CalifThor-2026-04-05

LOVESICK BLUES

NEW INCENTIVE FOR CAL-BRED JUVENILE STAKES WINNERS

If it seems like nearly every recent issue of California oroughbred explains the newest bene t for breeding and racing California-breds, it’s true. e latest good news is an agreement with California racing secretaries that adds to the allowance eligibility of a Cal-bred 2-year-old stakes winner.

In a one-year pilot program and subject to the approval of the TOC, beginning with 2-year-olds of 2026, the winner of any 2-year-old California-bred stakes race will receive the same treatment as having won a California-bred entry-level allowance race.

August CTBA

August Graduation

Previously, if a Cal-bred maiden winner then won a stakes race, connections would have a di cult decision where to run next–either for a tag in an allowance/optional claimer or in open company.

Now, those qualifying horses get a second bite at that entry-level allowance condition, if the race is on turf (all current Cal-bred 2-year-old stakes are on dirt) or at a different distance (a route if the stakes win was a sprint, a sprint if the stakes win was a route).

As a reminder, here are the current scheduled Cal-bred 2-year-old stakes:

Month Race Age/Sex Distance Track at agreement by the racing secretaries follows the announcement by the CTBA that breeders and stallion owners in 2025 enjoyed the highest-percentage incentive awards in more than 15 years.

Breeders’ awards for 2025 were 14.94% of quali ed purse earn-

ings, or $4,288,140 paid in total awards. at’s the highest percentage since 2009. Stallion awards for 2025 were 11.87% of quali ed purse earnings, or $1,429,380 in total awards paid. at’s the highest percentage since 2004.

Last year, the breeders’ awards were 11.19% and the stallion

awards were 8.58%.

ese incentive awards reward those who bred horses that successfully competed and supported oroughbred racing in the state. We are pleased to announce these signi cant increases in the percentages paid to breeders and stallion owners.

626.445.7800

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

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, Katherine Fisher

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

CONTROLLER

THOMAS R. RETCHLESS

SALES

LORETTA VEIGA

REGISTRAR/INCENTIVE PROGRAM MANAGER

MARY ELLEN LOCKE

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR

DAWN GERBER

ADVERTISING MANAGER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

LORETTA VEIGA

WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR

KEN GURNICK

RACETRACK LIAISON

SCOTT HENRY

California Thoroughbred (ISSN 1092-7328) is published monthly, except for two combined issues in April/May and Sept/Oct, plus one special issue in December, in Lexington, KY by Blood-Horse LLC, 821 Corporate Dr., Lexington, KY 40503. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, KY and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to the 201 Colorado Place, Arcadia, CA 91007

Subscriptions - $55.00 per year USA

$85.00 per year Canada & Mexico

Bing Crosby Stakes winner Lovesick Blues, bred by Nick Alexander, was named 2025 California-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male, and champion sprinter. He and the other champions were honored by the CTBA March 2 and also honored in the pages

AIR FORCE RED

Air Force Blue – Mesana, by Mizzen Mast

Fee: $2,500 LFG

KING OF JAZZ (ARG)

Giant’s Causeway – Kiss Me Sweet (ARG), by Lode

Fee: $1,000 LFG

ORIGINAIRE (IRE)

Zoffany (IRE) - Polly Perkins (IRE) by Pivotal (GB)

Fee: Complimentary

ROUSING SERMON

Lucky Pulpit – Rousing Again, by Awesome Again

Fee: $1,500 LFSN

GATO DEL ORO

Medaglio D’oro – Funny Feeling, by Distorted Humor

Fee: $2,500 LFG

MO THE BEHOLDER

Uncle Mo – Leslie’s Harmony, by Curlin

Fee: $2,500 LFSN

OSCAR NOMINATED

Kittens Joy – Devine Actress, by Theatrical (IRE)

Fee: $1,500 LFSN

A Full Service Thoroughbred Facility

Centrally Located to All Southern California Racetracks OFFERING

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

Marcos Menjivar, Manager 3001 W. Esplanade Ave Hemet, CA 92545

C (951) 316-5420

P (951) 654-9100

F (951) 654-9119

E: bgfarminc@gmail.com

VODKA VODKA WINS AT SUNLAND

California-bred Vodka Vodka traveled to New Mexico, where he won the $250,000 Sunland Park Stakes April 5.

Favored at 11-10 in the 11⁄8-mile event, Vodka Vodka had the services of regular rider Kent Desormeaux. He raced in third early, came four wide in the stretch, and scored by 21 4 lengths in 1:48.17 over early pacesetter Malarchuk.

Jerry and Connie Baker bred Vodka Vodka and race him in partnership with McLean Racing Stables and Aggie Ordonez. Aggie Ordonez trains the 5-year-old gelded son of Stay Thirsty—Margie’s Minute, by Hard Spun.

Vodka Vodka was winning his fifth race in 13 starts and raised his lifetime earnings to $569,950. This was his third start of the year, following his victory in the Unusual Heat Classic Stakes Presented by City National Bank and a second in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Vodka Vodka is a half brother to Cal-bred champion Om N Joy. Ordonez trains Om N Joy for the Bakers, who bred her and owns her with Michael Golovko and Terrence Scanlan.

Turf Paradise Victory for Distant Fleet

In his stakes debut, California-bred Distant Fleet came from midpack to capture the $50,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap at Turf Paradise March 21. Karlo Lopez piloted the 4-year-old, who defeated fellow Cal-bred Book Smart, with Departure third.

Sent away at 26-1, Distant Fleet covered the six furlongs in 1:07.58. He was winning his fifth race and third in a row. The triple came at Turf Paradise. Raymond Valerio trains Distant Fleet for owner Luis Ruiz. Turner Shiew bred the son of Stay Thirsty—Kowboy’s Gigi, by Kodiak Kowboy. Ruiz claimed Distant Fleet for $6,250 at Los Alamitos last September.

Julien Leparoux Selected for Woolf Award

Julien Leparoux, a native of France whose career has included riding regularly in California and Kentucky, received Santa Anita’s 2026 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.

Competing in the U.S. since 2005, Leparoux, 42, is one of only four jockeys to win Eclipse Awards as both an apprentice (in 2006) and a journeyman (in 2009). He has ridden more than 3,000 winners for purse earnings of more than $206 million.

Leparoux has won seven Breeders’ Cup races, including a triple in 2009 at Santa Anita. That year he captured the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) with Informed Decision, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with She Be Wild, and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) with Furthest Land. He also won that year’s Santa Anita Handicap (G1) aboard Einstein.

Leparoux currently rides full time at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky. He lives in Louisville with his wife, Shea, daughter of the late trainer Mike Mitchell, and their two sons.

“This is a proud moment,” Leparoux said. “This award is so unique and special. To be recognized by my fellow jockeys is really special.”

Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950, the Woolf Award can only be given to an individual jockey once. It is named for the late Hall of Fame jockey who rode regularly at Santa Anita and piloted Seabiscuit to defeat Triple Crown Champion War Admiral in a match race at Pimlico Race Course Nov. 1, 1938. The award, determined by a vote from fellow riders, recognizes those jockeys whose careers and personal character garner esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

QUALIFYING CLAIMING LEVELS

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

SANTA ANITA/$40,000

LOS ALAMITOS/$40,000

IN Memoriam

James Briere

James Briere, owner and breeder of California-bred multiple stakes winner Shalini, died Feb. 11. He was 70.

A resident of Santa Clarita, Briere bred Shalini from his homebred Falstaff mare Code It Nikki. Trained by Craig Dollase, Shalini won in her very first start at Fairplex Park in 2001, destroying the competition by seven lengths. She finished third in the California Sires Stakes in her next start.

Shalini won the Pro Or Con Handicap at Santa Anita as a 4-year-old in 2003, and later that season added the Fran’s Valentine Stakes and Valkyr Stakes at Hollywood Park. Racing through 2005, Shalini earned a total of $393,530. Briere later bred stakes-placed Whispering Hush out of Shalini.

CAL-BRED GETS BAZE HIS 3,000TH WIN

When California-bred Gypsy Tears won at Santa Anita April 5, he gave jockey Tyler Baze his 3,000th career victory. Baze piloted the 7-year-old son of Gem Heist to a length win in the six-furlong starter/optional claimer.

Baze, 43, began riding in 1999 and scored his first win at Santa Anita that Halloween. He won an Eclipse Award as the leading apprentice rider of 2000, and his mounts have earned more than $138 million in purses.

He rode Warren’s Veneda, the Cal-bred champion older female of 2015, to wins in that year’s Santa Margarita Stakes (G1), Santa Maria Stakes (G2), and Paseana Stakes for owner Benjamin Warren and trainer Craig Lewis. Other Cal-breds Baze captured stakes on included Cost of Freedom, Alert Bay, Enola Gray, and Masochistic.

Former Southern California jockey Francisco (Paco) Mena died in March in Rosarito, Mexico, at the age of 78. Known as the “King of the Bullring” for his talent at Pomona, where he once was the all-time winningest jockey, Mena rode many good California-breds, including Telly’s Pop and Double Discount.

Born in 1947 in Jalisco, Mexico, Mena began riding in Southern California in the mid-1970s. He won more than 900 races for purse earnings of more than $1.3 million.

Telly’s Pop was perhaps the most popular of Mena’s mounts. Owned by actor Telly Savalas and producer director Howard Koch, Telly’s Pop was trained by Mel Stute and was the champion Cal-bred 2-year-old male of 1975. That year Telly’s Pop won the Del Mar Futurity (G2), Norfolk Stakes(G2), and California Juvenile Stakes (G2) with Mena aboard.

April

10 YEARS AGO

Blinkers turned around California-bred SAN ONOFRE, who captured the Los Angeles Stakes (G3) at Los Alamitos April 16, 2016. “We put blinkers on him because he didn’t pay attention last time and he finished dead last,” said trainer Karen Headley said. Edwin Maldonado rode San Onofre for Headley in the Los Angeles, allowing the 6-year-old gelding to prompt the pace before going five wide in the stretch to score by a length over Wild Dude in 1:02.04 for 51⁄2 furlongs. Cal-bred Raised a Secret finished third. San Onofre raced for Karen’s mother, Aase, in the name of Matson Racing. The trainer’s father, Bruce, bred the son of Surf Cat—Marrakech Gold, by Native Regent, having trained both the sire and dam. San Onofre, who also earlier that year won the Midnight Lute Stakes (G3), was the first stakes winner for California sire Surf Cat.

25 YEARS AGO

Originally, California-bred GOURMET GIRL in 2001 was headed for breeding in Kentucky, but she made a stop for the April 8 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park. Under jockey Calvin Borel, Gourmet Girl strolled home by 41⁄2 lengths in the 11⁄16-mile event over Lu Ravi in 1:42.15, with Cal-bred Lazy

Slusan third, making Gourmet Girl a millionaire. Pico Perdomo trained Gourmet Girl for owner Gary Tanaka, the trainer having purchased her for $3,500 at the 1996 Del Mar yearling sale from the Lakeview Thoroughbred Farm of breeders Carl and Olivia Cannata. A 6-year-old daughter of Cee’s Tizzy—Rhondaling, by Welsh Pageant, Gourmet Girl added the Vanity Handicap (G1) to four earlier stakes wins and was voted national and Cal-bred champion older female. She sold for $2,250,000 at the 2002 Keeneland fall mixed sale, and her later foals included stakes-placed Luxury Class, by Gone West.

50 YEARS AGO

California-bred DANCING FEMME won her first career stakes April 6, 1976, at Santa Anita in the La Habra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. With Bill Shoemaker aboard, she defeated Cascapedia, who would go on to win an Eclipse Award as the 1977 champion older female, by 31⁄2 lengths. Dancing Femme’s time down the Santa Anita hillside turf course of about 61⁄2 furlongs was 1:133⁄5. Cal-bred Doc Shah’s Siren finished third. Tommy Doyle trained Dancing Femme for owner J.L. Finley, whose Finley Ranches bought the filly for $9,700 from her breeders, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Allen, at the 1974 CTBA summer yearling sale. Dancing Femme, a daughter of Gaelic Dancer—Gemini Femme, by Dumpty Humpty, went on to win four more stakes, including the 1977 Ramona Handicap (G3), and was voted 1977 Cal-bred champion older female. All six of her foals were winners.

May

10 YEARS AGO

After she debuted with a 161⁄4-length victory, California-bred ENOLA GRAY went off as the 1-10 favorite in the 11⁄16mile Melair Stakes at Santa Anita May 28, 2016. The 3-year-old daughter of Grazen—Unsung Heroine, by More Than Ready, went straight to the lead under jockey Tyler Baze and strolled home by 21⁄4 lengths in 1:42.64. Allsquare and Cheekaboo finished second and third. Phil D’Amato trained Enola Gray for owner/breeder Nick Alexander. Enola Gray later that year added the Fleet Treat Stakes and California Distaff Handicap, also running third in the La Brea Stakes (G1), and was voted Cal-bred champion 3-year-old female. She added three more stakes in 2017, including the Wilshire Stakes (G3T), for total earnings of $585,100, and now is a broodmare for Alexander. Enola Gray has had three winners in four starters, with three of her starters still in training.

25 YEARS AGO

After spending most of his career in the claiming and allowance ranks, California-bred FLOM’S PROSPECTOR finished with back-to-back stakes victories. The first occurred in the Saratoga Handicap May 26, 2001, at Bay Meadows. Under jockey Jason Lumpkins, Flom’s Prospector at 14-1 raced in second early in the six-furlong event before destroying his field by 71⁄2 lengths in 1:08.66. Five Star Day and Cal-bred El Dorado Shooter, the

even-money favorite, ran second and third. Flom’s Prospector added the six-furlong Sam J. Whiting Memorial Handicap at Pleasanton the following month, again with Lumpkins aboard for trainer Brian Koriner, and earned a total of $227,597. Pat McDonnell and Terry Wells bred and raced the 5-year-old son of Native Prospector—Flom, by Floriano. Flom’s Prospector was a half brother to Wilshe Amaze, the dam of Amazombie, a national and Cal-bred champion and winner of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

50 YEARS AGO

California owner/breeder Connie M. Ring had a great year in 1976. Not only did her homebred Crystal Water burst onto the scene for the first of his two California-bred Horse of the Year titles, but JUST A KICK, another homebred, was named the year’s champion Cal-bred older female. After winning the Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita, Just a Kick captured the May 5 Costa Mesa Handicap at Hollywood Park. Ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr. for trainer Roger Clapp, Just a Kick won the seven-furlong event before adding the Palomar Handicap at Del Mar, giving her a stakes victory at each of the major Southern California racetracks. Just a Kick also ran third in that year’s Milady Handicap (G2) and El Encino Stakes. The 4-year-old daughter of Olympiad King— Kick Pleat, by Windy Sands, raced through 1977, earning a total of $203,025.

Graded

Sire

STALLION NEWS

■ Collected’s First California Mares in Foal

A dozen mares bred to Collected checked in foal to the stallion in mid-March. The grade 1-winning son of City Zip relocated to Rancho San Miguel for the 2026 breeding season, and this first group is part of his inaugural California book.

Rancho San Miguel reported that as of midMarch the stallion had already attracted a book of 90 mares. Collected is no stranger to California. Bob Baffert trained him, and he spent much of his racing career on the West Coast, winning such races as the 2017 Pacific Classic (G1). He earned a total of $2,975,500.

Collected initially stood in Kentucky, and his crops there have amassed more than $20 million in progeny earnings, with 22 stakes winners, seven of them in graded races.

■ California Stallions Sire Washington Champs

California sires Stay Thirsty and Cat Burglar and retired California sire Slew’s Tiznow were represented by 2025 Washington-bred champions in Stay Sassy, Cantcatchthiscat, and Slew’s Tiz Whiz, respectively. The racehorses were honored Feb. 28 at the annual Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association dinner, held at Emerald Downs.

Stay Sassy, a homebred for David Olson, was named champion older filly or mare. The 2020 daughter of Stay Thirsty—Pippa Bou Peep, by Harbor the Gold, won the 2025 Emerald Distaff Stakes and placed in two other stakes.

Cantcatchthiscat was named champion 2-yearold male and is a homebred for Dr. Jack and Margaret Cook. The gelded son of Cat Burglar—Mahee Moon, by Malibu Moon, won the WTBOA Lads Stakes and placed in two other stakes.

Slew’s Tiz Whiz secured his third Washington Horse of the Year title after being named sprinter a third time and older male a fourth time. A 2018 son of Slew’s Tiznow—Ros’s Girl, by Rosberg, Slew’s Tiz Whiz was bred by the late Karl Krieg and is owned by Slew’s Crew Racing. He won the 2025 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic Stakes and Governor’s Stakes and finished second in the Budweiser Stakes.

Howard Rubin Portland, OR

Mark Tichenor Scottsdale, AZ

Jeffrey Tyler Encinitas, CA

James Weaver Alta Loma, CA

More Than 90 International Stakes Horses Under His First Four Dams, Including:

• Champion Sprinter & Sire ALDEBARAN

• Broodmare of the Year BEST IN SHOW

• Broodmare of the Year BETTER THAN HONOUR

• Kentucky Oaks (G1) Winner BLUSH WITH PRIDE

• Hollywood Derby (G1) Winner & Sire DENON

• Multiple Champion & Leading Sire EL GRAN SENOR

• Belmont Stakes (G1) Winner JAZIL

• Champion 3-Year-Old Filly RAGS TO RICHES

• Multiple Champion, Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Winner & Sire SPINNING WORLD

• Preakness Stakes (G1) Winner & Sire WAR OF WILL

…plus additional champions, leading sires and track record-setters in England, Europe, France, Ireland, Italy and the U.S.

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.

California Legislature Honors

Mario Gutierrez

Two days after California-bred California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), another Derby winner, jockey Mario Gutierrez, was honored in Sacramento.

The Latino Spirit Awards, established in 2002, are held in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo. Gutierrez, who piloted I’ll Have Another to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby, was one of 10 honored this year by the California Senate and Assembly. California Gov. Jerry Brown attended the dinner held the night before in conjunction with the awards.

The timing couldn’t have been better, as many wanted to talk about the state’s own California Chrome. This is the first time that the Latino Spirit Awards have honored a racing figure. Gutierrez’s photo will hang in the Capitol Rotunda for a month along with the other honorees.

Gutierrez was born in Mexico and initially began his riding career in his native country. He later was a huge success at Hastings Racecourse in Canada before switching his tack to Southern California.

Paul Reddam, owner of I’ll Have Another, noticed the youngster’s ability and suggested him to trainer Doug O’Neill for I’ll Have Another in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita. Gutierrez never lost on the colt in four starts—the Lewis, Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

GOT CHROME?

$125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes

Santa Anita

In the run-up to California Chrome’s successful victory in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association spread the word via a colorful button. With a tagline: “Got Chrome? California does! It pays to be Cal-bred” the CTBA promoted California Chrome and the California breeding industry.

$125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes

Santa Anita

People who “liked” the CTBA’s Facebook page received one of the buttons, as did some lucky fans who flocked to California Chrome’s final work at Los Alamitos April 26.

Then it was off to Kentucky, where CTBA’s Doug Burge and several board members also passed out buttons on the famed Churchill Downs backstretch. The buttons proved so popular that they also passed them out at Pimlico before the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

NEW

CTBA MEMBERS

Syd Belzberg (Budget Stables) Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Nels Erickson Reno, NV

Thomas Glosser Whittier, CA

Mary Lou Griffin Buckley, WA

Tiffany Teresi, Dawn Howe, and Mary Valente (Partnership) Acampo, CA

Chris and Jena Raymer Catoosa, OK

Charles Robin Brentwood, CA

Nor Cal Auction Bonus—$250,000

CTBA Sales is offering a “$250,000 G1 Bonus” for the Aug. 12 CTBA Northern California Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The bonus money will be paid out to the registered owner at time of nomination according to The Jockey Club papers. The official rules for the bonus are listed under the consignor’s contract in the entry form. To earn the bonus, a yearling must go through the sales ring and win a grade I race in North America at the age of 2, 3, or 4.

Closing date for sale entries is June 9, with a $300 entry fee, $1,000 upset price, and $500 minimum commission charge. For additional information, visit the CTBA’s web site at www.ctba.com or contact Cookie Hackworth, Sale Coordinator, at either cookie@ctba.com or (626) 445-7800, ext. 243.

CTBA FUTURE EVENTS

CTBA Northern California Yearling & Horses of Racing Age Sale Tuesday, August 12 Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton Contact Cookie Hackworth cookie@ctba.com / 800.573.2822 ext. 243

For further information, contact: Cookie Hackworth cookie@ctba.com

ext. 243

LOVESICK BLUES

BY TRACY GANTZ

Family, friendship, and love define Lovesick Blues’ rise to the 2025 California-bred Horse of the Year championship. Those attributes linked a series of people who collaborated on the gelding’s development and success.

Add in patience as well because Lovesick Blues’ story took a while to emerge. He did not burst upon the racing scene as a brilliant 2-year-old or classic-bound 3-yearold. Instead, he toiled in the claiming and allowance ranks for a couple of seasons before ever attempting a stakes race.

Nick Alexander, who bred Lovesick Blues and raced him through several seasons before selling him privately to owner/trainer Librado Barocio, wasn’t surprised by Lovesick Blues’ slow start. He points out that offspring of his leading California sire, Grazen, often develop at age four and later. When they do, they frequently give their owners years of visits to the winner’s circle.

“Lovesick Blues was a slow learner, but he was enthusiastic,” Alexander said. “He just kept getting better and better and better.”

Alexander’s patience has led to much of the breeder’s success. Grazen famously became a leading sire after Alexander nursed

him through his career-ending injury and then supported him as a stallion himself because the horse didn’t have the credentials to be commercial. Grazen repaid Alexander by turning into a fabulous sire and ultimately attracting many outside breeders and their mares.

Lovesick Blues’ bottom half of the pedigree developed through Alexander’s friendship with owner Peter Jeong. Not a breeder himself, Jeong gave the Ministers Wild Cat mare Queenofhercastle to Alexander when she had finished racing because he knew Alexander would give her a good home. Queenofhercastle repaid Alexander with Lovesick Blues, two-time Cal-bred champion Speedy Wilson, and a

Broodmare of the Year title.

Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi put an excellent foundation on Lovesick Blues. The gelding made his first start in a stakes in the 2023 Daytona Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita, finishing third. They gave him time off when he needed it, and Lovesick Blues more than earned his keep, placing in three additional stakes for them and pushing his earnings well into six figures.

In mid-2025, Alexander was giving Lovesick Blues some time off at Bobby Mitchell’s Bonnie Acres Ranch in Hemet, Calif. Barocio, who had done well with Johnny Podres after claiming him off Alexander, inquired about buying Lovesick Blues.

Barocio brings love of family and love of horses to his program, a successful formula. He especially likes to work with older horses, to “rejuvenate them and get them to believe in themselves again.”

Lovesick Blues began his 2025 championship season with a second in the San Simeon Stakes (G3T) and a third in the Sensational Star Stakes before capturing the listed Siren Lure Stakes, his first lifetime stakes victory. Before the Santa Anita meet ended, Lovesick Blues ran fourth in the Daytona Stakes (G3T).

sent him off as an 18-1 seventh choice in a field of nine.

Hejazi, a $3,555,000 2-year-old purchase in 2022 trained by Bob Baffert, sped to the front, while Lovesick Blues raced in seventh. Despite quick fractions of :21.78 and :44.48, Hejazi had the fortitude to hold off closers like favored World Record and Dr. Venkman, but not Lovesick Blues.

to the winner’s circle. He races in the name of Mia Familia Racing Stable to honor his Italian (“mia”) and Mexican (“familia”) heritages, but most of all his family, many of whom were with him at Del Mar.

Likewise, Barocio attended the CTBA awards banquet with a host of family members. He also paid tribute to his late father.

“My father was a hard-working man— we had 11 in our family,” Barocio said. “He taught me to believe and dream. He gave me the opportunity to go chase my dreams.”

“We taught him to close,” said Barocio in a major understatement.

All four of those starts for Barocio came on the turf. But Lovesick Blues had done much of his best racing for Alexander on the dirt and was equally adept on both surfaces. Barocio decided to enter his charge in the $402,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) on the dirt at Del Mar July 26, especially after conferring with Geovanni Franco, who had ridden Lovesick Blues in those four starts for Barocio.

“I’d only been able to ride him in the grass races, and he excels well on the grass,” Franco said. “But as far as working on the main track, he’s always dragging me out there. So I told Librado, ‘Why not take a chance at the Crosby?’ ”

Barocio and Franco may have been enthusiastic about Lovesick Blues’ chances in the Crosby, but bettors weren’t. They

Five wide, Lovesick Blues swooped down on Hejazi “so fast that he looked like he was tied to a post,” Alexander would recall months later at the CTBA awards banquet. Lovesick Blues defeated Hejazi by 11⁄2 lengths in 1:08.74 for six furlongs, giving both Barocio and Alexander their first grade 1 wins.

Barocio could barely contain his enthusiasm, picking up his wife, Christine, and then—after putting her down—rushing

LOVESICK BLUES

Barocio grew up in San Francisco’s Bay Area, venturing south to attend UCLA. He played football and went to film school there, and he became an actor, director, and producer before his training career. He still produces and directs independent films.

“I love both careers,” he said. “I think I’ve found the balance between these two. It’s busy, but I can’t think of myself doing something else.”

Barocio’s work with Lovesick Blues led not only to a Horse of the Year title, but also the older male and sprinter championships. The Cal-bred, who pushed his total earnings past $800,000 in 2025, became a world traveler in early 2026, representing the Golden State in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

“Everybody should be lucky enough to have a horse like Lovesick Blues,” Alexander said after the announcement at the banquet that the gelding had won Horse of the Year.

“Lovesick Blues has made my dreams come true,” added Barocio.

Grey/roan gelding (April 6, 2018)

Grazen — Queenofhercastle, by Ministers Wild Cat

Breeder: Nick Alexander

Owner: Mia Familia Racing Stable

Two-Year-Old Male

OCEAN BEAR

BY JACK SHINAR

After living up to the condence shown in him by his trainer, George Papaprodromou, Ocean Bear capped his initial season of racing by being named the 2025 California-bred champion 2-year-old male for Santa Ynez owner/breeder Richard Barton.

Team Barton also bred the Cal-bred champion 2-year-old female of 2025, Legacy Ranch’s Mohaven, completing a sweep of the juvenile divisions at the annual awards dinner in March.

Speaking to the banquet crowd after accepting the award, Barton Enterprises vice president Kate Barton Penner, noted, “Funny thing with George. Every time this horse would run, we would call him and ask, ‘What do you think or this or that?’ and he’d say, ‘Don’t worry about it. Just come on down and have your picture taken.’

“So we would come to the races, and (Ocean Bear) would do just what George said. He was so con dent in the horse. And I think the horse knew it, too.”

Ocean Bear, a son of Spendthrift Farm stallion and three-time grade 1 winner Bolt d’Oro out of the Cal-bred Square Eddie mare Ocean Dream, had just one blemish on his four-race campaign. at came in his debut when he ran second to favored Can’t Help Myself in a six-furlong maiden special weight test for state breds Aug. 16 at Del Mar.

e bay ridgling came back three weeks later at Del Mar as the 9-10 choice of the bettors, overcoming a bump at the start of the 51⁄2-furlong dash to rally into contention at the top of the stretch. Under patient handling by regular rider Umberto Rispoli, Ocean Bear challenged Southern Melodee in the drive and inched away for a half-length victory.

Next up was an allowance/optional claiming event at Santa Anita Oct. 4

OCEAN BEAR

over 61⁄2 furlongs in which favored Ocean Bear overcame tra c on the turn to defeat Pavlovian, who would win the 2026 Sunland Derby, by 13 4 lengths, with Can’t Help Myself third.

Back at Del Mar for his stakes debut in the $177,000 Golden State Juvenile, Ocean Bear was a lukewarm favorite in a strong 10-horse lineup for opening day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Oct. 31. Rispoli had Ocean Bear well positioned along the inside while prompting the pace in the seven-furlong contest.

ey edged to the outside of pacesetting Sammy Davis in upper stretch and battled to the wire while pulling away in the nal strides for victory by three-quarters of a length.

O ered for sale in the 2024 Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale, Ocean Bear was a $75,000 buyback. After he earned $200,350 last year, that turned out to be a lucky break.

“He’s just class; he’s so neat,” Penner said. “A special horse in that we were able to breed and race him ourselves.”

Ocean Bear is the rst foal out of his 12-year-old dam, who was claimed on Richard Barton’s behalf at Turf Paradise. Ocean Dream’s dam, Walkingonadream, also produced Paul and Zillah Reddam’s homebred Eddie’s New Dream, by Square Eddie, a Cal-bred graded stakesplaced multiple stakes winner of more than $700,000.

“He loves that family,” Penner said of his father adding, “He picked out the stallion, too. Dad gets credit for this one.”

Ocean Dream has produced two subsequent foals for the Bartons: 2-year-old Coastal Cowboy, by Bodexpress, and an unnamed yearling by Shaaz. She has been bred back to Bolt d’Oro.

Bay ridgling (March 13, 2023)

Bolt d’Oro Ocean Dream, by Sqare Eddie

Breeder: Richard Barton Enterprises

Owner: Richard Barton

Exquisite Care for the Exquisite Athlete

From breeding to the training track, layup & retirement, Eclipse is a full service thoroughbred farm. A 501(c)(3) California Thoroughbred retirement farm dedicated to providing safe sanctuary, rehabilitation, and lifelong care for retired racehorses. In partnership with Eclipse Equine, horses transition from racing careers to dignified retirement through professional care aligned with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance standards—ensuring each athlete is supported beyond the track.

GRAZEN | $6000

Benchmark – Hazen, by Rubiano Grazen Californias’ Leading Sire 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Lifetime earnings $31,581,911.

STANFORD | $4000

Malibu Moon – Rosy Humor, by Distorted Humorby Galileo (IRE)

A Leading California Sire, Multiple GSW son of MALIBU MOON.

Earner of $1,385,510

TOUGH SUNDAY | $4000

Grazen – Sunday Dress, by General Meeting

80% Winners, 40% Stakes Winners

Average Earnings Per Starter $87,000

SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT | $4000

Midnight Lute - Smooth as Usual, by Flower Alley

Five graded stakes wins with an additional 10 graded-placed finishes.

Earner of $1,813,863

STORM THE COURT | $2500

Court Vision – My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run Champion Two-Year-Old Colt 2019 Grade 1 Stakes Winning Millionaire

Two-Year-Old Female

MOHAVEN

BY JACK SHINAR

Big things were anticipated from Legacy Ranch’s Mohaven in 2025, and she delivered in a big way to earn the award as the champion California-bred 2-yearold female.

“She was a standout since she was born, de nitely a farm favorite,” said Kate Barton Penner, vice president of Richard Barton Enterprises, the breeder of the stakes-winning daughter of Kentucky stallion Yaupon.

Racing for trainer John Sadler with Hector Berrios in the irons, Mohaven won two of four starts in 2025, all at Del Mar. Her victories included the $177,500 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes on the opening day of the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar Oct. 31. e dark bay lly was also second twice while earning $182,750 during the year.

Richard Barton paid $120,000 to acquire Mohaven’s dam, Bahama Mischief, in foal to Yaupon out of the Gainesway consignment at the 2022 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Mohaven is among the initial runners for the fast-rising Yaupon, North America’s leading rst-crop sire of 2025 with nearly $2.9 million in progeny earnings. He is a grade 1-winning son of Uncle Mo who stands at Spendthrift Farm for $60,000.

While Bahama Mischief’s price was “more than we would usually spend,” Penner said, they were attracted by Yaupon’s potential as a stallion.

“We reached a little bit there,” she said. “We are really excited about how well it worked out.”

Legacy Ranch’s Pete Parrella bought Mohaven for $200,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale.

She debuted by running second as the

even-money favorite in a ve-furlong maiden special weight event for Cal-breds July 19. Forwardly placed by Berrios, she tracked the pacesetter What’s a Good Name and challenged in the stretch, but could not overtake the leader, losing by one length.

Mohaven bounced back three weeks later, this time as the odds-on choice. Breaking from the far outside post for Berrios, she dominated her nine Calbred maiden rivals in gate-to-wire fashion, winning the 51⁄2-furlong dash by 21⁄4 lengths.

O that e ort, Sadler jumped her into Golden State Series action in the $101,000 Generous Portion Sept. 1. Once again at 51 2 furlongs, Mohaven stalked the pace this time while saving ground as the second choice in the eld, but she was unable to reel in the leader, settling for second to 25-1 outsider Too Sassy.

She put it all together in her nal race of the year, earning her only stakes victo-

MOHAVEN

ry in front of a huge crowd in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies. A close-up third while tracking on the outside in the seven-furlong test, she commenced her rally on the turn for home to challenge the pacesetting Cashed. She came in a bit and bumped with Cashed in upper stretch but straightened out quickly and left her 10 rivals well behind, winning by 41⁄4 lengths as the 9-5 favorite.

Mohaven is the rst foal from her 8-year-old dam, who is by Into Mischief. Bahama Mischief’s dam, Bahama Bound, by Empire Maker, was out of Summer Wind Dancer (by Siberian Summer), a California-bred multiple graded stakes winner of nearly $900,000. e Bartons plan to race Bahama Mischief’s second foal, a 2-year-old colt by Bodexpress named Rincon, this year.

On Feb. 4, Bahama Mischief gave birth to a lly by Yaupon.

“We anticipate she will go to market,” Penner said.

Dark bay/brown filly (March 25, 2023)

Yaupon — Bahama Mischief, by Into Mischief

Breeder: Richard Barton Enterprises

Owner: Legacy Ranch, Inc.

SPEEDY WILSON

BY TRACY GANTZ

When Speedy Wilson won the champion California-bred 2-year-old male title for 2024, he came from relatively unknown roots. While his breeder, Nick Alexander, had an excellent resume as a leading breeder and owner of leading sire Grazen, Alexander acknowledged that the sire, Tough Sunday, and dam, Queenofhercastle, were unproven.

Fast forward a year and Speedy Wilson again has won a championship. But this time his family roots are well established. Speedy Wilson’s ability made Tough Sunday a much more popular sire who will be represented by many more numbers in the coming seasons. And Queenofhercastle was voted Broodmare of the Year because she produced not only Speedy Wilson, but also 2025 Cal-bred Horse of the Year Lovesick Blues, a son of Grazen who has blossomed in the years since Alexander bred the mare to Tough Sunday.

Tough Sunday, also a son of Grazen, overcame a very precarious beginning as

a dummy foal. He went on to become a stakes winner and multiple graded stakesplaced runner for Alexander.

“As Grazen was getting older, I thought we don’t have a backup,” Alexander said at the awards banquet. “So a few years ago we decided to give Tough Sunday a chance at stud, and Speedy Wilson was his rst e ort.”

Speedy Wilson collected a second trophy despite getting a late start on his 3-year-old season. An adverse reaction to a furosemide injection toward the end of 2024 led to a nine-month absence from the races. Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato made sure to give him plenty of time to recover, especially when the reaction led to a fever.

Speedy Wilson began working again for D’Amato in May, and the trainer had him ready to go for the $150,500 Real Good

SPEEDY WILSON

Deal Stakes Aug. 1 at Del Mar. Despite the layo , the colt went o as the 8-5 favorite in the eld of seven Cal-breds, and he didn’t disappoint his backers.

With Armando Ayuso in the saddle, Speedy Wilson raced well back of the pace in sixth for a half-mile, had to come wide, and still had plenty in reserve to score by 13 4 lengths. He stopped the timer in 1:22.34 for seven furlongs. Shea Brennan, another Alexander homebred by Tough Sunday trained by D’Amato, nished second.

“I’m happy for Nick,” said D’Amato after the race. “He’s been a huge supporter of mine since I started training. Great to see him run one-two with his homebreds.”

Alexander is known for his loyalty to trainers. He has had horses with D’Amato and Steve Miyadi for years, and before that with the late Mike Mitchell, who trained Grazen. Miyadi trained Tough Sunday.

Speedy Wilson competed in three allowance events before tackling stakes company again. He ventured outside Cal-bred competition in each one, winning again at Del Mar Nov. 29.

Alexander and D’Amato swung for the fences next, entering Speedy Wilson in the Dec. 28 Malibu Stakes (G1).

ree of Speedy Wilson’s six rivals came from the powerful Bob Ba ert barn, and Speedy Wilson was the only runner to stay in their company. Ba ert-trained Goal Oriented and Midland Money nished one-two, and Speedy Wilson closed to nish third, ahead of Baffert-trained Madaket Road.

Speedy Wilson has remained in training for 2026, which could mean a third consecutive title. Both older male and sprinter would be a tall order, however, because a major competitor will be Speedy Wilson’s own half brother Lovesick Blues.

Bay colt (Feb. 12, 2022)

Tough Sunday Queenofhercastle, by Ministers Wild Cat

Breeder/Owner: Nick Alexander

FROM THE GUN RUNNER LEGACY CORPORAL

• By one of North America’s most dominant sires, GUN RUNNER, CORPORAL represents a rare opportunity to tap into a powerful and emerging sire line at its earliest stage.

• As one of the early sons of GUN RUNNER to enter stud, CORPORAL offers breeders access to elite bloodlines with unlimited upside.

In conjunction with CTBA incentives offered, CTBA active members can take advantage of incentives offered by Dehesa Farms to breed to Corporal for the 2026 breeding season.

For the 2026 breeding season, the following offers on approved mares will be extended to owners breeding to CORPORAL:

• 1st mare will receive $1000 off the stud fee.

• 2nd mare will receive $1500 off the stud fee.

• 3rd mare will receive $2,000 off the stud fee.

BRINGING THE FIREPOWER OF A CHAMPION SIRE TO CALIFORNIA

CORPORAL a $1,150,000 Keenland September Yearling raced for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Trained by Brad Cox.   BY THE LEADING SIRE LIFETIME BY A.E.I. AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE GUN RUNNER

2026 FEE: $5,000 LF

• GUN RUNNER’s progeny have already made a major impact at the highest level, led by Horse of the Year FLIGHTLINE, sire of the record breaking colt, $10.5 million at Ocala Breeder’s Spring Sale of 2-yr-olds and continue to excel —particularly in California—showcasing speed, class, and consistency.

Any approved Black Type or Black Type producing mares will receive 50% off the regular stud fee.

Additional discounts offered by Dehesa Farms for mares booked to CORPORAL in 2026 will be as follows:

• $100 discount on foaling fee

• $2/day reduction off the regular board rate

DEHESA FARMS LLC

(Formerly Easterbrook Livestock Management) at San Miguel, California Shane Easterbrook | (805) 610-9861 | dehesafarms@gmail.com www.dehesafarms.com

OM N JOY

BY JACK SHINAR

Jerry and Connie Baker had plenty of con dence in the ability of their homebred Om N Joy, but seeing her reel o ve consecutive wins in 2025—including four straight in stakes events— was even more than the optimistic couple could have hoped for.

eir fabulous chestnut lly started the year in January as a maiden after seven tries, and by the time the winning streak ended, she owned a graded stakes victory.

“Like I say, we’ve been living the dream,” Jerry Baker said. “We knew she was going to be a decent horse, but we never had any idea.”

e late-running daughter of Om won ve of seven starts and banked $385,763 in 2025, earning the recognition as California’s top 3-year-old female. She was also a nalist for California-bred Horse of the Year.

Trained by veteran conditioner Aggie Ordonez and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Om N Joy was out of the rst horse the Bakers ever owned, the Hard Spun mare, Margie’s Minute.

e broodmare also produced Om N Joy’s older half-brother Vodka Vodka, a three-time winner in ve starts in 2025 for Ordonez and the Bakers. e 5-yearold son of Stay irsty captured the Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank and was second in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) to start his 2026 campaign.

“To have both of these horses we bred racing at the same time, it’s been unbelievable,” Baker said. “ e best part is to have been able to experience this with

Om N Joy runs her stakes-winning streak to four in the Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar

Aggie. Imagine that—she’s been training all these years (more than 30), and these are the two best horses she has ever had. We’ve become very good friends. Her joy is very contagious.”

Baker also noted Desormeaux’s veteran experience and insight in aiding Om N Joy’s success.

Om N Joy, owned by the Bakers in partnership with Michael Golovko and Terrence Scanlan, got her winning streak going with a maiden victory at Santa Anita in March. She followed that up with a 21 2-length score from o the pace in the $126,000 Evening Jewel Stakes at 61⁄2 furlongs April 5.

Stretched out to 11⁄16 miles for her next start, Santa Anita’s $125,500 Melair Stakes May 24, Om N Joy lost none of her late punch in rallying from last in the eld of six to win by a half-length in a well-timed nish by Desormeaux.

Moving to Del Mar for the $152,000

OM N JOY

Om — Margie’s Minute, by Hard Spun

Breeders: Jerry Baker & Connie Baker

Fleet Treat Stakes over seven furlongs on July 25, Om N Joy surged clear in the lane for a 41⁄4-length triumph.

Following those three stakes wins in Golden State Series stakes for Cal-bred or California-sired llies, it was time to step up into open company. And once again, Om N Joy burst home to register a half-length tally in the $151,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) at Del Mar Aug. 30, covering the mile in 1:36.99. e defeated eld included odds-on favorite Tenma that day.

“I think that was when I knew she was special,” Baker said. “ at was unbelievable.”

Om N Joy completed the year with a fourth-place nish in Keeneland’s $400,000 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) Oct. 18. Tracking the leaders while saving ground into the stretch, she attempted a wide rally but came up two lengths short.

Chestnut filly (March 24, 2022)

Owners: Connie S. Baker, Jerry Baker, Michael Golovko, and Terrence J. Scanlan

Older Female

MAJESTIC OOPS

BY TRACY GANTZ

At rst glance, Majestic Oops’ name appears to be the usual blend of sire and dam: She is a California-bred daughter of deceased California sire Majestic Harbor out of the Olmodavor mare Miss Oops. But the “oops” portion has a backstory.

Sheila Regan owns Majestic Oops with Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, and Agave Racing Stable. Regan is the daughter of Gary and Janet Kropp, who bred Majestic Oops with William and Sandy Dory.

William Dory deputized Sheila’s husband, Steve, to tell the tale when accepting Majestic Oops’ award as champion Cal-bred older female. Dory explained that it began when they attended their rst Keeneland yearling sale in 2008. ey bought Miss Oops for only $3,000.

When they went to look at their new purchase at a local farm in Kentucky, an Irish groom asked which hip number she was.

“My boys, did you look at the lly before you purchased her?” the Irishman asked. He told them that she was o set as he

showed them the lly, who was lying in the sun in a pasture and couldn’t be bothered to get up to greet them. So Sandy and Janet decided to lie down with the lly.

“Gary and I looked at each other, wondering what we did,” William Dory said via Steve.

When the women nally stopped petting the lly and got up to leave, she followed them.

“Gary looked at me and said, ‘Oops,’ and that’s how she got her name,” William said.

at o set lly went on to win 13 of 35 races for earnings of $181,441, and she has produced a similar iron runner in Majestic Oops. rough her championship season, Majestic Oops had already started 33 times before a 2026 season that could be even better (see page 42).

MAJESTIC OOPS

Majestic Oops began racing in her native California, but it wasn’t until her 5-year-old season in 2025 and venturing away from home that she blossomed. She began 2025 at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas under the tutelage of trainer Dan Ward, former assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer. In six starts there she won twice, including in the Dig A Diamond Stakes, and ran second twice, one of those in an overnight stakes. en she took on even tougher Eastern competition. At Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Majestic Oops faced odds-on favorite Occult. Second early in the 11 16-mile race under jockey Isaac Castillo, Majestic Oops took over nearing the quarter pole and drew o for a 41⁄4-length victory in 1:44.32. Occult closed from fourth but couldn’t come close to catching the Cal-bred.

Majestic Oops started once more at Monmouth, in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3). She nished second to millionaire and multiple graded winner Randomized. Next came Saratoga, and while Majestic Oops didn’t win the historic Ballerina Stakes (G1), she certainly gave a good account of herself. She ran third behind Hope Road and eventual Breeders’ Cup Dista (G1) winner Scylla.

Majestic Oops closed out her season in top company, with a fourth in the Delaware Handicap (G3) and an unplaced nish when racing wide in the Breeders’ Cup Dista .

When choosing a stallion for Miss Oops, the breeders had wanted to add soundness and selected Majestic Harbor, a multiple graded winner who started 42 times.

“Not only did it add soundness, it added heart,” William Dory said. “We weren’t breeding for the sales ring; we were breeding for the racetrack. is award is a tribute to all the horses that show up every day and go from a $3,000 oops in Kentucky to a champion Cal-bred older female.”

Majestic Harbor Miss Oops, byOlmodavor

Bay mare (March 12, 2020)

Breeders: William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp

Owners: Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable and Sheila Regan

KINGS RIVER KNIGHT

BY JACK SHINAR

The reliably consistent Kings River Knight did his part again in 2025 to cement the legacy of his prestigious California breeder, Old English Rancho, and of his sire, Acclamation.

ough his 7-year-old campaign—and career—ended abruptly in August with a knee injury, the gallant Kings River Knight went out on top, winning his nal three races over Golden State Series stakes rivals. at brought his overall stakes win total to nine and his lifetime mark to 13 victories from 20 starts over four seasons. He captured 10 of his 14 grass races, including six stakes triumphs on turf.

His success earned the bay gelding a second straight championship as the state’s outstanding turf performer from the California oroughbred Breeders Association.

“He’s been such a blessing. He just has such a huge heart, just like his daddy. He tried so hard every time he ran,” noted Mary Hilvers.

Mary is a daughter of E.W. (Buddy) and Judy Johnston, who bred and raced

Acclamation, a six-time grade 1 winner. Buddy died in 2015, but Judy, Mary, and the rest of their family have continued the tradition. Kings River Knight raced for the Ellwood Johnston Trust, Integrity oroughbreds, and Kenneth Tevelde.

“My father used to say that Acclamation had a heart the size of Texas, and I saw that a lot in this horse as well,” Mary added.

Acclamation, who won the 2011 Eclipse Award as the nation’s leading older horse, is the all-time leading purse earner for his standout California sire Unusual Heat, banking nearly $2 million. Kings River Knight is Acclamation’s all-time leading earner with $855,830.

Trainer John Sadler gave Kings River Knight 10 months away from the races

before bringing him out for the Sensational Star Stakes on the hillside turf course March 30 at Santa Anita. e tempo was extremely fast—:21.36 for the opening quarter-mile and :43.38 for the half—and although Kings River Knight broke well and prompted the pace, he weakened in the stretch to nish sixth.

It was only Kings River Knight’s second loss over his nal 12 races dating back to March 2023.

Kings River Knight was best around two turns, and that’s what he got in his return nearly two months later in the one-mile Crystal Water Stakes. With Juan Hernandez aboard, he broke on top, opened up by three lengths in the lane, and was never challenged. Kings River Knight won the Crystal Water for the third consecutive time.

In the Bertrando Stakes June 21 at Los Alamitos, Kings River Knight did not have his customary early lead. Instead, he raced second behind Mr. Disrespectful into the stretch before nally putting away his stubborn rival for a 11 4-length score.

His nal stakes win came in the $152,000 California Dreamin’ at Del Mar Aug. 2. Kings River Knight and Hernandez once again dictated terms while leading from gate to wire at 7-10 odds. e gelding dug in late to prevail by a half-length over the charging Aligato.

Kings River Knight was retired shortly after that nal stakes victory. He now spends his time hanging out with a buddy in the former stallion pen at Old English Rancho in the farming community of Sanger, close to the body of water that bears his name.

KINGS RIVER KNIGHT Bay gelding (April 7, 2018)

Acclamation — Seasontoperfection, by Poteen

Breeder: Old English Rancho

Owners: Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth A. Tevelde

Champions List

Tamarando Swiss Lake Yodeler

California-bred Champions

TALENTED RUNNERS

ELICIT COLORFUL TALES

HONOREES

BY TRACY GANTZ

PHOTOS BY RON MESAROS

The videos may have shown the racing exploits of the 2025 California-bred champions. But it was the stories about the horses themselves that entranced the large crowd at the March 2 California oroughbred Breeders Association awards banquet at Le Meridien.

Librado Barocio talked movingly about Lovesick Blues, a horse he fell in love with and bought as a 5-yearold from breeder Nick Alexander. e night Lovesick Blues was named 2025 Cal-bred Horse of the Year, the gelding was in Dubai, training for the Golden Shaheen Sprint (G1) amid all the chaos in the early days of the Iranian conict. At the time, Barocio didn’t know whether the March 28 Dubai World Cup card would proceed as planned or if he would have to try to arrange for his horse’s return amid massive ight cancellations.

“He’ll go to the track, and the gentleman that I have with the horse has a GoPro,” Barocio told the crowd. “He’s taking the horse to the track at 4:30 in the morning, and believe it or not, there are missiles over his head being intercepted. I said, ‘What about the horse?’ And he said, ‘He doesn’t care. He just keeps going.’ He’s an iron horse.”

Alexander collected awards for Lovesick Blues, 3-year-old male champion Speedy Wilson, Broodmare of the Year Queenofhercastle, and California sire Grazen. He complimented Barocio on the “phenomenal job” he has done with

LOVESICK BLUES Horse of the Year

CTBA Vice Chairperson Ty Green (right) presents Lovesick Blues’ Horse of the Year trophy to breeder Nick Alexander (second from right), owner/ trainer Librado Barocio (center) and Barocio’s family: daughter Alyssa, daughter-in-law Rachel, son Librado, and wife Christine

Lovesick Blues. Alexander also told the story of how Tough Sunday, a son of Grazen and the sire of Speedy Wilson, nearly died as a dummy foal.

“Before I went to talk to the vet, I went by his stall,” Alexander said. “As I walked by, he watched me walk by the window of his stall. is horse can see— this horse has already overcome one of the big problems. irty days later and after about $40,000, we got him home. He was pail-fed for six months. He wound up repaying me several times over, winning about $350,000.”

CTBA President Doug Burge began the evening. He noted that the CTBA

was inducting “three great jockeys”— Chris McCarron, Mike Smith, and Gary Stevens, all of whom rode several top Cal-breds throughout their careers.

Burge also introduced a video segment about John Harris, who died last year and is deeply missed by the California breeding industry.

“ is past year California breeding and racing lost not only its biggest supporter, but its best friend,” Burge said. “To a lot of us in this room, we lost our best friend as well. He meant so much to everyone. John really loved this event, and so tonight we’re going to dedicate this one to him.”

GRAZEN

• Leading California Sire of California-Conceived Foals by Earnings

• Leading California Sire of California-Conceived Foals by Turf Earnings

Nick Alexander (right) accepts Grazen’s two leading sire awards from CTBA President Doug Burge

STAY THIRSTY

• Leading California Sire of California-Conceived Two-Year-Olds by Earnings

• Leading California Sire of California-Conceived Foals by Number of Winners

Terry Lovingier and Amanda Navarro receive Stay Thirsty’s two awards from Thoroughbred Owners of California Director Bob Liewald

RICHARD BARTON ENTERPRISES

Leading Breeder of California-Foaled Thoroughbreds by Earnings

Kate Barton Penner (right) of Richard Barton Enterprises receives the leading breeder award from CTBA’s Loretta Veiga

QUEENOFHERCASTLE

Broodmare of the Year

Alexander receives the Broodmare of the Year trophy from longtime banquet sponsor John Unick of Insurance Office of America

STEVE KNAPP Trainer of the Year

Steve Knapp and his wife, Cori, accept the Trainer of the Year trophy from California Thoroughbred Trainers Executive Director Alan Balch

California-bred Champions

McCarron rode 1994 Cal-bred Horse of the Year Soviet Problem for Harris and the late Don Valpredo.

“Soviet Problem was the fastest lly I’ve ever ridden—no question,” McCarron said. “Nobody could come close to that lly. She was so fast.”

McCarron noted that on the very last day of his career, June 23, 2002, “I climbed up on this big, beautiful chestnut lly for Mr. John Harris and trained by Carla Gaines. Her name was Blind Ambition. First time out and she won for fun.”

Came Home gave McCarron his actual nal win later on the card in the A rmed Handicap (G3), but McCarron thanked Harris and Gaines for adding to that nal day for him.

Memories like that stand the test of time, and Calbreds gave their connections plenty of those in 2025. Jerry Baker, co-breeder with his wife, Connie, of 3-year-old female champion Om N Joy, related some of those memories.

“ is lly is amazing,” he said. “I love to hug on her, and when I go up to her, I look her in the eye and I think she says sometimes, ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet, buddy.’ And I hope that’s the truth.”

LOVESICK BLUES

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

CHRIS McCARRON

Scotty McClellan, Chris McCarron’s longtime agent, presents McCarron his Hall of Fame plaque

MIKE SMITH

GARY STEVENS

OCEAN BEAR

Two-year-old male

SPEEDY WILSON

Three-year-old male

Alexander (right) receives Speedy Wilson’s trophy from Santa Anita General Manager Nate Newby

MAJESTIC OOPS

Older female

Co-owners Sheila and Steve Regan accept Majestic Oops’ award from CTBA Director Jonny Hilvers (left)

MOHAVEN Two-year-old female

Breeder Penner (left) and owners Evelyn and Pete Parrella (second and third from right) receive trophies for Mohaven from Fasig-Tipton’s Mike Machowsky (second from left)

OM N JOY

Three-year-old female

Director Katie Fisher (third from left) presents Om N Joy’s trophy to (from left) Meghan Golovko, Todd Gregory, breeders Connie and Jerry Baker, co-owner Terrance Scanlan, trainer Aggie Ordonez, co-owner Michael Golovko, jockey Kent Desormeaux, and Zach and Mindy Golovko

KINGS RIVER KNIGHT Turf

H ALL OF FAME

Class of 2025

CHRIS M C CARRON

Chris McCarron left an indelible mark during his quarter of a century riding in Southern California, recognized now as a golden era of the state’s racing history.

He arrived here in 1977 following a record-breaking start as an apprentice rider on the Maryland circuit, a fresh face with a shock of thick red hair and a ready smile. He soon earned his place among the best of Southern California’s jockey colony, the strongest in the nation.

Think of it. Alysheba, Paseana, John Henry, Precisionist, Flawlessly, Sunday Silence, and Bayakoa—all elected to the National Racing Museum Hall of Fame— as well as multiple grade 1 winners Bien Bien, Desert Wine, and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hero Alphabet Soup. All are among the finest California-based racing stars of all time and were piloted by McCarron during his remarkable career.

There were plenty of Golden State-bred stars in the McCarron orbit as well. Best

The phenomenal jockeys Chris McCarron, Mike Smith, and Gary Stevens this year are being inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame

Pal, Bertrando, Free House, General Challenge, King Glorious, Flying Paster, Cavonnier, Soviet Problem, and, of course, national Hall of Famer Tiznow—all past California Thoroughbred Breeders Association champions—reached career heights with McCarron astride.

It’s little wonder that the CTBA chose to honor the 71-year-old McCarron by naming him to the state racing Hall of Fame along with fellow jockeys Mike Smith and Gary Stevens.

“It’s very rewarding,” said McCarron, who has lived in Lexington, Ky., for the last several years. “It’s certainly a wonder-

ful reminder of our family’s time there, the fun times we had, the friends we made, the great horses and races, and the competition against the very best riders...Laffit, Shoe, so many great ones.”

Quickly recapping his career statistically, McCarron won 7,141 races from 34,241 mounts (a career-winning percentage of nearly 21%), with career purse earnings of almost $264 million. He won Eclipse Awards as outstanding apprentice in 1974 and outstanding jockey in 1980 and was the first rider to earn purses totaling more than $200 million. He led North America in wins

in 1974, ’75, and ’80, and in earnings in 1980, ’81, ’84, and ’91.

McCarron captured each jewel of the Triple Crown twice: the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Go for Gin (1994) and Alysheba (1987), the Preakness Stakes (G1) with Pine Bluff (1992) and Alysheba (1987), and the Belmont Stakes (G1) with Touch Gold (1997) and Danzig Connection (1986). He also collected nine Breeders’ Cup titles, including five in the Breeders’ Cup Classic—Tiznow (2000, 2001), Alphabet Soup (1996), Sunday Silence (1989), and Alysheba (1988).

He was elected to the National Racing Museum Hall of Fame in 1989.

Cees Stable’s Tiznow is the only twotime winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He earned more than $6.2 million, and the rider remembers him most fondly.

“Tiznow was truly amazing,” McCarron said. “Such a long stride and so much speed. But he was a bit of a head case, too. I was able to spend enough time with him in the mornings to figure out what made him tick. And what he wanted was to be the boss. If he didn’t want to do something, he wasn’t going to do it. You couldn’t rush him. Fortunately, what he wanted to do was usually the right thing.”

We’re approaching the 30th anniversary of Robert H. Walter’s Cavonnier’s explosive Santa Anita Derby (G1) win and subsequent heartbreaking defeat by a nose to Grindstone in the 1996 Kentucky Derby.

“I could have sworn I won,” McCarron said. “When they hung that other horse’s number up there, it was really, really painful. I’ll always remember Bob Baffert telling me, ‘Dang, we were so close. I’ll probably never have a chance to win another Derby.’ Of course, he won the next two with Silver Charm and Real Quiet. But that one really hurt.”

McCarron was married in December to the former Debbie Chamblin, his second wife. He’s in full retirement and enjoys playing golf “three, four, five days a week” while also spending time with his 10-year-old grandson, Griffin.

—Jack Shinar

MIKE SMITH

For what he did aboard California-bred champion Amazombie alone, Mike Smith deserves inclusion in the California Hall of Fame. Yet his career spans so much more—and it isn’t over.

At age 60, long past when most jockeys have hung up their tack, Smith continues to ride in peak form. He pays strict attention to his fitness regimen, and it shows, which is why he may forever hold the jockey record for most Breeders’ Cup victories. He currently tops that list with 27 and could add to that total.

Because of his many accomplishments, Smith is not associated with only one horse, though Zenyatta comes close. He rode that amazing mare in 17 of her 20 races, including when she brought the crowd in the Santa Anita grandstand to a frenzy with her amazing victory in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

In 2018, Smith became one of only 13 jockeys ever to win the American Triple Crown, which he did with Bob Baffert-trained Justify. Smith has won seven Triple Crown races, including the 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Giacomo.

Hall of Fame

“It’s an incredible honor,” Smith said after learning that he had been voted into the California Hall of Fame. “Not only are you getting the opportunity to go into the Hall of Fame in a place like California, but to go in with two guys who are your mentors I’ve looked up to my whole racing career. To even be mentioned in the same breath with Gary Stevens and Chris McCarron means a whole lot to me. That even makes it more special.”

Smith attended the awards banquet with his wife, Cynthia, and after thanking the CTBA and congratulating the other winners, he choked up when again noting how important Stevens and McCarron were to his career. He thanked the horses, owners, and trainers, singling out the late Jim Cassidy and John Shirreffs.

“Jim was here for me from the time I hit the ground until the day he passed,” Smith said. “I think I was one of the last riders to ride a horse for him. And John Shirreffs—we were blessed to be partners on so many wonderful races, the Derby with Giacomo, Tiago in the Santa Anita Derby, and of course the great Zenyatta. Tonight I dedicate this to Jim and John.”

Born in New Mexico, Smith began riding in his home state, winning his first race there in 1982. He built his early career in Arkansas, Illinois, and then New York, where he earned 15 riding titles. Smith won Eclipse Awards in 1993 and 1994, both years leading the nation in money won. In 1991 he even became the first U.S.based jockey to win a European classic, aboard Fourstars Allstar in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1).

Since moving to California in 2001, Smith has continued his illustrious career. Amazombie, co-owned and trained by Bill Spawr, not only gave him a Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in 2011, the gelding partnered with Smith in the 2012 Potrero Grande Stakes (G2) for the rider’s 5,000th career win.

Spawr and Amazombie were inducted into the Hall of Fame one year before Smith.

“To be part of that whole team and get the opportunity to win a Breeders’ Cup for Bill means a whole lot to me,” Smith said. “Amazombie was just a fun horse to ride. He was a dude who showed up with his lunchpail and was going to give you 100% every single time.”

Points Offthebench, the 2013 Calbred Horse of the Year, was another Calbred Smith rode to major wins. They captured the 2013 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) and Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) and were en route to the Breeders’ Cup when Points Offthebench suffered a fatal training injury.

“They were great racehorses,” Smith said. “I was blessed to be part of two of the best sprinters in California.”

—Tracy Gantz

GARY STEVENS

Retired jockey Gary Stevens’ legacy in horse racing, where he is revered as one of the greatest riders ever, is long and awe-inspiring.

Stevens, 63 on March 6, is living in Hot Springs, Arkansas, near Oaklawn Park. He couldn’t be at the CTBA banquet, and his daughter Maddie accepted the Hall of Fame plaque award on his behalf.

After arriving on the Southern California scene in 1984, the cowboy from Caldwell, Idaho, won each jewel in the Triple Crown three times. He owns 11 Breeders’ Cup triumphs and nine

victories in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) alone.

His impact on racing extended far beyond California. He won virtually every major race at tracks across North America, as well as the Japan Cup and the Dubai World Cup.

The horses on the list of his major triumphs are among the greatest of all time. They include: Beholder, a fourtime Eclipse Award champion and twotime Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner; Silver Charm and Point Given, horses that accounted for four of Stevens’ Triple Crown triumphs; 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Mucho Macho Man; the Argentine-bred Gentleman, winner of three successive grade 1 events in 1997; Kentucky Derby (G1) winners Thunder Gulch and Winning Colors; and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Silverbulletday.

Stevens also piloted many California-bred champions, such as Best Pal, Bertrando, General Challenge, Ashleyluvssugar, and Gourmet Girl, and other Golden State-bred standouts Kingdom Found, Answer Do, and Akinemod, among others. His best finish aboard a Cal-bred in a Triple

Crown race came with Best Pal, second in the 1991 Derby.

Stevens led the nation in purse earnings in 1990 and again in 1998, when he won an Eclipse Award as the

nation’s leading jockey. His election to the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame came in 1997.

By the time he retired as a jockey in 2018 after a pre-race spill that resulted in a spinal neck injury, Stevens had amassed 5,187 North American victories from nearly 30,000 lifetime mounts with earnings of more than $258 million.

It was the last of several major injuries that resulted in surgeries for Stevens, including knee and hip replacements that prolonged his career after a pair of earlier retirements.

Stevens purchased a home previously owned by his close friend, the late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, and his wife, Laurie, following Lukas’ death last June.

Reached there by phone, Stevens said he is working as a jockey agent for three riders at Oaklawn—Eswan Flores, Travis Wales, and apprentice Amanda Poston. In addition to his television work as a racing analyst since his retirement from racing, he had previously been an agent for national Hall of Fame rider Corey Nakatani and others.

Other than that, Stevens said he’s “just getting old” while dealing with the effects of physical injuries he sustained while riding. He’s “extremely honored, obviously” to be selected to the California Hall of Fame, he said, and was looking forward to being inducted with Smith and McCarron.

“We spent a lot of hours together in the jockeys’ room, probably more time than we spent with our families sometimes,” Stevens said. “We’re all together in the national Hall of Fame.”

Of the Cal-breds Stevens rode, one of the finest was Bertrando, winner under Stevens of the Pacific Classic (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1) in 1993 and second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) that year. Stevens said, “Ah, Eddie Nahem, Bobby Frankel. He was not an easy horse to be around. But he was lightning quick; he could get six furlongs in 1:09 and keep going up to a mile and a quarter. He could deal with anything.”

—Jack Shinar

CTBA Trainer of the Year

Knapp Blooms Late But Well

CALIFORNIA-BREDS ADD TO CONDITIONER’S CAREER

BY JACK SHINAR

You could say Steve Knapp is a late bloomer.

It wasn’t until Knapp was 40 years old that he decided to pursue his goal of becoming a horse trainer. He and his father, Palmer, a longtime Thoroughbred owner, talked it over and decided to sell their uniform supply business in Chino so he could do it.

A short time later, Knapp began at the bottom, walking hots for Bob Hess Jr. and learning as much as he could. After a year with the Hess stable, he started out on his own.

“I had some money, so I claimed some

horses and started working on getting my trainer’s license,” Knapp said. “I didn’t really know anything. Some people would say I still don’t. But I’ve always said, if you want to learn, you can learn. The one thing I did know was how to run a business. Hey, I’m still learning 26 years later.”

Now 69, Knapp is coming off the most successful three-year run of his career. Thanks to his success training California-bred runners, he was named the 2025 California Trainer of the Year.

“It means a lot because it means you’ve done a lot of hard work,” Knapp said of winning the award. “It’s all hard work— just getting one horse ready to run in one

race is a lot of hard work. So it’s a really nice award to win.”

From 2023-25, Knapp recorded 179 victories and combined purse earnings of more than $7.7 million. In 2025, he hit with 58 winners and 101 placings from 396 starts, a 15% strike rate and a 40% in-the-money tally. His runners earned $2,205,133. Two of his Cal-breds, Whiskyginandbrandy and Max Ciao, won Golden State Series stakes events during the year.

Asked about the recent surge in his success, Knapp doesn’t hesitate: “It’s because of my connection to Terry Lovingier.”

Lovingier, the proprietor at Lovacres

Ranch near Warner Springs, owns one of the largest breeding operations in the state. His ranch is the home of stalwart stallion Stay Thirsty. While he sells most of the horses he breeds, Lovingier races many of them in small partnerships as well. Knapp is included in some of those partnerships, which the trainer says is “a great way to make sure the horse is coming to me.”

“We’ve won a lot of races for Terry and his clients,” Knapp said. “He’s so great to work with. All he wants from me is to know the truth.”

Knapp says the highlight of the year was Whiskyginandbrandy’s score at 20-1 odds in the $175,000 California Chrome California Cup Derby at Santa Anita. The rallying Whiskyginandbrandy, a Lovingier homebred also owned by Anthony Chacon and Victor Flores, lost a neck-and-neck stretch battle to Shea Brennan. But stewards disqualified Shea Brennan for drifting out and banging Whiskyginandbrandy coming out of the final turn.

Whiskyginandbrandy, a colt by Stay Thirsty, emerged from the race with an ankle chip injury and was off for eight months. He won an allowance optional claiming test in his third race back Feb. 22.

“He’s a horse that just keeps getting better and better,” Knapp said.

Max Ciao, owned by Lovingier, Knapp, and John Moroney, upset the $101,000 I’m Smokin at Del Mar for 2-year-olds Sept. 5 by a nose over Thirsty Rebel. It was the Maxfield colt’s second win in four starts, although sore shins have sidelined him since late October.

“He’s a really nice horse,” Knapp said, “but his shins have always bothered him. He’s a big boy, more than 1,200 pounds.”

In 2025, Knapp also recorded a second with his Cal-bred 2-year-old filly Tapatia Mia in the $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes, and a pair of graded stakes placings with the Kentucky-bred Bartholdy in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) and Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2).

Already a favorite with the racing office thanks to the number of horses he starts, the trainer says he has 63 in training now, about half of them bred in the Golden State. He’s expecting another 11 Cal-bred

juveniles to arrive shortly. To handle it all, his barn employs nearly 40 people.

Knapp says he knew from a young age that he wanted to be part of the racing world due to his father’s involvement in the sport with trainer Jerry Dutton.

“And so I’ve been coming to Santa Anita since I was 5 or 6 years old. I followed everything; I knew who everyone was.”

Later, when Steve worked with his father’s uniform supply business, “we’d get our work done for the day and then we’d sneak out to the races. My dad would tell me, ‘Now don’t tell Mom.’ So it was kind of our secret.”

Knapp’s earliest major success as a trainer came with a Cal-bred filly named

“I really like what I’m doing,” Knapp says of training

Icantgoforthat, named after a Hall and Oates recording. She was a Mike Pegram 2-year-old homebred that his father and Andy Broberg claimed off Bob Baffert for $50,000 in November 2001. The daughter of In Excess went on to win a couple of stakes, including the grade 3 Monrovia Handicap on grass, and placed in several others, earning $472,484 in her career.

Other top Cal-breds he trained include In the Air Tonight, the champion Calbred 2-year-old female of 2024; graded stakes winner Harlington’s Rose; multiple stakes winner Loud Mouth; graded stakesplaced Smoothlikebuttah and Christiana’s Heat; and stakes winners Bus Buzz and Brite Maneuvers.

His father was his biggest influence, Knapp says.

“He built the work ethic in me. He taught me to always be honest. That was huge. And being able to communicate; he was a great communicator. Also, always treat your workers with respect.”

Knapp lives in San Clemente with his wife, Cori. They raised three children and have three grandchildren. He says he plans to continue training “for as long as I’m healthy.”

“You figure a trainer will win about 15% of his races—I’d say that’s a pretty good average. That means you lose 85% of the time, and that’s a lotta losing,” Knapp noted. “But the winning part, even a low-level claimer, the feeling you get from that is unbelievable. I really like what I’m doing.”

Broodmare of the Year

Queenofhercastle

DAM OF TWO CHAMPIONS HONORED

BY TRACY GANTZ

Season boxholders at the racetrack often become friends with each other. One such friendship between owner/breeder Nick Alexander and owner Peter Jeong resulted in Queenofhercastle becoming the 2025 Broodmare of the Year.

Tommy Town oroughbreds bred Queenofhercastle (Ministers Wild Cat— Silk Queen, by Touch Gold) in California and began racing her in 2015. Steve Miyadi, who also trains for Alexander, handled Queenofhercastle for Tommy Town, and she won a maiden claiming race in her debut.

Four starts later, trainer Matt Chew claimed Queenofhercastle for $32,000 on behalf of Jeong and Chris Aulds. ey raced her successfully in the claiming and allowance ranks through 2016, the lly winning twice for them and earning a total of $82,871.

Alexander invited Jeong to the CTBA awards banquet, and when he accepted Queenofhercastle’s award, he thankfully acknowledged the key role Jeong played in the journey.

“She had reached the point in her career when she didn’t want to run anymore,” Alexander told the audience. “Peter said, ‘Nick, I don’t know anything about breeding, and I don’t want to put her in a sale. Would you just take her?’ I didn’t know much about her except that she had been bred by Tommy Town and had won a couple of races. I said, ‘Sure, I’d love to have her.’ is mare has turned out to be such a gift.”

Alexander has had much success with his homebred Grazen, who was again honored with two year-end stallion awards at the banquet. When he bred Queenofhercastle to Grazen, the mare produced Love-

sick Blues in 2018.

For Alexander, Lovesick Blues won several races and placed in four stakes. In 2023, Alexander sold him privately to Librado Barocio, who developed the gelding into the 2025 Cal-bred Horse of the Year. Lovesick Blues won two stakes last year, including the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1).

Alexander continued breeding Quee-

nofhercastle to Grazen, and in 2021 the mare produced the lly Dorie Miller. Miyadi trained Dorie Miller for Alexander, and she won in her third start. Alexander lost her for a claiming price of $32,000 four starts later. Still in training, Dorie Miller has earned more than $200,000.

Alexander next bred Queenofhercastle to Grazen’s son Tough Sunday, getting Speedy Wilson. Trained by Phil D’Amato for Alexander, multiple stakes winner Speedy Wilson is a two-time Cal-bred champion, earning the 2-year-old male title in 2024 and the 3-year-old male title in 2025.

Queenofhercastle has a 2-year-old colt named Pete Rose and a yearling colt named Chris Kyle, both by Grazen.

“She is a tough mare and has a couple more coming,” Alexander said. “I’m just lucky to own her.”

NEW BENEFITS FOR CTBA MEMBERS

2 SPECIAL PRINTED EDITIONS California-Bred Champion & California Thoroughbred Breeding Farms

CURRENT CTBA MEMBERS ALSO RECEIVE:

• Complimentary printed Stallion Directory and Industry Directory

• Two Club House passes for admission to participating racetracks during live race meets

• Elimination of the $100 foal registration fee for members in good standing beginning for foals born in 2025 and registered as Cal-Breds in 2026. The same $100 savings will be applied for foals born in 2026 and 2027. Cal-Bred application is still required.

• Legislative Updates

• Advertising Discounts

Contact Debbie Winick at: Email: debbie@ctba.com or phone: (626) 445-7800 ext 243 201 Colorado Place, Arcadia, CA 91007 www.ctba.com

MAJESTIC OOPS LOVES OAKLAWN

CALIFORNIA-BRED CHAMPION BECOMES

MILLIONAIRE

BY TRACY GANTZ

Many California runners have excelled at Oaklawn Park, but perhaps no one has made the Arkansas track her home like Majestic Oops. The champion California-bred mare has thrived there: In nine starts over two seasons she has compiled a record of four wins, including the March 7 Azeri Stakes (G2), two seconds, and a third, the latter in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).

Majestic Oops has met tough competition at Oaklawn. In the Azeri and Apple Blossom, she faced Nitrogen, a champion in both Canada and the U.S. Nitrogen and Majestic Oops each made their 2026 debuts at Oaklawn. Nitrogen won the Feb. 7 Bayakoa Stakes (G3), while Majestic Oops followed a week later, capturing the American Beauty Stakes. They met in the $400,000 Azeri at 11⁄16 miles, with Nitrogen the 3-10 favorite. Bettors sent Majestic Oops off as the 9-1 fourth choice in the seven-horse field over a sloppy track.

Third-choice La Cara, a stablemate of Nitrogen in the Mark Casse barn, set the early pace of :23.78 for the first quarter-mile and :47.17 for a half-mile. Majestic Oops and Nitrogen raced in midpack, both content to wait.

“I knew there were two speed horses in the race,” said Francisco Arrieta, who rode Majestic Oops. “I just took a little hold, sat, and tried to give her a nice, easy trip.”

Nitrogen was ready to pounce on the leaders, so “I decided to go around and attack early,” Arrieta said.

Four wide, Majestic Oops challenged Nitrogen in the stretch. The Cal-bred

champion put away the national champ and then held off closing Regaled by three-quarters of a length in 1:43.36. Nitrogen was another length back in third.

“You can get her to finish when you get her to settle like that,” said trainer Dan Ward. “The two races that she won here last year, it was the same thing.”

Arrieta praised Majestic Oops’ quick turn of foot, adding, “After the threeeighths pole, I let her go and she kept going.”

Ward, a former assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer, trains Majestic Oops for owners Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Sheila Regan, Agave Racing Stable, and Sublime Racing. Regan’s parents, Gary and Janet Kropp, bred Majestic Oops in partnership with William and Sandy Dory. By deceased stallion Majestic Harbor, 6-year-old Majestic Oops is out of the Olmodavor mare Miss Oops.

A month after the Azeri, Majestic Oops, Regaled, and Nitrogen met again, in the $1,250,000 Apple Blossom at the

same distance. Nitrogen this time was the 4-5 odds-on favorite, while Majestic Oops went off as the 7-1 third choice. The field of nine included another Calbred champion, Om N Joy.

Claret Beret, at 8-1, got the jump on them all, taking the lead approaching the quarter pole and scoring by 41⁄2 lengths over Nitrogen. The winner stopped the timer in 1:42.21 over a fast track.

Majestic Oops, with Arrieta aboard, finished third, again beating Regaled, in fourth. Om N Joy ran fifth.

“I had a little bit of a complicated trip, between those big mares,” said Arrieta. “I had to take a little hold before the half-mile pole, so I lost a little position. She still ran huge against some really good fillies.”

Third money of $112,500 pushed Majestic Oops’ lifetime earnings to $1,064,809. She became the 70th Calbred millionaire, ranking 59th. She is the 15th Cal-bred female millionaire, jumping ahead of the mares Halo Dolly, Ultra Blend, and Closing Remarks on the list.

REUNION GETS SPARKLING RESULTS

GRAND SLAM SMILE RUNS WELL FOR JOCKEY WILLIAM ANTONGEORGI III

BY TRACY GANTZ

When jockey William Antongeorgi III left California to pursue new opportunities in Kentucky, he had to leave California-bred Grand Slam Smile. In most cases, that would just mean regret at giving up the mount on a talented runner. But Antongeorgi and Grand Slam Smile have a special bond.

Trainer Sean McCarthy decided to enter Grand Slam Smile in the March 21 Irish O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita following a good work. Though Antongeorgi had missed partnering Grand Slam Smile when she finished third in the Feb. 28 Buena Vista Stakes (G2), he told McCarthy that he would fly out for the Irish O’Brien.

“He texted me that he’d get into LAX at 8 a.m. and wanted to come to the barn,” McCarthy said. “He always came to the barn before she ran when he was riding her here.”

When Antongeorgi arrived at McCarthy’s Santa Anita barn, the trainer watched the joyful reunion. As soon as she heard the jockey, Grand Slam Smile rushed to the front of her stall, ears pricked.

“I don’t usually get emotional, but they were down there bonding and it was great,” said McCarthy, choking up at the memory.

Antongeorgi began riding Grand Slam Smile in 2025, after McCarthy took over her training upon the retirement of Steve Specht. McCarthy always credits Specht with developing Grand Slam Smile into a multiple stakes winner, a tricky path because she was a handful early. Specht and Dan Kiser, the farm manager for owner/breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, patiently handled

Grand Slam Smile to overcome her early quirks.

The McCarthy/Antongeorgi team has also done well with Grand Slam Smile. In eight starts for McCarthy, she has won five, with two seconds and one third. Antongeorgi has been aboard for all but the third.

The Irish O’Brien, conducted down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course of about 61⁄2 furlongs, was not without incident. An instant before the other starting-gate stalls opened, Prancingthruparis’ door popped open. All five of the distaffers in the field reacted, resulting in a somewhat ragged start.

“She broke a little awkward and slow,” Antongeorgi said of Grand Slam Smile. “They kind of outbroke us. The first couple of jumps out of there you could tell they

were crawling, so I didn’t want to be back there pulling on her.”

Instead, Grand Slam Smile, bet down to 1-10, took the lead in time to post a quarter-mile fraction of :22.10. She had recovered brilliantly and controlled the rest of the race, leading throughout to score by 21 4 lengths over Take Another Card in 1:12.91.

Prancingthruparis, the 2025 O’Brien winner, finished third, followed by Young Love and Miss Practical. The stewards spent several minutes examining the start before declaring Prancingthruparis and Miss Practical non-starters and moving Young Love up to third.

In making their decision, the stewards ruled that because Prancingthruparis broke through her gate early, she had an unfair advantage over the rest of the field. The stewards also ruled that Miss Practical did not have a fair start and thus was also declared a non-starter.

None of that affected Grand Slam Smile, and the 5-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger—Royal Grand Slam, by Grand Slam, was winning her ninth lifetime stakes. She now has 11 wins, six seconds, and two thirds for total earnings of $912,120.

FLYING ON THE LEAD

FLYOVER DEFEATS HEAVY FAVORITE MAN O ROSE

BY TRACY GANTZ

Ken Tevelde, one of the owners of multiple California-bred champion Kings River Knight with breeder Old English Rancho, selected Flyover when the colt was just a yearling.

Mimi Hilvers, daughter of Judy Johnston and the late Buddy Johnston and mother of Old English/Harris Farms farm manager Jonny Hilvers, recalls the meeting.

“He was all by himself in a big stallion paddock,” Mimi said. “We were looking at someone else, and he started showing off because there were people there. He started climbing the fence. I was yelling at him to get off of the gate so he wouldn’t get hurt, and Ken says, ‘Wow, he’s good looking. I might need to have part of that one.’ ”

As Mimi told the story, Ken added, “He’s an alpha male.”

Alpha male Flyover got the better of Man O Rose, a 2-5 favorite riding a five-race winning streak, in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes March 22 at Santa Anita. Employing the same type of front-running tactics that served Kings River Knight so well, Flyover zipped to the early lead over the downhill turf course of about 6 1⁄2 furlongs.

Man O Rose raced in second, and just about everyone in the grandstand, including most of Flyover’s connections, expected the big favorite to catch the

front-runner. Everyone, that is, except Judy Johnston.

“I said he could beat that horse,” Judy told several people after the race.

Judy should know. She and Buddy raced countless talented Cal-breds in the Old English colors across the decades.

Flyover not only held off the favorite, he remained well ahead of closer On the Whim. At the wire, Flyover won by 31 4 lengths in 1:12.12, with On the Whim a head over Man O Rose in second. Drop Um and Speedy Wilson completed the field of Cal-breds.

John Sadler, who trained Kings River Knight in the last half of his career, also conditions Flyover. His assistant, Juan Leyva, handled the saddling duties for the Sensational Star. Antonio Fresu, who rode Fly-

over twice in mid-2025, was back aboard.

“Today, I was lucky,” Fresu said. “In a small field like this, nobody really put pressure on me. So I managed to go a little slower than he is used to doing down the hill. I think that made a huge difference because he saved his kick for the end.”

Flyover had been running against open company. He won back-to-back allowance/optional claiming races in November, followed by unplaced efforts in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) and Clocker’s Corner Stakes.

“The horse was just really enjoying his time out there,” Leyva said. “Today he really showed up and he ran a really good race.”

Following the Clocker’s Corner, Leonard Miranda of Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, bought into Flyover. Also a partner in Kings River Knight, Miranda particularly relished the win because of the heartbreaking nose loss Kings River Knight suffered in the 2023 Sensational Star to The Chosen Vron.

A 5-year-old son of Om, Flyover is out of the Old English homebred In Excess mare First Class Flyer. It is the same female family as Eclipse Award winner Acclamation, the sire of Kings River Knight. Winning in Style, Flyover’s third dam, is the dam of Acclamation.

Golden State Series—Echo Eddie Stakes

FIRST FOR FIONELLO

WELL-BRED 3-YEAROLD GETS INITIAL STAKES VICTORY

BY JACK SHINAR

Fionello, a horse with a powerful pedigree but with previously little to show for it, broke out of a lengthy slump by snatching the $125,500 Echo Eddie Stakes at the wire April 4 at Santa Anita.

Terry Lovingier’s homebred is by Lovingier’s flagship stallion Stay Thirsty, a son of Bernardini, out of his multiple stakes-winning Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, a California champion. The full brother to Finneus, another Lovingier-bred champion, Fionello had lost eight times in a row since graduating in his 41⁄2-furlong debut last May at Santa Anita. He had been out of the money in all five of his previous stakes attempts.

But Fionello’s connections, including partners John Moroney and Sandra Lee Grey and trainer

Steve Knapp, continued to have faith in their late-closing 3-year-old dark bay or brown gelding. Moroney bought Fionello for $250,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale.

“He (Lovingier) wanted to win very badly, (Fionello) being out of his very good mare,” Knapp said. “He was tickled to death that he won this race. Guess I’m still a trainer.”

The second-longest shot in the field of six sophomores at odds of 18-1, Fionello was off slowly for jockey Antonio Fresu in the 61⁄2-furlong Echo Eddie. He trailed the field by five or six lengths up the backstretch as Tommy Norris set a pace of :22.05 for the

quarter mile and :44.43 for the half, with Thirsty Rebel in close pursuit.

Sammy Davis, the even-money favorite, stalked the leaders on the outside of Galloping Ghost, but came under pressure and dropped back passing the quarter pole as Thirsty Rebel and Tommy Norris dueled through the turn. Thirsty Rebel, the 8-5 second choice, put away Tommy Norris in upper stretch and opened up a commanding lead under Abel Lezcano.

Fionello, meanwhile, continued to trail the field while making progress around the bend, though still last entering the stretch run. But as an opening appeared, Fionello picked up steam while shifting out for the drive. He was still fourth but closing quickly at the furlong mark, surging late to nip an unlucky Thirsty Rebel by a nose in the final jump. The winning time was 1:16.70.

Galloping Ghost also rallied along the inside, but had to settle for third, a neck behind Thirty Rebel. Thirsty Rebel, by Stay Thirsty, was also bred by Lovingier.

Fionello returned $39.80 for a $2 wager.

“We’d been disappointed in things that happened to this horse in his recent races,” Knapp said of Fionello. “Two races back (a $50,000 optional claiming allowance March 6), he broke very badly and just missed by a half-length to Tommy Norris.”

In his next start two weeks later going a mile at the same level, he lacked the late punch he’d shown in his prior race and finished third, Knapp said.

Fionello’s previous best stakes effort came in last September’s I’m Smokin Stakes at 51⁄2 furlongs, when he was a fast-closing fourth behind stablemate Max Ciao and Thirsty Rebel.

“That was a sign to me that he had the talent,” Knapp said. “Had that been a little bit farther, he’d have won that race.”

Fionello, who boosted his earnings to $158,400 with his second win from 10 starts, had continued to train well coming into the Echo Eddie.

“Over the years, one thing you learn as a trainer is to wait for your horse to tell you when he’s ready,” Knapp said. “I tell you, there’s no way he should have been 20-1!”

Golden State Series—Evening Jewel Stakes

CHANGING TACTICS

BY JACK SHINAR

Coming off her successful stakes-winning juvenile campaign in 2025, the connections for the champion filly Mohaven wanted to try a different approach for her 3-year-old season.

“We wanted to get her to be more aggressive,” said owner Pete Parrella of Legacy Ranch.

Trainer John Sadler changed jockeys, replacing Hector Berrios—who had been aboard the daughter of Yaupon for all five of her prior races—with Emisael Jaramillo. Jaramillo’s reputation as a strong gate rider in Florida preceded his relocation to Southern California this year. Sadler also added blinkers, which Mohaven had first used in breaking her maiden last August at Del Mar.

The result was an eye-catching five-length romp for Mohaven in the $126,500 Evening Jewel Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible sophomore fillies April 4 at Santa Anita.

Parrella noted that Mohaven had

a tendency to lay on other horses when racing in close quarters. Racing on the lead, as she was in the Evening Jewel, solved that issue.

“Go to the front and improve your position,” he said, echoing the often-used pre-race instruction. “She finished well and galloped out well. We’re very happy with her at this point.”

Parrella paid $200,000 for Mohaven at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale. He credited Legacy farm manager Terry Knight for the filly’s acquisition and breeder Barton Thoroughbreds for having the foresight to purchase the first-time broodmare Bahama Mischief, by Into Mis-

chief, while in foal to Yaupon. That son of Uncle Mo became North America’s leading first-crop sire in 2025.

Knight was impressed by what he had seen of Yaupon’s yearlings while he was in Kentucky earlier in 2024, Parrella related. He told Parrella “we gotta focus” on them,” the owner said.

“Terry spotted this horse at the California sale in September, and he told me, ‘We really gotta go for this one.’ We spent a lot of money. But we were fortunate to have gotten her.”

Mohaven won two of four starts last year, including the Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Del Mar Oct. 31. She began 2025 by running fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the listed Sweet Life Stakes in her turf debut on Santa Anita’s hillside course Feb. 7. That led to Sadler’s change in tactics in the Evening Jewel.

The 3-5 choice in the field of eight going 61⁄2 furlongs on the main track, Mohaven outfought Donttellmewhattodo for the early advantage. She sprinted away to a comfortable 11⁄2-length lead up the backstretch, with Donttellmewhattodo and Another Zero in pursuit through opening splits of :22.81 and :45.19 for the half-mile.

Mohaven maintained control into the stretch as Donttellmewhattodo and Another Zero attempted to cut into the gap. She then responded to some left-handed urging from Jaramillo to win going away. The final clocking, 1:16.77, was nearly identical to the time recorded by Fionello in winning the Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old males earlier on the card. Donttellmewhattodo held second with Another Zero third.

“The ride was great; she had a nice feeling to her,” said Jaramillo, who won the Santa Anita winter/spring meet’s jockey title.

With the winner’s share of $75,000, Mohaven increased her purse total to $259,750, well above her purchase price. Parrella said they are pointing to the $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar July 24 as an immediate goal but would like to run her at least once more— possibly at a route distance against open company—before then.

“We’d like to stick with the Calbred plan,” he said. “We support that program.”

California-Bred Incentive Awards

THE CAL-BRED INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Questions and answers concerning California-breds and California’s lucrative incentive awards program, which was responsible for breeders, owners, and stallion owners collecting over $8 million for 2025

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE AWARDS?

The breeders and owners of registered California-bred Thoroughbreds and the owners of California-based stallions.

WHAT ARE BREEDERS AWARDS?

A monetary award that is paid to the breeder of a registered California-bred

Thoroughbred finishing first, second, or third in any Thoroughbred only race run in California and any graded stakes races conducted within the United States. Breeders will receive 75% of the remainder of the total incentive award monies after owner awards are paid, with an individual breeder receiving a pro-rated share of this breeders fund. The maximum purse considered earned in any qualifying race within this state shall be $330,000 for a win, $120,000 for a second, and $90,000 for a third-place finish. Breeder awards always are paid exclusive of nomination, entry, and starting fees.

WHAT

ARE OWNERS AWARDS?

A monetary award that is paid to the owner of a registered California-bred Thoroughbred horse that runs in qualifying races in California. Owners can receive at least a 20% bonus on the finisher’s share for finishing first through fifth in an open allowance or overnight stake race and up to a 20% bonus for finishing first in an open starter allowance above $15,000 and open non-maiden claiming races with a claiming price of $40,000 or greater in Southern California and $20,000 or greater in Northern California. These levels are purposely set high to encourage the ownership of high-quality runners and to restrict the number of qualifiers so that the awards will function as a major incentive. Owner awards always are paid exclusive of nomination, entry, and starting fees. They are listed in the racing program and will be distributed at the same time as the purse by the paymaster.

WHAT IS THE MAIDEN BONUS PROGRAM?

A Maiden Bonus award will be paid to the owner of a registered California-bred or registered California-sired foal for winning a Thoroughbred only maiden special weight race. The bonus amount is $12,500 at Santa Anita and $15,000 at Del Mar and $10,000 in Northern California, Los Alamitos and at all Fair meetings throughout the state. These awards are paid directly to the owner. Only races at 4 1/2 furlongs or longer will qualify. In the event of a dead heat, the bonus will be split among the owners.

WHAT ARE STALLION AWARDS?

In order to stimulate the acquisition in California of nationally prominent stallions, and retain high-caliber California stallions, monetary awards are paid annually to the owners of registered California stallions whose California-conceived or California-bred get have won a qualifying race or have finished, first, second, or third in a stakes race in the state or any graded stakes race within the United States during the year. Qualifying races are any non-claiming races, including

maiden allowance and starter allowance races, with a purse of at least $15,000, and open non-maiden claiming races with a claiming price of $40,000 or greater in Southern California and $20,000 or greater in Northern California also qualify. Stallion awards are exclusive of nomination, entry, and starting fees. Stallions must be registered by Feb. 15 each year to be eligible for stallion awards. Stallion owners will receive 25% of the remainder of the total incentive award monies after owners awards are paid, with an individual owner of a registered California stallion (as of Dec. 31) receiving a pro-rated share of the stallion fund based on the total qualifying earnings of the get during the year. The maximum purse considered earned in any qualifying race within this state shall be $330,000 for a win, $120,000 for a second, and $90,000 for a third-place finish. The stallion must be continuously present in California from Feb. 1 to July 15, inclusive, of the year 2010 or any subsequent calendar year in which he stood at stud and fathered the participant in the race. If a sire dies in this state in the year 2010 or any subsequent year and stood his last season at stud in this state, or was standing at stud in this state on the date of his death in the year 2010 or any subsequent year, he shall thereafter continue to be considered an eligible Thoroughbred stallion regarding a race participant fathered by him in that season. The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) will help compile data, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the stallion owner to advise that official registering agency, on or before Feb. 15 of any year, of any and all purses earned during the preceding year that shall be considered in determining the amount of the stallion award to which the owner is entitled.

DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE RACES OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA?

Yes. The breeder of a California-bred Thoroughbred finishing first, second, or third in a graded stakes race outside of California, but within the United States, will be paid a pro-rated share of the breeders fund. The maximum purse considered earned in any race shall be $165,000 for a win, $60,000 for second, and $45,000 for a third-place finish. CTBA will help compile data, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the breeder to advise the official registering agency (CTBA), on or before Feb. 15 of any year, of any and all purses earned during the preceding year in graded stakes races outside of this state by horses bred by the breeder. Also, the owner of a registered California stallion whose California-conceived or California-bred get finished first, second, or third in a graded stakes outside of California, but within the United States, will be paid a pro-rated share of the Stallion fund with the maximum purse considered earned the same as the breeders above.

WHEN ARE THE PREMIUMS PAID?

Owner awards are paid at the same time as the purse by the paymaster. Breeder awards are paid twice a year with a conservative advance payment of approximately 6-8% being paid around Sept. 1 and the final payment for 2026 being paid by March 31, 2027. The stallion awards are paid prior to March 31, 2027.

California-Bred Incentive Awards

ARE THERE SPECIAL RACING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CALIFORNIA-BREDS?

Yes. Racetracks in California are required by law to offer one race per day that is restricted to California-breds. Last year, that amounted to 357 additional racing opportunities and more than $19.7 million in additional purses for California-breds. In addition, the California legislature has declared its intent that at least 10% of the total stakes purses paid at any race meeting in California be paid on stakes races restricted to registered California-breds. This amounted to almost $4 million in 2025 and will grow significantly through the creation of the Golden State Series. Also, in 2026, California Cup XXXVI will be held at Santa Anita Park on a date to be announced. Part of the funding for California Cup XXXVI will come from the incentive award category, the California-bred Race Fund. 9.5% of the total incentive award monies will be used for this category, with the monies funding the promotion of California-bred races, the supplement of purses for California-bred races, and the creation of new California-bred stakes.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A CALIFORNIA-BRED? THE DEFINITION OF A CALIFORNIA-BRED IS AS FOLLOWS:

A California-bred Thoroughbred is a horse dropped in California after being conceived in California, or any Thoroughbred foal dropped by a mare in California if the mare remains in California to be next bred to a Thoroughbred stallion standing in the state. If the mare cannot be bred for two successive seasons, but remains in California during that period, her foal will be considered a California-bred.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A CALIFORNIA-SIRED HORSE?

A “California-sired horse” is a Thoroughbred that was conceived in California by a registered California stallion. A California-sired horse is only eligible for entry in races restricted to California-bred or Cali-

fornia-sired horses and is not eligible for any breeder or owner awards, except the maiden bonus awards.

HOW DOES ONE REGISTER A CALIFORNIA-BRED OR CALIFORNIA-SIRED HORSE?

Registration applications must be filed with the CTBA. Only those horses that are both registered with The Jockey Club and fulfill all requirements as outlined in the definition of a California-bred are eligible. The fees for registration are as follows:

1. No fee for CTBA members, $200.00 for non-members if applied for by Sept. of the foal’s yearling year;

2. No fee for CTBA members. $250.00 for non-members if applied for after Sept. of yearling but before Jan. 1 following; and

3. $750.00 if applied for after Jan. 1 of 2-year-old year.

If desired, application can be made in advance of receipt of Jockey Club Certificates to escape penalty for late filing, but no actual registration will be made until certificates are available. CTBA has representation at California tracks to help facilitate late registrations.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?

Contact Doug Burge or Dawn Gerber at the CTBA offices across the street from the Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia at the address and phone numbers listed below.

California Thoroughbred Breeders Association

201 Colorado Place, Arcadia, Calif. 90166-6018 www.ctba.com (626) 445-7800 or (800) 573-2822

Example of Owners Awards Program

$50,000 purse in So. Cal at 30% from CTBA and TOC)

Qualifying Claiming Purse

California-Bred Incentive Awards

TOP 20 2025 CALIFORNIA BREEDERS AWARDS RECIPIENTS

1

2

3

4

5

6

ALPHABETICAL 2025 CALIFORNIA BREEDERS AWARDS RECIPIENTS

4 Hares Racing ....................................................

Abrams, Bob and Mitch Dutko

Abrams, Bob and Mitch Dutko & Michael Paran

Adams, Mike

$2,264.55

$4,122.79

$7,827.32

$3,955.49

Alesia, Sharon & Ciaglia Racing $8,185.84

Alexander, Nick

Allen Farm

Allen, Michael D.

Allred, Edward

Alvarez, Edward G.

Amescua, Rene & Tony Winckowski

$278,070.53

$20,159.25

$10,940.33

$24,170.30

$10,085.90

$985.88

Annuzzi, Mel........................................................$1,088.21

Araujo, Dr. John

Atwell, Wayne .....................................................

B & B Zietz Stables

Bach, Martin

Bach, Martin & Daniel Weiner

Bachman, Thomas W.

Bahna, Victor

Baker, D. Wayne & Packsaddle Road

BG Stables.........................................................$11,690.20

BG Stables & Hector Palma

BG Stables & Royalty Stables

BG Thoroughbred Farms

BHMFR

Black Racing Stable

Brackpool, Keith

Brackpool, Keith & Alice Bamford

$3,994.32

$1,567.72

$1,879.14

$5,377.55

$4,033.16

$4,481.30

$1,613.27

Branch, William & Arnold Hill.........................$12,667.12

Brown Jr., Edward J.

Bruno, Perry

$3,316.16

$5,365.61

$20,975.29

$11,053.11

$11,233.11

$57,572.54

$2,091.27

$717.01

Baker, Jerry & Connie Baker...........................$79,161.60

Baker, Lynn, Michael & William & Stormy Hull $609.46

Bamford, Alice Camille

Bar C Racing Stables Inc

Barba, Alexis

Barber, Gary

Barclay, Rozamund

Barclay, Rozamund & Rancho San Miguel

Baseline Equine

Bashor, Dianne

$29,348.90

$23,158.13

$20,645.63

$2,464.71

$13,622.52

$1,075.51

$621.40

$2,151.02

Bautista, Jose $1,105.39

Becker, Barry & Judith Becker

Bederian, Harry, Harout Kamberian & Jack Nakkashian

$3,047.28

$1,434.01

Bruno, Perry & John Gezon..............................$3,632.84

C Punch Ranch

Campas, Rudy, George Robichaud, Kathaleen Perry, Lisa Leighton & Elizabeth Beattie

Capestro, Paula

Carey, Kevin A.

Carliwood Farms

Carson, Richard

Casale, Joseph

Castrellon, Hector

Chacon Racing .................................................

Chalky's Breeding Club 1

Chappell Alpine Farm

Checkmate Thoroughbreds

Christopherson, Bret

Ciaglia Racing

Ciaglia Racing, Katherine Fisher & Dominic Savides

Ciaglia Racing, SAF Racing & Harry Crusberg

Cicero Farms

$1,792.52

$2,419.90

Beegle, Ron ........................................................... $687.13

Benowitz Family Trust, Convergence Stables & Mathilde Powell

Bernard, Lisa Marie & Duff Shidaker

$1,882.14

$1,105.39

Clark, Tom

Climax Stallions

Cohen, Paul & Robert Master

Coito, Johnny & Nicole DePalma, Rick & Joyce Osborne & Lee Treacy

Coles, Julian

Conlon, Melody & Hector Palma

$29,942.50

$990.37

$25,507.52

$1,272.69

$9,174.70

$16,613.65

$1,020.98

$4,302.05

$12,517.14

$1,254.76

$1,227.87

$21,667.06

$1,822.39

$20,980.51

$2,240.65

$37,865.45

$8,200.76

$286.80

$591.53

$7,199.94

$2,670.86

$2,927.77

$2,573.16

Conway, Mary Ellen ..........................................

Conway, Michael

Corey, Barbara & Tony Citarrella......................$2,658.90 Cosato, Nick $1,344.39

Craig Lewis Racing Stable, Elliot Lewis & Anapenny Racing $3,136.91

Crevier, Donald J. $418.25

Crockett, Ron & Mr. & Mrs. William T. Griffin $4,331.91

Cuevas-Montenegro Thoroughbreds $1,452.69

Curtis, Mike $1,971.76

Phil

Bob C.

Delaney, Ed ....................................................... $20,983.81 Delima, Barbara..................................................$1,299.58

Clifford, Barbara DeLima & Dennis Patterson

Mark & Scomar Enterprises $7,922.93 DeVincenzi, Kevin $9,141.86 Dillenbeck, Bruce $137.43

Dory, William, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp $15,684.53 Doubledown Stables......................................... $4,624.69

Racing $7,128.24

Ridge Racing $1,569.20

Ridge Racing & Dr. Stacy Potter $6,157.30

Ridge Racing & Rancho San Miguel $4,516.55 EAS Equine Alliance, Craig Netwig & Debra Barkley $896.26

Livestock Management $3,166.78

Terri & J.H. Gibson $7,071.47 Enciso, Julio $250.95 Engelauf, Jerry $1,493.77 Englekirk $5,467.18 Ernst, John & Allegra Ernst.............................$13,354.25 ESX Racing & Jorge Gutierrez $10,175.53

Fasihuddin, Naseer $2,688.78 Fisher, Katherine $5,377.55 Five J Racing $233.03

California-Bred Incentive Awards

Ford, Melissa

Fountain Of Youth Breeding

Four Quarters Corp.

Fradkin, John & Diane Fradkin

Freeman, Edward

Freeman, Tanya Rae

Gallop Out Racing

Garcia, Antonio

Gilman Racing

Gilman Racing & Nat Rubinfeld

Glen Hill Farm

Goda, Marie

Gonzalez, Roberto, Wright Batlin, Marc Batlin & Kathleen Parnello

$6,739.87

$15,585.94

$36,925.84

$11,997.92

$2,688.78

$10,674.43

$1,165.14

$1,078.50

$577.34

$19,807.32

$7,594.30

$1,673.02

$1,200.99

Gonzalez, Sergio $291.29

Gourman, Deborah

Grant, Dr. Lloyd & Joe Stiglich

Grasshopper Racing Stable, Jack Fabulich & Jill Fabulich

$11,979.98

$13,336.47

$20,515.36

Gravina, Stephan & Howard Siegel $911.20

Gray, Dr. & Mrs. William T.

Grayson, Bob W.

GRD Two Racing

H & E Ranch

$27,515.47

$13,484.22

$3,316.16

$8,400.93

Haagsma, John Ray & Don Hallmark $238.26

Hagemann, Paul A.

Halasz, Tom

Haley, Gloria

Hall, Jason, Mike Riordan, H. Martindale, Sandra Benowitz, et al

Halo Farms

Hammer, Timothy

Hansen, Shirley & Mad Hansen Racing

Hansen, Shirley, Sandlot Racing & Mad Hansen Racing

Hanson's River Ranch

$1,702.90

$4,248.27

$826.06

$12,846.37

$17,925.17

$3,973.42

$1,030.70

$11,830.61

$8,705.67

Hanson's River Ranch & Dennis Yokum $1,822.39

Harmon, Robert $2,286.95

Harmon, Robert & Maximum Security Syndicate

Harney, Patrick & Charles Reilly

Harralson, Daniel L.

Harris Farms

$1,344.39

$2,467.70

$609.46

$174,148.14

Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo...................$10,360.75

Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo & Martin Jones

Harris Farms & Donna Rowe

$1,434.01

$3,166.78

Harris Farms & Double D Farms......................$8,424.83

Harris Farms Inc, Donald Valpredo & John Nicoletti

Harris Farms& Mike & Jeanne Lepore

Hat Trick ...............................................................

$8,120.10

$21,404.44

Hawkins, Daniel

Headley, Bruce

Headley, Bruce & George Todaro

Hedrick, William L. & Andres Hernandez

$234.52

$1,644.63

$1,165.14

$681.90

Hedrick, William L. & Judy Hedrick.................$3,371.87

Hill, Laurie LeAnne

Holden, Mark

Hronis Racing

Hull, Stormy B.

Hunter, Susan

Huntertown Farm ...............................................

HV Bloodstock

Hylton, Dr. Richard

Irvin Racing Stable

Jacobsen, Wade

James, Richard C. & Roberto Gonzalez

$358.50

$1,075.51

$1,610.28

$20,257.25

$2,545.37

$6,408.25

$12,786.63

$2,204.80

$681.16

$418.25

$15,305.87

Janavar Thoroughbreds.......................................$358.50

Jensen, Neale

Jethorse

Jett, Larry

Jett, Lawrence T. & Ann L. Jett

Jimenez, Miguel & Cristina Jimenez

JK Racing

Joseph Lacombe Stables

Kehner Thoroughbreds

$8,244.09

$6,324.61

$12,100.98

$6,470.99

$591.53

$21,077.01

$1,147.21

$2,061.39

Kelly, Benjamin E. & Faith Taylor.........................$259.92

Kennedy, Kathleen

$1,738.74

Kerr, William & Jared Kerr.................................$3,226.53

Keshian, Harry K. & Cheryl Keshian.................$5,377.55

Keshian, Harry K., Cheryl Keshian & Harry Bettis

$1,344.39

Kieckhefer, Dr. Dorothee ................................$26,317.14

Kieckhefer, Dr. Dorothee & Leucadialand Stables

Kirkwood, Al & Saundra Kirkwood

KMN Racing

Kretz Racing

Krieg, Darlyne

Krikorian, George

Krikorian, George & Legacy Ranch

Kruljac, Eric, Tom Lawless & Rebekah Lawless

Kruljac, J. Eric, Bob Fetkin & Dick Thornburgh

Langaard, Mark

Lanza, John

Lawson, Derek

Legacy Ranch

Level, Christine

Lewis, Lawrence D.

$4,489.66

Hawkins, Bo & Audie Hawkins

$823.06

Lingenfelter, Carol A. & Jane Lytle

Lopez, Napoleon

Lovingier, Terry C.

Lyons, Janet K.

Lytle, Jane Ann

Maciariello, Pat

Madsen, Linda

Madsen, Linda & Joy Seifert

Malley, Matt

Manni, John

$7,170.07

$259.92

$279,063.89

$3,039.81

$3,298.24

$3,543.21

$3,115.99

$8,747.49

$663.23

$4,182.54

Marcic, Dean $2,109.19

Marron Road Ventures $10,247.23 Martin, Jill A. $6,739.87 Martin, Perry L. $9,135.86 Martindale & Andrews $6,327.60 Martinez, Reinaldo A.

David & Nick Cosato $7,170.07

Mendenhall, John & Lu Mendenhall & Jim & Kathleen Walters $5,951.16

Miles, Ken W. & Sheridan Jones $12,588.84 Miller, Peter $15,833.89

Robert $25,364.11

Michael $2,868.03

$433.19

$13,581.31

$15,355.89

$11,179.34

$11,860.48

$28,010.47

$597.51

$7,471.06

$6,124.43

$793.93

$3,175.74

$10,651.14

$71,582.08

$1,195.01

$7,606.25

Liberty Road Stables........................................$25,723.38

Liewald, Bob & Joe Mishak

Liewald, Bob & Lucy Lawrence

$3,550.53

$1,792.52

Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams $93,062.02

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Shapiro $12,539.56

Mr. & Mrs. William T. Griffin $10,127.73 Mueller, Martin, Davis Racing & Take One Racing $896.26 Muldoon, Donald...............................................$6,004.93 Mulhall, Kristin $5,270.01 My Way Racing $12,189.11

Naretto, Dr. Cliff $665.47 Nelson, Matt $7,379.19

Neve, Louis $1,344.39

Newhart, Paul & Craig Martin $5,825.68

Nicolarsen, Michael, Jeff Hauptman, Ron Hauptman & Walther Solis $687.13

Nilforushan, Ali & Francie Nilforushan $1,971.02

Norton, Karen

Oak Hill Farm

$290.54

$1,738.75

Odbert, Larry $13,051.78 O'Farrell, Mike $322.65

Old English Rancho $56,369.76

California-Bred Incentive Awards

Old English Rancho & Harris Farms

Old English Rancho & Ken Tevelde

O'Leary, Francis & Paddy Brogan

O'Leary, Timothy Francis

O'Leary, Timothy Francis & Sean Molloy

Olivas, Robert & Christine Olivas

O'Neill, Daniel

Osborne, David W. & Loren Hebel-Osborne

Owens, Jack & Barbara Owens

Pacific Coast Thoroughbreds

Packsaddle Road

Pageler, Connie

Pais, Alfred A.

Pais, Alfred Sonny & Rainmaker Racing

Pais, Alfred, Craig Lewis, James Shenouda & Vahe Melikyan

Papa Gallo Racing

$8,263.51

$7,528.57

$22,352.69

$3,301.22

$11,260.00

$1,344.39

$10,282.50

$4,355.82

$1,044.14

$4,049.59

$3,414.76

$7,376.21

$18,403.18

$1,762.64

$4,182.54

$147.88

Paradox Stables..................................................$1,344.39

Pasko, Sharon R.

Pay Me Stables

Pecoraro, Onofrio

Pescetti, Anthony

Petrosian, Bud

Plum, Clifford LeRoy

Policzer, Milt

Preiss, Dan & David Valadez

Premier Thoroughbreds

Premier Thoroughbreds, Klein & Brown

PT Syndicate #1

R3 Racing & Calara Farms

Rainmaker Racing

Rainmaker Racing, Brett Lewis & Benjamin & Sally Warren

Ramirez, Danuario

Rancho San Miguel

$448.13

$448.13

$6,560.61

$1,195.01

$665.47

$1,412.36

$12,599.91

$597.51

$42,963.66

$1,792.52

$93,322.63

$1,042.64

$9,321.09

$14,545.85

$1,249.38

$6,817.54

Rancho San Miguel & Tommy Hutton's Dream Stable....................................................$358.50

Rand, Ron & Courtney Rand

Rauen, John, Linda Molle, Ester Mitchell & Michael Jameson

Ray, Dan

$9,668.39

$358.50

$4,471.59

Red Barons Barn.................................................$5,258.05

Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal

Reddam Racing

Reddam Racing & Jamie McCalmont

Renella, Jaime R.

Rex Racing

Richard Barton Enterprises

Richard Barton Enterprises & Lo Hi Stable

Richard Barton Enterprises & Robert Traynor

Ridgeley Farm

River Oaks Farm

Robbins, Jim

$4,122.79

$26,934.23

$1,933.67

$6,811.56

$268.88

Robinson, Jacquetta..........................................$2,509.53

Robison, J. Kirk & Judy Robison

Rockingham Ranch

Rollercoaster Racing Stable

Rondan, Felix

$43,724.89

$10,451.12

$2,868.03

$373.44

Ross, Scott & Mary Ross....................................$2,023.15

Royalty Stable

Rubinfeld, Nat & Alma Rubinfeld

Ruis Racing

Ryan, Michael

Ryan, Mike

Salguero, Sergio

Sanguinetti 1996 Trust

Sareen Family Trust

Sareen Family Trust & John Krupski

$537.76

$11,071.79

$1,882.14

$17,883.35

$12,726.89

$1,782.79

$250.95

$663.23

$6,960.94

Sausalito Partners, Jason Hall, and Mike Riordan..........................................$8,024.51

Say Jay Racing

Schmitt, George & Mary Clare Schmitt

Schmitt, George, Mary Clare Schmitt & Bernie Orsi .................................................

Seamist Racing

Shenouda, James

Shenouda, James & Alfred Pais

Shiew, Turner

Sir Fredericks Stables

Six-S Racing Stable

SLO Racing

Smith, Leslie M.

Stack, Julie Adair & Rancho San Miguel

Stein, Larry

Steinmann, Heinz J.

$6,013.90

$5,852.57

$2,445.30

$4,499.22

$12,517.75

$2,509.52

$4,929.42

$1,081.49

$32,683.56

$9,268.80

$155.35

$156.85

$691.61

$321.16

Steinmann, Heinz J. & Mark Molina...................$657.26

Stiglich, Joe & Lloyd Grant

Straight Fire

Swanson, Steve E.

$15,933.69

$324,811.47

$4,122.79

$8,991.57

$8,000.61

$330,990.42

Tenbrink, Gene & Frank Ables

Todaro, George

Tommy Hutton's Dream Stable

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds

Traynor, Robert

Traynor, Robert & Lo Hi Racing Stable

Tsujimoto, Stuart

Turner, Joe

$7,899.03

$1,141.83

$8,711.64

$29,525.01

$9,165.76

$824.56

$10,423.47

$596.01

Valpredo, Donald $35,725.31

Verduzco, Jorge Antonio Silva & Yessenia Elizabeth Menjivar

$268.88

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds $31,784.46

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds & KMN Racing $1,003.81

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds, Jerry Martin & Margaret Martin $139.67

Vinewood Farms $3,585.03

Walker, Doug & Keith Fosness $5,795.81

Waller, Eric M. & Sharon J. Waller $3,196.65

Warren, Benjamin C. & Sally Warren $1,777.58

Waterson, Tom & Cindy Waterson..................$2,425.87

Weeks, Mike, Linda Weeks & Devyn Weeks $1,822.39

Wiener, Brett & Lawrence Kahlden $5,969.08

Wildwind Racing $1,882.15

Williamson Racing $13,091.35

Williamson, Henry $448.13

Willow Tree Farm $31,298.83

Willow Tree Farm & G.W. Thomas $5,843.60

Wilson, Dan $6,016.15

Winick, Debbie, Gregg Weeks & Mike Tannyhill $2,915.83

Winklepleck, Victor & Susan Winklepleck $137.43

Wong, Ken & Cathy Vidas $1,937.41

$740.90

$4,319.96

$956.01

Tannenbaum, Edward

Tavares, Norman

Taylor, Brad

Taylor, Domeyko, Moger Inc. & Paul Pimental

Taylor, Faith

$3,683.62

$5,976.55

$265.89

$2,151.02

$412.28

Woodbridge Farm, Sam Scolamieri & Ted Serna $1,822.39

Wyrick, Tom & Janis Wyrick $5,210.25

Yamshon, Hugh, Sam Scolamieri & Woodbridge Farm $15,641.51

Youkhanna, Joel & Joette Youkhanna $1,278.67

Zepeda, Sergio $4,959.30

Zerda, Steven $1,565.47

TOP 20 2025 CALIFORNIA STALLION AWARDS RECIPIENTS

ALPHABETICAL 2025 CALIFORNIA STALLION AWARDS RECIPIENTS

California-Bred Incentive Awards

$30 MILLION WITH RESTRICTED PURSES AND INCENTIVE AWARDS

$3.95 MILLION - GOLDEN STATE STAKES PROGRAM

A Restricted Stakes Schedule for Registered California-Bred or California-Sired Horses

MAIDEN BONUS PROGRAM

A $12,500 bonus will be made available for owners of registered California-Bred or California-Sired maidens in Maiden Special Weight races at Santa Anita Classic Meet and a $15,000 bonus at Del Mar Summer Meet, 2026. Only races at 4 1/2 furlongs or longer will qualify. In the event of a dead heat, the bonus will be split amongst the winners.

Winners

FEBRUARY 23, 2026 – APRIL 19, 2026

3-YEAR-OLDS & UP

Acclamation—Southern Preacher: Acclaimed Preacher (18-3), m, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 4/16, 1mi (T), 1:38.41, $6,600.

Big Bad Leroybrown—Trappers Magic: Elegant Boy (5-1), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 3/10, 1mi, 1:35.83, $10,800.

Bodexpress—Quick Wampum: Going Deep (19-10), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/27, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:51.17, $42,000.

Bodexpress—Love Abounds: Expressive Love (19-10), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 4/8, 1mi, 1:36.36, $11,160.

Cat Burglar—Revenue Virginius: Still Unwritten (25-6), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/27, 6f (T), 1:09.83, $42,000.

Clubhouse Ride—I Love Romance: Romantic Ride (63-23), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/1, 6f (T), 1:09.47, $42,000.

Clubhouse Ride—Scary Fast: Scary Fast Ride (63-23), m, 7 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/14, 6 1/2f, 1:16.08, $54,600.

Clubhouse Ride—Tiz Molly: Clubhouse Cutie (63-23), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/29, 6 1/2f, 1:17.37, $42,000.

Coach Bob—Rachels Belle: Rachel's Coach (4-2), g, 6 yo, Gulfstream Park, SOC, 3/26, 5 1/2f, 1:03.47, $16,800.

Dads Caps—Amiable Grace: Where's the Loot (33-13), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, ALW, 3/18, 5f, 56.35, $12,810.

Desert Code—Scary Fast: Sawasdee (8-3), g, 8 yo, Turf Paradise, ALW, 4/15, 5f (T), 55.63, $12,900. Dialed In—Everything Good: Good Focus (100-30), g, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 3/18, 6 1/2f, 1:15.02, $7,200.

Empire Way—Alpine Echo: Trotsky (9-3), g, 5 yo, Parx Racing, SOC, 3/10, 7f, 1:25.04, $16,800.

Gem Heist—Grayson's Star: Gypsy Tears (5-1), h, 7 yo, Santa Anita Park, SOC, 4/5, 6f, 1:10.64, $17,280.

Gig Harbor—Dance by Unionize: Ballyvaughan Gig (10-4), g, 6 yo, Santa Anita Park, WCL, 4/19, 5f (T), 55.24, $21,000.

Grazen—Sudden Sunday: Laura Branigan (59-16), m, 6 yo, Oaklawn Park, STR, 3/8, 6f, 1:11.62, $19,200.

Grazen—Lavender Touch: Lavender Love (59-16), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/13, 1mi, 1:36.91, $42,000.

Grazen—Irish Winnie: Irish Royalty (59-16), g, 6 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/28, 6f (T), 1:07.61, $54,600.

Grazen—Acategoryfivestorm: Grazed (59-16), g, 8 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 4/17, 6 1/2f (T), 1:15.24, $40,200.

Idiot Proof—Ride the World: Proof He Rides (11-5), g, 8 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 2/27, 6f (T), 1:07.88, $55,380.

I'll Have Another—Family Girl: Castagna (24-9), m, 5 yo, Tampa Bay Downs, SOC, 3/20, 1mi 40yd, 1:40.38, $13,200.

Jimmy Creed—Sharp Quality: Magnet and Steel (67-25), g, 7 yo, Fonner Park, ALW, 3/8, 6f, 1:12.80, $7,020.

Klimt—Westline: Mayacama (75-22), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 2/27, 1mi (T), 1:35.51, $42,000. Lexitonian—Arabica: Memetic (28-11), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, SOC, 3/27, 6 1/2f, 1:17.66, $23,100.

Lookin At Lucky—Tiz Elemental: Socal Red (77-23), g, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 3/7, about 1mi, 1:34.88, $6,600.

Majestic Harbor—Miss Oops: Majestic Oops (6-3), m, 6 yo, Oaklawn Park, STK, Azeri S. (gr. II ), 3/7, 1 1/16mi, 1:43.36, $228,000.

Many Rivers—Shes a Lucky Wager: Poker Alice (6-2), m, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 4/7, about 1mi, 1:36.06, $6,600.

Mesa Thunder—Solar Event: Keithing Thunder (2-2), c, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/7, 1mi (T), 1:35.43, $42,000.

Misremembered—Looking At Thelake: Worth Looking (9-4), g, 6 yo, Lone Star Park, SOC, 4/17, 1mi, 1:39.08, $8,820.

Northern Causeway—Ann's Intuition: Clarina (16-4), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/1, 6f, 1:11.11, $42,000.

Nyquist—Frege: Bro Bro (137-43), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/14, 6f (T), 1:08.55, $42,000.

Om—First Class Flyer: Flyover (43-16), h, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Sensational Star S., 3/22, about 6 1/2f, 1:12.12, $60,000.

Om—Blissful Lady: Creative Om (43-16), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 4/2, 5f, 56.97, $7,800.

Om—Blissful Lady: Creative Om (43-16), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 4/15, 1mi (T), 1:36.34, $6,380.

Pavel—Redo It: Refocus (17-4), h, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 4/17, 6 1/2f (T), 1:15.19, $40,200.

Point Piper—Angel of Battle: Coach Cronin (3-2), g, 6 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/21, 1mi, 1:36.42, $42,000.

Richard's Kid—Kiss At Midnight: Ratleff (15-4), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 3/2, 1mi, 1:35.70, $10,800.

Richard's Kid—Crown On Tap: Cousin Richie (15-4), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 4/8, 1mi, 1:35.63, $11,160.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—S Y Sky: Rosa Parks (61-21), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/15, 6f (T), 1:08.91, $54,600.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Ruby Bradley: Call Me Sir (61-21), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 4/4, 1mi (T), 1:34.78, $42,000.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Scattagirl: Scatalotadingdong (61-21), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 4/5, 1mi (T), 1:35.20, $42,000.

Smiling Tiger—Chilukki's Song: Uncle Chilly (69-26), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/20, 5 1/2f, 1:03.74, $42,000.

Smiling Tiger—Royal Grand Slam: Grand Slam Smile (69-26), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Irish O'Brien S., 3/21, about 6 1/2f, 1:13.66, $60,000.

Smiling Tiger—Style Award: He's a Knockout (69-26), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 4/19, 6 1/2f (T), 1:14.72, $40,200.

Smokem—Northern Song: Southern Melodee (10-5), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/20, 1mi, 1:39.40, $42,000.

Square Eddie—Silar Rules: Found My Ball (5-2), g, 8 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 3/12, about 1mi, 1:34.50, $10,675.

Square Eddie—Octogarian: Hot Legs Romolo (5-2), g, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 4/6, about 1mi, 1:35.21, $6,600.

Stanford—Minster'sadventure: Tommy Norris (54-19), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/6, 6f, 1:10.86, $42,000.

Stay Thirsty—Kowboy's Gigi: Distant Fleet (89-26), r, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, STK, Phoenix Gold Cup H., 3/21, 6f, 1:07.58, $29,500.

Stay Thirsty—Tricked Again: Thirsty Trickster (89-26), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, STR, 3/21, 1mi (T), 1:35.51, $20,880.

Stay Thirsty—My Fiona: Fionello (89-26), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Echo Eddie S. presented by Daily Racing Form, 4/4, 6 1/2f, 1:16.70, $75,000.

Stay Thirsty—Margie's Minute: Vodka Vodka (89-26), g, 5 yo, Sunland Park, STK, Casa Ford Sunland Park S., 4/5, 1 1/8mi, 1:48.17, $150,000.

Straight Fire—Luckfromabove (IRE): Straight Luck (6-3), g, 6 yo, Fonner Park, SOC, 3/7, 4f, 45.20, $7,500.

Straight Fire—Luckfromabove (IRE): Straight Luck (6-3), g, 6 yo, Fonner Park, SOC, 4/12, 4f, 45.20, $7,500.

Street Boss—Intoitagain: Runamileinmyshoes (82-24), m, 5 yo, Oaklawn Park, AOC, 3/6, 1 1/16mi, 1:45.03, $75,600.

Summer Front—Talk Less Run More: Talklessworkmore (50-15), g, 8 yo, Laurel Park, SOC, 2/27, 7f, 1:25.21, $14,400.

Summer Front—Talk Less Run More: Talklessworkmore (50-15), g, 8 yo, Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races, AOC, 3/19, 1 1/16mi, 1:47.05, $19,096.

Sway Away—Jumanah: Windribbon (9-4), g, 10 yo, Santa Anita Park, WCL, 4/19, 6f, 1:11.89, $9,600.

Tom's Tribute—Sheeza Milky Way: O K Rose (9-3), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 3/22, 6 1/2f (T), 1:14.82, $42,000.

Win the Space—Time for Luck: Lucky Vegas (5-2), m, 6 yo, Sunland Park, SOC, 3/2, 6f, 1:08.80, $10,980.

Win the Space—Fuega: Ryan's Girl (5-2), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, SOC, 4/18, 1mi, 1:38.62, $15,120.

Win the Space—Time for Luck: Lucky Vegas (5-2), m, 6 yo, Sunray Park, SOC, 4/19, 6 1/2f, 1:18.02, $11,196.

Yaupon—Bahama Mischief: Mohaven (60-19), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Evening Jewel S. presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 4/4, 6 1/2f, 1:16.77, $75,000.

MAIDENS

Acclamation—Mind Meld: Beeblebrox (18-3), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/15, 1mi (T), 1:36.98, $21,000.

Anthony's Cross—Stormy Too: Ancient History (7-1), g, 4 yo, Turfway Park, MSW, 3/25, 6 1/2f, 1:16.35, $26,692.

Authoritively—Riseoneagleswings: Mr. Kuntata (1-1), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 3/17, 1mi, 1:38.44, $7,320.

Basin—Zloty: Chief Resident (20-7), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/13, 1mi (T), 1:36.78, $42,000. Blame—Root Beer Rag: Blame It On Jack (67-23), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/17, 1mi, 1:39.52, $39,000.

Bodexpress—Smiling Sunset: Hugh Glass (19-10), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 3/10, 6f, 1:09.45, $6,000.

Brody's Cause—Just Grazed Me: Elsa Dutton (42-12), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/28, 6f, 1:11.96, $12,600.

California Chrome—Miles Rules: Bougie Like (22-4), m, 6 yo, Will Rogers Downs, MCL, 3/3, 5 1/2f, 1:07.27, $6,360.

Cat Burglar—Caymanbird: La Cat (25-6), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MSW, 4/9, 6 1/2f, 1:15.97, $10,200.

Cistron—Ruby's Gone Again: Lucky and Gone (8-3), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MSW, 2/23, 4 1/2f, 50.86, $10,030.

City Wolf—Out Ofthe Ordinary: Above the Ordinary (3-1), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 4/13, 6 1/2f, 1:17.42, $5,900.

Clubhouse Ride—Brickyard Helen: King's Ride (63-23), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/2, 6f, 1:10.07, $42,000.

Clubhouse Ride—Lostintranzlation: Suntory Time (63-23), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 4/17, 1mi (T), 1:37.65, $21,000.

Clubhouse Ride—Murray's Girl: John Metcalfe (63-23), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/19, 1mi (T), 1:35.62, $39,000.

Curlin to Mischief—Hekawi: Bang and a Boom (19-5), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 2/26, 6 1/2f, 1:15.23, $6,000.

Curlin to Mischief—Royal Ann Command: Curlin Command (19-5), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/28, 6 1/2f (T), 1:15.84, $42,000.

Dads Caps—Carocuore (ARG): Smoothwhskygoindwn (33-13), g, 4 yo, Sunland Park, MSW, 3/15, 6 1/2f, 1:16.57, $15,624.

Dads Caps—Fracas: Caps and Carnage (33-13), g, 2 yo, Turf Paradise, TRL, 4/8, 4 1/2f, 50.97, $10,200.

Dads Caps—Bright Street: Caps d'Oro (33-13), f, 2 yo, Turf Paradise, TRL, 4/8, 4 1/2f, 51.20, $10,200.

Dads Caps—Instastory: Daddygaveittome (33-13), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 4/17, 1mi, 1:40.22, $12,600.

Dosificado (CHI)—Rich Knows Rich: T One D Flour Free (4-2), h, 5 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 3/14, 4 1/2f, 52.51, $4,260.

Faversham—Elusive Blend: Prime Number (4-1), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 3/5, 6 1/2f, 1:18.54, $5,015.

GATO DEL ORO

BG Thoroughbred Farm (951) 654 9100 www.bgthoroughbreds.com

Gato Del Oro—Lovely Instinct: Lovely Medaglia (11-3), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 4/18, 5 1/2f, 1:05.81, $9,600.

Gig Harbor—Rachels Belle: Rachel's Gig (10-4), c, 4 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 4/18, 4 1/2f, 53.08, $4,260.

Govenor Charlie—Wild Baby Girl: Citizen Barrett (6-3), g, 4 yo, Sunland Park, MCL, 3/16, 1mi, 1:38.57, $9,180.

Graydar—Speedy Shimmer: Good Golly Dolly (14-3), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/13, 1mi, 1:40.52, $12,600.

Grazen—Freedom Ride: Galloping Ghost (59-16), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/6, 6 1/2f, 1:16.87, $42,000.

Grazen—Feel Freely: Just a Graze (59-16), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/22, 1mi (T), 1:36.35, $42,000.

Halladay—Bonnie Brae: Rocky Colavito (21-2), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MSW, 3/10, about 7 1/2f, 1:28.85, $10,540.

He Be Fire N Ice—Grey Babe: Grey's Boy (5-1), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/22, 6f (T), 1:08.49, $21,000.

Idiot Proof—Cell Line Forever: Every Third Day (11-5), c, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MSW, 3/21, 6f, 1:09.77, $10,200.

n The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and California-sired winners in 2024 of all recent North American races, except straight claiming races.

n 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.

I'll Have Another—Tangelo: Rollinwithpolan (24-9), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/20, 5 1/2f, 1:05.74, $21,000.

I'm Lock N Load—Chapter Ten: Love Lock (3-1), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/15, 6f, 1:12.90, $12,600.

Known Agenda—Imperial Pippin: La Silenciosa (34-11), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/5, 5 1/2f, 1:04.46, $42,000.

Mesa Thunder—Cinderella Liberty: Tough Virginia (2-2), f, 4 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 3/8, 4 1/2f, 52.21, $4,310.

Midnight Storm—Khairiya: Only After Midnite (49-18), f, 4 yo, Oaklawn Park, MCL, 2/27, 1 1/16mi, 1:47.15, $18,000.

Mo Forza—Californiasunshine: Wild West Coast (23-7), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MSW, 3/9, about 7 1/2f, 1:30.30, $10,200.

Mo Forza—Handcuffed: Train Station (23-7), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MSW, 3/19, 6f, 1:10.78, $10,370.

Mo Forza—Caution Sign: Mia Forza (23-7), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 3/22, 4 1/2f, 52.80, $4,260.

Mo Forza—S Y Sky: Eugene Sledge (23-7), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/4, 6 1/2f (T), 1:15.81, $42,000.

Mo Forza—Edgehill Road: Forza Road (23-7), c, 3 yo, Fonner Park, STK, Baxter S., 4/11, 6f, 1:14.20, $12,210.

Northern Causeway—Estellara: Andramada (16-4), m, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 2/28, 4 1/2f, 51.28, $5,015.

Nyquist—No Closing Costs: The Loan Exchange (137-43), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/18, 6 1/2f (T), 1:15.62, $39,000.

Om—Lucky Christiana: A Great Shaking (43-16), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/14, 6f (T), 1:09.71, $42,000.

Om—Crown On Tap: Celestial Skies (43-16), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/20, 6f, 1:12.91, $10,200.

Om—Happy to Go: Dio Double Gee (43-16), g, 4 yo, Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races, MCL, 3/25, 4 1/2f, 53.08, $12,300.

Om—Transact: Tascadero (43-16), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 3/28, 4 1/2f, 52.36, $4,260.

Om—Redheaded Muse: Redheaded Reba (43-16), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/5, 5 1/2f, 1:04.52, $42,000.

One Bad Boy—Valseuse: Bad Boy One (1-1), g, 3 yo, Sunland Park, MSW, 3/16, 5 1/2f, 1:03.84, $15,120.

ORIGINAIRE

BG Thoroughbred Farm (951) 654 9100 www.bgthoroughbreds.com

Originaire (IRE)—Liberty Princess: Run With Liberty (4-2), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/22, 1mi (T), 1:36.50, $42,000.

Pavel—Lemonaideen: One Step Beyond (17-4), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/28, 6 1/2f, 1:18.44, $12,600.

Pontiff—Live Like Mike: Cougar Jewel (6-2), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 3/11, 5 1/2f, 1:04.50, $5,100.

Richard's Kid—Soul Sound: Next Trick (15-4), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/29, 6f, 1:11.42, $10,200.

Richard's Kid—Alpine Yodel: Mperfection (15-4), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/3, 1mi (T), 1:36.17, $42,000.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Scenery Change: Scene by Me (61-21), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 2/28, 6f (T), 1:08.42, $42,000.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Precious Time: Millbo Baggins (61-21), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 2/28, 6f, 1:11.98, $21,000.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Scenery Change: Roki (61-21), c, 3 yo, Sunland Park, MSW, 3/2, 6 1/2f, 1:16.00, $15,120.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Pure: Pure Chaos (61-21), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/6, 1mi (T), 1:35.56, $42,000.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—West Ruler: West Fresno (61-21), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 4/14, 4 1/2f, 51.50, $5,185.

Smiling Tiger—Arabesque: Smile Dont Wink (69-26), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 2/25, 4 1/2f, 51.50, $5,100.

Smiling Tiger—Monkey Mind: Chica Tigre (69-26), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 3/3, 1mi, 1:39.31, $7,440.

Smiling Tiger—Bold Mystique: Mister O (69-26), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 3/12, 5 1/2f, 1:03.12, $5,015.

Smokem—Gracie Grace: Dustem Too (10-5), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/21, 6f, 1:13.68, $21,000.

Stanford—The Voice of Truth: Sacred Love (54-19), m, 5 yo, Penn National, MCL, 3/6, 6f, 1:12.57, $9,600.

Stanford—Joy of My Heart: K K's First Dance (54-19), f, 3 yo, Sam Houston Race Park, MSW, 4/3, 5f (T), 58.62, $19,440.

Stay Thirsty—Akiss Forarose: Bandolero (89-26), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 2/27, 1mi, 1:40.03, $12,600.

Stay Thirsty—Just Be Held: Jager Angel (89-26), f, 4 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 2/28, 4 1/2f, 52.87, $3,870.

Stay Thirsty—River Kiss: Tiggrrr Whitworth (89-26), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/1, 6f, 1:12.11, $12,600.

Stay Thirsty—Discreetly Elusive: Mr. Cardenas (89-26), g, 3 yo, Camarero Race Track, MCL, 3/21, 6 1/2f, 1:20.79, $3,770.

Stay Thirsty—Reign: Brascia's Art (89-26), f, 4 yo, Fonner Park, MCL, 4/3, 6f, 1:15.60, $4,380.

Stay Thirsty—No Tunes: Karaoke Hero (89-26), g, 4 yo, Sunray Park, MCL, 4/18, 6 1/2f, 1:20.20, $6,480.

Tamarando—Mother Luck: Mamarando (10-2), m, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 2/28, 6 1/2f, 1:16.27, $6,100.

Texas Ryano—Susan B Good: Irish Element (8-2), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 3/13, 1mi, 1:39.61, $10,200.

Touched by Autism—Lucky Antares: Voices of Autism (3-1), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 4/6, 6f, 1:10.65, $6,000.

Tough Sunday—Amira J: Parnelli Jones (6-3), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 3/7, 6f (T), 1:09.03, $42,000.

Uptown Rythem—Geode: Holdthatrainbow (5-1), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 4/18, 6 1/2f (T), 1:15.37, $39,000.

FEEDING THE PREGNANT MARE

FIRST AND SECOND TRIMESTERS CAN BE AS IMPORTANT AS THE FINAL ONE

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

Mares you plan to breed need adequate body condition and proper nutrients, in proper balance, to cycle and conceive early in the breeding season. Nutrition is also important during pregnancy. The future of a developing embryo/fetus depends upon health and nutrition of the dam. This formative time for the fetus can be adversely influenced by the uterine environment if the mare is exposed to certain diseases, toxins, or a poor diet.

What a pregnant mare eats during gestation—quantity and quality of various nutrients—can have a long-lasting effect on

her foal. Also, if the pregnant mare has a foal at side and is lactating, her nutritional requirements will be much greater than the demands of pregnancy alone.

Stephen Duren, PhD with Performance Horse Nutrition says the key is to remember that the pregnant mare is developing a fetus that we want to ultimately become an equine athlete—a future racehorse.

“We take broodmare nutrition very seriously,” Duren said. “We used to concentrate only on the third trimester—the last 110 days of pregnancy. Certainly, that’s important because that’s when most of the fetal growth occurs. There’s a large increase in calorie requirement, protein requirement, and requirements for calcium, phosphorus, and lysine in the pregnant mare during that time. Those nutrients must all increase in her diet during that last trimester of pregnancy.

“But we also can’t forget the first and second trimesters because this is when a lot of the neural development of the fetus takes place. This early development is crucial, too.

“We also have several different scenarios. If it is a barren mare

or a maiden mare, we try to program those mares to get pregnant; we are feeding a diet with an increasing caloric content, so those mares are not in a negative energy balance.”

In other words, the mare should be gaining, not losing weight if we want to get her pregnant.

“We manage her body condition very closely,” Duren said. “There was a large study in Texas where they looked a body condition score and conception rate, and number of breedings required to get the mares pregnant. This highlighted the need to pay attention to body condition of mares. We also know we don’t want

If it is a barren mare or a maiden mare, we try to program those mares to get pregnant.”

—Dr. Stephen Duren

those mares in a negative energy balance going into the breeding season. That’s one scenario, when planning to breed a barren or maiden mare.”

Once pregnant, these mares would go through the first, second, and third trimesters without the added requirement for lactation since they do not have a foal.

“The other scenario is the pregnant mare with a foal at side and lactating,” Duren said. “During her early pregnancy or even the second trimester, her requirements are greater. We must feed those mares appropriately for a lactating mare, and this would cover any of the requirements for early pregnancy and the small, developing fetus.

“You address the needs of lactation, breed her, and she becomes pregnant. The requirements for early development and neural development of that small fetus will all be more than covered if the mare is being fed appropriately as a lactating mare. Then she is not losing weight while nursing her foal.”

Weight and condition of the mare in terms of the caloric value of the diet is the only dietary factor that you can actually visualize and ascertain.

BODY CONDITION IN BROODMARES IS IMPORTANT

Brian Nielsen, PhD of Michigan State University says that in one of his classes a few years ago, they were discussing broodmare nutrition and why conception rates in horses are lower than what would be tolerated in beef cattle or other livestock.

“One student who had a background with sheep and beef cattle asked if it was because horse people manage them wrong and get them too fat,” Nielsen said. “Actually, the biggest issue is having horses too thin. We don’t want cows too fat or they may have more dystocia or decreased milk production. With sheep we often flush ewes by having them a bit thin, then put them on an increasing plane of nutrition just before breeding season so they will ovulate more readily and have more twins or triplets. We do some things with other livestock species that we don’t do with horses.”

Proper body condition in mares is often the key to successful breeding. During his graduate study at Texas A & M in 1983, Dr. Don Henneke came up with the Henneke body condition scoring system: a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese. This scoring is based on both visual appraisal and palpable fat cover of six major points of the horse that are most responsive to changes in body fat.

Henneke also did studies looking at broodmares—whether they were thin or fat and how that might affect conception and foaling rate.

“He found that when mares are thin, lower than a body condition score of 5 and we start to see ribs showing, it takes longer for them to begin ovulating again after foaling,” Nielsen said. “If mares are thin, it will take longer to get them back in foal, depending on how quickly they start to ovulate.

“That research, back in the mid1980s, showed that days to second ovulation was about a week longer in thin mare than in fatter mares. Since we are trying to keep mares on a yearly foaling schedule and

Mares with moderate or high body scores often become pregnant more easily than thin mares

not have them foal later next year (or worst case fail to get pregnant), this becomes important.

“Henneke’s study divided mares into three categories: mares that were thin and below a body condition score 5, moderate-condition mares that were at a score of about a 5 to a 6.5, and the last category was fat mares, at a score greater than 7. The 13 mares that were fat all got pregnant when bred. The four mares that were in moderate body condition also all got pregnant. There were 11 in the thinmare group, below body condition score of 5, and when those mares were bred, only seven of them got pregnant. Looking at the ones that were able to conceive, all mares in the study that were body score 5 or greater got pregnant, whereas only seven out of 11 thin ones got pregnant.

“Looking at the ones that were able to maintain pregnancy, 12 of the 13 fat mares maintained their pregnancies, four out of the four moderate mares remained pregnant, but only four of the seven thin pregnant mares remained pregnant.”

The thin mares sacrificed their fetuses because they didn’t have enough reserve body condition to maintain themselves and a fetus.

“Mother Nature is saying, ‘You can’t take care of yourself, so you can’t try to raise a baby.’ Looking at total numbers, there were 17 mares with body condition score of 5 or better, and they all got pregnant, and 16 of them went ahead and maintained their pregnancy. By contrast, out of the 11 thin mares, only four had a successful pregnancy.”

“You can simply look at the body condition of the mare to see if she is holding her weight, losing weight, or gaining weight,” Duren said.

It’s not so easy to tell, however, whether a mare is getting adequate protein, minerals, trace minerals, and vitamins.

“You can’t determine these visually,” Duren said. “This is where you have to resort to diet analysis to make sure you are feeding her not only enough calories (which you can see by her body condition), but also enough protein and other nutrients that enable her to maintain herself, repair her tissues, and replenish what she is giving to the nursing foal by making milk. She must produce milk as well as provide for the developing fetus.

“On a breeding farm, mares are often grouped in terms of their nutritional requirements. If we have a mare that is grossly overweight or some that are underweight, we put them in a separate group so we can feed them differently. Initially, when doing reproductive work to get them safely in foal, or back in foal, those mares are coming to the barn daily. So even if they are not in separate groups, we can still feed them individually. Typically, those mares are in stalls at least part of the day, and often they are fed their grain meals inside. Those meals can be individually tailored.”

An overweight mare may simply need a ration-balancer pellet or certainly a lower calorie diet than a mare who struggles to maintain her weight. Lactating mares are often out on pasture at least part of

the day with their foals. Good pasture can help with their nutritional needs. In some climates, however, there won’t be green pasture yet when the mares foal.

“In countries like Japan, and in upstate New York where there is snow on the ground when the early foaling mares foal, those mares will hit peak lactation before there’s green grass,” Duren said. “We need to increase the calorie content of their diets. These mares will typically go from eating grass hay to a hay that has some added alfalfa or more calories. The mare manager may continue with free-choice grass for these lactating mares and then limit-feed a small amount of alfalfa to add the protein and calories that would ordinarily be coming from abundant grass pasture.

Early foaling mares, because of cold

weather, are typically on a higher rate of intake for their grain/concentrate compared with some of the later-foaling mares. It takes more calories in cold weather just to produce the body heat needed to keep warm. If you have a cold winter, you have to feed them more.

“It’s always important to give any broodmare—whether pregnant or lactating—free-choice access to good-quality forage,” Duren said. “This might be in the form of abundant pasture or free-choice grass hay, and if there is snow and cold weather, she also needs a certain amount of limit-fed alfalfa hay.”

Broodmare nutrition always starts with good forage.

“We need to make sure the forage is good and abundant, and then we add the appropriate grain concentrate at levels enough to maintain desired body condition,” Duren said.

In summary, Duren says you can only visually assess the caloric content of the diet, manifested by body condition. You then need to make sure, if you are providing a balancer pellet or a full-grain concentrate in adequate amounts, that it is well fortified and designed specifically for a broodmare at that stage of pregnancy or lactation. You will be feeding barren and maiden mares differently than you’ll be feeding a lactating mare in early pregnancy. It is important to consider not only the last trimester, but also the first two trimesters, when a lot of the nerve and tissue development occurs.

2026 LEADING BREEDERS IN CALIFORNIA BY EARNINGS (THRU

Leading California Sires Lists

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER RUNNER

1 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

3 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

4 Collected, 2013, by City

5 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

6 Om, 2012, by Munnings

7 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

8 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

9 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley

10 Jack Milton, 2010, by War

11 Mo Forza, 2016,

12 Curlin to Mischief,

13

14

15

16 Vronsky,

17

2026 LEADING TURF SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

1 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

3 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

4 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

5 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

6 Om, 2012, by Munnings

7 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley

8 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

9 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

10 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

12 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu

13 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MEDIAN EARNINGS PER RUNNER

1 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

3 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause

4 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

5 Gato Del Oro, 2014, by Medaglia d’Oro

6 Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags

7 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

8 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

9 Om, 2012, by Munnings

10 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig

11 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

12 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

13 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City

14 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

15

16

18

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

1

2

4

5 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

6 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

7 Stanford,

8

9 Curlin to Mischief,

Leading California Sires Lists

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF WINNERS

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

NUMBER OF RACES WON

18

2026 LEADING LIFETIME SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

Stallion (Foreign Foaled), Year, Sire

1 Grazen, 2006,

2 Bluegrass Cat, 2003, by Storm Cat

3 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

4 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

5 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

6

7

8

9 Southern Image,

18 James Street, 2007, by El Prado (IRE)

Richard’s Kid, 2005, by Lemon Drop Kid

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.

Maiden Bonus Program

I.A $12,500 bonus will be made available for owners of registered California-Bred or California-Sired maidens in Maiden Special Weight races at Santa Anita Classic Meet, a $15,000 bonus at Del Mar Summer Meet, 2026, and $10,000 at Los Alamitos. Only races at 4 1/2 furlongs or longer will qualify. In the event of a dead heat, the bonus will be split amongst the winners.

II.Significant eligibility changes for California-breds.

Stakes & Sales Dates

2026

REGIONAL RACE MEETINGS

Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Dec. 26-June 14

Los Angeles County Fair at Los Alamitos, Los Alamitos June 19-July 5

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar July 17-Sept. 7

Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos Sept. 9-22

Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Sept. 23-Nov. 3

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar Nov. 6-29

Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos Dec. 2-15

2026

REGIONAL SALE DATES

SEPTEMBER 30

FASIG-TIPTON FALL YEARLINGS & HORSES OF RACING AGE Pomona, Calif.

(ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 10)

California-Bred/California-Sired STAKES RACES

APRIL – JUNE

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

$125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes ree-Year-Olds 61⁄2 furlongs

$125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes ree-Year-Old Fillies 61⁄2 furlongs

SATURDAY, MAY 23

$125,000 Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank ree-Year-Olds 11⁄8 mile (Turf)

$125,000 Melair Stakes ree-Year-Old Fillies 11⁄16 miles

$100,000 Crystal Water Stakes ree-Year-Olds & Up 1 mile (Turf)

$100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes ree-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares 1 mile (Turf)

$100,000 or’s Echo Stakes ree-Year-Olds & Up 6 furlongs

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

$100,000 Bertrando Stakes ree-Year-Olds & Up 1 mile

Classified Advertising

RANCHES FOR SALE

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR RANCH?

ROBINS RANCHES HAS SOLD EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY FROM PLEASANTON UP TO VACAVILLE. FROM DANVILLE TO DISCOVERY BAY. ROBIN IS A EXCEPTIONAL HORSE PROPERTY SPECIALIST. ROBIN HAS BEEN SELLING EQUINE PROPERTY FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

ROBIN’S RANCHES (AGENT)

AGENT BRE #01039978

TOWN AND COUNTRY REALTY. CLAYTON, CA 925- 550- 2383

ROBINFROST1@YAHOO.COM

WWW.ROBINSRANCHES.COM

Sat, Jan 17

Sat, Jan 17

Sat, Jan 17

Sat, Jan 17

Sat, Jan 17

Sat, Jan 17

Sat, Mar 21

Sun, Mar 22

Sat, Apr 4

Sat, Apr 4

Sat, May 23

Sat, May 23

Sat, May 23

Sat, May 23

Sat, May 23

Sat, Jun 20

Fri, Jul 24

Fri, Jul 31

Sat, Aug 1

Sun, Aug 2

Fri, Aug 7

Sat, Aug 15

Fri, Sep 4

Mon, Sep 7

Unusual Heat Turf Classic

Sunshine Millions F/M Turf Sprint

California Chrome Cal Cup Derby

Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint

California Cup Oaks

California Cup Sprint

Irish O’Brien Stakes

Sensational Star Stakes

Echo Eddie Stakes

Evening Jewel Stakes

Crystal Water Stakes

Snow Chief Stakes

Fran’s Valentine Stakes

Thor’s Echo Stakes

Melair Stakes

Bertrando Stakes

Fleet Treat Stakes

Real Good Deal Stakes

California Dreamin’ Stakes

CTBA Stakes

Graduation Stakes

Solana Beach Stakes

Generous Portion Stakes

I’m Smokin Stakes

California Flag Handicap

California Distaff Handicap

Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes

Golden State Juvenile Stakes

The Chosen Vron Stakes

Betty Grable Stakes

Soviet Problem Stakes

King Glorious Stakes

4-Yr-Olds & Up

4-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds

4-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds

4-Yr-Olds & Up

4-Yr-Olds & Up

4-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

2-Yr-Olds

2-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

2-Yr-Olds

2-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds & Up

2-Yr-Olds

2-Yr-Olds

3-Yr-Olds & Up

3-Yr-Olds & Up

2-Yr-Olds

2-Yr-Olds

$175,000 $125,000 $175,000 $125,000 $175,000 $125,000 $100,000 $100,000 $125,000 $125,000 $100,000 $125,000 $100,000 $100,000 $125,000 $100,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $100,000 $100,000 $150,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $175,000 $175,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000

Turning California bloodlines into nationwide contenders

FINNEUS Stay Thirsty – My Fiona, by Ghostzapper

BY SIX TIME LEADING CALIFORNIA SIRE AND MULTIPLE G1SW STAY THIRSTY. TWO-YEAR-OLD CALIFORNIA CHAMPION OF 2022.

Stakes Winning 2-Year-Old and Winner of $328,216. Out of a GHOSTZAPPER California Broodmare of the Year MY FIONA and California Champion Filly. 1st Golden State Juvenile S. (def. SLO DOWN ANDY). 2nd Del Mar Futurity (G1) (to PINEHURST, def. PAPPACAP); Best Pal S. (G2) (to PAPPACAP); King Glorious S.; Turf Paradise Derby. 3rd California Cup Derby.

CHAMPION BLOODLINES PROVEN PERFORMANCE GRADED STAKES WINNER OF $379,700.

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.

Brilliant racing career that demonstrates his natural talent, durability, and competitive Spirit, Speed, Stamina & Versatility.

CALIFORNIA’S LEADING SIRE. 6 OF LAST 8 YEARS BY EARNINGS. LEADING CA SIRE BY EARNINGS & WINNERS IN 2024. SIRE OF 61 STAKES HORSES INCL. G1 CIGAR MILE WINNER MIND CONTROL ($2,071,834).

Defeated 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner WHITE ABARRIO and Blue Grass S. (G1) winner ZANDON.

8 blacktype stakes horses in 2024 and leading CA 2-year-old sire of 2024, 5 SHs, incl. 5 ¼-length CTBA S. winner IN THE AIR TONIGHT ($120,400), runner-up Thirsty Mama and 3rd THIRSTY IN VEGAS. California’s leading active lifetime sire.