Owner Repole branches out to West Coast with Trelawny claim

ARCADIA, Calif. – Prominent New York owner Mike Repole is branching out to the West Coast.

On Saturday, Repole claimed Trelawny, the runner-up in the ninth race at Santa Anita, for $40,000 through trainer Michael McCarthy. Trelawny is expected to stay in California.

“It will the first time he’s had a horse in training in California,” McCarthy said Sunday.

Trelawny was beaten a nose by Avare in the optional claimer over a mile on turf.

Repole is best known as the owner of Uncle Mo, the champion 2-year-old male of 2010. In recent years, Repole has been a leading owner at Saratoga along with trainer Todd Pletcher. McCarthy is a former assistant to Pletcher and is building a stable at Santa Anita.

“Anytime you claim a horse for an owner of his caliber, it’s a nice boost,” McCarthy said.

Trelawny, a 7-year-old gelding, has won 11 of 39 starts and earned $435,013. In 2012, Trelawny was third in the Champion Energy Service Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

Race winner Avare was claimed by Dean Pederson on behalf of a partnership. Avare won the 2012 Eddie Logan Stakes here and the 2013 Pomona Derby at Barretts Sales and Racing at the Los Angeles County Fair.