CYPRESS, Calif. – Los Alamitos completed its two-week December meeting with a 2 percent increase in all-sources handle when compared to similar days in 2018, the track announced in a statement shortly after Sunday’s closing day.

The track did not publish detailed attendance and handle figures.

Average field size was 6.97 runners in the 60-race season, a decline from 7.44 during a 70-race season in December 2018. The reduction continues a trend occurring at all Southern California tracks this year.

Cholula Lips, the upset winner of Saturday’s $101,053 Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos, is likely to return to turf in her first start of 2020.

Trainer Mike Harrington said on Saturday that Cholula Lips will be considered for the $200,000 California Cup Oaks for statebred 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 18.

In an effort to improve equine safety, Santa Anita recently installed a PET scanner at its backstretch hospital that can aid in the diagnosis of pre-existing conditions.

Plans to install the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner were first announced earlier this year shortly after the track canceled racing for three weeks in March to inspect and renovate the main track following a series of equine fatalities in late February and early March.

Baja Sur, a four-time stakes winner at Emerald Downs and Golden Gate Fields, will have his Southern California stakes debut at Santa Anita in coming weeks.

Trainer Blaine Wright said over the weekend he is considering three stakes – the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs on Dec. 26, the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on turf on Dec. 26, or the $150,000 California Cup Sprint for statebreds at six furlongs on Jan. 18.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Stronach Group on Sunday announced major changes to its Pegasus World Cup Championship format including purse reductions and a medication-free format on race day for both the Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus World Cup Turf.

The Pegasus World Cup program will be run at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Prince Lucky, who was pulled up just over a quarter-mile into Saturday's Grade 3 Harlan's Holiday, is scheduled to have surgery early this week to repair bilateral sesamoid fractures in his right front leg trainer Todd Pletcher said on Sunday morning.

Jockeys Julien Couton and Silvio Amador have been suspended 30 calendar days after an incident in Thursday’s sixth race at Golden Gate Fields in which Amador aided Couton by giving away his whip in the stretch.

Couton rode Olive You More to a third-place finish, while Amador was aboard Belle Magie, who faded to finish last of nine in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies at a mile.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – What better early Christmas present could local racing fans receive than to see Imperial Hint square off against either Shancelot or X Y Jet here next Saturday in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes?

All three world-class sprinters were nominated for the seven-furlong fixture. But of that trio, only Imperial Hint will start. Trainer Jorge Navarro confirmed that neither of his two stars are ready for the assignment at this time.

Lady Apple, who won the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Park Oaks on Sept. 29, will make her next start at Sam Houston Race Park.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Thursday that the filly is being pointed to the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic. The 1 1/16-mile race is Jan. 26. Asmussen won it last year with Midnight Bisou.

Southern Phantom is arguably the most recognizable horse stabled at Remington Park. The uniquely marked son of Bodemeister has long been a social-media sensation and in November made his way to Oklahoma City after being purchased at auction at Keeneland by Danny Caldwell.

Following the close of the Remington meet Sunday, Caldwell will be racing at Oaklawn. The Hot Springs, Ark., track opens Jan. 24. Southern Phantom, who has made his seven career starts in New York, is a 3-year-old maiden and a June foal. He has settled in well, Caldwell said.