From Santa Anita Pubicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2022)—A front-running gem of consistency, William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore registered her sixth career stakes win and third added money victory in a row as she took Saturday’s $75,000 Mizdirection Stakes by one length.  A 5-year-old California-bred mare by 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern, she got about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course under Ricky Gonzalez in 1:13 flat. Trained by the meet’s leading conditioner Phil D’Amato, Leggs Galore was shortening up off a gate to wire score going one mile on turf in the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes March 5, but she showed her customary zip back at a sprint today in a dominant performance.  “I think she’s as effective around two turns as the hill,” said D’Amato, who racked up his 13th stakes win and 45th overall win of the meet.  “She shows she can do both, that’s a great asset to have.  Ricky was able to get a length or two ahead crossing the dirt, that... ...

By Bloodhorse.com BALTIMORE, Md. (May 21, 2022) — Team Hanley and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Joy’s Rocket , winless in her previous eight starts that included four second-place finishes, looked like a winner all the way around historic Pimlico Race Course May 21 during a dominant 4 1/4-length triumph in the six-furlong $100,000 Skipat Stakes Joy’s Rocket, a Florida-bred by California stallion Anthony’s Cross, broke running and was quickly joined up front by 2-1 favorite Cilla  as they went a quarter-mile in :22.57 with Maryland stakes winner Time Limit  positioned to the outside in third. Time Limit moved up to second after a half in :45.06 and loomed a threat approaching the stretch when Joy’s Rocket began to steadily edge clear under a hand ride to win in 1:09.76 over a fast main track. “I was glad to see her get away from the gate so clean today. She’s run gamely all year. We went back to the pace she showed when she was 2 and was winning races,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “She’s competing well. But this put... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 21, 2022) — Brickyard Ride, a versatile and valiant California-bred son of Clubhouse Ride, was nominated to four stakes on Memorial Day weekend but will remain in open company and run in the Grade II Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs next Sunday, trainer Craig Lewis said this morning.             A five-year-old full horse owned and bred by Alfred Pais, Brickyard Ride has four gears: fast, faster, fastest and adios, and has used them all winning 12 of 22 lifetime starts, the last four in a row, in a main track sprint against Cal-breds, a one-mile dirt race against Cal-breds, a downhill turf sprint against Cal-breds, and a Grade III stakes against open company in the Kona Gold.             Lewis rarely has instructions for the rider of Brickyard Ride, Juan Hernandez, other than, “Good luck.” Santa Anita’s top jock has ridden the chestnut in his last seven races, winning five.             “That’s pretty much it (in the way of pre-race advice),” the sometimes-succinct but... ...

By Jay Hovdey, Thoroughbredracing.com In the third instalment of an acclaimed new series recalling his personal favorites, Jay Hovdey recalls the hugely popular Cal-bred filly who didn’t let an infamous Breeders’ Cup DQ derail a glittering career — Fran’s Valentine: ‘She continued to try so darn hard’ | Topics: Fran’s Valentine, Jay Hovdey’s Favorite Racehorses, Breeders’ Cup | Thoroughbred Racing Commentary You had to be there. Saturday, Nov. 10, 1984. Hollywood Park, located in the fair city of Inglewood, Calif., just down Century Boulevard from Los Angeles International Airport. Elizabeth Taylor was there. So was Cary Grant, along with Angel Cordero, Laffit Pincay, Bill Shoemaker, and a robust cohort of walking, talking legends of the Thoroughbred game. The inaugural presentation of the Breeders’ Cup was more than a watershed moment in the history of the sport. It was also a day of outrageously vigorous competition played out in seven heated innings, packed into a nationally televised NBC program. Those seven races went by in a hurry, beginning with a Breeders’... ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (May 18, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Honor the Hero Stakes at Canterbury Park. Minister of Soul 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 14 wins in 40 starts, earnings of $395,905 and is coming off a win in an Apr. 20 optional claimer. He was sixth in this race last year. ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (May 18, 2022) – Multiple stakes winner Tiger Dad is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Brooks Fields Stakes at Canterbury Park. Tiger Dad is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Unusual Heat mare Q T Shea, was bred by Mark Devereaux, Scott Gross & Mark Gross, is owned by Rosette Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has seven wins in 26 starts, earnings of $433,825 and is coming off a sixth in the May 4 St. Matthews Overnight Stakes. ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 15, 2022) — California-bred Acclimate, a former maiden claimer who won four graded stakes on turf and was unplaced in two runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, has been retired and will be retrained for a second career as an event horse. “He had a little issue,” trainer Phil D’Amato said on Friday. “He’s long in the tooth and he’s done a lot for us. “At this stage, we’d have to give him a couple of months. It’s not worth doing that age-wise.” An 8-year-old gelding, Acclimate won 8 of 31 starts and earned $763,372, all for the family of the late Bud Johnston, Timmy Time Racing and Ken Tevelde. Acclimate won his final start, the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita in March, and worked at least until mid-April. In 2021, Acclimate won the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes and was last of 14 in the BC Turf at Del Mar last November. Acclimate was ninth in the 2019 BC Turf... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 13, 2022) — Paddle On Polly  became the first winner for first-crop sire Smokem  when she narrowly took a $67,000 maiden contest for California-bred juveniles in the second race May 13 at Santa Anita Park. Running second and third behind her in a three-horse photo were a pair of other fillies by the stallion. Making her second start after a debut fourth at Santa Anita April 30, Paddle On Polly shot to the front in the 4 1/2-furlong dash on the main track and maintained a slight advantage throughout. She turned aside Smokem for You  leaving the turn and outlasted hard-charging It’s Saul Right  for a head victory. She was timed in :54.18 on a fast track, paying $26.80. Apprentice Emily Ellingwood rode the winner for trainer Lisa Bernard, who co-owns the filly with Chris Fosselman and Michael John Ryan. Ryan purchased the Terry C. Lovingier-bred filly for $10,000 from the Lovacres Ranch consignment to the 2021 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale. Smokem (Union Rags  ) stands in California at Lovacres Ranch... ...

By Bloodhorse.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 7, 2022) — In the fifth race May 7 at Turf Paradise, Jonathan Kalman’s juvenile colt, One in Vermillion , became a winner at second asking and the first winner for freshman sire Army Mule  . The California-bred colt scored by  2 1/4 lengths for trainer Esteban Martinez, defeating eight other juveniles in the Open Spring Futurity going five furlongs on dirt. One in Vermillion broke alertly to stalk the leaders while racing four wide, then moved up to take command with a sixteenth to run and quickly drew away. His final time was :56.50 for the five furlongs. One in Vermillion paid $6.80 on a $2 wager. Diamonds Danzing  was second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Beyond Awesome . The colt is out of the winning Any Given Saturday  mare Given Star and was bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises. One in Vermillion was consigned by Few Acre Farm to the 2021 Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Fall Mixed Sale, selling to Kalman for $26,000. Given Star is the dam of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 5, 2022) — The May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs will soon shed light on where California’s 3-year-olds stand vs. the nation’s best. But the racing public already knows the high quality of one of the state’s most precocious 2-year-olds. Racing May 5 in the $179,785 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill, California-bred Tom’s Regret  scored a front-running length victory over The Big Wam . Bet down to favoritism following a quick first-out victory at Santa Anita Park last month, she sped five furlongs in :58.23 on a fast track, returning $6.40 on a $2 wager. “We have a good filly. She showed me all the time in the morning. I had a lot of confidence,” trainer Jorge Periban said in a post-race interview broadcast on the track’s in-house television feed. Bred in California by DP Racing, Tom’s Regret is the lone winner and first stakes winner from four foals produced by the Quality Road   mare Pure . Her two unraced foals are a 3-year-old full sister to Tom’s Regret named Precious Baby, and... ...

CHANTILLY, France (May 3, 2022) – Prince Lancelot, a British-bred son of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won the listed $52,000 Rix Servanne at Chantilly on Tuesday. Prince Lancelot, a 4-year-old colt out of the Moss Vale mare Rainbow Vale, ran the six furlongs on turf in 1:09.35 and won by a head at odds of 7-1 in a field of 11. He has four wins in 12 starts and earnings of $133,150. ...

By Bloodhorse.com SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (May 2, 2022) — Climax Stallions announced May 2 the retirement of fourth-crop California stallion Curlin to Mischief   due to a recent bout of infertility. “Curlin to Mischief will now have the opportunity to live out his days in a new role as an amateur-friendly riding horse for Ellie Stilson at her Daisy Acres facility in Kentucky,” Climax Stallions said in a statement. The 11-year-old unraced son of Curlin   is out of the late 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady, making him a half brother to three-time leading North American sire Into Mischief  , multiple champion Beholder , and grade 1 winner and sire Mendelssohn  . Since entering stud in 2016 at Rancho San Miguel, Curlin to Mischief was California’s leading third-crop sire for 2021. He has sired 28 winners that include multiple stakes winners Good With People  and Cobra Jet . Good With People won the Golden State Juvenile Stakes on his way to earning $321,020 through the end of last year. He is currently in training at San Luis Rey Training Center. Cobra Jet... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2022) — Like stable companion Royal ‘n Rando in the $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for colts and geldings, 3-year-old chestnut filly Ellamira sat towards the back of the field before rallying from behind to win the $75,000 Campanile Stakes, the filly division of the Golden State Series-eligible stakes for turf milers at Golden Gate Fields Sunday. Ellamira, sent off as the 2-1 co-favorite with fifth place finisher Exactly Wendy, outfinished 9-1 shot Vincero Grande to take home the gold prize in the Campanile for winning jockey Frank Alvarado and trainer Steve Specht. The two aforementioned horsemen won the Silky Sullivan Stakes earlier in the day with 3-year-old Royal ‘n Rando. Another entrant for Specht in the Campanile, Tam’s Little Angel, finished third. Vaping Angel was fourth in the 2022 Campanile followed by Exactly Wendy, Irish Wahine and Sen Sen. Ellamira completed the one mile on turf in 1:38.04 seconds. 3-year-old filly Ellamira is owned by Cole Ranch Partners, who also bred the... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2022) – Royal ‘n Rando gave sire Tamarando his first black-type winner when he rallied from the back of the pack for a narrow win in Sunday’s $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. Royal ‘n Rando is out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $106,568 and was coming off a fourth in an Apr. 1 optional claimer. Royal ‘n Rando ran the mile on turf in 1:37.28 and won by a nose over Highland Ghost at odds of 7-1, with odds-on favorite Worse Read Sanchez third in the field of five. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2022) – Sadie Bluegrass, third in the race last year, split horses in mid-stretch with an explosive kick to win Saturday’s $75,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Sadie Bluegrass is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Grazen mare Sadie Clare, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Madden Racing, Hon Cheung Kum or Hsiu Mei Tsai and is trained by Jonathan Wong. She has 12 wins in 21 starts, earnings of $286,180 and was coming off a sixth in a Mar. 5 starter’s allowance. Sadie Bluegrass won by two lengths at odds of 9-2. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 30, 2022) – Longshot California-bred Ultimate Bango, claimed out of his last start for $32,000, ran past defending champion Anyportinastorm and held off the late-closing Strongconstitution by a nose to win Saturday’s $75,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate. Ultimate Bango is by Uh Oh Bango, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Ultimate Summer, was bred by Mitchell Dutko & Bob Abrams, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He has six wins in 27 starts, earnings of $396,159 and was coming off a third in the Apr. 1 $32,000 claimer. Ultimate Bango ran the six furlongs in 1:09.40 at odds of 22-1. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 30, 2022)—Brickyard Ride, a chestnut California-bred son of Clubhouse Ride, continued his march to the Grade I Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in November with an emphatic 2 ¼ length tally in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita—his fourth consecutive stakes win at the current Winter/Spring Meet.  Owned and bred by Alfred Pais, trained by Craig Lewis and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride went straight to the front and never looked back, negotiating 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.07. Breaking like a shot from his number three post position, Brickyard Ride was in complete control throughout, dictating terms through fractions of 21.95, 44.10 and 1:08.45. “He’s pretty fast,” said Lewis, who also trained Clubhouse Ride.  “Juan said he wanted to take it easy on him, but he wouldn’t let him.  So, you saw the results and they ran fast…He was geared down so, no telling.  He just keeps getting better and better. “We’re going race to race, but our long-range... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 29, 2022) – California-breds Paisley’s Vision, Scatalicious, Diamonds Danzing and One in Vermillion are entered in Saturday’s $60,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity for 2-year-olds. Paisley’s Vision is by Prospect Park, out of the Pollard’s Vision mare Winning Vision, was bred by owner C J Racing and is trained by Scott Rollins. She is making her second start with earnings of $645. Scatalicious is by Majestic Harbor, out of the Scat Daddy mare Miss Scatalicious, was bred by owner C J Racing and is trained by Scott Rollins. She is making her second start with earnings of $2,148. Diamonds Danzing is by Danzing Candy, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Temper, was bred by H & E Ranch, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and is trained by Miguel Hernandez. She is making her second start with earnings of $2,148. One in Vermillion 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... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 25, 2022) – California-bred stakes winner Power Surge sold for $370,000 at Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton April Digital Select Sale. Power Surge is a 3-year-old filly by Straight Fire, out of the Thunder Gulch mare Strikes of Fire, was bred by Straight Fire LLC, consigned by Blaine Wright, agent, and purchased by Jay Em Ess Stable. She won the recent Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies and has earnings of $126,590. She sold as a racing/broodmare prospect. Owned by Jungle Racing, KMN Racing, Legacy Ranch, LNJ Foxwoods, Old Bones Racing, et al, Power Surge has two wins in five starts. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 21, 2022) – A California-bred colt by U S Ranger sold for $280,000 at Thursday’s session of the OBS Spring Sale for 2-Year-Olds in Training. The colt, out of the stakes-placed El Corredor mare Meredith Bee, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, was consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales, agent, and was purchased by L.E.B., agent. He was sold for $50,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Yearling Sale. The colt was clocked in :10 1/5 in a one-furlong under-tack work. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 19, 2022) – A California-foaled filly by Kentucky stallion Upstart sold for $130,000 at Tuesday’s first session of the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The filly, out of the Include mare Behavioral, was bred by Fountain of Youth Breeding, consigned by Grassroots Training & Sale, agent, and purchased by West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable, Inc. The filly worked one furlong in 10 seconds flat in the under-tack breeze. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 22, 2022) – A trio of California-sired Arizona-breds won Friday stakes races at Turf Paradise. Longshot Stephen James, a son of California stallion Ministers Wild Cat, won the $60,000 Dwight D. Patterson Stakes. Stephen James, out of the Mazel Trick mare Suchaprettygirl, was bred by Fleming Thoroughbred Farm. He has three wins in 19 starts and earnings of $77,594. The 4-year-old gelding ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.84 and won by a neck at odds of 15-1 in a field of six. Big Heat, a daughter of California stallion Mr. Big, won the $60,000 Joanne Dy Breeders’ Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Big Heat, out of the Unusual Heat mare California Heat, broke her maiden with the win in her fifth career start with earnings of $56,608. The 3-year-old filly ran the six furlongs in 1:1052 and won by 6 ½ lengths at odds of 5-2. Arizona Sun, a daughter of Ministers Wild Cat, won the $60,000 Ann Owens Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares. Arizona Sun,... ...

SAN JACINTO, Calif. (Apr. 12, 2022) – Marianne Millard, co-breeder of unbeaten California champion Melair and owner of Here Tis Ranch, has passed away at the age of 91. Millard and Bea Rous bred and raced Melair, the daughter of Debonair Roger out of the mare Melrose Nugget, who was trained by John Sadler and ridden by Patrick Valenzuela. Melair was a multiple graded winner who not only beat the boys, but defeated Preakness winner and fellow Cal-bred Snow Chief in the Grade II Silver Screen Handicap at Hollywood Park. That would be Melair’s last race. She survived a bout with colic and was retired to the breeding shed. She passed away at age 16 and was buried at Millard’s Here Tis Ranch. Melair finished her racing career winning all five of her starts with earnings of $336,500. An annual Cal-bred stakes race is named in her honor. According to Steve Gale, trustee, all correspondence for the Marianne Millard Revocable Trust should be sent to:      2683 Via de la... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (April 9, 2022)—Off at 76-1, Northern California-based Power Surge electrified eight rivals as she defeated favored Connie Swingle by a head in Saturday’s $150,000 Evening Jewel Stakes at Santa Anita, providing California-based stallion Straight Fire with a sweep of the day’s Cal-bred stakes.  Trained by Blaine Wright and ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, front-running Power Surge got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.87. The Evening Jewel, for 3-year-old fillies, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Breaking from post seven, Power Surge went straight to the lead, with Connie Swingle looming ominously to her outside at the top of the lane.  With many in the Derby Day crowd expecting the longshot to fold, Power Surge dug and refused to be beaten in a victory that was anything but flukish, may’ve been aided by the fact the favorite had been idle since Sept. 3. “Blaine texted me and said that she... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 9, 2022)—Attentive to the pace, heavily favored KMN Racing’s homebred Smuggler’s Run wheeled three-deep turning for home and drew off as much the best in Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes, winning by 2 ¾ lengths.  Ridden by Joe Bravo and trained by Richard Baltas, the 3-year-old California-bred gelding by Straight Fire got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.57. The Echo Eddie, part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA, is for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Flavien Prat rode Smuggler’s Run in three out of his four starts, but Bravo took over for the first time and made it look easy, as he stalked dueling leaders Moose Mitchell and Mr. T’s Thirsty to the far turn, drawing to within 1 ½ lengths of “Moose” leaving the three furlong pole en route to his first stakes win. “It’s pretty nice when they run like that,” said Bravo.  “I don’t even have a piece of dirt on me, do I?  You... ...

By DRF.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 16, 2022) —  California-bred Slow Down Andy has been withdrawn from consideration for the Kentucky Derby after recently spiking a temperature at Keeneland, trainer Doug O’Neill confirmed Saturday morning. Slow Down Andy had made the 20-horse cutoff for the May 7 Derby by winning the March 27 Sunland Derby, but the Nyquist colt missed a scheduled workout here this weekend after taking ill. The news was first reported by Horse Racing Nation. Slow Down Andy is owned by breeder Reddam Racing and has been ridden in every race by Mario Gutierrez in compiling a 3-for-5 record that also includes a victory in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December. Reddam, O’Neill, and Gutierrez have teamed to win two prior runnings of the Kentucky Derby, in 2012 with I’ll Have Another and in 2016 with Nyquist. The removal of Slow Down Andy from the Derby top 20 assures a spot for Charge It and Tawny Port (40 points each) in the Churchill Downs starting gate.... ...

By DRF.com COALINGA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2022) — California stallion Majestic Harbor, a Grade 1 winner who made 42 starts, died of a suspected cardiac event Tuesday at Harris Farms, where he has been standing at stud, according to his co-owner, Lori Hebel-Osborne, who raced Majestic Harbor as part of a partnership. Majestic Harbor scored the biggest win of his career in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in 2014, defeating, among others, Game On Dude and Clubhouse Ride. At stud, Majestic Harbor was California’s leading freshman sire of 2020, when he sired four maiden winners from a mere six starters. In 2021, he was the top stallion in the state in terms of average earnings per runner and median earnings per runner. He began his stallion career in Indiana at Swifty Farms in 2017 before moving to Harris Farms in 2018. His first crop includes the stakes winner Platinum Tiara. Majestic Harbor, who would have turned 14 on Wednesday, was stricken after covering a mare. Plans are... ...

HALLANDALE BECH, Fla. (Mar. 30, 2022) – A California-bred Nyquist 2-year-old colt sold for $700,000 at Wednesday’s Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale. The colt, out of the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Soul Crusader, was bred by Bud Petrosian, consigned by Classic Bloodstock, agent, and purchased by Gary Young, agent for Zedan Racing. The colt was purchased for $275,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Yearlsing Sale. He is a half-brother to the stakes-placed There Goes Harvard, second in the Runhappy Ellis Park Derby last year and earner of $144,290. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2022) — Multiple graded stakes winner Lieutenant Dan was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2021 at Monday’s CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. Lieutenant Dan is by Grazen, out of the Indian Charlie mare Excusabull, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Steven Miyadi. In 2021, Lieutenant Dan had three wins and a second in four starts. The wins included the Grade II Eddie D and the Grade III Green Flash, the second came in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Lieutenant Dan also was named the Cal-bred champion Older Male, Sprinter and Turf champ for 2021. In his career, Lieutenant Dan has eight wins in 17 starts with earnings of $833,740, of which $407,720 came in 2021. Finneus and The Chosen Vron were the other finalists for Horse of the Year. Other Cal-bred champions recognized at the banquet: Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Finneus, bred by Terry Lovingier, owned by Naseer Mohammed Fasihuddin, Terry Lovingier... ...

From CHRB Chuck Winner, an internationally recognized expert in public affairs, crisis communications, and campaign management, who served on the California Horse Racing Board from 2012 to 2019, five of those years as chairman, passed away Thursday morning, March 24, from natural causes at the age of 81. Mr. Winner guided the CHRB through difficult times, most notably during the winter of 2019 when a rash of equine fatalities at Santa Anita Park attracted worldwide scrutiny. He led the push for improved safety measures to protect horses and riders, which resulted in greater equine health and welfare throughout California. After advising Governor Gavin Newsom’s office that he would not be seeking reappointment after he completed his second term as a racing commissioner on July 26, 2019, Mr. Winner said, “It’s been a challenging yet fulfilling seven years. My colleagues and I have faced some challenging and critical issues. I hope that we have made a positive difference.” Mr. Winner is survived by his wife, Annie, and four children: Justyn, Ethan,... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2022) — George Krikorian’s grade 1-winning California-bred Mucho Unusual  has been retired from racing, trainer Tim Yakteen tweeted March 24. An eight-time winner from 24 starts with earnings of $957,415, she was California-bred Horse of the Year in 2020. That year, she won the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, which preceded a 12th-place finish in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland. Returned to California following that race, she rebounded to take the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita in late 2020 and the Megahertz Stakes (G3T) there in early 2021, her final stakes victory. Last fall, she added an allowance optional claiming win at Santa Anita. In two starts in 2022, the 6-year-old Mucho Macho Man   homebred mare was third in the Robert J. Frankel and fourth in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2T). Yakteen tweeted that “we are sad to see her leave the barn; she has been so special to and for all of us.” He added that she returns... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (March 20, 2022)—Alfred Pais’ multiple stakes winning homebred Brickyard Ride tried the hillside turf course at Santa Anita for the first time Sunday and in the words of Track Announcer Frank Mirahmadi, “It’s a new game, but the same story,” as the lightning quick chestnut son of Clubhouse Ride knocked down his third consecutive stakes win as he went gate to wire in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes, winning by 1 ½ lengths over Indian Peak.  The Sensational Star is part of the CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series, which is for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Trained by Craig Lewis and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride got about 6 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:11.45. “I was asked earlier, ‘What’s your strategy?’  And I said, ‘Rock the party, baby!’  He’s fast and he’s good right now,” said Lewis.  “He doesn’t leave the gate as quickly as people would imagine, but after a stride or two, he’s just fast.  He can get into stride faster... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 19, 2022)—It took every inch of Santa Anita’s 6 ½ furlong hillside turf course, but Reddam Racing’s homebred Eddie’s New Dream was up to nail previously unbeaten Becca Taylor right on the money in Saturday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes.  Trained by Ben Cecil and ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Eddie’s New Dream, a 4-year-old filly by Square Eddie, got the official distance of about 6 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:13.63. The Irish O’Brien, for older fillies and mares bred or sired in California, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA. Forwardly placed throughout, Eddie’s New Dream was a joint third, about two lengths off pacesetter Becca Taylor at the half mile pole and she had a half length disadvantage to overcome with about 70 yards to run, but found a way and was up by the thinnest of noses on the wire. “I didn’t think she was going to get there to be honest, but Mario... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2022) — With a twist that expands a bonus package for maidens running at Del Mar this summer, the track will enrich purse earnings by 25% for qualified runners of any age who compete in a maiden dirt race during the seaside oval’s 83rd season.  Previously, the maiden bonus was known as the Juvenile Bonus and limited to 2-year-olds only over the past three years, but the new arrangement opens it up to any age maiden running in a straight maiden test, a California-bred straight maiden affair or a maiden-claiming race at the $62,500 level or above on dirt. There are two special provisos that go with the enhancement: the race must be run on dirt and the maiden must come from the barn of a trainer who has no more than 60 horses stabled in Southern California. “When competing in our higher-end dirt maiden races we want to monetarily encourage owners and trainers to run in these races to help bolster our... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Mar. 14, 2022) — A California-bred colt by Square Eddie sold for $385,000 in Tuesday’s session of the Ocala Breeders March Sale of 2-year-olds. The colt, out of the In Excess mare Too Much Excess, was bred by Reddam Racing, consigned by Wavertree Stables and was purchased by Simon Callaghan, agent. He is a full brother to stakes winners How About Zero and Don’t Sell. The colt ran one furlong in 10 seconds in the breeze-up. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 12, 2022)—A California-bred joy to behold, 8-year-old gelding Acclimate made his 31st career start and he had his running shoes on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he led a half dozen rivals on a merry chase for a mile and one half on turf, winning the Grade III, $125,000 San Luis Rey Stakes by a half length under regular rider Ricky Gonzalez.  Trained by Phil D’Amato, the bay son of 2011 Eclipse Champion Older Horse Acclamation got the trip in 2:25.40. With a hillside start, Acclimate, the even-money favorite, went to the lead as expected and enjoyed a length and three quarter cushion over Current and jockey Chris Emigh as he led the field under the wire the first time around the oval.  With Gonzalez sitting still and Emigh asking his mount, Acclimate had a three-length advantage heading into the far turn and they then held off a determined charge from Dicey Mo Chara the final three sixteenths of a mile. “I sound like... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2022) – Santa Anita will hold a second California Cup Day on Saturday, May 28, with a card that includes five stakes for Golden State Series eligibles. The co-features will be the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes, presented by City National Bank, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/18 miles on the turf and the $150,000 Melair Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. The card also includes the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the turf; the $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the turf; and the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs on the dirt. Nominations for the stakes close Thursday May 19 and entries close Wednesday May 25. The card also is expected to include a pair of first-condition allowance races and a pair of maiden races, all four restricted to Cal-breds. ...

By DRF.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 11, 2022) — Tiger Dad registered a big win routing on dirt Nov. 26 at Turf Paradise before a couple of good turf-route stakes efforts here this winter. Well, a return to dirt and sprinting Friday did the trick as the 6-year-old California-bred gelding posted a mild upset in the $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, the meet’s marquee event. Bred by Mark Devereaux, Scott Gross & Mark Gross, owned by Rosette Racing LLC and trained by Robertino Diodoro, the son of Smiling Tiger bided his time early as Annie’s Boy and 3-2 favorite Minister of Soul dueled through sizzling splits (21.36 seconds and 43.91). Tiger Dad advanced on the far turn, challenged into the lane, and kept on gamely under Karlo Lopez to beat a rallying Bedrock by a half-length. He ran the six furlongs in 1:08.64 and returned $13. Tiger Dad has seven wins in 25 starts, earnings of $432,875 and was claimed for $50,000 last November. Bedrock, coming off a romping stakes win at... ...

By Bloodhorse.com VERSAILLES, Ky. (Mar. 11, 2022) — Grade 1 winner Swiss Yodeler , a five-time stakes winner at 2 who in turn sired precocious runners, died Feb. 24 just four days shy of his 28th birthday of apparently heart failure at Huntertown Farm near Versailles, Ky., where he has been retired since 2020. The son of Eastern Echo, out of the Raja Baba stakes winner Drapeau, was bred in Kentucky by Martha Gerry and W.S. Farish. They sold the colt at the 1995 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $60,000 to trainer Mike Harrington, who bought Swiss Yodeler on behalf of owner Heinz Steinmann. Swiss Yodeler won his debut in May 1996 by three lengths, became a stakes winner in his second start by taking the Westchester Stakes by four lengths, and won his first graded stakes by his fourth start in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G2), all at Hollywood Park. He finished off the board only once during his juvenile campaign and fattened his stakes tally with victories in... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2022) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Northern California Yearling & Horses of Racing Age Sale is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. It will be held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton at noon. Entries will close Tuesday, June 1. For further information, contact Loretta Veiga at 626-445-7800 ext. 227 or Christy Chapman at 626-445-7800 et. 247, or email loretta@ctba.com or christy@ctba.com.   ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2022) — As part of its upwards flow of positives for the summer 2022 race meet, Del Mar has unveiled an enhanced stakes schedule that features 34 major races with more than half of them boosted above their 2021 purse numbers resulting in a record gross value of $8,275,000 for its 31-day stand, the 83rd in the seaside track’s rich history. Besides the major stakes, there also will be increases from $80,000 to $100,000 for all five of its overnight stakes. Further, Del Mar also will present its usual compliment of eight California-bred stakes, part of the Golden State Stakes Series that consists of 36 races at tracks up and down the state worth more than $4.4 million. Its stakes are the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, the $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes, the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, the $125,000 CTBA Stakes, the $125,000 Graduation Stakes, the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes, the $125,000 Generous Portion Stakes and the $125,000 I’m Smokin Stakes. Major... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 5, 2022)—Opening up by as much as eight lengths at one point, trainer Phil D’Amato’s speedy California-bred Leggs Galore prevailed by a half length in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita.  A William Sims homebred 5-year-old mare by 2014 Breeder’s Cup Classic winner Bayern, Leggs Galore was ridden by Ricky Gonzalez and got one mile on turf in 1:34.29. In total control throughout, Leggs Galore had a five length edge at the top of the lane and although she was shortening stride late, held off a big finish from the actual 2-1 favorite Going to Vegas, who was ridden by Flavien Prat. “That was a pretty ambitious move (re: Ricky Gonzalez’s move out of the gate and opening up on the field), said D’Amato “I was holding my breath there.  I was just waiting for the wire to be there.  We got it done.  She took another step up.  This was a solid open company field.  She’s a double... ...

SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2022)—The first mare bred to Mo Forza, a Grade 1-winning millionaire by Uncle Mo who entered stud this year at Rancho San Miguel in California, has been confirmed in foal. Multiple winner Californiasunshine, a 9-year-old daughter of the late leading California sire Lucky Pulpit, was determined to be pregnant as a result of a single cover in mid-February. Owned by breeder Alice Bamford, she was the first mare to be bred from Mo Forza’s inaugural book. Mo Forza won seven graded stakes races in Southern California from 2019 through 2021, including the 2019 Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar. He earned $1,034,460 from 15 starts overall as one of North America’s top turf milers of his generation. Owned by Kentucky-based industry leader Taylor Made Farm and San Diego horseman Onofrio Pecoraro, Mo Forza is the preeminent son of the champion juvenile and wildly popular sire Uncle Mo standing on the West Coast. As such, he is being strongly supported in his burgeoning stallion career by... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2022) – California-bred Slow Down Andy, winner of the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December but only sixth of 10 in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds, will be pointed to the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 9 at Keeneland, trainer Doug O’Neill said over the weekend. The Blue Grass is one of the leading preps for the Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs. Awake at Midnyte, third for O’Neill in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes on Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds, is being pointed to the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland, a prep for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs. Slow Down Andy and Awake at Midnyte are owned by Paul and Zillah Reddam. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more “Talking with Paul and Zillah, we thought the timing was good,” O’Neill said. “If you’re... ...

By Horse Racing Nation SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 27, 2022) — Jim Rome’s Straight Up G (1-1), who had not previously faced anything but California-bred rivals, led from gate to wire in winning Sunday’s $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby, a black-type stakes at sun-splashed Sunland Park. The race has become the main prep for next month’s Sunland Park Derby (G3), a win-and-you’re-in qualifier for Churchill Downs.  “We weren’t exactly sure,” Rome said after the race on Sunland Park TV. “We wanted to run outside California. We wanted to try some open competition. We wanted to see how he measured up. He showed me a lot of heart.” Ridden by Ricardo González for trainer Richard Baltas, the homebred Straight Fire colt drifted out late but outlasted the late-closing Bye Bye Bobby (5-1) by three-quarters of a length. Classic Moment (4-1) was another three-quarters of a length back in third. Fowler Blue (17-1) finished a distant fourth in the field of eight.  The winning time was 1:42.96 for the 1 1/16 miles on the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2022)—The lone California-bred in the field, Nick Alexander’s Alice Marble staked the early leaders and came away nicely a furlong out to take Saturday’s $75,000 Wishing Well Stakes at Santa Anita by a half length.  Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Edwin Maldonado, the 5-year-old mare by Grazen got 6 ½ furlongs out of the turf chute in 1:15.45. Three quarters of a length behind speedy Dynasty of Her Own three furlongs from home, Alice Marble was in the middle of a three-horse spread that was bracketed by race favorite Hear My Prayer on the outside turning for home and ‘Alice’ proved best on the day, holding off the late charge of Stella Noir at the wire. “This filly has never looked so good,” said D’Amato, who registered his fifth stakes win of the meet.  “She’s all dappled out and I just think she’s thriving right now.  I thought with the right trip, she’d be sitting on a big race and... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2022) — Warren’s Showtime , a seven-time stakes winner and California-bred champion, took a bad step Feb. 26 during a work at Santa Anita Park and had to be euthanized. Trainer Craig Lewis and co-owner Sally Warren both confirmed that they lost the mare, who was extremely special to the trainer, as well as to Warren and her husband, Ben. “She was working beautifully, switched leads at the three-sixteenths pole, and broke down,” said an emotional Lewis by phone. “I was watching the work with Craig O’Bryan, Vladimir Cerin, and Ian Kruljac, and everybody was marveling at what a beautiful-moving filly she was. Fate intervened.” Lewis trained both Clubhouse Ride  and Warren’s Veneda , the sire and dam of Warren’s Showtime. When Warren’s Showtime won the 2020 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T), she gave Lewis his 1,000th career win. “The best thing was that Craig got his 1,000th win and it happened to be for us,” said Sally Warren after the race. The 5-year-old mare also endeared herself around Lewis’ barn. “She... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2022)–Could his incredible speed carry him a route of ground?  That was the question facing Alfred Pais’ heavily favored homebred Brickyard Ride on Monday at Santa Anita as he stretched out to a flat mile in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes.  It took about a minute and a half, but the question was answered in resounding fashion, as the 5-year-old chestnut horse by Clubhouse Ride won geared down by 7 ½ lengths under regular rider Juan Hernandez, who would go on the register his third win of the day in the next race.  Trained by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride stopped the clock at 1:37.77. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Tiznow is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. “To me, he can go short or long,” said Hernandez. “Today, he was more aggressive than when he goes short. I think he handled the distance pretty good. I was by myself on the backside, but my horse was... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2022)–Nick Alexander’s homebred Becca Taylor ran her unbeaten streak to six races in Monday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita, as she overhauled  determined longshot Omg It’s Jessica to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths.  Trained by Steve Miyadi and ridden by Flavien Prat, the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Old Topper got six furlongs in 1:10.86. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Spring Fever is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners. Breaking sharply from the outside in a field of five older fillies and mares, Becca Taylor was immediately engaged by Omg It’s Jessica, who held a half length advantage heading to the far turn, but “Becca” got on terms straightening for home and gained the advantage a furlong out. “Yes, since Craig (Dollase) told me his filly was going to take back, I was shocked she went to the lead like that,” said Miyadi.  “Seriously, I think it helped that Omg It’s Jessica had to rush up... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2022) – Favored multiple stakes winner Bettor Trip Nick, second in this race in 2020, went wire to wire to win Saturday’s $75,900 El Dorado Shooter Stakes for California-breds at Golden Gate. Bettor Trip Nick is by Boat Trip, out of the In Excess mare Bettor Knot, was bred by Running Horse Equine Training Center, is owned by Gary Oetman and Ray Pagano and trained by Jonathan Wong. He has seven wins in 17 starts, earnings of $271,630 and was coming off a Feb. 6 optional claiming win. Bettor Trip Nick ran the six furlongs in 1:09.46 and won by three-quarters of a length as the 3-2 favorite in the field of eight. It was his third stakes win, all at Golden Gate. Riding With Dino rallied for second and Psycho Dar was third. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 18, 2022) – California-bred Pumpkin Bread, coming off a debut win in a maiden claimer, won Friday’s $60,000 Princess of Palms Stakes for fillies and mares at Turf Paradise. Pumpkin Bread is by English Channel, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Kittens Trip, was bred by J. Kirk & Judy Robison, is owned by Aimee Rosa and trained by Bart Hone. Claimed by her current owner for $12,500 from her debut win, Pumpkin Bread has won both starts with career earnings of $43,772. She ran the 7 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:32.44 and won by three lengths at odds of 3-1 in a field of five. ...

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2022) – California stallion Ministers Wild Cat, a mainstay at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, has been pensioned at the age of 22, the farm announced on Wednesday. Ministers Wild Cat, by Deputy Minister and out of the Kris S mare and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Hollywood Wildcat, is a sibling to champion sire War Chant and was a multiple stakes winner for breeders Marjorie and Irving Cowan. He entered stud at Tommy Town in 2006. His 14 crops to race earned more than $24 million with more than 20 black-type winners, including graded winners Doinghardtimeagain, who earned $734, 304, and eventual sire Tiz A Minster, as well as current runners Fly to Mars and Minister of Soul. ...

DUBAI, UAE (Feb. 11, 2022) – California-bred Appreciated, claimed for $40,000 four races back, circled the field from last place on the turn then outdueled Sanad Libya down the stretch to win Friday’s $100,000 listed Curlin Stakes, presented by Race of Ambition, at Meydan. The 6-year-old gelded son of Acclamation, out of the Belong to Me mare Wise Investor, was bred by Paul Newhart & Craig Martin, is owned by R3 Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill. He has six wins in 31 starts, earnings of $354,296 and was coming off a third in a Dec. 27 optional claimer. Appreciated ran the 2000 meters in 2:08.12 and won by a neck in a field of 13. ...

From Barton Thoroughbreds SANTA YNEZ, CA—Northern California Yearling Sale graduate and multiple stakes winner Take the One O One has been retired from racing and will enter stud for the 2022 season at Barton Thoroughbreds for $2,000 LFSN, with special consideration given to approved mares. The 7-year-old son of Acclamation out of the Jump Start mare North Freeway retires with lifetime earnings of near $500,000. This includes his wins in both the Snow Chief and Real Good Deal Stakes, as well as a third-place finish in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes to Bolt d’Oro and Solomini. Take the One O One was an early winner at two, yet had the versatility to run long on both the turf and dirt. Barton Thoroughbreds is pleased to add Take the One O One to their roster on behalf of Jay Em Ess Stable, and the horse is available for inspection at the farm in Santa Ynez, California. ...

From Barton Thoroughbreds SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2022) — Barton Thoroughbreds is happy to announce that Bodexpress, a track record-setter and 116-Equibase speed figure freshman sire by Bodemeister, is expecting 59 foals within his first crop this year. Seven of these foals have already arrived, and we couldn’t be more pleased with their presentation.   Here is his 2022 filly out of Fracci (by After Market, stakes winning son of Storm Cat). His second foal is a 2022 filly out of Love Abounds (whose 2020 colt by Not This Time sold for $210,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale). ...

sales-result-2022.pdf (ctba.com) POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2022) – Le Vron James, a 2-year-old son of the late Vronsky, sold for a session-topping $85,000 to lead sizeable year-over-year gains at Tuesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale at Fairplex. There were 113 horses sold for gross sales of $1,298,407, an average of $11,490 and a median of $5,200. At last year’s Winter Mixed Sale, 73 sold for gross sales of $575,100, an average of $7,878 and a median of $3,200. The California-bred Vronsky colt, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Arousing, was bred by Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo and purchased by Dare to Dream, Don Calabria & John Crawford. He previously sold to Jeff Ganje at the 2021 CTBA Northern California Yearling Sale for $32,000. A close second to the topper was Prince Jimmy, a California-bred son of Jimmy Creed out of the Tiznow mare Following a Dream, which sold to Super Horse, agent Sweetwater Trading, for $75,000. He was bred by Tony Busching & Carol Busching. The highest-priced... ...

By Bloodhorse.com MIDWAY, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2022) — Graded stakes winner Blending Element died at age 29 Jan. 27 at Sheltowee Farm in Midway, Ky. The mare, whose five stakes winners include current California sire Texas Ryano  , has been one of the foundation broodmares of the Williamson family. Raced in this country by the late Warren Williamson, Blending Element produced 12 foals, all bred by Williamson or in the name of Williamson Racing, operated by Williamson and his son Henry. “We are all very sad,” said Henry Williamson. “But she lived a long and productive life, both as a graded stakes winner and mom to multiple stakes winners, including our stallion Texas Ryano.” Bred by E.J. Loder, Blending Element was by Great Commotion—Blue Wedding, by Irish River. She began her racing career in her native Ireland. Trained in the U.S. by Carla Gaines, Blending Element won the 1999 Yerba Buena Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3T) and The Very One Handicap, and the 1998 Reloy Handicap. She placed in five other stakes and earned $448,483. Blending Element did... ...

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Jan. 29, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate El Chavo Del Ocho won Saturday’s $75,000 Ft. Bliss Stakes at Sunland Park. El Chavo Del Ocho is by Tannersmyman, out of the Artax mare My Sis Liz, was bred by Joseph Duffel and Woodbridge Farm, is owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Justin Evans. The $4,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has eight wins in 42 starts an earnings of $314,152. The 7-year-old gelding ran the six furlongs in 1:09.43 and won by a nose at odds of 2-1 in the field of five. ...

DANVILLE, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2022) – Longtime Northern California trainer Bill Delia passed away on Thursday. He was 75. Delia, with 975 training wins and career track earnings of $16.7 million, trained Grade III California Derby winner I’m a Jewel in 1997, multiple stakes-winning California-bred Bai and Bai and, most recently, multiple stakes winner Bettor Trip Nick. “She was probably my favorite,” Delia said of Bai and Bai in California Thoroughbred magazine in 2017. “She was not a big, robust filly, but she sure could run. My clients did very well with her.” Delia was named 2019 Trainer of the Year by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Delia began training in 1985 after 20 years as a jockey, riding often for the legendary Farrell Jones. His biggest earner was another Cal-bred, multiple stakes-winner Central Heat, who pocketed $458,602 on the track. Truce in Balance, another Cal-bred stakes winner, earned $355,087 for Delia. Delia was affectionately known as “Wild Bill,” a nickname he said he earned as a Southern California jockey.... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2022) — Total money generated from pari-mutuel wagering for the benefit of California Thoroughbred purses increased to $118.4 million in 2021 from $99.8 million in 2020, according to data released today by the Thoroughbred Owners of California. This growth was supported in part by an increase in the total number of daytime Thoroughbred races run in California – from 2469 in 2020 to 2785 in 2021. “These 2021 purse generation numbers are a great indicator of the power and resilience of California racing,” said TOC Chairman Gary Fenton. “We are particularly excited to see the substantial increase of wagering on California races from both California residents and out-of-state handicappers, which grew from $1.48 billion in 2020 to $1.806 billion in 2021. The good news continues, as these purse generation figures do not include the $7 million in supplemental purse contributions TOC negotiated with TVG or the $28 million of 2021 Breeders’ Cup weekend purses, so the actual purses paid out in California were even... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2021) — With all-sources pari-mutuel handle topping $17.2 million, Saturday’s California Cup Day at Santa Anita was a rousing success both in terms of money bet and an outstanding 10-race card of statebred racing. “We were very pleased with field size and the tremendous response from our fans, nationwide,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager.  “We averaged 8.1 horses per race and it was great to see so many familiar faces, older horses, geldings and fillies and mares. “I think that underscores the tremendous horsemanship we continue to see here in California and our fans love it, because they get familiar with these horses and they truly look forward to watching them run and betting on them.  On the business side, our overall handle of $17.2 million was the best Cal Cup Day we’ve had since 2007, so that’s very encouraging.  We want to sincerely thank all of our owners and trainers for helping to make this... ...

From Checkmate Thoroughbreds COALINGA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2022) — Halladay, a Grade 1 winner by the top international sire War Front, has been retired from racing and will commence his stallion career in 2022 at Harris Farms in California, as the property of a syndicate led by Adrian Gonzalez of Checkmate Thoroughbreds. He will be the only Grade 1 winning son of War Front to stand west of Kentucky and his only stakes winning son in California. Halladay’s introductory fee is $7,500 live foal stand and nurse guarantee, with shares available. Campaigned by Harrell Ventures and trained by Todd Pletcher, Halladay won six races including three stakes, earning $565,245. His greatest victory occurred in the 2020 Grade I Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, where he defeated Grade I winners Uni (GB), Got Stormy, Raging Bull (FR), Casa Creed, Without Parole (GB) and Valid Point, while leading gate to wire, stopping the clock for one mile on the turf in 1:33 1/5. In his next race, Halladay set the pace in the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2022)–With but one race to her credit, Nick Alexander’s homebred Rose Dawson adapted to a change in conditions like a seasoned veteran as she flew late to take Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks by one length at Santa Anita Park.  Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Flavien Prat, both of whom registered stakes doubles on the afternoon, Rose Dawson, a 3-year-old grey daughter of Alexander’s Grazen, who was trying grass and two turns for the first time, got a flat mile in 1:36.07. Next to last, about nine lengths off dueling leaders Professors’ Pride and Eleuthera with three furlongs to run, Rose Dawson hugged the rail to the top of the lane, swung five-deep and went on to win with her ears pricked at the wire in a dramatic finish to a 10-race California Cup Day program. “I’m very proud of her because I kinda thought I might be throwing a lot at her, going long and first... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2022)–Perhaps the fastest horse on the grounds, the Alfred Pais-homebred Brickyard Ride blasted off from his number three post position and never looked back as he marched to a 1 ¾ length score in Saturday’s $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride, idle since well beaten going seven furlongs in the Grade II Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 28, got six furlongs in 1:09.54 while successfully defending his Cal Cup Sprint title. Although a well-meant Letsgetlucky applied serious pressure into and around the far turn, Brickyard Ride got the separation he needed leaving the quarter pole and he enjoyed a three length advantage a furlong from home in a dominant performance. “Craig told me to just let him run,” said Hernandez, who picked up his second win on the day.  “He broke really sharp and he was ready today.  I could tell he came to run because at the (break) he... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2022)–Fresh and dangerous, William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore burst out of the gate and never looked back in taking Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Presented by John Deere by 2 ¼ lengths under Ricky Gonzalez.  Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 5-year-old mare by 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern got about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12.99. Idle since running fourth in the one-mile turf Solana Beach Stakes versus statebreds at Del Mar Aug. 15, Leggs Galore was plenty ready today, rattling off splits of 22.27, 44.66 and 1:06.86 while never challenged at any point.     “She saddled great, she was fresh and happy,” said D’Amato.  “She just needed a little rest and recuperation after a long year last year.  She has come back great.  I think she is a double threat, I think she can (get a) mile just as easily as she can sprint on the grass.  We will check our... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2022)–In his first stakes assignment and first time around two turns, the Mark Glatt-conditioned Aligato wheeled four deep turning for home and unleashed an impressive turn of foot to take Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic Presented by City National Bank at Santa Anita to win going away by 1 ¾ lengths.  Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 5-year-old gelding by Kitten’s Joy got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:48.29. Unhurried while fifth, about six lengths off dueling leaders Whooping Jay and Ferrariano in a field of seven leaving the half mile pole, Aligato began to close in three furlongs from home and had the leaders measured mid-way around the far turn. “We always thought he would improve when we had a chance to go further with him,” said Glatt.  “It wasn’t the most ideal circumstances today, but I think that just shows you how good of a horse he is.  He’s just a very good horse, particularly for a... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2022)–Soundly beaten by Straight Up G when last they met, the Jeff Mullins-trained Fast Draw Munnings turned the tables on his heavily favored rival in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita, as they battled head and head the final three sixteenths of a mile with “Fast Draw” gaining the advantage late to prevail by a neck.  Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Fast Draw Munnings, a California-bred colt by the Kentucky-based stallion Munnings, got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:46.99. The seeds of Straight Up G’s defeat were sown early, as Highland Ghost, under Flavien Prat, gunned to the early lead from his rail post position with Straight Up G lapped on him to the five sixteenths pole, where he took the lead but was immediately tackled by the winner leaving the quarter pole. “The main thing was hoping somebody went with the favorite, I mean that horse got away with an easy lead last time and we thought that... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2022) – California stallion Box Score was represented by his first winner when Hail Freedom won the fourth race at Santa Anita, a maiden special weight on the turf. Hail Freedom, a 4-year-old colt, is out of the Good Journey mare Susan B Good, was bred by owner Ed Delaney and trained by Doug O’Neill. The 1-2 favorite ran the six furlongs on turf in 1:08.48 and won by 1 ¼ lengths in a field of seven. In nine starts, Box Score has earnings of $122,900. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2022) – California-bred multiple stakes winner Bella Vita sold for $500,000 in Wednesday’s session of the Keeneland January Sale. The 5-year-old daughter of Bayern, out of the Storm Cat mare Queenie Cat, was bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, was raced by Kaleem Shah and was purchased by Narvick International. Bella Vita sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. She won the Spring Fever and Betty Grable Stakes with career earnings of $346,722. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2022) — Third-crop sire Gem Heist, a son of Street Cry (Ire) out of Tapit’s Grade 1-winning millionaire Careless Jewel, has been relocated to stand at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, California for the 2022 breeding season. His fee is $2,500, live foal guarantee. The 10-year-old stallion previously stood at a private farm in Bakersfield, California as the property of the late horseman Bob Grayson Sr. Grayson purchased Gem Heist for $100,000 from Eddie Woods’ consignment at the 2014 Barretts March Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training after the racing prospect was clocked in a co-bullet :09 4/5 for his one-furlong, pre-sale breeze. Gem Heist experienced a career-ending injury while preparing for his debut, and was subsequently retired to a modest stallion career prior to the 2017 breeding season. To date, he is credited with 29 reported foals, including eight juveniles and three yearlings of 2022. From his five lifetime starters, three are winners, led by the multiple-winning filly Saturday Heist,... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2022) – Old English Rancho bred the winners of three of the first five races on the Friday card at Golden Gate. Rule of Angels won the first race, a maiden claimer. He is by Acclamation, out of the Perfect Mandate mare Angel’s Law and is owned by Nin Auyeung and Gary Marrone and trained by Michael Lenzini. Blueberry Eyes won the fourth race, a $20,000 claimer. She is also by Acclamation, out of the Bold Badgett mare Roberta’s Mango, is owned by Legacy Ranch and trained by Andy Mathis. Speeding Style won the fifth race, a maiden claimer. He is by Cyclotron, out of the Lucayan Prince mare Always in Style, is owned by GCCI and trained by Cliff DeLima. ...

By Bloodhorse.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 5, 2022) — In the trials and tribulations of horse racing, a horse winning just four races in a row is an achievement to be lauded, but to win 10 in a row, and 12 for the entire year, is a rare phenomenon. Some of the greatest athletes in the history of the Sport of Kings have failed to accomplish such a feat, but a former $3,500 claimer named Shinny  did it with bells on in 2021. The now 5-year-old Cal-bred gelding, inconspicuous to the eye and slight of frame, was picked up by owner Robert Rosette and trainer Robertino Diodoro one Wednesday afternoon at Turf Paradise. At the time, Rosette’s stable had dwindled down to just one horse in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Rosette noticed Shinny in the program, he immediately contacted his trainer. “I remember my first line to Robertino: ‘Look, I want to do something really degenerate,'” Rosette recalled. “He just laughed hard and said, ‘Well, what do you want to do?’ I... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif (Dec. 31, 2021) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Nuestra Engreido became the first winner for stallion Cat Burglar   Dec. 31, pressing the pace and advancing two wide to defeat California-bred 2-year-olds in a $39,900 maiden race at Golden Gate Fields. The victorious chestnut colt scored by 3 1/4 lengths in the ninth race Friday under Ruben Fuentes for trainer Felix Rondan, who co-owns him with Ruben Arechiga. Just a day before turning 3, the winner raced 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta in 1:04.38, paying $30.20. Bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises and Robert Traynor, Nuestro Engreido is out of the North Light mare Just Heavenly. He was a $1,000 purchase by his trainer from the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s 2020 Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale, where Barton Thoroughbreds consigned him. Cat Burglar, a newly-turned 12-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song, stands at Barton Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez, Calif., for a $2,500 fee in 2022. Another chestnut, Cat Burglar was a stakes winner of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2021) — The Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park Jan. 29 is “probably leading the way” for the next start for Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner Slow Down Andy , trainer Doug O’Neill said Dec. 29. Bred in California by owners Paul and Zillah Reddam’s Reddam Racing, Slow Down Andy is 2-for-3 with earnings of $249,850. He picked up 10 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs with his victory in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity. The Southwest is at the same distance and offers another 10 qualifying points to its winner, plus points on a 4-2-1 scale to its second through fourth finishers. O’Neill called the $750,000 Southwest appealing due to “the fact that we get a chance to see him travel, see if he enjoys that or if he frets on it. Just kind of a learning experience early on so we can make adjustments, if for whatever reason, he isn’t the greatest traveler in the world.” One adjustment already considered... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 16, 2021) – California-bred Miss Carousel rallied late to win Thursday’s $60,000 Sun Devil Sprint Stakes for fillies and mares at Turf Paradise. Miss Carousel is by Square Eddie, out of the In Excess mare Gypsy Friday, was bred by owners Reddam Racing and Edward Freeman, who is also the trainer. She has five wins in 12 starts, earnings of $167,045 and was coming off a win in a $25,000 claimer Nov. 21. The 4-year-old filly ran the five furlongs on turf in :56.27 and won by a neck at odds of 3-1 in a field of eight. ...

From Lovacres Ranch WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2021) – Stallion V. E. Day has relocated to California and will stand the 2022 season at Lovacres Ranch for a fee of $2,500, it was announced on Monday. V. E. Day is a 10-year-old son of English Channel, out of the Deputy Minister mare California Sunset, who was out of a full sister to champion Sunshine Forever. V.E. Day earned $1,044,061 on the track, racing in Europe and the United States and winning on both dirt and turf. V. E. Day won the Grade I Travers Stakes as a 3-year-old, defeating Bayern, Wicked Strong and Tonalist among others. He also was second in the Grade II Brooklyn Invitational Stakes. His first crop of foals are 3-year-olds this year. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2021) – A stretch to two turns proved no problem for Straight Up G as the Straight Fire colt scored a decisive gate-to-wire victory in the $102,000 King Glorious Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-olds Sunday, the final day of the Winter meet at Los Alamitos. Under jockey Ricardo Gonzalez, Straight Up G, who is owned by breeder Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing LLC, easily dispatched of early challengers Moose Mitchell and Thirsty Always to draw clear in the stretch and ultimately prevail by 3 ½ lengths in the race for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California. Trained by Richard Baltas, who also trains the colt’s half-sister Gidgetta, Straight Up G, who is out of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, completed the mile in 1:36.88 and returned $6, $4.20 and $3 as the 2-1 second choice in the field of nine. He’s now won twice in three races and earned $105,660. His King Glorious win came three weeks after he graduated by... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. – A suggestion made by owner J. Paul Reddam paid big dividends Saturday at Los Alamitos. Rather than run in the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes Sunday, an ungraded event restricted to 2-year-olds bred or sired in California, Reddam wanted to try the Grade II, $300,000 Los Alamitos Futurity with his homebred Slow Down Andy. Making his first start against open company and first beyond seven furlongs, the son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist was up to the challenge, upsetting heavily-favored Messier under jockey Mario Gutierrez. Reserved off the pace set by longshot Olympic Legend and stablemate Durante, Slow Down Andy, who is trained by Doug O’Neill, took over the lead early in the stretch, surrendered it to Messier, the 1-2 choice, when he lugged in, but regained his momentum and went on to win by one length. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.33. Out of the Square Eddie mare Edwina E, Slow Down Andy ended Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2021) – Rebalation ($10.80), who began her 2021 campaign with a $12,500 claiming win after 16 months on the sidelines, came flying through the stretch to nip favored Nardini at the wire to capture the $78,600 Bear Fan for California-bred fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday. Sitting well off dueling leaders Ima Happy Cat’s and Hot Rageous’ sizzling opening fractions of 21.63 and 44.26, Rebalation was guided wide by jockey Frank Alvarado to get a clear path through the stretch. She was four wide passing the quarter pole and six wide in the stretch and was in the clear, although still not a factor. Nardini, who had been stalking the leaders, took over the lead as Tip Top Gal and J and K Express, who was making only her second start, were also moving well. Nardini began to open on her rivals and was looking good, but Rebalation was gaining with every stride and seemed to have her measured. :: Bet the... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2021) –A stretch to two turns proved no issue for Professors’ Pride as the 9-5 favorite went all the way in the $100,500 Soviet Problem Stakes Friday at Los Alamitos. Trained by Eddie Truman for owners Larry and Carolyn Samovar’s Academic Farms, the 2-year-old daughter of Bayern and the Twirling Candy mare Last Resort assumed control immediately and was never menaced, winning by three lengths under jockey Juan Hernandez. Bred by Glen Hill Farm and purchased for $60,000 in October of last year, Professors’ Pride is now 2-for-2 with earnings of $102,000. A one-length winner in her sprint debut Nov. 14 at Del Mar, she completed one mile in 1:36.94, the fastest time in the race restricted to fillies bred or sired in California since Sircat Sally won in record 1:35.42 in 2016. Providing Hernandez with his second consecutive Soviet Problem victory – he tallied with Sensible Cat in 2020 – Professors’ Pride paid $5.60, $3.20 and $3. Big Novel, the 9-5... ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2021) – California stallion Lakerville has relocated to Daehling Ranch for the 2022 breeding season for a fee of $2,500, the farm announced this week. Lakervile, a stakes-winning son of Unusual Heat, is out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame. His four crops of racing age have earned more than $1.3 million, led by multiple stakes winner Lakerball. ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2021)—Mo Forza, a Grade 1 winner and $1 million-plus earner by the very popular sire of sires Uncle Mo, has been retired from racing and will commence his stallion career in 2022 at Rancho San Miguel in California as the property of Taylor Made Stallions and Onofrio Pecoraro. The 5-year-old horse will make history on two important fronts: as Kentucky-based industry leader Taylor Made Farm’s first foray into California’s breeding industry and as the first son of Uncle Mo—North America’s 2010 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt and the sire of the Grade 1-siring stallions Nyquist and Laoban—to stand on the West Coast. Mo Forza’s introductory fee is $9,000, live foal stand and nurse guarantee. A syndication is being formed, with a limited number of shares available. Campaigned by Bardy Farm and Pecoraro’s San Diego-based OG Boss stable, Mo Forza won eight of 15 starts and earned $1,034,460 as one of North America’s top turf milers over the past three seasons. His seven graded... ...

SHARJAH, UAE (Nov. 27, 2021) – Far Sky, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, won Saturday’s $54,451 (USD) Sheikh Hamdan Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, presented by The Longines Master Collection, at Sharjah Longines Racecourse. Far Sky, a 4-year-old gelding out of the stakes-placed Belong to Me mare Mine All Mine, ran the 1,700 meters in 1:48.16 and won by 2 ¼ lengths. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 27, 2021) – Freeport Joe wore down fellow Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Camino Del Paraiso in late stretch to win Saturday’s $100,900 Grade III Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate. Freeport Joe is by English Channel, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Winds of March, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Larry Odbert and trained by Gloria Haley. The $2,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $141,056 and was coming off a Nov. 7 allowance win. Freeport Joe ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:43.70 and was the second-longest shot in the field of seven at 10-1 and won by one length over the favored Camino Del Paraiso. ...

From Maryland Jockey Club Publicity LAUREL, Md. (Nov. 27, 2021) – Graded-stakes winner Pickin’ Time, a son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, swept to the lead on the outside around the far turn and had plenty left to turn back a bid from He’smyhoneybadger nearing the wire for a 1 ¼-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 City of Laurel at Laurel Park. The 11th running of the City of Laurel for 3-year-olds was the first of three $100,000 stakes on the program, followed by the Safely Kept for 3-year-old fillies, also sprinting seven furlongs, and 1 1/8-mile Richard W. Small for 3-year-olds and up. Ridden by Mychel Sanchez for trainer Kelly Breen, Pickin’ Time ($12.80) earned his fourth career stakes win and first in open company since the 2020 Nashua (G3) last November at Aqueduct. Most recently, he won the Monmouth Park’s New Jersey Breeders Handicap Aug. 29. The winning time was 1:23.74 over a fast main track. Breaking outside all but one horse in the field of eight, Pickin’ Time... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2021) – Ellamira led a California-bred sweep in Friday’s second division of the $65,850 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Ellamira is by Street Boss, out of the Ghostzapper mare Tuesday’s with P, was bred by Cole Ranch, is owned by Cole Ranch Partners and trained by Steve Specht. She has two wins in four starts and earnings of $71,310. She ran the six furlongs in 1:11.41 and won by a head over Code Ribbon, with Sen Sen third. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 26, 2021) – California-bred Tiger Dad, claimed for $50,000 last time out at Del Mar, won Friday’s $60,000 Luke Kruytbosch Stakes at Turf Paradise. Tiger Dad is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Unusual Heat mare Q T Shea, was bred by Mark Devereaux, Scott Gross & Mark Gross, is owned by Rosette Racing and trained by Robertino Diodoro. Tiger Dad has six wins in 22 starts with earnings of $358,925. He ran the mile in 1:36.32 and won by 1 ½ lengths as the 6-5 second choice. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 26, 2021) – Blazingbellablu, a Washington-bred son of California stallion Grazen, won Friday’s $60,000 City of Phoenix Stakes for fillies and mares at Turf Paradise. Blazingbellablu, out of the Sky Mesa mare Bellomesa, ran the mile in 1:37.09 and won by 1 ¾ lengths as the even-money favorite. She has five wins in 10 starts and earnings of $145,126. ...

From Laurel Park Publicity LAUREL, Md. (Nov. 26, 2021) – Eric Rizer’s homebred Princess Kokachin, taking a four-race win streak into her stakes debut, outran multiple stakes-winning favorite Hello Beautiful for the early lead and never stopped, then waited out a short inquiry to pull the upset in Friday’s $75,000 Politely at Laurel Park. Princess Kokachin, a Maryland-bred daughter of California stallion Graydar, was ridden by Xavier Perez for trainer John ‘Jerry’ Robb, who also teamed up to win the last edition of the Politely in 2019 with Anna’s Bandit. Princess Kokachin ($14.40) completed the distance in 1:11.22 over a fast main track. It was 5 ½ lengths back to Never Enough Time in second, and another 1 ¼ lengths to 53-1 longshot Paisley Singing in third. The 39th running of the six-furlong Politely for fillies and mares 3 and up was the first of two stakes restricted to Maryland-bred/sired horses on the post-Thanksgiving Day program, followed by the fifth renewal of the $75,000 Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial for 4-year-olds... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2021) — When California Chrome   began collecting adoring fans, he couldn’t have had a better trainer than Art Sherman, who has announced that he will retire from training at the end of the year. Not only did Sherman do a magnificent job training the flashy chestnut to win two-thirds of the Triple Crown and a host of other major races, he always had time to talk to the horse’s fans. The Chromies, as the fans are called, have stayed so involved, in fact, that Sherman owns a 2-year-old son of California Chrome named Chasing Alchemy in a partnership that includes some fans. The juvenile is twice unplaced. “About eight women own about 10% of him,” said Sherman. “They’re all Chromies, and they have a lot of fun. They meet all the time. Every Saturday they’re at the barn. ‘Chrome’ is such a popular horse. I still get all kinds of letters. He’s been a people’s horse.” Upon retirement, Sherman, 84, will probably send the horses he currently... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2021) — Mia Familia Racing Stable’s Principe Carlo, the longest price in the field at better than 18-1, came widest but strongest of all at the finish to win by the proverbial whisker at the conclusion of the $100,500 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles Sunday at Del Mar. The 5-year-old horse by Coil, claimed for only $20,000 in October 2020 and given a year off, gave owner/trainer Librado Barocio his first stakes victory ever and lit up the tote board with a $39.00 mutuel. Old pro Kent Desormeaux took the overland with the horse and got him up for the Hall of Famer’s 85th stakes victory at the seaside oval. Final time for the seven-furlong heat was 1:22.33. Principe Carlo was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and Barocio is the sole owner under the Mia Familia Racing Stable banner. Finishing second was C T R Stables or Aldabbagh’s Positivity, a neck in front of Jay and Julie Manoogian’s Colt... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2021) – Stakes-placed Code Ribbon is among the entries in the second division of Friday’s $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Sen Sen is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Gotham City mare She’s So Vain, was bred by Martin Bach, is owned by Antone Metaxas and trained by Steve Specht. She has one win in four starts, earnings of $35,550 and is coming off a fourth in the Oct. 30 Pike Place Dancer. Tiz a Tiger is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Tizzy Retsina, was bred by C-Punch Ranch, is owned by Irvin Racing Stable and trained by Bill McLean. She has one win in three starts, earnings of $24,990 and is coming off a fourth in a Nov. 6 starter’s allowance. Code Ribbon is by Desert Code, out of the Gran Reward mare Jumanah, was bred by Seamist Racing, is owned by Michael Pollowitz and trained by Jacqui Navarre. She has two wins in five starts, earnings of... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 20, 2021) – Stakes winner Tiger Dad is the lone California-bred entered in ? $60,000 Luke Kruytbosch Stakes at Turf Paradise. Tiger Dad is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Unusual Heat mare Q T Shea, was bred by Mark Devereaux, Scott Gross & Mark Gross, is owned by Rosette Racing and is trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has five wins in 21 starts, earnings of $322,097 and is coming off a Nov. 12 win when claimed for $50,000. ...

By DRF.com OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Nov. 20, 2021) — California-bred Popular Kid became a stakes winner at the age of 7 on Friday night when he held off a stretch bid from Catdaddy for a length victory in the $100,000 Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial at Remington Park. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Absaroka. The Hawk Memorial was for 3-year-olds and up over one mile, 70 yards. Trident Hit was the odds-on favorite and closed for fourth Friday. Popular Kid ($8.80), bred by Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez, tracked the pace set by Absaroka, who put up fractions of 24.75 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.58 for the half-mile. Popular Kid moved to the lead through six furlongs in 1:13.19 and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:43.55. Jose Alvarez was aboard the winner for trainer Shawn Davis. :: Bet the races with confidence on DRF Bets. You’re one click away from the only top-rated betting platform fully integrated with... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2021) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale, scheduled for its next renewal on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, had its most recent successful graduate on Saturday when Kid Corleone won an open maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at Del Mar. Kid Corleone is a colt by Shackleford, out of the Indian Charlie mare Corleone, was bred by The Quarter Company, owned by Roadrunner Racing and Barbara Everson and trained by Doug O’Neill. He was a $10,500 purchase at the CTBA January Sale in 2021 and resold for $62,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita 2-year old in training sale to Dennis O’Neill. Kid Corleone ran the 6 ½ furlongs in a speedy 1:15.58 and won by a length at odds of 14-1 in a field of eight. He went wire to wire in his second career start and clicked off fractions of 21.78, 44.09 and 1:08.98. The next CTBA Winter Mixed Sale will start at noon on Feb. 1, 2022 at Fairplex in... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2021) – A mare by California stallion Stay Thirsty sold for $100,000 at Sunday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. The 5-year-old multiple stakes-placed mare, Stay Smart, is a sibling to stakes winner Valedictorian and was sold as a racing or broodmare prospect to Julian Blaxland. ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2021) – Dr Pescado outdueled fellow California-bred through the stretch to win Saturday’s $63,450 Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate. Dr Pescado is by Fullbridled, out of the Peppered Cat mare Sweetly Peppered, was bred by Juan Heredia and is owned by Ruben Arechiga and trainer Felix Rondan. He has two wins in three starts, earnings of $59,668 and was coming off a fourth in a Sept. 24 optional claimer. He ran the six furlongs in 1:11.51 and won by one-half length at odds of 7-2 as the third choice in a field of five. “He’s a nice horse, and (jockey Pedro Torrero) gave him a nice ride,” Rondan said. “We wanted to be about two lengths back.” As the field straightened out into the lane, C’Mon Man, the 6-5 favorite, looked to be making a strong move along the rail but was discouraged by Stanford Bay, who was the second choice at 7-5. But Terrero had Dr Pescado in gear outside... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2021) – Been Studying Her and Stealthediamonds, mares bred in California by KMN Racing, sold for $330,000 and $260,000, respectively, at Friday’s session of the Keeneland November Sale. Been Studying Her, by Fast Anna, out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey, sold for $330,000 to Natlama. The multiple stakes winner, who earned $305,602, is in foal to Improbable. Stealthediamonds, by Unusual Heat, out of the Pure Prize mare No Better Terms, sold for $260,000 to Astute Bloodstock. The stakes winner, who earned $335,655, sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2021) – A California-bred weanling by Omaha Beach sold for $200,000 at Thursday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The colt, out of the Jump Start mare North Freeway, is a half-brother to stakes winners Take the One O One and Square Deal. He was bred by Fairview LLC and purchased by Gayle Van Leer, agent. ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2021) — A stakes-winning daughter of Old Fashioned  thrilled her consignor when she lit up the board early at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale Nov. 11 in Lexington. In the sale’s opening Book 2 session Thursday, Streak of Luck , from the consignment of James B. Keogh (Grovendale)—who also was part owner of the horse—sold for $620,000 to Aaron and Marie Jones.  “Wow, it couldn’t be any better,” Keogh said. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones are great people. I’m thrilled and delighted they got her. They are dear friends.”  Sold as Hip 265, the 6-year-old daughter of the Unbridled’s Song son Old Fashioned is the first stakes winner for her dam, Valeria , who has produced three winners from as many starters. Valeria is a daughter of Elusive Quality . Streak of Luck is believed to be in-foal to 2020 classic winner and Horse of the Year Authentic  . SIGN UP FOR BLOODHORSE DAILY Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Sales, purchasing on behalf of the Jones’, said the mare is a great physical and has plenty of ties... ...