BARRY ABRAMS
Birthdate: March 4, 1954
Birthplace: Minsk, Russia
Wife: Dyan
Children: Anna Marie and Natalie
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Anoakia (OT)—Golden Doc A (2007)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Lightmyfirebaby (2008)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Lennyfromalibu (2003); Unusual Suspect (2007)
Cascapedia H. (OT)—Airistar (1995)
Crystal Water—Lennyfromalibu (2004); Medzendeekron (2009)
El Encino (GII)—Pretty Unusual (2010)
Irish O’Brien—Lightmyfirebaby (2008)
La Habra—Conectis (GIII-1998)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Lightmyfirebaby (2008)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Golden Doc A (2008)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Lethal Heat (2008)
Valentine Dancer H.—Bel Air Sizzle (2009-dh)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Bay Meadows Derby (BM)—Unusual Suspect (2007)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Spenditallbaby (2008)
Cougar II H. (Dmr)—Unusual Suspect (2009)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Famous Digger (1997)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Spenditallbaby (2007); Lethal Heat (2008)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Golden Doc A (2007)
Harry F. Brubaker (Dmr)—Kachamandi (2002)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Juliesugardaddy (2005)
Hollywood Oaks (GII-Hol)—Lethal Heat (2008)
Hollywood Turf Cup (GI-Hol)—Unusual Suspect (2010)
Hollywood Turf Express H. (GIII-Hol)—Unusual Suspect (2007)
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Famous Digger (GIII-1997)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Burns (2011)
Melair (Hol)—Bel Air Sizzle (2008); Pretty Unusual (2009)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Lethal Heat (2008)
San Clemente H. (GII-Dmr)—Famous Digger (1997)
Silveyville S. (GG)—Unusual Suspect (2008)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—America’s Friend (2008)
Variety Queen (Hol)—Famous Digger (1997)
Highlights
• First winner: Cheyenne Gold at 1993 Del Mar meeting.
• First Grade I win: Famous Digger, a neck winner of 1997 Del Mar Oaks.
• Famous Digger, a $40,000 claim, won five stakes including the Grade I Del Mar
Oaks before being sold in January 1998 for seven figures to Fusao Sekiguchi in
Florida.
• Gained his second Grade I victory in 2008 when Golden Doc A recorded a
one-length win in Santa Anita’s $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes in her first start
after the trainer and partners sold Golden Doc A for an undisclosed sum to Ron
McCauley, of Lexington, Ky. “When you have the best horse in the race, you
don’t worry,” Abrams said after the Unusual Heat filly scored as the 8-5 favorite.
• Unusual Suspect, at 10-1, provided the trainer with his third Grade I win in
December of 2010 when rallying to capture the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup
and exceeding $1 million in earnings while snapping a 16-race losing streak.
barry abrams
• His Lennyfrommalibu set a Santa Anita course record for about 6 1/2 furlongs
on turf, 1:11.13, on Jan. 22, 2004. Lennyfrommalibu the previous year had registered a $52.20 upset in the 2003 California Cup Mile.
• A shrewd claim was accomplished in 2001 when taking Chilean-bred Misanello
for $25,000 at Oak Tree. Misanello subsequently won two of three races and was
honored as top claimer at the Hollywood Park fall meeting.
• Nearly won the 1994 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Oak Tree when Fondly
Remembered came within a half-length of defeating Aube Indienne.
• Assistant to Roger Stein when Southern Truce won the 1993 Santa Margarita
Handicap over two-time champion Paseana and Forty Niner Days took the
$400,000 Golden Gate Handicap in 1991.
Personal
• Spent the early part of 2005 undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments
after learning that he had contracted throat cancer.
• Began career in 1972 as stable hand for a family friend’s standardbred barn at
Hollywood Park while attending business and accounting classes at Cal State
University, Los Angeles.
• Served as assistant to then-leading trainer Don Ratchford in 1974 and 1975.
• Went on his own training standardbreds in 1978 at the Meadowlands. One of his
horses, Gutsy, earned nearly $2 million in 1984.
• Returned to Southern California in 1987 to work for Roger Stein.
• Began training Thoroughbreds on his own in 1993.
• Counts Lennyfrommalibu, Bengal Bay, Fondly Remembered and Slew’s Royal
Son among his favorite trainees.
HUMBERTO ASCANIO
Birthdate: July 12, 1947
Birthplace: Guadalajara, Mexico
Wife: Maureen
Children: Michael, Matthew, Mark,
Bridget, Olga, Humberto
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Win
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (GI)—Fluke (2011)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Proudinsky (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—Fluke (2009)
Matriarch (GI-Hol)—Ventura (2009)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Mast Track (2009)
Thunder Road H. (GIII)­—Fluke (2011)
Highlights
• After taking the reins of Bobby Frankel’s stable following the Hall of Fame trainer’s death due to lymphoma on Nov. 16, 2009, the longtime Frankel aide saddled
a pair of Grade I winners during Hollywood Park’s 2009 fall meeting: Fluke, an
upset winner of the $300,000 Citation Handicap, and favored Ventura in the
$300,000 Matriarch.
• Ventura’s triumph transpired the day after Fluke had registered a 9-1 upset and
marked the end of her career after Frankel had asked Juddmonte Farms to delay
a projected retirement following Ventura’s runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Sprint. “He knew she was going to win this one,” an emotional
Ascanio said of Frankel following the Matriarch. “They wanted to retire her a
winner.”
• The local media named Ascanio the Hollywood Park fall meet’s top trainer after
he gained another major stakes win with Mast Track in the Grade III Native
Diver Handicap. Before the year was up, he added Santa Anita’s Grade II San
Gabriel Handicap, won by Proudinsky, to his list of graded stakes victories.
• Fluke lifted Ascanio out of a 46-race losing streak when victorious in Santa
Anita’s Grade III Thunder Road Handicap in February of 2011 before returning one month later to capture the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile. Fluke’s second
career Grade I victory was achieved when he fought off favored Caracortado to
win the $300,000 event by a head.
• Spent 35 years as an assistant to Frankel. Operated the esteemed trainer’s West
Coast division while Frankel spent several of his later years in New York and after
Frankel returned home to California to battle his illness.
• Netted his first career training victory with Cachuma on March 28, 1985, at
Santa Anita. Also conditioned Caballo de Oro, a winner of his first three starts in
1987.
Personal
• Left Tijuana, Mexico, in 1969 after being advised by his brother-in-law, Jessie
Ortega, that he could earn $245 a month as a groom in Southern California.
Worked for trainers Farrell Jones and Buster Millerick before being hired by
Frankel in 1973.
• Was promoted to barn foreman after working for two years as a groom. Obtained
a license to become an assistant trainer in 1976.
• Son Matthew works as Ascanio’s barn foreman. Another son, Michael, is
employed as an official clocker at Hollywood Park.
HUMBERTO ASCANIO
Steve asmussen
Birthdate: November 18, 1965
Birthplace: Gettysburg, S. Dakota
Wife: Julie
Children: Keith James, Darren Scott
and Eric Mark
Residence: Arlington, Texas
Triple Crown Wins
Preakness (GI-Pim)—Curlin (2007); Rachel Alexandra (2009)
Breeders' Cup Wins
Classic (GI)—Curlin (2007-Mth)
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—My Miss Aurelia (2011-CD)
Turf Sprint (GII)—Regally Ready (2011-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Win
Eddie Logan—Silver Medallion (2010)
Joe Hernandez—Regally Ready (2011)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Regally Ready (2011)
Sham (GIII)—Tapizar (2011)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alfred J. Vanderbilt H. (GI-Sar)—Majesticperfection (2010)
Adirondack (GII-Sar)—My Miss Aurelia (2011)
Amsterdam (GII-Sar)—Bwana Charlie (2004); Santana Strings (2009)
Aristides (GIII-CD)—Riley Tucker (2010)
Assault (LS)—Skip a Smile (2011)
Ballerina (GI-Sar)—Lady Tak (2004)
Barbaro (Del)—Awesome Bet (2011)
Bashford Manor (GII-CD)—Kantharos (2010)
Bay Shore (GIII-Aqu)—J Be K (2008)
Cicada (GIII-Aqu)—Heart Ashley (2009)
Cigar Mile H. (GI-Aqu)—Kodiak Kowboy (2009)
Count Fleet (GIII-OP)—Haynesfield (2009)
Cowdin (GIII-Bel)—He’s Got Grit (2005)
Damon Runyon (Aqu)—Haynesfield (2008)
Delta Mile (DeD)—Z Humor (2010)
Discovery (GIII-Aqu)—Haynesfield (2009)
Distorted Humor (Sar)—Wine Police (2011)
Dubai World Cup (GI-NAS)—Curlin (2008)
Duck Dance (Bel)—Rule by Night (2011)
Dwyer (GII-Bel)—Kensei (2009); Dominus (2011)
Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial H. (RP)—Skip a Smile (2011)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-GG)—Silver Medallion (2011)
Fairgrounds H. (GIII-FG)—Expansion (2011)
Fleur de Lis H. (GII-CD)—Rachel Alexandra (2010)
Frizette (GI-Bel)—My Miss Aurelia (2011)
Futurity (GII-Bel)—Cuvee (2003); Private Vow (2005)
Gallant Bloom (GII-Bel)—Lady Tak (2004)
Garden State (Mth)—Sabercat (2011)
Gold Cup H. (Hou)—Z Humor (2011)
Governor’s Cup (RP)—Skip a Smile (2011)
Grindstone (FG)—Great Mills (2011)
Groovy (Aqu)—Rule by Night (2010)
steve asmussen
Haskell Invitational H. (GI-Mth)—Rachel Alexandra (2009)
Honorable Miss (GII-Sar)—Forest Music (2005)
Indiana Derby (GII-Hoo)—Wilburn (2011)
Iowa Oaks (GIII-PrM)—Hightap (2009)
Jim Dandy (GII-Sar)—Kensei (2009)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI-Bel)—Curlin (2008); Haynesfield (2010)
Kentucky Cup Classic (GII-TP)—Zanjero (2008)
Kentucky Oaks (GI-CD)—Summerly (2005)
Letellier Memorial (FG)—Fastation (2011)
Louisiana Derby (GII-FG)—Pyro (2008)
Mr. Sulu (FG)—Hallway (2010)
Molly Pitcher (GII-Mth)—Luna Vega (2009)
Mother Goose (GI-Bel)—Dreams Galore (1999); Rachel Alexandra (2009)
Nearctic (GI-WO)—Regally Ready (2011)
Pimlico Special (GI-Pim)—Student Council (2008)
Quick Call (Sar)—Great Mills (2011)
Razorback H. (GIII-OP)—It Happened Again (2011)
Red Camellia (FG)—Hisse (2011)
Ricks Memorial (RP)—Pleasantly Blessed (2011)
Riley Allison Futurity (Sun)—City Cool (2011)
Riva Ridge (GII-Bel)—Posse (2003)
Salvator Mile (GIII-Mth)—Kensei (2011)
Sands Point (GIII-Bel)—R Clear Victory (2008)
Sapling (GIII-Mth)—She Digs Me (2011)
Saratoga Special (GII-Sar)—Cuvee (2003); Kodiak Kowboy (2007); Kantharos
(2010)
Schuylerville (GII-Sar)—Jardin (2008); Hot Dixie Chick (2009)
Select (Mth)—Chipshot (2011)
Smarty Jones (Prx)—Wilburn (2011)
Spinaway (GI-Sar)—Hot Dixie Chick (2009)
Stephen Foster (GI-CD)—Curlin (2008)
Suburban H. (GII-Bel)—Haynesfield (2010)
Test (GI-Sar)—Lady Tak (2003)
Texas Mile (GIII-LS)—Thiskyhasnolimit (2011)
Texas Stallion S. (LS)—Miss Lederhosen (2011)
Tiffany Lass (FG)—Wicked Deed (2011)
Twin Spires Turf Sprint (GIII-CD)—Regally Ready (2011)
Veteran (Zia)—Sunday Sunrise (2010)
Vosburgh (GI-Bel)—Kodiak Kowboy (2009)
West Virginia Derby (GII-Mnr)—Soul Warrior (2009)
Wild Rose (PrM)—Remit (2011)
Woodward (GI-Sar)—Curlin (2008); Rachel Alexandra (2009)
Woody Stephens (GII-Bel)—J Be K (2008); Justin Phillip (2011)
Highlights
• First Grade I winner: Dreams Galore, 1999 Mother Goose at Belmont Park.
• Eclipse Award winner: 2008, 2009
• Eclipse Award winners trained: Curlin, 2007, 2008 Horse of the Year, 2008
Older Male; Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Horse of the Year, 2009 3-Year-Old Filly;
Kodiak Kowboy, 2009 Sprinter
• Milestones:
6,000th career winner, Nov. 18, 2011, Basalt at Remington Park;
5,000th career winner, Sept. 11, 2009, Passion Rules at Woodbine Racecourse;
4,000th career winner, Feb. 17, 2008, J J’s Bud at Oaklawn Park.
• On his 46th birthday, Nov. 18, 2011, Asmussen became the youngest and only
the fifth trainer in North American racing history to reach the 6,000-win milestone when Basalt captured the first race at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
The late Dale Baird is the all-time wins leader with 9,445. When Asmussen
reached the 6,000-win plateau, the others were Jack Van Berg at 6,409; King
Leatherbury, 6,331, and Jerry Hollendorfer, 6,057. Baird was the previous youngest, 57, when he reached the 6,000 milestone in 1992. As an illustration of the
frequency of his victories, Asmussen’s 6,000th win was achieved just over two
years and two months after he had reached 5,000.
• Earned his second straight Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding trainer in
2009 while breaking his own single-season high with a record 650 wins from
2,944 starters and earning $21,876,405 in purses as he trained North America’s
Horse of the Year for a third successive year.
• Rachel Alexandra won Horse of the Year esteem in 2009 with a perfect 8-0 season
that included historic triumphs over 3-year-old males in the Preakness Stakes,
Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and against older males in Saratoga’s
Woodward Stakes.
• First Eclipse Award came in 2008 as Curlin won a second successive Horse of the
Year title and Asmussen realized a personal earnings high of $24,082,524 from
618 winners. His earnings topped all North American trainers in both 2008 and
2009. He has led in victories in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004 and 2002.
• After winning the Preakness and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2007 at Monmouth
Park, Curlin returned in 2008 with Grade I triumphs in the Dubai World Cup,
Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park’s Jockey Club
Gold Cup. Victory in the latter elevated Curlin’s earnings over the $10 million
plateau, making him the richest American-based horse of all-time. Curlin was
retired to Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky following a fourth-place finish in the
2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• Rachael Alexandra was turned over to Asmussen following her purchase by his
then main client, Jess Jackson, of Stonestreet Stable, on the heels of a 20-length
victory in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks. Jackson died in April of 2011.
• In addition to the total of five Eclipse Awards achieved by Curlin and Rachael
Alexandra, an Asmussen trainee picked up a sixth in 2009 when Kodiak Kowboy
was named the nation’s top sprinter. Kodiak Kowboy sped to victories in the
Grade I Vosburgh at Belmont and in Aqueduct’s Grade I Cigar Mile Handicap.
• My Miss Aurelia (Juvenile Fillies) and Regally Ready (Turf Sprint) joined Curlin
as Breeders’ Cup champions for Asmussen at Churchill Downs in 2011. My Miss
Aurelia’s three-length victory extended her unbeaten record to four starts and
gained an apparent lock on Eclipse Award voting. Regally Ready’s win was his
sixth of the year in nine starts as a 4-year-old.
• As evidence of the diversity of his far-flung racing operation, Asmussen was
the leading trainer in 2010 at Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds
and Monmouth Park (tie). He had divisions in New York, Chicago, Kentucky,
Texas and Louisiana before expanding to Southern California for Santa Anita’s
2009/2010 meet where his runners won four stakes races. The Southern
California operation is handled by Scott Blasi.
• Scott Blasi: Born Aug. 24, 1973 in Independence, Kansas . . . Decided to leave
Oklahoma State University and join his older brother, Greg, in working for
Asmussen as an exercise rider . . . ”Steve and I clicked right away,” says Blasi, “and
it’s worked out well ever since.” . . . Relinquished role as exercise rider in 2005
to concentrate on supervising daily training, but sill rides stable pony to oversee
duties . . . Blasi was the vast stable’s trainer of record for a six-month period starting July 10, 2006, when Asmussen served a suspension for a medication violation
. . . During that time, he claimed Golden Hare, who went on to win 14 races in
2007 and rank as North America’s winningest horse before being claimed away
in 2008 . . . Saddled Appealing Zophie to victory in Grade I Spinaway Stakes
at Saratoga in 2008 during Asmussen’s absence . . . Has no plans to branch out
on his own: “We’ve had such a good thing going and to be around these kind of
horses is not something I want to walk away from any time soon.”
Personal
• Learned the business from his parents, Keith and Marilyn, both trainers. Helped
his parents walk horses and muck stalls by the time he was 5. Lost part of his
thumb in a childhood accident while holding a horse though a chain link fence.
• Took out his jockey’s license at the age of 16 but outgrew the venture after riding
for three years in New Mexico, California and New York. His brother, Cash, was
a top rider. Cash Asmussen won an Eclipse Award as the nation’s premier apprentice in 1979 before becoming a champion jockey in Europe.
• The Asmussen family operates El Primero Training Center in Laredo, Texas.
steve asmussen
BOB BAFFERT
Birthdate: January 13, 1953
Birthplace: Nogales, Arizona
Wife: Jill
Children: Taylor, Canyon, Forest,
Savannah and Bode
Residence: Arcadia
Triple Crown Wins
Kentucky Derby (GI-CD)—Silver Charm (1997); Real Quiet (1998);
War Emblem (2002)
Preakness (GI-Pim)—Silver Charm (1997); Real Quiet (1998); Point Given
(2001); War Emblem (2002); Lookin At Lucky (2010)
Belmont (GI-Bel)—Point Given (2001)
Breeders' Cup Wins
Juvenile (GI)—Vindication (2002-AP); Midshipman (2008-OT)
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—Silverbulletday (1998-CD); Indian Blessing (2007-Mth)
Juvenile Sprint—Secret Circle (2011-CD)
Sprint (GI)—Thirty Slews (1992-GP); Midnight Lute (2007-Mth; 2008-OT)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Academy Road—Mountain Rage (2002)
Anoakia (OT)—Princess Belle (2000); Crisis of Spirit (2009)
Arcadia H.—Commitisize (1999, 2000)
Baffle—Macias (2010)
Bolsa Chica—Broadway's Top Gun (1991)
California Breeders’ Champion (Colts)—In Excessive Bull (1996);
General Challenge (1999); Gibson County (2000); Da Stoops (2005);
Pirates Deputy (2006)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Charmonnier (1991)
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Century Park (2009)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Ebonair (1991); Cavonnier (1995);
Ex Marks the Cop (1997)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Theresa's Pleasure (1990)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Fun In Excess (1997)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Letthebighossroll (1991); Da Stoops (2006)
California Sires (OT)—Ex Marks the Cop (1997)
California Sires (Fillies) (OT)—Inexcessive Speed (1997)
Cascapedia (OT)—Hookedonthefeelin (2000)
Eddie Logan—Macias (2009)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Gundaghia (1994); High Stakes Player (1997)
El Encino (GII)—Chilukki (2001); Always a Princess (2011)
Goodwood H. (GI)—Silver Charm (GII-1998-OT); Game On Dude (2011-SA)
Hill Rise—Mountain Rage (2001)
Jack Goodman (OT)—Macias (2009); Secret Circle (2011-SA)
Joe Hernandez—Sangaree (2010)
Kalookan Queen H.—Western Hemisphere (2006); Mother Ruth (2011)
La Brea (GI)—Arches of Gold (GII-1992); Magical Allure (1998);
Hookedonthefeelin (1999); Pussycat Doll (2005); Indian Blessing (2008)
La Cañada (GII)—Cat Fighter (2004); Always a Princess (2011)
Lady’s Secret (GI-OT)—Magical Allure (GII-1998); Tough Tiz’s Sis (2007)
La Puente—Mountain Rage (2002)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Behaving Badly (2006); Gilded Gem (2011)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Composure (2003)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Resplendency (2004)
Norfolk (GI-OT)—Souvenir Copy (GII-1997); Flame Thrower (GII-2000);
Kafwain (GII-2002); Roman Ruler (2004); Lookin At Lucky (2009)
bob baffert
Oak Leaf (GI-OT)—Vivid Angel (1997); Excellent Meeting (1998); Chilukki
(1999); Notable Career (2000); Composure (GII-2002); Diamond Omi
(GII-2005); Cry and Catch Me (2007)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—High Stakes Player (1997); Euroears (2011)
Pine Tree Lane (OT)—Shameful (2003); Resplendency (2005)
Potrero Grande H. (GII)—Sir Hutch (1994); Ventana (2010)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—General Challenge (1999); Domestic Dispute (2003);
Pioneerof the Nile (2009)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Congaree (2003); Richard's Kid (2010)
San Felipe (GII)—Prime Timber (1999); Point Given (2001);
Preachinatthebar (2004); Pioneerof the Nile (2009)
San Fernando (GII)—Silver Charm (1998); Air Commander (2008); Indian
Firewater (2011)
San Miguel—Popular (GIII-2002); Too Much Bling (2006); EZ Warrior (2007)
San Pedro—Courageous Act (2004)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Silver Charm (1998); Wooden Phone (2002);
Congaree (2003)
San Rafael (GII)—Rojo Toro (2003); Conveyance (2010)
San Vicente (GII)—Silver Charm (1997); Exploit (1999); Kafwain (2003);
Too Much Bling (2006)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Cavonnier (1996); Indian Charlie (1998);
General Challenge (1999); Pioneerof the Nile (2009); Midnight Interlude
(2011)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—General Challenge (2000); Misremembered (2010);
Game On Dude (2011)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Excellent Meeting (1999); Composure (2003)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Caffe Latte (2000)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Favorite Funtime (2002)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Behaving Badly (2006); Pussycat Doll (2007);
Gabby's Golden Gal (2010)
Santana Mile—Misremembered (2011)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Friendly Michelle (2004); No Bull Baby (2005)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Indian Blessing (2008)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Atlantic Ocean (2003); Century Park (2009); May Day Rose
(2011)
San Vicente (GII)—The Factor (2011)
Sham (GIII)—Wild and Wise (2001); Bob and John (2006)
Strub (GII)—Silver Charm (1998); General Challenge (2000);
Wooden Phone (2001)
Sunshine Millions Dash—Da Stoops (2006)
Sunshine Millions Oaks—Atlantic Ocean (2003)
Thunder Road H.—Senor Swinger (2006)
Tokyo City Cup (GIII)—Classic Cat (GII-1999); Preachinatthebar (2006)
Zany Tactics—Officer (2002)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Acorn (GI-Bel)—Gabby’s Golden Gal (2009)
Adirondack (GII-Sar)—More Happy (2007)
Adoration (Dmr)—Moon de French (2010)
Beverly J. Lewis (Fpx) – Subsidized (2010)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—General Challenge (1989); Point Determined (2006);
Coil (2011)
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Irish Gypsy (2011)
Alabama (GI-Sar)—Silverbulletday (1999)
Alcibiades (GII-Kee)—Silverbulletday (1998)
Alydar (Hol)—Awesome Patriot (2011)
Alysheba (GIII-CD)—First Dude (2011)
Answer Do (Hol)—Gibson County (2001)
Arlington H. (GIII-AP)—Senor Swinger (2004)
Ashland (GI-Kee)—Silverbulletday (1999)
Azeri (GIII-OP)—Freedom Star (2010)
Bangles and Beads (Fpx)—Via Veneto (2010)
Barona Cup (Dmr)—Shake Off (2004)
Bay Shore (GIII-Aqu)—Too Much Bling (2006)
Beaumont (Kee)—Victory USA (2004)
Bel Air H. (GII-Hol)—River Keen (1999)
Belmont BC H. (GII-Bel)—Senor Swinger (2004)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Flame Thrower (GIII-2000); Officer (GIII-2001); Kafwain
(GIII-2002); What a Song (2005); Lookin At Lucky (2009)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Thirty Slews (GIII-1992); Zensational (2009);
Euroears (2011)
Black-Eyed Susan (GII-Pim)—Silverbulletday (1999); Yearly Report (2004)
Blue Grass (GI-Kee)—Sinister Minister (2006)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Favorite Funtime (2002)
California Sprint Championship (BM)—Love That Red (2000)
Carry Back (GII-Crc)—Too Much Bling (2006)
Carter H. (GI-Aqu)—Congaree (2003)
Cat’s Cradle (Hol)—Favorite Funtime (2001)
C.E.R.F. (Dmr)—Fund Raiser (2010)
Champagne (GI-Bel)—Officer (2001)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Sabiango (2004)
Churchill Downs H. (GII-CD)—Criollito (GIII-1996)
Churchill Downs Distaff H. (CD)—Chilukki (2000)
Cigar Mile (GI-Aqu)—El Corredor (2000); Congaree (2002, 2003)
Cinemine (LS)—Bonnie Blue Flag (2010)
Clark H. (GII-CD)—Silver Charm (1998)
Cotillion (GII-Prx)—Plum Pretty (2011)
Count Fleet Sprint H. (GIII-OP)—High Stakes Player (1997)
Crown Royal American Turf (GIII-CD)—Senor Swinger (2003)
CTBA (Dmr)—Dirty Diana (2003)
Delaware Oaks (GII-Del)—Yearly Report (2004)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—El Corredor (2001); Congaree (2002)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Batroyale (1995); Vivid Angel (1997);
Excellent Meeting (1998); Chilukki (1999); Point Ashley (2006)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Anet (1997)
Del Mar Futurity (GI-Dmr)—Silver Charm (GII-1996); Souvenir Copy (GII1997); Worldly Manner (GII-1998); Forest Camp (GII-1999); Flame Thrower
(GII-2000); Officer (GII-2001); Icecoldbeeratreds (GII-2002); Midshipman
(2008); Lookin At Lucky (2009); Drill (2011)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Tout Charmant (1999); Internallyflawless (2009)
Derby Trial (CD)—Record (2006)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—Irish Gypsy (2011)
Discovery H. (GIII-Bel)—During (2003)
Don B. (BM)—Sailinwithcaptain (2002)
Donn H. (GI-GP)—Captain Steve (2001)
Doubledogdare (Kee)—Silverbulletday (2000)
Dubai World Cup (GI-NAS)—Silver Charm (1998); Captain Steve (2001)
Dwyer (GII-Bel)—Forestry (1999); Roman Ruler (2005)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Joe Who (1999)
El Cajon H. (Dmr)—Letthebighossroll (1991); National Saint (1999); Spicy Stuff
(2000); Follow the Rainbow (2005)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-BM)—Cavonnier (1996)
Emerld Downs BC Derby (EmD)—Preachinatthebar (2006)
Fantasy (GI-OP)—Excellent Meeting (1999)
Fifth Season (OP)—Total Bull (2010)
Firecracker BC H. (GII-CD)—Joe Who (GIII-1999)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Western Hemisphere (2004)
Fleur de Lis H. (GII-CD)—Saudi Poetry (GIII-2001)
Forego (GI-Sar)—Midnight Lute (2007)
Frizette (GI-Bel)—Indian Blessing (2007); A Z Warrior (2010)
Gallant Bloom H. (GII-Bel)—Indian Blessing (2008, 2009)
Gazelle H. (GI-Bel)—Silverbulletday (1999)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Mountain Rage (2001)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Ten Churros (2008)
Genuine Risk BC H. (GII-Bel)—Behaving Badly (2006)
Golden Gate Derby (GG)—Danthebluegrassman (2002)
Golden Rod (GIII-CD)—Silverbulletday (1998)
Gold Rush (GG)—Danthebluegrassman (2001); Spensive (2002)
Governor’s Cup H. (Fpx)—Silver Stetson Man (2010)
Goodwood (GI-OT-Hol)—Richard’s Kid (2010)
Graduation (Dmr)—Arabian Light (2000); Officer (2001); Icecoldbeeratreds (2002)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Letthebighossroll (1991); Tough Tiz’s Sis (2008)
bob baffert
Harry Henson H. (Sun) —Freedom Star (2010)
Haskell Invitational (GI-Mth)—Point Given (2001); War Emblem (2002);
Roman Ruler (2005); Lookin At Lucky (2010); Coil (2011)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Tough Tiz’s Sis (2008)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Real Quiet (1997); Captain Steve (1999);
Point Given (2000); Pioneerof the Nile (2008); Lookin At Lucky (2009)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Real Quiet (1999); Congaree (2003); First
Dude (2011)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—What a Song (2005); EZ Warrior
(2006)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Santa Catarina (2003); Tough Tiz’s Sis (2007)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Commitisize (1997); Premier Property (1998);
Massive Drama (2007)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Excellent Meeting (1998); Habibti (2001)
Hollywood Turf Express H. (GIII-Hol)—Gundaghia (1991-1st div.)
Humana Distaff H. (GI-CD)—Pussycat Doll (2006)
I’m Smokin (Dmr)—Stormy Jack (1999)
Indiana Derby (GII-Hoo)—Misremembered (2009); Lookin At Lucky (2010)
Indiana Oaks (GII-Hoo)—Always a Princess (2010)
Instant Racing (OP)—May Day Rose (2011)
Iowa Derby (PrM)—Captain Steve (2000); Concord Point (2010); Prayer for Relief
(2011)
Iowa Distaff (PrM)—Wynning Ride (2010); Freedom Star (2011)
Iroquois (GIII-CD)—Exploit (1998)
Jefferson Cup (GII-CD)—Senor Swinger (GIII-2003)
Jerome H. (GII-Bel)—During (2003)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI-Bel)—River Keen (1999)
John C. Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Tuzla (1999); Caffe Latte (2000)
Kentucky BC (GIII-CD)—Chilukki (1999)
Kentucky Cup Classic (GII-TP)—Semoran (GIII-1997); Silver Charm
(GIII-1998-DH); Captain Steve (2000)
Kentucky Cup Juvenile (GIII-TP)—Point Given (2000); Vindication (2002)
Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies (TP)—Atlantic Ocean (2002); Class Above (2003)
Kentucky Jockey Club (GII-CD)—Captain Steve (2000)
Kentucky Oaks (GI-CD)—Silverbulletday (1999); Plum Pretty (2011)
King’s Bishop (GI-Sar)—Forestry (1999)
Ladbroke Futurity (GG)—Broadway's Top Gun (1990)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Purely Cozzene (2000)
Landaluce (Hol)—Hookedonthefeelin (GII-1998); Notable Career (GIII-2000)
Lane’s End (GII-Kee)—Captain Steve (1999); Arabian Light (2000)
La Troienne (GIII-CD)—Friendly Michelle (2004)
Lone Star Derby (GIII-LS)—Anet (ng-1997); Wanna Runner (ng-2006); Mythical
Power (2009); Game On Dude (2010)
Lone Star Park H. (GIII-LS)—Congaree (2002); Bob and John (2007)
Longacres Mile H. (GIII-EmD)—Isitingood (1996)
Louisiana Derby (GII-FG)—Wimbledon (2004)
Louis R. Rowan (OT-Hol)—Mother Ruth (2010)
Louisville BC H. (GIII-CD)—Saudi Poetry (2001)
Maryland Sprint H. (GIII-Pim)—Ventana (2011)
Melair (Hol)—Yearly Report (2004)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Atlantic Ocean (2002)
Mike Lee (Bel)—Multiplication (2004)
Moccasin (Hol)—Victory U.S.A. (2003)
Monmouth BC Oaks (GIII-Mth)—Silverbulletday (GII-1999)
Nashville (Hol)—Indian Firewater (2010)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—General Challenge (1999)
New Orleans H. (GII-FG)—Isitingood (GIII-1997)
New York Stallion Staten Island (Aqu)—Under Serviced (2008)
Northern Dancer BC (GIII-CD)—Danthebluegrassman (2002)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Stormy Jack (2000-2nd div.)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Argolid (1995); Stormy Jack (2001)
Opening Verse (CD)—Senor Swinger (2004, 2005)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—General Challenge (1999); Richard’s Kid
(2009, 2010)
Pat O’Brien H. (GI-Dmr)—Love That Red (GII-2000); El Corredor (GII-2001);
Zensational (2009); El Brujo (2010); The Factor (2011)
Pepper Oaks Farm (Hol)—Brand Name (2004)
Perryville (GIII-Kee)—Midnight Lute (2006)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Candrea (2011)
Piedra Foundation (Dmr)—Netherland (2002)
Pimlico Special (GI-Pim)—Real Quiet (1999)
Princess (GIII-Hol)—Excellent Meeting (1999)
Prioress (GI-Bel)—Friendly Michelle (2004); Indian Blessing (2008)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Behaving Badly (2005, 2006)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—May Day Rose (2011)
Rebel (GII-OP)—Lookin At Lucky (2010); The Factor (2011)
Remington Park Derby (RP)—Semoran (1996)
Ruffian H. (GI-Bel)—Tough Tiz’s Sis (2008)
Schenectady H. (Bel)—Under Serviced (2008)
Sharp Cat (Hol)—May Day Rose (2010)
Silverbulletday (GIII-FG)—Indian Blessing (2008)
Silver Spur (LS)—Miss Wineshine (1999)
Smile Sprint H. (GII-Crc)—Woke Up Dreamin (2005)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Da Stoops (2006)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Soviet Sojourn (1991); Batroyale (GII-1995);
Silverbulletday (GII-1998); Chilukki (GII-1999); Inspiring (2004)
Stonerside (LS)—Yearly Report (2004)
Stuka (Hol)—Tiz Chrome (2009)
Sunland Park Oaks (Sun)—Gabby’s Golden Gal (2009); Plum Pretty (2011)
Super Derby (GII-LaD)—Prayer for Relief (2011)
Swaps (GII-Hol)—Captain Steve (GI-2000); Congaree (GI-2001); During
(2003); Misremembered (2009)
Test (GI-Sar)—Indian Blessing (2008)
Texas Mile (GIII-LS)—Isitingood (1997); Preachinatthebar (2006); Mythical Power
(2010)
Torrey Pines (Dmr)—Pussycat Doll (2005)
Travers (GI-Sar)—Point Given (2001)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Letthebighossroll (GIII-1996); Zensational (2009);
E Z’s Gentleman (2010)
True North BC H. (GII-Bel)—Woke Up Dreamin (2005)
Tsunami Slew (Hol)—Midnight Interlude (2011)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—Mayor Marv (2009)
USA (LS)—Purely Cozzene (2000); Regiment (2002)
Valid Expectations (LS)—Mother Ruth (2010); Irish Gypsy (2011)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Gundaghia (1992)
Victory Ride (GIII-Sar)—Rapport (2010)
Warren’s Thoroughbreds (Hol)—Excellent News (2010)
West Virginia Derby (GII-Mnr)—Concord Point (2010); Prayer for Relief (2011)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Purely Cozzene (2000)
Windy Sands H. (Dmr)—Wanna Runner (2007)
WinStar Derby (Sun)—Wanna Runner (2006)
WinStar Sunland Park Oaks (Sun)—Tough Tiz’s Sis (2007)
Wood Memorial (GI-Aqu)—Congaree (2001); Bob and John (2006)
Woodward (GI-Bel)—River Keen (1999)
Highlights
• Hall of Fame: Inducted on Aug. 14, 2009, following 13 years as the sport’s most
recognizable horseman in a career that had included three Kentucky Derby victories, four in the Preakness and one in the Belmont Stakes as well as wins in seven
Breeders’ Cup events, a dozen championships and three Eclipse Awards as the
nation’s leading trainer.
• First win: Baron at Flagstaff, Ariz., in 1971.
• First Grade I win: Silverbulletday, 1999 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga by nine
lengths.
• Eclipse Award winners trained: Lookin At Lucky, 2009 2-Year-Old Colt, 2010
3-Year-Old Male; Indian Blessing, 2008 Female Sprinter; Indian Blessing, 2007
2-Year-Old Filly; Midnight Lute, 2007 Sprinter; Vindication, 2002 2-Year-OldColt; War Emblem, 2002 3-Year-Old-Colt; Point Given, 2001 Horse of the Year
and 3-Year-Old Colt; Silver Charm, 1997 3-Year-Old Colt; Real Quiet 1998
3-Year-Old Colt; Silverbulletday, 1998 2-Year-Old Filly; 1999 3-Year-Old Filly;
Chilukki, 1999 2-Year-Old Filly.
bob baffert
• Eclipse Awards: 1997, 1998, 1999.
• Training Titles: Santa Anita: 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2011; Oak Tree: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010; Hollywood Park: 1999 fall,
2001 fall, 2011; Del Mar: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003.
• Former Quarter Horse trainer whose transition to Thoroughbreds was completed
in late 1991 impacted the sport’s Triple Crown races like few trainers before him
between 1997 and 2002, winning an Eclipse Award three successive years during
that span beginning in 1997.
• Fueled by Cavonnier’s nose loss to Grindstone in the 1996 Kentucky Derby,
returned in 1997 to win with Silver Charm before adding the Preakness, took
both those Triple Crown events the following year with Real Quiet and again in
2002 with War Emblem. Meantime, his Point Given took the 2001 Preakness
and Belmont Stakes. The total was eight Triple Crown victories within six years,
and he had become the first trainer in history to win back-to-back runnings of
the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
• For the third time in 2002, won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, this time
with War Emblem. The colt won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 20-1 after
being purchased by The Thoroughbred Corp. on Baffert’s recommendation.
War Emblem’s bid for the Triple Crown failed after stumbling at the start of the
Belmont Stakes and finishing eighth.
• War Emblem’s failure to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed
in 1978 followed narrow losses by Silver Charm and Real Quiet in their similar
ventures. Silver Charm came within a length when overtaken by Touch Gold in
the 1997 Belmont. Real Quiet was nipped by a nose one year later when beaten
by Victory Gallop in his Triple Crown quest in the Belmont Stakes.
• Following a six-year Triple Crown dry spell, gained his fifth Preakness victory
in 2010 when the previous year’s 2-year-old champion Lookin At Lucky triumphed by three-quarters of a length after being denied as the 6-1 favorite in the
Kentucky Derby and finishing sixth. Lookin At Lucky, victorious in the 2009
Hollywood Futurity, went on to add Monmouth Park’s 2010 Haskell Invitational
to his list of Grade I achievements. Lookin At Lucky became the second horse
in as many years to win both the Preakness and Haskell, a feat accomplished one
year previous by Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Baffert took the signature
stakes races at both Santa Anita and Del Mar in 2010 when Misremembered captured the Santa Anita Handicap and Richard’s Kid repeated in Del Mar’s Pacific
Classic. The Santa Anita based trainer ranked third nationally in earnings in
2010. Lookin At Lucky, meanwhile, became the first male horse in more than 30
years to win Eclipse Awards at ages 2 and 3.
• In 2011, Baffert became the only trainer other than H. A. (Jimmy) Jones in
1953 to saddle the winners of Santa Anita’s two marquee races when Game on
Dude posted a 14-1 upset in the Big ’Cap and Midnight Interlude won the Santa
Anita Derby at odds of 13-1. While winning 44 races during the meet, the Hall
of Fame conditioner gained a record ninth Santa Anita training championship.
When Drill connected at 4-1 odds in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity, Baffert
won Del Mar’s $250,000 competition for 2-year-olds for the 10th time in the
event’s last 16 runnings. He picked up his eighth Breeders’ Cup victory when
Secret Circle scored at 2-5 odds in the fledgling 2011 Juvenile Sprint at Churchill
Downs to remain unbeaten in three starts.
• Burst onto the Thoroughbred scene in 1992 while quickly en route to becoming one of the most recognizable figures in racing. Won the 1992 Breeders’
Cup Sprint with Thirty Slews for owner Mike Pegram, who later would race
Real Quiet. Added Breeders’ Cup victories in 1998 when Silverbulletday and
Excellent Meeting ran one-two in the Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs and in
2002 when Vindication took the Juvenile at Arlington Park. Gained his fourth
and fifth Breeders’ Cup triumphs in 2007 with Midnight Lute in the Sprint and
Indian Blessing in the Juvenile Fillies at Monmouth Park.
• Midnight Lute became the first repeat winner in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint during
the 2008 event at Santa Anita while Baffert became the sixth trainer in Breeders’
Cup history to win the same race in consecutive years with the same horse. For
the second successive year, the trainer saddled a pair of Breeders’ Cup winners
with Midshipman victorious in the 2008 Juvenile. Midnight Lute, who would
be retired following his repeat victory, came into the Sprint with only one previous start in 2008, a tenth in Del Mar’s Pat O’Brien Handicap following recovery
from a hock injury. “I’ve never had a horse like him,” Baffert said after his final
victory. “He’s a beast – a massive, beautiful horse. The perfect Thoroughbred.”
• Won his fourth Santa Anita Derby in 2009 with eventual Kentucky Derby
runner-up Pioneerof the Nile following victories in the Robert B. Lewis and
San Felipe Stakes and the 2008 Hollywood Futurity. Unleashed another crack
sprinter in Zensational, a winner of three successive Grade I dashes in 2009 that
included Hollywood Park’s Triple Bend Handicap prior to the Bing Crosby and
Pat O’Brien at Del Mar where the trainer captured 5 of the track’s 9 Grade I
events. Ten years after winning Del Mar’s Pacific Classic with General Challenge
in 1999, saddled Richard’s Kid to a 24-1 upset in the million-dollar event during a 2009 Labor Day weekend in which he won three Grade I races as Lookin
at Lucky took the Del Mar Futurity while Zensational was victorious in the Pat
O’Brien. Lookin at Lucky added Oak Tree’s Grade I Norfolk Stakes to his resume
prior to a troubled head loss to Vale of York in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile while
emerging as a leader on the 2010 Triple Crown trail.
• Gained his third straight national earnings title in 2001 as runners earned
$16,354,996. Point Given won four consecutive $1-million races that year:
Preakness, Belmont, Travers and Haskell Invitational Handicap. Captain Steve
captured the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race that had been won by
Silver Charm in 1998. Silver Charm was retired in June 1999 as the third-highest
North American money earner with $6,944,369. Only Cigar ($9,999,815) and
Skip Away (9,616,360) had earned more.
• Became the first trainer since Jimmy Smith (1946) to saddle the top two finishers
in the Santa Anita Derby, when Indian Charlie and runner-up Real Quiet crossed
the finish line 2 1/4 lengths apart in 1998. For good measure, repeated the feat in
1999 with General Challenge and Prime Timber. Point Given became his fourth
Santa Anita Derby winner in 2001.
• Became first trainer to sweep Del Mar’s five Grade I races - the Eddie Read, Del
Mar Oaks, Del Mar Debutante, Pacific Classic and Ramona Handicap - in 1999.
Pacific Classic winner General Challenge would give trainer his first victory in the
Santa Anita Handicap one year later.
• Real Quiet defeated Budroyale by one-half length to provide first Hollywood
Gold Cup triumph in 1999. Repeated with Congaree in 2003.
• Tied Gary Jones’ all-time record for wins at a Santa Anita meet in 1997-98 when
saddling 47 winners. Won seventh consecutive Santa Anita title in 2002-03 with
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43 wins to become the first trainer since R.H. McDaniel in the 1950s to win as
many as five titles in a row.
Set a record for wins at an Oak Tree meet in 1998 with 21, breaking Mike
Mitchell’s mark, and equaled that number the following year. Doug O’Neill
would exceed the Oak Tree mark by one victory in 2003.
Became first trainer in Santa Anita history to win three stakes on one card on
1991 California Cup program.
His streak of seven consecutive Del Mar training titles came to an end when supplanted by Doug O’Neill in 2004.
Reached plateau of 1,000 training victories at Del Mar on July 21, 2001, when
Stormy Jack won the fourth race.
Became Del Mar’s all-time leading stakes-winning trainer on Aug. 19, 2006,
when Behaving Badly won the Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap for conditioner’s 75th stakes victory at the track, breaking a tie with the late Charlie
Whittingham.
Stable went bi-coastal during the summer of 2007 when trainer sent string to
Saratoga where Midnight Lute took the Grade I Forego Handicap and J Be K, a
2-year-old, broke the course record with a 1:03.13 clocking for 5 1/2 furlongs in
his victorious debut. Pair of victories in the Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park,
including Midnight Lute’s sensational score in the Sprint, gave the stable a huge
lift after several subpar seasons.
Won 60 races and over a half-million dollars with Quarter Horses in 1990.
His best Quarter Horse was Gold Coast Express, 1986 World Champion and
winner of over $700,000.
Won prestigious Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos twice, with Gold
Coast Express (1986) and Shawnee's Favorite (1988).
Awarded 1997 Mr. Fitz Award by the National Turf Writers Association for
exemplifying the spirit of horse racing, as well as the 1998 Big Sport of Turfdom
Award by the Turf Publicists of America for making outstanding contribution to
racing.
bob baffert
Personal
• Credits much of his success to owner Mike Pegram, who convinced him to switch
from Quarter Horses to Thoroughbreds.
• Grew up on family cattle ranch, purchased by parents Bill and Ellie Baffert in
1952, four months before Bob was born.
• Graduate of the University of Arizona's racetrack industry program.
• Began training his father's Quarter Horses at Sonoita and Rillito.
• Moved stable to Los Alamitos during the winter of 1982-83.
• Gave up Quarter Horses the day after Oak Tree’s 1991 California Cup.
• Jim Barnes is chief assistant at Santa Anita.
• Married to the former Jill Moss on Aug. 3, 2002. Wife is a former anchor on a
morning TV show in Louisville, Ky.
RAFAEL BECERRA
Birthdate: July 27, 1954
Birthplace: Jalisco, Mexico
Wife: Aurora
Children: Rafael Jr., Victor, Veronica
Residence: Temple City
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Breeders’ Champion—Uncle Denny (2004)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Crackup (2002)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Special Matter (2002)
Crystal Water H.—Celtic Dreamin (2008)
Daytona H.—Royal Place (2004)
Pro or Con H.—Dancing General (2007)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Kingdom Found (1997)
Santa Lucia H.—Ballado’s Thunder (2007)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—St Averil (2004)
Other Major Stakes Wins
British Columbia BC Derby (GIII-Hst)—Celtic Dreaming (2007)
Derby Trial (Fpx)—First Journey (2000); My Man Murf (2007)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-BM)—Uncle Denny (2005)
Great State Challenge Juvenile (Hou)—Crackup (2002)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Roll Hennessy Roll (2002)
Lakeview Thoroughbred Farms (Hol)—Theresa’s Year (2002)
Lieutenant Governor’s H. (GIII-Hst)—Royal Place (2004)
NTRA Great State Challenge Juvenile (Hou)—Crackup (2002)
Highlights
• First winner: Sky Launch on April 27, 1996 at Hollywood Park.
• First stakes win: was provided by Kingdom Found in Santa Anita’s 1997 running of the Grade II San Pasqual Handicap.
• Banner year in 2004 with stable earnings of over $1.7 million and a Triple
Crown contender in St Averil, winner of Santa Anita’s Grade II Santa Catalina
Stakes, later renamed in memory of Robert B. Lewis.
• St Averil, loser by a nose to Preachinatthebar in the 2004 San Felipe Stakes, was
established as the 2-1 favorite for the Santa Anita Derby, but finished sixth. He
was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on race eve because of persistent foot
problems.
• Sent $40,000 claim Celtic Dreamin to Hastings Race Course in 2007 for a rousing 5 1/2-length victory in the Grade III, $283,780 British Columbia Breeders’
Cup Derby.
• Stakes winners in 2004 included Royal Place in the $103,598 Lieutenant
Governors’ Handicap at Hastings Park and Uncle Denny in Santa Anita’s
$138,625 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes.
• Claimed for $16,000, Kedington earned just shy of $400,000. He finished
second to Kafwain in Santa Anita’s 2002 San Vicente Stakes. A $12,500 claim,
Special Matter won Oak Tree’s Grade III Carleton F. Burke Handicap in 2002.
Personal
• Raised on a cattle ranch in Jalisco, Mexico.
• After coming to California in 1970, walked hots for Bobby Frankel. Worked for
former trainers Farrell Jones and his son, Gary, for a combined span of nearly
three decades. Worked way up from groom to stable foreman to assistant trainer
for Gary Jones. Went on his own when Gary Jones retired on April 22, 1996.
Started with seven of Jones’s horses before expanding with acquisition of nine
from Richard Mulhall, then racing director of The Thoroughbred Corp.
rafael becerra
DAVID BERNSTEIN
Birthdate: January 6, 1940
Birthplace: Downey
Children: Darryl and David
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
La Cañada (GII)—Stalcreek (1994)
Linda Vista BC H. (OT)—Stalcreek (1993)
San Antonio (GII)—The Wicked North (1994)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Truly A Judge (2004)
San Pedro—Houston Sunrise (1995); Regal Rhythm (1996)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Dancing Liz (1976)
Sierra Madre H.—Prince Bobby B (1987)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—The Wicked North (GIII-1993)
Californian (GII-Hol)—The Wicked North (GI-1994)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Truly A Judge (2004)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—The Wicked North (GI-1994)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Grey Gauntlet (1985-1st div.); Prince Bobby B (1986)
San Francisco Mile (GII-GG)—The Wicked North (GIII-1993)
Sandy Blue H. (Dmr)—Stalcreek (1993)
Tiznow (Hol)—Unfurl the Flag (2005)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Unfurl the Flag (2005)
Highlights
• First winner: Teri Sue at Golden Gate Fields, February, 1985.
• Eclipse Award winner trained: The Wicked North, 1994 Older Horse.
• Involved in one of the most controversial Santa Anita Handicaps in history when
his The Wicked North crossed the finish line first in the 1994 Big ’Cap, only
to be disqualified and placed fourth for interference. Stuka, who finished 1 1/2
lengths behind The Wicked North, was awarded the win amidst considerable
controversy.
• The Wicked North nonetheless gained national honors as the year’s leading older
horse on the strength of victories in the San Antonio Handicap, Oaklawn Park
Handicap and The Californian. The latter two races were Grade I events with the
San Antonio a Grade II.
• Earned a Grade I win in 2005 when California-bred sprinter Unfurl the Flag
captured his first graded race when victorious in Hollywood Park’s Triple Bend
Handicap. It was the 5-year-old gelding’s fourth win in five starts at Hollywood
Park and followed a two-length victory in the statebred Tiznow Stakes.
• In 2004, Unfurl the Flag had equaled the Santa Anita track record for seven furlongs while winning an allowance/optional claiming event. The time of 1:20.11
tied the mark set by Spectacular Bid in the 1980 Malibu Stakes (1:20, prior to
timing in hundredths of a second). “Of course, I was surprised,” the trainer said
afterward. “Any time your horse equals a record by Spectacular Bid, you have to
be stunned.”
• Truly a Judge extended a winning streak to three when taking Santa Anita’s San
Gabriel Handicap on Jan. 1, 2004 as the 3-5 favorite after the race was moved
from the turf to the main track following heavy rain. The trainer’s $20,000 claim
previously had won the Native Diver Handicap, also a Grade III, at Hollywood
Park.
david bernstein
Personal
• Purchased first Thoroughbred in 1959.
• Primarily a breeder and seller until becoming an active trainer in 1972 with El
Guillo.
• Introduced to the racetrack by his grandparents.
• Alumnus of Downey High School and Cal Poly Pomona.
• A son, Bobby Bernstein, died on July 10, 2006 at age 27 of congestive heart
failure. Trainer named a colt, Prince Bobby B., after the son who had been born
with the severe heart condition and who also suffered from cerebral palsy. Prince
Bobby B. won six of 29 starts and earned $289,930 between 1985 and ’88.
Stakes victories included Santa Anita’s 1987 Sierra Madre Handicap and the 1986
Oceanside at Del Mar.
PATRICK BIANCONE
Birthdate: June 7, 1952
Birthplace, Mont de Marsan, France
Wife: Elaine
Children: Marie, Julie, Andie and Joseph
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Blue Norther—Mambo Slew (2004)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Silver Cup (2006)
San Fernando (GII)—Nownownow (2009)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Silver Cup (2006)
San Rafael (GII)—Spanish Chestnut (2005)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Silver Cup (2006)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Baroness Thatcher (2007)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Stream Cat (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alfred G. Vanderbilt (GII-Sar)—Pomeroy (2005)
Amsterdam (GII-Sar)—Zavata (2003)
Arlington H. (GIII-AP)—Cosmonaut (2006, 2007)
Kentucky Cup Classic (GII-TP)- Ball Four (2006)
Ashley T. Cole (Bel)—Provincetown (2004)
Battlefield (Mth)—Sayif (2011)
Beverly D (GI-AP)—Angara (2005); Gorella (2006)
Bewitch (GIII-Kee)—Angara (2005)
Boyd Gaming’s Delta Princess (DeD)—Salty Romance (2003)
Cashcall Mile (GII-Hol)—Lady of Venice (2007)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Grande Melody (2006)
De La Rose (Sar)—Asi Siempre (2006)
Doubledogdare (GIII-Kee)—Asi Siempre (2007)
Dowager (Kee)—Louve Royale (2006)
First Lady (GII-Kee)—Gorella (2006)
Flash (GIII-Bel)—Whywhywhy (2002)
Futurity (GII-Bel)—Whywhywhy (GI-2002)
Gilded Times (Mth)—Garibaldi (2006)
Golden Gate Fields H. (GIII-GG)—Cosmonaut (2006)
Gotham (GIII-Aqu)—Mayakovsky (2002)
Haskell Invitational H. (GI-Mth)—Lion Heart (2004)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Lion Heart (2003)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Lion Heart (2003); Belgravia (2006)
Jersey Shore BC (GIII-Mth)—Pomeroy (2004)
Just a Game H. (GII-Bel)—Gorella (2006)
Kentucky Cup Distaff (TP)—Danzon (2007)
Kentucky Cup Juvenile (GIII-TP)—Stream Cat (2005)
King’s Bishop (GI-Sar)—Pomeroy (2004)
Locust Grove H. (GIII-CD)—Mauralakana (2007)
Long Branch BC (GIII-Mth)—Lion Heart (2004)
Man o’ War (GI-Bel)—Magistretti (2004)
Matron (GI-Bel)—Sense of Style (2004)
Meche (Crc)—Henny Hughes (2005)
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Ball Four (2009)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Mambo Slew (2003)
Ouija Board Distaff H. (GIII-LS)—Lady of Venice (2007)
Regret (GIII-CD)—Lady of Venice (2006); Good Mood (2007)
Risen Star (GIII-FG)—Scipion (2005)
Sands Point (GIII-Bel)—Mambo Slew (2004)
patrick biancone
Sanford (GII-Sar)—Whywhywhy (2002)
Saratoga Special (GII-Sar)—Zavata (2002); Henny Hughes (2005)
Spinaway (GI-Sar)—Sense of Style (GII-2004); Irish Smoke (2007)
Spinster (GI-Kee)—Asi Siempre (2006)
Tremont (Bel)—Zavata (2002); Henny Hughes (2005)
Turf Classic (Bel)—All Along (1983)
USA (LS)—Streaming Cat (2006)
Valley View (GII-Kee)—Asi Siempre (2005)
Victory Ride (GIII-Sar)—La Traviata (2007)
Washington D.C. International (GI-Lau)—All Along (1983)
With Anticipation (Sar)—Stream Cat (2005)
Highlights
• Eclipse Award winner trained: All Along, 1983 Horse of the Year and Top
Female Turf Horse.
• After realizing top earnings year in the United States in 2006 when horses
banked over $5.3 million as Grade I winners included Gorella (Beverly D) and
Asi Siempre (Spinster), French-born trainer was hit with one-year suspension
by Kentucky stewards in 2007 for a Class A medications violation. Reached a
settlement with the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority on Oct. 17 that barred
him from training horses for six months and prevented him from applying for a
trainer’s license for an additional six months.
• Assistant Francois Parisel became the trainer of Nownownow, who rallied from
last at the quarter pole to win the inaugural running of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Turf on Oct. 26 at Monmouth Park. Other horses that had been in Biancone’s
care were transferred to other trainers including Jenine Sahadi on the West Coast,
who received a dozen of the runners.
• Trained leading 2004 Triple Crown candidate Lion Heart, winner of the Haskell
Invitational Handicap and runner-up to Smarty Jones in the Kentucky Derby.
As a 2-year-old, Lion Heart won both the Hollywood Prevue and Hollywood
Futurity at Hollywood Park.
• Victorious in graded stakes races just 20 minutes apart in 2005 when Pomeroy
took Saratoga’s Grade II A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap just prior to Angara’s win in
the Grade I Beverly D at Arlington Park.
• Won France’s historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1983 with All Along and
repeated in 1984 with Sagace. Also saddled a pair of French Derby winners,
Bikala in 1981 and Hours After in 1988. Bikala’s French Derby win occurred on
his 29th birthday.
• All Along was sent to North America following her Arc victory. She won Belmont
Park’s Turf Classic and the Washington D.C. International at Laurel to become
1983 Horse of the Year as well as top female turf horse in the United States.
• Other top horses trained include Strawberry Road, runner-up in the 1985
Breeders’ Cup Turf, and Palace Music, the sire of Cigar. Also, Magistretti, winner
of the Grade I Man o’ War in 2004; Mayakovsky, who set a track record for 5 1/2
furlongs at Saratoga in his first career start, and Whywhywhy and Zavata, who
combined to win five stakes races in New York in 2002.
Personal
• Third generation horseman is the grandson of France’s 1940s leading jockey
Joseph Biancone and son of former jockey turned trainer Pierre Biancone.
Followed his father’s footsteps and became 1973 Amateur Champion rider on the
flat and jumps before turning to training.
• Left France for Hong Kong during the 1990s and twice captured the Hong Kong
Derby in the Far East. Left Hong Kong in 1999 when license was suspended for
10 months after three of his horses tested positive for banned substances. The
drugs were what American racing deems “Class 3,” so the suspension was waived
in the United States.
• Worked as an adviser for Stronach Stables upon his arrival in North America and
before successfully branching out with his own stable.
• Established his Southern California stable during the 2000-01 meeting at Santa
Anita.
jeff bonde
Birthdate: October 30, 1954
Birthplace: Pleasanton
Children: Max, Duke III, Tucker,
Brooks and Vikki
Residence: Pleasanton
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Breeders’ Champion Fillies—Sierra Sweetie (2005)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Sierra Sunset (2007)
China Doll—Cambina (2011)
La Habra—Cambina (2011)
Providencia H. (GII)—Cambina (2011)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Smiling Tiger (2011)
Other Major Stakes Wins
American Oaks (GI-Hol)—Cambina (DH-2011)
Ancient Title (GI-OT-Hol)—Smiling Tiger (2010)
Astoria (Bel)—Mike’s Wildcat (2002)
Bachelor (OP)—Road Ready (2011)
Bay Meadows Derby (BM)—Mr. Technique (2003)
Bay Meadows Juvenile (BM)—Sierra Sunset (2007)
Bing Crosby (GI-Dmr)—Smiling Tiger (2010)
California BC Oaks (GG)—Sierra Sweetie (2006)
California Derby (BM)—Red Sky’s (1999)
California Sprint Championship (BM)—Green Team (2004)
Cinderella (Hol)—Bent Creek (1997), Western Woman (1998)
Count Fleet (GIII-OP)—Smiling Tiger (2011)
CTBA (Dmr)—Sterling Cat (2004), Devons Smokin (2005)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Sierra Sweetie (2005)
Golden Gate Derby (GIII-GG)—Epic Honor (1999), Standard Setter (2003)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Excessive Passion (2010)
Hillsborough H. (GIII-BM)—We Are Strike Ng (1998)
Hollywood Turf Express (GIII-Hol)—Mr. Doubledown (1999)
I’m Smokin—(Dmr)—Shining Nuggets (2000)
Lazaro S. Barrera (GIII-Hol)—Smiling Tiger (2010)
Lost in the Fog (GG)—Smiling Tiger (2009); Road Ready (2010)
Manhattan Beach (Hol)—Strawberry Tart (2009)
Nursery (Hol)—Double D Appeal (2004)
Rebel (GII-OP)—Sierra Sunset (2008)
Sam J. Whiting Memorial H. (Pln)—Excessive Passion (2011)
San Francisco Mile H. (GII-BM)—Athenian Green (1992)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Untouched Talent (2006)
Soviet Problem (Fno)—Coup de Coeur (2011)
Sunland Derby (GIII-Sun)—Twice the Appeal (2011)
Tanforan H. (GIII-GG)—High Tech Friend (2000)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Smiling Tiger (2011)
William P. Kyne H. (GIII-BM)—General Royal (1999)
Highlights
• Developed Smiling Tiger into one of the country’s premier sprinters in 2010.
A stakes winner at 2, the son of Hold That Tiger provided Bonde with his first
Grade I win with a wire-to-wire victory in Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Stakes. “After
all these years, it’s nice to get that monkey off my back,” Bonde said afterward.
“I’ve won lots of graded races, but when I got to Grade Is, I was second, third or
worse.”
jeff bonde
• After adding a second Grade I, Oak Tree’s Ancient Title Stakes at Hollywood
Park, to his resume, the chestnut colt turned in a solid third, 1 3/4 lengths
behind victorious Eclipse Award winner Big Drama, in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup
Sprint at Churchill Downs despite bobbling at the start.
• Smiling Tiger would show his versatility in 2011 by roaring from behind to take
Santa Anita’s Grade II San Carlos Handicap before dominating his opposition
with another Grade I triumph, this one by 3 1/4 lengths, in Hollywood Park’s
Triple Bend Handicap.
• Bonde gained yet another Grade I victory in 2011 with 3-year-old Irish-bred filly
Cambina, who began the year by capturing three stakes races at Santa Anita, the
China Doll, La Habra and the Grade II Providencia Handicap. Cambina, after
avoiding a collision in midstretch, regathered herself to surge between horses and
dead-heat with pacesetter Nereid in a spectacular finish to the Grade I, $250,000
American Oaks at Hollywood Park.
• Based in Northern California since acquiring his trainer’s license in 1973 at the
age of 19, began to concentrate on the Southern California circuit in 2011 after
making occasional forays in previous years.
• Prior to a premier season in 2011, his best year had come in 1999 when he
saddled 76 winners for purse earnings of $2,470,316.
• Achieved his first graded stakes victory when Athenian Green captured the Grade
II San Francisco Mile Handicap at Bay Meadows in 1992. Made his first Top Ten
finish in the Bay Meadows trainers’ standings that season. With the exception of
that track’s 2002 spring meet, ranked among the Top Ten at Bay Meadows each
year until the track closed in 2008.
• Sent a pair of 3-year-olds to Triple Crown races in 2011. His Sunland Derby winner Twice the Appeal finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby. Sway Away ran 12th
in the Preakness.
• Prior to racing Smiling Tiger in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup, saddled Spain, fourthplace finisher in the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Spain was subsequently
transferred to the barn of Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas and registered a stunning upset in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which would become the Ladies’
Classic.
Personal
• The Pleasanton native grew up in a horseracing environment. Father Duke
Bonde Jr., uncle Bob Dupont and brother, Gary, are farriers. Grandfather Duke
Bonde Sr. was a trainer. His first job at the track was in the employ of Northern
California trainer Jerry Dutton, beginning in 1969. Credits Dutton for teaching
him his craft.
• Bounced back from a devastating setback in1997 when a bogus financial advisorturned-horse-owner defrauded the trainer and his family of almost $1 million. In
1998, Donald Bickerstaff was sentenced to10 years in prison for 40 felony counts
of bilking 75 clients out of more than $15 million. Bonde, his grandmother
and other relations lost their life savings. But the trainer’s horses saved him from
financial ruin with a stellar 1998 season. His horses won 67 races while earning
over $1.7 million.
simon callaghan
Birthdate: March 7, 1983
Birthplace: Cambridge, England
Single
Residence: Sierra Madre
• Callaghan added a pair of Grade I wins in 2011. Dubai Heights, a filly he had
brought with him from England, gained her fourth straight win with a triumph
in Hollywood Park’s Grade I Gamely Stakes. After a game second to globetrotting
Stacelita in the Grade I Beverly D at Arlington Park, Dubai Heights returned to
California to capture the Grade I Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita’s Autumn
Meet. In the meantime, Callaghan scored a Grade II victory with Up In Time in
Del Mar’s San Clemente Handicap.
• His early successes in the U.S. by the time he was 28-years-old resulted in a trip
to the 2011 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs where Dubai Heights set the pace
in the Filly & Mare Turf before fading to sixth.
Personal
Santa Anita Stakes Win
Yellow Ribbon (GI)—Dubawi Heights (2011-SA)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Beverly Hills (GIII-Hol)—Turning Top (2010)
Gamely (GI-Hol)—Dubawi Heights (2011)
Redondo Beach (Hol)—Turning Top (2010)
San Clemente H. (GII-Dmr)—Up In Time (2011)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Dubawi Heights (2011)
Highlights
• Less than two years into his American career as a trainer, the English transplant
had made a serious impact on racing in the U. S. and Southern California in particular. In the summer of 2010, he registered his first stakes victory with Turning
Top in Hollywood Park’s Redondo Beach Stakes on June 5. Later that month,
Turning Top provided the trainer’s first graded stakes win in the U.S. when taking
the Grade III Beverly Hills Handicap for her fourth successive victory.
• Grew up in Newmarket, England, where his father, Neville, trained horses for
about 25 years. “I grew up with horses and took a keen interest in them,” he said.
• After working for his father, he joined well-known British trainer Richard
Hannon during his teen years to hone his skills before returning to his father’s
stable.
• He spent two fall and winters seasons in the U.S. with multiple Eclipse Awardwinning trainer Todd Pletcher for his first taste of American racing, which, he
said, “intrigued” him.
• Returned to England and took out his trainer’s license at the age of 24. He took
over for his retired father, and, working on his own in his homeland, he did well
with a relatively small stable. He won 33 races in 2008, 34 in 2009.
• He made the decision to come to the U.S. in the fall of 2009. “I was determined
to do well,” he said. Callaghan trains some horses his father owns in partnership.
His clients include influential English owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor
and Derrick Smith.
simon callaghan
JULIO CANANI
Birthdate: November 13, 1938
Birthplace: Oxampampa, Peru
Wife: Svetlana
Children: Isabella and Alexander
Residence: Sierra Madre
Breeders' Cup Wins
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—Sweet Catomine (2004-LS)
Mile (GI)—Silic (1999-GP); Val Royal (2001-Bel)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
American Beauty—Shining Energy (2006)
Bold Ballet—Tranquility Lake (1999)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Davie’s Lamb (ng-1988); Tuzla (1999)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Drake’s Victory (2005)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Spring House (2007)
Daytona H.—Tsigane (2004)
Hill Rise—Ladies Din (1998)
Irish O’Brien—Fleeting Image (1999)
La Habra—Shining Energy (2005)
Lure (OT)—Blue Chagall (2009)
Oak Leaf (GI-OT)—Sweet Catomine (2004)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Ladies Din (1998)
Oak Tree Mile (GII-OT)—Silic (1999); Val Royal (2001); Hyperbaric (2008)
Pirate Cove—Ladies Din (1998)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—Nazirali (2002); Spring House (2008, 2009)
San Marcos H. (GII)—Putting (1990); Loup Breton (2010)
Wishing Well H.—Porto Marmay (2010)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Dixie Meister (2007)
San Rafael (GIII)—The Pamplemousse (2009)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Stoneside (2008)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Maria Jesse (GI-1989); Noble And Nice (GI-1991-dh)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Martial Law (1989)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Silent Sighs (2004); Sweet Catomine (2005)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Tranquility Lake (1999)
Santana Mile H.—Warren’s Pepe (2010)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Sweet Catomine (2005)
Sham (GIII)—The Pamplemousse (2009)
Wishing Well H.—Attima (2007)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Tranquility Lake (2000)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Adoration H. (Dmr)—Wake Up Maggie (2008)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Two Step Salsa (2008)
American H. (GII-Hol)—Bayamo (2004); Ryehill Dreamer (2011)
Bangles and Beads (Fpx)—Selvatica (2007)
Bay Meadows Oaks (BM)—Seattle Smooth (2008)
Beverly J. Lewis (Fpx)—Fastongrass (2009)
Bien Bien (Hol)—Porto Santo (2006)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Dixie Meister (2006)
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—Colway Rally (GII-1990); Hyperbaric (2008)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Tuzla (1998); Lady At Peace (1999)
Daisycutter (Dmr)—Roberta’s Mango (2003)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Sweet Catomine (2004)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Silver Circus (1988); Ladies Din (1998); Val Royal
(1999); Blackdoun (2004)
julio canani
Del Mar H. (GII-Dmr)—Spring House (2008, 2009)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Amorama (2004)
Derby Trial (Fpx)—Plug Me In (2006)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—Selvatica (2007)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Ladies Din (2000); Special Ring (2003, 2004)
El Cajon H. (Dmr)—Brujo (1989)
Escondido H. (Dmr)—Astarabad (1999)
Firecracker (Mnr)—Romacaca (2010)
Gamely BC (GI-Hol)—Tranquility Lake (1999); Shining Energy (2006)
Golden Gate Fields Turf (GIII-GG)—Spring House (2009)
Great Lady M (Hol)—Porto Marmay (2009); Givine (2011)
Harry F. Brubaker H. (Dmr)—Hyperbaric (2008)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Silver Circus (1988)
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Attima (2006)
John C. Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Amorama (2005)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Ladies Din (GIII-1998); Blackdoun (2004)
Lazaro Barrera Memorial (GIII-Hol)—Two Step Salsa (2008)
Long Beach (Hol)—Wake Up Maggie (2008)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Silver Circus (1988); Blackdoun (2004-2nd div.)
Osunitas H. (Dmr)—Kris’ Sis (2007)
Palomar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Tuzla (GIII-1998); Tranquility Lake
(GIII-2000, 2001)
Pat O’Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Regal Thunder (1999)
Riot in Paris (Hol)—Blue Chagall (2010)
Royal Heroine (Hol)—Tuzla (1999); Tranquility Lake (2000)
San Clemente H. (GII-Dmr)—Shining Energy (2005); Attima (2006)
San Francisco BC Mile (GII-GG)—Patchy Groundfog (GIII-1988); Tuzla (1999);
Ladies Din (2000); Charmo (2006)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Silic (1999, 2000); Ladies Din (2002)
Star Ball (GG)—Tropical Blossom (2003)
Torrey Pines (Dmr)—Political Web (2006)
Turf Paradise H. (TuP)—Patchy Groundfog (1988)
Wickerr H. (Dmr)—Special Ring (2002); Tsigane (2005); Blue Chagall (2010)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Tranquility Lake (2001)
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Willmar, 1975 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar. A $20,000
claim, Willmar also won the 1975 San Mateo at Bay Meadows.
• First Grade I winner: Silver Circus, claimed for $32,000 in 1987, also won the
Del Mar Derby.
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Sweet Catomine, 2004 2-Year-Old Filly.
• Training title: Oak Tree: 1988 with 11 wins.
• Sweet Catomine became trainer’s first champion when she won the Eclipse Award
for top 2-Year-Old filly of 2004. She captured the Grade I Del Mar Debutante,
Grade II Oak Leaf Stakes and finished off the year with a victory in the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Fillies at Lone Star Park. Trainer saddled three other Grade I winners in 2004.
• Sweet Catomine would become the center of a controversy in 2005 after winning
the Santa Anita Oaks. She would finish fifth against males as the even-money
favorite in the Santa Anita Derby, but it was later disclosed that Sweet Catomine
had bled in her final workout and been shipped to a clinic north of Los Angeles
for treatment. Charges against owner Martin Wygod and trainer Canani were
dropped. Sweet Catomine was retired one week after the Santa Anita Derby.
• Completed Oak Tree Mile-Breeders’ Cup Mile double for the second time in
three years with Val Royal in 2001. Had won both races with Silic in 1999 when
achieving first of three Breeders’ Cup victories. French-bred Val Royal rallied
from behind in the manner of his sire, 1990 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Royal
Academy, to claim his Breeders’ Cup victory in the record time of 1:32.05.
• Scored one of the biggest upsets in Santa Anita Handicap history in 1989 when
$50.80-1 outsider Martial Law captured Santa Anita’s signature event. Martial
Law’s winning time of 1:58 4/5 was second only to the race record of 1:58 3/5 set
by 1978 Triple Crown champion Affirmed in 1979. The win payoff of $103.60
was second only to the $118.40 returned by Bay View in 1941.
• Executed a rare double when saddling Silic and Ladies Din to one-two finishes in
both the 1999 and 2000 runnings of the Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood
Park.
• A $32,000 claim, Ladies Din won six stakes races in 1998 including a sweep of
Del Mar’s grass races for 3-year-olds: the Oceanside, La Jolla Handicap, and Del
Mar Derby.
• Developed French-bred Tuzla into a multiple stakes winner for owner David
Milch. Her resume included wins in the 1998 Palomar at Del Mar, the 1998
Dahlia at Hollywood Park, 1999 Buena Vista at Santa Anita and that year’s San
Francisco Mile.
• Conditioned Patchy Groundfog to win 1988 laurels as top New York-bred male
horse, but Patchy Groundfog is remembered as the last horse ridden by Bill
Shoemaker in “The “Legend’s Last Ride” on Feb. 3, 1990, at Santa Anita when
finishing fourth.
Personal
• Introduced to racing at age eight by uncle at San Felipe Racetrack in Lima, Peru.
• Told embassy officials he wanted to study electronics and came to U.S. in 1963
when political situation in Peru deteriorated. Arrived with $600 in his pocket.
• First job was walking hots for trainer Tommy Doyle.
• Took out trainer’s license in 1968 and established public stable in 1971.
• Gave up training after Hollywood Park’s 1993 spring/summer meet; resumed at
1997 spring/summer meet.
julio canani
Paula Capestro
Birthdate: March 12, 1952
Birthplace: Yuma, Arizona
Husband: Andrew
Children: Chris and John
Residence: Rancho Santa Fe, California
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—River’s Prayer (2006)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—A to the Z (2004)
Irish O’Brien—River’s Prayer (2007)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—River’s Prayer (2007)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Borderland Derby (Sun)—Indy Wildcat (2006)
Cinderella (Hol)—River’s Prayer (2005)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—River’s Prayer (2006)
Great Lady M (Hol)—River’s Prayer (2007)
Lakeview Thoroughbred Farm (Hol)—Five Star Meeting (2003)
Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (GII-FG)—A to the Z (2005)
Princess Rooney H. (GI-Crc)—River’s Prayer (2007)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—River’s Prayer (2007)
Tanforan (GG)—Tissy Fit (2007)
Highlights
• First winner: My Dividend at Golden Gate Fields in 1997.
• First stakes winner: Five Star Meeting in Lakeview Thoroughbred Farm at
Hollywood Park, 2003.
• First graded stakes winner: A to the Z in Grade II Mervin H. Muniz Memorial
Handicap at Fair Grounds, March 19, 2005.
• First Grade I stakes winner: River’s Prayer, $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap
at Calder Racecourse, July 7, 2007.
• River’s Prayer, co-owned by trainer, won all five of her starts in 2007, including
Calder’s Grade I Princess Rooney Handicap and a pair of Grade III events, before
injuring a sesamoid on Oct. 7 while switching leads during a workout in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
• River’s Prayer had been purchased privately for $150,000 after being bought back
at the 2005 Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training.
• She was to be sold at the Keeneland November sale after completing her career
with nine wins in 16 starts and earnings of $921,958.
• Capestro described the Princess Rooney as the “biggest win of my career.”
After River’s Prayer went on to capture Del Mar’s Grade III Rancho Bernardo
Handicap, she described the 4-year-old filly as being “all racehorse . . . a running
machine.”
Personal
• Grew up in Phoenix, Ariz., before moving to Southern California where she
became a Western trainer, developing hunters and jumpers.
• “Looking for a new challenge” in 1994, she became involved with
Thoroughbreds and took out her trainer’s license in Florida where she became a
pinhooker for three years.
• Resettled in Northern California and started a small stable in 1997 before eventually returning to Southern California.
• Husband Andy is an attorney who attended UC Berkeley and Hastings Law
School, and the couple invests in horses together. “Andy probably has an ownership in 60 percent of the horses I train,” she said.
• Son Chris also attended UC Berkeley before graduating from USC’s law school.
paula capestro
JACK CARAVA
Birthdate: April 28, 1966
Birthplace: Arcadia, California
Wife: Cindy
Children: Brittany and Megan
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Boo La Boo—Mother’s Meeting (1998)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Sunday Stroll (1998)
California Cup Mile (OT)—Epic Power (2006)
Potrero Grande H. (GII)—First Intent (1997); Soul City Slew (2009)
Sunshine Millions Oaks—Beltene (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Bing Crosby BC H. (GI-Dmr)—First Intent (GIII-1997); Pure as Gold (2006)
Downs At Albuquerque (Alb)—Nates Colony (2002)
Khaled (Hol)—Epic Power (2007)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Legendary Weave (2003)
San Francisco Mile (GII-GG)—Mr. Napper Tandy (2009)
Silky Sullivan (GG)—Sunday Stroll (1999)
Highlights
• First winner: Impulsively, in 1987.
• First graded stakes winner: 8-year-old First Intent in the Grade II Potrero
Grande Handicap at Santa Anita in 1997.
• First Grade I stakes victory: On July 30, 2006 at Del Mar when 23-1 outsider
Pure as Gold upset odds-on choice Bordonaro in the Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup
Handicap. Had previously won the event with First Intent in 1997 when the
Bing Crosby was a Grade III.
• Training titles: Hollywood Park: 2001 spring/summer; Oak Tree: 2002.
• Ran away with Oak Tree training title in 2002 when his 14 victories eclipsed the
runner-up by five. Won three successive races on the Oct. 30 program that year.
• Captured his first training title in 2001 at Hollywood Park’s spring/summer meet
when victory by Kipper’s Kitten on closing day provided 22nd win to break a tie
with Bob Baffert.
• Peak year in 2001 included 74 wins and earnings of over $2.1 million.
• Claimed First Intent for $40,000 on behalf of the Lima Family Trust in March
of 1995. Horse became Arizona’s champion older male in 1996 and won a pair
of graded stakes as an 8-year-old in 1997: Santa Anita’s Potrero Grande and Del
Mar’s Bing Crosby Handicaps.
• Saddled Golden Eagle Farm’s Sunday Stroll to an upset victory in the 1998 Cal
Cup Juvenile at odds of 23-1.
• Sprang a couple of upsets in Grade II stakes races in 2009 when his Mr. Napper
Tandy took Golden Gate’s San Francisco Mile at 7-1 odds and Soul City Slew
gave trainer a second Potrero Grande Handicap victory at odds of 11-1.
Personal
• Father, Mike, trained Thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Began career working for trainer Joe Griffin in 1984.
• When Griffin stopped training that year, joined Jerry Fanning and trained his
own horses while with Fanning.
• Started as public trainer in 1992.
• Mickey Lima was his first client in 1986.
• Favorite horses trained include Fleet Lady, Lovely One, First Intent and Full
Moon Madness.
• Is an avid golfer and fisherman.
jack carava
JAMES CASSIDY
Birthdate: August 31, 1945
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Wife: Melony
Residence: Monrovia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
American Beauty H.—Diamond Diva (2008)
Baldwin (GIII)—Wrekin Pilot (1998)
California Breeders’ Champion (Fillies)—Evening Jewel (2009)
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Moscow Burning (2003, 2005)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—He’s the Rage (2003)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—The Usual Q. T.
California Sire (OT)—Jamaican Rum (2000)
China Doll—Ticker Tape (2004); Passified (2007); April Pride (2009)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (GI)—Milk It Mick (2006)
Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (GIII-OT)—April Pride (2009)
Hill Rise—Jamaican Rum (2001)
La Habra (GIII)—Pasar Silbano (2009)
La Puente—Steelaninch (2003); Golden Balls (2007); Surrey Star (2011)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Moth Ball (2006)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—The Usual Q. T. (2009)
Pasadena H.—Unrivalled (2004)
Pro or Con H.—Moscow Burning (2006)
Providencia (GIII)—Star Vega (2003); Ticker Tape (2004)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Katdogawn (2004)
Sir Beaufort (GIII)—The Usual Q.T. (2009)
Sunshine Millions Distaff—Evening Jewel (2011)
Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf—Moscow Burning (2006)
Tuzla H.—Ticker Tape (2006)
Other Major Stakes Wins
American Oaks (GI-Hol)—Ticker Tape (2004)
Ashland (GI-Kee)—Evening Jewel (2010)
Bay Meadows BC Oaks (BM)—Sol Mi Fa (2006)
CashCall Mile Invitational (GII-Hol)—Diamond Diva (2008)
Chandler (TuP)—Dextera (2009)
China Basin (GG)—Commiskey (2006)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Katdogawn (2003)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Singhalese (2005); Evening Jewel (2010)
Eddie Read (GI-Dmr)—The Usual Q. T. (2010)
Flawlessly (Hol)—Passified (2007)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Moscow Burning (2004)
Free House (Hol)—Cable Ready (2003)
Glendale H. (TuP)—Dextera (2010)
Golden Poppy (GG)—Maid For Music (2009)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—The Usual Q.T. (2009)
Honeymoon H. (GII-Hol)—Evening Jewel (2010)
Lawndale (Hol)—Bahama Mama (2008)
Manhattan Beach (Hol)—Katdogawn (2003)
Osunitas H. (Dmr)—Meydan Princess (2009)
Pucker Up (AP)—Ticker Tape (2004)
Queen Elizabeth II Cup (GI-Kee)—Ticker Tape (2004)
Redondo Beach (Hol)—Passified (2008)
San Clemente H. (GII-Dmr)—Katdogawn (2003); Passified (2007); Evening Jewel
(2010)
Sheepshead Bay H. (GII-Bel)—Moscow Burning (2004)
james cassidy
Viejas Casino H. (Dmr)—Maxxi Arte (2006)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Diamond Diva (2008)
Highlights
• Powered by a pair of multiple Grade I winners, The Usual Q.T. and Evening
Jewel, the 65-year-old trainer enjoyed a stellar season in 2010.
• The Usual Q.T. had been a maiden after six starts in 2009 when Cassidy
switched the gelded California-bred son of Unusual Heat to the grass where he
rattled off eight wins in 10 races including successive victories in the Grade II
Oak Tree Derby, Grade I Hollywood Derby and Grade II Sir Beaufort Stakes in
late 2009. Following a fourth place finish in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free in
the United Arab Emirates on March 27 of 2010, the Usual Q.T. won an allowance event at Hollywood Park prior to an easy victory in Del Mar’s Grade I
Eddie Read Stakes. His eighth win in 15 starts boosted the Usual Q.T.’s earnings
to $993,320 for Don Van Racing and partners.
• Evening Jewel delivered a half-length victory in the Del Mar Oaks on Cassidy’s
65th birthday for her second Grade I triumph of 2010. The win kept her perfect
on grass after victories in a pair of Grade II stakes, Hollywood Park’s Honeymoon
Handicap and the San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar. During the spring, the
California-bred daughter of Northern Afleet had taken the Grade I Ashland
Stakes over Polytrack at Keeneland for owner Tom Braly and family before sustaining a nose loss to Blind Luck in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
• After running second in the Grade II San Marcos Handicap, English-bred Milk
It Mick gave trainer his first Santa Anita Grade I victory when taking the 2006
running of the Frank E. Kilroe Mile.
• British-bred Diamond Diva notched her third stakes victory of 2008 in
Hollywood Park’s Grade II, $750,000 CashCall Mile Invitational Stakes when
battling back in the final strides to nose out Grade I winner Ventura.
• Most productive year was realized in 2004 when capturing five stakes, two
of them Grade I events with English-bred filly Ticker Tape. She prevailed in
Hollywood Park’s American Oaks at odds of 12-1 and the Queen Elizabeth II
Cup at Keeneland for her Grade I tallies.
• Another English-bred filly, Katdogawn, won multiple stakes in 2003, including
Santa Anita’s Grade II Santa Ana Handicap via the disqualification of Megahertz.
Megahertz was placed last for interference and Katdogawn moved up to first.
Purchased in England for $16,000 in 2002, Katdogawn also won Hollywood
Park’s Dahlia and Del Mar’s San Clemente Handicaps in 2003. Both were Grade
II races.
• Likes to purchase horses in Europe. “Instead of claiming horses in the $40,000
range here,” he noted, “I can buy one over there for the same money.”
• First stakes win was achieved in 1998 with English-import Wrekin Pilot, winner
of Santa Anita’s Baldwin Stakes.
• Has sent two 3-year-olds to the Kentucky Derby: Jamaican Rum, seventh in
2001, and Ocean Sound, 17th in 2002.
Personal
• Born and raised in the Bronx, ardent New York Yankees fan often attired in
Yankees baseball cap. Briefly attended City College of New York before gravitating to horse industry.
• First experience with hunters and jumpers before shifting to Thoroughbreds and
becoming an aide to New York trainers Joe Cantey and Frank Whitely, who conditioned brilliant filly Ruffian at the time.
• Moved to California in 1981. Served as assistant to Darrell Vienna and Brian
Mayberry before spending nine years working for a veterinarian.
• Didn’t take out his trainer’s license until mid-1990s.
• Major clients include John Elardi’s Southern Nevada Racing Stable and Jim Ford.
BEN D. A. CECIL
Birthdate: August 6, 1968
Birthplace: Oxford, England
Wife: Kristina
Children: Francesca & Hugo
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Arcadia H. (GII)—Falcon Flight (2000)
Baldwin (GIII)—Sandtrap (1996)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Queenie Belle (2000)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Dernier Empereur (1996)
La Habra (SA)—Lavendar (1997)
Lady’s Secret BC H. (GII-OT)—Queenie Belle (2001)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Golden Apples (2001)
La Zanzara H.—Solva (2007)
Providencia (GII)—Missit (2008)
Robert J. Frankel (GII)—Spring Style (2011)
San Juan Capistrano H. (GII)—Passinetti (GI-2003)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Hal’s Pal (1998)
San Simeon (GIII)—Sandtrap (1997)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Golden Apples (2002)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Donna Viola (1997)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Golden Apples (2002)
Other Major Stakes Wins
American H. (GII-Hol)—Magellan (1998)
Berkeley H. (GIII-GG)—Hal’s Pal (1999)
Beverly D (GI-AP)—Golden Apples (2002)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Squeak (GI-1998)
Brown Bess (GG)—Red Rioja (GIII-2004); Hoh Buzzard (2005)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Waveline (2009)
Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (CD)—Sandtrap (1997)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Genre (2006); Worldly (2007)
CTT and TOC H. (Dmr)—Marzelline (2008)
Daisycutter (Dmr)—Red Diadem (2007)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Dernier Empereur (1996)
Del Mar Mile H. (GII-Dmr)—Ferneley (2009)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Golden Apples (2001)
Dixie (GII-Pim)—Gold And Steel (1996)
Emerald BC Distaff (EmD)—Housa Dancer (1998)
Gamely BC H. (GI-Hol)—Donna Viola (1997)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Prenuptial (2006)
Glendale H. (TuP)—Polaire (2001)
Hermosa Beach H. (Hol)—High Heel Sneakers (2008)
Hollywood Turf Express (GIII-Hol)—Sandtrap (1996)
Live the Dream (Dmr)—Crystal Hearted (1999)
Matriarch (GI-Hol)—Squeak (1998)
Miss America (GG)—Housa Dancer (1997)
Mrs. Revere (GII-CD)—Hoh Buzzard (2003)
Osunitas (Dmr)—Andina (2011)
Pan American H. (GIII-GP)—Celtic Arms (GII-1996)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Hal’s Pal (2000); Maestro (2007)
Princess (Hol)—Queenie Belle (2000)
San Francisco H. (BM)—Petit Poucet (GIII-1996)
San Francisco BC Mile (GII-GG)—Gold And Steel (1996)
Solana Beach (Dmr)—Poteen (1999)
Waya H. (Hol)—Mignon (1997)
ben d. a. cecil
Wickerr H. (Dmr)—Crystal Hearted (1999)
William P. Kyne (BM)—Hal’s Pal (1998)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Worldly (2007)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Eurolink Raindance (2002); Medaglia d’Amour (2010)
Windy Sands H. (Dmr)—Shediak (2011)
Yerba Buena BC H. (GIII-GG)—Fanjica (1996); Miss Universal (1998);
Hallowed Dream (2006); Restless Soul (2009)
Highlights
• First graded stakes win: Celtic Arms, Pan American Handicap on March 9,
1996 at Gulfstream Park, just three days after taking out his license.
• First Grade I winner: Donna Viola, who defeated Real Connection and
Different in the 1997 Gamely Handicap at Hollywood Park.
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Golden Apples, 2002 Female Turf Horse.
• Earned 2002 Eclipse Award with Golden Apples after she won Oak Tree’s Grade
I Yellow Ribbon Stakes following victories in Arlington Park’s Grade I Beverly
D. and Santa Anita’s Grade II Santa Ana Handicap. Golden Apples was honored
despite a troubled fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
• Assumed training of Irish-bred Golden Apples when a 3-year-old in mid-summer
2001 and promptly won the Grade I Del Mar Oaks in August. She added Oak
Tree’s Grade II Las Palmas Handicap in November.
• Recorded an 11-1 upset in 2003 with Passinetti in the Grade I San Juan
Capistrano Invitational Handicap, the longest graded turf stakes in North
America at about 1 3/4 miles. The stunning victory came some six months after
the 7-year-old was nearly given away as a riding horse.
• Crystal Hearted captured the 1999 Wickerr Handicap at Del Mar while setting a
course record of 1:33.15 for one mile.
• Provided owner Gary Tanaka with a stakes double on July 4, 1998, as Squeak
took Hollywood Park’s Grade I Beverly Hills Handicap and Magellan won the
Grade II American Handicap. Squeak went on to win the Grade I Matriarch later
in the year.
• Sent Falcon Flight to a 7-1 upset in the El Rincon Handicap, April 8, 2000, the
same day his then-wife, Jenine Sahadi, saddled The Deputy to win the Santa
Anita Derby. They conditioned the one-two finishers in Del Mar’s 1999 Live the
Dream Handicap when Crystal Hearted defeated Sahadi’s Robynhood by a neck.
Personal
• Began training Rodney Rash's 33-horse stable when Rash died suddenly of a rare
blood disorder on March 1, 1996.
• Served as assistant to trainers Rash (1995-96), Gary Jones (1992-94), Mark
Tompkins (England, 1991-92), Ian Balding (England, 1990-91), and Colin
Hayes (Australia, 1989).
• Assistant trainer of three Santa Anita Handicap winners: Best Pal (1992) and
Stuka (1994) with Gary Jones, and Urgent Request (1995) with Rodney Rash.
• Nephew of noted English trainer Henry Cecil. Father, David Cecil, is Henry's
twin brother.
• Sometimes referred to as "B.D.A. Cecil." Initials stand for Benjamin David
Amherst.
• Took first job in racing with Australian trainer Colin Hayes immediately after
graduating from high school in 1989.
VLADIMIR CERIN
Birthdate: November 26, 1954
Birthplace: Zagreb, Yugoslavia
Children: Blake, Brian, Alexis
and Tyler
Residence: Arcadia
Breeders' Cup Win
Dirt Mile—Albertus Maximum (2008-OT)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Yes I'm Blue (1990); Rotsa Luck (1994)
Oak Tree BC Mile (GII-OT)—Designed for Luck (2003)
Reb’s Policy—Casey Griffin (2002)
San Vicente—Archer City Slew (2000)
Santa Paula—Bettarun Fast (2006)
Skywalker H.—Musical Gambler (1998, 1999); Saint Wynn (2000)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Early Pioneer (2000)
Tokyo City H.—Luftikus (2000)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Adoration (Dmr)—Briecat (2009)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Exploding Prospect (1989); Boomzeeboom (2004)
All American (GIII-GG)—Cigar Man (2010)
Anoakia (OT-Hol)—Gone Rebel (2010)
Arizona Oaks (TuP)—Briecat (2008)
Ascot H. (BM)—Designed for Luck (GIII-2000)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Briecat (2008)
Black Swan (Fpx)—Church Editor (2003); Dash Dot Dash (2008)
Bustles And Bows (Fpx)—Silken Magic (1996); Dash Dot Dash (2008)
California Derby (GG)—Treekster (GIII-1992)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Even the Score (2004)
California Oaks (GG) —Will O Way (2009)
Captain Squire H. (Hol)—Leonides (2008)
Chandler (TuP)—Briecat (2008)
Cinderella (Hol)—She’ll Heir (2010)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Willow O’ Wisp (2005)
Claiming Crown Rapid Transit (Cby)—Aplomado (1999)
Corte Madera (GG)—Will O Way (2008)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Willow O Wisp (2005)
Derby Trial (Fpx)—To Be Khaled (1995)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Spunky Gal (2002)
Foothill (Fpx)—Fastasaspeednbullit (1996)
Gallant Man H. (Hol)—Kizzy’s Chaos (2009)
Glendale H. (TuP)—Placid Lake (2008)
Governor’s Cup (Fpx)—Fastasaspeednbullit (1998)
Hawthorne Gold Cup (GII-Haw)—Super Frolic (2005)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Early Pioneer (2000)
Hollywood Turf Express H. (GIII-Hol)—Rotsaluck (1994)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Willow O Wisp (2005)
Las Madrinas H. (Fpx)—Briecat (2010)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT-Hol)—Briecat (2010)
Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial (GIII-Hol)—Twice As Bad (2004)
Live the Dream H. (Dmr)—Lonesome Dude (2001); Designed for Luck (2003)
Lone Star Park H. (GIII-LS)—Luftikus (2000)
Mae De Vol Sprint H. (BM)—Tanja (1996)
vladimir cerin
Mervyn Leroy H. (GII-Hol)—Even the Score (2004)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Afleet Eagle (2009)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Student Council (2007)
Palo Verde (TuP)—Leonides (2008)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Nancys French Fry (1995)
Phoenix Gold Cup (TuP)—Rotsaluck (1997)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Bettarun Fast (2006)
Rancho San Miguel (Hol)—El Nuki (2003)
Relaunch (Dmr)—Designed for Luck (2000)
Rushaway (TuP)—Ronton (2000)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Designed for Luck (2004)
Spotlight BC H. (Hol)—Hollywood Reporter (1989)
Steinlen (Hol)—Lonesome Dude (2001)
Sun City H. (TuP)—Fleet Caroline (2008)
Treasure Chest (DeD)—Briecat (2010)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—Robledo (2003)
Windy Sands H. (Dmr)—Albertus Maximus (2008)
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Hollywood Reporter, 1989 Spotlight Breeders’ Cup
Handicap at Hollywood Park
• First Grade I winner: Early Pioneer, 2000 Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood
Park.
• Training titles: Fairplex: 1994, 1995.
• Scored his first Breeders’ Cup win with a horse, Albertus Maximus, who had
been in his care for only three months. In rapid order for Cerin, the 4-year-old
colt took Del Mar’s Windy Sands Handicap, ran third in Oak Tree’s Grade I
Goodwood Stakes and captured the initial running of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt
Mile at odds of 6-1. “It was a superlative performance by a superlative athlete,”
Cerin said afterwards. “It feels great; unbelievable to win my first Breeders’ Cup.”
• Five days after arriving in trainer’s barn, Student Council recorded his first stakes
triumph in a dramatic $48.80 upset while stunning defending champion Lava
Man and 11 other rivals in Del Mar’s signature race, the Grade I Pacific Classic in
2007.
• Achieved first Grade I and million-dollar victory with former claimer Early
Pioneer in 2000 Hollywood Gold Cup at odds of 24-1. Ranked 23rd nationally
that year, a career best, with four additional graded stakes wins and earnings of
over $3.7 million. Early Pioneer had been claimed for $62,500 in 1998 at the
urging of co-owners David and Holly Wilson.
• Finished in the Top 10 at every major Southern California race meeting in 2000.
Was fourth at Santa Anita meet with 22 wins and tied for fifth at Oak Tree
meet with five wins. Early Pioneer upset 1-5 favorite General Challenge in Santa
Anita’s 2000 San Bernardino Handicap.
• Designed for Luck, another $62,500 claim, captured the Grade II Oak Tree
Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2003 and Hollywood Park’s Grade I Shoemaker Breeders’
Cup Mile in 2004 at the age of seven. His Oak Tree Mile triumph followed over
16 months on the sidelines to heal a fractured left rear hock. “He wasn’t even supposed to make it back as a riding horse,” commented the trainer, who termed the
Oak Tree event his most gratifying victory.
• In 2000 while a juvenile, Designed for Luck had been the source of a major disappointment. After winning a pair of stakes, he crossed the line first in the Grade
I Hollywood Derby at odds of 58-1, but was disqualified to fifth for interference
in the stretch. The incident occurred on the trainer’s 46th birthday.
• Yet another $62,500 claim, Musical Gambler, who was taken on Nov. 13, 1997,
won six of his next seven starts including consecutive runnings of Oak Tree’s
Skywalker Handicap in 1998 and 1999.
• Won three consecutive graded stakes with Willow O Wisp in 2005: Hollywood
Park’s Grade III Cinema Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Del Mar’s Grade II La Jolla
Handicap and the Grade II Del Mar Derby. The latter was raced in a grass course
record of 1:45.85 for nine furlongs.
Personal
• Father directed large farm with various domestic animals, including horses.
• Left his native Yugoslavia for Canada at age 14; moved to California in 1974 and
obtained graduate degree from UCLA in kinesiology, the study of movement.
• Worked four years with professional athletes, including tennis star Tracy Austin
and basketball's Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Walton and Kiki Vandeweghe.
• Purchased a horse in partnership with several professional athletes in 1976.
• Tutored by trainer Rafael Martinez on the horse business.
• Obtained trainer's license in 1981.
vladimir cerin
Christophe Clement
Birthdate: November 1, 1965
Birthplace: Paris, France
Wife: Valerie
Children: Charlotte, Miguel
Residence: Garden City, New York
Santa Anita Stakes Win
El Conejo H. (GIII)—In Summation (2008, 2009)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (GI)—Gio Ponti (2009)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Naissance Royale (2007)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—In Summation (2008)
San Bernardino H. (GIII)—Dynever (2004)
Sir Beaufort—Gio Ponti (2008)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alligator Alley (GP) – Longhunter (2011)
Arlington Million (GI-AP)—Gio Ponti (2009)
Arlington Sprint H. (AP)—In Summation (2007)
Athenia (Bel)—Belle Allure (GIII-2009); Denomination (2011)
Aventura (GP)—Dynever (2003)
Beaugay H. (GIII-Aqu)—Cox Orange (1994); Dedication (2004)
Ballston Spa H. (GII-Sar)—Rumpipumpy (GIII-1997)
Beautiful Pleasure (Bel)—All is Vanity (2008)
Belmont BC H. (GII-Bel)—Forbidden Apple (2000)
Beverly D (GI-AP)—England’s Legend (2001); Royal Highness (2007);
Mauralakana (2008)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Voodoo Dancer (2003)
Bewitch (GIII-Kee)—Meridiana (2004)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—In Summation (2007)
Boiling Springs (GIII-Mth)—Strike It Rich (2010)
Bonnie Heath Turf Cup H. (Crc)—Revved Up (2007)
Bowling Green H. (GII-Bel)—Honor Glide (1999); Grassy (2011)
Buckland Oaks H. (GIII-GP)—Cox Orange (1995)
Calder Derby (GIII-Crc)—Sporting Art (2008)
Canadian International (GI-WO)—Relaxed Gesture (2005)
Cherokee Frolic (Crc)—Rutherienne (2006)
Choice (Mth)—Laureate Conductor (2009)
Chris Thomas Turf Classic (Tam)—Revved Up (2008)
Coaching Club American Oaks (GI-Bel)—Funny Moon (2009)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Vacare (2008)
Dania Beach (GP)—Nordic Truce (2010); Adirondack Summer (2011)
Decoration Day H. (Mnr)—Lindelaan (2009)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Rutherienne (2007)
Diana (GI-Sar)—Rumpipumpy (GII-1997); Voodoo Dancer (2003)
Don Jack (Bel)—Sal the Barber (2009)
Doubledogdare (GIII-Kee)—Haka (2010)
Dr. James Penny Memorial H. (Pha)—Caribbean Sunset (2009)
Dynamic Lisa (Bel)—Rewrite (2008)
Dynasty (Sar)—Meribel (2006)
Eatontown H. (GIII-Mth)—All Is Vanity (2009)
Emergency Nurse (Crc)—Moon Catcher (2008)
First Lady (GII-Kee)—Vacare (2007)
Flawlessly (Hol)—Voodoo Dancer (2001)
Flying Pidgeon H. (Crc)—Statesmanship (1998)
Foresta (Bel)—Meribel (2007)
Fort Lauderdale H. (GIII-GP)—Statesmanship (1998)
christophe clement
Fort Macy H. (GIII-Mth)—Adam Smith (1994)
Francis A. Genter (GIII-Crc)—Rutherienne (2007)
Gally Gally (Aqu)—Rewrite (2007)
Garden City BC H. (GI-Bel)—Voodoo Dancer (2001)
Glen Falls H. (GIII-Sar)—Sixty Seconds (2003)
Glowing Honor (Bel)—Stormy Publisher (2010)
Gulfstream Park BC H. (GII-GP)—Flag Down (GI-1998)
Hialeah BC H. (Hia)—Cox Orange (1995)
Hill Prince (GIII-Bel)—Gio Ponti (2008)
Hillsborough (GIII-Tam)—Denomination (2011)
Irish Actress (Bel)—Rewrite (2008)
Island Sun (Bel)—Right One (2011)
Jaipur (GIII-Bel)—Right One (2011)
Jenny Wiley (GII-Kee)—Penny’s Gold (GIII-2001); Rutherienne (2008)
Jersey Derby (Mth)—Endymion (2009)
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (GI-Bel)—Winchester (2010)
John McSorley (Mth)—In Summation (2009)
Just a Game H. (GIII-Bel)—Mariensky (2003)
Kelso H. (GII-Bel)—Forbidden Apple (2000, 2001)
King Cugat (Aqu)—Summer Front (2011)
Kingston H. (Bel)—Celtic Sky (2002)
Knickerbocker H. (GIII-Aqu)—Charge d’ Affaires (GII-1999, 2000)
Knickerbocker (GIII-Bel)—Operation Red Dawn (2009)
Ladies Turf Sprint (GP)—Stormy Publisher (2011)
L and D Farm Turf Distaff (Tam)—Bayou’s Lassie (2008)
La Prevoyante H. (GII-Crc)—Coretta (1998, 1999)
Lake George (GIII-Sar)—Voodoo Dancer (2001); Rutherienne (2007)
Lake Placid (GII-Sar)—Spotlight (2004); Naissance Royale (2005)
Lamplighter H. (GIII-Mth)—(1997)
Lawrence Realization H. (GIII-Bel)—Ciro (2000)
Little Silver (Mth)—Strike It Rich (2010)
Locust Grove H. (GIII-CD)—Voodoo Dancer (2002)
London Lil (Crc)—Where We Left Off (2003)
Lone Star Derby (GIII-LS)—Dynever (2003)
Long Island H. (GIII)—Coretta (GII-1998)
Magna Distaff (GP)—Vacare (2007)
Mairzy Doates H. (Crc)—Mauralakana (2008)
Manatee (Tam)—Rising Fever (2009)
Manhattan H. (GI-Bel)—Forbidden Apple (2001); Gio Ponti (2009);
Winchester (2010)
Man o’ War (GI-Bel)—Gio Ponti (2009, 2010)
Marshua’s River (GP)—Dedication (2004); Bright Abundance (2007)
Matchmaker (GIII-Mth)—Where We Left Off (2004)
Minaret (Tam)—Stormy Publisher (2011)
Modesty H. (GIII-AP)—England’s Legend (2002)
Mom’s Command (Bel)—Miss Valentine (2011)
My Fair Lady (Suf )—Where We Left Off (2004)
Nassau (GII-WO)—Naissance Royale (2006); Rutherienne (2009)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Saint Stephen (2006)
New York (GII-Bel)—England’s Legend (2001); Mauralakana (2008); Giants Play
(2011)
Niagara BC H. (GII-WO)—River’s Majesty (GIII-1994); Honor Glide (2001)
Noble Damsel H. (GIII-Bel)—Khumba Mela (1999); Bright Abundance (2005)
Old Ironsides (Suf )—Nergal (2008)
Orchid H. (GII-GP)—Coretta (1999); Meridiana (2004)
Pago Hop (FG)—Akilina (2009)
Palm Beach (GIII-GP)—Sporting Art (2008)
Palomar H. (GII-Dmr)—Voodoo Dancer (2002); Vacare (2008)
Pan American H. (GIII-GP)—Flag Down (GII-1997)
Plenty O Grace (Bel)—Bright Abundance (2005)
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (GI-Kee)—Danish (1994)
Red Bank H. (GIII-Mth)—Adam Smith (1994); Statesmanship (1998)
Red Smith H. (GII-Aqu)—Grassy (2010)
Robert G. Dick Memorial (GIII-Del)—Cheetah (2011)
Sands Point (GIII-Bel)—Rutherienne (2007)
Saratoga BC H. (GII-Sar)—Danish (1996)
Serena’s Song (Mth)—Miss Valentine (2011)
Shadwell Turf Mile (GI-Kee)—Gio Ponti (2010, 2011)
Sheepshead Bay H. (GII-Bel)—Mariensky (2003); Mauralakana (2008)
Shopping For Love (Bel)—Akilina (2009)
Shuvee H. (GII-Bel)—Funny Moon (2010)
Sneakbox (Mth)—In Summation (2007)
Stage Door Betty H. (GIII-Crc)—Bayou’s Lassie (2007)
Steal a Kiss (Bel)—Meribel (2007)
Suwanee River H. (GIII-GP)—Cox Orange (1995); Naissance Royale (2007)
Sword Dancer H. (GI-Bel)—Honor Glide (1999)
Sussex (Del)—Mr. Ryder (2011)
Swirlaway (Aqu)—Miss Valentine (2010)
Sword Dancer Invitational (GI-Sar)—Winchester (2011)
The Very One H. (GIII-GP)—Mauralakana (2008)
Three Coins Up (Aqu)—Sal the Barber (2010)
Ticonderoga H. (Bel)—Rewrite (2007)
Transylvania (GIII-Kee)—Nordic Truce (2010)
Valley View (GIII-Kee)—Meribel (2006)
Violet (GIII-Mth)—Denomination (2011)
Virginia Derby (GII-Cnl)—Gio Ponti (2008)
West Point H. (Sar)—Celtic Sky (2002)
Withers (GIII-Bel)—Blu Tusmani (GII-1995); Statesmanship (GII-1997);
Fast Decision (2002)
Woodford Reserve Bourbon (Kee)—Gio Ponti (2007)
Highlights
• First U.S. winner: Spectaculaire on Oct. 20, 1991, at Belmont Park, the first
horse he saddled in the United States. Stable has since earned over $50 million in
purses and more than 200 stakes races through 2006.
• While based in New York, has increasingly impacted West Coast racing with
shippers as evidenced by 2007 Del Mar meet when his runners captured a pair
of Grade I races within three weeks. Rutherienne scored her fifth straight victory
when upsetting favored Valbenny in the Del Mar Oaks while following in the
footsteps of In Summation, who had nosed out Greg’s Gold in Del Mar’s Bing
Crosby Handicap.
• In 2009, his talented 4-year-old colt Gio Ponti put together a stunning streak
of Grade I turf victories that began with Santa Anita’s Frank E. Kilroe Mile
Handicap, continued with the Manhattan Handicap and Man o’ War Stakes at
Belmont Park and was climaxed by the Arlington Million. Gio Ponte added an
exclamation point to his brilliant season by running second to the incomparable
Zenyatta in Oak Tree’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic over Santa Anita’s ProRide surface. Gio Ponti returned in 2010 to add a second Man o’ War Stakes to
his list of accomplishments. He notched his sixth career Grade I when victorious
in the 2010 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. Following his runner-up effort
behind Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Gio Ponti finished second
to another superstar, Goldikova, in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Mile. After a fourthplace finish in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile that followed a repeat victory in the
Shadwell Turf Mile, Gio Ponti was retired with earnings of over $6.1 million.
• Led Hollywood Park’s 2006 fall meet in stakes victories with four headed by
Saint Stephen’s late-running score in the Grade III Native Diver Handicap. Also
was the co-leading stakes trainer at Keeneland’s fall meeting when tying Patrick
Biancone at three wins apiece.
• His German-bred import, Royal Highness, provided trainer with his second
triumph in Arlington Park’s Grade I Beverly D. in 2007 with a 9-1 stunner after
she had won only once during the previous two years.
• Won a pair of graded stakes with Mariensky during an eight-day span in 2003
when taking the Grade II Sheepshead Bay Handicap on May 31 and the Grade
III Just A Game Breeders’ Cup Stakes on June 7.
Personal
• After working for the family of France’s renowned trainer Alec Head for 1 1/2
years, moved to the United States in early 1986 to be employed by Taylor Made
Farm.
• Also spent a year with Shug McGaughey through November of 1987 when
returned to Europe to work for trainer Luca Cumani, an association that lasted
four years.
• Moved to the U.S. for good in the fall of 1991 when opening his own stable on
the New York circuit.
christophe clement
• Father Miguel Clement was a successful trainer in France as is older brother
Nicholas, who won that country’s famed Arc de Triomphe with Saumarez in
1990.
CRAIG DOLLASE
Birthdate: December 8, 1970
Birthplace: Goleta, California
Wife: Nancy
Children: Audrey and Alyssa
Residence: Sierra Madre
Breeders' Cup Win
Sprint (GI)—Reraise (1998-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ack Ack H.—Reality Road (1997)
Ancient Title BC (GI-OT)—Swept Overboard (2001); Pt’s Grey Eagle (2004)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Rare Charmer (2001)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Road to Slew (2000)
Crystal Water H.—Road to Slew (2001, 2003); Super Strut (2006)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (GII)—Road to Slew (2001)
Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (OT)—High Margin (2000)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—El Cielo (2000, 2001)
Oak Leaf BC (GI-OT)—Cash Included (2006)
Pinjara (OT)—Futural (1998); Zillah The Hun (2000)
Pro or Con H.—Shalini (2002)
San Bernardino H. (GII)—Futural (2001)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Reality Road (1998)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Saint’s Honor (2000); Awesome Gem (2007)
San Rafael (GIII)—El Gato Malo (2008)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—El Cielo (2000)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Abby Girl (2000)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Elloluv (2003)
Sir Beaufort (GIII)—Monterey Jazz (2007)
Strub (GII)—Monterey Jazz (2008)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Futural (GII-2001)
Other Major Stakes Wins
American H. (GII-Hol)—Monterey Jazz (2009)
Ashland (GI-Kee)—Elloluv (2003)
Barretts Debutante (Fpx)—Catch My Fancy (2005)
Bustles and Bows (Fpx)—Fairway Road (2009)
California Derby (BM)—Tracemark (2002)
California Juvenile (GIII-BM)—Zillah the Hun (2000)
California Sire (Hol)—Winston Chi (2001)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—Bai and Bai (2008)
Count Fleet Sprint H. (GII-OP)—Reraise (1999)
CTBA (Dmr)—Treadmill (2007)
Daisycutter H. (Dmr)—Bonifacio (2010)
Dayjur H. (Hol)—Accomplice (1999)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Bai and Bai (2008)
Foster City H. (BM)—Bai and Bai (2008)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Walk In Time (1998); Rare Charmer (2001); Shalini (2003)
Gold Rush (GG)—El Gato Malo (2007)
Graduation (Dmr)—Daring General (1998)
Hawthorne Gold Cup H. (GII-Haw)—Awesome Gem (2009)
Hollywood Gold Cup H. (GI-Hol)—Awesome Gem (2010)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Elloluv (2002)
Hollywood Turf Express H. (GIII-Hol)—El Cielo (2000); Swept Overboard (2001)
Kentucky Cup Sprint (GIII-TP)—Reraise (GII-1998)
craig dollase
Las Madrinas H. (Fpx)—Bai and Bai (2007)
Lone Star Derby (GIII-LS)—El Gato Malo (2008)
Lone Star Park H. (GIII-LS)—Awesome Gem (2011)
Longacres Mile H. (GIII-EmD)—Awesome Gem (2011)
McCann’s Mojave (GG)—El Gato Malo (2009)
Mervyn Leroy H. (GII-Hol)—Futural (2001)
Metropolitan Mile H. (GI-Bel)—Swept Overboard (2002)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Momentum (2001)
Oakland H. (GG)—Reraise (1999)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Ten a Penny (2007-Div. 1)
Palomares (Fpx)—Fashion Trend (2010)
Piedra Foundation H. (Dmr)—Elloluv (2004)
Playa Del Rey (Hol)—Reraise (1998)
Relaunch (Dmr)—Kaibo (1999)
Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Swept Overboard (2001); My Summer Slew
(2010)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—Bai and Bai (2007)
Tanforan H. (GIII-BM)—Reality Road (1998)
Texas Mile (GIII-LS)—Monterey Jazz (2008)
Valkyr (Hol)—Shalini (2003)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Tower Full (1997)
Windy Sands H. (Dmr)—Tropic Storm (2010)
•
•
•
•
•
Highlights
• First winner: Brush Storm, his first starter, by six lengths at Hollywood Park on
Dec. 23, 1995.
• First stakes winner: Tower Full, 1997 Vernon O. Underwood at Hollywood
Park. Tower Full ran six furlongs in a stakes-record 1:08 after earlier having run
for a $12,500 claiming tag.
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Reraise, 1998 Sprinter.
• Training title: Hollywood Park: 1998 spring/summer.
• At the age of 27, became youngest trainer to saddle a Breeders’ Cup winner
when Reraise scored a front-running, two-length victory over Grand Slam in
•
•
the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs. Supplemented to the race
for $120,000 by owners Barry Fey, Moon Han, Dr. Frank Sinatra and Dr. Larry
Opas, Reraise went off as the second choice at 4-1. At year’s end, he was rewarded with an Eclipse Award as champion sprinter.
Hard-hitting gelding Awesome Gem, a lifetime earner of more than $2 million
in 36 races, reached the pinnacle of his career at the age of 7 when upsetting
odds-on favorite Rail Trip by one-half length in the 2010 running of Hollywood
Park’s signature race, the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup. It was the first Grade
I victory for the well-traveled son of Awesome Again.
Awesome Gem, as an 8-year-old, kept rolling along in 2011 when traveling to
Texas to take the Grade III Lone Star Handicap. He ventured to Seattle where,
as the richest horse ever to race in the state of Washington, he was victorious
in Emerald Downs’ Grade III Longacres Mile Handicap. The winning purse of
$110,000 elevated the career earnings of Awesome Gem to $2,688,270.
Following a pair of cancelled flights that prompted lengthy shipping delays,
Swept Overboard reached Belmont Park to record an 11-1 upset in the Grade I
Metropolitan Mile Handicap, winning the 2002 event by 4 3/4 lengths and running the distance in 1:33.34, fourth fastest time in stakes history.
Another significant Grade I upset was achieved in 2002 when Elloluv won
Hollywood Park’s Hollywood Starlet by four lengths over 1-5 choice Composure
to pay $63.60, highest win mutuel in the stake’s history.
Following victories in the Tokyo City Cup and San Bernardino Handicap at
Santa Anita, Futural finished first by 1 1/2 lengths over Aptitude in the 2001
Hollywood Gold Cup only to be disqualified and placed third for interfering
with Skimming through the stretch.
Stable earned a career-high $2.5 million in 2001 when runners won seven
graded stakes events. Swept Overboard captured three stakes races including Oak
Tree’s Grade I Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap, defeating 2000 Eclipse
Award-winning sprinter Kona Gold. Became a two-time winner of the Ancient
Title in 2004 when Pt’s Grey Eagle was victorious.
Saddled Te Atua, a $25,000 claim, to seven consecutive victories in 1996, a
streak which trainer says “put me on the map.”
• Won three consecutive races on Dec. 18, 1996, at Hollywood Park when Tower
Full, Splendid Wolf and Missoula Lula took the fifth, sixth and seventh races.
• All four wins during 2000 Oak Tree season came in stakes, including victory No.
9,001 for Laffit Pincay Jr. aboard Road to Slew in the California Cup Mile.
Personal
• Obtained trainer’s license in July of 1996.
• Stable quickly increased in size when his father, Wally, accepted a position as
private trainer for The Thoroughbred Corp. in Dec. 1997, and sent most of his
horses to son Craig.
• Learned trade from his father. Began as a groom in his teens. Later served as assistant trainer before going on his own.
• Played football and basketball at Arcadia High School, and is an avid sports fan.
• Married former Santa Anita publicity executive assistant Nancy Carbajal, daughter of late trainer Sal Carbajal, in August 2000.
craig dollase
CAESAR DOMINGUEZ
Birthdate: August 1, 1949
Birthplace: El Paso, Texas
Wife: Sherry
Children: Krystal and twins Colleen
and Amanda
Residence: La Habra Heights
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Anoakia (OT)—Wind Flow (2003)
Boo La Boo—Long Term Wish (2003)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Regal Groom (1992)
Reb's Policy—Regal Groom (1993)
Santa Ynez BC—Fit To Lead (GIII-1993)
Highlights
• First Thoroughbred winner: Olympic Bingo at Santa Anita on Jan. 20, 1988.
• First graded stakes winner: Fit To Lead, Santa Ynez Stakes (Grade III) at Santa
Anita in 1993.
• In 1992, horses topped $1 million in earnings, just three years after branching
out from a major Quarter Horse operation.
• Saddled five stakes winners in 1992 at Fairplex, matching his previous year’s output. Was also leading trainer at the Pomona track in 1992 and would share the
lead in 1998.
• Trained winners of 1,200 races and 100 stakes in Quarter Horse business; named
industry’s Trainer of the Year in 1989.
• Won seven Grade I events with Takin on the Cash, winner of the $500,000
Kindergarten in 1989 and Quarter Horse sophomore champion in 1990.
Personal
• Uncles trained Quarter Horses in Texas and New Mexico; began working for
them at age 10 in 1959 at Sunland Park.
• Moved to California in 1966.
Other Major Stakes Wins
Ahwatukee Express (TuP)—Wind Flow (2004)
Beau Brummel (Fpx)—Lost In Paradise (1999)
Black Swan (Fpx)—Roaring Blaze (2001)
Bustles & Bows (Fpx)—She’s Classy (1999); Sea Reel (2000)
Ladbroke (GG)—Double Brass (1995)
Las Ninas (Fpx)—Southern Switch (1993); Brite's High (1995)
caesar dominguez
Birthdate: December 11, 1947
Birthplace: Haselmere, Surrey, England
Wife: Shawn
Residence: Playa del Rey
Children: Lita
Triple Crown Wins
Belmont (GI-Bel)—A. P. Indy (1992)
Kentucky Derby (GI-CD)—Fusaichi Pegasus (2000)
Breeders' Cup Wins
Classic (GI)—A. P. Indy (1992-GP)
Distaff (GI)—Princess Rooney (1984-Hol); Hollywood Wildcat (1993-SA)
Juvenile (GI)—Tasso (1985-Aqu)
Mile (GI)—War Chant (2000-CD)
Turf (GI)—Prized (1989-GP)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title BC (GI-OT)—Gold Land (GII-1998)
Arcadia H. (GII)—Labeeb (1997); Hawksley Hill (1998); Liberian Freighter (2011)
Blue Norther—Major Idea (2003)
Buena Vista (GII)—Dance Parade (1998)
Clement L. Hirsch Championship (GI-OT)—Both Ends Burning (1984);
Storming Home (2003); Fourty Niners Son (2005); Artiste Royal (2007)
El Encino (GII)—Girl Warrior (2005)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (GI)—Prized (GIII-1990); Madjaristan (GIII-1991);
Hawksley Hill (GII-1998)
Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (OT)—Illuminise (2006)
La Cañada (GII)—Gorgeous (1990)
Lady’s Secret BC H. (GII-OT)—Hollywood Wildcat (1993, 1994)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Sapphire Ring (1999); Beauthyandthebeast (2006)
La Zanzara H.—Aubonne (2006)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Alexandra Rose (2008)
Oak Leaf (GI-OT)—Bold 'n Determined (1979); Folk Art (1984)
Oak Tree BC Mile (GII-OT)—Hawksley Hill (1998); War Chant (2000);
Musical Chimes (2004); Aragorn (2006)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Sign of Hope (2000); Aragorn (2005)
Reloy—Keemoon (2001)
San Felipe (GII)—Fusaichi Pegasus (2000)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Irish Prize (2001, 2002)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Cat by the Tale (2010)
San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (GII)—Single Empire (GI-1999); Sunshine
Street (GI-2000); Bourbon Bay (2010)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—Obrigado (2007)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Prized (GI-1990); Single Empire (1999); Fourty Niners
Son (2007); Unrivaled Belle (2010)
San Marcos H. (GII)—Prize Giving (1998); Irish Prize (2002); One Off (2007);
Artiste Royal (2009); Bourbon Bay (2011)
San Marino H.—Dreamer (1997); Majorien (2000)
San Rafael (GII)—A. P. Indy (1992); War Chant (2000)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Fiji (1998)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—A. P. Indy (1992)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Bold 'n Determined (1980)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Bequest (GI-1991); Fiji (1998)
Santa Margarita Invitational (GI)—Miss Match (2011)
HALL OF FAME - 2000
NEIL DRYSDALE
neil drysdale
Other Major Stakes Wins
Acorn (GI-Bel)—Bold 'n Determined (1980)
American H. (GII-Hol)—Man From Eldorado (1992); Silver Wizard (1995);
Labeeb (1996)
Apple Blossom H. (GI-OP)—Hail Hilarious (GIII-1977); Bold 'n Determined
(1981); Gorgeous (1990)
Astarita (GIII-Bel)—Bella Bellucci (GII-2001)
Atto Mile (GI-WO)—Touch of the Blues (2003)
Bel Air H. (GII-Hol)—Rahy (1989)
Bewitch (GIII-Kee)—Keemoon (2001)
Californian (GII)—Sabona (GI-1989); Roanoke (GI-1991)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Both Ends Burning (1985);
Political Ambition (1988); Storm Trooper (1998); White Heart (2000);
Storming Home (2003); Artiste Royal (2008)
Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (CD)—Dayjur (1996)
Cinema H. (GIII-Hol)—Via Lombardia (1995)
Coaching Club American Oaks (GI-Bel)—Bold 'n Determined (1980)
Comely (GII-Aqu)—Bella Bellucci (GIII-2002)
Contested Bid (Hol)—Riviera Cocktail (2009)
Cougar II H. (GIII-Dmr)—Bourbon Bay (2011)
Dahlia H. (GIII-Hol)—Balbonella (1988)
Del Mar BC Mile (GII-Dmr)—Aragorn (2006)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Deputy Governor (1987)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Hollywood Wildcat (1993); No Matter What (2000)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Deputy Governor (1988); Sarafan (2002)
El Segundo (Hol)—Canteen (2008)
Escondido H. (Dmr)—Sarafan (2004)
Explosive Bid H. (GII-FG)—Sarafan (2002)
Fastness H. (GII-Hol)—Irish Prize (2001)
Firecracker BC H. (GII-CD)—Irish Prize (2001)
Gamely BC H. (GI-Hol)—Hail Hilarious (1977); Hollywood Wildcat (1994);
Fiji (1998)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Jokerman (1999)
Golden Gate BC H. (GIII-GG)—Party Season (GII-1995); Time Star (GII-1996);
Fantastic Spain (2007)
Golden State Mile (GG— Ministers Wild Cat (2003)
Harry Brubaker (Dmr)—Sarafan (2003); Liberian Freighter (2010)
Hawthorne Derby (GIII-Haw)—Flying Dash (2002)
Hermosa Beach H. (Hol)—Sohgol (2007)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Political Ambition (1987)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—A.P. Indy (1991)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Gorgeous (GI-1989); Hollywood Wildcat
(GI-1993)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Splendid Blended (2004)
Honey Fox (GIII-Dmr)—Keemoon (2000, 2001)
Honeymoon H. (GIII-Hol)—Hot Option (1989)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—Liberian Freighter (2011)
Its in the Air (Hol)—Model (2008)
Jerome H. (GII-Bel)—French Deputy (1995); Fusaichi Pegasus (2000)
Jim Murray Memorial H. (GII-Hol)—Storming Home (2003)
John Henry H. (Hol)—Deputy Governor (1988)
John C. Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Musical Chimes (2004)
Kentucky Oaks (GI-CD)—Bold 'n Determined (1980)
Kobuk King (Dmr)—Beat All (2001)
Long Island H. (GII-Aqu)—Midnight Line (1999)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Gold Land (1998)
Maker’s Mark Mile (GII-Kee)—Touchoftheblues (2002)
HALL OF FAME - 2000
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Hilarious (1977); Miss Brio (1989)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Hilarious (GIII-1977); Miss Brio (GII-1989);
Laramie Moon (GII-1992)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Bella Belucci (2002)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Princess Mitterand (1994)
San Vicente (GII)—Sea of Secrets (1998)
Sensational Star H.—Liberian Freighter (2009)
Some Sensation—Major Idea (2003)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Fiji (1998)
Highlights
HALL OF FAME - 2000
Mervin H. Muniz Memorial H. (GII-FG)—Sarafan (2002)
Miss America (GG)—Girl Warrior (2005)
Molson Million (GI-WO)—Prized (1989)
Neartic (WO)—Kahal (2000)
Oak Tree Mile (GII-OT-Hol)—Liberian Freighter (2010)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Becrux (2005-1st div.)
Osunitas (Dmr)—Arabic Song (2003)
Peter Pan (GII-Bel)—A. P. Indy (1992); Sunday Break (2002)
Queen Of The Green H. (TuP)—Double Cat (2002)
Round Table H. (GIII-Hol)—Cedar Mountain (ng-2008); Obrigado (2009)
Royal Heroine (GIII-Hol)—Magic Mission (2003)
San Francisco BC Mile (GII-GG)—Hawksley Hill (1998)
Sandy Blue (Dmr)—Live Your Dreams (2001)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Mrs. Kipling (2009)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Labeeb (1998); Irish Prize (2001)
Sky Classic (GII-WO)—Marsh Side (2010)
Sunset H. (GIII-Hol)—Always First (2005-GII); Marlang (2010)
Swaps (GII-Hol)—Forceten (GI-1975); Prized (1989)
Spinster (GI-Kee)—Bold 'n Determined (1980)
Sunset H. (GII-Hol)—Always First (2005)
Swaps (GII-Hol)—Forceten (GI-1975); Prized (1989); Dreamy Kid (2011)
Tanforan H. (GIII-BM)—Both Ends Burning (1984, 1985)
Tiznow (Hol)—Liberian Freighter (2009)
Transylvania (GIII-Kee)—Flying Dash (2002)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Princess Rooney (1984); Magnificent Lindy (1986);
Gorgeous (1990); Splendid Blended (2005)
Waya (Hol)—Keemoon (2000)
Wickerr (Dmr)—Touch of the Blues (2003); Becrux (2006, 2007)
Woodbine Mile (WO)—Labeeb (1998); Becrux (GI-2006)
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI-CD)—White Heart (2001)
Wood Memorial (GI-Aqu)—Fusaichi Pegasus (GII-2000)
• Hall of Fame: Inducted on Aug. 7, 2000. Induction came three months after
Kentucky Derby victory with Fusaichi Pegasus and three months prior to his
sixth win in a Breeders’ Cup race, the Mile, with War Chant.
• Eclipse Award winners trained: A. P. Indy, 1992 Horse of the Year; Fiji, 1998
Turf Filly or Mare; Hollywood Wildcat, 1993 3-Year-Old Filly; Princess Rooney,
1984 Older Filly or Mare; and Tasso, 1985 2-Year-Old.
• Fusaichi Pegasus rallied from 15th for his Kentucky Derby triumph before finishing second to Red Bullet in the Preakness. The $4-million yearling purchase by
Fusao Sekiguchi would earn $1,994,400 for the year.
• First Triple Crown victory was achieved in 1992 when A. P. Indy won the
Belmont Stakes after missing the first two legs of the Triple Crown with a bruised
foot. Before the year was over, the Santa Anita Derby winner would capture the
Breeders’ Cup Classic and become Horse of the Year.
• First Breeders’ Cup win was achieved with Princess Rooney in the 1984 Distaff
at Hollywood Park. Tasso took the Juvenile one year later at Aqueduct. In 1989,
Prized was victorious in the Turf at Gulfstream Park. Hollywood Wildcat followed in 1993 by winning the Distaff at Oak Tree.
• Realized a career-high year in 1998 when horses won 73 races including 19
graded stakes and earned $6,574,484. Fiji won a pair of Grade I races, Oak Tree’s
Yellow Ribbon Stakes and Hollywood Park’s Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Artiste Royal’s victory in Hollywood Park’s 2008 Charles Whittingham Memorial
Handicap was his sixth in that Grade I event that honors the legendary trainer
whom Drysdale assisted from 1971 through 1974.
• During1997-98 meet, tied Whittingham’s Santa Anita record of 14 stakes wins
set in 1970-71 when Drysdale was serving as assistant.
• Calendar helped create an oddity in 2001 when Irish Prize, a winner of five
graded stakes that year, twice won the Grade II San Gabriel Handicap: on Jan. 1
and on Dec. 30, just shy of 12 months later.
• Trained Hollywood Wildcat to five straight wins including 1993 Breeders' Cup
Distaff. Hollywood Wildcat was inducted into the National Museum of Racing
Hall of Fame in August 2000.
neil drysdale
Personal
•
•
•
•
Son of a British Royal Marine officer.
Managed stud farm in South America.
Former show horse trainer.
Started career with Thoroughbreds at Tartan Farms and as an assistant to Roger
Laurin for two years.
• Assistant to the late Charlie Whittingham for four years (1970-1974) on recommendation of late Southern California racing secretary Frank E. "Jimmy" Kilroe.
• Began public stable in 1983.
HALL OF FAME - 2000
• Won eight races in 1980 with Bold 'n Determined, including a triumph over
eventual division champion Genuine Risk.
RON ELLIS
Birthdate: March 10, 1960
Birthplace: Glendale, California
Wife: Amy
Children: Elizabeth, Laura and
Christine
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Blue Norther—Navigator (2008)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Lexa (2000); Blue Moon (2002)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Glass Ceiling (1994)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—To B. Or Not (1981, 1982)
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Benchmark (1997)
Irish O'Brien—Change Tune (1995)
La Brea (GI)—Exotic Wood (GII-1995); I Ain’t Bluffing (1998)
Market Basket H.—Key Phrase (1995)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—To B. Or Not (1980)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—To B. Or Not (1980)
Reloy—Lexa (2000)
Run For The Roses H.—Twice The Vice (1996)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Malabar Gold (2002); Mr Gruff (2009, 2010)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Pharma (GI-1996)
Santa Catalina (GII)—Declan’s Moon (2005)
Santa Lucia H.—Hope Rises (2004)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Twice The Vice (1996)
Santa Maria H. (GII)—Exotic Wood (GI-1998); Vision in Gold (2011)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Key Phrase (1995); Exotic Wood (1998)
Santana Mile H.—Rail Trip (2009)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Denim Yenem (1995)
Shywing—Pirate's Revenge (1995)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Benchmark (1997)
Winter Solstice—Pirate's Revenge (1995)
Zany Tactics—Maximize (1995)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Golden Itiz (2010)
All American H. (GIII-GG)—Buzzards Bay (2006)
Apple Blossom H. (GI-OP)—Twice The Vice (1996)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Pirate's Revenge (1995)
California Dreamin’ H. (Dmr)—Dewey’s Special (2009)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Buzzards Bay (2007); Rail Trip (2010)
Carlsbad H. (Dmr)—To B. Or Not (1980)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Benchmark (1997)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Declan’s Moon (2004)
Derby Trial (CD)—Don’t Get Mad (2005)
Fastness H. (Hol)—Vetheuil (1998)
Genuine Risk H. (GII-Bel)—Exotic Wood (1996)
Go for Wand H. (GI-Sar)—Exotic Wood (1996)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Twice The Vice (GII-1997), I Ain’t Bluffing
(GII-1998)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Declan’s Moon (2004)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Rail Trip (2009)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Declan’s Moon (2004)
Indiana Derby (GII-Hoo)—Don’t Get Mad (2005)
Jim Kostoff (Fpx)—Pinal (2010)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Timeless Answer (1990)
ron ellis
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Rail Trip (2010)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Pirate's Revenge (1995); Twice The Vice (1996);
I Ain’t Bluffing (1998)
Miss Hollywood Park (Hol)—Pirate's Revenge (1995)
Northern Dancer BC (GIII-CD)—Don’t Get Mad (2005)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—Buzzards Bay (2006)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Echo of Yesterday (1993,1994)
Osunitas (Dmr)—Que Belle (1999); Dyna’s Club (2002)
Possibly Perfect (Hol)—I Ain’t Bluffing (1997)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—I Ain’t Bluffing (1997)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Pumpkin House (1995)
Valkyr H. (Hol)—Tropical Stephanie (1991)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Twice The Vice (1997)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Pharma (1996); Shake The Yoke (1998)
Highlights
•
•
•
•
First winner: To B. Or Not, Carlsbad Stakes at Del Mar in 1980.
Eclipse Award winner trained: Declan’s Moon, 2004 2-Year-Old.
Training titles: Oak Tree: 1995-tied with Mike Mitchell.
Guided 2004 2-year-old champion Declan’s Moon through an undefeated fourrace juvenile season that included victories in the Del Mar Futurity, Hollywood
Prevue and Grade I Hollywood Futurity, in which he defeated Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile winner Wilko.
• After coming up short in two prep races for the 2009 Hollywood Gold Cup following five straight wins and being favored in all seven starts, Rail Trip put it all
together in Hollywood Park’s $750,000 signature event with a three-length romp
at odds of 9-1. In registering his first graded stakes victory, the bay gelding set
a Cushion Track record of 2:00.75 for the 1 1/4 miles. “Everyone was talking
about him being the next superstar (following Rail Trip’s five-win start),” said
jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. “He showed up when it counted most.”
• Saddled Twice The Vice to four stakes wins in 1996, including the Apple
Blossom, Milady and Santa Margarita handicaps, all Grade I events. Her 1997
campaign included wins in the Grade II Hawthorne and Grade I Vanity at
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hollywood Park in just four starts. She was retired prior to the Breeders’ Cup
Distaff with a hairline fracture of the left cannon bone. She won 12 of 24 lifetime starts and earned $1.4 million.
Exotic Wood captured a pair of East Coast stakes in 1996, the Genuine Risk and
the Go For Wand. After finishing fourth in the 1997 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, the
Rahy mare won two consecutive Grade I races at Santa Anita, the Santa Monica
and Santa Maria handicaps.
Finished fourth in both the 2003 and 2005 Kentucky Derbys, his first ventures
into the Churchill Downs classic. After winning the 2005 Derby Trial, Don’t Get
Mad rallied from 19th in a field of 20 for his fourth-place finish in the Run for
the Roses one week later.
First Kentucky Derby competitor Atswhatimtalknbout went to Louisville
after a fourth-place finish to Buddy Gil when favored in the 2003 Santa Anita
Derby following a nose loss to Buddy Gil in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes.
Atswhatimtalknbout rallied strongly in the Kentucky Derby for his fourth-place
finish after a poor start.
To B. Or Not won seven stakes, earned more than $330,000 and set two track
records in a three-year span beginning in 1980 after owners Carole and William
Bohm moved him and another horse to Ellis' barn. Included was trainer’s first
victory, which came in 1980 Carlsbad Handicap at Del Mar.
Claimed Tropical Stephanie and developed her into a stakes winner. Tagged her
for $32,000 in 1988 and won Hollywood Park’s $106,200 Valkyr Handicap as a
6-year-old in 1991.
A high-percentage trainer, Ellis saddled 14 winners from 19 starters at Santa
Anita in 1989; won 33% of starts at 1986 Hollywood Park spring/summer meet;
seven of first 19 at ensuing Del Mar meet.
Personal
• Wife Amy is sister of prominent East Coast trainer Paul McGee and Daily
Racing Form writer Marty McGee.
• Introduced to racing at age 16 when he accompanied his father and some friends
who owned horses to Santa Anita. Four years later, he saddled his first winner.
• Has worked as a racing analyst on FOX Network telecasts.
peter eurton
Birthdate: August 12, 1957
Birthplace: Alhambra
Wife: Lisa
Children: Britney
Residence: La Verne
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Cee Dreams (2001)
Oak Leaf (GI-OT)—Weemissfrankie (2011-SA)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Weemissfrankie (2011)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Cee Dreams (2001)
Harry F. Brubaker (Dmr)—Masterpiece (2007)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Star Nicholas (2008)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—Bran Jammas (2010)
Windy Sands H. (Dmr)—Star Nicholas (2009)
Highlights
• After Weemissfrankie had provided the trainer with not only his first graded
stakes victory, but his first Grade I in the Del Mar Debutante, the unbeaten filly
returned one month later in Santa Anita’s Grade I, $250,000 Oak Leaf Stakes to
mow down her opposition with a scintillating stretch run. She closed a couple of
lengths inside the sixteenth pole to storm from third to first and defeat Candrea
by one-half length.
• The pair of Grade I wins, on the heels of a maiden score, convinced Eurton that
Weemissfrankie was worthy of becoming his first Breeders’ Cup starter, and she
responded with a third-place finish in the $2-million Juvenile Fillies as the third
choice at 5-1 behind victorious My Miss Aurelia (2-1) and Grace Hall (7-2). Her
earnings in four starts rose to $535,800
• Weemissfrankie, from Sunriver’s first crop out of the Meadowlake mare
Starinthemeadow, was purchased for $175,000 at Ocala in April. She was named
for the late Hollywood actor Frank Alesia, who was part of the chestnut filly’s
ownership group along with his wife Sharon, Mike and Dawn Mellen’s Bran Jam
Stable and Joe Ciaglia’s Ciaglia Stable.
• Eurton’s best year in racing prior to 2011 was 2009 when his runners earned
purses totaling $980,000 from 27 winners, 25 seconds and 26 thirds with 171
starters.
• His 2011 purse earnings were heightened by stakes campaigner She’s Cheeky, second in Del Mar’s Grade II Rancho Bernardo Handicap and third in Hollywood
Park’s Grade II Milady for the same connections as Weemissfrankie.
• Eurton’s most accomplished runner prior to Weemissfrankie was Cee Dreams,
winner of the $150,000 California Cup Matron Handicap at Santa Anita and the
E. B. Johnston Stakes at Fairplex in Pomona in 2001.
• Star Nicholas became a multiple stakes winner for the trainer by taking the 2008
On Trust Handicap and the Windy Sands Handicap at Del Mar in 2009. In
2011 at Del Mar, he saddled Joker Face, Mike Smith’s mount in the “Battle of
the Exes.” Joker Face was a 2 1/4-length winner over the horse ridden by Chantal
Sutherland, Smith’s ex-fiancée.
peter eurton
Personal
• Introduced to the races by his father, Wayne Eurton, at the age of 10. His mother, Shirley, would remarry a trainer, Steve Ippolito.
• After attending Rex Ellsworth’s jockey’s school in Chino, galloped horses and
began his riding career at Caliente when he was 10. Also rode at tracks in Canada
as well as at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate during the winters. Riding career
lasted only 2 1/2 years due to weight problems.
• After galloping horses for four years for Ippolito, his stepfather encouraged him
to become a trainer. Took out his license in 1985. Saddled his first winner, Mah
Jong, during the 1985 Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita.
CARLA GAINES
Birthdate: May 21, 1952
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
Single
Residence: Pasadena
Breeders' Cup Win
Sprint (GI)—Dancing in Silks (2009-OT)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Distant Victory (2008)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Super High (2002)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Unlimited Value (2002); Dancing in Silks (2009)
China Doll—Foxysox (2006)
Honest Lady—Tiz Elemental (2008)
Impressive Luck H.—Lucky J. H. (2008)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Tiz Elemental (2008)
Pro or Con H.—Super High (2004)
Providencia (GIII)—Foxysox (2006)
Reloy H.—Blending Element (1998)
Santa Ana (GII)—Malibu Pier (2011)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Foxysox (2008); Malibu Pier (2011)
Sensational Star H.—Lucky J.H. (2008)
Santa Margarita Invitational H. (GI)—Nashoba’s Key (2008)
Santa Paula—Mildly Offensive (2011)
Survive—Image Of Glory (2000)
The Very One—Blending Element (1999)
Tuzla H. (GIII)—Foxysox (2009)
Uniformity—Irish Art (2011-SA)
Valentine Dancer H.—Tiz a Blend (2008)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Foxysox (2006)
Beverly Hills H. (GIII-Hol)—Malibu Pier (2011)
California Sire Stakes (Fillies) (Hol)—Top of Our Game (2000); Super High (2002)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Nashoba’s Key (2007)
Cougar II H. (GIII-Dmr)—Temple City (2010)
El Cerrito (GG)—Los Gatos (1993)
Flawlessly (Hol)—Super High (2002)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Excessive Blend (2009)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Nashoba’s Key (2007)
I’m Smokin (Dmr)—Spot the Diplomat (2006); John Scott (2009)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Nashoba’s Key (2007)
Melair (Hol)—Tiz Elemental (2007)
NTRA (Hol)—Dancing in Silks (2008)
Pirate’s Bounty (Dmr)—Dancing in Silks (2009)
Princess (Hol)—Freeport Flight (GII-1997)
Sandy Blue H. (Dmr)—Excessive Blend (2009)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Foxysox (2006)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—Top of Our Game (2001); Super High (2002)
Soviet Problem H. (GG)—Image of Greatness (2001)
Tiznow (Hol)—No Reason (2006)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Nashoba’s Key (2007)
Work the Crowd (GG)—Super High (2004)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Nashoba’s Key (2007)
Yerba Buena BC H. (GIII-GG)—Blending Element (1999)
carla gaines
Highlights
• First winner: Glory Quest, $4,000 claiming race at Vallejo in 1989.
• First stakes winner: Los Gatos, 1993 West Twelve Ranch Stakes at Bay
Meadows.
• First graded stakes winner: Freeport Flight, 1997 Princess Stakes at Hollywood.
As a 3-year-old, Freeport Flight went on to finish second in the 1998
Honeymoon Handicap and Hollywood Oaks.
• First Grade I winner: Nashoba’s Key, 2007 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.
• Notched the biggest win of her career in stunning fashion when 25-1 shot
Dancing in Silks gained his first graded stakes victory with a gritty nose triumph
over Crown of Thorns in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on
Nov. 7, 2009. Dancing in Silks, a California-bred gelding, was the second longest
shot in the field of nine. His biggest previous win had been recorded one month
earlier by a nose in Oak Tree’s $100,000 California Cup Sprint Handicap.
• Nashoba’s Key, a 4-year-old Warren B. Williamson homebred, did not make her
first start until January of 2007, but rapidly became the best horse ever trained
by Gaines while winning her first six starts including the Vanity and extending
her run to the Grade II, $294,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar.
“She always trained like she had a lot of talent,” commented the trainer. “But to
go from a Cal-bred maiden to a Grade I in five races, I can’t say I expected that.”
Meanwhile, the daughter of Silver Hawk earned $623,460.
• After being named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2007 by the CTBA,
Nashoba’s Key came back in 2008 to capture Santa Anita’s Grade I Santa
Margarita Invitational Handicap to surpass $1.2 million in career earnings. But
the 5-year-old daughter of Silver Hawk’s life came to a tragic end on May 28 in
a freak stall accident at Hollywood Park. “She kicked the wall of her pen and
broke her hind leg,” explained Gaines. “She was euthanized shortly thereafter. She
brought a lot of joy to everyone’s lives that were lucky enough to be associated
with her and we will all miss her very much.”
• Won four stakes races in 2002 with 3-year-old filly Super High, whose victories included Oak Tree’s California Cup Matron Handicap and the Flawlessly
at Hollywood Park. Super High was owned and bred by Harris Farms, one of
trainer’s principal clients. In taking Del Mar’s Solana Beach Handicap that year,
Super High set a stakes record of 1:33.65 for one mile on turf.
• In addition to Super High in the Matron, saddled Unlimited Value in the Sprint
Handicap to capture a pair of Cal Cup races on the 2002 program at Oak Tree.
• Won a pair of Grade III stakes races on the turf in 2006 with 3-year-old filly
Foxysox, Santa Anita’s Providencia and the Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park.
• In 2006, high percentage trainer won with 26 percent of her starters (14 of 53) at
Santa Anita and with 31 percent (11 of 36) at Hollywood Park. The Hollywood
Park ratio was the highest winning percentage among the meet’s Top 20 trainers
(Gaines placed 11th in victories).
Personal
• Studied sociology at the Universities of Virginia and Alabama, earned a master’s
degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Alabama.
• First career was as a professional counselor. Counseled juvenile delinquents
in Alabama, but decided it wasn’t for her. Took a leave and broke yearlings in
Louisiana for friends who were pinhooking Thoroughbreds.
• Never returned to counseling. Started working yearling sales in New York and
Kentucky, before coming to California seasonally to work for West Coast-based
consignors.
• Began training for consignors at sales, and then worked as assistant trainer in
California for 10 years. Worked for trainer Mike Harte in Northern California
and Tommy Walker and Calumet Farm in Southern California. Also galloped
horses in Bay Area for trainer Chuck Jenda and others.
• Obtained trainer’s license in 1989; first horse trained was for Harris Farms in
Northern California (Glory Quest). Moved to Southern California to train in
1996.
• Main clients are Warren B. Williamson and 1998 TOBA California Breeder of
the Year Harris Farms.
• Mainly buys horses at sales or in Europe. Gets top Cal-breds from Harris Farms
of former California Horse Racing Board Chairman John C. Harris.
• Says her strength is her patience with horses. Also known for developing young
horses: “I like to see their progress,” she said. “You know, I did work with young
people for a long time. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it or not.”
• Outside interests include swimming, camping, water-skiing and sailing.
carla gaines
PADDY GALLAGHER
Birthdate: Nov. 15, 1956
Birthplace: Strabane, Ireland
Single
Residence: Sierra Madre
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Anoakia (OT)—Berriestoheaven (2006)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—McCann’s Mojave (2005)
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Special Heather (2006)
California Cup Starter H. (OT)—Ring of Friendship (2005)
San Pasqual (GII)—Aggie Engineer (2011)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Magical Fantasy (2009)
Strub (GII)—Domestic Dispute (2004)
Sunny Slope (OT)—Dilemma (2006)
Sunshine Millions Turf (SA)—Adminnestrator (2003)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Magical Fantasy (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Ack Ack (GIII-Hol)—McCann’s Mojave (2005)
Audrey Skirball-Kenis (Hol)—Hucking Hot (2007)
Bay Meadows BC Derby (BM)—Walkslikeaduck (2000)
Bay Meadows BC H. (BM)—Needwood Blade (2004)
California Derby (GG)—Yankee Bravo (2008)
California Sire (Hol)—Gobi Dan (2002)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Tucked Away (2005)
CTT and TOC H. (Dmr)—Princess Taylor (2010)
Dahlia H. (GIII-Hol)—Festival (2004)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Del)—Walkslikeaduck (2000)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Magical Fantasy (2008)
Flawlessly (Hol)—Charming and Lovable (2006)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Tucked Away (2003)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Here’s To You (2000)
Gamely (GI-Hol)—Magical Fantasy (2009)
Golden Poppy H. (GG)—Angel Gift (2002, 2003)
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Three Degrees (2005); Valbenny (2007)
John C. Mabee (GI-Dmr)—Magical Fantasy (2009)
Magali Farms (Hol)—Tucked Away (2003)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Valbenny (2006)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Aggie Engineer (2010)
Quicken Tree (Hol)—Adminniestrator (2002)
Redondo Beach (Hol)—Singalong (2006)
San Clemente H. (GII-Dmr)—Starlarks (2009)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Valbenny (2007)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—Tucked Away (2004)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Leesider (2007); Nahem (2011)
Steinlen H. (Hol)—Self Feeder (1999)
Highlights
• First graded stakes win: Walkslikeaduck, Grade II Del Mar Derby in 2000.
Walkslikeaduck established a stakes record of 1:46.66 for 1 1/8 miles on turf. He
would finish 12th in 2000 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.
paddy gallagher
• First Grade I stakes win: Magical Fantasy, Grade I Del Mar Oaks in 2008. The
longest shot in the $350,000 event, the Kentucky-bred British import not only
scored her first U.S. win but her first stakes victory in the Grade I while paying
an Oaks-record $87 for the victory. “I think you have to take a shot when they’re
doing as well as she was,” said Gallagher, who had added earmuffs in an effort to
help the filly relax.
• Magical Fantasy continued her rise through the upper echelon of the older filly
and mare division in 2009 with three consecutive graded stakes scores beginning
with Santa Anita’s Grade II Santa Barbara Handicap. The 4-year-old daughter of
Diesis proceeded to add a pair of Grade I events: Hollywood Park’s Gamely Stakes
and the John C. Mabee at Del Mar. “She looks like she’s improving a little bit at a
time,” noted her Irish-born trainer.
• Stellar year in 2007 when 3-year-old filly Valbenny became a multiple graded
stakes winner. After winning a division of Hollywood Park’s 2006 Miesque Stakes,
a Grade III, in her United States debut, British import Valbenny scored back-toback victories in Hollywood Park’s 2007 Senorita Stakes (Gr III) and Honeymoon
Breeders’ Cup Handicap (Gr II) before finishing a close second to Panty Raid in
the Grade I American Oaks.
• Valbenny’s win in the Miesque punctuated a most productive season for the stable
in 2006 when earnings reached $3 million from 65 victories.
• Adminniestrator provided the richest win of trainer’s career when taking inaugural
running of the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita in 2003.
Personal
• Assisted close friend Bill Shoemaker, the riding legend-turned-trainer who died on
Oct. 12, 2003. Took over Shoe’s stable in 1997 when the paralyzed former jockey
ceased his training career.
• Rode as an amateur in his native Ireland.
• Older brother Jimmy was a former jockey in Ireland.
• After visiting U.S. in 1980, returned to Ireland but came back to U.S. permanently in 1981, gaining employment as an assistant to trainer John Sullivan.
J. PACO GONZALEZ
Birthdate: March 17, 1945
Birthplace: Yahualeca, Mexico
Single
Residence: Arcadia
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Del Mar Dennis (1995)
San Rafael (GII)—Came Home (2002)
Santa Anita Bud. BC—Visible Gold (1993)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Free House (1997); Came Home (2002)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Free House (1999)
Robert B. Lewis—(GII)—Mane Minister (ng-1991)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Nice Assay (ng-1991)
San Vicente (GII)—Came Home (2002)
Sir Beaufort—Buckland Manor (2004)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Del Mar Dennis (GII-1994, GII-1995, GII-1996);
Bosque Redondo (GII-2002)
Volante H.—Odyle (1996)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ack Ack—Elaborate (1999)
California Breeders’ Championship—Earl of Danby (2001)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Bagshot (1999)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Spacelink (1999)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Gastown (1997)
El Encino (GII)—Pacific Squall (1993)
La Habra—Nice Assay (1991)
Linda Vista BC H. (OT)—Nice Assay (1991)
Louis R. Rowan H. (OT)—Visible Gold (1992)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Free House (1996)
Pirate Cove—Mane Minister (1991)
Providencia—Kumari Continent (2000)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Free House (1999)
San Felipe (GII)—Odyle (1996); Free House (1997)
San Juan Capistrano H. (GII)—Bien Bien (GI-1994); Bienamado (GI-2001)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Bien Bien (GI-1994)
San Marcos (GII)—Bien Bien (1994); Bienamado (2001)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Came Home (2002)
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—A.P. Assay (1998)
Bel Air H. (GIII-Hol)—Free House (1998)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Bien Bien (1993); Bienamado
(2001)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Bien Bien (GII-1992)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Hollycombe (1999)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—A.P. Assay (1999)
Fantastic Girl (Dmr)—Snowberg (1999)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—Came Home (2001)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Pacific Squall (GI-1992); Kumari Continent
(2000)
Hollywood Turf Cup (GI-Hol)—Bien Bien (1992); Bienamado (2000)
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Pacific Squall (GII-1992)
Honorable Miss H. (GII-Sar)—Nice Assay (GIII-1992)
Hopeful (GI-Sar)—Came Home (2001)
Jim Murray Memorial H. (GII-Hol)—Bienamado (GIII-2000)
June Darling (Dmr)—Nice Assay (1991)
Manhattan Beach H. (Hol)—Bienandanza (2000)
j. paco gonzalez
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Del Mar Dennis (1994)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Free House (1998); Came Home (2002)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—Bien Bien (1993); Bienamado (2000)
Swaps BC (GII-Hol)—Bien Bien (1992); Free House (1997); Came Home
(2002)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Elaborate (GII-2000)
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Mane Minister, 1991 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, who later
became first horse to run third in all three Triple Crown races.
• A winner of both the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Handicap as well as
Del Mar’s Pacific Classic, California-bred gray Free House earned $3,178,971 for
owners Trudy McCaffrey and John Toffan before a back injury led to his retirement in 1999 with nine wins from 22 starts.
• After taking the San Felipe Stakes and defeating Silver Charm in the 1997 Santa
Anita Derby, Free House ran third to his rival in the Kentucky Derby, lost by a
head to that one when second in the Preakness and finished third in the Belmont
Stakes. He returned to Southern California to capture Hollywood Park’s Swaps
Stakes.
• As a 4-year-old, Free House won the Pacific Classic by four lengths, At 5, he
scored a wire-to-wire triumph in the Big ’Cap, defeating Event of the Year by
one-half length with even-money favorite Silver Charm finishing third. He was
injured when running second to Real Quiet in the Pimlico Special in May.
• His Bien Bien ran second to Eclipse Award-winning Kotashaan in the 1993
Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita after winning that year’s Charles Whittingham
Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park as well as the previous year’s Hollywood
Turf Cup, both Grade I events. Bien Bien returned in 1994 to capture a pair of
Grade I grass stakes at Santa Anita, the San Luis Rey and San Juan Capistrano
Handicaps.
• Seven years later in 2001, Bienamado, a son of Bien Bien, emulated his sire in
winning the San Juan Capistrano. Like his sire, Bienamado also was victorious
in Hollywood Park’s Whittingham and Hollywood Turf Cup in 2000 plus that
track’s Sunset Handicap.
• Came Home, like Free House a California-bred son of Smokester, won six graded
stakes races in 2002 including the Santa Anita Derby and Del Mar’s Pacific
Classic, upsetting Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion War Emblem to pay
$23. Came Home later that year provided the horsepower at Hollywood Park
that carried Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron to his 7,141st career victory
in the Grade III Affirmed Handicap, McCarron’s final ride. Came Home earned
$1,835,940 from nine wins in 12 starts before injuring a knee when tenth in the
2002 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• Bagshot, another California-bred son of Smokester, finished second in the 1998
Cal Cup Classic before coming back to win that race in 1999. Bagshot finished
second behind Malek in the 1998 Santa Anita Handicap.
• Saddled stakes winner Del Mar Dennis to win Santa Anita’s San Bernardino
Handicap, later renamed the Tokyo City Cup, in three consecutive years from
1994 through 1996. Del Mar Dennis became one of only two horses to win
three consecutive runnings of the same stakes at Santa Anita. The other was John
Henry.
Personal
•
•
•
•
Worked for 20 years as an assistant to the late trainer Joe Manzi.
Formed his own stable in 1989 after Manzi died of a heart attack.
Came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1964 to work for Manzi in the Bay Area.
Brother Miguel Yanez was a jockey in California and worked for Manzi. The
brothers used Yanez, their mother's maiden name, due to the great number of
jockeys named Gonzalez in Mexico.
• Trained privately for many years for the partnership of Trudy McCaffery and
John Toffan.
sal gonzalez
Birthdate: May 14, 1949
Birthplace: Torreon, Mexico
Wife: Julie
Children: Jennifer, Gabriela, Andrea
Residence: Anthony, N.M.
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Malibu (GI)—Proud Tower Too (2005)
Santa Lucia H.—Si (1982)
Sensational Star H.—Proud Tower Too (2006)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Bay Meadows Oaks (BM)—Visto (1982)
Bill Thomas Memorial H. (Sun)—Proud Cardenal (2005)
Canterbury Oaks (Cby)—Puzzle Book (1986)
Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI-NAS)—Proud Tower Too (2006)
Hasta La Vista H. (TuP)—Exit to Rio (1999)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Proud Tower Too (2005)
Phoenix Gold Cup H. (TuP)—Proud Cardinal (2005)
Highlights
• First winner: winner: Eve’s Image, May 13, 1979, at Hollywood Park.
• Gained first Grade I victory when Proud Tower Too provided 20-1 stunner while
capturing Santa Anita’s $250,000 Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, 2005 after leading
from gate to wire under jockey David Cohen. Validated that win later in the
Santa Anita meet when taking the $138,750 Sensational Star Handicap at odds
of 2-1 over 7-5 favored Thor’s Echo, who had been third in the Malibu.
• His Santa Anita victories earned Proud Tower Too a trip to the United Arab
Emirates where he was victorious in the Group I, $2-million Dubai Golden
Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse while leading a sweep of California-breds in
the six-furlong event. Thor’s Echo was second and Jet West third in the race run
in 1:09.86. The winner’s share of $1.2 million lifted the 4-year-old colt’s earnings
to $1,632,264.
• Registered first stakes victory as a trainer in 1982 when Si won Santa Anita’s
Santa Lucia Handicap.
• Won the 1982 Bay Meadows Oaks with Visto, a filly he had claimed for
$32,000.
Personal
• Took out trainer’s license at Golden Gate Fields in 1978 after weight problems
brought an end to his five-year career as a jockey.
• His first job at a racetrack as a dishwasher at Santa Anita in 1969 lasted for only
a few days before he began walking hots for trainer Charlie Whittingham, who
sent him to a local jockeys’ school overseen by Rex Ellsworth.
• Manages Tricar Farm in Anthony, New Mexico. Proud Irish, the sire of Proud
Tower Too, stands at Tricar.
sal gonzalez
C. BEAU GREELY
Birthdate: August 1, 1971
Birthplace: Lexington, Kentucky
Children: Son, Beau Jr.; daughters
Jacqueline and Margeaux
Residence: Manhattan Beach
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Arcadia H. (GII)—Century City (2003)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Grammarian (2002)
Tuzla—Fudge Fatale (2004)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (GII-Sar)—Five Star Day (2001)
Alydar (Hol)—Like A Hero (2002)
American H. (GII-Hol)—Takarian (1999, 2001)
Bay Meadows BC Derby (GII-BM)—Takarian (1998)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Sligo Bay (2001)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Keys to the Heart (2003)
Hollywood Turf Cup (GI-Hol)—Sligo Bay (2002)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI-Bel)—Borrego (2005)
La Zanzara (Hol)—Jig (2001)
Manhattan H. (GI-Bel)—Manndar (2000)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Borrego (2005)
Phoenix BC (GIII-TuP)—Five Star Day (2000)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—Grammarian (2002)
Swaps (GII-Hol)—Tres Borrachos (2008)
Thirty Slews (GP)—Five Star Day (1999)
Turf Paradise BC H. (TuP)—Century City (2003)
Turf Paradise Mile H. (TuP)—Takarian (2000)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Five Star Day (1999)
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI-CD)—Manndar (2000)
Highlights
• First Grade I winner: Sligo Bay, 2002 Hollywood Turf Cup over Grammarian,
another Greely starter.
• Recorded a pair of million-dollar victories in 2005 when Borrego won both the
Pacific Classic at Del Mar and Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, the latter
by 4 1/2 lengths. Went into the Breeders’ Cup Classic as the second choice to
Saint Liam, but gave a lackluster performance while finishing 10th. Co-owned
and co-bred by trainer, Borrego earned $1,536,600 in 2005.
• With only a maiden win to his credit in a nine-race career, Tres Borrachos upset
3-5 favorite Colonel John in Hollywood Park’s 2008 running of the Grade II
$355,495 Swaps Stakes as the longest shot in the field at 11-1. Greely co-owned
the bay gelding in partnership with his brother, John.
• Century City, a multiple stakes winner whose victories included the Grade II
Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita in 2003, finished third in the 2003 Breeders
Cup Mile.
• Developed Five Star Day into a top sprinter. Competed at the top level for three
years while winning the Grade II A.G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga in 2001, the Grade
III Phoenix BC Handicap at Keeneland in 2000 and the Grade III Vernon O.
Underwood at Hollywood Park in 1999. However, Five Star Dave’s two attempts
in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint were unsuccessful: 14th in the 2000, 8th in 2001.
• Saddled Manndar to two Grade I wins in 2000, the Woodford Reserve Turf
Classic at Churchill Downs and the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont.
c. beau greely
• Takarian won two runnings of Hollywood Park’s Grade II American Handicap at
sizeable odds. His victory in 1999 returned a stakes record $64.20. After finishing sixth in the 2000 running of the American, Takarian returned the following
year to score at $30.40.
Personal
• The “C” stands for Christopher.
• Earned a degree in sociology at the University of Kentucky in 1992.
• Hails from a long line of horsemen. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather
were all trainers.
• An uncle, William C. “Bill” Greely, was president of Keeneland Race Course
from 1986-2000.
• Worked for European trainers Criquette Head in France, Alex Scott in England
and Tom Lacy in Ireland before returning to the United States and working with
Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella for three years.
• Obtained trainer’s license in 1997.
MIKE HARRINGTON
Birthdate: April 5, 1941
Birthplace: Bend, Oregon
Wife: Patricia
Children: Robert, Cinnamon, Casey,
Tara and Abbey (stepdaughter)
Residence: El Camino Village
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Sires (OT)—Sharper Too (2001)
Norfolk (GI)—Buck Trout (GII-1998); Creative Cause (2011-SA)
Providencia (GIII)—Artica (1995)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Arbor Vitae (Hol)—Yolo Lady (1998)
Barretts (Hol)—Swiss Address (2006)
Barretts Juvenile (Fpx)—Seattle Ruler (2009)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Swiss Yodeler (GIII-1996); Creative Cause (2011-SA)
CTBA (Dmr)—Swiss Wild Cat (2010)
Gateway To Glory (Fpx)—Kleofus (1999)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Hi Ho Yodeler (2010)
Haggin (Hol)—Swiss Yodeler (1996); Oberwald (2002)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Swiss Yodeler (1996)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—Swiss Yodeler (1996)
I’m Smokin (Dmr)—Sharper Too (2001); Dave the Dude (2003)
Juan Gonzales Memorial (Pln)—My Honey Bunny (2002)
Nursery (Hol)—Lil Sister Swiss (2005)
Westchester H. (Hol)—Swiss Yodeler (1996)
Willard Proctor Memorial (Hol)—Alpenfest (2003); Wild Uncle Kurt (2005)
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Artica, 1995 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita.
• Closely identified with Swiss Yodeler, the colt owned by Heinz Steinmann who
won five stakes during his 2-year-old season in 1996 including the Grade I
Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park.
• Known for his expertise in training juveniles, he saddled Buck Trout to win the
Norfolk Stakes in 1998, the first-ever maiden to win the Grade II event.
• Gained his second Norfolk victory long after it had become a Grade I event in
2011 with Creative Cause, a 3 1/4-length winner after having taken Del Mar’s
Grade II Best Pal Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths. Creative Cause would come within a
length and a head of adding the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when running
a game third behind Hansen and Union Rags at Churchill Downs in 2011.
• Has trained many of Swiss Yodeler’s offspring including Oberwald, winner of
Hollywood Park’s 2002 Haggin Stakes, and Alpenwald, winner of the 2003
Willard Proctor Memorial at Hollywood Park.
• Won eight races with 10 starters during a five-day racing week (May 23-27) during Hollywood Park’s spring/summer meet in 2006 and finished third behind
Jeff Mullins and Doug O’Neill in the meet’s overall standings with 21 victories.
“Except for the week I married my wife, that was pretty cool,” he commented of
the eight-win week.
Personal
• Comes from a racing family; his father Jake, grandfather, Jacob Luther, and greatgrandfather trained racehorses.
• Started riding and training Quarter Horses at bush league tracks while in high
school.
mike harrington
• Was a licensed veterinarian who practiced at the tracks while training part-time,
and his wife Patricia, trained horses at any track where he was the veterinarian.
Began training full time in 1993. He and Patricia combined their stables and split
their stock between Northern and Southern California.
EOIN HARTY
Birthdate: November 23, 1962
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Wife: Kathy
Children: Eddie
Residence: Arcadia
Breeders' Cup Win
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—Tempera (2001-Bel)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Goodwood (GI-OT)—Well Armed (2008)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Essence of Dubai (2001); Ruler’s Court (2003)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Anthony’s Cross (2011)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Colonel John (2008)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Well Armed (2008)
Sham (GIII)—Colonel John (2008)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Aegon Turf Sprint (GIII-CD)—Lydgate (2004)
Arlington Oaks (GIII-AP)—Marietta (2007)
Arlington-Washington Lassie (AP)—Zosima (2003)
Ballerina BC (GI-Sar)—Dubai Escapade (2006)
Citation H. (GII-Hol)—Victor’s Cry (2010)
Cowdin (GIII-Bel)—Sunray Spirit (2003)
Dubai World Cup (GI-NAS)—Well Armed (2009)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—American Lion (2009)
Honorable Miss H. (GII-Sar)—Burmilla (2007)
Illinois Derby (GIII-Haw)—American Lion (2010)
Iowa Derby (PrM)—Shamoon (2005); Tiz Now Tiz Then (2008)
Iowa Oaks (GIII-PrM)—Marietta (2007)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Forest Grove (2005)
Madison (Kee)—Dubai Escapade (2006)
Matt Winn H. (CD)—Changing Weather (2006)
Real Quiet (Hol)—Colonel John (2007)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Well Armed (2008)
Sanford (GII-Sar)—Desert Party (2008)
Sharp Cat (Hol)—Pamona Ball (2008)
Shoemaker Mile (GI-Hol)—Victor’s Cry (2010)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Robadar (2005)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Tempera (2001); Tizdubai (2003)
Stonerside (LS)—R Fast Lady (2005)
Travers (GI-Sar)—Colonel John (2008)
Vagrancy H. (GII-Bel)—Dubai Escapade (2006)
Wickerr (Dmr)—Colonel John (2009)
Winners Foundation (Hol)—R Fast Lady (2005)
Highlights
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Tempera, 2001 2-year-old filly.
• Less than two years after assuming care of Godolphin Racing’s U.S. based-2-yearolds, saddled Tempera for her victory over stablemate Imperial Gesture in 2001
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Belmont Park. The Eclipse Award-winning juvenile filly,
who set a stakes record of 1:41.49 for 1 1/16 miles in her Breeders’ Cup triumph,
had to be euthanized in April of 2002 after being victimized by severe cases of
colitis and laminitis.
eoin harty
• The one-time assistant to trainer Bob Baffert realized an epic accomplishment
in 2009 when his Well Armed, third to Curlin the previous year, simply ran off
with the world’s richest race, the $6 million Dubai World Cup, posting a dazzling 14-length victory. The World Cup record win in the United Arab Emirates
was especially meaningful for the Irish-born trainer, who had spent two years
in the early 2000s handling juveniles for Godolphin in the UAE. He had been
largely responsible for developing Street Cry for his triumph in the 2003 Dubai
World Cup.
• After realizing his best earnings season in 2007 when figure exceeded $1.9 million, doubled that in 2008 with earnings of over $3.9 million due in large part to
performances by 3-year-old Colonel John and 5-year-old gelding Well Armed.
• Following a victorious prep in the Grade III Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, Colonel
John captured the 71st running of the Grade I Santa Anita Derby before finishing sixth to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby. Colonel John’s earnings topped
$1.2 million for the year when he returned to win Saratoga’s Grade I Travers
Stakes by a nose over Mambo in Seattle.
• Well Armed provided over $1.4 million in earnings for 2008 while racing seven
times. He captured the Grade II San Antonio Handicap and Oak Tree’s Grade I
Goodwood Stakes as well as the Grade II San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. His
earnings were buoyed by a third-place finish behind Curlin in the $6-million
Dubai World Cup and a close second to Go Between in Del Mar’s $1-million
Pacific Classic.
• “He had the look of eagles today,” Harty said after 21-1 shot Victor’s Cry gave
the trainer with his seventh Grade I victory in 2010 while nipping favored
Karelian by a head in Hollywood Park’s $249,500 Shoemaker Mile Stakes.
• Notched his first Grade I victory since the 2001 Breeders’ Cup when his Dubai
Escapade routed her opposition by seven lengths in the 2006 running of the
Ballerina Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Saratoga. The 4-year-old filly was retired at
year’s end with an ankle ailment after winning 6 of 8 starts.
• His Ruler’s Court won the 2003 Norfolk by a stakes-record 14 lengths and established a stakes record of 1:41 for 1 1/16 miles after adding blinkers. Promising
colt would suffer career-ending knee injury while training for Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile.
• Conditioned Essence of Dubai and Ibn al Haitham, one-two finishers in 2001
Norfolk Stakes.
• After Tempera had won Del Mar’s 2001 Sorrento Stakes en route to her Eclipse
Award, trainer took 2003 running of Grade III event with Tizdubai.
• Trained Street Cry, highest-rated 2-year-old in the United States during 2000.
Personal
• Spent seven years as primary assistant to Bob Baffert before going out on his own
at the age of 37 in 2000 when hooking on with Godolphin.
• Fifth generation horseman whose father, Eddie, won the prestigious Grand
National Steeplechase and competed in the Olympic Games three-day event.
• His father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather all trained
horses in Ireland.
• Migrated to the United States at the age of 17 after working one year at Irish
National Stud. Before joining Baffert, learned under trainer John Russell.
BRUCE HEADLEY
Birthdate: February 14, 1934
Birthplace: Baldwin Park, California
Wife: Aase (pronounced OH-sah)
Children: Gus and Karen
Residence: Arcadia
Breeders' Cup Win
Sprint (GI)—Kona Gold (2000-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title BC H. (GI-OT)—Lakota Brave (GIII-1996); Kona Gold (GII-2000);
Kalookan Queen (2002)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Royally Chosen (2003)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Softshoe Sure Shot (1993)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Silveyville (1984)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Kona Gold (ng-1999); Kona Gold (2003)
El Encino (GII)—Got Koko (2003)
Kalookan Queen H.—Free Flying Soul (2010)
La Brea (GI)—Got Koko (2002)
La Cañada (GII)—Got Koko (2003)
Lady’s Secret BC H. (GII-OT)—Got Koko (2003)
Louis R. Rowan (OT)—Free Flying Soul (2009)
Malibu (GI)—M One Rifle (2009)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Bertrando (GI-1991)
Palos Verdes H. (GIII)—Kona Gold (2000)
Pasadena H.—A Lucky Sign (1983)
Potrero Grande H. (GII)—Halo Folks (ng-1986); Son Of A Pistol (1998);
Kona Gold (2000, 2001); Kalookan Queen (2002); Surf Cat (2006)
Robert B. Lewis—(GII)—Stylish Winner (ng-1987)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Softshoe Sure Shot (1995); Son Of A Pistol (2000);
Kona Gold (GI-2001); Surf Cat (2006, 2008)
San Felipe (GII)—Variety Road (GI-1986); Bertrando (1992)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Variety Road (GI-1987)
San Marcos (GII)—Silveyville (GIII-1986)
San Pedro—Arson Squad (2006)
San Rafael (GII)—Variety Road (1986)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Her Royalty (GIII-1986); Kalookan Queen (2002)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Magnificience (2007)
Santa Ynez (GII)—A Lucky Sign (1983)
San Vicente (GII)—Stylish Winner (GIII-1987)
Sierra Madre H.—Halo Folks (1986)
Strub (GII)—Arson Squad (2007)
Very Subtle/Desert Wine (OT)—Cape Royale (1991)
Other Major Stakes Wins
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Royally Chosen (2004)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Johnica (1985)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Son Of A Pistol (GII-1998); Kona Gold
(GII-2000, 2001); Street Boss (2008)
Cool Frenchy (Hol)—M One Rifle (2011)
Corona H. (Hol)—Kalookan Queen (2001)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Bertrando (1991)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—Free Flying Soul (2010)
Fantastic Girl (Dmr)—Kalookan Queen (2001)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Soldier’s Kiss (2005)
Haggin (Hol)—Trondheim (1967); Knight Rider (1999)
bruce headley
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Variety Queen (GIII-1979)
Jim Murray Memorial H. (GII-Hol)—Rhythm Mad (GIII-2004)
Las Madres (Fpx)—Variety Baby (1988)
Lazaro Barrera Memorial (GII-Hol)—Storm Wolf (2005)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Son Of A Pistol (1999); Kona Gold (2002);
Street Boss (2008)
Mervyn Leroy H. (GII-Hol)—Surf Cat (2006, 2008)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Silveyville (1984); Stylish Winner (1989)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Kalookan Queen (2001, 2002)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—M One Rifle (2009)
Torrey Pines (Dmr)—Got Koko (2002)
Triple Bend Invitational H. (GI-Hol)—Son Of A Pistol (GII-1998); Street Boss
(2008)
Swaps BC (GII-Hol)—Surf Cat (2005); Arson Squad (2006)
Warren’s Thoroughbred (Hol)—Sangay (2008)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Johnica (GII-1985)
Winter (Hol)—Free Flying Soul (2009)
Highlights
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Kona Gold, 2000 Sprinter.
• Sprint champion Kona Gold capped an extraordinary 2000 campaign when
becoming the only unanimous winner in that year’s Eclipse Award balloting following a track-record (1:07.77) victory at six furlongs in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint
at Churchill Downs. Kona Gold won five graded stakes in 2000. His Breeders’
Cup victory atoned for two previous Sprint setbacks (second to Artax in 1999 at
Gulfstream Park and third behind Reraise and Grand Slam in 1988 at Churchill
Downs).
• Kona Gold was retired at age nine in 2003 to become a stable pony. At eight,
he had joined Native Diver as the oldest horse to win Hollywood Park’s Los
Angeles Handicap. Kona Gold won three graded stakes at the age of seven in
2001 including Santa Anita’s Grade I San Carlos Handicap and Grade II Potrero
Grande.
• Surf Cat won those same two stakes in 2006 and seemed headed for distinction
in the handicap division after stretching out to outclass his rivals in the Grade
II Mervyn LeRoy Handicap and covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.65, just three
fifths off the track record. But the five-length winner of the 2005 Swaps Stakes
at Hollywood Park would have his 2006 campaign stalled by a bruised foot. Surf
Cat’s win in the Potrero Grande marked his trainer’s sixth in that stakes race; his
win in the San Carlos the trainer’s fourth in that event.
• In 2008 Surf Cat won the San Carlos for a second time before a victory in
Hollywood Park’s Mervyn LeRoy Handicap sent the 6-year-old’s earnings to over
$1 million. But the stable star in 2008 was sprinter Street Boss, who won five
consecutive races including a pair of Grade I events, Hollywood Park’s Triple
Bend Handicap and Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Handicap. The 4-year-old son of
Street Cry set a Hollywood Park track record of 1:07.55 for six furlongs when
victorious in the Grade III Los Angeles Handicap. After running second in Oak
Tree’s Ancient Title Handicap and third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa
Anita, Street Boss was retired for stallion duty in 2009.
• His Son Of A Pistol set a Santa Anita track record of 1:13.71 for 6 1/2 furlongs
in capturing the 1998 Potrero Grande Handicap. The 6-year-old went on to win
the Triple Bend at Hollywood Park.
• Accounted for three Grade II stakes at Santa Anita with Got Koko in 2003, but
the one that gained international attention was Got Koko’s upset of Azeri in Oak
Tree’s Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap as the reigning Horse of the Year’s
11-race victory streak was halted.
• In 2002, Kalookan Queen dominated males while taking Oak Tree’s Grade I
Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap to provide her trainer with his third victory in that event.
• His Variety Road upset Broad Brush, Snow Chief and Ferdinand in 1987’s Grade
I San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita. In 1986, Variety Road produced trainer’s
first Grade I victory when winning Santa Anita’s San Felipe Stakes for 3-yearolds.
• Bertrando crushed his contemporaries when taking Oak Tree’s 1991 Norfolk
Stakes by a stakes-record nine lengths. Trainer rarely ships horses out of town
for stakes, but supplemented Bertrando to the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at
Churchill Downs. Was second behind a spectacular performance by Arazi.
• Won titles for Variety Baby as CTBA Juvenile Filly of 1987 and Variety Queen as
CTBA Sophomore Filly of 1979. Also won CTBA titles with Silveyville in 1984
and 1986 as champion older horse.
Personal
• Introduced to racing at the age of 6 by an uncle who was a trainer.
• Went to Suzy Q Ranch in La Puente with aspiring jockey Bill Shoemaker in
1948 and was an exercise rider from 1949 through 1959. At age 22 served as
exercise rider for 1956 Kentucky Derby and Preakness starter No Regrets.
• Took out his trainer's license in 1959.
• Helped launch riding careers of Eclipse Award winning apprentice Steve Valdez
and Robyn Smith.
bruce headley
DAN HENDRICKS
Birthdate: December 5, 1958
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Children: Christopher, Matthew
and Gregory
Residence: Glendora
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Smooth Player (2000)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Brother Derek (2005)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Daytona (2007)
Paseana—Feverish (2001)
Potrero Grande BC H. (GII)—Gray Slewpy (1993)
Robert B. Lewis Memorial (GII)—Brother Derek (2006)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Daytona (2007)
San Rafael (GII)—Brother Derek (2006)
Santa Anita Bud.—Jacodra's Devil (1995)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Brother Derek (2006)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Tanda (2010)
Zany Tactics—Halloween Treat (1995)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title BC (GI-OT)—Gray Slewpy (GIII-1992)
Arcadia H. (GII)—Daytona (2008)
Baldwin (GIII)—Fortifier (2000)
B. J. Ridder (OT)—Effusive Bounty (1989)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Cozy Guy (2004)
California Cup Distaff Starter H. (OT)—Bountiful Native (1991)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Private Persuasion (1993)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Feverish (1999)
California Cup Starter H. (OT)—Ready Eddie (1997)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Runaway Dancer (2003)
Clocker’s Corner H.—Annihilation (2010)
Crystal Water H.—Cozy Guy (2005)
Eddie Logan—Yankee Bravo (2007)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Gray Slewpy (1992)
Lady’s Secret BC H. (GII-OT)—Smooth Player (2000)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Stylish Star (1990)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Bountiful Native (1993)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Feverish (2000)
CTBA Marian (Fpx)—Blonde Beauty (2000)
Charles H. Russell (BM)—Bountiful Native (1992)
Count Fleet Sprint H. (GIII-OP)—Gray Slewpy (1992)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Stylish Star (GIII-1989)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Stylish Star (GIII-1989)
Dr. A. B. Leggio Memorial (FG)—Annhilation (2010)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Feverish (1999, 2000)
Fairgrounds H. (GIII-FG)—Daytona (2008)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Toulange (1987); Sound Wisdom (1995)
Gateway to Glory (Fpx)—Irish Bar (2005)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Mr. Rod (2008)
Graduation (Dmr)—Dontsellmeshort (2003)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Daytona (2007)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Smooth Player (1999)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Brother Derek (2006)
Jim Murray Memorial H. (GII-Hol)—Runaway Dancer (GIII-2005)
Las Madrinas H. (Fpx)—Feverish (1999)
Oak Leaf (GI-OT-Hol)—Rigoletta (2010)
dan hendricks
Osunitas (Dmr)—Smooth Player (2000)
Palomar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Blushing Heiress (GIII-1997)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Tanda (2010)
Ralph M. Hines Pomona Invitational H. (Fpx)—Reba’s Gold (2002)
Rancho Bernardo BC H. (GIII-Dmr)—Bountiful Native (1992)
Seabiscuit H. (BM)—Reba’s Gold (2003)
Shoemaker Mile (GI-Hol)—Daytona (2008)
Steinlen H. (Hol)—Reba’s Gold (2002)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—Runaway Dancer (2007)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Private Persuasion (1995)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Blushing Heiress (GII-1997)
•
•
•
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Toulange, 1987 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar.
• First Grade I winner: Private Persuasion, Hollywood Park’s 1995 Vanity
Handicap. She also captured the 1993 California Cup Juvenile Fillies.
• Following four consecutive graded stakes victories capped by a 3 1/2-length
triumph in the 2006 Santa Anita Derby, Brother Derek became widely regarded
as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but as the 7-1 third choice the
California-bred son of Benchmark wound up dead-heating for fourth with Jazil
in the wake of Barbaro’s smashing 6 1/2-length score in the Run for the Roses.
• Brother Derek rose to prominence by winning Oak Tree’s Grade II Norfolk
Stakes in 2005. After finishing fourth behind Stevie Wonderboy at odds of 56-1
in the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Belmont Park, he returned to Southern
California to capture Hollywood Park’s Grade I Hollywood Futurity. A victory in
Santa Anita’s Grade II San Rafael Stakes avenged the loss to Stevie Wonderboy.
Brother Derek added the Grade II Santa Catalina Stakes, subsequently renamed
the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, before taking the Santa Anita Derby and becoming
Santa Anita’s 2006 Horse of the Meeting.
• Beginning with Oak Tree’s Grade II Oak Tree Derby in October of 2007, Irishbred gelding Daytona put together a streak of six graded stakes victories in seven
starts culminated by the Grade I Shoemaker Mile in May of 2008. Included was
•
•
•
•
•
•
the Grade I Hollywood Derby following the Oak Tree Derby. Daytona’s only
miss during the eight-month tear was by one length when third in Grade II
Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap at Fair Grounds.
After finishing third and nearly seven lengths behind Tell a Kelly in the 2010 Del
Mar Debutante at seven furlongs, Rigoletta turned the tables in Oak Tree’s Grade
I Oak Leaf Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in October at Hollywood Park to post a 32-1
upset by one-half length over the 1-2 favorite and gain her first stakes victory.
Paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle accident on July 7, 2004, was in
the winner’s circle three months later when 20-1 shot Cozy Guy captured Oak
Tree’s $250,000 California Cup Classic for trainer’s fifth Cal Cup victory.
Saddled Runaway Dancer, the longest shot in the race, to a $78.20 victory in the
Grade III Carleton F. Burke Handicap at Oak Tree in 2003. The son of Runaway
Dancer rallied from last after 1 1/4 miles in the 1 1/2-mile grass race to win by a
neck under Mike Smith.
Multiple stakes winner Reba’s Gold – owned by the Creston Farm of Alex
Trebek, host of the popular game show, “Jeopardy” – took the 2002 running of
the Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap.
Saddled Pam and Martin Wygod’s Cal-bred Smooth Player to win the Grade II
Hollywood Oaks in 1999. The daughter of Bertrando, longest shot in the race at
13-1 odds, upset 2-5 favorite Excellent Meeting.
Blushing Heiress won a pair of graded stakes in 1997, the Grade II Wilshire
Handicap at Hollywood Park and the Grade III Palomar at Del Mar.
Sent out the Wygods’ Cal-bred Feverish to three consecutive stakes victories in
1999, including the Cal Cup Matron. Feverish became a graded stakes winner in
2000 by taking Hollywood Park’s Grade II Bayakoa Handicap.
His Gray Slewpy set a track record at Santa Anita for 5 1/2 furlongs (1:02.01,
Feb. 22, 1992), before it was broken by Lit de Justice on Jan. 7, 1996 (1:01.85).
Gray Slewpy won Oak Tree’s Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap in 1992 and
Santa Anita’s Potrero Grande Handicap the following year.
Bountiful Native, victorious in the 1991 Cal Cup Distaff Starter Handicap,
went on the win four stakes races in 1992 including Del Mar’s Rancho Bernardo
Handicap.
Personal
• Paralyzed from the waist down in a motocross accident in Perris near Riverside on
July 7, 2004. Returned to work in a wheelchair at Del Mar six weeks later.
• Father Lee and uncle Byron, who are twins, also were trainers.
• First racetrack job was with the late trainer Willard Proctor.
• Grew up outside Rancho Santa Fe, near Del Mar.
• Spent nine years with Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella before venturing
out on his own in 1987.
• Cousin, former trainer Jacque Fulton, was also based in Southern California.
dan hendricks
BOB HESS, JR.
Birthdate: July 9, 1965
Birthplace: Chula Vista, California
Wife: Amy
Children: Garrison and Christian
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Anoakia (OT)—Private World (2005)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GII-OT)—Know Heights (1993)
Cover Gal (OT)—Malley Girl (2005)
Henry P. Russell H. (OT)—Shellbacks (2000)
Hill Rise—Maybe Special (1999)
La Puente—Chinese Dragon (2005)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Spring Meadow (2003)
Kalookan Queen H.—Tizakitty (2005)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—River Special (GI-1992)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Wekiva Springs (1994)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Wekiva Springs (1995)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Blueprint (2001)
San Pedro—Slerp (1992)
Sir Beaufort (GIII)—Chinese Dragon (2005-1st div.)
Southern Truce—De Puntillas (1998)
Winter Solstice H.—Penny Marie (2002)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alcatraz (GG)—Chinese Dragon (2005)
Arbor Vitae (Hol)—Penny Marie (1999)
Bangles and Beads (Fpx)—Spring Meadow (2003)
Californian (GII-Hol)—River Keen (1997)
Churchill Downs H. (GII-CD)—D’Wildcat (2002)
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—The Tender Track (GII-1993)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Guide (1993)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—River Special (1992)
Eight Belles (GIII-CD)—Victoria’s Wildcat (2011)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-GG)—Ocean Terrace (2003)
Equipose Mile (AP)—Slerp (1994)
Everett Nevins Alameda County (Pln)—Sherman Bartlebort (2011)
Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (GI-Lrl)—D’Wildcat (2002)
Governor’s Cup H. (Fpx)—Lit’sgoodlookngray (2009)
Grand Prairie Turf Challenge (LS)—National Park (2002)
Haggin (Hol)—Chandtrue (2004)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Slerp (1992)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—River Special (1992)
Hollywood Juvenile Champion (GIII-Hol)—Chandtrue (2004)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—The Tender Track (GII-1993)
Live the Dream (Dmr)—D’Wildcat (2002)
Local Thriller (Del)—Spring Meadow (2003)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Forty On Line (2001)
Miss America (GG)—Penny Marie (2000)
Moccasin (Hol)—Private World (2005)
Pat O’ Brien H. (GII-Dmr)—Slerp (GIII-1993)
Sam Houston H. (DG)—Know Heights (1993)
San Carlos (BM)—Jorrocks (2001)
San Francisco Mile (GII-GG)—Chinese Dragon (2007)
San Joaquin Invitational (BM)—Courageous Pirate (1989)
Stonerside (LS)—Spring Meadow (2002)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—Blueprint (2001)
bob hess, jr.
Swale (GII-GP)—D’Wildcat (GIII-2001)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—Nikki’sgoldensteed (2008)
Vallejo Day (Sol)—Bizeboy (1988)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Wekiva Springs (1988)
Willard L. Proctor Memorial (Hol)—Chandtrue (2004)
Yerba Buena BC H. (GIII-GG)—De Puntillas (1997)
Highlights
• First winner: July 31, 1987, Parlapiano at Del Mar.
• First stakes winner: July 24, 1988, Bizeboy in the Vallejo Day Handicap at the
Solano County Fair.
• First Grade I stakes winner: River Special, Oak Tree’s 1992 Norfolk Stakes.
After finishing third to Gilded Time in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, River
Special added another Grade I victory in 1992, the Hollywood Futurity.
• Training titles: Del Mar: 1991, 1992; Hollywood Park: 1992 spring/summer,
1992 autumn.
• D’Wildcat became trainer’s second Grade I winner when closing boldly to
capture the 2002 running of Laurel’s six-furlong Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial
Dash over a sloppy surface following a victory in the Grade II Churchill Downs
Handicap at seven furlongs.
• Blueprint, bred by Queen Elizabeth II in Ireland, won a pair of Grade II stakes
wins on turf in 2001, the San Luis Rey at Santa Anita and the Sunset Handicap
at Hollywood Park.
• Won three stakes for 2-year-olds with Chandtrue at Hollywood Park’s
2004 spring/summer meet, capped by the Grade III Hollywood Juvenile
Championship.
• Chinese Dragon reeled off his fourth consecutive victory, three of them having
come in stakes events, in 2005 when victorious in the first division of Santa
Anita’s Grade III Sir Beaufort Stakes.
• Captured three stakes races, including Santa Anita’s Grade II San Fernando Stakes
in 1995, with Wekiva Springs before the Florida-bred was sent east to join trainer
Bill Mott.
• Saddled River Keen in 1997 when the Irish-bred import won his first U.S. start
by taking Hollywood Park’s Grade II Californian.
Personal
• Played one year of college baseball at Stanford University with future major
leaguers Jack McDowell and Mike Aldrete.
• Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics at Stanford.
• Father, Bob Hess Sr., trained at Caliente in Baja California until the track burned
down. Moved the family to the Bay Area when Bob Jr. was five.
• Became his father’s assistant in 1983.
• The senior Hess continues to train Thoroughbreds at Northern California tracks.
DAVID HOFMANS
Birthdate: January 27, 1943
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Children: Grant, Amy and Jill
Residence: La Cañada
Breeders' Cup Wins
Classic (GI)—Alphabet Soup (1996-WO)
Distaff (GI)—Adoration (2003-OT)
Turf Sprint—Desert Code (2008-OT)
Triple Crown Win
Belmont (GI-Bel)—Touch Gold (1997)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Baldwin (GIII)—Desert Code (2007)
Bradbury—General Meeting (1991); Dramatic Gold (1994)
California Breeders' Champion (Colts)—Past Ages (1989); Tarascon (1990)
California Breeders’ Champion (Fillies)—Cat's Cradle (1995)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Lovely Habit (1992)
California Cup Starter H. (OT)—His Legacy (1991, 1992, 1994)
Daytona H. (GIII)—Desert Code (2009)
Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (OT)—Cindy’s Hero (2001)
Joe Hernandez—Desert Code (2008)
La Cañada (GII)—Balance (2007)
La Habra—Cat's Cradle (1995)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Balance (2006)
Louis R. Rowan H. (GIII-OT)—Green Jewel (1998)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Palladium (1974)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—Individualist (GIII-1992)
Potrero Grande H. (GII)—Greg’s Gold (2008)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Millennium Wind (2001)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Alphabet Soup (1996)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Northern Afleet (1997)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Northern Afleet (1997)
San Jacinto—Royal Reach (1990)
Santa Lucia H—Devine Actress (2010)
San Marcos H. (GII)—River Flyer (1995)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Alphabet Soup (1996)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Balance (2006)
Santa Lucia H.—Santa Teresita (2008)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Adoration (2004); Balance (2007)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Raw Gold (1996); Starrer (2001)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Raw Gold (1996)
Tokyo City Cup (GIII)—Peregrinator (1980)
Volante (OT)—General Meeting (1991)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Acorn (GI-Bel)—Cat's Cradle (1995)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Desert Code (2007)
Arlington Matron (GIII-AP)—Adoration (2004)
Barretts Juvenile Sales (Fpx)—Discard The Five (1995)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Starrer (2001)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—J P’s Gusto (2010)
david hofmans
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Greg’s Gold (2005)
CERF (Dmr)—Simply Because (2005)
Cinderella (Hol)—Well Deserved (2009)
Cinema H. (GIII-Hol)—Fighting Falcon (1999)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Follow the Money (2000)
De Anza (Dmr)—Burnished Bronze (1991)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Alphabet Soup (1995); Dramatic Gold (1996)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Cindy’s Hero (2000)
Del Mar Futurity (GI-Dmr)—J P’s Gusto (2010)
El Cajon (Dmr)—Joey Franco (2002)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-BM)—French Legionaire (1984)
Fleur de Lis H. (GII-CD)—Adoration (2004)
Half Moon Bay (BM)—World Light (2002)
Haskell Invitational H. (GI-Mth)—Touch Gold (1997)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Adoration (2002)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—River Flyer (1994)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Siphonic (2001)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—J P’s Gusto (2010)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Individualist (1989)
Jim Dandy (GII-Sar)—Awesome Again (1997)
Lanes End Breeders’ Futurity (GI-Kee)—Siphonic (GII-2001)
Lexington (GIII-Kee)—Touch Gold (1997)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Andestine (GI-1994)
Molson Million (GI-WO)—Dramatic Gold (1994)
Oaklawn BC (GIII-OP)—Ask Me No Secrets (2002)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Individualist (1990, 1992); Greg’s Gold (2007)
Palomar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Yearly Tour (1996)
Pat O' Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Alphabet Soup (GIII-1996); Greg’s Gold (2007)
Pepper Oaks Farm (Hol)—Public Domain (2002)
Piedra Foundation (Dmr)—Adoration (2003)
Princess (GIII-Hol)—Starrer (2001)
Queen’s Plate (GI-WO)—Awesome Again (1997)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Northern Afleet (GIII-1997)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Adoration (2002)
Sharp Cat (Hol)—Balance (2005); Runway Rosie (2006)
Sunland Park Oaks (Sun)—Harissa (2010)
Tiznow (Hol)—Greg’s Gold (2007)
Toyota Blue Grass (GI-Kee)—Millennium Wind (2001)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Individualist (1991)
Violet H. (GIII-Med)—Follow The Money (2000)
Willard L. Proctor Memorial (Hol)—J P’s Gusto (2010)
Highlights
• First winner: Nu Kali, at Santa Anita in 1974.
• Training title: Hollywood Park: 1989 autumn.
• One year before snuffing Silver Charm’s Triple Crown bid with Frank Stronach’s
dramatic upsetter Touch Gold in the 1997 Belmont Stakes, toppled two-time
Horse of the Year Cigar with Mrs. B. J. Ridder’s Alphabet Soup in the $4-million
Breeders’ Cup Classic at Woodbine.
• Stunned Breeders’ Cup crowd at Oak Tree seven years later when Adoration
recorded the biggest shocker of the 2003 Breeders’ Cup by leading throughout
the Distaff to win by 4 1/2 lengths and return $83.40 for the victory.
• When Oak Tree again hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2008, pulled off yet another
stunner as Desert Code rallied from far back to take the inaugural running of the
Turf Sprint and return a winning mutuel of $75.
• Defending champion Cigar was sent off at 3-5 odds to repeat in the 1996
Breeders’ Cup Classic, but Alphabet Soup, tagged at 19-1, emerged from a driving four-horse stretch battle with a nose victory over Louis Quatorze. The latter
edged Cigar by a head for the place with pace-setter Mt. Sassafras another halflength back in fourth. The roan Alphabet Soup had won three stakes races earlier
in the year while preparing for the Classic. They included a pair of Grade II
events at Santa Anita, the San Antonio and San Pasqual Handicaps.
• Touch Gold’s denial of Silver Charm becoming the first Triple Crown champion
in 19 years was accomplished while overcoming an injury to his left front hoof
that had occurred when nearly falling at the start of the Preakness Stakes three
weeks previous.
• Touch Gold continued on in 1997 to win Monmouth Park’s Grade I Haskell
Invitational Handicap. Saddled another Stronach-owned 3-year-old, Awesome
Again, to win a pair of major races that year: Saratoga’s Jim Dandy Stakes and the
Group I Queen’s Plate at Woodbine.
• Following her victory in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Adoration captured
three graded stakes at as many tracks including Santa Anita’s Grade I Santa
Margarita Invitational Handicap as the third choice among five betting interests
that included an entry.
• After Grade I wins at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old in the 2006 Las Virgenes and
Santa Anita Oaks, Balance returned in 2007 to take the Grade II La Canada and
Grade I Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap, providing trainer with second
victory in latter event within four years.
• Having returned earlier in the year from a 17-month layoff after bowing a
tendon, California-bred gray gelding Greg’s Gold stamped himself as one of
the nation’s leading sprinters in 2007 with a 1 1/2-length victory in Del Mar’s
$300,000 Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap (Gr II) to atone for a nose loss to
In Summation three weeks previous in Del Mar’s Grade I Bing Crosby Handicap.
• J P's Gusto stamped himself among the leaders of his generation when the
2-year-old son of Successful Appeal coasted to a 4 1/2-length win in the Grade
I Del Mar Futurity for his fourth straight stakes victory in 2010. The bay ridgling previously had scored in Del Mar’s Grade II Best Pal Stakes, the Grade III
Hollywood Juvenile Championship and the Willard L. Proctor Memorial at
Hollywood Park.
• Sent Millennium Wind on the 2001 Triple Crown trail with a Grade III victory
in the Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita and a Grade I win in the Toyota Blue
Grass Stakes at Keeneland prior to a disappointing 11th-place finish in the 127th
Kentucky Derby.
• After breaking his maiden at Del Mar at first asking in 2001, Siphonic went
to Keeneland and took the Grade II Lane’s End BC Futurity by six lengths.
The Siphon colt then shipped to Belmont Park where he pressed the pace in
the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, forged a short-lived lead at the eighth pole before
finishing third. Siphonic finished the year with a smashing win in the Grade I
Hollywood Futurity, but his Triple Crown hopes were dashed early in 2002 by a
right front ankle injury.
• Dramatic Gold finished third in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic, trainer’s first
Breeders' Cup starter, following victories in Woodbine’s Group I Molson Million
and the Grade II Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Saddled His Legacy to third California Cup Starter Handicap victory in 1994 following wins in 1991 and 1992 and a second in 1993.
• Trainer of Individualist, whose 1992 Palos Verdes Handicap victory pushed Laffit
Pincay Jr. past Bill Shoemaker's record Santa Anita win mark (2,246).
• Saddled Chris McCarron's 6,000th winner, Andestine, in the 1994 Milady
Handicap at Hollywood Park, as well as McCarron’s 6,500th winner, Le Casque
Gris, on July 16, 1997.
• Won four consecutive stakes during a two-week span in 1990, three at Golden
Gate Fields with Perforce, For My Mom and His Legacy. Capped the streak with
Royal Reach in the San Jacinto at Santa Anita.
Personal
• Introduced to racing by his father, an avid fan. Learned training basics from Gary
Jones, who had been a classmate at Pasadena City College.
• Gave serious thought to leaving the sport in the mid-1980s before turning
his career around. In 1989, had the highest winning percentage in Southern
California at 28.7 percent.
• Son Grant obtained trainer’s license in February 1995. Won with first starter,
Fleotan, on Feb 15, 1995.
david hofmans
JERRY HOLLENDORFER
Birthdate: June 18, 1946
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
Wife: Janet
Residence: Belmont, Calif.
Breeders' Cup Win
Dirt Mile (GI)—Dakota Phone (2010-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Blue Norther—Tales in Excess (2010)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Tuscan Evening (2010)
California Cup Juvenile—Rousing Sermon (2011-SA)
El Encino (GII)—Fleet Lady (1998)
La Cañada (GII)—Fleet Lady (1998)
La Puente—Dream Nettie (2010)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Blind Luck (2010)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Tuscan Evening (2009)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Tuscan Evening (2010)
Oak Leaf (GI-OT)—Blind Luck (2009)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Mula Gula (1999)
Providencia (GII)—City to City (2010)
San Pedro—Indian Winter (2011)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Tuscan Evening (2010)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Heatseeker (2008)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Tuscan Evening (2010)
San Vicente (GIII)—Afleetaffair (1996)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Ack Ack H. (GIII-CD)—Cappuchino (2003)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Eye of the Tiger (2003)
A Gleam Invitational H. (GII-Hol)—Somethinaboutlaura (2006, 2007)
Alabama (GI-Sar)—Blind Luck (2010)
Alameda County Fillies & Mares H. (Pln)—Christmas Ship (2009)
Audrey Skirball-Kenis (Hol)—You Lift Me Up (2008)
Azeri (GIII-OP)—Hystericalady (2008)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Washington Bridge (2010)
Bay Meadows BC H. (GIII-BM)—Adreamisborn (2005)
Bay Meadows Derby (GIII-BM)—Congressional Honor (2004)
Brown Bess H. (GIII-BM)—Splashing Water (NG-1993); Traces of Gold (1998)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Somethinaboutlaura (2007); U R All That I Am (2010)
California Derby (GG)—Pike Place Dancer (1996); Bwana Bull (2007); Chocolate
Candy (2009)
California Juvenile (GIII-BM)—King Slewie (1997); Voice of Destiny (1998)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Heatseeker (2008)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—U R All That I Am (2009)
Cavonnier Juvenile (SR)—Longview Drive (2011)
Churchill Downs H. (GII-CD)—Trickey Trevor (2006)
Cinderella (Hol)—Killer Graces (2011)
City of Roses H. (Pm)—Pretty Katherine (2010)
Coaching Club American Oaks (GI-Bel)—Lite Light (1991)
Corte Madera (GG)—Cathy’s Crunches (2010)
Delaware H. (GII-Del)—Hystericalady (2008); Blind Luck (2011)
Delaware Oaks (GII-Del)—Blind Luck (2010)
Dennis Dodge Memorial (PM)—El Gaucho (2010)
Diamond Jubilee (SR)—Halo Dolly (2011)
jerry hollendorfer
Donna Jensen H. (PM)—Christmas Ship (2010); Spirit Seeker (2010)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—U R All That I Am (2010)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-BM)—Event Of The Year (1998); Yougottawanna
(2002); Bwana Bull (2007); Chocolate Candy (2009)
Emerald Downs Distaff H. (EmD)—Lemon Kiss (2008)
Fantasy (GII-OP)—Lite Light (1991); Blind Luck (2010)
Federal Way H. (EmD)—Startjumpin Marnie (2008)
Flawlessly (Hol)—Starry Pursuit (2008)
Fleur de Lis H. (GII-CD)—Hystericalady (2008)
Forty Niner (GG)—Dakota Phone (2008)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—U R All That I Am (2010)
Gamely (GI-Hol)—Tuscan Evening (2010)
Golden Gate BC H. (GIII-GG)—Ninebanks (2003)
Golden Gate Debutante (GG)—Cathy’s Crunches (2010); Lady of Fifty (2011)
Golden Nugget (GG)—Cathy’s Crunches (2010)
Golden Poppy (GG)—Misty Ocean (2008)
Governor’s H. (Sac)—Saratoga’s Magic (2008)
Graduation (Dmr)—Babs Moossa (2008)
Haskell (GI-Mth)—King Glorious (1989)
Hastings Park H. (EmD)—Private Dreams (2008)
Hillsborough H. (BM)—Unspoken Word (2008)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—King Glorious (1988)
Hollywood Juvenile (GIII-Hol)—King Glorious (1988)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Hystericalady (2006)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—King Glorious (1988)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Blind Luck (2009)
Honeymoon H. (GII-Hol)—Misty Ocean (2008)
Humana Distaff (GI-CD)—Hystericalady (2007)
Ifyoucouldseemenow (Hol)—She’s Funomenal (2009)
I’m Smokin (Dmr)—Babs Moossa (2008)
Joseph T. Grace H. (SR)—Our Nautique (2011)
Juan Gonzalez Memorial (Pln)—City Route (2011)
Kentucky Oaks (GI-CD)—Lite Light (1991); Pike Place Dancer (1996) ;
Blind Luck (2010)
Landaluce (Hol)—Killer Graces (2011)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Tuscan Evening (2009)
Last Dance (BM)—You Lift Me Up (2008)
La Troienne (GII-CD)—Blind Luck (2011)
Life Is Sweet (Hol)—Washington Bridge (2010)
Longacres Mile (GIII-EmD)—Adreamisborn (2004)
Lost in the Fog (GG)—City Route (2011)
Luther Burbank H. (SR)—Christmas Ship (2010)
Manhattan Beach (Hol)—Starry Pursuit (2008)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Neversaidiwassweet (2010)
Modesty H. (GIII-AP)—Tuscan Evening (2010)
Molly Pitcher (GII-Mth)—Hystericalady (2007, 2008)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Heatseeker (2007)
Ohio Derby (GII-Tdn)—King Glorious (1989); Mula Gula (1999)
Osunitas (Dmr)—Lilly Fa Pootz (2010)
Pacific Heights (GG)—Somethinaboutlaura (2007)
Palomar H. (GII-Dmr)—City to City (2011)
Palomares (Fpx)—Kaweah Princess (2009)
Pirate’s Bounty (Dmr)—Double Action (2007)
Portland Meadows Derby (PM)—Alec’s Moon (2011)
Portland Meadows Mile H. (PM)—Crafty Power (2009)
Portland Meadows Oaks (PM)—Alec’s Moon (2011)
Real Quiet (Hol)—Chocolate Candy (2008)
Redondo Beach (Hol)—Somethinaboutlaura (2007); Tuscan Evening (2009)
Royal Heroine Mile (GII-Hol)—Tuscan Evening (2009)
Sacramento H. (GG)—Novel Sprite (1987)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Dakota Phone (2010)
San Francisco BC Mile H. (GII-BM)—Ninebanks (2003)
San Francisco Mile (GIII-GG)—Our Nautique (2011)
Seabiscuit H. (BM)—Yougottawanna (GIII-2004, 2005); Putmeinyourwill (2007)
Singapore Plate (GIII-AP)—Lost At Sea (2002)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—You Lift Me Up (2009); Halo Dolly (2011)
Solano County Juvenile (Sol)—Babs Moossa (2008)
Spiral (GII-TP)—Event Of The Year (1998); Globalize (2000)
Stanford BC H. (GIII-BM)—Adreamisborn (2005)
Swaps (GII-Hol)—Skipshot (2010)
Sweepida Invitational (Stk)—Kaweah Princess (2009)
Tanforan H. (GIII-BM)—Variety Road (1988); River Flyer (1997)
Turfway Park Fall Championship (GIII-TP)—Cappuchino (2004)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Blind Luck (2011)
Warren’s Thoroughbreds (Hol)—Going for a Spin (2011)
William P. Kyne (GIII-BM)—Variety Road (1990, 1991)
Work the Crowd (GG)—You Lift Me Up (2010); U R All That I Am (2011)
Highlights
• One month after being inducted into racing’s National Hall of Fame in 2011,
Hollendorfer became the fourth trainer in history to reach 6,000 victories on
Sept. 3 when teaming with fellow Hall of Famer Russell Baze, aboard Just Tappin
It in the sixth race at Golden Gate Fields. “We did it with Russell, that’s very
nice,” Hollendorfer said in recognizing a partnership that has accounted for more
than 2,500 victories. At 65, the conditioner joined Dale Baird (9,445 wins), Jack
Van Berg (6,406) and King Leatherbury (6,324) in the exclusive Six Thousand
Club.
• Blind Luck, his 3-year-old filly champion of 2010, overcame four straight runnerup finishes to return to the top of her game in 2011 with successive wins in the
Grade II La Troienne at Churchill Downs, Hollywood Park’s Grade I Vanity
Handicap and the Grade II Delaware Handicap while nosing out arch rival Havre
de Grace. “Blind Luck, I think, was the final kick in the pants that got me here,”
Hollendorfer said at his Hall of Fame induction.
• Dominated the Northern California racing scene for nearly a quarter-century
before gradually beginning to shift a significant portion of his vast stable to
Southern California in 2007. By 2008, he had better than one-fourth of his
horses training in Southern California. “Everybody would love to run in Southern
California, but you have to be realistic,” he told the Daily Racing Form. “I never
thought I had the stock to compete consistently on a daily basis. But I’ve had
more support from my owners.”
• Evidence was his victory with Heatseeker in the 2008 Santa Anita Handicap, his
first starter in Southern California’s premier race. Heatseeker’s Big ’Cap score was
sandwiched between wins in Hollywood Park’s Grade III Native Diver Handicap
in 2007 and the Grade II Californian in 2008. Meanwhile, Hollendorfer, at 61,
gained his 5000th career victory at Hollywood Park with Political High on Dec.
22, 2007.
• While continuing to enlarge his presence in Southern California, Hollendorfer’s
remarkable reign as king among Northern California trainers was checked when
William E. Morey won the training title at the 2008 Golden Gate Fields spring
meeting, thus, ending Hollendorfer’s streak of 32 consecutive training crowns at
the track. He had been the champion at every meet conducted at Golden Gate or
Bay Meadows since 1986.
• In 2008, however, he realized his most lucrative year as a trainer with earnings of
over $8.6 million to rank seventh nationally. He moved up to fifth in 2009 with
earnings of over $7.3 million. He had earned that much by September of 2010 as
Blind Luck registered three Grade I victories, including the Kentucky Oaks that
came on the heels of her impressive score in the Grade I Hollywood Starlet in
December of 2009. Tuscan Evening provided six stakes wins during an unbeaten
season in 2010 including the Grade I Gamely at Hollywood Park following tallies
at Santa Anita in the Grade III Monrovia and Santa Ana, Buena Vista and Santa
Barbara Handicaps, all Grade II events. Hollendorfer’s 2010 season would mark
his 14th consecutive year with earnings in excess of $5 million from over 200
victories.
• Gained his first Breeders’ Cup victory in 2010 at Churchill Downs with 37-1
shot Dakota Phone, who rallied from 12th and last to take the Dirt Mile by a
head under Joel Rosario. Blind Luck had to settle for second behind upsetter
Unrivaled Belle as the 3-2 favorite in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.
• Saddled five winners on a single racing card for the fourth time in his career on
Nov. 24, 2007 at Golden Gate Fields. His earlier five-win days occurred on May
26, 2004 at Bay Meadows, Jan. 23, 1997 at Bay Meadows, and on May 1, 1986
at Golden Gate. Won the final four races at Golden Gate on May 1, 1996 to
begin a streak of eight straight race wins.
jerry hollendorfer
• First impacted the national scene with King Glorious in 1988. After setting a
track record of :51 for 4 1/2 furlongs in his victorious debut, King Glorious won
eight of nine starts including the Grade I Hollywood Futurity in 1988, the 1989
Ohio Derby and that year’s Grade I Haskell Stakes in New Jersey.
• Is a two-time winner of the prestigious Kentucky Oaks, first taking Churchill
Downs’ Grade I fixture for 3-year-old fillies with Lite Light, a 10-length winner
in 1991, before returning in 1996 to score with Pike Place Dancer.
• His two Kentucky Derby contenders both were injured in Kentucky prior to
the race. Event Of The Year suffered a slab fracture in his knee while training at
Churchill Downs in 1998 after winning the Grade II Jim Beam (now the Spiral
Stakes) at Turfway Park. Globalize was kicked by a lead pony in 2000 after taking
the Spiral.
• Struggled during his early years as a trainer. For his first six years beginning in
1979, he never saddled more than 16 winners during any of those years before
winning 56 in 1985.
• His breakthrough came in 1986 with Novel Sprite, whom he had claimed for
$16,000 in 1984. She went on to earn $400,000, was named National Claimer of
the Year in 1986 and provided trainer with his first stakes victory that year when
taking the San Jose Handicap. One year later, Novel Sprite provided trainer with
his first victory in a hundred-grander, the Sacramento Handicap at Golden Gate
Fields.
Personal
• Decided to remain in California during a visit from his native Akron in the late
1960s.
• After unsuccessfully seeking a job in marketing at Bay Meadows in 1969, took a
job as a racetrack groom.
• Took out his trainer’s license in 1979 after working as an assistant to Jerry Dutton
and Jerry Fanning.
• Wife Janet serves as his chief assistant and partner. She oversees Northern
California operation while her husband is in Southern California.
• Top aide in Southern California is Dan Ward, a former assistant to Bobby
Frankel.
EDUARDO INDA
Birthdate: January 3, 1943
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
Wife: Monica
Children: Monica, Lisa and Doris
CTT & TOC (Dmr)—Canzone (2002)
Del Mar H. (GII-Dmr)—T. H. Approval (2006)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Riboletta (GII-2000)
Landaluce (Hol)—Georgia’s Storm (GIII-2001)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Riboletta (GI-2000)
Pine Tree Lane (Hol)—Toga Toga Toga (1996)
Pirate’s Bounty (Dmr)—Forest Camp (2000)
Ruffian (GI-Bel)—Riboletta (2000)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—T. H. Approval (2006)
Torrey Pines (Dmr)—Tamara Princess (2001)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Riboletta (2000)
Highlights
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ack Ack—Tom Crusier (1996)
San Juan Capistrano H. (GII)—T. H. Approval (2005, 2006)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Riboletta (2000)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—India Divina (1999)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Toga Toga Toga (1997)
The Wicked North—Tom Cruiser (1997)
Other Major Stakes Wins
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Toga Toga Toga (1997)
Bay Meadows BC Derby (BM)—Shellbacks (1997)
Bay Meadows Dash H. (BM)—Toga Toga Toga (1997)
Beldame (GI-Bel)—Riboletta (2000)
Bien Bien (Hol)—Music’s Storm (2002)
Cinderella (Hol)—Georgia’s Storm (2001)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Borodislew (1995); Riboletta (2000)
• First stakes winner: Borodislew, 1995 Chula Vista Handicap at Del Mar, a
Grade II later renamed the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap.
• First Grade I winner: Toga Toga Toga, Santa Anita’s 1997 Santa Monica
Handicap.
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Riboletta, 2000 Older Filly or Mare.
• Developed Riboletta into a champion in her division in 2000 when the 5-yearold Brazilian-bred mare posted seven graded stakes victories including five Grade
I events and six of them in succession. Injured when favored at 2-5 odds in the
Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Riboletta was retired after finishing seventh to longshot
Spain.
• Riboletta captured elite stakes races on both coasts during 2000. Her Grade I victories included Santa Anita’s Santa Margarita Handicap, the Beldame and Ruffian
Stakes at Belmont Park, and the Milady and Vanity Handicaps at Hollywood
Park. She became only the fourth female to win both the Santa Margarita and
Vanity in a single year.
• Earning nearly $2 million in 2000, Riboletta was switched from the barn of Bob
Baffert, according to owners Aaron and Marie Jones, because of Inda’s contributions to the accomplishments of standout mares Bayakoa and Paseana when serving as Hall of Famer Ron McAnally’s top assistant.
eduardo inda
• His T. H. Approval became the first horse since Niarkos in 1968 to score backto-back wins in Santa Anita’s historic San Juan Capistrano Handicap when registering a repeat victory in 2006.
• During a stint as private trainer for 505 Farms, developed Borodislew into a
graded stakes winner who provided first graded stakes victory in Del Mar’s 1995
Chula Vista Handicap.
• Saddled India Divina to beat former boss Ron McAnally’s entrant, Victory
Striped, in the Grade I Santa Maria Handicap at Santa Anita in 1999.
• Toga Toga Toga became a multiple-stakes winner with the 1997 running of Santa
Anita’s Santa Monica Handicap, the trainer’s first Grade I, among her triumphs.
Personal
• Hails from a racing family in Chile. Father trained Thoroughbreds at
Hipodromo, Chile, and two cousins and an uncle also were trainers.
• Brought horses from South America to the U.S. for the late Clement Hirsch and
trainer Warren Stute in 1961. Remained in America and worked for Stute for 10
years. Was with Stute when the latter trained South American standout Figonero,
Snow Sporting and June Darling. Figonero won three stakes in two weeks during
the summer of 1969.
• Joined Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally in the early 1970s. “He taught
me to be patient with the horses,” said Inda, adding he uses “100 percent” of
McAnally’s training style. Parted company with McAnally to go on his own during 1995 Hollywood Park spring/summer meeting.
• Went to work briefly as trainer for Marshall Naify’s 505 Farms in 1995 before
starting a public stable in the fall of 1995.
martin jones
Birthdate: October 27, 1971
Birthplace: Arcadia
Single
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Arcadia H. (GII)—Compari (2010)
Baldwin—High Standards (2005)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Blind Ambition (2003); Unzip Me (2011-SA)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Lucky Primo (2008)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Bilo (2007)
California Sires—Hugh Hefner (2002)
Clocker’s Corner H.—Unzip Me (2011)
Crystal Water H.—Hugh Hefner (2002); Compari (2010)
Impressive Luck H.—Cherokee Heaven (2010)
Irish O’Brien—Unzip Me (2010)
La Brea (GI)—Alphabet Kisses (2004)
La Cañada (GII)—Scholars Studio (2000)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Unzip Me (2010)
Monrovia (GIII)—Unzip Me (2011)
San Pedro—High Standards (2005)
Sensational Star H.—Compari (2010)
Other Major Stakes Wins
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Alphabet Kisses (2005)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Alphabet Kisses (2005)
California Turf Championship (BM)—El Don (2005)
Culver City (Hol)—Dotsy Jean (2010)
Daisycutter H. (Dmr)—Unzip Me (2011)
Gamely H. (GI-Hol)—Auriette (1996)
Great Lady M. (Hol)—Unzip Me (2010)
Hidden Light (Hol)—Gastronomical (1996)
King Glorious (Hol)—High Standards (2008)
Magali Farms (Hol)—Alphabet Kisses (2004)
Osunitas H. (Dmr)—Auriette (1997)
Royal North (GIII-WO)—Unzip Me (2010)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Tres Borrachos (2011)
Senator Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT-Hol)—Unzip Me (2010)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Compari (2009)
Solana Beach H. (Dmr)—Sharekann (1997)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Bilo (2007)
Turf Paradise BC H. (TuP)—Inner City (1997); Sharekann (1998)
Valkyr H. (Hol)—Sea of Ice (2000)
Highlights
• First winner: Made of Jade, May 13, 1996, at Hollywood Park for his father,
recently retired trainer Gary Jones. It was his sixth starter.
• First stakes victory also marked his first Grade I victory when Auriette won
Hollywood Park’s 1996 Gamely Handicap to follow his first training victory by
just one month.
• Won four stakes races with Alphabet Kisses, highlighted by a Grade I triumph
in Santa Anita’s 2004 La Brea Stakes, a $250,000 event for 3-year-old fillies in
which she returned $42.80. The daughter of Alphabet Soup retired in 2006 with
earnings of $590,271 from seven wins in 17 starts.
martin jones
• When Alphabet Kisses won Hollywood Park’s 2005 A Gleam Handicap, she
added to a family legacy. Marty’s father, Gary, trained 1993 winner Bold Windy.
His grandfather, Farrell, trained 1965 winner Kea.
• Achieved the third Grade I victory of his career in 2007 when California-bred
Bilo, making just his third start since November of 2005, held off favored Surf
Cat to win the $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap by a head at Hollywood Park.
Jones finished sixth in that track’s spring/summer meet standings with 15 victories while connecting with nearly 29 percent of his starters.
• With multiple stakes winners Compari and Unzip Me leading the way, Jones
enjoyed a standout season in 2010. Compari won three stakes in a row at Santa
Anita headed by the Grade II Arcadia Handicap after having taken Hollywood
Park’s Snow Chief Stakes in 2009. Unzip Me extended her winning streak to five
when victorious in Hollywood Park’s Great Lady M. Stakes. Her wins included
Santa Anita’s Grade III La Cienegas Handicap and the Grade III Royal North
at Woodbine. She added a third Grade III when taking the Senator Ken Maddy
Handicap on opening night of Oak Tree’s meeting at Hollywood Park.
• Unzip Me returned in 2011 to add four stakes victories to her impressive dossier.
Her triumph in the California Cup Distaff marked her sixth victorious performance in nine career starts when going 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita’s Hillside
Turf Course.
• Sent the speedy Hugh Hefner to Pimlico Racecourse in 2000 to finish sixth in
the 125th running of the Preakness Stakes.
Personal
• Third generation member of highly successful family of trainers that includes
grandfather Farrell W. Jones – who won eight training titles at Santa Anita and
413 races to rank 13th on all-time list – and father Gary Jones, who won four
training titles and ranks fourth on all-time list with 576 victories.
• Marty served as assistant to his father before venturing out on his own in 1996
following his father’s retirement.
STEVE KNAPP
Birthdate: Dec. 18, 1956
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Wife: Cori
Children: Sam, Stevie and Skyler
Residence: Chino Hills
• High point of 2005 Oak Tree meet was victory by Brite Maneuvers in $125,000
California Cup Juvenile, which capped a three-race winning streak at meeting for
horse claimed for $40,000.
• Haltered Icantgoforthat for $50,000 at Hollywood Park in 1991 and turned her
into a multiple stakes winner who provided trainer with his first graded stakes
victory in 2003 Monrovia Handicap, a Grade III, at Santa Anita.
Personal
• Former owner of a uniform supply company, which he gave up to become a
trainer following a nine-month apprenticeship with trainer Bob Hess Jr.
• Went from a one-horse stable in 2000 to having over 50 head five years later.
Cites success with Icantgoforthat as the lynchpin.
• Major clients include Jim and Marcia Equils, Michael Miller and James Didion
of Santa Ana, who races as Howard Roberts Farm.
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Brite Maneuvers (2005)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Icantgoforthat (2003)
Survive—Icangoforthat (2003)
Other Major Stakes Wins
CERF H. (Dmr)—Lady Sabrina (2004)
Daisycutter H. (Dmr)—Icangoforthat (2004)
Pio Pico (Fpx)—Wee Bit Fancy (2006)
Highlights
• First winner: Dozey Doats, at 50-1, at Santa Anita on April 21, 2000.
• Training title: Oak Tree, 2005.
• Captured first-ever training title at 2005 Oak Tree meeting, edging Jeff Mullins,
16-15, by winning four races over the final two days, including three on Nov. 5:
Coronado’s Pride ($10.20), Guidebook ($12.60) and Margaritalosflores ($23.40).
steve knapp
Brian Koriner
Birthdate: October 21, 1966
Birthplace: Montebello, California
Single
Residence: Monrovia, California
Breeders'Cup Win
Turf Sprint—California Flag (2009-OT)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Starter Sprint H. (OT)—Wind Water (2006)
Honest Lady—Sweet August Moon (2009)
Jack Goodman (OT)—Within Reason (2005)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Sweet August Moon (2009)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—California Flag (2008, 2009, 2011-SA)
Santa Lucia—Church Camp (2011)
Valentine Dancer H.—Onebadkitty (2009-dh)
Other Major Stakes Wins
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Sweet August Moon (2010)
Bay Meadows BC Sprint (GIII-BM)—Court’s in Session (2004)
Carry Back (GII-Crc)—Black Seventeen (2007)
El Camino Real Derby (GIII-GG)—Hoovergetthekeys (2001)
Golden Gate Derby (GIII-GG)—Hoovergetthekeys (2001)
Governor’s Cup H. (Fpx)—Court’s in Session (2004); Northern Soldier (2008)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—California Flag (2009, 2010)
Gregson Foundation (BM)—Wind Water (2005)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Stormin Lyon (2004)
Hollywood Turf Express H. (GIII-Hol)—California Flag (2008)
John Henry H. (BM)—Railroad (2006)
Lazaro Barrera Memorial (GIII-Hol)—Northern Soldier (GII-2006)
Ralph M. Hinds H. (Fpx)—Atticus Jack (2011)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Sweet August Moon (2010)
Robert Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Railroad (2006)
San Mateo (BM)—Wind Water (2004)
Soviet Problem H. (GG)—Excessive Theresa (2000)
Vacaville H. (Sol)—Excessive Theresa (2000)
Vosburgh (GI-Bel)—Black Seventeen (2008)
Highlights
• First winner: Market the Fortune at Santa Anita in 1991.
• First stakes winner: Excessive Theresa in Soviet Problem Handicap at Golden
Gate in 2000.
• First graded stakes winner: Hoovergetthekeys in Grade III Golden Gate Derby
on Jan. 14, 2001, at $33 win mutuel after surviving claim of foul by trainer of
runner-up.
• First Grade I stakes winner: Black Seventeen in Grade I, $400,000 Vosburgh
Stakes at Belmont Park on Sept. 28, 2008.
brian koriner
• One year after California Flag had faded to 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
after dueling for the early lead, the 5-year-old gelding provided the 43-year-old
trainer with his biggest win when taking the 2009 running of the million-dollar
event by 1 1/4 lengths while going wire-to-wire under jockey Joe Talamo as the
3-1 favorite. “The difference between this year and last year is that last year we
just said ‘go,’” commented Koriner. “This year we used our heads. Once we made
the lead, it was over.” He added, “I’m not going to be greedy, but this is what it’s
all about.” It was the fourth straight win for California Flag following his 2008
Breeders’ Cup setback. The streak included victories in the Grade III Hollywood
Turf Express, Del Mar’s Green Flash Handicap and a repeat in Oak Tree’s Grade
III Morvich Handicap.
• Winless in three previous starts during 2008, Black Seventeen was the longest
shot in the field at odds of 23-1 when capturing the Vosburgh over a sloppy
sealed main track. “That was a long way to come to be 23-1,” said Koriner, a coowner, “but this horse has won on this kind of a racetrack.”
• Black Seventeen had provided trainer with his biggest win prior to the Vosburgh
in 2007 when overcoming a stumbling start to wire his rivals in the Grade II,
$300,000 Carry Back Stakes at Calder Racecourse. After the race, Koriner termed
the Florida-bred sprinter the best horse he has trained.
• High-percentage trainer won the Grade III, $125,000 Bay Meadows Breeders’
Cup Sprint on June 19, 2004, with Court’s in Session by 2 1/2 lengths, paying
$17.80, just six weeks after claiming the 5-year-old gelding for $32,000.
Personal
• Played baseball at Diamond Bar High School, and, after considering an attempt
to further his baseball career in college, decided to try galloping horses at Santa
Anita where his dad, Ed, had often taken him as a youngster.
• Found his way to Los Alamitos where he galloped horses at the age of 18 for
trainers Vaughn Ellis and Scott Craigmyle.
• Took out his trainer’s license in 1987 while based primarily at Los Alamitos and
trained Quarter Horses for 10 years.
• Journeyed to Northern California in 1987 to saddle his first Quarter Horse
winner, John’s Policy, at Bay Meadows in an 870-yard race he won via disqualification.
• When Thoroughbred racing was introduced at Los Alamitos but restricted to 4
1/2-furlong contests with a claiming lid of $5,000, he began to branch out into
that area.
• Took seven Thoroughbreds to Northern California in 1996 when Los Alamitos
was dark for three months and won with 40 percent of his runners during his
first meet there. “That put me on the map,” he noted, “and brought me some
new clients.” Became a Thoroughbred trainer based in Northern California.
• Came full circle in June of 2007 when relocated to Southern California with a
string of 40 horses after running some at Del Mar the previous year.
CRAIG A. LEWIS
Birthdate: May 1, 1947
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Single
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Nicole’s Pursuit (2002)
Cavonnier (OT)—Excessive Barb (2002)
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Cutlass Reality (1988)
Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (OT)—Valentine Dancer (2003)
Malibu (GI)—Music Merci (1989)
Pirate's Cove—Bee El Tee (1995)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Larry The Legend (1995)
San Rafael (GII)—Music Merci (1989); Larry The Legend (1995)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Larry The Legend (1995)
Skywalker H. (OT)—Larry The Legend (1997)
Sunshine Millions F&M Turf—Valentine Dancer (2004)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Barretts Juvenile (Fpx)—Clubhouse Ride (2010)
Beau Brummel (Fpx)—Debonaire Joe (2001)
Bel Air H. (Hol)—Cutlass Reality (GIII-1988)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Cutlass Reality (GI-1988)
Cat’s Cradle (Hol)—Valentine Dancer (2003)
C. B. Afflerbaugh (Fpx)—Gallant Gent (2009)
De Anza (Dmr)—Music Merci (1988)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Music Merci (GI-1988)
Hoist the Flag (Hol)—Music Merci (1988)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Cutlass Reality (1988)
Illinois Derby (GII-Haw)—Music Merci (1989)
Jack Coady, Sr. (TuP)—Quindici Man (2009)
Lakeview Thoroughbred Farms (Hol)—Rebuild Trust (2000)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Cutlass Reality (1988)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Hot Market (2002)
Pomona Derby (Fpx)—Quindici Man (2009)
Porterhouse (Hol)—Knight Prospector (1993)
Rancho Bernardino H. (GIII-Dmr)—Knight Prospector (1993)
Spotlight BC H. (Hol)—Bel Air Dancer (1988)
Sunshine Millions F&M Turf (GP)—Valentine Dancer (2005)
Zia Park Derby (Zia)—Quindici Man (2009)
Highlights
• Training titles: Fairplex Park: 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993; Hollywood Park: 1988
spring/summer.
• Secured first training title at a major meet in 1988 with 25 wins at 1988
Hollywood Park spring/summer session.
• Owner-trainer of popular Larry The Legend, a $2,500 colt who won three stakes
in 1995 capped by a game victory in the Santa Anita Derby following wins in the
San Rafael Stakes and Santa Catalina, now the Robert B. Lewis Memorial.
• Named after trainer’s brother, Larry, the colt was injured prior to Triple Crown
races. Returned to the races in summer of 1996, but was sidelined again due to
a bruised foot. Larry The Legend attempted two subsequent comebacks at Santa
Anita and won Oak Tree’s Skywalker Stakes in 1997 before being retired to stud
in 1998.
craig a. lewis
• Cutlass Reality won four stakes races at Hollywood Park in 1988, including the
Hollywood Gold Cup and The Californian, to provide trainer with first Grade
I victories. Defeated sprint champion Gulch in The California. Bested a pair of
Kentucky Derby winners, Ferdinand and Alysheba, while winning the Gold Cup
by a record 6 1/2 lengths. Cutlass Reality also was victorious in the Bel Air and
Native Diver handicaps at the meet.
• Music Merci captured the Grade I Del Mar Futurity in 1988 before running
fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and returning the following year to take
Santa Anita’s San Rafael Stakes, the Illinois Derby and the Grade I Malibu Stakes
at Santa Anita.
• Valentine Dancer became a repeat winner of the $500,000 Sunshine Millions
Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park in 2005 after having taken the previous
year’s running at Santa Anita.
Personal
• Earned a bachelor's degree in history from Cal-Berkeley; studied law at Pacific
Coast College.
• Started in racing with trainer Hirsch Jacobs; obtained trainer's license in 1981.
• Brother, Larry Lewis, was manager of Long Beach Little League team that won
back-to-back world championships in 1992 and 1993.
mike machowsky
Birthdate: September 19, 1965
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
Wife: Dana
Children: Eden, Cameron and Alyssa
Residence: Monrovia
Del Mar Mile H. (GII-Dmr)—Caracortado (2011)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—Geronimo (2004)
JRA (Lrl)—Go (1997)
Pimlico Special H. (GI-Pim)—Southern Image (2004)
Pomona Derby (Fpx)—Sensational Score (2006)
Railbird (GII-Hol)—September Secret (2002)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Dancing Rhythm (1998)
Solana Beach H. (GIII-Dmr)—Candy Factory (2005)
Sunland Derby (Sun)—Kelly Leak (2009)
Wild Harmony (Hol)—Dance With Gable (2010)
Highlights
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Baldwin (GIII)—Shuffling Kid (2002)
California Breeders’ Champion—Caracortado (2009)
Malibu (GI)—Southern Image (2003)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Caracortado (2010)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Fencelineneighbor (2005)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Southern Image (2004)
Santa Lucia H.—Cahill Connection (2000)
Sensational Star H.—Bedlam Bertie (2007)
Sunshine Millions Classic—Southern Image (2004)
Sunshine Millions Turf—Caracortado (2011)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Audrey Skirball-Kenis (Hol)—Fencelineneighbor (2003)
Barona Cup H. (Dmr)—Fencelineneighbor (2003)
California Sky (OT)—Dance With Gable (2009)
California State Fair Sprint H. (Sac)—Dance With Gable (2009)
• First winner: Bidadip, Jan. 1, 1990 at Santa Anita.
• Caracortado, a California-bred gelding Machowsky bred and owns in partnership with Don Blahut, rallied to defeat Mr. Commons by a nose in the 2011
running of the Grade II Del Mar Mile to gain some redemption after losing by
a head in Santa Anita’s Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile and by a neck in the Grade
I Shoemaker Mile. The Del Mar Mile victory was his first since taking Santa
Anita’s Sunshine Millions Turf in January and his first graded win since scoring
an upset in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February of 2010 while beginning his career with five successive victories.
• After gaining trainer his first Grade I victory in Santa Anita’s 2003 Malibu
Stakes, Southern Image became a major player in the 2004 handicap division.
He scored back-to-back wins at Santa Anita in million-dollar races, the Sunshine
Millions Classic and the 67th running of the Santa Anita Handicap.
• Southern Image added a third Grade I to his resume in 2004 when shipping east
to capture the Pimlico Special. “Every time this horse runs, it brings tears to my
eyes,” Machowsky said afterward. “He just keeps getting better and better.”
• Foot problems finally caught up with Southern Image, who was retired in 2005
with six wins from just eight starts and earnings of $1,843,750. “He faced all
comers, dancing every dance,” commented his trainer, “and in the process defeated over 20 stakes winners.”
mike machowsky
• Figuring the race would be taken off the turf due to recent rains, entered
Fencelineneighbor in Santa Anita’s 2005 San Gorgonio Handicap, and the 5-yearold mare netted her first graded stakes victory in the Grade II event while racing
on the front end over a sloppy racetrack.
• Achieved first graded stakes win with Dancing Rhythm in the Grade III Senorita
Stakes at Hollywood Park in 1998.
Personal
• First job at the racetrack was with trainer Clay Brinson when he was 14. Worked
for two years as a groom for Henry Moreno before joining Hall of Famer Richard
Mandella where he spent 5 1/2 years as stable foreman and assistant trainer.
• Father is a physician in Orange County.
GARY MANDELLA
Birthdate: February 14, 1972
Birthplace: Redlands, California
Wife: Lucinda
Children: Joshua
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Arcadia H. (GII)—Silent Name (2006)
Pinjara (OT)—Man Among Men (2002)
Sham (GIII)—Man Among Men (2003)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Commonwealth BC (GII-Kee)—Silent Name (2007)
Pepper Oaks Farm (Hol)—Le Mans (2003)
Ralph M. Hinds H. (Fpx)—Courtly Jazz (2005)
Seabiscuit Claiming (GG)—Big Shot (2001)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Taste of Paradise (2004)
Vosburgh (GI-Bel)—Taste of Paradise (2005)
• First graded stakes winner: Taste of Paradise, 2004 Grade III Vernon O.
Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park in stakes record time in 1:08.04.
• Following his stunner as the longest shot in the Vosburgh field, Taste of Paradise
came within a head of capturing the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Belmont Park
when second to Silver Train despite a troubled trip. A claim of foul by jockey
Garrett Gomez against the winner was disallowed.
• Acquired Taste of Paradise when owner and co-breeder David Bloom wanted to
keep the horse in California with a trainer who worked with veterinarian Rick
Arthur after previous trainer relocated to Arizona.
• Taste of Paradise was retired to stud at Crestwood Farm in Kentucky in
December of 2005 with earnings of $1,019,455 from six wins in 28 career starts.
• After winning Santa Anita’s Grade II Arcadia Handicap in 2006, Silent Name
added a Grade II at Keeneland in 2007 when the Japanese-bred son of Sunday
Silence dominated a field of 11 in the $400,000 Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup,
his first start over a synthetic surface.
• Man Among Men defeated highly-regarded Empire Maker in the 2003 Sham
Stakes at Santa Anita. The colt had previously won the 2002 Pinjara Stakes, providing trainer with his first stakes victory.
Personal
• Son of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.
• Worked for his dad during summer breaks. Following a five-month stint at
Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, went to work for his father as a full-time assistant
from 1995 to 1999.
• Worked as an analyst for TVG for over two years beginning in 1999.
• Took out his trainer’s license in 2002.
• Wife Lucinda is employed as director of owner services for the Thoroughbred
Owners of California.
Highlights
• First Grade I winner: Taste of Paradise, 2005 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park
in a 26-1 upset.
gary mandella
Birthdate: November 5, 1950
Birthplace: Altadena, California
Wife: Randi
Children: Gary and Andrea
Residence: Bradbury
Breeders' Cup Wins
Classic (GI)—Pleasantly Perfect (2003-OT)
Juvenile (GI)—Action This Day (2003-OT)
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—Phone Chatter (1993-OT); Halfbridled (2003-OT)
Turf (GI)—Kotashaan (1993-OT); Johar (2003-OT-DH)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title BC (GI-OT)—Corwyn Bay (GIII-1990); Lexicon (GII-1999)
Arcadia H. (GII)—Lazy Lode (2001); Dixie Chatter (2009)
Avigaition (OT)—Crazy Ensign (2003)
Blue Jay Way (OT)—Osidy (2006)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Lyin To The Moon (1995); Matiara (1996)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Bel's Starlet (1991, 1992)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Super May (1991); Cagney (2001)
Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (GI-OT)—Kotashaan (1993); Sandpit
(1994); The Tin Man (2002, 2006)
Damascus (OT)—Into Mischief (2008)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (GI)—Atticus (GII-1997); Lazy Lode (2001); Redattore
(GII-2003)
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Soul Of The Matter (1995); Pleasantly Perfect
(2002, 2003); Rock Hard Ten (2005)
Irish O’Brien—La Feminn (2001)
La Puente—Tiz West (2008)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Advancing Star (1997)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Likeable Style (1993)
Louis R. Rowan H. (OT)—Reluctant Guest (1991)
Malibu (GI)—Oraibi (GII-1988); Afternoon Deelites (1995); Dixie Union
(2000); Rock Hard Ten (2004)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Paga (2001)
Norfolk (GI-OT)—Dixie Union (GII-1999); Dixie Chatter (2007)
Oak Leaf (GI-OT)—Phone Chatter (1993); Halfbridled (GII-2003)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Johar (2002)
Providencia (GIII)—Berbatim (2005)
Reloy H.—Noches de Rosa (2003)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Crown of Thorns (2008)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Poley (1984); Best Pal (1995); Gentlemen (1997, 1998);
Redattore (2002); Pleasantly Perfect (2004); Spellbinder (2006)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Phone Trick (1986)
San Felipe (GII)——Soul of the Matter (1994); Afternoon Deelites (1995)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Minister Eric (2005); Unbridled Energy (2006)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Romarin (1995, 1996); Redattore (2003)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Invited Guest (1990)
San Juan Capistrano H. (GII)—Kotashaan (GI-1993)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—Kotashaan (1993); The Tin Man (2003); Champ
Pegasus (2011)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Kotashaan (GI-1993); Sandpit (GI-1995)
San Marcos (GII)—Sandpit (1997); Johar (2003); The Tin Man (2006)
San Marino H.—Kudos (2002)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Congrats (2005)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Lake William (2001)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Noches de Rosa (2003)
HALL OF FAME - 2001
RICHARD MANDELLA
richard mandella
Other Major Stakes Wins
Ack Ack H. (GIII-Hol)—El Roblar (2007)
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Le L’Argent (GIII-1987); Survive (1991)
Alameda County Fillies and Mares H. (Pln)—Miss Pleasant (2010)
Alydar (Hol)—Bayou the Moon (2001)
American H. (GII-Hol)—Mister Wonderful II (GI-1989); The Tin Man
(2002, 2006)
Angel Island (GG)—Acaffella (2010)
Arlington Million (GI-AP)—The Tin Man (2006)
Bangles and Beads (Fpx)—Chalula One (2011)
Bay Meadows BC Sprint (BM)—Lexicon (2000-01)
Bay Meadows Express (BM)—Siphon (1996)
Bed O'Roses (GII-Aqu)—Devil's Orchid (1991)
Bel Air H. (Hol)—Poley (GII-1983); Region (GIII-1994); Soul Of The Matter
(GIII-1995)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Dixie Union (GIII-1999)
Beverly D (GI-AP)—Reluctant Guest (ng-1990)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Beautiful Melody-Reluctant Guest (GI-1990-dh);
Corrazona (GI-1994); Virginie (GI-1999)
Blue Sparkler (Mth)—Shutup and Dance (2001)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—La Feminn (2000)
Budweiser BC H. (RP)—Leger Cat (1992)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Big Ten (2000); Kudos (2003)
Candy Eclair (GP)—Shutup and Dance (2001)
Carter H. (GI-Aqu)—Wild Rush (1998)
CashCall Futurity (GI-Hol)—Into Mischief (2007)
CERF (Dmr)—Palmarola (2002); Rumor (2011)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Sandpit (1996)
Cinema H. (GIII-Hol)—Bad 'N Big (GII-1977); Tiz West (2008)
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—Redattore (2003)
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (GI-OT-Hol)—Champ
Pegasus (2010)
Commonwealth BC (GII-Kee)—Afternoon Deelites (1996)
CTT & TOC (Dmr)—Crazy Ensign (2003)
Dahlia H. (GIII-Hol)—Invited Guest (1987)
Dayjur (Hol)—Lake William (2001)
Del Mar H. (GII-Dmr)—Champ Pegasus (2010)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Halfbridled (2003)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Siphonizer (2003); Horse Greeley (2006)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Dessert (2003)
Delta Airlines/Top Flight H. (GII-Aqu)—Reciclada (2000)
Donn H. (GI-GP)—Puerto Madero (1999)
Dubai World Cup (GI-Nasr Al Arab)—Pleasantly Perfect (2004)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Kotashaan (1993); Redattore (2001)
Escondido (Dmr)—Cagney (2001); Laura’s Lucky Boy (2005)
Fairfield (Sol)—Joke (2001)
Fleur de Lis H. (GII-CD)—Fit To Lead (1995)
Gamely BC (GI-Hol)—Noches De Rosa (2004)
Golden Gate H. (GIII-GG)—Bad 'N Big (1977)
Haskell H. (GI-Mth)—Dixie Union (2000)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Sacramentada (GII-1992)
Hillsborough (BM)—Slow Down (2001)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Johar (2002)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Afternoon Deelites (1994)
HALL OF FAME - 2001
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Siphon (1997); Malek (1998); Rock Hard Ten (2005)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Golden Treat (1992)
Santa Lucia H.—Alexine (2002)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Devil's Orchid (1991); Stop Traffic (1999); Salt Champ
(2005)
San Vicente (GII)—Afternoon Deelites (1995)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Bel’s Starlet (1991, 1992); A La Reine (2001)
Strub (GII)—Dare and Go (GI-1995); Event of the Year (GI-1999);
Rock Hard Ten (2005)
Thunder Road H.—Matto Mondo (2009)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Memo (GII-1993); Worth Repeating (2011)
Winter Solstice—Separata (2001)
Queen of the Green (TuP)—Alexine (2001)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—She's Tops (1992); Supercilious (1996); Brulay (1998);
Witty (2009)
Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Lexicon (1999)
San Francisco BC Mile H. (GII-BM)—Redattore (2001)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Redattore (2003); The Tin Man (2007)
Silver Screen H. (Hol)—Poley (1992)
Sunset H. (GII-Hol)—Sandpit (1995); Talloires (1996)
Super Derby (GII-LaD)—Soul of the Matter (GI-1994)
United Nations H. (GI-Atl)—Sandpit (1995, 1996)
Valkyr (Hol)—Bel's Starlet (1992, 1993)
Vallejo (GG)—Joke (2001)
Whirlaway H. (FG)—Olmodavor (2004)
Wickerr H. (Dmr)—One Union (2008)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Osidy (2005)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Now Pending (1977); Reluctant Guest (GII-1990);
Spring Star (GII-2004)
WinStar Galaxy (GII-Kee)—Tout Charmant (GIII-2000)
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI-CD)—Romarin (GII-1995)
HALL OF FAME - 2001
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Siphon (1996); Gentlemen (1997)
Hollywood Juvenile (GIII-Hol)—Dixie Union (1999)
Hollywood Mile (Hol)—Romarin (1994)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Afternoon Deelites (1994)
Hollywood Turf Cup H. (GI-Hol)—The Hague (1982); Lazy Lode (1996);
Boboman (2006)
Hollywood Turf Express (GIII-Hol)—Advancing Star (1997)
Honeymoon H. (GIII-Hol)—Likeable Style (1993)
Illinois Derby (GII-Haw)—Wild Rush (GIII-1997)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—El Roblar (2008)
Jim Murray Memorial H. (GII-Hol)—Lazy Lode (1999); Kudos (2001)
John C. Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Matiara (1996)
John Henry H. (Hol)—Leger Cat (1993); Arcangues (1994)
Kentucky Cup Classic (GII-TP)—Atticus (GIII-1996)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Meteore (2009)
Longacres Mile H. (Lga)—Bad 'N Big (1978)
Louisville BC H. (GII-CD)—Fit To Lead (1995)
Mamzelle (CD)—Separata (2001)
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Super May (GI-1990); Siphon (1996);
Out Of Mind (2000); Crown of Thorns (2011)
Metropolitan Mile H. (GI-Bel)—Wild Rush (1998)
Miss America H. (BM)—Alexine (2001); Crazy Ensign (2002)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Menswear (1983); Hopeful World (1986);
Best Pal (1994); Gentlemen (1996); Refinado Tom (1997); Puerto Madero
(1998); Olmodavor (2003)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—Atticus (GI-1997); Kudos (GI-2002)
Oceanside (Dmr)—El Roblar (2005-2nd div.); Dixie Chatter (2008)
Osunitas (Dmr)—Paga (2001); Polyfirst (2006)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Dare And Go (1996); Gentlemen (1997);
Pleasantly Perfect (2004)
Palomar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Spring Star (2003)
Paumonok (Aqu)—Lexicon (2001)
Pimlico Special (GI-Pim)—Gentlemen (1997)
Princess (Hol)—Fit To Lead (GIII-1993)
Highlights
• Eclipse Award winners trained: Kotashaan, 1993 Horse of the Year; Phone
Chatter, 1993 2-Year-Old Filly.
• First major stakes winner: Bad 'N Big, 1997 Cinema Handicap at Hollywood
Park. Bad 'N Big went on to take honors as 1977 champion California-bred
3-year-old and 1978 older horse.
• Training titles: Oak Tree: 1990, 1993; Hollywood Park: 1982 autumn, 1987
and 1997 autumn; Del Mar: 1990-tie.
• The 2001 Hall of Fame inductee made racing history by winning four Breeders’
Cup races at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, 2003: Halfbridled (earnings of $520,000)
in the Juvenile Fillies; Action This Day ($780,000) in the Juvenile; Johar
($763,200, dead-heat with High Chaparral) in the Turf; and Pleasantly Perfect
($2,080,000) in the Classic. Including a second by Minister Eric in the Juvenile
richard mandella
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Won four stakes races on Oak Tree’s 1993 Breeders’ Cup Day program at Santa
Anita: the $2 million Turf with Horse of the Year Kotashaan; $1 million Juvenile
Fillies with Phone Chatter; $150,000 Skywalker Handicap with Region, and
the $100,000 Smile Handicap with Memo. The horses earned a combined
$1,697,500.
• The Tin Man compiled the best seasonal record of his career at the age of eight
in 2006 when earning $1,990,000 from four wins in five starts including the
Grade I Arlington Million and Oak Tree’s Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Memorial
Turf Championship, repeating four years later in that event after taking the 2002
running. The Tin Man continued rolling along at age 9 in 2007 when adding
Hollywood Park’s Grade I Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile to his list of triumphs.
• Won Grade I races on same weekend at Oak Tree in 1993 with Phone Chatter in
Oak Leaf Stakes on Oct. 9 and Kotashaan in the Oak Tree Invitational (now the
Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship) on Oct. 10, 1993.
• Won with five consecutive starters at Hollywood Park in 1987 and with his last
five at Del Mar in 1990 including three on closing day to gain a tie for first in
the trainers’ standings with D. Wayne Lukas and Bill Spawr.
• Trained sprint star Phone Trick, who won his first nine starts, his first five stakes
events, and finished second in the 1986 Eclipse balloting to Smile. Phone Trick
sired Phone Chatter.
Personal
• The son of a blacksmith, he worked for his father at Beaumont, and then spent
five years at Three Rings Ranch and one year at Farrell Jones' ranch in Southern
California.
• Broke and galloped horses for owner Connie Ring while attending high school in
Beaumont.
• Spent 18 months as an assistant to V.J. (Lefty) Nickerson in New York during
early 1970s, before taking a private training job for Roger Braugh in 1974.
• Opened public stable in California in 1976.
• Former assistants include trainers Dan Hendricks, C. Beau Greely, Michael
Machowsky and son Gary.
• Has been a member of the Oak Tree Racing Association’s board of directors since
2006.
HALL OF FAME - 2001
•
($300,000) and a fourth by The Tin Man in the Turf ($120,840), his horses
earned $4,564,040, a Breeders’ Cup record for one day. The feat is regarded by
many as the sport’s greatest single day accomplishment.
Won the 17th million-dollar race of his career in 2006 when The Tin Man,
at the age of 8, led throughout to take the Arlington Million. In 1998, had
put together a streak of six consecutive $1-million race victories in Southern
California when Malek won that year’s Santa Anita Handicap. Streak was
halted when Skip Away defeated Puerto Madero and Gentlemen in that year’s
Hollywood Gold Cup.
Captured his third Santa Anita Handicap in 2005 when Rock Hard Ten won the
68th running of the classic. The dark bay colt also won two thirds of the Strub
Series with victories in the Grade I Malibu and the Grade II Strub Stakes. He
skipped the San Fernando Stakes. Trainer’s first Big ’Cap victory was achieved
with Siphon in 1997, the event that triggered his streak of million-dollar wins
in California and saw Mandella become the only trainer to saddle one-two-three
finishers in a Santa Anita Handicap (Siphon, Sandpit and Gentlemen).
In March of 2004 and less than five months after winning the Breeders’ Cup
Classic, Pleasantly Perfect won the $6-million Dubai World Cup. He provided
the trainer with his third $1-million Pacific Classic victory in August. The 6-yearold son of Pleasant Colony ran third to Ghostzapper in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup
Classic and was retired to stud at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky., shortly
thereafter.
Pleasantly Perfect’s triumph in Dubai pushed trainer’s runners over $100-million
mark in career earnings. When inducted into Hall of Fame in August of 2001,
stable earnings stood at just over $78 million from 1,500 winners.
His horses swept the MGM Grand Classic in 1997, with Siphon’s Big ’Cap win
and Gentlemen’s victories in the Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic.
Saddled Dare And Go to upset Cigar in 1996 Pacific Classic, ending the champion’s 16-race win streak.
Became the only trainer in Southern California history to win a Grade I race
with a pair of dead-heated stablemates when Beautiful Melody and Reluctant
Guest could not be separated by the photo finish camera in the 1990 Beverly
Hills Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Birthdate: July 11, 1932
Birthplace: Covington, Kentucky
Wife: Debbie
Children: Maureen, Janna and Laura
Residence: Tarzana
Breeders' Cup Wins
Distaff (GI)—Bayakoa (1989-GP, 1990-Bel); Paseana (1992-GP)
Turf (GI)—Northern Spur (1995-Bel)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Arcadia H. (GII)—Seinne (2002)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Appealing Missy (ng-1992-2nd div.); Fun House (2004)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—House of Fortune (2003)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Kobuk King (ng-1971); Ultrasonido (1990)
Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (GI-OT)—John Henry
(1980, 1981, 1982); Hawkster (1989); Northern Spur (1995)
Cover Gal (OT)—House of Fortune (2003)
El Encino (GII)—Olympic Charmer (2000); Affluent (2002)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (GI)—Sweet Return (GII-2004)
Harold C. Ramser, Sr. H. (OT)—Olympic Charmer (2000); Mea Domina (2004)
La Brea (GI)—Savannah Slew (GIII-1985); Brought To Mind (GIII-1990);
Affluent (2001)
Las Cienegas (GIII)—Drama Critic (ng-1978); Excitable Lady (ng-1982)
Las Palmas H. (GII)—Super Staff (1992); Mea Domina (2005); All Star Heart
(2011-SA)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Antespend (1996)
Malibu (GI)—Olympio (GII-1991)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Madame Pandit (1998)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Hawkster (GI-1988); Future Quest (1995)
Oak Tree BC Mile (GII-OT)—Ibero (1991); Johann Quatz (1993)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—D'Hallevant (GIII-1995)
Pasadena—Call Now (1994)
Paseana H.—Printemps (2003)
Pine Tree Lane (OT)—Tizzy's Tune (2008)
Reb’s Policy H.—Grandiser (2003)
Robert B. Lewis Memorial (GII)—An Act (ng-1976); Super Moment
(ng-1980-1st div.); Hello (ng-1997)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Ibero (1992)
San Felipe (GII)—Sea Cadet (1991)
San Fernando BC (GII)—King O'Turf (ng-1960); First Back (1975-1st div.);
Pocket Park (1977-2nd div.)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—John Henry (GIII-1980); Brave Act (1998, 2000)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Miss Magnetic (ng-1980); Paseana (1992);
Queens Court Queen (1995); Golden Arches (1998); Tout Charmant (2002)
San Juan Capistrano H. (GII)—John Henry (GI-1980); Amerique (GI-1998)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—John Henry (1981); Bienvenido (1998); Dark
Moondancer (2000)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—John Henry (GI-1980, GI-1981); Dark Moondancer
(2000)
San Marcos (GII)—John Henry (1980); Super Moment (1982); Brave Act (1999);
Sweet Return (2004)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Soft Victory (1973); Pay Tribute (ng-1976); Mark’s Place
(ng-1977); Syncopate (ng-1981); Coastal Voyage (1990); Bonfante (2007)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Beautiful Noise (2001)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—An Act (1976)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—John Henry (1981, 1982); Mr Purple (1996)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Antespend (1996)
HALL OF FAME - 1990
RON McANALLY
ron mcanally
Other Major Stakes Wins
American H. (GII-Hol)—John Henry (1983); Tight Spot (1991);
Dark Moondancer (2000); Candy Ride (2003)
Apple Blossom H. (GI-OP)—Bayakoa (1989); Paseana (1992, 1993)
Arkansas Derby (GII-OP)—Silver Ending (1990); Olympio (1991)
Arlington Million (GI-AP)—John Henry (1981, 1984); Tight Spot (1991)
Autumn Leaves H. (BM)—Alozaina (2005); Private Banking (2007)
Bay Meadows H. (GIII-BM)—Super Moment (GII-1980, 1982)
Bay Meadows Sprint H. (GIII-BM)—Bonfante (2008)
Bel Air H. (Hol)—Cleante (GIII-1996); Smile Again (GIII-2001)
Beverly D (GI-AP)—Eclair de Lune (2010)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Auspiciante (1987); Alpride (1995); Different
(GI-1996)
California Jockey Club H. (BM)—Queens Court Queen (1994)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Mud Route (1998)
California Oaks (GG)—House of Fortune (2004)
California Turf Sprint Championship H. (BM)—Bonfante (2007, 2008)
Cash Call Mile (GIII-Hol)—Kalatiara (2001)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—House of Fortune (2005)
Champagne (GI-Bel)—Donut King (1961)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—John Henry (1980, 1981, 1984);
Sweet Return (2005)
Cigar Mile H. (GI-Aqu)—Ibero (1992)
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—Pewter Grey (1983); Brave Act (1999)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Nantequos (ng-1978); Bayakoa (1990); Paseana
(1994); Different (1996)
CTT & TOC (Dmr)—Nepenthe (2001)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Golden Arches (1997); Tout Charmant (2002)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Queen To Be (1975); Call Now (1994)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Fairly Ransom (2003)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—On Target (1994); Future Quest (1995)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Savannah Dancer (1985); Antespend (1996)
Donn H. (GI-GP)—Sea Cadet (1992)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Ten Below (GII-1984); Tight Spot (1991);
Sweet Return (2005)
Explosive Bid (GIII-FG)—Brave Act (2000)
Fantasy (GII-OP)—Race The Wild Wind (1992); House of Fortune (2004)
Fastness H. (Hol)—Bonapartiste (1999)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Sugarinthemorning (2011)
Forty-Niner H. (GG)—Jimmy Z (2002)
Gamely BC (GI-Hol)—Mea Domina (2004)
Golden Gate H. (GIII-GG)—Algenib (GII-1992)
Gulfstream Park H. (GII-GP)—Sea Cadet (GI-1992)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Bayakoa (GII-1989, GII-1990); Brought To Mind
(GII-1991); Paseana (GII-1995); Victory Stripes (GII-1999);
Printemps (GII-2001)
Hillsborough H. (GIII-BM)—Isle de France (1999)
Hillsborough (BM)—Charm the Giant (2007)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Listening (GI-1996); Affluent (2001);
House of Fortune (2004)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Olympio (1991); Sweet Return (2003)
HALL OF FAME - 1990
Santa Lucia H.—Printemps (2001)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Bayakoa (1989, 1990); Paseana (1992, 1994);
Queens Court Queen (1995); Toda Una Dama (1998)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Bayakoa (1990); Paseana (1992); Race The Wild Wind
(1993); Queens Court Queen (1995); Lovellon (2001)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Affluent (2003)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Top Soil (ng-1979-2nd div.); Savannah Dancer (ng-1985);
Antespend (ng-1996)
San Vicente (GII)—Replant (GIII-1977); Olympio (ng-1991); Early Flyer (2001)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Madame Pandit (1997)
Strub (GII)—Super Moment (GI-1981); Siberian Summer (GI-1993)
Swingtime—All Star Heart (2011-SA)
Thunder Road H.—Sweet Return (2007)
Tokyo City Cup (GIII)—Super Moment (GII-1982)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Super Staff (1992); Alpride (1995)
Princess (Hol)—Sweet Diane (GIII-1983); Race The Wild Wind (GII-1992);
Listening (GII-1996)
Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup (GI-Kee)—Affluent (2001)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Suziqcute (GII-1991); Olympic Charmer (GII-1999)
Razorback BC H. (GIII-OP)—Tokatee (GII-1992)
Ruffian (GI-Bel)—Bayakoa (1989)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Fanatic Boy (GIII-1993); Mud Route (GIII-1998)
San Francisco BC Mile (GII-GG)—Tight Spot (GIII-1992)
Spinster (GI-Kee)—Bayakoa (1989, 1990); Different (1996)
Spotlight BC H. (Hol)—Fumo di Londra (GIII-1994)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—Cruiser II (GI-1975); John Henry (GI-1984); Plicck
(1999)
Sunshine Millions Distaff (GP)—House of Fortune (2006)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Bayakoa (1989); Brought to Mind (1991); Paseana
(1992); Potridee (1994)
Waya (Hol)—Nepenthe (2001)
William P. Kyne (BM)—Prepo (1997)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Brave Act (GII-1997)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Tout Charmant (2000); Charm the Giant (2007)
WinStar Galaxy (GIII-Kee)—Tout Charmant (2000)
HALL OF FAME - 1990
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Valiant Nature (1993); Matty G (1995)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Pay Tribute (1976)
Hollywood Juvenile (GIII-Hol)—Mr Purple (1994)
Hollywood Turf Cup (GI-Hol)—John Henry (1983)
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Do So (GIII-1988); Antespend (GIII-1996);
Innit (2001)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—Red Crescent (GII-1980); Tight Spot (GII-1991);
BraveAct (1999); Gondolieri (2003)
Intercontinental H. (Hol)—Charm The Giant (2007)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI-Bel)—John Henry (1981); Festin (1991)
John C. Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Luz del Sol (ng-1969); Drama Critic (GIII-1978);
Auspiciante (1986); Affluent (2002)
Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial (GII-Hol)—Early Flyer (GIII-2001)
Longacres Derby (Lga)—Cassaleria (1982-dh); Sea Cadet (1991)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Soft Victory (GII-1973); J. F. Williams (1994)
Manhattan Beach (Hol)—Gabriellina Giof (2001); Sugarinthemorning (2011)
Matriarch (GI-Hol)—Auspiciante (1986); Tout Charmant (2000)
Meadowlands BC H. (GII-Med)—Sea Cadet (GI-1992)
Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (GII-FG)—Brave Act (2000)
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Tossofthecoin (1995)
Metropolitan Mile H. (GI-Bel)—Ibero (1993)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Antespend (1995)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Bayakoa (GI-1989, 1990); Brought to Mind
(GI-1991); Paseana (GI-1992, 1993); Listening (1997)
Moccasin (Hol)—Superlative (1997); Classic Olympio (1999)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Replant (1980); Syncopate (1981); Piensa Sonando
(2002)
Oakland (GG)—Bonfante (2008)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—Festin (GI-1992)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Duke of Green (2000-1st div.); Sweet Return (2003-1st div.);
Lightning Hit (2006-1st div.)
Osunitas H. (Dmr)—Zardana (2008)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Candy Ride (2003)
Palomar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Mea Domina (2006)
Highlights
• First winner: Hemet Star, 1958 at Hollywood Park.
• First stakes winner: King O’Turf, 1960 San Fernando at Santa Anita.
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1990 with his signature star, John Henry, the 1981
and 1984 Horse of the Year.
• Eclipse Award winner: 1981, 1991 and 1992.
• Eclipse Award winners trained: John Henry, 1981, 1984 Horse of the Year,
1980, 1981, 1983, 1984 Turf Horse, 1981 Older Male; Bayakoa, 1989, 1990
Older Female; Tight Spot, 1991 Turf Horse; Paseana, 1992, 1993 Older Female;
Northern Spur, 1995 Turf Horse.
• Training titles: Oak Tree: 1980, 1989; Hollywood Park: 1991, 1991 fall-tie,
1994, 1994 fall, 1996; Del Mar: 1980, 1989.
ron mcanally
• Trained 1995 champion turf horse Northern Spur, winner of that year’s Breeders'
Cup Turf at Belmont Park, and 1991 Eclipse Award-winning turf horse Tight
Spot, who won eight straight turf races.
• His fillies or mares have reached the winner’s circle in Santa Anita’s Grade I Santa
Margarita Handicap six times, the most recent being Toda Una Dama in 1998.
• Saddled Hawkster to win the 1989 Oak Tree Invitational in world record time of
2:22 4/5 over 1 1/2 miles on turf on Oct. 14, 1989.
Personal
• Raised in Kentucky orphanage with two younger brothers and two sisters.
• Started in racing by walking hots at Rockingham Park for uncle Reggie Cornell,
the trainer of legendary stretch-runner Silky Sullivan.
• Served in the Air Force and spent two years studying electrical engineering at the
University of Cincinnati.
• Has earned a reputation with off-beat horses including ill-bred John Henry,
parrot-mouthed Bayakoa, one-eyed Cassaleria, $1,500 Silver Ending, and tail-less
Sea Cadet.
HALL OF FAME - 1990
• Was fitting that Hall of Fame induction coincided with that of John Henry in
1990 as trainer is most closely identified with the two-time Horse of the Year
who was retired in 1984 with then-record earnings of $6,597,947.
• After joining McAnally’s stable at the age of 4 in 1979, John Henry ($239,613
earned previously) won 27 of his 45 races and earned $6,358,334 during the ensuing five years. He became the first horse to win a million-dollar
Thoroughbred race in 1981 when nosing out The Bart in the inaugural Arlington
Million.
• Along the way, John Henry won 12 stakes races at Santa Anita. He became the
first dual winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and won three runnings of the
Grade I Oak Tree Invitational, now the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship.
John Henry’s final season at the age of 9 included a second victory in the
Arlington Million.
• Trainer’s Argentine-bred Bayakoa won Eclipse Awards as best older female in
1989 and 1990. Advised the late Frank Whitham to purchase her for $300,000
in 1987. Bayakoa won 16 of 21 starts from 1989 through 1990 including the
Breeders' Cup Distaff twice. Overall, she was victorious in 21 races for earnings
of $2,817,524. Bayakoa was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
• Another Argentine-bred, Paseana, provided third Breeders' Cup Distaff in four
years in 1992. Purchased on behalf of Sid and Jenny Craig for $320,000, Paseana
won the 1992 Eclipse Award as champion older female. She lost by a nose to
Hollywood Wildcat in the 1993 Breeders' Cup Distaff. Retired in 1995 with
earnings of $3,317,427 from 19 wins in 36 starts, Paseana was inducted into the
Hall of Fame in 2001.
• Yet another Argentine-bred, Candy Ride, stirred memories of John Henry in
the trainer’s mind in 2003 after extending his unbeaten streak to six since being
purchased by the Craigs. The tour de force was a smashing 3 1/4-length win over
favored Medaglia d’Oro in Del Mar’s Pacific Classic while covering 1 1/4 miles in
1:59.11 and breaking Bertrando’s track record of 1:59.55 set in 1993.
• Surpassed the late Charlie Whittingham to become Oak Tree’s all-time leading
trainer on Oct. 3, 1998, when Royal Prosper won that day’s fifth race. It was his
202nd Oak Tree winner. Had become Del Mar’s all-time leader the same year,
passing the previous mark of 414 victories set by Farrell Jones.
Peter Miller
Birthdate: October 2, 1966
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Residence: Carlsbad, California
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Baldwin—Fast Parade (2006)
Impressive Luck H.- Fast Parade (2007)
Jack Goodman (OT)—Backbackbackgone (2008)
Other Major Stakes Wins
CTBA Marian (Fpx)—Spirited Susan (1991)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—Fast Parade (2006)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Set Play (2007)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Comma to the Top (2010)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Backbackbackgone (2009)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Comma to the Top (2010)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—Majestic City (2011)
Landaluce (HP)—Pinata (2006)
Nearctic (GII-WO)—Fast Parade (2006)
Real Quiet (Hol)—Comma to the Top (2010)
Willard Proctor Memorial (Hol)—Thoroughly (2007); Backbackbackgone (2008);
Majestic City (2011)
Highlights
• First winner: Dynashield at Santa Anita in 1988.
• First stakes winner: Spirited Susan, CTBA Marian Stakes at Fairplex Park, 1991.
• First graded stakes winner: Fast Parade in Group II, $500,000 Nearctic at
Woodbine on Oct. 22, 2006.
• First Grade I winner: Set Play in Grade I, $250,000 Del Mar Debutante on
Sept. 3, 2007.
• The 1 3/4-length victory by Comma to the Top in the Grade I, $750,000
Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park on Dec. 18, 2010 not only was the biggest win of Miller’s career, but it capped a remarkable meet for the 44-year-old
Los Angeles native. He won with 14 of 35 starters at a strike rate of 40 percent
during the Autumn Meet to finish two wins behind leader Doug O’Neill, who
had 69 more starters. He led in purse earnings of $662,420 as Comma to the
Top completed an unprecedented sweep of the Real Quiet, Grade III Generous
Stakes and the Futurity. “Just incredible, one of those magical meets,” said Miller.
• Took the Grade I Del Mar Debutante with Set Play in a major upset at odds of
14-1 to cap best meeting to date, tying for fifth in 2007 trainers’ standings with
11 victories after leading first two weeks of Del Mar’s seven-week season and saddling two winners on opening day.
• “This was just like a dream,” he said following the Debutante. “To win a race
like this is humbling.” Victory earned Set Play an opportunity to run in 2007
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, in which she finished 10th.
• Trainer, who wins at around a 20 percent clip, gained his first graded stakes win
in Canada where Fast Parade took the 2006 running of the Group II Nearctic
at Woodbine. The Washington-bred became the first 3-year-old to win the sixfurlong turf event in 26 years.
• Multiple stakes winner Backbackbackgone, a 3-year-old sprinter, won 5 of his
first 8 starts including Hollywood Park’s Harry Henson Stakes in 2009.
peter miller
Personal
• His parents owned horses, racing as the Winning Ways Stable in the late 1970s
and 1980s, but he wanted to become a jockey.
• Was the youngest student at the jockeys’ school in Castaic at the age of 10, but
soon outgrew those aspirations. “I decided training would be the next best thing,”
he said.
• While attending Beverly Hills High School, worked as a groom and hot walker
during the summer for such trainers as Hal King, Joe Manzi and Mike Mitchell.
• Following high school, worked for two years for Charlie Whittingham. Took out
his trainer’s license at the age of 20 in late 1987.
• Worked as an assistant to Don Warren, helping train for Old English Rancho,
before taking a break from the sport for three years beginning in 1992.
• “I came back fresh in 1994,” he said. Prepped horses for other trainers and served
as racing manager for Golden Eagle Farm.
• In 2004 opened own public stable. Says his jockeys’ school experience has paid
off in that he likes to gallop his own horses.
MIKE MITCHELL
Birthdate: April 25, 1948
Birthplace: Bakersfield, California
Wife: Denise
Children: McCall and Shea
Residence: Redondo Beach
San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (GII)—On the Acorn (2007); Big Booster
(2008)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—Kessem Power (1999)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Kessem Power (1998)
San Marino H.—Semillon (1994)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Naninja (1999)
Santa Maria H. (GII)—St Trinians (2010)
Santana Mile H.—Monzante (2008)
Sunshine Millions Turf—Star Over the Bay (2005)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Tap It Light (2010)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Anoakia (OT)—Mi Chiamano Mimi (2008)
Baldwin (GIII)—Skip to the Stone (2001)
California Breeders’ Champion (Filly)—Pockefullofpesos (2002); Spring Awakening
(2007)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Romance Is Diane (2007)
California Cup Starter H. (OT)—Irrelevant (1999)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Symphony Sid (2006)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Texcess (2006)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Romance is Diane (2006)
Cascapedia (OT)—Kays and Jays (2009)
Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (GI-OT)—Star Over the Bay (2004)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (GI)—Ever a Friend (2008)
Hidden Light (OT)—La Mina (2007)
Impressive Luck H.—Ever a Friend (2007)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Comininalittlehot (1996)
Paseana H.—St Trinians (2010)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Johnny's Image (ng-1978)
Adoration (Dmr)—St Trinians (2011)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Speedratic (1988); Grazen (2009)
Arlington BC Oaks (GIII-AP)—Lovely Afternoon (2004-dh)
Ascot H. (BM)—Mr. Broad Blade (GIII-1999)
Barretts Juvenile (Fpx)—Sweet Stepper (2001)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Romance is Diane (2007)
Bay Shore (GIII-Aqu)—Skip to the Stone (2001)
Bing Crosby BC H. (GI-Dmr)—Kela (2004)
California Derby (GG)—Distant Ryder (GII-1984)
C. B. Afflerbaugh (Fpx)—Campo Marzio (1993)
City of Phoenix H. (TuP)—Miss McCall (2009)
Corte Madera (GG)—La Mina (2007)
Dallas Turf Cup H. (GIII-LS)—Church Service (2008)
Del Mar H. (GII-Dmr)—Star Over the Bay (2004); Leprechaun Kid (2005)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Monzante (2008)
El Cajon(Dmr)—Turbulent Dancer (1995); Celestic Night (2011)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Shezsospiritual (2004)
Estrapade (Hol)—Miss High Blade (1994)
Foothill (Fpx)—Shezsospiritual (2004)
Gallant Man H. (Hol)—Big Booster (2008)
Governor’s Cup H. (Fpx)—Carbonite (2011)
mike mitchell
Graduation (Dmr)—Cougar Mtn. Lodge (2005)
Grand Prairie Turf Challenge (LS)—Deal Breaker (2010)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Romance is Diane (2006)
Hurricane Bertie (GIII-GP)—Kays and Jays (2010)
Jim Murray Memorial H. (GII-Hol)—On the Acorn (2007, 2008)
Live The Dream (Dmr)—Naninja (1997)
Los Angeles H. (Hol)—Camp Victory (2011)
Manhattan Beach (Hol)—Sindy With an S (2007)
Moccasin (Hol)—Spring Awakening (2007)
Norfolk (GI-OT-Hol)—Jaycito (2010)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Kilderry (2008)
Pat O’Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Kela (2004)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Literal Prowler (2001)
Pirate’s Bounty H. (Dmr)—Delta Storm (2008)
Queen To Conquer (Hol)—Miss High Blade (1994)
Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Inv. H. (Fpx)—Chinkapin (2003); Hotel Hall (2004);
Z Humor (2009)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Tanda (2011)
Richland Hills (LS)—Kays and Jays (2009)
Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Delta Storm (2009)
Safely Kept BC (GIII-Lrl)—Sindy With an S (2007)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Sun Boat (2007)
Seabiscuit (Hol)—Prince Worthy (1980)
Texas Mile (GIII-LS)—Kela (2004)
Thirty Slews H. (Hol)—Comininalittlehot (1996)
Highlights
• First Grade I winner: Kela, Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar in 2004.
• First winner: Break a Leg at Bay Meadows in 1974.
• Training titles: Oak Tree: 1983, 1995-tie, 1996, 2004; Santa Anita: 1993, 2008;
Hollywood Park: 1982-tie, 1983 fall-tie, 1985, 1993, 1997; Del Mar: 1981,
1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 1996, 2011; Fairplex Park: 2008.
• Placed his name in the Del Mar record books as the track’s winningest trainer
on Aug. 12, 2011 when Backwoods Belle won the fifth race to give Mitchell,
at 63, his 437th victory at the seaside track as he surpassed Hall of Famer Ron
McAnally. During a year when the high-percentage trainer’s strike rate resided
at about 30 percent, he won his seventh training title at Del Mar and first since
1996 with 25 wins, edging John Sadler by a single victory. Mitchell ranks No. 5
on Santa Anita’s all-time list of training victories and is No. 2 at Hollywood Park.
• Regarded as one of the game’s most astute claiming trainers, went 30 years before
winning a Grade I race, and did it twice in 2004 as stable earned a career high
$3,834,120 from 97 victories (25 percent).
• Kela’s victory in the Grade I Bing Crosby Handicap preceded an upset of top
sprinter Pico Central in the Grade II Pat O’Brien during Del Mar’s 2004 meet.
Kela scored the stable’s richest win in the $300,000 Texas Mile at Lone Star Park
and finished second to Speightstown in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He earned
$692,212 in 2004.
• Claimed for $80,000, Star Over the Bay provided the second Grade I victory
when taking Oak Tree’s Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship after winning
a pair of Grade II events, Hollywood Park’s Sunset Handicap and the Del Mar
Handicap.
• Star Over the Bay returned in 2005 to capture Santa Anita’s Sunshine Millions
Turf but met an unfortunate demise when injuring a sesamoid during the
$1.8-million Singapore Airlines International Cup in Singapore and had to be
euthanized.
• Leprechaun Kid, a gray front-running turf specialist like Star Over the Bay, was
claimed for a similar $80,000 in 2005 at Del Mar and, in a remarkably similar
tableau, gained trainer a second consecutive victory in the Del Mar Handicap.
Leprechaun Kid wound up second in the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship
in 2005.
• In 2007, Sun Boat, haltered for $50,000 two starts previous, gained a win in
the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (Gr II) to become the trainer’s fifth horse
since 2004 to go from the claim box to victory in a major stakes race. He joined
Leprechaun Kid, Star Over the Bay, Symphony Sid (2006 Carleton F. Burke) and
On the Acorn.
• On the Acorn, claimed for $40,000 in November of 2006, captured both Santa
Anita’s San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (Gr II) and Hollywood Park’s
Jim Murray Memorial Handicap (Gr II) while earning $398,400 within the next
six months for Indizguys Stable.
• California-bred filly Romance Is Diane provided third Grade I victory in 2006
when posting a 14-1 upset in Hollywood Park’s $459,250 Hollywood Starlet
after taking the Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies in her previous start at Oak Tree.
• Added two more Grade I victories to his dossier in 2008 when Ever a Friend,
yet another Mitchell claim – taken for $62,500 three months earlier – captured
Santa Anita’s $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Stakes while making his first graded
stakes start. British import Monzante, transferred to the Mitchell barn the previous fall, was victorious in Del Mar’s $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap to account
for the other Grade I.
• The trainer scored repeat victories in a pair of marathon Grade II stakes in 2008
as Big Booster, a $62,500 claim, upset favored stablemate On the Acorn in the
San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita. The latter came back to repeat in Hollywood
Park’s Jim Murray Memorial Handicap while nosing out odds-on favorite
Champs Elysees.
• Big Booster’s San Juan Capistrano score served to punctuate Santa Anita season for Mitchell as his 33 wins provided first training title at track since 1993.
Following peak earnings year in 2007 when runners banked $3.8 million, surpassed that with $4.5 million in purse earnings in 2008.
• Claimed Kessem Power for $50,000 at the 1997 Del Mar meeting and developed the New Zealand-bred into a top distance turf runner. Won Santa Anita’s
$250,000 San Luis Rey Stakes in 1998 and the 1999 San Luis Obispo.
• Sent out 3-year-old Skip to the Stone to a pair of Grade III stakes wins in 2001:
Santa Anita’s Baldwin Stakes and the Bay Shore at Aqueduct.
• His 19 wins at Oak Tree in 1983 remained the highest total at that meet until
surpassed by the 21 of Bob Baffert in 1998. When capturing his fourth Oak
Tree training title in 2004 with 13 wins from 30 starters, his winning ratio was a
remarkable 43 percent.
• One of ten trainers ever to saddle four winners in a day (Jan. 13, 1995) at Santa
Anita.
• Registered first victory in a hundred-grander in 1984 when Distant Ryder won
the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields.
• Comininalittlehot set a course record in Oak Tree’s 1996 Morvich Handicap,
covering the about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:11.57.
• One of trainer’s most challenging assignments involved Speedratic, a speed
horse he was able to calm down long enough to win Hollywood Park’s Grade III
Affirmed Handicap in 1988.
• Claimed Banker John for $10,000 during early career. Banker John went on to
earn over $130,000.
Personal
• Son of former Gem State Stable conditioner Earl Mitchell.
• Walked hots for Farrell Jones and groomed for late mentor Willard Proctor, who
loaned him four stalls at Hollywood Park after he obtained his trainer's license in
1974.
• One-time pony boy for Ron McAnally.
mike mitchell
KRISTIN MULHALL
Birthdate: July 27, 1982
Birthplace: Pasadena, California
Single
Residence: Monrovia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Exceller H.—Alyzig (2003)
Harold Ramser Sr. H. (OT)—Sentimental Value (2002)
Lure—John Johny Jack (2011-SA)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—Puerto Banus (2004)
San Rafael (GII)—Imperialism (2004)
San Vicente (GII)—Imperialism (2004)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alcatraz (GG)—Sky Cape (2008)
Bay Meadows BC H. (GIII-BM)—Mister Acpen (2003)
Forerunner (Kee)—Californian (2003)
Golden Gate BC H. (GIII-GG)—Tronare (2004)
Harry F. Brubaker (Dmr)—Running Free (2005); John Johny Jak (2011)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Sky Cape (2008)
Khaled (Hol)—Running Free (2005)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Sky Cape (2008)
Live The Dream (Dmr)—Statement (2004)
Matiara (Hol)—Sentimental Value (2002)
Pat O’Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Imperialism (2005)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Cheiron (2004)
Sunset BC H. (GII-Hol)—Puerto Banus (2003)
Wickerr (Dmr)—Statement (2004)
Highlights
• First winner: Atarama, allowance race on Aug. 26, 2002 at Del Mar.
• First stakes winner: Sentimental Value, Oak Tree’s Harold Ramser Sr. Handicap
on Oct. 14, 2002.
• Victories in Santa Anita’s San Vicente and San Rafael Stakes followed by a second
in the 2004 Santa Anita Derby earned Imperialism a trip to Louisville, Ky. The
one-eyed gray colt thus gained an opportunity to make his trainer the youngest,
at 21, to win the Kentucky Derby as well as the first female. Imperialism finished
strongly to place third behind Smarty Jones and Lion Heart in the 130th Run for
the Roses.
• Having held a trainer’s license for less than two years in 2004, the daughter of
former trainer Richard Mulhall saw her runners earn over $1.8 million that year
as Puerto Banus won Santa Anita’s Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap, Cheiron
took Hollywood Park’s Snow Chief Stakes and Tronare captured the Golden Gate
Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• In her first full year as a trainer in 2003, saddled four stakes winners. Puerto
Banus was victorious in Hollywood Park’s Grade II Sunset Handicap, providing trainer with her first graded stakes victory while one week shy of her 21st
birthday. Added another graded win when Mister Acpen took the Grade III Bay
Meadows Breeders’ Cup Handicap. Horses earned more than $1 million.
• Following his stellar 3-year-old season, Imperialism returned at 4 to win Del
Mar’s Grade II Pat O’Brien Handicap. He would compete in the 2005 Breeders’
Cup Sprint, but finished a non-threatening eighth.
kristin mulhall
Personal
• Father Richard Mulhall managed the late Prince Ahmed Salman’s The
Thoroughbred Corp. following a lengthy training career in Southern California.
He continued to oversee the conglomerate’s racing interests through 2004 dispersal sales.
• Was an equestrian rider through her teens.
• Obtained her trainer’s license during Hollywood Park’s 2002 spring/summer
Meet following an apprenticeship with trainer John Shirreffs.
JEFF MULLINS
Birthdate: March 27, 1963
Birthplace: Murray, Utah
Children: Jeffrey, Jr, Jessica, Justin
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title BC (GI-OT)—Captain Squire (2005)
Baldwin (GIII)—Buddy Gil (2003); Battle of Hastings (2009)
Blue Norther—Make Mine Minnie (2006); In the Slips (2010)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Tempting Date (2005)
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Test the Waters (2004)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Runforthemoneybaby (2007)
California Cup Starter H. (OT)—Fade to Blue (2003)
Cavonnier (OT)—Swiss Lad (2004)
El Cielo H.—Cayoke (2004)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Boston Common (2004)
La Puente—Battle of Hastings (2009)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—King Robyn (2003)
Pine Tree Lane (OT)—Selvatica (2006)
San Felipe (GII)—Buddy Gil (2003)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Boule d’Or (2008)
San Pedro—King Robyn (2003)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Glick (2004)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Buddy Gil (2003); Castledale (2004); Buzzards Bay
(2005)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Carlsbad (2009)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Final Fling (2008)
Sunshine Millions Sprint—Captain Squire (2003)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Aegon Turf Sprint H. (GIII-CD)—Mighty Beau (2005)
Bangles and Beads (Fpx)—Selvatico (2006)
Barretts Debutante (Fpx)—Judge Joan (2009)
Bay Meadows Speed H. (BM)—Wind Water (2007)
Bustles and Bows (Fpx)—Marianne Rose (2006)
California Turf Championship (BM)—Stage Player (2004)
Colonial Turf Cup (GII-Cnl)—Battle of Hastings (2009)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Wild Fit (2005)
Delaware H. (GII-Del)—Summer Wind Dancer (2004)
Desert Sky (TuP)—Magnificent Val (2004)
El Cajon (Dmr)—Excess Summer (2003)
Everett Nevin Alameda State Futurity (Pln)—Lil’ Bro Eddie (2003)
Flame Thrower (Hol)—Scottsbluff (2007)
Flawlessly (Hol)—Just Too Too (2003)
Foothill (Fpx)—King Robyn (2003)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Castledale (2003)
Gotham (GIII-Aqu)—I Want Revenge (2009)
Governor’s Cup (Fpx)—Wind Water (2007)
Great Lady M. H. (Hol)—Silky Smooth (2008)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—King Robyn (2003)
Golden Gate Derby (GG)—Buzzards Bay (2005)
Harry F. Brubaker H. (Dmr)—Cayoke (2004); Stormin Away (2006)
Harry Henson (Hol)—King Robyn (2003)
Hasta La Vista (TuP)—Fade to Blue (2004)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Summer Wind Dancer (2004)
Hollywood Oaks (GII-Hol)—Brooke’s Halo (2005); Carlsbad (2009)
jeff mullins
Hollywood Turf Express (GIII-Hol)—King Robyn (2003)
Las Madrinas H. (Fpx)—Lookn Mighty Fine (2002); Tale of a Dream (2004);
Brooke’s Halo (2005)
Lazaro Barrera Memorial (GII-Hol)—Captain Squire (2002)
Oakland H. (GG)—Boston Common (2003)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Excess Summer (2003)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Verkade (2004)
Pomona Derby (Fpx)—L’Effaceur (2000); Excess Summer (2003); Semi Lost
(2004); Bingham (2008)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Carlsbad (2009)
Rattlesnake (TuP)—Captain Squire (2002)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Excess Summer (2003); Seven Nation Army (2006)
Robert Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Scottsbluff (2007)
Round Table H. (Hol)—Stormin Away (2007)
San Clemente H. (GII-Dmr)—Sweet Win (2004)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Choctaw Nation (2004, 2005)
Sandy Blue H. (Dmr)—Sweeter Still (2008)
San Francisco Mile H. (GII-BM)—Castledale (2005)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Sweeter Still (2008)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Castledale (2005)
Silky Sullivan H. (GIII-GG)—Eastern Sand (2005)
Tiznow (Hol)—Beau Soleil (2004)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—Captain Squire (2002)
Viejas Casino H. (Dmr)—Silky Smooth (2007)
Virginia Derby (GII-Cnl)—Battle of Hastings (2009)
Wood Memorial (GI-Aqu)—I Want Revenge (2009)
Highlights
• Training titles: Santa Anita: 2004; Hollywood Park: 2004, 2006, 2007 (tie),
spring-summer: 2003, 2005, fall; Del Mar: 2005; Fairplex: 2001, 2006.
• Became the first trainer in history to saddle three straight winners of the Santa
Anita Derby when Buzzards Bay, a 30-1 shot, took the 2005 running. The year
before, he had struck with another 30-1 shot, Irish-bred Castledale. Buddy Gil
•
•
•
•
•
began the streak in 2003 at the more modest odds of 6-1. Each earned a trip to
the Kentucky Derby with Buzzards Bay’s fifth-place finish the best showing of the
three.
Dealt a crushing blow on the morning of the 2009 Kentucky Derby when his I
Want Revenge, the 3-1 morning line favorite, had to be scratched due to a filling
in his left front ankle. It was the first time in Derby history that the morning line
choice had been withdrawn on the day of the race. I Want Revenge was coming
off impressive victories in Aqueduct’s Grade III Gotham Stakes and the Grade I
Wood Memorial to gain favoritism in the historic event.
Won four consecutive stakes races with Battle of Hastings in 2009, culminated
by a head victory in the Grade II, $750,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs,
before being nipped by a nose by 22-1 outsider Rendezvous in the Grade II Del
Mar Derby.
Ranked 10th nationally in earnings during peak year of 2005 as runners earned
over $6.2 million from 12 stakes victories. Included were three Grade I events in
addition to the Santa Anita Derby: Castledale in Hollywood Park’s Shoemaker
Breeders’ Cup Mile; Wild Fit in the Del Mar Debutante, and Captain Squire in
Oak Tree’s Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Stakes.
Claimed Choctaw Nation for $40,000 out of his maiden debut on behalf of
owner Robert Bone and turned the stretch-running gelding into a millionaire. Choctaw Nation upset Possibly Perfect in the 2004 running of Del Mar’s
$250,000 San Diego Handicap and repeated the following year. The bulk of his
earnings, $600,000, were achieved when finishing third behind Roses in May and
Dynever in the 2005 Dubai World Cup.
Won 2003-04 Santa Anita training crown with 45 wins from 166 starts (27
percent) after registering first title at major meet during Hollywood Park’s 2003
fall meet (30 percent). When led 2005 Del Mar meet, completed cycle of having won training titles at each major meet in Southern California after having
tied for top spot in 1998 at Fairplex and leading 2001 meet there. In 2006, set a
Fairplex record for most wins in a season when saddling 17 winners. Gained tie
for Hollywood Park’s 2007 spring/summer training title with two winners on the
meet’s final day to draw even with Doug O’Neill.
• One of circuit’s leading percentage trainers, began Hollywood Park’s 2003 spring/
summer meet with six consecutive victories. Can recall having won nine in row
during a Turf Paradise meet in Arizona.
• Won inaugural Sunshine Millions Sprint in 2003 with Captain Squire, who had
provided first graded stakes victory in Grade II Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes at
Hollywood Park in 2002.
Personal
• Family had horses while growing up in Utah.
• Began galloping when he was eight years old and later rode at bush tracks in the
region.
• At 17, began racing horses at Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho, under his father’s
name, since he didn’t have his own license. Says Gary Stevens rode his first winner, Doctorious, at Les Bois in 1980.
• After two years, headed back to Utah before moving to the Southern California
circuit.
• His first foray into California had taken him to the fair circuit, but with new clients and better horses, he moved full-time to Southern California from Arizona
in 2001.
• Wife Amy gallops horses for the stable and serves as assistant trainer. She has a
daughter by a previous marriage and she and Jeff have two sons.
jeff mullins
DOUG O’NEILL
Birthdate: May 24, 1968
Birthplace: Dearborn, Michigan
Wife: Linette
Children: Daniel and Kaylin Dixie
Residence: Santa Monica
Breeders' Cup Wins
Filly & Mare Sprint—Maryfield (2007-Mth)
Juvenile (GI)—Stevie Wonderboy (2005-Bel)
Sprint (GI)—Thor’s Echo (2006-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title BC H. (GI-OT)—Avanzado (2003)
Blue Norther—Cee’s Irish (2005)
California Breeders’ Champion—Excessivepleasure (2002)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Sky Jack (2000)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Lil Sister Stich (2002)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Areyoutalkintome (2004)
Cover Gal (OT)—Mistical Plan (2006)
Eddie Logan—Flashmans Papers (2008)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Areyoutalkintome (2005); Harvard Avenue (2007)
Flower Girl H.—Maryfield (2006)
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Lava Man (2006)
Hidden Light (OT)—Cross (2005)
Irish O’Brien—Cambiocorsa (2006)
La Habra—Super Freaky (2007)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Separate Forest (2011)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Sharp Lisa (2005)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Lil Sister Stich (2003)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—Avanzado (2003); Saint Afleet (2005)
Pasadena—What’sthescript (2007)
Potrero Grande BC H. (GII)—Harvard Avenue (2005)
Providencia (GII)—Super Freaky (GIII-2007); Acting Lady (2009)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Great Hunter (2007)
San Felipe (GII)—Cobalt Blue (2007)
San Marcos (GII)—Whilly (2005)
San Miguel (GIII)—Hosco (2004)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Pure as Gold (2006)
San Pedro—Try to Fly (2007)
San Rafael (GII)—Notional (2007)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Lava Man (2006, 2007)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Sharp Lisa (2005)
Santa Lucia H.—Champagne Eyes (2009)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Sharp Lisa (2005); California Nectar (2011)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Itty Bitty Pretty (2006)
Santana Mile—Skipaslew (2005); Raise the Bluff (2007)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Cambiocorsa (2006)
Sensational Star H.—Grand Appointment (2004)
Sir Beaufort (GIII)—Whilly (2004); Tedo (2005-2nd div.)
Sunshine Millions Classic—Lava Man (2006)
Sunshine Millions Oaks—Mistical Plan (2007)
Sunshine Millions Turf—Lava Man (2007)
Tokyo City Cup (GIII)—Supah Blitz (2005)
Tuzla H. (GIII)—Trick’s Pic (2008)
Wishing Well H.—Cambiocorsa (2006)
doug o'neill
Other Major Stakes Wins
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Cee’s Elegance (2003)
Alcibiades (GI-Kee)—Wickedly Perfect (2010)
Alydar (Hol)—Blazing Sunset (2006)
American H. (GII-Hol)—Whilly (2005)
Aprisa H. (Fpx)—FJ’s Pace (2002)
Ballerina BC H. (GI-Sar)—Maryfield (2007)
Beau Brummel (Fpx)—The Thought Occurs (2005)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Azul Leon (2008)
Beverly J. Lewis (Fpx)—California Nectar (2011)
Bien Bien H. (Hol)—Whilly (2004)
Borderland Derby (Sun)—Scorewithcater (2009)
Breeders’ Futurity (GI-Kee)—Great Hunter (2006)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Cee’s Elegance (2002)
Bustles & Bows (Fpx)—Dancin’ Olivia (2005); No Means Maybe (2007)
California Breeders’ Champion—Thirtyfirststreet (2011)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Lava Man (2005); Informed (2009)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—Cee’s Elegance (2002)
C. B. Afflerbaugh (Fpx)—Runstevierun (2011)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Lava Man (2006)
Cinderella (Hol)—Trifecta King (2008)
Corte Madera (GG)—Cee’s Irish (2004)
CTBA (Dmr)—Repo (2009)
CTBA Marion (Fpx)—Tanks for the Music (1996)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Supah Blitz (2004)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Stevie Wonderboy (2005)
Del Mar Mile H. (GII-Dmr)—Enriched (2010)
Distaff BC H. (GII-Aqu)—Maryfield (2007)
Donn H. (GI-GP)—Spring At Last (2008)
El Cajon (Dmr)—Perfect Moon (2004); Slew’s Tiznow (2008)
Fair Grounds Oaks (GII-FG)—Mistical Plan (2007)
Fantasy (GII-OP)—Classy Cara (2000)
Foothill (Fpx)—Diligent Prospect (2005)
Forest Hills H. (Bel)—Avanzado (2002)
Frank DeFrancis Memorial Dash (GI-Lrl)—Thor’s Echo (2006)
Gateway to Glory (Fpx)—Rainman’s Request (2001); Skipaslew (2003)
Godolphin Mile (GII-Nad)—Spring at Last (2007)
Gold Rush (GG)—Skipaslew (2003); Dover Dere (2004)
Golden Gate Derby (GIII-GG)—Skipaslew (2004)
Graduation (Dmr)—Wolf Tail (2009)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Sky Jack (2002); Lava Man (2005, 2006,
2007)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—Azul Leon (2008); Necessary Evil
(2009)
Honeymoon BC H. (GII-Hol)—Classy Cara (2000)
I’m Smokin (Dmr)—Topper Shopper (2007)
Indiana Derby (GII-Hoo)—Excessivepleasure (GIII-2003)
Iowa Derby (PrM)—Excessivepleasure (2003)
Japan Cup Dirt (GI-TRC)—Fleetstreetdancer (2003)
Jim Kostoff (Fpx)—Luckarack (2011)
Kentucky Cup Sprint (GIII-TP)—Estate Collection (2005)
Khaled (Hol)—Sea to Sea (2002); Lava Man (2006)
Lafayette H. (GG)—Jake Skate (2005)
Landaluce (Hol)—Repo (2009)
Lone Star Derby (LS)—Thirtyfirststreet (2011)
Lone Star Park H. (GIII-LS)—Supah Blitz (2005)
Longacres Mile H. (GIII-EmD)—Sky Jack (2003)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Pohave (2004)
Manhattan Beach (Hol)—Southern Fireball (2010)
Mervyn Leroy H. (GII-Hol)—Sky Jack (2002)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Andujar (2005)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT-Hol)—Quick Enough (2010)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—Sky Jack (2000); Slew's Tizzy (2008)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Lava Man (2006)
Paradise Valley (TuP)—Miller’s Turbo (2007)
Phoenix Gold Cup H. (TuP)—Peace Chant (2009)
Pirate’s Bounty H. (Dmr)—Avanzado (2002); Areyoutalkintome (2006)
Pomona Derby (Fpx)—Dover Dere (2005); Bench the Judge (2010)
Princess Rooney H. (GI-Crc)—Mistical Plan (2008)
Ralph M. Hinds H. (Fpx)—Just Ruler (2001)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Areyoutalkintome (2004); Thor’s Echo (2005)
Risen Star (GIII-FG)—Notional (2007)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Informed (2009)
San Jose (BM)—Classy Cara (2000)
Secretariat (GI-AP)—Shamdinan (2007)
Select (Mth)—Cobalt Blue (2007)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Harlene (2008)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Wickedly Perfect (2010)
Sugar Maple (Ct)—Pinkarella (2010)
Sunland Park Oaks (Sun)—Cee’s Irish (2005)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Pohave (2004)
War Chant (Hol)—Slew’s Tiznow (2008)
Willard L. Proctor Memorial (Hol)—Classical Slew (2009)
WinStar Derby (Sun)—Excessivepleasure (2003); Thor’s Echo (2005)
Highlights
•
•
•
First graded stakes win: Classy Cara, 2000 Fantasy Stakes (Grade II) at
Oaklawn Park.
First stakes win: Tanks for the Music, 1996 CTBA Marion at Fairplex Park.
Eclipse Award winners trained: Stevie Wonderboy, 2005 2-Year-old Colt; Thor’s
Echo, 2006 Sprinter.
• Training titles: Santa Anita, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07; Hollywood Park,
spring/summer, 2003, 2005, 2007 (tie), 2009, 2010; fall, 2002, 2004, 2006,
2008; Del Mar, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010; Fairplex, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2007, 2009, 2010, 2011; Oak Tree, 2003, 2006, 2007.
• Lava Man, who would evolve into the richest claimed horse in racing history
under the trainer’s care, became the first ever to sweep Southern California’s three
most distinguished races for older horses in a single season during a remarkable
run in 2006.
• Claimed for $50,000 on behalf of STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood two
summers previous, Lava Man’s 2 1/2-length triumph in Del Mar’s 2006 Pacific
Classic completed a sweep that began with the Santa Anita Handicap and
Hollywood Gold Cup, thus capturing the signature races at Southern California’s
three major racetracks. Only Best Pal, but in varying years, had won all three
races previously.
• Lava Man opened 2006 by taking Santa Anita’s Sunshine Millions Classic. The
Big ’Cap victory provided his second consecutive million-dollar win. He took the
Khaled Stakes and Grade I Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap on grass at
Hollywood Park before returning to dirt to win his second Hollywood Gold Cup
despite stumbling at the start.
• Lava Man’s victory in Oak Tree’s Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap in October
boosted his earnings from a seven-for-seven year to $2,770,000, his record earnings since being claimed to $3,706,103, and his lifetime bankroll to $3,804,706
from 14 victories in 34 starts. The 5-year-old gelding’s streak ended when seventh
in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• In 2007 at the age of 6, Lava Man joined legendary Native Diver as the only
horse to win the Hollywood Gold Cup in three consecutive years when prevailing by a nose over A. P. Xcellent. The record-equaling performance followed his
becoming only the third horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap twice while joining legendary John Henry and Milwaukee Brew for that distinction. The Gold
Cup victory elevated his career earnings to $5,189,706, all but $98,603 since
the claim. It also established him as the first horse to win Grade I events over
dirt, grass and synthetic surfaces. Lava Man’s bid for a repeat sweep of Southern
California’s signature races failed when he finished sixth in the 2007 Pacific
Classic.
• After finishing sixth and last in Del Mar’s Grade I Eddie Read Handicap on July
20, 2008, Lava Man was retired and permanently pensioned to Old Friends, a
retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky. He concluded his remarkable career with
seven Grade I victories among 17 wins in 47 starts. He left with earnings of
$5,268,706 over six seasons, $5,180,678 of it constituting a record amount for
winnings following a claim.
doug o'neill
• Recorded his first Breeders’ Cup victory in 2005 when Stevie Wonderboy defeated highly regarded First Samurai in the Juvenile at Belmont Park en route to an
Eclipse Award for the Del Mar Futurity winner owned by Merv Griffin. Trainer’s
runners earned a career high $9.4 million in 2005 to rank fifth nationally. Lava
Man’s victory in the 2005 Hollywood Gold Cup was accomplished by a stakes
record margin of 8 3/4 lengths in the event’s 66th running. Lava Man’s 2006
victory in the Gold Cup was the third for O’Neill within five years after winning
the 2002 running with another California-bred, Sky Jack.
• Won his second Breeders’ Cup event in 2006 when Thor’s Echo, a 15-1 shot ridden by Corey Nakatani, dominated the Sprint field with a four-length victory,
giving the trainer a second victory on the Breeders’ Cup card at Churchill Downs
after he had won the $238,200 Very Subtle Stakes with Maryfield. Thor’s Echo,
a California-bred 4-year-old gelding, had been shifted to O’Neill’s stable in the
spring of 2005. O’Neill ranked second nationally in earnings to Todd Pletcher
with $11,247,756 banked for the year.
• Became the third trainer in history to win Breeders’ Cup races in at least three
consecutive years when captured his third in 2007 as Maryfield won the inaugural Filly & Mare Sprint. D. Wayne Lukas (five consecutive years) and Aidan
O’Brien (three) are the other two trainers. Had earnings of over $10.2 million
following the 2007 Breeders’ Cup to rank fifth nationally.
• In 2007, won his third consecutive Santa Anita training title while saddling
56 winners and eclipsing his own record. Also gained his third titles at both
Hollywood Park’s fall and spring/summer meets, the latter in a tie with Jeff
Mullins. During 2005, set a Santa Anita record for training victories at 54 to
surpass by seven the mark previously shared by Bob Baffert (1997-98) and Gary
Jones (1975-76). Topped mark with 48th winner on March 27 when Keystone
Malibu was victorious. Set an Oak Tree record of 22 training victories in 2003,
bettering by one the number of winners Baffert saddled in both 1998 and 1999.
• Upon winning his seventh training title at Fairplex, his fifth at Hollywood Park’s
spring/summer meet since 2003, and his fourth at Del Mar in 2010, O’Neill’s
bulging list of meet training championships in Southern California during the
decade reached 26.
• California-based stable continued to enlarge its national presence in 2007 as runners captured stakes races at Aqueduct, Saratoga, Laurel and the Fair Grounds.
Included were Grade I victories by Thor’s Echo in the Frank DeFrancis Memorial
Dash at Laurel and by Maryfield in Saratoga’s Ballerina at odds of 16-1.
• Set a Fairplex record for wins at a meet in 2004. His 16 victories eclipsed Mel
Stute’s 18-year-old record of 13. From September of 2002 through September of
2004 won seven of the 13 training titles in Southern California.
• Won more races, 170, than any other trainer based in Southern California during 2004 when stable ranked ninth nationally with earnings of over $7 million.
Broke into the Top Ten nationally in earnings in 2003 when runners banked over
$6.4 million to rank No. 10.
• Tied a Santa Anita record for most victories on a single day when he saddled
four Oak Tree Meet winners on Sept. 27, 2006, including Cambiocorsa, who
captured the Grade III Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap for her unparalleled eighth
victory without a loss over Santa Anita’s downhill turf course.
• Claimed for $40,000 on behalf of Lee and Ty Leatherman in October of 2002,
Fleetstreet Dancer subsequently earned $1,084,000, much of it achieved by a
nose victory at odds of 48-1 in the 2003 Japan Dirt Cup with a total purse of
$2 million. Win was the trainer’s first in a Group I event. His first U.S. Grade I
victory was accomplished later in 2003 when Avanzando won Oak Tree’s Ancient
Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Classy Cara, a $20,000 purchase by owner John Zamora, won a trio of stakes
in 2000, including the Grade II Fantasy at Oaklawn Park and the Grade II
Honeymoon at Hollywood Park.
• Sky Jack, a Cal-bred son of Jaklin Klugman, scored an impressive seven-length
victory under Laffit Pincay Jr. in the 2000 Native Diver at Hollywood Park, two
years prior to his Gold Cup win.
• Played a role in a memorable afternoon for Pincay on Oak Tree’s 2000 California
Cup program as the Hall of Fame jockey surpassed the 9,000-win plateau by
riding a Santa Anita Park record five stakes winners, including Sky Jack in the
$250,000 Cal Cup Classic, No. 9,002 for Pincay.
• Gained his 1,000th training victory on Sept. 10, 2007 when Meetmeinthewoods
was victorious in the 11th race at Fairplex Park, site of his first stakes win with
Tanks Forthemusic 11 years previous in the 1996 CTBA Marian Stakes.
Personal
• Moved to California from Dearborn, Mich., with family at age 10 when father
shifted jobs from Michigan Bell to Pacific Bell.
• Following high school, began working at racetrack in 1986. Assisted trainers Jude
Feld, Hector Palma, Richard Mandella and Doug Peterson.
• Obtained trainer’s license in 1994. Maintains a close working relationship with
his brother, Dennis, a bloodstock agent.
doug o'neill
todd pletcher
Birthdate: June 26, 1976
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas
Wife: Tracy
Children: Payton, Kyle and Hannah
Residence: Garden City, N.Y.
La Habra (GIII)—Passion (2008)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Roshani (2008)
Oak Tree Mile (GII-OT)—Cowboy Cal (2009)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Wait a While (2008)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Cowboy Cal (2009)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Rags to Riches (2007)
Strub (GII)—Cowboy Cal (2009)
Sunshine Millions Distaff—Smok’n Frolic (2003); Leah’s Secret (2009)
Sweet Life—Rose Catherine (2010)
Tokyo City Cup (GIII)—Fairbanks (2007)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Wait a While (2006, 2008)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Triple Crown Win
Belmont (GI-Bel)—Rags to Riches (2007)
Kentucky Derby (GI-CD)—Super Saver (2010)
Breeders' Cup Wins
Distaff (GI)—Ashado (2004-LS)
Juvenile (GI)—Uncle Mo (2010-CD)
Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII)—More Than Real (2010-CD)
Juvenile Turf (GII)—Pluck (2010-CD)
Sprint (GI)—Speightstown (2004-LS)
Turf (GI)—English Channel (2007-Mth)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Arcadia H. (GII)—Icy Atlantic (2007)
Bonnie Heath Turf Cup H. (Crc)—Icy Atlantic (2008)
California Breeders’ Champion—California Nectar (2011)
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (GI-OT)—Red Giant (2008)
Academy Award (Bel)—Distorted Reality (2008)
Acorn (GI-Bel)—Jersey Girl (1998); Adieu (2006); Cotton Blossom (2007)
Adirondack (GII-Sar)—Octave (2006); Position Limit (2010)
Adjudicating (Bel)—Ready’s Image (2008)
Alfred Vanderbilt H. (GII-Sar)—Speightstown (2004)
Allaire DuPont Distaff (GIII-Pim)—Super Expresso (2011)
Alywow (WO)—Passion (2008)
American Oaks (GI-Hol)—Wait a While (2006); Panty Raid (2007)
American Turf (GII-CD)—Doubles Partner (2010)
Amsterdam (GII-Sar)—Quality Road (2009); Discreetly Mine (2010)
Appalachian (Kee)—Audacious Chloe (2007)
Apple Blossom H. (GI-OP)—Spun Sugar (2006)
Arkansas Derby (GII-OP)—Graeme Hall (2000)
Arlington Classic (AP)—Pleasant Strike (GIII-2007); Meal Penalty (2008)
Artax H. (GP)—Speightstown (2004)
Astoria (Bel)—Glacken’s Gal (2007)
Azeri BC (GIII-OP)—India (2007)
Bald Eagle (Aqu)—Modern Cowboy (2011)
Ballerina (GI-Sar)—Hilda’s Passion (2011)
Ballston Spa H. (GII-Sar)—Wait a While (2007, 2008)
todd pletcher
Bashford Manor (GIII-CD)—Limehouse (2003); Circular Quay (2006)
Bayou BC H. (GIII-FG)—J’Ray (2007)
Bayshore (GIII-Aqu)—Forest Danger (2004)
Beldame (GI-Bel)—Ashado (2005); Fleet Indian (2006); Unbridled Belle
(2007); Life At Ten (2010)
Ben Ali (GIII-Kee)—Exhi (2011)
Bennington (Sar)—Hilda’s Passion (2010)
Bewitch (GIII-Kee)—Safari Queen (2007)
Bienville (FG)—West Ocean (2010)
Birdstone (Sar)—Rule (2011)
Black-Eyed Susan (GII-Pim)—Panty Raid (2007)
Blue Grass (GI-Kee)—Bandini (2005); Monba (2008)
Bold Ruler (GIII-Aqu)—Calibrachoa (2011)
Bold Ruler H. (GIII-Bel)—Left Bank (2002)
Bonnie Miss (GII-GP)—Devil May Care (2010)
Bourbon (GIII-Kee)—Twilight Meteor (ng-2006); Interactif (2009)
Bowling Green H. (GII-Bel)—Go Deputy (2006); Sunriver (2007)
Brite Flight (Aqu)—French Dip (2010)
Brooklyn BC H. (GII-Bel)—Limehouse (2005); Any Given Saturday (2007)
Brookmeade (Cnl)—Giant Mover (2010)
Bryan Station (GIII-Kee)—Cowboy Cal (2008)
Busanda (Aqu)—Dance Quietly (2011)
Calder Turf Sprint H. (Crc)—Texas Glitter (2002)
Canadian (GII-WO)—Ready’s Gal (2006); J’ray (2008)
Canadian Turf (GIII-GP)—Twilight Meteor (2009)
Candy Eclair (Mth)—Starfish Bay (2010)
Carter H. (GI-Aqu)—Forest Danger (2005); Bishop Court Hill (2006)
Challenger (Tam)—Colizeo (2011)
Champagne (GI-Bel)—Proud Accolade (2004); Scat Daddy (2006); Uncle Mo
(2010)
Cheap Seats (Aqu)—Quiet Giant (2010)
Chicago H. (GIII-AP)—Leah’s Secret (2008)
Chilukki (GII-CD)—Leah’s Secret (2008), Malibu Prayer (2009)
Choice (Mth)—Fantastico Roberto (2010)
Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (GII-CD)—Phola (2010)
Churchill Downs (GII-CD)—Aikenite (2011)
Cigar Mile H. (GI-Aqu)—Left Bank (2001)
Clarendon (WO)—Sensational Slam (2010)
Clark H. (GII-CD)—A. P. Arrow (2007)
Classy Mirage (Bel)—Savvy Supreme (2011)
Coaching Club American Oaks (GI-Bel)—Tweedside (2001); Ashado (2004);
Octave (2007)
Coaching Club American Oaks (GI-Sar)—Devil May Care (2010)
Colonial Turf Cup (GIII-Cnl)—English Channel (2006)
Commonwealth (GII-Kee)—Aikenite (2011)
Continental Mile (Mth)—Finale (2011)
Coolmore Lexington (GII-Kee)—Behindatthebar (2008); Advice (2009); Exhi
(2010)
Correction H. (Aqu)—Distorted Passion (2009)
Cotillion H. (GII-Pha)—Smok’n Frolic (2002); Ashado (2004)
Coyote Lakes (Aqu)—Nite Light (2007); Tiger’s Rock (2010)
Curlin (Sar)—Turbo Compressor (2011)
Damon Runyon (Aqu)—Ibboyee (2009)
Daniel Van Clief (Cnl)—Pleasant Strike (2009)
Davona Dale H. (GII-GP)—Wait a While (2006)
Dearly Precious (Mth)—Maple Forest (2011)
Debutante (GIII-CD)—Garden District (2008)
Deceit (Bel)—Yes She’s a Lady (2009)
Delaware H. (GII-Del)—Fleet Indian (2006); Unbridled Belle (2007); Life At Ten
(2010)
Delaware Oaks (GII-Del)—Adieu (2006)
Delta Jackpot (GIII-DeD)—Rule (2009)
Demoiselle (GII-Aqu)—Smok’n Frolic (2001); Ashado (2004)
Discovery H. (GIII-Bel)—Roman Dynasty (2006)
Dogwood (GIII-CD)—Ailalea (2010)
Donn H. (GI-GP)—Quality Road (2010)
Duke of Magenta (Sar)—Fairbanks (2008)
Dwyer (GII-Bel)—Any Given Saturday (2007)
Easy N Dirty (Sar)—Driven by Success (2011)
Eclipse H. (GII-WO)—Graeme Hall (2001)
Endeavour BC (Tam)—Cassydora (2007)
Epitome BC (Mth)—Sea Chanter (2007)
Evening Attire (Aqu)—Understatement (2010); Heart Butte (2011)
Excelsior BC H. (GIII-Aqu)—West Virginia (2006); Magna Graduate (2007)
Fair Grounds Oaks (GII-FG)—Ashado (2004)
Fall Aspen (Bel)—Light Green (2009)
Fantasy (GII-OP)—Ready to Please (2006)
Feel the Beat (Aqu)—Awesome Ashley (2009)
First Lady H. (GIII-GP)—Game Face (2009)
Fitz-Dixon Cotillion BC H. (GII-Pha)—India (2006)
Flamingo (GIII-GP)—Trippi (2000)
Fleur de Lis H. (GII-CD)—Indian Vale (2007)
Flitalong (Aqu)—West Ocean (2009)
Florida Derby (GI-GP)—Scat Daddy (2007); Quality Road (2010)
Flower Bowl (GI-Bel)—Honey Ryder (2006)
Foil (Aqu)—Distorted Passion (2008)
Forty Niner (Aqu)—Alma d’Oro (2010)
Fourstardave H. (GII-Sar)—Red Giant (2008); Sidney’s Candy (2011)
Fountain of Youth (GII-GP)—Scat Daddy (2007); Eskendereya (2010)
Fred “Cappy” Capossela (Aqu)—Sensational Slam (2011)
Frizette (GI-Bel)—Adieu (2005); Devil May Care (2009)
From New York to Old York (Sar)—Starfish Bay (2009)
Futurity (GII-Bel)—King of the Roxy (2006)
Gaily Gaily (GP)—Audacious Chloe (2007)
Gallant Fox H. (Aqu)—Nite Light (2007); Tiger's Rock (2009)
Gallorette H. (GIII-Pim)—Roshani (2008)
Garden City BC (GI-Bel)—Magnificent Song (2006)
Garland of Roses H. (Aqu)—Awesome Ashley (2009)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—The Leopard (2007)
Giant’s Causeway (Kee)—Forest Code (2007); West Ocean (2010)
Go For Wand H. (GI-Sar)—Ashado (2005); Spun Sugar (2006)
Gold and Roses (Sar)—Zow (2011)
Gotham (GIII-Aqu)—Cowtown Cat (2007); Stay Thirsty (2011)
Gravesend (Aqu)—Calibrachoa (2010)
Grover (Buddy) Delp Memorial (Del)—Alma d’Oro (2010)
Gulfstream Oaks (GII-GP)—R Heat Lightning (2011)
Gulfstream Park H. (GII-GP)—Harlington (2006)
Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (GII-GP)—Munnings (2010)
Hallendale Beach (GP)—Twilight Meteor (2007); Why Tonto (2008)
Hal’s Hope (GIII)—Quality Road (2010)
Harry Henson (Hol)—Ain’t No Other (2011)
Haskell Invitational H. (GI-Mth)—More Than Ready (2000); Bluegrass Cat
(2006); Any Given Saturday (2007)
Hatoof (AP)—Lucky Copy (1st div., 2008), Return to Paradise (2nd div., 2008)
Hawthorne Gold Cup H. (GII-Haw)—Fairbanks (2008)
Hendrie (GIII-WO)—Embur’s Song (2011)
High Rock Springs (Sar)—Never Right Joey (2010)
Hillsborough (GIII-Tam)—Ready’s Gal (2006); Phola (2010)
Hilltop (Pim)—Excited (2011)
Hollywood Turf Cup (GI-Hol)—Sunriver (2007)
Hollywood Turf Express (GIII-Hol)—Texas Glitter (2002)
Honey Bee H. (Med)—Spritely (2008)
Honey Fox H. (GP)—Wait a While (2007)
Honey Jay (Tdn)—King of the Roxy (2009)
Honorable Miss H. (GII-Sar)—Game Face (2009)
Hopeful (GI-Sar)—Circular Quay (2006)
Hurricane Bertie (GIII-GP)—Hilda’s Passion (2011)
Hutcheson (GII-GP)—More Than Ready (2000); Proud Accolade (2005);
Keyed Entry (2006); King of the Roxy (2007)
Illinois Derby (GIII-Haw)—Pollard’s Vision (GII-2004); Cowtown Cat (GII-2007);
Joe Vann (2011)
Inside Information (GII-GP)—Game Face (2009); Hilda’s Passion (2011)
Interborough H.—Distorted Passion (2010)
Island Whirl (Sar)—Dark Thunder (2011)
Jamaica H. (GI-Bel)—Take the Points (2009)
Jean Lafitte (DeD)—Rule (2009)
todd pletcher
Jersey Derby (Mth)—Hudson Steele (2010)
Jersey Shore (GIII-Mth)—Discreetly Mine (2010)
Jim Dandy (GII-Sar)—Graeme Hall (2000); Flower Alley (2005); Stay Thirsty
(2011)
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (GI-Bel)—English Channel (2006, 2007)
John B. Campbell H. (Lrl)—Nite Light (2008); Alma d’Oro (2011)
John Morrissey (Sar)—Ibboyee (2011)
Kelso H. (GII-Bel)—Uncle Mo (2011)
Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf (KD)—Quiet Royal (2007)
Kentucky Jockey Club (GII-CD)—Super Saver (2009)
Kentucky Oaks (GI-CD)—Ashado (2004); Rags to Riches (2007)
King’s Bishop (GI-Sar)—More Than Ready (2000); Discreetly Mine (2010)
Klassy Briefcase (Mth)—West Ocean (2010)
Lady on the Run (Aqu)—Quiet Giant (2011)
Lady’s Secret (Mth)—Quiet Giant (2011)
Lane’s End (GII-TP)—Flower Alley (2005)
Lake George (GIII-Sar)—Ready’s Gal (2005); Magnificent Song (2006)
Lake Placid H. (GII-Sar)—Wait a While (2006)
La Troienne (GIII-CD)—Game Face (2008)
Laurel Futurity (Lrl)—Cowboy Cal (2007)
Lena Spencer (Sar)—Rose Catherine (2010)
Lexington (GII-Kee)—Coin Silver (2005)
Lexington (Bel)—Distorted Reality (2007)
Lighthouse (Mth)—Malibu Prayer (2010)
Little Silver (Mth)—Platinum Girl (2009); Artisanal (2011)
Lone Star Derby (GIII-LS)—Pollard’s Vision (2004)
Louisiana Derby (GII-FG)—Circular Quay (2007); Mission Impazible (2010)
Louisville BC (GII-CD)—Oonagh Mccool (2006)
Love is Eternal (Aqu)—Midnight Visit (2011)
Majestic Light (Sar)—Luck Money (2008)
Marine (WO)—Exhi (2010); Queen’splatekitten (2011)
Maryland BC Sprint H. (GIII-Lrl)—Friendly Island (2006)
Matchmaker (Mth)—Roshani (GIII-2007); Captain’s Lover (2009)
Meadowlands BC (GII-Med)—Master Command (2006)
Memorial Day H. (Mnr)—Blues Street (2009)
Mervyn Muniz Jr. H. (GII-FG)—Blues Street (2010)
Metropolitan H. (GI-Bel)—Quality Road (2010)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Sea Chanter (2007)
Miss Preakness (Pim)—R Holiday Mood (2011)
Molly Pitcher BC H. (GII-Mth)—Capeside Lady (2005); Quiet Giant (2011)
Monarch’s Maze (Aqu)—Bittel Road (2009)
Mongo Queen (Mth)—Rose Catherine (2010)
Monmouth Oaks (GIII-Mth)—Capeside Lady (GII-2004); Mo Cuishle (2006);
Savvy Supreme (2011)
Monmouth Park Futurity (Mth)—Proud Zoe (2009); Hunt Crossing (2011)
Mother Goose (GI-Bel)—Jersey Girl (1998); Octave (2007); Devil May Care
(2010); Buster’s Ready (2011)
Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies (Mnr)—For Royalty (2009)
Mr. Prospector (Mth)—Roaring Lion (2011)
My Charmer H. (GIII-Crc)—J’ray (2007)
Nashua (GIII-Bel)—Bluegrass Cat (2005)
Nasty and Bold (Bel)—Atoned (2009)
National Jockey Club H. (GIII-Haw)—Master Command (2007)
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (GII-Sar)—Interactif (2010)
Native Dancer (Lrl)—Throng (2008)
New Orleans H. (GII-FG)—Master Command (2007); Circular Quay (2008);
Battle Plan (2010); Mission Impazible (2011)
New York Breeders’ Futurity (FL)—Ibboyee (2009)
New York Derby (FL)—Ibboyee (2010)
New York Stallion (Aqu)—Spanky Fischbein (2007); Driven by Success (2010)
Next Move H. (GIII-Aqu)—Smok’n Frolic (2003, 2004); Fleet Indian (2006);
Indian Vale (2007)
Nonsuch Bay (Bel)—Rose Catherine (2011)
Northern Dancer (GIII-CD)—Colizeo (2010)
Oaklawn H. (OP-GII)—Lawyer Ron (2007)
Obeah (GIII-Del)—Unbridled Belle (2008, 2009)
Ogden Phipps H. (GI-Bel)—Ashado (2005); Spun Sugar (2006); Life At Ten
(2010); Awesome Maria (2011)
Old Hat (GII-GP)—Maddalena (GIII-2005); Game Face (2008)
Omnibus (Mth)—Almonsoon (2008)
Ontario Matron (GIII-WO)—Embur’s Song (2011)
Orchid H. (GII-GP)—Tweedside (2003); Honey Ryder (GIII-2006); Safari Queen
(2007)
Out Ruled (Aqu)—R Holiday Mood (2011)
Pearl Necklace (Bel)—Sea Chanter (2009)
Pebbles (Bel)—Miss Catalyst (2009)
Pegasus (GIII-Med)—Atoned (2008)
Personal Ensign H. (GI-Sar)—Fleet Indian (2006)
Peter Pan (GII-Bel)—Sunriver (2006)
Philip H. Iselin BC H. (GIII-Mth)—West Virginia (2005)
Pilgrim (Bel)—Eskendereya (2009)
Plankton (Aqu)—Awesome Ashley (2009)
Playa del Rey (Hol)—Bsharpsonata (2008)
Prince of Wales (FE)—Harlem (2008)
Princess Rooney H. (GI-Crc)—Game Face (2009)
Prioress (GI-Bel)—Her Smile (2011)
Proud Spell (Sar)—Love and Pride (2011)
Queen County H. (GIII-Aqu)—Magna Graduate (2006)
Rampart H. (GII-GP)—Oonagh Maccool (2006); Awesome Maria (2011)
Rare Treat (Aqu)—Quiet Giant (2011)
Raven’s Run (GII-Kee)—Hilda’s Passion (2010)
Razorback BC H. (GIII-OP)—Graeme Hall (2001); Magna Graduate (2007)
Red Bank (GIII-Mth)—Icy Atlantic (2007)
Regret (GIII-CD)—Caminadora (2010)
Remsen (GII-Aqu)—Bluegrass Cat (2005)
Restrainor (Aqu)—Sky Music (2010)
Richter Scale BC H. (GII-GP)—Half Ours (2007)
Riskaverse (Sar)—Awesome Maria (2010)
Riva Ridge BC (GII-Bel)—Trippi (2000)
Round Table (AP)—Pavarotti (2007)
R.R.M. Carpenter Jr. Memorial (Del)—Alma d’Oro (2011)
Ruffian H. (GI-Bel)—Pool Land (2006)
Ruffian Invitational H. (GI-Sar)—Malibu Prayer (2010)
Rushaway (TP)—Exhi (2010)
Sabin H. (GIII-GP)—Isola Piu Bella (2005); Sea Chanter (2009); Awesome Maria
(2011)
Salvator Mile (GIII-Mth)—Flower Alley (2006)
Sam F. Davis (Tam)—Any Given Sunday (2007); Rule (2010); Brethren (2011)
Sands Point (GIII-Bel)—Tweedside (2001); Wait a While (2006)
Sanford (GII-Sar)—More Than Ready (1999); Scat Daddy (2006); Ready’s Image
(2007); Overdriven (2011)
Sapling (GIII-Mth)—Silent Valor (2008)
Schuylerville (GII-Sar)—Ashado (2003); Cotton Blossom (GIII-2006); Georgie’s
Angel (2011)
Secretariat (GI-AP)—Take the Points (2009)
Shakertown (GIII-Kee)—Stratford Hill (2011)
Shady Character (Bel)—Clement Rock (2011)
Shecky Greene (AP)—Meal Penalty (2008)
Sheepshead Bay H. (GII-Bel)—Tweedside (2002); Honey Ryder (2006)
Shotintheheart (GP)—Ruff and Ready (2008)
Shuvee H. (GII-Bel)—Awesome Maria (2011)
Sixty Sails H. (GIII-Haw)—Fleet Indian (2006); Life At Ten (2010)
Skip Away H. (GIII-GP)—Bandini (2006); A.P. Arrow (2007)
Sky Beauty (Aqu)—Super Espresso (2011)
Snit (Aqu)—Life At Ten (2009)
Spend a Buck (Mth)—Lord Justice (2009); Ibboyee (2010)
Spinaway (GI-Sar)—Circle of Life (1999); Ashado (2003); Adieu (GII-2005);
R Heat Lightning (2010)
Spinster (GI-Kee)—Panty Raid (2007)
Star of Cozzene (Bel)—Colizeo (2010)
Stuyvesant H. (GIII-Bel)—Graeme Hall (2001)
Stymie (Aqu)—Understatement (2010)
Summer (GIII-WO)—Pluck (2010)
Sugar Maple (Ct)—Spritely (2009)
Swale (GII-GP)—Trippi (GIII-2000); Travelin Man (2011)
Summer (GIII-WO)—Finale (2011)
todd pletcher
Swan Song (Aqu)—Allysa (2008)
Sword Dancer H. (GI-Sar)—Go Deputy (2006)
Tampa Bay (GIII-Tam)—Doubles Partner (2011)
Tampa Bay Derby (GIII-Tam)—Limehouse (2004)
Taylor Made Matchmaker (GIII-Mth)—Ready’s Gal (2006); J’ray (2008)
Tempted (GIII-Aqu)—Allalea (2009)
Tempted (GIII-Bel)—Smok’n Frolic (2001)
Tempted (Aqu)—Ailalea (2009)
Test (GI-Sar)—Jersey Girl (1998)
The Very One (Pim)—Starfish Bay (2010)
Timely Writer (GP)—Uncle Mo (2011)
Toboggan (GIII-Aqu)—Calibrachoa (2011)
Tom Fool H. (GII-Bel)—Trippi (2000); Left Bank (2002); Munnings (2009)
Tom Fool H. (GIII-Aqu)—Calibrachoa (2011)
Top Flight H. (GII-Aqu)—Mini Sermon (2007); Leah's Secret (2008)
Travers (GI-Sar)—Flower Alley (2005); Stay Thirsty (2011)
Tremont (Bel)—More Than Ready (GIII-1999); Ready’s Image (2007)
Troy (Sar)—Bridgetown (2011)
True North H. (GIII-Bel)—Speightstown (GII-2004); Bribon (2010)
Turf Amazon H. (Pha)—Rose Catherine (2010)
Turf Dash (Tam)—Bridgetown (2011)
Turfway Park Fall Championship (GIII-TP)—Nite Light (2009)
Turnback the Alarm H. (GIII-Aqu)—Unbridled Belle (2009)
United Nations (GI-Mth)—English Channel (2006, 2007)
Vagrancy H. (GII-Bel)—Hour Glass (2010); Hilda’s Passion (2011)
Vandal (WO)—Sensational Slam (2010)
Victoria Park (WO)—Exhi (2010)
Vic Ziegel Memorial (Sar)—Driven by Success (2010)
Virginia Derby (GII-Cnl)—English Channel (GIII-2006); Red Giant (2007)
Virginia Oaks (GIII-Cnl)—Excited (2011)
Vosburgh (GI-Bel)—Trippi (2000); Left Bank (2001)
Westchester (GIII-Bel)—Caixa Eletronica (2011)
West Virginia Governor’s H. (Mnr)—Modern Cowboy (2011)
Wheel Turns (Aqu)—Hour Glass (2010)
Whitney H. (GI-Sar)—Left Bank (2002); Lawyer Ron (2007)
William Donald Schaefer H. (GIII-Pim)—Master Command (2006)
Windward (PID)—Embur’s Song (2011)
Wings of Jove (Bel)—Female Drama (2009)
With Anticipation (Sar)—Bittel Road (2008)
Withers (GIII-Aqu)—Harlem Rocker (2008)
Woodford Reserve Bourbon (GIII-Kee)—Bittel Road (2008)
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI-CD)—English Channel (2006)
Woodlawn (Pim)—Affirmatif (2009)
Wood Memorial (GI-Aqu)—Eskendereya (2010)
Woodward (GI-Sar)—Lawyer Ron (2007); Quality Road (2010)
Woody Stephens (GII-Bel)—Munnings (2009)
Highlights
•
•
•
First winner: Majestic Number, February 1996, at Gulfstream Park, his first
runner.
Eclipse Award winner: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010.
Eclipse Award winners trained: Left Bank, 2002 Older Male; Ashado, 2004
3-Year-Old Filly, 2005 Older Female; Speightstown, 2004 Sprinter; Wait a While,
2006 3-Year-Old Filly; Fleet Indian, 2006 Older Female; Lawyer Ron, 2007
Older Male; English Channel, 2007 Turf Male; Rags to Riches, 2007 3-Year-Old
Filly; Uncle Mo, 2010 2-year-old Male.
• Training titles: Belmont Park: 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010 spring/summer; 2003,
2004, 2009 fall; Saratoga: 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010;
Gulfstream Park: 2005, 2007; Keeneland: 2005.
• 2000th career victory: On the Virg, January 13, 2008, at Santa Anita.
• Won a fourth consecutive Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer in 2007 to equal a
feat achieved by only Bobby Frankel (2000-2003) and Laz Barrera (1976-1979).
Led nation in purse earnings for a fourth straight year in 2007 while setting a
single-season mark of $28,116,097, breaking his own record set the year before
($26,820,243).
• The prolific stakes-winning trainer finally filled the most glaring gap in his
resume in 2010 when Super Saver captured the 136th running of the Kentucky
Derby at odds of 8-1 under Calvin Borel. Despite having won eight different
Kentucky Derby preps with six different horses, Pletcher had gone 0-for-24 in
the Derby and his early favorite in 2010, Eskendereya, would miss the classic
event with an injury following decisive wins in the Grade II Fountain of Youth
at Gulfstream Park and Aqueduct’s Grade I Wood Memorial. Quality Road,
who missed the 2009 Kentucky Derby with a foot ailment after being the early
favorite, captured three Grade I competitions in 2010 including Gulfstream
Park’s Donn Handicap, the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont and Saratoga’s
Woodward Stakes.
• Geared up for another serious 2011 Triple Crown run when undefeated 7-5
choice Uncle Mo ran off with the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 4 1/4 lengths
to assume early favoritism for the following May’s Kentucky Derby. Pletchertrained youngsters captured two other Breeders’ Cup events in 2010 when Pluck
took the Juvenile Turf and More Than Real won the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The
Pletcher three-bagger in the two-day championships at Churchill Downs brought
his career Breeders’ Cup victory total to six.
• Would up 2010 as the national leader in purse earnings with a total take of
$23,157,098, while outdistancing runner-up Steve Asmussen by nearly $7 million. His abundance of riches during the year, including his Kentucky Derby
score and three Breeders’ Cup victories, propelled him to his fifth Eclipse Award
as the nation’s leading trainer. Misfortune, however, struck the following May
when Uncle Mo, second choice in the wagering, was scratched out of the 2011
Kentucky Derby due to illness. The overall strength of his stable nevertheless had
Pletcher en route to another national earnings title in 2011.
• Gained his first Triple Crown victory in 2007 when Santa Anita Oaks and
Kentucky Oaks winner Rags to Riches went on to capture the Belmont Stakes
while outdueling Preakness champion Curlin and becoming the first filly to win
the marathon event in 102 years. Rags to Riches provided trainer with his first
Triple Crown triumph after he had raced five colts in the 2007 Kentucky Derby,
Circular Quay’s sixth-place finish the best showing. Secured his third Breeders’
Cup win in 2007 when English Channel took the Turf. His 10 runners
at Monmouth Park on Breeders’ Cup Day brought home five checks totaling
$2,394,250.
• During a remarkable year in 2006 at the age of 39, broke former employer D.
Wayne Lukas’ 1987 record of graded stakes victories in a single-season (53) when
Safari Queen captured the Grade II Long Island Handicap at Aqueduct to provide stakes win No. 54 on the same day, Nov. 4, as the Breeders’ Cup was being
conducted at Churchill Downs.
• Finished 2006 with 56 graded stakes victories while training a pair of Eclipse
Award winners: older female Fleet Indian and 3-year-old filly Wait a While. The
latter was victorious in Hollywood Park’s American Oaks while Fleet Indian took
Belmont Park’s Beldame Stakes and the Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga.
Those three victories contributed to 17 Grade I wins for the year.
• Ran a Breeders’ Cup record 17 entrants in the 2006 event while his three seconds
and three thirds (placings worth $2.16 million) served to elevate his record earnings for the year to over $25 million after he had broken his own 2005 earnings
record of $20,867,842 on Oct. 7 when Balletto won the Grade I, $600,000
Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park.
• Broke Lukas’ record (92) for stakes wins in a season when Scat Daddy accounted
for No. 93 by taking Belmont Park’s Grade I, $400,000 Champagne Stakes on
Oct. 14. “To be honest, I didn’t think it was an attainable record,” he said afterward. “It’s a little bittersweet because I hold all of Wayne’s accomplishments in
high regard. We’ve had one of those remarkable years when everything has been
clicking and horses have been running well.”
• Displaced Bobby Frankel in 2004 as the nation’s leader in purse money when
horses earned $17,511,923. His first Breeders’ Cup victories by Ashado, Juvenile
Fillies, and Speightstown, Sprint, at Lone Star Park helped boost earnings total as
he won with 24 percent of his starters and gained his first Eclipse Award.
• Realized second Eclipse Award in 2005 when earnings broke Frankel’s record of
$19,143,289 set in 2003 as he won eight Grade I stakes with five different horses,
Ashado winning three of them. Continued to win with 24 percent of his starters.
• Expanded his operation to Southern California late in 2006. Michael McCarthy,
who headed the trainer’s division at Churchill Downs, was named to oversee the
California base. Had previously sent runners to Southern California for specific
races, taking Santa Anita’s 2003 Sunshine Millions Distaff with Smok’n Frolic
and Hollywood Park’s 2006 American Oaks with Wait a While.
todd pletcher
• Smashed the Saratoga record for victories by a trainer in 2003 when saddling 35
winners at the summer meet, the previous mark of 22 set by Bill Mott in 2001.
Also set the Belmont spring meeting record in 2003 when winning 40 races at
that meet.
• His Jersey Girl won seven straight races in 1998 before sidelined by injury. Her
last six wins came in stakes races including three Grade I events: the Acorn,
Mother Goose and the Test Stakes.
• Left Bank, winner of the Grade I Vosburgh Stakes and Cigar Mile in 2001, broke
the Belmont Park track record for seven furlongs when winning the Grade I Tom
Fool Handicap in 1:20 on July 4, 2002. In his next start, Left Bank equaled Tri
Jet’s track record of 1:47 for 1 1/8 miles when victorious in Saratoga’s Grade I
Whitney Handicap. Left Bank became trainer’s first Eclipse Award winner in
2002, taking honors as top Older Male.
Personal
• Father Jake trained Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses throughout the Midwest
and in California. Introduced to the racing business during his childhood while
assisting his father.
• Graduated from the University of Arizona in 1989 with a degree in Animal
Science.
• Went to work at Santa Anita for trainer Henry Moreno during the summer following his freshman year at Arizona. Worked for trainer D. Wayne Lukas in
Chicago following his sophomore year and for Charlie Whittingham in California
following his junior year.
• Began a seven-year apprenticeship under Lukas two weeks after his graduation
from Arizona.
• Opened his own public stable with seven horses at Hialeah in Florida in
December of 1995, but did not race until February of 1996 when winning with
his first starter, Majestic Number, at Gulfstream Park.
• Voted Woody Stephens Award as Outstanding Trainer by New York Turf Writers
Association in 1998, 2002 and 2005.
MARCELO POLANCO
Birthdate: December 3, 1960
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
Children: Vincent and Sara
Residence: San Dimas
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Breeders’ Championship (SA)—Oly Ogy (1998)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Euro Empire (2000)
La Brea (GI)—Island Fashion (2003)
La Habra—Very Vegas (2004)
Lady’s Secret BC H. (OT)—Island Fashion (2004)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Island Fashion (2004)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Arizona Oaks (TuP)—Very Vegas (2004); She Sings (2005)
CTBA (Dmr)—Euro Empire (2000)
Curious Clover (Hol)—Very Vegas (2005)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Camille C (2009)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Sailors Sunset (2007)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Million Dollar Run (2008)
Ralph M. Hinds Pomona H. (Fpx)—Plug Me In (2007)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Desert Digger (GII-1996)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—Mambo Train (2004)
Turf Paradise BC H. (TuP)—Night Patrol (2005)
Vernon Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Sailors Sunset (2006)
Highlights
• First stakes win: Del Mar’s Grade II Sorrento Stakes in 1996 with Desert Digger.
• Everest Stable-owned Island Fashion provided first Grade I victory when winning
the 2003 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita. She added another Grade I victory in the
2004 Santa Monica Handicap. Island Fashion nearly became the first female to
win the Santa Anita Handicap when she finished second in 2004.
• In addition to Island Fashion, his 2004 stakes winners included Runway Model,
Mambo Train, winner of the Turf Paradise Derby, and Very Vegas as stable runners won 26 races for career-high earnings of $1.8 million.
• Mambo Train was trainer’s first Breeders Cup competitor, finishing 11th in the
2003 Juvenile at Santa Anita.
• Picked up Mambo Train, Island Fashion and three other Everest Stable horses
during the summer of 2003.
• Claimed The Barking Shark for $50,000 and earned more than $500,000 with
him. The Barking Shark finished second in the 1996 Del Mar Derby, 1996 Super
Derby and the 1997 Strub Stakes.
Personal
• Born in Santiago, Chile, and lived on the track at Club Hipico.
• Father Vincent and grandfather Pedro trained. Pedro twice won the Chilean
Triple Crown.
• Moved to the United States in 1977 at age 16 and worked for 10 years for trainer
Ron McAnally when brother-in-law, Eduardo Inda, was McAnally’s chief assistant.
• Later worked for Julio Canani and Bobby Frankel before accepting a position to
train privately for Roberto Posternack of Argentina for 10 years.
• Opened public stable in 1993.
• Wife Patty, the daughter of trainer Larry Sterling, clocks horses at Del Mar and
Hollywood Park.
marcelo polanco
MIKE PUYPE
Birthdate: August 4, 1966
Birthplace: Phoenix Arizona
Single
Residence: Arcadia
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Turbulent Descent (2010)
Hollywood Turf Cup H. (GI-Hol)—Running Flame (1996)
Holy Bull (GIII-GP)—Cobra King (1996)
La Troienne (GIII-CD)—Star of Goshen (1997)
Moccasin (Hol)—Turbulent Descent (2011)
Sandy Blue H. (Dmr)—Mizdirection (2011)
Swaps BC (GII-Hol)—Old Trieste (1998)
Test (GI-Sar)—Turbulent Descent (2011)
Time To Leave (Hol)—Saint Isabelle (2011)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Gorgeous Goose (2009)
Highlights
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Varavadour (1995)
Malibu (GI)—Lord Grillo (1997)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Muny (2008)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Turbulent Descent (2011)
Santa Lucia H.—Praviana (1998)
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint—Quisisana (2010)
Sunny Slope (OT)—Cobra King (1995)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Old Trieste (1998)
Beaumont (GII-Kee)—Turbulent Descent (2011)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Cobra King (GIII-1995)
California Derby (BM)—Trieste’s Honor (2004)
California Dreamin’ H. (Dmr)—Bruce’s Dream (2010)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Old Trieste (1999)
Hollywood Prevue (GIII-Hol)—Cobra King (1995)
• First Grade I win: Running Flame, 1996 Hollywood Turf Cup. He defeated
Marlin and Talloires.
• Turbulent Descent, a 3-year-old daughter of Congrats, sped to a 3 3/4-length
victory in Saratoga’s 2011 Test Stakes to record her sixth win in eight starts
and her third Grade I triumph while extending her earnings to $828,350. The
Southern California-based filly’s sparkling win followed a second-place setback
over a muddy track in Belmont Park’s Grade I Acorn Stakes. Earlier in the year,
Turbulent Descent captured the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. As a 2-year-old, she
won Hollywood Park’s Grade I Hollywood Starlet.
• Saddled Lord Grillo to an upset victory over Kentucky Derby and Preakness
winner Silver Charm in the 1997 running of the Grade I Malibu Stakes at Santa
Anita.
• Took the 2008 Oak Tree Derby with 10-1 upsetter Muny to record his first
graded stakes win in nine years and help lift stable earnings to a career high of
$1.1-million.
• Sent out Old Trieste to a romping 12-length victory over Grand Slam in the
1998 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park. Old Trieste had finished 10th in the ’98
Kentucky Derby before winning Hollywood Park’s Affirmed Handicap and the
Swaps.
mike puype
• Old Trieste returned as a 4-year-old to win Hollywood Park’s Californian while
running 1 1/8 miles in 1:46 2/5, second fastest in stakes history to Spectacular
Bid’s 1:45 4/5 in 1980.
• Making his stakes debut, Muny registered a gritty, wire-to-wire upset at 10-1 odds
in the Grade II Oak Tree Derby, an event that closed out the 2008 Breeders’ Cup
racing program at Santa Anita.
Personal
• Following high school, began working odd jobs on the backside at Turf Paradise
in Phoenix.
• Became an assistant to trainer Walter Greenman at Northern California tracks.
While there, made connections with owner Gary Biszantz, whose Cobra Farm
would become a major client.
• Began training horses in 1986 in Phoenix.
JAY ROBBINS
Birthdate: December 2, 1945
Birthplace: Pasadena, California
Wife: Sandra
Residence: Los Angeles
Breeders' Cup Wins
Classic (GI)—Tiznow (2000-CD, 2001-Bel)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Reign Road (1992); Lottery Winner (1993); Tiznow
(2000)
Malibu (GI)—Johnny Eves (2007)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—Johnny Eves (2009)
Robert B. Lewis Memorial (GII)—Flying Continental (1989)
San Felipe (GII)—Smasher (1977)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Flying Continental (1990); Tiznow (2001)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Nostalgia's Star (1987)
San Miguel—Smasher (GIII-1977); Raise a Stanza (GIII-1988)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—The Very One (1980)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Tiznow (2001)
Strub (GII)—Nostalgia's Star (GI-1986); Flying Continental (GI-1990)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Raise a Stanza (1989); Tiznow (2000); Indian Ocean
(2005)
Aladdin Resort & Casino (Dmr)—She’s a Jewel (2005)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Raise a Stanza (GII-1989)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Notably Different (1977)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Reign Road (1992)
Hawthorne Gold Cup (GII-Haw)—Nostalgia's Star (1987)
Impressive Style (Hol)—She’s a Jewel (2005)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI-Bel)—Flying Continental (1990)
Lakeview Thoroughbred Farms (Hol)—Cee’s Elegance (2001)
Super Derby (GII-FG)—Tiznow (GI-2000)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Johnny Eves (2008)
Highlights
• Eclipse Award winners trained: Tiznow, 2000 Horse of the Year, 3-year-old
Male; 2001 Older Male.
• His achievements with racing’s only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup,
Tiznow, were considered exceptional and began during the latter half of 2000.
• Oversaw a late-season surge in 2000 in which Tiznow won three major races at
three different racetracks within a span of 35 days after breaking his maiden at
Hollywood Park on May 31 and registering his first stakes victory two months
later in the Grade III Affirmed Handicap.
• The full brother to 1999 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Budroyale set a track
record while winning the Grade I Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 30,
returned home to Santa Anita to win the Grade II Goodwood Handicap at Oak
Tree on Oct. 15, and then completed his remarkable five-week run with a neck
victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. In doing so, Tiznow
became the first California-bred to win a Breeders’ Cup race.
jay robbins
• Following a win in Santa Anita’s San Fernando Stakes and a five-length victory in
the Santa Anita Handicap, trainer nurtured Tiznow through a mysterious back
ailment in 2001. Tiznow capped his season and his career with a second consecutive Breeders’ Cup Classic win by a nose, this time over Sakhee. Tiznow became
the first horse to repeat as Classic champion. He also became the second horse to
win the Big ‘Cap and the Classic in the same year (Alysheba did it in 1988).
• Following the unprecedented second Classic victory, Tiznow was retired to stud
as the all-time leading California-bred, having won eight of 15 career starts for
earnings of $6,427,830. At that point, Robbins had trained three of the Top 10
Cal-bred money earners: Tiznow, Nostalgia’s Star (No. 8 with $2,154,827) and
Flying Continental (No. 9 with $1,815,938).
• Although sending out only 67 starters in 2000 and largely impacted by Tiznow’s
success, trainer’s earnings of $3,727,219 ranked 24th nationally in 2000. Ranked
35th in 2001 with earnings of $3,323,405 from 64 starters.
• Flying Continental registered a pair of Grade I victories in 2000 when taking
Santa Anita’s Strub Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. The
Strub victory was the trainer’s second, having won with Nostalgia’s Star in 1986.
• Johnny Eves became his fourth different trainee to win a Grade I in the 56th
running of the Malibu Stakes when scoring an 11-1 upset on opening day of
Santa Anita’s 2007-2008 race meeting.
• Reign Road, who would run fourth in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Classic, that
year supplied first of trainer’s three triumphs in Oak Tree’s Grade II Goodwood
Breeders’ Cup Handicap. Also has won Hollywood Park’s Grade III Affirmed
Handicap three times.
Personal
• Acquired trainer's license in 1968 after apprenticeships with Noble Threewitt,
Ron McAnally and the late Joe Manzi.
• Grew up at Conejo and Laguna Seca Ranches. Got his start rubbing horses for
Bill Walters and Gene Cleveland.
• Comes from a racing family. Father Dr. Jack K. Robbins, D.V.M., is a vice president and founding director of Oak Tree Racing Association. Brother Tom is vice
president-racing at Del Mar. Brother Don is past president of Hollywood Park
and brother David is an industry lawyer. Wife Sandra is an executive secretary at
Hollywood Park.
• Attended University of California-Davis and Monterey Peninsula College.
• Given name is Jack M. Robbins.
JOHN SADLER
Birthdate: July 30, 1956
Birthplace: Long Beach, California
Single
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title (GI-OT)—Olympic Prospect (GIII-1988); Frost Free
(GIII-1991); Track Gal (GIII-1995); Cost of Freedom (2008)
Baldwin (GIII)—Chime Time (1987)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Appealing Missy (1992-1st div.)
Cal Breeders' Champion (Colts)—El Atroz (1993)
Cal Breeders' Champion (Fillies)—Fran’s Lass (1993)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Tizbud (2003)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Nannetta (1994)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Lady Truffles (2004)
California Cup Sprint (OT)—Valiant Pete (1990); Ceeband (2001); Courtside
(2011-SA)
Cascapedia (OT)—Tomorrow’s Sunshine (1998)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Frost Free (1990)
El Encino (GIII)—Victory Encounter (2004)
Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (GIII-OT)—Tasha’s Miracle (2008)
Joe Hernandez—Noble Court (2009)
La Brea (GI)—Dearest Trickski (2007); Evita Argentina (2009); Switch (2010)
La Cañada (GII)—Dawn After Dawn (2008)
Lady’s Secret (GI)—Healthy Addiction (GII-2005, 2006); Zazu (2011-SA)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Mona de Momma (2010)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Zazu (2011)
Louis R. Rowan—Home Sweet Aspen (2011-SA)
Malibu (GI)—Twirling Candy (2010)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Geronimo (2005); (2007)
Moscow Burning —Dawn After Dawn (2009)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—Frost Free (1990)
Paseana H.—Healthy Addiction (2006)
Potrero Grande BC H. (GII)—Olympic Prospect (1990)
San Antonio (GII)—Gladding (2011)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Hasty Kris (2005)
San Felipe (GII)—Corby (1993); Sidney’s Candy (2010)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Zappa (2008)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Belmont Cat (2009)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Sidney’s Candy (2010)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Crisp (2010)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Healthy Addiction (2006)
Santa Monica (GI)—Switch (2011)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Jump On In (2007); Alpha Kitten (2009)
Santa Ysabel (GIII)—Crisp (2010)
San Vicente (GII)—Noble Court (2007); Evita Argentina (2009)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Belleski (2003, 2004)
Sir Beaufort (GIII)—Sidney’s Candy (2010)
Strub (GII)—Twirling Candy (2011)
Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint—Dearest Trickski (2008)
Wishing Well H.—Dawn After Dawn (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Ack Ack H. (GIII-Hol)—Noble Court (2009)
Adoration H. (Dmr)—Healthy Addiction (2005)
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Melair (1986)
john sadler
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Dearest Trickski (2008); Evita Argentina (2009)
All-American H. (GIII-BM)—Palmeiro (2002)
American H. (GII-Hol)—Whatsthescript (2008)
Aprisa H. (Fpx)—Naval Academy (2000)
Arkansas Derby (GI-OP)—Line of David (2010)
Bay Shore (GIII-Aqu)—Three Peat (GII-1992)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Black Mamba (2008, 2009)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Olympic Prospect (GIII-1988); Christmas Boy
(GII-1999)
California Derby (GG)—Ranger Heartley (2010)
California Sprint Championship (BM)—Ceeband (2001)
Californian (GII-Hol)—Twirling Candy (2011)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—Curiously Sweet (2007)
Cerf H. (Dmr)—Coco Belle (2008)
Charles Russell (BM)—Jetinto Houston (2004)
Cinema H. (GIII-Hol)—Let Bob Do It (1996); Oil Man (2009)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Healthy Addiction (2006)
Cougar II H. (Dmr)—Zappa (2008)
CTBA Marion (Fpx)—Bob’s Lady (2002)
CTT and Thoroughbred Owners of California H. (Dmr)—Black Mamba (2009)
Del Mar H. (GII-Dmr)—Celtic New Year (2011)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Tell a Kelly (2010)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Get Funky (2006); Twirling Candy (2010)
Del Mar Mile H. (GII-Dmr)—Crossing the Line (2007); Whatsthescript (2008)
Derby Trial (GIII-CD)—Hurricane Ike (2010)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—Coco Belle (2009)
Dowager (Kee)—Black Mamba (2009)
Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI-NAD)—Our New Recruit (2004)
Dwyer (GII-Bel)—Three Peat (1992)
El Cajon (Dmr)—Cindago (2006)
Franklin County (Kee)—Stylish Wildcat (2007)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Smokin’ Charlotte (2002); Tutta Bella (2008)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Warning Zone (2006-1st div.)
Golden Eagle Farms (Hol)—Throw Me a Curve (2004)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—Get Funky (2008)
Grey Memo (Hol)—Tribal Justice (2009)
Hollywood BC H. (Hol)—Olympic Prospect (1988); Frost Free (1990)
Hollywood Oaks (GII-Hol)—Switch (2010); Zazu (2011)
Humana Distaff (GI-CD)—Mona de Momma (2010)
John C. Mabee H. (GII-Dmr)—Black Mamba (GI-2008); Cozi Rosie (2011)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Sidney’s Candy (2010)
Landaluce (Hol)—Emmy Darling (2008); Dawnie Macho (2010)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Hombre Rapido (2003); Red Arrow (2009); Cost of
Freedom (2010)
Magali Farms (Hol)—Rare Exchange (2007)
Melair (Hol)—She’s an Eleven (2006)
Merial (Hol)—Guiding Force (2000)
Miles Tyson (Hol)—Cost of Freedom (2010)
Miss Woodford (Mth)—Coco Belle (2007)
Moccasin (Hol)—Evita Argentina (2008)
Monterey H. (BM)—Stylish Wildcat (2007)
Oakland H. (GG)—Southern Justice (1992)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Scooter Brown (1998-1st div.); Dr. Park (2001-2nd div.)
Osunitas H. (Dmr)—Healthy Addiction (2005); Twirling Candy (2010)
On Trust H. (Hol)—Bestdressed (2009)
Pirate’s Bounty (Dmr)—Our New Recruit (2004); Sterling Outlook (DH-2011)
Playa del Rey (Hol)—Lady Gamer (2007); Sister Dawn (2010)
Princess (Hol)—Melair (GIII-1986)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Melair (1986); Sportful Snob (1994)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Track Gal (1995, 1996, 1997); Dearest Trickski
(2008)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Waingarth (2001)
Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Get Funky (2008)
Rolling Green (GG)—Don Roberto (1982)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Taste of Paradise (2003)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Cozi Rosie (2010)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Tasha’s Miracle (2007); Evita Argentina (2008)
Sunset H. (GII-Hol)—Warning Zone (2008)
Sunshine Millions Classic (GP)—Musique Toujours (2005)
Terlingua (Hol)—Track Gal (1997)
Torrey Pines (Dmr)—Victory Encounter (2003); Seaside Affair (2007);
Dawn Before Dawn (2008); Third Dawn (2009); Switch (2010)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Ceeband (GII-2001)
Valkyr (Hol)—Lady Gamer (2007)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Victory Encounter (2004)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Olympic Prospect (1989); Frost Free (1990);
Cost of Freedom (2010)
War Chant (Hol)—Warning Zone (2007)
Wickerr (Dmr)—Calimonco (2011)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Let Bob Do It (1996); Dr. Park (2001)
Work The Crowd H. (GG)—Bob’s Lady (2003)
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Top Taker, 1979 at Golden Gate Fields.
• First hundred-grander: Don Roberto, 1982 Rolling Green Handicap at Golden
Gate.
• First million-dollar win: Our New Recruit, 2004 Dubai Golden Shaheen at
Nad Al Sheba in UAE.
• Training titles: Santa Anita: 2008-09; 2009-10; 2011 (Autumn); Oak Tree:
2008; Hollywood Park (spring/summer): 2008, 2009; (fall) 2007, 2009; Del
Mar: 2008, 2009.
• Clearly stamped himself as the winningest trainer in Southern California in
2009 when, after rallying to edge Mike Mitchell by a single victory for his first
Santa Anita training title, 40-39, repeated as the training leader at Hollywood
Park’s spring/summer meet and at Del Mar. His run on training titles began with
Hollywood Park’s 2007 fall meeting. When he won 31 races at Del Mar for a
second successive year (15 clear of runner-up Bob Baffert in 2009), the title was
his seventh of the past nine major titles on the Southern California racing circuit.
• His dominance extended to nine of 12 meet training titles in 2010 after he won
a second successive Santa Anita championship (43 wins to 41 for Baffert) that
had followed the title at Hollywood Park’s fall meet (15 wins to 14 for Baffert).
Two offspring of Candy Ride were instrumental in propelling Sadler in 2010.
Sidney’s Candy ran away with the Santa Anita Derby after a victory in the Grade
II San Felipe Stakes. He shifted his success to grass at Del Mar when victorious in the Grade II La Jolla Handicap. Meantime, Twirling Candy took flight.
Following a win in the Oceanside Stakes, Twirling Candy was an easy winner of
the Grade II Del Mar Derby at odds of 1-5 to extend his unbeaten streak to four.
Including the Santa Anita Derby, the trainer reached a career high five Grade I
wins in 2010 following Evita Argentina’s win in Santa Anita’s Grade I La Brea
Stakes to close out 2009. Other Grade I wins: Santa Anita Oaks, Crisp; Arkansas
Derby, Line of David; Del Mar Debutante, Tell a Kelly, and Churchill Downs’
Humana Distaff, Mona de Momma.
• After realizing increased earnings each year beginning in 2003 and hitting $5.4
million in 2007, his stunning 2008 season landed him among the nation’s Top
Ten trainers at the age of 52. His purse earnings stood at $6.6 million with two
months to go in the year. Had already saddled 20 stakes winners, including
three Grade I events, and captured training titles at Hollywood Park’s Spring/
Summer meet and at Del Mar after having gained his first career championship
at Hollywood Park’s Autumn Meet in 2007. Completed the year with earnings of
over $7.3 million and 21 stakes victories.
• Following a seventh-place finish nationally in 2010 with earnings of just over
$7.3 million, Sadler was on target for another Top Ten finish in 2011 following a
terrific start during the Santa Anita meet which included victories in four Grade
I stakes. His Switch was victorious in the La Brea and Twirling Candy won the
Malibu on the meet’s opening day while Sidney’s Candy took the Grade III Sir
Beaufort. Additional Grade I wins were provided by Switch in the Santa Monica
and by Zazu in the Las Virgenes.
• After finishing second to Mike Mitchell at Santa Anita in 2008, Sadler topped
the Hollywood Park standings by winning 30 races, seven more than Doug
O’Neill, and also led in stakes wins with seven. He proceeded to run away from
the competition at Del Mar where his 31 victories bested runner-up Mitchell by
12. The victory total was the highest at Del Mar since 2000.
john sadler
• His season got off to a rousing start at the tail end of 2007 when Dearest Trickski
captured her first of four stakes wins, the Grade I La Brea Stakes on the second
day of Santa Anita’s meet. After taking the Grade II Beverly Hills Handicap at
Hollywood Park, Black Mamba added the Grade I John C. Mabee Handicap at
Del Mar. Recent claim Cost of Freedom captured Oak Tree’s Grade I Ancient
Title Stakes.
• Black Mamba’s win in the Beverly Hills capped an outstanding weekend for
Sadler, who won three stakes (Dearest Trickski, Grade II A Gleam Handicap;
Whatsthescript, Grade II American Handicap, and Emmy Darling, Landaluce
Stakes) on the previous day’s Hollywood Gold Cup card and enjoyed a trio of
Grade II wins during the weekend that began June 28.
• The victory by Cost of Freedom in the Ancient Title illustrated the trainer’s success at the claim box, especially on behalf of brothers Gary and Cecil Barber.
After being haltered for $50,000 during the Del Mar meet, Cost of Freedom won
a Grade I two races later. Zappa, claimed for $32,000 by the Barbers, was victorious in the Grade II San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita in 2008.
• Stunning win in 2005 Sunshine Millions Classic – victorious Musique Toujours
paid $142.20 at Gulfstream – provided second upset victory in million-dollar
race within two years after Our New Recruit had taken the $2-million Dubai
Golden Shaheen on the 2004 Dubai World Cup program following a third-place
finish in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
• Our New Recruit’s victory in the Golden Shaheen accounted for trainer’s first
Group or Grade I victory not long before Victory Encounter added another when
capturing Hollywood Park’s 2004 Vanity Handicap.
• With the momentum from Musique Toujours’ victory in the Sunshine Millions
Classic, barn posted career high earnings of over $3.6 million in 2005 as Healthy
Addiction became a multiple stakes winner highlighted by a victory in Oak Tree’s
Grade II Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Came back in 2006 to establish new career highs of $4,122,831 in earnings and
92 victories as Healthy Addiction became trainer’s third Grade I winner when
victorious in Santa Anita’s Santa Margarita Handicap. She also provided a repeat
victory in the Lady’s Secret at Oak Tree. Trainer was headed toward another finish
among the country’s Top 20 in 2007 when 10 different runners captured stakes
races for him.
• His Get Funky, claimed as a maiden for $62,000 earlier in the year and immediately moved to turf, posted a 6-1 upset in the 2006 running of the $400,000 Del
Mar Derby one day after his unheralded 3-year-old Cindago spoiled the return of
Grade I winners Brother Derek and Bob and John in the El Cajon Stakes.
• Tizbud’s 10-1 upset in the $250,000 California Cup Classic in 2003 was the
centerpiece of a year that included Taste of Paradise’s 37-1 score in Del Mar’s
$250,000 San Diego Handicap and Hombre Rapido taking Hollywood Park’s
$200,000 Los Angeles Handicap. Stable earnings exceeded $2.9 million in 2003.
• Another notable upsetter was Ceeband who rewarded $91.20 when upsetting
eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion Squirtle Squirt in the 2001 running of
Hollywood Park’s Grade II Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Gained a reputation early for his effectiveness with sprinters. Trained unbeaten
sensation Melair, who defeated Snow Chief in Hollywood Park’s 1986 Silver
Screen (now the Affirmed Handicap) in 1:32 4/5, a record for one mile on dirt
by a female.
• Olympic Prospect, claimed for $50,000 in 1987, was developed into one of the
nation's top sprinters the following year with earnings of $311,090.
• Won the first match race in Santa Anita history in 1991 when Valiant Pete
defeated champion Quarter Horse Griswold in the $100,000 winner-take-all
World Record Challenge. Valiant Pete equaled the world record of :44 2/5 for
four furlongs.
• His Track Gal won Del Mar’s Rancho Bernardo Handicap for the third straight
year in 1997. The 6-year-old mare joined Native Diver and Flawlessly as the only
horses to win the same stakes event three times at Del Mar.
• Developed Christmas Boy, who broke his maiden for $25,000 as a 4-year-old,
into a top sprinter on the circuit in 1999. Christmas Boy finished second to
Mazel Trick in Hollywood Park’s Triple Bend before winning the Bing Crosby at
Del Mar.
• Sprinter Ceeband won Oak Tree’s California Cup Sprint in 2001, the California
Sprint Championship at Bay Meadows and the Triple Bend at Hollywood Park.
Personal
• A former show horse rider who once tried out the U.S. equestrian team, began
walking hots for trainer Tom Pratt at Santa Anita while in high school.
• Left the University of Oregon to become a veterinarian's assistant to Dr. Jack
Robbins.
• Later served as an assistant to trainer David Hofmans and got started on his own
when taking a string of horses from the late Eddie Gregson's barn to the Bay
Area.
john sadler
art sherman
Birthdate: February 17, 1937
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
Children: Steve and Alan
Residence: Los Angeles
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Blue Jay Way (OT)—Siren Lure (2005)
Daytona H.—Siren Lure (2006)
Impressive Luck II—Siren Lure (2006)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Autumn Leaves H. (BM)—Lindsay Jean (2003)
Bay Meadows BC Sprint H. (GIII-BM)—Carthage (2006)
Bay Meadows Express H. (BM)—Tahoe City (1997)
Berkeley H. (GIII-GG)—Desert Boom (2005)
Brown Bess H. (GG)—Lindsay Jean (GIII-2003)
B. Thoughtful (Hol)—Ultra Blend (2011)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—Ultra Blend (2010)
CERF (Dmr)—Fancee Bargain (2003)
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—Lang Field (2007)
Clement L. Hirsch (GI-Dmr)—Ultra Blend (2011)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Lykatill Hil (1994)
El Cajon (Dmr)—Haimish Hy (2010)
Fairfax (GG)—Carthage (2006)
Fish Wharf (GG)—Greenie (2006)
Golden Gate Sprint (GG)—Carthage (2006)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—Barber (2007)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Haimish Hy (2010)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Siren Lure (2006)
Milady H. (GII-Hol)—Ultra Blend (2011)
Miss America H. (BM)—Lindsay Jean (2003)
Moment to Buy H. (GG)—Lindsay Jean (2001)
Monterey H. (BM)—Vaca City Flyer (2006)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Knockout Artist (2007-Div. 2)
Palo Alto H. (BM)—Lindsay Jean (2002)
Pat O’Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Siren Lure (2006)
Rockridge (GG)—Vaca City Flyer (2006)
Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Siren Lure (2005)
San Carlos H. (BM)—Carthage (2006)
Sunnyvale H. (BM)—Tahoe City (1997)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Siren Lure (2006)
Vacaville H. (Sol)—Vaca City Flyer (2006)
William P. Kyne H. (BM)—Lykatill Hil (GIII-1995)
Woodside H. (BM)—Fancee Bargain (2002)
Highlights
• California-bred Ultra Blend became a model of consistency for Sherman while
finishing in the money in 21 of 23 starts and gaining her 11th win as the longest
shot on the board in 2011’s Grade I, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del
Mar. “She’s just one of those game, tryin’ fillies,” the 74-year-old Sherman said
of the mare who upset Zazu by a neck for her fourth stakes victory. Ultra Blend
provided the fourth Grade I win of Sherman’s career after Hamish Hy had taken
Hollywood Park’s 2010 Hollywood Park’s the previous fall.
art sherman
• Picked up his first Grade I victory after 30 years in the business when $50,000
claim Siren Lure captured Hollywood Park’s $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap
on July 2, 2006. “I just love this horse,” he said afterward. “He’s all racehorse; a
trainer’s dream, actually.”
• Seventeen months later, notched his second Grade I when Lang Field scored an
18-1 upset in the Hollywood Park’s $400,000 Citation Handicap while repelling
the closing bid of favored Zann by a neck.
• Won six stakes with Siren Lure, including Del Mar’s Grade II Pat O’Brien
Breeders’ Cup Handicap and Hollywood Park’s Grade III Los Angeles Handicap,
after taking the late-running sprinter out of a claimer at Bay Meadows on May 8,
2005. Earned a spot in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, finishing eighth among 14
starters.
• Biggest stakes winner prior to Siren Lure was Lykatill Hil, whose victories included the 1994 running of the Grade II Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Had career highs in earnings and victories in 2005 when he won 193 races to
rank seventh nationally and stable runners earned $3,368,732. Ranked among
Top Ten in victories again in 2006 (seventh) and 2007 (sixth).
• Equaled a Northern California record for most wins on a single card by a trainer
at Bay Meadows on Aug. 13, 2005 when his entrants won five races at the San
Mateo County Fair. Won a total of six races for the day when, 83 minutes after
his May Captain completed the San Mateo five-bagger, Estate collection won the
fifth race at Del Mar.
• Multiple-stakes winning Desert Bloom handed Declan’s Moon, the 2004 champion 2-year-old colt, his first setback at Hollywood Park on July 16, 2005.
• Based in Northern California where he has been runner-up to perennial leader
Jerry Hollendorfer at six meets since 2001. Son Alan handles string in Southern
California where stable finished tied for fourth in standings during 2006 Oak
Tree meet. Son Steve assists in Northern California.
• Reached the 2,000 milestone in career victories at Bay Meadows on Aug. 12,
2007, less than three years after gaining No. 1,500. Saddled 1,500th career winner when Mountain Mustang won the sixth race at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 6,
2005.
Personal
• Family moved from New York to Los Angeles when a youngster and first employment in 1953 was with Rex Ellsworth, who owned Hall of Famer Swaps among
other notable Thoroughbreds. Was with Swaps when he won the Kentucky Derby
in 1955.
• Took out his jockey’s license in 1957 at Hollywood Park, winning his first race
that year at Caliente. Rode in Florida and the Midwest before returning to
California. Riding victories at Santa Anita included the 1965 Santa Catalina
Stakes, subsequently renamed the Robert B. Lewis Memorial, aboard Arksroni for
trainer F. E. Childs.
• After retiring as a jockey in 1978, worked as a racing official in Northern
California and served as an assistant to trainer Paul Guidottti before taking out
trainer’s license in 1980.
JOHN A. SHIRREFFS
Birthdate: June 1, 1945
Birthplace: Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas
Wife: Dottie
Residence: El Segundo
Breeders' Cup Wins
Classic (GI)—Zenyatta (2009-OT)
Ladies Classic (GI)—Zenyatta (2008-OT); Life Is Sweet (2009-OT)
Triple Crown Win
Kentucky Derby (GI-CD)—Giacomo (2005)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ack Ack—Lethal Instrument (2000)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Calkins Road (2002)
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Imagine (2007)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Lacquaria (1998)
El Encino (GII)—Manistique (1999); Proposed (2006); Zenyatta (2008);
Life Is Sweet (2009)
Goodwood H. (GI-OT)—Bertrando (GII-1994); Tiago (2007)
La Cañada (GII)—Manistique (1999); Tarlow (2005); Life Is Sweet (2009)
Lady’s Secret (GI-OT)—Borodislew (GIII-1995); Manistique (GII-1999);
Zenyatta (2008, 2009)
San Felipe (GII)—A.P. Warrior (2006)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Stanley Park (2005)
San Miguel—Swept Overboard (GIII-2000)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Neko (2010)
San Pedro H.—Swept Overboard (2000)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Tiago (2007)
Santa Lucia H.—Borodislew (1996); Radu Cool (1997)
Santa Margarita Inv. H. (GI)—Manistique (1999); Starrer (2003); Tarlow
(2005); Life Is Sweet (2009); Zenyatta (2010)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Manistique (2000); Starrer (2003)
Swingtime (OT)—Zardana (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
American Oaks (GI-Hol)—Harmonious (2010); Nereid (DH-2011)
Apple Blossom H. (GI-OP)—Zenyatta (2008, 2010)
Ascot H. (BM)—Van Rouge (2002)
Bay Meadows BC H. (GIII-BM)—David Copperfield (2002)
Bay Meadows Derby (GIII-BM)—Stanley Park (2003)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Manistique GIII-1998, 1999); Starrer (2002); Zardana
(2010)
Bayakoa (Dmr)—Radu Cool (1997)
B Thoughtful (Hol)—Proposed (2006)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—After Market (2007)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GI-Dmr)—Borodislew (GII-1995); Radu Cool
(GII-1998); Zenyatta (GII-2008, 2009, 2010)
CTT & TOC H. (Dmr)—Imagine (2007)
Del Mar H. (GII-Dmr)—After Market (2007)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Madeo (2008)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—After Market (2007)
El Camino Real Derby (BM)—Cliquot (1999)
Harris Farm (Hol)—Matriculate (2000)
john a. shirreffs
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Borodislew (GII-1996); Hollywood Story (2005)
Hollywood BC Oaks (GII-Hol)—Manistique (1998)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Hollywood Story (2003)
Great Lady M (Hol)—Costume Designer (2006)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—After Market (2007); Madeo (2009)
Lady’s Secret (GI-OT-Hol)—Zenyatta (2010)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—A.P. Warrior (2006)
Milady H. (GII-Hol)—Zenyatta (2008, 2009)
New Orleans Ladies (FG)—Zardana (2010)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—Tiago (2008)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Mr. Commons (2011)
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (GI-Kee)—Harmonious (2010)
Remington Park Derby (GIII-Rem)—Performing Magic (2000)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Giacomo (2006)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Makeup Artist (2003); Star Billing (2011)
Snow Chief (Hol)—Cliquot (1999); Calkins Road (2002)
Swaps BC (GII-Hol)—Tiago (2007)
Terlingua (Hol)—Borodislew (1995)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Manistique (1999); Hollywood Story (2006); Zenyatta
(2008, 2009, 2010)
Wickerr (Dmr)—Bertrando (1994)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Private Chief (2003)
•
•
•
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Jade Ring, 1980 John Peri Stakes at Stockton.
• His patient, skilled handling of Zenyatta led to what became a burgeoning sports
phenomenon in 2010 as the charismatic mare’s undefeated record reached a
record equaling 19 races before her stunning run from last fell inches short
behind Blame in pursuit of unprecedented perfection and a successful encore in
the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic held at Churchill Downs. She again was
breathtaking with Grade I victories in Santa Anita’s Santa Margarita Handicap,
the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn, Hollywood Park’s Vanity Handicap, the
Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar and ultimately Oak Tree’s Lady’s Secret Stakes at
Hollywood Park, a thrilling triumph that matched the unbeaten streak of Peppers
•
Pride, whose wins had come in races restricted to New Mexico breds. Zenyatta
took career earnings of over $6.4 million and the sentiments of countless admirers into the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup less than one week after millions had become
enthralled with her majesty via an adoring feature on television’s “60 Minutes.”
While storming from some 16 lengths behind, Zenyatta’s heroic effort in the
Classic did little to dim her gleaming reputation. “Her legacy was enhanced in
defeat,” noted ESPN’s Bill Nack. “I don’t know how she made up that ground.”
Concluded columnist Art Wilson of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group,
“Zenyatta was a gift from heaven, and God further blessed us by giving her to
John Shirreffs. He was the perfect man for the job.”
“This is as good as it gets,” the taciturn ex-Marine said following a dream weekend climaxed on Nov. 7, 2009, by Zenyatta’s sterling triumph against males in
the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic to close out her 2009 run to perfection
with a 14th straight win that left over 58,000 fans thrilled by one of the great
displays in the sport’s history. Twenty-four hours earlier, younger stablemate Life
Is Sweet, at odds of 8-1, had succeeded 5-year-old Zenyatta as winner of the
$2-million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic to score by 2 1/2 lengths with a dramatic
last-to-first rally, a stylish precursor in the Sheriffs’ arsenal of what was in store on
Saturday.
As the first member of her sex to capture the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the 26
years of its existence, Zenyatta became the richest North American based female
with career earnings of $5,474,580 and the first horse to ever win two different
events in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. In the process, she defeated
eight Grade I winning males. Undefeated in nine prior starts, the statuesque
daughter of Street Cry began her 2009 campaign with a win in the Grade II
Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park on May 23. She followed with repeat victories in Hollywood Park’s Grade I Vanity Handicap, the Grade I Clement L.
Hirsch at Del Mar and in Oak Tree’s Grade I Lady’s Secret.
Three years after his Giacomo posted a resounding upset in the Kentucky Derby,
masterfully managed the imposing 4-year-old bay filly Zenyatta through a dominant season in 2008. It was culminated by a stirring victory in Oak Tree’s $2-million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic at Santa Anita that pushed her unbeaten record
to nine, seven of them graded stakes events, and staked a strong claim for her
being named Horse of the Year.
• Zenyatta’s remarkable run had begun with a maiden and allowance victory in
2007 before a succession of stakes triumphs in 2008 that started with Santa
Anita’s Grade II El Encino. It continued through the Grade I Apple Blossom
Handicap at Oaklawn, the Grade II Milady and Grade I Vanity Handicaps at
Hollywood Park, the Grade II Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar, and
Oak Tree’s Grade I Lady’s Secret prior to the Grade I Breeders’ Cup event formerly known as the Distaff.
• Sent off as the 1-2 choice in the Ladies Classic, the daughter of Street Cry – purchased by Jerry and Ann Moss for $60,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September
Yearling Sale – elevated her earnings to $2,144,580 via her 1 1/2-length comefrom-behind victory. “Whatever is going on,” the normally reserved Shirreffs
was moved to remark, “you just look at her and you know something fantastic is
going to happen.”
• After being transferred to Shirreffs’ barn to begin her 2009 season, 4-year-old
filly Life Is Sweet swiftly became a multiple graded stakes winner. She returned
from over seven months on the bench to take Santa Anita’s Grade II El Encino
Stakes prior to successive victories in the Grade II La Canada and Grade I Santa
Margarita Invitational Handicap. The Breeders’ Cup upset followed four setbacks; three of them losses to Zenyatta and the other a third against males in the
historic Hollywood Gold Cup.
• Stunned the sports world in 2005 when Giacomo, his first starter in the
Kentucky Derby, captured the 131st running at odds of 50-1 to pay $102.60 to
win, second only to the $184.90 returned by Donerail in 1913. Giacomo earned
$1,639,600 for his first victory other than a maiden win in eight starts.
• After finishing third to Afleet Alex in the Preakness Stakes and seventh to that
one in the Belmont Stakes after leading briefly entering the stretch, Giacomo was
sidelined with bone chips in an ankle and a knee. Following surgery, he returned
eight months later to run third in Santa Anita’s Strub Stakes and fifth to Lava
Man in the Santa Anita Handicap.
• Giacomo returned to the winner’s circle on July 22, 2006 at Del Mar when the
gray colt rallied from behind to score a head victory over Preachinathebar in the
Grade II, $300,000 San Diego Handicap under Mike Smith, who was aboard for
the Kentucky Derby upset.
• Later on the same day that Giacomo won the Kentucky Derby, his trainer
watched on television as Hollywood Story rallied to win Hollywood Park’s Grade
III Hawthorne Handicap after clipping heels on the clubhouse turn and nearly
falling. Two years previous, Hollywood Story had become the first maiden to win
Hollywood Park’s Grade I Hollywood Starlet for 2-year-old fillies.
• Racing in the same silks as his half-brother Giacomo for owner-breeders Jerry
and Ann Moss, Tiago won the 2007 Santa Anita Derby in just his fourth start
for trainer. Following a troubled seventh-place effort behind Street Sense in the
Kentucky Derby, Tiago finished third behind Rags to Riches and Curlin in the
2007 Belmont Stakes.
• Tiago returned to California to register a 2 1/2-length victory in Hollywood
Park’s Grade II, $366,250 Swaps Stakes for 3-year-olds before capturing Oak
Tree’s Grade I, $500,000 Goodwood Stakes by a nose over Awesome Gem. He
earned a try in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing fifth behind Curlin.
• As a 4-year-old in 2007, After Market rose to the forefront of North America’s
turf runners when achieving his fourth consecutive victory in Del Mar’s Grade
II Del Mar Handicap at odds of 2-5 following back-to-back Grade I victories
in Hollywood Park’s Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap and Del Mar’s
Eddie Read Handicap. “This horse is amazing,” Shirreffs commented following
the Del Mar Handicap. “He just has it.”
• While serving as the private trainer for Ed Nahem and Marshall Naify’s 505
Farms beginning in 1994, assumed responsibility for multiple graded stakes winner Bertrando following the California-bred’s two-length defeat by Arcangues
in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Saddled him to win the Wickerr Stakes at
Del Mar on the grass and to a neck victory over Dramatic Gold in Oak Tree’s
Goodwood Handicap prior to a sixth-place finish in the 1994 Breeders’ Cup
Classic.
• An early development for 505 Farms was Borodislew, who won Oak Tree’s Lady’s
Secret, Hollywood Park’s Hawthorne and Del Mar’s Chula Vista handicaps before
her retirement following the 1996 season.
• Trained multiple stakes winner Radu Cool, who won the 1997 Chula Vista
Handicap at Del Mar before finishing fourth in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
john a. shirreffs
• Sent out talented filly Manistique to a 4 1/2 length win in the Grade I Vanity
Handicap at Hollywood Park in 1999, making her eight-for-eight in California.
Her victories included Santa Anita’s Grade I Santa Margarita Handicap that
year. The huge filly later lost for the first time in California in the Chula Vista
Handicap at Del Mar. Manistique returned to win the Lady’s Secret at Oak Tree,
but was a disappointing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
• Manistique’s win in the Santa Margarita was the first of three within six years for
the trainer in that Grade I event. Starrer took the 2003 running while Tarlow
won in 2005.
• One of the circuit’s top trainers by win percentage, he endured an emotional
2000. In April, Naify died at age 80. In July, most of his horses were sold at auction, the most significant being the 505 Farms Dispersal at Pomona.
• In August following the dispersal sale, was hired by The Thoroughbred Corp.,
being reunited with several of the winners he had trained for 505 Farms as his
stable became semi-private but open to other clients.
Personal
• Has been around horses most of his life. His father bred horses and family owned
a farm near Neufields, N.H.
• Walked hots for trainer Gene Cleveland in the early 1970s, and later broke yearlings for Ed Nahem at Lakeview Thoroughbreds Farm in California.
• The former Marine who served in Vietnam obtained his trainer’s license in 1978.
He operated a small stable in Northern California before becoming an assistant to
the late Brian Mayberry and to Bill Spawr.
• On Jan. 1, 1994, accepted a position as private trainer for Nahem and Marshall
Naify’s 505 Farms.
• Began training for Jerry and Ann Moss, the owners of Giacomo, in 2000 after
racing manager Dottie Ingordo had arranged for the interview on the advice of
her son, David Ingordo. Shirreffs and Dottie Ingordo were married three years
later.
• Prefers to shun publicity and rarely greets a victorious horse in the winner’s circle.
CLIFFORD SISE, JR.
Birthdate: October 18, 1951
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
Wife: Lorrie
Children: Kim and Robert
Residence: Glendora
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title (GI-OT)—Idiot Proof (2007)
Cover Gal (OT)—Moosa's Girl (2001)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Admirably (GG)—Cherry Moon (1998)
Aprisa H. (Fpx)—Emailit (1999)
Cat’s Cradle H. (Hol)—Gn. Group Meeting (2006)
CTBA (Dmr)—Asian Adventure (2001)
CTBA Marian (Fpx)—Gn. Group Meeting (2005)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Velvet Moonlite (2007); Smooth Performer (2009)
Generous Portion (Dmr)—Whitewinesipper (2001); Coastal Strike (2004)
Governor’s Cup (Fpx)—Emailit (1999)
Graduation (Dmr)—Dr. Augusta (1992)
Greenwood Cup H. (Pha)—Golden Ticket (2003)
High Yield (Pha)—Superfecta (2007)
Jersey Shore BC (GIII-Mth)—Idiot Proof (2007)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Paying Dues (1996)
Oakland H. (GG)—Paying Dues (1996-dh)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Rock Opera (2002-1st div.)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Pirate's Outlook (1992)
Restoration (Mth)—Houseofroyalhearts (2005)
Sonoma (GG)—Apreciada (1992)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Paying Dues (1996)
Warden (Dmr)—Smart Wise (1995)
Sonoma (GG)—Apreciada (1992)
Highlights
• Idiot Proof gave trainer his first Grade I victory on Oct. 27, 2007 when defeating
favored Greg’s Gold in Oak Tree’s $300,000 Ancient Title Stakes after Californiabred colt had won his first graded stakes on July 4 in Monmouth Park’s Grade
III Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes while rolling to a 7 1/4-length victory in
1:07.47 for six furlongs and breaking Gilded Time’s 15-year-old track record.
• The Ancient Title triumph following the impressive win at Monmouth Park
earned Idiot Proof a return trip to the New Jersey racetrack where he finished
second to fast-closing Midnight Lute in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Sprint after
opening up a clear lead in mid-stretch.
• Paying Dues provided first graded stakes wins in 1996 – Los Angeles Handicap
and Vernon O. Underwood, both Grade IIIs at Hollywood Park – before finishing second behind Lit de Justice in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
• When his Coastal Strike won Del Mar’s $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes in
2004, became the first trainer to post multiple victories in the event for Cal-bred
2-year-old fillies after Whitewinesipper took the 2001 running.
• Shipped two dozen horses to Philadelphia Park in 2003 while branching out and
completed year with most productive career numbers: earnings of $1,639,135
from 73 victories after having won 38 races the previous year.
• Nearly won the 2000 Hollywood Park spring/summer training title with 22 victories from 67 starters (33%), falling one victory shy of Bobby Frankel.
• Won races with each of the four horses he saddled at Fairplex Park on Sept. 12,
2009 for first four-bagger of career.
clifford sise, jr.
Personal
• A jockey from 1967 to 1970, rode primarily at Turf Paradise and the California
fairs.
• Learned profession as assistant to Southern California trainers Lou Glauberg and
Noble Threewitt. Obtained trainer's license in 1970. Remembers being told that,
at 18, he was youngest person to be granted trainer’s license.
• Grew up in Arcadia on the same street as trainer Bill Molter. Walked hots for
trainer Jimmy Jordan when he was 11. Was boyhood friend of Gary Brinson,
current starter at Hollywood Park, and Scotty McClellan, who became agent for
Chris McCarron and Alex Solis among other jockeys.
• Son Robert has trained horses.
BILL SPAWR
Birthdate: December 13, 1939
Birthplace: Bell, California
Single
Residence: Arcadia
Breeders' Cup Win
Sprint (GI)—Amazombie (2011-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ancient Title (GI)—Saratoga Gambler (GIII-1994); Bordonaro (2006);
Amazombie (2011)
Anoakia—Ismene (2011-SA)
California Breeders’ Champion—Kitty On The Track (1999)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—My Sonny Boy (1990)
California Cup Distaff Starter H. (OT)—Shivareen Sky (2000)
California Cup Starter Sprint H. (OT)—Heightenedawarness (2000);
Bordonaro (2005)
El Encino (GII)—Exchange (1992)
Flying Julia—Potrimagic (2001)
La Cañada—Exchange (1992)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Enjoy the Moment (1999)
Opening Bid—Dominant Dancer (1991)
Potrero Grande (GII)—Amazombie (2011)
Reloy—Desiraes My Candy (2002)
San Marcos (GII)—Super Ready (1990)
San Miguel—Drouilly's Boy (GIII-1987)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Exchange (GI-1993)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Exchange (GI-1993)
Sunshine Millions Sprint—Amazombie (2011)
Valiant Pete H.—Enjoy the Moment (1999)
Other Major Stakes Wins
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Enjoy the Moment (1999)
Allez France (Hol)—Exchange (1991)
Aprisa H. (Fpx)—Drouilly’s Boy (1989)
Barretts Debutante (Fpx)—Last Kiss (2002)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Exchange (1994)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Sensational Star (GIII-1990)
Clement L. Hirsch H. (GII-Dmr)—Exchange (1992)
Commonwealth BC (GII-Kee)—Bordonaro (2007)
Count Fleet Sprint H. (GIII-OP)—Bordonaro (2006)
CTBA Marian (Fpx)—Drought Breaker (2004); Gambler’s Justice (2008)
E. B. Johnston (Fpx)—Eclipse De Luna (2003)
Flying Julia (Hol)—Potrimagic (2001)
Governor's Cup (Fpx)—Mister Gennaro (1985)
Matriarch (GI-Hol)—Exchange (1994)
Melair (Hol)—Ladylore (2002)
Merial (Hol)—Valiant Wonder (2001)
Orange County H. (Fpx)—Restage (1985)
Orchid H. (GIII-OP)—Exchange (GII-1995)
Pat O'Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Sensational Star (GIII-1990)
Phoenix Gold Cup H. (TuP)—Mister Gennaro (1986)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Enjoy the Moment (1999)
Sunshine Millions Sprint (GP)—Bordonaro (2006)
bill spawr
Tiznow (Hol)—Amazombie (2011)
Triple Bend BC H. (GI-Hol)—Sensational Star (GIII-1989)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Bordonaro (2005)
Highlights
• First winner: Cuda May, Bay Meadows in 1977.
• First hundred-grander: Mister Gennaro, 1986 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf
Paradise, returning from a six-month layoff.
• Training titles: Santa Anita: 1991, 1996; Oak Tree: 2000, 2001; Del Mar: 1990tie, 1994.
• Reached the pinnacle of his industrious career in 2011 at the age of 68 when his
Amazombie was a neck winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs,
the 5-year-old gelding’s fifth stakes victory of the year. Amazombie, co-owned
by Spawr in partnership with Tom Sanford, was a virtual throw-in with another
yearling purchased for $5,000. Raced 15 times before winning a stakes race, the
Sunshine Millions Sprint at Santa Anita on July 29, 2011. “He’s just one of the
coolest little horses I’ve been around,” said jockey Mike Smith after Amazombie
won Santa Anita’s Grade II Potrero Grande Stakes. “He’s just so full of class, and
he knows what he’s out there for.”
• The California-bred son of Northern Afleet continued his dramatic ascent
in 2011 with wins in the Tiznow and Grade III Los Angeles Handicap at
Hollywood Park. But it was his solid victory in the Grade I Ancient Title Stakes
during Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet that put the Breeders’ Cup Sprint squarely in
Amazombie’s sights. “He ran huge in that race,” Smith recalled immediately following the Breeders’ Cup. “Bill has done an amazing job getting this horse better
and better and better every time. When Amazombie got back to Santa Anita, he
ran the prep he needed to run. Today, he just knocked it through the wall really.”
• Developed Exchange, a 4-year-old Explodent filly claimed for $50,000 in her
second career start on May 2, 1991, into a multiple Grade I stakes winner, taking
Santa Anita’s Santa Ana and Santa Barbara handicaps in 1993, and Hollywood
Park’s Matriarch in 1994. Exchange won a total of eight stakes races.
• Bordonaro won six of eight starts in 2005, including Hollywood Park’s Grade III
Vernon O. Underwood Handicap, before returning the following year to win the
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park. The 5-year-old gelding provided
trainer with his second win, and first since 1994, in Oak Tree’s Grade I Ancient
Title Breeders’ Cup Stakes while covering seven furlongs in 1:07.93. The performance earned a trip to the Breeders’ Cup where Bordonaro ran fourth in the
2006 Sprint.
Maintained a close relationship with jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. during the 1990s,
not only as Pincay became the world’s winningest jockey but during some lean
times as well. When Pincay won five races during Oak Tree’s Cal Cup Day in
October of 2002, rode a pair of winners for Spawr while surpassing the 9,000win plateau that day.
Enjoyed his most lucrative year in 2001 when runners earned $2,762,746.
Ranked 46th nationally in 2000 when earnings reached $2,544,907 with 83 wins
from 372 starters, a winning ratio of 22 percent.
Saddled speedy Cal-bred filly Enjoy the Moment to four consecutive wins in
1998-99. She would take the Grade III Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita,
Grade II A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood Pak and Del Mar’s Grade III Rancho
Bernardo Handicap. She defeated Cal-bred males in the Valiant Pete Handicap at
Santa Anita.
Brought Saratoga Gambler from a four-month layoff to win the 1994 Ancient
Title BC Handicap at Oak Tree. The longest shot on the board at 34-1, Saratoga
Gambler paid $71.40. Saratoga Gambler was claimed for $100,000 in February
1994.
Claimed Sensational Star for $32,000 and earned back his investment tenfold.
Developed Restage, a $12,500 claim, into a stakes winner. My Sonny Boy, a
$62,500 claim, went on to capture the $300,000 California Cup Classic in 1990.
Saddled former claiming horses in back-to-back Breeders’ Cups, Exchange in
1992 Distaff (eighth) and Music Merci in 1993 Sprint (sixth).
When winning the 2000 Oak Tree training title with 17 victories, one more
than runner-up Bob Baffert, ended a string of seven straight Santa Anita titles by
Baffert, four at the Santa Anita winter/spring meet and three at Oak Tree.
Enjoyed a pure hat trick at Santa Anita on Jan. 20, 1991, winning the first three
races with Smart Deception, J.B. Water and High Hook, each victorious by less
than a length.
Personal
• Has worked at a racetrack since high school. Was an assistant blacksmith in 1958,
later managed a veterinary hospital and assisted the late trainer Joe Manzi.
• Helped to open and manage Chino Veterinary Hospital.
• Played football at Downey High School and Cerritos College.
bill spawr
ROGER STEIN
Birthdate: January 4, 1954
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Single
Children: Shana and Sam
Residence: Hidden Hills
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
La Habra—To B. Super (1996)
San Gorgonio H. (GIII)—Southern Truce (1993)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Southern Truce (1993)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Southern Truce (1994)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Highlights
• Claimed Southern Truce for $16,000 in March of 1991, and she became a multiple Grade I stakes winner. In Santa Anita’s 1993 Santa Margarita Handicap, she
upset two-time champion Paseana. She added a Grade I the following year when
victorious in Santa Anita’s Santa Ana Handicap.
• Nearly pulled off an upset of stunning proportions when his 65-1 shot General
John B came within a half-length of winning the 2005 Santa Anita Derby while
finishing second to Buzzards Bay. An earlier winner of the Turf Paradise Derby,
General John B did not go on to the Kentucky Derby because of a tendon ailment.
• Richest victory in Thoroughbred career came when Forty Niner Days took the
$400,000 Golden Gate Handicap in 1991.
• Was the leading trainer at Fairplex Park in 1990 when saddling six winners during the brief stand.
Personal
• After two years as an owner and groom, earned harness trainer's license in 1979.
Dominated circuit from 1979-84 while winning 10 per cent of all harness races
in California and gaining 17 straight training titles.
• Initiated Thoroughbred career in 1987.
• Serves as host of a racing talk show weekends on KLAA (830 AM).
All American H. (GIII-GG)—Forty Niner Days (1991)
Bay Meadows H. (GIII-BM)—Robinski (1990); Forty Niner Days (1992)
Daisycutter H. (Dmr)—Starkay (2006)
Exotic Wood (Hol)—Starkay (2005)
Golden Gate H. (GIII-GG)—Forty Niner Days (GII-1991)
Miss America H. (GG)—Southern Truce (GIII-1993, GIII-1994)
San Francisco Mile (GII-GG)—Forty Niner Days (GIII-1991)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—To B. Super (1996)
Sport Page H. (GIII-Bel)—Gotaghostofachance (2005)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—General John B (2005)
roger stein
MEL STUTE
Birthdate: August 8, 1927
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Wife: Annabelle
Children: Gary, Jana and Gail
Residence: Glendora
Triple Crown Win
Preakness (GI-Pim)—Snow Chief (1986)
Breeders' Cup Wins
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—Brave Raj (1986-SA)
Sprint (GI)—Very Subtle (1987-Hol)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
B.J. Ridder (OT)—Snow Chief (1985)
Bolsa Chica—Arp (1992)
Boo La Boo—Warren’s Whistle (2001)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—College Town (1994)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Klassy Kim (1995)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Gum (1990)
Carleton F. Burke H. (GIII-OT)—Double Discount (1977)
El Encino (GII)—Klassy Kim (1995)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (GI)—Royal Dynasty (ng-1970); College Town (GII-1995)
Jack Goodman (OT)—Wise Mandate (2007)
Kangaroo Court (OT)—Hurry Up Austin (2008)
La Brea (GI)—Very Subtle (GIII-1988)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Very Subtle (1989)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Real Connection (1997)
Louis R. Rowan (OT)—Real Connection (1995)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Score Quick (1995); Klassy Kim (1996)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Telly's Pop (1975); Snow Chief (1985)
San Carlos H. (GII)—First Balcony (ng-1961); Double Discount (1978)
San Felipe (GII)—Stancharry (1981)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Right Con (GI-1986)
San Rafael (GII)—Funontherun (1997)
Santa Anita Derby (GI)—Snow Chief (1986)
Santa Paula (GIII)—Buffythecenterfold (2003)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Boo La Boo (1984); Sari’s Heroine (1986); Very Subtle (1987)
Sardula—Warren’s Whistle (2001)
Strub (GII)—Snow Chief (GI-1987)
Sunny Slope (OT)—Subtle Trouble (1993)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Affirmed H. (GII-Hol)—Stancharry (1981)
All American H. (GIII-GG)—Gum (1992)
Bangles & Beads (Fpx)—Bright Lady (1982)
Barrett’s Debutante (Fpx)—Speed on Holme (1997); Danceoftheflags (2001);
Quick Little Miss (2006)
Beau Brummel (Fpx)—Logorhythm (1980); Off My Beat (1983); Gum (1988)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Perfect Moon (2003)
Black Swan (Fpx)—Bright Lady (1982); Quick Messenger (1986); Warren’s Whistle
(2000); Kachina Dream (2004)
Bustles & Bows (Fpx)—Gail’s Girl (1983-2nd div.); Irishkite (1988)
Californian (GII-Hol)—First Balcony (ng-1961)
CTBA Marian (Fpx)—Winter Spirit (1982); Super Dish (1983); Quick Messenger
(1987); Booklore (1993); Pert Laura (1998); Bright Magic (1999)
mel stute
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Brave Raj (1986)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Telly’s Pop (1975)
Del Mar Oaks (GII-Dmr)—Commissary (1969)
Derby Trial (Fpx)—Sari’s Dreamer (1982)
Fantastic Girl (Dmr)—Warren’s Whistle (2002)
Gateway to Glory (Fpx)—Our Pagan (1972); Darby Fair (1985); Bucky Raj (1989)
Governor’s Cup (Fpx)—Little Red Cloud (1988); Subtle Trouble (1996)
Florida Derby (GI-GP)—Snow Chief (1986)
Foothill (Fpx)—Foot the Bill (1968); Cold Courage (1977); Logorhythm (1981);
Menderes (1982-1st div.); General Jimmy (1982-2nd div.); Hot And Smoggy
(1987); Score Quick (1985); The Morris Monroe (1999)
Hollywood Futurity (GI-Hol)—Snow Chief (1985)
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (GIII-Hol)—Perfect Moon (2003)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Very Subtle (1986)
Jersey Derby (GS)—Snow Chief (GII-1986)
Junior Miss (Dmr)—Best Dress (GIII-1992)
Landaluce (Hol)—Buffythecenterfold (2002)
Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial (GII-Hol)—College Town (1994); Score Quick (1995)
Longacres Mile H. (Lga)—Aurelius II (1966)
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Sari’s Dancer (1984)
Moccasin (Hol)—Quick Little Miss (2006)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—Snow Chief (1987)
Phil D. Shepherd (Fpx)—Dogo (1981)
Pio Pico (Fpx)—Bright Lady (1982); Devine Look (1983); Warren’s Whistle
(2001, 2002)
Pomona Derby (Fpx)—Real Decision (1973)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Very Subtle (GII-1987); Buffythecenterfold (2003)
Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational H. (Fpx)—Fabulous Dad (1984);
Score Quick (1997, 1998)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GII-Dmr)—Kool Arrival (1989)
Senorita (Hol)—Commissary (1969)
Sorrento (GIII-Dmr)—Buffythecenterfold (GII-2002)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Score Quick (GIII-1997)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Commissary (1970)
Highlights
• Eclipse Award winners trained: Snow Chief, 1986 3-year-old; Brave Raj, 1986
2-Year-Old Filly.
• First stakes winner: First Balcony, 1961 Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park.
• First winner: Egg Nog, 1947, Portland Meadows.
• Training titles: Santa Anita: 1985-tie with Laz Barrera; Hollywood Park: 1983
spring/summer, 1984, 1985 fall.
• Snow Chief, winner of the 1986 Preakness Stakes as well as the Florida, Jersey
and Santa Anita Derbys, and Brave Raj, victorious in the 1986 Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies, teamed to provide trainer with a pair of Eclipse Awards that year.
Favored in the Kentucky Derby, Snow Chief ran 11th behind Ferdinand, but
avenged that setback in the Preakness.
• Snow Chief, who went on to take the following year’s Strub Stakes at Santa Anita
and the Oaklawn Handicap, retired in 1987 as the all-time California-bred earnings leader with $3,383,210 in purses.
• Brave Raj’s 1986 campaign ended with an earnings record for 2-year-old fillies
totaling $933,650. A 5 1/2-length winner in her Breeders’ Cup event, Brave Raj
scored as the 4-1 third choice.
• Trainer engineered a stunner the following year when his 3-year-old filly Very
Subtle captured the Breeders’ Cup Sprint by four lengths over odds-on choice
Groovy at odds of 16-1. Multiple-graded stakes winner also scored in Santa
Anita’s Santa Ynez Stakes (1987), La Brea Stakes (1988), Las Flores Handicap
(1989) as well as Hollywood Park’s Hollywood Starlet (1986) and Railbird Stakes
(1987).
• Became first inductee into Fairplex Park racing’s Hall of Fame in 2003 where he
is the all-time leader in races won and stakes races won. He was honored with a
special ceremony there in 1999 on the 50th anniversary of his first training victory at the track, Sept. 22, 1949.
• His Double Discount set a world record of 1:57 2/5 for 1 1/4 miles on the turf
when victorious in Oak Tree’s 1977 Carleton F. Burke Handicap.
• Trained popular one-eyed gray mare Real Connection, who broke a 16-race losing streak with her triumph in the Grade II Las Palmas Handicap at Oak Tree in
1997.
• His eight-day winning streak at Hollywood Park remains a track record.
Personal
• Younger brother of late trainer Warren Stute, father of trainer Gary Stute. Warren
Stute, who established a public stable in 1948, died at the age of 85 on Aug. 9,
2007, one day after Mel Stute turned 80. Warren saddled 1,946 winners during
his distinguished career. His runners earned over $53.5 million in purses.
• Entered the sport in 1945 at Santa Anita as a groom for trainer Yorky MacLeod.
Brother Warren was an exercise rider for MacLeod at the time.
• Underwent heart bypass surgery in December of 2000, but was back at work
within two weeks.
mel stute
Birthdate: June 7, 1936
Birthplace: Columbus, Nebraska
Children: Tim, Tom, Tammy, Tori
and Tracy
Residence: Hesperia
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Mamselle Bebette (1994)
Pro Or Con H.—Ta Ta Be True (2002)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Hill Pass (1994)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—Alysheba (1988)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Nell’s Briquette (1981)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Little Brianne (1991)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Targa (GII-1982); Little Brianne (1991)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Fit To Scout (1990)
Strub (GII)—Alysheba (GI-1988)
Tokyo City Cup (GIII)—Golden Eagle II (GII-1977); Alysheba (GII-1988)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Triple Crown Wins
Kentucky Derby (GI-CD)—Alysheba (1987)
Preakness (GI-Pim)—Gate Dancer (1984); Alysheba (1987)
Breeders' Cup Win
Classic (GI)—Alysheba (1988-CD)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Seattle Carla (1997)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Wheatly Special (1995)
La Cañada (GII)—Fit To Scout (1991); Alysbelle (1993)
La Centinela—Icy Eyes (1992)
La Habra—Dezibelle's Star (1994)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Mamselle Bebette (1994)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Foggy Nation (1985); Mamselle Bebette (1994)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Little Brianne (1990); Onceinabluemamoon (1995)
Barretts Juvenile (Fpx)—New Aspirations (1994); Taliano (2002)
Bel Air H. (Hol)—Renegotiable (GIII-1992)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Little Brianne (1990)
DeBartolo Oaks (LaD)—Wheatly Special (1996)
Del Mar Debutante (GI-Dmr)—Beyond Perfection (1990)
Hillsborough H. (BM)—Onceinabluemamoon (GIII-1995)
Hollywood Turf Cup (GI-Hol)—Vilzak (1987)
Meadowlands BC (GII-Med)—Alysheba (GI-1988)
Oaklawn H. (GII-OP)—Bold Style (GIII-1983)
Personal Ensign H. (GI-Sar)—Fit To Scout (1991)
Philip H. Iselin (GIII-Mth)—Alysheba (GI-1988)
Pio Pico (Fpx)—Seattle Carla (1999)
Quicken Tree (Hol)—Der Ali (2006)
San Diego H. (GII-Dmr)—Blumin Affair (GIII-1995)
Super Derby (GII-LaD)—Gate Dancer (GI-1984); Alysheba (GI-1987)
Woodward (GI-Bel)—Alysheba (1988)
HALL OF FAME - 1985
JACK VAN BERG
jack van berg
• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1985, following his father Marion’s induction 15
years previous.
• 6,000th career win: February 9, 1995, Counterpane in the sixth race at Santa
Anita.
• 5,000th career win: July 15, 1987, Art’s Chandelle at Arlington Park.
• First stakes win: Dagazha, 1955 George Brandeis Memorial Handicap at
Ak-Sar-Ben in Nebraska.
• Eclipse Award winner trained: Alysheba, 1988 Horse of the Year who earned
$6,679,242. Alysheba's 4-year-old campaign included seven stakes victories, $3.8
million in earnings and was highlighted by a win in the $3-million Breeders' Cup
Classic.
• Eclipse Award winner: 1984, when he saddled Gate Dancer to win the
Preakness in stakes-record time of 1:53 3/5 after Gate Dancer had been disqualified from fourth to fifth in the Kentucky Derby.
• Training titles: Santa Anita: 1994; Arlington Park: 1976; Churchill Downs:
1972 summer, 1972 fall; Fair Grounds: 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974,
1976, 1977; Keeneland: 1976 fall; Louisiana Downs: 1976; Remington Park:
1994 fall; Suffolk Downs: 1970; several titles at Ak-Sar-Ben.
• As a 3-year-old, Alysheba captured the 1987 Kentucky Derby, paying $18.80,
and followed with a victory in the Preakness before his Triple Crown bid was
foiled by a fourth-place finish behind Bet Twice in the Belmont Stakes.
• Recorded a record 496 victories in 1976, the year he became the first trainer in
Thoroughbred history to lead the nation both in races won and money won.
• Led all trainers in victories nine times (1968-1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1983,
1984, 1986). Ranks second behind Dale Baird on all-time list of training victories. His total stood at 6,355 through 2005.
• Nearly pulled off one of racing's biggest upsets in the 1986 Santa Anita
Handicap when Herat narrowly lost to Greinton at odds of 171-1.
• Saddled I Be Casual on Dec. 9, 1999 in the fourth race at Hollywood Park as
jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. tied Bill Shoemaker’s record for career riding victories at
8,833.
• Recipient of 1987 Big Sport of Turfdom Award given by Turf Publicists of
America.
• Received Jockey Club Medal in 1987 and Mr. Fitz Award from National Turf
Writers Association in 1988.
Personal
• Worked for his late father, Hall of Fame trainer Marion Van Berg. Formed his
own public stable following his father’s death in 1971.
• Began working with horses at age 13 and saddled his first winner at 16.
• Former assistants include Frank Brothers and Bill Mott.
HALL OF FAME - 1985
Highlights
DARRELL VIENNA
Birthdate: September, 27, 1946
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Wife: Haydee
Children: Cristopher and Remy
Residence: Sierra Madre
Breeders' Cup Win
Juvenile (GI)—Gilded Time (1992-GP)
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Baldwin—Remember John (1982)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Awesome Daze (1997)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Belle's Flag (1996, 1998)
California Cup Starter Sprint H. (OT)—Native Russian (1997)
Daytona H.—Cheroot (2008)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Phone Roberto (1995)
El Encino (GII)—Belle’s Flag (1997)
Irish O’Brien—Above Perfection (2002)
La Cañada (GII)—Belle’s Flag (1997)
La Puente—Tripoli Shores (1986)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Shine High (ng-1981); Above Perfection (2002)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Fenny Rough (1984)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Grab The Prize (1997)
Possibly Perfect (OT)—Janet (2000)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Magnum (2009)
San Gabriel H. (GII)—Conquering Hero (GIII-1988)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Mountain Bear (1986)
San Juan Capistrano H. (GII)—Fly Till Dawn (GI-1992)
San Luis Obispo H. (GII)—Atlando (2006)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Fly Till Dawn (GI-1992)
San Marcos (GII)—Fly Till Dawn (GIII-1991)
San Marino H.—Kerrygold (2001)
San Miguel—Lasersport (2001)
San Pasqual H. (GII)—Star Cross (2004)
San Simeon H. (GIII)—Finder's Fortune (1995)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Mountain Bear (GI-1986)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Star Parade (2004, 2006)
San Vicente (GII)—The Rogers Four (GIII-1985)
Sensational Star H.—Echo Eddie (2001)
Valiant Pete H.—Awesome Daze (1998); Echo Eddie (2001)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Janet (2001)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Ack Ack H. (GII-Hol)—Joey Franco (2003)
A Gleam H. (GII-Hol)—Golden Klair (1994)
Arlington-Washington Futurity (GIII-AP)—Gilded Time (GI-1992)
Barretts (Hol)—Social Climber (2007)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Star Parade (2003, 2005)
Bay Meadows BC Sprint H. (GIII-BM)—Tres Paraiso (1997)
Bay Meadows H. (GIII-BM)—Drumalis (GII-1985)
Beck Auto Group Turf Sprint (LS)—Nuclear Debate (2002)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Disturbingthepeace (GII-2002)
Brown Bess H. (GG)—Janet (GIII-2002)
Budweiser International (Lrl)—Fly Till Dawn (1990)
Citation H. (GI-Hol)—Notorious Pleasure (GII-1991-1st div.); Fly Till Dawn
(GII-1991-2nd div.)
darrell vienna
Cougar II H. (Dmr)—Atlando (2007)
Dallas Turf Cup (GIII-LS)—Suances (2002)
Dayjur H. (Hol)—Echo Eddie (2002)
Del Mar BC H. (GII-Dmr)—My Style (1991); Joey Franco (2003)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Medici Code (2007)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Fly Till Dawn (1990)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Above Perfection (2001)
Forty Niner (GG)—Star Cross (2003)
Golden Gate H. (GIII-GG)—Deploy Venture (2000)
Harry F. Brubaker (Dmr)—Skyrush (2009)
Hawthorne H. (GIII-Hol)—Golden Klair (GII-1994); Queen of Wilshire (2002);
Star Parade (2006)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—Montemiro (2000)
John Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Short Sleeves (1987); Janet (2001)
Ken Maddy (GG)—Echo Eddie (2002)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Medici Code (2007)
Lone Star Park H. (GIII-LS)—Magnum (2006)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Star Parade (GI-2004)
Neartic (WO)—Nuclear Debate (2002)
NTRA (Hol)—Scandalous (2007)
Orinda (GG)—Above Perfection (2002)
Pat O’Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Tres Paraiso (GIII-1997); Disturbingthepeace
(2002, 2003)
San Francisco BC Mile (GII-GG)—Wavy Run (1997); Suances (2002)
Sapling (GIII-Mth)—Gilded Time (GII-1992)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Drumalis (ng-1984)
Silky Sullivan (GG)—Feisty Suances (2009)
Soviet Problem BC H. (GG)—Closed Escrow (1998)
St. Paul Derby (Cby)—Cheapskate (1986)
Tiznow (Hol)—Joey Franco (2003)
Triple Bend H. (GI-Hol)—Robyn Dancer (GIII-1991); Disturbingthepeace
(GII-2002); Joey Franco (2003)
WinStar Distaff H. (GIII-LS)—Queen of Wilshire (2002)
Yerba Buena BC H. (GIII-BM)—Janet (2001)
Highlights
• First stakes winner: Sure Fire, 1977 Aprisa Handicap at Pomona.
• Gained Breeders' Cup victory with Eclipse Award winner Gilded Time in the
1992 Juvenile at Gulfstream Park. The colt, purchased for $80,000, was undefeated in four starts as a juvenile with earnings of $855,890. Gilded Time finished third in the following year’s Breeders' Cup Sprint, his first start of 1993.
• Trainer of three world record holders: Native Paster, who raced 6 1/2 furlongs at
Del Mar in 1:13 3/5 on Sept. 4, 1988; Classy Women, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf ) at
Hollywood Park in 1:01 on July 6, 1991, and Finder's Fortune, 7 1/2 furlongs at
Hollywood Park in 1:26 4/5 on April 29, 1993.
• Captured a pair of Grade I turf events in 1992 with the gray Fly Till Dawn, who
took the San Luis Rey Handicap prior to his victory in the San Juan Capistrano
Handicap. Fly Till Dawn, who won six graded stakes in Southern California,
posted his first Grade I victory in Del Mar’s 1990 Eddie Read Handicap.
• His Disturbingthepeace won six consecutive stakes races, including three Grade
II events, before the California-bred finished seventh in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup
Sprint. He began his streak with an upset of 2000 champion sprinter Kona Gold
in Hollywood Park’s Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Handicap.
• Star Parade registered her third Grade I triumph in 2006 when winning Santa
Anita’s Santa Maria Handicap for a second time after having prevailed in 2004.
She also took Hollywood Park’s Grade I Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap in
2004. Star Parade became a two-time winner of Hollywood Park’s Grade II
Bayakoa Handicap in 2005 following her victory two years previous.
• Unheralded 3-year-old Medici Code became a grass racing success during the
2007 Del Mar meeting when the British-bred gelding scored back-to-back Grade
II victories in the La Jolla Handicap and $400,000 Del Mar Derby.
• Saddled Janet to three stakes wins in 2001, including Grade I wins in the
Ramona Handicap at Del Mar and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Oak Tree.
• His Belle’s Flag scored an upset victory over previously undefeated Magical Allure
in Oak Tree’s 1998 Cal Cup Matron. It was the Avenue Of Flags filly’s second
Matron win.
• Two of his horses set or equaled track records during Hollywood Park’s 1997
autumn meet: Awesome Daze (a $50,000 claim in June of 1997) defeated champion Cal-bred Megan’s Interco in the 71/2-furlong On Trust in 1:26 1/5. New
Journey equaled the track record of 1:40 for 1 1/16 miles.
• Conditioned a pair of 1982 CTBA champions: Frieda Frame (older female) and
Remember John (sprinter).
• Cheapskate's victory over Broad Brush in the inaugural St. Paul Derby in 1986 at
Canterbury Downs proved a stunner with a $146 win payoff.
Personal
• Obtained trainer's license in 1976.
• Awarded a law degree at Loyola Law School after getting a psychology degree
from UCLA and is an accomplished essayist and poet.
• Began practicing law in late 1994. Often handled cases involving local jockeys
who appealed suspensions.
• Gave up his law practice in December of 1997 in order to devote more time to
training.
• Part-owner of Spectrum Media, a pharmaceutical company specializing in nutritional items for large animals.
• Former high school, collegiate and professional rodeo rider and horse show
trainer.
• Has co-written a script for the hit television series “Hill Street Blues.”
darrell vienna
KATHY WALSH
Birthdate: March 18, 1940
Birthplace: Sonoma, California
Residence: Arcadia
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Bootleg Annie (2009)
Henry P. Russell (OT)—Ward Hunt (1999)
Las Cienegas H. (GIII)—Evening Promise (2000)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Evening Promise (2000)
Oak Tree Derby (GII-OT)—Devious Boy (2003)
San Carlos H. (GII)—Georgie Boy (2009)
San Felipe (GII)—Georgie Boy (2008)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Nany’s Sweep (2001)
San Vicente (GII)—Georgie Boy (2008)
Sen. Ken Maddy (GIII-OT)—Evening Promise (2000)
Sunshine Millions Sprint—Georgie Boy (2009)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Del Mar Futurity (GI-Dmr)—Georgie Boy (2007)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Bootleg Annie (2009)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Who’s Up (2009)
Governor’s H. (Lga)—Auguste (1974)
Graduation (Dmr)—Georgie Boy (2007)
Honeymoon H. (GII-Hol)—Sarah’s Secret (2011)
Independence Day (Lga)—Tilt the Balance (1980)
Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial (GII-Hol)—Blazonry (2003)
Northwest Stallion (Lga)—Discover Space (1972)
Northwest Stallion (Fillies) (Lga)—Havadasher (1979)
Oakland H. (GG)—Boundless Moment (1997)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Devious Boy (2003-2nd div.); Vauquelin (2007-3rd div.)
Paradise Mile H. (TuP)—Ward Hunt (1999)
Seattle Slew (Lga)—Scorned Timber (1992)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Islay Mist (2000)
Tacoma H. (Lga)—Weatherlock (1972); Ski Racer (1982); Dr. Pain (1992)
Turf Paradise Derby (TuP)—White Hot (1997)
Washington BC Oaks (Lga)—Senate Appointee (1992)
Washington Championship (Lga)—Malert (1974)
Highlights
• First Grade I winner: Nany’s Sweep, 2001 Santa Monica Handicap, Jan. 27,
2001. Nany’s Sweep closed strongly to upset heavily favored Surfside in the
$200,000 event.
• At the age of 67, in 2007, achieved her second Grade I victory when Georgie
Boy prevailed in a blanket finish in the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity to make
Walsh the first female trainer to win the event in its 60th running. Georgie Boy
had broken his maiden earlier in the meet when victorious in the Graduation
Stakes.
• Georgie Boy returned as a 3-year-old in 2008 to score convincing victories in
Santa Anita’s Grade II San Vicente Stakes and Grade II San Felipe to rank among
the leading Triple Crown candidates. But a pulled muscle in his back took
Georgie Boy out of the Santa Anita Derby and subsequent Triple Crown events.
“We’ll give the horse all the time he needs and let him tell us when to come
back,” commented Walsh.
kathy walsh
• Georgie Boy made his 2009 return by capturing the $300,000 Sunshine Millions
Sprint by 2 1/4 lengths prior to a 2 3/4-length score in Santa Anita’s Grade II
San Carlos Handicap.
• Gained her first Grade II victories in 2003 when winning a pair. Blazonry was
victorious in Hollywood Park’s Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial Stakes before Devious
Boy won the Oak Tree Derby.
• Started Hanuman Highway (finished seventh of 15) in 1998 Kentucky Derby for
owners Will Farish and Stephen Hilbert following a head loss to Victory Gallop
in the Arkansas Derby at odds of 27-1.
• Stabled at Santa Anita since 1995, achieved her first graded stakes victory in
Southern California when capturing the Grade III Monrovia Stakes in 2000
with Evening Promise, who later in the Santa Anita meet added the Grade III La
Cienegas Handicap and subsequently Oak Tree’s Grade III Senator Ken Maddy
Handicap.
• Much of her career was spent at Longacres, near Seattle, where she was leading
trainer four times in the 1970s. In 1976, she won 45 races at the meet, tying a
record that had belonged to her father, trainer Jim Walsh.
• Was first female in nation to win leading trainer title when at Longacres.
• In 1985, trained at Sportsman’s Park in suburban Chicago and raced at the inaugural meet at Canterbury Downs in Minnesota. Leading trainer at Canterbury
Downs (as Kathy Hutchinson) in 1987 and 1988.
• Started Boundless Moment, who had been campaigning in Northern California,
in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He finished ninth behind Lit de Justice, whose
trainer, Jenine Sahadi, became first female to win a Breeders’ Cup event.
Personal
• Father Jim Walsh trained in Northern California and at Longacres. Obtained
an assistant trainer’s license when she was 22 and inherited the stable when her
father passed away in 1970.
• Took five-year break from the business after marriage in 1980. When marriage
ended in 1985, resumed career in Midwest.
• Earned 1979 Steve O’Donnell Memorial Award at Longacres Racetrack near
Seattle. Award recognizes trainer who displays leadership, cooperation, sportsmanship and excellence, both on and off the track.
• Voted into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.
WESLEY WARD
Birthdate: March 3, 1968
Birthplace: Selah, Washington
Wife: Kim
Children: Riley and Denae
Residence: Glendora
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Irish O'Brien—Bear Fan (2004)
Palos Verdes H. (GIII)—Men’s Exclusive (2001)
San Miguel—Omega Code (GIII-2003)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alamedan H. (Pln)—Surprise Halo (2003)
Barbara Fritchie BC H. (GII-Lrl)—Bear Fan (2004)
California Sprint Championship (BM)—Men’s Exclusive (1997)
Chenery (Cnl)—Strike the Tiger (2009)
Cinderella (Hol)—Yogi’s Polar Bear (2003)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Unfinished Symph (1994)
Dayjur H. (Hol)—Banchory Baron (1996)
Dream Supreme (CD)—Aegean (2010)
El Joven (Ret)—R Boy Bill (2010)
Fleet Treat (Dmr)—Bear Fan (2002)
Genuine Risk H. (GII-Bel)—Bear Fan (2004)
Giant’s Causeway (Kee)—Holiday for Kitten (2011)
Gourmet Girl (Hol)—Bear Fan (2002)
Green Flash H. (Dmr)—Courageous King (2005)
Jersey Shore (GIII-Mth)—Flashpoint (2011)
La Senorita (Ret)—Sisterhood (2011)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Men’s Exclusive (1997)
My Dear (WO)—Final Mesa (2010)
Ohio Derby (GIII-Tdn)—Pleasant Prince (2010)
Oklahoma Derby (RP)—Pleasant Prince (2010)
Old Hat (GIII-GP)—Final Mesa (2011)
Pot O’ Luck (Bel)—Pleasant Prince (2011)
Ron & Jessman Cloud Memorial (Fno)—Omega Code (2002)
San Francisco BC Mile H. (GII-GG)—Unfinished Symph (1995)
Sapling (GIII-Mth)—Madman Diaries (2010)
Shady Well (WO)—Judy the Beauty (2011)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Unfinished Symph (GII-1995)
Sorority (Mth)—Gypsy Robin (2011)
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint (GP)—Aegean (2011)
Thoroughbred Club of America (GII-Kee)—Holiday for Kitten (2011)
Time to Leave (BM) —Hostility (2002)
Vagrancy H. (GII-Bel)—Bear Fan (2004)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Men’s Exclusive (2000, 2001)
Victoria (WO)—Madman Diaries (2010)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Unfinished Symph (1994)
Highlights
• First graded stakes winner: Unfinished Symph, the Grade III Cinema Handicap
in 1994 at Hollywood Park. Unfinished Symph also won the Grade III Will
Rogers Handicap that summer and went on to finish third after setting the
pace in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs. A year later, Unfinished
Symph won Hollywood Park’s Shoemaker BC Mile and the San Francisco Mile
Handicap at Golden Gate.
• Eclipse Award winner: Apprentice jockey, 1984 when he won 335 races and
more than $5 million in purses.
wesley ward
• In 2009, the former jockey gained the attention of the racing world when he
shipped six horses to England for the five-day Royal Ascot meeting and his
first entrant quickly became only the second American-trained horse ever to be
victorious at the prestigious Royal Meeting. On the first day, Ward shocked the
punters when his 2-year-old gelding Strike the Tiger, whom he co-owns, won the
Windsor Castle Stakes at odds of 33-1. He warned that Jealous Again was his
best shot at Ascot, and the next day the juvenile filly won the Group II Queen
Mary Stakes by five lengths. American-based jockey John Velazquez was aboard.
• After leaving his memorable mark on Royal Ascot two years previous, Ward
saddled five winners on the opening-day card of Woodbine’s 2011 season in
Toronto, Canada, on April 2. It was the first time a trainer had recorded a fivebagger at Canada’s foremost racing venue since 1991.
• Five months after taking the $43,000 Bulldog at Fresno in October of 2000, sent
sprinter Men’s Exclusive to the United Arab Emirates where he finished second
to Caller One in the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba. In
between that geographical odyssey, Men’s Exclusive scored victories in Hollywood
Park’s 2000 Vernon O. Underwood and the 2001 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita.
• Men’s Exclusive avenged the Dubai loss to Caller One when repeating in the
2001 Vernon Underwood, becoming the only two-time winner of the race and
the oldest at the age of 8.
• Men’s Exclusive, who had been favored when sixth in the 1997 Breeders’ Cup
Sprint at Hollywood Park following wins in the Los Angeles Handicap and
California Sprint Championship, retired as a millionaire at 10 after finishing seventh and last in his final start, Oak Tree’s California Cup Sprint in 2003.
• Saddled 50 winners as his horses earned more than $1.2 million in 2001.The
figure excludes the $400,000 Men’s Exclusive earned in Dubai. Earnings reached
$1.7 million in 2002 and rose to $2.1 million from 93 winners in 2003.
• Bear Fan provided the bulk of stable’s earnings of $1.9 million in 2004 when he
won three graded stakes in the East, all Grade II events: the Genuine Risk and
Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park and the Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park.
Racing on both coasts, earnings hit $1.3 million in 2005.
• Stable earned a career-high $2.2 million in 2008 while splitting time between
Florida and Southern California.
Personal
• Leading rider at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and The Meadowlands in 1984.
Weight problems led to retirement from riding in 1989.
• Also rode in Italy (six months), Chicago (two years) and in Southern California
(one year). Was aboard Ferdinand for the late Charlie Whittingham when the
1986 Kentucky Derby winner broke his maiden in 1985.
• Assisted father, Dennis, at Longacres in Washington before going out on his own
as a trainer. His father also had been a top apprentice rider at one time before
turning to training Thoroughbreds after working as a jockey's agent.
don warren
Palomar H. (Dmr)—Something Merry (1991, 2nd div.)
Real Good Deal (Dmr)—Big Bad Leroybrown (2007)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Something Lucky (1987)
Birthdate: September 28, 1951
Birthplace: Covina, California
Wife: Patricia
Children: Three grown daughters
Residence: Temple City, California
Highlights
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Classic—Norvsky (2011-SA)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Flying Sensation (1993)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Fabulouspersuasion (1994)
California Breeders’ Champion Fillies—Always the Lady (2000)
Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (GII)—Acclamation (2011-SA)
La Puente—Lucky’s First One (1993)
Providencia—Fancy N’ Fabulous (1994)
Other Major Stakes Wins
California Dreamin’ H. (Dmr)—Norvsky (2011)
Cinema (GIII-Hol)—Something Lucky (1987)
Eddie Read (GI-Dmr)—Acclamation (2011)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Acclamation (2010, 2011)
Inverness Drive (Dmr)—Academyawardwinner (1996)
Jim Murray H. (GII-Hol)—Acclamation (2010, 2011)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Acclamation (2011)
• Thirty-seven years after taking out his trainer’s license, Warren, at the age of
60, realized his greatest success with the late-developing 5-year-old gelding,
Acclamation, bred and co-owned by his principal client of 33 years, the Old
English Rancho of Bud and Judy Johnston. In 2011, Acclamation rattled off five
successive victories in three Grade I and two Grade II events including Del Mar’s
signature race, the $1-million Pacific Classic.
• Acclamation had won twice in 17 starts when he upset his opposition at odds of
14-1 while capturing Hollywood Park’s Grade II Jim Murray Handicap by 7 1/2
lengths in May of 2010. He followed that marathon turf victory with a score in
the Grade I Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park. But
that spurt of success was followed by four off-the-board finishes.
• The California-bred son of Unusual Heat – the Old English Rancho’s pride and
joy – suddenly appeared unbeatable. He won the Murray again, this time by 7
lengths. He repeated in the Whittingham with a 3 1/2-length win. He took Del
Mar’s Grade I Eddie Read by 3 1/4. Then Acclamation switched from grass to
Del Mar’s synthetic surface to take the Pacific Classic by a hard-fought head over
favored Twirling Candy. He ran his winning streak to five with a triumph in
the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship during Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet.
“They’ve been asking me all year how he’s improved so much,” said Warren. “I
just think he’s matured this year into his full potential. It’s that and figuring out
what he likes to do. He likes to be out there in front.”
• While his connections were contemplating whether to run Acclamation in the
2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic or in the Turf, he developed a foot problem that sent
him to the sidelines for the remainder of 2011 after having earned over $1.1
million within five months. With his stable star out of action, Warren saddled
another Old English runner, Norvsky, to win the $175,000 California Cup
Classic at Santa Anita.
don warren
• Prior to 2010, Warren’s biggest career wins had been provided during 1987 by
Something Lucky, victorious in a pair of Grade III stakes at Hollywood Park,
the Cinema and the Will Rogers. Something Lucky was named California-bred
3-Year-Old of the Year in 1987 when he also finished third in the Santa Anita
Derby.
• Flying Sensation, victorious in the 1993 Cal Cup Juvenile, went on to run fourth
in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. In 1994, Flying Sensation
lost by a nose to Tabasco Cat in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate
Fields. Tabasco Cat proceeded to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Personal
• Began in racing by walking hots for trainer Bill Morris during the summer of
1968 at Del Mar.
• Went to work as an exercise rider at Old English Rancho in 1970 when the operation was located in Ontario. Old English Rancho presently is situated in Sanger,
near Fresno.
• Took out his trainer’s license in 1974 and became Old English Rancho’s primary
trainer four years later. Except for a brief hiatus when going out on his own in
the early 2000s, Warren has remained closely tied to the Johnstons’ farm.
• His breeding operation consists of one broodmare, Cantelope, whom he keeps at
Old English Rancho.
TED H. WEST
Birthdate: June 8, 1973
Birthplace: Arcadia, California
Single
Residence: Monrovia
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Budroyale (1999)
Oakland H. (BM)—Freespool (2001)
Phoenix Gold Cup H. (TuP)—Freespool (2001)
Pirate’s Bounty (Dmr)—Freespool (2001); Mensa Heat (DH-2011)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Ashley’s Kitten (2007)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Secret Liaison (2003)
Sacramento H. (GG)—Secret Liaison (2002)
Star Ball (Hol)—Aviate (2001)
Super Diamond H. (Hol)—Budroyale (1999)
Texas Mile (GIII-LS)—Bluesthestandard (2003)
Tiznow (Hol)—Stella Mark (2008)
Valkyr H. (Hol—Dee Dee’s Diner (2005)
Highlights
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Turkish Prize (2002)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Jet West (2005)
El Conejo H. (GIII)—Freespool (ng-2000 on Jan. 2, ng-2000 on Dec. 31)
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Budroyale (1999)
La Habra—Harriett Lane (2006)
Palos Verdes H. (GII)—Bluesthestandard (2004)
Potrero Grande BC H. (GII)—Bluesthestandard (2003)
San Antonio H. (GII)—Budroyale (1999)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alydar (Hol)—Trevor’s Clever (2008)
Bangles and Beads (Fpx)—Ashley’s Kitty (2009)
Barretts Juvenile (Fpx)—Nene (2007)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—Ashley’s Kitty (2008)
Jim Kostoff (Fpx)—Trevor’s Clever (2008)
Longacres Mile H. (GIII-EmD)—Budroyale (1999)
• Succeeded his father, Ted West (son goes by Ted H. West), as stable’s head trainer
in April of 1999, and guided Budroyale through a stunning season during which
the $50,000 claim earned over $1.7 million from four graded stakes victories and
seconds in the Hollywood Gold Cup and $4-million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• Claimed popular Georgia-bred Bluesthestandard for $50,000. The gelding went on
to win Santa Anita’s Grade II Potrero Grande Handicap BC Handicap and Texas
Mile at Lone Star Park in 2003. He placed second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint after
being supplemented for $90,000. Bluesthestandard earned $631,975 in 2003.
• Freespool won multiple stakes in both 2000 and 2001. He earned the distinction
of winning Santa Anita’s El Conejo Handicap twice during the same year in 2000:
Freespool won the 19th running on Jan. 2 and the 20th running on Dec. 31.
• Consistently in the 20 percent win range.
Personal
• Son of trainer Ted West, who was a 35-year veteran of the Southern California
circuit before turning the stable over to Ted H. West in 1999. The elder West
maintains a strong daily presence at the stable.
ted h. west
• Ted West trained several major stakes winners, most notably 1984 Santa Anita
Handicap winner Interco and 1983 Hollywood Derby winner Ginger Brink. The
elder West won training titles at Oak Tree in 1984 and at Fairplex Park in 1975,
1976, 1982 and 1985.
• Ted H. West earned a degree in business from Cal-Poly Pomona, but his life-long
ambition was to follow in his father’s footsteps. Worked his way up from walking
hots in his father’s barn.
• Major clients include Jeffrey Sengara and Desperado Stable (Scott Guenther).
TIM YAKTEEN
Birthdate: July 29, 1964
Birthplace: Nuremburg, Germany
Wife: Millie
Children: Sam & Ben
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
La Puente—Stratham (2006)
Pinjara (OT)—Stratham (2005)
Wishing Well H.—Ingrid the Gambler (2008)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Daisycutter H. (Dmr)—Fortunately (2005)
Graduation (Dmr)—Bench Points (2010)
I’m Smokin (Dmr)—Bench Points (2010)
Kentucky Cup Turf H. (GIII-KYD)—Sabiango (2004)
Lazaro Barrera Memorial (GIII-Hol)—Bench Points (2011)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Stratham (2006)
Highlights
• First win: Sabiango, Sept. 25, 2004, in the Grade III Kentucky Cup Turf at
Kentucky Downs.
• Saddling Sabiango – owned by Monty Roberts, subject of “The Horse
Whisperer” book and film – to win the Kentucky Turf Cup occurred just a few
weeks after opening his own stable and relinquishing his duties as chief assistant
to trainer Bob Baffert.
• On his 41st birthday in 2005, gained his first victory at Del Mar when
Fortunately was victorious in the Daisycutter Handicap. “It’s my birthday, my
son (Sam) was born two days ago, and this is my first win here,” he said afterward. “I’m at a loss for words.”
• Stratham provided trainer with his first stakes victories at Oak Tree, Santa Anita
and Hollywood Park. The Irish-bred, who began his career in England, took Oak
Tree’s Pinjara Stakes in 2005, the La Puente at Santa Anita in 2006 as well as
Hollywood Park’s Grade III Will Rogers Stakes.
Personal
• Was 40 when started own stable in September of 2004 following two stints as
an assistant to Bob Baffert sandwiched around nearly seven years as an aide to
Charlie Whittingham beginning in 1991.
• After arriving in the U.S. from Germany in 1982, found work with standardbreds at Los Alamitos Race Course. Moved to quarterhorses in 1986 when joining Baffert prior to the latter’s transition to Thoroughbreds.
• Married to Millie Ball, an on-screen analyst for HRTV. Their son, Sam, was born
two days prior to his 41st birthday and a stakes victory at Del Mar.
tim yakteen
HOWARD ZUCKER
Birthdate: May 20, 1948
Birthplace: Bronx, New York
Wife: Lorraine
Children: None
Residence: Pasadena
Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Cascapedia (OT)—Madame Pietra (2002)
San Rafael (GII)—Crafty C.T. (2001)
Senator Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Queen Ofthe Catsle (2008)
Sunny Slope (OT)—Our Shining Hour (2000)
Desert Wine Sales—Moscow Changes (1992)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Daisy Cutter H. (Dmr)—Queen Ofthe Catsle (2009)
Dance in the Mood (Hol)—Queen Ofthe Catsle (2008)
Desert Stormer H. (Hol)—Madame Pietra (GIII-2003)
Honeymoon H. (GII-Hol)—Well Monied (2009)
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint (GP)—Madame Pietra (2003)
Highlights
• First winner: Thirty Love, at Garden State Park in 1974.
• Well Monied registered a convincing victory in her stakes debut in 2009 while
taking Hollywood Park’s Grade II Honeymoon Handicap prior to racing second to Gozzip Girl in the Grade I, $700,000 American Oaks. “That was like a
Breeders’ Cup race,” Zucker said following the Oaks. “We just needed a better
trip. None of them tried harder than my horse.”
• Madame Pietra became a multiple stakes winner after taking Oak Tree’s
Cascapedia Stakes in 2002. She went on to take the Sunshine Millions Filly &
Mare Sprint at Gulfstream Park and the Grade II Desert Stormer Handicap at
Hollywood Park.
• Cites Crafty C.T. as the best horse he has trained. After winning Santa Anita’s
Grade II San Rafael Stakes in 2001, Crafty C.T. ran second to eventual Preakness
and Belmont Stakes winner Point Given in the Santa Anita Derby. He also finished third in the 2002 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park.
Personal
• Obtained trainer’s license in 1974 in New Jersey before moving to Florida in
1978 and basing at Calder Race Course.
• Moved to Southern California in 1982 under private contract for the racing
interests of Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss.
• Trained for Harris Farms for 10 years. Major client currently is C.T. Grether.
• Trainer of Avenueofknowledge, winner of the actual Santa Anita race in February
2005 that also was incorporated into the live final episode of the reality series
"American Dream Derby" shown on GSN.
• Graduate of City College New York with B.S. in economics, minor in biology.
• Played varsity basketball and ran track at Stuyvesant High School on the Lower
East Side in Manhattan, NY.
• Played basketball on the playgrounds and in high school against Kareem AbdulJabbar while growing up in the Bronx.
• Grew up across the street from boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson and was
acquainted with son Ray, Jr.
• Wife Lorraine earned PhD from Yale with a doctorate in biology, teaches at
Pasadena City College and is an integral part of racing business.
howard zucker