoroughbred racing partnerships more accessible, fun and affordable, the successful team of California-based owner Tim Cohen of Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal and Kentucky-based bloodstock agent Joe Miller of Kern Thoroughbreds are launching Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners (RTTP). This new boutique initiative will allow individuals to tap into a winning formula that has yielded dozens of stakes winners and top ownership honors at Del Mar and Santa Anita Park, primarily through the acquisition and import of quality international runners.   Founded by the late Jed Cohen, Tim’s father, Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal utilizes Miller’s expertise to identify and acquire race-ready European and North American bloodstock through public and private purchases. This finely tuned business model has yielded multiple Grade 1 winner Janet (GB), Grade 1 winner River Boyne (Ire) and multiple Grade 1 winner and 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Dr. Schivel, among other notable color bearers, while boosting the Cohen family’s... ...

Press Release from Arroyo Vista Farm VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2023) — Visitant, a multiple stakes winner of 11 races in 20 career starts, a track-record holder with earnings of over $676,000 by the very popular sire Ghostzapper, has been retired from racing and will begin his stallion career in 2023 at Arroyo Vista Farm in Southern California. Visitant is a homebred owned by Henry Williamson of Williamson Racing LLC, and has been part of the generationally successful thoroughbreds campaigned in California and Kentucky under those silks. The 7-year-old horse is out of the black-type mare, Peppermint Lounge, by Distorted Humor, who had four wins in just six starts for Williamson Racing and trainer Carla Gaines in Southern California. Visitant’s stud fee is set at an introductory rate of $2,500 live foal stand and nurse guarantee. “Visitant is our number one earning homebred male horse of all time and leads all runners in number of wins. He has been versatile, winning stakes races from six furlongs to a 1-1/8... ...

ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2023) — John Barr, prominent California breeder and owner for the past half century and past president of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away on Sunday. He was 93. Barr and wife, Betty, raced under the nom de course Oakcrest Stable. In addition to his 25 years of service on the CTBA Board of Directors, Barr served as president and director of the Oak Tree Racing Association, the Board of Stewards of The Jockey Club and for five years on the Board of Directors for Breeders’ Cup Ltd. In addition, the Army veteran served on the Board of Directors and was the Treasurer of the Richard Nixon President Library & Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda. At the racetrack, Barr’s stable included California Cup Distaff winner Bountiful Dreamer, multiple stakes winner Bob’s Lady, stakes winner and prolific broodmare Beverly Z., Real Good Deal Stakes winner Waingarth and Fran’s Valentine Stakes winner Bert’s Melody. In a 2016 California Thoroughbred profile, Barr explained that his career, which began in... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2023)—Ridden with supreme confidence by Juan Hernandez, California-bred Fun to Dream made short work of five rivals as she rallied from off the pace to take Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes by 2 ½ lengths.  Bred in-part and trained by Bob Baffert, the 4-year-old daughter of Arrogate got seven furlongs in 1:22.75.                 Unhurried out of the gate, Fun to Dream, the 1-2 favorite in a field of six older fillies and mares, was fifth, about two lengths off the lead at the three furlong pole and in very tight quarters.  Hernandez played it cool though and split horses while three-deep at the top of the lane and easily inhaled a well-meant Awake At Midnyte inside the furlong pole.                 “Juan rides her with so much confidence,” said Baffert, who got his second stakes win on the afternoon.  “He has gotten a chance to ride these good horses and that’s what he does—Is ride them with such confidence hoping they... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2023) — Santa Anita will conduct live racing on Friday, Feb. 24, which was a scheduled dark day.  First post time will be at 12:30 p.m. The card has been added as a makeup for weather-related cancellations earlier in the Classic Meet. ...

Press Release from Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2023) — Grade 1 winner Cistron sired his first reported foal, a filly out of the Acclamation mare Patriot Missile, born Jan. 30 at Harris Farms. A fourth generation Harris Farms homebred, she is the first foal from her dam, a half-sister to the G3-placed stakes winner Super Patriot ($371,554). The second dam Patriot C H is a half-sister to the Harris homebred G3 stakes winner Lucky J. H. ($632,065). This is the family of numerous G1 stars including City of Light, Cacoethes and Fabulous Notion. A stakes-placed winner at 2, Cistron won Oaklawn ‘s Northern Spur Stakes at 3 and graded stakes victories on both dirt and turf at 5 and 6 in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), Kona Gold Stakes (G2) and San Simeon Stakes (G3T) while earning $768,719 for owner Hronis Racing. Cistron is one of four graded winners from the first crop of the multiple War Front G1 winner The Factor. He stands his second season at Harris Farms for $3,500 Live Foal. ...

 2023-winter-sales-result.pdf (ctba.com) ...

Sale Results: 2023-winter-sales-result.pdf (ctba.com) POMONA, Calif. (Jan. 31 2023) – Poster Girl, a stakes-placed broodmare in foal to California stallion Halladay, sold for $70,000 to top Tuesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale at Fairplex. The 10-year-old Poster Girl, by English stallion Excellent Art and consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, was purchased by Cedros Bloodstock. She has a yearling filly by More Than Ready. The highest-priced 2-year-old at the sale was Rachael’s Ride, a California-bred filly by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Bodemeister mare Slalom, bred by Tony Busching and Carol Busching and purchased for $43,000 by Nick J. Hines, agent for M. Nentwig. Hines and Nentwig also combined to purchase a 2-year-old Cal-bred filly by Om, out of the stake-placed Good Journey mare Kathleen Rose and a 2-year-old Sir Prancealot colt out of the stakes-placed Havana Gold mare Nonna Giana. Both sold for $33,000. A 2-year-old Sir Prancealot filly, out of the Candy Ride filly Candy Forest, sold for $40,000 to Jeff Bonde. There were 90 horses sold for... ...

By DRF.com SUNLAND Park, N.M. (Jan. 29, 2023) – California-bred One in Vermillion won his third consecutive stakes race Sunday, when he came back along the rail after being passed for a length victory in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park. One in Vermillion is out of the Any Given Saturday mare Given Star, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Jonathan Kalman and trained by Esteban Martinez. He has three wins in four starts, earnings of $149,620 and was coming off a win in the Dec. 21 Lost in the Fog.   How Did He Do That was a fast-closing second, finishing three lengths clear of third-place finisher Loudmouthsoup.   The Riley Allison, which was run at one mile, served as the first of two local steppingstones to the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Derby on March 26. It also was one of four stakes on the card, including the $65,000 Borderplex won by Christian d’Oro. The Borderplex is one of two local preps for the $300,000... ...

FLORENCE, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2023) – Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ homebred Opening Buzz, a graduate of the Northern California Yearling Sale, won Saturday’s $97,852 Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway Park. Opening Buzz is by Stanford, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Open Mic and was trained by Jonathan Wong. Opening Buzz has four wins in six starts, earnings of $152,585 and was coming off a Dec. 1 allowance win. She ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.65 and won by one length, paying $5.54 for a $2 win bet as the second choice in a field of 11. ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Jan.28, 2023) — Rose Maddox closed from fifth along the inside in the final furlong to win the first stakes of her career in Saturday’s $75,900 Moscow Burning Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields. Ridden by Assael Espinoza, Rose Maddox ($8.40) closed from seventh in a field of eight to finish a length in front of 7-5 favorite Chancery Way. Rose Maddox was timed in 1:38.67 for a mile on the synthetic main track. Chancery Way was beaten for the first time in her fifth start in the Moscow Burning. Chancery Way set early fractions of 23.90 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.57 for a half-mile, leading by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining. Chancery Way finished three-quarters of a length in front of 48-1 Shezarunaway, who closed from last and was briefly second in the stretch. :: DRF Bets players have exclusive access to FREE DRF Past Performances – Classic or Formulator! Join today.  Momma Mocca finished fourth, followed by... ...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Jan. 28, 2023) — Pagan, a 5-year-old Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancelot, ran his win streak to three by taking Friday’s Dirt Sprint Qualifier at King Abdulaziz Race Course. Pagan has seven wins in 27 starts and earings of $260,994 (AUD). He ran the 1200 meters in 1:13.40. ...

Press Release from Checkmate Thoroughbreds PARKFIELD, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2023) — Grade 1 winner Halladay sired his first reported foal when a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare Katie’s Heat was born on Jan. 17 at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkfield, Calif. Owned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds LLC, Hector and Denise Cuevas, Raul Montenegro, and Javier Montenegro, Katie’s Heat is a daughter of California Broodmare of the Year Miss Soft Sell, who produced multiple G1 winner Brother Derek, winner of the Hollywood Derby (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) en route to earnings of more than $1.6 million. Katie’s Heat is a half-sister to Dontsellmeshort, a multiple stakes winner of $402,365, Sister Kate, multiple stakes winner of $282,186, and Swizzle Stick, a stakes-placed earner of $129,964. Grade 1-Winner HALLADAY, was represented by his first foal on January 17th with a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare KATIE’S HEAT who was foaled at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkfield California.   Halladay- a G1 winning son of... ...

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2023) — The State of California’s Caltrans agency is doing construction in and around Golden Gate Fields.  The horsemen’s lot and overflow parking lot will be repaved and realigned starting January 23rd. If the weather cooperates, this phase of the project is expected to take 5-6 weeks to complete.  Please take caution and plan a little bit more arrival time during the construction. Turf Club We are pleased to announce that the Golden Gate Fields Turf Club will be open on all Fridays starting February 3rd and all Monday holidays during live racing for the remainder of the Winter-Spring meet.  We hope this will provide an additional opportunity for owners to come and enjoy the Turf Club amenities and food. Exacta Café – Coming Soon! We are also excited to announce that the Gift Shop on the second level of the grandstand is being converted into a coffee shop.  Called the ‘Exacta Café,’  this new addition will provide a convenient and enjoyable... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity       ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2023) — California-bred Brickyard Ride, a seven-time stakes winner for trainer Craig Lewis, continued preparations for his 6-year-old bow when drilling six furlongs Thursday at Santa Anita.       Brickyard Ride completed the move in 1:12.80, which was the fastest of five works at the distance. The full horse by Clubhouse Ride has been off since last May when he finished fifth in the Grade II Triple Bend.        “He went great, really doing well,” Lewis said from Clocker’s Corner after his charge cooled out.       The work on Thursday was Brickyard Ride’s sixth since Dec. 9. Lewis indicating he’s getting close to a race, but nothing has been decided at this point.       “When he’s ready he’ll tell me. It’s a long year,” the trainer noted.       A homebred for Alfred A. Pais, Brickyard Ride has racked up a record of 23-12-1-1 with earnings of $744,977. His biggest wins... ...

Press release from Thoroughbred Information Agency SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2023)—Grade 1-winning millionaire Mo Forza, the highest earner by leading sire Uncle Mo standing outside Kentucky, was represented by his firstborn foal on January 10: a filly out of the multiple winner Californiasunshine who was foaled in California.   Owned by Alice Bamford, Californiasunshine was the first of 99 mares bred to the Rancho San Miguel stallion in 2022. Her 2023 Mo Forza filly is the fourth offspring for the 10-year-old Lucky Pulpit mare, whose first foal, Sweet California, was a Santa Anita Park winner at 2 last year.   “She is quite a character already, thrilling everyone with her looks,” Bamford said of the Mo Forza filly, whom she owns with her co-breeder, Ann Eysenring. “In addition to being correct, she is a beautiful mover and a very good reason for her mama to return to Mo Forza next year.”   Mo Forza won seven graded stakes races in Southern California from 2019 through 2021, highlighted by the... ...

Press Release from Milky Way Farm TEMECULA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2023) — Milky Way Farm in Temecula is proud to announce they have been selected to stand the very popular race horse, Tizamagician, a son of Tiznow out of Magic Union by Dixie Union.  Trained by Richard Mandella for Spendthrift and Myracehorse,  Tizamagician earned $741,851,   with major accomplishments winning the Cougar 11  (Gr 3) at Del Mar and Tokyo City Cup (GR 3).    He also thrilled his connections by finishing 2nd in the TVG Pacific Classic (GR 1) as well as 2nd in the Brooklyn Stakes (GR 2) at Belmont and 2nd in the San Pasquel Stakes (GR 2) at Santa Anita.  His stud fee will be announced soon. ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2022) — Golden Gate Fields officials, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) have joined forces to add three stakes races to the 2023 Golden Gate Winter/Spring meet schedule. The trio of stakes are a part of the Golden State Series, a stakes schedule throughout the year designed specifically for California-bred or sired horses. Del Mar, Golden Gate, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita all conduct numerous Golden State Series races throughout the calendar year.         Nominations close on Thursday for the inaugural running of the Moscow Burning, for California-bred or sired fillies and mares 4-years-old and upward at one mile on the Tapeta main track. The race is slated for next Saturday, January 21. On Saturday, March 18, Golden Gate presents the first edition of the McCann’s Mojave, for state-bred 4-year-olds and upward at one mile and an eighth on the Tapeta. The final stake of the Winter/Spring meet is also the last of the... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2023) — Longtime breeder and owner Mary Clare Schmitt, wife of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board member and vice chairperson George Schmitt, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 10. She was 77. Mary Clare was born in Butte, Montana as the second daughter of John Joseph and Patricia Sullivan. A lifelong practicing Catholic, Clare and George Schmitt were married on February 19, 1966 in Butte. She had nine brothers and sisters and has a myriad of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She bore three children and is blessed with six grandchildren. Daughter Joan Marie, married to Jeff Hawkins, has three lovely and smart granddaughters: Madison, Noel and Isabela. Son George the 8th, married to Jennifer, also has three children: Mary Grace, George the 9th, and Gavin, all smart and athletically gifted. She is now in heaven with her third child, John Joseph Schmitt, who died in 1983. She attended Catholic schools in Butte and college at the Montana lnstitute of Technology and Carroll College. She is an Honorary... ...

POMONA, Calif. (Jan 10, 2023) – Six horses have been supplemented to the CTBA’s Winter Mixed Sale, including a half-sister to recent California-bred Grade I winner Fun to Dream. The supplements are now online at 2023 Index to Supplemental Entries | CTBA. Acclaim the Queen is by Acclamation, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess. Acclaim the Queen earned $68,884 on the track and sells in foal to Finnegans Wake. Her half-sister, Fun to Dream, won the Grade I La Brea Stakes Dec. 26. Stakes winner Heck Yeah is a full sibling to Acclaim the Queen, who is consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds. Checkmate Thoroughbreds also consigned the supplemental entries Luckfromabove, an Irish-bred mare in foal to Halladay and the producer of two winners by Straight Fire; and D’s Lovely Sophia, a Big Bad Leroybrown mare with winnings of $168,143 that sells as a racing or broodmare prospect. Easterbrook Livestock Management is the consignor of three supplements. They are: Ultimate Assay, an unraced 4-year-old colt by Point of Entry; Hard But... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2023) – Grade I-placed California-bred California Kook sold for $170,000 as a racing or broodmare prospect at Monday’s opening Session of the Keeneland January Sale. California Kook is a 6-year-old by Boisterous, out of the Comic Strip mare Kukaluka, was bred by Wachtel Stable & Gary Barber, consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, and was purchased by Nicoma, agent for JLM Estates. California Kook has four wins and earnings of $323,681. She was second in the Del Mar Oaks. She’s a full sister to stakes winner Kookie Gal. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Thirsty John could appear in a stakes for 3-year-olds anywhere in the nation after winning his stakes debut in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby for statebreds at Santa Anita. The win had breeder and co-owner Terry Lovingier eager to try Thirsty John in a Triple Crown prep race, pending conversations with trainer Peter Miller. “I told Peter, ‘We’ll travel anywhere and do anything you want to do,’ ” Lovingier said Saturday afternoon. Thirsty John, a son of Stay Thirsty co-owned by Tom London and Eugene Zondlo, won his debut in a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita last May. The California Cup Derby was his second start. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Thirsty John ($6.60) led throughout and held off a late threat from 8-5 Giver Not a Taker to win the California Cup Derby by a half-length while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.51. “He’ll get five to 10 lengths [benefit] off of that,” Lovingier said of Thirsty John. “I’m excited about... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—In the final race of the day on California Cup Day Saturday at Santa Anita, one of the state’s longest and most successful Thoroughbred owner/breeders, John Harris, witnessed his homebred Coalinga Road rally to take the $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank by neck under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.  Trained by Carla Gaines, Coalinga Road got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:49.79.                 The Unusual Heat Turf Classic is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 Content to stalk the early leaders into the first turn, Coalinga Road was fourth, about two off Kings River Knight with three quarters of a mile to run.  Leaving the three furlong pole, Velazquez was on the move three-deep, gradually overtook Kings River Knight inside the sixteenth pole while prevailing over the onrushing Aligato and Luvluv on the money.                 Bred and owned by Harris Farms, Inc., Coalinga Road, who... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—In an agonizingly tight finish, the Jeff Mullins-trained Grazed My Heart was up to win Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks by a nose, giving jockey Hector Berrios his second stakes win on Cal Cup Day at Santa Anita.  A 3-year-old filly by Grazen, Grazed My Heart got one mile on turf in 1:37.41.                 The Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners.                 Last, about seven lengths off pacesetter and eventual runner-up Sell the Dream three furlongs out, Grazed My Heart hugged the rail around the turn, angled three-deep at the furlong pole and managed to get up in time. “At the three-eighths pole what was going through my mind was, you have a lot of work to do buddy and at about that time here she comes,” said Mullins. “I could see she had a big run in her and all she needed was... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Away since May 14 and in only his second career start, Terry Lovingier’s homebred Thirsty John proved too much for six fellow California-breds on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he went to the front and took the $200,000 California Cup Derby by a half length under Juan Hernandez.  Trained by Peter Miller, the 3-year-old colt by Stay Thirsty got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:45.51.                 The Cal Cup Derby is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. “I was confident that he’s a good horse,” said Lovingier. “With all the rain and stuff, we couldn’t get works over this track with him. But I thought if he’s good enough, he’d be able to get it done and he is a very, very good horse and visually to look at him he’s a pretty horse. Really well put together. He hung in there and without working on this track. He worked one time and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Two for two down Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course coming into Saturday’s $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, presented by John Deere, the Carla Gaines-conditioned Big Summer was all heart in winning her biggest race to date by three quarters of a length.  Ridden by Joe Bravo, Big Summer, a 5-year-old mare by Mr. Big, got about 6 ½ furlongs down the hill in 1:13.10. The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired runners. “She’s just got a great finishing kick,” said Gaines. “She breaks and she settles and when Joe calls on her, she goes, she’s perfect. The ownership makes the Cal-Breds special, the people who breed them, thank you.” Bred by Bob Abrams and Michael Dutko, Big Summer, who is out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Ultimate Summer, is owned by Robert Abrams, Mitchell Dutko and Michael Paran. Big Summer’s siblings include stakes winners... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity   ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Although he took intense pace pressure to the three sixteenths pole, heavily favored The Chosen Vron managed to dig deep and find more when it counted as he held off a late charging Big City Lights by a neck to win Saturday’s $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Hector Berrios and trained by Eric Kruljac, The Chosen Vron got six furlongs in 1:08.96.                 The first of five statebred stakes on Cal Cup Day at Santa Anita, the Cal Cup Sprint is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired runners.                 Although Berrios said following the race that his intention was not to go to the early lead, that’s where The Chosen Vron took him from his number four post position and he was immediately engaged to his outside by Resilient and the pair went head and head through scintillating splits of 22.07, 44.36 and 56.60.                 Three sixteenths out, the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity       ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2023) — California-bred Fashionably Fast, a six-time stakes winner for breeder and co-owner Harris Farms, has been retired. Trainer Dean Pederson said the 7-year-old gelding was sent last week to Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., where he will reside.         “He’ll have a great life there,” Pederson said. “Mr. (John) Harris will take really good care of him.”        By Lucky Pulpit, Fashionably Fast compiled a record of 33-10-8-7 in five seasons of racing with $807,143 in earnings. His final race was a fifth-place finish in the Oct. 8 Harris Farms Stakes at Fresno. Fashionably Fast’s six stakes wins included two additions of the Harris Farms Stakes at Fresno (2019, 2020), two runnings of the Tiznow Stakes for state-breds (2020, 2021), the 2020 California Cup Sprint Stakes and 2019 Cary Grant Stakes.           Fashionably Fast had been breezing at Santa Anita towards a possible tilt in this year’s edition of... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 1, 2023) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul finally won the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap in his fourth try at Turf Paradise on Sunday. Minister of Soul, who turned 9 on Sunday, is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 16 wins in 49 starts, earnings of $496,470 and was coming off a win in a Nov. 28 optional claimer as the 1-10 favorite. He was third in this race last year and fifth in 2019 and 2018. He ran the five furlongs in :57.06 and won by 1 ¼ lengths at odds of 4-5 in a field of nine. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2022)—A California bred daughter of 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate, Bob Baffert’s Fun to Dream, in her first graded stakes assignment, demonstrated her immense talent on Monday at Santa Anita, as she rallied to take the Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes under Juan Hernandez, giving Baffert his fourth overall win on the day and a homebred victory in North America’s final Grade I test for 3-year-old fillies.  Out of the Maria’s Mon mare Lutess, Fun to Dream got seven furlongs in 1:21.99 and provided both Hernandez (who notched his third overall win) and Baffert with two stakes wins each on the day with a pair of Grade I events, the Runhappy Malibu and the American Oaks remaining on the opening day card.                 Breaking sharply from her number five post position, Fun to Dream was just a half length off dueling leaders Ganadora and Ain’t Easy three furlongs from home.  With stablemate Ganadora dropping back at the rail leaving the... ...

By DRF.com Eight Rings had a dynamic start to his racing career in the summer and fall of 2019, winning a maiden race in his debut at Del Mar and the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita in his third outing. As the most prominent new stallion in California in 2023, Eight Rings has a chance for a splashy beginning to his stud career as well. By Empire Maker, Eight Rings will stand the 2023 breeding season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez for a fee of $7,500, the highest price among a small number of new stallions in the state. A $520,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland in 2018, Eight Rings was retired earlier this year after winning 3 of 14 starts. He earned $474,451, all in a four-season campaign for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles was the lone stakes win for Eight Rings, who raced for a large partnership that included Coolmore Stud, Golconda Stable, Madaket Stable,... ...

By DRF.com California-bred Indian Charlie stood his entire stud career outside of his home state, and it was a relatively brief career at that. The stallion died at age 16, following a battle with cancer. But Indian Charlie left a sizeable influence on the breed that is continuing to grow nationwide, including stretching back to the state of his birth. The stallion has become a prominent sire of sires, and several of his younger grandsons are among the California stallion ranks. He also has become a successful broodmare sire, with representatives including likely 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline. Indian Charlie, by In Excess, was bred in California by Hal Earnhardt, who also had campaigned his dam, graded stakes winner Soviet Sojurn. Racing for Earnhardt and John Gaines, Indian Charlie won his first four starts, all in California, including a 2 1/4-length victory over stablemate Real Quiet in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Real Quiet turned the tables in the 1998 Kentucky Derby, with Indian Charlie third as the... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 21, 2022) – California-bred One in Vermillion gamely held on to win Wednesday’s $60,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes for 2-year-olds at Turf Paradise. One in Vermilion is by Army Mule, out of the Any Given Saturday mare Given Star, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Jonathan Kalman and trained by Esteban Martinez. He has two wins in three starts and earnings of $89,620. One in Vermilion ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.25 and won by a head at odds of 5-2 in a field of nine. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2022) — The catalog for the upcoming 2023 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale held Jan. 31 is now available for viewing online. The sale, which takes place at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., begins at 12:00 pm PST and will see 148 horses head through the ring during the single selling session. The catalog showcases 49 broodmares, 46 2-year-olds, 28 horses of racing age, and 24 yearlings for consideration. Mares in foal to Clubhouse Ride-1, Danzing Candy  -2, Goldencents  -1, Governor Charlie-1, Grazen-1, Halladay  -1, Honor A.P.-1, I’ll Have Another-1, Jersey Town  -1, Majestic Harbor-1, Mesa Thunder-1, Mo Forza  -1, Om  -2, Rumpus Cat-5, Sir Prancelot-4, Smiling Tiger  -2, Smokem-3, Stanford  -9, Stay Thirsty  -3, Straight Fire  -1, Texas Ryano  -4, Tom’s Tribute  -1, and Union Rags  -1. Two-year-olds by Catalina Cruiser  -1, Classic Empire  -1, Clubhouse Ride-2, Coal Front  -1, Danzing Candy-3, Enticed  -1, Flintshire-1, Goldencents-1, Graydar  -2, Grazen-2, I’ll Have Another-1, Kitten’s Joy-1, Merit Man-1, Northern Causeway  -4, Om-1, Omaha Beach  -1, Outwork  -1, Palace Malice  -1, Rumpus Cat-2, Sir Prancealot-7, Stanford-1, Stay Thirsty-3, Texas Ryano-3, Uncle Mo  -1, Vronsky-3.... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2022) – Heavily-favored Giver Not a Taker rallied along the rail in the stretch to get up in the final strides to defeat 47-1 shot Crypto Ride by a head in the $101,500 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-olds Sunday, the final day of the Winter meet at Los Alamitos. Ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat, the 2-year-old homebred for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison earned his third win in five starts in his first venture beyond seven furlongs, completing the mile in 1:38.16 in a race restricted to juveniles bred or sired in California. The race was marred early on the backside when Please Focus, who was on the lead, ducked out and unseated jockey Mario Gutierrez. A homebred for owner J. Paul Reddam’s Reddam Racing LLC, Please Focus, a gelded son of Mrazek, ran loose afterwards, but was uninjured. Gutierrez also escaped unscathed and walked back to the jockey’s room. A Danzing Candy gelding out of the Kitten’s Joy... ...

WYONG, Australia (Dec 14, 2022) — Jack Duggan, a Kentucky-bred gelded son of California stallon Jack Milton, won Wednesday’s Handicap at Wyong Race Club. Jack Duggan. a 4-year-old out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Unbridled Treasure, ran the 2100 meters on turf in 2:09.73. He has four wins in 15 starts and earnings of $76,523. ...

From Los Alanitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2022) — Ridden with confidence by jockey Ramon Vazquez, favored Cast Member remained undefeated with a 1 ¼ length victory in the $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies Sunday at Los Alamitos. Trained by Tim Yakteen for owner-breeder George Krikorian, the 2-year-old daughter of Munnings and the Artie Schiller mare Be My Baby tracked the pace while kept in the clear over the wet fast track, took over from pacesetter Cocktail Princess with less than quarter of a mile to run and held 9-2 third choice Grazed My Heart safe in the final furlong. Trying two turns for the first time after a pair of sprint wins – including the Golden State Juvenile Fillies Oct. 29 – Cast Member, the 7-10 favorite in a race restricted to fillies bred or sired in California – completed the mile in 1:38.26. She paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10 and the $60,000 payday pushed her bankroll to $213,000. “We had a... ...

From Golden Gate Fields Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2022) — On Saturday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields, unbeaten 3-year-old filly Chancery Way faced older foes for the first time in her stakes debut, the $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes for California-bred or sired fillies and mares 3-year-olds old and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta. She picked a good day to run a career best.          Breaking sharply from the gate, Chancery Way went to the lead and set fractions of 22.20, 45.53, 56.7.3 before holding off a late challenge in deep stretch from even-money race favorite Big Summer. Ridden by Kevin Radke, Chancery Way had not competed since a two-turn allowance victory at Sacramento in July. She hit the wire a length and a quarter ahead of Big Summer and stopped the clock for six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:09.89 seconds.         Chancery Way, sent off at odds of 10-1, paid $22.40 to win, $7.80 to place, and $5.00 to show. Big Summer... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2022) — The Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously named Gary Barber to fill the board vacancy created by the recent resignation of Bill Strauss. Barber was named National Owner of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) two years in a row (2019 and 2020) and his trademark hot pink silks are well known throughout the world, particularly in his home state of California. He has won more than 1,000 career races, on his own and in partnership, and has enjoyed top-level success at the Breeders’ Cup as well as the Preakness Stakes. Barber said, “My passion for Thoroughbred racing is steadfast. I look forward to joining the Board of the TOC and hope to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of our sport and help attract a new generation of fans.” Barber, originally from South Africa, is the founding partner of Spyglass Entertainment, whose commercial hits generated over $5 billion in worldwide... ...

From Daniel Schiffer TEMECULA, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2022) — Joe Pruett, the only ranch manager for the Hat Ranch West in Temecula from 1971 to its closure in 2005, passed away on Tuesday. He was 78.   During his tenure he foaled broodmares such as General Store (California Broodmare of the Year) and Magnificent Crown (dam of Hanover Road, a Cal Cup Classic winner).  He foaled and/or oversaw the early growth and/or rehab of such outstanding horses as Double Discount, Chain Store, Telly’s Pop, Summer Sale, Hanover Road and Best Dress.   Pruett was one of 17 children raised at his parents’ chicken ranch in El Cajon. He served in the National Guard and was deployed to Hollywood Park during the Watts Riots.  He went to work at Mel Stute’s training barn and it was Mel who introduced him to Ken Schiffer, owner of Hat Ranch West. He and his then-wife Irma raised five children at the Hat Ranch West.   He later married his second wife Robbie and upon... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2022) — The signature race on a cool afternoon at Golden Gate attracted a full field of ten 2-year-olds. The $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes, for 2-year-olds routers at one mile on the main track Tapeta. California-bred winner Passarando hit the wire a length and a half in front after sitting off fast fractions of 23.53, 47.43 and 1:11.72. From the second last position, Passarando began a move into the far turn run, saved ground around that turn and cut the corner as he turned for home. By upper stretch, Passarando had made his way into fourth position. From there, winning jockey Catalino Martinez switched his mount to the outside of horses and, when in the clear, Passarando unleashed a powerful move to run past the battling leaders in the final 50 yards. Passarando stopped the clock for one mile in 1:37.78 seconds.  Passarando paid $8.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $3.80 to show. 60-1 second place finisher Chase the Chaos ran... ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 3, 2022) — Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables’ multiple Grade 1-winner Mind Control will retire on top of his game after securing a trademark gutsy score in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap presented by NYRA Bets, at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and piloted by fellow Hall of Famer John Velazquez, the 6-year-old son of 2012 Cigar Mile-winner and California stallion Stay Thirsty entered his swan song a fresh horse out of a victory via disqualification on September 24 in the Parx Dirt Mile. Mind Control crossed the wire a winner by less than one length on Saturday for the seventh time in his 29-race career, including for his former conditioner Gregg Sacco with a three-quarter length score in the 2018 Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga Race Course and a nose win in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial one year later at the same track. Pletcher, who took over training duties of the talented bay last July,... ...

MODESTO, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2022) — Jack Owens, Thoroughbred Owners of California’s longest-serving board member, passed away on Nov. 21 of a heart attack. First elected to the TOC board in 1995, he had just retired from board service this past July.   During his board tenure, Owens served six years as Chairman. He also served as Vice Chairman representing Northern California, Chairman of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee, and as an active member of the Racing Affairs, Wagering, Bylaws Review, and Purse committees. It is almost impossible to overestimate the impact and historic importance of the organization of which Owens was one of the first board members. It was nearly 30 years ago when a small group of successful business-oriented owners banded together to form a group to represent all California Thoroughbred owners apart from the then-official horsemen’s organization, the California Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (CHBPA). Their efforts set in motion a movement that would eventually bring true change to the industry in such critical areas as... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2022) — Jed Cohen had to round up a bunch of friends to buy his first racehorse in the early 1960s because no one had the necessary $2,500. Wayward Jenny ran like a $2,500 purchase, and when her trainer recommended Jed purchase a goat to calm her down, Jed thought he’d acquired the wrong kind of animal. “We bought a goat, but the goat outworked the horse,” Jed once recalled. “We should have spent $2,500 on goats. We had it backwards.” Cohen, whose family races in the name of Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal, the current leading owners at Del Mar, died Nov. 27 in Del Mar at age 89. Cohen in the past few years had battled illnesses, but he enjoyed watching his horses race, whether at the track or from home. The stable has been particularly successful recently. Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal, which won the final race at Del Mar Nov. 26 with Percolate , has excelled at buying horses in training in Europe... ...

From California Horse Power Coalition LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2022) — Today, equine industry leaders and stakeholders across California announced the launch of the California Horse Power Coalition (CHPC). The new coalition’s mission is to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture by bringing together equine industry leaders, workers, families and fans of the sport to illustrate its significant benefits.  Founded by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Santa Anita Park, and Thoroughbred Owners of California, the coalition is creating a space for the public to learn about the significant impacts that the industry has on California’s economy, tourism, agricultural sustainability, and culture.  “As one of the oldest and most celebrated sports in the world, horse racing contributes billions to California’s economy annually and employs tens of thousands of workers,” said Bill Nader, Thoroughbred Owners of California, President & CEO. “I am proud to be a part of a community that not only brings together family and friends but also continuously challenges itself to be the model of care and best... ...

From Milky Way Farm ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2022) — California sire Passion For Gold (Medaglia d Oro x C’ Est L’ Amour) is off to a big start with his first California crop to race. He was represented by Gold Council, who became the first California winner in his first start for his sire Passion For Gold by winning a Maiden Special Weight on the turf at Santa Anita on closing day.  Trained by Kristin Mulhall, Gold Council won going away by 2 1/2 lengths.  Passion For Gold was a Grade I winner of the Criterium Saint Cloud and Champion Two Year Old in France for Godolphin.  He was purchased and stood five breeding seasons in Chile, siring graded stakes horses in Chile and Peru with earnings over $2.7 million. His runners have an outstanding 82 percent winners. He returned to the United States to stand at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, California.  ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2022) — The fastest of the fast signed on to compete in the 2022 edition of the Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate Fields for sprinters on Saturday afternoon. By the end of the race, one entrant was clear at the wire, stamping himself as one of the best one-turn horses in the Bay Area this year.          Top Harbor, a 4-year-old California-bred gelding trained by Tim McCanna, stalked the pace on the inside for the first half mile, split horses turning for home and motored to the front in the final furlong, drawing away from his company in the final yards while hitting the wire 1 and three-quarter lengths clear of runner up finisher Irrefutable. With winning jockey Frank Alvarado aboard, Top Harbor stopped the clock for six furlongs in 1:09.70 seconds.         Sent off as the second choice in the wagering at 2-1, Top Harbor returned $6.40 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.40 to... ...

COTTONWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2022) — Jack Milton, a Grade-I winning son of War Front, is relocating for the 2023 breeding season to Gray Farm in Cottonwood and will stand for a fee of $5,000. On the track for owner Gary Barber and trainer Todd Pletcher, Jack Milton won graded stakes at ages 3, 4 and 5. He won five of 19 starts with career earnings of $853,828. His biggest win was the Grade I Maker’s 46 Mile at on the turf at Keeneland. He also won the Grade III Poker Stakes at Belmont Park and the Grade III Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland. With four crops of racing age and progeny earnings of more than $4.7 million, Jack Milton has sired Grade III winner Second of July, multiple stakes winner Toby’s Heart (his biggest earner at $673,370) and Jack Duggan, a recent stakes winner in Australia. ...

From Checkmate Thoroughbreds SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2022) — Eight Rings, a Grade I winner at 2, will stand the 2023 breeding season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez for a fee of $7,500, it was announced by Adrian Gonzalez’s Checkmate Thoroughbreds, which manages the owning partnership. Trained by Bob Baffert, the son of Empire Maker won the Grade I American Pharaoh Stakes at Santa Anita by six lengths from Grade I winner American Theorem, Grade I Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Storm The Court, and Grade I Del Mar Futurity winner Nucky. On debut as a 2-year-old at Del Mar, Eight Rings’ brilliant performance earned him a TDN Rising Star dominating the 5.5 furlong maiden race by 6 1/4 lengths clear over future Garde I Santa Anita Handicap winner Express Train and Shooters Shoot (second in the Grade II Triple Bend Stakes). Eight Rings was bred in Kentucky by Winstar Farm and sold for $520,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Eight Rings is out of Grade... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2022) — One-to-five favorite Fun to Dream found herself in a serious horse race inside the eighth pole Sunday at Del Mar in the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares as rival Taming the Tiger growled and dug deep. But “Dream” was up to the task and dug in even deeper to edge past her foe late and score by a head. The two leaders brushed in the stretch but the stewards saw no reason to put up the inquiry sign. Fun to Dream, bred by Natalie Baffert and Connie Pageler and owned by Pageler and trainer Bob Baffert, earned a first prize of $57,000 for her hard work to push her bankroll to $246,590 with her fourth victory in her fifth start. She was ridden by Del Mar’s leading rider, Juan Hernandez, who was completing a sweep of the track’s trio of stakes over its three-day opening weekend. She is trained by Baffert, who was winning his... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2022) — California-bred 2-year-old gelding Clovisconnection stalked the pace, drew off from his competition at the top of the stretch, and blitzed his rivals in the marquee race of the week at Golden Gate Fields, the $65,900 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at 6 furlongs on Saturday.         Ridden by Kevin Radke and trained by Blaine Wright, Clovisconnection popped out of the gate alertly and tracked early pacesetter Early Release until the turn for home, in which the son of Vronsky was given his cue to accelerate by Radke, pounced on the early leader, and opened up on the competition coming into the final furlong. Clovisconnection hit the wire four and a quarter lengths ahead of 3-5 race favorite and runner up finisher Passrando. 50-1 longshot Chase the Chaos finished third followed by Strength of Autism, Abinadi, Early Release and Havana Angel. Clovisconnection stopped the clock for six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:10.73 seconds.        Sent off... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2022) – California-bred mare Plane Lucky sold for $110,000 at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. Plane Lucky is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the prolific Kennedy Road mare Jetinwith Kennedy, was bred by David McGlothlin, was consigned by Stuart Morris, agent, for Highclare, Rabanal and Wickes and was purchased by Tracy Farmer. The 9-year-old Plane Lucky won $151,385 on the track and sold in foal to Maxfield. Her siblings include stakes winners Jet West, Jetinto Houston, Jetin Excess and Triumphant Flight. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2022) – A pair of California-breds brought six-figure sales prices apiece at Wednesday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. Delia O’Hara, a multiple stakes-placed California-bred mare, sold for $115,000, while a weanling filly by Omaha Beach sold for $110,000. Delia O’Hara is by Khozan, out of the Discretely Mine mare Starlet O’Hara, was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, was bred by H & E Ranch and purchased by John Hicks. An earner of $38,434 on the track, Delia O’Hara sold in foal to Bolt d’Oro. The Omaha Beach filly is out of the Irish-bred Montjeu mare Turns My Head, was bred by Checkmate Thoroughbreds & Gallop Out Racing, was consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, agent, and was purchased by Rowland Hancock. She is a half-sister to the graded stakes placed filly Catch the Eye. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2022) – Whoa Nessie, a California-bred broodmare, sold for $105,000 in Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. Whoa Nessie is a 7-year-old mare by Square Eddie, out of the Gilded Time mare Electric Daze, was bred by Reddam Racing, was consigned by Small Batch Sales, agent, and was purchased by Hinkle Farms. On the track, Whoa Nessie earned $160,127. She is a full sister to Edwina E, the dam of multiple graded winner Slow Down Andy and multiple stakes winner Team Merchants. Whoa Nessie sold in foal to Union Rags. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2022) – California-bred stakes winner An Eddie Surprise sold for $170,000 at Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. An Eddie Surprise is a 7-year-old mare by Square Eddie, out of the High Demand mare Dani Reese, was bred by Reddam Racing, was consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent, and was purchased by Coteau Grove Farms/Cary Bloodstock, agent. She was sold was sold in foal to Yaupon. An Eddie Surprise won the Wishing Well Stakes, was third in the Grade III Senator Ken Maddy and earned $367,666.  ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2022) – California-bred Grade I winner Mucho Unusual sold for $1,100,000 in Sunday’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Mucho Unusual is by Mucho Macho Man, out of the Unusual Heat mare Not Unusual, was bred by owner George Krikorian,was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent, and was purchased by Shadai Farm. Winner of the Grade I Rodeo Drive, Mucho Unusual also won the Grade II San Clemente, the Grade III Robert Frankel and the Grade III Megahertz, with eight wins in 24 starts and earnings of $957,415. She was a $170,000 RNA in 2017. Her half-brother, Big Score, is a Grade III winner of $702,792. Mucho Unusual’s last race was a fourth in the Mar. 5 Buena Vista Stakes and she sold as a broodmare not pregnant. ...

WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2022) – Finneus, the California-bred 2-Year-Old Champion of 2021, has been retired and will stand stud in 2023 at his home of Lovacres Ranch, owner Terry Lovingier announced on Monday. Finneus, by Stay Thirsty out of the Ghostzapper Broodmare of the Year and champion filly My Fiona, will stand for a $5,000 fee, stands and nurses. Finneus’ racing resume includes a victory over multiple graded winner Slow Down Andy in the Golden State Juvenile and a second to Pinehurst in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity. He also hit the board in the Grade II Best Pal and the King Glorious, California Cup Derby and Real Good Deal. Lovingier announced that a syndication is in progress with lifetime shares available. Special considering will be given to approved mares and early discounted bookings are available. ...

COALINGA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2022) – Style of the Year, whose progeny included California-bred stakes winners Lennyfromalibu and Heat du Jour, passed away at age 27 at Harris Farms, according to a tweet from Harris Auerbach, racing manager for his mother, owner Madeline Auerbach. “The end of an era is here- Yesterday, we lost Style of the Year at 27 to colic at Harris Farms,” Auerbach tweeted. “We raced her and she was the last of our original foundation mares for Unusual Heat. She had 15 foals, 3 stakes horses and has 5 current producing daughters. Rest easy sweet Style.” Style of the Year, a daughter of Half a Year, was winless on the track, but as one of the Auerbachs’ foundation mares foaled 10 winners out of 15 babies, all sired by the Auerbachs’ Unusual Heat. Lennyfromalibu won $442,165, Heat du Jour won $277,334 and Orbits World won $193,936. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2022)—Patiently handled by Umberto Rispoli, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ homebred Passarando swung out for racing room turning for home and collared heavily favored Giver Not a Taker in deep stretch to win Saturday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile going away by a length.  Trained by Steve Specht, Passarando, a 2-year-old gelding by Tamarando, got seven panels in 1:24.18.                 Into the bridle while in behind a group of three dueling leaders around the far turn, Passarando, who was ridden for the first time by Rispoli, angled three-deep at the top of the lane and proved best at 11-1. “That was perfect, he was just kind of stalling down at the rail and once (Umberto) got him in the clear, he started running,” said Specht. “In the Everett Nevin (on July 9) he threw his head a little bit, but then they squeezed him off and had to grab him and take him out. We made a little decent run that day... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2022)—With heavily favored Chismosa scratched due to a paddock mishap, George Krikorian’s homebred Cast Member took on mantle of post time favorite and delivered the mail, as she kept to her task and emerged with a one length victory in Saturday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Cast Member got seven furlongs in 1:24.78.                 The Golden State Juvenile is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired 2-year-old fillies.                 Attentive to the pace and about 1 ½ lengths behind Fun Money turning for home, Cast Member kept grinding through the lane and forged to the front well inside the sixteenth pole to remain unbeaten in two starts. “My thought coming into the race was if we were going to be fit enough,” said Yakteen.  “I didn’t get my prep race that I was hoping to get, so we went 60 days between races.... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2022) — California-bred Quickly Park It will be pointed to the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Dec. 3 after winning her stakes debut in Saturday’s $75,900 Pike Place Dancer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Golden Gate Fields. Quickly Park It ($26) closed from last in a field of seven to win the Pike Place Dancer by a convincing six lengths under jockey William Antongeorgi. “I was impressed with that,” trainer Sean McCarthy said Sunday. Quickly Park It raced on the rail on the second turn and had an uninterrupted rally to reach the front with more than a furlong remaining. Quickly Park It completed the one mile over firm turf in 1:39.42 seconds. Quickly Park It is trained by Sean McCarthy and owned by Harris Farms Inc, who bred the daughter of Prospect Park. Quickly Park It has now won two races from three lifetime starts, with career earnings of $95,520. Ami Please (8-5) finished... ...

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Sept. 29, 2022) – Favored I Recall, an Ohio-bred daughter of California stallion Misremembered, ran off with Saturday’s $100,000 Best of Ohio Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares at Mahoning Valley. I Recall, a 5-year-old out of the With Distinction mare Real Distinction, has seven wins in 23 starts with earnings of $284,522. I Recall ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.76 and won by 7 ¾ lengths at odds of 6-5 in a field of 11. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2022) – A California-bred filly by Oscar Performance sold for $120,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale. The chestnut filly, a first foal out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare Lime Beach, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, consigned by Brookdale Sales, agent, and was purchased by Gayle Van Leer, agent. Lime Beach was sold with the filly in utero for $24,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Lime Beach sold for $310,000 as a 2-year-old. ...

From Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2022) — Whether spearheading fund-raisers to help injured backstretch workers or working tirelessly for Thoroughbred aftercare, trainer Howard Zucker was there for people and horses in the Thoroughbred industry. For Zucker, “How’s it going?” wasn’t a mere conversation starter—he really wanted to know. Zucker, 74, died Oct. 20 at Keck Hospital of USC in Los Angeles after undergoing open heart surgery several days earlier. Clocker’s Corner at Santa Anita has seemed bereft without Zucker standing in his usual corner at the top of the steps under the Clocker’s Corner sign. A trainer on the Southern California circuit since 1983, Zucker saddled 246 winners for total purse earnings of nearly $9.5 million. His best runner was Crafty C. T.  Owned by C. T. Grether, Crafty C. T. won the 2001 San Rafael Stakes (G2) and earned $832,652. He placed in seven stakes, including the 2002 NAPA Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), 2001 Santa Anita Derby (G1), and 2002 Metropolitan Handicap (G1). Other stakes winners Zucker trained included 1993 champion California-bred 2-year-old... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2022)—In a thoroughly professional performance, the Eric Kruljac-trained The Chosen Vron settled nicely off the early leaders, split horses three sixteenths of a mile from home and rallied for an impressive 1 ¼ length win in Sunday’s $100,000 California Flag Handicap at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Hector Berrios, The Chosen Vron, a 4-year-old California-bred gelding by Vronsky, got about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.50.                 The California Flag, named for the Hi Card Ranch’s homebred winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita in 2009, is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners.                 Unhurried early from his number six position in a field of 11, The Chosen Vron had three horses beat approaching the dirt crossing at the top of the lane but was reeling in the leaders while well within himself and about 2 ½ lengths off the lead.  Leaving the dirt, Berrios split horses... ...