Tom's Tribute, whose past two starts at Del Mar produced victories in the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) and Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT), heads a staunch field of 10 expected for the grade II Seabiscuit Handicap Nov. 28.
Favored Big Bane Theory threaded his way along the inside for Joe Talamo and put away the field in the stretch to register his first stakes win in the $200,000 City of Hope Mile (gr. IIT) on the turf Oct. 4 at Santa Anita.
The $200,000 City of Hope Mile (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park Oct. 4 has attracted a 12-horse grab-bag, and trainer Tom Proctor's consistent Avanzare would appear to head the crowded field of turf runners.
Lil Tyler, a son of Halo and a cornerstone of the breeding operation at Madera Thoroughbreds near Madera, Calif., for his entire stallion career, died Sept. 10 at the age of 31.
Winner of the past two editions of the Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT), the speedster Obviously goes for a three-peat on the turf as part of the TVG Pacific Classic undercard Aug. 24 at the seaside track.
Looking for a repeat victory, grade I winner Obviously will battle the likes of Winning Prize, Silentio, and Chips All In in the American Stakes, to be contested for the first time on the Santa Anita Park turf May 17.
Heaven Szent, a 14-year-old who never won a race under his registered name of General Attack, was the star of the April 12-13 Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif.
The first reported foal for Storm Cat's dual stakes-winning son Calimonco was a filly born Feb. 5 at Don and Karen Cohn's Ballena Vista Farm near Ramona, Calif.
Trainer Richard Mandella takes a shot at his own record Dec. 14 in the $150,000 Native Diver Stakes (gr. III), a 7-year-old longshot could become the oldest winner in the final running, and Slim Shadey tries Cushion Track.
Grade I winner Boisterous is looking to get back on track in the $200,000 Knickerbocker Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 12 at Belmont Park, a race he has won twice before, but Live Oak Plantation's Za Approval looms large.
A narrow field has been drawn for the $200,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT), to be contested Aug. 25. Obviously seeks a second consecutive win in the Mile, after setting a course record in the 2012 edition.
Heavily favored Wise Dan ran his winning streak to eight while rolling to a repeat victory in the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) at Saratoga Race Course, defeating pacesetter King Kreesa by 1 1/4 lengths Aug. 10.
Trainer Charlie LoPresti contemplated the question, scuffed his work boots in the dirt a little, answered with a thoughtful air. "Wise Dan? He's every bit as good as where I had him last season."
Horse of the Year Wise Dan is sitting on "go" for the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) to be run at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 10, following a half-mile breeze over the New York oval's main track Aug. 3.
Obviously was simply too sharp for his four rivals in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT), going gate-to-wire by 3 1/4 lengths June 29 to hand trainer Mike Mitchell his 900th career victory at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Godolphin Racing's Alpha, who dead-heated for first in last year's Travers Stakes (gr. I), is set to make his next start July 6 in the $350,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
A return to firm turf should help Jeranimo June 29 as the 7-year-old goes for a repeat victory in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Tracy Gantz guest blogs about the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. read blog
Obviously and Lucayan, the first two finishers in the American Handicap (gr. IIT) May 25 at Betfair Hollywood Park, are likely headed for a rematch in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT).
Odds-on choice Obviously was a no-doubt winner of the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Betfair Hollywood Park turf May 25, taking the lead shortly after the start and putting the field away in the stretch.
Second in his comeback race last month, Obviously gets back to his favored one-mile distance in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) May 25 on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park.
A patient ride by Alonso Quinonez paid off for Tigah when he nabbed pacesetter Summer Hit for a neck victory in the $100,000 San Francisco Mile (gr. IIIT) April 27 on the turf at Golden Gate Fields.
Versatile Hudson Landing, upset winner of last year's San Francisco Mile (gr. IT), is back to defend his title in the $100,000 event against nine opponents April 27 on the turf at Golden Gate Fields.
Morton Fink's 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan easily won the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) by a length over Data Link at Keeneland April 12, successfully making his 2013 debut while recording his sixth straight victory.
Morton Fink's reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan makes his 2013 debut for trainer Charlie LoPresti in the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland April 12, with only four contenders willing to face him.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Barney Rebel (IRE) | Dan Blacker |
|
| Calimonco | John W. Sadler |
|
| Compari | Martin F. Jones |
|
| Great Warrior (BRZ) | A. C. Avila |
|
| Liberian Freighter | UNKNOWN |
|
| Mobilized | Gary Mandella |
|
| Mr. Commons | John A. Shirreffs |
|
| Soul Candy | Philip D'Amato |
|
| Tigah (GB) | Peter Miller |
|
| Venomous (GB) | Leonard Powell |
|
| Wilkinson | Jeff Mullins |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Azalea S. | DED | |
| Islamorada H. | GP | |
| Downthedustyroad Breeders S. | OP | |
| Pelican S. | DED | |
| Allen LaCombe Memorial S. | FG |
