Southern California

Scott Chaney has been appointed Executive Director of the California Horse Racing Board, Chairman Greg Ferraro announced Thursday. Chaney, who assumed the post Thursday, replaces Rick Baedeker, who retired on March 31. Chaney has been a steward in California since 2005, serving initially on the Southern California thoroughbred circuit and most recently at the Los […]

On second thought, Rafael Bejarano is staying in Southern California. Citing “scarce opportunities,” in Southern California two weeks ago, agent Tora Yamaguchi said the 37-year-old native of Peru would be riding regularly in Kentucky after the Santa Anita Derby on April 4. At that time, Bejarano had four wins from 66 mounts here, but has […]

Rafael Bejarano, a long-time successful fixture on the Southern California circuit, will make a fresh start come April, his agent, Tora Yamaguchi, said Friday morning. “He’s enjoyed his time here, but as of late, opportunities here have been scarce,” Yamaguchi said. “He’ll remain here through the Santa Anita Derby (April 4), then will consider going […]

A new circuit, riding titles and multiple graded stakes victories led to overwhelming support for Abel Cedillo to be honored as TVG Breakthrough Jockey of the Year for 2019. The award is voted on by a panel of industry experts who select a Jockey of the Week for JockeyTalk360.com based on weekly riding accomplishments by […]

On Saturday, Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza will ride Midcourt for trainer John Shirreffs in the Grade III $100,000 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar. A victory would be stakes win No. 102 for Espinoza at Del Mar and move him within six of Corey Nakatani for the No. 2 spot on the track’s […]

Jockey Joe Talamo, two shy of his 2,000th career victory, is scheduled to ride four mounts on Saturday in quest of the milestone. Records show Talamo, 29, won No. 1,000 on April 4, 2012 in the fourth race at Santa Anita aboard Splendid Fortune, an Arnold Zetcher homebred trained by Bob Baffert. The 2-5 favorite […]

As the days during which racing was suspended at Santa Anita mounted up last winter, taking a toll on all horsemen, Tyler Baze was faced with a dilemma. Ride out the storm of troubles in Southern California, his home and base of operations for most of his 20-year career. Or leave the work-less days and […]

At a special Board of Directors meeting held Sunday, October 27, the leadership of California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) voted to assist in immediate fund-raising for the Southern California Equine Foundation (SCEF) purchase of an equine MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) facility to be added to the Equine Imaging Center at Santa Anita Park. The proven technology […]

Dan Hendricks, who has trained horses on the Southern California circuit since 1981, will send out his last starter this afternoon when R L Stable’s Matson goes postward in the 10th race at Del Mar, a $50,000 maiden-claimer for 2-year-olds. “Don’t really have any plans,” said the 61-year-old conditioner when asked about his decision. “Time […]