Two of racing's biggest stars—California Chrome and Beholder—will make their final starts before the Breeders' Cup on the Oct. 1 Santa Anita Park card as they take advantage of the opportunity to prep at the site of this year's World Championships.
After Beholder's last timed workout in preparation for the $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I), just more than a week out from the Oct. 1 race, trainer Richard Mandella said she is ready to take on Stellar Wind in a rematch of champions.
Images from weekend performances by Tepin and The Pizza Man, as well as Breeders' Cup Win And You're In races and a special guest towards the end!
Record-setting Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Arrogate fired off a bullet half-mile drill Sept. 17 at Santa Anita Park, where champions Beholder and Stellar Wind also posted workouts.
Claire Novak recaps Day 3 of the Keeneland September yearling sale, including a look at some of the top sellers, and an overall look at Book 1. Also includes comments from Geoffrey Russell. Sponsored by Taylor Made Sales Agency
Clarkland Farm hit another home run at the Keeneland September yearling sale when a half brother to three-time champion Beholder and to grade I winner and sire Into Mischief was purchased by M. V. Magnier for Coolmore interests for $3 million.
After her second work since a second-place run in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), trainer Richard Mandella is leaning toward running Spendthrift Farm's Beholder in the Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
California Chrome streaked to a five-length win over Beholder and Dortmund in Saturday's TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to earn a spot in this fall's Breeders' Cup Classic.
Barn CC on the Del Mar backside had a party-like atmosphere Sunday morning—with a large group of connections and fans huddled around the 2014 Horse of the Year's stall—following what Sherman called the best performance of his career.
The margin was insignificant, because the field never had a chance against California Chrome Aug. 20 in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I).
With fingers crossed seemingly all across the country from fans hoping for a clash of West Coast superstars Aug. 20 in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), the stage is finally set.
Three-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder worked a half-mile in :47 Aug. 16 at Del Mar, prepping to defend her title in the Aug. 20 TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I).
California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Los Alamitos the morning of Aug. 14. The colt will ship to Del Mar Aug. 15 for Del Mar's TVG Pacific Classsic (gr. I) Aug. 20.
Trainer Richard Mandella has confirmed Spendthrift Farm's champion Beholder for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), a race for which California Chrome and Dortmund are also pointing, Aug. 20 at Del Mar.
After Beholder's first workout since a second-place run in the Clement L. Hirsch (gr. I), trainer Richard Mandella is still mulling over whether to send the three-time champion to defend her title in the Aug. 20 Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar.
Del Mar has never offered an elite race restricted to 3-year-olds and continues to see young stars ship east for lucrative purses.
Three sons of leading sire Tapit top the list of previously purchased horses that are pinhooks consigned to the Saratoga selected yearling sale.
The two champions were head-and-head from the five-sixteenths pole July 30 in the Clement L. Hirsch (gr. I) at Del Mar, but Stellar Wind outdueled her rival to the wire to win by a half-length, ending an eight-race win streak for Beholder.
Stellar Wind's connections are trying three-time champion Beholder again, after a non-threatening second-place run in the Vanity Mile (gr. I) last time out.
Just as rare is the scenario that is about to unfold. Boy vs. boy on top of boy vs. boy vs. girl; all three with serious designs on Horse of the Year honors, and two of the three already virtual shoo-ins for the Hall of Fame.
Three-time champion Beholder July 24 worked five furlongs in :59 1/5 at Del Mar and seemingly could not have done it easier.
Three breakdowns within a span of 10 minutes marred the early training session at Del Mar on a hazy morning July 23, forcing Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella to postpone a scheduled breeze for three-time champion Beholder.
Three-time champion mare Beholder went through a business-like workout July 17 at Del Mar, where she covered seven furlongs in company in 1:27 under gray skies with regular rider Gary Stevens at the controls and trainer Richard Mandella looking on.
Stellar Wind, champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, worked six furlongs in company under Victor Espinoza July 10 at Santa Anita Park in 1:14 1/5 in preparation for a rematch with Beholder in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar July 30.
Champions Beholder and Songbird both worked July 9 at Santa Anita Park toward top-level summer affairs on opposite coasts.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Antipathy | Kiaran P. McLaughlin |
|
| Beholder | Richard E. Mandella |
|
| Belle Gallantey | Rudy R. Rodriguez |
|
| Classic Point | James A. Jerkens |
|
| Close Hatches | William I. Mott |
|
| Princess of Sylmar | Todd A. Pletcher |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie D S. (gr. III) | SA | |
| Eddie D S. (gr. III) | SA | |
| New York Breeders' Futurity | FL | |
| Chaves County S. | ZIA |
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