The official magazine of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, a non-profit corporation dedicated to the production of better Thoroughbred horses for better Thoroughbred racing, published by Blood-Horse, LLC.
Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policies of the CTBA or this magazine. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from California Thoroughbred. All advertising copy is submitted subject to approval. We reserve the right to reject any copy that is misleading or that does not meet with the standards set by the publication.
Acknowledgment: Statistics in this publication relating to results of races in North America are compiled by the Daily Racing Form Charts by special arrangement with Daily Racing Form Inc., the copyright owners of said charts. Reproduction forbidden.
OFFICERS
CHAIRPERSON
JUSTIN OLDFIELD
PRESIDENT
DOUG BURGE
VICE CHAIRPERSON TY GREEN
TREASURER
GEORGE SCHMITT
SECRETARY
ADRIAN GONZALEZ
DIRECTORS
John C. Harris, Gloria Haley, Pete Parrella, Sue Greene, Terry C. Lovingier, George F. Schmitt, Ty Green, Justin Oldfield, Adrian Gonzalez, Dan Harralson, Dr. Stacy Potter, Jonny Hilvers
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
CONTROLLER
THOMAS R. RETCHLESS SALES
LORETTA VEIGA
REGISTRAR/INCENTIVE PROGRAM MANAGER
MARY ELLEN LOCKE
ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
DAWN GERBER
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/EVENT COORDINATOR
CHRISTY CHAPMAN
ADVERTISING MANAGER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
LORETTA VEIGA
WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR
KEN GURNICK
LIBRARIAN/RECEPTIONIST/SUBSCRIPTIONS/ MEMBERSHIP
VIVIAN MONTOYA
RACETRACK LIAISON SCOTT HENRY
California Thoroughbred (ISSN 1092-7328) is published monthly, except for two combined issues in June/July and Aug/Sept, plus one special issue in December, in Lexington, KY by Blood-Horse LLC, 821 Corporate Dr., Lexington, KY 40503.
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TRACY GANTZ
COPY EDITOR
MARY SCHWEITZER
ART DIRECTOR
LOSES
A major California owner/breeder, Don Valpredo served California’s racing and breeding industry for decades and was an integral part of the CTBA board.
CATHERINE NICHOLS CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR
JENNIFER SINGLETON PRODUCTION FORREST BEGLEY ARTIST
PHILIP TRUMAN
Don Valpredo presents Cal Cup Sprint trophy to Kosta Hronis
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)
Zoffany (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
A Full Service Thoroughbred Facility
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LIVERMORE VALLEY STAKES IS DULY NOTED
California-bred Duly
Noted captured the $76,350 Livermore Valley Stakes at Pleasanton Nov. 30. The race was part of the Golden State Series during the Golden State Racing meeting at the Northern California track.
Shortly after the gate opened in the six-furlong event for fillies and mares, Duly Noted had to check as she took a hard bump that knocked her back to second-to-last. She saved ground along the rail and began passing horses on the turn.
Leaders Chancery Way and Smiling Molly left room on the rail, and Duly Noted eagerly took advantage of that for jockey Luis Jimenez Aburto. She came through to take charge
Undefeated California-bred Duly Noted wins Livermore Valley
at the sixteenth pole and win by 11⁄2 lengths in 1:10.24. Odds-on favorite Grand Slam Smile closed for second from the outside, with Chancery Way holding on for third.
Duly Noted kept her record spotless with her stakes debut. For trainer Tim McCanna, she began her career at Golden Gate Fields last December in a maiden event. She added allowance victories at Fresno and Pleasanton prior to the Livermore Valley.
Dunn Bar Ranch LLC, Al Hodge, Anne MacLennan, and McCanna own the daughter of Grazen—Fragrant Harbor, by Harbor the Gold. Hodge bred the 3-year-old filly in partnership with Charlie Dunn and McCanna’s late brother Ray.
Daddysruby Sells for $1.1 Million
California-bred graded stakes winner Daddysruby sold for $1.1 million in foal to Into Mischief at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Japan’s Shadai Farm purchased her from the consignment of Elite Bloodstock.
Jethorse LLC bred Daddysruby and campaigned her in partnership with Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber. The 4-year-old filly is by Frac Daddy out of the You and I mare Youtheprizeandi. Peter Eurton trained Daddysruby, who won the 2023 La Brea Stakes (G1) and placed in three other stakes, including the 2024 Great Lady M Stakes (G2). She earned $450,264.
$185,000 and $140,000, respectively.
Stakes-placed Court Snort was sold in foal to City of Light to Hinkle Farms from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.
John Haagsma and Don Hallmark bred the 4-yearold daughter of Stay Thirsty—Frysland, by Stravinsky. Court Snort is a half sister to graded winner Lost Bus and multiple stakes winner Brandothebartender.
Santa Anita’s Ship & Win Returns
When Santa Anita opens Dec. 26, its Ship & Win program will return. The popular program offers bonuses to horses from out of state who ship in and start at the track.
At the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, Cal-breds Court Snort and Class Clown sold for
An earner of $108,434, Class Clown was sold as a broodmare prospect to Centofanti Thoroughbreds/Star Guitar and was consigned by Blandford Stud as agent. Richard Barton Enterprises bred the 4-yearold daughter of Practical Joke—Miss Lavinia, by Speightstown.
During the 49-day classic meet, Santa Anita will provide eligible shippers with a guaranteed $4,000 bonus for their first start (excluding first-time starters) plus an additional purse bonus. Eligible Ship & Win horses who finish first through fifth in a dirt race will receive a 50% bonus to the listed purse money earned. In turf races, Ship & Win horses will receive a 40% bonus. The purse bonuses are applicable for one start only.
Santa Anita’s classic meet runs through April 6. It will be followed by the 29-day Hollywood meet, which runs from April 16June 15.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Remember to register your California-bred/California-sired foals by Dec. 31 to take advantage of lower fees. Fees to register 2023 foals (yearlings) before Jan. 1 are $125 for CTBA members and $250 for non-members. After Jan. 1, the fee will be $750.
IN Memoriam
Ben Cecil, who trained such horses as champion Golden Apples and several stakes-winning California-breds, died Nov. 27 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 56.
The nephew of renowned British trainer Henry Cecil, Ben followed his uncle into the racing business. He learned his craft in his native England and in Australia before moving to California. Cecil worked for trainers Gary Jones and Rodney Rash in Southern California and went out on his own in 1996.
Cecil conditioned Golden Apples in the U.S. after she made four starts in her native Ireland. She won the 2001 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) the first time she ran in this country and added four more stakes before being named the 2002 national champion grass mare.
For owner/breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam’s Reddam Racing LLC, Cecil trained Eddie’s New Dream, a Cal-bred daughter of Square Eddie— Walkingonadream, by Tapit. Eddie’s New Dream earned $716,540 while winning such races as the 2023 Solana Beach Stakes and Fran’s Valentine Stakes and 2022 California Distaff Handicap and Irish O’Brien Stakes.
Cecil trained Cal-bred Queenie Belle, a daughter of Bertrando who earned $605,130, for owner Gary Seidler. Queenie Belle won the 2001 Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2), 2000 Princess Stakes (G2), and 2000 CTT/TOC California Cup Matron Handicap.
Other horses Cecil trained included Cal-bred graded stakes winner Listing, Cal-bred graded stakes-placed Waveline, and grade 1 winners Squeak, Donna Viola, and Passinetti.
Cecil is survived by his wife, Kristy, and children Francesca and Hugo.
Miss Union Scores at Turf Paradise
It didn’t take long for a California-bred to grab a stakes win at Turf Paradise, which opened Nov. 11. Miss Union captured the $40,000 Jeff & Jack Coady Sr. Overnight Stakes Nov. 13 under jockey Alex Cruz. Sent off as the 6-1 fourth choice in the field of seven in the six-furlong event for distaffers, Miss Union raced in fourth and had to make a wide bid. She took charge and drew away for a 13⁄4-length victory in 1:09.99 over Pepper Mill, with Aloha Breeze third.
Curt Ferguson owns and trains
Miss Union, having claimed her for $25,000 at Turf Paradise in March. Francis O’Leary bred the 5-year-old daughter of Unionize— Rachels Belle, by Perfect Mandate.
Cal-bred Miss Union wins Turf Paradise stakes
COADY MEDIA
Ben Cecil
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
10 YEARS AGO
Canadian Peter Redekop raced California-bred ALERT BAY and had already won stakes with him in California, Canada, and New Mexico, prior to the $201,250 Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Dec. 26, 2014. Racing in midpack under jockey Tyler Baze, Alert Bay grabbed the lead in deep stretch and held off Home Run Kitten to win by a neck in 1:35.06. Calbred Awesome Return finished third. “The horse runs on any surface,” said Blane Wright, who trained Alert Bay and noted that the 3-year-old gelding had won on turf, dirt, synthetic, and in the slop. Thomas Newton Bell and Ross John McLeod bred Alert Bay, a son of City Zip out of the Dushyantor mare Hickory. Alert Bay sold for $65,000 as a short yearling in the 2012 Keeneland January mixed sale and raced through 2018 to earn $1,342,813.
25 YEARS AGO
CLIQUOT, a California-bred son of Cal-bred Eclipse Award champion Bertrando, soared out to an easy lead early in the $100,000 On Trust Handicap at Hollywood Park Dec. 4, 1999. He drew away to score by 41⁄2
lengths under jockey Corey Nakatani over even-money favorite Love That Red in 1:27.80. Indiahoma finished third. “He’s always been a horse who, when he’s right, has a lot of air in him,” said John Shirreffs, who trained Cliquot for breeder Marshall Naify’s 505 Farms. Naify, who coowned Bertrando with breeder Ed Nahem, bred Cliquot from the Lyphard mare Pharapache. Earlier that year Cliquot had won the El Camino Real Derby (G3) and Snow Chief Stakes. He raced through 2000 on the Southern California circuit and ended his career with several races in Saudi Arabia, earning a total of $673,246.
50 YEARS AGO
ANCIENT TITLE began the Santa Anita season by capturing the six-furlong Palos Verdes Handicap (G3) on opening day, Dec. 26, 1974. Though the California-bred champion had showcased his versatility in winning the Strub Series, he went back to sprinting with a vengeance. Under jockey Laffit Pincay Jr., he defeated Princely Native by 11⁄2 lengths in 1:082⁄5, with Cal-bred King of the Blues third. Keith Stucki trained Ancient Title for owner Ethel Kirkland, who bred the son of Gummo—Hi Little Gal, by Bar Le Duc, with her late husband, William, in the name of their Kirkland Stable. The following year would see wins in such events as the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) and, at Saratoga, the Whitney Stakes (G2). A twotime Cal-bred Horse of the Year, Ancient Title ultimately earned $1,252,791 and was named to the national Hall of Fame in 2008.
QUALIFYING CLAIMING LEVELS
The following claiming levels for California owners premiums and stallion awards are currently in effect:
STALLION NEWS
■ Storm the Court to Eclipse
Storm the Court, the Eclipse Award-winning champion 2-year-old male of 2019, will enter stud in 2025 at Eclipse Thoroughbred Training and Sports Therapy in Buellton. Eclipse, owned by Mike Scully and his wife, Angie Hager-Scully, bought a controlling interest in the millionaire and grade 1 winner. Storm the Court will stand for an introductory fee of $2,000.
The 7-year-old son of Court Vision—My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run, raced six seasons, earning $1,426,503. Storm the Court won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at 45-1 and ran third in that season’s American Pharoah Stakes (G1).
Peter Eurton trained the colt, who first raced for Exline-Border Racing, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson, and Dan Hudock.
Storm the Court in 2020 finished second in the Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes (G2T) and La Jolla Handicap (G3T) and third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and Ohio Derby (G3). He ended his career at Del Mar under the ownership of SAF Racing, Bernsen, Wilson, and Hudock, all of whom remained partners in him.
Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell selected Storm the Court from the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company spring 2-yearold sale. Exline-Border bought him at the sale for $60,000 from the Woodside Ranch consignment.
■ Legacy Standing Forbidden Kingdom
Forbidden Kingdom, a multiple graded stakes-winning son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will stand the 2025 season at Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch in Clements. The 5-year-old, whose stakes victories came on both dirt and turf, will stand for $5,000.
Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella trained Forbidden Kingdom for MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm. The horse won the 2022 San Vicente Stakes (G2) and San Felipe Stakes and 2023 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T), and he placed in four other stakes for total earnings of $683,660. Though a fast and talented sprinter, Forbidden Kingdom proved his ability around two turns with a 53⁄4-length win in the 11⁄16-mile San Felipe.
When the owners entered Forbidden Kingdom in the 2024 Fasig-Tipton May Digital Selected Sale, Legacy Ranch bought him for $310,000, the top price of that sale, from the Taylor Made Sales Agency.
Forbidden Kingdom is out of the Five Star Day mare Just Louise, winner of the 2010 Debutante Stakes (G3). The mare is a half sister to multiple graded winner Sara Louise. Sire American Pharoah won the 2015 Triple Crown and added that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) en route to Horse of the Year honors that season.
Storm The Court
Forbidden Kingdom
■ Corporal to Dehesa Farms
Corporal, a winning son of leading sire Gun Runner, will stand at Dehesa Farms in San Miguel for the 2025 breeding season. Shane Easterbrook, owner and manager of Dehesa Farms, recently purchased the farm from the Dahlberg family after being farm manager and operating under the name of Easterbrook Livestock Management for nearly 20 years.
A $1.15 million Keeneland sale yearling in
For information, call:
Mary Ellen Locke
(800) 573-2822 or (626) 445-7800 Ext. 236
Dawn Gerber (800) 573-2822 or (626) 445-7800 Ext. 237
You can register online at: www.ctba.com
Email: registration@ctba.com
OCT 1 - DEC 31, 2024
Fee: $125 for Members
Fee: $250 for Non Members
AFTER DEC 31, 2024
Fee: $750
2022, Corporal started twice as a 3-year-old in 2024, winning a maiden race at Oaklawn Park. He is out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Kathballu, a multiple stakes winner and earner of $482,007. The mare is a full sister to multiple graded winner Kathmanblu.
Easterbrook said that standing Corporal at Dehesa Farms is “a real opportunity for breeders to access an exceptional stallion prospect.” She noted that she will continue to offer the same quality full services at the farm as in the past.
Clovisconnection
Wins Again
California-bred Clovisconnection made it back-to-back stakes wins when he triumphed in the $75,450 Oakland Stakes at Pleasanton Nov. 9. He was coming off a win in the Sept. 29 Harris Farms Stakes at Fresno.
With William Antongeorgi III in the irons, Clovisconnection prompted the pace of Bob’s Blue Moon in the six-furlong Oakland after bobbling slightly at the start. The gelding raced three wide into the turn, took a narrow lead at the eighth pole, and won by 11⁄4 lengths as the 2-5 favorite.
Judy and William Hedrick bred and race Clovisconnection, who is trained by Blaine Wright. A 4-year-old son of Vronsky—La Darling, by Perfect Mandate, Clovisconnection brought his lifetime record to 11 wins (eight in stakes), two seconds, and one third in 17 starts for earnings of $438,300.
Clovisconnection takes Oakland Stakes at Pleasanton
VASSAR
PHOTOGRPHY
Donald J. Valpredo
BY TRACY GANTZ
The winner’s circle will be an emptier place this Jan. 11 following the running of the Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint. Perhaps no one enjoyed presenting a race trophy more than Valpredo. His grin was often wider than that of the winning owner.
Valpredo, as a longtime CTBA board member and officer, was instrumental in the establishment of California Cup, which had its first running in 1990. It was one of the things of which Valpredo was justifiably proud in a lifetime filled with service to the California Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
The CTBA later named the Sprint for Valpredo.
“That’s a great honor, that I’m a living person with a race named after them,” he once said. “It’s such an honor to have a race named after you where you can present the trophy.”
Valpredo was able to present that trophy several times. Sadly, racing lost one of its biggest champions when Valpredo died Oct. 31 while overseas. The 85-year-old, a member of the CTBA Hall of Fame and still serving on the CTBA board at the time of his death, left a void not easily filled.
John Harris was one of Valpredo’s closest friends. They partnered on many horses, perhaps most notably 1994 California Horse of the Year Soviet Problem.
“Don was my best friend for over 50 years,” Harris said. “We both were graduates of UCD (University of California, Davis), but I really got to know him through the many great horses we jointly bred and owned.”
Don’s grandfather, Alfonso, emigrated to Burbank in 1898. A winemaker, Alfonso established a thriving vegetable business, which ultimately moved south of Bakersfield, where Don has for many years run it with his son, Michael.
Don and his late father, John, raised and raced plenty of good horses, the stable dating back to 1941, when the family bought its
first Thoroughbreds. Don and John raced Argentine-breds Lucie Manet and Star Ball, whose stakes wins included divisions of the 1978 Gamely Handicap (G2) at Hollywood Park. The Valpredos also campaigned Santa Anita stakes winner El Vistobueno.
John Valpredo bred and raced California-bred stakes winner Dimaggio, who stood in the state and sired such good Cal-breds as Fifty Six Ina Row and Cal-bred champion Purdue King.
Don bought his first broodmare, Poppaletta, in 1964. She produced Gira Regira, the first horse Don ever bred. She not only became a winner, she later added the 1968 Bustles and
John Nicoletti, Don Valpredo, and John Harris partnered on such California-breds as Compari
Valpredo and his father, John, succeeded with South American-breds and stood Dimaggio, sire of Fifty Six Ina Row and Purdue King, in California
Bows Stakes at Pomona.
But it was the mare In Prime Time who began the Valpredo and Harris juggernaut.
Valpredo recalled how he wanted to buy In Prime Time and asked Harris if he wanted to partner on her. They paid $51,000 for her at a CTBA January sale, and In Prime Time became the second dam of Soviet Problem. A multiple stakes winner and so fast that she won two match races, Soviet Problem finished second, by just a head, to Cherokee Run in the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
“She was something very special,” Valpredo said. “We had a lot of good times thanks to her.”
Soviet Problem was the second dam of Cal-bred champion Unzip Me, bred by Valpredo and Harris and raced by them with additional partners. Valpredo, Harris, and John Nicoletti also bred graded stakes winner Compari, another of Valpredo’s favorites.
“He was foaled at my ranch and always had a lot of personality,” said Valpredo.
Even more than the horses, Valpredo made a lasting contribution to the California breeding industry through his decades of service.
“Don, or El Don as we would call him, was a great friend and mentor of mine for nearly 30 years,” said Doug Burge, president of the CTBA. “He was huge advocate for California breeding and racing and was appointed to many horse industry boards both in state and across the country. He had a strong passion for the breeders and was an active director of CTBA for several decades.”
Valpredo twice sat on the CTBA board of directors for long terms. In between he gave of his time to such organizations as the California Horse Racing Board and Thoroughbred Owners of California.
First elected to the CTBA board in 1972, Valpredo served as president from 1986-90. He only left because California Gov. Pete Wilson tapped him for the CHRB in 1990. Valpredo was a racing commissioner until 1998, and he served on the TOC board from 2000-11. He also was on the board of the Breeders’ Cup and a member of The Jockey Club.
While on the CHRB, Valpredo pushed for standardized saddlecloth colors to help bettors.
“I could see that we were going to become a video sport, and that’s why I demanded that they have all the standardized saddlecloth colors,” Valpredo said in 2017. “And now it’s universal throughout the nation.”
Valpredo later returned to the CTBA board, serving as CTBA chair from 2014 through early 2017. He was inducted into the CTBA Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Very active on every board on which he served, Valpredo worked hard to improve the industry. But he also took time to enjoy it.
“I will miss our weekly phone calls and visits and treasure all the trips over the years with Don and John Harris to horse sales and events in Kentucky and elsewhere,” said Burge. “At the end of the day and typically prior to dinner, Don would always say, ‘It’s time for a proper drink.’ That was a drink served ‘properly’ in a nice cocktail glass.”
Added Harris, “Don was always fun to be around. His wit and positive outlook brought much to a business and sport we both loved.”
In addition to his son Michael, Valpredo is survived by family that includes his wife, Sally; children Natalia Fritz and Alexis Mosely; and seven grandchildren.
His family, friends, and California’s entire Thoroughbred industry will miss him greatly.
Don and John Valpredo received the trophy from actress Candice Bergen after Star Ball won at Santa Anita in 1977
Cal-bred Horse of the Year Soviet Problem was perhaps the finest collaboration from Harris and Valpredo, posing with jockey Chris McCarron and presenter Joe Parker
Sally and Don Valpredo enjoying the races at Santa Anita, where the Cal Cup Sprint was named for Don
BOLDEN
SQUARE EDDIE – BAS, by FLOWER ALLEY
Undefeated winner on dirt and turf by a dominating 21 lengths. Southern California Speed: 6 furlongs in a blazing 1:07.50!
$3,500 LFSN
EDITORIAL
WAR FRONT – PLAYA MAYA, by ARCH
Half-brother to leading sire Uncle Mo touts an incredible $99,000 average earnings/starter, plus two 2024 Group 3 winners in South America
$3,500 LFSN
RICHARD'S KID
LEMON DROP KID – TOUGH BROAD, by BROAD BRUSH
Dual Pacific Classic (G1) winner and 2024 Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame inductee offers $56,000 average earnings/starter
$2,500 LFSN
BRICKYARD RIDE
CLUBHOUSE RIDE – BRICKYARD HELEN, by SOUTHERN IMAGE
Speedy heir to the hot Candy Ride (Arg) sire line won eight stakes races — three graded — and earned $925,477 in Southern California
$4,000 LFSN
MO FORZA
UNCLE MO – INFLAMED, by UNUSUAL HEAT
Grade 1-winning millionaire reigns supreme as California’s most popular stallion in 2023 (102 mares) and 2024 (90 mares)
$7,500 LFSN
SIR PRANCEALOT (IRE)
TAMAYUZ (GB) – MONA EM (IRE), by CATRAIL
Proven elite sire has worldwide progeny earnings of $21 million, with three 2024 stakes performers from his first California crop
$8,500 LFSN
DANZING CANDY
TWIRLING CANDY – TALKIN AND SINGING, by SONGANDAPRAYER
Multiple graded stakes winner and proven sire of precocious runners boasts back-to-back California Champion 2-Year-Olds in 2022/2023
$4,000 LFSN
NORTHERN CAUSEWAY
GIANT’S CAUSEWAY – GETAWAY GIRL, by SILVER DEPUTY
Grade 3 winner from the immediate family of Grade 1 sires Ghostzapper and City Zip. Sire of 2024 stakes performer Talbot Bay.
$2,500 LFSN
THE STREET FIGHTER
STREET BOSS – SILVER SWALLOW, by ALPHABET SOUP
Versatile black-type performer by a multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter out of a Santa Anita Oaks (G1) runner-up
$2,500 LFSN
CTBA working for you
To further assist the membership of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its official 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.
Stallion Season Auction Slated for Jan. 6-7
e annual California oroughbred Breeders Association Stallion Season Auction will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 6, at 8 a.m. through Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. Proceeds will bene t the CTBA’s Political Action Committee fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California breeders. Seasons will be sold with no guarantee. e preview will begin Friday, Jan. 3, and the auction will be held through Starquine (www.starquine.com). For more information, please check the CTBA website (www.ctba.com) or contact Christy Chapman at Christy@ctba.com.
GET A CHRISTMAS GIFT SUBSCRIPTION NOW
e CTBA will again o er special holiday subscription rates for California oroughbred. Get an entire year of news and features about the California breeding and racing industry at only $40 for a one-year gift subscription or two years for $60.
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:
California oroughbred 201 Colorado Place Arcadia, CA 91007
626-445-7800 x 221
Email: vivian@ctba.com
For further information, contact Loretta Veiga (626) 445-7800 ext. 227
FL AVIUS
War Front - Starformer, by Dynaformer
Winning son of leading sire Warfront
Winner of over $850k and 2nd in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap Track record set at Kentucky Downs in the Tourist Mile Stakes
Black Type Winner at Saratoga, Kentucky Dows and Leopardstown (IRE) Out of Grade 2 Winner Starformer, by Dynaformer
Beyer Scores of 105 and 103 with 18 of 28 career starts with an Equibase figure of 100+
“When at his best, I was confident 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.”
– Four Time Eclipse Award Winning Trainer Chad Brown
Introductory 2025 FEE: $2,500 S&N
Contact Julia or Justin Oldfield
joldfield@daehlingfarms.com
WWW.DAEHLINGFARMS.COM
CTBA working for you
DECEMBER 2024
To further assist the membership of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its official 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 Soviet Problem Stakes
$100,000 King Glorious Stakes Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos closing day Pleasanton closing day
Gun Runner – Kathballu, by Bluegrass Cat
OUTSTANDING CONFORMATION
$1,150,000 KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING BY THE LEADING SIRE LIFETIME BY A.E.I. GUN RUNNER
THE SIRE OF 24 GSW / 10 GRADE 1 SW • HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE, SIRE OF 13 MILLIONAIRES
Second Leading Sire by 2024 Earnings. OUTSTANDING FEMALE FAMILY
Out of Multiple SW / Twice Graded SP Winner $482,007 • Sister KATHMANBLU Multiple Graded SW $584,327
Half-siter to dam of Paynt Battle MSP, established course record at Louisiana Downs. $52 MILLION IN EARNINGS FROM ONLY FOUR CROPS OF RACING AGE
CORPORAL raced for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Trained by Brad Cox. Won maiden special weight at 3 in 2nd start One mile dirt at Oaklawn Park.
2025 FEE: $5,000 LF
Property of a partnership
DEHESA FARMS LLC (Formerly Easterbrook Livestock Management) San Miguel, California
Inquiries to: Shane Easterbrook (805) 610-9861 Email: dehesafarms@gmail.com Web Site: www.dehesafarms.com
It’s a Classic
CAL CUP CLASSIC HAS RICH HISTORY OF TALENTED CAL-BREDS
BY JACK SHINAR
On Nov. 3, 1990, the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita and the CTBA introduced something new to the state’s Thoroughbred horsemen and fans—the California Cup.
The rich nine-race program was entirely devoted to horses bred in the Golden State, with the $300,000 California Cup Classic Handicap, sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, serving as the marquee attraction. It was fitting then that the winning breeder of that inaugural Classic was the venerable Old English Rancho with
Carlton Sell’s My Sonny Boy in the final race of his career for trainer Bill Spawr.
Since then, racing has seen 34 renewals of the Cal Cup Classic. The race, like the popular series itself, has gone through some changes.
The Classic has been contested every year at nine furlongs except in 2012—when it
Three-time California-bred Horse of the Year Best Pal storms home triumphantly in the 1993 California Cup Classic
was run at 11⁄16 miles—but the track surface has varied. From 1990 through 2006, it was raced over the dirt main track. After Santa Anita converted its main track to a synthetic surface in 2007, the race remained on the all-weather until 2010, when it was switched to the Hollywood Park synthetic track for one year.
The race returned to Santa Anita in 2011 and tried over the turf for the first time. But it was back on the newly installed dirt track in 2012.
The Cal Cup moved to January in 2014 when the series was combined with the annual Sunshine Millions program pitting California-breds against horses bred in Florida.
At that time, the Cal Cup Classic was transferred to the turf and renamed the California Cup Turf Classic Stakes. It also added a new sponsor, City National Bank, which has remained a part of the Cal Cup ever since. The series has retained its January spot on the calendar as well, with the 2025 races set for Jan. 11.
The race became the Unusual Heat California Cup Classic in 2018, honoring the longtime leading California sire.
Over three-plus decades, the Cal Cup Classic has had many memorable renewals. The following are 10 we thought stand out, listed chronologically:
1991 CALIFORNIA CUP II
Northern California’s Charmonnier, a 3-year-old Batonnier gelding bred and
owned by Robert H. Walter, outfought the heavily favored Best Pal in the stretch to win by a head at odds of 28-1. It was a controversial finish because the winner, ridden by Corey Nakatani, drifted out badly rounding the far turn. Charmonnier also had a 12-pound weight advantage on the runner-up under what was then handicap conditions. As memorable as the finish, the race was also significant for winning trainer Bob Baffert. The up-andcoming former Quarter Horse conditioner won two other Cal Cup races that day with Letthebighossroll in the Sprint and Ebonair in the Juvenile.
1993 CALIFORNIA CUP IV
Trainer Gary Jones was miffed that there was no disqualification of Charmonnier two years earlier, but his star Best Pal left nothing to chance this time, romping by an easy 31 2 lengths as the 3-10
choice. John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm homebred is the most decorated winner of the Cal Cup Classic ever with three consecutive Cal-bred Horse of the Year titles (1990-92) and induction to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 2010. The bay son of Habitony out of the King Pellinore mare Ubetshedid had six grade 1 triumphs and earnings of more than $5.6 million.
1996 CALIFORNIA CUP VII
Milton Bronson’s prominent homebred Megan’s Interco proved a popular winner, wearing down pacesetter Mateo in the drive for a half-length victory as the 3-5 choice. The 7-year-old Jenine Sahadi trainee won Cal-bred awards that year as top older male and turf horse. It was also his third Cal Cup win, Megan’s Interco having taken the Mile on turf in 1993 and ’95. The gelded son of Interco built a solid fan base during a career that spanned eight seasons before his retirement in 1998. He won 16 of 36 races with 11 seconds—including victories in the Arcadia (G3T) and the Shoemaker (G2T) handicaps—and earned $1,062,465.
1998 CALIFORNIA CUP IX
Budroyale, best remembered as twotime national Horse of the Year Tiznow’s older brother, took the field all the way as the 11-10 choice under Garrett Gomez, gamely holding off Bagshot by a length. The win capped a season in which Jeffrey
Charmonnier upsets Best Pal in 1991 for up-and-coming trainer Bob Baffert
Megan’s Interco won the 1996 Cal Cup Classic and the 1993 and 1995 Mile
Budroyale, the 1998 Cal Cup Classic winner, is a full brother to champion Cal-bred Tiznow
ANNE M. EBERHARDT
Sengara’s Cee’s Tizzy gelding also won the San Bernardino Handicap (G2). Trained by Ted H. West, Budroyale was more impressive the following year, when he won the Cal-bred Horse of the Year honors with victories in the Mervyn LeRoy (G2), Longacres Mile (G3) and Goodwood Breeders’ Cup (G2), then ran second to Cat Thief in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Bred by Cecilia Straub Rubens, he earned more than $2.8 million.
2000 CALIFORNIA CUP XI
Rene and Margie Lambert’s homebred Sky Jack was brilliant in registering his first stakes win, disposing of defending Classic champion Bagshot on the far turn and speeding clear for a 41 2-length upset victory under Laffit Pincay Jr. It was the start of big things for the gray gelding by Jaklin Klugman. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Sky Jack overcame two surgeries for knee chips and a pair of bouts with colic—missing 14 months of action—to win the Mervyn Leroy Handicap (G2) and Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in 2002. Following another long layoff, Sky Jack returned to win again, including in the 2003 Longacres Mile (G3), before being
retired with 10 wins in 18 starts and earnings of more than $1.1 million.
2009 CALIFORNIA CUP XX
Bold Chieftain became the first horse to win the Cal Cup Classic twice, but this one came with a big asterisk, as odds-on favorite Grazen was pulled up in the stretch with a tendon injury while leading the field. With regular rider Russell Baze in the irons, Bold Chieftain took over in deep stretch to
Ashleyluvssugar (outside) catches What a View for a game win in 2017
Popular Bold Chieftain is the first two-time winner
Alert Bay proves best in three-way blanket finish in 2015
score by 11⁄2 lengths. The Northern California-based son of Chief Seattle also won the Classic in 2007, the first year the race was contested on Santa Anita’s synthetic surface. Bill Morey Jr. trained and also co-owned and co-bred the dark bay, an 18-time winner of more than $1.6 million from 47 starts. Grazen never raced again, but went on to a highly successful stud career.
2015 CALIFORNIA CUP XXVI
Steadied on the turn for home, favored Alert Bay overcame a bump at midstretch under jockey Tyler Baze to earn his fifth consecutive win in a threeway blanket finish over Boozer and Patriots Rule for his Canadian owner Peter Redekop and trainer Blaine Wright. Winning close decisions was nothing new for the City Zip gelding, who won the Mathis Brothers Mile (G2T) by a neck coming into the 2015 Cal Cup. Bred by Thomas Newton Bell and John McLeod, Alert Bay captured six graded stakes in his career, four of those coming in California. Overall, he prevailed in 15 of his 36 races and earned more than $1.3 million.
2017 CALIFORNIA CUP XXVIII
Ashleyluvssugar blossomed on the turf as a 4-year-old in 2015 and continued to pace California’s older grass division for the next two seasons. The bay Game Plan gelding earned Calbred honors as the top turf performer in both 2016 and 2017 and was voted top older horse in 2017. In that year’s classic, the stalker caught pacesetter What a View near the eighth pole and fought that rival to the wire for a game half-length triumph as the even-money choice. Trained by Peter Eurton for owner/breeders Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable and Ciaglia Racing, Ashleyluvssugar won 10 of his first 22 races— including the Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) twice—and earned nearly $1.5 million.
2023 CALIFORNIA CUP XXXIV
It was a long time in coming, but perennial leading breeder Harris Farms finally claimed its first Classic with Coalinga Road and trainer Carla Gaines, who also earned her first win in this prestigious event. With Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard,
the gelded son of Quality Road stalked the leaders on the outside before taking over from Kings River Knight in deep stretch. In a terrific finish, he narrowly held off defending champion Aligato by a neck. It remains the biggest win for John Harris’ 7-year-old Coalinga Road so far as the bay continues racing in 2024 with earnings of nearly $500,000.
2024 CALIFORNIA CUP XXXV
Kings River Knight came up a bit short the previous year when fourth, but he made all the running this time around to score by a half-length and giving leading jockey Juan Hernandez his first win in the race. Old English Rancho bred the even-money favorite, a gelding by two-time California Horse of the Year Acclamation trained by John Sadler. Sixyear-old Kings River Knight has been a model of consistency during his career, only once failing to finish first or second in 16 career appearances for his owners, Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, The Ellwood Johnston Trust, and Kenneth Tevelde. Currently on a five-race win streak, the bay has 10 wins overall—six in stakes company.
Coalinga Road wins the 2023 Classic for major owner/breeder Harris Farms
Kings River Knight leads throughout to win the 2024 edition
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
BIG CITY LIGHTS TRIUMPHS IN THIRD TRY IN CARY GRANT
BY TRACY GANTZ
Big City Lights harkened back to the beginning of his career in the $98,000 Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 9. He always turns in a good performance, but he crushed his opposition in his first two races and did so again in the Cary Grant.
William Peeples bought Big City Lights for $22,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale, and it looked like a huge bargain when the colt destroyed maiden competition by 121 2 lengths at Santa Anita May 2, 2021. The first-place purse of $36,600 more than paid for the youngster, who returned for a 71⁄4-length score seven weeks later in the Fasig-Tipton Futurity.
Since then, Big City Lights has won his share, becoming a graded stakes winner in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) earlier this year. He has also encountered The Chosen Vron more than any horse deserves. The Chosen Vron thwarted Big City Lights’ chances in the 2022 and 2023 Cary Grant, but in 2024 The Chosen Vron was getting a rest.
Big City Lights met four other California-breds in the seven-furlong Cary Grant, all stakes winners or stakes-placed runners. Three in the field had one other thing in common—they had won the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar. Big City Lights took that race in 2022, None Above the Law in 2021, and Curlin’s Kaos this year.
“Coming into this race, I realized it’s a small field and that there was going to be speed,” said Kazushi Kimura, who was riding Big City Lights for trainer Richard Mandella. “I
just tried to pray for my break.”
Curlin’s Kaos set the pace, completing the first quarter-mile in :22.03. The rest of the field stayed in close contact with him, and Kimura got the break he sought on the turn.
Man O Rose had forged slightly ahead and inside of Curlin’s Kaos by that time, and he left room on the rail. Kimura sent Big City Lights through, and they zoomed into the lead. Big City Lights kept widening his advantage throughout the stretch for an official margin of 81⁄2 lengths over
Man O Rose, with Moose Mitchell third. The winner stopped the timer in 1:21.39.
“It was smooth sailing behind the horses, and then I saw a huge gap on the inside,” Kimura said.
The jockey praised Big City Lights for being “a great horse during morning training as well—always going the extra mile and not wanting to stop after the wire, too.”
Mandella has done a splendid job with Big City Lights. The patient Hall of Famer has stopped on the horse whenever needed, and as a result, Peeples’ $22,000 investment has now made $503,420.
“He kind of surprises me,” Mandella said. “He’s not interested in the early speed like he used to, but he’s finishing great so I can’t complain.”
Neil and Pam Christopherson of Hermiston, Ore., bred Big City Lights in California in the name of their Bar C Racing Stables. The 5-year-old horse is by deceased Mr. Big and out of the Exchange Rate mare Champagne Exchange. Bar C consigned Big City Lights to the Fasig-Tipton sale.
Jockey Kazushi Kimura and trainer Richard Mandella (right) accept Big City Lights’ Cary Grant trophy
GOSSIP GIRL
CHISMOSA EXCELS AT DEL MAR
BY TRACY GANTZ
Chismosa may be Spanish for “gossip,” but her race record takes more from the name of her dam: You Can Dream. Owner Jaime Rennella and trainer Rafael DeLeon began that dream 14 years ago, which led to Chismosa’s victory in the $100,500 Betty Grable Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 10.
Rennella made his first claim in 2010 with You Can Dream. The mare has produced a string of winners for the owner, all trained by DeLeon. Most eventually got claimed away from them, but Chismosa, a daughter of the good California sire Clubhouse Ride, showed so much promise that
they never risked her for a tag. She has repaid them by earning $579,750— with more certainly possible.
In the seven-furlong Betty Grable, Chismosa met the talented Pushiness for the first time. Both have gone back and forth between California-bred and open company. While Chismosa has proved more successful—becoming a graded stakes winner in the Jan. 1 Las Flores Stakes (G3)—Pushiness dazzled by 81 4 lengths in her racing debut in 2023, has blazing speed, and had
only finished unplaced once in seven lifetime starts.
Pushiness was also coming off a good allowance victory while Chismosa didn’t fare well down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in the California Distaff Handicap. Bettors favored Pushiness at 7-10 and made Chismosa the 5-2 second choice in the seven-horse field.
Pushiness sizzled on the front end early in the Betty Grable, clicking off the first quarter-mile in :21.88 for jockey Umberto Rispoli. Chismosa trailed the field as they ran down the backside and then began passing foes for jockey Tiago Pereira in a workmanlike manner.
Around the turn, Chismosa had three horses in front of her, Pushiness having completed a half-mile in :44.51. Big Summer, ridden by Hector Berrios, ranged up outside of Pushiness late in the turn, and the two of them battled through the early stretch. But Chismosa was bearing down even further on the outside. She collared Big Summer late to score by a neck in 1:22.74. Pushiness held on for third.
“She kept going and she made it look easy,” Pereira said. “Coming around the turn, I saw Hector, so I pushed, and she responded very well.”
DeLeon, in watching the race noticed that Chismosa didn’t change leads and became concerned. He needn’t have worried.
“She got the bit, looked for a clear space, and she took care of business,” DeLeon said. “She closed super. I was happy somebody was pushing the horse in front because the horse in front is very quick.”
While Chismosa has performed well at all three Southern California tracks, she is particularly good at Del Mar. She won her first three races there, including the 2022 California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes and Generous Portion Stakes. The next year she finished second in the Fleet Treat Stakes and ran fifth in the Betty Grable only because she had a rough trip. This past summer, Chismosa finished second in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) to Sweet Azteca, who had won five of her first six races. Sweet Azteca’s only loss during that time? A third to Chismosa in the Las Flores.
Chismosa (outside) edges Big Summer in the Betty Grable Stakes at Del Mar
The connections of Chismosa had an excellent day at Del Mar
2024 YEARLINGS SOLD FOR $70,000, $45,000, ETC
LARGEST CROP EVER!
32 2-year-olds to race in 2025
DOMINUS – TRICKY INDY, BY A.P. INDY
Stallions Highlight Open House
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TRACY GANTZ
Rancho San Miguel’s annual stallion show is always a popular event and scheduling it this year for the fall resulted in a large group and spectacular weather.
Tom and Nancy Clark were gracious hosts, and they welcomed a group of about 50 to the San Miguel farm Nov. 16, along with farm manager Jenny Webber and the rest of the Rancho San Miguel team. The earlier date gave mare owners more time before the breeding season to examine the farm’s stallions: Bolden, Brickyard Ride, Danzing Candy, Editorial, Mo
Forza, Northern Causeway, Richard’s Kid, Sir Prancealot, Surf Cat, and The Street Fighter.
As farm staff brought each stallion into the breeding shed before the group, Tom highlighted each horse’s attributes. With the stallions’ stalls at either end of the breeding shed, attendees were able to wander by to see them up close before and after the formal show. A taco truck outside one end of the barn also proved popular.
Giveaways and door prizes were part of the show, which celebrated Rancho San Miguel’s upcoming 25th anniversary in 2025.
Farm owners Tom and Nancy Clark and farm manager Jenny Webber (center) welcome guests to the open house
Mo Forza, a millionaire son of Uncle Mo, will have his first runners in 2025
Sir Prancealot has been siring many talented California-breds
Attendees get close look at all of Rancho San Miguel’s stallions
Brickyard Ride will stand his first season at stud in 2025
IDAHO
HORSEWOMAN HAS ALOTALUCK WITH CALIFORNIA-BRED
ELEANOR MARTIN
BY JACK SHINAR
With one mare and decades of patience, Eleanor Martin knows it is never too late to get lucky.
At the age of 80, the lifelong Idaho horsewoman got her first taste of graded stakes glory with the aptly named 3-year-old Alotaluck, a son of her only current broodmare, Colinda Dawn.
True, her 50-year-plus wait didn’t come with a win, but the California-bred gelding by Sir Prancealot did pro-
duce a runner-up finish in last February’s $400,000 Sunland Derby (G3). Then Martin had to delay enjoying her milestone for seven months while she successfully appealed a Sunland Park stewards’ decision to disqualify the rider of Alotaluck for excessive use of his whip and declaring Alotaluck a non-starter.
It all worked out in Martin’s favor with Alotaluck’s finish reinstated—as well as the $85,360 in purse money he earned—and she and her horse have moved on. The
dark bay, trained by Martin’s nephew, Ty J. Garrett, has banked $240,788 while winning three of seven lifetime starts with a pair of seconds. He was most recently fourth with a wide trip in the listed $300,000 Zia Park Derby Nov. 26.
Martin has been around horses her entire life.
“I grew up on a ranch where my dad had Quarter Horses,” she said. “I was hooked on it early.”
She later gravitated toward Thoroughbreds. She and her husband, Donald, owned a cattle ranch near Notus, Idaho, a small community in Canyon County, for 37 years. Martin bred and raised horses there while also working as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 30 years.
“My husband was much more interested in the cattle,” Martin said. “Horses were more my passion. He kind of went along with it.”
After Donald died in 2012, Martin sold the cattle ranch. She bought a home with some acreage in Caldwell, in western Idaho, on the outskirts of the Boise metropolitan area, where she lives by herself, mostly growing hay. She has a son, James, and a grandson, Dirk, who live in Kentucky.
Since the 1970s, breeding racehorses on a small scale has been a part of her life. For a time, she also trained and raced at Les Bois Park in Boise, she said.
“I was maybe not the best trainer, but I had a lot of fun doing it,” Martin said.
She’s enjoyed the ride with Alotaluck, traveling to New Mexico to see him race.
Eleanor Martin has traveled to Zia Park to see Alotaluck compete
JODI PERKINS
“His second in the Sunland Derby was really great,” Martin said. “I had some nice horses at Les Bois, but he’s the best horse I’ve had.”
Known around the Garrett barn as “Levi,” Alotaluck, she added, is “a pretty nice horse, but he can be kind of obnoxious. I think he’s one of those that gelding helped.”
Alotaluck began his career with a 21 2-length win over maidens last December at Zia, then followed that up five weeks later with a second, two lengths behind Lucky Jeremy, in the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland. The Sunland Derby followed.
Drifting out several paths in the stretch, Alotaluck finished 21⁄2 lengths behind the victorious Stronghold, who would go on to capture the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Stewards reviewing the race determined that jockey Oscar Ceballos had exceeded the allotted six strikes with his whip. They disqualified and suspended the rider and declared Alotaluck a nonstarter. Ceballos argued unsuccessfully that most of the
I had some nice horses at Les Bois, but (Alotaluck is) the best horse I’ve had.”
— Eleanor Martin
trative law judge ruled in their favor. The decision also vacated a fine and a three-day suspension of the jockey.
Alotaluck returned to Sunland six weeks after the Sunland Park Derby with a 21 2-length triumph in the $125,000 Mine That Bird Derby as the 1-20 favorite. In two subsequent starts prior to his Zia Park Derby effort, he won an off-the-turf allowance tilt at Canterbury Park and was last of 10 after tiring in the stretch in the Hawthorne Derby.
Prior to Alotaluck, Martin said her best horse was Colorado-bred stakesplaced Galactic Princess, owned in partnership with Mark Hillman’s Hilltop Stable. Galactic Princess won nine of 17 races for the partnership and earned $178,879. 10 of 23 races for the partnership and earned $214,934.
Martin owns two other horses, Danzing Miner and Jillian, out of the 12-year-old Colinda Dawn, a homebred daughter of Lucks Mine (by Mineshaft).
Colinda Dawn won four of 12 races in her career, including the Colorado Derby at Arapahoe Park. Martin bought Colinda Dawn’s granddam, All Present, by Tom Rolfe, for $500 in foal to Hey Rob at the Idaho Thoroughbred Association mixed sale in 2002.
Danzing Miner, a 4-year-old gelding by Danzing Candy also bred in California and trained by Garrett, won his only start against maidens in September 2023 at Arapahoe. He came out of the race injured and is only now readying to return to action, Martin said.
Jillian is a 2-year-old Cal-bred filly by Grazen and has yet to begin training for Garrett.
11 strikes he used were to Alotaluck’s right shoulder in an effort to get his mount to correct his stride for the sake of safety, not to make the horse run faster.
But the stewards’ decision was confirmed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. So, Martin and Ceballos turned to the Federal Trade Commission. On Oct. 4, an adminis-
The mare’s two most recent foals, both by Clubhouse Ride, died of breech birth. Colinda Dawn has been bred back to Sir Prancealot for 2025.
Martin said she chose Colinda Dawn as a broodmare because of her excellent temperament.
“We’re just hoping (the loss of) those earlier foals were bad luck,” she said.
Alotaluck wins 2024 Mine That Bird Stakes at Sunland Park by daylight
3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
Accelerate—Tahitian Lagoon: Satellite Heart (120-58), f, 3 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/3, 1mi (T), 1:36.01, $33,000.
City Wolf—Siberian Song: Song of Shadows (9-4), f, 4 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/8, 5f (T), 57.62, $33,000. Clubhouse Ride—You Can Dream: Chismosa (102-50), f, 4 yo, Del Mar, STK, Betty Grable S., 11/10, 7f, 1:22.74, $57,000.
Clubhouse Ride—Calameera: Miz Clubcali (102-50), f, 3 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/22, 6f, 1:10.36, $33,000.
Stanford—Made to Worship: Sing a Happy Song (98-53), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 11/19, 5 1/2f, 1:03.20, $13,200.
Unionize—Rachels Belle: Miss Union (7-4), m, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, STK, Jeff & Jack Coady, Sr. Overnight S., 11/13, 6f, 1:09.99, $24,000. Vronsky—La Darling: Clovisconnection (55-27), g, 4 yo, Pleasanton, STK, Oakland S., 11/9, 6f, 1:09.32, $45,000.
Vronsky—Julio's Gold: Bag's Gold (55-27), g, 5 yo, Del Mar, SOC, 11/15, 5 1/2f, 1:03.71, $15,840.
2-YEAR-OLDS
Curlin to Mischief—Kittens Trip: Style Cat (49-27), g, 2 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 12/1, 5f (T), 57.47, $33,000. I'll Have Another—Radish: Accidental Genius (34-18), g, 2 yo, Pleasanton, AOC, 11/17, 1mi 70yd, 1:44.83, $21,840.
Mr. Big—Silver Soiree: Big Soiree (70-35), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, AOC, 11/17, 6f, 1:11.65, $21,840. Mrazek—Chexcess: Tequilaandtherapy (18-12), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, STK, Golden State Juvenile Fillies S., 11/1, 7f, 1:24.91, $99,750.
Pavel—Almost Guilty: Pavel Is Appealing (22-9), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 12/1, 5 1/2f, 1:04.37, $33,000. Stanford—Lemon Drop Sis: Winds of Freedom (98-53), c, 2 yo, Del Mar, SOC, 11/30, 6 1/2f, 1:17.94, $33,120.
Stay Thirsty—Winemenow: Run for Kidder (193-98), c, 2 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/9, 5f (T), 58.24, $33,000.
Pavel—Quant Savant: Who Is Pavel (22-9), r, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 11/14, 6f, 1:09.81, $7,200.
Richard's Kid—Hope I Do: Hoping She Will (39-19), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 11/15, 5 1/2f, 1:05.52, $7,200.
Richard's Kid—Dream Saver: Swift Stephan (39-19), g, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 11/17, 5 1/2f, 1:05.80, $9,900.
Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Florentine Diamond: Triple Diamonds (85-37), g, 2 yo, Del Mar, MSW, 11/15, 5f (T), 58.45, $32,400.
Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Hurricaine Callie: Typhoon Tommy (85-37), c, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 11/15, 6f, 1:12.88, $7,500.
Sir Prancealot (IRE)—S Y Sky: Rosa Parks (85-37), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, MSW, 11/22, 5f (T), 58.81, $32,400.
The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and Californiasired winners in 2023 of all recent North American races, except straight claiming races. Abbreviations used for the class of race are similar to those used by Equibase: Alw–allowance; Hcp–overnight handicap; names of stakes race are spelled out, with the grade of the race, when applicable, in parentheses.
Tiz a Minister—Notte Stellata: Stella Boy (5-5), g, 4 yo, Zia Park, MCL, 11/5, 6 1/2f, 1:17.33, $12,000. Tiz a Minister—Thou Shalt Not: Racer Rex (5-5), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 11/29, 5f, 57.52, $7,200. Tom's Tribute—Too Hot for Curlin: Care for Autism (30-14), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 11/3, 5f, 58.86, $7,200.
Tom's Tribute—Lady Katfish: Cloudy Rose (30-14), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, MCL, 11/17, 5 1/2f, 1:05.23, $18,000.
GOOD BIOSECURITY CAN HELP REDUCE THIS INFECTIOUS DISEASE’S SPREAD
BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS
Equine influenza is caused by a virus and is one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses. It is endemic in equine populations around the world. Young horses ages 1 to 5 are generally most susceptible; older horses may have some immunity if they have encountered the virus in the past.
Aliza Simeone, VMD is the director of biosecurity and an assistant professor of clinical infectious diseases and biosecurity at the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She says this disease shows up more often during cold months, just as it does in other species and in people.
“It is spread by infectious droplets,” Simeone said. “When sick horses cough, they can cough out a lot of the
Infectious droplets, often from coughing, spread flu in horses, similar to the way humans pass disease
virus and it can also travel in drops of mucus or saliva. It can be transmitted directly to another equine or spread on things like hands that haven’t been washed, or clothing that’s been ‘snotted’ on by a horse.”
Most of the precautions to prevent the spread of influenza are the same as what is recommended to prevent spread of equine herpes virus, which generally gets a lot more attention than influenza.
“Much of it involves simple steps like washing hands or using a good alcohol-based hand sanitizer between horses, and trying to avoid having to put your hands in horses’ mouths,” Simeone said. “I did some work at Thoroughbred tracks before starting my present job and was happy to see how much more we are doing identification with microchips so we don’t need hands in mouths all the time to check tattoos.
“Other things include trying to keep sick horses away from apparently healthy horses and having a plan for keeping them separate—and cared for by a different person or having people take precautions, such as handwashing, changing outer layers of clothing, and disinfecting boots between handling a sick horse and the other horses in that population.
“The signs of influenza in horses are just like you’d expect—fever, coughing, not feeling right, a depressed horse that’s not very interested in eating. They may have clear mucus at first, but often it becomes thicker later. Even though it’s a viral infection, the horse may get a secondary bacterial infection, which may result in more dramatic ‘snot’ and sometimes pneumonia. This is similar to what we might expect in people.”
Most horses recover from influenza with basic supportive care.
“If they have a high fever, your veterinarian may suggest medication to reduce the fever and making sure they stay hydrated, as well as taking them out of work (full rest) to aid their recovery,” Simeone said. “The trainer shouldn’t continue working that horse when it is sick, and for several weeks after.”
The stress of working can slow their recovery and won’t benefit their training if they are having trouble breathing.
“We see influenza most often in young horses,” Simeone said. “There can be cases
We generally give a recovered horse about a two-week period before it comes in contact with other horses.”
—Dr. Aliza Simeone
that are very mild, with just a day or two of extra nasal discharge. There are some cases in which the horses don’t appear sick at all, or the mild signs are overlooked. But these horses are still able to spread the virus.”
It can be more difficult to prevent spread if you are not aware of any signs of illness and don’t separate the sick horse from others.
“If you are having a problem in a particular barn, like several horses that are sick, don’t bring the horses that look okay into another group because they might still be able to spread the virus,” Simeone said.
How long a horse might shed the virus depends on that horse’s own immunity.
“Some will shed for a shorter time than others,” Simeone said. “But to stay within the window of safety, we generally give a recovered horse about a two-week period before it comes in contact with other horses. The recovered horse may still be coughing even after it has stopped shedding the virus.”
This is similar to a person who has recovered from a cold but is still coughing and may still have decreased lung capacity. Yet that person is no longer contagious.
The horse or person that has recovered will have some immunity from that particular strain of flu for a certain period of time, but could still become infected with a different strain.
“Thus, it is very important to have good hygiene with hand washing, etc.” Simeone said. “If you are trailering in and out and not having your horses live at the track, try to keep them away from other horses, especially avoiding nose-to-nose contact. Take care not to share equipment, especially things like halters, twitches, or anything that might contact nasal discharges—like the old ‘snot rags’ that some people routinely used in the past.”
Not having to grab the lip of any horse for identification purposes has been a big improvement. Still, some people might continue to grab the upper lip for a twitching effect, to keep
Taking temperatures daily helps in determining whether a horse might be coming down with disease
Disposable gloves and washing hands between horses are good biosecurity measures
the horse calm for a procedure.
“I prefer to do a neck twitch, when possible, rather than touch the nose,” Simeone said. “If you are doing things that involved the muzzle, you should use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before handling another horse. In some cases, people may prefer to use hand sanitizer on gloves if their hands are sensitive to sanitizer products. Certainly, the precautions will be a bit different and more intensive if you have a known disease outbreak.
“I am also a big fan of routine temperature-taking, especially for the horses that move around a lot or are in heavy work, or stabled at racetracks or traveling to races. The more often we check temperature (usually once or twice a day is adequate), the sooner we know if something is going on. We may not know what it is, but the start of a fever can enable us to get that horse away from the others and keep a closer eye.”
The incubation period with influenza is very short—just a few days. A horse might be already shedding virus before showing signs or before it tests positive.
“Most of the time, however, it’s not very long in between,” said Simeone.
Vaccination is helpful protection and widely recommended for influenza.
“No vaccine is 100% protective, and flu vaccines are tricky because the virus changes,” Simeone said. “It wants to survive, too. The vaccines have to be adjusted periodically to cover new strains. There are different strains in different flu vaccines.
This needs to be considered, especially for horses that are traveling internationally, so discuss your specific vaccination needs with your veterinarian.”
Even if the vaccine doesn’t completely protect against the disease, it can often help to reduce the severity, as well as reduce how much virus is shed by that horse. Vaccinating horses has definite advantages.
For diagnostics, the veterinarian will usually take a nasal swab.
“There is a fairly rapid PCR test that can be run, and you might have results within a day or two, depending on where you are located and the lab you are using,” Simeone said. “Often veterinarians will submit the swab for a respiratory panel. Some laboratories run a combination of
tests to look for common causes of respiratory illness in horses, including equine influenza, equine rhinopneumonitis (equine herpes virus), equine rhinitis virus, and Strep equi (strangles) all at once.”
Having a diagnosis can help you and your veterinarian know how to manage that horse.
“If you are aware that you have influenza in a group of horses, they should be kept quiet and closely monitored to see if any of them develops more severe illness, such as bacterial infection. You also want to make sure they aren’t going anywhere, to potentially expose other horses. You don’t want to share this virus any farther.”
Vaccines for young horses require a booster.
“Different veterinarians have slightly different protocols they use for vaccination, including different types of vaccine (inactivated vaccines or modified live virus vaccine),” Simeone said. “Your own veterinarian will determine what is best for your situation, for the risks your particular horses are facing, as well as the population of horses you have. There are different recommendations if you have broodmares, youngsters, or racehorses.”
Also, pregnant mares should be vaccinated in late pregnancy to help protect their newborn foals. Specific vaccination protocols for pregnant mares vary depending on their vaccination history, so make sure to discuss this with your veterinarian.
Monitoring all snotty noses and coughs is essential in combating influenza
Vaccination for influenza is widely recommended, especially for horses that travel frequently
2024 LEADING BREEDERS IN CALIFORNIA BY EARNINGS (THRU
Leading California Sires Lists
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER RUNNER
Sire
1 Editorial, 2014, by War Front
2 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie
3 Empire Way, 2009, by Empire Maker
4 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
5 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
6 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer
7 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
8 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig
9 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual
10 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause
11 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor
12 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger
13 Gallant Son, 2006, by Malabar Gold
14 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by
15
16 Far From Over, 2012, by Blame
17 Southern
18
19
2024 LEADING TURF SIRES IN CALIFORNIA
Strts Wnrs Wins Earned
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON
1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
2 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
3 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)
4 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley
5 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready 63 182 8 13
6 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat
7 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger
8 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
9 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini
10 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the
11 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer
12 Jack Milton, 2010,
Leading California Sires Lists
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MEDIAN EARNINGS PER RUNNER
1 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie 18
2 Editorial, 2014, by War Front
3 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
4 Gallant Son, 2006, by Malabar Gold
5 Gato Del Oro, 2014, by Medaglia d’Oro
6 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor 24
7 Lakerville, 2008, by Unusual Heat
8 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer
9 Far From Over, 2012, by Blame
10 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip
11 Straight Fire, 2014, by Dominus 16
12 Desert Code, 2004, by E Dubai
13 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy
14 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
15
16
17
18 Curlin to Mischief,
19
20 V. E. Day, 2011, by English
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA
1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark
2 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)
3 Empire Way, 2009, by Empire Maker
4 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig
5 Om, 2012, by Munnings
6 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer
7 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)
8 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger
9 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike
10 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual
11
12
13 Idiot
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF WINNERS
2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF RACES WON
STALLION SEASON AUCTION
ACCLAMATION
BOLDEN
CAT BURGLAR
CATHOLIC BOY
CORPORAL DADS CAPS
DANZING CANDY
DESERT CODE
EDITORIAL
EIGHT RINGS
FINNEUS
GRAYDAR
HALLADAY
HOPKINS
MIDNIGHT STORM
OM
ONE BAD BOY
PASSION FOR GOLD
RAGING TIGER
RICHARD’S KID
SHAAZ
SIR PRANCEALOT
STANFORD
STAY THIRSTY
TAMARANDO
TAP BACK
TIZAMAGICIAN
UPTOWN RYTHEM
VISITANT
...more to come!
To be held online this year via Starquine Begins: Monday, January 6th 8:00am Ends: Tuesday, January 7th at 8:00pm
Seasons will be sold with no guarantee. Proceeds from the auction benefit the CTBA’s Political Action Committee Fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California breeders.
For more information, contact Christy Chapman at christy@ctba.com
Leading California Sires Lists
2024 LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
12
13
1
2
LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS
AVERAGE EARNINGS
2024 LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS
6
7 Govenor Charlie,
8 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer
9
Have
12
13
BANQUET Awards
5:00
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)
Street Hero, 2006, by Street Cry (IRE)
9 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor
10 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley
13 Acclamation, 2006,
18 Ministers Wild Cat, 2000, by Deputy Minister
Misremembered, 2006, by
22 James Street, 2007, by El Prado (IRE)
24
Tamarando, 2011, by Bertrando
28 Anthony’s Cross, 2008, by Indian Charlie
Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon
38 Fullbridled, 2001, by Unbridled’s
39 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song
Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat
Empire Way, 2009, by Empire Maker
Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags
43 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip
44 Golden Balls (IRE), 2004, by Danehill Dancer (IRE)
45
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.
One Year Only from December 2024 to November 2025
These Special Rates are good only until December 31, 2024
The following are names and addresses of people to whom I would like to send Christmas Gift Subscriptions for CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED:
Stakes & Sales Dates
2024/2025 REGIONAL RACE MEETINGS
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. 6-15
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Dec. 26, 2024-June 17, 2025
Pleasanton, Golden State Racing Jan. 1-June 8
Los Angeles County Fair at Los Alamitos, Los Alamitos June 18-July 8
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar July 16-Sept. 9
Sonoma County Fair, Santa Rosa July 30-Aug. 19
Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos Sept. 10-23
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Sept. 24-Oct. 28
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar Oct. 29-Dec. 2
Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos Dec. 3-16
*Pleasanton’s 2025 racing dates tentative and second half of Northern schedule for 2025 pending
California-Bred/California-Sired
DECEMBER – JANUARY
2025 REGIONAL SALE DATES
JANUARY 21
CTBA WINTER MIXED SALE
Pomona, Calif.
(ENTRIES CLOSED NOV. 12)
AUGUST 11
CTBA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YEARLING & HORSES OF RACING AGE SALE
Pleasanton, Calif.
LOS ALAMITOS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
$100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes 2-Year-Old Fillies 1 mile
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
$100,000 King Glorious Stakes 2-Year-Olds 1 mile
STAKES RACES
SANTA ANITA
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
$175,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank Four-Year-Olds & Up 11⁄8 miles (Turf)
$175,000 California Cup Derby ree-Year-Olds 11⁄16 miles
$175,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks ree-Year-Old Fillies 1 mile (Turf)
$125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint Four-Year-Olds & Up 6 furlongs
$125,000 Sunshine Millions F/M Turf Sprint Four-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares about 6 furlongs (Turf)
DECEMBER/ JANUARY 2024/2025 REGIONAL STAKES RACES
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Introducing Graded Stakes Winner
Quality Road - Hot Spell, by Salt Lake
CHAMPION BLOODLINES
PROVEN PERFORMANCE
GRADED STAKES WINNER OF $379,700
2025 Fee: $5,000 LFG
HOPKINS
By QUALITY ROAD – Sire of multiple Grade 1 winners. Out of the Multiple Stakes Winner, Graded Stakes producing mare HOT SPELL (by SALT LAKE) – A fast, durable mare from a proven family of sprinters and middle-distance horses.
HOPKINS is a Graded Stakes winner, with a brilliant racing career that demonstrates his natural talent, durability, and competitive Spirit, Speed, Stamina & Versatility – Whether sprinting or stretching out in distance. An impressive pedigree and performance on the track make him an excellent choice for California’s breeding program. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the next generation of champions—book your mare to HOPKINS today!
FINNEUS
Stay Thirsty – My Fiona, by Ghostzapper
California Two-Year-Old Champion of 2022. First crop will arrive in 2025. 2025 Fee: $4,000 LFSN
SMOKEM
Union Rags – One Smokin’ Lady, by Smoke Glacken
A Leading Sire in 2023, California’s Leading Second Crop Sire in 2022.
2025 Fee: $2,500 LFSN
STAY THIRSTY
Bernardini – Marozia, by Storm Bird
#1 Leading Sire in CA. Broodmare Sire of Leading Earner: FIERCENESS ($3,856,350).
2025 Fee: $10,000 LFG
Terry Lovingier - Cell (562) 547 9848 or email terry@lovco.com | www.lovacres.com
