Spiced Perfection named 2018 California-bred horse of the year

Spiced Perfection, winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26, was named the 2018 California-bred horse of the year in a ceremony Monday in San Gabriel, Calif.

Spiced Perfection also was honored as the champion 3-year-old filly and champion sprinter.

Owned by Dare to Dream Stables and trained by Brian Koriner in 2018, Spiced Perfection won 4 of 8 starts and earned $455,125 in her championship season.

The La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies was by far her most prestigious win. By Smiling Tiger, Spiced Perfection won two other stakes for statebreds – the Evening Jewel Stakes at Santa Anita in April and the Betty Grable Stakes at Del Mar in November.

Spiced Perfection was sold privately earlier this year and is now trained by Peter Miller for Adam Wachtel, Peter Deutsch, and Len Schleifer. Spiced Perfection was second in the Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel earlier this month in her first start for those owners. She is a candidate for the Grade 1 Madison Stakes on April 6 at Keeneland, Miller said recently.

Monday’s ceremony was hosted by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Among 2-year-olds, Cruel Intention was recognized as champion male, while Give Me a Hunt was honored as the outstanding filly.

Take the One O One was voted champion 3-year-old male, Fly to Mars was champion older male and turf horse, and Miss Sunset was voted champion older male.

Phil D’Amato received the award for trainer of the year. The CTBA added two inductees to its Hall of Fame – longtime owner and breeder John Barr and the horse Crystal Water.