Hector Berrios

GSW Stay Hot (Summer Front) may have been the 6-5 choice in the GII Twilight Derby after finishing in front of Atitlan (c, 3, The Factor--Armanda {Ger}, by Acatenango {Ger}) in both a La Jolla Handicap win and a GII Del Mar Derby placing, but it was the latter who is an improving sort and inverted the results Saturday at Santa Anita to secure his first stakes win. Cathal (Ire) (No Nay Never) finished third in his first stakes try. With Curlin's Kaos (Clubhouse Ride) speeding to the front early...

In defending his title in Del Mar's GI Bing Crosby Stakes, The Chosen Vron (g, 6, Vronsky--Tiz Molly, by Tiz Wonderful) showed why he's the most popular California-bred in years, harkening back to other multiple Grade I winners from the Golden State the likes of California Chrome, Tiznow, and Best Pal. The Bing Crosby is a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November, giving the popular chestnut another try and a fees-paid berth into the six-furlong championship race after finishing fifth last year. Closethegame Sugar...

Favored to defend his title in Sunday's GIII San Juan Capistrano S., Planetario (Brz) didn't disappoint, breaking his own course record over the 1 3/4-mile distance at Santa Anita in the process. Installed the 3-5 choice to repeat, the 6-year-old settled at the back as longshots Bee Catcher (English Channel) and Rimprotector (Point of Entry) led through moderate early fractions. Turning for home, 5-2 second choice Rockemperor closed resolutely from the outside, while Planetario launched his own bid in between rivals down the center of course. While the former appeared...

The undefeated Dreamfyre (f, 2, Flameaway--Appreciating, by Sky Mesa), both stretching out and trying turf for the first time, went straight to the front in Sunday's GIII Surfer Girl S. at Santa Anita. Sent at 9-5, she covered the first quarter in :23.55 and half in :48.59 with her ears flicking back and forth as Kentucky Downs maiden winner and Untapable S. third Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy) tested her from the outside while under a hard hold. Del Mar maiden winner Soho (City of Light) made a huge, eye-catching move...

9th-Del Mar, $84,000, Msw, 9-3, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.82, ft, 4 3/4 lengths. TAP YOUR DREAM (f, 2, Tapwrit--Peruse, by First Samurai), let go at 10-1 for this unveiling, pressed the early pace and had more than enough late to take her career opener at Del Mar Sunday. Prompting Girl of My Dreams (Kantharos) through a half mile in :45.79, the chestnut filly strode to the front in early stretch and drew away with authority to win by an eye-catching 4 3/4-length margin. Girl of My Dreams was second. The...

As a junior he wound up in the same fraternity as a guy named Bob Baffert, who was already riding winners, already conspicuous. Eric Kruljac, for his part, had transferred to University of Arizona from Arizona State, where he had been on a football scholarship only to blow a knee. Then, when Baffert proceeded to stardom at the racetrack, Kruljac literally went undercover. He worked for a buddy as a private investigator until, having learned the ropes, starting an agency of his own. For several years you'd find him tailing...

Every week, the TDN publishes a round-up of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect on July 1, the TDN will also post a round-up of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week. CALIFORNIA Track: Del Mar Date: 11/26/2022 Licensee: Abdul Alsagoor, jockey Penalty:...