Southern California

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 […]

The Santa Anita winter/spring meeting lost 24 racing days either in the name of safety or not having enough horses to race four days a week. Los Alamitos cancelled three racing days during its three-week meeting due to a lack of entries. That was the situation facing Del Mar Thoroughbred Club executive vice president, racing […]

Nick Alexander is a staple throughout the Southern California horse racing scene as a respected owner, breeder, and local car dealership owner that just can’t ever seem to say “no.” XBTV’s own Millie Ball caught up with the Chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California recently to discuss horses, cars, and his deep rooted history […]

Edwin Maldonado is not the leading jockey at Santa Anita this meet, but at five feet six, he’s certainly among the tallest, and with 13 wins from 63 mounts, a gaudy 21 percent, he is fifth in the standings, thanks in the main to good luck and hard work. The 35-year-old native of Columbus, Ohio, […]

The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, May 23, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Fred Maas, Araceli Ruano, and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the […]

The Daily Racing Form reports that a pair of Southern California trainers, Mike Pender and Marcelo Polanco, have officially been ordered to vacate their stalls at Santa Anita Park. The citations behind those orders include “an undisclosed horse welfare issue” for Pender and “training a horse on behalf of another person” for Polanco. A hearing into […]

Ignacio Puglisi is back on track in a career that began 29 years ago when he was a mere pup of 16. Now 45, but still fit, formidable and friendly, the jockey pals refer to as ‘Iggy’ is doing what he loves best–riding horses. “I’ve been back since mid-November now, so it’s been a while,” said […]

Tyler Baze, among the top jockeys on the Southern California circuit, was scheduled to ride three horses Sunday in his first day as a regular at Oaklawn. Baze, 36, will be represented by agent Joe Santos, who has booked mounts at the meet for David Cabrera, Israel Rodriguez and apprentice Luis Fuentes. Arkansas Racing Commission […]

Heriberto Figueroa is one of the best-kept secrets on the Southern California circuit so far, but that’s likely to change soon. Winning races in bunches for assorted trainers will do that. “He’s learning every day; that’s what we’re concentrating on,” said his agent, Nelson Arroyo. “He’s getting better every day and he has all the […]

With a successful homecoming week that included two graded stakes victories, Joel Rosario was named Jockeys’ Guild Foundation Detox Jockey of the Week for December 26 – 30, 2018. The award is voted on by a panel of experts for riding accomplishments by members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 […]