BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

CTBA Stallion Season Auction on Nov. 30

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association's annual Stallion Season Telephone Auction will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, beginning at 6 p.m. (PT).

Global Hunter to Stand at Magali Farms

Global Hunter, a grade I winner in California and a group II winner in his native Argentina, will stand in 2011 at Rich and Gaby Sulpizio's Magali Farms near Santa Ynez, Calif.

Jack Owens Returns to TOC Board of Directors

Jack B. Owens has been appointed to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California to fill a vacancy created by the departure of David Bloom.

The Pamplemousse to Rancho San Miguel

The Pamplemousse, one of the early favorites for the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been retired from racing and will stand in 2011 at Tom and Nancy Clark's Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, Calif.

Santa Anita Stakes Schedule Finalized

Santa Anita Park, which is returning to a natural dirt track this season, has added $450,000 to its 3-year-old program. The track opens for its winter/spring season Dec. 26, and will offer 46 graded stakes.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (6)

Another look at some of the issues of the day, post-Breeders' Cup.

Read Blog

Portland Meadows Jockey Challenge Nov. 29

Portland Meadows will host the second XpressBet Jockey Challenge Nov. 29. It will feature four riders at the Oregon and four from Southern California.

Retired Trainer Eric J. Longden Dies

Retired trainer Eric J. Longden, son of Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Longden, died Nov. 8 at his Carlsbad, Calif., home.

Barbara Walter, Raced Cavonnier, Dies

Barbara Walter, who with late husband Robert was honored for a quarter century of successful breeding by induction into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame earlier this year, died Oct. 31,

Kentucky Farm Owner Ted O'Neill Dies

Ted O'Neill, who owned Ann Marie Farm near Paris, Ky., with his wife, Noreen, died Oct. 3 in San Francisco after battling a respiratory disease.

Champ Pegasus: Ready for BC Turf Competition

Champ Pegasus, a two-time graded stakes winner this year, is ready to take on foreign contenders in the Nov. 6 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs.

Lookin At Lucky Fires Bullet at Hollywood

Top 3-year-old colt Lookin At Lucky fired a bullet six-furlong workout at Hollywood Park Oct. 25 as he continues his preparations for the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Go Forth North Rallies in Ramser

Back with members of her own age group, Go Forth North found things easier in the $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Oak Tree/Hollywood Park.

Fantastic Pick Upsets Oak Tree Derby

Fantastic Pick, the longest shot in the field at 22-1, edged pacesetter Blue Panis after an eighth of a mile long battle to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park Oct. 16

Boosted by Wygod Horses, Barretts Post Gains

Barretts' California Cup Yearling Sale showed strength in a two-day format Oct. 12-13. Led by a $105,000 topper at the first session, the auction averaged $14,128, an increase of 13.8% over 2009.

Bertrando Yearlings Top Barretts' First Day

Bloodlines from leading California breeders Martin and Pam Wygod dominated the Barretts California Cup yearling sale at Fairplex Oct. 12.

Valenzuela Ends Stakes Drought in Morvich

Quick Enough lived up to his name in the Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) Oct. 11 as he gave jockey Patrick Valenzuela his first Oak Tree stakes win in nearly four years with a 1 1/2-length score in the six-furlong turf event.

Santa Anita Starts Surface Replacement

Removal of Santa Anita's synthetic surface began Oct. 11 as the first step in replacing it with a dirt surface. Track officials are close to deciding the mix of materials to be used as the surface material.

Grade I Winner Square Eddie Back in Training

The breeding career of Square Eddie, one of the leading 2-year-olds of 2008, was short-lived. The son of Smart Strike is back in training with Doug O'Neill.

Charity Poker Tournament Benefits CARMA

California Retirement Management Account, a charitable organization dedicated to assisting local Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations raised more than $71,000 at its annual poker event.

Retroactive Overnight Purse Boost at Del Mar

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced Sept. 21 that it will pay its horsemen a retroactive purse distribution estimated to be between $850,000 and $900,000.

Graded Winner Pretty Unusual Dies

California grade II winner Pretty Unusual died because of complications from emergency surgery Sept. 19.

Oak Tree at Hollywood Park Meet Licensed

Oak Tree Racing Association received license approval Sept. 10 to move its 2010 meet to Hollywood Park.

Zenyatta Works Six Furlongs at Hollywood

Undefeated mare Zenyatta worked six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 at Hollywood Park on Sept. 10 as she continues to prepare for her next start in the Oct. 2 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I) at Hollywood Park.

Harper Wants Breeders' Cup, to Keep Polytrack

As Del Mar closed its 2010 race meeting, Joe Harper, CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, discussed the possible new horizons of California racing.

TVG, Oak Tree in Sponsorship Arrangement

TVG announced Sept. 9 that it has been designated exclusive TV partner of the 2010 Oak Tree at Hollywood Park race meet and title sponsor of two of the meet's premier events--the Lady's Secret and Clement L. Hirsch.

Del Mar Attendance Increases, Handle Declines

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club ended its 37-day meet Sept. 8 with a 4.2% increase in average daily attendance and a 6.8% decline in average daily wagering.

Terms Given for Santa Anita Surface Waiver

The California Horse Racing Board said Sept. 7 it is working with Santa Anita Park management and horsemen on a waiver for the MI Developments-owned racetrack to replace its synthetic surface with dirt.

Del Mar's Record Pick Six Yields 124 Winners

With only one favorite among the six winning horses, the Del Mar recoord Pick Six pool of $6,656,591 provided payoffs of $35,553.40 to 124 bettors with perfect tickets Sept. 4.

Oak Tree, Hollywood Park Agree to 2011 Meet

Hollywood Park and the Oak Tree Racing Association have already agreed to a second fall meet in 2011. The racing dates still require approval by the California Horse Racing Board.

Twirling Candy Del Mar Derby Favorite

Undefeated Twirling Candy, who scored easily in his stakes and turf debut last out, leads a field of six in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) Sept. 5 in Southern California.

Zenyatta in Bullet Work at Hollywood Park

Undefeated mare Zenyatta worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 1/5 at Hollywood Park on Sept. 2 as she continues to prepare for her next start in the Oct. 2 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I).

Calif. OKs Exchange Wagering, Takeout Hike

California legislation that would redirect perhaps as much as $70 million from winning bets to purses and make the state the first in the nation to approve head-to-head wagering on horse races gained approval Aug. 31.

Compromise Reached on California Bill

A compromise has apparently been reached that would forestall the implementation of exchange betting until at least 2012, according to the Pasadena Star-News.

Del Mar Attendance Up, Wagering Down

Through the first 30 days of the 37-day Del Mar meet, attendance continues to outpace 2009 by 2.3% while wagering is down an average 6.9%.

10 Entered in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar

The morning line favorite is The Usual Q.T., ridden by Victor Espinoza.

Bullet Works for Two Pacific Classic Starters

Richard's Kid worked a quick half-mile in :46 4/5 at Del Mar on Aug. 23 as he continued to prep for a defense of his title in the Aug. 28 $1 million Pacific Classic Presented by TVG.

Del Mar: Attendance Up, Handle Down a Bit

Del Mar reported an increase in average daily attendance and decrease in average daily handle for the first five weeks of its 2010 meet.

Changes in CA Bill Trigger Track Opposition

A bill that would not only increase takeout on exotic wagers in California but also introduce "exchange wagering" to the state has drawn opposition within the racing industry.

California Cup Sale Has 241 Yearlings

There are 61 mares and 35 foals of 2010 are in the dispersal of Martin and Pam Wygod's California breeding stock.

Stronach: Santa Anita to Have Dirt Main Track

Santa Anita is about to become the first California racetrack to abandon the 2006-mandated synthetic surface experiment and return to dirt.

Onebadshark to Rancho San Miguel

Onebadshark, a two-time stakes winner and track-record setter, will stand in 2011 at Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, Calif.

Kafwain Colt Tops Northern California Sale

Kjell Qvale purchases the bay yearling for $20,000 Aug. 17.

Fairplex Stakes Schedule Announced

The 2010 stakes schedule for Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif. features two races worth $110,000 each.

Rail Trip Has Minor Setback

Rail Trip has a minor issue with his right hind foot and his status is day to day.

Stronach Calls Meeting With Calif. Horsemen

Frank Stronach, chairman of MI Developments and owner of Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, has called a meeting with California horsemen Aug. 18 at Del Mar Surfside Race Place, the track's simulcast wagering facility.

Leading Breeder Vessels Dies in Plane Crash

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industry leader Frank "Scoop" Vessels died in a plane crash Aug. 11 near Burns, Ore.

Joe Talamo Out With Fractured Wrist

Jockey Joe Talamo suffered a fractured left wrist Aug. 5 at Del Mar after he was unseated during the running of the third race.

A Best Pal with Gusto

J P's Gusto, the odds-on winner of the July 5 Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III), will take the next step on his life's journey Aug. 8 at Del Mar in the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II).

Spensive Relocated to E. A. Ranches

California stakes winner Spensive has been relocated to E. A. Ranches near Santa Ysabel, Calif.