Cal-bred News

Cal Cup Stable Notes

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2005) -- Trainer Steve Knapp, who has 48 horses in training, plans to run two in California Cup XVI on Sunday, closing day of the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting.

Rush Country is being pointed for the $175,000 Cal Cup Mile and Brite Maneuvers, (a 7 1/2-length winner at six furlongs on Oct. 5) is set for the $125,000 Juvenile. Felipe Martinez and Corey Nakatani have the respective mounts.

Knapp's major clients are Jim and Marcia Equils, Michael Miller and Howard Roberts Farm.

Steve spreads the wealth when it comes to using riders.

"P.Val, Nakatani, (Jon) Court and (David) Cohen are my basic guys," he said. "I don't think you can really be locked in with one guy because they've got too many horses in too many other barns so you can't get the rider you want all time, and that can be a problem. You've got to use more than one guy. I think it works pretty good with four or five riders."

While there were bumps in the road before reaching this point, Knapp is optimistic about his future.

"In the middle of this endeavor I wasn't so sure I made the right move, because it was very difficult," he said. "I put myself in a hole, but then I saw light at the end of the tunnel. I knew I couldn't stop because I thought I could make it and now I'm doing real well."

In other Cal Cup news:
Trainer Bruce Jackson on California Cup Classic candidate Mr. Joe C, who campaigned in Louisiana and Texas after finishing fifth in the 2003 Classic: "We took him to Texas (Lone Star Park) with us. He ran good over there. I'm not worried about him getting the mile and an eighth. My only concern is he hasn't run in a while (Aug. 5)."
Probable for the $250,000 Classic, presented by Smith Barney: Carano, no rider; Cheroot, no rider; Desert Boom, no rider; El Don, no rider; Mr Joe C, Martin Pedroza; Texcess, no rider; Thor's Echo, Corey Nakatani; and Deputy Doc Renzi, no rider.

Unfurl The Flag, a contender for the $150,000 Sprint, worked five furlongs Sunday under Corey Black in 1:00, a tad slower than usual, but there were extenuating circumstances. "When he broke off at the half-mile pole another horse was injured at the wire and the horn went on," trainer David Bernstein explained. "So Corey had to work him out in the middle of the track, not knowing where the (injured) horse was or if he had to pull Unfurl The Flag up or even abort the work. He normally works in: 59 and change or so. But he came home the last eighth in :11 and change. Corey said he let him gallop out in :12."

Panama Lane, seventh in Hollywood Park's Snow Chief last April 24, is a candidate for the $175,000 Mile. Tyler Baze rides for Richard Mandella. Baze also has the mount on Strut Your Stuff for Don Warren in the $150,000 Distaff, which also is expected to attract Kachina Dream (Martin Pedroza) and Tialinga (Kent Desormeaux).
Victor Espinoza has been engaged to ride Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks winner House of Fortune in the $150,000 Matron at 1 1/16 miles.

Everyone in attendance at Santa Anita only Sunday will receive a free Cal Cup Thermos with paid admission, while supplies last. The stainless steel, double-wall thermos with mug lid comes complete with carrying strap and handle.

There will be a $1 million guaranteed Pick 6 pool with a mandatory payout.

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. First post time on Cal Cup day is 11:15 a.m. Gates open at 9:15 a.m.