Art Sherman, a career horseman who rose to the pinnacle of racing this past spring when he guided California Chrome in a thrilling Triple Crown run, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award.
Trainer Ben Harris and jockey Ricky Frazier head a stellar group of 2014 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductees, Emerald Downs announced.
The important summer meetings at Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course each registered improved numbers compared with their 2013 seasons. Total handle was up at Del Mar; Saratoga saw total handle improve and a spike in attendance.
Grade I winner Heir Kitty was purchased Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International on behalf of a Japanese buyer for $750,000 to top the July 20 Del Mar paddock sale.
Tom's Tribute became a grade I winner July 20 when he held even-money favorite Summer Front safe through the homestretch to register a 1 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Eddie Read Stakes on the Del Mar turf.
Guided through a smooth trip by Rafael Bejarano, Istanford led every step of the way at 10-1 odds to dominate the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) on the renovated turf course at Del Mar July 19.
The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association has announced a new Emerald "Buy Here/Win Here" bonus program for WTBOA summer sale yearlings.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens' damaged right knee is worse than originally thought and will require complete replacement, complicating his plans for a later comeback.
Los Alamitos Race Course received passing marks for its two-week Thoroughbred meet that ended July 13, but a track official conceded that there was room for improvement.
The July 20 Paddock Sale at Del Mar will offer 39 horses of racing age, including 15 2-year-olds and graded winners Heir Kitty, Ciao Bella Luna, and Handsome Mike.
Last at the top of the stretch, favored Enterprising unleashed a torrid closing kick on the far outside to win the $116,700 Oceanside Stakes on the opening day of the 2014 summer meet at Del Mar.
Unsuccessful in six previous tries at the grade I level, Summer Front is well-positioned to break through as part of a small field in the $300,000 Eddie Read Stakes, the first top-level race of the Del Mar season July 20.
The Jockey Club Tour on FOX will cover Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, July 20, with a two-hour telecast featuring the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) and TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I).
Dual group III winner Sandiva, last seen finishing fifth in the Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot one month ago, makes her first United States start in the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) July 19 at Del Mar.
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club kicks off its 75th season of racing a day later than usual July 17 with a new, wider turf course and plenty of full fields.
The Aurora Sentinel reports that more than 130,000 signatures have been presented to the Colorado secretary of state asking for a November vote on expanded gambling at Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Col.
Ten additional horses have been added to the third annual Del Mar paddock sale of race ready horses Sunday, July 20.
Los Alamitos Race Course officials July 13 said the eight-day summer Thoroughbred meet generated average daily total pari-mutuel handle of $5,070,966.
Sentient Jet, a Breeders' Cup sponsor from 2008 through 2011, is back in the fold, the partners announced July 14. The aviation company will sponsor the grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Story to Tell won for the second time in three starts, beating favored Bad Read Sanchez in the $98,000 Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes July 13 at Los Alamitos Race Course on closing day of the Summer Thoroughbred Festival.
Making her second start of the year, Doinghardtimeagain returned to winning form with a perfect stalking trip for jockey Mike Smith in the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes (gr. II) July 12 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
Southern California's Los Alamitos Race Course, now running its first Thoroughbred meet in 23 years, has earned accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens is taking another break from the saddle to undergo knee replacement surgery, but the 51-year-old rider plans to return to competition again.
University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program has opened registration for the 41st annual Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming to be held December 8-11, 2014, at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, AZ.
Dual classic winner California Chrome is due to return to his Los Alamitos stable July 17, two weeks earlier than expected. His first start back could come at his home track Sept. 20, said trainer Art Sherman.
Heir Kitty and Handsome Mike are among the horses expected to be offered for sale at Del Mar during the third annual "race ready" racehorse sale at the track's paddock July 20.
Victor Heerman Jr., who as a bloodstock agent in the 1980s added flair to Central Kentucky sales, died July 2 at his Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. home. He was 89.
Heir Kitty, who closed out her 3-year-old season with a clear victory in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, will make her first start since April in the Great Lady M Stakes July 12 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will kick off its 75th summer racing season July 17 with a new racing secretary and veteran team of other racing officials for the 36-day meet that runs through Sept. 3.
Rebel Stakes (gr. II) winner Hoppertunity will rejoin Bob Baffert's California string next week, the Hall of Fame horseman confirmed July 8. The colt was in Kentucky recovering from surgery on his left front fetlock.
B.J. Wright, colorful Southern California owner of major winners Jeranimo and Ultimate Eagle, died July 8. He was 76.
An all-expense-paid, 48-hour trip to the Travers Stakes (gr. I) and Pacific Classic (gr. I) is up for grabs in America's Best Racing's "Ultimate 48 Sweepstakes".
Having passed his first stakes test of 2014 with flying colors, juvenile champion Shared Belief is ready for his next challenge against older horses in the $1 million Pacific Classic, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said July 6.
Unbeaten Shared Belief, last year's 2-year-old juvenile champion, answered the dirt question with an emphatic 4 1/4-length win in the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II) July 5 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
California Chrome could make his first start back after a brief layoff in a race at Los Alamitos in September en route to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The inaugural Summer Thoroughbred Festival at Los Alamitos Race Course began successfully July 3 with encouraging attendance and handle figures.
The Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, established at Hollywood Park in 2004, will continue at Del Mar this summer when it is presented by the Hall of Fame jockey July 27.
Los Alamitos Race Course produced a major drawing card for the first graded stakes of its new meet when 2013 juvenile champion Shared Belief was entered for the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II) to be run July 5.
This month the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Barretts Sales, and Thoroughbred Owners of California will host "Buying a Racehorse," a free new owner seminar and preview of the paddock sale at Del Mar.
The eight-day Summer Thoroughbred Festival at Los Alamitos starts Thursday, July 3, marking the first meet for Thoroughbreds at the California track since the final Orange County Fair in 1991.
Racing the dates previously held by now-closed Betfair Hollywood Park, Santa Anita Park reported average daily all-sources handle of $9.92 million and average daily attendance of 6,970 for the inaugural 38-day spring meet.
Benefiting from a good jump out of the gate at the top of the downhill turf track at Santa Anita Park, Big Kick never looked back over the course of 1 3/4 miles as he rolled to victory in the San Juan Capistrano.
Rested since March, Peter Eurton trainee Sheza Smoke Show came off the bench and struck in her graded debut June 28, claiming the $100,000 Senorita Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 28 at Santa Anita Park.
Gallant Stables' Majestic Harbor circled horses in the far turn, flew past fading favorite Game On Dude, and powered to the wire to register a clear victory in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (gr. I) June 28.
Kaleem Shah's son of Orientate went from allowance winner to grade I winner June 28, taking the Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park over Cyclometer.
Kathleen Rose would not let her win streak end without a fight but Parranda proved to have just enough to score a narrow victory in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (gr. IIT) June 28 at Santa Anita Park.
An investigation by the California Horse Racing Board has determined that two state-licensed advance-deposit wagering providers are currently offering or allowing players pools in violation of California law.
Quick Casablanca hopes to make the San Juan Capistrano the continuation of a beautiful friendship with the Santa Anita turf, as the Chilean-bred won a grade III stakes over the Arcadia, Calif., lawn in April.
In support of providing funding for the rehabilitation, retraining and/or retirement of Thoroughbred horses that have raced in California, CARMA will be hosting its charity fundraiser. "Cards 4 CARMA", on July 19.
Dr. Edward Allred has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) to receive the 2013 Ed Friendly Industry Service Award. The award is presented annually.
