For the second time in 2017, the California Horse Racing Board's Race Dates Committee bandied about the idea of restricting the amount of racing dates in the state, and again roundly faced opposition by industry stakeholders in attendance.
With concerns regarding field size on the forefront in both regions of California, the California Horse Racing Board discussed a potential rule change that would restrict horses claimed in the state from running outside the state.
Owner George Krikorian is thrilled to have a talented homebred in Big Score, who also has shown an ability to handle travel—not a bad combination as a lucrative spring and summer season of turf races for 3-year-olds heats up.
The California Horse Racing Board's Race Dates Committee, which normally handles year-to-year disputes between industry stakeholders in the Northern and Southern regions of the state, discussed a wider issue of horse racing's future May 24.
From the time he purchased the colt at the 2003 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, George Krikorian believed the day would come when Mr. Big would get an opportunity to showcase some real talent.
Members of the California Horse Racing Board made a commitment to decide the highly contentious Northern California 2017 racing dates dispute at its regular October meeting, but the regulatory agency could not reach a resolution Oct. 20.
After two hours of discussion Oct. 7 about the ongoing dates dispute in Northern California, the California Horse Racing Board's Race Dates Committee made a recommendation for the regulatory agency's full monthly meeting Oct. 20.
The California Horse Racing Board May 26 advanced a proposal that would alter its current rule restricting whip use by jockeys riding Thoroughbreds.
TOC president Nick Coukos believes surface changes should be made before multi-race wagers are initiated.
Despite multiple members expressing frustration with the way the process was handled, the California Horse Racing Board approved a reallocation of dates within the Northern California fair circuit April 21 during a meeting at Golden Gate Fields.
Grade I winner Haimish Hy will stand his first season at stud at E.A. Ranches in Ramona, Calif.
Owner/breeder George Krikorian has been active in another Lexington commercial venture.
A national conversation over the legality and viability of daily fantasy sports was at the forefront of the California Horse Racing Board session Oct. 21 at Santa Anita Park.
California Horse Racing Board commissioner George Krikorian's Big Book has been disqualified from her victory in the July 25 Fleet Treat at Del Mar because of a test that showed elevated levels of acepromazine.
Hronis Racing's grade I winner Stellar Wind towers over a field of five other 3-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 30 at Del Mar.
Mr. Big, sire of recent $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes winner Big Book, will continue his stallion career at E.A. Ranches in Ramona, Calif.
While disputes over contested racing dates in Northern and Southern California were again pushed back as expected, the California Horse Racing Board took a step toward modifying its disqualification standards July 17.
Following the controversial non-call in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), the California Horse Racing Board appears ready to change the rule that led to the decision. But it may take awhile.
The California Horse Racing Board will move forward with a committee recommendation that it urge the horse racing industry to examine the issue of pari-mutuel takeout and its effect on wagering.
Moving day will soon be here as the closure of Betfair Hollywood Park draws close, and the California Horse Racing Board got an update from industry leaders Dec. 12 on the situation.
Hoorayforhollwood, a stakes-placed son of Storm Cat, will stand his first season at stud in 2014 at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, California.
With buyers showing strong interest in young mares, grade I winner Star Billing was purchased for $2.6 million by Greg Goodman in the second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale Nov. 6.
The California Horse Racing Board put its stamp on the racing industry's plan for stabling Thoroughbreds in the immediate post-Betfair Hollywood Park era during its meeting Oct. 24.
A Malibu Moon--Hollywood Story filly brought a price of $1,350,000 to become the second-highest-priced offering at the midway point of the first session of the Keeneland September yearling sale Sept. 9 in Lexington.
Horses competing in the upcoming Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park will form a test sample of the potential effects of running without anti-bleeding medications, but it will be up to their owners whether to participate.
Governor Jerry Brown appointed George Krikorian to the California Horse Racing Board. The multiple graded stakes winning owner is president and CEO of Krikorian Premiere Theatres and president of George Krikorian Stables.
Auction participants give their opinions about the performance of the first major Thoroughbred auction of 2012.
Star Billing, advancing along the inside for Victor Espinoza, edged away from front-running Summer Soiree for her first grade I victory in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park Nov. 25.
Making just her second start, Star Billing lived up to her name by dusting her rivals in the $100,000 Senorita Stakes (gr. III) by 2 3/4 lengths on the Hollywood Park turf May 7.
In a race likely to produce a couple of contestants for the much-anticipated Apple Blossom Invitational (gr. I) April 9, front-running Freedom Star dominated the $149,750 Azeri Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park March 6.
Jockey Joel Rosario, who claimed his first-ever riding title during the 2009 spring/summer meet at Hollywood Park, came right back to easily capture the division championship at the just-concluded Del Mar stand.
The first foal for two-time grade I winner Hollywood Story is a colt born Feb. 13 at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.
Wotan sold for $380,000 during Friday's session of the Keeneland January sale.
Healthy Addiction will be bred to Tiznow. Hollywood Story will visit Storm Cat.
George Krikorian's Hollywood Story, who has never won anywhere but at Hollywood Park, notched her second grade I win at the Inglewood track when she held off Healthy Addiction to win the $300,000 Vanity Handicap for fillies and mares Sunday.
Graded stakes winner Makeup Artist has been retired from racing with a record of eight wins or placings from 11 starts and earnings of $198,614
Hollywood Story nearly went down after clipping heels heading into the clubhouse turn in Saturday's $100,000 Hawthorne Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park. But the John Shirreffs-trained filly not only kept her feet, she and jockey Victor Espinoza went on to win the 1 1/6-mile test for fillies and mares.
George Krikorian's millionaire and grade I winner Starrer produced her first foal, a Danzig filly, Feb. 19 at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.
Hollywood Story, who returned from a layoff of nearly four months to be trounced in the Breeders' Cup Classic Distaff (gr. I), rebounded in a big way to win Sunday's $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) on her home course at Hollywood Park.
Retired trainer George H. Krikorian Sr., died Aug. 29 at his home in Vista, Calif., following a bout with cancer.
Patrick Valenzuela became the first jockey in 20 years to sweep all five major Southern California riding titles in the same year when he brought a maiden, 6-1 shot Hollywood Story, from behind to win the $349,500 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) for 2-year-old fillies. In typical P. Val fashion, he survived a stewards' inquiry to do it.
Multiple stakes winner Starrer has been retired, it was announced by owner George Krikorian.
George Krikorian's even-money favorite Makeup Artist rallied widely on the final turn in posting a 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday's $113,500 Senorita Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies on the Hollywood Park turf.
Owner George Krikorian said that Starrer, winner of her last three starts, will be forced to miss the $200,000-added Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. I), expected to showcase Horse of the Year Azeri at Hollywood Park on May 24.
Makeup Artist worked three furlongs in a bullet :34.80 Wednesday at Hollywood Park and will be supplemented to the $100,000-added Senorita Stakes (gr. IIIT) on Saturday, trainer John Shirreffs confirmed.
George Krikorian's favored Starrer went over the $1 million mark in career earnings Sunday, pulling away from front-running Sightseek in deep stretch to win the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita.
Affluent and Starrer, grade I winners in their last races, have been assigned co-high weight of 121 pounds for Sunday's $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.
Starrer was ready to roll down the backstretch in the $200,000 Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, but jockey Patrick Valenzuela knew better than to let her go so soon.
Starrer returns to competition in Sunday's $200,000 Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita following a two-month layoff.
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela found room along the rail and shot even-money favorite Starrer through the opening at the top of the stretch, going on to a five-length victory in the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) Sunday at Hollywood Park.
