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. ...

ELK GROVE, Calif. (June 2, 2022) – California stallion Coach Bob passed away on Thursday at Daehling Ranch from complications of kidney disease. He was 13. The son of Bertrando, out of the Yankee Gentlemen mare Gentlemen’s Hope, was bred in California by Pam and Martin Wygod and sold at the 2010 Northern California Yearling Sale for $5,000. Owned by Tom Gerstel, Reina Gonzalez, Keith Hembree, Jean Hembree and Jeff Kitchen and trained by Gonzalez, Coach Bob earned $211,367 on the track, with stakes placings at ages 3, 4 and 5. That included a second-place finish behind Big Macher in the Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. “It’s a very sad day for all of us here at the farm,” said Julia Daehling Oldfield. “He was a super easy stallion to work with and he enjoyed human interaction and loved peppermints. He would run up the gate if he heard the wrappers.  We will miss him.” ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 1, 2022) — Surely there had to be a reason California-bred Brickyard Ride quit early in the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita. The 3-10 favorite after winning four successive stakes, Brickyard Ride caved at the quarter pole and finished fifth under Juan Hernandez. It turns out he had an alibi – an irritating quarter crack in a hind foot. “He came out of the race with a foot bothering him,” trainer Craig Lewis said. “Juan said he didn’t push off like he usually does, and we’re assuming that’s the reason. He just didn’t run his race.” It was not his first quarter crack, just the first to affect performance. Brickyard Ride had a quarter crack in a front foot early this year. “Once we got it patched it stayed good, cold, and never affected him,” Lewis said. “This one did affect him. He just wasn’t himself.” Brickyard Ride was to ship Wednesday to San Luis Rey Downs for hyperbaric treatment. After... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 31, 2022) – Tom’s Regret, the undefeated California-bred filly who beat males in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes on May 5 at Churchill Downs, is likely to have her next start in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante on June 18 at Santa Anita. Trainer Jorge Periban said in May that Tom’s Regret was under consideration for the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes on July 14 at Saratoga, but said over the weekend that the Fasig-Tipton Debutante at five furlongs for 2-year-old fillies is a revised goal. Tom’s Regret was recently offered in a Fasig-Tipton digital auction, but was listed as not sold for $390,000, according to the sale company’s website. Tom’s Regret, a California-bred filly by Tom’s Tribute who races for the partnership of Griffin Stables, Saul Carrillo, Victor Flores, and Eugene Zondlo, won her debut in a maiden special weight race for fillies at 4 1/2 furlongs on April 15 at Santa Anita, pulling clear by 11 1/2 lengths. :: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF... ...

From Golden Gate Publicity BERKELEY, Calif. (May 30, 2022) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Freeport Joe sat off a wicked-fast pace before closing on the outside and passing a handful of rivals to take down the 2022 edition of the $100,000 All American Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile on Tapeta on Monday afternoon at Golden Gate Fields. Under regular rider Assael Espinoza, Freeport Joe sat well behind blazing fast fractions of 22.35, 45.60 and 1:10.46 seconds. The 5-year-old son of English Channel began a move midway on the far turn before swinging for home while remaining in the clear. He mustered up a rally on the outside of rivals and eventually wore down runner up finisher Navy Armed Guard, the defending champion of this race last year, and third place finisher Dicey Mo Chara.  Freeport Joe hit the wire a half-length in front of the runner up finisher and stopped the clock for one mile on Tapeta in 1:36.40 seconds. Freeport Joe was bred by Richard... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Although she was heavily favored, it appeared Alice Marble was in the deep end of the pool a quarter mile from home in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, but with leading rider Juan Hernandez at the controls, it indeed seems anything is possible these days at Santa Anita, as Alice Marble fairly exploded the last eighth of a mile to win going away by three quarters of a length. It was Hernandez’s fourth stakes win of the day and his fifth overall.  Owned and bred by Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato, Alice Marble got a flat mile on turf in 1:37.67. Under a snug hold at the rail while third, about 2 ½ lengths off longshot leader Flying to the Line leaving the half mile pole, Alice Marble was shuffled back to fifth around the far turn and had six lengths to make up turning for home, but Hernandez was unflappable, splitting horses while three deep and with an eye-catching... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—George Krikorian’s homebred Big Switch was completely dominant as the odds-on favorite in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by 4 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Juan Hernandez and trained by John Sadler, who coincidentally trained the race’s undefeated namesake, Big Switch got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.87 while notching her second stakes victory. The Melair is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired 3-year-old fillies. Attentive to the early pace set by It’s Simple, Big Switch easily moved on terms with the leader heading into the far turn and had a one length edge on Rose Maddox and Youteyourhonor a quarter mile out.  From there, Big Switch widened through the lane, winning like a filly with considerable upside. A winner of the seven-furlong Golden State Juvenile Fillies in her second start on Nov. 5 at Del Mar, Big Switch was most recently fifth versus open company in a 6 ½ furlong hillside... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Off mounts last weekend due to being kicked in a paddock mishap on May 20, Jessica Pyfer, America’s Eclipse Champion Apprentice Jockey for 2021, notched her first stakes win as a journeyman jockey on Saturday at Santa Anita, as she put Red Baron’s Barn homebred Bally’s Charm on the lead and never looked back en route to a 5 ¾ length win in the $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank.  Trained by Jeff Mullins, Bally’s Charm got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:50.21. The Snow Chief is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired three-year-olds. The “fittest horse in the race” according to Mullins, Bally’s Charm, fresh off a three-quarter length win going a mile on turf in a first condition statebred allowance here on April 17, made a visually easy lead while in-hand going into the Club House turn.  Turning up the backside, even money favorite Smuggler’s Run settled... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Idle since Oct. 17, Nick Alexander’s homebred Desmond Doss came back running on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he rallied for a decisive 2 ¼ length victory in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes, giving Juan Hernandez consecutive stakes wins and his third win from as many mounts.  Trained by Steve Miyadi, Desmond Doss, a 6-year-old horse by Grazen, got six furlongs in 1:09.70. The Thor’s Echo is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired 3-year-olds and up. “He ran an uncharacteristically dull race in October, so we gave him plenty of time,” said Alexander. “He never left the barn and Steve had him the whole time. I think he really wanted to go in the Crystal Water, but he didn’t have enough time. His dam is 20 years old. Every foal she has had has been a winner, she’s just one of those mares. I bred the mom and then had the family for about four... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2022)—Despite a soft early pace, favored Carmalita’s Man rallied from last to take Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length under Juan Hernandez.  Trained by Dean Pederson and owned by Larry and Ann Jett, the 5-year-old gelding by Mucho Macho Man got one mile on turf in 1:37.26. A part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series, the Crystal Water is for eligible California-bred or sired horses three and up. Bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises and Robert Traynor, Carmelita’s Man, who is out of the North Light mare Carmelita, picked up his fifth win from 18 career starts and with the winner’s share of $60,000, increased his earnings to $276,538. With Loud Mouth and Umberto Rispoli showing the way early, Carmelita’s Man settled into a rhythmic stride around the first turn just outside of Irish Heatwave and about three off the lead.  Turning for home, Carmelita’s Man, under confident handling, had about five... ...

TOYOAKE, Japan (May 28, 2022) – Win Marvel, a Japanese-bred son of California stallion I’ll Have Another, won Saturday’s $605,000 Group III AOI Stakes for 3-year-olds at Chukyo Racecourse. Win Marvel has four wins in 11 starts and earnings of $740,906 (US). Win Marvel ran the six furlongs on firm turf in 1:08.20 and won by 2 ½ lengths at odds of 7-2. It was his first Group win. ...

DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (May 26, 2022) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Camino Del Paraiso has been retired after a 48-race career that began in the autumn of 2015 and ended with a third-place finish in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields last month.  A 9-year-old California-bred gelding, Camino Del Paraiso was recently diagnosed with a minor injury that led to the decision to end his racing career, trainer O.J. Jauregui said on Thursday.  Camino Del Paraiso was nominated for Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields and had a five-furlong workout on May 20. “He ran a good third in the San Francisco Mile,” Jauregui said. “He came out with something small. He’s been a great horse for us.”  In the 14-runner San Francisco Mile, Camino Del Paraiso stalked the pace as a 33-1 outsider, was second in the stretch and was beaten a length by winner Evening Sun.  Jauregui said a factor in the decision to retire Camino Del Paraiso was the... ...

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... ...