Cal Cup

Saturday, Oct. 28th Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

Cal Cup XVII Recap

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2006) – Streaks ended Saturday at the $1.325 million California Cup XVII, as millionaire Texcess won for the first time in 22 months in the featured $250,000 Cal Cup Classic, presented by Smith Barney, while Cambiocorsa saw her perfect 8-for-8 mark on the hillside turf course ruined when she finished third in the $150,000 John Deere Cal Cup Distaff, which was won by River’s Prayer.

Texcess, who last won in the Delta Jackpot in December, 2004, was one of two winners on the card sired by In Excess, who was also represented by Romance is Diane, winner of the nightcap $125,000 Robert H. Walter Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies. Texcess was bred by Ron Gomez and Romance is Diane, a full sister to Grade II winner Romanceishope, was bred by Swan Equine Service.

In Excess stands at Vessels Stallion Farm, the breeder of River’s Prayer, who is by Devon Lane. Freesgood, winner of the $125,000 Bob Benoit Cal Cup Juvenile, was sired by the late Free House, who also stood at Vessels. Freesgood was bred by Currin and Eisman.

The $150,000 TOC/CTT Cal Cup Matron was taken by 2-5 favorite Somethinaboutlaura, a multiple stakes-winning daughter of Dance Floor bred by Lilley Ranch. But the $100,000 Cal Cup Distance Handicap went to Special Heather, a daughter of Truckee bred by Oak Ranch, who upset all-time Cal-bred female top earner Moscow Burning, who was making her racing farewell before a date in the auction ring at Keeneland next month.

The $150,000 Dodge Ram Mega Cab/Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint, decimated by defections that left a field of five, was won convincingly by Sunshine Millions Dash champion Da Stoops, a son of Distorted Humor bred by Malibu Valley Farms and trained by Bob Baffert, who won a Cal Cup race for the first time in nine years.

Veteran claimer Epic Power captured the $175,000 John C. Mabee Cal Cup Mile in a blanket four-horse finish. The son of Epic Honor was bred by Richard Meister.

The XTRA Sports 570 Cal Cup Starter Handicap was won by Phar to Win, a son of Avenue of Flags bred by C-Punch Ranch and winning for the fourth consecutive time.

The $50,000 William T. Pascoe Starter Sprint was won by multiple stakes winner Wind Water, a son of Bold Badgett who was bred by S L U Inc.

Jockey Victor Espinoza rode three Cal Cup winners (Texcess, Somethinaboutlaura, Da Stoops) and Alex Solis rode two (Special Heather and Freesgood). Mike Mitchell, who trained Texcess and Romance is Diane, was the only trainer with multiple winners.

On track attendance was up to 25,436 compared to last year's 22,194, while on-track handle was down from $4,380,496 to $3,992,569. Inter-track wagering dropped from $4,054,710 to $3,868,236. Total handle went from $15,389,513 last year to $14,792,354.