Cal-Bred Rabbits Chase El Conejo

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2001) - Four of the top California-bred sprinters, including Cal Cup Sprint champ Ceeband and former claimer/win machine Rio Oro, get the class test Tuesday when they shoot for the $100,000 Grade III El Conejo Handicap over 5½ furlongs at Santa Anita.

Ceeband is a son of Chimes Band, out of the Domineau mare Miss Sonrisa, and was bred by Cecilia Straub-Rubens. He was the odds-on favorite when beaten by Stormy Jack in the On Trust Handicap Nov. 22, but won four of his six previous races.

Rio Oro is a Cinderella story son of Oraibi, out of the Tsunami Slew mare Rio Tejo, and was bred by Rick and Michael Arthur. He was claimed for $4,000 in May and for $10,000 in August and has a three-race win streak, including the Cal Cup Starters Sprint. He is 14-for-24 lifetime, 4-for-4 at this distance and 2-for-2 on the Santa Anita main track.

Stormy Jack is a son of Bertrando, out of the Steelinctive mare Tiny Kristin, and was bred by owners Jack and Florence Arnold. He was second to Ceeband in the Cal Cup Sprint and won his next two starts, including the Nov. 22 On Trust Handicap, but his last four wins have come at distances of at least seven furlongs.

Gibson County is a son of In Excess, out of the Winrightt mare Miss Gibson County, and was bred by owner Mike Pegram. He was third in the Cal Cup Sprint, and was sixth in the Nov. 23 Grade III Hollywood Turf Express. His only win at this distance came on the turf.

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