Issuu

April/May 2026 $5.00

O f f i c i a l Pu b l i c a t i o n o f t h e Ca l i f o rn i a T h o r o u g h b re d B re e d e r s A s s o c i a t i o n

LOVESICK BLUES 2025 HORSE OF THE YEAR

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DETAILS

Clubhouse Ride 2026 Fee: $5000

Forbidden K ingdom 2026 Fee: $5000

Ranked top 3 in 2026 by progeny earnings, runners are led by ROMANTIC RIDE ($99,400)

CALIFORNIA’S RICHEST SON BY TRIPLE CROWN WINNER AMERICAN PHAROAH Multiple Graded Stakes Winner of $683,660

CANDY RIDE (ARG) – SEEKING RESULTS, BY SEEKING THE GOLD

AMERICAN PHAROAH – JUST LOUISE, BY FIVE STAR DAY

DETAILS

Om 2026 Fee: $5000

MUNNINGS – RARE CAT, BY TABASCO CAT

TOP TEN ACTIVE CALIFORNIA SIRE - $1.7m 2025 EARNINGS. Second leading 4th crop sire in 2026 led by stakes winner, Graded Stakes Placed OM N JOY ($496,203)

Inquiries to Terry Knight, Legacy Ranch Manager, (510) 928-4980 Ranch physical address: 21455 N. Clements Rd., Clements, CA 95227 Ranch mailing address: P.O. Box 538, Clements, CA 95227 Phone: (209) 759-3315 Fax: (209) 759-3428 Email: info@legacyranchinc.com

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From the EXECUTIVE CORNER DOUG BURGE CTBA PRESIDENT

NEW INCENTIVE FOR CAL-BRED JUVENILE STAKES WINNERS

f it seems like nearly every recent issue of California Thoroughbred explains the newest benefit for breeding and racing California-breds, it’s true. The 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.

Previously, if a Cal-bred maiden winner then won a stakes race, connections would have a difficult 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

August

CTBA

2YO F

5.5 f.

Del Mar

August

Graduation

2YO

5.5 f.

Del Mar

September

Generous Portion

2YO F

6 f.

Del Mar

September

I’m Smokin’

2YO

6 f.

Del Mar

October

Golden State Juv. Fillies

2YO F

7 f.

Santa Anita

October

Golden State Juv.

2YO

7 f.

Santa Anita

December

Soviet Problem

2YO F

8 f.

Los Alamitos

December

King Glorious

2YO

8 f.

Los Alamitos

That 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 qualified purse earn-

ings, or $4,288,140 paid in total awards. That’s the highest percentage since 2009. Stallion awards for 2025 were 11.87% of qualified purse earnings, or $1,429,380 in total awards paid. That’s the highest percentage since 2004. Last year, the breeders’ awards were 11.19% and the stallion

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awards were 8.58%. These incentive awards reward those who bred horses that successfully competed and supported Thoroughbred racing in the state. We are pleased to announce these significant increases in the percentages paid to breeders and stallion owners.

April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

APRIL/MAY 2026 VOLUME 152 / NO. 4

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

Contents FEATURES

14 CHAMPIONS OF 2025

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

OFFICERS CHAIRPERSON JUSTIN OLDFIELD PRESIDENT DOUG BURGE

30 CTBA Awards Dinner

VICE CHAIRPERSON TY GREEN TREASURER GEORGE SCHMITT

34 CTBA Hall of Fame Inductees

SECRETARY ADRIAN GONZALEZ

38 Trainer of the Year: Steve Knapp

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

RON MESAROS

A D M I N I S T R AT I V E S TA F F CONTROLLER THOMAS R. RETCHLESS SALES LORETTA VEIGA REGISTRAR/INCENTIVE PROGRAM MANAGER MARY ELLEN LOCKE

6 News Bits

WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR KEN GURNICK

11 April Calendar

RACETRACK LIAISON SCOTT HENRY

13 May Calendar

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

28 California Champions 1973-2025 48 California-bred Incentive Awards: The Cal-bred Incentive Program 50 California-bred Incentive Awards: Breeders Awards for 2025 53 California-bred Incentive Awards: Stallion Awards for 2025 56 Winners

PUBLISHED BY BLOOD-HORSE LLC WEST COAST CONTRIBUTING EDITOR TRACY GANTZ

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR JENNIFER SINGLETON

COPY EDITOR MARY SCHWEITZER

PRODUCTION FORREST BEGLEY

ART DIRECTOR CATHERINE NICHOLS

ARTIST PHILIP TRUMAN

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED April/May 2026

45 Golden State Series: Sensational Star Stakes 46 Golden State Series: Echo Eddie Stakes 47 Golden State Series: Evening Jewel Stakes 58 Health: Feeding Pregnant Mares

61 Leading Breeders in California 62 Lists of Leading Sires in California 66 Stakes/Sales Calendar 68 Classified Advertising 70 Advertising Index COLUMNS

44 Golden State Series: Irish O’Brien Stakes

3 From the Executive Corner www.ctba.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR LORETTA VEIGA

DEPARTMENTS

42 Majestic Oops’ Azeri Stakes

ON THE COVER

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR DAWN GERBER

40 Broodmare of the Year: Queenofhercastle

NEW for 2026

AIR FORCE RED

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KING OF JAZZ (ARG)

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

GATO DEL ORO

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MO THE BEHOLDER

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

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Kittens Joy – Devine Actress, by Theatrical (IRE) Fee: $1,500 LFSN

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ROUSING SERMON

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NewsBits VODKA VODKA WINS AT SUNLAND alifornia-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.

COADY MEDIA

Vodka Vodka, a half brother to California-bred champion Om N Joy, triumphs in Sunland Park Stakes

COADY MEDIA

Turf Paradise Victory for Distant Fleet I

Cal-bred Distant Fleet upsets the field in the Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

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n 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.

NewsBits

Julien Leparoux Selected for Woolf Award

ANNE M. EBERHARDT

California and Kentucky, received Santa Anita’s Louisville with his wife, Shea, daughter of the 2026 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. late trainer Mike Mitchell, and their two sons. Competing in the U.S. since “This is a proud moment,” 2005, Leparoux, 42, is one of Leparoux said. “This award only four jockeys to win Eclipse is so unique and special. To Awards as both an apprentice be recognized by my fellow (in 2006) and a journeyman jockeys is really special.” (in 2009). He has ridden more Presented annually by Santa than 3,000 winners for purse Anita since 1950, the Woolf earnings of more than $206 Award can only be given to million. an individual jockey once. It Leparoux has won seven is named for the late Hall of Breeders’ Cup races, including Fame jockey who rode regulara triple in 2009 at Santa Anita. ly at Santa Anita and piloted That year he captured the Seabiscuit to defeat Triple Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Crown Champion War AdmiSprint (G1) with Informed Deral in a match race at Pimlico Julien Leparoux cision, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Race Course Nov. 1, 1938. The Fillies (G1) with She Be Wild, and Breeders’ award, determined by a vote from fellow riders, Cup Dirt Mile (G1) with Furthest Land. He recognizes those jockeys whose careers and peralso won that year’s Santa Anita Handicap (G1) sonal character garner esteem for the individual aboard Einstein. 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

Tyler Baze

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.

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.

Paco Mena 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. © BENOIT PHOTO

COADY MEDIA

Leparoux, a native of France whose Leparoux currently rides full time at KeeneJ ulien career has included riding regularly in land Race Course in Kentucky. He lives in

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April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

NewsBits THIS MONTH IN

HISTORY

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.

Dancing Femme

50 YEARS AGO

25 YEARS AGO

BLOODHORSE LIBRARY

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

Gourmet Girl

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

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.

April/May 2026

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Enola Gray

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.

BLOODHORSE LIBRARY

10 YEARS AGO

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.

San Onofre

May

BLOODHORSE LIBRARY

April

Just a Kick

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NewsBits

NEWS

LOVAVRES RANCH/CECLIA GUSTAVSSON

STALLION

■ 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.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

Stay Thirsty 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.

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NEW

CTBA MEMBERS

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Giant’s Causeway – Istikbal, by Kingmambo

A Genetic Gold Mine 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

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CTBA working for you

APRIL XXXXXXX 2026 2026

CTBA EVENTS ■ CTBA SALESEVENTS ■ SALES

To further assist the membership of the California STAKES Thoroughbred BreedersSTAKES Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its CAL-BRED/SIRED CAL-BRED/SIRED RACES RACES 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.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

California Legislature Honors Mario Gutierrez

WEDNESDAY

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FRIDAY

SATURDAY

GOT CHROME?

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 careerCup Breeders’ 2nd quarter in his native country. He later was a huge success at Hastings Racestallion course in Canada before switching his tack to Southern California. payments due 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).

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THURSDAY

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$125,000 Echo In the run-up to California Chrome’s successful Eddie Stakes victory in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), the California Santa Anita Thoroughbred Breeders Association spread the word via a colorful button. With a tagline: “Got Chrome? $125,000 California does! It pays to be Cal-bred” the CTBA Evening Jewel promoted California Chrome and the California Stakes breeding industry. 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).

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CTBA MEMBERS

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Thomas Glosser Whittier, CA

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27Cal Auction27 28 29 28 Nor26 Bonus—$250,000

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Charles Robin Brentwood, CA

CTBA FUTURE EVENTS

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 CTBA Northern California Yearling & nomination according to The Jockey Club papers. Horses of Racing Age Sale The official rules for the bonus are listed under the consignor’s Tuesday, August 12 contract in the entry form. To earn the bonus, a yearling must go Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton through the sales ring and win a grade I race in North America at the Contact Cookie Hackworth age of 2, 3, or 4. cookie@ctba.com / 800.573.2822 ext. 243 Closing date for sale entries is June 9, with a $300 entry fee, $1,000 upset price, and $500 minimum commission charge. For additional 201 Colorado Place / Arcadia, CA 91007 information, visit the CTBA’s web site at www.ctba.com or contact For further information, contact: Cookie Hackworth, Sale Coordinator, at either cookie@ctba.com 626-445-7800 or / Fax: 626-445-0927 Cookie Hackworth (626) 445-7800, ext. 243. cookie@ctba.com 800.573.2822 ext. 243

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

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MAY 2026

CTBA EVENTS ■ SALES

To further assist the membership of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its CAL-BRED/SIRED STAKES RACES 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.

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SATURDAY

Kentucky Derby

CHRB Meeting

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201 Colorado Place / Arcadia, CA 91007 626-445-7800 / Fax: 626-445-0927

www.ctba.com April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Horse of the Year, Older Male, Sprinter

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Lovesick Blues became a stakes winner at age seven in the Siren Lure Stakes at Santa Anita

LOVESICK BLUES BY TRACY GANTZ

amily, 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

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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. sent him off as an 18-1 seventh choice in to the winner’s circle. He races in the name Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi a field of nine. of Mia Familia Racing Stable to honor his put an excellent foundation on Lovesick Hejazi, a $3,555,000 2-year-old pur- Italian (“mia”) and Mexican (“familia”) Blues. The gelding made his first start in a chase in 2022 trained by Bob Baffert, heritages, but most of all his family, many stakes in the 2023 Daytona Stakes (G3T) sped to the front, while Lovesick Blues of whom were with him at Del Mar. at Santa Anita, finishing third. They gave raced in seventh. Despite quick fractions Likewise, Barocio attended the him time off when he needed it, and of :21.78 and :44.48, Hejazi had the forti- CTBA awards banquet with a host of Lovesick Blues more than earned his tude to hold off closers like favored World family members. He also paid tribute keep, placing in three additional stakes Record and Dr. Venkman, but not Love- to his late father. for them and pushing his earnings well sick Blues. “My father was a hard-working man— into six figures. we had 11 in our family,” BaIn mid-2025, Alexander was rocio said. “He taught me to giving Lovesick Blues some believe and dream. He gave me time off at Bobby Mitchell’s the opportunity to go chase Bonnie Acres Ranch in Hemet, my dreams.” Calif. Barocio, who had done Barocio grew up in San well with Johnny Podres after Francisco’s Bay Area, venturclaiming him off Alexander, ing south to attend UCLA. inquired about buying LoveHe played football and went sick Blues. to film school there, and he Barocio brings love of family became an actor, director, and and love of horses to his proproducer before his training gram, a successful formula. He career. He still produces and especially likes to work with directs independent films. older horses, to “rejuvenate “I love both careers,” he said. them and get them to believe “I think I’ve found the balance in themselves again.” between these two. It’s busy, Lovesick Blues began his but I can’t think of myself do2025 championship season ing something else.” with a second in the San SimeBarocio’s work with Loveon Stakes (G3T) and a third in Lovesick Blues passes Hejazi to capture the Bing Crosby Stakes sick Blues led not only to a the Sensational Star Stakes beHorse of the Year title, but also fore capturing the listed Siren Lure Stakes, “We taught him to close,” said Barocio the older male and sprinter championhis first lifetime stakes victory. Before the in a major understatement. ships. The Cal-bred, who pushed his total Santa Anita meet ended, Lovesick Blues Five wide, Lovesick Blues swooped earnings past $800,000 in 2025, became ran fourth in the Daytona Stakes (G3T). down on Hejazi “so fast that he looked a world traveler in early 2026, representAll four of those starts for Barocio came like he was tied to a post,” Alexander ing the Golden State in Saudi Arabia and on the turf. But Lovesick Blues had done would recall months later at the CTBA Dubai. much of his best racing for Alexander on awards banquet. Lovesick Blues defeated “Everybody should be lucky enough to the dirt and was equally adept on both sur- Hejazi by 11⁄2 lengths in 1:08.74 for six have a horse like Lovesick Blues,” Alexfaces. Barocio decided to enter his charge furlongs, giving both Barocio and Alexan- ander said after the announcement at the in the $402,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) der their first grade 1 wins. banquet that the gelding had won Horse Barocio could barely contain his enthu- of the Year. on the dirt at Del Mar July 26, especially after conferring with Geovanni Franco, siasm, picking up his wife, Christine, and “Lovesick Blues has made my dreams who had ridden Lovesick Blues in those then—after putting her down—rushing come true,” added Barocio. four starts for Barocio. “I’d only been able to ride him in the LOVESICK BLUES Grey/roan gelding (April 6, 2018) grass races, and he excels well on the Grazen — Queenofhercastle, by Ministers Wild Cat grass,” Franco said. “But as far as working on the main track, he’s always dragging Breeder: Nick Alexander me out there. So I told Librado, ‘Why not Owner: Mia Familia Racing Stable take a chance at the Crosby?’ ” AGE ❙ STARTS ❙ 1ST (SW) ❙ 2ND ❙ 3RD ❙ EARNINGS Barocio and Franco may have been enthusiastic about Lovesick Blues’ chances 2025 7 7 2 (2) 2 (2) 1 (1) $398,000 in the Crosby, but bettors weren’t. They www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Two-Year-Old Male

ALEX EVERS

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Jockey Umberto Rispoli brings Ocean Bear to the winner’s circle after the Golden State Juvenile

OCEAN BEAR BY JACK SHINAR

fter living up to the confidence 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 confident 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. That 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. The 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

over 61⁄2 furlongs in which favored Ocean Bear overcame traffic 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. They edged to the outside of pacesetting Sammy Davis in upper stretch and battled to the wire while pulling away in the final strides for victory by three-quarters of a length. Offered 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 first 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.

OCEAN BEAR

Bay ridgling (March 13, 2023)

Bolt d’Oro — Ocean Dream, by Sqare Eddie Breeder: Richard Barton Enterprises Owner: Richard Barton AGE

2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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STARTS

❙

1ST (SW)

3 (1)

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2ND

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3RD

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EARNINGS

$200,350

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.

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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)

SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT | $4000 Midnight Lute - Smooth as Usual, by Flower Alley

A Leading California Sire, Multiple GSW Five graded stakes wins with an additional 10 graded-placed finishes. son of MALIBU MOON. Earner of $1,813,863 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

STORM THE COURT | $2500

Court Vision – My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run

Champion Two-Year-Old Colt 2019 Grade 1 Stakes Winning Millionaire

ECLIPSE THOROUGHBRED FARM (805) 769-6685

801 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Two-Year-Old Female

MOHAVEN B BY JACK SHINAR

“She was a standout since she was born, definitely 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. The dark bay filly 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 first-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 18

CAROLYN SIMANCIK

ig 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. Mohaven won the Golden State Juvenile Fillies in front of a Breeders’ Cup crowd

even-money favorite in a five-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. Off that effort, 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 field, 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 final race of the year, earning her only stakes victo-

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 first 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. The 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 filly by Yaupon. “We anticipate she will go to market,” Penner said.

MOHAVEN Dark bay/brown filly (March 25, 2023) Yaupon — Bahama Mischief, by Into Mischief Breeder: Richard Barton Enterprises Owner: Legacy Ranch, Inc. AGE

2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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STARTS

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1ST (SW)

2 (1)

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2ND

2 (1)

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EARNINGS

$182,750

Three-Year-Old Male

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Speedy Wilson returned from a long layoff to win the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar

SPEEDY WILSON BY TRACY GANTZ

hen 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 first effort.” 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

Deal Stakes Aug. 1 at Del Mar. Despite the layoff, the colt went off as the 8-5 favorite in the field 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, finished 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). Three of Speedy Wilson’s six rivals came from the powerful Bob Baffert barn, and Speedy Wilson was the only runner to stay in their company. Baffert-trained Goal Oriented and Midland Money finished one-two, and Speedy Wilson closed to finish 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.

SPEEDY WILSON

Bay colt (Feb. 12, 2022) Tough Sunday — Queenofhercastle, by Ministers Wild Cat Breeder/Owner: Nick Alexander AGE

2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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STARTS

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1ST (SW)

2 (1)

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2ND

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1 (1)

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EARNINGS

$174,338

FROM THE GUN RUNNER LEGACY

CORPORAL Gun Runner – Kathballu, by Bluegrass Cat

BRINGING THE FIREPOWER OF A CHAMPION SIRE TO CALIFORNIA

©Coady Photography

• 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.

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.

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. 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

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

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Three-Year-Old Female

OM N JOY BY JACK SHINAR

Their fabulous chestnut filly 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.” The late-running daughter of Om won five of seven starts and banked $385,763 in 2025, earning the recognition as California’s top 3-year-old female. She was also a finalist 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 first horse the Bakers ever owned, the Hard Spun mare, Margie’s Minute. The broodmare also produced Om N Joy’s older half-brother Vodka Vodka, a three-time winner in five starts in 2025 for Ordonez and the Bakers. The 5-yearold son of Stay Thirsty 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. “The best part is to have been able to experience this with 22

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

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 off the pace in the $126,000 Evening Jewel Stakes at 61⁄2 furlongs April 5. 16 miles for her Stretched out to 11⁄16 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 field of six to win by a half-length in a well-timed finish by Desormeaux. Moving to Del Mar for the $152,000

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 fillies, 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. The defeated field included odds-on favorite Tenma that day. “I think that was when I knew she was special,” Baker said. “That was unbelievable.” Om N Joy completed the year with a fourth-place finish 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.

OM N JOY

Chestnut filly (March 24, 2022) Om — Margie’s Minute, by Hard Spun Breeders: Jerry Baker & Connie Baker Owners: Connie S. Baker, Jerry Baker, Michael Golovko, and Terrence J. Scanlan AGE

2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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STARTS

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1ST (SW)

5 (4)

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2ND

❙

3RD

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EARNINGS

$385,763

Older Female

JULIA SEBASTIANELLI/EQUI-PHOTO

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Majestic Oops during her championship season won the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park

MAJESTIC OOPS A BY TRACY GANTZ

t first 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 first Keeneland yearling sale in 2008. They 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 filly before you purchased her?” the Irishman asked. He told them that she was offset as he 24

showed them the filly, 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 filly. “Gary and I looked at each other, wondering what we did,” William Dory said via Steve. When the women finally stopped petting the filly 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. That offset filly went on to win 13 of 35 races for earnings of $181,441, and she has produced a similar iron runner in Majestic Oops. Through her championship season, Majestic Oops had already started 33 times before a 2026 season that could be even better (see page 42).

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. Then she took on even tougher Eastern competition. At Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Majestic Oops faced odds-on favor16-mile race ite Occult. Second early in the 11⁄16 under jockey Isaac Castillo, Majestic Oops took over nearing the quarter pole and drew off 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 finished 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 Distaff (G1) winner Scylla. Majestic Oops closed out her season in top company, with a fourth in the Delaware Handicap (G3) and an unplaced finish when racing wide in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. 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. This 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 OOPS

Bay mare (March 12, 2020)

Majestic Harbor — Miss Oops, by Olmodavor Breeders: William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp Owners: Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable and Sheila Regan AGE

2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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STARTS

❙

1ST (SW)

3 (2)

❙

2ND

3 (2)

❙

3RD

1 (1)

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EARNINGS

$492,775

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Turf

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 Thoroughbreds, 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. The 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 finish sixth. It was only Kings River Knight’s second loss over his final 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 finally putting away his stubborn rival for a 11⁄4-length score. His final 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. The gelding dug in late to prevail by a half-length over the charging Aligato. Kings River Knight was retired shortly after that final 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)

CTBA AWARDS 2025

Kings River Knight closes out his phenomenal career with a win in the California Dreamin’

KINGS RIVER KNIGHT BY JACK SHINAR

he 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. Though 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 final three races over Golden State Series stakes rivals. That 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 Thoroughbred 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 — Seasontoperfection, by Poteen Breeder: Old English Rancho Owners: Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth A. Tevelde AGE

2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

❙

STARTS

❙

1ST (SW)

3 (3)

❙

2ND

❙

3RD

❙

EARNINGS

$206,000

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CTBA AWARDS 2025

Champions List

TWO-YEAR-OLD

THREE-YEAR-OLD

OLDER

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

FEMALE

2025

Ocean Bear

Mohaven

Speedy Wilson

Om N Joy

Lovesick Blues

Majestic Oops

Lovesick Blues

2024

Speedy Wilson

In the Air Tonight

Shady Tiger

Grand Slam Smile

The Chosen Vron

Chismosa

The Chosen Vron

2023

Yo Yo Candy

Grand Slam Smile

One in Vermillion

Ceiling Crusher

The Chosen Vron

Closing Remarks

The Chosen Vron

2022

Giver Not a Taker

Sell the Dream

Slow Down Andy

Fun to Dream

The Chosen Vron

Becca Taylor

Fun to Dream

2021

Finneus

At the Spa

The Chosen Vron

Closing Remarks

Lieutenant Dan

Warren’s Showtime

Lieutenant Dan

Governor Goteven

El Tigre Terrible

Warren’s Showtime

Galilean

Mucho Unusual

Fashionably Fast/ Mucho Unusual Sneaking Out

Mucho Unusual

Cholula Lips

Lieutenant Dan

Mucho Unusual

Acclimate

Spiced Perfection

Acclimate

Spiced Perfection

Take the One O One Spiced Perfection

Fly to Mars

Miss Sunset

Spiced Perfection

Fly to Mars

Spiced Perfection Sircat Sally

Big Fish/ Good With People El Tigre Terrible/ 2019 Phantom Boss 2020

SPRINTER

TURF

HORSE

OF THE YEAR

Kings River Knight Kings River Knight Closing Remarks The Chosen Vron

Lovesick Blues The Chosen Vron The Chosen Vron Fun to Dream

2018

Cruel Intention

Give Me a Hint

2017

Bookies Luck

One Fast Broad

Mr. Hinx

Sircat Sally

Ashleyluvssugar

Skye Diamonds

Richard’s Boy

Ashleyluvssugar

2016

California Diamond

Sircat Sally

Gold Rush Dancer

Enola Gray

California Chrome

Lost Bus

Masochistic

Ashleyluvssugar California Chrome

2015

Smokey Image

Paciﬁc Heat

Gimme Da Lute

Spanish Queen

California Chrome

Warren’s Veneda

Gimme Da Lute

Spanish Queen

Gimme Da Lute

2014

Acceptance

My Fiona

California Chrome

Rovenna

Big Macher

Top Kisser

Big Macher

California Chrome

2013

Tamarando

Swiss Lake Yodeler

Gervinho

2012

Monument

Tilde

2011

Rousing Sermon

Ismene

Burns

2010

Bench Points

California Nectar

Caracortado

Doinghardtimeagain Points Offthebench

Unusual Heatwave Willa B Awesome

Tiz Flirtatious

Points Offthebench Tiz Flirtatious Points Offthebench

Acclamation

Halo Dolly

Amazombie

Acclamation

Teddy’s Promise

Acclamation

Ultra Blend

Amazombie

Acclamation

Evening Jewel

The Usual Q. T.

Unzip Me

Cost of Freedom

The Usual Q. T.

Evening Jewel

2009

Caracortado

Repo

The Usual Q. T.

Excessive Blend

Dancing in Silks

Lethal Heat

Dancing in Silks

Califomia Flag

California Flag/ Dancing in Silks

2008

Babs Moossa

Saucey Evening

Bob Black Jack

Lethal Heat

Cost of Freedom

Nashoba’s Key

Bob Black Jack

Bold Chieftain

Bob Black Jack

2007

Georgie Boy

Spring Awakening

Idiot Proof

Romance Is Diane

Lava Man

Nashoba’s Key

Idiot Proof

Nashoba’s Key

2006

Pirates Deputy

Romance Is Diane

Brother Derek

Bai and Bai

Lava Man

Moscow Burning

Thor’s Echo

Lava Man

Valentine Dancer Moscow Burning

2005

Brother Derek

Sierra Sweetie

Proud Tower Too

Leave Me Alone

Lava Man

Dream of Summer

Bordonaro

2004

Texcess

Memorette

Cozy Guy

Yearly Report

McCann’s Mojave

Moscow Burning

Bear Fan

2003

Don’tsellmeshort

House of Fortune

Excessivepleasure

Valentine Dancer

Joey Franco

Cee’s Elegance

Joey Franco

2002

Icecoldbeeratreds

Humorous Lady

Calkins Road

Super High

Grey Memo

Above Perfection Disturbingthepeace Continental Red

2001

Ofﬁcer

Lady George

Romanceishope

Golden Ballet

Tiznow

Gourmet Girl

Go Go

Native Desert

Tiznow

2000

Proud Tower

Jetin Excess

Tiznow

Cover Gal

General Challenge

Smooth Player

Richter Scale

Smooth Player

Tiznow

1999

Gibson County

Cover Gal

General Challenge

Smooth Player

Budroyale

Enjoy the Moment

Big Jag

Native Desert

Budroyale

1998

Daring General

Controlled

Indian Charlie

Magical Allure

Free House

Fleet Lady

Big Jag

Native Desert

Free House

1997

Ex Marks the Cop

Career Collection

Free House

Fleet Lady

Awesome Daze

Avenue of Gold

Surachai

Gastown

Free House

1996

In Excessive Bull

Starry Ice

Cavonnier

Belle’s Flag

Megan’s Interco

Cat’s Cradle

1995

Cavonnier

Batroyale

Desert Pirate

Cat’s Cradle

Best Pal

Pirate’s Revenge

Ninebanks

Letthebighossroll Megan’s Interco Wild Gold

Work the Crowd

Lava Man Moscow Burning Joey Franco Continental Red

Cavonnier Cat’s Cradle

➧ RECIPIENTS LISTED IN GOLD ARE REPEAT WINNERS

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

TWO-YEAR-OLD

THREE-YEAR-OLD

OLDER

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

FEMALE

TURF

HORSE

OF THE YEAR

1994

Fandarel Dancer

Embroidered

College Town

Work the Crowd

Best Pal

Soviet Problem

1993

Individual Style

Work the Crowd

Denmars Dream

Soviet Problem

Bertrando

Southern Truce

Softshoe Sure Shot

Journalism

Bertrando

1992

Moscow Changes

Incindress

Bertrando

Charm a Gendarme

Best Pal

Bountiful Native

Answer Do

Blaze O’Brien

Best Pal

1991

Bertrando

Don B’s Princess

Best Pal

Teresa Mc

Bruho

Somethingmerry

Letthebighossroll

Somethingmerry

Best Pal

1990

Best Pal

Theresa’s Pleasure

Real Cash

Materco

Flying Continental

Brown Bess

Sensational Star

Cacoethes

Best Pal

1989

Individualist

Dominant Dancer

King Glorious

Kool Arrival

Stylish Winner

Brown Bess

King Glorious

–

Brown Bess

1988

King Glorious

Approved to Fly

Aloha Prospector

Super Avie

Nostalgia’s Star

Brown Bess

Calestoga

–

King Glorious

1987

Purdue King

Variety Baby

Something Lucky Perchance to Dream

Snow Chief

Fran’s Valentine

Zany Tactics

–

Snow Chief

1986

Flying Lieutenant

Saros Brig

Snow Chief

Melair

Super Diamond

Fran’s Valentine

Melair

–

Snow Chief

1985

Snow Chief

Lady Maxine D.

Slew the Dragon

Fran’s Valentine

Barberstown

Capichi

Debonaire Junior

–

Snow Chief

1984

Right Con

Fran’s Valentine

Fali Time

Vagabond Gal

Silveyville

Fancy Wings

Debonaire Junior

–

Silveyville

1983

Fali Time

Boo La Boo/ Bright Orphan

Billy Ball

Fabulous Notion

Prince Spellbound

Avigaition

Expressman

–

Fali Time

1982

Aguila

Fabulous Notion

Prince Spellbound

Avigaition

Silveyville

Frieda Frame/ Past Forgetting

Remember John

–

Prince Spellbound

1981

Racing Is Fun

A Kiss for Luck

Silveyville

Past Forgetting

Eleven Stitches

Princess Karenda

I’m Smokin

–

Eleven Stitches

1980

Bold and Gold

Astrious

Jaklin Klugman

Princess Karenda

Beau’s Eagle

Wishing Well

Beau’s Eagle

1979

The Carpenter

Hazel R.

Golden Act

Variety Queen

Jumping Hill

B. Thoughtful

–

Golden Act

1978

Flying Paster

Tourulla

Capt. Don

B. Thoughtful

Bad ’n Big

Grande Brisa

–

Flying Paster

1977

Chance Dancer

B. Thoughtful

Bad ’n Big

Don’s Music

Crystal Water

Dancing Femme

–

Crystal Water

1976

Fleet Dragoon

Special Warmth

Crystal Water

Any Time Lady

Ancient Title

Just a Kick

–

Crystal Water

1975

Telly’s Pop

Walk in the Sun

Messenger of Song

Our First Delight

Ancient Title

Modus Vivendi

–

Ancient Title

1974

The Bagel Prince

Hot n Nasty

Stardust Mel

Modus Vivendi

Ancient Title

Impressive Style

–

Ancient Title

1973

Century’s Envoy Gentleman’s Sketch

Ancient Title

Sandy Blue/ Windy’s Daughter

Royal Owl

Minstrel Miss

–

Windy’s Daughter

SPRINTER

Jaklin Klugman

➧ RECIPIENTS LISTED IN GOLD ARE REPEAT WINNERS

It Pays To Be CAL-BRED www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

CTBA AWARDS 2025

California-bred Champions

TALENTED RUNNERS ELICIT COLORFUL TALES

HONOREES SHARE FAVORITE MEMORIES OF THEIR HORSES BY TRACY GANTZ PHOTOS BY RON MESAROS

he 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 Thoroughbred 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. The 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 conflict. 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 flight 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 30

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. This horse can see— this horse has already overcome one of the big problems. Thirty 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

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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. “This 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.”

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

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

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

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

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

www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

CTBA AWARDS 2024

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 filly I’ve ever ridden—no question,” McCarron said. “Nobody could come close to that filly. 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 filly 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 final win later on the card in the Affirmed Handicap (G3), but McCarron thanked Harris and Gaines for adding to that final 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. “This filly 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.”

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

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

LOVESICK BLUES

MIKE SMITH

GARY STEVENS

Older male, Sprinter

Mike Smith accepts his Hall of Fame plaque

Gary Stevens’ daughter Maddie accepts Gary Stevens’ Hall of Fame plaque

Barocio and Alexander also receive Lovesick Blues’ divisional awards

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

OCEAN BEAR

MOHAVEN Two-year-old female

Two-year-old male Penner accepts Ocean Bear’s trophy from CTBA Director Lovingier

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

SPEEDY WILSON Three-year-old male

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

MAJESTIC OOPS Older female

KINGS RIVER KNIGHT Turf

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

CTBA Treasurer George Schmitt (second from right) presents Kings River Knight’s awards to Mike Walsh, Linda Barrett, Mimi Hilvers, Judy Johnston, Jonny Hilvers, and Leonard Miranda

www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

HALL OF FAME

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

Class of 2025 CHRIS MCCARRON McCarron left an indelible mark C hris during his quarter of a century riding

KEENELAND PHOTO/COADY MEDIA

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

Chris McCarron piloted national and state champions, his Cal-bred runners including Tiznow, Best Pal, Bertrando, and Free House

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

www.ctba.com

SKIP DICKSTEIN

Tiznow, McCarron, and trainer Jay Robbins are all California Hall of Fame members

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-

April/May 2026

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

ANNE M. EBERHARDT

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 poses with the Santa Anita bronze of his famous mount, Zenyatta

MIKE SMITH

or 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. www.ctba.com

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. April/May 2026

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Hall of Fame 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

Mike Smith celebrates his 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint win aboard Cal-bred Amazombie

“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.”

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etired 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

CHAD B. HARMON

SKIP DICKSTEIN

Gary Stevens rode such Cal-bred champions as Best Pal, Bertrando, and General Challenge

KINETIC/CHURCHILL DOWNS

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

Stevens wins the 1988 Kentucky Derby aboard the filly Winning Colors

Ashleyluvssugar was one of many good Cal-breds Stevens rode

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 www.ctba.com

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 April/May 2026

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CTBA Trainer of the Year

Steve Knapp has had his most successful three-year training career run, in large part due to California-breds

Knapp Blooms Late But Well CALIFORNIA-BREDS ADD TO CONDITIONER’S CAREER

BY JACK SHINAR

ou 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

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

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April/May 2026

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

Max Ciao (left), a Cal-bred Knapp trains and owns with breeder Terry Lovingier and John Moroney, edges Thirsty Rebel in the 2025 I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar

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

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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.” April/May 2026

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Broodmare of the Year

Queenofhercastle DAM OF TWO CHAMPIONS HONORED

BY TRACY GANTZ

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds 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. They raced her successfully in the claiming and allowance ranks through 2016, the filly 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.’ This 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 Love40

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF NICK ALEXANDER

eason 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.

Nick Alexander poses with Broodmare of the Year Queenofhercastle, dam of champions Lovesick Blues and Speedy Wilson

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 Queewww.ctba.com

nofhercastle to Grazen, and in 2021 the mare produced the filly 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.”

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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

Azeri Stakes

MAJESTIC OOPS LOVES OAKLAWN CALIFORNIA-BRED CHAMPION BECOMES MILLIONAIRE BY TRACY GANTZ

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 16 miles, with the $400,000 Azeri at 11⁄16 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 42

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COADY MEDIA/KURTIS COADY PHOTOS

any 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).

California-bred Majestic Oops triumphs in Azeri Stakes over a sloppy Oaklawn track

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 www.ctba.com

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.

Golden State Series—Irish O’Brien Stakes

REUNION GETS SPARKLING RESULTS GRAND SLAM SMILE RUNS WELL FOR JOCKEY WILLIAM ANTONGEORGI III BY TRACY GANTZ

hen 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.

Jockey William Antongeorgi III boots home Grand Slam Smile in Irish O’Brien Stakes

Trainer Sean McCarthy decided to enter Grand Slam Smile in the March 21 Irish Grand Slam Smile to overcome her early were crawling, so I didn’t want to be back O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita following quirks. there pulling on her.” a good work. Though Antongeorgi had Instead, Grand Slam Smile, bet down The McCarthy/Antongeorgi team has missed partnering Grand Slam Smile when also done well with Grand Slam Smile. In to 1-10, took the lead in time to post a she finished third in the Feb. 28 Buena Vis- eight starts for McCarthy, she has won five, quarter-mile fraction of :22.10. She had ta Stakes (G2), he told McCarthy that he with two seconds and one third. Anton- recovered brilliantly and controlled the rest would fly out for the Irish O’Brien. georgi has been aboard for all but the third. of the race, leading throughout to score “He texted me that he’d get into LAX at The Irish O’Brien, conducted down by 21⁄4 lengths over Take Another Card in 8 a.m. and wanted to come to the barn,” Santa Anita’s hillside turf course of about 1:12.91. Prancingthruparis, the 2025 O’Brien McCarthy said. “He always came to the 61⁄2 furlongs, was not without incident. An barn before she ran when he was riding her instant before the other starting-gate stalls winner, finished third, followed by Young opened, Prancingthruparis’ door popped Love and Miss Practical. The stewards here.” When Antongeorgi arrived at McCar- open. All five of the distaffers in the field spent several minutes examining the start thy’s Santa Anita barn, the trainer watched reacted, resulting in a somewhat ragged before declaring Prancingthruparis and Miss Practical non-starters and moving the joyful reunion. As soon as she heard the start. “She broke a little awkward and slow,” Young Love up to third. jockey, Grand Slam Smile rushed to the Antongeorgi said of Grand Slam Smile. In making their decision, the stewards front of her stall, ears pricked. “I don’t usually get emotional, but they “They kind of outbroke us. The first couple ruled that because Prancingthruparis were down there bonding and it was great,” of jumps out of there you could tell they broke through her gate early, she had an unfair advantage over the rest of said McCarthy, choking up at the the field. The stewards also ruled memory. that Miss Practical did not have a Antongeorgi began riding Grand fair start and thus was also declared Slam Smile in 2025, after McCarthy a non-starter. took over her training upon the reNone of that affected Grand tirement of Steve Specht. McCarthy Slam Smile, and the 5-year-old always credits Specht with developdaughter of Smiling Tiger—Royal ing Grand Slam Smile into a mulGrand Slam, by Grand Slam, was tiple stakes winner, a tricky path bewinning her ninth lifetime stakes. cause she was a handful early. Specht She now has 11 wins, six seconds, and Dan Kiser, the farm manager and two thirds for total earnings for owner/breeders Larry and Mar- Trainer Sean McCarthy (right) and Antongeorgi celebrate of $912,120. ianne Williams, patiently handled in the Santa Anita winner’s circle 44

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Golden State Series—Sensational Star Stakes

FLYOVER DEFEATS HEAVY FAVORITE MAN O ROSE BY TRACY GANTZ

en 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.

FLYING ON THE LEAD Flyover uses same front-running tactics to win the Sensational Star as Kings River Knight

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 Mimi Hilvers, daughter of Judy Johnston slower than he is used to doing down the and the late Buddy Johnston and mother hill. I think that made a huge difference beof Old English/Harris Farms farm manager cause he saved his kick for the end.” Jonny Hilvers, recalls the meeting. Flyover had been running against open “He was all by himself in a big stallion company. He won back-to-back allowpaddock,” Mimi said. “We were looking at ance/optional claiming races in November, someone else, and he started showing off followed by unplaced efforts in the Joe because there were people there. He started Hernandez Stakes (G2T) and Clocker’s climbing the fence. I was yelling at him to Corner Stakes. get off of the gate so he wouldn’t get hurt, “The horse was just really enjoying and Ken says, ‘Wow, he’s good looking. I his time out there,” Leyva said. “Today might need to have part of that one.’ ” he really showed up and he ran a really As Mimi told the story, Ken added, good race.” “He’s an alpha male.” Following the Clocker’s Corner, LeonAlpha male Flyover got the better of ard Miranda of Integrity Thoroughbred Man O Rose, a 2-5 favorite ridRacing, bought into Flyover. Also ing a five-race winning streak, in a partner in Kings River Knight, the $100,000 Sensational Star Miranda particularly relished the Stakes March 22 at Santa Aniwin because of the heartbreaking ta. Employing the same type of nose loss Kings River Knight suffront-running tactics that served fered in the 2023 Sensational Star Kings River Knight so well, Flyto The Chosen Vron. over zipped to the early lead over A 5-year-old son of Om, Flyover the downhill turf course of about is out of the Old English homebred 6 1⁄2 furlongs. In Excess mare First Class Flyer. It Man O Rose raced in second, is the same female family as Eclipse and just about everyone in the Award winner Acclamation, the Celebrants include Mimi Hilvers and Judy Johnston of Old grandstand, including most of English Rancho flanking jockey Antonio Fresu, co-owners sire of Kings River Knight. WinFlyover’s connections, expect- Leonard Miranda (left) and Ken Tevelde (right), and assistant ning in Style, Flyover’s third dam, ed the big favorite to catch the trainer Juan Leyva (second from right) is the dam of Acclamation. www.ctba.com

April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Golden State Series—Echo Eddie Stakes

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 Fionello edges Thirsty Rebel by a nose in the Echo Eddie Stakes 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. Steve Knapp, continued to have faith in “We’d been disappointed in things that WELL-BRED 3-YEAR- their late-closing 3-year-old dark bay or happened to this horse in his recent races,” OLD GETS INITIAL brown gelding. Moroney bought Fionel- Knapp said of Fionello. “Two races back lo for $250,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton (a $50,000 optional claiming allowance STAKES VICTORY California fall yearling sale. March 6), he broke very badly and just BY JACK SHINAR “He (Lovingier) wanted to win very missed by a half-length to Tommy Norris.” badly, (Fionello) being out of his very good In his next start two weeks later going ionello, a horse with a powerful mare,” Knapp said. “He was tickled to a mile at the same level, he lacked the late pedigree but with previously lit- death that he won this race. Guess I’m still punch he’d shown in his prior race and fintle to show for it, broke out of a trainer.” ished third, Knapp said. The second-longest shot in the field of six Fionello’s previous best stakes effort a lengthy slump by snatching the sophomores at odds of 18-1, Fionello was came in last September’s I’m Smokin Stakes $125,500 Echo Eddie Stakes at the 1 ⁄ 2 furlongs, when he was a fast-closing off slowly for jockey Antonio Fresu in the at 5 wire April 4 at Santa Anita. 61⁄2-furlong Echo Eddie. He trailed the field fourth behind stablemate Max Ciao and Terry Lovingier’s homebred is by by five or six lengths up the backstretch as Thirsty Rebel. Lovingier’s flagship stallion Stay Thirsty, a Tommy Norris set a pace of :22.05 for the “That was a sign to me that he had the son of Bernardini, out of his multalent,” Knapp said. “Had that tiple stakes-winning Ghostzapbeen a little bit farther, he’d have per mare My Fiona, a California won that race.” champion. The full brother to Fionello, who boosted his earnFinneus, another Lovingier-bred ings to $158,400 with his second champion, Fionello had lost eight win from 10 starts, had continued times in a row since graduating in to train well coming into the Echo his 41⁄2-furlong debut last May at Eddie. Santa Anita. He had been out of “Over the years, one thing you the money in all five of his previlearn as a trainer is to wait for ous stakes attempts. your horse to tell you when he’s But Fionello’s connections, inready,” Knapp said. “I tell you, cluding partners John Moroney Breeder Terry Lovingier (center) and trainer Steve Knapp there’s no way he should have and Sandra Lee Grey and trainer (third from right) celebrate the victory been 20-1!”

FIRST FOR FIONELLO

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

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Golden State Series—Evening Jewel Stakes 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 California-bred champion 2-year-old female Mohaven adds Evening Jewel Stakes at Santa Anita 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 backBY JACK SHINAR a tendency to lay on other horses when rac- stretch, with Donttellmewhattodo and ing in close quarters. Racing on the lead, as Another Zero in pursuit through opening oming off her successful she was in the Evening Jewel, solved that splits of :22.81 and :45.19 for the half-mile. stakes-winning juvenile cam- issue. Mohaven maintained control into the paign in 2025, the connections “Go to the front and improve your po- stretch as Donttellmewhattodo and Anothfor the champion filly Mohaven sition,” he said, echoing the often-used er Zero attempted to cut into the gap. She wanted to try a different approach pre-race instruction. “She finished well and then responded to some left-handed urging galloped out well. We’re very happy with from Jaramillo to win going away. The final for her 3-year-old season. clocking, 1:16.77, was nearly identical to her at this point.” “We wanted to get her to be more Parrella paid $200,000 for Mohaven at the time recorded by Fionello in winning aggressive,” said owner Pete Parrella of the 2024 Fasig-Tipton California fall year- the Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old males Legacy Ranch. ling sale. He credited Legacy farm manager earlier on the card. Donttellmewhattodo Trainer John Sadler changed jockeys, Terry Knight for the filly’s acquisition and held second with Another Zero third. replacing Hector Berrios—who had been breeder Barton Thoroughbreds for having “The ride was great; she had a nice aboard the daughter of Yaupon for all five the foresight to purchase the first-time feeling to her,” said Jaramillo, who won of her prior races—with Emisael Jaramil- broodmare Bahama Mischief, by Into Mis- the Santa Anita winter/spring meet’s lo. Jaramillo’s reputation as a strong jockey title. gate rider in Florida preceded his With the winner’s share of relocation to Southern California $75,000, Mohaven increased her this year. Sadler also added blinkers, purse total to $259,750, well above which Mohaven had first used in her purchase price. Parrella said breaking her maiden last August at they are pointing to the $150,000 Del Mar. Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar July The result was an eye-catching 24 as an immediate goal but would five-length romp for Mohaven in like to run her at least once more— the $126,500 Evening Jewel Stakes possibly at a route distance against for Golden State Series-eligible open company—before then. sophomore fillies April 4 at Santa “We’d like to stick with the CalAnita. bred plan,” he said. “We support Owner Pete Parella (second from right) and trainer John Sadler Parrella noted that Mohaven had (right) join the happy Mohaven group that program.”

CHANGING TACTICS C

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April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

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 exclu-sive of nomination, entry, and starting fees. WHAT ARE OWNERS AWARDS?

A monetary award that is paid to the owner of a registered Californiabred Thoroughbred horse that runs in qualifying races in Califor-nia. 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 bonus 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. 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, mon-etary 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 48

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

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.

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. 2. 3.

No fee for CTBA members, $200.00 for non-members if applied for by Sept. of the foal’s yearling year; No fee for CTBA members. $250.00 for non-members if applied for after Sept. of yearling but before Jan. 1 following; and $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.

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-

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

Earned Purse Before Cal-Bred Bonuses Cal-Bred Bonuses

Cal-Bred Bonus Total for a Cal-Bred

60%

$50,000

$30,000

$9,000

$39,000

20%

$50,000

$10,000

$3,000

$13,000

12%

$50,000

$6,000

$1,800

$7,800

$50,000

$3,000

$900

$3,900

$50,000

$1,000

$300

$1,300

Qualifying Claiming Purse (CTBA only) 5

60%

$50,000

$30,000

$6,000

$36,000

www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

California-Bred Incentive Awards

TOP 20 2025 CALIFORNIA BREEDERS AWARDS RECIPIENTS 1 Richard Barton Enterprises 2 Reddam Racing LLC 3 Terry C. Lovingier 4 Nick Alexander 5 Harris Farms 6 PT Syndicate #1, LLC 7 Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams 8 Jerry Baker & Connie Baker 9 Legacy Ranch, Inc. 10 Thomas W. Bachman

$330,990.42 $324,811.47 $279,063.89 $278,070.53 $174,148.14 $93,322.63 $92,613.89 $79,161.60 $69,861.27 $57,572.54

11 Old English Rancho 12 J. Kirk Robison & Judy Robison 13 Premier Thoroughbreds LLC 14 Four Quarters Corp. 15 Daehling Ranch LLC 16 Donald Valpredo 17 C Punch Ranch, Inc 18 Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, LLC 19 Willow Tree Farm, Inc. 20 George Krikorian

$56,369.76 $43,724.89 $39,259.12 $36,925.84 $34,602.16 $30,437.39 $29,942.50 $29,525.01 $28,341.18 $28,010.47

ALPHABETICAL 2025 CALIFORNIA BREEDERS AWARDS RECIPIENTS 4 Hares Racing.....................................................$2,264.55 Abrams, Bob and Mitch Dutko.........................$4,122.79 Abrams, Bob and Mitch Dutko & Michael Paran.............................................$7,827.32 Adams, Mike........................................................$3,955.49 Alesia, Sharon & Ciaglia Racing.......................$8,185.84 Alexander, Nick...............................................$278,070.53 Allen Farm..........................................................$20,159.25 Allen, Michael D................................................$10,940.33 Allred, Edward...................................................$24,170.30 Alvarez, Edward G............................................$10,085.90 Amescua, Rene & Tony Winckowski...................$985.88 Annuzzi, Mel........................................................$1,088.21 Araujo, Dr. John...................................................$3,316.16 Atwell, Wayne......................................................$5,365.61 B & B Zietz Stables............................................$20,975.29 Bach, Martin.......................................................$11,053.11 Bach, Martin & Daniel Weiner........................$11,233.11 Bachman, Thomas W. .....................................$57,572.54 Bahna, Victor........................................................$2,091.27 Baker, D. Wayne & Packsaddle Road.................$717.01 Baker, Jerry & Connie Baker...........................$79,161.60 Baker, Lynn, Michael & William & Stormy Hull.......$609.46 Bamford, Alice Camille ...................................$29,348.90 Bar C Racing Stables Inc..................................$23,158.13 Barba, Alexis......................................................$20,645.63 Barber, Gary.........................................................$2,464.71 Barclay, Rozamund............................................$13,622.52 Barclay, Rozamund & Rancho San Miguel.........$1,075.51 Baseline Equine......................................................$621.40 Bashor, Dianne....................................................$2,151.02 Bautista, Jose.......................................................$1,105.39 Becker, Barry & Judith Becker...........................$1,792.52 Bederian, Harry, Harout Kamberian & Jack Nakkashian.........................................$2,419.90 Beegle, Ron............................................................$687.13 Benowitz Family Trust, Convergence Stables & Mathilde Powell.........................................$1,882.14 Bernard, Lisa Marie & Duff Shidaker................$1,105.39

BG Stables.........................................................$11,690.20 BG Stables & Hector Palma..............................$3,994.32 BG Stables & Royalty Stables...........................$1,567.72 BG Thoroughbred Farms..................................$1,879.14 BHMFR.................................................................$5,377.55 Black Racing Stable............................................$4,033.16 Brackpool, Keith..................................................$4,481.30 Brackpool, Keith & Alice Bamford...................$1,613.27 Branch, William & Arnold Hill.........................$12,667.12 Brown Jr., Edward J. ..........................................$3,047.28 Bruno, Perry.........................................................$1,434.01 Bruno, Perry & John Gezon..............................$3,632.84 C Punch Ranch..................................................$29,942.50 Campas, Rudy, George Robichaud, Kathaleen Perry, Lisa Leighton & Elizabeth Beattie...........................................$990.37 Capestro, Paula.................................................$25,507.52 Carey, Kevin A......................................................$1,272.69 Carliwood Farms.................................................$9,174.70 Carson, Richard.................................................$16,613.65 Casale, Joseph....................................................$1,020.98 Castrellon, Hector...............................................$4,302.05 Chacon Racing..................................................$12,517.14 Chalky's Breeding Club 1..................................$1,254.76 Chappell Alpine Farm........................................$1,227.87 Checkmate Thoroughbreds............................$21,667.06 Christopherson, Bret..........................................$1,822.39 Ciaglia Racing....................................................$20,980.51 Ciaglia Racing, Katherine Fisher & Dominic Savides........................................$2,240.65 Ciaglia Racing, SAF Racing & Harry Crusberg.........................................$37,865.45 Cicero Farms........................................................$8,200.76 Clark, Tom...............................................................$286.80 Climax Stallions......................................................$591.53 Cohen, Paul & Robert Master...........................$7,199.94 Coito, Johnny & Nicole DePalma, Rick & Joyce Osborne & Lee Treacy..........$2,670.86 Coles, Julian.........................................................$2,927.77 Conlon, Melody & Hector Palma.....................$2,573.16

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

Conway, Mary Ellen ...........................................$4,301.29 Conway, Michael.................................................$1,935.92 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 Daehling Ranch.................................................$41,610.31 D'Amato, Phil.......................................................$5,437.30 Dante, Cedair......................................................$5,377.55 Davis, Bob C...........................................................$464.56 Delaney, Ed........................................................$20,983.81 Delima, Barbara..................................................$1,299.58 DeLima, Clifford, Barbara DeLima & Dennis Patterson.........................................$8,383.01 Devereaux, 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 DP Racing.............................................................$7,128.24 Eagle Ridge Racing............................................$1,569.20 Eagle Ridge Racing & Dr. Stacy Potter............$6,157.30 Eagle Ridge Racing & Rancho San Miguel....$4,516.55 EAS Equine Alliance, Craig Netwig & Debra Barkley................................................$896.26 Easterbrook Livestock Management...............$3,166.78 Eaton, 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........................................................$6,739.87 Fountain Of Youth Breeding...........................$15,585.94 Four Quarters Corp..........................................$36,925.84 Fradkin, John & Diane Fradkin.......................$11,997.92 Freeman, Edward................................................$2,688.78 Freeman, Tanya Rae.........................................$10,674.43 Gallop Out Racing..............................................$1,165.14 Garcia, Antonio...................................................$1,078.50 Gilman Racing........................................................$577.34 Gilman Racing & Nat Rubinfeld.....................$19,807.32 Glen Hill Farm......................................................$7,594.30 Goda, Marie.........................................................$1,673.02 Gonzalez, Roberto, Wright Batlin, Marc Batlin & Kathleen Parnello.................$1,200.99 Gonzalez, Sergio....................................................$291.29 Gourman, Deborah..........................................$11,979.98 Grant, Dr. Lloyd & Joe Stiglich........................$13,336.47 Grasshopper Racing Stable, Jack Fabulich & Jill Fabulich..............................................$20,515.36 Gravina, Stephan & Howard Siegel....................$911.20 Gray, Dr. & Mrs. William T. ..............................$27,515.47 Grayson, Bob W................................................$13,484.22 GRD Two Racing.................................................$3,316.16 H & E Ranch.........................................................$8,400.93 Haagsma, John Ray & Don Hallmark.................$238.26 Hagemann, Paul A..............................................$1,702.90 Halasz, Tom..........................................................$4,248.27 Haley, Gloria............................................................$826.06 Hall, Jason, Mike Riordan, H. Martindale, Sandra Benowitz, et al................................$12,846.37 Halo Farms.........................................................$17,925.17 Hammer, Timothy...............................................$3,973.42 Hansen, Shirley & Mad Hansen Racing...........$1,030.70 Hansen, Shirley, Sandlot Racing & Mad Hansen Racing................................$11,830.61 Hanson's River Ranch.........................................$8,705.67 Hanson's River Ranch & Dennis Yokum..........$1,822.39 Harmon, Robert..................................................$2,286.95 Harmon, Robert & Maximum Security Syndicate.........................................................$1,344.39 Harney, Patrick & Charles Reilly........................$2,467.70 Harralson, Daniel L.................................................$609.46 Harris Farms.....................................................$174,148.14 Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo...................$10,360.75 Harris Farms & Donald Valpredo & Martin Jones...............................................$1,434.01 Harris Farms & Donna Rowe.............................$3,166.78 Harris Farms & Double D Farms......................$8,424.83 Harris Farms Inc, Donald Valpredo & John Nicoletti............................................$8,120.10 Harris Farms& Mike & Jeanne Lepore..........$21,404.44 Hat Trick................................................................$4,489.66 Hawkins, Bo & Audie Hawkins.............................$823.06

Hawkins, Daniel......................................................$234.52 Headley, Bruce....................................................$1,644.63 Headley, Bruce & George Todaro....................$1,165.14 Hedrick, William L. & Andres Hernandez..........$681.90 Hedrick, William L. & Judy Hedrick.................$3,371.87 Hill, Laurie LeAnne ................................................$358.50 Holden, Mark.......................................................$1,075.51 Hronis Racing.......................................................$1,610.28 Hull, Stormy B....................................................$20,257.25 Hunter, Susan.......................................................$2,545.37 Huntertown Farm................................................$6,408.25 HV Bloodstock...................................................$12,786.63 Hylton, Dr. Richard..............................................$2,204.80 Irvin Racing Stable.................................................$681.16 Jacobsen, Wade....................................................$418.25 James, Richard C. & Roberto Gonzalez........$15,305.87 Janavar Thoroughbreds.......................................$358.50 Jensen, Neale......................................................$8,244.09 Jethorse................................................................$6,324.61 Jett, Larry............................................................$12,100.98 Jett, Lawrence T. & Ann L. Jett.........................$6,470.99 Jimenez, Miguel & Cristina Jimenez..................$591.53 JK Racing............................................................$21,077.01 Joseph Lacombe Stables..................................$1,147.21 Kehner Thoroughbreds.....................................$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...................................$433.19 Kirkwood, Al & Saundra Kirkwood.................$13,581.31 KMN Racing.......................................................$15,355.89 Kretz Racing.......................................................$11,179.34 Krieg, Darlyne....................................................$11,860.48 Krikorian, George..............................................$28,010.47 Krikorian, George & Legacy Ranch.....................$597.51 Kruljac, Eric, Tom Lawless & Rebekah Lawless........................................$7,471.06 Kruljac, J. Eric, Bob Fetkin & Dick Thornburgh........................................$6,124.43 Langaard, Mark......................................................$793.93 Lanza, John..........................................................$3,175.74 Lawson, Derek...................................................$10,651.14 Legacy Ranch.....................................................$71,582.08 Level, Christine....................................................$1,195.01 Lewis, Lawrence D..............................................$7,606.25 Liberty Road Stables........................................$25,723.38 Liewald, Bob & Joe Mishak...............................$3,550.53 Liewald, Bob & Lucy Lawrence.........................$1,792.52

Lingenfelter, Carol A. & Jane Lytle...................$7,170.07 Lopez, Napoleon...................................................$259.92 Lovingier, Terry C.............................................$279,063.89 Lyons, Janet K......................................................$3,039.81 Lytle, Jane Ann....................................................$3,298.24 Maciariello, Pat....................................................$3,543.21 Madsen, Linda.....................................................$3,115.99 Madsen, Linda & Joy Seifert.............................$8,747.49 Malley, Matt.............................................................$663.23 Manni, John.........................................................$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.............................................$594.52 Mason, Brett...........................................................$268.88 Matson Racing & Marsha Naify........................$1,434.01 Matson, Eileen...................................................$10,516.10 Mattivi, Albert & Kathleen Mattivi....................$8,777.35 Meah, 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 Mitchell, Robert.................................................$25,364.11 Mo Forza Partners.............................................$10,127.72 Moger Inc & Alan Eriksen..................................$1,613.27 Moger Inc. & Andrew Miller..............................$1,093.44 Moger Inc. & Neary Racing..................................$788.71 Molasky, Andrew.................................................$9,249.39 Moran, Michael...................................................$2,868.03 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.........................................................$290.54 Oak Hill Farm.......................................................$1,738.75 Odbert, Larry.....................................................$13,051.78 O'Farrell, Mike........................................................$322.65 Old English Rancho..........................................$56,369.76

www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

California-Bred Incentive Awards

Old English Rancho & Harris Farms.................$8,263.51 Old English Rancho & Ken Tevelde.................$7,528.57 O'Leary, Francis & Paddy Brogan...................$22,352.69 O'Leary, Timothy Francis ..................................$3,301.22 O'Leary, Timothy Francis & Sean Molloy......$11,260.00 Olivas, Robert & Christine Olivas.....................$1,344.39 O'Neill, Daniel...................................................$10,282.50 Osborne, David W. & Loren Hebel-Osborne....$4,355.82 Owens, Jack & Barbara Owens........................$1,044.14 Pacific Coast Thoroughbreds...........................$4,049.59 Packsaddle Road................................................$3,414.76 Pageler, Connie...................................................$7,376.21 Pais, Alfred A......................................................$18,403.18 Pais, Alfred Sonny & Rainmaker Racing..........$1,762.64 Pais, Alfred, Craig Lewis, James Shenouda & Vahe Melikyan...........................................$4,182.54 Papa Gallo Racing.................................................$147.88 Paradox Stables..................................................$1,344.39 Pasko, Sharon R......................................................$448.13 Pay Me Stables.......................................................$448.13 Pecoraro, Onofrio...............................................$6,560.61 Pescetti, Anthony................................................$1,195.01 Petrosian, Bud........................................................$665.47 Plum, Clifford LeRoy...........................................$1,412.36 Policzer, Milt.......................................................$12,599.91 Preiss, Dan & David Valadez................................$597.51 Premier Thoroughbreds..................................$42,963.66 Premier Thoroughbreds, Klein & Brown.........$1,792.52 PT Syndicate #1.................................................$93,322.63 R3 Racing & Calara Farms.................................$1,042.64 Rainmaker Racing...............................................$9,321.09 Rainmaker Racing, Brett Lewis & Benjamin & Sally Warren............................$14,545.85 Ramirez, Danuario...............................................$1,249.38 Rancho San Miguel.............................................$6,817.54 Rancho San Miguel & Tommy Hutton's Dream Stable....................................................$358.50 Rand, Ron & Courtney Rand.............................$9,668.39 Rauen, John, Linda Molle, Ester Mitchell & Michael Jameson..........................................$358.50 Ray, Dan................................................................$4,471.59 Red Barons Barn.................................................$5,258.05 Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal..........$15,933.69 Reddam Racing...............................................$324,811.47 Reddam Racing & Jamie McCalmont.............$4,122.79 Renella, Jaime R..................................................$8,991.57 Rex Racing............................................................$8,000.61 Richard Barton Enterprises............................$330,990.42

Richard Barton Enterprises & Lo Hi Stable.....$4,122.79 Richard Barton Enterprises & Robert Traynor..........................................$26,934.23 Ridgeley Farm.....................................................$1,933.67 River Oaks Farm..................................................$6,811.56 Robbins, Jim...........................................................$268.88 Robinson, Jacquetta..........................................$2,509.53 Robison, J. Kirk & Judy Robison.....................$43,724.89 Rockingham Ranch...........................................$10,451.12 Rollercoaster Racing Stable..............................$2,868.03 Rondan, Felix..........................................................$373.44 Ross, Scott & Mary Ross....................................$2,023.15 Royalty Stable.........................................................$537.76 Rubinfeld, Nat & Alma Rubinfeld...................$11,071.79 Ruis Racing...........................................................$1,882.14 Ryan, Michael....................................................$17,883.35 Ryan, Mike..........................................................$12,726.89 Salguero, Sergio..................................................$1,782.79 Sanguinetti 1996 Trust...........................................$250.95 Sareen Family Trust................................................$663.23 Sareen Family Trust & John Krupski.................$6,960.94 Sausalito Partners, Jason Hall, and Mike Riordan..........................................$8,024.51 Say Jay Racing.....................................................$6,013.90 Schmitt, George & Mary Clare Schmitt...........$5,852.57 Schmitt, George, Mary Clare Schmitt & Bernie Orsi..................................................$2,445.30 Seamist Racing....................................................$4,499.22 Shenouda, James.............................................$12,517.75 Shenouda, James & Alfred Pais.......................$2,509.52 Shiew, Turner........................................................$4,929.42 Sir Fredericks Stables.........................................$1,081.49 Six-S Racing Stable...........................................$32,683.56 SLO Racing..........................................................$9,268.80 Smith, Leslie M.......................................................$155.35 Stack, Julie Adair & Rancho San Miguel............$156.85 Stein, Larry...............................................................$691.61 Steinmann, Heinz J................................................$321.16 Steinmann, Heinz J. & Mark Molina...................$657.26 Stiglich, Joe & Lloyd Grant...................................$740.90 Straight Fire..........................................................$4,319.96 Swanson, Steve E...................................................$956.01 Tannenbaum, Edward........................................$3,683.62 Tavares, Norman.................................................$5,976.55 Taylor, Brad..............................................................$265.89 Taylor, Domeyko, Moger Inc. & Paul Pimental..............................................$2,151.02 Taylor, Faith.............................................................$412.28

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

Tenbrink, Gene & Frank Ables..........................$7,899.03 Todaro, George...................................................$1,141.83 Tommy Hutton's Dream Stable........................$8,711.64 Tommy Town Thoroughbreds........................$29,525.01 Traynor, Robert....................................................$9,165.76 Traynor, Robert & Lo Hi Racing Stable...............$824.56 Tsujimoto, Stuart...............................................$10,423.47 Turner, Joe...............................................................$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 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

Firs sec race nee

California-Bred Incentive Awards

Sec first sign

TOP 20 2025 CALIFORNIA STALLION AWARDS RECIPIENTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Grazen Sir Prancealot (IRE) Om Stay Thirsty Smiling Tiger Clubhouse Ride I'll Have Another Stanford Curlin to Mischief Pavel

$212,352.87 $120,865.69 $105,914.22 $99,537.24 $94,605.55 $81,423.88 $61,494.53 $59,194.49 $57,625.57 $47,812.74

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Bodexpress Acclamation Danzing Candy Tough Sunday Dads Caps Mr. Big Jersey Town Majestic Harbor Tamarando Vronsky

Sec sub be t

$45,785.58 $33,471.25 $32,387.26 $31,491.08 $23,183.79 $23,030.49 $20,723.45 $18,438.25 $17,591.08 $17,414.65

Sec twic und the

Thir to b pos to 2 Inc. Ran

ALPHABETICAL 2025 CALIFORNIA STALLION AWARDS RECIPIENTS STALLION

RANK

Grazen

Richard's Kid

Acclamation

Halladay

Rousing Sermon

Big Bad Leroybrown

Heat Shield

Shaman Ghost

Bodexpress

Idiot Proof

Sir Prancealot (IRE)

Boisterous

I'll Have Another

Smiling Tiger

Cat Burglar

Jersey Town

Smokem

Circumference (Ire)

Lakerville

Square Eddie

Cistron

Listing

Stanford

Clubhouse Ride

Majestic Harbor

Stay Thirsty

Conquest Farenheit

Mesa Thunder

Straight Fire

Curlin to Mischief

Ministers Wild Cat

Sway Away

Dads Caps

Misremembered

Tamarando

Danzing Candy

Mo Forza

Texas Ryano

Elusive Warning

Mr. Big

Tom's Tribute

Empire Way

Mrazek

Tough Sunday

Far From Over

Northern Causeway

Unionize

Gallant Son

Unusual Heatwave

Gato Del Oro

Passion for Gold

Vronsky

Gervinho

Pavel

Gig Harbor

Point Piper

57 Stallions

www.ctba.com ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

California-Bred Incentive Awards

EARNINGS 2025 CALIFORNIA STALLION AWARDS RECIPIENTS 1 Grazen

Nick Alexander

$212,352.87

2 Sir Prancealot (IRE) Sir Prancealot Syndicate

$120,865.69

31 Cat Burglar

Richard Barton Ent. & Michael Lund Petersen

3 Om

Sareen Family Trust & Harris Farms

$105,914.22

32 Richard's Kid

Mike Adams, Milt Policzer or Nat Rubinfeld $8,115.68

4 Stay Thirsty

Terry C. Lovingier

$99,537.24

33 Smokem

Terry C. Lovingier

$7,546.16

5 Smiling Tiger

Premier Thoroughbreds LLC & Alan Klein $94,605.55

34 Cistron

Harris Farms Inc.

$7,474.97

6 Clubhouse Ride

Six S Racing Stable, Craig Lewis & Todd Lewis

35 Halladay

Halladay Syndicate

$6,264.73

$81,423.88

36 Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor Partnership

$5,766.40

7 I'll Have Another

Reddam Racing LLC

$61,494.53

37 Texas Ryano

Williamson Racing, LLC

$5,695.21

8 Stanford

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds

$59,194.49

38 Northern Causeway Rozamund Barclay

$5,246.72

Daehling Farms LLC

$4,933.48

9 Curlin to Mischief Climax Stallions LLC

$57,625.57

39 Gallant Son

10 Pavel

Reddam Racing LLC

$47,812.74

40 Ministers Wild Cat Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, LLC

$4,342.60

11 Bodexpress

Top Racing LLC, Global Thoroughbreds, LLC, GDS Racing Stable & Platinum Bloodstock LLC

41 Mesa Thunder

Deborah Gourman

$4,271.41

$45,785.58

Straight Fire

Straight Fire LLC

$4,271.41

12 Acclamation

Old English Rancho

$33,471.25

Conquest Farenheit

Hanson's River Ranch

$4,271.41

13 Danzing Candy

Danzing Candy Syndicate

$32,387.26

Passion for Gold

Linda Madsen

$4,271.41

14 Tough Sunday

Nick Alexander

$31,491.08

Mo Forza

Mo Forza Syndicate

$4,271.41

15 Dads Caps

Richard Barton Ent. & Vince Scuderi

$23,183.79

16 Mr. Big

George Krikorian

$23,030.49

46 Boisterous

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds & Gary Barber

$3,915.46

17 Jersey Town

Charles Fipke

$20,723.45

47 Lakerville

Daehling Farms LLC

$3,274.75

18 Majestic Harbor

Gallant Stables

$18,438.25

Misremembered Bob Baffert & George Jacobs

$3,274.75

19 Tamarando

Tree Top Ranch

$17,591.08

Heat Shield

Kristin Mulhall

$3,274.75

20 Vronsky

Old English Rancho

$17,414.65

Shaman Ghost

Adena Springs

$3,274.75

21 Mrazek

Reddam Racing LLC

$16,479.57

51 Rousing Sermon

Hector Castrellon

$2,562.84

22 Listing

Reddam Racing LLC

$12,651.92

52 Square Eddie

Reddam Racing LLC

$2,550.27

23 Unionize

Francis O'Leary

$11,959.95

53 Sway Away

Premier Thoroughbreds LLC

$2,064.51

24 Unusual Heatwave Montecito Stables, LLC

$11,818.99

54 Elusive Warning

Madera Thoroughbreds LLC

$1,637.37

25 Gato Del Oro

JK Racing

$11,034.48

26 Far From Over

Far From Over LLC

$10,525.47

55 Big Bad Leroybrown

Tom D. Wyrick

$1,388.21

27 Tom's Tribute

D P Racing or Ciaglia Racing LLC

$10,037.81

56 Empire Way

Heinz J. Steinmann

$1,281.42

28 Circumference (Ire) Linda Madsen & Joy Seifert

$8,898.77

Gervinho

Keith Brackpool

$1,281.42

29 Point Piper

Willow Tree Farm, Inc.

$8,685.20

30 Idiot Proof

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds

$8,258.06

It Pays To Be

Total =$1,429,380.05

CAL-BRED 54

$8,162.67

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ April/May 2026 ❙ www.ctba.com

$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.

CALIFORNIA’S 2025 HORSE OF THE YEAR

LOVESICK BLUES winner of the Gr1 Bing Crosby Stakes, July 26th

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.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Health

FEEDING THE

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PREGNANT MARE

A mare without a foal at side has different nutritional needs in order to program her to get pregnant

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

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

ares 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 58

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

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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

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

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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

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.”

April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

ANNE M. EBERHARDT

Health

Pregnant mares are often grouped by their nutritional requirements

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

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April/May 2026

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“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

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.

A pregnant mare with a foal must produce milk and provide for her developing fetus

Leading California Sires Lists

2026 LEADING BREEDERS IN CALIFORNIA BY EARNINGS (THRU APRIL 19, 2026) Breeder

Starts

Wins

Stakes Wins

Reddam Racing 154 Richard Barton Enterprises 263 Nick Alexander 109 Terry C. Lovingier 189 Harris Farms 142 William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp 6 Jerry Baker and Connie Baker 5 Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams 47 Tommy Town Thoroughbreds 74 PT Syndicate #1 23 Steve Henry Moger 8 B & B Zietz Stables 3 Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal 2 Thomas W. Bachman 14 BG Stables 42 Linda Madsen 51 Moger Inc. and Neary Racing 8 31 J. Kirk Robison and Judy Robison 34 Premier Thoroughbreds 19 Victory Rose Thoroughbreds 39 Legacy Ranch 24 C-Punch Ranch 8 Rainmaker Racing 11 Rainmaker Racing, Ben and Sally Warren and Bret Lewis 3 My Way Racing 25 Milt Policzer 6 Mo Forza Partners 24 Richard Barton Enterprises and Robert Traynor 7 Willow Tree Farm and G. W. Thomas 23 Liberty Road Stables 8 Turner Shiew 14 Glen Hill Farm Benowitz Family Trust, Convergence Stables and Mathilde Powell 4 DP Racing 18 Rozamund Barclay 37 Larry Odbert 44 Donald Valpredo 16 Packsaddle Road 10 Four Quarters 16 Ciaglia Racing, SAF Racing, Harry Crusberg 6 Daehling Ranch 34 JK Racing 13 Edwin G. Alvarez 5 ESX Racing and Jorge Gutierrez 6 Old English Rancho 20 William L. Hedrick and Judy Hedrick 4 Kretz Racing 15 Carliwood Farms 10 Albert and Kathleen Mattivi 7 Dr. & Mrs. William T. Gray 23 Fountain of Youth Breeding 14 Ruis Racing 13 Mike Adams 4 11 James Shenouda Tiz Molly Partners 4 5 Alice Camille Bamford

19 39 18 31 21 3 2 6 9 8 5 2 2 2 8 8 3 5 7 6 3 2 1 2 1 3 1 5 3 5 5 1 2 3 4 6 3 2 1 1 5 0 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 3 4 1 1 1 2

1 1 0 2 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Leading Earner

Earnings

Pavlovian ($516,250) Express Kid ($108,900) Lovesick Blues ($80,000) Fionello ($100,900) Start the Ride ($106,750) Majestic Oops ($428,250) Vodka Vodka ($306,250) Grand Slam Smile ($159,000) Theresasilverlinin ($55,340) French Moonlight ($70,000) Romantic Ride ($99,400) Man O Rose ($147,000) Runamileinmyshoes ($130,200) Sammy Davis ($51,950) Run With Liberty ($42,000) Memetic ($40,600) Irish Royalty ($97,100) Young Love ($32,306) Third Beer ($49,460) Proof He Rides ($55,380) Christel Clean ($28,000) Prince Dolce ($40,600) Galloping Ghost ($58,400) Special Club ($50,900) Cee Drew ($98,750) Jennys Wine Girl ($43,400) Ventry Strand ($70,000) Going Deep ($43,000) Coach Cronin ($88,200) Scene by Me ($42,500) Distant Fleet ($65,860) Maggles McGee ($42,000) Scatalotadingdong ($89,420) Pure Chaos ($50,400) Clarina ($42,500) Cousin Richie ($29,040) Mayacama ($56,000) Mars Magic ($59,300) Curlin Command ($51,740) O K Rose ($49,400) Grandisimo ($26,500) Donttellmewhattodo ($47,900) Lino’s Angel ($73,300) Shezmisbehaving ($42,500) Flyover ($62,000) Clovisconnection ($69,500) Ryan’s Girl ($39,320) Cecilia Street ($61,750) A Great Shaking ($53,200) Drop Um ($42,576) Youramystyle ($40,637) Talklessworkmore ($40,376) Call Me Sir ($59,500) Quantum Innergy ($30,800) Clubhouse Cutie ($58,600) Apple Pie ($47,320)

www.ctba.com

April/May 2026

$1,371,023 $1,190,720 $858,405 $774,243 $679,396 $436,462 $387,250 $314,580 $210,007 $200,308 $162,761 $147,000 $130,200 $125,706 $124,770 $122,670 $120,240 $119,482 $114,218 $110,355 $109,778 $107,711 $103,700 $99,900 $98,750 $98,530 $96,600 $91,451 $91,024 $90,935 $90,372 $90,071 $89,420 $87,080 $81,625 $81,125 $80,848 $78,100 $77,220 $75,000 $74,265 $73,315 $73,300 $71,500 $71,441 $69,900 $68,575 $65,840 $65,800 $63,736 $63,547 $61,120 $60,000 $59,540 $58,600 $57,520

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Leading California Sires Lists 2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER RUNNER

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON

Races Sire Rnrs Won Earned

Earnings/ Runner

Races Sire Rnrs Strts Won

Earned

1 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause

$745,273

$43,840

1 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

110

275

$1,728,033

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

17 $1,067,380

$17,790

2 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

268

$1,211,511

$15,866

3 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

154

$1,067,380

4 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG) 63

172

$999,548

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

187

$922,055

6 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

189

$787,624

7 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause

$745,273

8 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

151

$697,750

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

165

$629,767

10 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

214

$579,811

11 Om, 2012, by Munnings

106

$576,995

3 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG) 63

$999,548

4 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

110

43 $1,728,033

$15,709

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

$922,055

$13,971

6 Om, 2012, by Munnings

$576,995

$13,418

7 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

$697,750

$12,921

8 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

36 $1,211,511

$12,490

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

$629,767

$12,111

10 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

$204,713

$12,042

11 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

$275,040

$11,958

12 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile 53

143

$540,182

12 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

$224,262

$11,803

13 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor

$483,182

13 Smiling Tiger, 2007-24, by Hold That Tiger

$787,624

$11,415

14 Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat

$281,247

14 Richard’s Kid, 2005, by Lemon Drop Kid

$158,723

$10,582

15 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

$275,040

15 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile 53

$540,182

$10,192

16 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

$232,786

16 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig

$159,500

$9,969

17 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

$224,262

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

$109,310

$9,937

18 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

$205,234

18 Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags

$108,384

$9,853

19 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

$204,713

20 Tough Sunday, 2012, by Grazen

$169,560

21 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig

$159,500

22 Richard’s Kid, 2005, by Lemon Drop Kid

$158,723

23 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat

$152,458

24 Cistron, 2014, by The Factor

$152,451

25 Halladay, 2016, by War Front

$142,292

26 Far From Over, 2012, by Blame

$131,916

27 Tom’s Tribute, 2010, by Lion Heart

$117,968

19 Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark

$106,090

$9,645

20 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

$232,786

$9,311

21 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat

$152,458

$8,470

2026 LEADING TURF SIRES IN CALIFORNIA Sire

Rnrs Strts Wnrs Wins

Earned

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

$624,945

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

$539,691

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

$109,310

3 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

$492,545

29 Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags

$108,384

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

$464,525

30 Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark

$106,090

$105,144

5 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

$334,320

31 Point Piper, 2010, by Giant’s Causeway

6 Om, 2012, by Munnings

$233,735

32 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie

$101,869

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

$198,730

33 Govenor Charlie, 2010, by Midnight Lute

$98,168

8 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

$171,900

34 Graydar, 2009, by Unbridled’s Song

$84,023

35 Tamarando, 2011, by Bertrando

$82,900

36 Northern Causeway, 2008, by Giant’s Causeway 16

$82,825

37 Tap Back, 2017, by Einstein (BRZ)

$82,445

38 Conquest Farenheit, 2014, by Scat Daddy

$80,195

39 Empire Way, 2009, by Empire Maker

$80,151

40 Passion for Gold, 2007, by Medaglia d’Oro

$79,981

41 Bluegrass Cat, 2003, by Storm Cat

$75,915

42 Win the Space, 2012, by Pulpit

$68,745

43 Misremembered, 2006, by Candy Ride (ARG)

$68,278

9 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

$170,925

10 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

$133,855

11 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat

$120,100

12 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

$109,210

13 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

$108,725

14 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause

$95,390

15 Richard’s Kid, 2005, by Lemon Drop Kid

$88,670

16 Tough Sunday, 2012, by Grazen

$86,000

17 Halladay, 2016, by War Front

$82,520

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

$68,268

18 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

$78,055

45 Desert Code, 2004, by E Dubai

$63,036

19 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

$77,640

46 Prospect Park, 2012, by Tapit

$62,627

20 Tom’s Tribute, 2010, by Lion Heart

$68,275

47 Originaire (IRE), 2016, by Zoffany (IRE)

$60,100

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. Earnings are from all available Northern Hemisphere racing and include adjusted money from Japan and Hong Kong. For example, the North American average earnings per starter in 2024 was $31,529 or 86% of the 2024 average earnings per starter in Japan. To put 2025 earnings on par, all Japanese progeny earnings are multiplied by 86% before being credited to a sire’s progeny earnings. For 2025, Hong Kong earnings are adjusted by 17%; Stakes winners and wins follow TJCIS stakes rules. Racing statistics through April 19, 2026.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026 www.ctba.com

Leading California Sires Lists 2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF WINNERS

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MEDIAN EARNINGS PER RUNNER

Races Sire Rnrs Wnrs Won

Races Sire Rnrs Won

Earned

1 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

$275,040 $10,660

1 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

110

43 $1,728,033

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

17 $1,067,380

$8,400

2 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

36 $1,211,511

3 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause

$8,180

3 Smiling Tiger, 2007-24, by Hold That Tiger

$787,624

$999,548

$745,273

Median

Earned

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

$999,548

$7,700

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

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

$109,310

$5,975

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

$922,055

6 Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags

$108,384

$5,920

6 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

$579,811

7 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

$204,713

$5,481

7 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

$697,750

8 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile

$540,182

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

$922,055

$5,405

9 Om, 2012, by Munnings

$576,995

$5,400

9 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

17 $1,067,380

10 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig

$159,500

$5,200

I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley

$629,767

11 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

110

43 $1,728,033

$5,095

Om, 2012, by Munnings

$576,995

$787,624

$5,075

12 Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat

$281,247

12 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

13 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip

$55,975

$5,013

13 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

$275,040

14 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

$697,750

$4,840

14 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

$232,786

15 Ministers Wild Cat, 2000, by Deputy Minister

$55,020

$4,685

Mr. Big, 2003-24, by Dynaformer

$205,234

$281,247

$4,570

Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

$204,713

16 Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat

17 Tamarando, 2011, by Bertrando

$82,900

$3,720

17 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

$224,262

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

$629,767

$3,681

Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags

$108,384

19 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

36 $1,211,511

$3,573

Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark

$106,090

20 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

$224,262

$3,540

21 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

$205,234

$3,300

22 Passion for Gold, 2007, by Medaglia d’Oro

$79,981

$3,265

Races Sire Rnrs Srts Won

Earned

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF RACES WON

2026 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER START Sire Rnrs Srts Earned

1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark 2 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

60 110

3 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG) 63 4 Om, 2012, by Munnings 5 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

43 23

Earnings Start

$6,931

1 Collected, 2013, by City Zip

110

275

$1,728,033

275 $1,728,033

$6,284

2 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

268

$1,211,511

172

$5,811

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

187

$922,055

$5,443

Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

189

$787,624

$5,093

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

172

$999,548

214

$579,811

154 $1,067,380

106 54

$999,548 $576,995 $275,040

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

187

$922,055

$4,931

Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

7 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

151

$697,750

$4,621

Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile

143

$540,182

$4,521

8 Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon

151

$697,750

$4,485

I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley

165

$629,767

106

$576,995

8 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini 9 Curlin to Mischief, 2011, by Curlin

97 19

268 $1,211,511 50

$224,262

10 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

189

$787,624

$4,167

10 Om, 2012, by Munnings

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

165

$629,767

$3,817

Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat

$281,247

154

$1,067,380

12 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile 53

143

$540,182

$3,778

12 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

13 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

$232,786

$3,695

13 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

$205,234

$275,040

14 Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat

$281,247

$3,091

14 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo

15 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

214

$579,811

$2,709

Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

$232,786

$2,700

Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front

$204,713

Misremembered, 2006, by Candy Ride (ARG)

$68,278

18 Richard’s Kid, 2005, by Lemon Drop Kid

$158,723

16 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

$205,234

www.ctba.com April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Leading California Sires Lists

2026 LEADING LIFETIME SIRES IN CALIFORNIA Graded Avg Named 2YO Stakes Stakes Stallion (Foreign Foaled), Year, Sire Crops Size Foals Runners Winners Winners Winners Winners

1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark 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 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini 7 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley 8 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB) 9 Southern Image, 2000, by Halo’s Image 10 Jack Milton, 2010, by War Front 11 Jersey Town, 2006, by Speightstown 12 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat 13 Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark 14 Cyclotron, 2000, by Grand Slam 15 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile 16 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger 17 Graydar, 2009, by Unbridled’s Song 18 James Street, 2007, by El Prado (IRE) Passion for Gold, 2007, by Medaglia d’Oro 20 Desert Code, 2004, by E Dubai 21 Om, 2012, by Munnings Richard’s Kid, 2005, by Lemon Drop Kid Tamarando, 2011, by Bertrando 24 Surf Cat, 2002, by Sir Cat 25 Anthony’s Cross, 2008, by Indian Charlie 26 Bold Chieftain, 2003, by Chief Seattle Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready Stanford, 2012, by Malibu Moon 29 Smokem, 2015, by Union Rags 30 Rousing Sermon, 2009, by Lucky Pulpit 31 Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat 32 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song 33 Merit Man, 2010, by With Distinction 34 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip Tom’s Tribute, 2010, by Lion Heart 36 Govenor Charlie, 2010, by Midnight Lute 37 Many Rivers, 2005, by Storm Cat 38 He Be Fire N Ice, 2008, by Unusual Heat 39 Conquest Farenheit, 2014, by Scat Daddy 40 Jeranimo, 2006, by Congaree 41 Boat Trip, 2009, by Harlan’s Holiday 42 Mo Forza, 2016, by Uncle Mo Texas Ryano, 2011, by Curlin 44 Halladay, 2016, by War Front 45 Northern Causeway, 2008, by Giant’s Causeway 46 Pontiff, 2010, by Giant’s Causeway 47 Dosificado (CHI), 2012, by Scat Daddy

14 17 5 13 9 11 11 9 18 8 11 11 14 16 6 10 10 9 6 14 4 10 7 15 10 12 4 6 5 8 7 6 7 10 8 8 13 9 5 9 8 2 6 2 9 6 5

33 49 71 19 32 71 45 59 20 24 24 23 14 10 43 56 40 7 18 14 43 16 11 11 9 9 50 45 14 9 22 19 8 10 13 10 7 8 13 8 8 50 10 34 17 9 11

461 841 357 251 291 780 492 528 354 194 265 253 193 164 260 561 398 67 107 193 170 155 75 161 92 111 198 271 72 71 156 111 54 102 102 82 96 69 67 71 60 99 58 68 156 51 57

322-70% 697-83% 294-82% 186-74% 210-72% 600-77% 461-94% 402-76% 285-81% 141-73% 190-72% 180-71% 110-57% 113-69% 189-73% 382-68% 300-75% 32-48% 55-51% 150-78% 89-52% 98-63% 54-72% 108-67% 62-67% 79-71% 164-83% 192-71% 45-63% 46-65% 99-63% 71-64% 24-44% 62-61% 72-71% 54-66% 72-75% 47-68% 44-66% 53-75% 39-65% 29-29% 44-76% 25-37% 110-71% 32-63% 25-44%

232-50% 477-57% 192-54% 120-48% 141-48% 415-53% 335-68% 246-47% 203-57% 95-49% 141-53% 109-43% 79-41% 86-52% 131-50% 252-45% 201-51% 14-21% 26-24% 111-58% 49-29% 67-43% 34-45% 69-43% 39-42% 52-47% 94-47% 134-49% 24-33% 28-39% 73-47% 54-49% 11-20% 41-40% 45-44% 29-35% 42-44% 24-35% 24-36% 31-44% 19-32% 8-8% 20-34% 3-4% 66-42% 10-20% 9-16%

40-9% 125-15% 60-17% 27-11% 34-12% 131-17% 82-17% 114-22% 54-15% 19-10% 35-13% 15-6% 20-10% 1-1% 29-11% 55-10% 53-13% 2-3% 6-6% 22-11% 10-6% 10-6% 7-9% 11-7% 5-5% 9-8% 31-16% 39-14% 12-17% 8-11% 23-15% 16-14% 5-9% 4-4% 9-9% 15-18% 9-9% 5-7% 7-10% 5-7% 2-3% 1-1% 4-7% 1-1% 6-4% 2-4% 1-2%

29-6% 38-5% 22-6% 12-5% 7-2% 25-3% 7-1% 17-3% 8-2% 6-3% 8-3% 7-3% 2-1% 3-2% 6-2% 13-2% 7-2% 1-1% 0-0% 4-2% 3-2% 0-0% 4-5% 2-1% 2-2% 1-1% 2-1% 2-1% 1-1% 0-0% 2-1% 1-1% 1-2% 0-0% 1-1% 1-1% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 1-2% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0%

5-1% 6-1% 7-2% 3-1% 3-1% 3-0% 2-0% 6-1% 1-0% 2-1% 3-1% 1-0% 0-0% 1-1% 2-1% 1-0% 1-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 1-1% 0-0% 0-0% 2-1% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0% 0-0%

Progeny Earnings AEI

$31,663,765 $51,368,930 $20,633,797 $14,558,694 $16,682,086 $42,362,707 $59,145,346 $21,059,873 $17,035,832 $9,164,599 $11,774,990 $10,804,201 $6,506,468 $6,843,394 $10,402,681 $23,125,106 $17,202,058 $1,861,442 $1,690,800 $8,384,554 $3,146,205 $5,373,837 $2,995,747 $4,868,096 $2,644,389 $4,502,014 $5,955,659 $9,099,363 $1,607,382 $2,161,466 $4,598,809 $3,195,140 $881,206 $2,493,644 $2,952,385 $1,815,736 $2,616,183 $1,667,519 $1,297,229 $1,828,064 $1,099,203 $373,450 $864,797 $317,785 $2,950,935 $546,273 $206,104

1.33 1.13 1.12 1.10 1.09 1.04 1.03 1.01 0.99 0.95 0.93 0.92 0.89 0.88 0.87 0.86 0.84 0.79 0.79 0.78 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.61 0.60 0.59 0.59 0.58 0.56 0.52 0.50 0.49 0.42 0.40 0.40 0.38 0.35 0.29 0.21

Comp Index

0.99 1.42 1.39 0.89 0.91 1.21 1.04 0.92 1.08 1.04 0.96 1.07 0.86 1.01 1.02 0.94 1.18 0.83 0.84 0.97 1.01 0.82 1.16 1.10 0.90 0.80 1.55 0.83 0.71 1.01 0.78 0.77 0.82 0.75 0.77 0.72 0.76 0.70 0.95 0.81 0.63 0.90 0.95 0.91 0.81 0.55 0.73

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.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026 www.ctba.com

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 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. II. Significant eligibility changes for California-breds.

©Benoit

California Thoroughbred Breeders Association 44 E Foothill Blvd Ste 204, Arcadia, CA 91006 (626) 445-7800 | WWW.CTBA.COM

Stakes & Sales Dates 2026

2026

REGIONAL RACE MEETINGS Santa Anita Park, Arcadia

REGIONAL SALE DATES

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

SEPTEMBER 30 FASIG-TIPTON FALL YEARLINGS & HORSES OF RACING AGE Pomona, Calif.

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

(ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 10)

California-Bred/California-Sired STAKES RACES APRIL – JUNE SATURDAY, APRIL 4

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

SATURDAY, MAY 23

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

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

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

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

$100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes

Three-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares 1 mile (Turf)

$100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes Three-Year-Olds & Up 6 furlongs

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

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

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

www.ctba.com

Stakes & Sales Dates APRIL/MAY

JUNE

MAY

APRIL

2026 AVAILABLE REGIONAL STAKES RACES Date

Track

Stakes (Grade)

Conditions

Distance

Added Value

Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I)

3-y-o

11⁄8 m.

$500,000

Santa Anita Oaks (Gr. II)

3-y-o f.

1 ⁄16 m.

$200,000

Monrovia Stakes (Gr. III)

4-y-o & up, f. & m.

abt. 61⁄2 f. (T)

$100,000 $125,000

Echo Eddie Stakes

3-y-o, Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

6 ⁄2 f.

Evening Jewel Stakes

3-y-o f., Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

61⁄2 f.

John Shear Stakes

3-y-o

abt. 6 ⁄2 f. (T)

$100,000

Providencia Stakes

3-y-o f.

11⁄8 m. (T)

$100,000

American Stakes (Gr. III)

4-y-o & up

1 m. (T)

$100,000

Santa Maria Stakes (Gr. II)

4-y-o & up, f. & m.

11⁄16 m.

$200,000

Royal Heroine Stakes (Gr. III)

4-y-o & up, f. & m.

1 m. (T)

$100,000

Charles Whittingham Stakes (Gr. II)

4-y-o & up

11⁄4 m. (T)

$200,000

Santa Barbara Stakes

4-y-o & up, f. & m.

11⁄2 m. (T)

$100,000

$125,000 1

Senorita Stakes (Gr. III)

3-y-o f.

abt. 6 ⁄2 f. (T)

$100,000

Siren Lure Stakes

4-y-o & up

6 f. (T)

$100,000

Mizdirection Stakes

4-y-o & up, f. & m.

abt. 6 ⁄2 f. (T)

$100,000

Cinema Stakes

3-y-o

11⁄8 m. (T)

$100,000

23 SA

Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank

3-y-o, Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

11⁄8 m. (T)

$125,000

Melair Stakes

3-y-o f., Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

1 ⁄16 m.

$125,000

Fran’s Valentine Stakes

3-y-o & up, f. & m., Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired 1 m. (T)

$100,000

Crystal Water Stakes

3-y-o & up, Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

1 m. (T)

$100,000

Thor’s Echo Stakes

3-y-o & up, Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

6 f.

$100,000

Shoemaker Mile (Gr. I)

3-y-o & up

1 m. (T)

$300,000

Gamely Stakes (Gr. I)

3-y-o & up, f. & m.

11⁄8 m. (T)

$300,000

Hollywood Gold Cup (Gr. II)

3-y-o & up

11⁄4 m.

$200,000

Santa Margarita Stakes (Gr. II)

3-y-o & up, f. & m.

11⁄8 m.

$200,000

Triple Bend Stakes (Gr. III)

3-y-o & up

7 f.

$100,000

Honeymoon Stakes (Gr. III)

3-y-o f.

1 m. (T)

$100,000

Desert Stormer Stakes

3-y-o & up, f. & m.

6 f.

$100,000

Affirmed Stakes

3-y-o

1 ⁄16 m.

$100,000

Possibly Perfect Stakes

3-y-o & up, f. & m.

11⁄4 m. (T)

$100,000

Daytona Stakes (Gr. III)

3-y-o & up

abt. 6 ⁄2 f. (T)

$100,000

Summertime Oaks (Gr. III)

3-y-o f.

11⁄16 m.

$100,000

San Juan Capistrano Stakes (Gr. III)

3-y-o & up

abt. 13⁄4 m. (T)

$100,000

LRC

Bertrando Stakes

3-y-o & up, Cal-Bred/Cal-Sired

1 m.

$100,000

LRC

Los Alamitos Derby

3-y-o

11⁄8 m.

$100,000

www.ctba.com

April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

Classified Advertising Classified Advertising

Cash with order. $1.00 a word. $15 minimum. Deadline 1st of preceding month. Additional charges for bordered ads. Include area and zip codes. California Thoroughbred reserves the right to edit all copy. Cash with order. $1.00 a word. $15 minimum. Deadline 1st of preceding month. Additional charges for bordered ads. Include area and zip codes. California Thoroughbred reserves the right to edit all copy.

BUSINESS CARDS

BREAKING & TRAINING BREAKING & TRAINING

TRAINING R, LLC

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ince 2005 S

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RTATION HERE E US.

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Cell: 805 990-3669 | boarding@thecoleranch.com WWW.THECOLERANCH.COM

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LAW OFFICES CAMINO DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 1330 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 Email: info@horselawyers.com 858-259-7540 LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY BIG BLUE BUILDING 100 West Main Street, Suite 200 Lexington, KY 40507 bing@bushlawoffices.com 800-745-9336 WWW.BUSHLAWOFFICES.COM

CHES FOR SALE

BUSINESS CARDS

INTERNET ADVERTISING AVAILABLE

E IN THE SALE OF HORSE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 45 DAYS WE HAVE SOLD:

-ACRE MARTINEZ RANCH –

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

140,000 – SOLD

RAINING & BOARDING FACILITY

ES RANCH $2,425,000 – SOLD

N APPOINTMENT PLEASE GIVE

ROBIN A CALL:

BIN’S RANCHES

925) 550-2383

FROST@YAHOO.COM

BRE#01039978

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October 2025

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

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April/May 2026 www.ctba.com

BUSINESS CARDS

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

www.ctba.com

April/May 2026

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

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

ADVERTISERS Across The Board Jockey Silks and Racing Attire .......69

Golden State Stakes Schedule....................................IBC

BG Thoroughbred Facility...............................................5

horselawyers.com...........................................................68

CARMA............................................................................10

It Pays To Be Cal bred....................................................55

Cole Ranch......................................................................68

JB’s Embroidery..............................................................69

Cal-Bred Maiden Bonus Program.................................65

Laurel Fowler Insurance Broker Inc...............................69

CTBA Membership.........................................................41

Legacy...........................................................................IFC

CTBA Website................................................................43

Lovacres Ranch.......................................................... OBC

Daehling Ranch...............................................................23

Milky Way.....................................................................9,19

Dehesa.............................................................................21

Newfield Farm.................................................................69

Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm..........................................17

NTRA Discounts..............................................................25

Equineline.com...............................................................27

Rancho San Miguel.........................................................11

Gayle Van Leer Thoroughbred Services.......................69

Robin’s Ranches..............................................................69

STALLIONS Air Force Red....................................................................5

Niagara Falls................................................................. 11

American Theorem ................................................. 9,19

OM.................................................................................IFC

Clubhouse Ride............................................................IFC

Originaire..........................................................................5

Corporal......................................................................... 21

Oscar Nominated.............................................................5

Finneus....................................................................... OBC

Passion For Gold..............................................................9

Forbidden Kingdom.....................................................IFC

Red Run.............................................................................9

Gato Del Oro....................................................................5

Rousing Sermon...............................................................5

Graydar..............................................................................9

Smooth Like Straight......................................................17

Grazen.............................................................................17

Stanford...........................................................................17

Hopkins....................................................................... OBC

Stay Thirsty................................................................. OBC

Jersey Town.................................................................. 23

Storm The Court.............................................................17

King of Jazz.......................................................................5

Tizamagician ....................................................................9

Mo The Beholder..............................................................5

Tough Sunday.................................................................17

Midnight Storm.................................................................9

www.ctba.com

VISIT US AT

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED

April/May 2026

www.ctba.com

2026 GOLDEN STATE SERIES - $3.95 MILLION A RESTRICTED STAKES SCHEDULE FOR REGISTERED CALIFORNIA BRED OR SIRED HORSES DATES

TRACK

STAKES

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 October October October October November November December December

SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA LRC DMR DMR DMR DMR DMR DMR DMR DMR SA SA DMR DMR DMR DMR LRC LRC

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

F/M

Fillies F/M Fillies

F/M Fillies Fillies

Fillies F/M Fillies

F/M Fillies

CONDITIONS

DISTANCE

ADDED VALUE

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

1 1/8 M, Turf 6 1/2 F, Turf 1 1/16 M 6F 1 M, Turf 6F 6 1/2 F, Turf 6 1/2 F, Turf 6 1/2 F 6 1/2 F 1 M, Turf 1 1/8 M, Turf 1 M, Turf 6F 1 1/16 M, Dirt 1 M, Dirt 7 F, Dirt 7 F, Dirt 1 1/16 M, Turf 5 1/2 F, Dirt 5 1/2 F, Dirt 1 M, Turf 6 F, Dirt 6 F, Dirt 6 1/2 F, Turf 6 1/2 F, Turf 7 F, Dirt 7 F, Dirt 7 F, Dirt 7 F, Dirt 1 M, Dirt 1 M, Dirt

$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

“IT PAYS TO BE CAL-BRED!” ADVERTISED SCHEDULE OF RACES AND PURSES SUBJECT TO CHANGE CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

44 E Foothill Blvd Ste 204, Arcadia, CA 91006 (626) 445-7800 • www.CTBA.com

ELITE STALLIONS. PROVEN PEDIGREES. CALIFORNIA ROOTS. 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. 2026 Fee: $4,000

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.

2026 Fee: $5,000

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

HOPKINS Quality Road - Hot Spell, by Salt Lake

STAY THIRSTY Bernardini – Marozia, by Storm Bird 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.

2026 Fee: $8,000

California’s leading active lifetime sire.

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.

Terry Lovingier - Cell (562) 547 9848 or email terry@lovco.com | www.lovacres.com

California Thoroughbred Magazine April May 2026