F E A T U R E
The Best Of 2013
California-Bred Champions by RUDI GROOTHEDDE The Golden State’s 2013 champions will be honored during this year’s Annual Awards Dinner of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) being held at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley on Monday, Feb. 10, starting at 7:00 p.m. The association will also hold its Annual Business Meeting at 4:00 p.m., followed by a Cocktail Party two hours later. As usual, trophies are up for grabs in nine divisions, including the prestigious California Horse of the Year accolade, and this editorial provides the overall records of the leading contenders for these honors that were also OLDER MALES
OLDER FEMALES
A Jealous Woman m. 7. Muqtarib—Miss Free Bird Breeders: Denise Kim Thorson & Nick Tamborrino 2013 Record: 7-1-1-0 & $86,700 including Megahertz Stakes Bench Glory m. 6. Benchmark—Image of Glory Breeder: Harris Farms Inc. 2013 Record: 5-1-0-0 & $70,946 including Irish O’Brien Stakes Curvy Cat f. 4. Ministers Wild Cat—Curvy Girl Breeder: Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC 2013 Record: 12-2-1-2 & $187,202 including B Thoughtful Stakes Halo Dolly f. 4. Popular—Spanish Halo Breeders: Rod & Lorraine Rodriguez 2013 Record: 10-3-2-2 & $234,360 including Wilshire Handicap (GIII) & Solana Beach Handicap Luscious Lonna m. 5. Benchmark—Striking Point Breeder: Nick Alexander 2013 Record: 6-2-3-0 & $89,470 including Golden Poppy Stakes Sister Kate m. 5. Benchmark—Miss Soft Sell Breeder: Mary H. Caldwell 2013 Record: 10-3-0-3 & $159,418 including Santa Lucia Stakes & California Governor’s Cup Handicap Tasty Treat f. 4. Roar—Vividora Breeder: John J. Greely III 2013 Record: 4-2-1-0 & $151,880 including Daisycutter Handicap Teddy’s Promise f. 4. Salt Lake—Braids and Beads Breeders: Ted & Judy Nichols 2013 Record: 8-4-2-1 & $397,416 including Santa Monica Handicap (GIII), L.A. Woman Stakes, Playa Del Rey Stakes & Time To Leave Stakes Tiz Flirtatious f. 3. Tizbud—Masquerade Belle Breeder: Pamela Ziebarth 2013 Record: 7-4-1-0 & $505,000 including Rodeo Drive Stakes (GI), John C. Mabee Stakes (GII), Santa Ana Stakes (GII) & Valentine Dancer Stakes Unusual Hottie f. 4. Unusual Heat—Branca Como Neve (Brz) Breeder: Ali Nilforushan Equestrian LLC 2013 Record: 6-3-1-1 & $204,740 including Fran’s Valentine Stakes & Redondo Beach Stakes Warrens Venedalucy f. 4. Doc Gus—State the Obvious Breeder: Benjamin C. Warren 2013 Record: 10-3-3-1 & $90,840 including Bold Ego Handicap
Ain’t No Other g. 5. Old Topper—Miami Margie Breeder: Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC 2013 Record: 10-2-2-2 & $172,112 including Sensational Star Stakes & Jess Jackson Owners’ Handicap A Toast to You g. 4. Tribal Rule—Whitewinesipper Breeder: Hidden Meadows Farm LLC 2013 Record: 9-1-2-2 & $119,980 including California Flag Handicap He Be Fire N Ice h. 5. Unusual Heat—Deputy Tombe Breeder: St. George’s Farm 2013 Record: 9-4-2-0 & $277,380 including California Dreamin’ Handicap John Scott g. 6. Bertrando—Henlopen Breeders: Harris Farms Inc. & Scott Gross 2013 Record: 2-1-0-1 & $78,000 including Crystal Water Stakes Kate’s Event h. 6. Event of the Year—Nordidid Breeder: William Henry Ziering 2013 Record: 8-3-1-0 & $191,356 including Tiznow Stakes L.A. Weekend g. 5. Tribal Rule—Storybook Fair Breeder: Dennis Johnston 2013 Record: 7-5-0-0 & $120,930 including Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap, Caballos Del Sol Stakes & Coyote Handicap Luckarack g. 5. Lucky Pulpit—Tamarack Bay Breeders: Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams 2013 Record: 13-3-1-4 & $146,535 including Governor’s Cup Handicap Ourwestcoastghost g. 5. Muqtarib—Xpress Xcess Breeders: Ron & Lillian Lang & D. Wayne Baker 2013 Record: 6-3-0-0 & $93,092 including Casual Lies Handicap Points Offthebench g. 4. Benchmark—Mo Chuisle Breeder: Gary Rocks 2013 Record: 5-4-1-0 & $434,780 including Bing Crosby Stakes (GI) & Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (GI) Rousing Sermon c. 4. Lucky Pulpit—Rousing Again Breeders: Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams 2013 Record: 10-3-2-3 & $218,342 including On Trust Handicap Summer Hit g. 4. Bertrando—Mia F Eighteen Breeder: Kenneth & Janice Heidt 2013 Record: 9-5-1-1 & $316,758 including All American Stakes (GIII), Berkeley Handicap (GIII) & Harry F. Brubaker Stakes
32 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • FEBRUARY 2014
Tiz Flirtatious
©Benoit
©Benoit
Points Offthebench
included on the official ballot mailed out to the CTBA membership last month. Among the leading nominees vying for silverware are the 10 individual California-bred winners of 14 separate graded stakes races in 2013, including the deceased Points Offthebench, a two-time grade I winner last year, grade I and dual grade II winner Tiz Flirtatious, grade I winner Tamarando and grade II winners Doinghardtimeagain, Ethnic Dance, Gervinho and Teddy’s Promise. However, each and every one of the Cal-breds listed as follows can be applauded for once again ensuring that the Golden State remains a major force in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry nationwide.
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