#Cal Cup

Trainer Peter Miller was worried he might not have Thirsty John fit enough for Saturday's Cal Cup Derby at Santa Anita off an eight-month layoff, but his plan worked out just fine on a racing day devoted to Cal-breds. Miller had Thirsty John fit enough to go gate to wire and hold off stablemate Giver Not a Taker by a half length in the $200000 race…

Carmelita's Man. (Benoit Photo) Stable Notes By Victor Ryan / ARCADIA, Calif.-The 10th and final race on Saturday's California Cup program is the $200000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for older state-breds going 1 ⅛ miles on turf. While a field of nine was entered, led by 2-1 morning-line favorite Carmelita's Man, only eight will go postward as The…

The first full weekend of live racing action in 2023 features a pair of Kentucky Derby prep races - the Jerome Stakes from Aqueduct on Saturday and the Sham Stakes from Santa Anita on Sunday. Both races offer 10-4-3-2-1 qualifying points towards the Kentucky Derby to the top five finishers. Saturday's $150000 Jerome Stakes has drawn a field of…

Santa Anita Barn Notes: The Chosen Vron Seeks 4th Straight Stakes Win (The Chosen Vron / Benoit Photo & Courtesy of Santa Anita) From the Santa Anita Media Team: THE CHOSEN VRON GOES FOR 4TH STRAIGHT STAKES WIN IN CAL CUP SPRINT The ultra-consistent and versatile California-bred The Chosen Vron, a winner of three-straight stakes for trainer Eric…

The Saturday card from Santa Anita Park features the California Cup Sprint. Giver Not a Taker was installed as the morning line favorite. Post: 12:00 PM PT; $150k Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6 #2 BIG CITY LIGHTS (8-5) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one…

The nation's newest wager premieres this Saturday and Sunday when the Coast-to-Coast Pick Five ties together races from Gulfstream and Santa Anita. The $1 pick five bet will be offered each weekend in January, February, March and April and has a low 15% takeout. Races selected for the weekly wagers will be announced each Wednesday (for Saturday)…