Del Mar Makes Adjustment to Slow Polytrack
In hopes of slowing the track down a little, Del Mar added some wax to its Polytrack synthetic racing surface July 29 for the first time this year, track spokesman C.P. (Mac) McBride said.
West Region
News and features for Western farm owners, racehorse owners, and breeders
Clement Hirsch: Iotapa After BC Distaff Slot
Iotapa is the one to beat in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 2 following her devastating romp in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) in June.
Trainer Joshua Stein Wins in Debut at Sonoma
Joshua Stein scored a victory with the first horse he started as a trainer when Cleverly Beverly won a nose decision over favored Starfire Mist July 30 at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Colorado Voters to Decide on Racino Gaming
In November Colorado voters will decide if Arapahoe Park will be allowed to add casino-type gambling. The Denver Post reports Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler determined enough signatures had been submitted.
RCI to Consider Horses-in-Training Rules
The Association of Racing Commissioners International is considering rules to govern racehorses in training in an attempt to identify whether they are at risk for injury.
Prominent Sire Beau Genius Dies at 29
The millionaire and grade I-winning son of Bold Ruckus was euthanized July 25 due to the infirmities of old age.
Big Macher Collects Grade I Bing Crosby Win
Former maiden claimer Big Macher became a grade I-winning sprinter when he denied 3-5 favorite Goldencents by half a length in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar July 27.
Del Mar Shifting Turf Races After Breakdowns
Del Mar has moved two turf races scheduled for Sunday, July 27 to its main track in light of four breakdowns that have occurred on the course since the meeting began July 17.
Fed Biz Sets Track Record in San Diego Romp
Intent on getting the lead from his far outside post, an aggressive Fed Biz was never challenged while romping to victory in track record time in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 26 at Del Mar.
TOC's Southern California Meeting Aug. 2
The Thoroughbred Owners of California is holding its annual meeting for Southern California members Aug. 23 at 8:30 a.m. in the Veranda Café at Del Mar.
Irish Surf Runs Away in Cougar II Marathon
The $100,000 Cougar II Stakes (gr. III) may have been a marathon, but it was over in a hurry after Irish Surf took command and never received a challenge the evening of July 25 at Del Mar.
Dance With Fate's Exercise Rider Has Surgery
Exercise rider Joe Duran, injured in the tragic accident at Del Mar while aboard Dance With Fate, was scheduled to have surgery July 25 at Scripps La Jolla Hospital for fractured vertebrae and three fractured ribs.
Bing Crosby Attracts Goldencents, Declassify
Dual grade I winner Goldencents returns to Del Mar to face recent Triple Bend (gr. I) winner Declassify in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) July 26, a race the Doug O'Neill trainee was second in last year.
Frac Daddy Inherits San Diego's Favorite Role
With the unfortunate morning training death of pre-race favorite Dance With Fate, Frac Daddy, a two-time stakes winner in 2014, is now the likely choice in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 26 at Del Mar.
Dance With Fate Euthanized After Accident
Grade I winner Dance With Fate was euthanized due to a serious injury sustained July 24 when he bolted and crashed into a fence while on the track at Del Mar prepping for the upcoming San Diego Handicap (gr. II).
Maybry's Boy to E.A. Ranches
Graded stakes winner Maybry's Boy, a son of Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Broad Brush, is relocating from New York to E.A. Ranches in Ramona, Calif.
Record Breakers Headed for Del Mar Debutante
A pair of 2-year-old fillies who eclipsed the Del Mar Polytrack mark for five furlongs in separate racing debuts July 20, appear headed for a showdown in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) for their powerhouse barns.
Art Sherman to Receive Laffit Pincay Award
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.
Harris, Frazier Lead 2014 Washingon HOF Class
Trainer Ben Harris and jockey Ricky Frazier head a stellar group of 2014 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductees, Emerald Downs announced.
Encouraging Starts to Saratoga, Del Mar Meets
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 Tops Del Mar Sale
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 Times it Right in Eddie Read
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.
Istanford Strolls to San Clemente Surprise
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.
Washington Sale Establishes Bonus Program
The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association has announced a new Emerald "Buy Here/Win Here" bonus program for WTBOA summer sale yearlings.
Stevens Will Require Full Knee Replacement
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 Gets Passing Mark for First Meet
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.
Del Mar Paddock Sale Offers Graded Winners
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.
Enterprising Wins Oceanside in Del Mar Opener
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.
Summer Front in Good Spot for Grade I Win
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 Visits Saratoga, Del Mar
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).
Sandiva Tackles My Conquestadory in U.S. Bow
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.
Oceanside Stakes Kicks Off Del Mar Stand
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.
Petition First Step for Slots at Arapahoe
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.
10 Horses Added to Del Mar Paddock Sale
Ten additional horses have been added to the third annual Del Mar paddock sale of race ready horses Sunday, July 20.
Los Alamitos Meet Handles $5 Million a Day
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 Returns as Breeders' Cup Sponsor
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, La Grange Win Juvenile Stakes
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.
Doinghardtimeagain Grinds Out Great Lady M.
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.
Los Alamitos Earns NTRA Safety Accreditation
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.
Jockey Stevens to Undergo Knee Surgery
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.
Arizona's Global Symposium Registration Open
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.
California Chrome Returning Early From Break
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.
Del Mar's Paddock Sale to be Held July 20
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.
Heerman Shaped Today's Thoroughbred Sales
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 Set for Return in Great Lady M
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.
New Racing Secretary Among Del Mar Officials
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.
Hoppertunity Heading Home to California
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.
Southern California Owner B.J. Wright Dies
B.J. Wright, colorful Southern California owner of major winners Jeranimo and Ultimate Eagle, died July 8. He was 76.
Contest Offers Travers-Pacific Classic Trip
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".
Pacific Classic Next Stop for Shared Belief
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.
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