Cal-bred News

Speed Aplenty in Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2004) -- Most of the finest California-bred handicap horses in training, including millionaires Grey Memo and Continental Red, will face Florida-bred 9-5 favorite Peace Rules Saturday in the $1 million Barretts/CTBA Classic in Sunshine Millions II at Santa Anita.

Grey Memo is a 7-year-old by Memo, out of the Snow Chief mare B. Mozelle, and was bred by Ridgeley Farm. He was winless in 2003, but his best race came in the biggest, a close second in the $1 million Dubai Godolphin Mile. Grey Memo has eight wins and more than $1.7 million in earnings. In last year's Sunshine Millions Classic he rallied from 13 lengths back to finish one-half length back in third.

Continental Red's connections decided on the Classic instead of shipping to Florida for the Turf. He is by Continental Red, out of the Glaros mare Sharp Looking Lady, and was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Wes Fitzpatrick. He has seven wins and $1,047,558 in earnings. He won only once in 10 starts in 2003, was eighth in last year's Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park and is coming off a second in the Dec. 28 Grade II San Gabriel Handicap.

Excessivepleasure is wheeling back two weeks after fading to seventh in the Grade II San Fernando Breeders Cup Handicap. He is by In Excess, out of the Falstaff mare Pleasing, and was bred by Cypress Farms 1991 and Vessels Stallion Farm. He was California's biggest earner in 2003, banking $821,782 of his $921,382 in lifetime earnings. The $17,000 Barretts purchase has five wins in 12 starts, including wins in the Indiana, Iowa and WinStar derbies.

Standard Setter is a rags to riches to rags back to riches story. He is by Benchmark, out of the Siyah Kalem mare When and Where, and was bred by Phillip Lebherz and Richard Meister. He scored a stunning win in the Grade III Golden Gate Derby, missed five months and came back to be claimed for $12,500 in November, but has rebounded to earn a start here.

Hot Market is by Cee's Tizzy, out of the Seattle Song mare Time to Plant, and was bred by Harris Farm. He won the 2002 On Trust Handicap, but missed 10 months last year and hasn't finished better than fifth in three races since returning. He has six wins in 20 starts and earnings of $350,618.

Excess Summer is by In Excess, out of the Bold Ruckus mare Summer Ruckus, and was bred by E. Gregson and E.J. Hand. Claimed out of his debut win for $40,000 last April, he had four stakes wins in 2003, including the On Trust Handicap Dec. 13. The $3,500 Barretts purchase has six wins in 10 starts and earnings of $294,261.

Commander's Flag is on the also-eligible list. He is by Spinning World, out of the Mr. Prospector mare Gay Chiffon, and was bred by John and Betty Mabee. He is looking for his first stakes win and was third in the Cal Cup Classic.

Florida-bred Touch the Wire is a son of newly relocated California stallion Birdonthewire. Touch the Wire most recently was third in the Grade II San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Handicap.