Cal Cup Stable Notes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2005) -- With a profit of more than 20 times her purchase price, Moscow Burning is far and away the best claim James Cassidy ever made.

The 5-year-old daughter of Moscow Ballet was taken for $25,000 on Aug. 7, 2003 and has since earned more than $700,000, winning the Grade II Sheepshead Bay Handicap at Belmont Park and finishing second and third in two Grade I's, the John C. Mabee Handicap and the Flower Bowl Invitational, respectively.

Her next objective should be somewhat less daunting. It's the $100,000 California Cup Distance Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on turf, a race she won in 2003.

Moscow Burning hasn't run for a tag since she was claimed. In 14 subsequent races since the 2003 Distance Handicap, four were Grade I's and six were Grade II's. She has not raced since April 17, when she finished fifth in the Grade II Santa Barbara Handicap.

"She cracked a vertebrae in her back and needed some time," Cassidy said. "We knew there was something going on but we couldn't quite find it. I finally figured it out after a nuclear scan. Her works have been good for her comeback; I'm happy with her. I'll tell you this; she's exceeded anything we ever expected as far as what she's earned, absolutely."

Moscow Burning is owned by Don Van Kempen of Carlsbad.

"This guy's pretty lucky," Cassidy said, "and a pretty smart guy, too. He sells horse products through a company called Equis International."

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

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