Owners: Sondereker Racing, Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, & Richard Thornburgh
Breeder: Tiz Molly Partners
Trainer: Eric Kruljac
GRAND SLAM SMILE – 2YO Filly Champion
Foaled at Harris Farms
Owners & Breeders: Larry & Marianne Williams
Trainer: Steve Specht
CLOSING REMARKS – Older Female/Turf Horse
Bred, raised, and owned by Harris Farms
Owner & Breeder: Harris Farms
Trainer: Carla Gaines
CEILING CRUSHER – 3YO FILLY CHAMPION
Bred and raised by Harris Farms
Owners: Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff, & Ty Leatherman
Breeder: Harris Farms
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
From the EXECUTIVE
FASIG-TIPTON SALE AN IMPORTANT PART OF CALIFORNIA PICTURE
Just like California breeders, the Fasig-Tipton sales company continues to navigate the current environment with a determination again seen at the recent California Fall Yearling Sale at Fairplex.
After the closure of Barretts, Kentucky-based Fasig-Tipton stepped into the breach, expanding operations into California in 2019 with the introduction of a 2-year-olds in training sale at Santa Anita and a fall yearling sale. A horses of racing age section was added to the latter in 2022.
In that short time, graduates of its Fall Yearling Sale have included California-bred stakes winners Bus Buzz, Crazy Hot, Last Call London, Lite Ranchin Kid, Magic Spoon, Mici’s Express, Pushiness, Roberta’s Love, Tom’s Regret, and graded winner Big City Lights, this year’s catalog cover boy.
Te catalog for the September sale was overwhelmingly flled with Calbreds, and eight of them brought six-fgure purchase prices.
Te topper was a Stay Tirsty colt from the Lovacres Ranch consignment who is a full brother to state champion Finneus, selling for $250,000. Te colt was bred by CTBA board member Terry Lovingier and purchased by John Moroney.
“Tere were certainly some bright spots,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd
Browning said of the sale. “It was similar and consistent to what we have seen in recent years in the California marketplace.”
Breeders and consigners alike are fortunate to have an historic, professional auction house like Fasig-Tipton, founded in 1898, providing a marketplace in Southern California.
Te Fasig-Tipton sale has underscored the importance to breeders that utilize the Cal-bred breed-back rule. Tat rule allows horses sired by Kentucky stalllions to enjoy purses and bonuses available to Cal-breds if they are foaled in California and the mare is bred back to a California stallion.
After the Stay Tirsty sale topper, the next three highest-priced pur-
chases were sired by Kentucky stallions McKinzie, Yaupon, and City ofLight.
The next auction to be held at Fairplex will be the 2025 CTBA Winter Mixed Sale on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Broodmares, racing prospects, yearlings, and 2-year-olds will be available in a sale that previously produced stakes winners like Lord Prancealot (2023 Graduation Stakes at Del Mar) and grade 1-producing broodmares like Expo Gold (dam of Preakness-winning filly Swiss Skydiver).
The CTBA’s 2025 Northern California Yearling Sale is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
DOUG BURGE
California-bred yearlings made up the bulk of the Fasig-Tipton sale
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.
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OFFICERS
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THIRSTY COLT
Eight California-bred yearlings brought six fgures at the Sept. 24 Fasig-Tipton sale, including the $250,000 sale topper, a full brother to champion Finneus.
FIGHTING HUSSAR
Rockport Harbor – Lightning Pace, by Regal Classic
Fee: $1,000 LFG
BIG RUNNUER
Stormy Atlantic – Elusive Luci, by Elusive Quality
Fee: $1,500 LFSN
OSCAR NOMINATED
Kittens Joy – Devine Actress, by Theatrical (IRE)
Fee: $1,500 LFSN
KING OF JAZZ (ARG)
Giant’s Causeway – Kiss Me Sweet (ARG), by Lode
Fee: $1,000 LFG
GATO DEL ORO
Medaglio D’oro – Funny Feeling, by Distorted Humor
Fee: $1,000 LFG
ORIGINAIRE (IRE)
Zofany (IRE) - Polly Perkins (IRE) by Pivotal (GB)
Fee: Complimentary
MO THE BEHOLDER
Uncle Mo – Leslie’s Harmony, by Curlin
Fee: $2,500 LFSN
ROUSING SERMON
Lucky Pulpit – Rousing Again, by Awesome Again
Fee: $1,500 LFSN
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NewsBits
CTBA TO HOLD MIXED SALE JAN.
21
The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association will conduct its mixed sale Jan. 21, 2025, at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex Park. The catalog will consist of breeding stock, 2-year-olds, yearlings, and horses of racing age. Entries will close Nov. 12
For further information, contact Loretta Veiga at 626-445-7800 ext. 227 or email loretta@ctba.com.
Pleasanton Meeting Dates Approved
Te California Horse Racing Board at its September meeting granted a conditional license for Golden State Racing to conduct a fall meeting at Pleasanton from Oct. 19-Dec. 15. Final details regarding purse structure were being worked out in late September.
Te new race meeting will be held during some of the dates that Golden Gate Fields traditionally ran in the fall. Golden Gate was closed earlier this year.
At the CHRB September meeting, the board also approved 2025 dates for Southern California that mirror those of 2024 and dates for the frst half of the year for Northern California. Te CHRB allocated dates to Pleasanton through June 8 and dates for the Sonoma County Fair from July 30 through Aug. 19.
Man O Rose at Los Alamitos
Man O Rose was a tiger at Santa Anita this past winter and spring, capturing four consecutive races at the allowance level. Te California-bred stepped up his game at Los Alamitos with a sharp victory in the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes Sept. 14.
It was also a great win for Edwin Maldonado, who leads all jockeys by daytime Toroughbred wins with 142.
Maldonado was aboard Man O Rose, the 11-10 favorite in the one-mile race for Cal breds. It was the frst venture beyond 61⁄2 furlongs for the 4-year-old gelding, who led throughout to crush his foes by eight lengths in 1:35.52. Dont Fight the Fed fnished second over Coalinga Road.
“He broke great and had his ears forward going into the frst turn,’’ said Maldonado.
Jef Mullins trains Man O Rose for owner-breeders Bruce and Beverly Zeitz. Te conditioner had been waiting for the
opportunity to stretch out Man O Rose.
“Once he makes the lead and he’s got his ears forward, it’s going to take a pretty nice horse to get by him,” Mullins said.
A son of Stanford—Kathleen Rose, by Good Journey, Man O Rose was winning his seventh of 12 starts. He increased his lifetime earnings to $319,840. Tree of those wins came on the turf.
CLOVISCONNECTION WINS SECOND HARRIS FARMS STAKES
Clovisconnection won his second consecutive $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes Sept. 29 at the Big Fresno County Fair.
Longtime Fresno-area residents Bill and Judy Hedrick bred and own Clovisconnection, who dominated on the front end of six-furlong contest. With jockey William Antongeorgi III in the irons, the 4-yearold gelding broke alertly, took charge, and set all the fractions: :23.82, :45.93, and :57.29. He widened his advantage at every call, ultimately scoring by six lengths in 1:08.90 as the 1-5 favorite.
Antongeorgi rode Clovisconnection to victory in the race last year as well for trainer Blaine Wright, but this year was a much more decisive performance, as well as faster. Clovis-
connection completed the 2023 race in 1:09.13. Disko Tribute this year fnished second, a length in front of Melanie’s Tiger in the race for California-bred or California-sired runners 3 and up.
Clovisconnection is a son of deceased Vronsky out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling. Hedrick bought the mare from Old English Rancho following owner Buddy Johnston’s death in 2015. With total earnings now standing at $393,300, Clovisconnection has a record of 10 wins in 16 starts with two seconds and one third. In addition to his two Harris trophies, he has won fve other stakes, including this year’s Oak Tree Sprint Stakes. He also fnished second by a head to Five Star General in the Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs.
Man O Rose becomes a stakes winner in the E.B. Johnston Stakes at Los Alamitos
Clovisconnection wins his second Harris Farms Stakes
VASSAR
PHOTOGRAPHY
Santa Anita Sports New Infeld Arenas
Santa Anita this fall is completing construction of three large horse show arenas in the track’s infeld. Construction began earlier this summer, overseen by Dennis Moore and a team from Equestrian Services International, whose all-weather footing is used at venues throughout the world.
Te main show arena, in northwest section of the infeld, measures 150’ x 300’. A secondary show arena will augment it just behind the main tote board on the east side, with the main schooling arena in between.
Te arenas will be used for the frst time in November in collaboration with Te Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour. Te event will feature two weeks of back-to-back international competition, beginning Nov. 13-17 with the Los Angeles National, followed by the inaugural Santa Anita CSI5*-W. Te latter features the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Los Angeles CSI5*-W qualifying event, expected to attract many riders who competed in this year’s Olympic Games because it ofers qualifying points for the 2025 FEI Jumping World Cup Finals in Basel, Switzerland.
Te construction will not impact morning training or afternoon racing. In addition, the infeld size provides enough fexibility to allow for popular family events to be held during the racing season. Temporary stabling for the show horses will be added to the north parking lot closer to the event, which Santa Anita has earned the annual allocation of through 2027.
FENTON NAMED TJC STEWARD
Californian Gary Fenton joins David O’Farrell, Everrett R. Dobson, and Vincent Viola as one of the four newly elected stewards of The Jockey Club. Fenton is a managing partner of Little Red Feather Racing and chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.
Fenton began his career as an entertainment attorney with the William Morris Agency. He notes that his love of the industry dates back to the 1980s and attending the frst Breeders’ Cup, at Hollywood Park, in 1984.
Fenton joined Billy Koch in building Little Red Feather into a major ownership syndicate. He has served as the TOC chairman since 2021.
CALIFORNIA GROUPS RECEIVE TCA GRANTS
Several California-based groups were among the recipients of grants from the Thoroughbred Charities of America. The grants this year were bolstered by a generous bequest from late California Thoroughbred owner Nancy Messineo.
The TCA grants go to a wide variety of organizations in the Thoroughbred industry. California aftercare groups that will beneft from TCA grants are the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), Glen Ellen Vocational Academy (GEVA), Hope for Horses, Kingfsher Equine Rescue and Rehab (KERRI), Red Wings Horse Sanctuary, and United Pegasus Foundation. In
addition, the Square Peg Foundation, an equine-assisted therapy group based in California, received a grant.
The California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation and the Race Track Chaplaincy of California were two of the backstretch and farm employee programs to receive TCA grants.
TCA’s mission is to fund and facilitate the support of Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them. Since its inception in 1990, TCA has granted more than $27 million to more than 200 charities. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
Rancho San Miguel to Host Stallion Show
Rancho San Miguel is hosting its annual open house and stallion show Nov. 16 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In the past, the farm has conducted similar programs in the winter, but this year’s date will allow mare owners an earlier look at stallion possibilities.
Te focus of the program will be showcasing the Rancho San Miguel stallions: Bolden, Brickyard Ride, Danzing Candy, Editorial, Mo Forza, Northern Causeway, Richard’s Kid, Sir Prancealot, Surf Cat, and Te Street Fighter. It will also include a
catered lunch, giveaways and door prizes, and a stallion season rafe. Attendees will be able to meet the farm owners, management, and staf, as well as having industry networking opportunities.
Te open house and stallion show is free. Rancho San Miguel asks that you RSVP by Nov. 13. Te farm, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, is located at 1741 West 10th Street in San Miguel. Contact info: (805) 467-3847 or info@ranchosanmiguel.net.
Gary Fenton
Martin Bach
California owner/breeder Martin Bach, who for many years served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, died Aug. 31. He was 84.
Bach’s homebreds included Marty’s Zee, a California-bred daughter of Candi’s Gold— Zeeskite, by Shanekite. Racing from 19992005 for Bach, Marty’s Zee won the 2000 Fairfeld Stakes and earned $362,553.
Bach frst became an owner when some
friends bought a yearling at the 1970 Del Mar sale and offered him a 25% share. He went on to develop several families, including that of El Tigre Terrible, a Cal-bred champion son of Smiling Tiger he bred.
Multiple stakes winner City by the Bay raced for Bach and the late Jack Owens, earning $172,240. Bach and Owens also campaigned multiple stakes-placed English Royal.
Bach joined the TOC board in 2003, serving until health issues required him to step
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down in 2011. His 50 years in the fnance business was valuable, as Bach was the TOC’s fnance chair for six years. He was also a member of the TOC Northern California Racing Affairs Committee.
“His contribution to the TOC and to Thoroughbred racing was a big part of the love and passion that he brought to our sport,” wrote Bill Nader, president and CEO of TOC, on Bach’s tribute wall. “His knowledge, calm demeanor, and his personality and smile were always present, and we loved him.”
STALLION NEWS
■ Joey Freshwater to Eclipse
New York multiple graded stakes winner Joey Freshwater will enter stud for the 2025 season at Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm in Solvang. He will stand for an introductory fee of $2,500 and follows Henry Adams as a recent addition to the stallion roster at the farm, owned by Mike Scully and his wife, Angie Hager-Scully.
Joey Freshwater wins the 2024 Runhappy Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
Joey Freshwater began his career at Churchill Downs, where he broke his maiden. He spent the majority of his career at New York tracks, winning the 2023 Bay Shore Stakes (G3) and 2024 Runhappy Stakes (G3), both at Aqueduct. He also placed in the 2023 Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga, Jimmy Winkfeld Stakes at Aqueduct, and Gold Fever Stakes at Belmont Park, earning a total of $480,780.
A 4-year-old son of Jimmy Creed, Joey Freshwater is out of the More Than Ready mare Lake Turkana. His dam is a half sister to graded winner Crewman and stakes-placed Mzima Springs.
QUALIFYING CLAIMING LEVELS
The following claiming levels for California owners premiums and stallion awards are currently in effect:
Favored at 5-2, California-bred BIG BANE THEORY scored in the $201,500 City of Hope Mile (G2T) at Santa Anita Oct. 4, 2014. With Joe Talamo aboard, Big Bane Theory sat in ffth for the frst half mile, then grabbed the lead into the stretch to defeat multiple graded stakes winner Mr. Commons by 11⁄2 lengths in 1:32.38. Carla Gaines trained Big Bane Theory for owner/ breeders
Scott Gross and Mark Devereaux. Gross bought his dam, the Alysheba mare Shebane, for $40,000 in foal to Artie Schiller at the 2008 Keeneland November sale. “We brought her out here to make him a Cal-bred,” Gross said, and the mare foaled Big Bane Theory the following Jan. 24. “Carla Gaines has done a spectacular job with him,” Gross added. The gelding raced through 2017, earning a total of $395,724.
25 YEARS AGO
California-breds had a great summer and fall in 1999. GENERAL CHALLENGE won Del Mar’s Pacifc Classic (G1) Aug. 29 and was expected to add the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) at Oak Tree Oct. 16. Instead, another Cal-bred, BUDROYALE, upset him. Bob Baffert trained General Challenge for the Golden Eagle Farm of breeders
John and Betty Mabee.
A 3-yearold son of General
Meeting— Excellent Lady, by Smarten, General Challenge in the Pacifc Classic under David Flores took the lead nearing the second turn and won by three lengths, getting 11⁄4 miles in 2:00.57 against older horses. General Challenge was bet down to 9-10 favoritism against 9-1 fourth choice Budroyale, a 6-year-old son of Cee’s Tizzy—Cee’s Song, by Seattle Song, in the 11⁄8-mile Goodwood.
The two Cal-breds battled in the stretch, with Budroyale and jockey Garrett Gomez eking out a neck victory over General Challenge in 1:48.31. Ted West trained Budroyale for owner Jeffrey Sengara, and the Cecilia Straub Revocable Trust bred the gelding.
50 YEARS AGO
READY WIT, winner of the California Jockey Club Handicap at Bay Meadows Oct. 19, 1974, was a product of California breeder Lou Rowan through and through. She was by Rowan’s homebred Ruken, the California-bred winner of the 1967 Santa Anita Derby, and out of Rowan’s good broodmare Mother Wit, who had already produced Cal-bred superstar Quicken Tree and stakes winner Ask Father. Ready Wit at Del Mar in the summer of 1974 took the Osunitas Stakes, and she carried top weight of 121 pounds in the one-mile California Jockey Club, conceding up to 14 pounds to her rivals. Trainer W.T. Canney put Bill Mahorney aboard Ready Wit, and they won by a half-length in 1:36 over Imaginada, who toted 117 pounds. Ready Wit went on to win the 1974 Children’s Hospital Handicap and 1975 Santa Gertrudes Handicap, and her foals included stakes winner Interwit.
Big Bane Theory
Budroyale holds off favorite General Challenge
CTBA working for you
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Promote Your Stallion in the California Directory
Now is the time to reserve your space in the 2025 Stallion Directory, published by the California oroughbred Breeders Association. is is the leading resource for California mare owners looking for stallions.
e Stallion Directory will be published in December. Each stallion is featured with a full page of statistical data that includes pedigree, race record, stud analysis, and full family notes. In addition, a full-color photo across from the statistical page will show your stallion to his best advantage.
GET A CHRISTMAS GIFT SUBSCRIPTION NOW
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ese rates are only good until Dec. 24. Mail, call, or email your name, address, and phone; the name and address of the people you wish to give subscriptions to; and how you would like the gift card to read to:
2024 STALLION DIRECTORY
e deadline for inclusion in the Stallion Directory is Oct. 31. For further information, contact Loretta Veiga at 626-4457800, ext. 227 or loretta@ctba.com.
CTBA Directors Election Deadline Approaching
ose CTBA members who wish to seek election to the group’s Board of Directors may do so through the petition process, which must be completed Dec.1 of the year preceding the CTBA Annual Meeting and Dinner. As per the association’s bylaws, the application needs to include a minimum of 25 signatures from current CTBA members for the applicant to be included on the ballot for this year’s election, which relates to the three-year term as a director from 2025-27.
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OCTOBER2024
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.
$100,000 California Flag Handicap Santa Anita Big Fresno Fair closing day Breeders’ Cup Foal Nomination Deadline
$100,000 California Distaff Handicap Santa Anita
Pleasanton opening day
Tizamagician
– David Meah Co-Founder of Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock LLC There has been tremendous support for Tizamagician among
(G1)
Regional Sales
FINNEUS’ BROTHER TOPS SALE
EIGHT CAL-BREDS SELL FOR SIX FIGURES EACH
BY TRACY GANTZ FASIG-TIPTON PHOTOS
My Fiona has become a mainstay at the Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale. A champion California-bred flly when she was racing, the broodmare has produced four colts by leading California sire Stay Tirsty to have brought $100,000 or more at the sale. In 2024, her 2023 colt topped the Fasig-Tipton sale at $250,000.
Te Sept. 24 sale, conducted at Fairplex in Pomona, produced eight six-fgure horses. All of them were Cal-breds, as was the bulk of the catalog. Tey came from well-established California consignors and farms. Terry Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch sold the sale topper. Barton Toroughbreds had two for $200,000 each, one for $190,000, and one for $130,000. Woodbridge Farm, Harris Farms, and Rancho San Miguel also each had a six-fgure sale.
John Moroney, who lives outside of St. Louis, Mo., and has a home in Carlsbad, Calif., in order to spend summers at Del Mar, bought the sale topper.
“Te family was good, and this colt really looked good to us,” Moroney said. “We decided that we had an opportunity to jump in and get him, so we did.”
Moroney, who is in the Taco Bell franchise business, has been in racing for 25 years. He began partnering with Lovingier on horses about fve years ago.
“It’s been a great partnership,” Moroney said. “Tey’re just great people, and I just absolutely love being around them. I’ve met the greatest people in this business.”
Lovingier bred My Fiona, a Cal-bred daughter of Ghostzapper—A Vision in Gray, by Two Punch. Racing for Lovingier, Tom Beckerle, and Amanda Navarro, My Fiona won three stakes, earned $478,743, and was named the 2014 champion Calbred 2-year-old female. Lovingier frst
bred her to American Pharoah, getting stakes-winning Cal-bred Fi Fi Pharoah, before he began breeding her to Stay Tirsty, who stands at Lovacres.
Stakes-winning Finneus, My Fiona’s frst Stay Tirsty foal, was voted the 2021 champion Cal-bred 2-year-old male after topping the 2020 edition of the sale at $200,000. Maximus Decimus, My Fiona’s 2020 Stay Tirsty foal, sold for $100,000, but sufered an injury early in his career. Rumble King, her 2022 Stay Tirsty colt and already a winner in his frst start, sold for $225,000, the second-highest price of the 2023 sale.
“Tis colt here was probably one of the best colts she has ever had,” Lovingier said. Lovacres ofered a Cal-bred son of Maxfeld—Bella Ciao, by Flatter, who didn’t bring his reserve and was listed as a $240,000 RNA. Lovingier noted that Maxfeld, whose frst foals are yearlings, has
The $250,000 sale topper was the fourth son of Stay Thirsty—My Fiona to bring six fgures
John Moroney purchased the sale topper
done well with his ofspring at auction. Te stallion’s yearlings have averaged $220,445 through late September. Lovingier said that he would race the colt, who “will never see another auction ring.”
Barton Toroughbreds sold the next three highest-priced horses: a daughter of McKinzie for $200,000, a daughter of Yaupon for $200,000, and a daughter of City of Light for $190,000. Barton led all buyers, with 26 sold for $1,571,000.
“We brought a nice group of fllies this year,” said Kate Barton Penner, the executive vice president of her family’s racing and breeding operation. “I think those really were standouts, so it was nice that people were interested in those and showed up for those. Our team did a great job.”
Scott Sherwood of Blinkers On Racing Stable bought the McKinzie flly, who is out of Tap Tap Ur It.
“She’s the dam of our racehorse and now our stallion Tap Back,” said Penner. “Tat’s kind of a neat connection that we’ve had to that family. So to see her continually produce babies is really nice.”
Greg Gilchrist is Sherwood’s bloodstock advisor and short-listed the McKinzie flly for Sherwood, who said Mark Glatt will train her.
“Tat horse has a lot of leg and a big, big walk,” said Sherwood. “She’s a big, pretty flly. McKinzie’s really taken of. Te dam is pretty strong too, so she ft the bill.”
Legacy Ranch purchased the Yaupon flly, who is out Bahama Mischief. Pete Parrella of Legacy noted that Bahama Mischief being by Into Mischief was a selling point.
“She’s just a really nice individual,” said Parrella, who was sitting at the sale with his farm manager, Terry Knight. “Besides, it’s Terry’s birthday Friday.”
Barton Toroughbreds does well buying in-foal mares at Kentucky sales, foaling them in California, and breeding them back to the farm stallions, making the Kentucky-sired foal a Cal-bred. Richard Barton Enterprises purchased Bahama Mischief in foal to Yaupon for $120,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale.
“I was so excited that we bought a mare in foal to Yaupon,” Penner said. “To foal her out and have a Cal-bred out here—it’s kind of bittersweet to see the flly go, but we’re happy for the connections and look
forward to seeing her on the track.”
Steve Gasparrelli’s Slugo Racing, with the help of trainer Brian Koriner, bought the City of Light flly, a daughter of the stakes-winning Empire Maker mare Miss Empire. He also purchased a son of Mo Forza—Joyce and Me, by Discreet Cat, for $70,000 from the consignment of Critter Creek Farm as agent for K. Neal and Pam Christopherson.
Te $70,000 colt was a somewhat sentimental acquisition. At the 2021 Fasig-Tipton sale, Gasparrelli bought a daughter of Stanford—Joyce and Me for $100,000. Te flly has since been named Nene Diamond for Gasparrelli’s wife, Nene, and Nene Diamond has a win and a second in two starts.
Gasparrelli said he already has a nice runner by City of Light, one of the reasons the City of Light flly appealed to him. “But I really liked the dam,” he said.
Thoroughbreds’ two Cal-breds to sell for $200,000 each were a daughter of Yaupon
“She has dropped a lot of consistent and good horses. Brian Koriner got me on her—he does some bloodstock stuf and really liked her.”
Mike Puype trains many of Gasparrelli’s horses and will likely train the purchases.
A total of 163 yearlings grossed $4,781,400, for an average of $29,334 and a median of $15,000, compared to the 2023 fgures of 185 grossing $5,751,500, averaging $31,089, with a median of $15,000.
“All things considered, it was a productive exercise—we got the vast majority of the horses sold,” said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton’s president and chief executive ofcer. “We’ve seen some operations step up and buy better-quality mares and bring some legitimate pedigrees here. Tere are certainly a few anchor tenants to this sale, and it’s very much appreciated by us.”
Barton
(above) and a daughter of McKinzie (left)
IMPRESSIVELY BODACIOUS
CALIFORNIA SIRE SMOKEM GETS HIS FIRST STAKES WINNER
BY JACK SHINAR
Following a smashing 53⁄4-length debut win in May, Terry Lovingier’s homebred colt Bodacious shot to the top of the California juvenile ranks. But after two subsequent misfres, he answered any questions about his talent with an empathic front-running tally in the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar Sept. 6.
With Tyler Baze aboard for trainer Jorge Periban, Bodacious led every step of the way in the six-furlong dirt test for Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-olds. Te handsome dark bay provided the frst stakes triumph for his 9-year-old sire, Smokem, a son of Union Rags, and the frst victory of any sort for his
dam, My Love Magnet, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Bodemeister.
Lovingier had planned to sell Bodacious at the Fasig-Tipton fall yearling auction a year ago but withdrew him when a bone chip in a stife was discovered during vetting. After surgery, Bodacious was brought back at the CTBA’s winter mixed sale in January, but the reception was cool. Lovingier retained one-third interest in Bodacious, after selling him to Tom Beckerle’s Grifn Stables and partner Paul Sebesky for $7,000.
“Tey asked me if I’d like to stay in for a third, and I’ve always liked the horse and so I said, ‘Sure, I’ll go in with you guys,’ ”
said Lovingier, who stands Smokem at his Lovacres Ranch.
Bodacious dominated on debut at 41 2 furlongs at Santa Anita, easily defeating the well-regarded R Heisman. Periban then shipped the colt to Churchill Downs for the June 30 Bashford Manor Stakes, where he was favored in a 12-horse feld. But after missing the start before recovering to lead in the stretch, Bodacious weakened to be a well-beaten sixth.
A poor start once again doomed Bodacious in the Aug. 9 Graduation Stakes, where he fnished sixth to R Heisman.
“Tat race was a total throwout,” Lovingier said. “He didn’t break and then he just sputtered around there.”
Te I’m Smokin picture changed when R Heisman, the morning line choice, scratched in favor of running in the closing day Del Mar Futurity (G1). Tat left Nick Alexander’s homebred Shea Brennan, who overcame a terrible start to decisively win his maiden bow July 26 at Del Mar, as the odds-on pick. Bodacious and the improving Style Cat were the co-second choices at 3-1 in the feld of fve.
Shea Brennan had gate trouble once more, throwing his head at the start and leaving awkwardly from his rail post position to trail the feld. He hustled up the inside but had to hit the brakes when he bumped with Style Cat entering the turn.
Meanwhile, Bodacious—racing without blinkers for the frst time—broke smoothly on the lead from the outside, cleared the feld, and maintained his advantage over Style Cat on his outside. After quarter-mile fractions of :22.10 and :45.42, Style Cat increased the pressure on Bodacious leaving the turn. Baze put Bodacious to the drive in the stretch, opening up a commanding lead en route to a three-length win in 1:10.77.
Style Cat had three-quarters of a length on Shea Brennan for second.
Bodacious, who has banked $93,400 in his brief career, has been ridden by Baze in both of his victories.
“I had a lot of faith in him,” said Baze after recording his 40th lifetime stakes win at Del Mar. “He is back to his old self.”
Bodacious, a 2-year-old son of Smokem, wins the I’m Smokin Stakes by three lengths
Breeder and co-owner Terry Lovingier (dark jacket) is all smiles with jockey Tyler Baze after the I’m Smokin
Shoemaker Mile (Gr1)
Seabiscuit Handicap (Gr2)
San Pasqual Stakes (Gr2)
Native Diver Stakes (Gr3)
Del Mar Derby (Gr2)
Eddie Read Stakes (Gr3)
Del Mar Mile (Gr2)
Progeny
Awesome Again Stakes (Gr1)
Santa Anita Handicap (Gr1)
Shoemaker Mile (Gr1)
Oaklawn Handicap (Gr1)
Breeders Cup Mile (Gr1) Placed In
GIRL POWER
HOT GIRL WALK SCORES STAKES WIN FOR BREEDER RICHARD BARTON ENTERPRISES
BY TRACY GANTZ
Leading California breeder Richard Barton Enterprises has a business model of marketing its homebreds, which is why most of the stakes winners the family breed race for others. Occasionally a young horse doesn’t make it to the sale and the Bartons race it, a serendipitous situation with Generous Portion Stakes winner Hot Girl Walk.
“We actually had this flly slated for the Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale in 2023,” said Kate Barton Penner, executive vice president of the racing and breeding operation and the daughter of Richard and Beth Barton. “But due to superfcial lacerations she acquired on the van ride down to Pomona, we decided to scratch her.”
Instead, the Bartons put Hot Girl Walk into training with Carla Gaines.
“Carla has done a fantastic job with Hot Girl Walk and managing her,” Penner said. “She has a lot of energy and just needs it to be funneled into doing what she loves and does best—running!”
Hot Girl Walk ran very well, if a trife greenly, in her July 20 debut at Del Mar, coming on in the lane to fnish second at fve furlongs to Cayucos, a California-bred daughter of Omaha Beach. Te 3-5 favorite in a 51 2-furlong maiden race Aug. 11, Hot Girl Walk took over the lead on the turn and pulled away for a sharp threelength victory.
Six lined up for the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes Sept. 2 at six furlongs. Cayucos hadn’t raced since that maiden
event and went of as the 7-10 favorite. In the Air Tonight, whose two wins in two starts included the CTBA Stakes, was the second choice, with Hot Girl Walk the 5-1 third choice.
Hot Girl Walk broke more quickly than she had in her frst two outings, vying for the early lead with Tirsty in Vegas and Cayucos. Jockey Antonio Fresu then let the other two battle it out, with Tirsty in Vegas completing the frst quarter-mile in :21.77.
On the turn, Hot Girl Walk ranged up to take command, and from there she dominated. She extended her lead in the
stretch to 31 2 lengths at one point, and Fresu didn’t push her, resulting in a 114-length win over In the Air Tonight in 1:11.28. Cayucos fnished third.
“She fnally left the gate with some authority,” said Gaines. “Previously, she broke slowly and had to circle the feld.Today she was on it.”
Hot Girl Walk scored a couple of frsts for her connections. She is the frst stakes-winning flly that the Bartons have raced, and she is the frst stakes winner for her sire, Bodexpress. He stood at Barton Toroughbreds in the Santa Ynez Valley until he moved to Florida for the 2024 breeding season.
“We are beyond thrilled with her win in the Generous Portion Stakes,” said Penner.
Richard Barton Enterprises purchased Hot Girl Walk’s dam, the Awesome Again mare Awesome Mama, in foal to Always Dreaming for $20,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. Te following January, the mare produced a colt, a Cal-bred winner now named Ford Flyer. He sold for $62,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale. Penner said that Awesome Mama is currently open.
Hot Girl Walk is the frst homebred stakes-winning flly that Richard Barton Enterprises has campaigned
PHOTOS
Kate Barton Penner celebrates with her family, jockey Antonio Fresu, and trainer Carla Gaines
WEST COAST THOROUGHBRED FARMS 2024/2025
The following pages spotlight 12 Thoroughbred farms on the West Coast, each of which’s purpose is to produce healthy, strong and talented horses who can successfully represent the local breeding and racing industry in the future.
The farms are diverse in size and scope and are situated throughout the Golden State—south from San Diego to north of San Francisco and from the coastal areas over to the desert regions.
The services they offer also differ, offering the choice of small boarding and lay-up farms to major facilities with complete training centers.
Arroyo Vista Farm opened in early 2021 offering options for breeding, foaling, boarding, sale preparation and lay-ups. The farm is located in Valley Center, California on the property that was previously known as Valley Creek Farm. Arroyo Vista has raised Champion Cal Bred Giver Not A Taker, G1 winning Daddysruby, and stakes winner Only One America in consecutive years.
Arroyo Vista is the home of Visitant, the only stallion by Ghostzapper standing in California, as well as Texas Ryano, the only graded stakes winning stallion by Curlin standing in California.
Visitant is a multiple stakes winner and track record setter for 6 ½ furlongs. He is also graded stakes placed on the dirt and turf going two turns. His versatility has won him races from 5 ½ furlongs to 1 1/8 miles with earnings of $714,427. He won the Holiday Cheer Stakes in January of 2023 and then stood his frst season at Arroyo Vista Farm. At the close of the 2023 breeding season, he successfully returned to the track, placing third in the Gr II Del Mar Mile. His frst foals of 2024 are strong in stature and also look precocious. Visitant is out of the mare Peppermint Lounge, (by Distorted Humor), a stakes placed dam that won four of her six races.
Texas Ryano’s frst crop began racing in 2021. His frst winner that year, Peppermint Flirt, won a maiden special weight as a two-year-old at Del Mar at the distance of one mile on the turf. His offspring have won on grass, synthetic and dirt and from 5 ½ furlongs to a mile. His most recent maiden winner, Rhino, also won at a mile distance on the turf at Santa Anita in 2024 and has come back to place twice on
the dirt at the allowance level. His dam, G3 winner Blending Element, produced six stakes horses in addition to Texas Ryano including: Holladay Road, Tiz Elemental, Tiz a Blend and War Element.
Arroyo Vista Farm is situated on 40 acres of irrigated pastures and grass paddocks for mares, weanlings, and yearlings. Our front paddocks are fenced with a combination of white vinyl posts and rails with v-mesh for added safety. The larger pastures also have v-mesh horse fencing. Currently there are two barns, an 8-stall foaling barn and a four-stall stallion barn. Additional facilities include a new covered and climate controlled Eurociser and sand pens for layups. We are located just east of Escondido in Valley Center, a 45-minute drive to Del Mar and less than 30 minutes from San Luis Rey Downs. Santa Anita and Los Alamitos are also just 90 minutes away.
Arroyo Vista Farm is managed by Miguel Jimenez, who previously managed Ballena Vista Farm for many years. Miguel was mentored by Valley Creek Farm manager Leigh Ann Howard, and now leads a staff with a combined 80 years of experience in the thoroughbred industry. Dr. William Talbot is Arroyo Vista Farm’s attending veterinarian who also has many years of experience as a respected equine practitioner.
Arroyo Vista Farm is owned and operated by Henry and Robin Williamson, longtime thoroughbred owners and breeders, who race their horses under Williamson Racing LLC. Henry has been around thoroughbreds his entire life, with his frst experience in the winner’s circle at Del Mar back in 1972, and his most recent win at Del Mar in the Summer of 2024.
For more information, visit our website here: WWW.ARROYOVISTFARM.COM
Barton Thoroughbreds has been operating for over seven years, after opening its gates for business in August 2017. The farm is situated in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, just thirty minutes from Santa Barbara and two and a half hours from Santa Anita Park. The near two hundred acres in a moderate climate provide the ideal space for boarding and raising thoroughbreds in California.
Barton Thoroughbreds is led by farm manager Kevin Dickson. Kevin was the manager of Vessels Stallion Farm for twenty-one years until assuming the role of farm manager for Ocean Breeze Ranch for two years. Kevin’s experience, along with education from Colorado State University studying Equine Science with an emphasis in reproduction, proves to be an asset in the development of Barton Thoroughbreds as the premier farm in California.
Barton Thoroughbreds offers boarding, breeding, foaling, sales prep, and lay-up care. The lay-up side is led by an experienced horseman from Santa Anita Park who has over twenty-five years of experience in caring for thoroughbreds in training. The forty-five stall barn on the lay-up side is equipped with an EquiVibe stall used for rehabilitating horses. The farm has also invested in a state-of-the-art eurocizer and sand paddocks to aid in recovery. The most recent investment has been an aqua treadmill to even further the rehab effectiveness for these thoroughbreds. Multiple grass paddocks allow for quality turn-out time for your thoroughbreds as well.
Aside from offering unparalleled care for lay-ups, Barton Thoroughbreds is pleased to stand the following stallions: Cat Burglar, Dads Caps, One Bad Boy, Tap Back, and our newest addition Shaaz.
Cat Burglar is a Baffert-trained multiple graded-placed, black-type winner by Unbridled’s Song out of a strong female family. He defeated two Breeders’ Cup Classic winners and was on the board in 19 of his 22 career starts. Cat Burglar’s leading runner is Baby Kristen, who has earned over $240,000.
Dads Caps offers the speed influence in the roster, as the son of Discreet Cat won or placed in 10 graded sprint stakes and won the GI Carter Handicap twice in New York, retiring with earnings of $1.1 million.
He sired Kangaroo Court, who won a Cal-Bred Maiden Special Weight at Del Mar by over 14 lengths, won the Echo Eddie Stakes, and also won an AOC at Santa Anita with an E-number of 107. Other notable runners include Grade 3-placed Doris Mae, as well as the $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Derby Winner Rockin the Dad Bod.
One Bad Boy had his first promising crop of foals in 2023. He is a multiple black-type winning son of Twirling Candy, whose victories include the prestigious Queen’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine in 2019 with total earnings of over $600,000. One Bad Boy won Santa Anita’s Lure Stakes wire-to-wire and also earned four triple-digit Equibase speed figures.
Tap Back is a son of Einsten (BRZ) out of a Tapit mare and was an extremely precocious two-year-old, breaking his maiden at Del Mar in a Maiden Special Weight and winning the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes (Black Type) by six lengths. He was 2nd in the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes and 3rd in the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes. Tap Back’s first foals are yearlings of 2024.
Shaaz, the Grade 3-placed son by Uncle Mo out of a Graded Stakes producing Mineshaft mare, is the latest addition to the stallion roster. He was a $1.1 million dollar two-year-old purchase and had a brilliant career at the track before his racing career ended, winning his first three starts and defeating current Graded Stakes winner Hopkins. He had his highest Equibase speed figure of 110 in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes. Shaaz bred 90 mares in his first year at stud and first foals will arrive in 2025.
As the leading breeder in the state of California by earnings for this past year, the team at Barton Thoroughbreds knows how to invest in the quality of care of thoroughbreds and also help clients breed and raise their next champion Cal-Bred. Visitors are invited to tour the farm, see the stallions, and meet the management.
BG THOROUGHBRED FACILITY
Everything needed to keep racehorses happy
Thoroughbred Facility, owned by Hector Castrellon and managed by Marcos Menjivar, is a high-class operation located in Hemet. The 51-acre spread boasts an exceptional staff and fne accommodations for its Thoroughbred athletes.
The farm offers 28 pastures with year-round grass, two 20-stall barns, a layup barn with run-out pens, and sand pens for turnout. A specially trained 24hour foaling crew observes the farm’s broodmares, while cameras are mounted in each stall for an extra layer of observation. The property also includes a fve-eighths of a mile training track.
The stallion roster for 2024 is made up of 8 horses: Big Runnuer, Fighting Hussar, Gato Del Oro, King of Jazz (Arg), Mo The Beholder, Originaire (IRE), Oscar Nominated and Rousing Sermon.
Big Runnuer, Stormy Atlantic – Elusive Luci, by Elusive Quality, winner of Grade 2 Eddie D. Stakes and Siren Lure Stakes. A fve and one-half furlong turf specialist, he won four times at Santa Anita, including a four-length maiden debut score. Out of a winning half-sister to Grade 1 SW STORMY LUCKY ($851,700), his frst foals arrived in 2023.
Stakes placed winner Gato Del Oro is a son of the great sire Medaglia d’Oro and out of the royally bred stakes winner Funny Feeling, a sister to Grade 1 hero Jimmy Creed. Her dam Hookedonthefeelin was a Grade 1 winner that went on to produce Grade 1 winner Pussycat Doll. Gato Del Oro has had seven winners in 2024 from 12 runners as of mid-September.
A multiple stakes-placed winner and earner of $236,128, Fighting Hussar is a son of Rockport Harbor –Lightning Pace, by Regal Classic. Lightning Pace was grade 3-placed and a six-time winner in Canada. Fighting Hussar had nine winners from his frst 16 starters, including four-time winners Blueberry Princess and Nietzsche.
Mo The Beholder, Uncle Mo – Leslie’s Harmony, by Curlin, from the female family of the phenomenal multiple G1 winner Beholder ($6,156,600), leading sire Into Mischief and G1 winner Mendelsshon. By the Eclipse Award juvenile champion and dual G1 winner Uncle Mo. First foals arrived in 2024.
Originaire (IRE), by Zoffany the multiple Group1 winning Irish highlight out of Polly Perkins a multiple stakes winning two-year-old daughter of leading international broodmare sire Pivotal (GB). Originaire (IRE) is a fve-time California G2 stakes-placed winner of $308,158.
OscarNominated isawelcomeadditiontotheCalifornia stallion ranks. The only son of Kitten’s Joy to stand in California, Oscar Nominated earned over $1.5 million on the track with fve stakes victories. His stakes-winning Theatrical dam, Devine Actress, also produced $2.3 million earner Oscar Performance, a Breeders’ Cup winning full brother to Oscar Nominated.
Dual winner King of Jazz (ARG) is a son of Giant’s Causeway and out of the group 1 winning mare Kiss Me Sweet (ARG), making him a half-brother to six winners, including two stakes horses. King of Jazz ran 10 times at Santa Anita and Del Mar, never fnishing worse than ffth. He won from eight to 10 furlongs on the grass. He had his frst winner, Kings Table, in 2021. Winners in 2023 included six-time victress Queen of Love.
Rousing Sermon, Lucky Pulpit – Rousing Again, by Awesome Again. California champion twoyear-old was ranked among the top nine colts of his crop on the Experimental Free Handicap. He ran second by a neck in the $750K G1 CashCall Futurity beating Drill (G1), Handsome Mike (G2), Blingo (G2), Sky Kingdom (G3). He ran 1-2-3 in 20 of 36 career starts earning $821,572. His current runners include Slam Dunk Sermon, a 14-time winner.
Centrally located to Southern California’s track, the farm lookstoanswerallyourneedsasabreeding,layup,rehabilitation, and training facility.
Please contact Jessica Menjivar or Yessenia Menjivar at (951)654-9100 or email bgfarminc@gmail.com.
DAEHLING FARMS
By Justin & Julia Oldfeld, 2nd Generation Owner Operators of Daehling Farms
Daehling Farms is pleased to announce that we’ve offcially become Daehling Farms. Although subtle, this change refects a new generation of ownership. Julia and I havelivedonthefarmandhaveactivelyworkedinthisbusiness for more than 25 years. That experience was preceded by decades of experience by the ranch’s founder Joe Daehling. Unfortunately, Joe passed in 2019 and it was our turn to step in and carry on. Since 2019, Julia and I have been eager to grow the farm and improve the operation. This culminated in an offcial change in ownership in 2021 with Daehling Ranch becoming Daehling Farms. If there is one thing this industry needs is an infusion of youth. Although Julia and I are by no means young or inexperienced, we do offer the opportunity to bring new blood and leadership into the business.
2023 and 2024 have without a doubt presented challenges. The closure of Golden Gate Fields earlier this year marked uncertainty for horse racing in California. That said, the California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF) has stepped in to fll the vacuum left by Golden Gate Fields. CARF, doing business as Golden State Racing in the fall, winter and spring, will join with the traditional fair meets to bring stability to northern California, and we are looking forward to this new chapter.
includes an all-weather 3/8-mile track, covered round pen, eurociser and most importantly dedicated training staff that have been with our operation for years. We work to ensure stability and consistency for the horses we start and prepare for the race track; with the focus on meeting the needs of both our owners and trainers.
This year we excited to announce a new stallion who will enter stud in 2025 – Flavius. Flavius is a son of leading sire War Front out of Starformer by Dynaformer. Flavius won over $850,000 and set a track record in the Tourist Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs. He’s a black type winner at Saratoga, Kentucky Downs and Leopardstown (IRE) and was edged out slightly to place 2nd in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit
There has been a lot of hard work put in to helping establish a new home and vision for racing in northern California, however we’ve not shied away from our work on the farm. Anyone visiting the farm will immediately recognize the hundreds of acres of lush, irrigated pasture. These pastures serve as the backbone of our farm and certainly stand out as unique in the industry. At Daehling Farms, our focus is to provide a solid foundation to raise a great racehorse. This requires space, pasture and an overall setting that will allow a horse to mature the way a horse should. All horses are supplemented with a grain ration developed by an equine nutritionist to ensure proper nutrients, protein and probiotics are received on a daily. Some of our homebreds have included Grade 3 winner Fast Buck and multiple stakes winner Fast and Foxy who earned over $500,000.
Becauseweareblessedwiththeabilitytokeephorses on lush irrigated pasture during the spring, summer and fall, we are also able to better manage our feed costs to keep our rates lower than average. Lower rates do not translate to a reduced level of care or nutrition, but rather refects our desire for our customers to better succeed fnancially.
In addition to breeding and boarding, we are also one of few farms that offer starting and training. Our facility
Handicap. Flavius also earned Beyer scores of 105 and 103. Trained by Eclipse Award Winning Trainer Chad Brown, Chad says “When at his best, I was confdent to run Flavius in any of the best races in his division. I certainly was not surprised by his track record at a mile (1:32:1) in the $750,000 Tourist Mile Stakes.”
In addition to Flavius, we offer many other quality and proven stallions. Our list of stallions standing at the farm includes:
• Gallant Son (Malabar Gold – Explicitly, by Exploit)
• Jersey Town (Speightstown – Jersey Girl, by Belong to Me)
• Mesa Thunder (Sky Mesa – Citiview, by Citidancer)
• Mo And Go (Uncle Mo – Malibu Cougar, by Malibu Moon)
• Pontiff (Giant’s Causeway – Preach, by Mr. Prospector)
• Rumpus Cat (Street Sense – Sweet Catomine, by Storm Cat
Visit WWW.DAEHLINGFARMS.COM to see more information on farm, services, stallions and rates as you plan for the 2025 breeding season and prepare to start and train your horses for the track.
ECLIPSE THOROUGHBRED FARM
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Established in 2006, Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm is located on the former grounds of the Wygod family’s iconic River’s Edge farm in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley in Buellton, where it has maintained the standard of excellence that has long been its reputation.
Founded by owners Mike Scully and his wife Angie, Eclipse boasts a knowledgeable staff dedicated to ensuring horses there receive the best care available. Mike is a thirdgeneration horseman whose father and grandfather trained Thoroughbreds for racing and steeplechase in Ireland. Angie is a health science graduate who has worked as an athletic trainer most of her life while enjoying horses as an amateur jump rider. She is certifed in functional electrical stimulation (FES) and is a laser therapy specialist and acupuncturist.
The farm stands California’s 2023’s leading sire by progenyearnings, Grazen,aswellasthreestallionsapproaching their frst seasons at Eclipse -- Tough Sunday, Henry Adams and Joey Freshwater.
Eclipse has assembled a staff that ensures a perfect environment for training, breeding and rehabilitation of Thoroughbreds. The 120-acred facility offers grass turnouts, sand pens, a starting gate, and a half-mile training track
designed and maintained by Steve Wood, the noted Southern California racetrack superintendent. Eclipse also offers the most up-to-date therapeutic treatments.
Among those treatments are vibration therapy (Theraplate)forbuildingbonedensityandincreasingcirculation, laser therapy (Pegasus Therapeutic Laser) for decreasing pain and infammation and decrease while reducing healing time, FES for improved muscle health), cold therapy and a Eurosizer.
Eclipse uses top European riders to prepare horses for the track. Among its leading recent California-bred graduates are the multiple stakes winner Connie Swingle, the multiples stakes-placed Loretta Lynn, graded stakes-placed Doris Mae and dual winner Tom Seaver.
A graded stakes earner of more than $245,400, Nick Alexander’s Grazen has earned his reputation as one of the leading sires in the state. The consistent gray son of Benchmark’s runners banked more than $4.7 million last year in leading the state and he’s on course to approach that total again in 2024. Among Grazen’s top current progeny are graded stakes-placed
Johnny Podres, a multiple stakes winner of $539,150, multiple stakes winner Rose Maddox and Connie Swingle, both with earnings of more than $500,000.
Joining Grazen this season is Alexander’s Tough Sunday, a 12-year-old son of Grazen whose frst crop to race this year produced three winners from a limited number of starters. Out of the General Meeting mare Sunday Dress, Tough Sunday earned $362,228 during his racing career while placing in multiple graded stakes.
There are also two freshman sires joining Eclipse for the coming breeding season -- Irish-bred group winner Henry Adams and Joey Freshwater, a Kentucky-bred multiple grades stakes winner.
Henry Adams was trained by Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore. The dark bay colt is by Coolmore’s group I winner No Nay Never, a son of Scat Daddy, out of the Galileo mare Jigsaw. Scully feels the combination of dirt and turf pedigree in his line could be a big hit in California. Henry Adams showed much promise winning the group 3 Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown as a 2-year-old last year in his second start, but he never fulflled his potential due to knee tendinitis.
The sprinter Joey Freshwater won the Bay Shore Stakes (G3) as a 3-year-old in 2023 and the Runhappy Stakes (G3) in May for trainer Linda Rice at Aqueduct. The dark bay son of Jimmy Creed-Lake Turkana, by More Than Ready, won six of 16 lifetime starts with earnings of $480,780.
For inquiries, phone (831) 236-4305, or visit the farm’s website at WWW.ECLIPSE-EQUINE.COM.
HARRIS FARMS
n outstanding stallion roster highlights the Harris Farms multi-faceted commitment to California’s breeding industry. Each year more than 300 broodmares pass through the breeding shed. The farm has produced numerous champions including Eclipse Award Horses of the Year California Chrome and Tiznow. Harris Farms has raised and campaigned 100’s of top race horses over the last 60 years, mainly racing in Northern and Southern California, plus consigning farm and client horses successfully to sales. John Harris has played a most active role in the California and national racing scene, serving multiple terms as the Chairman of the CTBA, Chairman of Bay Meadows Racing Association, as well as being on the CHRB for multiple terms, being appointed by both Republican and Democratic Governors, and serving as board chair for several terms. He is also a member of The Jockey Club, and has served as a Steward there.
A high level of success on the racetrack and from our breeding shed continues to be the goal at Harris Farms, which has accounted for 65 California divisional champions, and multiple California Horse of the Year honors for the farm and its clients. Stakes-class runners and $250,000 plus winners raised and/or trained at Harris Farms have amassed earnings exceeding $50 million. Thoroughbred stars who trace their roots to Harris Farms include: California’s All-Time Money Earners, 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome; Horse of the Year Tiznow, the only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Thor’s Echo and Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Soviet Problem; additional G1 winners Ceiling Crusher, Fun To Dream, Alphabet Kisses, Healthy Addiction, Greg’s Gold, Cost of Freedom, Nashoba’s Key, Tiz Flirtatious, Spanish Queen, Dominant Dancer, Tamarando, The Chosen Vron and G2 winners Skye Diamonds, Gervinho, Ceeband, Compari, Continental Red, Moscow Burning, Brickyard Ride, and Closing Remarks.
land 50 miles Southwest of Fresno, in the middle of California, initially focused on growing cotton and grains, but now contains thousands of acres planted in almonds, pistachios, vegetables, wines grapes, and citrus in three locations.
A Harris Farms
Currently, Harris Farms’ horse division includes the 350acre main farm located north of Coalinga, just east of I-5, as well as the 240-acre part of the 6000 acre Harris River Ranch near Sanger devoted to horses. The main farm boasts a full commercial facility, offering a wide range of services from breeding and foaling to conditioning and training on the farm’s 7 furlong train-
ing track for Harris Farms and its many loyal clients.
The pastoral Harris River Ranch is located 65 miles northeast of the main farm on the majestic Kings River. The rich, sandy loam soil and underlying limestone work with ideal water conditions to nourish 240 acres of large, expansive pastures conducive to the proper growth and development of weanlings and yearlings. Cared for by River Ranch manager Pam Piek. Young horses are well prepared for the challenges of the racetrack or the sales ring.
The Harris Farms Horse Division dates back 60 years to the vision of John Harris and his father Jack, both cattle ranchers, farmers and horsemen who wanted to devote part of their operation to the breeding, raising and training of Thoroughbred racehorses. The horse division represents just one area of the larger Harris Ranch operation, which also operates the acclaimed Harris Ranch Restaurant and Inn; until recent sale, the Harris Feeding Company. California’s largest cattle feed yard and Harris Ranch Beef Company, a pioneer in branded beef. Harris Farms Farming Division founded in 1937 on then barren
President and owner John Harris entrusts his horse division to a loyal and committed group of hard-working employees. The Harris team is led by General Manager Jonny Hilvers, a 4th generation horseman with roots back to the Old English Rancho which had dominated California racing and breeding for decades; and farm trainer Dan Morgan. Other key members include resident vetenarian Dr. Courtney Stammerjohan, Dr. Virginia Castilla Hernandez, stallion manager Raul Rosas and the courteous administration staffs Frankie Jo Perez, Mayra Worth, Tami Larson and Tom Wyrick.
Please feel free to call and schedule an appointment to tour the facilities, or visit the Harris Farms website at WWW.HARRISFARMS.COM.
A Peaceful Equine Paradise
KINGFISHER FARMS K
Covering All The Angles For State-Of-The-Art Equine Care
ingfsher Farms has become known as a stellar destination for horses on layup and a tranquil place to raise mares and foals. The new property located in Solvang is rich with California Thoroughbred Racehorse history, starting as The Anvil Ranch and most recently, River Edge Anvil Annex.
Katie Fisher originally started the Farm with a sole focus on layups, which has always been her passion. Two years ago, Sydnee Brown joined the team to manage the Farm and add a new dimension with mares and foals. The Farm also handles retirees, sales prep, and breeding.
The Farm boasts 75 acres of grass pastures in a range of sizes to accommodate a single horse needing a freshener, to large pastures for multiple yearlings, mares, or retirees. The Farm also has sand paddocks, an 80-foot eurocizer, Horse Gym Aquatread and cold saltwater spa. The barns on the property have ComfortStall and Stable Comfort Sealed Orthopedic Flooring in the 70 stalls. These special fooring systems help keep horses comfortable during the rehabilitation of fractures, chips, joint, and soft-tissue problems while also maintaining the air quality and cleanliness of the barn. Automated EquiLume lighting contributes to the peaceful atmosphere. The barns are quiet, offering plenty of rest and relaxation for their equine inhabitants.
All horses are weighed upon arrival and a custom feed schedule is set to help each horse become healthy from
the inside out. Each regimen and schedule are tailored to the individual needs and are laid out by the veterinarian and trainer. The follow-ups and rechecks are all communicated back to the referring veterinarian, trainer, and owners.
Mares are closely monitored throughout their pregnancy and Brown is present at each foaling to make sure that each one goes smoothly. The foals are handled starting on day one with consistency and patience.
Most recently, Kingfsher has added stallions to their roster. The talented Hard Spun son, Spun Intended has joined Tom’s Tribute and Conquest Smartee and are available for inspection.
The close-knit team of employees handling the horses considers themselves family, working seamlessly with each other. The team emphasizes health and cleanliness, as well as state-of-the-art technology to promote healing.
The serene, green property offers lush paddocks and the ultimate calm, ensuring that your horse will experience nothing but a relaxing, healing vacation away from the racetrack or a healthy start to life. Kingfsher Farms is available by appointment to tour the newly renovated property.
For more information: contact the offce at (805) 697-7290 or email at HELLO@KINGFISHERFARMS.COM or visit our website at WWW.KINGFISHERFARMS.COM
LEGACY RANCH
T oothills
prawling over 145 acres in Clements, Calif., is Legacy Ranch. With three decades of experience in both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries, Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s outstanding breeding and training facility offers anything your horse might need on its road to success.
In addition to the main barns, there is a fve-furlong training track maintained by state-of-the-art equipment.
Legacy Ranch’s longtime trainer Terry Knight lives on the property with wife and offce manager Dru. They are joined by 35 other employees and maintenance supervisor Trent Newhall.
With the loss of the well-established Mr. Big earlier this year, Legacy Ranch will be standing two impressive stallions on its roster for 2024: Clubhouse Ride and Straight Fire.
Clubhouse Ride, who is owned by Six-S Racing and Craig and Larry Lewis, quickly became one of the stallions to watch in California since entering stud service in 2015. The three-time stakes winner won just fve of 43 starts but fnished top three in 24 races with earnings of $1.3 million. He took consecutive editions of the Grade 2 Californian Stakes as an older horse and was also a juvenile stakes winner in 2010. Clubhouse Ride was multiple Grade 1-placed in a career that spanned six racing seasons.
As a sire, Clubhouse Ride gained attention early. In 2019, he was the state’s leading sire of 2-year-olds and second-leading second-crop sire. Since then he has ranked in the top 10 for all California sires by progeny earnings each year while proving to be remarkably versatile on all surfaces. As of mid-September in 2024, he ranks fourth in the state by earnings and is second among turf sires
Clubhouse Ride’s daughter Warren’s Showtime was a seven-time stakes winner, scoring in the Grade 3 Wilshire and the Grade 3 Autumn Miss. She placed in the prestigious Del Mar Oaks (G1) in 2020 and earned $843,431 in her career. Brickyard Ride, known as one of the fastest horses in California, took the $200,000 San Carlos (G2), the $150,000 California Cup Sprint, and $100,000 Thor’s Echo all in 2021! More re-
cently, he won back-to-back editions of the Kona Gold Stakes (G3) at Del Mar in 2022-23.
Other top runners for Clubhouse Ride are Warren’s Candy Girl, winner of the Solana Beach and Osunitas at Del Mar, and Club Aspen, who won the King Glorious at Los Alamitos in 2019 and was stakes placed on dirt and turf in 2020.
Chismosa, who won the CTBA Stakes at Del Mar and placed in the Great Lady M (G2) and two other stakes last year, has enjoyed a tremendous 2024 campaign, winning the Las Flores Stakes (G3) and the Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita, and placing in both the Santa Monica Stakes (G2) and Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3). She has earned $522,250 to date.
Curlin’s Kaos, winner of the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar in August, leads Clubhouse Ride’s progeny in 2024 earnings with $258,520. Moment’s Pleasure won Del Mar’s Solana Beach Stakes in August and banked more than $200,000.
Straight Fire was added to the Legacy Ranch roster in 2018. The son of Dominus is out of the winning A.P. Indy mare Tricky Indy, a half-sister to dual grade 3 winner Confde. Straight Fire broke his maiden at Del Mar, then fnished second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and third in the Frontrunner Stakes (G1). He earned $146,400 in just four starts.
His notable offspring include Smuggler’s Run, Straight Up G, and Power Surge who are all stakes winners. In 2023, his 3-year-old daughter Sassy Nature captured a stakes at Gulfstream Park and has banked $337,290.
Fun memories of top stakes horses such as His Legacy, Bella Banissa, and Big Fish who won both the 2020 Del Mar Juvenile Turf and the $200,000 California Cup Derby, and the world-record setting Quarter Horse Griswold have hailed from the Legacy Ranch program. The farm also boasts several acres of vineyards just 75 miles outside Napa Valley.
All stallion stud fees are to be determined. For more information, please check our website at: WWW.LEGACYRANCHINC.COM, or call TERRY KNIGHT at (510) 928-4980 or call the offce at (209) 759-3315.
LOVACRES RANCH
ith an “ ”
Terry Lovingier’s profession is refnery maintenance and environmental engineering. But his passion is Thoroughbred racing and it’s embodied in his Lovacres Ranch, 600 sprawling acres in northern San Diego County.
Lovacres Ranch is a full-service facility including breeding, breaking and training of horses. Located at the mouth of Temecula Creek in a valley at the base of Palomar Mountain, it’s about 10 miles northwest of Warner Springs.
The ranch sits on beautiful countryside at an elevation of 3,500 feet. Between 50 and 100 foals are born at Lovacres Ranch every year. Being primarily a commercial breeder, Lovingier sells most of the horses he breeds but has raced many of his homebreds in small partnership. The babies get their early schooling on Lovacres’ six-furlong training track.
The star of the show at Lovacres is Stay Thirsty. The son of Bernardini was California’s leading sire by progeny earnings in four of the past six years, and is leading again in 2024 as of mid-September, with earnings of more than $3.1 million.
Stay Thirsty is the broodmare sire of Fierceness, winner of this year’s Travers Stakes (G1) and Florida Derby (GI) and the Eclipse Award champion juvenile of 2023.
The homebred 2-year-old stakes winner In the Air Tonight, with two wins and a second from three starts so far, is among Stay Thirsty’s leading earners in 2024. The dark bay flly took the CTBA Stakes Stakes at Del Mar in August to boost her seasonal total to $108,400 to date.
Another Lovingier homebred by Stay Thirsty, stakesplaced Tapito Leo, has totaled $268,339 with fve wins from nine lifetime starts. Stay Thirsty’s leading earner this year is stakes-placed Court Snort with $157,700.
Stay Thirsty also is the sire of 2022 Cigar Mile winner and multiple grade stakes victor Mind Control, a lifetime earner of more than $2 million, and Godolphin Mile winner Coal Front, who banked more than $1.8 million. Stay Thirsty’s progeny purse earnings in 2020 and 2022 exceeded $5 million and his 11 crops of racing age have earned about $35 million.
A Grade I winner as a 2-year-old, Stay Thirsty has passed along his precocity with 10 2-year-old stakes winners. In 2021, Stay Thirsty’s frst crop in California, he led in Cal-bred 2-year-old purse earnings, in the number of 2-year-old winners and number of races won.
Lovacres will stand three other stallions for the coming breeding season, including Finneus, a homebred son of Stay Thirsty entering his second season at stud.
The highest price yearling sired by Stay Thirsty at the Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale at Fairplex selling for $250,000 boasting an impressive pedigree he is a full brother to California Champion Finneus, out of the Champion Mare My
Fionna. The colt emulated his older brother, who topped the 2020 edition of the sale at $200,000. Stay Thirsty is known for his stamina and versatility, continues to produce offspring that attract signifcant attention in the auction ring, reaffrming his infuence as a stallion.
Finneus, runner-up in the Del Mar Futurity, is the 2021 Cal-bred champion 2-year-old male. Out of the multiple stakes-winning Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, Finneus was especially partial to Del Mar during his racing career, winning the Golden State Juvenile Stakes in 2021 prior to fnishing second in both the Best Pal (G2) and the Futurity. Finneus earned $447,272 during his three-year racing career.
Stay Thirsty’s successor-in-waiting could be the exciting third-year stallion Smokem. The son of Union Rags ranked number one as California’s initial-crop sire in 2022 with earnings of $371,736 with six winners from 14 runners. His second crop was third among California sires (17 runners, nine winners). Smokem recently celebrated his frst black-type victory when 2-year-old son Bodacious took the I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar.
Please contact us at (562) 547-9848 or visit our website, WWW.LOVACRES.COM, for additional information.
MILKY WAY FARM
Located between Santa Anita and Del Mar
Milky Way Farm is located in the Temecula Wine Country, a short distance from Santa Anita, Del Mar, San Luis Rey Downs and Galway Downs. The ranch features large eight-acre seasonal grass pasture felds for broodmares and three- or fouracre felds for young horses.
Our philosophy is providing the best possible care for the horses and their owner at our full service facility. We strive to keep in close contact with owners by welcoming their input into the well-being of the horses. We encourage them to visit the farm as often as possible.
Milky Way Farm is always a work in progress. We completed new viewing areas for both the stallions and the sale yearlings. We have expanded our rehabilitation and layup paddocks. We have several options for care and stall rest, 24x24-foot paddocks and 100x100-foot paddocks for horses recovering from injury or just needing a little rest time. We have improved the areas for pre-foaling mares and added a light-controlled area for cycling open mares. The foaling stalls are 16x20 feet, monitored around the clock, and disinfected after each foaling.
Milky Way Farm, Agent has become a special project for us. We have a sales staff that we are proud of and are pleased to offer sales prep, advertising and presentation at the California sales.
Breeding season is always a special time; we have tried to establish an exceptional group of stallions. Breeding is under the supervision of Dr. Celeste Martin, who brings to the farm a wealth of knowledge after working for Rood and Riddle in Kentucky.
Tizamagician stood his frst season at stud this year. The popular 6-year-old son of California great Tiznow out of the graded stakes-placed Dixie Union mare Magic Union, was a multiple graded winner and runner-up in the 2021 Pacifc Classic (G1). He earned $741,851 during a 25-race career. He has received tremendous support from the California Breeders. We look forward to seeing his frst crop.
Alberta, Canada. Midnight Storm has had three crops to race. His frst California Bred crop will be yearlings in 2025.
Other young sires on Milky Way’s big roster are Moquest, an Uncle Mo full brother to Nyquist, and Sawyer’s Hill, a half brother to Yaupon. Both had their frst matings in 2023. Others are Box Score, a full brother to Temple City; Passion For Gold, a group 1 winner for Godolphin in France by Medaglia d’Oro who stood fve seasons in Chile prior to coming to Milky Way; and Dosifcado, a graded winner from Chile by Scat Daddy.
Grade 1-placed Win The Space, by Pulpit, and Balance the Books (Lemond Drop Kid), a multiple graded stakes victor on turf.
The stallion roster at Milky Way includes Midnight Storm, transferred to Milky Way for the 2023 breeding season from Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky, where he had two crops to race.
Midnight Storm earned nearly $1.8 million, winning seven graded races on both dirt and turf including the 2016 Shoemaker Mile (G1T). He fnished third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) later that year. His frst crop of runners in Kentucky included grade 3 Canadian Derby winner Great Escape, who set a track record for 1 1/4 miles in the process at Century Mile racetrack in
Each foaling season brings new hopes and dreams for the future. We are seeing a tremendous increase in interest in breeding and in buying racing prospects. The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association is doing a wonderful job promoting horses and races. Our staff, headed by our farm manager, Johnny Alvira, is totally committed to making Milky Way Farm an important part of the California Thoroughbred industry.
For information, please contact LINDA MADSEN (909) 241-6600 or email MILKYWAYCATTLE@AOL.COM Visit us on MILKYWAYTHOROUGHBREDS.COM and check out the full stallion roster.
RANCHO SAN MIGUEL
Celebrating our 25th Anniversary of Serving the California Toroughbred Industry in 2025
Mark your calendar! Rancho San Miguel is moving its annual Open House & Stallion Show to November 16, 2024 — a new, fall date which will give attendees a helpful headstart on making their important breeding decisions for 2025.
Current and prospective Thoroughbred owners and breeders are invited to attend this free educational event, which will feature a catered lunch, horse husbandry discussions, door prizes, networking opportunities and a narrated parade of the farm’s 10-member stallion roster.
COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
The upcoming Open House is one of the many ways Rancho San Miguel strives to support the California Thoroughbred breeding industry.
Quality horse care and outstanding customer service are the hallmarks of this 250-acre San Luis Obispo County farm, which is recognized as one of the state’s most respected stallion stations, foal nurseries and auction consignors. Under the thoughtful direction of owners Tom and Nancy Clark and farm manager Jenny Webber, Rancho San Miguel provides a wide range of services from more than two dozen skilled workers, most of whom live on-site to ensure round-the-clock supervision and care of the equine residents.
A DIVERSE, DYNAMIC SELECTION OF STALLIONS
San Miguel in 2024 as “the most talented horse I have ever trained,” according to conditioner Phil D’Amato.
Danzing Candy, a multiple graded stakes winner by Twirling Candy, is a proven sire of precocious runners, as exemplifed by his back-to-back California Champion 2-YearOld Male titleholders in 2022 and 2023.
Editorial, a winning War Front half-brother to leading sire Uncle Mo, has accumulated four stakes horses in 2024, including a Group 3 winner in South America. His frst Californiabred foals will be yearlings in 2025.
Mo Forza, a Grade 1 winner and six-time Grade 2 winner by Uncle Mo, has been eagerly received by West Coast
Join us for our Open House & Stallion Show on November 16! breeders, who have supported the $1,034,460-earner with sensational annual book sizes ranging from 92 mares to a statebest 102 mares his frst three seasons at Rancho San Miguel. Northern Causeway, a Grade 3 winner by Giant’s Causeway whose dam is a half-sibling to major sires Ghostzapper and City Zip, is enjoying a banner year in 2024, thanks to his black-type son Talbot Bay and a Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1) victory by Du Jour, a millionaire runner out of his half-sister.
The Rancho San Miguel stallion roster is carefully curated to present a diverse variety of pedigrees, performance abilities and price ranges to mare owners. Selective efforts are made each year to acquire new recruits that will complement the overall roster.
For the 2025 breeding season, two exciting stallions are joining the group.
Multiple graded stakes winner Brickyard Ride ($925,477) will launch his breeding career as the heir apparent to his sire, California leader Clubhouse Ride. With eight stakes victories on dirt and turf, including Santa Anita Park’s San Carlos Stakes (G2) and two editions of the Kona Gold Stakes (G3), expectations are high for this speedy representative of the prolifc Candy Ride (Arg) sire line.
Also new to the stallion barn is The Street Fighter, a black-type son of Street Boss out of Silver Swallow, runner-up to champion flly Rags to Riches in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1).
Bolden, a blazingly fast and undefeated son of leading California sire Square Eddie, entered stud at Rancho
Richard’sKid, a two-time winner of the $1 million Pacifc Classic Stakes (G1) by Lemon Drop Kid, offers excellent value with lifetime average earnings per starter exceeding $57,000.
Sir Prancealot (Ire), a Group 2 winner and elite international sire by Tamayuz (GB), already has four stakes horses from his frst California-bred crop. His progeny have been very well-received at auction, with several regional sale-toppers.
Surf Cat, a six-time Grade 2 winner by Sir Cat who boasts California Horse of the Year Sircat Sally among his offspring, counts 2024 multiple graded stakes performer Tawny Port as one of six graded horses under his frst dam.
WWW.RANCHOSANMIGUEL.NET
WEST COAST THOROUGHBRED FARMS
Valley Center, CA
Santa Ynez, CA
Hemet, CA
Paso Robles, CA
Elk Grove, CA
Buellton, CA
Coalinga, CA
Santa Ynez, CA
Clements, CA
Warner Springs, CA
Temecula, CA
San Miguel, CA
Sanger, CA
FARMS
Arroyo Vista Farm
Barton Thoroughbreds
BG Thoroughbreds
Checkmate
Thoroughbreds
Daehling Ranch
Eclipse Thoroughbreds
Harris Farm
Kingfsher Farm
Legacy Ranch
Lovacres Ranch
Milky Way Farm
Rancho San Miguel
Silver D Bar Training Center
FORMER BASEBALL PLAYER STANDS HALLADAY IN CALIFORNIA
CONNOR HARRELL
BY JACK SHINAR
Connor Harrell admits to feeling downcast after his young stallion Halladay didn’t fare better at Fasig-Tipton’s California fall yearling sale Sept. 24 in Pomona.
Te sale was the frst big test for his grade 1-winning son of standout sire War Front of the market for state-breds, where horsemen are reeling from the closure of Golden Gate Fields and other economic factors. While 12 of his 15 yearlings sold (one was withdrawn), the average price of $12,667 was well below what Harrell hoped for.
“Disappointed,” said Harrell, a third-generation horse
owner whose syndicate is standing Halladay at Harris Farms for $7,500, when asked for his reaction. “But being realistic, there were a lot of folks in the same situation we are. It’s the sort of environment we’re in; just a tough market.”
Te 8-year-old Halladay won the 2020 Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher, repelling a number of challenges from a strong feld in gate-to-wire style. He won two other stakes as well while banking $565,245.
Tough Halladay’s success came competing on grass, Harrell noted that the stallion is from the Danzig line and ran well on dirt while placing third in a pair of
maiden starts at Saratoga to begin his career.
“I always kind of wished we could have tried him on the dirt again,” he said.
Te statuesque gray – he stands at 16.1 hands – is out of the Tapit broodmare Hightap. She was a dual graded winner of $300,000 for Gainesway Toroughbreds and Winchell Toroughbreds, the breeders of Halladay.
Harrell said he felt there was a lack of barn activity and vetting in general during the sale and that worked against Halladay’s ofspring. He added that many of the winning bids came from online buyers.
Of course, it’s not unusual for a freshman sire to be overlooked in spite of strong credentials. Tere’s only one way to overcome it.
“Tey have to run,” Harrell said of Halladay’s frst crop. “Tey have got to show up in the spring.”
Noting the incentives available for California-breds racing in the state, Harrell added, “We really want him to stay in California.”
Harrell, 33, of Houston, Texas, owns one-half of Harrell Ventures with his father, Curtis, co-owner of the other half. Tey race primarily in Florida and New York. Teir 2-year-old Showcase won the Saratoga Special (G2) this summer.
His grandfather Eddie, who died in 2017, was a successful oilman and a racing enthusiast who formed a partnership, Alto Racing, with some New Mexico interests. Alto Racing had a number of graded stakes
Connor Harrell and his father, Curtis, are partners in Harrell Ventures
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CONNOR HARRELL
winners, including 2016 Kelso Handicap (G2T) victor Anchor Down and 2015 Florida Derby (G1) winner Materiality. After Alto Racing disbanded, Eddie formed Harrell Ventures as a family racing partnership in 2014.
Connor Harrell grew up less than 10 miles from Sam Houston Race Park and says racing “gets into your blood.” But during his youth, racing took a backseat to his primary interest, baseball.
A center feld prospect, he played three years at Vanderbilt University before signing with the Detroit Tigers, who took him in the seventh round of the 2013 MLB June amateur draft. He played for four seasons in the Detroit organization, the fnal two with the Erie SeaWolves of the AA Eastern League. He collected more than 1,500 at-bats while compiling a .252 combined batting average.
“I had a good run. Believe it or not at 26 I was just aging out, and I thought it was time for the next thing,” Harrell said. “I keep my tentacles in the game in other ways now (staying involved with the Vanderbilt program), and really have only good memories of it in hindsight. I’m pretty thankful for that.”
Halladay has been well supported. We’re very pleased.”
—Connor Harrell
him,” Harrell said. “His last season was my frst in Detroit, and we were with the same agency at the time.”
He said Harrell Ventures has about 45 horses in training around the country. Tey include a pair of Halladay’s yearlings currently at John Brocklebank’s facility in Utah that he plans to race in California next year.
Alto Racing had experience racing in California with trainer Richard Mandella years ago, but Harrell said it was simpler to race in the East once they connected with Pletcher and other trainers based there.
Halladay is the frst grade 1 winner that Harrell Ventures owned outright. Fairly new to breeding, Harrell said he and his father considered a number of options, including one in Florida, before deciding on California.
Adrian Gonzalez’s Checkmate Toroughbreds helped put together the syndicate deal that landed Halladay at Harris Farms.
Harrell works at Trammell Crow Co. in Houston now as a senior associate. Te company is a commercial real estate developer in more than two dozen cities around the country. Harrell fnds that his job, putting together deals on various types of projects, is not that much diferent from what he does in racing while developing partnerships.
He and his wife, Sydney, have a 1-year-old son, Foster, whom Harrell hopes will someday continue the family’s racing legacy.
Harrell said he named Halladay for the Hall of Fame pitcher Roy Halladay of the Toronto Bluejays and Philadelphia Phillies who died in a crash of his plane in the Gulf of Mexico in 2017.
“I never knew Roy, but I got to meet
“Halladay means so much to us,” Harrell said. “We had other opportunities, but we found the infrastructure we were looking for at Harris. Harris is so big in California breeding; it was the 800-pound gorilla. It just felt like the right ft for us.”
Te stallion covered 61 mares in his initial 2022 season and 62 more last year, according to Te Jockey Club statistics.
“For California, that’s right where he should be,” Harrell said. “Halladay has been well supported. We’re very pleased.”
Halladay was a grade 1 winner at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher
AUGUST 19, 2024 – SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
Bluegrass Cat—Run Rosie Run: Roses R Blue (28-13), m, 6 yo, Ferndale, ALW, 8/24, 7f, 1:31.85, $19,500.
Stanford—Wall St Widow: Buttonwood Tree (91-49), g, 5 yo, Hastings Racecourse, SOC, 9/7, 1 1/8mi, 1:51.16, $8,250.
Stanford—She's Not a Lemon: Greatful Attitude (91-49), f, 3 yo, Fresno, STR, 9/14, 5 1/2f, 1:04.92, $13,680.
Stanford—Kathleen Rose: Man O Rose (91-49), g, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, E.B. Johnston S., 9/14, 1mi, 1:35.52, $42,000.
The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and California-sired winners in 2016 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.
Under Caution—Sora: More Than Likely (9-1), f, 4 yo, Elko County Fair, MCL, 8/31, 6f, 1:13.40, $3,600. Unionize—Rachels Belle: Miss Union (7-4), m, 5 yo, Hastings Racecourse, AOC, 9/22, 6 1/2f, 1:16.36, $11,000.
Uptown Rythem—It'sallyoursbaby: Rhythem On Stage (6-4), g, 4 yo, Del Mar, STR, 8/30, 5f (T), 57.87, $28,800.
U S Ranger—Squeeze Me Tight: Kona Skye (10-2), g, 7 yo, Sweetwater Downs, STK, John Schiffer Memorial S., 9/8, 6 1/2f, 1:21.60, $10,600.
U S Ranger—Squeeze Me Tight: Kona Skye (10-2), g, 7 yo, Sweetwater Downs, STK, Exacta S., 9/21, 6f, 1:14.74, $10,800.
Vronsky—The Toast of Troy: D D S Express (53-21), g, 6 yo, Albuquerque, ALW, 8/24, 6f, 1:09.32, $19,800. Vronsky—Pinky's Posh: Diamond Bar Gal (53-21), f, 4 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 9/5, 5f (T), 57.30, $45,600. Will Take Charge—Artfully: Breve (96-42), f, 4 yo, Fresno, ALW, 9/15, 1 1/16mi, 1:43.97, $20,280.
2-YEAR-OLDS
Bodexpress—Awesome Mama: Hot Girl Walk (15-6), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, STK, Generous Portion S., 9/2, 6f, 1:11.28, $57,000.
I'll Have Another—What a Family: Legal Fiction (29-15), f, 2 yo, Fresno, AOC, 9/21, 6f, 1:10.55, $20,280. Phantom Boss—Pebble Beach Baby: Lil' Bit Bossy (3-2), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, SOC, 8/29, 6f, 1:12.47, $33,120.
Smokem—My Love Magnet: Bodacious (20-7), c, 2 yo, Del Mar, STK, I'm Smokin S., 9/6, 6f, 1:10.77, $57,000.
MAIDENS
ACCLAMATION
Harris Farms (800) 311 6211 www.harrisfarms.com
Acclamation—Debbies Cute Ghost: Ghostly Act (42-23), g, 4 yo, Del Mar, MSW, 8/24, 1 1/16mi(T), 1:43.42, $45,000.
American Pharoah—Ready for Romance: Cali Cat (183-77), r, 2 yo, Del Mar, MSW, 8/30, 1mi (T), 1:37.07, $45,000.
Bodexpress—Straight N Strong: We the Free (15-6), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, MSW, 9/2, 6f, 1:12.08, $45,000.
Winners
AUGUST 19, 2024 – SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
Bronze Star—Zoe's Baba: Drink and a Wink (11-4), f, 4 yo, Albuquerque, MCL, 9/1, 5 1/2f, 1:04.40, $7,920.
Uptown Rythem—Logical Single: Musical Number (6-4), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 9/21, 5 1/2f, 1:05.63, $15,600.
NEW TREATMENT FOR SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
RESEARCH MAY HELP HORSES AND HUMANS
BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS
Research is currently under way to assess a novel therapeutic process to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial joint infections (septic arthritis) in foals. Tis research is being done in partnership with Colorado State University, Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky. Te researchers are looking into using a combination of antibiotics and stem cells for treating these antibiotic-resistant infections.
Drs. Steven Dow and Lynn Pezzanite at CSU have been involved with early studies with mice, dogs, and horses, and are now collaborating on a new project toward investigating this work in foals. Lynn Pezzanite, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVS-LA is an equine surgeon and assistant professor in cellular and molecular biology at CSU. Steven Dow, DVM, PhD, DACVIM is a CSU professor and director of the Center for Immune and Regenerative Terapies. Pezzanite says she had the opportunity to start her PhD project in Dow’s lab.
“Some of the initial groundwork with the in vitro human MSCs (Mesenchymal Stromal Cells) and initial mouse studies were already ongoing in Dow’s lab
Dr. Lynn Pezzanite of Colorado State University has been involved with studies in septic arthritis
when I began my graduate program,” Pezzanite said.
Te early mouse studies compared the diferent MSC and antibiotic combinations regarding efectiveness in treatment.
“Part of my thesis program was funded by an NIH (National Institutes of Health) program in partnership with University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with the goal to encourage cross-talk between the veterinary and medical school programs,” Pezzanite said. “One of Dr. Dow’s collaborators, Dr. Jason Stoneback, chief of orthopedic trauma and fracture surgery and director of the limb restoration program at the medical school, was my translational mentor through the program. He works with challenging human orthopedic cases, which present many of the same difculties in treatment, since they are often complicated by infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria. He was interested in looking at this kind of treatment for humans as well. Te use of our anti-infective cellular therapies in larger animal models, dogs, and horses, provides further support for integration of these therapies in human clinical trials, moving forward from the mouse models and in vitro work.
“Treating horses with infection is my
main focus here at the veterinary school, but importantly, our fndings also represent a translational model for humans sufering from the same processes. Dr. Tomas Koch (of the department of biomedical sciences at OntarioVeterinary College, founder and CEO of eQcell, a company that is doing trials in horses with stem cells) heard about this work and was interested in using this treatment in foals, as well.”
Foals often encounter a number of systemic diseases in their early months of life. . . (which) can get into the bloodstream.”
—Dr. Lynn Pezzanite
Dr. Scott Hopper at Rood and Riddle was also part of this study.
“Teir practice frequently treats Toroughbred foals that are intended to be racehorses,” Pezzanite said. “Foals often encounter a number of systemic diseases in their early months of life. Tese include colitis, umbilical and respiratory issues, and all of these can get into the bloodstream and seed infections into the joints.
For that reason, they are very susceptible to joint infections.
“Tis study will employ the same techniques that Dr. Dow pioneered in the lab and in adult horses, using activated stem cells in combination with antibiotics in the joint itself.”
Te foals in the study will be randomized into groups. Some will receive the standard treatment of lavage and debriding the joint, and others will receive standard treatments as well as this new treatment of stem cells. Tis will give a comparison to see if this combination is more efective than the standard treatments.
Joint infections, especially those that don’t respond to standard treatments, can leave the joint permanently damaged, detrimental to young horses intended to be athletes. If they develop arthritis secondary to infection and are lame, the likelihood that they will perform athletically at a high level may be lower. Tis new treatment will be an exciting improvement if it works for these foals, not only to hopefully improve treatment of the infection initially, but also potentially to improve long-term athletic outcomes in these young athletes.
Pezzanite and Dow have published a
An
injection of stem cells in combination with antibiotics is part of the new study
paper describing the work she did using an equine model, looking at septic arthritis in adult horses. Her work has shown that the treatment can work very efectively, specifcally to reduce the number of bacteria in joint tissues, reduce infammatory mediators, and improve pain scores and infammation.
“In adult horses, we’ve seen more rapid improvement, both in clinical parameters and lameness and in their overall pain/infammation scores—in the horses treated with stem cells and antibiotics versus just antibiotics alone,” Pezzanite said. “Some of our in vitro outcomes were also exciting in terms of how these cells are working mechanistically. While there is certainly more to learn in terms of how these cells exert their efects, our fndings in adult horses with joint infections demonstrated that those treated with stem cells had lower levels of infammatory cytokines and more rapid healing/normalization of joint fuid parameters, including white cell count and infammatory mediator serum amyloid A. Tey also had lower bacterial bioburden in their joints based on quantitative cultures compared to horses that
received antibiotics alone.”
Dow has treated a number of dogs successfully at the vet school using this combination therapy. Tese were dogs with chronic drug-resistant infections. Part of the interest in using this therapy in foals is knowing that it works in dogs, which
are more the size of a foal than the earlier mouse models.
“We can probably use doses equivalent to what we’ve been using in dogs,” Dow said. “We also know that infusions of these activated stem cells are very safe.”
Te dogs in the study were client-owned. Tey were pets, with a variety of infections that had not responded to treatment for at least a month. Te infections included in the joint, soft tissue, and bone. Te dogs had all been treated with the various drugs used in the clinic. Te results were exciting and promising and also very relevant to treating humans. Te types of infections in the dogs and the body sizes are not that diferent.
It is hoped that this new treatment will accelerate the healing of joint infections in foals. Te cell treatment given in conjunction with antibiotics won’t replace the antibiotic; they work together. If the foal study gives positive results, the research will look into also delivering the cells intravenously, rather than just injecting them into the joint. Te studies with dogs were all done with the cells administered intravenously. Te mouse studies showed that cells given intravenously can fnd their way through the body to sites of infammation or infections.
Tis new treatment will be a way to deal with drug-resistant infections and will also help clear the joint infection before the joint tissue—especially cartilage—is injured. Ten the foals have a better chance to return to full function, and a chance to grow up to be athletes.
“Te concept of these new therapies is moving forward on a couple of diferent fronts, related to joint disease,” said Pezzanite. “We initially focused on improving outcomes with infection, priming the stem cells with various immune agonists. We have expanded our investigation to look at other options for agonism (combining of a chemical substance with a specifc receptor on a cell, thereby initiating the same reaction or activity typically produced by the binding of an endogenous substance) as well, with improved ability to reduce infammation associated with infection in that environment, as well as directly kill bacteria at the site of infection.”
A translational aspect of this work is its potential application to treat human
Jason Stoneback, Laurie Goodrich, and Pezzanite were part of the surgical team
Pezzanite’s study included surgery that could help discover how gene expression changes at a single cell level
patients also sufering from antibiotic-resistant infections.
“We work with collaborator Jason Stoneback, (who) treats complicated fractures with mal- or nonunions and is one of few surgeons in the world to perform osseointegration procedures to place bone-anchored prostheses in amputee patients,” said Pezzanite.
“Rather than applying a socket prosthesis, which is what most people with amputations have—where the socket fts around the residual limb—Dr. Stoneback surgically places a titanium bone-anchored implant that goes directly into the intramedullary canal of the bone and is permanently sticking out of the amputated limb.
“Te biggest issue with this after surgery is infection, and that is a major reason why some implants have to be removed. Tis is one area where we hope to collaborate further, using these anti-infective cellular therapies that we have developed in horses to help people with infection as well.”
Stoneback views the research being done by Pezzanite, Dow, and others at the Translational Medicine Institute, as potentially “game-changing” for his own practice, with a direct translational impact in humans. Tis bone-anchored limb replacement is superior to ftting an amputee with a traditional prosthesis because the implant connects directly with the patient’s body, helping improve limb awareness, balance, and gait.
One of the most signifcant challenges is controlling possible infection, since antibiotics won’t prevent bacteria from living on metal. If the area becomes infected and the infection can’t be controlled, the implant must be removed. Searching for new ways to approach that problem led Stoneback to collaborate with CSU’s Translational Medicine Institute. Established in 2018, the partnership has resulted in multiple projects aimed at developing innovative approaches to treat infection and other complications that occur after trauma, including the osteoarthritis work that was recently launched.
At this stage they are not limiting the program to infection, but expanding it in
Hopefully, this will inform us further on biomarkers of disease progression and the best timing to intervene.”
—Dr. Lynn Pezzanite
terms of cellular regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal repairs. Keeping valuable horses going after major problems is important to many horse owners.
“We are also investigating the possibility for these immune activated cellular therapies to improve outcomes in treating other musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis,” said Pezzanite. “We have another currently funded study working with Dr. Stoneback where we are looking at early osteoarthritis progression using Next-Generation Sequencing techniques at a single-cell level to characterize how arthritis progresses with the goal of deter-
mining optimal timing of intervention.”
Last November, Pezzanite performed surgeries at CSU’s Translational Medicine Institute with two of her mentors, Dr. Laurie Goodrich and Stoneback. Tese two equine surgeries were part of Pezzanite’s frst research grant as the principal investigator. Her frst study was designed to better understand how immune cells behave as osteoarthritis progresses in horses. Tis degenerative joint disease is one of the most common disorders, impacting up to 80% of horses in their late teens and older, with limited treatment options.
Pezzanite’s study was funded by a two-year grant from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to examine the early-stage immune response to osteoarthritis, hoping to identify certain biological markers of diferent stages of the disease. Ten the research team could possibly tailor treatments or gene therapies to those specifc stages, helping prevent progression of the disease, and also determine the best time to intervene.
During Pezzanite’s surgery, she removed a tiny piece of the horse’s cartilage to induce a small amount of infammation in the joint, which would trigger an immune response. During the next four months, Pezzanite monitored and studied what happened, taking tissue samples and looking at how the gene expression changes at a single cell level.
“Hopefully, this will inform us further on biomarkers of disease progression and the best timing to intervene,” she said.
Pezzanite hopes to expand her work, building on the osteoarthritis study and pursuing other ways to treat infections in patients with orthopedic implants. Musculoskeletal, particularly joint-related disease, is a major focus for her program moving forward.
Te plan is for continued collaborations with Stoneback and his team, aimed at improving outcomes in post-traumatic orthopedic conditions, with potential positive impacts on both horses and humans.
Goodrich, Steven Dow, Pezzanite, and Stoneback on surgery day
2024 LEADING BREEDERS IN CALIFORNIA BY EARNINGS (THRU
Leading California Sires Lists
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER RUNNER
1 Editorial, 2014, by War Front
2 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie
3 Empire Way, 2009, by Empire Maker
4 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
5 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
6 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
7 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig
8 Mr. Big, 2003-24, by Dynaformer
9 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat
10 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause
11 Smiling Tiger, 2007-24, by Hold That Tiger
12 Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark
13 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
2024 LEADING TURF SIRES IN CALIFORNIA
1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
2 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
3 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)
4 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat
5 Smiling Tiger, 2007-24, by Hold That Tiger
6 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley
7 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
8 Mr. Big, 2003-24, by Dynaformer
9 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini
10 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the
11 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front
12 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY
MEDIAN EARNINGS PER RUNNER
1 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie 17 15 $613,996 $38,950
2 Editorial, 2014, by War Front 10 12 $387,113 $32,228
3 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause 19
4 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip 25 25 $396,733 $17,550
5 Lakerville, 2008, by Unusual Heat 20 13 $323,062 $16,855
7 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark 106 81 $3,155,816 $16,283
8 Straight Fire, 2014, by Dominus 16 13 $283,418 $16,200
9 Gallant Son, 2006, by Malabar Gold 14
10 Mr. Big, 2003-24, by Dynaformer
11 Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark 31 28 $641,984 $13,713
12 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
13 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
14 Far From Over, 2012-21, by Blame 23 17 $437,558 $12,904
15 Desert Code, 2004, by E Dubai
16 Bold Chieftain, 2003, by Chief Seattle
17 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile 91
18
20
21
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA
1 Mrazek,
2
5 Grazen, 2006, by
6 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause
7 Mr. Big, 2003-24, by Dynaformer
8 Empire Way, 2009, by Empire Maker
9 Om, 2012, by Munnings
11 Smiling Tiger, 2007-24, by Hold That Tiger
12
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF WINNERS
SIRES
CALIFORNIA
Leading California Sires Lists
2024 LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON
1
2
6
7
8
9
9
12
SIRES
WON
2024 LEADING LIFETIME SIRES IN CALIFORNIA
Stallion (Foreign Foaled), Year, Sire
1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
2 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
3 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer
4 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig
5 Bluegrass Cat, 2003, by Storm Cat
6 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini
7 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)
8 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor
9 Street Hero, 2006, by Street Cry (IRE)
10 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley
12
23 James Street, 2007, by El Prado (IRE)
28 Anthony’s Cross, 2008, by Indian Charlie
40 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song
41 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip
42 Empire Way, 2009,
44
45
Govenor Charlie,
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. Sires that are dead, pensioned, or no longer standing in California remain on these lists until their last Cal-bred crop turns 3 years old. Statistics are from all available Northern Hemisphere racing with earnings adjusted for Hong Kong and Japan. Stakes winners and wins follow TJCIS stakes rules. Percentages are based upon number of named foals of racing age.
Stakes & Sales Dates
2024
REGIONAL RACE MEETINGS
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
Sept. 27-Oct. 27
Big Fresno Fair, Fresno Sept. 21-Oct. 13
Pleasanton, Golden State Racing Oct. 19-Dec. 15
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar Oct. 31-Dec. 1
Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos Dec. 4-17
2025 REGIONAL SALE DATES
JANUARY 21
CTBA WINTER MIXED SALE Pomona, Calif.
(ENTRIES CLOSE NOV. 12)
California-Bred/California-Sired STAKES RACES
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
SANTA ANITA
SATURDAY, OCT. 12
$100,000 California Distaf Handicap 3-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies and Mares about 6 1∕2 furlongs (Turf)
SUNDAY, OCT. 13
$100,000 California Flag Handicap 3-Year-Olds & Up about 6 1∕2 furlongs (Turf)
DEL MAR
FRIDAY, NOV. 1
$175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes Two-Year-Old Fillies 7 furlongs
$175,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes Two-Year-Olds 7 furlongs
SATURDAY, NOV. 9
$100,000 Cary Grant Stakes 3-Year-Olds & Up 7 furlongs
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ROBINS RANCHES
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FINNEUS
Stay Thirsty – My Fiona, by Ghostzapper
Winning the Golden State Juvenile Stakes, defeating multiple graded stakes winner SLOW DOWN ANDY
2025 Fee: $5,000 LFG
FINNEUS
FIRST CROP WILL ARRIVE IN 2025 FOR MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES PLACED WINNER FINNEUS
Cal-bred champion 2-year-old male. Out of the multiple stakes winning Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, Finneus was especially partial to Del Mar during his racing career, winning the Golden State Juvenile Stakes in 2021 defeating multiple Graded Stakes winner SLOW DOWN ANDY prior to fnishing second in both the Best Pal (G2) and the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity G1.
STAY THIRSTY
Bernardini – Marozia, by Storm Bird
#1 Leading Sire in CA. Broodmare Sire of Leading Earner: FIERCENESS ($2,666,350).
2025 Fee: $15,000 LFG
A full brother to California champion FINNEUS topped the September 24, 2024 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings sale at Pomona, selling for $250,000. By STAY THIRSTY out of the Champion stakes-winning mare MY FIONA.
SMOKEM
Union Rags – One Smokin’ Lady, by Smoke Glacken
A leading sire in 2023, California’s Leading First Crop Sire in 2022
