Santa Anita Sprint Championship

'Big' is an underwhelming word to describe the last couple weeks for MyRacehorse and their partners. It started Sept. 21 when MGISW Seize the Grey (Arrogate) seized the lead in the GI Pennsylvania Derby and never looked back. In Sunday's co-feature in California, it was second verse, same as the first. Looking every bit the speed of the speed, Straight No Chaser (Speightster--Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg) dominated the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship in just his second start of the season. The now-5-year-old had not visited a winner's circle since...

If you didn't get your fill of stakes action on Saturday, this is the weekend for you. Five more graded stakes, including the 'Win and You're In' GII Miss Grillo Stakes, as well as the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, will take place on Sunday. 'TDN Rising Star' Virgin Colada (More Than Ready) will look to punch her ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in a wide-open renewal of the Miss Grillo at the Belmont at the Big A meeting. A flashy come-from-behind debut winner...

In a battle of raw speed, Dr. Schivel (Violence) proved to be too much to beat as he outlasted a returning Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) to take the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. Last seen running a close-up third in the GI Bing Crosby S. at Del Mar over the summer, Dr. Schivel had plenty of back class to call on here: third last year at Meydan in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen for his only start of the season, second to Aloha West (Hard Spun) in the 2021...

MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm's Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah), a powerful wire-to-wire winner of the GII San Vicente S. Jan. 29 and GII San Felipe S. Mar. 5, could return to action against older horses in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. Oct. 1. Knocked off the Triple Crown trail after finishing last of six as the favorite after setting a fast pace in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Apr. 9, the chestnut has posted three breezes since returning to the worktab in August, most recently firing a four-furlong...

Broken right rein, no problem for Flavien Prat. Dr. Schivel (Violence), already guaranteed a spot in the starting for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint via a win in the GI Bing Crosby S. July 31, added a second straight 'Win and You're In' tally over his elders in Saturday's GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. Drawn on the fence while facing five rivals, last term's GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity S. winner showed much more speed than usual, forcing the issue from an inside--and tight second--in the early stages and...

The streaking Dr. Schivel (Violence) will take a four-race winning streak into Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. Last term's GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity winner is perfect in two attempts since joining Mark Glatt's barn this year, most recently delivering a neck victory in Del Mar's GI Bing Crosby S. July 31. The 2-1 morning-line favorite is drawn on the rail in this six-horse field. The one-two-three finishers across the line of this race last year--C Z Rocket (City Zip), Flagstaff (Speightstown) and Collusion...

Collusion Illusion (Twirling Candy) is unbeaten going one-turn and will try to continue that run in Sunday's GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S., a "Win and You're In" event for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint S. Kicking off this term with a track-and-trip optional claimer score May 17, the sophomore triumphed in the GIII Lazaro Barrera S. June 20 and took the GI Bing Crosby S. by a nose last time at Del Mar Aug. 1. C Z Rocket (City Zip) looks to secure his fifth straight win Sunday. Capturing...

Roy H (More Than Ready), champion sprinter of 2017 and 2018, has been retired at age eight, trainer Peter Miller said in a statement Thursday. "It is with some sadness but also great joy that we announce the retirement of Roy H from racing," Miller said. "What can you say about a horse like this who has given us so many thrilling moments? He is the embodiment of class and we will definitely miss seeing him compete. Fortunately, we will not have to miss him for long as he will...