Santa Anita

Exaulted didn't even try the turf until his 11th career start back on Jan. 2 but the 6-year-old has more than made up for lost time with his third straight win on the Santa Anita grass course, taking the GIII American S. Sunday. Entered off a pair of 93 Beyer Speed Figure efforts--a career high--against allowance and optional claiming company respectively, Exaulted earned 9-5 second choice honors for his first graded-stakes race since contesting the GII Triple Bend S. last May. Sent to the front after a sharp beginning from...

Bet like he couldn't lose, Johannes strolled home much the best while making his two-turn bow in the Pasadena S. at Santa Anita Sunday. Taken in hand out of the gate, the heavy favorite settled at the back of the compact four-horse field heading into the backstretch. He rolled up four wide to challenge the pacesetters into the lane, pounced to the lead at midstretch and powered clear under a hand ride for an effortless victory. "It's onward and upward," said winning trainer Tim Yakteen. "It was a small field,...

Multiple contenders pointed to Saturday's GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby had their final works Sunday including the top three finishers from last month's GII San Felipe S. Practical Move (Practical Joke), winner of the San Felipe March 4, drilled five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer Tim Yakteen. Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), who was second the San Felipe, worked five furlongs in company in :59.4 for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. "We're all set," Mandella said following the work. Skinner (Curlin), who was third in the San Felipe,...

Having finished a distant fourth on his Del Mar debut last August behind the likes of 'TDN Rising Star' and future dual Grade I winner Cave Rock (Arrogate) and subsequent multiple Grade II victor Practical Move (Practical Joke), Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal's Ultimate Gamble (Medaglia d'Oro) made his much anticipated 3-year-old debut in a one-mile maiden at Santa Anita Saturday afternoon. Pounded down to 70 cents on the dollar, the athletic dark bay colt was ridden in supremely confident fashion by Frankie Dettori and ran out an easy...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-GP, $84K, Msw, 3yof, 1mT, 11:30 p.m. Gulfstream Park's packed Florida Derby Day card includes a pair of turf events for 3-year-old runners that are worth a look. Hinkle Farms homebred OGEMA BAY (Medaglia d'Oro) debuts for Shug McGaughey with Luca Panici in the irons. Her dam Madame Du Lac (Lemon Drop Kid) produced two-time GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic victor Divisidero (Kitten's Joy). Also prepped for a rookie start is GLORIA'S PRINCESS (Cairo Prince) from the stable of Brendan Walsh. Ridden by Luis Saez,...

Santa Anita's main track was closed Thursday morning and the training track was limited to only joggers following yet another rainstorm that hit the area this week. Track officials said just over an inch of rain fell on Santa Anita during this latest series of storms, which began Tuesday. Wednesday morning, prior to the heaviest of the rainfall, both the main track and training track were open to gallopers and joggers. There have been no timed workouts at Santa Anita since Tuesday. On Friday, an eight-race card is scheduled for...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has partnered with 1/ST to promote accredited aftercare awareness on GI Santa Anita Derby day Apr. 8. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be recognized with a named race on the Santa Anita Derby Day undercard. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, including a branded blanket and swag bag. There will also be an opportunity for jockeys to pledge their jocks mount fee throughout the day to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Representatives from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will...

Several prospects targeting the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby April 8 worked Sunday including the top three finishers of the GII San Felipe--Practical Move (Practical Joke), Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Skinner (Curlin). Practical Move, out of Tim Yakteen's barn, worked five furlongs in :59 seconds. "Straightforward drill, looked good," Yakteen said. "He was just cruising like he always does. It makes my job easier." Geaux Rocket Ride worked six furlongs for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, completing the move in 1:12.20. "The rockets are ready to...

As noted by colleague Bill Finley earlier in the week, we've just passed the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's sophomore debut. Yet even two years ago hardly anyone had heard of an unraced son of Tapit, meanwhile acclaimed by many as the best American Thoroughbred since. Okay, so he had been a seven-figure yearling; and everyone who had participated in his education knew that he was something special. In fact, John Sadler was so aware of the impending responsibility that he was saying nothing. For one thing, if people had any...

The FanDuel Group, home of FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Racing, FanDuel TV and TVG.com, and Breeders' Cup Limited have reached a multi-year agreement to extend the platform's status as the Official Wagering Partner of the World Championships. FanDuel will retain its status as the Official ADW Partner, Official Sports Wagering Partner, Official Fantasy Sports Partner, and Official Mobile Casino Partner of the Breeders' Cup. With the 2023 renewal of the World Championships set for Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, FanDuel will continue to serve as title partner...

As weather woes continue to dog Southern California, officials at Santa Anita proactively cancelled Friday's eight-race program and have scheduled a make-up day of racing for Monday, Mar. 27. Heavy rain resulting in more than three inches of precipitation through Wednesday is expected to fall. Track officials consulted with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), the Jockeys' Guild, and the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) in the decision. Entries will be taken on Thursday morning for Monday. "By running on Monday instead of Friday, we're...

Last year, we conducted a popular Q and A series called 'Smaller But Still Super,' where we featured veteran trainers who have built a competitive racing stable with relatively small numbers (click here to view the archive). This year, we will highlight trainers who have already cut their teeth as novice trainers, but now have a few years of experience under their belt and are looking to make a name for themselves as they grow their stable. We'll talk about the challenges that come with hanging out your single, advice...