Baffert: Dortmund is 'Figuring it Out'
It wasn't the fractions that excited Bob Baffert about undefeated Dortmund's workout the morning of Feb. 26 at Santa Anita Park, it was how the massive 3-year-old son of Big Brown handled himself.
West Region
News and features for Western farm owners, racehorse owners, and breeders
Rainha Da Bateria Tops Santa Ysabel Cast
Three Chimneys Farm's Rainha Da Bateria will enter the Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) as the only 3-year-old graded stakes winner in the field of nine, but will lose Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith for the 1 1/16-mile test.
Jockey Jerry Lambert Dies at 74
Jerry Lambert, one of California's leading jockeys in the 1960s and 1970s, died Feb. 24 at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, Calif.
Status Not Reinstated for 2015 Joe Hernandez
After reviewing the off-the-turf renewal of this year's Joe Hernandez Stakes conducted Feb. 22 at Santa Anita Park, the American Graded Stakes Committee has decided not to reinstate the listed status of the race.
Bullet Work at Golden Gate for Shared Belief
Shared Belief, impressive winner of the San Antonio Invitational Stakes (gr. II), worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 2/5 Feb. 24 at Golden Gate Fields.
Seabiscuit Anniversary Celebration Planned
On March 7 at Santa Anita Park the track and Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Seabiscuit and Red Pollard's history-making win in the Santa Anita Handicap of 1940.
Twirling Candy Colt Tops Barretts Auction
With no seven-figure horses this year, the numbers declined at the 2015 Barretts selected sale of 2-year-olds in training Feb. 23 in Pomona, Calif., with a $400,000 son of Twirling Candy topping the one-day auction.
Santa Anita's Feb. 22 Pick 5 Payout Delayed
Feb. 22's Pick 5 at Santa Anita Park has yet to be paid out because of a tote malfunction, track officials said Sunday night.
Barretts Set for Final Sale at Fariplex Park
Barretts will hold its final sale in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 23 before relocating to Del Mar with its selected 2-year-olds in training sale.
'Chrome,' American Pharoah Top CA Worktab
The stars were out for workouts in Southern California the morning of Feb. 21. California Chrome led the group with a half-mile work in :48 4/5 at his home track, Los Alamitos Racecourse.
First Foal for World Renowned
The first foal for World Renowned (A.P. Indy -- Splendid Blended) arrived Feb. 4 at Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms near Hemet, Calif.
Texas Red Recovering, SA Derby Remains Goal
Texas Red remains on course for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) as he swims his way back from an abscess on his right front foot following a sharp second in his 3-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes Feb. 1.
Santa Anita Announces Spring Stakes Schedule
Santa Anita Park announced its spring stakes schedule Feb. 20 and the slate will feature six grade I events.
Barretts Holds 2-Year-Olds Under-Tack Preview
Three horses breezed an eighth-mile in :09 4/5 at the under-tack preview for the Barretts selected 2-year-old sale Feb. 20, the quickest of the day at the Fairplex Park racetrack in Pomona, Calif.
Trainer Keeps Eye on Target with Firing Line
An argument could be made that California's second-best Triple Crown hopeful at this point in the year might only have a maiden special weight win.
Vallejo Suspended 180 Days, Fined $5,000
The California Horse Racing Board has suspended trainer Genaro Vallejo for 180 days and fined him $5,000 after a horse under his care tested positive for the Class 3 medication Promazine, a metabolite of Acepromazine.
Monarch-Controlled Signals Back in Nevada
After a dispute, the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association and Monarch Content Management struck a temporary agreement Feb. 19 to allow Monarch-controlled simulcast signals to be offered.
Hard Aces Bought Privately, Moving to Sadler
Hard Aces, sharp winner of the Louisiana Handicap in his first start of 2015, has been sold privately to Hronis Racing with plans to ship to Southern California to take on Shared Belief in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap.
CHRB Rule Would Void Claim if Horse Bleeds
A provision voiding the claim of a horse placed on the veterinarian's list for bleeding was approved for a 45-day public comment period by the California Horse Racing Board, though members expressed their concerns.
CHRB Again Discusses Riding Rule Revisions
The discussion over riding rules brought into the spotlight the controversial start of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) during the California Horse Racing Board's Feb. 18 meeting.
Officials Discuss TVG Purchase of HRTV
The chief executive officer of TVG, on the heels of the announcement owner Betfair has purchased rival HRTV from The Stronach Group, said Feb. 18 the company plans to maintain both networks and market them accordingly.
Portland Meadows Reports Handle Increases
Portland Meadows concluded its 2014-15 meet Feb. 10 with increases in overall and in-state handle during the 36-day stand, and a slight decrease in purses.
West Coast Regional: Horse Power
Retired BMW dealer Nick Alexander gets runners by Grazen. download now
Diversy Harbor Rallies to Win Buena Vista
Glen Hill Farm's Diversy Harbor reeled in heavily favored La Tia in the final strides to take the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park Feb. 16.
Bayern Works Three Furlongs at Santa Anita
Kaleem Shah's Bayern, winner of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), has recovered from a hind foot abscess and worked Feb. 16 at Santa Anita Park.
Veteran Trainer Dorfman Dies at Age 92
Veteran Southern California trainer Leonard Dorfman, whose stakes winners included 16-time winner Joni U. Bar, died Feb. 15 at the home of his daughter in Round Rock Texas, at age 92.
Baffert Impressed by American Pharoah Work
Zayat Stables' American Pharoah Drew an appreciative appraisal from trainer Bob Baffert as he continued to work in preparation for his 3-year-old debut the morning of Feb. 15 at Santa Anita Park.
Golden Gate Opener Refunded After Malfunction
The first race at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 15 was declared a no-contest when, because of a malfunction, the starting gate couldn't be moved off the track in time for the one-mile event to be completed.
Jockey Ramon Guce Registers 1,000th Victory
Jockey Ramon Guce won his 1,000th North American race the evening of Feb. 14 when he guided favored A B C Me Awesome to victory in the first race at Los Alamitos Racecourse.
Improving Warren's Veneda Wins Santa Maria
Warren's Veneda claimed her first graded stakes victory with a wide closing drive to capture the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 14 at Santa Anita Park.
Metaboss Motors to El Camino Real Triumph
Metaboss, coming from well off the pace with a powerful wide move, overtook favored Conquest Typhoon in deep stretch for a 6-1 surprise in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) under Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis.
Debut Winner Power Jam Impresses for Baffert
Power Jam joined the crowded Bob Baffert barn of 3-year-old prospects with an easy 4 1/4-length victory in a six furlong maiden special weight event Feb. 14 at Santa Anita Park.
La Tia Seeking Third Straight in Buena Vista
Speedy mare La Tia will look to capture her third straight graded stakes and fifth overall in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (gr. IT) at one mile on the turf Feb. 16 at Santa Anita Park.
Washington Racing Awards Dinner Set Feb. 28
The 2014 Washington champion racehorses and other deserving industry members will be given their due at the annual awards banquet to be held at Emerald Downs Feb. 28.
Stevens Scores 5,000th North American Victory
Aboard favored Catch a Flight, Gary Stevens held off hard-closing Sammy Mandeville to claim his 5,000th North American victory Feb. 13 at Santa Anita Park.
California Chrome Named State's Horse of Year
Eclipse Award Horse of the Year California Chrome was officially named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2014 at the annual California Thoroughbred Breeders Association awards dinner at the Pasadena Westin.
Beholder Could Make Return in Madison Stakes
Two-time champion Beholder could make her return to the races in the $350,000 Madison Stakes (gr. I) over seven furlongs at Keeneland on April 4, according to trainer Richard Mandella.
Conquest Typhoon Slight Choice in El Camino
The El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), one of only three North American stakes on this year's "Road to the Kentucky Derby" contested on a synthetic track, drew a good field of 10 led by Conquest Typhoon.
Thegirlinthatsong Facing Tough Baffert Trio
Thegirlinthatsong will look to claim her second straight graded stakes victory in the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 14 at Santa Anita Park.
American Pharoah Remains Sharp for Return
Zayat Stables' 2-year-old champion American Pharoah Feb. 9 turned in his second work as he prepares for his 3-year-old debut. The son of Pioneerof the Nile worked three furlongs in :36 2/5.
Baffert Confident With 3-Year-Old Talent
The football comparisons might indicate the Bob Baffert's confidence in his current crop of 3-year-olds, because all have to do with the New England Patriots.
Shared Belief to Big 'Cap, 'Chrome' to Dubai
Another bout between Shared Belief and California Chrome won't be happening in the near future, trainers for the two horses made clear in comments Feb. 8.
Shared Belief Finds Redemption in San Antonio
The showdown everyone wanted to see produced a clear verdict for Shared Belief over reigning Horse of the Year California Chrome in the $500,000 San Antonio Invitational Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Finnegans Wake Victorious Again in San Marcos
Finnegans Wake extended his winning streak in graded turf races to three with a late-running victory in the San Marcos Stakes (gr. IIT) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Dortmund All Heart in Determined Lewis Tally
Odds-on choice Dortmund, passed in upper stretch by rival Firing Line, fought back along the inside to score a head victory in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
The Buzz: California Chrome vs. Shared Belief
In the days leading up to the big race between California Chrome and Shared Belief, industry figures and fans shared their excitement about the showdown -- and talked about who they wanted to win.
Longtime Washington Trainer Mary Kubota Dies
Mary Kubota, a longtime trainer and popular racing official in the state of Washington, died Feb. 4 of lung cancer at her home in Renton, Wash.
American Pharoah Returning to Action in March
American Pharoah could be looking at a return to racing in March, according to trainer Bob Baffert.
Acceptance Turned Out With Shin Issues
Promising California-bred 3-year-old Acceptance, who suffered his first defeat in four starts when fourth as the 1-2 favorite in the California Cup Derby Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Park, has been turned out at Old English Rancho.
Smiling Tiger's First Foal for Owner Lebherz
The first reported foal by grade I-winning Smiling Tiger is a colt out of the grade I-placed and stakes-winning broodmare Erica's Smile, Premier Thoroughbreds and Harris Farms announced Feb. 5.
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