BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

CHRB Relaxes 25-Day Requirement on Claimers

The California Horse Racing Board gave final approval April 26 to a rule change that eliminates "jail time" for most horses that are claimed.

Marje Everett Tribute Set at Hollywood May 19

Betfair Hollywood Park will pay tribute to Marje Everett, former track chairman, president, and chief operating officer, on May 19.

Creative Cause Works 5 Furlongs at Hollywood

Creative Cause, winner of the San Felipe (gr. II) and runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 April 24 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Champion Acclamation Returns in Inglewood

The return of Acclamation, the champion older male of 2011, highlights the first Friday night program of the Betfair Hollywood Park spring/summer season April 27.

Derby-Bound Rousing Sermon Works at Hollywood

Rousing Sermon, whose next start is expected to come in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked seven furlongs at Hollywood Park April 21 in 1:27 1/5 handily.

Juvenile Maiden Turf Sprints Set at Hollywood

Betfair Hollywood Park will offer some maiden allowance turf sprints for 2-year-olds in June and July, Martin Panza, racing secretary and vice president-racing, announced April 20.

I'll Have Another Breezes at Hollywood

In his first workout since winning the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), I'll Have Another breezed six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 at Betfair Hollywood Park April 19.

Pat Valenzuela Announces Latest Comeback

Patrick Valenzuela has announced his latest comeback through agent Tom Knust, that he plans to return to race riding at Betfair Hollywood Park April 26.

Derby Prep Contenders in March 30 Drills

Derby prep contenders Najjaar, My Adonis, Midnight Transfer, and I'll Have Another post timed workouts on the morning of March 30.

Hollywood Plans Big Boost for Juvenile Stakes

Betfair Hollywood Park has boosted purses considerably for its 2-year-olds stakes program during both the 2012 spring/summer and autumn meets.

Former Racetrack Executive Marje Everett Dies

Marje Everett, the longtime chairwoman of Hollywood Park, died March 23 at her West Los Angeles home. She was 90.

Betfair Buys Hollywood Park Naming Rights

The international exchange wagering company promises to upgrade the racetrack and woo younger fans through social media and innovative promotions.

Hollywood Park Spring Stakes Schedule Set

The 73rd running of the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and the enhanced American Oaks (gr. I) headline a stakes schedule worth more than $6.8 million for the 2012 spring/summer meet at Hollywood Park.

City to City Up in Time in the Buena Vista

City to City didn't let being the beaten favorite in her two previous starts get in the way of her going all out in the Buena Vista Handicap (gr. IIT) on Santa Anita President's Day card Feb. 20.

Trainer Gets First Win in Fourth Start

Dan Blacker got his brand new training career off to a quick start by capturing his first win in just his fourth start.

Hollywood Park Reports Handle Up 13.8%

The Southern California track also reported its average daily handle up 9.5% but complete figures are not yet available for the 26-day Autumn meet.

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. Records 1,000th Win

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. earned the 1,000th victory of his career when front-running So Tempted coasted to a 2 3/4-length victory in the first race at Hollywood Park Dec. 18.

THS: CashCall Futurity 2011

Jason Shandler, Tom LaMarra and Les Instone from TwinSpires.com handicap the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park.

watch video

Morning Line Moved to John Shirreffs Barn

Recovered from knee surgery this summer, grade I winner Morning Line has joined the John Shirreffs stable at Hollywood Park, according to the track's publicity office.

Italian Trainer Wins With First U.S. Starter

Italian trainer Francesco Santella scored with his first North American starter when Coal Region Kid captured the third race at Hollywood Park Dec. 1.

Vergara Not Seriously Injured After Spill

Daniel Vergara escaped serious injury after his mount broke down at Hollywood Park but Waltzing With Blue had to be euthanized following the race.

Comma to the Top Posts Bullet Work

Comma to the Top, who swept the Real Quiet and Generous Stakes (gr. IIIT) and the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) last fall signaled his readiness for a return to the races with a bullet five-furlong work in :59 Nov. 13.

Drysdale Duo Works for Hollywood Turf Cup

Multiple graded stakes winner Bourbon Bay and dual grade I victor Miss Match worked seven furlongs on the Hollywood Park turf course the morning of Nov. 13 in preparation for the Nov. 19 Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT).

Hollywood Overnight Purses Hiked About 25%

The fall/winter meet at Hollywood Park, which begins with an eight-race program Nov. 10, will see an increase of approximately 25% in overnight purses from the 2010 season.

Caracortado Posts Bullet Work at Santa Anita

Several horses posted their final workouts the weekend of Oct. 28-30 in preparation for the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II).

CHRB Disciplines Racing Officials

CHRB disciplines five racing officials for incorrect finish order.

Blind Luck Works Four Furlongs at Hollywood

Blind Luck recorded her first work in more than three weeks Sept. 8 at Hollywood Park, clocking four furlongs in :47 2/5.

Majestic City Posts Bullet Work for Futurity

Unbeaten Majestic City, winner of the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (gr. III), worked five furlongs in a bullet :59 under jockey David Flores on Sept. 1 in preparation for the Sept. 7 Del Mar Futurity (gr. I).

Calif. Track Execs Ask For Lower Takout

The presidents of Santa Anita and Hollywood Park have asked the Thoroughbred Owners of California to reduce takout on Daily Double, exacta, quinella, and Pick 5 wagers.

Claiming Box Popular in Southern California

Claiming activity in Southern California surged at Hollywood Park this summer, a positive indicator for horse ownership as the popular summer meet at Del Mar completes its first week of the 2011 season.

Hollywood Betters Projections for Spring Meet

The just-concluded Hollywood Park 2011 spring/summer stand was off 2.4% in average total handle, according to Hollywood Park officials.

Baffert, Rosario Take Hollywood Meet Titles

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won his first spring/summer meet title at Hollywood Park with 36 wins at the just-concluded stand.

Hollywood Park Re-accredited by Alliance

Hollywood Park in California has earned re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Valenzuela Off Mounts July 9 at Hollywood

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela is off his mounts at Hollywood Park July 9 after being unseated in a race the night before. According to his agent, Tom Knust, the 48-year-old rider should return to action July 10.

Celtic Princess Takes Royal Heroine Mile

A two-time group I winner and Horse of the Year in her native Brazil, Celtic Princess finally notched her first stakes win in the United States in her sixth try, handily taking the Royal Heroine Mile (gr. IIT) July 4.

Apprentice Flores Gets First Win

Eswan Flores, already a winner on Quarter Horses, gets his first Thoroughbred victory July 4 over the Hollywood Park turf course. It was the Mexico native's first ride ever over a grass course.

Royal Heroine: Harmonious Back at Hollywood

Harmonious returns to her preferred turf course July 4 when she makes her first start in nearly five months in the $150,000 Royal Heroine Mile (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park.

Hollywood to Remain Open for Training in July

The Cushion Track at Hollywood Park will remain open for training while the dirt surface at Santa Anita is being renovated in July, the track announced June 30.

BC Ownership Contest at Hollywood Gold Cup

Fans in attendance at Hollywood Park for the 72nd renewal of the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) July 9 will have a chance to become a virtual owner of the horse that wins the track's signature event.

TOC: Takeout Hike Unpopular But Necessary

Faced with criticism and a move to decertify it as the official horsemen's organization in California, the Thoroughbred Owners of California held a public forum at Hollywood Park June 25.

Winner's Circle - Better Late

It took more than 60 years for William Gregory to realize his boyhood dream of training Thoroughbreds.

read blog

CashCall, Starlet Nominations Are Up for 2011

The first round of nominations for both the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) and the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I) are up over last year, according to Martin Panza, Hollywood Park's racing secretary and vice president-racing.

Michael Baze Memorial Fund Established

The Michael Baze Memorial Fund has been established to defray the funeral expenses for the late jockey, according to a May 30 Hollywood Park press release.

Steiner, Leonard Reunite for Emotional Tally

Jockey Joe Steiner and trainer/owner Bob Leonard combined for long-awaited victory with 71-1 shot Slane Castle at Hollywood Park May 28.

Eclair de Lune Looking for Comeback in Gamely

Eclair de Lune is ready for a comeback. The German-bred daughter of Marchand de Sable boosted her resume considerably when she captured the 2010 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park, but has been unable to score a win since.

Michael Baze Memorial Scheduled for June 2

A memorial for jockey Michael Baze will be held immediately after the races Thursday, June 2 at Hollywood Park.

Santa Anita Handle Down in All Categories

Whether gross or average figures are used, pari-mutuel handle for the Santa Anita Park winter/spring was down, according to information compiled from various sources.

Hollywood Park to Begin 54-Day Stand April 21

Hollywood Park will have live racing Thursday through Sunday for a majority of its 54-day Spring/Summer meet, which begins April 21.

TVG Coverage Returns to Three Major Tracks

TVG will be providing exclusive coverage from Woodbine, Keeneland, and Hollywood Park.

Actress Taylor Had Ties to Horse Racing

Iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor, who had a lifelong interest in horses and starred in the film "National Velvet," died March 23 at age 79.