All-sources handle in California continues to show declines compared to 2024, according to data released at Thursday’s California Horse Racing Board meeting.
Through September, handle at all venues in the state, including ontrack, simulcast, and account wagering sources, was more than $1.98 billion, a decline of 5 percent from a figure of more than $2.09 million in 2024.
The California Horse Racing Board approved racing days for 2026 for the Southern California Thoroughbred circuit that largely mirrors a calendar in place since 2017.
The board also approved a year-round night meeting at Los Alamitos for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds.
Later at the meeting, the board heard from a promoter of Northern California racing about the desire to resume race meetings in that part of the state for the first time since 2024.
Iron Orchard and Percy’s Bar are both being pointed to the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 31 at Del Mar, according to their respective trainers.
Iron Orchard won the Frizette on Oct. 4 at Aqueduct to remain unbeaten in three career starts, while Percy’s Bar finished first in the Alcibiades on Oct. 3 at Keeneland but was disqualified for interference and placed second to the elevated Tommy Jo.
Iron Orchard is based at Saratoga. She was winning her second stakes – and first start against open company – in the one-turn Frizette.
Sweet Azteca had to overcome a minor setback at the end of September that cost her a scheduled workout, but the 5-year-old mare returned to her usual regimen on Oct. 11 and remains firmly on track for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
“She had a slight temperature, but the blood was good,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “I think it was a small virus or something. I really couldn’t pinpoint it. Missed a few days and a work, but she’s healthy now.”
Trainer Kenny McPeek said Wednesday he is hopeful jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will be able to be back aboard Mystik Dan for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Hernandez was unable to team with the Kentucky Derby winner last month, when Mystik Dan won the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs, because he was rehabbing from injuries he sustained in a spill a week earlier. Hernandez broke seven ribs, punctured a lung, and suffered a small laceration to his liver.
A horse intended for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar has raced six times on the Del Mar grass course and never lost. That horse, just a 4-year-old, has won multiple Grade 1s, has an overall mark of 8 for 14 on turf, and since his trainer began racing him without blinkers four starts ago has three wins and an unlucky fourth.
Gezora was 13th in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on Oct. 5, a loss trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is eager to forget.
“She found herself really far back, which was impossible in the Arc,” he said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Best known for winning the Group 1 French Oaks in June, Gezora’s season is not over. She is scheduled to race outside of Europe for the first time in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Horse of the Year fondly known as "The Grizzly" by her connections and fans, has been retired, and a 20 percent interest in her as a broodmare prospect will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale the week of the Breeders’ Cup.
Tawny Port thrives on activity. That was evident in a five-week period from late August to early October, when Tawny Port finished second in three rich stakes at Kentucky Downs and Woodbine.
The efforts have convinced Peachtree Stable and trainer Miguel Clement to plan a start for Tawny Port in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
“The last five weeks, he’s run three terrific races,” Clement said on Wednesday. “It gives us confidence.”
Twice in the last five years, the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint has gone to a horse coming from Europe, with Glass Slippers breaking through for the international set in 2020 at Keeneland, and Starlust upsetting the race last year at Del Mar. The international contingent coming to Del Mar for this year’s renewal will become clearer after this weekend, with who runs – or doesn’t run – on British Champions Day Saturday playing a role.
