Press Releases

Syndicate content

January 10, 2013

MULTIPLE STAKES WINNERS SLIM SHADEY & JERANIMO SQUARE OFF IN SUNDAY’S GRADE II SAN GABRIEL STAKES, COMBACKING STEVENS RIDES TALE OF A CHAMPION

McANALLY’S CHARM THE MAKER HEADS $75,000 PASEANA HANDICAP

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2013)—Multiple stakes winners Slim Shadey and Jeranimo would appear to rate top billing in Sunday’s Grade II, $150,000 San Gabriel Stakes as they loom prominent in a field of seven older horses at 1 1/8 miles on turf .

A winner of the Grade II John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sept. 30, Slim Shadey tired when trying to go gate to wire in the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup on Dec. 15, finishing fourth, beaten 4 ¼ lengths.

Following his win in the John Henry, he was taken off the pace in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf at 1 ½ miles and ran evenly, beaten 5 ½ lengths while eighth in a 12-horse field.

AKKADIAN, GOMEZ TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SWIFT WATERS & TAKE $65,000 RUSSIAN RIVER ALLOWANCE PURSE

TWO WINNING PICK SIX TICKETS, ONE ON-TRACK PRODUCES $4,370.40 BONUS, ON TOP OF $21,852 MUTUEL FOR TOTAL PAYOFF OF $26,222.40; SANTA ANITA OFFERS 20 PERCENT BONUS AGAIN ON FRIDAY

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2013)—With a fast pace to take advantage of, Garrett Gomez and Akkadian came wheeling three-wide off the turn for home to easily win Santa Anita’s $65,000 Russian River Purse on Thursday, getting one mile on turf in 1:33.88 while besting Clubhouse Ride and Aaron Gryder by three quarters of a length.

Although Gomez hadn’t ridden the 5-year-old Tiznow gelding in 21 months, he was comfortable with the task at hand.

“I knew there was plenty of speed, but I was kinda surprised they went as fast as they did,” said Gomez. “I broke his maiden and would have stayed with him but I went to Kentucky to ride (full-time, in April, 2011). My main concern today was to make sure he was traveling well within himself and to be able to find room when we needed it.

“When we got to the far turn he started picking them up and he went on with it. If he continues to progress he could be one of those top turf horses at a mile or a mile and a quarter.”

Trained by Julio Canani, Akkadian sat well off fractions of 22.36, 45.77, 1:09.92 and 1:21.98. Off at 5-1, he paid $12.40, $7.20 and $4.80.

“The race set up like I thought it would,” said Canani. “I knew there was going to be speed in the race. When he ran last time (Dec. 8, at Betfair Hollywood Park), the (turf) track was very deep. It had rained the night before and he hates a deep track. Today, thank God, it drizzled, and was very windy but the track is great.”

With the winner’s share of $39,000, Akkadian ran his bankroll to $208,522 from a record of 15-4-4-0.

Like the winner, Clubhouse Ride rallied from off the pace with Gryder skimming the rail on the turn for home and finishing a half-length in front of Golden Itiz and Joe Talamo. Clubhouse Ride paid $7.00 and $4.40.

Golden Itiz, the longest shot in the eight-horse field at 27-1, paid $13.00 to show.

Willyconker, the 2-1 favorite with Martin Pedroza, ran fourth with a clean trip and was outfinished by the top three.

There were two winning tickets in Thursday’s Pick Six, paying $21,852, with one of them purchased on-track, which will result in a 20 percent bonus of $4,370—making for a total score of $26,222.40. The one winning on-track ticket was purchased for $32.00.

With no carryover, Santa Anita’s 20 percent on-track Pick Six Bonus will again be in effect on Friday. Friday’s Pick Six is comprised of races three through eight. In order for on-track fans to be eligible for the 20 percent bonus, they must join Santa Anita’s Thoroughbreds Club and scan their membership card prior to making all Pick Six wagers.

First post time on Friday is at 1 p.m.

--30--

January 9, 2013

EVENLY MATCHED FIELD OF 10 TO CONTEST SATURDAY’S GRADE II SAN FERNANDO, BATTLE FORCE, GOMEZ HOPE TO SHIFT GOOD FORM FROM TURF TO DIRT AT 1 1/16 MILES

BAFFERT ENTERS FOUR, INCLUDING FED BIZ & GUILT TRIP

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2013)—Battle Force, a sharp second in the Grade II Sir Beaufort Stakes going one mile on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, will try to transfer his sharp recent form to the main track on Saturday as he takes on nine other four-year-olds in the Grade II, $150,000 San Fernando Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, the middle leg in Santa Anita’s prestigious Strub series.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Battle Force sat mid-pack in the opening day Sir Beaufort but missed by a half-length while rallying stoutly through the lane. Ridden by Mike Smith in his previous three starts, he’ll be handled for the first time on Saturday by Garrett Gomez.

A Kentucky-bred son of Giant’s Causeway, Battle Force broke his maiden with Brice Blanc going a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, 2011 and was subsequently third with Smith in the Grade III Generous Stakes going a mile on turf at Betfair Hollywood Park on Nov. 27, 2011.

His lone non-turf start came this past Nov. 17, when he made his first start in 50 weeks running second, beaten a half-length at 2-1 on Cushion Track. With Gomez aloft, it is expected that Battle Force will be allowed to settle well off the San Fernando pace and come with a big stretch rally.

Owned by Woodford Racing LLC, Battle Force has 5-1-3-1 record and $87,600 in earnings.

Handsome Mike, with $756,780 in earnings, is by far the biggest money-winner in the San Fernando field and is also one of the biggest question marks, as he comes off two races; the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 3, and the Grade I Hollywood Derby (turf) on Nov. 25, in which he was beaten by a combined 30 ¼ lengths.

January 6, 2013

SANTA ANITA’S 20 PERCENT ON-TRACK PICK SIX BONUS OFF TO GREAT START, PRODUCES THREE WINNERS SUNDAY WHO BAG A TOTAL OF $8,776.20, UP 20 PERCENT OVER MUTUEL

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2013)—Santa Anita’s all-new 20 percent on-track Pick Six bonus rewarded three lucky fans attending The Great Race Place on Sunday, as they will bag a total of $8,776.20—20 percent more than the Pick Six mutuel payout of $7,313.20, which will go to nine other winning tickets purchased off-track.

In order to be eligible for the 20 percent on-track bonus, fans must sign up as Thoroughbreds Club members and swipe their membership cards before making Pick Six wagers. Fans can become Thoroughbreds members free of charge, by visiting Santa Anita’s Thoroughbreds Center on the main floor of the Grandstand.

MILLIONAIRE MIZDIRECTION TAKES GRADE II MONROVIA STAKES IN JUNGLE-LIKE SETTING, PUYPE TRAINEE STAYS UNBEATEN ON HILL, EYES ONE-MILE BUENA VISTA FEB. 18

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2013)—Mizdirection and Mike Smith burst through a rainbow that touched down near the top of the hillside turf course and picked up where they left off on Sunday at Santa Anita, winning the Grade II, $150,000 Monrovia Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs, besting front-running Kindle and Edwin Maldonado by a half-length as the 5-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast returned to the scene of her biggest career score, the Grade I, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 3.

Now a perfect four for four down the hill, Mizdirection was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in cold, blustery conditions that produced sporadic rain and the afore mentioned rainbow, covering the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:11.94.

Sports talk superstar Jim Rome, whose Jungle Racing owns a majority share in the winner, headed a large group of revelers into the Monrovia winner’s circle.

“Right when you think maybe she’s beat, she just digs deep and finds a way to do it,” said Rome. “And as I always say in this moment, I could not be more proud of her. She’s got another gear. She does not like to lose. When she’s got a good target to shoot for, she usually turns out pretty well.”

Mizdirection, who rallied from well off the pace to defeat males in the Breeders’ Turf Sprint, was attentive to the early pace on Sunday as Kindle carved out splits of 21.70, 43.50 and 1:05.78.

“When I saw Kindle get away as well as she did and relax as well as she did, the game plan turned into me thinking that I needed to be closer to run her down,” said Smith. “She (Kindle) actually made me idle for about a sixteenth of a mile there, where I wondered if I was going to get there. But she (Mizdirection) gave me another surge and a nice late kick, and galloped out really well.”

Mizdirection paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.10.

With the winner’s share of $90,000, Mizdirection surpassed the $1million mark, running her earnings to $1,004,621 from a record of 13-8-4-1. In addition to Rome, Mizdirection is owned by William Strauss, Daniel Grohs, Kevin Nish, Michael Kramek and Boris Beljak.

GARY STEVENS MAKES RETURN TO SADDLE AT SANTA ANITA, HALL OF FAMER FINISHES THIRD, “IT FELT GOOD”

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2013)—From all outward appearances, you’d have never known he left. Hall of Fame superstar jockey Gary Stevens, who retired from the saddle in November, 2005, looked fit as a fiddle in his comeback ride on Sunday at Santa Anita as he guided Washington-bred Jebrica to a third-place finish in the sixth race going a flat mile on turf.

“That’s the first time I’ve knuckled down on one in seven years, and it felt good,” said the Caldwell, Idaho native who turns 50 on March 6. “I rode long enough to know that turning into the backside, I was going to be loaded coming into the stretch. I was looking over at Julien (Leparoux, aboard even money favorite Jimmy Simms), and he was just to my outside and had some horse.

“I knew I was going to be able to float out coming into the lane. Tyler’s horse (Baze, aboard pacesetter Rock This Way) floated out just a tad coming off the turn. It was a perfect trip and like I said, it felt really good. I thought, ‘Man, this is going to be a storybook comeback.’ It wasn’t meant to be, but it was close enough.”

Jebrica, trained by veteran Northwest-based trainer Jim Penney and dispatched as the 5-1 third choice in a filed of seven older horses entered for a claiming tag of $50,000, was sitting third with Stevens, a length and a half off of pacesetter Rock This Way and Tyler Baze, leaving the half mile pole. Stevens hugged the rail and made the lead turning into the stretch, opening up by a length approaching the eighth pole only to be caught near the wire by two horses flying from off the pace; Maybe Tuesday and Deacon Speakin’.

“It was exciting not just for us, but also for Washington and the whole racing industry,” said Penney’s son-in-law and assistant Bryson Cooper, who rode with Stevens 30 years ago in the Northwest. “We’re really happy with the effort—if Gary could’ve finished on a horse, he might’ve won,” he said laughing. “He (Jebrica) ran very good. We’re very pleased with him.”

Beaten a nose for second money, Jebrica paid $4.20 to show.

January 5, 2013

GOLDENCENTS GETS HARD-EARNED VICTORY IN GRADE III SHAM STAKES, O’NEILL TRAINEE HAS SIGHTS SET ON GRADE I SANTA ANITA DERBY ON APRIL 6TH

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2013)—From the outset, Saturday’s Grade III, one-mile Sham Stakes at Santa Anita had the look and feel of a major derby prep, as 2-5 favorite Goldencents and Kevin Krigger were bumped leaving the gate, steadied off heels going into the Club House turn and were fully extended to win the year’s first prep for the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 6 by 1 ½ lengths in 1:36.50.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Goldencents had to contend with two Bob Baffert trainees early, as Baffert’s Den’s Legacy, who drew the rail and was ridden by Garrett Gomez, came out slightly as the gates opened, and Baffert’s Manando, who broke from the outside with Martin Garcia and cut to the rail, causing Krigger to steady off heels while having to settle for second position.

“Today was a great race,” said Krigger. “From the gate, I got a little bump from the one (Den’s Legacy) on the inside, and by then Martin (Garcia, aboard Manando) had already cleared us a little bit. That made me have to ride a smart race by taking him back and putting him on the outside. He’s always been relaxed, but he was so relaxed that I could ride him confidently from behind, too.

“We had a good challenge in the stretch, but by the time we got to the eighth pole, I got him on top of his feet and just said ‘Let’s go,’ and that was it. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and praying that he stays sound.”

Idle since winning the Grade III, $1 million Delta Jackpot in Louisiana on Nov. 17, Goldencents paid $2.80, $2.10 and $2.10.

“We thought that with Baffert having two horses in the race, one closer (second-place finisher Den’s Legacy) and one speed horse (third-place finisher Manando), we figured Garcia would send really hard,” said O’Neill. “Kevin said he could sense leaving the gate that Garcia was doing that, so he wasn’t going to get caught up in a crazy pace duel…As the waters get deeper, you’ve got to be versatile and I think Goldencents and Kevin showed their versatility today.”

January 4, 2013

YOU KNOW I KNOW & GOMEZ TAKE SANTA ANITA $50,000 FEATURE AT ONE MILE ON GRASS, DEFEATING SEVEN

PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $62,270, POOL COULD REACH $500,000

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2013)—You Know I Know, with Garrett Gomez at the controls, unleashed a well-timed stretch rally to take Santa Anita’s $50,000 seventh race, a one-mile grass claimer restricted to 4-year-olds entered for a $62,500 tag. The Kentucky-bred gelding by Simon Pure won going away by a half-length, getting the distance in 1:34.39.

January 3, 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! SANTA ANITA TO OFFER 20 % BONUS TO ALL ON-TRACK PICK SIX WINNERS ON NON CARRYOVER DAYS, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1

BONUS PAID TO ALL ELIGIBLE ‘THOROUGHBREDS’ MEMBERS

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2013)—As was announced last week, Santa Anita is now offering a 20 percent bonus to anyone with a winning Pick Six ticket that is purchased on-track on any non-carryover day, provided that person swipes his or her Thoroughbreds Card at any pari-mutuel window prior to placing their Pick Six wagers.

The 20 percent Pick Six bonus is to be paid on top of the winning Pick Six price and is also applicable to Pick Six wagers placed on-track through any smart phone. Fans are encouraged to visit information windows throughout the plant in order to register for an account.

“This is an important initiative for our on-track fans,” said Santa Anita President and General Manger, George Haines. “The Pick Six is the most popular, high profile wager offered in California and this 20 percent on-track bonus will go a long way towards enhancing that tradition.

“We want to encourage everyone, if they haven’t already done so, to be sure to join our Thoroughbreds Club in order to be eligible for the bonus. It is absolutely free and it takes just a minute to join. This is a great incentive for our best customers to come and experience a day at the races with us on-track and we look forward to being able to make the trip worth their time.”

Fans may visit the Thoroughbreds Center, on the main floor of the Grandstand to sign up on any race day.

During the month of January, Santa Anita will offer a retroactive Pick Six bonus to those who have not yet signed up as Thoroughbreds Club members, in order to facilitate the implementation of the new program. For those who have not yet become Thoroughbreds members during the month of January only, players can bring their winning Pick Six ticket(s) to any information window where they must fill out required documentation in order to become eligible for the 20 percent bonus.

HILLSIDE QUEEN MIZDIRECTION HEADS SUNDAY’S GRADE II MONROVIA, COMES OFF WIN VS. BOYS IN GRADE I BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT FOR JUNGLE RACING’S ROME

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2013)—Fresh off a lifetime-best victory versus males in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 3, Mizdirection will attempt to run her record at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s Camino Real Turf Course to a perfect four for four as she defends her title in Sunday’s Grade II Monrovia Stakes for older fillies and mares.

Owned in-part by sports-talk superstar Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing and trained by Mike Puype, Mizdirection drew the outside post in a field of six.
sponsors budweiser sanmanuel grey goose cashcall pepsi maker's mark Car Title Loans DRF 14 hands