Owner Robert D. Bone, capping an unprecedented sweep of all six stops on the Southern California circuit in one year, hopes to finish with more victories during closing weekend at the Hollywood Park fall/winter meeting. Bone is the runaway leader in wins at the session."I've got a big lead turning for home," understated Bone Friday from his home in Shingle Springs, near Sacramento.Bone has won 13 races with 27 starters at the meet while his closest rival has won four. He will have two more starters Saturday, one Sunday and three on closing day Monday.The state's leading owner in 2003 and 2004, Bone said the record sweep was not his goal. "At the beginning of the meet, I just try to do the best I can, and things kind of worked out. I've had strong numbers throughout the year."Every meet has been a big meet, but I never even thought about the record until it was brought up in the media about a month ago," added Bone.Bone has 25 horses in Southern California with trainer Jeff Mullins, but also has four with Mike Puype, one with Mark Molina, and one with Jorge Gutierrez. In addition, he has eight stabled with Art Sherman and four with John Martin in Northern California.He is a major factor in Mullins holding a 13-11 lead over Doug O'Neill in the trainers' race at the meet.Bone called Nov. 16 - when he won a Hollywood track-record four races - a day he will never forget. "It was one of my most enjoyable days in the business, and I was fortunate enough to be there," he said.
A 42-year-old automobile dealer, Bone owns about 80 Thoroughbreds throughout the nation and ranks fourth nationally in wins (153) and fifth nationally in earnings ($4,440,000), while winning at a 27% clip.Looking ahead, Bone said he is pointing Lumbre to the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita and Resident Alien to the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) there on Dec. 31. In addition, he said that Choctaw Nation could try turf for the first time and that Captain Squire and Desert Boom are eyeing Sunshine Millions engagements on Jan. 28."It's been a fabulous year," concluded Bone.