Hangin' With Haskin: Random Thoughts

Steve Haskin revisits Blind Luck and Invisible Ink and other stories.

read blog

Oceanside: Full Field Set in Del Mar Opener

A full field of 10 3-year-olds will clash in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes July 20 as Del Mar opens for its 72nd season.

Meteore Fractures Ankle at Golden Gate

Grade II winner Meteore was euthanized after fracturing his right ankle in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields April 2.

Class Drop Fits Soul Candy in Tokyo City Cup

A fast-closing fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Soul Candy seeks his first graded stakes win in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (gr. III) at the marathon 1 1/2-mile distance March 26 at Santa Anita.

Fluke Ends Trainer's Drought in Thunder Road

Fluke ran down stablemate Proudinsky in deep stretch to win in the $100,000 Thunder Road Handicap (gr. IIIT), giving trainer Humberto Ascanio the first two finishers over the Santa Anita turf Feb. 5.

Three Grade I Winners Among Thunder Road Cast

Three grade I winners are included in the field of nine set to go in Santa Anita's $100,000 Thunder Road Handicap (gr. IIIT) Feb. 5.

The Usual Q. T. Back Home for San Gabriel

The Usual Q. T., in his first appearance since placing third in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), heads the field for the $150,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) on the second day of the Santa Anita season Dec. 27.

Victor's Cry Earns Citation Surprise

Victor's Cry shot between horses past mid-stretch and won the $250,000 Citation Handicap (gr. II) in an 11-1 upset Nov. 27 over his favorite turf course at Hollywood Park.

Liberian Freighter Sails to Oak Tree Upset

Liberian Freighter outfought Colgan's Chip in deep stretch for a nose victory at 22-1 odds in the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile (gr. IIT) Oct. 9 on the turf at Hollywood Park.

Oak Tree Mile Lures Turf Star Sidney's Candy

Sidney's Candy, one of the top 3-year-olds in the country this season, will take on older horses for the first time in the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park Oct. 9.

Enriched Rises to Occasion in Del Mar Mile

Front-running Enriched proved a determined winner in the $190,000 Del Mile Mile (gr. IIT), refusing to yield to challenger Meteore in the stretch run to post a three-quarters of a length victory Aug. 28 on the turf.

Del Mar Mile: Off 3 Years, Moudez Makes Jump

Moudez, winner of the Joseph T. Grace Handicap on the Santa Rosa turf in his first start in more than three years, takes a big leap in the $250,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) Aug. 28.

Richard's Kid Among Seven Entered in Cougar

Pacific Classic (gr. I) winner Richard's Kid, most recently third in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), headlines the field for the $125,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) at Del Mar July 30, if he goes.

Twirling Candy Spins Away in Oceanside

Odds-on choice Twirling Candy lived up to his billing when he pulled away from Macias to win the $112,500 Oceanside Stakes as summer action got underway at Del Mar July 21.

Sweet Spot in Del Mar Opener

A restricted stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf and the "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest" on the slate in Southern California can only mean one thing: opening day at Del Mar is just around the corner.

Macias Heads Oceanside Field as Del Mar Opens

Three-time stakes winner Macias is the most accomplished runner in a field of 10 3-year-olds entered for the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes on opening day of the Del Mar season July 21.

Mandella, Drysdale Pursue 4th American 'Cap

Hall of Fame trainers Richard Mandella and Neil Drysdale will each be going for their fourth win in Holywood Park's American Handicap (gr. IIT), the Inglewood, Calif. track's Fourth of July feature.

Acclamation Puts Jim Murray Foes to Sleep

Acclamation earned his first graded stakes win and snapped an 11-race losing streak when he dominated his rivals in the $150,000 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) in a 14-1 upset on the Hollywood Park turf May 15.

Drysdale Takes Two Shots at Jim Murray Field

Perhaps encouraged by the absence of Bourbon Bay, 11 horses were entered in the $150,000 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap (gr. II) to be contested May 15 over the Hollywood Park turf.

Tokyo City Long Enough for Tap It Light

Asked to go 12 furlongs for the first time in his career, Tap It Light answered the call in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup Handicap (gr. III) at Santa Anita March 27.

San Luis Rey Pair Right Back for Tokyo City

Unusual Suspect and High Court Drama, both disappointing in the San Luis Rey Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf March 20, are entered right back in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup Handicap (gr. III) a week later.

Wide Open Big 'Cap Attracts Full Field of 14

Second in his last three starts, Misremembered can make amends for trainer Bob Baffert in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 6. The race that drew 14 entrants.

Top Horses Back for Rescheduled 'Anita Stakes

Three important stakes that were canceled because of weather-related problems at Santa Anita Feb. 6 will return as promised a week later with the fields mostly intact.

Misremembered Heads Field for Strub Stakes

A freshened Misremembered, considered a top candidate for this year's Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), returns to action for trainer Bob Baffert as the probable favorite in the $200,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II).

Papa Clem Proves Class in San Fernando

Favored Papa Clem seized the lead from pacesetter Smart Bid in the stretch and held off his rival through the lane to score a hard-fought half-length win in the $150,000 San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 16.