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... ...

By DRF.com FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2022) — Claimed for $8,000 in May, California-bred A Man’s Man extended his winning streak since then to six races with a bold victory from the front in Sunday’s $76,800 Bull Dog Stakes on closing day of the Big Fresno Fair. “It’s something you don’t expect when you claim for $8,000,” trainer Jack Steiner said. Ridden by Assael Espinoza, A Man’s Man set a moderate pace of 24.57 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.70 for the half-mile. The race unfolded in a manner that shocked Steiner. “That was a nice surprise,” Steiner said. “We didn’t think he’d get the lead like that. He was able to set some pretty comfortable fractions without anybody putting too much pressure on him. :: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances – Formulator or Classic. Join now! “They all laid far enough back. He had the air to go the distance.” Racing on the inside, A Man’s Man extended his lead in early stretch and won by... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2022)—Although heavily favored Leggs Galore appeared to have things her all her own way on the front end, a determined Eddie’s New Dream, who was shortening up out of five consecutive turf routes, ran her down late to take Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap by a half length under Mario Gutierrez.  Owned and bred by Reddam Racing, LLC and trained by Ben Cecil, Eddie’s New Dream got about 6 ½ down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:13.11.                 The Cal Distaff Handicap is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.                 As expected, Leggs Galore went straight to the early lead an appeared to be well in-hand under Ricky Gonzalez at the dirt crossing and opened up a three length advantage on Eddie’s New Dream three sixteenths of a mile from home.  But it was “Eddie’s” day, as she kept to her task and eventually reeled in the favorite in the final 30 yards... ...

By DRF.com LANDLEY, B.C. (Oct. 10, 2022) — California-bred Budroyale, a multiple Grade II winner who won 17 of 52 starts in a seven-year career from 1995 to 2001 throughout the West Coast, was euthanized earlier this month because of age-related infirmities at the age of 29.  Bred by Cecilia Straub Revocable Trust, Budroyale was out of the California Broodmare of the Year Cee’s Song. He was a full brother to Hall of Famer Tiznow, as well as stakes winners Tizbud and Tizdubai. Budroayle raced primarily in California and had his final start at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., in 2001. He won 17 of 52 starts with earnings of $2,840,810, ninth on the all-time Cal-bred list. A gelding by Cee’s Tizzy, Budroyale won such races as the Grade 2 San Bernardino Handicap at Santa Anita in April 1998, two races after being claimed, and the $250,000 California Cup Classic for statebreds at Santa Anita later that year. In 1999 he was voted Cal-bred Horse of the Year. In retirement, Budroyale... ...

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2022) – Longshot Psycho Dar’s ninth try at a black-type win was the charm when the 7-year-old gelding won Saturday’s $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at the Big Fresno Fair. Psycho Dar is by Storm Wolf, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Stormin Mon, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He has 10 wins in 38 starts, earnings of $446,266 and was coming off a Sept. 16 allowance win. Psycho Dar ran the six furlongs in 1:09.98 and won by three lengths at odds of 10-1. Top Harbor was second and Ultimate Bango third in the field of six. ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (Oct. 8, 2022) – Big Hug, an Alberta-bred daughter of California stallion Mr. Big, won Saturday’s $100,000 CTHS Sales Two-Year-Old Division Stakes for 2-year-olds at Century Mile. A filly beating the boys, Big Hug is out of the Unusual Heat mare Temeeku. She ran the seven furlongs in 1:24.06 and won by 8 ¼ lengths as the 4-5 favorite. ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2022) — Golden Gate Fields is saddened to report the loss of longtime Northern California racehorse trainer John F. “Mickey” Martin, who has passed away at the age of 63 after a lengthy illness.   Martin, who saddled his first starter in 1984, trained quarter horses early in his career before transitioning to thoroughbreds. He campaigned over 2,300 winners. From 7,707 thoroughbred starters, Martin won 1,960 races and amassed purse earnings of $23,835,366.  “With the recent passing of Duane Offield and now John, it’s been a rough couple of weeks,” said Golden Gate Fields Vice President and General Manager David Duggan. “We are still trying to process this loss. John was a well-respected figure amongst his peers. He was the type of person that would help anybody if they needed it. He was a terrific horseman and had a very successful and distinguished career. We extend our best wishes and thoughts to his family and large group of friends.”   Martin mentored numerous horsemen... ...

From Milky Way Farm TEMECULA, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2022) – Milky Way Farm in Temecula is pleased to announce that the stallion Midnight Storm will relocate from Taylor Made farm in Kentucky to Milky Way Farm. Midnight Storm is a son of Pioneerof The Nile, sire of sires American Pharoah, Classic Empire and Cairo Prince, out of the Bertrando mare My Tina. A brilliantly fast Grade I winner trained by Phil D’Amato, Midnight Storm won seven graded-stakes races on grass and dirt and earned $1,783,111. His striking speed earned him speed ratings topped by 125 while placing in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile. His graded wins included the Grade I Shoemaker Mile (speed rating of 117), Grade II San Pasqual (SR 121), Grade II Native Diver, Grade II Del Mar Derby (SR 116), Grade II Eddie Read (SR 117), Grade II Seabiscuit (SR 112). He also placed in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, Grade I Oaklawn Handicap, Grade I Awesome Again and Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile. His... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2022)—A gem of consistency under any conditions, Nick Alexander’s homebred Connie Swingle remained unbeaten down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course as she held off a fast-finishing Pammy’s Ready by a neck in Saturday’s $85,000 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.  Handled by regular rider Kyle Frey, who doubled on the day, Connie Swingle, a California-bred daughter of Grazen, got about 6 ½ furlongs down the hill in 1:11.87. According to trainer Phil D’Amato in the Daily Racing Form, her next start may come against fillies and mares in the $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on Oct. 29.                 Lapped on pacesetter Delmona to the dirt crossing, Connie Swingle blasted clear a furlong out and registered her second stakes win and her first in open company.  Unbeaten in three hillside tries and a winner of four out of her last five starts, all with Frey, Connie Swingle is now 9-6-2-1 overall with earnings... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2022) — Golden Gate Fields is deeply saddened by the passing of longtime Northern California trainer Duane Offield, who passed away on Thursday after a lengthy illness. He was 82 years old.   As noted by Thoroughbred Daily News, Northern Rose had been entered by Offield in the Oct. 1 $5,000 Golden Gate Fields claiming route prior to his passing. He wasn’t able to make it out to the track near the end of his life, but still looked forward to managing his horses. So when the darling of his barn charged home from the back of the pack to win by two lengths at 17-1, her score put a spiritual exclamation point on Offield’s life as a horseman by giving him one final official victory after his death. Offield Saddles a Final Winner–from the Hereafter (thoroughbreddailynews.com)         Offield began his training career in 1976. Throughout a career that spanned well over four decades, Offield saddled 721 winners from... ...

By Thoroughbred Daily News POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2022) – The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of Racing Age Sale produced 14 six-figure lots, led by a California-bred filly by Mr. Big who sold for $250,000 to Todd Tomazic. Numbers declined from last year’s lively renewal of the auction, with 205 head grossing $6,257,100 and the average falling 22% to $30,522 and the median dipping 15% to $17,000. The buy-back rate was 25.7%. It was 24.4% in 2021. “It was a very solid session,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Tuesday. “There was lots of traffic and activity at the barns before the sale and there was spirited bidding on the majority of the horses. There still remained some selectivity in the marketplace–you have to have acceptable conformation, and, like at every sale in the world, you have to jump through the vetting hoops. But I thought, all in all, it was a good follow-up to an exceptional year last year.” A year ago,... ...

By DRF.com BENSALEM, Pa. (Sept. 24, 2022) – With an assist from the Parx Racing stewards, Mind Control captured the $200,000 Parx Dirt Mile for the second consecutive year. Ridden by John Velazquez for Todd Pletcher, the Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty broke alertly over the speed-friendly surface but was forced to track the pace as jockey Dexter Haddock and Far Mo Power had better early speed. Far Mo Power set rated fractions of 24.06 seconds, 47.54, and 1:11.50 while shadowed by Mind Control, and the two hooked up turning into the stretch. Mind Control had momentum, but Far Mo Power was far from finished. Haddock scrubbed on the Pennsylvania-bred colt, and Far Mo Power surged back to a brief advantage inside the three-sixteenths pole. Haddock went to work with a left-handed stick, however, and Far Mo Power came out a couple of paths. That forced Velazquez to briefly check his momentum. Mind Control re-rallied nearing the wire but fell a neck shy after a mile in 1:36.59.... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2022) — The up-and-coming stallion Editorial, a stakes-siring half-brother to major sire Uncle Mo, has relocated from Maryland to stand at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, California during the 2023 breeding season. His fee is $3,500, live foal guarantee. The 8-year-old son of War Front has exhibited his early potential as a sire with four winners from six starters in his first foal crop, led by the dual stakes winner Alottahope. A 3-year-old gelding, Alottahope won a pair of dirt sprints — Charles Town’s $250,550 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes and Laurel Park’s $74,250 Star De Naskra Stakes — by a combined total of more than 17 lengths in his two most recent starts, and has earned $323,915 to date. Editorial is also represented by the black type-placed multiple winner My Thoughts ($97,265) from his inaugural crop. The sophomore filly defeated eight of her elders in the $50,000 Fort Indiantown Gap Stakes on Penn National turf in her most recent outing,... ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 18, 2022) — In just her second start of 2022, the Charlie Essex and Petra Lewis owned 4-year-old Blazingbellablu, a Washington-bred daughter of California stallion Grazen, won Sunday’s $50,000 Washington Cup Fillies and Mare Stakes presented by Freight NW at Emerald Downs. When it got down to the final 100 yards of the 1 1/16 mile race, jockey Kevin Radke went to work on Blazingbellablu as they surged past Zippin Sevenz and Alex Cruz to win by 1/2 length. Zippin Sevenz was the early leader and led into deep stretch for trainer Alan Bozell. She was a heavily backed second choice at similar odds of the winner (11/10). “I could have had those two (Zippin Sevenz and Brilliant Bird) at anytime down the backstretch,” Radke said emphatically in the Cutwater Winner’s Circle. “She got a little sick earlier this year and came back strong,” said trainer Essex. The 4-year-old gray/roan ran the 1 1/16 mile contest in 1:42.70 as the 11/10 favorite. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif (Sept. 17, 2022) – Back with fellow California breds, The Chosen Vron picked up his first win of 2022, pushing past the previously undefeated Big City Lights in the closing yards to capture the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes Saturday at Los Alamitos. The win was the sixth in 10 starts for the 4-year-old Vronsky gelding, who is owned by a partnership that includes Sondereker Racing LLC, Robert Fetkin, Richard Thornburg and trainer-breeder J. Eric Kruljac. Bred by Tiz Molly Partners out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, The Chosen Vron completed the mile in 1:35.19 and provided jockey Hector Berrios with his first stakes victory at Los Alamitos. The even-money favorite in the field of six, The Chosen Vron, who won by 1 ¼ lengths, paid $4, $2.40 and $2.20 and increased his earnings to $405,678. “I’m hoping we can keep him around for a few more years,’’ said Kruljac. “I think he’s as good now as he was as a 3-year-old and... ...

By Canadian Thoroughbred VANCOUVER, B.C. (Sept. 10, 2022) — Regal Riot, a British Columbia-bred chestnut 3-year-old son of California stallion Jersey Town, won a stretch battle with invader Arollercoasterride to take the Grade 3 B.C. Derby on September 10 at Hastings Racecourse. Under jockey Efrain Hernandez, Regal Riot, who was coming off a third in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Century Mile on Aug. 20, tracked Peter Redekop’s recent maiden winner Arollercoasterride through moderate pace splits of 48.88 for half a mile and 1:14.71 for 6 furlongs early in the 1 1/8 mile race. The pair took off from the remaining rivals and put on a show in the stretch run with Regal Riot edging clear for a neck victory. Arollercoasterride, a son of Curlin – Catch the Thrill, was second over Boitano, a son of Nyquist. The final time was 1:50.71 and Regal Riot collected the bulk of the $125,000 purse. Regal Riot (Jersey Town – Regal Red by On Target) is owned by Lance Giesbrecht and Kim... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2022) — The chestnut gelding Giver Not a Taker tracked widest of all throughout the six-furlong, $125,000 I’m Smokin Stakes Friday at Del Mar, but the ground he gave up didn’t matter at the end as he ran fastest through the lane to score by two and a quarter lengths in feature for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds. Veteran Jose Valdivia, Jr. handled the winner confidently as race favorite Straighten Up cut out splits of :22.46, :45.16 and :57.48 before “Taker” surged to the front inside the eighth pole and registered the final time of 1:09.82. “He’s always been very straight forward and even after (his first) race we worked him a couple times and he just keeps getting better and better,” said Valdivia. “I keep telling Peter (Miller, trainer) that I keep waiting for him to do something wrong, but he just always seems to be going forward and is relaxed. For his second start he was very calm. We got... ...

From Horse Racing Alberta EDMONTON, Alberta (Sept. 10, 2022) – Greek Geek, an Alberta-bred son of California stallion Misremembered, won Saturday’s $48,500 Alberta Breeders’ Handicap at Century Mile for the second year in a row Century Mile Saturday. “Finally,” exhaled trainer Tim Rycroft. “We’ve been waiting all year for him to put it all together and he did,” Rycroft said after meeting his champion in the winner’s circle following his gritty length and a quarter victory over Smart Play. It certainly hasn’t been a lack of ability that had prevented Greek Geek from, until this past weekend, winning this year. Greek Geek has more than demonstrated that he has the heart of a lion ever since the five-year-old showed up in a starting gate. Last year was a career year as he won seven of his nine outings – finishing second and third in his other two races. He won the Don Getty, the CTHS Sales stake, the Century Mile and the same Alberta Breeders Handicap. He set a track record... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (Sept. 10, 2022) – Unbeaten Big Hug, an Alberta-bred daughter of California stallion Mr. Big, won Saturday’s $49,500 Sturgeon River Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Century Mile. Big Hug has won all three of her starts with earnings of $62,439. Out of the Unusual Heat mare Temeeku, Big Hug ran the six furlongs in 1:11.34 and won by 1 ¾ lengths as the 3-5 favorite.  A match race from the middle of the turn almost to the finish line, Big Hug, who had won her previous two starts with huge late moves that produced two easy wins, duelled with Bootiful Rose to the sixteenths pole when Big Hug took over for good and drew out to a length and a quarter victory. “Leaving from the outside seven post let me control the pace,” said jockey Rafael Zenteno Jr. “I could go or I could sit just off the pace. I decided to sit just behind Bootiful Rose. When my filly kicked in I just went on from there.... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2022) — Owner-breeder Jaime Renella’s Chismosa became the first horse at the Del Mar summer meet to score a triple when she won the $125,000 Generous Portion Stakes on the Labor Day Monday card. The daughter of Clubhouse Ride won the California-bred stakes by a length and three quarters to complete her seaside three-bagger with a straight maiden race (July 23), the CTBA Stakes (August 7) and today’s six-panel dash. Chimosa again was ridden by Edgar Payeras, the young rider who won his first Del Mar stakes when he clicked with her in the CTBA. She is trained by veteran Rafael DeLeon. The dark filly earned a first prize of $71,250 to increase her earnings to $190,500. “She is a power horse,” said DeLeon. “She’s been training super every day. Soon as he threw her to the rail (in the stretch) I knew I was going to win the race. The jockey (Edgar Payeras), he knows the filly real good; he works... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2022) — California-bred Teddy’s Barino won her fourth straight race and her first stakes when outfinishing Samurai Charm through a spirited stretch duel to take the $119,000 Tranquility Lake, a restricted stakes for older females Monday at Del Mar. Teddy’s Barino ($6), the second choice, benefitted from a heads-up ride by Mike Smith, who eased out of an early battle to secure an ideal staking position behind the leaders before he attacked the pacesetter, favored Samurai Charm. Samurai Charm did not go quietly. It took nearly the length of the stretch for Teddy’s Barino to finally get past Samurai Charm and prevail by a head. Samurai Charm was 10 1/4 lengths clear of third-place Velvet Slippers, then came, in order, Ever Smart, Lisette, Bye Bye Bertie, and La Castiglione. Teddy’s Barino completed one mile on the fast main track in 1:35.59. “Mike gave her a great ride,” said Mark Glatt, who trains Teddy’s Barino for Red Baron’s Barn and Vaya Con Suerte, the... ...

From DMTC.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2022) — Nick Alexander’s California-bred homebred Lieutenant Dan waited and waited for room on the turn for home in the five-furlong Green Flash Handicap Sunday at Del Mar, then fired big when the rail came open and he slipped through under leading rider Juan Hernandez to win his second consecutive edition of the 3-year-old and up turf stakes. The 6-year-old gelding by his owner’s home stallion Grazen clicked by a length and a quarter in the end to earn a first prize of $90,000 from the gross purse of $152,500 in the Grade III test.  The race also is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” affair giving its victor assured admission – with all fees paid – to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which will be conducted this year at Keeneland in Kentucky in early November. Ten months ago Lieutenant Dan ran in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which was held at Del Mar. The bay ran second that day to champion Golden... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2022) — Blinkers on, blinkers off. Two turns, one turn. Dirt, turf. Reddam Racing’s California-bred Slow Down Andy  has done it all this year as trainer Doug O’Neill has been on a relentless pursuit to unveil the talent the colt has consistently shown him from day one. In the Sept. 3 $302,000 Caesars Sportbook Del Mar Derby (G2T), the 3-year-old son of Nyquist   turned in one of his finest performances yet. This time, sans blinkers and traveling 1 1/8 miles on the turf for the first time. The one constant throughout Slow Down Andy’s career has been rider Mario Gutierrez, who has ridden the multiple graded stakes winner in every one of his seven starts since he scored in his debut last October at Santa Anita Park. Gutierrez regularly rides for Reddam Racing. And so when it appeared there were no takers for the early lead once the gates opened, Gutierrez didn’t hesitate to send Slow Down Andy forward to seize the advantage. Under a loose rein, Gutierrez... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 24, 2022) — A colt by California stallion Sir Prancealot sold for $85,000 to top Tuesday’s WTBOA Summer Yearling Sale. The registered California-sired colt, out of the Northern Afleet mare Impeached, was bred and consigned by Griffin Place and purchased by PT Syndicate #11 of San Mateo, Calif. He is a half-brother to stakes winner Slack Tide. A Sir Prancealot yearling also topped last week’s Northern California Yearling Sale. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2022) — Benjamin & Sally Warren’s homebred filly Warrens Candy Girl won a stout stretch duel with Reddam Racing’s Eddie’s New Dream to score by a head in Sunday’s $151,000 Solana Beach Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. The 4-year-old daughter of Clubhouse Ride outfooted seven California-bred rivals in the one-mile turf test in 1:35.23 and earned a first prize of $85,500. She had run just a week earlier in an allowance race on the turf and was a winner there, too. The chestnut now has a record of four wins and five seconds in 16 starts for earnings of $337,916. The winner’s dam, the Warren-bred stakes-winning mare Warren’s Jitterbug, was second in this race in 2011. Warrens Candy Girl was ridden by Umberto Rispoli and is trained by Craig Lewis. “She really can finish; she was laying closer than we are used to seeing her, but the pace was slow and Umberto did a great job,”... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (Aug. 21, 2022) – Unbeaten odds-on favorite Big Hug, an Alberta-bred daughter of California stallion Mr. Big, won Friday’s $50,000 Princess Margaret Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Century Mile. Big Hug, out of the Unusual Heat mare Temeeku, has won both starts with earnings of $39,403. She ran the six furlongs in 1:11.43 and won by 3 ¼ lengths at odds of 9-10. While carrying Big Hug, Temeeku sold at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Sale for $1,000. ...

2022-norcal-sales-results.pdf (ctba.com) PLEASANTON, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2022) – A Sir Prancealot colt brought $50,000 to top Wednesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The colt, out of the Union Rags mare Root Beer Rag, was bred by Jeff Ganje, consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds and was purchased by Robert Jones of San Leandro. The highest-priced filly in the sale was by Vronsky, out of the Cyclotron mare Eden Mirelle, was bred by Ron Rand and Courtney Rand, consigned by Harris Farms, agent, and purchased by Andy Mathis for $45,000. A Sir Prancealot filly sold for $40,000 to Harris Farms. She is out of the Frankel mare Frankly J’ray and was bred by consignor Checkmate Thoroughbreds.  There were 107 yearlings and 15 horses of racing age sold on Wednesday. The yearlings grossed $909,100 for an average of $8,496 and median of $4,500. The horses of racing age averaged $3,533 with a median of $3,000. Compared to 2021, when 30 of... ...

From DRF.com AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 14, 2022) — Slew’s Tiz Whiz, a Washington-bred son of California stallion Slew’s Tiznow, won Sunday’s $150,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs. Slew’s Tiz Whiz had a perfect trip in the most prestigious race in the Pacific Northwest as he hugged the rail every step of the way until he angled out midstretch to take control from Papa’s Golden Boy, who held on for second after setting quick interior fractions in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. With Jose Zunino riding, Slew’s Tiz Whiz was sitting comfortably in fifth when Papa’s Golden Boy posted a half-mile time of 45.17 seconds. He moved into serious contention turning for home and finished with a rush to win going away. The final margin was 2 3/4 lengths. It appeared for a moment that Papa’s Golden Boy might take them all the way, but he tired late to finish 1 1/2 lengths in front of Five Star General, who rallied late. The final time was 1:34.46. “You need... ...

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2022) — The 7-10 favorite The Big Wam had to overcome difficulties at the start, but leading rider Juan Hernandez handled him patiently, then put him to the task through the lane and the son of Mr. Big was up in time for a one-length victory in the $126,000 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles Friday at Del Mar. The bay colt was bred by Bar C Stables and foaled in Washington State, but was eligible for the California-bred or sired race because his daddy stands in California, covered five and one-half furlongs in 1:04.59 to pick up a first prize of $71,250 and increase his bankroll to $161,160. He’s owned by a couple of Californians, Michael Bello and Charles Bartlett. “He broke a little slow, then he wanted to get out, so I just had to go with him,” said Hernandez. “On the turn, though, he started moving. Then we got outside – he likes it there – and... ...

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug 7, 2022) — Jaime Renella’s Chismosa, a Clubhouse Ride filly making only the second start of her career, put it to a seven 2-year-old rivals in the 69th edition of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes Sunday at Del Mar, drawing off through the lane to come home three and a half lengths to the good in the five and one-half furlong stakes for Golden State Series eligibles. The dark bay or brown miss had captured a maiden special weight race on July 23 at Del Mar in her initial start, then wheeled back 15 days later to become a black-type winner in the 2-year-old filly offering. She earned $71,250 as the winner’s share of the $126,000 purse, which means her bankroll now reads $119,250. Chismosa is trained by Rafael DeLeon and was ridden by Edgar Payeras, who was picking up his first ever stakes win at Del Mar. “I knew we had a nice horse,” said DeLeon. “When she came to... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2022) — Del Mar’s leading rider, Juan Hernandez, found room on the rail for his mount Carmelita’s Man and forged a gutty win by a head in a blanket finish in Saturday’s $152,500 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden Staye Series eligibles Saturday afternoon at Del Mar. The score, Hernandez’s fifth stakes victory on Day 10 of the seaside meet, was worth $85,500 to owners Larry or Ann Jett for their 5-year-old gelding by Mucho Macho Man who is trained by Dean Pederson.  Finishing second in the California-bred affair was Mr.-Mrs. T.A. Shapiro’s Bang for Your Buck, who had a nose on Sondereker Racing, Felkin, et al’s The Chosen Vron. “He’s the kind of horse you can do whatever you want with him, said Hernandez. “I know this horse, I trust him a lot. I knew I had the horse and I was just waiting for some room to come through. They opened, then we come through and we win the race. He’s... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2022) — Big City Lights did what he does best Friday at Del Mar when he went to the front early, then just couldn’t be caught late as he captured the $176,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds by a length and a quarter. The racy colt by the California sire Mr. Big, bred by George Krikorian, cut out early splits of :22.14 and :44.27 in the seven-furlong headliner, then just kept on going under Del Mar’s leading rider Juan Hernandez to register his third win in his third start. “He broke well and was running well right from the start,” said Hernandez. “Mr. Mandella (trainer Richard Mandella) told me to just play it as it comes up. He said I shouldn’t take anything away from him. When we went past the five-eighths (Pole) he really wanted to go, so I just let him. He was comfortable and so was I. He got a little tired at the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2022)—Santa Anita Park has announced that its 2022-23 Winter/Spring Stakes Schedule will offer fans and horsemen a total of 93 stakes, 10 of them Grade I events, including the $750,000  Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 8, and 58 graded races beginning with the track’s traditional opener on Monday, Dec. 26 through closing day, June 18. There will be two days highlighting California-breds — Saturday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, May 28 — with five stakes restricted to Golden State Series eligibles on each card. On Saturday, Jan. 7, those stakes, totaling $900,000 in purses, are: $200,000 Cal Cup Derby, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf; $150,000 Don Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint for 4-year-olds & up at six furlongs; $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for 4-year-olds & up at 1 1/8 miles on turf; $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint for fillies and mares 4-year-olds & up at 6... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (July 28, 2022) — The dream continues. Fun to Dream, the miracle horse co-owned and co-bred by Connie Pageler, romped to a 9 3/4-length victory Thursday at Del Mar in the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies, continuing the improbable, gratifying story that began with her inexpensive dam, Lutess. “It’s a lot of fun to dream,” Pageler, surrounded by family, including four grandkids, and her racing manager, Bob Baedeker, said in the winner’s circle. “This was a Mike thing, not a Connie thing.” Michael Pageler was Connie’s husband. He died of lung cancer in November 2018, but not before his trainer, Bob Baffert, used a breeding share he owned in Arrogate to mate him to the Pagelers’s mare, Lutess, a Maria’s Mon mare the Pagelers had owned, lost, claimed back for $8,000, retired, and bred. Lutess produced the stakes winner Heck Yeah, also trained by Baffert. Baffert, impressed with the way Heck Yeah, by Acclamation, was built, wondered what kind of horse Lutess... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 24, 2022) – Slew’s Tiz Whiz, a Washington-bred son of California stallion Slew’s Tiznow, rallied late to win Sunday’s 50,000 Governor’s Stakes at Emerald Downs. Slew’s Tiz Whiz is out of the Rosberg mare Ros’s Girl. He ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.73 and won by 2 ½ lengths at odds of 9-1. Slew’s Tiz Whiz has five wins in 12 starts and earnings of $88,207. ...

By Sporting Life YORK, England (July 23, 2022) — Sir Busker, an Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, came from last to first to win a thrilling renewal of the Group II Sky Bet York Stakes. The pair were locked together from the two-furlong pole as the front-running Dark Moon Rising and Claymore gave way. Dubai Future, short of room for a while, soon weakened as the action centered around the stands’ rail. The winner, a 15/2 chance, was just about in front throughout the final furlong but there was rarely more than the winning distance of a nose between the principals. Sir Busker has six wins in 37 starts and earnings of $590,176.   Now he has proved his stamina over the ten furlongs trip, Sir Busker has opened up a whole new avenue, probably starting with a return to York for the prestigious Juddmonte International, for which Betfair and Paddy Power cut him to 50/1 from 100s. “I’m very proud and just so pleased for the horse,” said Knight.... ...

CINCINNATI, Ohio (July 15, 2022) – I Recall, an Ohio-bred daughter of California stallion Misremembered, won Friday’s $75,000 Vivacious Stakes for fillies and mares at Belterra Park. I Recall, a 5-year-old mare out of the With Distinction mare Real Distinctive, has five wins in 19 starts and earnings of $156,572. She is a half-sister to stakes winner Distinctive Flower, who finished second to her sibling in Friday’s race. I Recall ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:40.37 and won by a head at odds of 3-1. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (July 4, 2022) – California-bred Becca Taylor won her second graded stakes in a span of 30 days when she defeated six rivals in the Grade II, $201,000 Great Lady M. Monday at Los Alamitos. The victory was the ninth in 10 starts- her lone loss came by a nose on turf earlier this year in the Irish O’Brien Stakes – for the 4-year-old daughter of Old Topper and the General Meeting mare Lady Sax and the $120,000 payday pushed her earnings $499,160. The two-length win by the 7-10 choice was the second stakes success of the meet for owner-breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi. Nine days earlier, they had taken the $100,000 Bertrando with Desmond Doss. Becca Taylor, who is now 2-for-2 under jockey Juan Hernandez, broke well, disposed of longshot Brandon’smylawyer, who had the lead briefly out of the gate, before a quarter of a mile had been run, then repelled challenges from Elm Drive and Samurai Charm in the final... ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 2, 2022) – Longshot Cool Mountain Lad ($21.80) held off fellow California-bred Ultimate Bango to win his first stakes in Saturday’s $75,900 Oak Tree Sprint Stakes at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton after 3-5 favorite Howbeit stumbled at the start and unseated jockey Evin Roman. Cool Mountain Lad, ridden by Pedro Terrero, avoided trouble and raced on the inside in the stretch, edging 9-2 Ultimate Bango, who was carried wide on the turn by a loose Howbeit. Carolina Mia (15-1) led in the stretch, but could not maintain the advantage and faded to finish third. Cool Mountain Lad is by Unionize, out of the Stormin Fever mare Honeysuckle Rose, was bred by Timothy Francis O’Leary, is owned by Lordan, O’Leary or Powers and is trained by Victor Trujillo. A 4-year-old gelding by Unionize, Cool Mountain Lad has six wins in 16 starts and earnings of $181,154. Aside from Howbeit, the unluckiest runners were War Games and Ultimate Bango, who was carried into the middle... ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (July 3, 2022) – Regal Riot, a British Columbian-bred son of California stallion Jersey Town, won Sunday’s $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap for 3-year-olds at Hastings Racecourse. The winner is out of the On Target mare Regal Red and is a half-sibling to multiple stakes winner Wilo Kat. Regal Riot has three wins in five starts, earnings of $61,045 and was coming off a win in the June 11 Ross McLeod Stakes. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.56 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 9-2. ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (June 26, 2022) – In the $50,000 Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares, California-bred invader Maybe I Will outfinished 2021 Washington Horse of the Year Blazingbellablu and scored a neck victory in 1:08.38 for six furlongs at Emerald Downs. With Kevin Orozco riding at 120 lbs. for trainer Blaine Wright and owner/breeder Tom Bachman, Maybe I Will paid $12, $6, and $4.40 as fourth betting choice in a field of seven. Maybe I Will pressed the pace outside of fellow Cal-breds Ima Happy Cat and Daffodil Sweet through a half-mile in :44.21, took the lead into the lane, and then outfinished Blazingbellablu in an extended drive to the wire. Blazingbellablu rallied into contention inside and just missed scoring a victory in her season debut for trainer/co-owner Charles Essex. Ridden by Alex Cruz at 119 lbs., Blazingbellablu paid $5.20 and $3.20. Daffodil Sweet, the 9 to 5 favorite ridden by Juan Gutierrez at high weight of 123 lbs., was a half-length back in third... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (June 26, 2022) – Harris Farms’ freshman sire and graded-placed stakes winner Conquest Farenheit   sired his first winner when his daughter Rose Girl  prevailed at Los Alamitos Race Course in her second start June 26. Bred by Craig Martin in California out of the stakes-placed Swiss Yodeler daughter Swissarella , Rose Girl was sold by Lovacres Ranch at this year’s California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Winter Mixed Sale for $25,000 to Tari Brocklebank. The filly wound up racing for owner Dan Northrup and is trained by Luis Menez. Rose Girl was unplaced in her debut June 3 at Santa Anita Park but was more focus at Los Alamitos, where she broke sharply and was in contention early. She prevailed three-quarters of a length in a final time of :58.02. Swissarella is the most successful runner out of the Doneraile Court winner Donerella. She has a yearling colt by Stay Thirsty   and produced a filly this year by Ez Effort . Conquest Farenheit is an 8-year-old son of Scat Daddy who won his debut at 2 at Woodbine and followed with... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif (June 25, 2022) – Heavily-favored Desmond Doss made it consecutive scores in the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles, defeating Fashionably Fast and two others Saturday, opening day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. Owned by breeder Nick Alexander and trained by Steve Miyadi, the 6-year-old son of Grazen and the Malek mare Malley Girl earned his seventh win in 19 starts and pushed his bankroll to $422,341. On the lead for the majority of the one-mile race for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California, Desmond Doss completed the distance in 1:36.31 under jockey Juan Hernandez. The 1-2 favorite, who prevailed by three-quarters of a length, returned $3 and $2.20. There was no show wagering after Johnny Podres, also owned by breeder Alexander and trained by Miyadi, was scratched earlier in the day. The place price on Fashionably Fast, who wound up six lengths clear of 10-1 shot Irish Heatwave as the 3-1 second choice, was... ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 25, 2022) – California-bred Tam’s Little Angel set a slow pace and held off a late threat from Buyback to win her first stakes in Saturday’s $77,250 She’s a Tiger Stakes for fillies and mares at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif. Tam’s Little Angel, by Tamarando, races for owners and breeders Larry and Marianne Williams and trainer Steve Specht. Tam’s Little Angel has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $155,972. Ridden by Catalino Martinez, Tam’s Little Angel race 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.91 for her third win in her last four starts. The winning streak was disrupted by a third-place finish in the Campanile Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf on May 1. Tam’s Little Angel won allowance races at Golden Gate Fields on April 3 and May 22 in the spring. In the She’s a Tiger Stakes, Tam’s Little Angel ($18.60) was helped by a slow pace of 24.44 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.62 for... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 21, 2022) – Bill Nader has agreed to join the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as President and Chief Executive Officer, the organization announced today. Nader’s appointment will take effect in October of this year. He succeeds Greg Avioli who resigned earlier this year. Nader, 64, joins the TOC from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), where he has held senior executive positions since 2007. Prior to that, Nader was the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the New York Racing Association, where he was employed from 1994-2007. “Given his experience both domestically and internationally and the respect he commands across the Thoroughbred racing industry, we could not be more pleased to announce Bill Nader as our President and CEO,” said TOC Chairman Gary Fenton. “California has been at the forefront of historic industry changes the last few years, and Bill’s appointment is another forward-thinking step. The future of California racing has never been brighter.” “I look forward to working together with everyone... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 18, 2022)—Reddam Racing’s Absolutely Zero opted to take on the boys Saturday at Santa Anita and she answered the call, turning back a determined effort from her stablemate Tahoma to take the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Futurity by one length, getting five furlongs in 59.09 under Mario Gutierrez. Trained by Doug O’Neill, who was out of town to saddle his multiple stakes winning Hot Rod Charlie to a second-place finish today at Monmouth Park, Absolutely Zero, a California-bred filly by Reddam and O’Neill’s 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, could have run earlier in the day against fillies in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante, but the decision was made to face males at the same distance. Quick from the blocks and head and head into and around the far turn with Midnight Lightning, Absolutely Zero showed tremendous heart as she repelled a stiff challenge to her outside from Tahoma the final eighth of a mile. “She’s not the fastest out of the gate (but) today she broke... ...

YULONG, China (June 21, 2022) – Yong Qiang Xuan Feng, a 7-year-old Irish-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won a sprint handicap race at Yulong Jockey Club in China on Friday. The winner, out of the Tagula mare Jumbo Romance, ran the 1200 meters in 1:19.14. ...

By Bloodhorse.com OCEANPORT, N.J. (June 18, 2022) — Hot Rod Charlie  was the 1-5 favorite when they sprang the gate June 18 for the $147,500 Salvatore Mile Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park, but he encountered an undaunted foe in Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable’s Mind Control, a Kentucky-bred by California stallion Stay Thirsty. The 2-1 second choice in a five-horse field, Mind Control gave Hot Rod Charlie more than he could handle in the final sixteenth of the mile test Saturday, upsetting him by a head in a photo finish. After setting the pace under John Velazquez through a quarter in :23.60, a half in :46.66, and three-quarters in 1:11.18 with Hot Rod Charlie and Mike Smith tracking along to their outside, it looked like the 6-year-old son of Stay Thirsty   would finish second as Hot Rod Charlie loomed off the turn for home. But after the two hit the head of the lane in a ding-dong battle to the wire with Hot Rod Charlie poking a nose in front, Mind Control surged back relentlessly... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BUELLTON, Calif. (June 15, 2022) — Russell Drake, who managed Martin and Pam Wygod’s River Edge Farm in Buellton, Calif., for 43 years, died March 16 at age 81. Retired since 2018, Drake at River Edge oversaw the stallion careers of such sires as Bertrando , Pirate’s Bounty, Benchmark , and Tribal Rule. Born in Tucumcari, N.M., Drake grew up on a ranch and moved to California in the 1950s. He first worked for California horseman Bill Foy at George and Ruth Thomas’ Thomas Thoroughbred Farm in Glendora, Calif., and went with Foy to Connie Ring’s Three Rings Ranch in Beaumont, Calif. There he worked with Richard Mandella before Mandella became a trainer. Drake went on to manage Alexander and Heloise Power’s farm in Julian, Calif. During those years he also helped California agent Vic Heerman prep and show horses at major sales in Kentucky and New York. During one sale Drake met oil magnate George F. Getty II and Claiborne Farm owner A.B. (Bull) Hancock II. “Vic had a certain way of how... ...

ALTOONA, Iowa (June 12, 2022) – Ax Man, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Misremembered won Saturday’s $50,000 Jim Rasmussen Stakes at Prairie Meadows. Ax Man, a 7-year-old gelding out of the Flying Chevron mare Shameful, has eight wins in 21 starts and earnings of $398,455. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.40 and won by four lengths at odds of 8-1. ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 11, 2022) – Regal Riot, a British Columbian-bred by California stallion Jersey Town, won Saturday’s $50,000 Ross McLeod Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Hastings Racecourse. Regal Riot, out of the multiple stakes-winning On Target mare Regal Red, ran the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.23 on a fast track and won by a neck at odds of 8-1. He has two wins in four starts and earnings of $38,171. ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (June 11, 2022) — California-bred defending champion Give Me the Lute won Saturday’s $50,000 Albany Stakes at Golden Gate, setting the pace before outfinishing his competition to win the five-furlong contest by a narrow margin. Dueling on the lead from the outside post with fourth-place finisher Away From the Sun, the two aforementioned rivals clicked off the opening quarter mile in a sizzling hot 20.83 seconds. Into the far turn, Give Me the Lute cleared off on the lead and turned for home with a length and a half advantage. He hit the furlong pole still in front, completing the half mile in 44.52 seconds. In midstretch, 5-year-old mare Carolina Mia pounced from a stalking position and moved up to battle for the win with Give Me Lute. Give Me the Lute dug in gamely on the inside of the battle and turned away the challenge from Carolina Mia in the final 50 yards. Guided to victory by jockey Irving Orozco, Give Me the... ...

OCALA, Fla. (June 7, 2022) – A California-bred daughter of Square Eddie sold for $140,000 at Tuesday’s opening session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sale June 2-Year-Olds Sale. The filly, out of the Momentum mare Puff Pastry, was bred by Reddam Racing, consigned by Wavertree Stables, agent, and purchased by Mike Akers, agent. In the pre-sale under-tack work, she sped one furlong in :10 seconds. She is a full sister to Square Peggy, a stakes-placed winner of $276,504. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (June 5, 2022)—Taking full advantage of a California-bred incentive program that allows horses to run at the same allowance condition they’ve already won at, providing they’re changing surfaces, Mark Glatt’s Teddy’s Barino stretched out nicely for the first time to register a neck victory in Sunday’s $69,000 Santa Anita allowance feature.  Ridden by Mike Smith, Teddy’s Barino got one mile on turf in 1:35.45. Settling nicely from her outside post position in the run to the Club House turn, Teddy’s Barino was a comfortable second to Ghostem up the backside and was two lengths back with three furlongs to run.  With Smith sitting motionless, Teddy’s Barino moved to engage the leader a quarter mile out, made the lead turning for home and just held sway over Eleuthera to her inside and Big Clare and Hot On the Trail to her outside with the top four finishers separated by a neck and two noses on the wire. “I think this filly is better on dirt,... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 6, 2022) — It still surprises owner and breeder Nick Alexander that his 4-year-old filly Becca Taylor is not unbeaten after nine starts. Running in her first graded stakes, Becca Taylor won Saturday’s Grade 3 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita, her first start here since a nose loss in the Irish O’Brien Stakes on the hillside turf course in March. “I’d like to see the photo,” Alexander said with a smile. Becca Taylor, trained by Steve Miyadi, won her third stakes in the $98,000 Desert Stormer. The 3-5 favorite ridden by leading jockey Juan Hernandez, Becca Taylor was always near the front and pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. “We had the leading rider, the outside post, and I was still nervous,” Alexander said. “Juan said he had a lot of horse on the backstretch.” Becca Taylor is likely to start in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Ceiling Crusher won at first asking in Friday’s first race at Santa Anita, a $68,000 maiden special weight race for state-bred 2-year-old fillies. The daughter of Mr. Big, out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Dan Northrup and trained by Luis Mendez. She was a $22,000 purchase at last year’s Northern California Yearling Sale by Tari Brocklebank, agent. Sent off as the 8-5 favorite, Ceiling Crusher ran the five furlongs in :58.70 and won by 4 ¾ lengths in a field of seven. This year’s Northern California Yearling Sale will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. ...