SANTA ANITA STABLE NOTES

By Ed Golden —-

FUTURE STARS DISPLAY THEIR TALENT HERE FRIDAY
JOCKEY RACE COULD GO RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE
TRAINER JEFF BONDE EYES A GOLDEN STATE DOUBLE
TWILIGHT DERBY IS ON LEADER DOUG O’NEILL’S RADAR
SHUBACK SIGNS ‘HOLLYWOOD AT THE RACES’ SUNDAY
CLOCKER: JUVENILE FAVORITES MUST OVERCOME RAIL

The eagerly anticipated Breeders’ Cup championships begin tomorrow at Santa Anita with Future Stars Friday, featuring two-year-olds in five races worth $7 million in purse money.

Private clocker and bloodstock agent Gary Young has been observing the participants during their morning workouts and had his opinion at the ready, although with limited reservations about the chances of favored Donna Veloce (3-1 in the Juvenile Fillies) and Dennis’ Moment (8-5 in the Juvenile) since each drew the number one post position in their respective races.

“They’ve both shown brilliance, although Dennis’ Moment has more experience than Donna Veloce,” Young said as the sun rose while horses went through their paces on a brisk and beautiful Thursday morning.

“They’re probably going to be up front anyway, probably make the lead, especially Dennis’ Moment. You can just see the Tiznow (sire) in him.

“There’s no question about Donna Veloce’s brilliance, but whether she can beat horses of this quality and experience going a mile and 1/16 off her debut win at 6 ½ furlongs, we’ll obviously find out.”

Post time for Friday’s first live race is 10:45 a.m., with admission gates opening at 8:30 a.m. Post time for the first live race on Saturday, day two of the Breeders’ Cup, is 10 a.m., with admission gates opening at 8 a.m.

Early reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends next Sunday, Nov. 3. Turn your clock back one hour Saturday night, Nov. 2.

PRAT, CEDILLO IN TIGHT RACE FOR RIDING CROWN

The race for leading rider could go down to the wire on closing day, Sunday.

Through 19 days of Santa Anita’s 23-day Autumn Meet, Abel Cedillo holds a 19-18 lead over Flavien Prat, with apprentice Jorge Velez five wins behind in third.

Cedillo also leads Prat in money won, $1,142,682 to $998,837.

“It’s enjoyable to be in this position, challenging a rider like Prat, with as much business as he has,” said Cedillo’s agent, Tom Knust. “To be in competition with him is an achievement, and the same can be said about the ‘bug’ rider, Velez.”

The 30-year-old Cedillo could be limited in his challenge for the title as he has been handed a three-day suspension for causing interference on Keeper Ofthe Stars in last Saturday’s seventh race, and the first of those days is Sunday, final day of the meet.

He will serve his last two days on Nov. 8 and 9.

BONDE SEEKS DOUBLE IN RICH GOLDEN STATE RACES

Jeff Bonde is optimistic Smiling Shirlee will give a good account of herself in Friday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies for two-year-olds at seven furlongs.

The daughter of Smiling Tiger won her debut race last July, then was a creditable third in the Generous Portion for California-bred or sired fillies, which was similar in conditions save for the distance, which was a furlong shorter.

“She’s training very well for the race and she’s got a good rider (Joel Rosario), so we’re looking forward to it,” Bonde said.

Bonde also has Tap Back entered in Friday’s $200,000 Golden State Juvenile for two-year-old colts and gelding at seven furlongs,

“He’s trained really well for the race,” Bonde said of the son of Einstein, who hit the board in two Cal-bred stakes in his last two starts after a debut victory on Aug. 16. “Shady Empire (also trained by Bonde) will not run. He drew the outside post.”

The Juvenile Fillies, race three: Homehome, Mario Gutierrez, 30-1; Almost a Factor, Geovanni Franco, 15-1; Wicked Fresh, Joe Talamo, 30-1; Warren’s Showtime, Jorge Velez, 4-1; Stradari, Flavien Prat, 10-1; Bella Renella, Eduardo Rojas Fernandez, 30-1; Mandy, Paco Lopez, 12-1; Bulletproof, Javier Castellano, 3-1; Cholula Lips, Rafael Bejarano, 12-1; Warm Summer, Irad Ortiz Jr., 15-1; Been Studying Her, Mike Smith, 5-2; and Smiling Shirlee, Joel Rosario, 8-1.

TRAINING LEADER O’NEILL EYES TWILIGHT DERBY VICTORY

Doug O’Neill, runaway leader among trainers with 20 victories from 69 starters, a sparkling 29 percent, hopes to add to his laurels Saturday with Ocean Fury in the Grade II, $200,000 Qatar Twilight Derby for three-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Claimed for $50,000 on May 5, the son of Stormy Atlantic has two wins from four subsequent starts and seeks his first stakes victory in the Twilight Derby.

“I like him a lot,” said O’Neill’s long-time assistant Leandro Mora. “He was a little green at first but he’s starting to get more mature. I was impressed with the way he won here (Sept. 27, coming from mid-pack to score by 1 ¼ lengths in an overnight race at a mile on grass). That’s what motivated Doug to enter this race.”

The Twilight Derby, race three of 12 live races: Originaire, Mike Smith, 8-1; Hackberry, Flavien Prat, 15-1; Nolde, Victor Espinoza, 7-2; Temple, Manuel Franco, 20-1; Succeedandsurpass, John Velazquez, 10-1; Jais’s Solitude, Irad Ortiz Jr., 15-1; Ocean Fury, Rafael Bejarano, 10-1; Neptune’s Storm, Ricardo Santana Jr., 4-1; Kingly, Mario Gutierrez, 5-1; Gray Magician, Javier Castellano, 8-1; Henley’s Joy, Jose Ortiz, 10-1; Real Master, Brice Blanc, 50-1; and Mo Forza, Joel Rosario, 20-1.

SHUBACK’S ‘HOLLYWOOD AT THE RACES’ AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SUNDAY

Longtime DRF columnist and foreign correspondent Alan Shuback will be on hand to sign his newly released book, “Hollywood at the Races,” on Sunday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. near the Gift Shop in the East Paddock Gardens.

Horse racing was so popular and influential between 1930 and 1960 that nearly 150 racing themed films were released, including “A Day at the Races,” “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry,” and “National Velvet.”

This fast-paced gossipy history explores the relationship between the Hollywood film industry, the horse racing industry, and the extraordinary participation of producers, directors and actors in the Sport of Kings.

Celebrity presence at the racetrack generated a bevy of attention from eager photographers and movie columnists, as well as free publicity for their new films. Moreover, entertainment titans such as Louis B. Mayer, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Betty Grable and Don Ameche were all major Thoroughbred owners, while Mickey Rooney, Chico Marx and John Huston were notorious for their unsuccessful forays to the betting windows.

“Hollywood has gone nuts over horse racing, and by the same token, horse racing has gone nuts over Hollywood,”—Ed Sullivan.

FINISH LINES: Agent Mike Ciani now represents Aaron Gryder and Jose Valdivia Jr., while Tommy Ball has taken the book of Kent Desormeaux . . . Veteran trainer Ed Moger Jr., a racing department’s dream when it comes to filling races, especially at Golden Gate Fields, has five horses entered in today’s seven races at the Bay Area track.

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Breeders’ Cup Memories: Midnight Lute Powers Home in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Park

A Candid Conversation With Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith: Arrogate and Justify

A Candid Conversation With Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith: Zenyatta

A Candid Conversation With Trainer Peter Eurton

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Ambassadorial (Chapple-Hyam) 10-29-19

Shekky Shebaz (Servis) 10-29-19

Blue Chipper (Young Kwan) 10-29-19