Benoit Photography
Jockey Russell Baze guides Sierra Sunset to the winner's circle after a victory in the $125,000 California Cup Juvenile Nov. 3, 2007.
Coady Photography
Sierra Sunset and Chris Emigh pull away in the Rebel Stakes.
Benoit
Enrique Cantarell Diaz's Amanecer Serrano was a convincing 2 1/4-length victor March 21 at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico while becoming the first winner for California-based freshman sire Sierra Sunset.
After a successful first breeding season, California stallion Smiling Tiger is being moved to John Harris' Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif., co-owner Phil Lebherz confirmed Sept. 3.
Eclipse Award winner and former leading California stallion Bertrando succumbed naturally to infirmities of old age March 27 at River Edge Farm, longtime farm manager Russell Drake confirmed.
The first reported offspring by grade II winner Sierra Sunset is a filly born Jan. 10.
Grade II winner Sierra Sunset will stand his first year at stud in 2012 at Tom and Nancy Clark's Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, Calif.
Tice Ranch Stables' Assessment overcame the unenviable 12 post and took advantage of a hot pace to win the $294,375 Longacres Mile (gr. III) Aug. 16, handing trainer Howard Belvoir his second straight victory in Emerald Downs' most prestigious event.
Sierra Sunset seems to be on the verge of returning to his old form, and will take another step in proving that on Aug. 15 when he takes on nine in the $300,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III) at Emerald Downs.
West Point Thoroughbreds' Awesome Gem, graded stakes-placed eight times in his career but with only a single blacktype victory, will look to shed his bridesmaid status when he takes on 11 rivals in the Emerald Downs' signature race -- the $300,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III) on Aug. 16.
Noble Court, closing furiously from the back of the field after following a ferocious pace, surged past the leaders on the far outside to win the $100,000 Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) in the final strides at Hollywood Park June 6.
Sierra Sunset is scheduled to make his first start since winning the 2008 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) when he faces 10 rivals in the $100,000 Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park June 6.
Though he's on a 12-race losing streak, Awesome Gem is the 5-2 favorite in the $150,000 Berkeley Stakes (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields on Memorial Day.
Sierra Sunset, a three-length winner of the $300,000 Rebel (gr. II) March 15 at Oaklawn Park, has a hairline fracture of his left front ankle and is out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Jeff Bonde reported.
So, the undefeated 2-year-old champion, sent off at 1-20 in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), had a fever the week before the race and the public was unaware of it. There is nothing that can be said here that won't be said in the weeks to come by those who bet War Pass, including the bridge jumpers, and those who had invested in him emotionally.
California-bred Sierra Sunset threw his name smack into the middle of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) mix March 15 at Oaklawn Park, dominating eight rivals to win by three lengths in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II).
Stone Bird will try to pull off the upset in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 15 at Oaklawn Park. Making his stakes debut, he will have to take down eight rivals, including Z Fortune and Anak Nakal.
Denis of Cork came with a three-wide move into the stretch and ran away with the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) to score a 2 1/4 length win Feb. 18 at Oaklawn. The $250,000 mile race for 3-year-olds was run in 1:37.59.
Unbeaten El Gato Malo took advantage of a blistering pace to register a runaway 6 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) as the West Coast Triple Crown campaign got underway at Santa Anita Jan. 12.
Massive Drama, who ran third in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park last month, holds the edge in experience against six up-and-coming rivals entered in the $150,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. III), which kicks off the 2008 3-year-old season at Santa Anita Jan. 12.
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) can be a big temptation for the owner of a promising colt that has not yet proven himself to rank with the best. Some yield; others, usually proving wiser, aim for lesser targets, allowing their youngsters to continue their development under less pressure. The latter strategy paid off nicely when Sierra Sunset picked up his third victory and second straight stakes score in the California Cup Juvenile Nov. 3.
A change in strategy by trainer William Morey Jr. and jockey Russell Baze helped propel the 4-year-old Bold Chieftain to the biggest win of his career in Oak Tree's $250,000 California Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 3. It was another disappointing outcome for favored Lava Man, who faded in the stretch to finish off the board.
| Trainer | Jeff Bonde |
|---|---|
| Jockey | William Antongeorgi III |
| Owner | Phillip Lebherz, Al Mariani & George Schmitt |
| Breeder | Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Wygod |
| Sierra Sunset View Five-Cross Pedigree | Bertrando | Skywalker |
| Gentle Hands | ||
| Toot Sweet | Pirate's Bounty | |
| Kay Ho |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAAUG2006 Hip 77 |
Yearling | Sierra Sunset | River Edge Farm, agent | $40,000 |
| I'm a Rock |
| Arrogate |
| Songbird |
| American Gal |
| Shaman Ghost |
| Tapwrit |
| Always Dreaming |
| Princess Victoria |
| Irap |
| Mind Your Biscuits |
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