AUBURN, Wash. (May 8, 2014) – She’s Stella Marie is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Hastings Handicap for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs. She is by Leroidesanimaux, out of the Pleasant Colony mare Stellarina, was bred by owner Willow Creek Farm and trained by Jeffrey Metz. She has two wins in 16 starts, earnings of $40,769 and is coming off a fifth in the Feb. 15 Sun City. ...
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By DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 3, 2014) — Steve Coburn knew when he saw the newborn colt. “I saw this baby twice,” the co-owner of California Chrome said. “Once in a dream, and then the day after he was born.” Since the chestnut colt with the white face hit the ground Feb. 18, 2011, the clock has been ticking down to today. Tick-tock. On Saturday morning, California Chrome went for an easy one-mile jog with exercise rider Willie Delgado aboard, the sun just beginning to brighten the twin spires as they loomed over the Kentucky Derby favorite. More than three years of planning, now just over 12 hours to post. Tick-tock. The colt walks back to Barn 20, his home for the last week since arriving with trainer Art Sherman to intense media scrutiny. He disappears into the shed row. He won’t leave the stable area again until just before 6 p.m., when the call comes for the 19 Derby horses to assemble in the chute for the walkover. Across... ...
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By DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 2, 2014) – After the close of ontrack wagering Friday, Santa Anita Derby winner California Chrome was the 3-1 favorite in advance wagering for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, with Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong and Arkansas Derby winner Danza co-second choices at 8-1. Ride On Curlin, to be ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel, was next at 12-1 odds, followed closely by Louisiana Derby runner-up Intense Holiday at 13-1. These odds reflected only wagers made onsite at Churchill Downs, perhaps reflecting the popularity of Ride On Curlin, with Borel being a local favorite. The Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby double will-pays largely mirrored the Derby win wagering, with the payoff to California Chrome reflecting the shortest payoff at $11.40, following by the combination to Wicked Strong at $39.60 and to Danza at $44.60. Ontrack handle on the Kentucky Derby was $202,807 by the close of wagering Friday, with offtrack wagers not yet incorporated. The handle reflects only a tiny fraction of the total amount that ultimately will... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 2, 2014) — Let Art Sherman write the story for you. “We need heroes right now, and I’m hoping he’s one of them,” the 77-year-old trainer of California Chrome said his first morning at Churchill Downs while reporters circled, the cameras rolled, and his flashy chestnut colt became the talk of the backstretch. Here was Sherman, once the exercise rider for 1955 Kentucky Derby winner Swaps and a 60-year veteran of the sport, standing up on a mounting block to address the scrum—funny how life comes around. And here was California Chrome, handling his first cross-country trip with his usual intelligence, about to be installed as the 5-2 favorite in a 19-horse field. “All the years you put into this game, this would just be a dream come true to win,” Sherman said. “But at the same time I’m very satisfied with my career. I never made it in the big, big horses, but I’ve won a lot of graded stakes, always had fun, a lot... ...
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From Churchill Downs CALIFORNIA CHROME – The morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Steve Coburn and Perry Martin’s California Chrome, went trackside Thursday morning at 6:55 as hundreds of cameras clicked and video rolled. The handsome chestnut colt stopped and took it all in, then did the same several times more as he backtracked his way to the frontside and under the iconic Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, before heading up the tunnel way to the paddock to “school,” just as he had the day before. Following his paddock tour, exercise rider Willy Delgado took the colt to the starting gate for a nice stand. “Willy told me he did fine in the gate,” trainer Art Sherman said afterward. The 77-year-old conditioner had watched his charge go about his morning business from the second floor of the old clocker’s stand on the backstretch near the five-furlong gap. “He’s usually fine in there, but sometimes he hesitates going in. He was fine today.” Following the gate education, Delgado put the California-bred... ...
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By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 1, 2014) — In his preview of the 1958 Kentucky Derby for Sports Illustrated, Whitney Tower took a step back from the hoopla surrounding the exciting California favorite to shed a little calm on the proceedings. “Silky’s accomplishments, belittled in some quarters, exaggerated in others, have placed him in the unique position of being a full-fledged hero before his supreme trial,” Tower wrote. “As a California phenomenon – in a land where phenomena are not uncommon – Silky Sullivan is more popular than the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants and even, as one Santa Anita regular dared to suggest recently, ‘more popular than Swaps ever was.’ ” In a way, it is comforting to realize that all things pertaining to the Kentucky Derby were just as insanely exaggerated 56 years ago as they are in 2014. The social media of that bygone era – better known then as newspapers, corner bars and a smattering of network TV – were captivated heart... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 30, 2014) — California Chrome, the morning line favorite for the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) drew post 5 for the 1 1/4-mile Run for the Roses. The California-bred colt will be ridden by Victor Espinoza and face 19 fellow 3-year-olds in the $2 million Run for the Roses. Art Sherman trains California Chrome for breeder/owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin. The son of Lucky Pulpit —Love the Charm, by Not For Love , has won all three of his starts at 3 by a combined 18 lengths. He was installed the 5-2 morning line favorite. Sherman, at 77, would become the oldest trainer to win the Derby, surpassing the legendary Charlie Whittingham who won his second Derby with Sunday Silence in 1989 at age 76. California Chrome has won six of 10 starts, all in Southern California, and has earned $1,134,850. He will be attempting to become the first Cal-bred winner of the Derby since Decidedly in 1962. Sherman was an exercise... ...
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From Churchill Downs LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 30, 2014) – Through various sources, the Churchill Downs communications team has confirmed that 21 horses are known to have been entered in Saturday’s $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The horses known to be entered in the Kentucky Derby are (in order of preference by points earned on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com): California Chrome, Vicar’s in Trouble, Dance With Fate, Wicked Strong, Samraat, Danza, Hoppertunity, Intense Holiday, Wildcat Red, We Miss Artie, Ride On Curlin, Chitu, Tapiture, General a Rod, Medal Count, Candy Boy, Uncle Sigh, Vinceremos, Harry’s Holiday and Commanding Curve. Pablo Del Monte would be on the “also eligible” list. Big Bazinga, who would have been behind Pablo Del Monte on the “also eligible” list was not entered in the Derby and instead will run in the $250,000 American Turf Presented by Ram Trucks (GII). The “also eligible” horses could draw into the field should any horse(s) be scratched before scratch... ...
Read More →By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 29, 2014) — Art Sherman was seeing to a few last-minute items around the barn late Sunday morning before sending California Chrome to Kentucky. He was outwardly calm, if by calm one means checking his phone every 30 seconds to see who’s calling now, or glancing furtively at the computer screen images from the closed-circuit cameras in California Chrome’s stall. He made sure the colt’s bag of horse treats were by the door, ready to ship, then picked up a bundle of clothes. “Alan’s – can you believe that?” Sherman said. “At his age, sending laundry home for his mom. And she’ll do it, too!” This was a trainer on the verge of a life-changing event, if indeed your life can be changed significantly by anything at the age of 77. Art and Faye Sherman, who renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary two years ago aboard a ship off the coast of Spain, would be leaving the next day for Kentucky and... ...
Read More →By DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 29, 2014) – The first time Art Sherman came to the Kentucky Derby, in 1955, it was as a stable hand for trainer Mesh Tenney, and he traveled from California by railcar, sleeping on straw, next to the horse who brought him here, Swaps. Sherman was a bit player in the story of Swaps, who won that Derby. But when he left California on Monday, Sherman did so as the trainer of the horse acknowledged as the favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, California Chrome. And his friend, trainer Tom Proctor, wanted everyone – at least everyone on their flight Monday – to know about it. They took separate flights from different Southern California airports before connecting in Phoenix along with jockeys Mike Smith and Gary Stevens. Proctor, who has an outsized frame and personality, convinced the gate attendants to let Sherman on the plane first and convinced the flight attendants to announce who Sherman was and why he was on that flight to Louisville. “I just... ...
Read More →By DRF.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 28, 2014) – By the end of the week, at the end of the long prep season toward the Kentucky Derby, handicappers and horsemen alike often simply look to the heavens for some sort of inspiration or intervention, but this year they needed to look earlier, for on Monday, the heavens opened, the rains came, and then, after a dramatic morning, this year’s chosen one dropped from the sky. California Chrome, the favorite for the 140th Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs, arrived from California around midday after a tumultuous morning here that saw two of his rivals work, separated by a suspension in training necessitated by fierce lightning in the area. Fortunately, California Chrome arrived without incident, both Tapiture and Hoppertunity safely got through their final drills, and Derby Week, which started out underwater, finally got underway. Tapiture was scheduled to work around 6 a.m. Eastern on Monday, but because rain had started to fall, trainer Steve Asmussen waited a bit longer to go, desirous... ...
Read More →By OCRegister.com LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2014) – To reach the star’s hideaway, the drive requires passing places that promise to be packed: a Costco, a gym, a Seventh-day Adventist church with a sign – “Everyone Welcome.” http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-611493-derby-track.html?page=1 ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 26, 2014) – Dancingtothestars accelerated past the tiring frontrunners turning for home, then withstood a rider’s objection to win Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares on the Gold Rush card at Santa Anita. Dancingtothestars is a 6-year-old mare by Good Journey, out of the In Excess mare A Lil Excess and was bred by owner Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds. “We’re very proud of her,” said Cathy Lambert, daughter-in-law of Marjorie Lambert of Burbank, who races as Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds. “This is really special because we lost her dam last year. She had been bred to Atticus and then got colic. To win the Megahertz (Stakes, three starts back) and now the Fran’s Valentine, this is unreal.” Dancingtothestars is trained by Doug O’Neill and was ridden by Mario Gutierrez. “Mario knows her well,” said O’Neill. “He was out of town the last time she ran (third in the Irish O’Brien). Joe Talamo gave her a great ride, but the Ren-Mar... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2014) – Journey On is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Wilshire Handicap for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Journey on is by Good Journey, out of the American Chance mare Miss Del Mar, was bred by Leatherman Racing, is owned by Neil Haymes & Robert Master and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has four wins in 10 starts, earnings of $154,910 and is coming off a sixth in the Mar. 29 American Beauty. She scratched out of Saturday’s Fran’s Valentine Stakes. ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 23, 2014) – Graded winner Summer Hit, runner-up in this race last year, is back for Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate. Summer Hit is by Bertrando, out of the Tough Knight mare Mia F Eighteen, was bred by Kenneth and Janice Heidt, is owned by John Carver and Jerry Hollendorfer and trained by Hollendorfer. He has 10 wins in 18 starts, earnings of $452,219 and is coming off a Mar. 15 allowance win. He was second in this race last year. Pepper Crown is by Peppered Cat, out of the Crowning Storm mare Crown This Lady, was bred by owner and trainer Alex Paszkeicz. He has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $96,433 and is coming off a third in a Mar. 30 optional claimer. Pepnic is by Peppered Cat, out of the Tychonic mare Prochonic, was bred by Alex Paszkeicz, is owned by David Taylor Jr. and trained by Tim McCanna. He has five wins in 23 starts, earnings of... ...
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From CHRB ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2014) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular meeting this Friday, April 25, in the Bayview Lounge (Turf Club) at Golden Gate Fields beginning at 9:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only webcast of the meeting can be heard through the “webcasts” link on the CHRB website (www.chrb.ca.gov). The agenda and supporting package of materials for this meeting are available on the website through the following links: agenda, package. ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2014) — If trainer Art Sherman seems surprisingly calm for a Triple Crown newcomer who figures to be saddling this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite in California Chrome, some of that confidence traces to the solid racing foundation of the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner. While many trainers have reduced the number of starts for their top 2-year-olds, California Chrome enters this year’s Derby with seven races as a juvenile and a total of 10 starts. No Derby favorite in this century has boasted more 2-year-old starts than California Chrome. The most recent Derby favorite with more juvenile starts is filly Excellent Meeting (an entry with General Challenge in 1999), who raced eight times as a 2-year-old. Sherman believes the road to the Derby can be taxing on horses without solid foundations. “They all run a mile-and-an-eighth prior to running in the Derby,” Sherman said. “I just think that being seasoned and not having to do a whole lot... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2014) — Los Alamitos Race Course is embarking on a series of improvements designed to help the Cypress, Calif., racetrack play a more major role in the Southern California Thoroughbred picture. Plans for the construction of additional stalls and frontside improvements are under way, said Brad McKinzie, the general manager of the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred meetings. “We’re moving forward with a lot of the improvements right now,” said McKinzie. “We’re on the agenda of the City of Cypress’s meeting of May 12 to construct the new barns.” The barns, which Los Alamitos management hopes to have in place by mid-June, would add 200 stalls to the 500 already in use for year-round Thoroughbred training. McKinzie said that Los Alamitos would also have a temporary ship-in facility of about 60 stalls for use during the race meetings. Frontside improvement plans include expansion of the Vessels Club, addition of an upscale bar, a viewing terrace, and boxes, and enlarging the walking ring. Los Alamitos conducts year-round... ...
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By DRF.com POMONA, Calif. (Apr. 18, 2014) — Officials with Barretts Sales and Racing at the Los Angeles County Fair are in advanced discussions with colleagues at Los Alamitos Racecourse to relocate the 13-day Fairplex meeting to the Orange County track this September, according to a Fairplex Park official. If the racing dates are transferred, it is likely to mark the end of live racing at the Los Angeles County Fair, located at Fairplex Park in Pomona. Racing has been held at the Los Angeles County Fair since September 1933, shortly after the legalization of parimutuel racing in California. Discussions between officials of the two tracks and other industry representatives were held on Thursday and were expected to continue on Friday, according to Mike Chee, the director of communications for Fairplex Park. An agreement on the transfer of dates could be reached as early as Friday, he said. “Things are going hour to hour,” Chee said late Thursday afternoon. “We’re hopeful we can close an agreement by the end of... ...
Read More →By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com An expert in statistical theory and application would suggest that if something has not happened in 51 years, it is unlikely to happen in the 52nd. Such an expert also would recommend against playing cards with a guy named Ace or betting on the Vikings in the Super Bowl. Any Super Bowl. Those who are prepared to follow California Chrome over the cliff of passionate favoritism in the 140th Kentucky Derby two weeks from now would be wise to keep that number – 51 – in mind, because the last time a racehorse who was born and raised in the Golden State won the Derby was in 1962, when a Catholic was president, Cuba had missiles, and gasoline was 25 cents a gallon. [ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays] This is not to say it matters squat to the Thoroughbred in question where he was born. It wasn’t as if California Chrome staggered to his wobbly legs on the 18th of February,... ...
Read More →From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Apr. 15, 2014) — The catalog for the Barretts May Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age is now on-line and will be mailed soon. This auction of 129 horses will be held on Monday, May 12 in the Hinds Pavilion located on the grounds of Fairplex Park in Pomona, California beginning at 2:00 p.m. The catalog can be viewed now at http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catmay2014/catalog.asp The May Sale catalog is also now available for your ipad. Click here for details. The official training preview is scheduled to be held on Friday, May 9 on the Fairplex Park racetrack adjacent to Barretts, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The preview will be streamed live at http://www.barretts.com/sales/ViewSale/index.asp Video clips for each preview can be viewed on-line by the afternoon following the preview at www.barretts.com. Among the successful graduates of the May Sale in the past year are stakes winners Jeranimo (G1), Stormy Lucy (G2), Dice Flavor (G2), Full Ransom (G3), Can the Man, City By The... ...
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BALTIMORE, Md. (Apr. 16, 2014) – She’s Ordained is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Primonetta Stakes for fillies and mares at Pimlico. She’s Ordained is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Not For Love mare Whole Lotta Love, was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, is owned by Ronald Ulrich and trained by Timothy Kreiser. She has 14 wins in 32 starts, earnings of $353,325 and is coming off a third in a Mar. 29 starter’s allowance. ...
Read More →By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 11, 2014) — Once the dust clears Saturday night on the last of the major Kentucky Derby trial heats – better known as the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes – the coast will be clear for a brief appreciation of an underserved category of Thoroughbred racehorse in Sunday’s $100,000 San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita. Chiloquin and Zimmer don’t remember what it was like to be 3. Their chances at Triple Crown glory came and went quickly, without much concern. Chiloquin, a 6-year-old son of Tribal Rule, hails from the same generation as Animal Kingdom and Shackleford, while Zimmer, an 8-year-old by Empire Maker, missed his chance to get smacked around by Mine That Bird, Summer Bird, and Rachel Alexandra. After a while, both Zimmer and Chiloquin passed into the “old warrior” category, and there they have spent most of their time, surviving travel, physical setbacks, and a variety of racetracks to arrive in the same race Sunday with a chance... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 10, 2014) – Stakes winner Lakerville and fellow California-bred Chiloquin are entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita. Lakerville is by Unusual Heat, out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame, was bred by Abrams & Team Green, is owned by Barry Abrams and M. Auerbach and is trained by Abrams. He has five wins in nine starts, earnings of $292,910 and is coming off a sixth in the Mar. 8 Frank E. Kilroe Mile. Chiloquin is by Tribal Rule, out of the Desert Mirage mare Zzyxx Road, was bred by Sam & Carl Assadurian, is owned by Carl Assadurian and Scott Hansen and is trained by Hansen. He has six wins in 23 starts, earnings of $368,342 and is making his first start since a third in the Sept. 4 Pirate’s Bounty. ...
Read More →From Horse Sense Blog Saturday’s performance by California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby took our breath away, just as his San Felipe did a month ago. This time, he didn’t get the quick, almost quarter horse-like start that he got in March. Coming awkwardly away from the gate, he settled off the pace and loomed up on the outside as they rounded the far turn. Espinoza said, “Go”…and boy, did he go. Powering away to an open-lengths lead, he shortened his strides near the end, ears pricked and eyes bright, as if to say, “Are you guys gonna catch me any time soon?” Every Derby Trail needs an electrifying contender in its ranks; this colt may be one of the most popular in recent years. Trainer Art Sherman said to the press after his win, “He’s my Swaps.” That means a lot, considering the 77 year-old horseman was up close and personal with the 1955 Kentucky Derby winner, as his exercise rider. And yes, California Chrome lovers have drawn... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2014) – California Cup Sprint champ Big Macher is joined by fellow California-breds Cyclometer and Crimson Giant in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Potrero Grande Stakes at Santa Anita. Big Macher is by Beau Genius, out of the Kris S. mare Insight, was bred by Ballena Vista Farm, is owned by Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables and is trained by Richard Baltas. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $196,428 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 8 San Carlos Stakes. “The horse has a good style; he can stalk or can be on the lead, too. It doesn’t matter,” said Baltas. “I like where we drew (post position seven of eight). There is one speed horse outside us (Cyclometer), but we should come out of there and Tyler (Baze) will have a good look at the field, but if they give us the lead, we’ll take it.” Cyclometer is by Cyclotron, out of the Eastern Echo mare Moana Loa, was bred by... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2014) – Tribal Spy and Ciao Bella Luna, 1-2 finishers in the Irish O’Brien, are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Las Cienegas Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Tribal Spy is by Tribal Rule, out of the Victory Gallop mare Victory Spy, was bred by Gary Barber, is owned by Triple B Farms and trained by Adam Kitchingman. She has five wins in 14 starts, earnings of $238,610 and is coming off a win in the Mar. 15 Irish O’Brien Stakes. “I worked her a half-mile the other day in 49 (on turf) and she did it real nice,” jockey Joe Talamo said of Tribal Spy. “She went off in 26 (the first quarter mile) and came home in 23. It’s been a while since I rode her, but she’s real consistent. If she runs like she’s been running, she’ll be tough.” Ciao Bella Luna, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Tribal Rule, out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Shadow of the Moon, was bred... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2014) — A day after his latest spectacular victory, California Chrome bounced around in his stall April 6, holding court with media and munching cookies. “He ate a whole bag,” said co-owner Carolyn Coburn as her colt motioned for more oat treats. California Chrome playfully nipped Steve Coburn, Carolyn’s husband. “I’m taking an extra day off,” said Coburn, who works as a press operator in a small Northern Nevada factory. “I called my boss. He said everybody from the shop watched the race and they’d been celebrating, too.” California Chrome is taking his neophyte owners/breeders on an adventure of a lifetime. He’s the first horse bred by co-owners Steve and Carolyn Coburn of Topaz Lake, NV., and Perry and Denise Martin of Yuba City, CA. The couples met through shared ownership in Love The Chase; they each owned 5% as part of a Blinkers On syndicate. Together, they bought the mare outright for $8,000 as a broodmare prospect; California Chrome is her first foal.... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 6, 2014) — Racing has itself a Rock Star. He’s California Chrome, who on Saturday started on the path of legends, winning the Santa Anita Derby in breathtaking fashion, overpowering seven rivals, including well-regarded stakes winners Hoppertunity and Candy Boy. He was all but eased up at the end of a mile and an eighth, floating home by 5 1/4 lengths under a nonchalant Victor Espinoza. Call it Superman compared to Clark Kent. It was bedlam in the winner’s circle, replete with TV cameras, photographers, social media groupies, traditional media, autograph seekers and assorted hangers-on, but both horse and trainer survived the well-intentioned ordeal. The national, yea, international, spotlight grows ever larger now as trainer Art Sherman prepares California Chrome for racing’s biggest stage, the 140th Kentucky Derby on May 3. Although off a bit slowly and crowded early, California Chrome battled longshot Dublin Up and second choice Candy Boy for the lead until the quarter pole, then took off like a Jet,... ...
Read More →By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (April 5, 2014) — It has been 59 years since Art Sherman first went to the Kentucky Derby as an 18-year-old exercise rider for 1955 Derby winner Swaps. After that, he was a jockey, then a trainer, but never has he returned to the Derby. But now he has a good reason to go back, and no one is riding higher. The Sherman-trained California Chrome, already considered the ante-post favorite for the May 3 Derby, emphatically solidified that position Saturday with a powerhouse performance in the Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, which he won by 5 1/4 lengths after a bit of early difficulty. So impressive was the win, his fourth straight, that Sherman, 77, joked, “Maybe I should take my jock’s license out.” Victor Espinoza had the mount Saturday, but the way California Chrome ($3.40) ran, Shaquille O’Neal could have ridden him. Facing two other highly regarded stakes-winning 3-year-olds, Hoppertunity and Candy Boy, California Chrome blew them off the racetrack. “It’s kind of... ...
Read More →By AP ARCADIA, Calif. — Art Sherman knows what it takes to get a horse to the Kentucky Derby and win. He had a close-up view as an 18-year-old workout rider when Swaps won the 1955 Run for the Roses. Nearly 60 years later, Sherman is taking his own colt to Louisville as the early Derby favorite.California Chrome romped to a 5 ¼-length victory in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, a race Swaps won by a half-length before he went on to Kentucky Derby glory.Like Swaps, California Chrome is a California-bred chestnut — born and raised at Harris Farms in Coalinga.”He’s my Swaps,” said Sherman, now a 77-year-old trainer assisted by his son Alan. “I’m very humbled to have a horse like this.” Ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome ran 1 1-8 miles in 1:47.52. He paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 3-5 favorite of 35,241 fans. California Chrome has won his last four races by a combined 24 1/4 lengths for Sherman, a former jockey... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 4, 2014) — Mike Machowsky goes for a Cal-bred double tomorrow. The 48-year-old Cincinnati native sends out Rovenna in the $200,000 Evening Jewel for 3-year-old fillies bred in California or sired by a California stallion, and Gangnam Guy in the $200,000 Echo Eddie, the Evening Jewel’s counterpart for male 3-year-olds. Gangnam Guy, owned by Dick Barton of Ontario, California, returns to the main track after two seconds on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course at about 6 ½ furlongs. Rovenna, owned by Donald Dizney of Ocala, Florida, is coming off a daylight win in an optional allowance race. “He’s training super; I don’t think dirt’s an issue,” Machowsky said of Gangnam Guy, a son of turf specialist Roi Charmant. “When he ran going two turns on dirt here (Golden State Juvenile at one mile last Nov. 1) it was too far for him, and at Fairplex (fourth in the Barretts Juvenile at 6 ½ furlongs last Sept. 15), he blew both turns. But he’s... ...
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By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2014) — With major stakes winners Candy Boy, Hoppertunity, and California Chrome in the mix, there is a good chance that the results of the $1 million Santa Anita Derby will resonate well past the end of its nine furlongs late Saturday afternoon. You like to see a race have legs, especially a historically rich race like the Derby, despite its role as a feeder event for that other Derby at Churchill Downs. Of course, there’s no getting around it. But nothing says the top finishers of the Santa Anita Derby can’t have lives of their own after the first Saturday in May. [Santa Anita Derby Day: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live] Neither A.P. Indy nor Bertrando, 1-2 in the 1992 Santa Anita Derby, had anything to do with the Kentucky Derby that year. In the end, it did not matter. A.P. Indy, a $2.9 million yearling, recovered from foot trouble to win the Belmont Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and... ...
Read More →By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — If California Chrome performs the way Art Sherman thinks he can Saturday in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby, look out. Here comes Art Sherman. If he wins Saturday, California Chrome would be heading to the May 3 Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites. This would not be unusual. Any Santa Anita Derby winner, barring the rankest of longshots, heads to Louisville as a horse to watch – even if his trainer is a 77-year-old Derby rookie. “I know the horse is doing terrific, and I’m kind of anxious to see if he can pass this test,” Sherman said. “If he can beat this field, I think he’s got a legitimate shot at the Derby.” It was the Tuesday before the race, and Sherman was sitting in the kitchen of his home in the north San Diego County enclave of Rancho Bernardo. Sherman and his wife, Faye – they were married in 1962 – bought the place a year... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) – Life Is a Joy is the leading earner entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for Golden State Series eligbile 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Frensham is by Square Eddie, out of the Formal Gold mare Farnham, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Zillah Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill. He is a maiden making his third start with earnings of $11,450. Whine for Wine is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Jump Start mare Mrs. Began, was bred by owners Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He is coming off a maiden win Mar. 15 in his second start with earnings of $44,800. Well Measured is by Benchmark, out of the Bertrando mare Miss Thirtyfour D, was bred by Michael and Cory Wellman, is owned by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Cory and Michael Wellman and is trained by Peter Miller. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $45,200 and is coming off a second... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) – Multiple stakes winner Sprouts is the 122-pound high weight in a field of nine set for Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Norastone is by Kafwain, out of the Deputy Commander mare Throne Seeker, was bred by Larry Mabee, is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Michael McCarthy. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $45,850 and is coming off a 13th in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Sprague River is by Tribal Rule, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Tina’s Love, was bred by Carl Assadurian, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $65,416 and is coming off a fourth in the Feb. 15 Sweet Life Stakes. Sprouts is by Square Eddie, out of the Yankee Victor mare Ann Summers Gold, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Edward Freeman. She... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (April 2, 2014)—California-bred sensation California Chrome heads a field of eight sophomores set to go 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, as the Art Sherman trainee seeks his fourth consecutive win and 100 additional Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The second, third and fourth place finishers will each receive 40, 20 and 10 qualifying points respectively. A chestnut colt by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has become the talk of the racing world since going gate to wire in the Grade II, 1 1/16 miles San Felipe Stakes on March 8, winning by 7 ¼ lengths under Victor Espinoza. A winner of his last three races, all stakes, by a combined 19 lengths, California Chrome, with Espinoza up, worked a half mile at his Los Alamitos base on Saturday in 46.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.40. “He looked sharp and he galloped out strong,” said Sherman on Saturday. “All systems are go. His work was super, I was... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — Smoove It is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Grade I Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Smoove It is by Square Eddie, out of the Distorted Humor mare Smoove, was bred by J. Paul Reddam, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill. She has one win in eight starts, earnings of $79,760 and is coming off a third in the Feb. 15 Sweet Life Stakes. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2014) — Kukaluka is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Kukaluka is by Comic Strip, out of the Roar mare Ms. Booty, was bred by Mr. and Mrs. William T. Gray, is owned by Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and is trained by Peter Miller. She has one win in six starts, earnings of $36,464 and is coming off a fifth in a Mar. 13 allowance. ...
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Apr. 3, 2014) — Warren’s Venedalucy is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Czarina Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Warren’s Venedalucy is by Doc Gus, out of the Carson City mare State the Obvious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Ace Racing Stable and trained by Justin Evans. She has six wins in 25 starts, earnings of $150,384 and is coming off a fourth in the Mar. 23 Harry Henson ...
Read More →By Brisnet.com It’s been nearly 60 years since Art Sherman had a horseman’s interest in the Kentucky Derby. He was 18 in 1955 when he accompanied the great Swaps and his trainer Mesh Tenney to Churchill Downs to prepare the colt for his victory in the Run for the Roses 59 years ago. If the fates allow, Sherman, now 77, will make it back to Louisville, Kentucky, for the 140th classic, this year with California Chrome, like Swaps a California-bred chestnut. Sherman is advised to enjoy the ride, from no less an authority than Doug O’Neill, who fulfilled every trainer’s dream two years ago by winning the Derby with 15-1 longshot I’ll Have Another. After winning the Preakness, the upstart three-year-old came within hailing distance of going for the Triple Crown but was sidelined with an 11th-hour injury a day before the Belmont Stakes. But first things first, and for streaking California Chrome, that would be Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, a race O’Neill won the last... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 30, 2014)—Those wishing to spend the morning at Santa Anita’s Clockers’ Corner on Saturday, April 5, are advised that Baldwin Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic between the 210 Freeway and Huntington Drive from 7:45 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in order to accommodate Santa Anita’s annual Santa Anita Derby Day 5k Run & Walk. Accordingly, Santa Anita’s Gate 8, which adjoins the Westfield Shopping Mall on Baldwin Ave., and Gate 7, at the track’s northeast end, will also be closed to vehicles during the same time frame. Those wishing to visit Clockers’ Corner will be able to enter the track on Santa Anita’s east end, through Gate 5, or on the track’s southern perimeter, through Gate 3. Gates 3 & 5 will be open for easy access to Clockers’ Corner beginning at 5 a.m. and will remain open throughout the day. Santa Anita’s main track will be closed for training at 7:30 a.m. Gate 3 is located at the intersection of Holly... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2014) — California Chrome and Candy Boy, the two favorites for next Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, had their final major drills Saturday morning for their highly anticipated meeting, California Chrome working four furlongs at his Los Alamitos headquarters in 46.40 under regular rider Victor Espinoza, and Candy Boy going six furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:11.80 under regular rider Gary Stevens. “He looked sharp,” trainer Art Sherman said of California Chrome. “He galloped out strong, five furlongs in a minute, and three-quarters in 1:13 2/5. All systems are go. His work was super; I was very impressed . . . I’ll get him over there, school him in the gate, go through the paddock and then we’ll be ready to go. Since it’s supposed to rain Tuesday, we might go over Wednesday. “He’s doing great over here. All our horses are running good from here, and they go over (to Santa Anita) and win so it must be... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2014) – Here’s the lineup for the five stakes races of the $850,000 California Gold Rush XV, for California-breds and sired, to be held for the first time at Santa Anita on Saturday, Apr. 26, 2014: $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes, 3-year-olds, at 1 1/8 miles on turf (purse paid down to eighth place). $250,000 Melair Stakes, 3-year-old fillies, at 1 1/16 miles (purse paid down to eighth place). $125,000 Tiznow Stakes, 4-year-olds & up, at one mile. $125,000 Spring Fever Stakes, 4-year-olds & up, fillies and mares, at 6 furlongs. $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, 4-year-olds & up fillies and mares, at one mile on turf. Nominations close Saturday, Apr. 12. For more information, contact Rick Hammerle at the Santa Anita Racing Office, 626-574-6352. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2014) — Spud Spivens is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Spud Spivens is by Tizbud, out of the Cutlass Reality mare Oceans Reality, was bred by Harris Farms, is owned by Vincent and Audrey Marchionno and Henry Moreno and is trained by Moreno. He has four wins in 26 starts, earnings of $269,544 and is coming off a seventh in a Feb. 7 allowance. He was sixth in this race two years ago. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 26, 2014) – California-breds Unusual Hottie and Journey On are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 American Beauty Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Unusual Hottie is by Unusual Heat, out of the Ski Champ mare Branco Como Neve, was bred by owner Ali Nilforushan and is trained by Jeff Mullins. She has seven wins in 19 starts, earnings of $397,528 and is coming off an eighth in the Feb. 17 Buena Vista Stakes. Journey On is by Good Journey, out of the American Chance mare Miss Del Mar, was bred by Leatherman Racing, is owned by Neil Haymes and Robert Master and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $154,660 and is coming off a third in a Feb. 16 optional claimer. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2014) – California champion Halo Dolly leads a compact but competitive field of five entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Halo Dolly is by Popular, out of the Comic Strip mare Spanish Halo, was bred by Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez, is owned by Hoefflin, Hoefflin, Hollendorfer, O’Farrell, Robin, et al, and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has 17 wins in 36 starts, earnings of $922,316 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 12 Paseana Stakes. She was the 2012 champion Cal-bred older female. Warren’s Rosebud is by Affirmed, out of the Cozzene mare Elusive Rose, was bred by owner Benjamin Warren and is trained by Jorge Gutierrez. She has two wins in 10 starts, earnings of $96,080 and is coming off a Feb. 20 allowance win. Could Be Trouble is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Devon Lane mare To B. Devon, was bred by John... ...
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FLORENCE, Ky. (Mar. 20, 2014) – Swiss Lake Yodeler is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $125,000 Grade III Fathead Bourbonette Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turfway Park. Swiss Lake Yodeler is by Swiss Yodeler, out of the Meadowlake mare Domasco Lake, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer She has three wins in six starts, earnings of $247,850 and is coming off a third in the Mar. 1 Santa Ysabel Stakes. ...
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By Bloodhorse.com FLORENCE, Ky. (Mar. 19, 2014) — Susan Moulton’s Solitary Ranger, the first horse she ever purchased, will attempt to become only the second runner in history to take the local prep at Turfway Park and win the $550,000 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes (gr. III) March 22 at the Florence oval. Concerto, who won the 1997 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and what was then the grade II Jim Beam Stakes (now the Spiral again), is the only 3-year-old to have aced both Turfway tests on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The Spiral, to be run as the 11th on a 12-race card with an approximate post time of 6:28 p.m. EDT, is worth 50 qualifying points to the winner—enough to secure a spot in the Derby starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Solitary Ranger, a son of first crop sire U S Ranger trained by Wayne Catalano, won the March 1 Battaglia on Turfway’s Polytrack by 4 3/4 wire-to-wire lengths... ...
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 20, 2014) – California-breds Warren’s Knockout and L.A. Weekend are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. Warren’s Knockout is by Stormed, out of the Doneraile Court mare Now My Precious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Len Schermer and trained by Justin Evans. He has eight wins in 31 starts, earnings of $344,057 and is coming of a second in a Feb. 18 optional claimer. L.A. Weekend is by Tribal Rule, out of the Avenue of Flags mare Storybook Fair, was bred by Dennis Johnston, is owned by Simon Hudy and trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has 10 wins in 21 starts, earnings of $319,040 and is coming off a second in the Feb. 15 Phoenix Gold Cup. ...
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Mar. 20, 2014) – California-breds Wine Thief and Warren’s Vendalucy are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Harry Henson Stakes for fillies and mares at Sunland Park. Wine Thief is by Benchmark, out of the French Parliament mare Malbay Slew, was bred by Robert and Eileen Osaki and West 12 Ranch, is owned by SEJ Stables and trained by Justin Evans. She has seven wins in 26 starts, earnings of $166,613 and is coming off a second in a Mar. 1 optional claimer. Warren’s Vendalucy is by Doc Gus, out of the Carson City mare State the Obvious, was bred by Benjamin Warren, is owned by Ace Racing Stable and trained by Justin Evans, She has six wins in 24 starts, earnings of $147,384 and is coming off an eighth in the Feb. 15 Sun City Handicap. ...
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From CARMA LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2014) — Entries are now being taken online for the initial Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show event to be held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, presented by Siegel-CARMA Foundation, Apr. 12-13. Entries can be submitted at horseshowtime.com. The other two other dates for the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show Series – June 14-15 at Galway Downs and Dec. 13-14 at Los Angeles Equestrian Center. ...
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By Thoroughbred Daily News ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2013) — The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained California-bred Tamarando tops the list of probable for Turfway Park’s Grade III Horseshoe Casino Spiral Stakes for 3-year-olds on Mar. 22. The Grade III El Camino Real Derby winner will attempt to attain some of the 85 Kentucky Derby points up for grabs. “He’s been very sound and he’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do,” said Hollendorfer. “He fits in this race. It looks like a good spot.” Tamarando breezed seven panels at Golden Gate in 1:28 with Russell Baze up on Sunday. ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2014) — Recent San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winner California Chrome could be entered for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) next month, but firm plans for the colt’s next race were still undetermined as of the morning of March 16. The Santa Anita Derby, run at 1 1/8 miles, is set for April 5 at Santa Anita Park. “We’re playing it by ear with him,” trainer Art Sherman said. California Chrome, who most recently captured the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) by 7 1/4 lengths March 8, is on a three-race winning streak, all in stakes. “The horse is doing well,” Sherman added. “He galloped this morning (at his headquarters at Los Alamitos Race Course). Let’s say he’s on the Derby trail and there’s a chance he could run in the Santa Anita Derby.” The California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit , who has won his three most recent starts by a combined margin of 19 lengths, earned 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky... ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2014) — Ciao Bella Luna is the rare Kentucky-bred eligible to race in stakes for California-breds. The 4-year-old filly is by the California-based stallion Tribal Rule. A few years ago, conditions for California-breds were broadened to include California-bred and California-sired horses. The new restriction allowed Ciao Bella Luna to start in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint here Jan. 25, a race she won. On Saturday, Ciao Bella Luna is back with California-breds in the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course. Ciao Bella Luna is the only filly or mare in the field of seven not bred in the state. In the Sunshine Millions race, Ciao Bella Luna was always near the front and won by a half-length over Marks Mine. Trainer Peter Miller said Ciao Bella Luna is capable of repeating that performance. [Santa Margarita: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live] “She’s got a very good chance,” Miller said. “She’s doing well. She runs... ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2014) –Stakes winner Marks Mine and fellow California-bred Fast and Foxy are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at Golden Gate. Marks Mine is by Benchmark, out of the Capote mare Ermine Fever, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steven Specht. She has seven wins in 15 starts, earnings of $324,454 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. Fast and Foxy is by Thisnearlywasmine, out of the Falstaff mare Zorra Roja, was bred by Daehling Ranch and is owned by Daehling Ranch and Holly Evans and is trained by Evans, She has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $66,540 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 17 allowance. ...
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 13, 2014) — Go West Marie is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Go West Marie is by Western Fame, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie’s Rose, was bred by Summer Mayberry, is owned by Funky Monky Stable and is trained by David Donk. She has one win in five starts, earnings of $51,700 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 24 optional claimer. ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 12, 2014)—Classy Dancingtothestars, a winner of the one mile turf Megahertz Stake two starts back, Ciao Bella Luna, an extra game winner of the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint going 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course Jan. 25, and Tribal Spy, who pressed the pace and was third, beaten a half length by “Ciao,” head a competitive field of seven in Saturday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for older fillies and mares coming down the hill. Easily the leading money earner in the field with $401,122 to her credit, Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds homebred Dancingtothestars ran an even seventh, beaten 5 ½ lengths, in her most recent start, the Grade II, one mile turf Buena Vista Handicap on Feb. 17. A 6-year-old mare by Good Journey, Dancingtothestars was third in last year’s Irish O’Brien and was second coming down the hill in the Feb. 10, 2013 Wishing Well Stakes. Conditioned by Doug O’Neill, Dancingtothestars has been ridden in 13 of her... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (March 6, 2014)—In a breathtaking performance, California Chrome, under Victor Espinoza, won Saturday’s Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes in gate to wire fashion by 7 ¼ lengths, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.59, the second fastest final time in the 77-year history of the race, potentially stamping himself as the horse to beat in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Breaking like a shot from the number two post position as the 7-5 favorite in a field of six 3-year-olds, the Art Sherman-conditioned California Chrome was quickly in-hand around the Club House turn with second choice Midnight Hawk to his outside and was full himself through splits of 23.09, 45.55, 1:09.45 and 1:35.94. “He ran like I expected him to,” said Espinoza. “I wanted to try something new today, so I let him go right out of the gate. I don’t know if people expected me to go right to the lead, but I wanted to let him enjoy his... ...
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By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2014) — Favored California Chrome proved he belongs on the Triple Crown trail with a front-running stampede to victory in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at gleaming Santa Anita Park (VIDEO). The modest California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit ran his current winning streak to three while scoring his first triumph over open company in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds by 7 1/4 lengths. His combined margin of victory during his current streak is 19 lengths. The victory was worth 50 points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) for California Chrome, who is trained by Art Sherman. The shiny chestnut colt posted prior stakes wins over restricted foes in the King Glorious Stakes Dec. 22 and California Cup Derby Jan. 25, and also captured the Graduation Stakes last summer at Del Mar. Sherman, who has been in the racing business for more than 50 years as jockey and trainer, has his first serious... ...
Read More →ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – California Chrome is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. California Chrome is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase, was bred by owners Martin Perry and Steve Coburn and is trained by Art Sherman. He has four wins in eight starts, earnings of $354,850 and is coming off consecutive wins in the King Glorious and California Cup Derby. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – Rousing Sermon is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $750,000 Grade I Santa Anita Handicap. Rousing Sermon is by Lucky Pulpit, out of the Awesome Again mare Rousing Again, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has five wins in 25 starts, earnings of $709,842 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 11 San Pasqual. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – Lakerville is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $350,000 Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. Lakerville is by Unusual Heat, out of the Out of Place mare Foreverinthegame, was bred by Abrams & Team Green, is owned by Barry Abrams and Madeline Auerbach and trained by Abrams. He has five wins in eight starts, earnings of $292,660 and is coming off a second in the Feb. 22 Sensational Star. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – California-bred stakes winners Big Macher and Cyclometer are entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Grade II San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita. Big Macher is by Beau Genius, out of the Kris S. mare Insight, was bred by Ballena Vista Farm, is owned by Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables and is trained by Richard Baltas. He has three wins in eight starts, earnings of $146,428 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. Cyclometer is by Cyclotron, out of the Eastern Echo mare Moana Loa, was bred by owners Bruce Headley, Irwin Molasky and Andrew Molasky and is trained by Headley. He has five wins in 18 starts, earnings of $332,754 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2014) – California-breds Anniversary Kitty and Uzziel are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Anniversary Kitty is by Tribal Rule, out of the Bertrando mare Justanotherblonde, was bred by Mike Abraham, is owned by Highlander Racing Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Craig Dollase. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $65,000 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Uzziel is by Harlington, out of the Lord At War mare Pretti Woman, was bred by owners James and Tammy McKenney and is trained by Mike Puype. She has two wins in four starts, earnings of $49,440 and is coming off a win in a Jan. 31 optional claimer. ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2014) — With Mike Smith opting to ride Shakin It Up in the San Carlos Stakes, one of four graded races on next Saturday’s blockbuster card, it opened the door for Joe Talamo to reunite with Cyclometer, and he’s happy to be back. “He’s a nice horse,” said Talamo, who rode Cyclometer in his first 10 starts, winning three. Smith had ridden Cyclometer in six of his last seven races, the last four in a row. “He runs hard every single time,” Talamo said of Cyclometer, a 6-year-old Cyclotron horse owned and bred by Irwin and Andrew Molasky and Bruce Headley, who also trains the California-bred chestnut. “I think he’s a better seven-eighths horse than six (furlongs), because he often doesn’t break that sharp, even though he’s a speed horse,” Talamo said. “That first jump, he always seems to break a little slow.” Such was the case last out, when Cyclometer bobbled at the start and finished fifth as the 3-2 favorite... ...
Read More →By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2014) — California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Los Alamitos March 2 in preparation for the upcoming San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. Jockey Victor Espinoza was aboard. “He went perfect,” said trainer Art Sherman. “He galloped out (six furlongs) in 1:13 and change. The horse looks like he’s ready to go.” Because of the recent heavy rain that has hit Southern California, Sherman delayed the work a day. “I was the only horse out here,” said Sherman. “Los Alamitos bent over backward for me to have a good track.” It was an important workout for California Chrome with the San Felipe set for March 8. It was his first drill since Feb. 22. The rain forced Barretts Sales & Racing to move its preview for the March 2-year-old sale up a day from its originally scheduled Feb. 28. Los Alamitos canceled its live Quarter Horse racing from Feb. 28-March 2 due to the weather. Sherman plans to... ...
Read More →By DRF.com POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2014) — Average price has risen three consecutive years at the Barretts March select sale of 2-year-olds in training – and may be going higher on Monday. The Barretts sale is the first of the year for the 2-year-old market, and can serve as a barometer for the nation. Last year, Barretts had the year’s first 2-year-old sale and saw a 31 percent increase in average price to $143,459, compared with $109,429 in 2012. Three other select sales – Fasig-Tipton Florida, Ocala Breeders’ March select sale, and Keeneland April – subsequently showed increases in average price last spring. The Barretts March sale had declining average prices of $178,027 in 2008 and $123,245 in 2009, bottoming out at $90,652 in 2010. The average increased to $100,709 in 2011. Monday’s sale, which begins at 2 p.m. Pacific, has a catalog of 140 juveniles. “There is a lot of depth,” said Barretts general manager Kim Lloyd. “With the upswing in the market, we expect an uptick in... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, m2014) — It’s been more than a dozen years since Victor Espinoza won his only Kentucky Derby, and more than a half a century since a California-bred won the Run for the Roses. Espinoza and his No. 1 Derby prospect, California-bred California Chrome, could end those voids if the fates allow come May 3, when the 140th Derby unfolds at Churchill Downs. As always in horse racing, however, it’s first things first, and next up for Espinoza and California Chrome is a major test against open company in the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 8, a race worth 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Since he has been beating up on state-breds in his last two races, presently, California Chrome has zero points, and trainer Art Sherman is acutely aware of that deficiency. Espinoza, who won the 2002 Kentucky Derby wire-to-wire on War Emblem for Bob Baffert, has ridden California Chrome in his last two victories, the King... ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2014) — Multiple stakes winner Swiss Lake Yodeler and fellow California-bred Anniversary Kitty are entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Swiss Lake Yodeler is by Swiss Yodeler, out of the Meadowlake mare Domasco Lake, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She has three wins in five starts, earnings of $235,850 and is coming off an 11th in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Anniversary Kitty is by Tribal Rule, out of the Bertrando mare Justanotherblonde, was bred by Mike Abraham, is owned by Highlander Racing Stable and trained by Craig Dollase. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $65,000 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. ...
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HOUSTON, Tex. (Feb. 25, 2014) – Magnum Force is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Maxaam Gold Cup Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. Magnum Force is by Redattore, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Tonsilitis, was bred by Carol Lingenfelter, is owned by Brent Gasaway and Brian Poppenberg and is trained by Dallas Keen He has two wins in 14 starts, earnings of $72,839 and is coming off a Jan. 31 allowance win. ...
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By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2014) – The winter-spring meeting at Santa Anita reached the halfway point earlier this month with an increase in all-sources handle, but a decline in average field size that has concerned officials. The 69-day meeting began Dec. 26 and continues through April 20. Thursday’s program at Santa Anita will be the 40th day of the winter-spring meeting. The track’s spring-summer meeting begins April 25 and runs through June 29, replacing much of the former Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting. At Santa Anita, all-sources handle has risen approximately 3 percent through last Saturday’s program, but field size has dropped from 8.3 runners per race at this point of the 2012-13 meeting to 7.69 runners through Sunday. The entire 2012-13 meeting averaged 8.08 runners per race. “We’re all concerned about field sizes,” track president George Haines said last weekend. Despite the drop in average starters, Haines said there are no plans to alter the racing schedule, such as going to a three-day racing week. “It’s not something we’ve... ...
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From The Jockey Club ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2014) — FOX Sports 1 and The Jockey Club announced today that the network will provide live coverage of the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap from Santa Anita Park on Saturday, March 8. The telecast, as part of The Jockey Club Tour on FOX, will air from 7 – 7:30 p.m. ET. The 77th edition of the Big ‘Cap is expected to feature leading handicap horses Game On Dude, Mucho Macho Man and Will take Charge. Game On Dude won the historic race in 2011 and 2013 and Mucho Macho Man beat Will Take Charge by a nose in the $5 million Breeders’s Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November 2. Will Take Charge, the Eclipse Award winner as outstanding 3-year-old of 2013, was second to Lea in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park in his 2014 debut, which was shown live on FOX Sports 1 on February 9. Mucho Macho Man won the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park on January 18... ...
Read More →From Barretts POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2014) — With rain predicted for the end of the week, Barretts Sales officials have made the decision to re-schedule the March Sale Training Preview from Friday, February 28 to Thursday, February 27 at 10 a.m. The 25th annual auction of 141 selected 2-year-olds in training will begin at 2 p.m., Monday, March 3 in the Hinds Pavilion located at Fairplex Park in Pomona California. For further information, contact the Barretts sales office: www.barretts.com Tel: (909) 629-3099. ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2014) — California Chrome worked six furlongs at Los Alamitos Saturday morning in 1:11.80 under regular rider Victor Espinoza as the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit moved closer to a start in the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 8. “I’m real happy with the work,” trainer Art Sherman said. “I got him galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25. He’ll have one more breeze at Los Al and we’ll ship to Santa Anita five days before the race for schooling and final preparations. Victor said he went really nice.” ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2014)—Ambitious Brew, ridden by Brice Blanc, got a perfect stalking trip and upset favored Lakerville to win Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds by 1 ½ lengths, covering 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12 flat. The 4-5 favorite in a field of six older horses bred in California, Lakerville, ridden by Gary Stevens, finished second, a half length in front of Summer Hit and Rafael Bejarano. A 4-year-old Tizbud gelding trained by Marty Jones, Ambitious Brew sat third early, stalking pacesetting longshot Coach Bob and Summer Hit through fractions of 22.00, 44.22 and 1:06.28 and hit the front three-wide a furlong out. “Mike (Smith, regular rider) was out of town today and I worked him the other morning,” said Blanc. “…I talked to Mike a little about the horse, I watched the replays and it seemed pretty straight forward. He has plenty of tactical speed and this race looked like it had a few speed horses... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2014)—Owner, trainer and breeder Barry Abrams hopes for some personal “Showtime” at Santa Anita on Saturday, as his Lakerville heads a field of seven in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for older California-breds going 6 ½ furlongs down the Camino Real Turf Course. Idle 17 months, Lakerville, a 6-year-old horse by Unusual Heat, came back running to easily win the restricted Clockers’ Corner Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths down the hill on Jan. 26. Lightly raced, Lakerville, in his only other try down the hill, was a first-out maiden winner over the course on Oct. 22, 2011. Owned in-part by Abrams and Madeline Auerbach, Lakerville has a tremendous closing kick and has five wins and two seconds from seven overall starts. He’ll be ridden for the first time by Gary Stevens, as Corey Nakatani, who was up for the Clockers’ Corner win at 8-1, is committed to ride Gold Hawk in the Grade II Risen Star at Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Jerry... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2014) — Marty Jones plans to test the stakes waters Saturday with Ambitious Brew and Mr. Ornery in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s unique downhill turf course. Ambitious Brew will be making only his second stakes start in this, his seventh lifetime race, while Mr. Ornery makes his stakes debut in start No. 13. “They’re stepping up in class and Lakerville’s a tough horse, but they both have run well down the hill and they’re doing well, so we’ll try him,” Jones said. Ambitious Brew, a 4-year-old gelded son of Tizbud owned and bred by Pamela Ziebarth, won Nov. 3 in his first try over the downhill course. He has never been worse than second in six starts. Mr. Ornery, a 5-year-old Cee’s Tizzy gelding owned and bred by Donald and Sally Valpredo, also won over the same course on Jan. 20 despite an eventful trip. ...
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From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2014) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular meeting Friday, February 21, in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park. This meeting will begin at 9 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only Webcast of the meeting can be heard through the “Webcasts” link on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov). The agenda and supporting package of materials are available on the CHRB website through the following links: agenda, package. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2014) – California-breds Dancingtothestars and Unusual Hottie are entered in Monday’s $200,000 Grade II Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Dancingtothestars is by Good Journey, out of the In Excess mare A Lil Excess, was bred by owner Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds and is trained by Doug O’Neill. She has six wins in 20 starts, earnings of $400,872 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 18 Megahertz. Unusual Hottie is by Unusual Heat, out of the Ski Champ mare Branca Como Neve, was bred by Ali Nilforushan, is owned by Seyyed Nilforushan and is trained by Jeff Mullins. She has seven wins in 18 starts, earnings of $397,278 and is coming off a fourth in the Jan. 25 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2014) – California-breds Mah Gellin and Ourwestcoastghost are entered in Monday’s $50,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate Mah Gellin is by Skimming, out of the Maheras mare Mahrin, was bred by Racing Edge, is owned by Joe and Lola Sample and trained by Duane Offield. He has four wins in 12 starts, earnings of $122,078 and is coming off a second in a Jan. 18 optional claimer. Ourwestcoastghost is by Muqtarib, out of the In Excess mare Xpress Xcess, was bred by owners Ron and Lillian Lang and D. Wayne Baker and is trained by Baker. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $135,462 and is coming off a ninth in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2014) – Unbeaten Grazen’s Hope is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Grade II San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Grazen’s Hope is by Grazen, out of the Bartok mare Chelcee’s Hope, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steve Miyadi. He has won both career starts with earnings of $43,680. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2014) – California-breds Gangnam Guy, Red Outlaw and Life Is a Joy are entered in Sunday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Gangnam Guy is by Roi Charmant, out of the Unusual Heat mare The Toast of Troy, was bred by B&B Zietz Stables, is owned by Richard Barton and trained by Mike Machowsky. He has one win in eight starts, earnings of $113,420 and is coming off a second in a Jan. 16 optional claimer. Red Outlaw is by Tribal Rule, out of the Slewpy mare Anachristina, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, is owned by Blinkers On Racing Stable, Aurelio, Bizovi, Coons, Dizonno, Gaylord, et al and is trained by Peter Miller. He has won both career starts with earnings of $54,600. Life Is a Joy is by Globalize, out of the Indian Charlie mare Tadita, was bred by owners Jerry and Janet Hollendorfer and George Todaro and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has three wins in seven starts, earnings of... ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2014) – Grade I winner Tamarando and fellow California-bred Infosec are entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade III El Camino Real Derby for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate Tamarando is by Bertrando, out of the Dehere mare Tamarack Bay, was bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $505,120 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 25 California Cup Derby. Infosec is by Heatseeker, out of the Vindication mare Sistine, was bred by Kaleem Shah, is owned by Remmah Stable and trained by Frank Lucarelli. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $40,020 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 18 California Derby. ...
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ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2014) – California-breds Sprague River, Susans Express, Harlington’s Rose and Smoove It are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Sprague River is by Tribal Rule, out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Tina’s Love, was bred by Carl Asadurian, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. She has two wins in three starts, earnings of $59,440 and is coming off a seventh in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Susans Express is by Decarchy, out of the In Excess mare Excessive Susan, was bred by Ed Delaney, is owned by Elliston Black, Saul Carrillo, Ed Delaney and Jorge Periban, et al, and is trained by Periban. She has two wins in six starts, earnings of $143,140 and is coming off a win in the Jan. 25 California Cup Oaks. Harlington’s Rose is by Harlington, out of the Orientate mare A Rose for You, was bred by Y-Lo Racing Stable, is owned by Thomas Halasz,... ...
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PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 12, 2014) – California-breds Spirit Rules, Goodbye Charlie and L. A. Weekend are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap at Turf Paradise. Spirit Rules is by Tribal Rule, out of the Danzatore mare Heavenly Lady, was bred by John and Allegra Ernst, is owned by Barbara Accardy, Paul Aguirre, Craig Siedler, Jim Xitco, et al and is trained by Aguirre. He has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $135,598 and is coming off a fourth in the Jan. 25 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. Goodbye Charlie is by Old Topper, out of the Relaunch a Tune mare Musical Girl, was bred by owner Pete Gallegos and trained by Dan McFarlane. He has four wins in 22 starts, earnings of $74,411 and is coming off a fifth in the Jan. 25 Swift Stakes. L. A. Weekend is by Tribal Rule, out of the Avenue of Flags mare Storybook Fair, was bred by Dennis Johnston, is owned by Rick Wiest and trained by... ...
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From Golden Gate Publicity ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2014) — Eight 3-year-olds, including Grade 1 stakes-winner Tamarando, are confirmed to start in the Grade 3 $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields Saturday. Entries for Northern California’s official Kentucky Derby prep will be taken Wednesday morning and the following horses are scheduled to start: Craftsman (Dennis Carr will ride), Dance With Fate (Aaron Gryder), Enterprising (Gary Stevens), I’ll Wrap It Up (Juan Hernandez), Infosec (Isaias Enriquez), Neverwherecauseway (Alex Bisono), Puppy Manners (Frank Alvarado), and Tamarando (Russell Baze). Grazen’s Hope, Life Is A Joy and Pearl Spectre are listed as possible entrants. The El Camino Real Derby is a 1 1/8-mile contest and is part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” a 34-race series that awards points to the top four finishers in each race. The top 20 point earners nominated to the Triple Crown will get a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.... ...
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BERKELEY, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2014) — The late Points Offthebench was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2013 at Monday night’s California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley. Halo Dolly, Teddy’s Promise and Tiz Flirtatious were the other finalists for Horse of the Year. Points Offthebench was sired by Benchmark, out of the Free House mare Mo Chuisle, was bred by Gary Rocks, was owned by Donnie Crevier and Charles Martin and trained by Tim Yakteen. Points Offthebench was a two-time Grade I winner in 2013 (Bing Crosby Stakes and Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes) and had a five-race win streak when he suffered a fatal injury working out in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He had six wins in eight starts and earnings of $514,940. Earlier this year Points Offthebench was named Eclipse Award champion sprinter for 2013. He also was named champion Cal-bred sprinter and older male. The other champions presented at the dinner: Champion... ...
Read More →From Santa Anita Publicity The Kentucky Derby is still three months away, but Victor Espinoza is hopeful both he and California Chrome can make it to the 140th Run for the Roses on May 3. Hard to believe it’s going on 12 years since Espinoza scored a 20-1 Derby upset in 2002 when he piloted War Emblem to a front-running victory for trainer Bob Baffert. Art Sherman trains California Chrome, a 3-year-old California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit owned and bred by Martin Perry and Steven Coburn. Espinoza has ridden California Chrome twice, registering impressive daylight wins against Cal-breds each time, in the King Glorious at Hollywood Park and the California Cup Derby at Santa Anita. Next up: open company in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 8. “He’s very consistent,” said agent Brian Beach in evaluating the 41-year-old Espinoza’s success this meet which has placed him among the top five in victories. “People know what they’re going to get from him. He’s not one of the young guys;... ...
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ALBANY, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2014) — Kris Furillo is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 California Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Golden Gate. Kris Furillo is by Dixie Chatter, out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Chetten County, was bred by owners Carliwood Farms, Bari Amadio and Peter Amadio and is trained by Michael Larson. She has one win in two starts, earnings of $21,310 and is coming off a seventh in the Jan. 1 Blue Norther. ...
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SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (Feb. 4, 2014) – Wine Thief is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 El Diario Handicap for fillies and mares at Sunland Park Wine Thief is by Benchmark, out of the French Parliament mare Malbay Slew, was bred by Robert Osaki, Eileen Osaki and West 12 Ranch, is owned by SEJ Stables and trained by Justin Evans. She has seven wins in 24 starts, earnings of $155,035 and is coming off a third in the Dec. 21 Bold Ego. ...
Read More →OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Feb. 4, 2014) – Go West Marie is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Dearly Precious Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Go West Marie is by Western Fame, out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie’s Rose, was bred by Summer Mayberry, is owned by Funky Munky Stable and trained by Carlos Martin. She is coming off a Dec. 29 maiden win in her third start with earnings of $29,300. ...
Read More →By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2014) — The Cessna 172 is a single-engine, fixed-wing private plane that seats four, costs about $290,000 new, and can be seen by the dozens at regional airports throughout the world. The plane was going to be Steve Coburn’s new hobby a few years ago. “I wanted to buy an airplane,” Coburn said last weekend. “My wife said no.” Carolyn Coburn was not keen on the aviation idea, leading the couple to seek an alternative investment. They chose Thoroughbred racehorses. When Carolyn Coburn put her foot down over the airplane, she made a decision that put her family on the 2014 Triple Crown trail. After several years of investing with the California-based Blinkers On racing syndicate, the Coburns and fellow partners Perry and Denise Martin bought broodmare prospect Love the Chase in 2009. Her first foal, by the young California stallion Lucky Pulpit, arrived in 2011 and was named California Chrome. Now 3, California Chrome has won three stakes, most recently the $250,750 California... ...
Read More →ALBANY, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2014) – California stallion Angus was represented by his first winner Friday when Spanishsugarrr won the fifth race at Golden Gate, a $20,000 maiden claimer. Spanishsugarrr is out of the Comic Strip mare Spanish Halo, was bred by Greg James and Roger Wynn, is owned by Wynn and trained by James. Spanishsugarrr ran the mile in 1:41.21 and won by three lengths at odds of 2-1 in the field of seven. Angus, a son of Smokester, stands at Geocel Ranch. ...
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Sue Greene is secretary of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and past president. Q: When and how did you first get involved in the Thoroughbred breeding industry? How does your professional background influence your Thoroughbred breeding plan? A: I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing in 1968 after I convinced my Dad to buy the horse I was competing with in endurance racing. We completed the Tevis Cup 100 mile one day ride that summer and in order to continue competing I had to have a job to pay the expenses. I went to the track with a friend I rode with and got my first race track job cleaning stalls for Skip Retherford. I left the track to attend Cal Poly but returned after graduation and spent 12 years on the track. I purchased my first farm with Mr. Retherford. We stood the stallions Mr. Airstream and Battle Call. I have built two farms since, beginning a career in the breeding end of the racing industry. I have brought the knowledge gained at... ...
Read More →By Jay Hovdey, DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2014) — Art Sherman woke up last Saturday morning hoping his horse would get a decent piece of a $250,000 pot offered for Cal-breds to be run later that day at Santa Anita. He went to bed that night wondering about hotel rates in Louisville. It’s a long jump from the last Saturday in January to the first Saturday in May, which means there is nothing that says California Chrome necessarily will make it to the Kentucky Derby. History indicates he’s got a steep climb, and not even his authoritative, 5 1/2-length romp in the California Cup Derby gets him any closer to the starting gate, let alone the winner’s circle, at Churchill Downs. The stats alone are brutal on horses reared out West. The last California-bred to win the Kentucky Derby was Decidedly, a son of Derby winner Determine, who was bred and raised at George Pope’s El Peco Ranch near the town of Madera in the state’s vast Central Valley.... ...
Read More →By DRF.com The Barretts January mixed sale concluded on Monday with steady improvements in each of the major economic categories. The one-day sale, held at the Ralph M. Hinds Pavilion in Pomona, Calif., finished with 224 horses sold for revenues of $1,944,900. That marked a 30 percent improvement compared with the 2013 auction, where 184 horses brought $1,536,100. The average sale price rose 4 percent, from $8,348 to $8,683, while the median of $5,350 climbed 19 percent compared with $4,500 last year. The buyback rate fell to 17 percent after finishing at 23 percent in 2013. Topping the sale was a short yearling and an unraced 2-year-old, each dropping the hammer at $70,000. Patrick Keogh secured a yearling Midnight Lute colt out of the placed Deputy Minister mare Bellastrega. Bred in California by John Perrotta and Edward Mercaldo, the colt is a sibling to two winners from as many foals to race, and he is from the family of Grade 2 winner Chieftan’s Command and stakes winner and Saratoga turf... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2014)—Away 17 months, 6-year-old Lakerville smoked late under Corey Nakatani to take Sunday’s $75,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths, getting 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:11.75. Well in-hand approaching the dirt crossing at the top of the lane, Nakatani was about five lengths behind a three-horse spread consisting of early leader Ankeny Hill, El Commodore and 2-1 favorite Ready for More. Nakatani set after the leaders crossing back to the turf and overhauled Ankeny Hill and Edwin Maldonado inside the sixteenth pole to comfortably hold off a late run from Sweet Swap and Rafael Bejarano. Off at 8-1, Lakerville, a California-bred horse by Unusual Heat, paid $19.60, $8.40 and $6.40. Idle since Aug. 15, 2012 at Del Mar, Lakerville made his seventh career start in the Clockers’ Corner. “He was ready to come back two or three times, but he just got away from us in the mornings,” said trainer and co-owner/breeder Barry Abrams. “When... ...
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From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2014)—In her second career try down Santa Anita’s unique 6 ½ furlong hillside turf course, Ciao Bella Luna, with Kent Desormeaux up, sat second to Marks Mine and Frank Alvarado down the hill, took the lead outside Marks Mine crossing the dirt at the top of the lane and prevailed in a head and head duel with the pacesetter to the wire, winning Saturday’s $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint by a half length in 1:12.81. Trained by Peter Miller, Ciao Bella Luna was the third choice at 5-1 in a field of 11 older fillies and mares bred in California and paid $13.00, $6.40 and $4.80. . “I thought we would be way back early,” said Desormeaux. “She broke horrible her last out so the only thing I did differently was I asked her to leave there better. “She carried me the rest of the way. She was in the bridle, just really floating along.” A 4-year-old filly by... ...
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