Valley Creek Farm 

Juvenile stakes winning fill Whitewinesipper heads an impressive roster of horses bred and raised at Valley Creek Farm that are heading for California Cup XII. To be run Nov. 3 at Santa Anita, California Cup features 10 races and $1.275 million in purses exclusively for California-breds.

Whitewinesipper defeated Lady George and multiple stakes winner Britetonzmyday by three lengths in the Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 29. It was her first stakes win and second victory in as many starts. She has since run unplaced in the grade I Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita, but should prove a contender in the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Fillies that may also draw early summer sensation Georgia's Storm.

The daughter of Apollo--Dear Morgana, by Fabled Monarch, was bred by F. Jack Liebau and Leigh Ann Howard. A former CTBA director and president, Liebau now heads Magna Entertainment's racetrack operations in California. He also owns Valley Creek Farm with Thomas Capehart. The 60-acre facility, located in the countryside northeast of Escondido, is managed by Leigh Ann Howard.

Valley Creek horses are very people-oriented, thanks to the extensive handling they receive from the moment they are born. All mares give birth outdoors in a pristine grass enclosure that serves as a foaling pen, and they are assisted by an experienced four-person crew.

"When a foal is trying to get up in a stall the footing is wet and slippery." Howard said. "Babies tend to fall a lot and injuries can occur when they fall into the walls. It's much easier for a foal to find a foothold in the grass, there is much more room and the mares are much quieter." 

The mare and newborn are moved into a bathing area as soon as the foal is up and walking so that the mare can be thoroughly washed with warm water. They are left alone in a large dry stall for the rest of the night. 

Immediately after the birth, as the new born foal is being licked dry and imprinted by his mother, the foaling crew is also quietly imprinting him. A member of the crew quietly rubs the new baby's body, ears, face, mouth, legs and feet to familiarize him with the human touch. 

In the days following the birth the foal is lead through a simulated trailer with the help of a butt rope, brushed, feet picked up, and basically exposed to many of the items and situations he will face in the future. Howard feels this early handling will make the future easier for both the horse and the people dealing with the horse.

In addition to Whitewinesipper, other Valley Creek-breds nominated to the Cal Cup include a 3-year-old Regal Classic colt named Toke'n Classics for the Distaff, a 2-year-old Falstaff colt named Royal Brew for the Juvenile and a 2-year-old Pirate's Bounty filly named Regal Bounty for the Juvenile Fillies.