Tribal Gal, champion Arizona-bred 3-year-old filly of 2013, was an authoritative winner of the $100,870 Oak Tree Distaff at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet on June 28. The daughter of Tribal Rule, running for owner-breeder John Pendergast, ran six furlongs in 1:09.25.

Tribal Gal rushed up to take the lead shortly after the start and after dueling with Handful of Pearls early, pulled away to an eventual three and a quarter-length victory. It was her first win of the season from three starts.

Mike Harlow has been named the director of racing/racing secretary at Turf Paradise for the 2014-2015 meet, slated to begin on Oct. 18. Shawn Schwartz will serve as Harlow’s assistant. Harlow had served as racing secretary at Turf Paradise from 1994 to 1999, prior to filling that role at Santa Anita through 2011.

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All eyes turn to Belmont Park for its blockbuster Belmont Day card that includes a 10-stakes roster that will make it the second-richest day of racing in North America in 2014, topped off by a tilt at the Triple Crown by California Chrome. Competitors with Arizona connections currently slated to appear on the Belmont Day […]

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Top Fortitude, a full brother to G2 winner Uh Oh Bango, joined the ranks of graded stakes winners by winning the G3 Lazaro Barrera at Santa Anita on May 10. An impressive maiden winner at 2, Top Fortitude had disappointed in his 3-year-old debut but rebounded with style to win the seven-furlong Lazaro Barrera in […]

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On May 5, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1282, while opting to line-item veto a $1.2 million appropriation for the Arizona Breeders’ Award Fund and County Fair Racing Fund. SB 1282 adds advanced deposit wagering for horse and dog racing. Letter from Gov. Brewer

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Brookerson led home a parade of stablemates to win the $52,826 ATBA Spring Sales Stakes at Turf Paradise on closing day, Sunday, May 4. After getting to the front shortly after the break, the Henny Hughes colt led the rest of the way, holding off the odds-on favorite Aggressive Beauty to win by a length […]

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The weanling filly donated to benefit injured jockey Anne von Rosen is now named “Running for Annie.” The run-away winner of the naming contest, where horsemen and breeders voted with their wallets for one of three name choices, was approved by The Jockey Club. Running for Annie, a daughter of Arizona’s perennial leading sire Margie’s […]

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ATBA vice president Dennis Miller, head of Canter in Arizona, is expanding his work with retired racehorses to start a “Saratoga War Horse” organization here in Arizona. For more information: Military hands guide t’bred to aid veterans (Off-Track Thoroughbreds blog)

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