2002 Cal-bred News

Continental Red, Grey Memo Head Cal Cup Classic Noms

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2002) -- The names of 32 California-breds have been entered into nomination for the $250,000 guaranteed California Cup Classic for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles on the main track. To be contested for the 13th time on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Santa Anita, the Classic headlines a $1.325 million day for Cal-breds.

Heading the list of nominees is Continental Red, who made California racing history last spring when he captured the Grade II 1 1/2-mile San Luis Rey Handicap and later placed in the Sunset Handicap and Kentucky Cup Turf, also over 1 1/2 miles on the grass. The 6-year-old Flying Continental gelding is bred and owned by CTBA President Wes Fitzpatrick and his wife Sharon, who also bred last year's Classic winner, Irisheyesareflying.

Five-year-old Grey Memo has come into his own this year to win the Group II Godolphin Mile halfway around the world in Dubai and the Grade II San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. The son of Memo (Chi) is bred by Pat Thompson's Ridgeley Farm and campaigned by his breeder in partnership with Russ Sarno and Ron Manzani.

Three-year-old Calkins Road is attempting a rare double after taking the Snow Chief Stakes at Gold Rush Day in the spring. He has since run third behind Came Home in the Grade III Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park. From Illinois Storm's first crop of foals, Calkins Road is a homebred racing for Tom and Deborah Shapiro, who have close connections to California's first equine millionaire, Native Diver.

Campaigned by his breeder Harris Farms and Per Antonsen, Hot Market has rebounded from a serious injury to be a monster this year. The 4-year-old Cee's Tizzy gelding has not been worse than third in his last six starts. He won two Hollywood Park allowance races by daylight and ran second to California's Breeders' Cup Sprint contender Disturbingthepeace in the Grade II Pat O'Brien Handicap in his first stakes test.

Eric Da Bomb cruised home by 13 lengths in a one-mile allowance event at Del Mar during the summer after three consecutive runner-up finishes. Fifth in last year's Classic, the 5-year-old son of Flying Victor was bred by Fran and Stan Hodge, who campaigned the popular California Derby winner Hajji's Treasure in 1985.

Bred by Ron Gomez, Bonus Pay Day is a reformed claimer who has changed barns often. The 4-year-old Bonus Money (GB) gelding now has back-to-back allowance scores at Hollywood Park during the summer and a 4 1/2-length win at Del Mar on Aug. 26.

Also among those nominated were White Cloud, who won the Cal Cup Starter Handicap two years ago and Earl of Danby, who captured the open division of the California Breeders' Champion Stakes 11 months ago, along with Lennyfromalibu, Long Gone Con and Slippery When Bet.