California Horse Racing Board investigating controversial claim
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DEL MAR, Calif. – The $50,000 claim of the 3-year-old Liam Smith in a two-way random shake at Del Mar on Aug. 27 has prompted allegations that a claim was made to protect the colt from an ownership change and led to an investigation by the California Horse Racing Board.
Liam Smith won the $50,000 claiming race by 12 lengths in a fast time.
Liam Smith was claimed by Altamira Racing Stable, owned by prominent trainer Peter Miller. Liam Smith was claimed from trainer Jeff Mullins and owner Les Blake. Blake has horses based with Miller.
Trainer Bob Hess Jr. submitted the unsuccessful claim on behalf of an ownership group that included Todd Cady, who recently submitted a complaint to the racing board alleging that Miller claimed Liam Smith to prevent Blake from losing ownership.
Cady cited several racing board rules in his complaint, notably a clause that “prohibits any agreement between racing interests for the mutual protection of each others horses.”
Cady requested that the racing board review the claim for a potential rule violation.
“If the claim is found invalid, that it be voided and awarded to the other claimant, Bob Hess,” Cady wrote.
Racing board executive director Scott Chaney acknowledged an email this week that the regulatory board has received two complaints regarding circumstances of the claim, but declined to elaborate on the details of an investigation.
In a recent interview, Miller said he claimed the horse for himself. Miller said he sought permission from Blake to pursue the claim on the basis that the colt would be the subject of multiple claims.
“I called Les a week ago,” Miller said. “I said, ‘You’re going to lose this horse. I’d like to claim this horse. I did ask permission.
“I’m the owner of the horse.”
Liam Smith led throughout the $50,000 claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs, and finished in the quick time of 1:14.35. Liam Smith earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 107, the fastest of the current Del Mar summer meeting by a sprinter through Thursday.
By comparison, Listenupshance earned a 104 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 25, the most prestigious sprint of the meeting.
Blake did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Friday.
Blake had 10 starters at Del Mar in August – four trained by Miller and Mullins, and two trained by Antonio Garcia.
Miller said he did not have any immediate races planned for Liam Smith. “There are a lot of options,” he said.
Under racing board rules, a claimed horse cannot be sold or transferred for racing within 30 days of a claim.
“If I sell him, it won’t be for $50,000. It could be to Gary Barber,” Miller said in reference to another of his clients.
“It could be to Les Blake. It could be to anyone.”
Liam Smith has won 3 of 5 starts. He was claimed for $50,000 by Blake and Mullins from a maiden race at Santa Anita in January. For them, Liam Smith won a starter allowance by 11 lengths on Feb. 6, finished third in an allowance race at five furlongs on turf on July 31, and won easily on Aug. 27.
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Miller has had massive success with claims in the past. In October 2016, Miller claimed Stormy Liberal for $40,000 on behalf of Rockingham Ranch. Stormy Liberal won consecutive runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in 2017 and Churchill Downs in 2018. He had his final start in late 2019.
“I’m hoping he’s another Stormy Liberal,” Miller said of Liam Smith.
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