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West Coast Regional: Still Soaring

As the only child of John and Betty Mabee, Larry Mabee had a ringside seat in the development of one of California's all-time leading breeding and owning operations.

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Remembering Betty Mabee

Betty Mabee believed a Thoroughbred should bear a name commensurate with its stature as one of God's noblest creatures.

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Golden Eagle Farm to Decrease Horse Inventory, Relocate

Golden Eagle Farm owners Betty Mabee and her son Larry Mabee announced Aug. 7 a six-month plan to reduce their horse inventory along with an extended timeline to sell their San Diego County-based farmland.

On This Date....

Feb. 13, 1999
Excellent Meeting at Santa Anita

California Star General Challenge Retired

General Challenge, who won three of California's biggest grade I stakes, has been retired to Betty Mabee's Golden Eagle Farm

Updates from the Baffert Barn: Sarava, General Challenge, Congaree

Last year's longshot Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Sarava is being prepared for a probable start in this summer's Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, trainer Bob Baffert said.

Golden Eagle's Chief Planner Preps for Affirmed

Golden Eagle Farm's Snow Chief Stakes winner Chief Planner worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 handily over a fast main track at Santa Anita Friday. Regular rider Dana Barnes was in the irons for the move, which was sixth fastest of 24 who went five panels on the morning.

General Challenge OK, Expected to Run Again

Golden Eagle Farm's General Challenge, eased in Saturday's Tiznow Stakes at Hollywood Park after battling on the front end, returned in good shape and will not be retired, according to an assistant for trainer Bob Baffert.

Chief Planner, Golden Eagle Top Gold Rush

Golden Eagle Farm stallions sired three of Saturday's 10 California Gold Rush winners at Hollywood Park, including Chief Planner, who captured the featured $250,000 Snow Chief for 3-year-olds.

General Challenge Returns After 2 1/2-Year Hiatus

Excessivepleasure, a 3-year-old bordering on stardom after capturing last month's $500,000 WinStar Derby, and comebacking General Challenge, unraced in over 2 1/2 years following triumphs in such classic events as the Santa Anita Handicap, will be the focus of Saturday's fourth annual Citibank California Gold Rush at Hollywood Park.

General Challenge in Sharp Bullet Move

General Challenge, prepping for a comeback at age seven, worked six furlongs under Dana Barnes in a bullet 1:11 Wednesday at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert.

Baffert's Heavy Hitters Work Sunday

With rain forecast for Sunday night and continuing all day Monday, the Santa Anita work tab was full Sunday morning. In all, 275 workouts were recorded.

General Challenge In First Work in 19 Months

General Challenge, the 2000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner, had his first workout Friday morning at Santa Anita since returning to Bob Baffert's barn 16 days ago, breezing three furlongs under Dana Barnes in :35.20.

General Challenge Returns To Baffert Barn

Golden Eagle Farms' multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire General Challenge arrived at trainer Bob Baffert's Santa Anita barn on Wednesday to begin serious training for a comeback after more than 2 1/2 years away from racing.

Mabee Stepping Down from Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

John C. Mabee, a founding member of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and its leader for almost 25 years, is stepping down from his role as chairman of its board of directors and will be named director emeritus with the start of the New Year.

General Challenge Reportedly Sidelined With Injury

Golden Eagle Farm's homebred General Challenge will miss his scheduled start in the July 7 Bel Air Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park after the 5-year-old gelding suffered an undisclosed leg injury while training last week, according to a North County Times report.

Tiznow California Horse of the Year

In what came as no surprise, North America's Horse of the Year also is California's Horse of the Year.

Baffert Saddles Two in Del Mar Debutante

Trainer Bob Baffert has saddled four of the last five Del Mar Debutante winners and sends out two of the six 2-year-old fillies entered in this year's renewal of the $250,000 grade I race.

General Challenge to Miss Breeders' Cup

John and Betty Mabee’s General Challenge will miss this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs after coming out of Saturday’s Pacific Classic at Del Mar with what trainer Bob Baffert described as a “wrenched” right front ankle.

Skimming Earns Frankel Fifth Pacific Classic Win

Skimming made all the pace before kicking clear of Tiznow and General Challenge at the top of the stretch to win the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) by two lengths Saturday at Del Mar.

Tiznow Preps for Pacific Classic, Draws Post Four

Three-year-old Tiznow drilled four furlongs at Del Mar Wednesday morning and then drew post position four for Saturday's $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I).

Stablemates Top Pacific Classic Work Tab

Stablemates General Challenge and River Keen, the respective first- and second-place finishers in last year’s Pacific Classic (gr. I), indicated their readiness for this Saturday’s renewal of the $1-million race with workouts at Del Mar Monday.

Early Pioneer Out of Pacific Classic

Trainer Vladimir Cerin declared Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Early Pioneer out of the Aug. 26 Pacific Classic (gr. I).

Nine Nominated to Pacific Classic

A total of nine horses, headed by defending champion General Challenge, have been nominated to the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) to be run at Del Mar Aug. 26.

General Challenge Preps for Pacific Classic

Golden Eagle Farm's General Challenge, who is being pointed toward a start in the Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 26, drilled six furlongs in 1:10 4/5, handily, at that track Thursday.

Pioneer Upsets General in Gold Cup

David and Holly Wilson's Early Pioneer posted the biggest win of his career when the 5-year-old gelding overtook 7-5 favorite General Challenge in the stretch to win the $1-million Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

General Challenge 9-5 Gold Cup Favorite

General Challenge was established as the 9-5 morning-line favorite Thursday for Sunday's 61st running of the $1-million Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup.

David Works Toward Gold Cup

Workouts

Hollywood Gold Cup Field Taking Shape

Possible starters for the Hollywood Gold Cup