The Chosen Vron takes top California-bred honors

The Chosen Vron, winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes for sprinters at Del Mar last July, was named the 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year in a ceremony at a hotel in Arcadia on Tuesday.

The Chosen Vron won 6 of 7 starts and earned $627,000 in 2023, all in stakes, including five races for statebreds. He was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November in his only loss.

A 6-year-old gelding, The Chosen Vron has won two subsequent starts for statebreds. He is entered in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita.

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In addition to his Horse of the Year title, The Chosen Vron was named champion sprinter and champion older male. The Chosen Vron races for the partnership of John Sondereker, Robert Fetkin, Richard Thornburgh, and trainer Eric Kruljac.

Kruljac was honored as California’s champion trainer by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

In other categories, Yo Yo Candy was recognized as champion 2-year-old male, while Grand Slam Smile was champion 2-year-old filly.

Ceiling Crusher, winner of the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing last fall, was recognized as champion 3-year-old filly. One in Vermillion was champion 3-year-old male.

The recently retired Closing Remarks, the winner of four Grade 2 races in 2023, was named champion older female and turf horse.

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