Hastings’ Weekly Winter Round-Up
Pre-season training continues ahead of our April re-start as a former Breeders’ Cup winner joins Canada’s stallions ranks and a familiar Hastings’ runner strikes in Arizona
Canada’s stallion ranks received a much-needed shot in arm this week with the news that former Breeders’ Cup winner MUCH MACHO MAN (Macho Uno) will stand at Adena Springs North in Ontario for the coming season.
Already the sire of Grade 1 winners MUCHO GUSTO (G1 Pegasus World Cup) and MUCH UNUSUAL (G1 Rodeo Drive Stakes), as well as the Grade 2-winning millionaire CITY MAN, the 16-year-old, who won an extraordinary $5.6 million over five seasons, stands at $4,500 LFSN.
Don’t Forget
Redekop’s Breeze in Derby Action
Peter Redekop’s impressive maiden winner ARCTIC BREEZE (Arrogate) takes on the boys and steps up to Stakes level at Golden Gate Field on Saturday when taking on seven rivals in the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby.
A $375,000 graduate of last year’s OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Arctic Breeze blew the doors off her Maiden rivals last month, landing the odds in what ended up being a 9 1/4-length stroll to victory. Saturday looks a tougher assignment with dual Grade 3 winner ENDLESSLY (Oscar Performance) among her opponents.
Trained by Blaine Wright, the filly will be ridden by William "Billy the Kid" Antongeorgi, with her previous pilot Evin Roman plumping for the John Sadler-trained TAPALO. The race is scheduled for 4:45pm local.
Local Hero
KHAIKY’S COMMAND, a name very familiar to Hastings racegoers, proved there’s plenty of life yet in the old dog when landing a claimer at Turf Paradise this week for owner/trainer Jamyie Pearman Cruz. Now a nine-year-old, the Paul Caravetta-bred son of SECOND IN COMMAND was notching his 16th career win.
New Stride News
West Coast Racing
Baffert’s Hopkins Back to Defend Palos Verdes Title
ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 7, 2024)—With a recent race under his belt, Bob Baffert’s Hopkins should be very tough as he defends his title in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita. A race that for many years served as Santa Anita’s traditional opening day headliner, the Palos Verdes, which will be run for the 72nd time, has attracted a field of five older sprinters.
A lightly raced full horse at age six, Hopkins had been idle nearly nine months prior to running second, beaten 1 ¼ lengths as the 4-5 favorite in a six furlong classified allowance here on Jan. 19. A close fourth going six furlongs in the Grade I Golden Shaheen in Dubai March 25, Hopkins notched his first stakes win two starts back when taking the Palos Verdes on Feb. 5, 2023 with Juan Hernandez, who aside from the Golden Shaheen, had ridden him exclusively in eight out of his nine career starts.
With Hernandez back in the saddle Saturday, Hopkins, who is by Quality Road out of the Salt Lake mare Hot Spell, should be tough to deny in his second start off the bench.
Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, et al, Hopkins is 9-3-4-0 with earnings of $359,700…
(Courtesy Santa Anita)
Fresh Horse Opportunities!
With Hastings’ generous Fresh Horse Program now up and running, it’s the perfect time to try and unearth new talent to bring to B.C. for 2024. There are several sales in the next few weeks offering horses of racing age, providing great opportunities to bring horses to Hastings in time for the new season. We’ve highlighted up-and-coming sales below. Don’t miss out!
