Nate NEwby | Horse Racing Free Tips

$17.1 Million Wagered On Santa Anita’s Cal Cup Day Highest Since 2007 Renewal

With all-sources pari-mutuel handle topping $17.2 million, Saturday's California Cup Day at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., was a rousing success both in terms of money bet and an outstanding 10-race card of state-bred racing.

“We were very pleased with field size and the tremendous response from our fans, nationwide,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita senior vice president and general manager. “We averaged 8.1 horses per race and it was great to see so many familiar faces, older horses, geldings and fillies and mares.

“I think that underscores the tremendous horsemanship we continue to see here in California and our fans love it, because they get familiar with these horses and they truly look forward to watching them run and betting on them. On the business side, our overall handle of $17.2 million was the best Cal Cup Day we've had since 2007, so that's very encouraging. We want to sincerely thank all of our owners and trainers for helping to make this happen and hopefully, it provides encouragement as well to our breeders, statewide.”

In terms of performance, several horses stand out, including Brickyard Ride's gate to wire victory in the $150,000 Don Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint. The defending champion in the race, the 5-year-old so of Clubhouse Ride, who was ridden by Juan is Hernandez, trained by Craig Lewis and owned by his breeder, Albert Pais, stopped the clock for six furlongs in 1:09.54 and earned a lofty 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

Trainer Phil D'Amato's comebacking Leggs Galore, idle since Aug. 15, successfully defended her title in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Presented by John Deere, as she motored along with Ricky Gonzalez to win gate to wire by 2 ¼ lengths, getting about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf in 1:12.00. A 5-year-old daughter of 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Bayern, Leggs Galore, who earned a 95 Beyer, was bred and is owned by William Sims.

Trainer Mark Glatt's lightly raced Aligato was another impressive Cal Cup Day winner, as he rallied powerfully to take the $200,000 Unusual Heat Classic Presented by City National Bank by 1 ¾ lengths, getting a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:48.29. Owned by Double L Racing and ridden by Flavien Prat, who tripled on the day, Aligato, a 5-year-old gelding by Kitten's Joy, got his first stakes win in his fifth career start and earned an 87 Beyer.

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Fans Donate $25,000 To CARMA Aftercare On Mathis Plush Toy Horse Promotion On Santa Anita’s Opening Day

Thanks to generous donations from fans attending Santa Anita's opening day on Dec. 26, the popular Mathis Plush Toy Horse, which was available for a $20 donation, generated a total of $25,000 for the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) and Thoroughbred aftercare.

In addition to the Plush Toy Horse, opening day fans also received a water bottle or a Mathis Mile Hat. With 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to CARMA, this event was a huge success and Mathis and Santa Anita Park have already committed to doing the same promotion next year.

“We're thrilled to have raised $25,000 for CARMA, a non-profit organization that will ensure each racehorse has a bright future after racing,” said Bill Mathis, president of Mathis Brothers. “Together with the thousands of fans who participated on Santa Anita's opening day, Mathis Brothers is proud to have helped put the horse first.”

For his part, Santa Anita senior vice president and general manager Nate Newby echoed the sentiments expressed by Bill Mathis.

“We can't thank our fans and Mathis Brothers enough for their tremendous support of Thoroughbred aftercare,” said Newby. “Each dollar raised from this promotion is going directly to CARMA to support the rehabilitation, retraining and retirement of California-raced Thoroughbreds.”

The Grade 2 Mathis Mile, which was transferred from turf to the main track on opening day, was won by the Michael McCarthy-trained Law Professor who paid $10.20 under Jose Ortiz. Owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Law Professor got one mile on a fast track in 1:37.41.

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Business Brisk For Santa Anita Opener

In spite of six races moved from the turf to the dirt, resulting in 10 program scratches, a total of $2.3 million was wagered on track and total pari-mutuel handle was $19.4 million, making it the third-best opening day figures ever.

“We really want to thank the fans for supporting us and the horsemen for going with the changes and participating,” said Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nate Newby. “Although it didn't rain yesterday, we had over 4 1/2 inches of rain in the five days leading into Sunday, so the decision was made to come off the turf.

“I want to acknowledge the great job Dennis Moore and his team did yesterday in having the main track in tremendous shape. We had great racing and some great performances, just a fabulous day,” Newby added.

The post Business Brisk For Santa Anita Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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TVG’s Weaver Wins Inaugural Folds Of Honor Poker Tournament At Santa Anita

Santa Anita Park's inaugural “Folds of Honor” Charity Poker Tournament, held Saturday night following the races in the Arcadia, Calif., track's Player's Lounge, located above Clockers' Corner, was deemed a rousing success as more than $50,000 was raised to help provide scholarships to spouses and children of disabled or fallen American military veterans.

A large contingent of Santa Anita fans, jockeys, agents, owners, trainers, employees, and other racing industry personalities helped to make the event a success.

“We were very gratified with the turn-out and the support we were able to provide to Folds of Honor,” said Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby. “One hundred percent of the money won went to the Folds of Honor Foundation. This is a tremendous cause and I think everyone senses we have an obligation to help the families of those who have given so much in the defense of our freedom. We look forward to expanding this event and hosting it again next year.”

Among those Santa Anita-based jockeys that participated last night were Joe Bravo, Abel Cedillo, Kyle Frey, Ricky Gonzalez, Juan Hernandez, Edwin Maldonado, Tiago Pereira, and Jessica Pyfer. Trainers included Vladimir Cerin, Ryan Hanson, Doug O'Neill, and Jonathan Wong.

Frank Mirahmadi, the Voice of Santa Anita, and TVG's Dave Weaver, who credited “beginner's luck” in making a winning “all-in” bet with Queen-Nine, off-suit, headed an enthusiastic group of Santa Anita employees and Thoroughbred owners.

The Folds of Honor Foundation, which has awarded more than 35,000 educational scholarships, was represented by retired United States Marine Corps Sergeant and P.O.W. Rocky Stickmann, who was one of 65 Americans taken hostage by Iranian extremists at the U.S. embassy in Teheran on Nov. 4, 1979. Stickman and his fellow Americans were held captive for 444 days until their release on the first day of Ronald Reagan's presidency on Jan. 20, 1981.

Santa Anita's current Autumn Meet will draw to a close next Sunday, Oct. 31, with first post time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-7223.

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