SHAKOPEE, Minn. (Sept. 10, 2021) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Thursday’s $50,000 Tom Metzen HBPAS 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 11 wins in 32 starts, earnings of $292,038 and is coming off a starer optional claiming win Aug. 18. ...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Sept. 11, 2021) – Groovy Huey is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $55,000 Manzano Stakes for 2-year-olds at the Downs at Albuquerque. Groovy Huey is by Dads Caps, out of the Orientate mare Floatthrutheair, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Alvarez Racing Stables and is trained by Bill Brashears. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $17,894 and is coming off an Aug. 20 maiden win. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2021) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate and multiple Golden Gate Fields stakes winner Camino Del Paraiso successfully defended his title in Monday’s $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes, his first start of 2021. The 8-year-old California-bred is by Suances, out of the Successful Appeal mare Loni’s Appeal, was bred by Red Baron’s Barn, is owned by Paradise Road Ranch and trained by O.J. Jaurequi. He has eight wins in 42 starts and earnings of $519,442. The $5,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:42.won by a neck at odds of 5-2 in the field of eight. ...

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2021) – Hronis Racing’s Cistron, a Grade I winner of $768,719, has been retired from racing and will enter stud next year at John Harris’ Harris Farms outside Coalinga, Calif. The versatile multiple graded stakes winner won or placed in 13 black-type events from 5 ½ furlongs to 1 1/16 miles on dirt and turf, including victories in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar, the Kona Gold Stakes (G2) and San Simeon Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita and the Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park. His sire The Factor, a multiple G1 winner of $922,180 set Santa Anita’s current six-furlong track record of 1:06.98 as a 2-year-old in 2010. He is the sire of 29 stakes winners and has amassed six-crop progeny earnings approaching $35 million. Cistron is now available for inspection at the farm. A stud fee will be announced later this fall. For further information, contact JonnyHilvers@harrisfarms.com. ...

By DRF.com PHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 5, 2021) — Trainer Molly Pearson, who won more than 900 races in a career spanning nearly 40 years, died Wednesday, according to family and friends. She was 56. Pearson won 914 races, and her runners had purse earnings of more than $11 million. Her best year came in 2005, when she won 54 races and had purse earnings of more than $645,000. This year, she had won 18 times from 110 starters and had purse earnings of $245,453. Her last runner was Tactical Attack, who finished second in the Coyote Springs Stakes at Arizona Downs on Tuesday. Pearson raced primarily in Arizona and California, and had runners at both Arizona Downs and Del Mar at the time of her death. The horses in California are being moved to other trainers. Five 2-year-olds went to Eric Kruljac, who also races in Arizona and California, according to Cynthia George, a long-time assistant to Pearson. According to a Facebook post from her sister, Leslie Ivanchan, Pearson “sustained a... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR Calif. (Sept. 4, 2021) — Given a ground-saving ride by veteran Joe Bravo, the gray California-bred gelding None Above the Law fired in the lane and came away a winner of the 77th running of the Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby at the seaside course Saturday, proving best by three-quarters of a length in the $254,000, Grade II headliner.   The son of the Japanese stallion Karakontie who was bred in California by his owners, J. Kirk and Judy Robison of El Paso, TX, found running room in the stretch and outfinished 12 rivals late to tally his sixth victory and earn a first prize of $150,000, which pushed his earnings up to $454,060. He is trained by Peter Miller) “Peter told me this horse can do anything,” said Bravo. “He wins running seven eighths on the dirt; he wins going a mile and one-eighth on the grass. We just saved all we could and I showed him daylight turning for home. He really got... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept 4, 2021) — Brown, Klein and Lebherz’s unbeaten Joker Boy shook off several challenges and drew away late to tally by three and a half lengths Saturday at Del Mar in the $100,500 I’m Smokin’ Stakes for Golden State Series- eligible 2-year-olds. The colt by Practical Joke, out of the Dixieland band mare Bandera, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds and had Edwin Maldonado in the irons for trainer Brian Koriner as he picked up a winner’s check for $57,000 to enhance his bankroll to $99,000 and his record to two-for-two. He ran the six furlongs in 1:10.77.  “After he won (his maiden) we thought of this race,” said Koriner. “We thought he might be good enough to go in the Futurity. But then you’ve got Bob Baffert freaks in there so we opted for the easier spot and it worked out. Now on Breeders’ Cup Day they have a Cal-bred race for $150,000 or $200,000 (it is the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2021) — Nick Alexander’s homebred Connie Swingle grabbed a good spot early in the six furlong Generous Portion Stakes Friday, then drew well clear in the lane to tally by three and a quarter lengths Friday at Del Mar as the 7-10 favorite in a field of 10 2-year-old California-bred fillies. Owner-breeder Alexander also ran second in the $102,000 feature with his Carmen Miranda. Finishing third was George Krikorian’s homebred Big Novel. Connie Swingle, who was ridden by Giovanni Franco and is trained by Phil D’Amato, had scored the initial victory of her career in a straight maiden race at Del Mar on August 6 and her winner’s share of $57,000 in the dash increased her bankroll to $108,000. Connie Swingle is by Grazen, out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Marni and is a full sibling to graded stakes winner S Y Sky.   “I think she showed her class down the lane,” said D’Amato. “That’s a very respectable time for Cal-bred... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2021) – California stallion Texas Ryano was represented by his first winner on Thursday when Peppermint Flirt won the sixth race at Del Mar, a $70,000 maiden special weight for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies. Peppermint Flirt, out of the Artie Schiller mare Dial a Date, was bred by Williamson Racing, is owned by Masino Racing Stable and trained by Craig Dollase. This was her second career start. She is Texas Ryano’s second foal to race. She ran the mile on turf in 1:37.66 and won by a neck at odds of 5-1 in a field of nine. Texas Ryano stands at Arroyo Vista Farm in Valley Center. ...

By DRF.com OCEANPORT, N.J. (Aug. 29, 2021) — Pickin’ Time, a New Jersey-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, won his first appearance in a race restricted to New Jersey-breds on Sunday in the $100,000 New Jersey Breeders Handicap at Monmouth Park. The race was for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs and was one of three stakes on the card – all restricted to horses bred in New Jersey. Purses for the races totaled $325,000. Pickin’ Time won last year’s Grade 3 Nashua at Aqueduct and the Smoke Glacken at Monmouth and was the 2-year-old New Jersey-bred champion of 2020. He came into the New Jersey Breeders Handicap off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. Pickin’ Time ($8.60) was content to sit just off the pace, with Pnutbutter Special taking the field through an opening quarter in 22.13 seconds and Golden Brown, the 3-5 favorite, taking over through a half-mile in 45.23. Pickin’ Time soon moved to the fore, drifted in the lane, and went on... ...

From Delaware Park Publicity WILMINGTON, Del., (Aug.) 25, 2021 — California-bred Cashing Big Checks, a graduate of the CTBA’s January Sale, notched her first career victory in Wednesday’s restricted $50,000 Blue Hen Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Delaware Park. The 2-year-old daughter of Mr. Big is out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by Troy Johnson & Jagger Inc. and is trained by Jamie Ness. The $1,500 purchase at the CTBA January Sale is a maiden making her second start with earnings of $9,500. The California-bred won by a nose over Mama G’s Wish with Xavier Perez. It was 9 ¼-lengths farther back to the 3-to-5 favorite in the field of four, My Boss with Daniel Centeno, in third. Cashing Big Checks covered the five and a half furlongs in 1:05.38 over a fast main track. In her only other career outing, she finished second in a five furlong maiden at Delaware Park on August 4th. “She gave me everything today,” said winning... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2021) — Nick Alexander’s homebred Lieutenant Dan was just too fast for seven rivals in Sunday’s $101,500 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar, running five furlongs on turf in :55.98. The 5-year-old California-bred gelding by Alexander’s prime stallion, Grazen, shook off pressure early, then cleared late to finish two and a quarter lengths best in the dash for 3-year-olds and up. He picked up a check for $60,000 for the win and pushed his bankroll to $543,740. Geovanni Franco rode the winner for trainer Steve Miyadi. “In this day and age you’re always worried about the bounce. I didn’t train him particularly hard for (a win here July 23), because I was thinking about this race and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he ran,” said Miyadi. “That’s when you worry about the bounce. He overcame my training.” “Since he’s come back from his layoff (was away from June 2020 to July 2021), he’s more puffed up. He’s acting like a... ...

By TDN.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2021) — George Krikorian has been named California Breeder of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and will be honored with other state winners at the organization’s Sept. 11 national awards dinner. “TOBA congratulates the remarkable achievements of all of the state and Canadian breeders, who truly represent the foundation of our sport,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. “Their commitment to excellence and devotion to the horse epitomizes what makes Thoroughbred racing a truly unique and special sport.” Also honored during the TOBA National Awards program will be the National Owner of the Year, National Breeder of the Year, National Small Breeder of the Year, National Broodmare of the Year, Cot Campbell Racing Partnership of the Year, Industry Service Award, Claiming Crown Horse of the Year and the Sport Horse of the Year. TOBA’s National Awards will be presented live at Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, with a special performance from legendary Motown artist Gladys Knight. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug.17, 2021) — Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 267 entries for its California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. The sale will begin at 12 p.m. PT. Hips 1-248 are all yearlings—primarily bred in California—by leading sires both nationally and regionally. Hips 249-267 consist of broodmares, racing and or broodmare prospects, and weanlings. Covering sires include Danzing Candy  , Maximum Security  , Sir Prancelot, Smiling Tiger  , and Street Boss  . Weanling sires include Danzing Candy, Mitole  , and Sir Prancealot. “We are very pleased with how this catalog has come together, especially from a pedigree point of view,” said Fasig-Tipton California representative Mike Machowsky. “Sire power represented among the yearlings is very strong—an exciting mix of leading sires both locally and nationally, and strong representation from promising first- and second-crop yearling sires. “We are also excited to add a horses of all ages segment to this sale for the first time, providing another valuable outlet for local racing and breeding operations to offer quality stock.” ... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2021) — For the second year in a row, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams’ Pulpit Rider was up in the very last stride to win by a nose in the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar. The now 6-year-old mare by the late sire Lucky Pulpit benefitted from a heady ride by Del Mar’s top jockey, Flavien Prat, and caught Legacy Ranch’s Nardini right on the wire. This was actually Pulpit Rider’s third straight start in the Solana Beach. In 2019 she finished second, but was disqualified back to sixth for interference. “I rode her with a lot of confidence,” said Prat. “Mike (trainer Puype) gave me that confidence. He said she was ready and to ride her that way. I thought I’d won the bob at the end, but you don’t know about those things. It worked out.”  The winner ran the mile on grass in 1:34.21 in the Cal-bred headliner. She picked up... ...

From Daehling Ranch ELK GROVE, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2021) — Pontiff, a winning son of multiple leading sire Giant’s Causeway and half-brother to major sire Pulpit, has relocated from Washington to stand at Daehling Ranch in Northern California for the 2022 breeding season. His fee is $2,500, live foal guarantee. Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm and sold for $310,000 as a Keeneland yearling in 2011, Pontiff was rated highly enough by original trainer Dale Romans and former owner Donegal Racing to contest Gulfstream Park’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) in his third lifetime start as a 3-year-old maiden in 2013, in a race that was won by subsequent Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb. Following an unplaced finish in that early test, he went on to record victories on dirt in Oklahoma and on turf in Minnesota and Texas, excelling at two-turn distances as an older horse. Pontiff retired from racing in 2017 with three wins and 17 placings from 35 career starts, and total earnings of $126,481. He initiated his... ...

Click here to see the sales result: 2021-NorCal-Sales-Results.pdf PLEASANTON, Calif. (Aug. 10, 2021) – Tuesday’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Northern California Yearling Sale posted strong gains across the board from 2020, with average yearling sales price of nearly $10,000, highest in six years. A filly by promising new stallion Stanford was the sale topper at $45,000. She is out of the Broken Vow mare Jeannie’s Genie, bred by Michael Allen, consigned by Easterbrook Livestock and purchased by Robert Jones. The highest-priced colt is by Vronsky, purchased by GCCI for $36,000. He is out of the Tizbud mare Just Lookn Again, was bred by West 12 Ranch, Inc. & Craig Allen and consigned by Hanson’s River Ranch. Average yearling sales price of $9,977 was nearly 40 percent higher than last year’s $7,217 and is the highest since $11,537 in 2015. Gross yearling sales on Tuesday were $917,900, compared to $505,200 last year for 69 sold. Yearling median price doubled from last year’s $3,000 to $6,000. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 8, 2021) — Sons of stallion Stay Thirsty finished 1-2-3 as Lovingier, London or Zondlo’s Rock N Rye scampered home by four and a quarter lengths in Sunday’s $100,000 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds at Del Mar, then had to withstand a rider’s objection before he was made the official winner of the five and one-half furlong dash for California-bred juveniles. The race originally had six youngsters entered, but two scratches reduced the field to four and cancelled show betting. The winner covered the distance in 1:05.77. Umberto Rispoli rode Rock N Rye, who is trained by Walther Solis. The Stay Thirsty colt was bred by co-owner Terry Lovingier. The dark bay or brown juvenile picked up a check for $57,000 and increased his earnings to $100,920. “This horse is getting better each start and I think as he continues to mature he’ll be able to handle longer distances,” said Solis.  Finishing second in the stakes was McMahon or Rudy’s... ...

By TDN CLEMENTS, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2021) — Successful California-bred sire Mr. Big (Dynaformer–Fashion Delight, by Fappiano) has been relocated to Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch in Clements, Ca. He most recently stood at Rancho Temescal in Piru, Ca. for a $4,500 fee. His 2022 stud fee will be announced at a later date.   “We thoroughly enjoyed standing Mr. Big at Rancho Temescal and watching his foals find great success in 2021,” stated Tim Cohen, President of Rancho Temescal. “We have decided to stop breeding and foaling going forward. Rancho Temescal will continue to provide care for all our clients, while leaving the niche of breeding and foaling to larger farms in California. We will continue to support Mr. Big at Legacy Ranch.”   “Myself and my staff led by farm manager Terry Knight look forward to the 2022 breeding season with Mr. Big added to our stallion roster that also includes leading sire Clubhouse Ride and the hot freshman sire Straight Fire,” added Pete Parrella. ...

From Del Mar Publicity DEL, MAR, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2021) — With equal parts courage and fine horsemanship, rider Tyler Baze and his filly At the Spa squeezed through the tightest of holes on the rail  in the stretch, then went on to capture the 68th edition of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies Thursday afternoon at Del Mar. The homebred 2-year-old daughter of Outwork proved a neck the best at the end of the five and one-half furlong headliner for California-bred fillies and earned her connections $57,000 from a total purse of $101,500. Final time for the race was 1:06.11. At the Spa, now undefeated in three starts, is owned by the trio of Terry Lovingier (her breeder), Tom Beckerle or Saul Carillo. The victory pushed her bankroll to $164,580. “We’ve been training her in the morning to run like this; to come from behind, take a little dirt in her face,” said Baze. “I think she gets more aggressive when that happens.... ...

From Indiana Grand Publicity SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 4, 2021) – Pearl Tiara and Diamond Solitaire, Indiana-bred daughters of California stallion Majestic Harbor, finished 1-2 in Wednesday’s $150,000 Indiana First Lady Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Indiana Grand. Pearl Tiara is out of the Mineshaft mare Pearl Pendant. She has four wins in 10 starts and earnings of $225,313. She ran the mile and 70 yards in 1:43.65 and won by a neck over Diamond Solitaire as the 6-5 favorite in a field of 10. Pearl Tiara used her inside post to her advantage early in the one mile and 70-yard event. They rallied out for good early positioning and found themselves on the lead without much of a challenge. Diamond Solitaire was able to hold her position on the inside behind Pearl Tiara with Voodoo Justice and Orlando Mojica sitting to the outside in third. As the race unfolded in the final turn, the field of 10 began to get into position to make an impact in the stretch. Diamond Solitaire... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 2, 2021) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing in California and host of two annual Thoroughbred sales, will participate in the NTRA Legislative Action Campaign’s ¼% Check-off Program, which supports the NTRA’s federal lobbying efforts. The CTBA’s participation will commence with its August 10 Northern California Sale at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Calif. and continue at its January Mixed Sale. Starting with the August 10 sale, buyers and consignors/sellers at CTBA sales may elect to have .25% of the sale price of each horse donated to the Legislative Action Campaign. This percentage equals $2.50 for every $1,000 in sale price. The CTBA joins Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association as Thoroughbred sales companies that participate in the Campaign’s fundraising efforts. “The CTBA recognizes the importance of having the NTRA’s skilled and consistent presence in... ...

From Del Mar Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 30, 2021) — Downstream Racing’s gray stretch runner None Above the Law found a perfect spot just behind the leaders early, then pounced at the quarter pole and won in the clear in Friday’s featured $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for 3-year-old Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar. The win was $99,750 to “Law’s” connections. The homebred gelding – whose winning margin turned out to be 5 1/4 lengths – was winning the fifth race of his career and raised his bankroll to $304,060. Downstream Racing is the nom du course of J. Kirk Robison of El Paso, TX. The 3-year-old test was conducted over seven furlongs and the winner covered the distance in 1:22.90. Leading rider Flavien Prat was in the boot on “Law” for his third winner of the afternoon. Leading trainer Peter Miller tightened the cinch on the son of Karakontie for his third victory on the day. After eight days of racing at the Del Mar stand,... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2021) — California-bred The Chosen Vron, a three-time stakes winner this year, was found to have bled after a second-place finish in the $175,500 Real Good Deal Stakes last Friday at Del Mar, and will be given a rest. Trainer Eric Kruljac said over the weekend that The Chosen Vron will have “a few months off.” During that time, The Chosen Vron will undergo treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, he said. The Chosen Vron was beaten 5 1/4 lengths by None Above the Law in the Real Good Deal Stakes for 3-year-old California-breds at seven furlongs. The Chosen Vron had won his three previous starts in stakes at Santa Anita this year, including the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on June 13. Kruljac said the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 is a long-range goal. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 25, 2021) — The hard-knocking veteran Brandothebartender set ‘em up and knocked ‘em down late Sunday in capturing the $152,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes by a half length at Del Mar. The 8-year-old gelding by Tribal Rule made the 46th start of his career a winner and took down the top share of $85,500 from the purse for Golden State Series eligibles. Bred by John Haagsma & Wesley Ward, he now has total winnings of $772,864 after six seasons at the racetrack and a performance record that reads 46-9-7-15. Umberto Rispoli was aboard the winner, the 12th time he’s ridden him in a race. The bay veteran is trained by Craig Dollase, who got his owners to invest $40,000 in claiming him three years ago at Del Mar. The ownership group consists of Flawless Racing of Jerry Weseloh and Brian Flanagan, both of San Diego, and Michael Jarvis of Manhattan Beach, CA. “The owners are just a great bunch of people; we were so... ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (July 25, 2021) — Continuing her ascendancy in the sophomore filly ranks, Blazingbellablu powered to the lead into the stretch and drew off for a 2 ¼-length victory over Broad Approval in the $50,000 Kent Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. With Alex Cruz riding at 120 lbs., Blazingbellablu ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.34 and paid $6 as the betting favorite. Charles Essex is the winning trainer and co-owner with Petra Lewin of Centralia, Wash. Blazingbellablu — a Washington-bred daughter of California stallion Grazen — earned $27,500 to increase her career total to $66,958. Her overall mark is 3-2-0 from six starts, including three straight victories at Emerald Downs. In the Kent, Blazingbellablu raced slightly off the pace as Coastal Son set fractions of :22.39 and :45.26 for the quarter and half-mile. The winner advanced three deep on the turn, overtook Coastal Son and Zippin Sevenz into the lane, and proved clearly best through the stretch. Canadian shipper Broad Approval, ridden by Kevin Radke at... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 23, 2021) — KMN Racing’s I’m So Anna fought off a determined rival in Red Baron’s Barn or Vaya Con Suerte’s Teddy’s Barino and drew clear late to tally by one length in the 36th edition of the Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies Friday at Del Mar. The homebred daughter of the late stallion Fast Anna was hooked by Teddy’s Barino right from the git-go and was still fighting her off at the sixteenth pole. But the winner had a bit extra in the tank and got home to give rider Kyle Frey his first stakes win at Del Mar. Teddy’s Barino finished second, a half length in front of the race favorite, Harris Farms’ Closing Remarks. Final time for the seven furlong test was 1:24.34. I’m So Anna is trained by Steve Sherman, who races primarily in Northern California and had his father Art – famous for his handling of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome – deputized for... ...

By Shelby County Post SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 22, 2021) — Mojo Man, a Kentucky-bred son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, came into Indiana for the first time with impressive credentials, including Graded Stakes experience. But he’s leaving with a new title as he scored his first stakes win in the inaugural running of the $65,000 Send It In Army Stakes Wednesday at Indiana Grand. Mojo Man (photo) began his journey from the outside in the five-horse field and sat back as Rock N June Bug and Tommy Pompell set quick fractions of 22.03 seconds and 44.73. He was joined by Long Weekend and Jose Batista and Double Tuff and Jesus Castanon, who moved up between horses, in the only turn of the six-furlong race. In the stretch, Mojo Man accelerated past rivals, picking them off one by one before moving comfortably under the wire for the win by two and one-quarter lengths. Double Tuff finished second over Long Weekend for third. The final time of the stakes race was 1:09.35, which becomes... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 18, 2021) – Heavily favored Cobra Jet remained unbeaten Sunday with a dominating 13 ½-length victory in the $50,000 King County Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs. The winner is a Washington-bred gelding by California stallion Curlin to Mischief. With Juan Gutierrez aboard at 121 lbs., Cobra Jet ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.13 and paid $2.20 as the overwhelming choice in the field of five. Frank Lucarelli is the winning trainer and co-owner with REV Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Gutierrez wore the black and light blue silks of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners in Sunday’s race. Headed by Aron Wellman of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Eclipse bought a share of the dark bay gelding following his 6 ¾-length maiden score on June 30. Breaking from the No. 4 post-position, Cobra Jet dueled with Firewalker through fractions of :21.59 and :45.47, gained command into the stretch and drew off to win with complete authority. Purchased for $5,500 as a yearling, Cobra Jet earned $27,522 to... ...

BALTIMORE, Md. (July 18, 2021) – California stallion Heaven’s Glory was represented by his first winner when Fox Force Five, a Maryland-bred daughter, won the fifth race at Pimlico on Sunday. Fox Force Five, out of the Argentine-bred mare Leioa, ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:47.81 and won by 3 ½ lengths in a field of eight. ...

FLEMINGTON, Australia (July 18, 2021) – Gonnadancealot, an Australian-bred daughter of California stallion Sir Prancealot, won Saturday’s $150,000 Byerley Handicap for 2-year-old fillies at Flemington. Gonnadancealot, out of the Danehill mare Tresillian, ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.52 on a soft surface and won by 2 ¾ lengths in the field of 12. She was ridden by Melbourne’s leading jockey, Jamie Kah, and is part-owned by UK-based trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam. Her next start is likely to be the Nov. 4 Group 1 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington. ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 12, 2021) – Stakes-winning California-bred mare Mo See Cal sold for $110,000 at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton July Breeding Stock Sale. Mo See Cal is a 6-year-old by Uncle Mo, out of the Lydgate mare Do Dat Blues, was bred by Rozamund Barclay, was raced by Rockingham Ranch and was purchased by Rosemont Stud. She was not pregnant. Mo See Cal won six of 22 starts with earnings of $348,758. She won last year’s Betty Grable Stakes at Del Mar and was sixth in the Grade I Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. ...

By Bloodhorse.com COTTONWOOD, Calif. (July 12, 2021) — California stallion Far From Over, a 9-year-old son of Blame   who was standing at Dr. William Gray’s Gray Farms near Cottonwood, Calif., died July 11 after suffering a seizure the night before, Fountain of Youth Breeding announced Sunday. Bred by Alexander Groves Matz, Far From Over sold for $550,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Out of the A.P. Indy mare Alchemist, he was a half brother to the grade-1 placed And Why Not  (Street Cry), who is the dam of this year’s WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) victor Fearless  and stakes winner Just Whistle . Far From Over was trained by Todd Pletcher and raced under the colors of Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables, and James Covello. The Kentucky-bred broke his maiden at first asking as a 2-year-old at Aqueduct Racetrack, followed by a gutsy score in the 2015 Withers Stakes (G3) in his sophomore debut. He was training for a start in the Twinspires.com Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and was an early-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 11, 2021) – Back on track after a rare misfire in the Hastings Stakes last month, Daffodil Sweet overhauled fellow California-bred Ima Happy Cat in the stretch and scored a 2 ½-length victory over Dontkissntell in Sunday’s $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes for older fillies and mares. Ridden by Juan Gutierrez at 119 pounds, Daffodil Sweet covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.19 and paid $8.80 as third choice in the wagering. Chris Stenslie is the winning trainer for owners Jody Peetz of Issaquah and Steve Shimizu of Bellevue. A 4-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat bred by Michael Terry, Daffodil Sweet earned $27,500 and is 5-0-1 in seven career starts with earnings of $91,545. Her only losses were a second in the mile and a sixteenth in the 2020 Washington Oaks and a seventh in the Hastings, when she completely missed the break and never was involved as the 9 to 10 favorite. Daffodil Sweet got away cleanly Sunday, stalking Ima Happy Cat through fractions of :21.81 and... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 10, 2021) – Thirsty Always stalked and pounced five wide then pulled away for an easy win in Saturday’s $75,000 Everett Nevin Stakes for 2-year-olds at Pleasanton. Thirsty Always is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Not For Love mare Angela’s Love, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Beckerle, Carrillo and Lovingier and is trained by Walther Solis. The colt ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.40 and won by 4 ¾ lengths at odds of 6-1 in the field of nine. Drinking Again, another son of Stay Thirsty, was second with Hijo Galante third and favored Mr. T’s Thirsty, another son of Stay Thirsty, fourth. ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, Tex. (July 10, 2021) – Longshot Streak of Silver, a Louisiana-bred son of California stallion Graydar, won Saturday’s $100,000 Texas Futurity for 2-year-olds at Lone Star Park. Streak of Silver is out of the Van Nistleroy mare Sammy Van Ammy and won by 3 ½ lengths at odds of 17-1 in the field of nine. ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (July 5, 2021) – California stallion Prince of Love sired his first winner July 5 when his 2-year old colt Shortman  graduated first time out at Los Alamitos Racecourse for owner and breeder Sergio Zepeda Jr. Sent off at 9-1 odds in the field of 5, the bay chased his rivals in fourth position behind an early first quarter in :22.77 before moving into contention around the turn under jockey Diego Herrera. Barreling down the lane on the inside, Shortman overtook the pacesetter in the final strides for a half-length tally. Trained by Sally Rivera, Shortman ran the five furlongs in :58.65 on a fast track. Bred in California, Shortman is the third foal out of the unraced Smarty Jones  mare Shorty Jones, all of whom are winners. Shortman hails from the family of grade 1 stakes winner Jack Milton   and grade 3 victress Peace Preserver . Prince of Love, an unraced 8-year-old son of Caros Love , was bred in California by Rancho San Roberto Inc. and Genaro Vallejo. He entered stud in 2018... ...

By Bloodhorse.com WILMINGTON, Del. (July 5, 2021) — Legacy Ranch stallion Straight Fire  sired his first winner July 5 when his son Fourteeneightyfour  won a 5-furlong maiden special weight at Delaware Park in his debut effort, defeating a field of 6 other juveniles. Bred in California by Straight Fire LLC, Fourteeneightyfour is raced by Valentin Jimenez and trained by Baltazar Galvan. Straight Fire LLC bred the colt out of the stakes-winning Gone Astray  mare, It’s High Time , who won the 2015 Florida Sire Desert Vixen Stakes and was third in both the Cassidy Stakes and Florida Sire Susan’s Girl Stakes, all at Gulfstream Park. Fourteeneightyfour was the first foal on the ground for stallion Straight Fire and is the dam’s first runner; she has a Copper Bullet   colt at foot. Straight Fire, a 7-year-old son of Dominus  , bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, entered stud in 2018 at Legacy Ranch. Campaigned his 2-year-old year, he ran second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and third in the FrontRunner Stakes (G1). Straight Fire has two crops on the ground (totaling 48 foals), with 28 2-year-olds for... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ELMONT, N.Y. (July 4, 2021) —  Mind Control, son of California stallion Stay Thirsty, challenged Firenze Fire  through every point of call and edged the 2-5 favorite for good in the final furlong, gaining the slight advantage from the outside and prevailing by a head to win the July 4 $250,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. The 11th running of the John A. Nerud, for 4-year-olds and up competing at seven furlongs on the main track, secured the 5-year-old Mind Control’s spot in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier. It marked the Stay Thirsty   son’s first win in nine starts dating to his score in the Tom Fool Stakes (G3) in March 2020 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Mind Control, breaking from post 2 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, challenged Firenze Fire upfront, leading by a head with the opening quarter-mile in :23.05 seconds before Firenze Fire put his head in front with the half-mile in :46.03 over the fast track.... ...

CYPRESS, Calif. (July 2, 2021) – Progeny of California first-year stallion Stanford won both maiden special weight races for 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos on Friday when Carmen Miranda took the first race and Drizella the fourth race. Carmen Miranda, out of the Tribal Rule mare Miranda Rose, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato. She ran the five furlongs in :58.48 and won by a length in a field of seven. Drizella, out of the Royal Applause mare Tinderella, was bred by Magee-Wolfson, is owned by William Peeples and trained by Luis Mendez. She ran the five furlongs in :57.95 and won by one-half length in a field of seven. ...

GIFFORD HILL, South Australia (July 4, 2021) — California stallion Sir Prancealot was represented by his first Australian winner when the 2-year-old filly Bell of Yorkes won at Murray Bridge on Saturday. Belle of Yorkes, out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Charzoo, ran the 1200 meters on turf in 1:12.63. ...

By Shelby County Post SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 2, 2021) – Ever Wonder, an Indiana-bred daughter of California stallion Jersey Town, went gate to wire to win Wednesday’s $77,300 Checkered Flag Stakes for fillies and mares at Indiana Grand. Ever Wonder, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Wildcat Wonder, ran the six furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:09.25 by 8 ½ lengths as the even-money favorite. She has nine wins in 23 starts and earnings of $269,937 after her first stakes win. Starting from post five, Ever Wonder was on top of the field of eight in the first few jumps with open lengths to the field behind her. Serena Beck and Santo Sanjur left the gate from the outside post to get good early positioning and was joined by Hungarian Princess and Sammy Bermudez as they tracked Ever Wonder on the front end. The remainder of the field was gapping behind the top three in the early stages of the race. In the stretch, the daughter of Jersey Town... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 26, 2021) – Favored Desmond Doss rallied from off the pace to wear down Tom’s Surprise, the longest shot in the field at 27-1, to win the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes Saturday for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos. Owned by breeder Nick Alexander and trained by Steve Miyadi, the 5-year-old son of Grazen and the Malek mare Malley Girl prevailed by a half-length in the race restricted to 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California. Although Desmond Doss’ trip was not what Miyadi envisioned, the result was the right one for his connections and was the fifth win in 14 starts for the versatile gray. He’s won three of five on dirt and was second in his two defeats and is also a double winner on grass. “I thought he would be where (Tom’s Surprise) the whole way,’’ said Miyadi, who also won Saturday’s first race in tandem with Alexander with Father O’Flaherty. “I think that was the plan coming out... ...

From Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2021) – A California-bred filly by first-year stallion Shaman Ghost sold for $100,000 at Wednesday’s Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Santa Anita. The filly, the first foal out of the Greeley’s Galaxy mare Pearls for Girls, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, consigned by Excel Bloodstock, agent for Lebherz Racing, and was purchased by High Tech Racing. The filly was one of eight six-figure purchases at the sale, conducted in the winner’s circle at Santa Anita Park. A large crowd occupied the boxes during the sale, which saw 52 sell for a total of $2,966,000, an average of $57,038, and a median of $50,000. A total of 16 were not sold for a buyback rate of 23.5%. Trainer Carla Gaines purchased the sale-topping Tiznow filly (Hip 36) for B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm for $250,000. The sale topper is out of the Empire Maker mare Soot Z, who has also produced 2019 Sorrento Stakes (G2) winner Amalfi Sunrise  and stakes-placed Gotti  and Senatus. Geoff Nixon’s Tolo Thoroughbreds and Art Tanaka bred... ...

By Bloodhorse.com SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (June 23, 2021) – California sophomore stallion Majestic Harbor  sired his first black-type winner June 23 when Pearl Tiara took the $77,200 fillies’ division of the Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes at Indiana Grand. Tim Glyshaw trains the filly for Loren Hebel-Osborne, Carol Hebel, Claudia Pirman, Fred Pirman, David Osborne, and Dan Ison. Diamond Solitaire, another daughter of Majestic Harbor, finished second.  Pearl Tiara, out of the Mineshaft mare Pearl Pendant, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.60 and won by 8 ¾ lengths at odds of 5-1 in a field of seven. The Indiana-bred has three wins in nine starts and earnings of $120,314. Majestic Harbor is a 13-year-old son of Rockport Harbor  who won the 2014 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1). He also collected wins in the Alysheba Stakes (G2), Mineshaft Handicap (G3), and Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) while racing from ages 2-8. Paul McGee and Sean McCarthy both trained Majestic Harbor for Gallant Stable throughout his career. He earned $1,295,814 from a 10-8-7 record in... ...

From Whitehouse Equine AUBURN, Wash. (June 21, 2021) — California sire Finnegan’s Wake sired his first winner June 9 at Emerald Downs when his son Club Champ easily captured a maiden claiming sprint by 3 1/4 lengths. Bred in California by Rockingham Ranch out of the Big Drama daughter Miss Big Stuff, Club Champ now has a win and three seconds out of eight career starts. This is the mare’s first foal. She has a 2-year-old full brother in training at Golden Gate Fields. Club Champ pressed the pace and drew off well in hand at the 3/8 pole, winning with plenty left in reserve under jockey Javier Matias’ guidance. Owner Eli Diamant claimed Club Champ at Turf Paradise for $7,500 in late March, The victory also marked Diamant’s first win of the 2021 racing year. Finnegan’s Wake is a grade 1 winner by Powerscourt (GB) out of the Silver Ghost winner Boat’s Ghost. He won or placed in 12 black-type stakes, with victories in the 2016 Woodford Reserve Turf... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 20, 2021)–Hard-hitting Warren’s Showtime got the early pace pressure she’s been craving the entire meet and took full advantage on closing day Sunday at Santa Anita, as she unfurled an impressive stretch kick to take the Grade III, $100,000 Wilshire Stakes.  Owned and bred in California by Ben and Sally Warren, trained by Craig Lewis and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Warren’s Showtime won going away over pacesetter and fellow Cal-bred Leggs Galore while stopping the clock of a mile on turf in 1:34.29. As expected, Leggs Galore was hustled away from the gate by Ricky Gonzalez and she held a 1 ¾ length advantage over Chilean-bred Brooke as the field straightened up for their run up the backside with long-striding Warren’s Showtime ambling along while next to last. Although Leggs Galore spurted clear, commanding a two-length edge on Brooke at the quarter pole, Warren’s Showtime was in high gear under Hernandez, who wheeled four-wide at the top of the lane.  From there, there... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 20, 2021)–A seven-length first-out maiden winner versus California-breds on May 7, Terry Lovingier’s homebred At the Spa made it look easy in open company on Sunday at Santa Anita, as she dispatched of favored Laurel Canyon turning for home en route to a 2 ¼ length score in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante.  Trained by Jorge Periban and ridden by Tyler Baze, At the Spa got five furlongs in 59.79. With Laurel Canyon hustled from her rail post, At the Spa was immediately alongside as the raced as a team into the far turn.  With Baze riding confidently, At the Spa shook loose a furlong out and proved much the best. “Today, she had to fight it out a little bit and she prevailed,” said Baze, who also won the day’s previous race aboard Restrainedvengence in the Grade III American Stakes.  “She’s matured so much from the first race, she’s just getting better.  It’s going to be a bright future for her.” Off as... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 20, 2021)–Although much the best, heavily favored California-bred Big City Lights had to survive a lengthy steward’s inquiry in winning Sunday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita.  Trained by Luis Mendez and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Big City Lights won gate to wire by 7 ¼ lengths while getting five furlongs in 58.20. Bred by Bar C Racing Stables and owned by William Peeples, Big City Lights, who is out of the Exchange Rate mare Champagne Exchange and sold for $22,000 at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearling Sale, picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $96,600. As expected, Big City Lights was in front at once from his number three post position, but 7-2 second choice Street Art, who broke from the rail with Kent Desormeaux, was a close second, just to the winner’s inside, by about three quarters of a length. Heading to the half mile pole, Desormeaux took up sharply, losing all position as things got tight. With... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2021)–As Yogi Berra once famously noted, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”  Such was the case in the 81st running of the Grade III, $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, as 7-year-old California-bred gelding Acclimate skipped to a 3 ¾ length victory, replicating his gate to wire score in the 2019 San Juan.  Trained by Phil D’Amato, who collected his third consecutive win in Santa Anita’s signature turf marathon, Acclimate was ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, who coaxed a mile and three quarters out of the son of Acclimation in 2:49.74. Bred by Old English Rancho and Sal and Patsy Berumen, Acclimate, who is out of the Boundary mare Knows No Bounds, is owned by the Ellwood Johnston Family Trust, Timmy Time Racing, LLC and Ken Tevelde, had been winless since winning the Grade II Del Mar Handicap nine starts back on Aug. 17, 2019.  With his third graded stakes win in-hand, Acclimate is now 25-7-4-4 and with the winner’s... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2021)–Unexpectedly last early, Terry Lovingier’s homebred Fi Fi Pharoah battled through the lane with Eddie’s New Dream to win by a half length in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Walther Solis and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Fi Fi Pharoah, a 3-year-old daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:46.41. Co-owned by Lovingier, Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro, Fi Fi Pharoah, who is out of the Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, notched her first stakes win today and improved her overall mark to 5-2-1-1.  With the winner’s share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $178,560. The Melair is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Breaking from the number three post position, Fi Fi Pharoah, who had pressed the pace en route to a one length maiden score going a flat mile on May 15, found... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 19, 2021)–Attentive to the pace throughout, longshot Jimmy Blue Jeans was all heart late as he held off heavily favored None About the Law by a neck in Saturday’s $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.  Trained by Golden Gate Fields-based Andy Mathis and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Jimmy Blue Jeans got a mile and one eighth in 1:48.69. The first stakes winner by James Street, out of the Marino Marini mare Blue Blizzard, Jimmy Blue Jeans is owned by his breeders Perry Bruno and John Gezon.  With his first stakes win, “Jimmy” bagged $90,000 on the day and increased his earnings to $143,646. The Snow Chief is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Snow Chief is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Second, just off the hip of early pacesetter Found My Ball, Jimmy Blue Jeans seemed relaxed while into a rhythmic stride up the backside, took command a sixteenth of a mile from... ...

From Emerald Downs Publicity AUBURN, Wash. (June 18, 2021) — In the $50,000 Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares, California-bred Ima Happy Cat took the early lead and was never headed while rolling to a 2 ¼-length victory over Squan’s Kingdom in 1:08.50 for six furlongs Ridden by Julien Couton at 119 pounds, Ima Happy Cat set fractions of :21.89, :44.10 and :56.10, opened a commanding five-length advantage into the stretch, and held sway to the wire. Trained by Dan Markle for owners Sue and Tim Spooner of Olympia, Ima Happy Cat paid 11.60 as third choice in the wagering. Ima Happy Cat now has three stakes wins at Emerald Downs, including the last two runnings of the Hastings Stakes. Ima Happy Cat, a 6-year-old California-bred by Smiling Tiger, has an overall mark of 8-5-3 in 27 starts with earnings of $274,962. Thursday’s win was worth $27,500. Daffodil Sweet, the 4 to 5 betting favorite, hesitated leaving the starting gate and never got untracked Thursday, losing for the first... ...

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (June 16, 2021) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $100,000 Dark Star Turf Sprint 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 nine wins in 29 starts, earnings of $249,988 and is coming off a sixth in the May 27 Honor the Hero. ...

From Martin Racing ALPINE, Wy. (June 15, 2021)  — It is with great sadness that Martin Racing announces the passing of Denise Martin, the co-founder, and heart, of Martin Racing, a Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding and racing organization based in Alpine, Wyoming, with global equine holdings. The accomplished chemist, business leader, horse owner and mother to two died on June 14 at 61. With her husband and co-founder, Perry, serving as the public voice and operations manager for Martin Racing, Denise took on the critical role of managing all communications and behind-the-scenes business needs for the small, family-owned organization, which was founded in 2016. The Martins were thrust into worldwide fame in 2014, when their wildly popular and charismatic colt California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the first of his two Eclipse Award titles as North America’s Horse of the Year. The California-bred superstar, whom the Martins co-bred and initially raced in partnership with another couple under the stable name Dumb Ass Partners, also won the 2016 Dubai... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 15, 2021) — The $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles is one of three stakes to be held at the upcoming Summer Thoroughbred Festival at Los Alamitos.   The one-mile Bertrando will be run on Saturday, June 26, returning to its original name (2014-2019) honoring the multiple graded stakes winner and champion older male of 1993 after being contested as the Soi Phet in 2020.   The seven-day meet is scheduled to begin Friday, June 25 and continue through Monday, July 5. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday (June 25-27) the first week and Friday-Monday (July 2-5) the second. Post time will be 1 p.m.   The richest event on the calendar is the Grade II, $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies & mares at 6 ½ furlongs. Captured by 7-1 shot California-bred Sneaking Out in 2020, the Great Lady M. will be offered Monday, July 5.   Besides Sneaking Out, the five other winners of the Great Lady M. at... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 13, 2021)–In a race in which most observers thought trainer Eric Kruljac’s talented California-bred The Chosen Vron would be on or contending for the early lead, instead the 3-year-old Vronsky gelding was last early and although Bob Baffert’s Defunded had what appeared to be an insurmountable four-length edge turning for home, it was The Chosen Vron who rallied for an impressive 1 ¼ length score in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, he got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.01. Stretching out for the first time off a huge win in the Grade III Lazaro Barrera Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs, The Chosen Vron settled nicely under Rispoli heading into the first turn as longshot Jimmy Irish and Defunded contested the early going. With Defunded assuming command around the far turn, he quickly dispatched of his favored stablemate Classier and had what appeared to be a winning advantage a quarter mile out but The Chosen... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (June 12, 2021) – When an expected pace duel didn’t materialize, Give Me the Lute ($6.60) cruised to a big lead in the $66,800 Albany and held off fast-finishing favorite Brandothebartender on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields to give trainer Andy Mathis his third straight victory in the race and Cal-breds a sweep of the top three spots. Give Me the Lute broke sharply with potential pace rivals Bettor Trip Nick and Brandothebartender, but quickly took command. Bettor Trip Nick, who had been on the lead in his past two sprints, wasn’t quick enough to match Give Me the Lute and took up just a bit approaching the half-mile pole. Brandothebartender was last down the backstretch and ran out of room after flying through the stretch, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Give Me the Lute who clocked 56.26 for the five-furlong turf race. Give Me the Lute is by Boisterous, out of the Midnight Lute mare Steal the Lute, was bred by Gary Barber, is... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 13, 2021)–Absent a suicidal pace duel, the Craig Lewis-trained Brickyard Ride settled into a rhythmic stride out of the gate and coasted gate to wire in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by 4 ¾ lengths.  Ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride got six furlongs in 1:09.34.   Winless in two starts since taking the Grade II San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 6, Brickyard Ride was pressed through opening quarter miles of 21.40 and 21 flat in his last two starts–resulting in a fourth place finish in six furlong classified allowance May 7 and a second place finish in the Grade III Kona Gold Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on April 18.   With an opening quarter mile of 22.62 today, Brickyard Ride was in complete control and although Colt Fiction appeared full of run while two lengths back turning for home, Brickyard Ride was never challenged through the lane.   “Craig told... ...

By Bloodhorse.com WILMINGTON, Del. (June 9, 2021) — Miracle’s International Trading’s Dream Marie  splashed to an upset last-to-first victory in the $100,250 Obeah Stakes June 9 at Delaware Park. The 4-year-old filly by California stallion Graydar, who was second in the Delaware Oaks (G3) last summer in her only other start at the track, won by 1 3/4 lengths and returned $19.40 on a $2 win ticket. The Obeah is the local prep for the July 10 Delaware Handicap (G2). With Joe Bravo aboard, Dream Marie covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.40 on a sloppy main track. “She really likes this course,” said Bravo, who also rode Dream Marie in last year’s Delaware Oaks. “The last time she was on this course she was a very game second, a heartbeat from winning. Today, as I was expecting, when she turned for home, she really kicked off nicely.” Dream Marie was seventh through the first quarter-mile as 53-1 shot Shyza  set opening fractions of :23.07 and :47.20. Miss Marissa , who stalked the pace in third, took over to post six furlongs... ...

MILAN, Italy (June 9, 2021) — Haven Park, an Irish-bred daughter of California stallion Sir Prancealot, scored her first black-type win in Sunday’s listed Premio XCIII Royal Mares at San Siro. Haven Park, a 4-year-old filly out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Fifth Wonder, ran the mile on turf in 1:35.10 on a course listed as good and carried 130 pounds. She has five wins in 12 starts and earnings of $66,275 Euros.   ...

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (June 8, 2021) – Longtime California stallion Old Topper was euthanized due to issues from old age at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. He was 26 and had been pensioned in 2019. The son of Gilded Time was a perennial leading sire in California, with 27 stakes winners and lifetime progeny earnings of more than $22 million. Old Topper’s leading earner is Ain’t No Other ($715,280) and his runners included multiple stakes winner Queen Bee to You, graded winner Top Kisser and this year’s Evening Jewel Stakes winner, Becca Taylor. On the track, Old Topper was a multiple graded winner. ...

By Bloodhorse.com Second-crop California sire Winning Cause  sired his first winner May 21 at Hipodromo de Las Americas when his son Winning Again captured a maiden claiming sprint by three-quarters of a length. Bred in California by Linda Madsen out of the stakes-placed Wild Again daughter Mini Skirt, Winning Again now has a win and two seconds out of seven career starts for owner Cuadra Colibri. Mini Skirt is the dam of six winners out of 10 to race. Winning Again showed determination in wearing down five challengers in a 2 1/2-furlong sprint that went an opening quarter in :22. He closed strongly to stop the timer in :27 2/5 and held off a late rally by Nogales , who was 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Pierrot . Colibri bought Winning Again for $1,500 at the 2020 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Mixed Sale out of the Havens Bloodstock Agency consignment. Winning Cause is a grade 2-placed, multiple grade 3 winner by Giant’s Causeway out of the Kingmambo winner Raffishing Look. He won or placed in 13 black-type... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 28, 2021) – California stallion Danzing Candy was represented by his first winner on Friday when Love Candy won the third race at Golden Gate in his racing debut. Love Candy, out of the Tapizar mare Love Winning, was bred by owner Stuart Tsujimoto and trained by Ed Moger Jr. He ran the five furlongs in 1:00.87 and won by 2 ¾ lengths at odds of 6-1 in the field of eight 2-year-olds. Danzing Candy stands at Rancho San Miguel. ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (May 28, 2021) — Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announced plans to open its 2021 summer race meet with 100% capacity for fans in its seating areas throughout its facility. This decision was made in accordance with state and county public health guidelines effective June 15, 2021.  Del Mar’s 82nd racing season will open on Friday, July 16 and run through Labor Day Monday, September 6. All fans wishing to attend must obtain a seating package in advance of their arrival. Admission tickets and parking passes will be included in the package. The track will put seats on sale online on Friday, June 18 (go to DMTC.com/tickets) with a pre-sale available on Thursday, June 17 for those that sign up at the Del Mar website (DMTC.com/2021). “We are delighted to be able to welcome our fans back to Del Mar,” said DMTC president and COO Josh Rubinstein. “We appreciate their patience as we have all adapted to the changing circumstances over the last 15 months. We also appreciate the... ...

By TDN Ashleyluvssugar (Game Plan), a California-bred five-time Grade II-winning 10-year-old gelding, made a splash -quite literally- on social media this week in a post from After the Finish Line, where he was seen taking an enthusiastic wade through a stream in the North Carolina mountains. Ashleyluvswater: Cal-Bred Takes on East Coast Mountainside (thoroughbreddailynews.com) ...

From Fasig-Tipton ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2021) — Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 105 entries for its Santa Anita Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, to be held on Wednesday, June 23 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.  The sale will begin at 1 p.m. PDT.  The undertack show will take place on Monday, June 21, and begin at 10 a.m. PDT. “We are pleased to be bringing this auction back following a successful inaugural sale in 2019,” said Fasig-Tipton California Representative Mike Machowsky.  “We are receiving increased participation from Florida-based consignors this year, and the sale’s sire power is much stronger, as well. Leading national and California-based sires represented include CONSTITUTION, CURLIN, EMPIRE MAKER, GRAZEN, HARD SPUN, INTO MISCHIEF, LIAM’S MAP, MALIBU MOON, MEDAGLIA D’ORO, MUNNINGS, NYQUIST, PIONEEROF THE NILE, SMILING TIGER, and SQUARE EDDIE.  Several exciting young sires with their first crop of two-year-olds are also represented, including ARROGATE, CLASSIC EMPIRE, DANZING CANDY, GORMLEY, and PRACTICAL JOKE. The catalogue primarily consists of California-breds and Kentucky-breds. The catalogue may now be viewed online and... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 23, 2021) – California-bred None Above the Law made it back-to-back stakes wins by rallying late to take Sunday’s $77,250 Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate. None Above the Law is by Karakontie, out of the Northern Afleet mare Legally Blanca, was bred by J. Kirk and Judy Robison, is owned by Downstream Racing and trained by Peter Miller. He has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $173,810 and was coming off a win in the Apr. 25 Silky Sullivan. He ran the mile on turf in 1:36.56 and won by 1 ½ lengths over fellow Cal-bred Seattle Bold as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 10. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. ( May 15, 2021) — With Laurel River and I’ll Stand Taller duking it out on the front-end, trainer Eric Kruljac’s The Chosen Vron flew off the turn for home and marched to an emphatic 3 ½ length win in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden for the first time by Umberto Rispoli, the California-bred gelding by Vronsky got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.28. In a field of four sophomores, it was readily apparent from the outset that I’ll Stand Taller and Juan Hernandez were not going to allow impressive recent maiden winner Laurel River and Abel Cedillo to have their way on the front end as they blazed an opening quarter mile in 21.32. With I’ll Stand Taller shrinking noticeably a quarter mile out, The Chosen Vron was making an eye catching move at the rail blew by Laurel River with a furlong to run. “I could see they were going really fast, those two horses up front,... ...

Former California stallion Redattore passed away on Saturday in his native Brazil, according to The Bloodhorse. He was 26. The Grade I winner and son of Roi Normand was the sire of Compari, a California-bred graded-stakes winner of $673,724 bred by Harris Farms, Donald Valpredo and John Nicoletti. Redattore won 15 of 32 starts racing in Brazil, Argentina, and North America. Trained in Southern California by Richard Mandella for Dr. Luis Taunay after establishing himself as a group I winner in Brazil, Redattore captured seven California graded stakes, including the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes (gr. IT) and Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT). He also was a grade II winner on dirt, taking the San Antonio Handicap. ...

From Harris Farms SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (May 13, 2021) – Majestic Harbor, California’s leading freshman sire of 2020, now sits atop the California second crop sire list for 2021 with the victories by his 3-year-old fillies Lieutenant Kitty and Diamond Solitaire in the maiden special weight and the feature race on today’s card at Indiana Downs. Lieutenant Kitty, who had placed in both her starts last season at two, was the 1/5 favorite to defeat the field of maidens in the 3rd race, and she rewarded the faithful with a dominating win over the mile and seventy yard trip. Taken off the pace in the early going, it was obvious she was raring to go whenever jockey Fernando De La Cruz asked. That call came heading into the far turn and from there, the contest was over. He sat chilly as she opened up with every stride and came home sixteen and one-half lengths in front of the rest. Lieutenant Kitty race for the partnership of Deerfield Farm Racing, Dan Ison,... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 9, 2021)–In her first two-turn assignment, William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore went to the lead and never looked back, taking Sunday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length over heavily favored Warren’s Showtime.  Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Leggs Galore got one mile on turf in 1:34.85. The Fran’s Valentine, named for the multiple Grade I stakes winning Earl Scheib homebred daughter of Saros, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. With a pair of scratches earlier in the day, the Fran’s Valentine was reduced to a field of four older California-bred fillies and mares and to the surprise of no one, Leggs Galore bounced out of the gate from her rail post and turned the race into a virtual parade to the far turn, with Kristi’s Tiger a length and a half off the lead three... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 7, 2021) – California stallion Stanford was represented by his first winner on Friday when debuting odds-on favorite Heaven Shines went wire to wire in the fourth race at Golden Gate. Heaven Shines is out of the Speightstown mare Light Up the Sky, was bred by owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trained by Jonathan Wong. The 2-year-old colt won the maiden special weight by 2 ¾ lengths at odds of 1-5 in the field of four and ran the 4 ½ furlongs in :53.44. ...

From Harris Farms COALINGA, Calif. (May 3, 2021) – California stallion Vronsky died of an apparent heart attack April 29 at Harris Farms after successfully covering a mare, according to Jonny Hilvers, General Manager at Harris Farms.   “For a 22-year-old he looked amazing and could not have been doing any better. He has been such a nice horse to be around all these years and he will be sorely missed.”   The son of Danzig – Words of War, by Lord At War (ARG) bred by Arthur B. Hancock III and Stonerside Ltd. sold for $1 million at the 2000 Keeneland September Sale. A three-time winner of $135,247 while racing for owner Steve Taub, Vronsky entered stud in 2005 at E.W. “Buddy” Johnston’s Old English Rancho in Sanger, Calif.   From 13 crops to race, Vronsky is the sire of 151 winners, progeny earnings of $15.9 million and 12 blacktype winners which include grade 1 winner What a View, grade 2 winner Norvsky, grade 3 victor Poshsky and 2021 graded-placed 3-year-olds Closing Remarks and The Chosen Vron. As of... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Week-by-week through the spring, the 2-year-old filly Big Treat progressively had quicker workouts for trainer Ryan Hanson at Santa Anita. Big Treat worked a half-mile from the gate in 48.60 seconds on April 10. Two weeks later, she went a half-mile from the gate in 47.80. Those workouts were the foundation for an attractive debut when Big Treat won a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies by 10 lengths under apprentice jockey Emily Ellingwood last Friday. “This filly has done everything right,” Hanson reflected on Sunday. “She’s gotten better each week.” Last summer, Hanson won his first Thoroughbred graded stakes with Weston in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. By the Dynaformer stallion Mr. Big, Big Treat is likely to have her stakes debut in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante at five furlongs on June 20, the lone stakes for 2-year-old fillies at the current winter-spring meeting In recent years, juveniles such as Big Treat, who won early season maiden... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2021) – None Above the Law rallied wide and pulled away to win Sunday’s $77,700 Silky Sullivan Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. None Above the Law is by Karakontie, out of the Northern Afleet mare Legally Blanca, was bred by J. Kirk & Judy Robison, is owned by Downstream Racing and was trained by Peter Miller. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $131,060 and was coming off a sixth in the Apr. 3 Echo Eddie. He ran the mile in 1:36.75 at odds of 3-1. Seattle Bold was second and Top Harbor third in the field of 11. The race, originally drawn for the turf, was run on the all-weather track. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2021) – I’m So Anna scored her second stakes victory on Sunday when she wired the field in the $76,800 Campanile Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Golden Gate. I’m So Anna is by Fast Anna, out of the Jet West mare So So Fast, was bred by owner KMN Racing and trained by Steve Sherman. She has three wins in 10 starts, earnings of $174,240 and was coming off a third in Apr. 3 Evening Jewel. She ran the mile in 1:36.93 and won by 2 ½ lengths as the 6-5 favorite. Amazen Grazen was second and Squared Shady third in the field of nine. The race, originally scheduled for the turf, was run on the al-weather track. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2021) – Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ homebred Stalking Shadow rallied late to win Saturday’s $98,000 California Derby for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. The California-bred is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Petionville mare Silent Stalk and was trained by Jonathan Wong. Stalking Shadow has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $128,920 and has won his last three starts. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.22 and won by one-half length at odds of 7-1 in a field of eight. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 24, 2021)–Next to last mid-way around the far turn, veteran 8-year-old gelding Brandothebartender rallied four-deep turning for home en route to a solid three-quarter length win in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes at Santa Anita.  Trained by Craig Dollase and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, “Brando” got one mile on turf in 1:35.04. Named for the California-bred winner of the both the 1977 Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup, the Crystal Water is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. With Acclimate and Flavien Prat dictating the early pace, Brandothebartender, who rated kindly under Rispoli, had about three lengths to make up a quarter mile from home and proved more than equal to the challenge. “He ran great and we thought he would,” said Dollase, who claimed the son of Tribal Rule for his owners 26 races ago, on Aug. 1, 2018 at Del Mar.  “Umberto rode him... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 23, 2021) – A California-bred filly by Florida stallion Fury Kapcori sold for $125,000 in Friday’s session of the Ocala Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The filly, out of the With Distinction mare Kiana Believes, was bred by Bulldog Racing & consigner SGV Thoroughbreds and purchased by Dennis O’Neill. She breezed one furlong in :09 4/5 seconds in the under-tack workout. ...

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 22, 2021) – A California-bred filly by Kentucky stallion Practical Joke sold for $110,000 at Thursday’s session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sale 2-year-olds in training sale. The filly, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Hollywood Queen, was bred by Linda Madsen & Joy Seifert, consigned by Gene Recio agent, and purchased by Peter Miller, agent. She was clocked in 10.1 seconds for the one-furlong breeze before the sale. ...

CHARLES TOWN, W. Va. (Apr. 18, 2021) — Brigintine Island, a West Virginia-bred daughter of California stallion Jersey Town, won Saturday’s $76,250 Original Gold Stakes for fillies and mares at Charles Town Races. Brigintine Island, out of the Langfuhr mare Deli Lama, has six wins in 22 starts with earnings of $163,479. She won by seven lengths and ran the seven furlongs in 1:26.55 and went off at odds of 3-1 in a field of 10. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 10, 2021)–A highly respected horseman, trainer Neil French passed away  from heart failure Saturday morning at age 68 at Arcadia Methodist Hospital.  Beset with rheumatoid arthritis for the past 10 years, French marshalled on with a small stable, assisted by a golf cart which took him from his barn to Santa Anita’s Grandstand apron, where he was able to observe his horses train. “The horses were his life,” said French’s sister Joy from her home in Spooner, Wisconsin.  “The arthritis was very, very hard on him and this time, he had to go to the hospital and his heart gave out.  He never got married or had kids, the horses were his life. “Our family is from Wisconsin and my dad had an uncle who was a licensed blacksmith in Los Angeles, so my parents moved out there in 1950, because my dad (Arden French) wanted to learn that trade.  He did and he worked as a farrier at Los Alamitos before he... ...

RANCHO CALIFORNIA, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2021) — A GoFundMe page has been established for Gil Pankonin, a member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, whose house was destroyed in an Easter morning fire. Pankonin, also a board member of the California Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association, escaped uninjured and all of his horses are safe, according to the CTFMA. The GoFundMe page, established by Pankonin’s daughter, Danielle Raines, can be viewed at https://gofund.me/fb227d37. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 3, 2021)–Classy The Chosen Vron sat a perfect trip and rallied to win Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita by 1 ¼ lengths under Mike Smith.  Trained and owned in-part by Eric Kruljac, the chestnut gelding by Vronsky got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.80. The Echo Eddie, for 3-year-olds bred or sired in the state of California, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA. Ridden confidently, The Chosen Vron was fourth, about four lengths off speedy Letsgetlucky mid-way around the turn when he made an eye-catching move at the rail enabling him to pounce on both eventual runner-up Good With People and the pacesetter with three sixteenths of a mile to run. Although The Chosen Vron won comfortably, Good With People seemed to find another gear but The Chosen Vron reeled him in leaving the sixteenth pole in a very professional effort. “That is a nice colt there,” said Smith, who’s been on more... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 3, 2021)–Nick Alexander’s homebred Becca Taylor unleashed an overwhelming stretch kick to take Saturday’s $150,000 Evening Jewel Stakes at Santa Anita by 2 ¼ lengths under Flavien Prat, who notched his fourth stakes win of the day.  Trained by Steve Miyadi, Becca Taylor got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.15. The Evening Jewel, for 3-year-old fillies bred or sired in California, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA. A close second to pacesetter Pray for My Owner to the top of the lane, “Becca” was then long-gone in a thoroughly dominant performance. A winner of her first three starts, her most recent a neck allowance win going six furlongs on Feb. 21, Becca Taylor, a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Old Topper, was off at 3-2 in a field of nine sophomore fillies and paid $5.00, $3.40 and $2.60. Out of Alexander’s General Meeting mare Lady Sax, Becca Taylor, in her first stakes appearance, banked $90,000... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 28, 2021)– Following in the hoofsteps of his father, California stallion Misremembered, Ax Man, ridden for the first time by Edwin Maldonado, sped to the front out of the gate and never looked back as he drilled five rivals, including his well-fancied stablemate Mastering, by 4 ½ lengths in Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile at Santa Anita.  Trained by Bob Baffert and owned and bred by longtime clients Hal and Patti Earnhardt, Ax Man got the distance in 1:36.56. Breaking like a shot from his number five post position, Ax Man obviously relished his front-running trip and with a three-length advantage over Major Cabbie three sixteenths from home, the Santana Mile was never in question thereafter. “I was very confident turning for home,” said Maldonado, who is regarded as one of the best “speed” riders on this circuit.  “I gave him a couple reminders, but he knows what he’s doing…Bob told me to put him on the lead and it’s not like I don’t... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2021) – California stallion Gem Heist was represented by his first winner on Sunday when Musical Gem won the fourth race at Santa Anita for maiden 3-year-olds, with Careless Kitten, also by Gem Heist, finishing second. Musical Gem is out of the Bertrando mare Musical Recital. He and Careless Kitten were bred by Bobby Grayson, owned by Grayson and Carol Ann Grayson Living Trust and trained by Val Brinkerhoff. Musical Gem ran the six furlongs in 1:11.51 and won by 1 ¾ lengths at odds of 7-2 in the field of eight. ...

By Bloodhorse.com Lila Lanning, who with her husband, Curt, was a major owner and breeder in California, died March 15 in Mesa, Ariz. She was 82. The Lannings succeeded on the racetrack with a combination of homebreds and purchases at public auction. Ed Moger trained many of their stakes winners, including $657,027-earner Qiaona, $344,313-earner Gentle Charmer, $429,437-earner Phaenna, and $289,354-earner Zoning In, all California-breds.  Their leading homebred earner was Tribal Storm, a 2014 Cal-bred gelded son of Papa Clem—Tribal Feathers, by Tribal Rule. Claimed away for $62,500 in 2018, Tribal Storm for the Lannings and with Moger training won the 2017 Harris Farms Stakes and 2018 Lost in the Fog Stakes and finished third in the 2017 El Camino Real Derby (G3). The Lannings purchased Qiaona for only $4,500 at the 2011 Barretts October sale, and she went on to win the 2013 California Breeders Champion Stakes and California Distaff Handicap for them. Gentle Charmer cost them $17,000 at the 2003 Barretts preferred yearling sale and won the 2007 California... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2021)–For once, the old man was not late to the party.  Brandothebartender, at age eight the oldest horse among seven California-breds in Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita, flew late under Umberto Rispoli to win going away by 1 ¼ lengths, his first recognized win in his last 20 starts, going back to Dec. 31, 2018.  Trained by Craig Dollase, the California-bred gelding by Tribal Rule got six furlongs on turf in 1:08.51. The Sensational Star is part of the lucrative Golden State Series which is sponsored by the CTBA and is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Taken in-hand from his outside post, “Brando,” although a joint last with Prodigal Son heading to the far turn, was only four lengths off the lead.  Turning for home with two horses beat, Rispoli angled five-deep and Brandothebartender did the rest, easily reeling in the front-runners for a decisive win. “He’s such a versatile horse,” said Rispoli, who’s ridden Brandothebartender eight times,... ...

OCALA, Fla. (Mar. 18, 2021) – Five California-breds sold at this week’s Ocala Breeders’ Sale March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, led by an Asturn colt that brought $95,000. The colt, out of the Tiznow mare Tisbury, was bred by Linda Madsen, consigned by Lucan Bloodstock and was purchased by Cary Bloodstock, agent for Intrepid Thoroughbreds. A filly by first-year stallion Stanford sold for $85,000. Named Drizella, she is out of the Roayl Applause mare Tinderella, was bred by Magee-Wolfson, consigned by Havens Bloodstock and purchased by William Peeples. Peeples also bought a filly by Grazen named Grazen’s Touch, out of Touch Gold mare Lavender Touch, bred by Gilman Racing and consigned by Havens Bloodstock. She cost $80,000. A colt by Munnings sold for $65,000. He is out of the War Front mare Mobilize, was bred by Terry Lovingier, consigned by Wavertree Stables and purchased by Michael Maker. A Champ Pegasus colt sold for $45,000 to Maker. He is out of Vale of York mare Little Rooster, was bred by Cicero... ...

HEMET, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2021) – Multiple graded stakes winner Oscar Nominated has been retired to California and will stand the 2021 breeding season at BG Thoroughbred Farm in Hemet for a fee of $2,500. Oscar Nominated is a son of Kitten’s Joy, out of the Theatrical mare Devine Actress, was bred by Mrs. Jerry Amerman and is a full brother to Oscar Performance, whose multiple Grade I wins include the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Oscar Nominated will be the only son of Kitten’s Joy standing in California. On the track, Oscar Nominated had six wins in 30 starts and earnings of $1,502,639. His biggest wins include the Grade III Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, the Grade III Kentucky Downs Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs and the Grade III W.L. McKnight Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He also placed in the Grade I Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine.   ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2021) — Grade I winner Mucho Unusual was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2020 during Monday’s annual awards presentation by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Mucho Unusual is a 5-year-old mare by Mucho Macho Man, out of the Unusual Heat mare Not Unusual, was bred by owner George Krikorian and is trained by Tim Yakteen. She has career earnings of $862,715, of which $317,333 were earned in 2020 when she scored her greatest career triumph in the Sept. 26 Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita. She also won the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 27. The former California Cup Oaks winner has placed in nine graded stakes. The other finalists for Horse of the Year, in alphabetical order, were Bulletproof One and Warren’s Showtime. Other Cal-bred champions recognized during the teleconference: Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Tie between Big Fish and Good With People. Big Fish, bred by George Krikorian, owned by Legacy Ranch, trained by David Hofmans;... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 14, 2021)–William Sims’ homebred Leggs Galore was long gone in Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita as she waltzed to a 2 ¼ length win, which was her fifth consecutive triumph dating back to Aug. 7.  Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Leggs Galore, a 4-year-old California-bred filly by 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern, got six furlongs over a firm turf in 1:08.17. The Irish O’Brien is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Breaking like a rocket from her outside post position, Leggs Galore opened up a four length cushion after the first quarter mile and it was readily apparent no one was capable of pressuring her, thus assuring the brilliantly fast grey her second consecutive stakes win over the course in what may’ve been her best effort to date. “This race, she really started to remind me of Enola Gray... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2021) – Charlene “Charlie” Markel, a former longtime staff member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away Sunday night. She was 74. Markel worked on the California Thoroughbred magazine as a graphic artist from 1978-2014. A fixture in the FrontRunner and infield at Santa Anita, she was an avid racegoer. She is survived by husband Donn Markel. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2021) — With COVID numbers declining and vaccines on the rise, The Stronach Group and TOC are pleased to announce new protocols at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields to allow licensed owners more access to the grounds. If COVID numbers continue to decline, please expect to see further loosening of restrictions in the coming weeks and months. SANTA ANITA PARK Winner’s Circle After each race, the winning horse will be brought into the Winners’ Circle and a limited number of owners will be allowed access for the customary photo.  To continue to keep the trainers, jockeys, and other essential employees safe, the following protocols are in place: While this is a celebratory event, social distancing (minimum of 6-feet) in the Winner’s Circle will be strictly enforced. Entrance to the Winner’s Circle will be restricted to a maximum of 8 owners and/or guests to allow for social distancing.   Owners and/or guests will be asked to stand on the West Side of the Winner’s... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 12, 2021) — It’s My House, a Florida-bred son of California stallion Anthony’s Cross, won Friday’s $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby for 3-year-olds. It’s My House, out of the Grand Reward mare Gerry’s Reward, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05 and won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 2-1 He has two wins in four starts with earnings of $59,760. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 6, 2021)–Fresh off a huge win versus California-breds, Alfred Pais’s homebred Brickyard Ride made short work of open company in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita, as he made every pole a winning one in covering seven furlongs in 1:21.51.  Ridden by apprentice Alexis Centeno and trained by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride, a 4-year-old colt by top California-based stallion Clubhouse Ride, was never threatened as he won by four lengths. Breaking like a shot from post position six in a field of nine, Brickyard Ride outfooted 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court while under restraint in the early running and was merely a chestnut blur around the far turn.  With just three taps of the stick to keep him focused, Brickyard Ride cruised to the wire, where he received a congratulatory pat on the right shoulder from Centeno, who celebrated his first-ever graded stakes victory. “Well, speed kills and he killed today, with his speed,” said Lewis,... ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2021) — Building on the positive news it announced last week concerning a 30% increase to overnight purses and major enhancements to its popular “Ship & Win” program, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club today released this year’s summer stakes schedule showing a similar healthy increase of 30% to its major stakes compared to its 2020 racing season. The track once more will tender its usual complement of eight California-bred stakes, part of the Golden State Stakes Series that consists of 36 stakes worth more than $4.4 million. Those stakes are the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, the $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes, the $100,000 CTBA Stakes, the $100,000 Graduation Stakes, the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes, the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes and the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes. In 2020, the track presented 32 major stakes worth $5,175,000. For this year there will be two additional stakes and total purses will be $6,750,000, a value increase of 30%. Twenty-one of this season’s... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2021)–In a race in which the emphasis was on speed, speed and more speed, Harris Farms’ hard knocking Fashionably Fast proved gamest of all, as he dug deep while in between horses late to win Sunday’s $100,000 Tiznow Stakes at Santa Anita by a head.  Trained by Dean Pederson and ridden by Tiago Pereira, Fashionably Fast, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Lucky Pulpit, got a flat mile in 1:37.14 while taking the Tiznow for the second consecutive year. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Tiznow is part of the Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired older horses.  The Tiznow is named for the California-bred two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner from 2000 and 2001 who was trained by Jay Robbins. Breaking from the outside in a field of five, Fashionably Fast was part of a four-horse scramble for the lead, as recent allowance winner Desmond Doss had a head advantage over Margot’s Boy, with Surfing Star just a half length in front... ...