Harbor the Gold juvenile romps his way to third stakes victory

After leaving no doubters with his five-length romp in the season-ending Gottstein Futurity on September 26, the Harbor the Gold gelding Couldabenthewhisky was voted Top Juvenile Male of the 2010 Emerald Downs meet on the strength of his three local stakes wins during the 90-day stand. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

The Bonnie Jenne trainee began his career at the Washington oval on June 13 with a $30,000 maiden claiming victory at 4 1/2 furlongs, then was immediately placed into stakes company, where he has remained for his five subsequent starts. Three of those outings have been successful: the 5 1/2-furlong Northwest Stallion Strong Ruler Stakes on July 18, the one-mile Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association Lads Stakes on August 29 and the 1 1/16-mile Gottstein Futurity, the latter of which tested him on sloppy going for the first time.

Despite the unfamiliar footing, Couldabenthewhisky was ridden by jockey Gallyn Mitchell to a dominating win over seven rivals, which he accomplished in a final time of 1:42.60 after moving three-wide from his early stalking position behind a pair of dueling pacesetters. The Washington-bred gelding earned $37,125 for his easy score in the $67,500 event for 2-year-olds, elevating his six-race bankroll to $91,602.

Couldabenthewhisky was bred by Bar C Racing Stable, Bultena and Ginger, and is campaigned by Friendship Stables, Longshot Racing and Craig and Stanley Fredrickson. He is the first foal out of the unraced Horse Chestnut (SAf) mare Bahati.

The youngster is one of Harbor the Gold’s two newly crowned Emerald Downs champions, joining 2010 Horse of the Meet and Longacres Mile Handicap (G3) winner Noosa Beach. Their 9-year-old sire, a winning son of Seeking the Gold, stands at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Oregon and ranks above all other statewide stallions with his year-to-date progeny earnings of $593,014. — September 26, 2010

Zenovit becomes first multiple stakes winner for Private Gold

In her first start outside her native Washington, the Private Gold filly Zenovit proved she could take her A-game with her when she captured the $52,135 British Columbia Oaks at Hastings Race Course on September 25. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

Her 1 1/4-length win as the mild 5-2 favorite marked a milestone for the 3-year-old filly. As the winner of Emerald Downs’ $75,000 Washington Oaks on August 14, she became the first contender to sweep the Washington Oaks and British Columbia Oaks since 1996. Both races were conducted on dirt at the distance of 1 1/8 miles.

Saddled by trainer Larry Ross and paired with jockey Kevin Krigger for her raid into northern territory, Zenovit made the most of a ground-saving trip by hugging the rail for the entirety of the race after breaking from the inside post of the nine-horse field. Under a patient ride from Krigger, she kept up with the first flight of runners for most of the journey, then took command in the final turn when a seam opened in front of her and drew clear to an uncontested victory in 1:49.88.

Zenovit earned $34,110 in Canadian funds for her second black-type score to push her 11-race bankroll to $118,016. The four-time winner, who was bred in Washington by Dana Claxton and Riverbend Farm, was produced by the winning Cahill Road mare Cahilina and broke her maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs while running for a $20,000 claiming tag at Emerald Downs in August 2009. She currently races for owner Gerald Schneider.

She is the first multiple stakes winner and six-figure earner for Private Gold, a 10-year-old son of Seeking the Gold who holds court at El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw, Washington. The Grade 3-placed, dual stakes winner ranks as the state’s leading third-crop sire with year-to-date progeny earnings of $371,922, a figure that is more than 10 times the 2010 progeny earnings of the second stallion on this list. — September 25, 2010

Suzanne Cardiff-selected Gayego sets another track record

World traveler Gayego, the 2009 Ancient Title Stakes (G1) winner who was originally selected at auction by California bloodstock consultant Suzanne Cardiff, notched the third track record of his sparkling career while outclassing his rivals in the $245,825 Presque Isle Mile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs on September 10. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

Upon Cardiff’s recommendation, the burly son of Gilded Time was purchased for $32,000 by his former owner, Cubanacan Stables, during the 2006 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and went on to win the 2008 Arkansas Derby (G2) for those connections. He also set a pair of 6 1/2-furlong track records on the synthetic Cushion Track surfaces of Santa Anita Park (1:13.07) and Hollywood Park (1:13.37) as a 3-year-old, and was subsequently acquired by the internationally renowned Godolphin Racing LLC in late 2008. Since that time, he has competed in top-class company across the United States and in the United Arab Emirates, and has improved his overall record to eight wins, four seconds and a third from 19 starts.

The Kentucky-bred horse again found a synthetic surface to his liking in the Presque Isle Mile, which was conducted on Tapeta Footings. Installed as the 6-5 wagering favorite under jockey Alan Garcia, he employed an outside stalking trip and powered to a two-length victory in a track-record time of 1:34.90 for the one-mile distance.

Gayego, now 5, is trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He has appeared at nine different racetracks since his successful career debut in maiden special weight company at Hollywood Park in November 2007, and currently boasts lifetime earnings of $1,652,120.

Suzanne Cardiff is based in Arcadia, California, where she offers pedigree research consultation and other Thoroughbred-related services. — September 10, 2010

Allowance win is third straight for Private Gold sophomore

Age makes no difference for Summer Excess, a 3-year-old son of the Washington-based stallion Private Gold who defeated his elders for the second time this year in an August 28 allowance test at Golden Gate Fields, while extending his win streak to encompass three consecutive races in Northern California.

Unraced at 2, the Bud Klokstad trainee has made amends for his late arrival with victories in all but one of his starts in 2010. After running second by a length in his six-furlong maiden claiming debut at Golden Gate on January 24, the Washington-bred put the pieces together for a four-length score at the same track and distance while advancing to maiden special weight company on February 20. He reappeared in a six-furlong starter allowance against older horses during the California State Fair meet in Sacramento on July 17, and dominated the field in front-running fashion.

The speedy gelding again tackled six furlongs and older runners in his August follow-up, in which he was partnered with jockey Michael Martinez and sent postward as the 5-2 favorite against eight rivals. As is his routine, he set the pace with internal fractions of :22.43, :45.17 and :57.46 before posting a final time of 1:10.21 for his 1 1/2-length win on the Tapeta Footings surface.

Summer Excess is the first foal out of the winning In Excess (Ire) mare Summer Sails, and races as a homebred for owners Helen Sherry and Billie Klokstad. His four-race career has yielded earnings of $47,100 to date.

Private Gold, by Seeking the Gold, ranks as Washington’s leading third-crop sire of 2010. The 10-year-old resident of El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw has cumulative progeny earnings of more than $580,000 to date. — August 28, 2010

Private Gold fillies complete rich Washington Oaks exacta

A pair of fillies from the second crop of Washington stallion Private Gold completed a hefty exacta at Emerald Downs on August 14, when the duo nabbed first and second in the $75,000 Washington Oaks. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

Conducted at 1 1/8 miles as the track’s championship event for 3-year-old fillies, the 31st running of the Washington Oaks attracted 11 starters, including the cropmates Zenovit and Private Fortune. Each brought prior Emerald Downs stakes experience to the table: the former had run third in the track’s one-mile Irish Day Handicap on June 6 and the latter had placed in two 6 1/2-furlong stakes events at the ages of 2 and 3.

In the Washington Oaks, the 7-1 choice Zenovit employed a stalking position under leading Emerald rider Ricky Frazier, took command of the proceedings at the top of the stretch and drew off to a dominating, 2 1/4-length victory in a final time of 1:49.40. While elevating her nine-race earnings to $76,338, the three-time winner also reached a milestone as the first stakes winner for her sire.

Meanwhile, Private Fortune utilized different tactics for the route. With jockey Troy Stillwell in the irons, the 45-1 longshot raced wide and in ninth position through the early stages, then finished with gusto to secure the runner-up spot, six lengths in front of the third-place runner. A 13-time starter and maiden winner with seven placings to her credit, she has banked $55,465 to date.

Together, the Washington-bred twosome returned a $301.10 payoff for a $1 exacta ticket.

Zenovit is the second foal out of the winning Cahill Road mare Cahilina, and races as a homebred for Dana Claxton and Riverbend Stable. Her trainer is Larry Ross.

The Jim Penney-trained Private Fortune was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pabst, and is campaigned by Blue Ribbon Racing #2. Produced by Drone’s stakes-winning daughter Shimmer of Silk, she is a half-sister to 2006 Washington Oaks winner She’s All Silk.

Zenovit and Private Fortune are two of eight stakes performers for 10-year-old Private Gold, the leading third-crop sire in Washington. The Grade 3-placed, dual stakes winner by Seeking the Gold stands at El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw, and has total progeny earnings of more than $570,000. — August 14, 2010

Juvenile Harbor the Gold filly romps in Emerald Downs stakes

Undefeated Carrabelle Harbor, a third-crop daughter of leading Oregon sire Harbor the Gold, made every post a winning one en route to her resounding victory in the $45,000 Angie C. Stakes at Emerald Downs on August 8. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

Accompanied by returning jockey Ricky Frazier and entered into the six-furlong test on the heels of her successful career debut in the track’s 5 1/2-furlong Northwest Stallion Knights Choice Stakes on July 18, Oregon-bred Carrabelle Harbor was installed as the even-money favorite in the field of seven juvenile fillies and promptly rewarded the confidence of her backers with an easy score in 1:10.40. The full sister to 2008 Oregon Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Catalina Harbor broke on top, then proceeded to carve fractions of :21.80, :45.40 and :57.80 through the opening five furlongs. She extended her lead with every stride as she approached the wire, and ultimately posted a 9 1/4-length win margin at the conclusion.

Carrabelle Harbor is a Doris Harwood trainee who is campaigned by her breeder, Bar C Racing Stables Inc., in conjunction with Desert Rose Racing LLC. She is the second multiple stakes winner out of the unplaced Tiffany Ice mare Silver City Lilly, and she has grossed $41,271 from her two winning starts to date.

On the same day as Carrabelle Harbor’s scintillating stakes triumph, her sire’s 4-year-old filly Aroseformadeline added a second stakes placing to her own 20-race portfolio. The Leonard Hammrich homebred, a five-time winner out of Katahaula County’s winning daughter Cheyenne Rose, invaded Canada to take third in the modest Hi-Tech Feature Starter Stakes at Grande Prairie. Oregon-bred Aroseformadeline has banked $19,909 to date.

Harbor the Gold has quickly ascended to the top of Oregon’s sire rankings since his first runners debuted in 2008. The 9-year-old son of Seeking the Gold stands at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, and boasts 10 stakes performers among his collective earners of more than $800,000. — August 8, 2010

Noosa Beach, by Harbor the Gold, acquires sixth stakes title

Four-year-old Noosa Beach, the leading runner for the Oregon-based stallion Harbor the Gold, proved his ability at a route distance on August 1, when he romped to an easy victory in Emerald Downs’ $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

The accomplishment marked his sixth win in stakes company, all of which have taken place at the Washington racetrack. The gelding’s impressive spree includes victories in the six-furlong Captain Condo Stakes in 2008, the six-furlong Auburn Stakes and 6 1/2-furlong Pepsi Cola Handicap in 2009 and three black-type scores in 2010: the six-furlong Seattle Handicap, one-mile Budweiser Handicap and 1 1/8-mile Mt. Rainier, the latter of which he completed in 1:48 as the 8-5 second wagering choice behind 2009 Longacres Mile Handicap (G3) winner and 11-10 favorite Assessment — the only horse to defeat Noosa Beach this year, when the two met in the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap on July 11.

“Noosa Beach is just a classy horse,” said winning jockey Ricky Frazier, who guided the 121-pound Mt. Rainier highweight through an early speed duel with the multiple stakes winner Gallon and, ultimately, to a 4 1/2-length advantage over the 15-1 longshot runner-up, Senor Rojo, at the wire. “What more can you say? He just makes my job a whole lot easier.”

Bred in Washington by his owner, Jeff Harwood, and trainer, Doris Harwood, Grade 3-placed Noosa Beach is the fifth winner out of the unraced Basket Weave mare Julia Rose. He began his career auspiciously, with a 4 1/2-furlong debut win in a $12,500 maiden claiming race in August 2008, and has since improved his overall record to eight wins, three seconds and two thirds from 14 starts.

The $246,875-earner hails from the first crop of 9-year-old Harbor the Gold, a winning son of Seeking the Gold who holds court at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Oregon. The stallion leads all sires in the state by 2010 progeny earnings, with more than $300,000 accrued by his runners since January 1. — August 1, 2010

Atticus gelding now five-for-six with Del Mar turf stakes win

Neither the route distance nor a wide trip hampered Bruce’s Dream from capturing his first stakes trophy on July 25, when the Atticus gelding kept his record at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club perfect with a narrow victory in the appropriately named California Dreamin’ Handicap. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

The 1 1/16-mile grass event for horses who were either bred or sired in California marked a significant progression for the 4-year-old runner, who had won four of his five previous starts at sprint distances. The Mike Puype trainee broke his maiden in his six-furlong career debut on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park in October 2008, then reeled off consecutive five-furlong victories on the Del Mar turf course in July and August 2009. After a solid third-place effort behind subsequent Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag in the $100,000 Morvich Handicap (G3) on Santa Anita’s 6 1/2-furlong downhill turf course in September 2009, he was not seen again until June 25, 2010, when he won his return in a six-furlong grass allowance at Hollywood Park after battling sore shins during the interim.

Bruce’s Dream was reunited with his jockey from that last race, Joe Talamo, for the $100,000 California Dreamin’. The twosome again proved to be a formidable pair, as they broke from the far outside post in the six-horse field, endured a wide trip throughout while running in fifth, then gobbled up ground in the stretch to snare victory by a head in a swift 1:40.96 as the 9-5 second wagering choice.

The dappled gray gelding added $60,000 to his six-race bankroll, which now sits at $212,940 with five wins to his credit. He is the second foal out of Smokester’s winning daughter Remember Dorothy, and was bred in California by owner Bruce Corwin of Corwin Racing.

He is the 12th stakes winner for 18-year-old Atticus, a resident of Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, California. The Grade 1-winning Nureyev stallion has total progeny earnings of more than $11 million to date. — July 25, 2010

Harbor the Gold sweeps Emerald Downs juvenile stakes

In the $30,037 Northwest Stallion Knights Choice Stakes for two-year-old fillies, the first-time starter Carrabelle Harbor hinted at a promising future with her 1 1/4-length score against six rivals. Sent off as the 7-5 wagering favorite under leading Emerald Downs rider Ricky Frazier after she posted two consecutive bullet works at the Washington track, she endured a wide trip as she battled for the lead throughout and successfully shook clear of her closest challenger in the waning yards to break her maiden in 1:03.80 for the 5 1/2-furlong trip. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

Carrabelle Harbor is a full sister to the three-time stakes winner Catalina Harbor, Oregon’s Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2008. Their dam is the unplaced Tiffany Ice mare Silver City Lilly.

She is trained by Doris Harwood for the partnership of Bar C Racing Stables Inc. and Desert Rose Racing LLC. The former entity bred the $16,521-earner in Oregon.

Less than an hour after Carrabelle Harbor exerted her authority in the Knights Choice, her cropmate Couldabenthewhisky mirrored her feat with his own 1 1/4-length win in the track’s $29,052 Northwest Stallion Strong Ruler Stakes, also contested at 5 1/2 furlongs. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

With Frazier in the irons, the 2-year-old gelding took immediate control of the nine-horse race as the 3-2 favorite, translating a contentious early lead into a facile victory in a final time of 1:03.80. The Bonnie Jenne trainee, who was making his stakes debut on the heels of his four-length maiden win on June 13, pushed his earnings to $23,499 while keeping his two-race record perfect for the ownership group of Friendship Stables, Longshot Racing and Craig and Stanley Fredrickson.

Couldabenthewhisky was bred in Washington by Bar C Racing Stable, Bultena and Ginger. He is the first named foal out of Bahati, an unraced daughter of Horse Chestnut (SAf).

The youngsters are the sixth and seventh stakes winners, respectively, for Harbor the Gold, a 9-year-old Seeking the Gold stallion who holds court at Neal and Pam Christopherson’s Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Oregon. The winning half-brother to 1996 Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old Boston Harbor is his home state’s leading sire of 2010, and boasts total progeny earnings of more than $730,000 from three crops of racing age. — July 18, 2010

Harbor the Gold dual champion secures another stakes placing

Dual Washington champion Noosa Beach, by Harbor the Gold, was handed his first loss of 2010 on July 11, when he gave way late in Emerald Downs’ $50,000 Governor’s Handicap and finished a grudging second to the reigning winner of the track’s most prestigious race. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

A five-time stakes winner who hails from his sire’s inaugural foal crop, Noosa Beach entered the 6 1/2-furlong test on a three-race win streak that began with an April 18 allowance victory at 5 1/2 furlongs and included successful trips in the six-furlong Seattle Handicap on May 16 and the one-mile Budweiser Handicap on June 20, all at the Washington oval. In the latter two tests, he was a resounding victor over 2009 Longacres Mile Handicap (G3) winner Assessment; in the Governor’s Handicap, however, that rival exacted his revenge.

Paired with leading Emerald Downs jockey Ricky Frazier, Noosa Beach was sent postward as the 1-2 wagering favorite among eight starters. He overcame a slight bump at the start, then held a narrow lead while facing constant pressure through the opening half-mile, which he completed in :44.60. With a furlong left to run, he met Assessment’s late challenge with a game effort along the rail, but was ultimately passed by a neck at the finish.

The 4-year-old gelding out of Julia Rose, by Basket Weave, pocketed $10,000 for his runner-up effort, elevating his bankroll to $219,375. His racing portfolio features seven wins and five stakes placings for trainer Doris Harwood, who bred the 13-time starter in Washington in partnership with owner Jeff Harwood.

Grade 3-placed Noosa Beach is the highest earner for Harbor the Gold, a 9-year-old winner by Seeking the Gold who stands at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Oregon and ranks as the state’s leading sire of 2010, with year-to-date progeny earnings of more than $225,000. — July 11, 2010

Koala Beach pushes Harbor the Gold to top spot in Oregon

In a thrilling edition of Emerald Downs’ $50,000 Pepsi Cola Handicap on June 27, Koala Beach pulled off three notable achievements: in addition to setting a track record for sophomores, he elevated his trainer to a professional benchmark and helped push his sire, Harbor the Gold, above all other Oregon-based stallions on the 2010 progeny earnings list. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

The 3-year-old gelding, a two-time stakes winner at the Auburn oval last year, returned to competition after a nearly seven-month break on April 17, but ran a disappointing last in his comeback attempt in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance optional claiming event. However, the Washington-bred runner regained his winning form in his next outing in the Pepsi Cola, a one-mile test for his age group.

With jockey Ricky Frazier up, Koala Beach jumped first from the gate and got involved immediately, moving inward from his far outside post to challenge the early leader, Bogachiel. After pressing that rival through opening splits of :22.40, :45.20 and 1:09.40 and taking a brief lead in the final turn, he was swarmed from behind by latecomers Newfound Man and 3-5 favorite Posse Power. Although he appeared beaten as the wire approached, Koala Beach re-rallied along the rail and powered ahead, nosing his way in front of a three-way photo at the finish. Posse Power was second, a neck in front of Newfound Man.

His final time of 1:34.20 set a new standard as the fastest mile ever recorded by a 3-year-old at Emerald Downs. Another track record was simultaneously broken: winning trainer Doris Harwood, who conditions Koala Beach for her husband, Jeff Harwood, became Emerald Downs’ all-time leader by stakes victories, with 43.

Koala Beach is the first foal out of the unraced mare Kittyzallwet, by Distinctive Cat. He has compiled four wins and three placings from eight starts and a total bankroll of $121,693.

He was bred by Neal and Pam Christopherson’s Bar C Racing Stables, the Oregon farm which stands Harbor the Gold in Hermiston. Assisted by his son’s Pepsi Cola paycheck, the 9-year-old Seeking the Gold stallion overtook the lead among all statewide sires with his 2010 progeny earnings of $196,699. — June 27, 2010

Noosa Beach increases lead as top runner for Harbor the Gold

Noosa Beach, a graded stakes-caliber runner from the debut crop of Harbor the Gold, continued his trek as his sire’s top lifetime earner with a front-running win in the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap at Emerald Downs on June 20. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

The 4-year-old gelding, who was bred in Washington by Jeff and Doris Harwood, entered the one-mile race off his track record-setting performance in Emerald Downs’ six-furlong Seattle Handicap, which he won on May 16 in a blistering time of 1:07. Despite the added distance of the Budweiser, he was installed as the 2.30-1 wagering favorite against seven rivals, including two former winners of the track’s revered Longacres Mile Handicap (G3): Wasserman and Assessment.

On this particular day, however, his level of competition was inconsequential. Noosa Beach merely ran them off their feet, breaking on top from the rail position and setting all the pace in front as easily as his jockey, Ricky Frazier, liked. The pair’s five-length lead in mid-stretch extended to an insurmountable, 9 1/4-length margin of victory, and a final time of 1:35 on the sloppy going.

Noosa Beach, a two-time Washington champion for his age group, has won seven of his 12 races to date. Among his four additional placings for owner Jeff Harwood and trainer Doris Harwood is a third in the 2009 British Columbia Derby (G3) at Hastings Race Course. He is out of the unraced Basket Weave mare Julia Rose, and has earned $209,375 overall.

He is one of five stakes winners by the Oregon stallion Harbor the Gold, a resident of Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston. The 9-year-old son of Seeking the Gold has total progeny earnings of more than $630,000 from three crops of racing age. — June 20, 2010

Winning Private Gold filly now stakes-placed at 2 and 3

Private Fortune, a second-crop daughter of the Washington stallion Private Gold, added a second black-type placing to her portfolio on May 9, when she held on for third in Emerald Downs’ $50,000 Federal Way Handicap for 3-year-old fillies. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

Exiting an April 17 maiden win, in which she successfully managed 5 1/2 furlongs around the same dirt oval, the Jim Penney trainee went to post for the 6 1/2-furlong Federal Way as an 18-1 longshot against seven rivals. Despite the lack of respect at the mutuel windows, Private Fortune showed she belonged: she broke on top under jockey Gallyn Mitchell, kept in touch with the leaders through the early going, then took brief command of the race while moving out three-wide in the turn.

Although she tired in the stretch, the Washington-bred filly held her ground against most of her fellow contenders and ultimately reached the wire in third, four lengths behind the winning 3-2 favorite, Feeling Fancy. For the effort, she added $7,500 to her coffers to bring her career total to $34,015.

A narrow runner-up in Emerald Downs’ $50,000 Diane Kem Stakes at the same distance last September, Private Fortune improved her nine-race tally to one win, three seconds and two thirds for owner Blue Ribbon Racing #2. She was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pabst, and produced by Drone’s stakes-winning daughter Shimmer of Silk, the dam of the multiple Washington stakes winner She’s All Silk.

Private Gold, a dual stakes winner who was also graded stakes-placed as a juvenile, has led all Washington sires of his generation by first-crop, second-crop and third-crop earnings since his initial runners debuted in 2008. The 10-year-old Seeking the Gold stallion holds court at El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw. — May 9, 2010

Vronsky colt adds Hollywood stakes victory to his portfolio

Dirt, all-weather racing surfaces and now turf: the Vronsky colt Excessive Passion has proven that he can master them all. A breakout star from his sire’s second crop, he added an impressive win in Hollywood Park’s grassy, $75,000 Harry Henson Stakes for sophomores on April 21 to his growing list of accomplishments. [WATCH RACE VIDEO]

In March of his 2-year-old season, the Jeff Bonde-trained runner broke his maiden at first asking while lowering the two-furlong track record on the Tapeta Footings surface at Golden Gate Fields. He returned in early July to defeat his fellow California-breds in the $60,000 Everett Nevin Alameda County Stakes on the dirt at Pleasanton, but he did not race again until late December, when he ran unplaced in the 6 1/2-furlong Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes at Turf Paradise to close out his initial campaign.

Despite his youthful credentials, Excessive Passion was largely ignored at odds of 17-1 for his 2010 debut in the six-furlong Harry Henson, which also marked his inaugural try on turf. Paired with jockey Martin Garcia, he outran his nine rivals with a powerful, four-wide rally from eighth to first in the final quarter-mile, and reached the wire a half-length in front of his nearest competitor in a final time of 1:08.93.

Excessive Passion was produced by the winning In Excess (Ire) mare Ms Hearts N Arrows, and bred by Old English Rancho and Berumen. A $25,000 graduate of the 2008 Northern California Yearling Sale, he is owned by the partnership group of Rusty Brown, Philip Lebherz and Alan Klein.

With a four-race bankroll of $97,840, he is the chief earner and sole stakes winner for the Old English Rancho resident Vronsky. The 11-year-old Danzig stallion has seven winners from nine starters, and total progeny earnings of more than $400,000. — April 21, 2010

Dual champion by Harbor the Gold makes winning return

Noosa Beach, the dual state champion and leading lifetime earner for the Oregon-based stallion Harbor the Gold, made a successful return to the racetrack after a six-month break when he recorded a game allowance win at Emerald Downs on April 18.

The Washington-bred gelding was last seen finishing third in the $278,902 British Columbia Derby (G3) at Hastings Race Course on September 27, 2009, and was subsequently honored as the Washington Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding in recognition of his achievements last year, which included a pair of stakes wins and an additional stakes placing, all at Emerald Downs.

Sent postward as the 6-5 wagering favorite for his 4-year-old debut at the Auburn oval, Noosa Beach jumped alertly from the gate under jockey Ricky Frazier, pressed the early pace from the inside, then angled out to take the lead midway through the 5 1/2-furlong test, which was valued at $20,000. In a valiant stretch drive, the Doris Harwood trainee fought off his late-running stablemate, Winning Machine, to post a neck victory in 1:02.20.

Noosa Beach is campaigned by Jeff Harwood, who bred the gelding in partnership with his wife, Doris. Produced by the unraced Basket Weave mare Julia Rose, he has compiled a career record of five wins and four placings from 10 starts, and total earnings of $154,375. He also reigned as his home state’s Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding of 2008.

Harbor the Gold holds court at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Oregon. The 9-year-old son of Seeking the Gold is represented by five stakes winners from his first three crops of racing age. — April 18, 2010

Norvsky becomes second stakes performer for Vronsky

California-bred Norvsky turned in a solid showing in his stakes debut on April 10, getting up for third in Santa Anita Park’s $76,110 Santana Mile Handicap and establishing himself as the second stakes performer for his sire, Vronsky.

Paired with jockey Martin Garcia, the 4-year-old gelding entered the one-mile race on Pro-Ride after achieving two consecutive victories at the same distance in Arcadia. On February 21, he captured an allowance optional claiming event for state-breds; on March 17, he bested open company in a rich allowance race on the turf.

In the five-horse Santana Mile, Norvsky again faced non-restricted company, and was installed as the 3-1 third wagering choice behind the 9-5 favorite, the Grade 1-placed dual stakes winner and eventual Santana runner-up, Slew’s Tiznow. After breaking from the rail and exiting fourth from the starting gate, Garcia kept his mount in that mid-pack running position through the opening six furlongs, then moved three-wide in the second turn to make a late run at the leaders. Although they were no match for the top two, the duo ultimately secured third when they reached the wire less than two lengths behind the winner, Warren’s Pepe.

Norvsky has won three races and banked $138,538 for the ownership group of E.W. and Judy Johnston and Robert Riggio. He is out of the winning Flying Paster mare Fimbrelith, and was bred by the Johnstons’ Old English Rancho. His trainer is Donald Warren.

The eight-time starter is the leading earner for 11-year-old Vronsky, a multiple winner who holds court at Old English Rancho in Sanger, California. The Danzig sire is represented by total progeny receipts of more than $350,000 from three crops of racing age. — April 10, 2010

First-crop Harbor the Gold runner dashes to Arizona turf win

On March 28, Wowie Maui became the seventh multiple winner by the Oregon-based stallion Harbor the Gold when he overpowered his competition by a wide margin in a grass sprint allowance at Turf Paradise.

The 4-year-old gelding, who races as a homebred for David Breiwick, broke his maiden at the $25,000 claiming level last September at Emerald Downs, leading every step of the way in the six-furlong dash. He was next tried four weeks later in a five-furlong allowance test at Turf Paradise, where he finished a respectable second.

Wowie Maui did not reappear at the races until he made his seasonal debut in the late March event, which also marked his first appearance on turf. Under jockey Adolfo Morales, the Washington-bred pressed the pace from the inside, then translated a late move along the rail into a resounding, four-length victory against five rivals. His final time for the distance of about 4 1/2 furlongs was a spritely :50.22.

Produced by Basket Weave’s six-time winner Summer Straw and conditioned by trainer Joe Toye, Wowie Maui has compiled two wins and two seconds from five starts, and earned $20,533.

He hails from the first foal crop of Harbor the Gold, a 9-year-old son of Seeking the Gold who stands at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Oregon. A multiple winner during his own racing career, he is already represented by 17 winners from 25 starters, including three state champions, and cumulative progeny earnings of more than $500,000. — March 28, 2010

Vronsky runner makes it two wins in a row at Santa Anita

Norvsky, the highest earner for the California-based third-crop sire Vronsky, enjoyed a $37,440 payday on March 17, when he posted a late-closing win in turf allowance company at Santa Anita Park.

The 4-year-old gelding, who broke his maiden on the grass at Hollywood Park last April, has never finished worse than third in all seven of his lifetime starts in Southern California. He entered the one-mile test at Santa Anita on the heels of his February 21 victory at the same distance, which he had accomplished on the Arcadia track’s main Pro-Ride surface.

Reunited with Tyler Baze, his rider from that previous allowance optional claiming score, Norvsky was afforded respect as the 4-1 second wagering choice in the field of 11 older runners who assembled for the $62,784 race. He did not disappoint his backers, making a six-wide move into the stretch after being held patiently in sixth early, then picking off all remaining rivals before he reached the wire in 1:34.66 as the 1 1/4-length winner for trainer Donald Warren.

Norvsky is campaigned by owners E.W. and Judy Johnston in partnership with Robert Riggio. He was bred in California by the Johnstons’ Old English Rancho, and produced by Flying Paster’s winning daughter Fimbrelith. To date, he has accrued $128,800 in earnings.

Vronsky was a three-time winner on the turf at Santa Anita, and now stands at Old English Rancho in Sanger. The 11-year-old Danzig stallion is credited with six winners from eight starters, and has cumulative progeny earnings of more than $290,000. — March 17, 2010

Welcome to our newest Showcase stallion: Bedford Falls!

Thank you to Poplar Meadows of Sanger, California, for adding their stallion, Bedford Falls, to our Showcase!

A 7-year-old son of Storm Cat’s Grade 1 winner Forestry, Bedford Falls sold for $1.1 million during the opening session of the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and ranked as his sire’s second-highest-priced yearling for that year. Carrying the famous silks of Darley Stable, he began his racing career on the East Coast, and eventually won or placed in 11 of his 15 lifetime starts and earned $115,620 while competing on dirt, turf and all-weather surfaces at Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and in Southern and Northern California.

Produced by the winning Affirmed mare Christmas in Aiken, he is a half-brother to Harlan’s Holiday ($3,632,664), a multiple Grade 1 winner and prominent Kentucky stallion who is represented by 12 stakes winners and the collective earners of more than $9.5 million from three crops to race, including Grade 1 winner Into Mischief.

Bedford Falls entered stud in 2009, and achieved a 95% in-foal rate from his initial book of mares. His first foals arrive in 2010. He is owned by a partnership, and stands for a $2,500 fee.

Click here to visit Bedford Falls’ new, custom-built Showcase website! — February 15, 2010

Vronsky runner remains unbeaten with runaway victory

Tri Something New, a first-crop representative of the California stallion Vronsky, picked up right where he left off on December 28, posting a facile victory in Arizona to remain undefeated despite a seven-month absence from competition.

The 3-year-old gelding won at first asking on May 31, when he dominated a six-furlong maiden race at Emerald Downs by three lengths. But he did not start again for trainer Mike Chambers until his end-of-the-year outing in $3,500 claiming company at Turf Paradise, which he captured by 5 1/4 lengths going away.

Sent postward for the 5 1/2-furlong test as the 2-1 second wagering choice among eight starters, Tri Something New and rider Glenn Corbett vied for the lead through the first quarter-mile, took command thereafter while encountering little resistance and simply galloped to the wire for the easiest of victories in a final time of 1:04.06.

Tri Something New has earned $6,820 for owner Melinda Blue, who bred the gelding in California. He is the third foal out of the winner St Antim (Ire), a daughter of Petardia (GB).

His sire, Vronsky, resides at Old English Rancho in Sanger, California. The 10-year-old son of Danzig is a multiple winner and the sire of five winners from seven starters, led by the 2009 juvenile stakes winner Excessive Passion. — December 28, 2009