Pepper Crown’s victory in Sunday’s Grade 3 Berkeley at Golden Gate Fields earned him the nominal title of Northern California’s top handicap runner. Earlier in the year, he won the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile and the Rolling Green.

Owner-breeder-trainer Alex Paszkeicz made out very well, as the 4-year-old Peppered Cat colt earned $272,937 this year, not including California-bred bonuses. Fans of Pepper Crown were rewarded with a $94.20 payout in the Mile, $23.20 in the Rolling Green, and $33.40 in the Berkeley. A $2 parlay on the three stakes would have returned $18,203.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It looks like trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. will have a very pleasant problem on his hands this winter: trying to separate his two Kentucky Derby prospects, Mr. Jordan and Souper Colossal.

Art Sherman, who based his operation in Northern California for many years, will be honored by Golden Gate Fields and feted by his many friends and fans here Saturday.

Sherman trained California Chrome to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness this year. The colt might have locked up Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and the nation’s top 3-year-old male with his victory last Saturday in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on turf.

It’s the time of year when soon-to-be 3-year-olds begin to ease their way into the racing spotlight. On Saturday at Golden Gate Fields, 2-year-olds stretch out to a mile in the $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes in preparation for the California Derby and Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby, a race that offers qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Phil Bauer didn’t win here at Churchill Downs this fall until the final race of the meet, but it sure was worth the wait.

Bauer sent out a first-time starter named Calmbeforethestorm to a visually impressive triumph in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race in the meet finale Sunday, with the colt overcoming a poor start to prevail by a length. Calmbeforethestorm, by Stormy Atlantic, was 20-1 on the morning line but paid $6.20 as the favorite in a field of 10 2-year-olds.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ken and Sarah Ramsey tied with Gary and Mary West for leading owner at the 24-day Churchill Downs meet with 12 wins each, allowing the Ramseys to extend their own Churchill record for the most meet titles by an owner to 23. It was the second Churchill title for the Wests. Either couple could have won the title outright in the 10th race Sunday, but Kitten’s Queen (Ramseys) ran third, and Flashy Gal (Wests) ran fourth.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bob Baffert wasn’t even here for closing weekend of the Churchill Downs fall meet, and yet he was most responsible for the racing memories that will linger through the long Kentucky winter.

Baffert not only won the annual fall highlight, the Grade 1 Clark Handicap, with Hoppertunity on Friday, but he also was represented by a 2-year-old whose victory on the Stars of Tomorrow card Saturday was so awe-inspiring that the colt drew the most backing among individual interests in the opening pool of the 2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The Belmont Child Care Association will hold its annual holiday event Saturday at Belmont Park, where children of backstretch workers will get to buy presents for their parents and siblings.

The event is held at the Turf and Field Club at Belmont Park from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – David Hinsley posted a training double on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, taking the opener with Hashtag Giddy Up ($9.20) and the ninth race with On the River ($19.20). Fan favorite Rosemary Homeister Jr. piloted On the River and received a warm round of applause as she returned to the winner’s circle. Homeister, who has finished second in the standings at Tampa twice during her career, had been absent since February 2011 when she stopped riding after becoming pregnant with her first child. Victoria Rose was born in August of that year.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – “Good luck and good racing!”

It’s a simple five-word phrase, but much like Tom Durkin’s “at the Spaaaaaaaa,” Richard Grunder’s trademark salute to the fans following the completion of his daily announcement of scratches and changes is completely unique and an indelible part of Tampa Bay Downs’s charm.