Cal-bred News

Cal Cup Stable Notes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2005) – Darrell Vienna plans to run Cheroot in California Cup XVI on Nov. 6. He's just not sure whether it will be in the $250,000 Classic presented by Smith Barney at 1 1/8 miles on the main track or the $175,000 John C. Mabee Mile on turf.

"Right now it looks to me like the Classic might be the weaker race," the trainer said. "However, the horse's form has developed on the turf, so it's kind of a quandary and that's why we're undecided."

Cheroot, a 4-year-old son of Smokester, has two wins and a second in his last three starts, all on turf. He broke his maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt for a $25,000 claiming tag at Hollywood Park on May 6.

"This issue is whether he's gotten better overall or whether he's gotten better on the turf," Vienna said. "He's always worked well on the dirt and I've been working him on the dirt, so I'm trying to keep the options open."

Cheroot has a 3-1-3 record from 11 starts with earnings of $86,960 for owner Charlotte Wrather of Los Alamos.

In other Cal Cup news:

Seemingly fully recovered from an eventful trip in the Grade I Vosburgh Stakes in which he finished seventh, Unfurl The Flag worked five furlongs Saturday in :59.40 for the $150,000 Sprint.

"He worked super, I thought," trainer David Bernstein said. "He finished dynamite. I think he's recovered from the trip he had (in the race). You'd have to think the difference running in a Cal-bred race and an open Grade I race like the Vosburgh is huge. The purse tells you that ($500,000 to $125,000)."

Ted H. West named Kent Desormeaux to ride Jet West in the Sprint. Other commitments for Desormeaux include Malley Girl for Bob Hess Jr. in the $125,000 Juvenile Fillies and Tialinga for Gary Stute in the $150,000 Distaff. Paul Atkinson rides Irish Bar for Dan Hendricks in the $125,000 Juvenile, agent Tommy Ball said.

The Oak Tree Racing Association and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association will host the post-position draw breakfast for Cal Cup XVI on Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. at Clockers' Corner.