The week that was in racing, Jan. 19-24, 2016

Here's a collection of some of the biggest stories in horse racing, all in one place. Unless noted, all of the links here are to free stories on DRF.com.

Graded stakes action across the country

Just one graded stakes race in North America last week, the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, but it may very well end up being the biggest upset in any graded stakes race in 2016. Lost Bus, claimed three starts back for $32,000, held on by a head over Finest City after dueling with her the whole way and holding off the surging favorite, Tara’s Tango, who was another neck back in third. Lost Bus paid a whopping $131.20 for a $2 win bet and helped trigger a pick six payout of more than $1.1 million to one lucky winner.

Other notable performances

Also on Saturday, Charming Kitten improved to a perfect 2 for 2 at the rarely run distance of two miles, pulling clear late to win the $100,000 Allen Jerkens Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 6-year-old Kitten’s Joy homebred for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Todd Pletcher sat in the pocket on the rail for most of the race, just behind front-running Roccia d’Oro, before angling out on the fourth turn and swooping past the leaders.

And speaking of good recent claims, Coastline validated his near-miss at odds of 52-1 in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes last month by winning the $75,000 Clocker’s Clocker Stakes on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course Sunday. The 5-year-old Speightstown horse ran down loose leader Rocket Heat in deep stretch, returning fast dividends for new owners Agave Racing Stable, who claimed him for $62,500 at Keeneland three starts back.

Breeding news

It was a rough week for the breeding community, with the loss of three notable stallions and two regally bred Grade 1-winning broodmares. Just weeks before the start of the breeding season, Grade 1 winner and prominent Claiborne Farm sire Arch died Jan. 20 of an apparent heart attack. The son of Kris S. was 21.

Earlier in the week, multiple Group 1 winner and outstanding sire Kingmambo was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age at Lane’s End. The son of Mr. Prospector and champion Miesque was 26.

Champion Gulch, the oldest living Breeders’ Cup winner at age 32, died Jan. 17 at Old Friends due to complications from cancer.

Claiborne experienced another loss later in the week as champion Storm Flag Flying, a third-generation Breeders' Cup winner for her remarkable family, died Jan. 22 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital due to foaling complications after delivering a Candy Ride filly. The Storm Cat mare was 16.

Grade 1 winner Somali Lemonade and her first foal, by unbeaten champion Frankel, both died last week due to foaling complications in England. The Lemon Drop Kid mare was 7.

A fire at Thoroughbred retirement facility Old Friends on Saturday morning left a barn destroyed, but fortunately no humans or equines harmed, as volunteers where able to evacuate Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup and elderly auction rescue horse Archie’s Echo without incident.

Horses to watch

Santa Anita:

TRIBAL FIGHTER
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Jan. 23, 9th
Finish: 10th by 20 1/2
Beyer: 40
This was a nightmare debut for a Tribal Rule colt that showed speed in works. He broke last, zoomed to midfield, and faded. With a clean break next out, he can be gone.

DRF Plus subscribers can see the rest of Brad Free’s horses to watch from last week by clicking here.

– reporting by Mike Hogan and Nicole Russo