Cal-bred News

Entries Drawn for Cal Cup XVI

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 3, 2005) – A total of 103 of California's finest Thoroughbreds are set to compete in 10 stakes worth $1,325,000 in purses as the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Oak Tree presents California Cup XVI Sunday at Santa Anita Park.

Sunday’s forecast calls for sunny skies, large fields and a multitude of wagering opportunities, including a guaranteed $1 million Pick 6. First post for the 11-race card is 11:15 a.m. and gates open at 9:15 a.m.

The day's feature race is the $250,000 California Cup Classic, presented by Smith Barney. This year's Classic matches up graded winner Desert Boom and Delta Jackpot winner Texcess, a 3-year-old facing elders for the first time.

Millionaire Valentine Dancer tries the unique Santa Anita hillside turf course for the first time in her career when she leads a field of 14 in the $150,000 John Deere Distaff. Among her opponents will be Western Hemisphere, who has not run since losing last year’s Distaff by a nose to Our Mango.

Speaking of millionaires, Dream of Summer can become one with a repeat win in the $150,000 CTT/TOC Matron. She currently has $951,150 in earnings. Her opponents include Grade II winner House of Fortune and Proposed, a full sister to Grade I winner Silent Sighs.

And in the millionaire warhorse department, Full Moon Madness makes his fifth Cal Cup appearance in the $50,000 William T. Pascoe Starter Sprint Handicap.

Grade I winner Unfurl the Flag didn’t scare off the competition as 10 will oppose him in the $150,000 Dodge/Don Valpredo Sprint. Among the opposition is defending champion Areyoutalkintome.

El Don, the reigning California Turf Championship winner, will attempt a rare double in the $175,000 John C. Mabee Mile. He could be tested by Exceeding, who brings with him a four-race win streak.

Moscow Burning, winner of the race two years ago, returns from a seven-month layoff seeking another $100,000 TVG Distance Handicap. The field of six is the shortest on the card.

In the two Juvenile races, multiple stakes winner Direct Connect figures to be tough against the colts and geldings, while multiple stakes winner Sierra Sweetie will receive considerable support in the fillies race.

The last of the 10 stakes races is the $50,000 XTRA 690/FOX 1150 Starter Handicap, where Four Checker is the high weight. He was second in last year’s Starter Sprint Handicap.

Dora’s Tower has to be the proudest broodmare in California. Three of her offspring were entered Friday – Iamatowertoo in the Starter Sprint, Proud Tower Too in the Sprint and Proud Cecy in the Juvenile Fillies. In addition, Dora Tower’s 1998 foal was Proud Tower, winner of the 2000 Cal Cup Juvenile.

Bertrando sired the most Cal Cup entrants with seven.

Everyone in attendance Sunday at Santa Anita only will receive a free Cal Cup Thermos with paid admission, while supplies last. There will be a $1 million guaranteed Pick 6 for races 6-through-11, while the Place Pick All will be on races 1-through-10. There will be no Pick 5, but there will be Pick 4 wagering, with no guarantee on the pool.

Hours of operation Sunday have been extended in the FrontRunner and Turf Club restaurants, which open at 9:15 a.m.