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.
With two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan sidelined after dominating back-to-back editions of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), a slew of contenders pre-entered the turf event to be run Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.
Southern California trainer Phil D'Amato, who starts outsider Big John B in the Breeders' Cup Turf, is an overnight success story that was 16 years in the making.
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.
Tom's Tribute took advantage of a slow start from heavy favorite Obviously to take the $250,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) by a length over Rock Me Baby with Handsome Mike another half-length back in third.
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.
B.J. Wright, colorful Southern California owner of major winners Jeranimo and Ultimate Eagle, died July 8. He was 76.
A change of venue didn't bother Obviously, who for the second straight year cruised to an easy win in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. IT) June 14 at Santa Anita Park.
TimeformUS Weekend Stakes Plays for the Shoemaker Mile and the Stephen Foster. read blog
Fresh off a front-running romp in the American Stakes one month ago, Obviously faces fellow grade I winner Winning Prize and several other talented older runners in the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) June 14 at Santa Anita.
Pimlico, Santa Anita, Belterra Park, Canterbury, Will Rogers Downs, Prairie Meaadows view slideshow
Grade I winner Obviously (IRE) showed he's at the top of his game in his first start in 7 1/2 months, romping to a repeat victory in the $100,000 American Stakes (gr. IIIT) May 17 on the grass at Santa Anita Park.
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.
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.
Fourteen horses have been entered for the San Marcos Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita Park turf Feb. 8, led by recent San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) winner Jeranimo.
Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin discuss three-year-olds including Commissioner and Top Billing, Jeranimo, field size at Santa Anita, and more. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. watch video
Eight-year-old warrior Jeranimo became the first horse to win the San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) three times when he cut loose his patented stretch run to score by 1 1/4 lengths Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.
Multiple grade I winner Jeranimo is back to defend his title in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 4 on the Santa Anita turf, one of two victories the gallant 8-year-old warrior earned last year.
I felt the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing a horse is good, from knowing you've witnessed his best moments. The 2012 Mile was proof a great runner can come from anywhere.
All trainers want to win big races for their owners, but in Mike Pender's case, it would be especially sweet to win the Geico Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) for B.J. Wright with Jeranimo or Boat Trip.
Horse of the Year Wise Dan will launch a title defense in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) from post 8 in a field of 10 off his only loss of 2013. Among his challengers is the horse who beat him, Silver Max.
Kaleem Shah's Fed Biz worked four furlongs in a quick :46 3/5 to lead a bevy of Breeders' Cup World Championships contenders who were on the track at Santa Anita Park Oct. 27.
Ten Breeders' Cup runners slated for the turf events, led by Obviously (IRE), worked on the grass at Santa Anita Park Oct. 26.
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.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Calimonco | John W. Sadler |
|
| Jeranimo | Michael Pender |
|
| Mr. Commons | John A. Shirreffs |
|
| Norvsky | Donald Warren |
|
| Obviously (IRE) | Philip D'Amato |
|
| Tale of a Champion | Kristin Mulhall |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Sprint S. | OTC | |
| OBS Sprint S. | OTC | |
| OBS Championship S. | OTC | |
| OBS Championship S. | OTC | |
| Marshua S. | LRL |
