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West Coast Regional: Out of This World

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Mel Stute to Return Home After Hospital Stay

Retired trainer Mel Stute will be discharged from a rehab facility in Pomona, Calif., Dec. 29, according to his son, trainer Gary Stute.

Mel Stute Remains Hospitalized After Fall

Mel Stute remains hospitalized after hitting his head in a fall at home Dec. 15, but the 85-year-old former trainer is hoping to be home soon after Christmas.

Mel Stute Hospitalized After Fall

Trainer Mel Stute was resting comfortably at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on the morning of Dec. 8 after falling in his home the previous night.

Stute Dispersing at Barretts But Not Retiring

Veteran trainer Mel Stute, who saddled his first winner at Portland Meadows in 1947, has nine horses cataloged at the Barretts Winter Mixed Sale that begins Jan. 24, but says he isn't retiring yet.

Mel Stute Earns 2,000th Training Victory

Trainer Mel Stute picked up the 2,000th victory of his career when 25-1 shot Score for Fun went gate-to-wire while defeating six other 2-year-old maiden claimers in the first race at Hollywood Park Dec. 11.

Champion Snow Chief Dies

Snow Chief, the 1986 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner and champion 3-year-old male, died Preakness Day of an apparent heart attack. The 27-year-old son of Reflected Glory stood at Eagle Oak Ranch near Paso Robles, Calif.

Papa Clem has Untimed Blowout

Papa Clem, the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) winner who turned in a lackluster five-furlong work in 1:05 at Pimlico on Tuesday, was given a sharp blowout by trainer Gary Stute Friday morning.

Papa Clem Gets Useful 7f Drill

Trainer Gary Stute went "old school" April 25 at Churchill Downs, working his Arkansas Derby (gr. II) winner Papa Clem seven furlongs in 1:29 1/5. The trainer, the son and nephew of the legendary training brothers of Mel and Warren Stute (respectively), may give his colt a quarter-mile blowout a day or two before the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Memorial Service Set for Warren Stute

A memorial service for longtime trainer Warren Stute has been scheduled for Aug. 17 in the Turf Club Chandelier Room at Santa Anita. Stute, who had suffered several strokes, died at 85 on Aug. 9 at his home in Arcadia.

Quick Little Miss Carries Stute's Starlet Hopes

Trainer Mel Stute will probably never enjoy another year like 1986, but he hopes to duplicate one of its highlights when he sends out Quick Little Miss in the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) for 2-year-old fillies at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

Fairplex Meet Hurdles Handle Mark Again

Fairplex Park set a record for total handle during its 16-day run in 2006 that ended Sept. 25 when it averaged more than $7.1 million daily. It was the second straight year the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds racetrack surpassed its previous handle mark and the third time in the past four years.

Quick Little Miss Wins Barretts Debutante for Stute

With an explosive burst of speed, the maiden Quick Little Miss went from last on the final turn to score a 4 1/2-length victory at odds of 29-1 in the $118,100 Barretts Debutante for 2-year-old fillies at Fairplex Park Saturday.

Stute Brothers Named Pincay Award Winners

The Stute brothers, trainers Warren and Mel, have been named winners of the 2006 Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, presented annually to an individual who has served the sport with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination, and distinction.

Twelve Finalists Named for Hall of Fame

Six horses, three jockeys, and three trainers have been selected as the 2006 finalists for nomination to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame. The 12 finalists were announced Wednesday by Stella F. Thayer, president of the Hall.

Trainer Gary Stute Keys Mare, Wins Pick Six

Gary Stute had the only winning Pick Six ticket at Oak Tree Sunday worth $124,881, thanks in large part to a victory by the mare he trains, Da Svedonya, who paid $14.40 in winning the seventh race for $12,500 claiming fillies and mares.

Hall of Fame Releases 2005 Nominees; New Procedures Used

Ten horses, five jockeys, and five trainers have been nominated for the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame, museum president John von Stade announced Monday. The slate of nominees is the first presented under the revised procedures of Thoroughbred racing's official national Hall of Fame.

'Insane' Rain Keeps Falling at Santa Anita

Santa Anita Park has been inundated with so much rain since opening day on Dec. 26 track superintendent Steve Wood is having trouble keeping up with it.

Trainer O'Neill Sets Fairplex Victory Mark

Trainer Doug O'Neill set a record for most victories at Fairplex when Blairs Roarin Star won the sixth race on the Pomona oval on Friday.

Stricken Trainer Warren Stute Planning Return

Warren Stute continued to rest at his Arcadia home Saturday morning, but the veteran Southern California's trainer of more than 60 years is already thinking about his return to Del Mar, according to his younger brother, Mel Stute.

Perfect Moon Sold, Moves Barns

Del Mar Futurity (gr. II) prospect Perfect Moon was sold today by owners Annabelle Stute and The Hat Ranch to Royce Jaime for a price characterized as "mid-six figures."

Cooperation, Minister Eric Work for Futurity

Trainer Bob Baffert's top prospect for an eighth straight Del Mar Futurity victory lived up to his name Thursday morning when the 2-year-old Cooperation buzzed five furlongs in :59 2/5 to wind up preparations for Wednesday's $250,000 Futurity (gr. II) at seven furlongs on the main track.

Matt Garcia Moving Tack to Philadelphia

Matt Garcia, who has been a frequent rider on the Southern California circuit for trainers Mel and Warren Stute, Barry Abrams and Douglas Peterson over the past several years, is taking his tack eastward.

Perfect Moon Shines in Best Pal

Perfect Moon, a $4,700 yearling purchase, won his second consecutive graded stakes Sunday at Del Mar, capturing the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds by 1 1/4 length with a powerful stretch drive.

Perfect Moon Could Shine in Best Pal

Featuring the return of Hollywood Juvenile Championship winner Perfect Moon and four impressive maiden winners at the seaside, a field of 11 classy 2-year-olds is set for Sunday's $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) at 6 1/2 furlongs on the Del Mar main track.

Katdogawn Drills for Oaks; Buffy' Out Until Fall

San Clemente Stakes (gr. IIT) victor Katdogawn and fourth-place finisher Star Vega, getting ready for their next start in the Aug. 24 Del Mar Oaks (gr. I), worked six furlongs in 1:15 1/5 and five furlongs in 1:01 3/5, respectively, for trainer Jim Cassidy over Del Mar's fast main track Wednesday morning.

Buffy, Atlantic Ocean to Battle in San Clemente

Led by multiple graded stakes winners Buffythecenterfold and Atlantic Ocean, a field of nine 3-year-old fillies go to the gate for Saturday's $250,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) at one mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

Buffy, 'Kat' Work Toward San Clemente

Brian Allen and Stronach Stables' Grade II winner Buffythecenterfold will likely make her turf debut in the $150,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) on Aug. 2 at Del Mar, trainer Mel Stute said.

Stute's Debutante Feat Noted at Del Mar Kitchen

Veteran conditioner Warren Stute got a pleasant surprise when he strolled into his usual spot in the racetrack kitchen this week.

Perfect Moon Tops 'Star in Juvenile Championship

Perfect Moon spoiled the stakes debut of highly regarded Ruler's Court in the $102,500 Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) at Hollywood Park Saturday with a crafty ride from Patrick Valenzuela.

Ruler's Court Heavy Favorite in Juvenile Championship

Even though he is void of stakes experience, Ruler's Court will be a heavy to win Hollywood Park's $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) Saturday, a six-furlong event for 2-year-olds.

'Buffy' Takes Center Stage in Calder's Azalea

Stronach Stable and Brian Allen's 3-year-old filly Buffythecenterfold got a lot of attention last year for her Playboy cover namesake, but the daughter of Capote has earned the respect of horse players for her accomplishments on the racetrack over the last two seasons.

'Buffy' Gets All the Railbird Attention

Buffythecenterfold and jockey Victor Espinoza looped the leaders on the turn for home and went on to win the $107,200 Railbird Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Buffythecenterfold Stands Out in Railbird

Buffythecenterfold, a three-time stakes winner, looms as a solid favorite in the $100,000-added Railbird Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Buffy Gives Mel Stute Win Over Brother Warren

In a battle of longtime training brothers, Mel Stute, 75, defeated Warren Stute, 81, when Buffythecenterfold edged favored Watching You by a nose Sunday in the $79,425 Santa Paula Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Park.

Oft-Nominated Stute Not Optimistic About Hall

Mel Stute finds himself in a familiar position, being one of three trainers among the annual nominees for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Buffythecenterfold to Return in Santa Paula

Buffythecenterfold returns to the races in Sunday's $75,000 Santa Paula Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Buffythecenterfold Back in Stute's Barn

Buffythecenterfold is back at Santa Anita with trainer Mel Stute, who saddled the filly to a seventh-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last Oct. 26 at Arlington Park.

Bullet Gate Work for Swept Overboard

Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) contender Swept Overboard worked five furlongs Saturday at Hollywood Park in a bullet :59, handily from the gate, fastest of 38 drills at the distance.

Disturbingthepeace Breezes at Santa Anita

Disturbingthepeace breezed five furlongs on Santa Anita's fast main track Wednesday morning under jockey Victor Espinoza in 1:01 in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

Buffythecenterfold Likely Starter in Juvenile Fillies

Percentages favor Mel Stute running Buffythecenterfold in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

After Magical Debutante, Miss Houdini Doing Well

Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) champion Miss Houdini came out of Saturday's stakes race in fine shape after posting an 11-1 upset, trainer Warren Stute said Sunday.

'Buffy' Faces Eight in Del Mar Debutante

Undefeated Buffythecenterfold heads a field of nine scheduled to go postward Saturday in the premier 2-year-old filly race of the meeting, the $250,000, Del Mar Debutante (gr. I).

Unbeaten 'Buffy' Faces Stern Test in Debutante

The undefeated two-time stakes-winning Buffythecenterfold will face her sternest test yet Saturday in the 52nd running of the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on the main track.

Buffythecenterfold Still Undefeated With Win in Sorrento

Stronach Stables and Allen Brian's Buffythecenterfold ran her undefeated string to three races with a game win over rival Tricks Her by 3/4-length in the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar Saturday.

They'll Need to Catch 'Buffy' in the Sorrento

Although trainer Mel Stute believes she is versatile enough not to have to be on the lead, Buffythecenterfold certainly seems to be the one to catch in Saturday's $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.

Buffythecenterfold Looks Good in Landaluce Stakes

Buffythecenterfold surprised trainer Mel Stute by going to the front under jockey Matt Garcia en route to a one-length victory in the Landaluce Stakes that was the co-feature on the July 4 holiday card at Hollywood Park.

Cigar Among Nominees for Hall of Fame

Cigar, the two-time Horse of the Year (1995-1996) who won 16 consecutive races, is among the three horses nominated to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in the Contemporary Male Horse category.

Holy Bull Heads Lists of Hall of Fame Nominees

Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year, heads the list of final nominees for induction this year into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The inductees will be announed May 1 and enshrined Aug. 6.

California Considers Stiffer Claiming Rules

Santa Anita Park racing secretary Mike Harlow has noticed a trend for several years, and it doesn't bode well for California's Thoroughbred industry. Harlow said California horses are being claimed by out-of-state trainers who have them shipped elsewhere when a meet concludes. As a solution to the problem, Harlow and other racing secretaries have asked the California Horse Racing Board to amend a rule so that any claimed