Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 57 days ago
March 27, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 27, 2013)—With a best last-out Beyer Speed figure of 89, 3-year-old filly Could Be the Trouble and promising Omega Star, who faced top sophomores in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 9, head a field of twelve 3-year-old California-breds set to contest Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs.
Could Be Trouble, an impressive maiden $30,000 claiming winner going 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 18, was subsequently purchased privately and made her first start for trainer Peter Miller in a starter allowance race going 6 ½ furlongs on March 15.
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JOCKEY GARRETT GOMEZ TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH AT DODGER STADIUM ON FRIDAY, MULTIPLE ECLIPSE CHAMPION RIDES FAVORITE IN SANTA ANITA DERBY APRIL 6
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 57 days ago
March 27, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mike Willman
Mike.willman@santaanita.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 27, 2013)—Two-time Eclipse award winning jockey Garrett Gomez has been selected to throw out the first pitch Friday night at Dodger Stadium, as the Dodgers host their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
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JOCKEY GARRETT GOMEZ TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH AT DODGER STADIUM ON FRIDAY, MULTIPLE ECLIPSE CHAMPION RIDES FAVORITE IN SANTA ANITA DERBY APRIL 6
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 57 days ago
March 27, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mike Willman
Mike.willman@santaanita.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 27, 2013)—Two-time Eclipse award winning jockey Garrett Gomez has been selected to throw out the first pitch Friday night at Dodger Stadium, as the Dodgers host their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
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CALIFORNIA-BRED TIZ FLIRTATIOUS ROARS HOME TO TAKE GRADE II SANTA ANA STAKES WITH LEPAROUX UP
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 60 days ago
March 24, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 24, 2013)—California-bred Tiz Flirtatious became a graded stakes winner at Santa Anita on Sunday, as she flew home under Julien Leparoux to take the Grade II, $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes by one length over heavily favored Lady of Shamrock, getting 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.62.
Leparoux, who was aboard the 5-year-old mare by Tizbud for the first time, broke from the outside post position in the six-horse field and had Tiz Flirtatious placed fourth, 3 ¼ lengths off pacesetting Quiet Oasis into the Club House turn and was a close fifth with a quarter mile to run.
“She’s a fighter, every jock likes those kind,” said Leparoux. “She won big today, so it was good. She was a little keen today, but she dropped the bit and relaxed on the backside, and after that, she got up on them.
“They were not really going anywhere so I just waited and waited and then she gave me a nice kick.”
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano (who rode at Sunland Park in New Mexico today) in her last three starts, Tiz Flirtatious beat statebreds in the $100,000 Valentine Dancer Stakes going one mile on turf Jan. 26, and was second in both the Grade I Matriarch Stakes on Nov. 25 and in the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes Dec. 30.
“Julien rode a great race,” said winning trainer Marty Jones. “She looked like she wanted to get a little keen and Julien’s just got a great way of getting a horse to relax. I think he fit her real well.
“…She’s been close in graded stakes, and finally things went her way. We’ll have to talk with Pam (owner, Ziebarth) and see what she wants to do, but I think the Gamely (Grade I, on May 27 at Betfair Hollywood Park) might be a race we’re looking at if everything goes well.”
With Quiet Oasis setting fractions of 23.92, 48.36, 1:12.09 and 1:35.34, Leparoux had the leader measured as he swung three-wide at the top of the lane and collared her a sixteenth of a mile out.
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ROSENGOLD, PROCUREMENT TO MEET AGAIN IN FRIDAY’S $70,000 PASADENA STAKES AS 10 SOPHS CONTEST TURF MILE
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 60 days ago
March 24, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 24, 2013)—Rosengold, winner of the $79,000 Baffle Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course on March 2, and Procurement, a close fifth as the 5-2 favorite, stretch out a furlong and a half and head a field of 10 sophomores in Friday’s $70,000 Pasadena Stakes at one mile on grass.
Rosengold, trained by Julio Canani, showed good speed from the inside and took the lead for good under Martin Garcia, winning the Baffle by one length in his third career start.
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SKY KINGDOM RULES IN GRADE III TOKYO CITY CUP, SON OF EMPIRE MAKER WINS MARATHON BY 3 ¾ LENGTHS
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 61 days ago
March 23, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 23, 2013)—In his third start off a 51-week freshening, Sky Kingdom, with Martin Garcia aboard, made short work of seven rivals in taking Saturday’s marathon Grade III, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup by 3 ¾ lengths, getting 1 ½ miles on the main track in 2:30.56.
With 25-1 shot Batti Man going to the front, Sky Kingdom, who is trained by Bob Baffert and who exited two consecutive races going a flat mile, sat a comfortable second and assumed command with a quarter mile to run.
“I was outside the speed today. I let my horse break on his own and just cruised around,” said Garcia. “He relaxed perfectly, and when I kicked in he just took off. My plan was to let somebody go to the lead and let my horse sit on the outside and stay comfortable, and that is exactly the way it went today.”
Off at 5-1, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Empire Maker paid $12.20, $6.00 and $3.80.
“He looked great today,” said Baffert. “The only spot to run him was a mile and a half. I didn’t know if he could do it…it’s pretty exciting. You’re not sure how you’re going to do going in, but the horse ran so well. He really stepped it up today but he was training really well…It just worked out great, and he looked so beautiful in the paddock.
“…It was a perfect trip for him. He got everything his way. I’m happy for (winning owners) Westrock. This is my first stakes win for them.”
Owned by Arkansas-based Westrock Stables LLC, Sky Kingdom picked up $60,000 for the win and increased his bankroll to $233,730. With his first-ever graded stakes victory, Sky Kingdom’s record stands at 9-4-0-1.
Oilisblackgold, an improving 6-year-old gelding by Tapit who is trained by Craig Dollase, sat fifth past the half mile pole and finished second with Edwin Maldonado up, 4 ¼ lengths clear of Richard’s Kid and Tyler Baze.
We’re happy,” said Dollase. “We’re already making plans for November (in the Grade II Breeders’ Cup Marathon). We’re working backwards from there.”
Off at 5-1, Oilisblackgold paid $5.40 and $4.00.
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SANTA ANITA JOCKEYS READY FOR “RACE WITHIN A RACE” ON SANTA ANITA DERBY DAY, APRIL 6
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 61 days ago
March 23, 2013
With the 19th annual Santa Anita Derby 5k Walk & Run set for Derby Day, Santa Anita jockeys Jose Beitia, Victor Espinoza, David Flores, Alex Bisono, Alberto Delgado, Agapito Delgadillo, Mario Gutierrez, Modesto Linares, Orando Mojica and Edwin Maldonado, demonstrate their readiness to help benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).
No matter where they place overall, the first-place jockey will have $300.00 donated in his name to the PDJF, the second-place jock will have $150.00 donated and the third-place jockey will have $50.00 donated in his name.
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SANTA ANITA JOCKEYS READY FOR “RACE WITHIN A RACE” ON SANTA ANITA DERBY DAY, APRIL 6
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 61 days ago
March 23, 2013
With the 19th annual Santa Anita Derby 5k Walk & Run set for Derby Day, Santa Anita jockeys Jose Beitia, Victor Espinoza, David Flores, Alex Bisono, Alberto Delgado, Agapito Delgadillo, Mario Gutierrez, Modesto Linares, Orando Mojica and Edwin Maldonado, demonstrate their readiness to help benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).
No matter where they place overall, the first-place jockey will have $300.00 donated in his name to the PDJF, the second-place jock will have $150.00 donated and the third-place jockey will have $50.00 donated in his name.
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TWO-DAY PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $191,838 INTO SATURDAY, TOTAL POOL EXPECTED TO REACH $1.5 MILLION
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 62 days ago
March 22, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 22, 2013)—A parade of longshot winners on Friday paved the way for a two-day Pick Six carryover of $191,838, with the expectation of a total pool Saturday of more than $1.5 million.
With a carryover from Thursday of $43,178 priming the pari-mutuel pump, Friday’s total Pick Six pool was $321,471.
Although four consecutive longshots won races three through six, the carryover wasn’t a certainty until 3-5 favorite Saint Loup finished second, beaten a half length, in race seven at 1 ½ miles on turf.
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AMERICAN BLEND RALLIES WIDE FROM OFF PACE TO WIN THURSDAY’S $58,000 BALBOA PARK PURSE UNDER BEJARANO
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 63 days ago
March 21, 2013
PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $43,178 INTO FRIDAY, FIRST POST AT 1 P.M.
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ARCADIA, Calif.
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SANTA ANITA TO SEND FIVE FINALISTS FOR ‘MS. RACING QUEEN’ TO COMPETE AGAINST FIVE FLORIDIANS FOR TOP PRIZE OF $100,000 THIS SUNDAY AT GULFSTREAM
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 63 days ago
March 21, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2013)—Game on!! A group of five finalists have been selected to represent the state of California in Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park’s “Ms. Racing Queen” competition, as the quintet will compete against five Floridians at Gulfstream on Sunday for a top prize of $100,000 with the runner-up to receive $50,000.
In a competition that began at Santa Anita in February with 50 contestants, Lindsay Becker, Chelsea MacDougall, Kelsey Moore, Samantha Brooks and Tatiana Schloeppler emerged victorious from this past Sunday’s competition.
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MULTIPLE GRADE I WINNER LADY OF SHAMROCK READY TO ROLL IN SUNDAY’S GRADE II SANTA ANA STAKES, SADLER TRAINEE MAKES FIRST START SINCE BREEDERS’ CUP
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 63 days ago
March 21, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 21, 2013)—Lady of Shamrock, a multiple Grade I winner who has been idle since running a close fifth in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Nov. 2, heads a competitive field of six older fillies and mares entered in Sunday’s Grade II, $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
A deep closer, Lady of Shamrock, who is trained by John Sadler and will be handled by her regular rider Mike Smith, will attempt to take advantage of what the connections hope is a lively early pace.
“She’s training well and she loves the course,” said Sadler on Thursday. “We gave her a little break after the Breeders’ Cup. We’ve got a long year and we’ve got the Breeders’ Cup back here in November, so we didn’t want to start her too early.”
The likely speed in the race is California-bred A Jealous Woman, a multiple stakes winner who ran a disappointing seventh in the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes on Feb. 18. Although she’s likely to make the early lead in the Santa Ana, A Jealous Woman could be pressed by Arizona shipper Smarty B, or by Irish-bred Quiet Oasis, who has been on the shelf since winning the Grade II Royal Heroine Mile on July 7 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The complete field for the Grade II Santa Ana Stakes from the rail out is as follows:
LADY OF SHAMROCK
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A back to back winner of the Grade I American and Del Mar Oaks’ this past summer, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Scat Daddy came within a nose of winning five stakes in 2012 and has three wins from four starts over the Santa Anita lawn.
Lady of Shamrock, who is owned by Hronis Racing LLC, has a steady series of turf drills for her return, but her most recent work came on the main track, a seven furlong move in 1:25.80 on March 17.
Idle since running fifth in the 1 ¼ miles turf Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, a race in which she had to wait for racing room a furlong out, Lady of Shamrock came running and lost by just 2 ½ lengths. If she gets a lively pace to run at, she should be very tough on Sunday. With a record of 11-6-1-1, she has earnings of $705,400.
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HRTV’S “FACEBOOK” PAGE REACHES 100,000 FANS
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 63 days ago
March 21, 2013
Celebratory Offer to Fans Includes Two Free Months of HRTV.com
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Arcadia, CA, March 21 -- HRTV (R), The Network for Horse Sports, recently reached a significant milestone in the social media realm when its Facebook page welcomed its 100,000th fan.
With a goal of expanding awareness about HRTV and its website, www.HRTV.com, HRTV's all-inclusive Facebook page offers a unique blend of information that caters to all horse enthusiasts, encompassing horseracing, as well as English and Western equestrian disciplines.
HRTV's continual daily updates and postings are desi
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MULTIPLE STAKES WINNER DHAAMER & BREEDERS’ CUP CHAMP, 10-YEAR-OLD CALIDOSCOPIO HEAD SATURDAY’S GRADE III, $100,000 TOKYO CITY CUP AT 1 ½ MILES
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 64 days ago
March 20, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 20, 2013)—Idle since running second, beaten a neck, in the Grade II Del Mar Handicap going 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 25, multiple stakes winning Dhaamer joins 10-year-old Argentine-bred Calidoscopio, idle since winning the Grade II Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Nov. 2, atop a field of eight veterans set to contest Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup at 1 ½ miles on the main track.
Although four out of his five lifetime wins have been on turf, Dhaamer, a 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding trained by Mike Mitchell, was second, beaten a neck, in last year’s Tokyo City, which was his U.S. debut.
A winner of the Grade III Sunset Handicap going 1 ½ miles on turf July 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park, Dhaamer will be making only his second career start on dirt this Saturday.
Calidoscopio shocked the racing world by winning the 1 ¾ miles Breeders’ Cup Marathon at odds of 17-1 in his U.S. debut. Twenty lengths off the pace after six furlongs, Aaron Gryder orchestrated a last-to-first run that resulted in a Beyer Speed figure of 99 and Calidoscopio’s third win from four starts last year.
The complete field, from the rail out for Saturday’s Grade III Tokyo City Cup is as follows:
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BRIGHT THOUGHT, WINNER OF SATURDAY’S SAN LUIS REY STAKES, HAS SET NEW WORLD RECORD FOR 1 ½ MILES ON TURF—ACCORDING TO AMERICAN RACING MANUAL
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 67 days ago
March 17, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 17, 2013)—Bright Thought, a scintillating 3 ¼ length winner of Saturday’s Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes going 1 ½ miles on turf, has established a new world record time of 2:22.72, according to the American Racing Manuel, official record keeper for American racing. The time eclipsed Hawkster’s record of 2:22.80, established on Oct. 14, 1989.
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RAGS TO RICHES BRIGHT THOUGHT SETS NEW TURF COURSE MARK IN WINNING GRADE II SAN LUIS REY IN 2:22.72
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 68 days ago
March 16, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 16, 2013)—A maiden $25,000 claiming winner on Nov. 16 at Laurel Park, Maryland, 4-year-old rags to riches poster child Bright Thought rattled off his fourth consecutive win and set a new track record in taking Saturday’s mile and one half Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes on the turf in 2:22.72—finishing 3 ¼ lengths clear of longshot All Squared Away.
With gate to wire scores in a starter allowance Feb. 3 and a first condition allowance to his credit on Feb.
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JOYFUL VICTORY & NAPRAVNIK CRUISE TO WIN GRADE I SANTA MARGARITA BY FOUR LENGTHS, LARRY JONES-TRAINED MARE BECOMES RACING’S NEWEST MILLIONAIRE
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 68 days ago
March 16, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 16, 2013)—With consummate ease at even money, Joyful Victory, with female sensation Rosie Napravnik aboard, became Thoroughbred racing’s newest millionaire as she cruised to a dominant gate to wire victory in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Santa Margarita Stakes, winning by four lengths while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.53.
With front running Great Hot and Gary Stevens drawn to her immediate outside in post position three, Joyful Victory had a half length advantage going into the Club House turn and the 5-year-old Ontario Canadian-bred mare continued to lead by the same margin past the half mile pole and into the far turn.
“She broke sharp,” said Napravnik, America’s leading rider by number of wins (79) coming into Saturday. “She likes to run freely and doesn’t like being restrained so it was nice that we had plenty of room on the rail to take the lead into the first turn. She was just relaxed and ran a great race.”
Joyful Victory, a strikingly beautiful grey or roan mare, who set fractions of 23.02, 46.50, 1:10.50 and 1:36.00, asserted her dominance approaching the quarter pole as she opened up a four length advantage on 2-1 second choice More Chocolate and maintained it to the wire.
“I thought we were going to be on the heels of horses on the first turn, but when Gary’s horse went wide, Rosie just took advantage of it and thought this was the parting of the Red Sea…and it worked out very well,” said winning trainer “Cowboy” Larry Jones, who flew in Thursday night from his base at Fair Grounds Race Course, in New Orleans.
In what proved to be her first Grade I win, Joyful Victory, a 5-year-old mare by Tapit, paid $4.20, $2.60 and $2.10. Owned by Fox Hill Farm, Inc., she bagged $180,000 for the win, increasing her earnings to $1,090,679. Her record stands at 17-6-5-3.
“I was starting to wonder if she (Joyful Victory) was ever going to show up at the right time on the right day (to win a Grade I),” said Jones. “She had shown us this brilliance at times, but she’s just doing everything better right now.”
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‘SANTA ANITA UNCORKED’ SET FOR MARCH 24, GREAT RACE PLACE TO HOST WINERIES & RESTAURANTS
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 68 days ago
March 16, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 16, 2013)—Santa Anita Park will present its sixth annual “Santa Anita Uncorked” wine and culinary festival on Sunday, March 24. The event will be staged in the track’s Club Court area, on the east end of the Grandstand beginning at 12 noon and will feature a wide array of boutique and hand-picked wine selections, cuisine sampling from 25 popular local restaurants, an art exhibit and a full day of exciting Thoroughbred racing.
“Santa Anita Uncorked” is available to everyone, “food only” ticket is available for those under 21.
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BREEDERS’ CUP AWARDS TRAVEL ALLOWANCES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS; REDUCES ENTRY FEES
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 69 days ago
March 15, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2013) - The Breeders’ Cup board today approved the operating budget for 2013 which, for the first time, will include travel allowances paid to all participants shipping from outside of California for this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita Park. In addition, the Breeders’ Cup will reduce entry fees for its Championships races from 3% to 2%, also beginning with this year.
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LIGHTLY RACED WAR ACADEMY IMPRESSIVE ALLOWANCE WINNER, BAFFERT TRAINEE HEADED FOR DERBY TRAIL
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 69 days ago
March 15, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 15, 2013)—Get War Academy an invitation.
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FLIGHTY SCHIAPARELLI ADDS BLINKERS & MUFFS, TAKES $60,000 SAN MATEO PURSE AT 6 ½ FURLONGS DOWN HILLSIDE
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 70 days ago
March 14, 2013
ARCADIA, (March 14, 2013)—By Ghostzapper and out of the downhill turf sensation Cambiocorsa, Schiaparelli added blinkers and earmuffs and ran to her considerable potential Thursday, winning Santa Anita’s $60,000 San Mateo Purse by 3 ½ lengths under Joe Talamo while covering 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:11.70.
“She ran like a big-time horse today,” said winning trainer Mike Puype. “She’ll stay on the turf and we’ll definitely stretch her out next time. The earmuffs and blinkers made a big difference today—she was much calmer in the post parade.
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TOKYO CITY CUP TO BE RUN SATURDAY, MARCH 23, MARATHON FOR OLDER HORSES PART OF CULTURAL MOSAIC AS SANTA ANITA HOSTS JAPANESE COMMUNITY
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 70 days ago
March 14, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 14, 2013)—Santa Anita Park will play host to the Japanese community on Saturday, March 23, as the 18th running of the Grade III, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup for older horses at 1 ½ miles will be the centerpiece of a daylong assortment of Japanese cultural events and fare.
With first post time at 12:30 p.m., Japanese culture will be celebrated with the following activities:
--Taiko Drum performances on the Grandstand apron. L.A.
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MULTIPLE STAKES WINNING ISMENE HEADS $100,000 IRISH O’BRIEN STAKES ON SUNDAY, EIGHT CAL-BRED FILLIES AND MARES ‘GO FOR GREEN’ DOWN HILLSIDE TURF COURSE
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 70 days ago
March 14, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 14, 2013)—Multiple stakes winner Ismene heads a cast of eight California-bred fillies and mares signed up for Sunday’s $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.
Owned and bred by Stephen Ferraro, the speedy Ismene, a 4-year-old filly by Tribal Rule, won her first three races at age two, including the $80,000 Anoakia Stakes and the $100,000 Cal Breeders Champion Stakes.
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$1 MILLION ST. PAT’S HORSESHOE PITCH SET FOR SUNDAY, ON-TRACK FANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENTER, FIVE NAMES WILL BE DRAWN FOR A ONE-IN-A-MILLION CHANCE
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 71 days ago
March 13, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 13, 2013)—Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day at Santa Anita and that means all on-track fans will again have an opportunity to sign up for the track’s $1 million St.
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FRONT RUNNING SLIM SHADEY HEADS FIELD OF NINE IN SATURDAY’S GRADE II SAN LUIS REY AT 1 ½ MILES ON TURF
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 71 days ago
March 13, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 13, 2013)—English-bred Slim Shadey, an impressive front running winner of the Grade II San Marcos Stakes going 1 ¼ miles on turf Feb. 9, heads a deep and competitive field of nine in Saturday’s Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 ½ miles on turf.
Paired for the first time with comebacking Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, English-bred Slim Shadey made national news in winning the Grade II San Marcos Stakes on Feb.
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GREAT HOT TRIES TO STAY THAT WAY & TEXAS SHIPPER JOYFUL VICTORY SEEKS MILLIONAIRE STATUS IN GRADE I SANTA MARGARITA ON SATURDAY; SIX DISTAFFERS TO GO 1 1/8 MILES
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 71 days ago
March 13, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 13, 2013)—Great Hot, fresh off the biggest race of her life, a gate to wire score at 9-1 in the Grade II, 1 1/16 miles Santa Maria Stakes on Feb. 16, and Joyful Victory, a well traveled and highly accomplished 5-year-old mare by hot sire Tapit, head a field of six as they each try for consecutive victories in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Santa Margarita Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.
Brazilian-bred Great Hot, who had been mired in an 0-13 losing streak, drew the rail in the Santa Maria and under the deft control of comebacking Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, took command early and never looked back in the five-horse Santa Maria. In what many longtime observers labeled “Vintage Stevens,” the recently turned 50 year old Idaho native reminded them of so many pace-controlling big money rides from yesteryear. Left alone through fractions of 23.80, 48 and 1:12, Stevens and Great Hot had the race won at the quarter pole and finished up in 1:43.
Joyful Victory, a 5-year-old mare bred in Ontario, Canada, will attempt to become Thoroughbred racing’s newest millionaire in the Santa Margarita and follow up on an impressive gate to wire victory of her own in the $400,000 Houston Lady’s Classic on Jan. 26 at Sam Houston Race Park. She will again be ridden by 25 year old Rosie Napravnik, widely regarded as the hottest female jockey since Julie Krone.
The complete field from the rail out for Saturday’s Grade I Santa Margarita Stakes is as follows:
THE ONLY KEY
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Originally raced in Germany, English-bred The Only Key will be trying natural dirt for the first time in the Santa Margarita. Trained by Dean Greenman, 7-year-old The Only Key is in sharp recent form, winning a $20,000 claimer going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 13, and running a game second in a first condition turf allowance going 1 ¼ miles on Feb. 15 at Santa Anita.
Owned by former Santa Anita President Ron Charles, a stakes placing in the prestigious Santa Margarita would greatly enhance her value. With a record of 21-4-2-4, she has earnings of $62,643.
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MANDELLA-TRAINED RUMOR IMPRESSIVE IN GRADE III LAS FLORES, SMITH FLIES ‘STANDBY’ FROM ARKANSAS & GETS THE MONEY
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 74 days ago
March 10, 2013
PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $94,395, TOTAL POOL ON THURSDAY SHOULD EXCEED $750,000
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ARCADIA, Calif. (March 10, 2013)—Well beaten going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course on Feb. 10, the Richard Mandella-trained Rumor outran her 6-1 odds in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes, besting 4-5 favorite Teddy’s Promise by a half length while covering 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.44 on a spectacular sunny day at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Mike Smith, who had to overcome a cancelled flight returning from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Rumor made it look easy as she engaged the favorite passing the eighth pole and quickly gained the advantage under left handed encouragement.
“The last time I rode her ($86,000 Wishing Well Stakes, Feb. 10) she was just quiet, really really quiet,” said Smith. “…You know, I’m not too sure Teddy’s Promise ran her race today, but when I saw that she wasn’t really kickin’ on, I thought I had a shot to win it.
“I had a terrible morning. You don’t know how hard it was for me to get here. I came from Arkansas this morning. My flight was cancelled and I’ve been on ‘standbys’ since four this morning. I’ve never been so happy to catch a standby (flight) in my life.”
With Teddy’s Promise, ridden by Victor Espinoza and 5-2 second choice, Shumoos, with Garrett Gomez, dueling through splits of 22.11, 44.64, Rumor was second, one length behind the favorite with six furlongs run in 1:09.12.
“She broke a little awkwardly out of the gate,” said Espinoza. “We had to stand there a long time because the other horse (Shumoos) didn’t want to load, so she got a little impatient. When she broke, she broke to the inside and we got bumped a little bit, and when I grabbed her to straighten her up, that’s when she really grabbed the bridle and wanted to go.
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HEAR THE GHOST AND NAKATANI LARGER THAN LIFE FROM OFF THE PACE, WIN GRADE II SAN FELIPE BY HALF LENGTH AND JOIN HEAVYWEIGHTS ON ROAD TO GRADE I SANTA ANITA DERBY APRIL 6
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 75 days ago
March 9, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 9, 2013)—Hear the Ghost was a horse few people saw or heard coming until Saturday at Santa Anita. Six lengths behind well fancied favorites Flashback and Goldencents at the quarter pole, Hear the Ghost suddenly appeared larger than life as he unleashed a furious stretch rally under veteran Corey Nakatani to take the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes going away by a half length over Flashback and Julien Leparoux, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.34, thus stamping himself as a leading candidate for the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
In a race that set up for a closer, 22-1 longshot Salutos Amigos went to the front into the Club House turn, 1 ½ lengths clear of even money favorite Flashback, who was just a head clear of 2-1 second choice Goldencents, who was ridden by Kevin Krigger.
As the field headed down the backstretch, Goldencents and Flashback blew by Salutos Amigos and raced as a team to mid-stretch, with Goldencents tiring at the rail and Flashback faced with the daunting task of holding off a pair of closers—Hear the Ghost and Tiz a Minister, who rallied from last in the field of eight under Garrett Gomez.
With fractions of 22.97, 45.95, 1:09.94 and 1:35.70 to run at, the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Hear the Ghost, who was trying two turns in only his third career start, won going away in a manner that suggests he may be capable of getting longer distances such as the mile and one eighth Santa Anita Derby and the mile and a quarter Kentucky Derby on May 4.
“I got a lot of enjoyment out of buying this horse and racing him with my partner, Ted Aroney (who races as Halo Farms). We’ll find out about longer distances. That’s where we have to go next. I think we’ll stay home for the Santa Anita Derby.
“I just told Corey to watch the pace and try to be tactical and not get caught down inside…I have a great deal of confidence in this guy. He’s won some very big races for me along the way, so he can ride anything of mine.
“I thought this horse would have a very good chance to run them down today…I thought they would put up a pretty good pace.”
Purchased for $40,000 at the 2011 Keenland September yearling sale, Hear the Ghost is owned by Hollendorfer and Aroney’s Halo Farms. Off at 5-1, the Kentucky-bred gelding by Ghostzapper paid $13.80, $4.60 and $3.60.
With the winner’s share of $180,000, Hear the Ghost hiked his bankroll to $224,400 and he now has two wins and a second from three starts.
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CASTLETOWN RETURNS TO TOP FORM, TAKES SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE WITH BEJARANO UP
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 76 days ago
March 8, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 8, 2013)—Even money favorite Castletown was sent from the gate and never headed en route to an impressive second condition allowance victory at Santa Anita on Friday under Rafael Bejarano, winning by 1 ¾ lengths while getting six furlongs in 1:09.34 on a wet fast main track.
Trained by Tim Yakteen, the lightly raced 5-year-old gelding by Orientate was fifth, beaten only 1 ¾ lengths in the Grade I Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 6, and came off a disappointing third place finish in a second condition allowance on Jan.
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MISS CALIFORNIA USA, MABELYNN CAPELUJ, TO ASSIST WITH MS. RACING QUEEN PAGEANT AT SANTA ANITA ON SUNDAY; 50 QUARTER FINALISTS IN SEARCH OF $100K TOP PRIZE
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 76 days ago
March 8, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 8, 2013)—Santa Anita Park has announced that reigning Miss California USA, Mabelynn Capeluj, will be attending the Semi-Final round of the Stronach Group’s Ms. Racing Queen competition at the track this Sunday, March 10, as a field of 50 women compete for a top prize of $100,000—with the runner-up toreceive $50,000.
Ms.
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EXAMEN IMPRESSIVE WINNER OF $58,000 SHASTA LAKE, PROCTOR TRAINEE TRIES DIRT FOR FIRST TIME
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 77 days ago
March 7, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 7, 2013)—With Garrett Gomez at the controls, Examen, a lightly raced 3-year-old gelding by Giant’s Causeway who is trained by Tom Proctor, tried the dirt for the first time on Thursday and was a handy 3 ¼ length winner of Santa Anita’s featured $58,000 Shasta Lake Purse, negotiating one mile in 1:37.38.
Originally scheduled for the turf, the Shasta Lake, a first condition allowance for 3-year-olds, and two other races, were transferred to a wet fast main track due to an unexpected early morning downpour.
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CALIFORNIA-BRED TEDDY’S PROMISE HEADS GRADE III LAS FLORES ON SUNDAY, FIELD OF EIGHT TO GO 6 ½ FURLONGS
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 77 days ago
March 7, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 7, 2013)—Grade I stakes winner Teddy’s Promise, who is in search of her third consecutive victory, heads a field of eight older fillies and mares engaged to run 6 ½ furlongs in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes.
An impressive three length winner of the Grade II Santa Monica Stakes going seven furlongs on a wet fast main track Jan. 26, the 5-year-old California-bred mare was equally as impressive in winning the $92,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 29.
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TOP DERBY PROSPECTS FLASHBACK & GOLDENCENTS TO SQUARE OFF IN GRADE II SAN FELIPE ON SATURDAY, IT’S BAFFERT VS. O’NEILL AS EIGHT SET TO GO 1 1/16 MILES
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 78 days ago
March 6, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 6, 2013)—It’s Bob Baffert vs. Doug O’Neill as top Derby prospects Flashback and Goldencents head a field of eight 3-year-olds set to contest Saturday’s Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, final major steppingstone to the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
The O’Neill-trained Goldencents comes off a sensational win in the Grade III Sham Stakes going one mile on Jan. 5 and his three victories also include a gate to wire score in the Grade III Delta Jackpot going 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 17. His only defeat in four starts was a second place finish to eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby in the Grade I Champagne, a one-turn mile at Belmont Park on Oct. 6.
Lightly raced Flashback, an emphatic 6 ¼ length winner of the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 2, will be making only his third career start for Baffert but the grey son of Tapit has brilliant speed and a seemingly limitless future.
The complete field for Saturday’s Grade II San Felipe, from the rail out is as follows:
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Owned by world famous downhill skier Bode Miller and Jill Baffert, he is without question the “other Baffert” in this context. Purchased last May for a bargain $55,000 at a 2-year-old in training sale, this colt by Any Given Saturday broke his maiden for an $80,000 claiming tag first out at Del Mar on Aug. 23. He then won a minor stakes at Fairplex Park going the two-turn distance of seven furlongs and showed good speed before tiring to finish fourth in the Grade I FrontRunner going 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 29.
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CARMEN MICELI, WW II WAR HERO & LONGTIME RESTAURANTEUR, CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY WITH RACE NAMED IN HIS HONOR
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 80 days ago
March 4, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar.read more
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626 Night Market Announces 2013 Summer Garden Nights Series
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 80 days ago
March 4, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2013)—The 626 Night Market will be back at Santa Anita Park with Summer Garden Nights on the wee...
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CANDY WALTZ LIVING HIGH, TAKES $30,000 BIG BEAR PURSE AS BEJARANO TIMES LATE CHARGE TO PERFECTION
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 81 days ago
March 3, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 3, 2013)—With a heart-pounding late surge, Candy Waltz and Rafael Bejarano got up to win Sunday
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SUGGESTIVE BOY ALL HEART IN WINNING GRADE I KILROE MILE BY A NOSE UNDER TALAMO AS HALL OF FAMER McANALLY GETS 700TH WIN AT SANTA ANITA
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 82 days ago
March 2, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 2, 2013)—In a desperate finish, Argentine-bred Suggestive Boy, ridden by Joe Talamo, held off the...
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GAME ON DUDE MAKES LEAD & NEVER LOOKS BACK, WINS SECOND BIG ’CAP BY BIGGEST MARGIN EVER—7 ¾ LENGTHS BEFORE ON-TRACK CROWD OF 26,901
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 82 days ago
March 2, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 2, 2013)—Before an on-track crowd of 26,901 and in a performance for the ages, 6-5 favorite Game O...
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WITH THROAT PROBLEM ADDRESSED, ECLIPSE CHAMP BEHOLDER CRUSHES FOES IN GRADE I LAS VIRGENES
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 82 days ago
March 2, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 2, 2013)—The champ is back. Beholder, Eclipse Champion 2-year-old filly for 2012, made amends fo...
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SURFCUP, BEJARANO TAKE $58,000 RANCHO PALOS VERDES PURSE, SON OF TOP STALLION UNUSUAL HEAT WINS VIA STALKING TRIP
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 83 days ago
March 1, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 1, 2013)—Third in the Cal Breeders Champion Stakes going one mile on a wet fast main track on Jan...
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OVER $1.2 MILLION BET INTO SANTA ANITA PLAYERS’ PICK 5 IN PURSUIT OF CARRYOVER, 280 TICKETS WIN $4,788.75 EACH
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 83 days ago
March 1, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 1, 2013)—Santa Anita’s popular “Players’ Pick 5,” a 50 cent minimum wager that requires p...
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CLASSY WILLYCONKER TAKES GRASSY WRIGHTWOOD PURSE WITH GOMEZ UP, IRISH-BRED WINS BY 1 ¾ LENGTHS
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 84 days ago
February 28, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2013)—Irish-bred Willyconker displayed a tangible turn of foot when challenged and won Thu...
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PLAYERS’ PICK 5 CARRYOVER OF $226,900 INTO FRIDAY, POPULAR 50 CENT WAGER EXPECTED TO GENERATE TOTAL POOL IN EXCESS OF $1,000,000—FIRST POST AT 1 P.M.
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 84 days ago
February 28, 2013
PICK SIX CARROVER OF $44,521, TOTAL POOL COULD REACH $300,000
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2013)—Santa Anita’s popul...
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SUGGESTIVE BOY HEADS FRANK E. KILROE MILE ON SATURDAY, McANALLY TRAINEE GOES FOR TWO IN ROW
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 85 days ago
February 27, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2013)—Argentine-bred Suggestive Boy, an impressive 2 ½ length winner of the Grade II Arca...
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ECLIPSE CHAMP BEHOLDER OUT TO MAKE AMENDS IN SATURDAY’S GRADE I LAS VIRGENES AS REMATCH SET WITH RENEE’S TITAN; FIELD OF EIGHT TO GO ONE MILE ON DIRT
Race Tracks | Santa Anita Park | 85 days ago
February 27, 2013
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2013)—Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Champ Beholder, America’s Eclipse Champion 2-year...
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