Press Releases

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2012) – Following a stirring stretch-long duel with Sugarinthemorning, Craig Stables’ Home Sweet Aspen emerged victorious by a neck Saturday in Santa Anita’s 55th running of the Grade I, $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs before an on-track crowd of 30,514 on Sunshine Millions Day.

Timed in 1:21.42 under a vigorous ride by Joel Rosario, the homebred daughter of Candy Ride rebounded from a faltering fourth in the Grade I La Brea Stakes on Dec.

By Mike Willman

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22) – Include Me Out escaped the shadow of Grade I winning stablemate Teddy’s Promise Sunday with a burst around the far turn that expanded into a dominant 4 ¼ -length upset in Santa Anita’s 38th running of the Grade II, $150,000 La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.

Sent off at odds of 8-1 after futilely chasing Teddy’s Promise in the Grade I La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec.

By: Mike Willman

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2012) – Tapizar, a highly-promising 3-year-old last year before a bone chip knocked him off the Triple Crown trail, began 2012 by running away from his 4-year-old opposition Saturday in Santa Anita’s 60th running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Fernando Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Winchell Thoroughbred’s homebred son of Tapit took control early under Corey Nakatani and opened up on the backside.

By: Mike Willman

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2012)—Trainer Lewis Cenicola, who was a former jockey and who served as the legendary John Henry’s regular exercise rider while he was trained by Hall of Famer Ron McAnally, succumbed after a long bout with cancer on Jan. 8, at the age of 66. One of the most well-liked figures in California racing, Cenicola is survived by his wife Donna.

A rosary is scheduled on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Douglas Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home, 600 E. Foothill Blvd., in Monrovia.

A funeral mass for Cenicola will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m., at Saint Rita of Cascia, 318 N. Baldwin Ave., in Sierra Madre.

Inglewood, Calif. (December 10, 2012)--It was Killer Graces and Joe Talamo who emerged the victor in the $402,000 Hollywood Starlet. In the Mile and 1/16 event, Killer Graces was the one of three, to emerge down the stretch. Favorite and Breeders’ Cup competitor Wemissfrankie was unable to get involved since Charm the Maker, Lady Pecan, and Killer Graces were able to get away from the rest of the 6 horse field.

“We had an absolutely perfect trip,” said jockey Joe Talamo. “Today she sat back and I really thought on the turn I was going to win, but I knew Wemissfrankie would be coming.

Inglewood, Calif. (November 27, 2011)--It was the final day of the Turf Festival at Hollywood Park featuring the $250,000 Hollywood Derby. Trainer Mike Pender, who scored yesterday in the $250,000 Citation, got his first Grade I victory on the heels of Ultimate Eagle.

“This is undoubtedly the best horse I’ve ever ridden,” said jockey Martin Pedroza. “I thought Martial Law (the upset winner of the 1989 Santa Anita Handicap) was, but this horse is better.” Ultimate Eagle took to the lead and went wire-to-wire never giving up.

Inglewood, Calif. (November 26, 2011)—Day two of the Turf Festival today featuring the Grade II Citation Handicap. A mile and 1/16 on the turf, Jeranimo kicked away from the pack to win. “He settled in beautiful and it was just a matter of finding somewhere to go,” said jockey Garrett Gomez. “When I showed him where to go he put it all together.”

It was a beautiful ride by Gomez, who patiently waited for the rest of the field to catch up with Bob Black Jack and then blew by with plenty of horse below him.

Inglwood, Calif. (November 25, 2011)—It was a day of duels as all of California’s graded stakes came down to two going for the wire. Star Billing fired down the rail to nail a relentless Summer Soiree who tried to go wire-to-wire in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (Gr. I). “She was really unbelievable today,” said jockey Victor Espinoza. “When I got alongside the other horse (Summer Soiree), my filly got a little intimidated, but hit her left-handed one time and she just took off.”

It was just in time too, as Star Billing was able to get up at the finish line.

Inglewood, Calif. (November 19, 2011)—Sanagas made an early move and ran away with the Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup. Jockey Rajiv Maragh, who got his first local stakes win, gave the 5-year-old Sanagas a tap on the shoulder going into the final turn and never had to look back.

“It was pretty straight forward,” said Maragh. “My horse got into a nice flow right away and was just pulling me around the track.” It certainly was a dominant win as Sanagas made it look easy in his second straight graded victory.

New York, NY (November 8, 2011)—NBC, NBC Network, and CNBC will air four consecutive weeks of six major prep races for the Kentucky Derby. The Jockey Club was the main force behind getting the deal done.

There will be two 90-minute live broadcasts on NBC for the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park on April 7, 2012.