Santa Anita Stable Notes Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN THURSDAY, JAN. 23, 2025

• CAL FIRE’S BASE CAMP MOVED TO SANTA ANITA FROM ROSE BOWL • WORKS: DERBY PROSPECT JOURNALISM BACK ON TAB • 2024 ECLIPSE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED THURSDAY NIGHT • MONDAY’S $2 PICK 6 RETURNS $76K FOR 1 WINNING TICKET

CAL FIRE’S BASE CAMP MOVED TO SANTA ANITA FROM ROSE BOWL Santa Anita’s south parking lot, which recently served as a relief center for those affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires, is now the new base camp for Cal Fire after it was moved from the Rose Bowl. Cal Fire is expected to take up residence at Santa Anita for the next three weeks.

The move to Santa Anita comes ahead of an anticipated rainstorm that’s forecast to hit the area this weekend, potentially triggering dangerous mudslides in the foothills above Santa Anita. More than 300 firefighters and possibly additional National Guard personnel will be based at Santa Anita.

Cal Fire will have its own sleeping quarters, kitchen, generators, internet access and security access. Santa Anita will also assist in the effort by providing hydrant access and grey water disposal.

"Santa Anita and 1/ST are happy to provide Cal Fire space for its base camp while these incredible first responders do their important work restoring the foothills after the devastating wildfires,” said Pete Siberell, Santa Anita’s Director of Community Service and Special Projects.“Although Cal Fire is pretty self-sufficient, we’re providing some nine acres for its operation, along with easy access to areas in Altadena, Sierra Madre and Pasadena, so they can do their work quickly and efficiently."

As of Thursday morning, the Eaton fire that ravaged areas near Santa Anita was 95 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. As part of Santa Anita’s efforts in the recovery, more than 100,000 people came through the relief center to drop off and pickup needed supplies.

Santa Anita’s North parking lot is also continuing to serve as a “laydown yard” for Southern California Edison as the utility company works to restore power to thousands of homes in the area.

If you wish to help those affected by the wildfires, which includes many in the Santa Anita community, track officials are encouraging people to make contributions to the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, Foothill Unity Center Food Bank and Support Services, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund and Pasadena Humane.

WORKS: DERBY PROSPECT JOURNALISM BACK ON TAB FOR MCCARTHY On Thursday at Santa Anita, leading Kentucky Derby prospect Journalism worked for the first time since his victory in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 14.

By Curlin out of graded-stakes winner Mopotism, by Uncle Mo, Journalism drilled a half mile in 49.80 seconds for trainer Michael McCarthy. In pool three of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager last weekend, Journalism closed at odds of 20-1 to win this year’s Run for the Roses.

Journalism rolled to a 3 ½-length victory under Umberto Rispoli in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity when facing winners for the first time. Previously, he broke his maiden when stretched out to a mile for his second start on Nov. 17 at Del Mar.

Earlier this week, McCarthy told Daily Racing Form’s Steve Andersen that Journalism is targeting the GII San Felipe for his 3-year-old debut on March 1 at Santa Anita. The San Felipe, contested at 1 1/16 miles, awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. It also serves as the final local prep for the GI Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles on April 5 at Santa Anita.

Journalism was an $825,000 auction buy as a yearling. He is owned by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert V. LaPenta. Journalism is 3: 2-0-1 with $158,880 in earnings.

Other notable workers Thursday included Grade I winner Speed Boat Beach and multiple stakes winner King River Knight.

Speed Boat Beach, who hasn’t started since winning the GI Malibu in December 2023, earned a bullet when drilling four furlongs in 47.00 seconds for trainer Bob Baffert. Last Thursday, Speed Boat Beach worked for the first time since late September.

Kings River Knight continued on the comeback trail for trainer John Sadler with a four-furlong work on the main track in 49.20 seconds. A winner of six stakes on turf for California-breds, Kings River Knight hasn’t started since taking the Crystal Water Stakes last May. This was the third work this month for the 7-year-old gelding by Acclamation.

Kings River Knight is 16: 10-5-0 with $649,830 in earnings for owners Integrity Thoroughbred Racing LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth A. Tevelde.

2024 ECLIPSE AWARD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY NIGHT Both the human and equine champions of 2024 will be revealed Thursday night at the 54th Eclipse Awards at The Breakers resort in South Florida. The ceremony will be shown live starting at 4 p.m. PT on FanDuel and across various streaming outlets including NTRA.com.

It’s likely to prove a joyous night for some Southern California racing entities. In 10 equine categories (steeplechase horse not included), eight Southern California-based horses are among the three finalists.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser, trained by Dan Blacker, is a finalist for both champion sprinter and champion older dirt male. Also among the three finalists for champion sprinter is Santa Anita-based The Chosen Vron, trained and co-owned by Eric Kruljac.

Joining Straight No Chaser in the older dirt male category are Santa Anita-based finalists National Treasure, trained by Bob Baffert, and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano for trainer John Sadler.

In the male turf horse category, Johannes is among the finalists for trainer Tim Yakteen. And in the 2-year-old male category, both Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull and Juvenile runner-up Gaming are among the finalists for Baffert.

In the older dirt female category, Adare Manor is a finalist for Baffert.

Among the finalists for champion jockey is Flavien Prat, who is the current leading rider at the Santa Anita Classic Meet.

Voting for the Eclipse Awards is conducted by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and Daily Racing Form.

FINISH LINES: A single winning ticket in Monday’s $2 Pick Six returned $76,369.80. The winning horses were #7 Crystal Proof ($7.40), #8 Lamporghini ($9.20), #4 Knightwithlouis ($17.60), #10 Firenze Flavor ($5.40), #1 Duran ($19.40) and #8 Jubilant Joanie ($3.40)…Trainer Ruby Thomas won her first-ever race at Santa Anita Monday with Crystal Proof, who paid $7.40 when scoring in the fifth race. One race earlier, Ruby Thomas’s son, trainer Jamey Thomas, earned a win of his own with Lazlo ($3.60)…First post Friday is 12:30 p.m. PT for a nine-race card…First post times on Saturday and Sunday are 12 p.m. for a pair of 10-race programs…Friday’s $1 Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 starts at 1:42 p.m. PT with the ninth race from Gulfstream Park…Santa Anita wagering ambassador George Malanche will be host Tom Quigley’s handicapping guest Friday on the Santa Anita simulcast feed starting at 11:20 a.m…Every Friday during the Classic Meet, on-track patrons receive free parking and admission plus $3 beers and $5 margaritas.