California Thoroughbred Magazine February 2023

VALENTINE’S SPECIAL! Breed Your Mare to k

Grade 1 Winner/Grade 1 Sire

Currently the Only California Sire Represented by a First-Crop G1-Winning Cal-bred Millionaire.

Sire of 35 Six-Figure Winners: Spiced Perfection (G1, $1,224,705), Ace Korea ($505,972), Tiger Dad ($460,289), Taming the Tigress ($311,132) and fve other $250,000-plus earners. His largest crop to race, now 3-year-olds, includes Don’tthinkjustdoit, a debut winner, clocking one of the fastest 2yo maiden times at one mile on turf at Del Mar last year.

February Special Booking Fee: $4,000

Nominated to the Breeders’ Cup

DOUG BURGE CTBA PRESIDENT

REMEMBERING MARY CLARE SCHMITT

We are saddened with the recent loss of a close member of the CTBA, Mary Clare Schmitt, who passed away Jan. 10. Clare was an avid supporter of California racing and breeding and an active partner in Sierra Sunset Stable, which raced many California-bred stakes winners. Her husband, George, who I consider a dear friend, has been a longtime CTBA board member and has dedicated countless hours to this association. I have asked George to share thoughts, which appear below.

On Jan. 10, 2023, after a battle with incurable cancer, Clare died at 77 with me at her side holding her hand. She was the love of my life, and we were together over 57 wonderful years. She was a true fghter—the strongest pain medication she took was Tylenol. What a tough lady she was.

Clare loved life, especially her children and grandchildren, all of whom got their fnal orders from Clare in the days before she died... and all of us knew what we called Clare’s glare, a look to be wary of by all.

She traveled the world with me as we built wireless networks in 12 countries around the world. She was a great hostess and entertainer, and everyone was treated equally in the Schmitt house.

Clare enjoyed diferent cultures and meeting people everywhere she went. She had a great love for

basketball and went to as many Saint Mary’s basketball games as she could, including her last in early December, when Saint Mary’s beat Missouri State. She was honored by the school naming the women’s basketball team in her name and memory.

Her adventures in horse racing began at the Alameda County Fair in 1985, when she won eight races in a row. It was nearly 20 years later that we became owners in a partnership with Phil Lebherz.

Our frst trip to the post was a wire-to-wire win with a flly named Sierra Babe at Bay Meadows in 2004. We continued to have success as owners, winning 37 stakes races with horses named Sierra Sweetie, Sierra Sunset, Cambina, Frumious, Run Brother Ron, and Izzy Rules, all of whom won stakes.

With the retirement of Sierra

Sunset, who won the 2008 Rebel Stakes, a major prep for the Kentucky Derby, we became breeders. We had reasonable success with stakes horses Princess Bertrando, Touched by Autism, Tchula Sunset, and Rocketann, among others.

Clare was kind to every foal and layup at our place at Lake Tahoe, not caring if they were stakes winners or claimers.

Clare enjoyed watching our foals grow to be racehorses and enjoyed the pomp and ceremony at the track when we had runners. We raced all over the country, and she enjoyed the travel and meeting new people wherever we were.

She will be missed by all of us in the family and her many friends and relatives, especially by me, who had a love afair with Clare for over 57 years. Rest in peace, my love.

—George Schmitt

George and Mary Clare Schmitt enjoying one of their many days at Del Mar COURTESY OF THE SCHMITT FAMILY

626.445.7800 or 1.800.573.CTBA (California residents only) www.CTBA.com

The offcial magazine of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, a non-proft corporation dedicated to the production of better Thoroughbred horses for better Thoroughbred racing, published by Blood-Horse, LLC.

Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily refect policies of the CTBA or this magazine. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without frst obtaining written permission from California Thoroughbred. All advertising copy is submitted subject to approval. We reserve the right to reject any copy that is misleading or that does not meet with the standards set by the publication.

Acknowledgment: Statistics in this publication relating to results of races in North America are compiled by the Daily Racing Form Charts by special arrangement with Daily Racing Form Inc., the copyright owners of said charts. Reproduction forbidden.

OFFICERS

CHAIRPERSON

TERRY C. LOVINGIER

PRESIDENT

DOUG BURGE

VICE CHAIRPERSON

GEORGE F. SCHMITT

TREASURER

PETE PARRELLA

SECRETARY

SUE GREENE

DIRECTORS

John C. Harris, John H. Barr, Gloria Haley, Pete Parrella, Sue Greene, Donald J. Valpredo, Terry C. Lovingier, George F. Schmitt, Ty Green, Justin Oldfeld, Adrian Gonzalez

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

CONTROLLER

THOMAS R. RETCHLESS SALES

LORETTA VEIGA

REGISTRAR/INCENTIVE PROGRAM MANAGER

MARY ELLEN LOCKE

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR

DAWN GERBER

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/EVENT COORDINATOR

CHRISTY CHAPMAN

ADVERTISING MANAGER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

LORETTA VEIGA

WEB SITE MANAGING EDITOR

KEN GURNICK

LIBRARIAN/RECEPTIONIST/SUBSCRIPTIONS/ MEMBERSHIP

VIVIAN MONTOYA

RACETRACK LIAISON

SCOTT HENRY

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Copyright © 2023 by Blood-Horse LLC

NewsBits

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GRADUATE AT TURF PARADISE

In his fourth attempt, Minister of Soul captured the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap at Turf Paradise Jan. 1. He had fnished third in the race in 2022.

CURRENT

CALIFORNIA

SIRES OF STAKES WINNERS

Minister of Soul

As the 4-5 favorite in the fve-furlong race, Minister of Soul made a six-wide move on the turn, taking the lead late and winning by 11⁄4 lengths in :57.06. Harry Hernandez rode the 9-year-old gelding for owner/trainer Esteban Martinez.

Dahlberg Farms bred Minister of Soul, a son of Ministers Wild Cat—Sensitive Soul, by Bernstein. Easterbrook Livestock Management consigned Minister of Soul to the 2015 California Toroughbred Breeders Association Northern California sale, where Laguna Seca purchased him for $16,000.

Now an earner of $496,470, Minister of Soul previously won the 2018 Luke Kruytbosch Stakes, 2019 Hank Mills Sr. Stakes and Phoenix Gold Cup, and 2021 Tom Metzen HBPA Stakes.

California Kook Sells for $170,000

California Kook, a grade 1-placed California-bred mare, sold for $170,000 as a racing or broodmare prospect Jan. 9 at the Keeneland January sale.

Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber bred California Kook, a 6-yearold daughter of Boisterous—Kukaluka, by Comic Strip. Bluewater Sales consigned her to the sale, where Nicoma purchased her as agent for JLM Estates.

California Kook earned $323,681 and fnished second in the 2020 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) and Snow Chief Stakes. She is a full sister to Cal-bred stakes winner Kookie Gal.

Fashionably Fast Retired

Fashionably Fast, the co-champion California-bred sprinter of 2020, has been retired. Trainer Dean Pederson told Daily Racing Form that the 8-year-old gelding has been sent to breeder and co-owner John Harris’ Harris Farms in Coalinga to live out his retirement.

QUALIFYING CLAIMING LEVELS

The following claiming levels for California owners premiums and stallion awards are currently in effect:

Harris raced Fashionably Fast, a son of Lucky Pulpit— Fall Fashion, by Forestry, with Per Antonsen and John Nicoletti. Te gelding won six stakes, four of them as part of a six-race winning streak that began in late 2019 and carried into 2020.

Fittingly, Fashionable Fast won two editions of the Harris Farms Stakes at the Big Fresno Fair. He also captured the 2020 and 2021 Tiznow Stakes. Altogether, Fashionably Fast won 10 of 33 starts, with eight seconds and seven thirds, for earnings of $807,143.

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Egan Named Santa Anita Director of Racing

Veteran horseman and racing official Jason Egan has been promoted to director of racing and racing secretary for Santa Anita Park. Egan, who has been the track’s racing coordinator since 2020, succeeds Chris Merz, who has become the senior director of horse racing operations at Canterbury Park.

Additionally, Rick Hammerle will join 1/ST Racing as a consultant. After stints in California, New Jersey, and Florida, Hammerle was most recently the racing coordinator at Oaklawn Park and director of racing operations at Kentucky Downs.

Egan grew up watching racing at Longacres in Washington. Like Hammerle, he is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program. While at RTIP, Egan interned with trainer Michael Dickinson and went on to work for seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher. He also served as assistant to trainer Michael Trombetta before going out on his own in 2011.

Egan trained such multiple stakes winners as 2018 Weber City Miss winner Goodonehoney. He transitioned to the Maryland Jockey Club racing office in 2019 and was the MJC stakes coordinator prior to moving to California.

CLUBHOUSE RIDE’S STUD FEE

Clubhouse Ride, who in 2022 led all California sires by median earnings per runner and all California sires of 2-year-olds by median earnings and average earnings per runner, stands for $7,500 at Legacy Ranch in Clements. An incorrect stud fee appears in the printed edition of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association 2023 stallion register.

FERRARO REAPPOINTED TO CHRB

Dr. Greg Ferraro, the chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, has been reappointed to the board by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Ferraro has served on the CHRB since 2019.

Ferraro, a prominent racetrack veterinarian for many years, served as director of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Center for Equine Health from 1997-2014. A member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and American Veterinary Medical Association, Ferraro was the founder and frst president of the Southern California Equine Foundation. He is also a former trustee of the California Thoroughbred Foundation.

Go

MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB

COURTESY OF CHB/DON PREISLER

Jason Egan

Dr. Greg Ferraro

STALLION NEWS

■ Tizamagician to Milky Way

Multiple graded stakes winner Tizamagician, a son of California-bred champion Tiznow, has been retired to stand at Linda Madsen’s Milky Way Farm in Temecula. His stud fee will be announced at a later date.

Richard Mandella trained Tizamagician for owners My-Racehorse and Spendthrift Farm. Over four seasons, the horse won fve of 25 races, with 10 seconds and one third, and earned $741,851. Tizamagician captured the 2021 Cougar II Stakes (G3) and Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) and placed in seven other graded races, including a second in the 2021 Pacifc Classic (G1).

Bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Tizamagician is out of the graded stakes-placed Dixie Union mare Magic Union.

■ Halladay’s First Foal

Halladay, a grade 1-winning son of War Front, was represented by his frst reported foal when a colt out of the Unusual Heat mare Katie’s Heat was born Jan. 17 at Checkmate Thoroughbreds in Parkland.

Halladay, winner of the 2020 Fourstardave Handicap (G1) and two other stakes, stands at John Harris’ Harris Farms in Coalinga. He is out of Hightap, a multiple graded stakes-winning daughter of leading sire Tapit.

Katie’s Heat is out of California Broodmare of the Year Miss Soft Sell, who also produced multiple grade 1 winner and two-time California-bred champion Brother Derek and multiple stakes winner Dontsellmeshort. Checkmate Thoroughbreds LLC, Hector and Denise Cuevas, Raul Montenegro, and Javier Montenegro own Katie’s Heat.

■ First Foal for Mo Forza

Mo Forza, a grade 1-winning millionaire by Uncle Mo, was represented by his frst foal Jan. 10. The flly is out of multiple winner Californiasunshine.

Owned by Alice Bamford, Californiasunshine, a California-bred daughter of Lucky Pulpit, was the frst of 99 mares bred to the Rancho San Miguel stallion in 2022. Bamford and Ann Eysenring own the Mo Forza flly.

Mo Forza won seven graded stakes races in Southern California from 2019-21, highlighted by the 2019 Hollywood Derby (G1T). Out of Cal-bred Informed, a daughter of perennial leading California sire Unusual Heat, the 7-year-old stallion earned $1,034,460 from 15 starts overall.

Owned by Kentucky-based Taylor Made Farm and San Diego horseman Onofrio Pecoraro and backed by a large syndicate, Mo Forza entered stud last year at Rancho San Miguel.

DETAILS

BIG RUNNUER

Stormy Atlantic – Elusive Luci, by Elusive Quality | Fee: $2,500 LFSN

FIGHTING HUSSAR

Rockport Harbor – Lightning Pace, by Regal Classic | Fee: $1,000 LFG

GATO DEL ORO

Medaglio D’oro – Funny Feeling, by Distorted Humor | Fee: Complimentary

KING OF JAZZ (ARG)

Giant’s Causeway – Kiss Me Sweet (ARG), by Lode | Fee: $1,000 LFG

UNUSUAL HEATWAVE

Unusual Heat – Miss Alphie, by Candi’s Gold | Fee: $2,500 LFG

ORIGINAIRE (IRE)

Zofany (IRE) - Polly Perkins (IRE) by Pivotal (GB) | Fee: Complimentary

BG

THOROROUGHBRED FARM

OSCAR NOMINATED

Kittens Joy – Devine Actress, by Theatrical (IRE) | Fee: Private Treaty

MO THE BEHOLDER

Uncle Mo – Leslie’s Harmony, by Curlin | Fee: $2,500 LFSN

Hector Palma, Consultant & Marcos Menjivar, Manager 3001 W. Esplanade Ave, Hemet, CA 92545 P: (951) 654-9100 F: (951) 654-9119

A Full Service Thoroughbred Facility Centrally Located to All Southern California Racetracks

Breeding, Boarding, Mare & Foal Care, Lay-Ups, Breaking, Training, Sales Prep, 5/8 Mile Race Track

MERIT MAN

With Distinction – Precise Strike, by Precise End | Fee: $1,500 LFSN

ROUSING SERMON

Lucky Pulpit – Rousing Again, by Awesome Again | Fee: $2,500 LF

WWW.BGTHOROUGHBREDS.COM

Mary Clare Schmitt

Mary Clare Schmitt, a longtime California owner and breeder and the wife of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association board member George Schmitt, died Jan. 10. She was 77.

A native of Montana, Mary Clare attended college at the Montana Institute of Technology and Carroll College. She married her husband in 1966, and they had three children. She was an avid sportsperson, enjoying skiing, tennis, racquetball, and golf. The Schmitts for a time lived in Germany while George was building the world’s frst digital wireless network.

The Schmitts have owned and bred numerous California-bred runners. George was a partner in Cal-breds Sierra Sunset, whose four stakes victories included the 2008 Rebel Stakes (G2) and 2007 California Cup Juvenile Stakes, and multiple stakes winner Run Brother Ron. The Schmitts together campaigned Cal-bred Frumious, winner of the 2012 Palos Verdes Stakes (G2). They also bred Touched by Autism, a Cal-bred who scored in the 2018 Oakland Stakes.

In lieu of fowers, the family requests donations to the John Joseph Schmitt Endowment for students at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, which is used to support students as determined by the president of the college.

IN Memoriam

Ronald Jex

Ronald Jex, breeder of 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Dancing in Silks and a longtime California farm manager, died Dec. 18. He was 87.

Born in England and raised on a farm, Jex began his love of horses there with Suffolk Punch draft horses. After school he went into the Queen’s army as a Life Guard.

After leaving the army, Jex went to Newmarket, England, and worked for Lord and Lady Sassoon and Lord Derby. While working for Lord Derby, he was approached by trainer Sir Noel Murless to move to California and manage the breeding end of George Pope’s El Peco Ranch in Madera. Pope bred and raced California-bred Decidedly, winner of the 1962 Kentucky Derby.

Jex worked at El Peco until Pope’s death in 1979. After the dispersal of the El Peco stock, Brian Sweeney approached Jex and asked him to manage Ray Stark’s Rancho Corral de Quati in Los Olivos. During Jex’s 25 years there, until Stark’s passing in 2004, horses produced included two-time Cal-bred champion Fabulous Notion.

Jex retired in Los Alamos following Stark’s death and the following year bred Dancing in Silks in California. A son of Black Minnaloushe—Lemhi Love, by Royal and Regal, Dancing in Silks in addition to the Breeders’

Cup won three other stakes, including the 2009 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint.

Jex is survived by his wife, Madeleine; daughter, Sara, son-in-law, Robert; and grandson, William. Any donations may be made to the Alamo Pintado Equine Health Foundation in Los Olivos or the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society in Buellton.

Tom Hall

Tom Hall, who served as a copyeditor for both BloodHorse Publications and this magazine, died Jan. 9 in Lexington, Ky. He was 78.

A former English teacher, Hall worked for more than 25 years at his second career with BloodHorsePublications.Inthatrole,hebecame the copyeditor for California Thoroughbred in mid-2014, when BloodHorse began producing the publication for the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

“Tom’s attention to detail was incredible,” said Tracy Gantz, the West Coast contributing editor for California Thoroughbred. “He loved all aspects of racing and breeding, especially enjoying delving into pedigrees, which he wrote about extensively for BloodHorse Publications.”

BloodHorse editorial director Claire Crosby noted Hall’s remarkable encyclopedic knowledge of Thoroughbred pedigrees.

“Genuinely humble, Tom always said he was a background player and downplayed his role,” Crosby said. “But everyone who worked with him recognized his great value.”

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY

10 YEARS AGO

Blinkers on didn’t put California-bred AIN’T NO OTHER on the lead, but instead allowed him to rate kindly and capture the $100,750 Sensational Star Stakes for jockey Rafael Bejarano Feb. 24, 2013. The 5-year-old gelding came down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in third and rallied to score by three-quarters of a length in 1:11.53 over Starspangled Heat, with A Toast to You third. Jerry Hollendorfer trained Ain’t No Other for owner Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, which bred the son of Old Topper—Miami Margie, by Shadeed. Ain’t No Other was winning his third stakes, following the 2011 Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park and Livermore Valley Wines Stakes at Pleasanton. Later that year Ain’t No Other won the Jess Jackson Owners’ Handicap at Santa Rosa and ultimately earned a total of $715,280.

25 YEARS AGO

FLEET LADY, a California-bred stakes-winning flly who went on to become an outstanding broodmare, won the $200,000 La Canada Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Feb. 8, 1998. Coming off a victory in the El Encino Stakes (G2) upon the disqualifcation of frst-place fnisher I Ain’t Bluffng, Fleet Lady raced in third early in the 11⁄8-mile La Canada for jockey Garrett Gomez. When Love That Jazz began to tire, Gomez was able to put Fleet Lady on the rail, where she accelerated to win by 11⁄2 lengths over Minister’s Melody in 1:48.59, with I Ain’t Bluffng third. Jerry Hollendorfer trained Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags—Dear Mimi, by Roberto) for owner/ breeders John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm. Fleet Lady went on to produce champion Midshipman and two other stakes winners, and she is the second dam of Frosted, an earner of nearly $4 million.

50 YEARS AGO

California-bred Royal Owl, who had an incredible season at 2 in 1971 with four stakes wins, captured the $100,000 Charles H. Strub Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Feb. 10, 1973. With John Sellers in the irons for the 11⁄4-mile race for 4-year-olds, Royal Owl defeated Big Spruce by 31⁄2 lengths and completed the distance in 2:04 over a sloppy track. New Prospect fnished third. Royal Owl had fnished second in the 1973 Malibu Stakes (G2) and San Fernando Stakes (G2), the frst two legs of Santa Anita’s Strub Series. John Canty trained the son of Crazy Kid—Mama Mouse, by Duplicator, for owner/breeders Royal Oaks Farm and J.K. Stables. During his career, Royal Owl won seven stakes and earned $509,462. That season he was voted the frst champion Cal-bred older male. Largely on Royal Owl’s exploits, Mama Mouse was named the 1972 California Broodmare of the Year.

COURTESY OF MADELEINE JEX

COURTESY OF DEBBIE TUSKA

COURTESY OF THE SCHMITT FAMILY

CTBA working for you

To further assist the membership of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its offcial publication, California Thoroughbred, this monthly editorial page provides readers with updates about the association’s current policies, latest news, and upcoming events in the Golden State.

Northern Sale Slated for Aug. 15

The CTBA Sales Northern California Yearling & Horses of Racing Age Sale is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 15. It will be held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Entries will close Tursday, June 1.

For further information, contact Loretta Veiga at 626445-7800 ext. 227, or email loretta@ctba.com.

CTBA DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Names for foals of 2021 must be claimed. After Feb. 1, a naming fee of $100 will apply.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Annual registration of stallions is due at a fee of $1,250. Deadline to nominate California-bred/California-sired 2-year-olds (foals of 2021) to the Golden State Series; $300 fee applies.

Spotlighting Foals of 2023

With foaling season upon us, now is the time to spotlight your foals in California Thoroughbred. The April through August issues will feature Thoroughbreds foaled in California, with advertorials consisting of six to eight photos of foals per page.

The cost to publish a full-page insertion will be discounted down to $500. This represents a discount of more than 50% off the regular fullpage advertisement price. Insertions should include a caption with each foal’s sire, dam, broodmare sire, sex, date of birth, and breeders, as well as the details, including a logo, of their farm location.

Photos need to be submitted by the following deadlines: March 1 (April issue), April 3 (May issue), May 1 (June issue), June 1 (July issue), and July 3 (August issue).

For additional information please contact the magazine’s Advertising Manager, Loretta Veiga, at Loretta@ctba.com or at 626-445-7800, ext. 227. Additionally, photos can be submitted to Ken Gurnick at kgurnick@ctba. com for free inclusion on the CTBA’s website.

NEW CTBA MEMBERS

Mark and Patricia Cofer Glendora, CA

Lester Leufroy West Covina, CA

Marc Leufroy Montrose, CA

Mr. and Mrs. Eduardo Rich Tracy, CA

CTFoundation

John Sadler and the Amazing Flightline

OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT

Ada Gates Patton

VICE-PRESIDENT/TREASURER

Gail Gregson

SECRETARY

Jane Goldstein, Secretary

Jeff Blea, DVM

Mary Forney

Tracy Gantz

Thomas S. Robbins

John W. Sadler

Noreen Sullivan

Larisa Wick

Amy J. Zimmerman

California Toroughbred Foundation trustee John Sadler did a phenomenal job managing the career of Flightline, who was named the 2022 Horse of the Year in late January. Flightline captured the imagination of people inside and outside of the industry with his brilliant undefeated career. In addition to his Horse of the Year title, Flightline received an Eclipse Award as the champion older dirt male, and he earned a total of $4,514,800 during his career.

Sadler trained Flightline for Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, breeder Summer Wind Equine, West Point Toroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. A son of Tapit—Feathered, by Indian Charlie, Flightline showed promise from his early days of training. He won his six starts by a combined 71 lengths. And while his 814-length margin of victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) is a record for that race, Flightline put on perhaps his most impressive performance in the Pacifc Classic (G1) at Del Mar, where he demolished the feld by 191⁄4 lengths.

Flightline

Sadler was winning his fourth Pacifc Classic in the last fve years, following Accelerate in 2018, Higher Power in 2019, and Tripoli in 2021. Sadler also won the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic with Accelerate, who was named that year’s champion older dirt male.

Sadler’s 2022 year went well beyond Flightline. He saddled the winners of 126 races, and his runners had total purse earnings of $8,959,895. Congratulations, John, from your fellow Foundation trustees.

memorial donations

The CTF accepts donations in memory of relatives and friends, with all such donations allocated to Scholarship Funds of the Foundation. Please remember members of our industry with a donation to the CTF memorial fund. Donations may be sent to CTF, 201 Colorado Place, Arcadia, CA 91007.

COALINGA ROAD

ALL ROADS LEAD TO HARRIS FARMS

BY TRACY GANTZ

The strands connecting Coalinga Road to his victory in the Unusual Heat Turf Classic Presented by City National Bank run through the entire history of California Cup events. And it is John Harris who connects them all.

Harris and his Harris Farms have been instrumental in California Cup from the beginning. Each year the felds include many horses bred by Harris Farms, with several of the farm’s stallions also represented. And with Unusual Heat having stood at Harris in the latter part of his career, it is even more ftting that a Harris runner won the race, especially with a horse named for the

city in which the farm is located.

“Tat was really fun,” Harris said in the winner’s circle after Coalinga Road’s narrow win.

Te $200,000 race turned into a stretch battle among several, including Aligato, who won the 2021 edition of the 11 8-

mile turf event. Kings River Knight, with Frankie Dettori aboard, led early, while Coalinga Road and Aligato raced together in third and fourth. Bang for Your Buck took over down the backstretch, and then Kings River Knight regained the lead deep into the second turn.

Both Coalinga Road, ridden by John Velazquez, and Aligato, under Flavien Prat, had to overcome some trafc trouble. Coalinga Road bumped twice with Doc Adams, while Aligato had to fnd room to run in the turn.

Coalinga Road took on Kings River Knight and Bang for Your Buck at the quarter pole, getting the lead with a sixteenth to go. Aligato came running, but Coalinga Road made a fnal surge to score by a neck in 1:49.79. Luvluv closed late and was another neck back in third, with Kings River Knight fnishing fourth in the eight-horse feld.

“We knew right from the get-go that there was a lot of speed in the race and he was going to be close,” Velazquez said. “Te horse responded to everything I wanted to do, and when I asked him, he was there just enough to beat Flavien and the other horse coming from behind.”

Carla Gaines, a longtime trainer for Harris Farms, conditions Coalinga Road, who was coming of placings in the Bull Dog Stakes and Cary Grant Stakes.

“I can’t describe in words how important the support from John Harris has been,” Gaines said. “Someone told me one time about owners in this industry, that there are those who have fred you and those who haven’t fred you yet. Tat’s not the case with him.”

Harris noted that “we were probably one of her frst clients—we sent her a horse named Glory Quest.”

Coalinga Road is a 6-yearold gelded California-bred son of Quality Road—Coco Ecolo, by Johannesburg. Harris bought the mare carrying Coalinga Road from Lane’s End for $75,000 at the 2016 Keeneland fall mixed sale.

Harris Farms’ familiar green and white silks adorn Unusual Heat Turf Classic winner Coalinga Road

Owner/breeder John Harris (seated), trainer Carla Gaines (second from right), and jockey John Velazquez combine for Coalinga Road’s victory

MILKY WAY BRIGHT STARS OF Sons

of Thoroughbred Greatest Sires

GRAYDAR GR1 FEE: $4000

UNBRIDLED’S SONG – SWEETEST SMILE, by DEHERE Gr1 Winner of $841,560. Won 5 of 6 Races.

Leading California Sixth Crop Sire by lifetime earnings of $14,538,444 and winners 175. Sire of 7 black type winners, 18 black type horses.

MIDNIGHT STORM GR1 FEE: $4000 PIONEEROF THE NILE – MY TINA, by BERTRANDO Gr1 Winner of $1,783,110.

Leading California Second Crop Sire, by lifetime earnings of $2,808,870 and winners 42.

PASSION FOR GOLD GR1 FEE: $3500

MEDAGLIA D’ORO – C’EST L’AMOUR (G2), by THUNDER GULCH Champion 2-yr-old in France & Winner of Gr1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud. California Leading Sixth Crop Sire lifetime by average earnings per starter $61,299. After 5 Seasons in Chile with Graded Stakes Winners in Chile and Peru returned to California. Sire of GOLD COUNCIL, first to race, from first California crop, wins first start at Santa Anita MSW.

New To California for 2023

TIZAMAGICIAN GR2 FEE: to be announced

TIZNOW – MAGIC UNION, by DIXIE UNION

Earned $741,851 with major accomplishments winning the Cougar 11 (Gr3) at Del Mar and Tokyo City Cup (Gr2) and in the TVG Pacific Classic (Gr1), 2nd in the Brooklyn Stakes (Gr2) at Belmont and 2nd in the San Pasqual Stakes (Gr2) at Santa Anita.

THIRSTY JOHN

STAY THIRSTY COLT MAKES IT TWO FOR TWO

BY TRACY GANTZ

Terry Lovingier discovered something while looking for mares to breed to Stay Tirsty, the California leading sire he brought to the state and stands at his Lovacres Ranch.

“Discreet Cat mares cross very well with Stay Tirsty,” Lovingier said.

In 2009, Lovingier bought the Kiridashi mare Cricket Wicket in foal to Discreet Cat for $25,000 at the Keeneland fall mixed sale. Te resulting foal, lightly raced Discreet Dee, has since produced two stakes winners by Stay Tirsty: Rock N Rye and 2023 California Cup Derby winner Tirsty John.

Tirsty John not only scored in the

$196,000 California Cup Derby, he did it in only his second start and after a long layof. He faced a feld that included King Glorious Stakes and I’m Smokin Stakes winner Giver Not a Taker and Gold Rush Stakes and Golden State Juvenile Stakes winner Passarando.

Drawing the rail in the 1116-mile Derby, Tirsty John hopped in the air slightly at the start. But that didn’t keep him from immediately taking the lead for jockey Juan Hernandez. Tough several went with Tirsty John around the frst turn, Hernandez was able to keep a good hold while they completed a quarter-mile in :23.45 and a half-mile in :47.68.

“On the dirt, that’s a really comfortable pace for the horses, especially for a horse that is returning from a big layof,” Hernandez said.

Tirsty John pulled out to about a length lead down the backstretch. Giver Not a Taker cut it to three-quarters of a length around the second turn, but Tirsty John pulled away again at the top of the stretch. Giver Not a Taker kept trying to catchhim,andatthewirejustahalf-length separated them, with Passarando third. Tirsty John’s fnal time was 1:45.51.

“He showed that he can run and get the job done,” Hernandez said. “For the last stretch I just used motion and hand riding.”

Lovingier joined Tirsty John co-owners Tom London and Eugene Zondio in the winner’s circle, along with colt’s namesake, John Marquez. London and Zondio, who have partnered with Lovingier with several of his homebreds, were ecstatic.

“Look at what he did after just one start,” London said.

Now trained by Peter Miller, who also conditions Giver Not a Taker, Tirsty John came up to the race at San Luis Rey Downs with only a half-mile blowout at Santa Anita Jan. 2.

“With all the rain, we couldn’t get works over this track with him,” Lovingier said. “But I thought if he’s good enough, he’d be able to get it done. After a 71⁄2-month layof to do this, it’s pretty impressive.”

Miller also praised Tirsty John, saying, “I told Terry Lovingier he’s a good horse, but if he wins this race of of the layof, he’s a very good horse. I think he showed today that he’s a really good horse.”

Thirsty John (right) defeats Giver Not a Taker in California Cup Derby

BENOIT PHOTOS

CTBA president Doug Burge presents the trophy to owners Eugene Zondio (left), Terry Lovingier (fourth from left), and Tom London (hat).

CLUBHOUSE RIDE

Candy Ride (Arg) – Seeking Results, by Seeking the Gold

TOP FIVE ACTIVE CALIFORNIA SIRE OF 2022

BY EARNINGS AND PERCENTAGE OF STAKES HORSES

2022 Stakes Horses include: BRICKYARD RIDE ($744,977) winner of four consecutive Santa Anita Stakes in 2022 by a combined 13 lengths, earning Triple Digit Speed Figures every time, culminating in his second career Graded Stakes Win in the Grade 3 Kona Gold S.; Undefeated 2-year-old CHISMOSA ($190,500) won at Del Mar in racing debut, $80,000 maiden special weight, wheeled back to win the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association S. by 3 ½ lengths and followed with a win in the $125,000 Generous Portion S.; Multiple Graded SW WARREN’S SHOWTIME ($843,431) 2nd Grade 3 Megahertz S. at Santa Anita; WARRENS CANDY GIRL ($345,160) won $150,000 Solana Beach S.; Kleen Karma ($233,860) 3rd $100,00 California Distaff H.; Barrister’s Ride ($132,940) 3rd Solana Beach S. at Del Mar; Kiss Ride Goodbye ($72,886) won Don “HOOKER” Jenck Memorial S.; Subtle Ride, 3rd Art Smith Memorial S.

CALIFORNIA’s leading son of HORSE OF THE YEAR SIRE

1-2-3 in 15 Stakes – 11 Graded Stakes, 3 G1s, 5 G2s, 3 G3s – Earnings $1,341,132

Posted Triple Digit Speed Figures 15 Times

A Durable Racehorse – Won or Placed from 6 furlongs to 1 ¼ miles over 5 racing seasons.

GRAZED MY HEART

BY JACK SHINAR

Bonds between families are common in horse racing, but for the connections of Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks winner Grazed My Heart, the relationship has truly stood the test of time.

Grazed My Heart captured the onemile Golden State Series turf event at Santa Anita Park Jan. 7 by the shortest of noses in a terrifc come-from-behind fnish. She tagged heavy favorite Sell the Dream at the wire in the $200,000 race for 3-year-old fllies.

Mark and Patricia Cofer and Priscilla and Keith Webb partnered to claim the gray/roan daughter of Grazen for $50,000 at Del Mar in August. Mark, 62, a former trainer, is the son of trainer Riley Cofer, a mainstay on the California circuit for decades before his death in 1994 and the trainer of 1980 California-bred Horse of the Year Jaklin Klugman. Riley and Mark both conditioned horses for 96-year-old Priscilla, a close family friend the entire time.

“We go way back, I’ll tell you how far. Priscilla has known me since I was in diapers,” laughed Cofer, who assisted his father for many years. Mark took over the stable after Riley’s death until going into the real estate business full time in 1998.

Priscilla was formerly married to Gale Traver, who died in 1985, and later married Keith, now 92.

“Tey’ve been mentors to me forever, almost like grandparents,” Cofer said. “We are very, very close.”

Grazed My Heart was bred in California by Cicero Farms and the Batchelor Family Trust from the Batchelor winning Scat Daddy mare Daddy’s Duo. Te breeders raced Grazed My Heart twice as a maiden before

she was claimed out of a 51 2-furlong dash in which she fnished second.

Transferred to Jef Mullins, Grazed My Heart was moved to turf and stretched out to a mile. She broke her maiden on Priscilla Webb’s 96th birthday in her second turf try in October. She then ran second in the Soviet Problem Stakes on a wet/fast dirt track at Los Alamitos Dec. 11.

DECADES-LONG FRIENDSHIP YIELDS BIG

WIN

Sent of at odds of 5-1 in the Cal Cup Oaks’ feld of eight, Grazed My Heart relaxed nicely at the rear of the pack, saving ground for jockey Hector Barrios. Sell the Dream, with Cast Member on her outside fank, carved out moderate fractions over a turf course rated “good.” Angled out midstretch, Grazed My Heart closed stoutly on the outside of the pacesetters and got up just in time. Sell the Dream edged Cast Member by a halflength for second.

Grazed My Heart, clocked in 1:37.41, improved her career mark to 2-3-1 in seven starts with earnings of $198,020.

Cofer gave full credit to the Mullins team and Barrios for the win.

“(She) is really an honest, hard-trying flly,” he said. “In four races since we’ve claimed her, I don’t think you could ask for much more.”

Grazed My Heart (left) edges Sell the Dream (right) and Cast Member in the California Cup Oaks

BENOIT PHOTOS

Grazed My Heart’s connections celebrate her game win

A LEADING

SECOND-CROP SIRE IN CALIFORNIA

HOW SWEET IT IS

GIVER NOT A TAKER

captured the second stakes of his 2YO season with a determined win in the KING GLORIOUS S. at Los Alamitos on Dec. 18.

Twirling Candy—Talkin and Singing, by Songandaprayer | 2023 Fee: $5,000 S&N

THE CHOSEN VRON

CAL-BRED CHAMP RUNS WINNING STREAK TO FOUR

BY TRACY GANTZ

TheChosenVronhadneverwon a California Cup race prior to his victory in the $150,500 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Jan. 7. But he had a good reason—the California-bred was busy winning graded races and then took some time of, never competing in a Cal Cup event. Most recently, Te Chosen Vron has put together an impressive four-race winning streak, culminating in the Sprint.

“He’s the most consistent horse I’ve ever had,” said co-owner and co-breeder John Sondereker.

Sondereker usually buys horses rather than breed them, having luck with such graded stakes winners as Causeforcommotion and Kiss Today Goodbye. After he was involved with the mare Tiz Molly through a Class Racing Stable partnership, he and Eric Kruljac, who trained Tiz Molly, spearheaded the group that bred her to California sire Vronsky to get Te Chosen Vron. Kruljac trains the 5-year-old for an ownership group that includes himself, Sondereker, Robert Fetkin, and Richard Tornburgh.

Te Sprint kicked of the California Cup program as the frst race on the card. Bettors made Te Chosen Vron the 2-5 favorite, with

two-time stakes winner Big City Lights the second choice.

Unlike his usual running style of sitting of the pace, Te Chosen Vron kicked away on top in the six-furlong Sprint and led at every call under jockey Hector Berrios. He received pressure from Resilient on the outside, with Big City Lights not too far back in third from the inside. Te Chosen Vron clicked of the frst quarter-mile in :22.07 and a half-mile in :44.36.

“It was kind of a diferent spot for him to be on the lead, and he was focusing on the other horse,” Kruljac said.

Te Chosen Vron had Resilient’s measure by upper stretch, but Big City Lights wasn’t done. He battled gamely with Te Chosen Vron all the way to the wire, with Te Chosen Vron edging him by just a neck in 1:08.96. Resilient held on for third over Tigre Di Slugo in the six-horse feld.

“He showed a lot of heart,” Berrios said. Te Chosen Vron’s fnal time was the fastest Cal Cup Sprint since Richard’s Boy won the 2017 edition in 1:08.71. Richard’s Boy was named that year’s champion Cal-bred sprinter and ultimately earned more than $1 million.

Te Chosen Vron already has his own Cal-bred championship. He earned the 3-year-old male title in 2021, when he captured the Afrmed Stakes (G3), Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3), and Echo Eddie Stakes.

After fnishing 2021 with a victory in the Hank Mills Sr. Stakes at Turf Paradise, Te Chosen Vron received a nine-month break. He ran third in the 2022 California Dreamin’ Stakes and ffth in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) before rattling of wins in the E.B. Johnston Stakes, California Flag Handicap, and Cary Grant Stakes.

The Chosen Vron holds off Big City Lights in California Cup Sprint

Don Valpredo presents the Sprint trophy to co-owner John Sondereker (black shirt) and trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac (right)

BIG SUMMER

HILLSIDE COURSE SUITS MR. BIG MARE

BY JACK SHINAR

For small-scale owner/breeder Mitchell Dutko,

Big Summer’s frst stakes victory on California Cup Day at Santa Anita Park Jan. 7 was “the culmination of a long journey.”

“We’d always known she was incredibly talented, but she was very immature to start—she’s just really put it together,” said Dutko, who co-owns the 5-year-old mare with Bob Abrams and Michael Paran.

Big Summer, ridden by veteran Joe Bravo for trainer Carla Gaines, accomplished her breakthrough win in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes Presented by John Deere. Te daughter of Mr. Big captured the about 61 2-furlong test over the hillside course by three-quarters of a length

over “good” going in a time of 1:13.10.

“We thought the 61 2 furlongs on the hillside would hit her right between the eyes,” Dutko said.

She became the third stakes winner for her 20-year-old dam, Ultimate Summer, a daughter of Cee’s Tizzy— Ultimate Honor, by Norquestor.

Dutko and partners claimed Ultimate Summer for $32,000 at Hollywood Park on Independence Day in 2006. She raced just once for her new owners and trainer Wesley Ward and was retired due to unsoundness, said Dutko. He decided, along with his friend Abrams, to breed her.

Ultimate Summer’s earlier mating successes included the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Tribalist, a son of Tribal Rule who earned nearly $300,000 before retiring in 2020, and Ultimate Bango (by Uh Oh Bango), winner of last spring’s Lost in the Fog

Stakes after being claimed away from them. Tat gelding is a lifetime earner of $419,433.

Sent of as the 7-2 third choice against eight rivals in the Sunshine Millions, Big Summer broke from the rail, but was a tad slow out of the gate. She rushed into contention for Bravo while the early pacesetter, La Deuxieme Etoile, left room along the inside. Big Summer poked her head in front as they made their way to the dirt portion of the course and opened up a twolength advantage in the lane.

In deep stretch, Eddie’s New Dream and favorite Alice Marble challenged Big Summer, who then edged away as they approached the wire. Eddie’s New Dream outfought Alice Marble by a half-length to fnish second.

Big Summer took fve starts to break her maiden, but since then has won three of six tries. Never worse than third, her overall record stands at 4-5-2 in 11 races with earnings of $295,160.

Blake Heap, the original trainer for Big Summer, recommended Gaines take over the mare’s conditioning when he decided to join Ward as an assistant in Kentucky last spring.

“Blake felt Carla would be great with her because (Big Summer) needed someone with patience,” Dutko said. “Our mantra has always been, ‘Do right by the horse and the horse will do right for you.’”

Big Summer puts it all together in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint

©

BENOIT PHOTOS

Trainer Carla Gaines (right) gets her frst of two stakes on the Cal Cup program

NEW FOR 2023

EIGHT RINGS

Empire Maker-Purely Hot, by Pure Prize 2023 Fee: $7,500 S&N

A dominating six-length winner of the AMERICAN PHAROAH S. (G1) at Santa Anita.

Earned TDN RISING STAR status with a 6 ¼-length win in his MdSpWt debut at Del Mar.

By the late Classic winner and influential sire EMPIRE MAKER out of the SW and GSP PURE PRIZE mare PURELY HOT.

A $520,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by SF Bloodstock/Starlight West.

HALL OF FAME

Class of 2023

Joe Harper and Nashoba’s Key will be inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame

Since its founding in 1938, Del Mar has played a huge role in popularizing California racing. Certainly, the state’s breeding industry has benefted from Del Mar’s aggressive promotion of the state-bred program and its expansion of California-bred races over the years.

Although Harper defects any credit for his steady hand at the helm of Del Mar—“Te key is hiring the right people so I look good and don’t have to work too hard”—his humility is contradicted by his actions. For nearly a half-century of Del Mar’s race meets, Harper has walked the barn area before sunrise, talking to every jockey, groom, exercise rider, and hotwalker on the grounds. In the afternoons, he circulates throughout the plant talking to patrons, employees, and horsemen, listening to any problems and suggestions, and making sure the race day is going as planned.

JOE HARPER

Since he landed at Del Mar in 1978, Joe Harper has worn many hats—president, general manager, chief executive officer. One thing has never changed, though. In these 45 years, and counting, Harper has been the face of the Del Mar Toroughbred Club, a powerful and comforting personal presence in a world that has grown more corporate and faceless all around us. For his unfailing service to the Toroughbred industry and to each participant within it, Harper is being inducted this year into the CTBA Hall of Fame.

Although he rarely utters a straight line when a comedic one will suffice, Harper temporarily turned serious when discussing this honor.

“Actually, entering the CTBA Hall of Fame is special for me because of my mom’s participation in the organization,” he said. “Cecilia de Mille Harper was the frst woman to be elected president of the board of the CTBA, and she was very involved in its operation. She owned a farm here and bred Cal-breds and loved the game. She did everything she could to support the Cal-bred program and raise it up, and she was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well.”

“I try to be the person who people can come talk to,” he said. “I’m certainly not spreading my talents around in the accounting department or doing simulcast contracts. Tat stuf confuses the hell out of me. But if I can shake a few hands and sound reasonably intelligent, well, it’s been working for me so far.”

His comfort with people is wellearned. Harper is the grandson of legendary Hollywood producer/director Cecil B. de Mille and often enjoyed the company of house guests that included Anthony Quinn, John Wayne, Yul Brynner, and Charlton Heston. He had bit roles in flms such as “Te Greatest Show on Earth” and “Te Ten Commandments,” and also rodeoed around Tucson in a short-lived career as a cowboy. He brought lessons learned from the movie world to the Toroughbred business, starting at Santa Anita Park before calling Del Mar home.

Joe Harper has been the face of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club since 1978

ANNE M. EBERHARDT

“Tere’s not much diference between how to get people to go see a flm and how to get them to come see racing,” Harper said. “It’s about being entertained. We try and reach out, through concerts and food trucks and contests and family fun days, beyond the hard-core racetrackers, something I learned from listening to how to promote a movie.”

Te long-running afair between Harper and Del Mar has been a win all around, not only for the racetrack and Harper, but for the breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, employees, and patrons.

“Del Mar is the love of my life,” Harper said, “and I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be.”

And then, of course, comes the punchline. “A few years ago, my wife, Barbara, told me that I’m not doing anything special, but because I’m getting old, people are going to start giving me stuf. Two days later, I got an Eclipse Award.”

Tis Hall of Fame nod is for somebody very special.

—Lenny Shulman

NASHOBA’S KEY

Her legacy will always be punctuated by the question of what might have been, but Nashoba’s Key’s brilliance on the racetrack will never be forgotten by those who had the opportunity to see her in action.

Te fery bay’s quick ascension to the top of the nation’s female turf ranks in 2007—including seven consecutive victories to begin her career for leading California owner and breeder Warren B. Williamson—earned the homebred 4-year-old flly the admiration of fans and pundits alike. Te following spring, however, it all ended devastatingly for the Carla Gaines trainee with the catastrophic stall accident that claimed her life.

Ten remarkable races over 14 months— including three grade 1 victories and fve graded wins in all—has earned Nashoba’s Key, the 2007 California-bred Horse of the Year, her place among the inductees for the

Young Joe Harper with his grandfather, legendary director Cecil B. de Mille

Harper represents Del Mar across the country, such as at Keeneland in 2019 with Elliott Walden, jockey Javier Castellano, and Ginny DePasquale

COURTESY OF JOE HARPER ANNE M. EBERHARDT

Hall of Fame

2023 CTBA Hall of Fame.

Williamson, who died in March 2018, had many notable horses over his lengthy career in racing, but none more spectacular than Nashoba’s Key.

“I think, knowing my dad, his reaction (to the Hall of Fame honor) would have been, ‘What took so damn long?’ ” laughed Warren’s son, Henry. “She was special, unlike any mare we had before or after.

“My feelings about her, I think about our family, how she brought us all together,”headded.“Ithinkaboutthehorsesshe raced against, like Hystericalady, Balance, Citronnade—tough, tough competitors. It wasn’t a cakewalk, ever. It always made it exciting. She had to earn every one of her victories. We really enjoyed every time she ran. And I have wonderful memories with Carla Gaines and my dad, and how they developed together as a team.”

Nashoba’s Key was by the temperamental Kentucky-bred sire Silver Hawk, from whom Henry Williamson believes she inherited her capricious attitude. She was the frst foal ofWilliamson’s Irish-bred mare, Nashoba, a daughter of Caerleon.

“Visually, she was not exceptional,” recalled Henry, who worked with his father’s racing operation beginning in the 1990s and now owns Arroyo Vista Farm in northeast San Diego County. “She was alsoalittletoughtobearound.Wekindof wondered what we had.”

It took a while to fnd out. Nashoba’s Key was slow to develop and didn’t make her debut until age 4 on Jan. 13, 2007. She came from well of the pace for jockey Garrett Gomez to defeat California-bred fllies at a mile on the turf. A six-length allowance win over Cal-breds on the turf followed three weeks later and then her frst stakes victory in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes, her initial start on a synthetic surface.

She would then rip of an impressive four graded triumphs in succession that summer and fall with new jockey Joe Talamo: the Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2), Vanity Invitational Handicap (G1), Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2), and Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1T).

With a seven-race win streak, Nashoba’s Key was set to face her ultimate challenge in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf

(G1T), held that year at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Heavy rains made for boggy going over a soft turf course and contributed to her defeat. She was also bottled up on the inside throughout the 11-furlong test and weakened late. She lost for the frst time while fnishing fourth, two lengths behind the victorious Lahudood, later voted the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top female grass performer over Nashoba’s Key.

over Santa Anita’s all-weather surface. It was her eighth career victory, boosting her earnings to $1,252,090.

It would prove to be her fnal race. In late May, just a few months after being voted Cal-bred Horse of the Year and champion Cal-bred older female and turf horse, Nashoba’s Key kicked the wall of her outdoor pen at Hollywood Park and fractured her left hind hock so severely she could not be saved. Posthumously, she earned the 2008 Cal-bred champion older female title.

lengths

Nashoba’s Key would return in March 2008 to capture the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1) by

Jack Shinar

Nashoba’s Key won seven consecutive races that included the 2007 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar

© BENOIT PHOTOS

Nashoba’s Key had a fery temperament that made her a ferce competitor at the highest level

NICK ALEXANDER

GRAZEN OFFSPRING PUT OWNER/BREEDER ON TOP

BY TRACY GANTZ

Nick Alexander doesn’t have a large-scale breeding operation, and it is keyed primarily around one stallion, his homebred Grazen. Yet every year Alexander vies for contention in the California breeder race, and in 2022 he led them all.

With 338 starts, 95 to 586 fewer than his three closest rivals, Alexander bred the winners of 78 races, 11 of them stakes, for total earnings of $3,405,004. He raced most of them, keeping a stable of 2530 with trainers Phil D’Amato and Steve Miyadi.

“We’re fortunate to have two really, really great trainers,” Alexander said. “Everything

fell into place. We had more healthy, high-quality horses running all at the same time. Steve Miyadi had one streak for me where we won 10 out of 13 starts.”

Te year started well, with homebred Lieutenant Dan, a son of Grazen trained by Miyadi, winning the 2021 California-bred Horse of the Year title as well a champion older male, sprint-

er, and turf horse. Lieutenant Dan left most of the work during 2022 to his stablemates, as he started only once during the year, winning the Sept. 4 Green Flash Handicap (G3T).

“We intend to have him come back for one more season,” Alexander said. “He’s been out for quite a while, but we just did a scan on him and he’s clean as a whistle right now. He never left Steve’s barn.”

Te rest of Alexander’s stable picked up the mantle and represented their breeder well. In fact, Alexander homebreds named for historical fgures, relatives, and movie characters popped up so frequently that it was sometimes hard to keep them straight. Two fllies even had the same “frst” name: Rose Dawson and Rose Maddox.

“We name them after people that I admire—often war heroes or great athletes—or in some cases country singers because I like country music,” Alexander said.

Grazen, Alexander’s phenomenal stallion, is responsible for just about every one of Alexander’s runners. Te stallion led all California turf sires in 2022, but many of his ofspring succeed on both dirt and turf.

“Grazen never got to run on the turf, so it was a pleasant surprise when we found out how much his horses love the turf,” Alexander said. “Tat’s kind of where we focused. Te percentage of turf races we won was much higher than normal.”

Connie Swingle, named for a Hall of Fame drag racer Alexander knew personally, is a prime example. Te flly, trained by D’Amato, won the 2021 Generous Portion Stakes on the dirt, but turned into a terrifc turf runner in 2022. She captured the Unzip Me Stakes and ran second in the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes, both listed stakes down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course, and placed in two dirt stakes.

Becca Taylor, named for Alexander’s niece and trained by Miyadi, is an anomaly in the Alexander stable because

Nick Alexander, who led all California breeders in 2022, with Steve Miyadi (left), trainer of California-bred champion Lieutenant Dan

© BENOIT PHOTOS

Lieutenant Dan added to Alexander’s total in the Green Flash Handicap

she is by Old Topper. Lady Sax, the dam of Becca Taylor, could be the only mare in Alexander’s broodmare band who didn’t click with Grazen. But she had produced stakes-placed So Tough by Old Topper, and so Kathy Berkey, Alexander’s bloodstock agent, recommended he go back to that stallion.

Te cross worked even better this time. Becca Taylor has won nine races and fnished second once, by just a nose, in 10 lifetime starts. Last year she scored in the Great Lady M. Stakes (G2), Desert Stormer Stakes (G3), and

Spring Fever Stakes, and she is on the comeback trail for 2023.

“We had taken a little chip out of an ankle, and she’s doing great,” Alexander said. “I’ve never had a horse quite as consistent as her.”

Alexander fondly recalled that in the Great Lady M., Los Alamitos track announcer Michael Wrona during the stretch call referred to Becca Taylor as “the Cal-bred with the voracious appetite for victory.”

Miyadi trains both Rose Dawson, named for a character in the movie “Titanic,” and Rose Maddox, named for a singer who overcame great adversity. Both fllies, now 4-year-olds, are by Grazen. Rose Dawson won the 2022 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks and ran second in the Fleet Treat Stakes. Rose Maddox fnished second in the Melair Stakes.

But maybe no Alexander runner has a more insider name than Johnny Podres, a good allowance-winning son of Grazen who earned $164,060 in 2022.

“He was a rookie for the Dodgers when they won the World Series in 1955, and he won the seventh game, a 2-0 shutout,” Alexander said. “He was a good guy. I got to meet him down in Vero Beach and play cards with him.”

Asked whether he beat Podres in cards, Alexander laughed and answered, “I did!”

Becca Taylor has “a voracious appetite for victory,” said Los Alamitos track announcer Michael Wrona

Connie Swingle, trained by Phil D’Amato, had a year that included a victory in the Unzip Me Stakes

We name (horses) after people that I admire—often war heroes or great athletes.”

—Nick Alexander

Rose Dawson started 2022 off well for Alexander by winning the California Cup Oaks

STALLIONS OF VERSATILITY

STAY THIRSTY REPEATS BY MONEY WON

BY TRACY GANTZ

Stay Tirsty continued to prove a worthy addition to the California stallion ranks in 2022. For the second consecutive year, he led all state sires by money won as well as all state sires of 2-year-olds by money won.

But Stay Tirsty was far from the only leading sire in California. Runners by California sires, both bred in California and elsewhere, demonstrated the versatility of the stallion ranks in the state. Six other stallions headed various categories, with Clubhouse Ride, Grazen, Mr. Big, and I’ll Have Another the leaders on multiple lists.

Terry Lovingier brought Stay Tirsty to his Lovacres Ranch to frst stand the stallion in California in 2018. A millionaire son of Bernardini, Stay Tirsty already had proved successful as a sire in Kentucky, and his older runners are still doing him proud. Mind Control led those in 2022, as the multi-millionaire added to his career by capturing the Cigar Mile (G1), Salvator Mile (G2), and Parx Dirt Mile, the latter for the second consecutive year.

But Stay Tirsty is now becoming known more for the plethora of Cal-bred winners he is getting. His frst Cal-breds reached the races in 2021, and so he had 2-year-old and 3-year-old Cal-breds competing in 2022.

Finneus became Stay Tirsty’s frst Calbred champion when he was voted champion Cal-bred 2-year-old male of 2021. Finneus continued to add to his bankroll in 2022 and into 2023 before he heads to stud at Lovacres himself. Trough early January, Finneus had earned a total of $359,296.

Lovingier bred Finneus as well as Stay

Tirsty’s leading Cal-bred of 2022: Cowboy Charlie. Tough he hasn’t yet won a stakes, Cowboy Charlie earned $126,820 for the season and ran third in the Silky Sullivan Stakes.

Cocktail Princess, also bred by Lovingier, was Stay Tirsty’s leading 2-year-old earner of 2022. Te Cal-bred flly banked $102,660 and fnished third in the Soviet Problem Stakes.

Tirsty John only made one start as a 2-year-old in 2022, scoring in a maiden race by 31⁄4 lengths. But the colt made an early claim for Stay Tirsty to have another big year in 2023 when he won the Jan. 7 California Cup Derby.

Stay Tirsty’s runners earned $5,037,108 to put him atop the list by money won, and his 2-year-olds earned $630,562 to top that list. He also tied with Mr. Big in sires of 2-year-olds by number of winners, each getting nine.

Clubhouse Ride, who stands at Pete

and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch, led in three categories last year: median earnings per runner, 2-year-old average earnings per runner, and 2-year-old median earnings per runner.

Brickyard Ride, Clubhouse Ride’s leading earner of 2022, was nothing short of brilliant. Last year the speedster won four stakes in a row, beginning with the Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes and adding the Tiznow Stakes, Sensational Star Stakes, and Kona Gold Stakes (G3). Brickyard Ride has earned $744,977, $274,000 of it last year.

Clubhouse Ride also sired stakes winners Chismosa and Warrens Candy Girl. An earner of $190,500 in 2022, Chismosa captured the CTBA Stakes and Generous Portion Stakes, with a perfect three-for-three record. Warrens Candy Girl banked $165,100 and won the Solana Beach Stakes.

Nick Alexander’s Grazen, who stands

Stay Thirsty in 2022 led California sires and sires of 2-year-olds by money won

at Tommy Town Toroughbreds, led all California turf sires, with $1,807,859, as well as by average earnings per start. Connie Swingle topped all of Grazen’s 2022 runners, earning $323,564, and she won the Unzip Me Stakes and placed in three other stakes.

Tough Alexander breeds and races many of Grazen’s good performers, not all come from his program. Te Cohen family’s Red Baron’s Barn and Vaya Con Suerte bred and raced the Grazen flly Teddy’s Barino, winner of the Tranquility Lake Stakes and an earner of $238,140 in 2022.

Mr. Big, another standing at Legacy Ranch, also led California sires in multiple categories. In addition to tying with Stay Tirsty among sires of 2-year-olds by number of winners, Mr. Big was alone in leading sires of 2-year-olds by number of races won, with 13.

Washington-bred Te Big Wam topped Mr. Big’s runners, earning $167,160 as a 2-year-old last year. In fve starts, Te Big Wam won twice, including the Graduation Stakes, and placed second twice, including the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes.

Cal-bred Big City Lights, a 4-year-old son of Mr. Big, hasn’t fnished worse than second in six lifetime starts. A stakes winner at 2, last year at 3 he added the Real Good Deal Stakes. He has since run second in three consecutive stakes: the 2022 E. B. Johnston Stakes and Cary Grant Stakes and the 2023 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes.

Mr. Big had a big California Cup day. His 5-year-old daughter Big Summer captured the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes presented by John Deere.

I’ll Have Another’s frst California-breds raced in 2022, and he is also still represented by runners in Japan. Te stallion, who stands at Paul and Zillah Reddam’s Ocean Breeze Ranch, led California sires by number of winners and number of races won.

Japanese-bred Win Marvel was I’ll Have Another’s top earner, with $608,428. Among the stallion’s Cal-breds, Amigo G A ran third in the I’m Smokin Stakes.

Tamarando’s California roots run deep. Te Cal-bred champion 2-year-old male of 2013, Tamarando spent nearly his entire racing career in his home state, and he stands at John Harris’ Harris Farms. Te stallion, bred and owned by Larry and Marianne Williams, led sires of 2-year-olds by average earnings per start in 2022.

Passarando, Tamarando’s leading earner last year with $218,830, won the Golden State Juvenile Stakes and Gold Rush Stakes. Te Williamses also bred and own Passarando, who ran second in the 2022 Golden Nugget Stakes and third in the 2023 California Cup Derby.

Editorial is a newcomer to California’s stallion ranks for 2023, having moved here from Maryland. He stands at Rancho San Miguel. By virtue of his previous runners, Editorial led all California stallions by average earnings per runner. His leading earner was Alottahope, winner of the Star De Naskra Stakes and Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes.

Clubhouse Ride, the sire of Brickyard Ride, led in three categories

RON MESAROS/COURTESY OF LEGACY RANCH

Grazen was California’s leading sire of turf runners and by average earnings per start

VASSAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Mr. Big led by number of races won and tied for frst by number of winners

RON MESAROS/COURTESY OF LEGACY RANCH

Rancho San Miguel Hosts Open House & Stallion Show

REPORT & PHOTOS

BY LISA GROOTHEDDE

Approximately 50 people attended the rain-delayed 2023 Open House & Stallion Show hosted by Tom and Nancy Clark’s Rancho San Miguel in San Luis Obispo County on Jan. 21 — the frst event of its kind in the state since a public bus tour of Northern California stallion farms was conducted in October 2021.

Warmed by the elusive presence of sunshine on the recently food-soaked region, as well as the gracious hospitality of the farm’s management and crew, attendees were treated to a catered lunch, rafe prizes and two separate group viewings of the farm’s nine stallions: graded stakes winners DanzingCandy,MoForza,Northern Causeway, Richard’s Kid, Sir Prancealot (Ire), Slew’s Tizzy, Surf Cat and Tom’s Tribute, as well as the newest member of its roster, Editorial.

Attendees Tim and Jacqueline Cooper, pictured with the one-week-old, frst reported colt by grade 1 winner Mo Forza alongside his dam, the multiple stakes-placed winner Mess’n Around, in the background

(From left) Stallion owner Rozamund Barclay with attendees Rhonda Simpson and Randy Stoehr, raffe winners of a 2023 breeding season to Barclay’s stallion Northern Causeway

Attendee Susan Jones won a 2023 breeding season to the farm’s newest stallion: third-crop sire Editorial, a War Front half-brother to Uncle Mo who recently relocated from Maryland

Thoroughbred breeders Jorge Ochoa and Daniela Landin

Members of the Rancho San Miguel host crew with farm manager Jennifer Webber (third from right) and farm owner Tom Clark (far right)

Grade 1 winner and second-year stallion Mo Forza is paraded in front of participants

Uncle Mo – Inflamed, by Unusual Heat 2023 Fee: $9,000 LFSN HIGH

PERFORMANCE

• The highest earner ($1,034,460) by UNCLE MO standing outside Kentucky

•Won seven graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby

•Consistent 100+ Beyer Speed Figures

•Posted 13 100+ Equibase Speed Figures from 15 lifetime starts

HIGH

EXPECTATIONS

•First California stallion venture by industry leader Taylor Made Farm

•Backed by the Mo Forza Syndicate

•Number of mares bred in 2022: 99!

#1 among all California first-year stallions

#2 among ALL California stallions

Studs seeking Valentines!

BOLD CHIEFTAIN Fee: $3,000 LF | G.S.M 64.4

Chief Seattle – Hooked On Music, by Seattle Dancer

• ONLY TWO-TIME CAL CUP CLASSIC WINNER AND 50TH CAL-BRED MILLOINAIRE

• A versatile racehorse who won black-type races on all-weather, grass & dirt surfaces. Graded stakes winner of 18 races, 14 stakes, with earnings of $1,683,181. Posted Triple Digit Beyers on Dirt and Turf.

• Won G2, $150,000 San Francisco Mile, defeating multiple G2 winner MONTEREY JAZZ.

• Sire of Fran’s Valentine S., winner MOONLESS SKY ($287,130), stakesplaced I Came To Party ($261,931), Sunset Dragunn ($244,523) and Seattle Bold ($65,293) at 3, 2021). Additional winners are Chiefs Lil Pearl ($112,256), Rose Princess ($117,106), Native Chieftain ($96,653), etc. Average Earnings per starter $51,463.

GIG HARBOR Fee: $2,000 LF | G.S.M 76

City Zip – Miss Blue Grass, by St. Jovite

• ONLY STAKES WINNING SON OF CITY ZIP AT STUD IN CA.

• Multiple Stakes Winner with fve wins from 6 fur. to 1 1/16 miles.

• By Top Sprinter and Leading Sire CITY ZIP.

• CITY ZIP is the sire of leading young sires RUN AWAY AND HIDE, PALACE, BUSTIN STONES, etc., and Horse of the Year in Canada CATCH A GLIMPSE, Champions DAYATTHESPA, WORK ALL WEEK, FINEST CITY, DANA MY LOVE, etc.

• 11 winners from his frst 17 runners including Detangler ($155.722, 3rd Oak Tree Sprint) Shadrack ($190,360), Kerri’s Choice ($66,109), etc.

MANY RIVERS Fee: $3,000 LF | G.S.M. 77.5

Storm Cat – Christmas in Aiken, by Afrmed

• HALF-BROTHER TO 3 TIME G1 WINNER HARLAN’S HOLIDAY, SIRE OF LEADING SIRE INTO MISCHIEF.

• MANY RIVERS at 2, scored a gate-to-wire win going 5½ furlongs at Bay Meadows Racecourse when defeating multiple graded stakes winner AUTISM AWARENESS and ran third in the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes to multiple graded stakes winner EL GATO MALO.

• MANY RIVERS at 3, won a six-furlong allowance race at Golden Gate Fields gate-to-wire.

• By G1 2YO winner & record SEVEN-TIME Leading Juvenile Sire STORM CAT.

• Average Earnings Per Starter of $35,489 with almost 2 Million in Progeny earnings including the dual stakes-placed winner Many Roses ($235,392) and stakes-placed River of Doubt. Two time winner in 2022 Dress Rehearsal.

G. G. RYDER Fee: $2,000 LF

Chhaya Dance – Stormy Gigi, by Storm Boot

• MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER OF $747,519.

• Out of the stakes winning Storm Boot mare, STORMY GIGI.

• Won All America Stakes (G3) Twice.

• Won Bull Dog Stakes Wire-To-Wire.

• Placed in the Berkeley H (G3) three times.

• Stakes Winner on Turf, Dirt and Artifcial Surfaces.

• After a small test crop in 2021, he has his frst full crop arrive in 2022.

Go to VictoryRose.com and fnd the perfect match!

IDIOT PROOF

Fee: $3,000 LF | G.S.M. 99.8

Benchmark – Perfectly Pretty, by Bertrando

• CALIFORNIA CHAMPION SPRINTER, ECLIPSE AWARD FINALIST, CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD COLT.

• Sire of Multiple Graded Stakes & Multiple SW RICHARD’S BOY ($1,011,872), 1-2-3 in 28 of 45 starts-20 stakes/2 Graded, incl. G3

EDDIE D. Stakes, and G3 San Simeon Stakes. Plus Frisco Fog ($165,034, 3rd Oak Tree Distaff S.); Ninety Nine Proof ($151,642, 3rd Silky Sullivan S.), BULLETPROOF ONE ($395,692), from 14 starts has 7 wins, 2 seconds including the Unzip Me Stakes at Santa Anita, and new track record setter

FAITH PROOF, (6 wins in 8 starts by a combined 12 lengths, 5f in :56.42).

SHE’S BULLET PROOF MSW winner at Santa Anita.

• Average Earnings per starter $55,770.

• IDIOT PROOF set new track records on dirt and synthetic winning a G1 & G3 at 3.

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds Inc.

Genetic Stallion Marker helps you Make the Right Breeding Decision to Insure a Successful Mating. Go to: VICTORYROSE.COM for complimentary e-nicks, hypo mating, mare/stallion recommendations from Ellen Parker and the Stallion Genetic Markers for all Victory Rose Stallions.

UNCLAIMED OR UNCASHED CHECKS

The Following Breeders Awards are being held by the CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION for the following individuals:

Abbondanza Racing, LLC

Barbara Allard-Ward DVM

Bada Bing Racing

Barry Becker & Judith Becker

Ed Bernstein & Andrew Molasky

BG Stables & Hector Palma

Blackbird Thoroughbreds

Lindsey Boutwell & Curt Boutwell

Rusty Brown & Debi Brown

BSM Stable, LMJ Investments, DeMaio Racing Venture & Piccioni

Budget Stables

Capital Account Syndicate

Bryan M. Carney

Michelle Casey

Dawna Leigh Dalosto

Dahlberg Farms LLC

Trinidad J. Meza De La Torre

Marie DePalma

William & Sandy Dory & Gary & Janet Kropp

Double JH Stable, Inc.

Englekirk LLC

Equine Formula 1, LLC/ Eric Yohan Knipe

Nels Erickson

Carole Fernandez

Harry Forman, Samuel Wenguer & Art Guglielmi

Michelle Friedman

Gellerman, Metanovic & Lottes

Don Gibb

Revocable Trust of Dr. Mikel & Patricia Harrington

Frank Haverkamp

Estate of Bruce Headley & Simon Yu

Scott Herbertson

Harry W. Jessup & Pacifc

Coast Thoroughbreds, LLC

Gary Kropp, Janet Kropp, Bill Dory & Sandy Dory

Frank P. Lagattuta

Craig Lewis Racing Stable, Elliot Lewis & Anapenny Racing

Jason Litt

Mansfeld Farms LLC & Cathy Schroeder

Todd Marshall & Andrew Molasky

Craig Martin & Nadine Anderson

The Estate of Ross J. McLeod

Irwin Molasky

Robert & Norma Moulton

Nevada Equine LLC

Connie Pageler & Bob Baffert

Virginia Padgett

J. Ravich, Strauss Brothers

Racing LLC, A. Solis, D. Naftzger, et al

Var Reeve

Jose Jesus Sanchez

Skip & Zipp Racing LLC & Gilman Racing

Star HR Racing, LLC

Joe Stiglich & Lloyd Grant

Sunnyside Capital Ventures

Mark Tatch

John Teglia

Robert Traynor

Grant S. Truman & Paul A. Truman

Vessels Stallion Farm LLC

Paul Viskovich

Lidovina A. Wilson

Steven Zerda

Pamela C. Ziebarth

The checks will be released when proper identifcation is established. Please contact Mary Ellen Locke or

ALABAMA’S LOSS IS CALIFORNIA’S GAIN

CARLA GAINES

BY JACK SHINAR

In some small way, Carla Gaines—one of the most successful and admired horse trainers in the state— owes it all to California Toroughbred magazine.

As she relates the story, the youthful Gaines was reading the periodical in an administrative office adjacent to a stallion barn in the bayou country of central Louisiana one icy winter morning when she made the decision that changed her life. Te people she was working with at the time were pinhookers—in the business of buying yearlings and preparing them for resale as 2-year-olds. She enjoyed the people and working with the horses, but the

weather was frightful.

“It was so miserable,” she recalled. “It just rained and rained and it was freezing cold. Te pictures (in the magazine) were so inviting; it seemed so sunny and I remember telling my friend, ‘I’m packing my stuff and I’m going to California.’ Anyway, that’s how I got my start.”

Little did Gaines realize that her decision would lead to a training career totaling 31 graded stakes winners so far, including fve grade 1 victories, and purse earnings of nearly $36 million. Among the stars have been three-time grade 1 winner Nashoba’s Key, a 2023 inductee into the California Toroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame, and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Dancing in Silks. Both were bred in California, as are most of her biggest earners.

Horses were always on her mind, even though her early career path headed in quite a different direction. Te Birmingham, Ala., native started out as a counselor for troubled youth after earning undergraduate degrees in psychology and sociology and a masters in counseling at the University of Alabama.

“I wanted to change the world, to help mankind,” she said. “But it didn’t work out so well. I was working with kids who were in trouble, abused kids, and a lot of it was really serious.”

She recounted incidents of rural Alabama children raped by their fathers or other relatives, then avenging their mistreatment, sometimes with murder.

“I was shocked at how bru-

tal people can be, and it was hard for me to deal with,” she said. “It was so difficult for me to understand; it was not what I was used to. I found myself taking some of the stuff home with me. After a while, I had to get away from that.”

She had loved horses since childhood, so she turned her focus to young horses.

In California, Gaines broke horses for breeder Champ Hough, a bronze-winning 1952 U.S. Olympics equestrian. For Jack Van Berg, the Hall of Fame trainer and a large-scale breeder, she conditioned young horses in preparation for auction. Realizing that training was her future, she spent about 10 years learning the business as an assistant at barns in both halves of the state, taking care of the horses and also working them. Tat included a stint with Calumet Farm, which had a string in Southern California with trainer Tom Walker.

During this time, she got to know owners Warren B. Williamson, who died in 2018, and John Harris. Gaines worked for a time at Harris Farms. Williamson and Harris would become the cornerstones of her success later as a trainer.

“Tey’ve been very good to me,” she said. “Mr. Williamson and Mr. Harris gave me my frst two horses.”

Harris’s horse, Glory Quest, became her frst winner, taking a $4,000 claiming race at Solano County Fair on July 16, 1989. Williamson’s horse, Yesterday’s News, was problematic to train, but she got him to win a race.

Carla Gaines at this year’s California Cup with John Harris, left, who gave her the first horse she trained

BENOIT PHOTO

“Tose were the kinds of horses I got back then, the ones that no else wanted,” Gaines said.

Adding of Williamson, “Tat’s how we got started, and eventually we began buying horses together. Tose were great times. I miss him.”

Tirteen of Gaines’ 20 biggest earners are Cal-breds, and Harris and Williamson stand out as her top clients.

Besides Nashoba’s Key, the 2007 Cal-bred Horse of the Year and earner of more than $1.2 million in little more than a year of racing, Gaines trained the Williamson-owned British-bred multiple graded stakes winner Foxysox (an earner of $715,118) and graded winners Tiz Elemental ($483,740) and Texas Ryano ($455,045), as well as the latter two’s dam, graded winner Blending Element ($448,483).

Te extensive list of top Harris horses is even longer, starting with the multiple stakes winner and Cal-bred champion Super High ($669,668), graded winner Lucky J.H. ($632,065), multiple graded stakes-placed John Scott ($460,304), and Cal-bred champion Closing Remarks ($398,820), currently in training. Other leading Cal-breds for Harris Farms are Unlimited Value, Desert Law, Top of Our Game, and recent stakes

winner Coalinga Road.

Byline

“Tey’ve been very good to me; great clients and great friends,” Gaines said of Harris and Williamson. “Tey started me on my career, and we just continued from there.”

Gaines lives in Pasadena, a few

minutes from Santa Anita, with her beloved 13-year-old white Labrador retriever named Louie. She enjoys hiking in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains and taking snow skiing trips to Big Bear and Mammoth when she has the time, as well as summering in Del Mar. She plans to continue training “as long as I have some good 2-year-olds in my barn.”

Dispensing advice on horses is a big part of her job, of course. But one of the most fortuitous rolls of the dice came from a client who ignored her. Tat would be Ken Kinakin, owner of Dancing in Silks, who wanted to supplement his horse to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint after winning the Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint.

“Tat horse was kind of an overachiever, and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint that year at Santa Anita was going to be an especially tough feld,” Gaines said. “Te owner was not a rich man, and Dancing in Silks was the only horse he owned. I tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted.”

As it turned out, Dancing in Silks scored at odds of 25-1 by a nose over Crown of Torns. Te frst four horses were separated by a neck, and Kinakin collected a purse of nearly $1.1 million.

“I’m glad he didn’t listen to me,” Gaines said.

Texas Ryano, now a California stallion, won the 2016 Hollywood Turf Cup for Gaines

BENOIT PHOTO

Carla Gaines plans to keep training “as long as I have some good 2-year-olds in my barn.”

FASIG-TIPTON PHOTO

SKIP DICKSTEIN

Dancing in Silks wins the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint

3-YEAR-OLDS & UP

Winners

DECEMBER 27, 2022 – JANUARY 22, 2023

Angus—Malibu Allison: Tim's Buddy (2-1), h, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 1/12, 5f, 56.64, $6,927.

Big Bad Leroybrown—Always Fashionable: Santaluz Dreamin (5-1), g, 8 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 1/17, 1mi, 1:34.61, $6,440.

Bluegrass Cat—Farmers Wife: American Farmer (18-5), h, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, AOC, 1/14, 1mi, 1:38.16, $24,960.

Bluegrass Cat—Faith Colleen: Bluegrass Faith (18-5), g, 6 yo, Sunland Park, SOC, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:4.15, $10,320.

Bold Chieftain—Roman Angel: Black Zabat (9-2), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 1/14, 6f, 1:12.61, $15,840.

Clubhouse Ride—Wild Caroline: Hapi Hapi (30-6), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 1/4, 1mi, 1:36.69, $8,835.

Clubhouse Ride—Secret Thorn: Thorne House (30-6), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, ALW, 1/7, about 6 1/2f, 1:12.96, $43,200.

Clubhouse Ride—Plan a Surprise: Trojan Clubhouse (30-6), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, SOC, 1/14, 1 1/16mi, 1:45.60, $14,400.

Clubhouse Ride—Yawannagokid: Club Cal (30-6), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/20, 6f, 1:9.72, $43,200.

Cyclotron—Always in Style: Speeding Style (6-2), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 1/11, 7 1/2f (T), 1:31.40, $12,840.

Danzing Candy—Ilikecandy: Leyas Candy (26-3), c, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/7, 1mi, 1:36.61, $43,200.

English Channel—Winds of March (IRE): Freeport Joe (48-8), g, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/15, 1 1/16mi, 1:44.26, $25,740.

Fort Larned—Truly Marie: Melodious Singer (13-1), m, 4 yo, Penn National, STR, 12/28, 6f, 1:11.65, $12,000.

Fullbridled—Nearlycocktailtime: Bridleuptothebar (5-2), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, ALW, 1/7, 6 1/2f, 1:15.93, $13,749.

Gallant Son—Quick Glory: Gallant Guy (14-2), g, 5 yo, Turfway Park, ALW, 1/14, 6f, 1:10.03, $22,800.

Grazen—Sudden Sunday: Luxury Liner (43-8), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/7, 6f, 1:10.05, $24,180.

Grazen—Daddy's Duo: Grazed My Heart (43-8), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks, 1/7, 1mi (T), 1:37.41, $110,000.

Grazen—Sunshine Woman: Northvale Road (43-8), g, 4 yo, Sunland Park, ALW, 1/10, 5 1/2f, 1:5.42, $21,840.

Grazen—Irish Winnie: Irish Wahine (43-8), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/13, 6f, 1:10.24, $43,200.

Grazen—Cherry Gold: Li'l Grazen (43-8), m, 9 yo, Oaklawn Park, STR, 1/20, 6f, 1:11.26, $18,600.

Grazen—Welken: J T's Creditcard (43-8), g, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, WCL, 1/22, 1mi, 1:39.65, $9,000.

Heatseeker (IRE)—Albany Candy: Atomic Candy (4-1), g, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 1/19, 1mi, 1:34.15, $13,307.

He Be Fire N Ice—Scatkey: Lil Nas (5-1), h, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/8, 1mi (T), 1:35.72, $43,200.

Lakerville—Red Intrigue: Worthy of Magic (10-1), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/8, 1mi, 1:38.41, $24,180.

Liaison—Legacy and Lace: Brickbat (10-2), g, 6 yo, Sam Houston Race Park, SOC, 1/8, 1mi, 1:40.74, $8,820.

Make Music for Me—Drop a Dime: A Dime for Me (3-1), m, 7 yo, Golden Gate Fields, SOC, 1/20, 5 1/2f, 1:4.60, $11,160.

Ministers Wild Cat—Sensitive Soul: Minister of Soul (15-3), g, 9 yo, Sunland Park, STK, KLAQ H., 1/1, 5f, 57.06, $39,000.

Mr. Big—Ultimate Summer: Big Summer (30-7), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented by John Deere, 1/7, about 6 1/2f, 1:13.10, $90,000.

Mr. Big—Magnetic: Big Event (30-7), g, 4 yo, Sunland Park, AOC, 1/10, 6 1/2f, 1:17.49, $21,840.

Mr. Big—Irish Exchange: Big Shamrock (30-7), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/13, 6f, 1:9.73, $43,200.

Mr. Big—Palisadesprincess: Cashing Big Checks (30-7), f, 4 yo, Parx Racing, AOC, 1/18, 1mi, 1:44.44, $34,200.

Musketier (GER)—Magic Forty Won: Magic Is Flying (5-2), g, 5 yo, Sunland Park, ALW, 1/3, 6f, 1:14.26, $21,120.

Quality Road—Coco Ecolo: Coalinga Road (60-12), g, 6 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented by City National Bank, 1/7, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:49.79, $110,000.

Rousing Sermon—Heat Striker: Always Seeking (12-3), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, AOC, 12/30, 6f, 1:10.43, $24,180.

Rousing Sermon—Mother Luck: Mother's Prayer (12-3), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 1/2, 1mi, 1:40.38, $15,840.

Rousing Sermon—Heat Striker: Always Seeking (12-3), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/22, 5 1/2f, 1:3.95, $24,180.

Slew's Tiznow—Pundit: More Power to Him (10-4), g, 9 yo, Golden Gate Fields, SOC, 1/7, 1 1/4mi, 2:6.73, $11,160.

Southern Image—Handfull: Happy Does (6-1), c, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, AOC, 1/21, 1mi, 1:39.02, $24,180.

Square Eddie—Cryptic: Shinny (26-1), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/27, 7 1/2f (T), 1:28.96, $14,047.

Stay Thirsty—Discreet Dee: Thirsty John (53-11), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, California Cup Derby, 1/7, 1 1/16mi, 1:45.51, $110,000.

Stay Thirsty—Tee Game: Stay in the Game (53-11), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, SOC, 1/21, 6f, 1:10.57, $28,800.

Vronsky—Tiz Molly: The Chosen Vron (25-6), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S., 1/7, 6f, 1:8.96, $90,000.

Vronsky—Honey Bee Lucky: Star Racer (25-6), g, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/14, 5 1/2f, 1:2.38, $24,180.

MAIDENS

ACCLAMATION

Harris Farms

(800) 311 6211

www.harrisfarms.com

Acclamation—Eden Mirelle: Somethingnefarious (22-5), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, WMC, 1/13, 6f, 1:12.89, $10,200.

Acclamation—Celebration: Party Foul (22-5), g, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/15, 6f, 1:10.94, $8,100.

Acclamation—Encanto Park: Prancin N the Park (22-5), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/22, 1mi, 1:42.18, $8,100.

BOLD CHIEFTAIN

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds (707) 678 6580

www.victoryrose.com

Bold Chieftain—Apollonesian: Trinidad (9-2), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/2, 1mi, 1:39.51, $23,400.

Coach Bob—Pahiatua: Bobbie Sox (6-2), f, 3 yo, Turfway Park, MSW, 1/5, 6f, 1:11.68, $21,000.

Coach Bob—Wahine: Got the Bob (6-2), c, 3 yo, Turfway Park, MCL, 1/11, 6f, 1:12.15, $11,400.

CONQUEST FARENHEIT

Harris Farms (800) 311 6211

www.harrisfarms.com

Conquest Farenheit—Madam Sophia: Gypsy Rosie (4-2), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/3, 5 1/2f, 1:4.53, $9,895.

Conquest Farenheit—Cyclone Sally: Stormy Joe (4-2), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/13, 6f, 1:12.42, $8,400.

Curlin to Mischief—Romancingthecrown: Reluctant (17-3), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/21, 1mi, 1:41.36, $7,800.

Dads Caps—Capaz: Dad Bod (13-1), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/16, 6f, 1:12.03, $23,400.

Dialed In—Everything Good: Good Focus (68-12), c, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/8, 5f, 57.99, $7,800.

Distorted Humor—English Garden: Clouseau (46-8), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/6, 6f, 1:11.56, $40,200.

Far From Over—Dustkickin Lass: Dust Maker (3-2), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/16, 5f, 59.81, $8,100.

FIGHTING HUSSAR BG Thoroughbred Farm

(951) 654 9100

www.bgthoroughbreds.com

Fighting Hussar—Lovely Instinct: Harbor Thunder (3-1), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/14, 6 1/2f, 1:17.59, $6,607.

Finnegans Wake—Ciao Bella Rosa: The Calabrese Kid (4-1), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/2, 1mi, 1:42.10, $7,800.

Frac Daddy—Youtheprizeandi: Daddysruby (4-1), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/7, 6f, 1:10.27, $23,400.

FULLBRIDLED Daehling Ranch

(916) 685 4965

www.daehlingranch.com

Fullbridled—Helens Yankee Girl: Plum Rose (5-2), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/11, 6 1/2f, 1:17.11, $5,770.

Gig Harbor—Compel (FR): Snow Hill (10-1), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/30, 1mi, 1:42.33, $7,800.

Grazen—Seoul Unbridled: Shocking Grey (43-8), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/13, 1mi (T), 1:37.07, $40,200.

IDIOT PROOF Victory Rose Thoroughbreds

(707) 678 6580 www.victoryrose.com

Idiot Proof—Radiant Journey: Mila's Papa (9-3), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/7, 5 1/2f (T), 1:3.75, $40,200.

Lakerville—Catch of the Day: Catchme At Thelake (10-1), g, 2 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/27, 5f, 58.06, $6,623.

Misremembered—Sea of Red: Keepurself Alive (8-0), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 12/31, 4 1/2f, 53.86, $4,400.

Mr. Big—Novel Twist: Zhivago (30-7), g, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/30, 5 1/2f, 1:5.87, $8,100.

Mr. Big—Patsy G and Me: Big Gift (30-7), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/30, 1mi, 1:42.77, $8,100.

Mr. Big—Belloma: Big Bell (30-7), m, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 12/30, 6 1/2f, 1:17.82, $14,400.

Mr. Big—Game Recap: Big Storm Kitty (30-7), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/8, 5f, 59.38, $7,800.

Northern Causeway—April Sky: Siskiyou Sky (13-1), m, 5yo,LosAlamitos,MCL,1/22,41/2f,53.14,$3,820.

Nyquist—Full of Sugar: Nyvan (47-11), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/2, 1mi (T), 1:37.87, $40,200.

The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and Californiasired winners in 2022/2023 of all recent North American races, except straight claiming races.

Abbreviations used for the class of race are similar to those used by Equibase: Alw–allowance; Hcp–overnight handicap; names of stakes race are spelled out, with the grade of the race, when applicable, in parentheses.

Richard's Kid—Crown On Tap: Cousin Richie (12-1), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/20, 5f, 59.12, $8,100.

Roi Charmant—Starlet Sky: Councilwoman Jilly (3-2), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/6, 1mi, 1:41.21, $9,600.

ROUSING SERMON

BG Thoroughbred Farm

(951) 654 9100

www.bgthoroughbreds.com

Rousing Sermon—Book'em Babe: A Rousing Babe (12-3), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/6, 5 1/2f, 1:5.00, $10,200.

Slew's Tiznow—Sweetest Secret: Ultimate Diva (10-4), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/13, 1mi, 1:41.52, $9,600.

Slew's Tiznow—Dizzy Tizzy: Dizzy Dazmura (10-4), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, WMC, 1/20, 6f, 1:13.37, $8,100.

Smart Bid—My Looloo: Dos Vicios (6-1), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/7, 1mi, 1:41.54, $8,100.

SMILING TIGER

Harris Farms

(800) 311 6211

www.harrisfarms.com

Smiling Tiger—Sioux Zen: Agree to Settle (35-4), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/22, 6f, 1:11.90, $23,400.

Stay Thirsty—Miss Remembering: Tootufftoswallow (53-11), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/2, 6f, 1:11.67, $23,400.

Stay Thirsty—Tee Game: Stay in the Game (53-11), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/7, 6f, 1:11.17, $23,400. Stay Thirsty—Alseera: Thirsty Pappy (53-11), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/8, 1mi (T), 1:38.77, $40,200.

Stay Thirsty—Sweet as Candy: Pretty Thirsty (53-11), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/16, 5f, 59.10, $8,100.

Straight Fire—Renee's Queen: Sassy Nature (15-1), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/7, 6f, 1:9.45, $40,200.

Tom's Tribute—X S Heat: Tom's X S (15-1), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/20, 6f, 1:10.47, $40,200.

Vronsky—Cut My Curls: Rusty Red (25-6), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:3.64, $12,648.

DENTAL PAIN CAN HINDER PERFORMANCE

REGULAR ORAL CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO A HORSE’S OVERALL HEALTH

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

The horse’s teeth are crucial for eating/chewing and important for good health and ftness. Teeth also play a role in performance of an equine athlete.

Dental problems can be painful, which can lead to altered behavior that can afect performance. Sometimes a performance or behavior problem may be subtle or not readily recognized as linked to a tooth problem, so it’s important to fgure it out—with proper diagnosis and treatment.

DENTAL EXAM

Dr. Jack Easley with the Easley Equine Dentistry in Shelbyville, Ky., says a complete oral examination is important before simply foating a horse’s teeth.

“Diagnosing a dental problem is accomplished the same way you’d diagnose any other medical problem in the horse,” Easley said. “You start by taking a good history to determine the problem the owner, trainer, or rider is having with that horse.”

History should include general health, medi-

Dr. Jack Easley examines a horse’s teeth and notes the importance of a full dental exam

COURTESY OF DR. JACK EASLEY

2023 GOLDEN STATE SERIES - 4.85 MILLION

A RESTRICTED STAKES SCHEDULE FOR REGISTERED CALIFORNIA BRED OR SIRED HORSES Sat, Jan 7

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Two-Year-Olds

cal or surgical history, and a review of any other problems such as nasal discharge or eating problems. Any number of things can be associated with pain or change in behavior that could point toward a possible dental problem.

“Ten you need a good examination of the horse—his head, the muscles of mastication, making sure head and muscles are symmetrical on both sides, with no neurological defcits,” Easley said. “A trained, experienced practitioner can do this in a matter of minutes.

“It’s important to evaluate the skeletal structure of the head, to make sure the jawbones look and feel the same on both sides and are lined up straight. Te temporomandibular joints should be symmetrical—the same size and conformation on both sides of the head.

“Ten, I usually stick my hand in the bar area of the horse’s mouth and have him chew a little so I can tell if he masticates normally. We also look at the incisors to make sure they are lined up well and appropriate for the horse’s age. Some horses have excessive wear or damage, or disease in the front teeth. We need to make sure those teeth are healthy.

“We check health of gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue. Most horses need to be sedated before we do a complete exam inside the mouth, so they won’t resist. You want them relaxed, so you can get the mouth open and get your hand and dental mirror inside for a thorough exam.

“Te practitioner uses a speculum to hold the mouth open and uses a light and dental mirrors to visualize the oral cavity and dental arcades, feeling the teeth and soft tissue structures and viewing the chewing surfaces. We want to see if everything is symmetrical, with no damaged teeth that cause uneven wear, no loose teeth, and no soft-tissue lacerations.

“We use periodontal probes and picks to evaluate pockets, gum attachments, etc. Horses may have periodontal disease, with infamed gums and pockets where feed gets trapped between teeth. Chronic periodontal disease can be very painful and lead to loose teeth. If diagnosed early, it can be treated, and sometimes requires removal of teeth, or cleaning out pockets and packing them

with a perioceutic.”

A perioceutic is antimicrobial medication placed inside a periodontal pocket for local treatment of periodontal disease. Doxycycline is commonly used; the medication slowly releases the antibiotic over a 2-4 week period. Sometimes treatment also includes a diet change for the horse— pelleted feed that’s easier to chew.

Some horses have abnormal crowns or an elongated (tall) tooth.

“When people talk about foating teeth, remember that the only thing you can (or should) do with a foat is reduce the crown on the tall tooth,” Easley said. “You can’t add any crown or repair any damage. All you can do is rasp it down.

“If there’s a tall tooth, it’s usually a normal tooth. Te pathology is almost always in the tooth opposite. Te opposite tooth is either broken, damaged, worn out, or diseased to the point it doesn’t provide anything for the tall tooth to wear against. Te pathology might be due to an asym-

At left, radiographs of the head can pinpoint odontoma, which here led to decreased airfow in the right nostril

metrical jaw (sides not the same length) or a damaged tooth somewhere in the opposite arcade.

“Te elongated tooth might be limiting movement of the jaws. When a horse raises his head or lowers it, the bottom jaw moves. Te bottom jaw moves forward when he lowers his head and moves back when the head is elevated.”

Te jaw must be able to have some backward and forward movement for the horse to move his head appropriately to work in extension or collection.

Sometimes an elongated tooth (due to jaw malocclusion) catches on the opposing teeth and limits that back-and-forth movement of the jaw.

“Reducing the elongations by foating the teeth will help free up the jaw,” Easley said. “But you have to identify where the elongation is and then appropriately reduce the elongated portion of that tooth so you can unlock the jaw—for normal range of motion.”

Above, dental exams can show such things as whether a horse chews properly

COURTESY OF DR. JACK EASLEY

GETTY IMAGES

IMPROVED DIAGNOSTICS

“If you look into the mouth, you can only see about a quarter-inch of the teeth (exposed crown); most of the tooth is below the gums, in the jawbone,” Easley said. “Sometimes we need to take X-rays to see what is going on with the rest of the tooth and why there is a problem. An elongated tooth has not been worn down properly, perhaps because it is malformed or malpositioned or the opposite tooth is damaged.

“Ten we can design a plan for fxing the problem and maintaining the horse through the rest of his life. Most issues keep recurring unless the root of the problem is addressed. You can foat teeth, but this is a temporary fx. We need to diagnose why the problem is there and formulate a plan for maintaining that horse.

“Radiographs are the most common type of imaging we use when diagnosing dental issues. Digital X-rays make this easier; we can take these at the farm, look at them on site, and make a diagnosis. Te owner can be there viewing them and see what the problem is.”

Great strides have been made in equine dentistry in the past decade.

“Tere have been some big breakthroughs,” Easley said. “One is good research using new tools to look at anatomy and physiology of horses’ teeth—to see and understand the diference in their teeth, in the way they are made and the way they function, and how much diferent they are from human teeth or the teeth of most other domestic animals. Tis has primarily come about because of new technology, and being able to use digital radiographs.

“We also use computed tomography (CT) in which we can get 3-D images of the horse’s head and teeth. Tis allows us to more accurately diagnose dental disease.

“Tere have been several good research projects in the past few years. Most of these have been done due to animal welfare concerns, thinking about how pain afects horses. We know that with humans and other animals, dental disease is a painful condition. But we were unable to evaluate this very well in horses. In the past fve years, there were studies looking at how dental disease afects horse behavior—especially behaviors associated with pain.”

A group in Sweden studied pain in hors-

es, using a tool they called “the pain face.” Since earlier research showed that facial expressions may be a good indicator of pain in the mouse and rabbit, the aim of the Swedish study was to investigate possible existence of an equine pain face.

Characteristic alterations in facial expressions were observed in the test horses— things like changed shape of the nostrils, muscle tension around the chin, etc. Facial expressions representative for baseline (no pain) and pain expressions were put into explanatory illustrations. Te conclusion of the Swedish study was that an equine “pain face” can be recognized in horses during induced moderate pain and may prove useful for identifying pain in horses. Recognizing pain in horses is a prerequisite for proper treatment and for horse welfare.

“Tere have been some follow-up studies on horses that were diagnosed with dental disease,” Easley said. “Some were

diagnosed with clinical signs before being diagnosed with X-rays or CT scans. Others were found on a routine dental exam. Te owners were surveyed regarding the animals’ behavior prior to having the diseased teeth removed or the dental disease treated and how the horse behaved after treatment. Te researchers found that most of the time the owners didn’t associate the abnormal behavior with dental pain.

“Yet after the dental condition was treated, the horse dramatically improved. Te owner had seen the bad behavior, but thought it was related to a lameness problem or the horse being stubborn or not liking what he was doing—then realized that after the dental condition was treated, the horse’s whole attitude changed. He quit shaking his head or resisting the bit, or whatever behavioral issue they’d seen.”

Several other studies have looked at use of the bit, and how it can cause damage to the mouth. Issues included if the bit is not properly ftted, if it was not the correct bit for the discipline in which the horse is performing, if the bit is misused by the rider, or if the horse has an accident with the bit in his mouth. A horse running loose with a bridle on may step on a rein and injure the mouth and/or tongue.

Bit injuries are more common than frst thought.

“If a horse has any blood in the mouth when fnished with a race or competition, the mouth should be examined,” Easley said. “Some will have injuries to the tongue, lips, or bars. Often these injures are severe, and some take a long time to heal.

“If you continue to use the horse during that time, there will be more pain, bit resistance, and behavioral issues. Some of these horses get abused because the rider doesn’t understand why the horse is misbehaving. Owners and trainers should pay close attention to behaviors and bitting. Sometimes a change in bit or even not using a bit is recommended until the mouth and/ or dental issues have resolved.”

PROBLEMS IN YOUNG HORSES

Developmental problems often start showing up in horses at 2 and 3 years of age. Between 2 and 5 years of age, they are shedding baby teeth and the permanent teeth are coming in.

“Tey will be shedding 24 baby teeth

This 2-year-old colt has a fractured left lower jaw, which shows up on the radiograph

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. JACK EASLEY

and erupting 40 permanent teeth,” Easley said. “As the permanent teeth erupt, sometimes they are in a bad position, become impacted, or have ‘caps’ (the baby tooth doesn’t come completely loose and is stuck on the erupting permanent tooth). Te baby teeth, as they become loose, can cause irritation around the gum and pain. Tey may get displaced into the cheek and cause ulcerations in the cheek, or break when they become thin and ready to come out. Sometimes they fracture.”

If the young horse shows signs of problems—not eating normally, blood in the mouth, an attitude problem, resisting the bit, or not wanting tack on the head—the mouth should be examined. Tis often occurs at the same time racehorses begin training, and any problem in the mouth will be a setback.

“When talking about racehorses, wolf teeth are always mentioned,” Easley said. “Do we remove them or not? Wolf teeth don’t always cause a problem with bitting, but they can. Historically, most trainers request wolf teeth be removed, and it’s a fairly easy procedure with a young horse.”

It’s important, however, to have an oral exam and see if wolf teeth are present.

“Some wolf teeth fail to erupt; they are under the gum surface, and pressure in that area can be painful,” Easley said. “Instead of poking up through the gum into the mouth, they simply migrate under the gum and are just a lump—like a bean or a pea underneath. Tis can cause tenderness or pain when the bit hits that lump in the gum.

“Tese are often referred to as blind or impacted wolf teeth. If identifed, these can be removed. Sometimes you can palpate that area of the gum and feel them. If you feel a bump but are not certain of its origin, we can take an X-ray to see if there is a tooth underneath.”

Young horses can also have problems in the maxillary sinuses.

“Tey can have sinus cysts or what is called an odontoma, which is a benign tumor that grows of a tooth,” Easley said. “Tese can cause enlargement of the maxillary sinus cavities at the top of the head. Tey seldom cause swelling on the outside of the head, but can swell to the inside.”

When this happens, they can obstruct that nostril and the horse has

LOOSE INCISORS

A problem seen mainly in older horses is called EOTRH (equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis). This occurs most often in the incisors and sometimes canine teeth.

In early stages of the disease, this might be diffcult to see. You may notice that the incisors are a little loose. Some people notice this when they feed the horse a carrot; the horse doesn’t want to bite it because the teeth hurt. Unfortunately, this disease is progressive, and so far no one has found a good way to treat it other than extracting the teeth.

“In the later stages of this disease, there may be pain, and sometimes broken teeth,” said Dr. Jack Easley with the Easley Equine Dentistry in Shelbyville, Ky

The incisors move and become crooked. X-rays may show that the lower part of the tooth (still inside the gum) becomes bulbous. A normal incisor would appear on a radiograph as a smooth, long tooth that tapers. With EOTRH, the tooth looks fairly normal on the surface, but underneath the gum it may be large and bulbous. The gums are infamed and may become infected, and the infection may get into the jawbones.

“Only a small percentage of older horses get this problem,” Easley said. “But there is no common factor—no one breed affected more

limited breathing capacity.

“Te expanding mass in the sinus can push the walls of the sinus compartment against the nasal septum and clog up one of the nostrils,” Easley said. “Tis is something that can be seen on an X-ray. If we notice a horse with an obstructed nostril— as evidenced with decreased airfow or trouble passing an endoscope or stomach tube through a nostril—we need to take an X-ray of the head and see if there is something growing in the sinus, causing it to push over into the airway.”

If a young horse in training does not have full use of one nostril, the impaired breathing can limit his ability to perform.

“Sometimes these expanding masses don’t get diagnosed until they are quite large,” Easley said. “Owners/trainers may think the horse is not training very well and

than another, and no region of the world where it occurs more often. We have not found any medical condition or nutritional defciency that might predispose a horse to this disease. We’ve looked at numerous possible causative factors, but no one has actually identifed a cause, or anything that we can do to prevent it or correct it, or even slow down its progression.

“In some horses, it progresses quickly and they become severely affected and in a lot of pain. Whereas in others it is slowly progressive and never gets to the point to cause a lot of trouble. The only thing we know to resolve this is to remove the tooth.”

Horses can eat just fne even with all their incisors removed. They can pull feed into the mouth with their lips.

“They can survive nicely even with no teeth,” Easley said. “We can modify their diet to compensate. Senior feeds, pelleted hay, etc. can be moistened, and they don’t need to chew. I have many horses in my practice that have hardly any teeth, and they do fne—as long as they are fed appropriately. They are actually much more comfortable with no teeth than they are with rotten, painful teeth.

“As long as the gums, bones, and remaining teeth are healthy, they do all right. But once they develop a diseased tooth that’s painful and infected, this can cause problems.”

—Heather Smith Thomas

want to simply wait to see how the horse develops over time. But it is benefcial to have an X-ray early. If these are treated while they are still small, the outcome is good. Sometimes by the time they are discovered, they are so large that treatment is more complicated. Tere’s a lot more tissue to try to remove, and sometimes they are inoperable by the time they are diagnosed. It’s a lot easier on the horse to remove them early.”

Young horses commonly have some sharp points on their teeth that should be foated, but they can also have some deformed teeth or teeth that don’t erupt properly.

“Tose also need to be diagnosed early,” Easley said. “Tey can be managed if you realize they are there, but you need to do an oral exam to detect them.”

Monday, March 6, 2023 | At Le Méridien, 130 West Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007

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2022 LEADING BREEDERS IN CALIFORNIA BY EARNINGS (THRU DEC. 31, 2022)

2022 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER RUNNER

2022 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON

2022 LEADING TURF SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

The statistics shown here are compiled by The Jockey Club Information Systems (TJCIS). While every effort is made to prevent errors and omissions, California Thoroughbred cannot guarantee their complete and total accuracy. A dagger (†) indicates a stallion that has been pensioned or has died, a dot (•) that he is now standing elsewhere (sires no longer standing in California remain on these lists until their last Cal-bred crop turns 3 years old). Freshman sires are highlighted in bold text. Earnings are from Northern Hemisphere racing and include adjusted money from Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Adjusted earnings are put on par with average North American earnings from the previous year. The average North American purse in 2018 was $23,755 or 50% of the average purse in Japan. To put earnings on par, Japanese earnings are multiplied by 50% before being applied to the total earnings above. Hong Kong earnings are adjusted by 15%, and Singapore adjusted by 66%. Stakes winners and wins follow TJCIS stakes rules. Racing statistics through December 31, 2022.

Leading California Sires Lists

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Leading California Sires Lists

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For further information, contact Loretta Veiga (626) 445-7800 ext. 227

Leading California Sires Lists

2022 LEADING LIFETIME SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

These statistics are for active California-based sires with a minimum of 50 foals of racing age, ranked here by their lifetime Average Earnings Index (AEI.) The statistics shown here are compiled by The Jockey Club Information Systems (TJCIS). While every effort is made to prevent errors and omissions, California Thoroughbred cannot guarantee their complete and total accuracy. A dagger (†) indicates a stallion that has been pensioned or has died, a dot (•) that he is now standing elsewhere (sires no longer standing in California remain on these lists until their last Cal-bred crop turns 3 years old). Freshman sires are highlighted in bold text.. Statistics cover racing in North America (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico), England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) only. Stakes winners and wins follow TJCIS stakes rules. Percentages are based upon number of named foals of racing age.

2023

REGIONAL RACE MEETINGS

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2023

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CTBA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YEARLING & HORSES OF RACING

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CALIFORNIA HORSE RANCHES BIG OR SMALL PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL.

ROBIN HAS BEEN SELLING EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

PLEASE CALL ROBIN AT (925) 550-2383 OR EMAIL AT ROBIN FROST1@YAHOO.COM

WWW.ROBINSRANCHES.COM

AGENT BRE #01039978

31101 HWY 166, MARICOPA CA. 93252

RAMON GONZALEZ – 661 699 5527

WAR POWER

(PULPIT—TEMPO WEST BY RAHY) 2006 HAS SIRED 75.75% RUNNERS FROM 33 REGISTERED FOALS AND 72% WINNERS FROM RUNNERS AND HAS A $29,801 AVERAGE PER STARTER THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022. HIS 3-YEAR-OLD WA CHAMPION PULPITS POWER (WA) HAD 67 STARTS. WINGS OF WISDOM (OR) HAD 51 STARTS. PISTOL POWER (WA) HAD 47 STARTS AND IS STILL IN TRAINING AT TURF PARADISE. THESE ARE ALL ‘14 FOALS. MAYBEE A DIVA (WA) ‘17 HAD 26 STARTS AND ALSO IS IN TRAINING AT TURF PARADISE. 5 OTHERS HAD 30 OR MORE STARTS.

IF YOU LIKE THESE NUMBERS, CHECK HIM OUT AT BG THOROUGHBRED FARM AT 3001 W. ESPLANADE AVE., HEMET, CA 92545. PHONE (951) 654-9100 $1,500 LFSN

C. Sue Hubbard Agency - SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

7508 Morro Rd

Atascadero, CA 93422

OFFICE 805-466-7333 FAX 805-466-1499

MOBILE 805-674-4844

chubbard@farmersagent.com

CA PRODUCER LIC 0D91634

Registered Representative, Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC 31051 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361

OFFICE 818-584-0200 Member FINRA & SIPC

Advertising Index

NOTE: Inside Back Cover, IBC; Outside Back Cover, OBC; Inside Front Cover, IFC This index is provided as a service. The publisher does not assume liability for errors or ommissions. (Bold fgures indicate a page that features a stallion)

War Front Half-Brother

To Champion 2-Year-Old &LeadingSire

UNCLE MO

Now Standing At RANCHO SAN MIGUEL

20% Black-Type Horses From Starters

Sire of First-Crop Multiple Stakes

WinnerAlottahope ($328,915)

Winner of two dirt sprint stakes by 17 3/4 lengths in 2022!

Average Earnings / Starter More Than $55,000

#1 California

#1 Among All # l f ia Third-Crop Sires of 2023! T