The challenges of California racing are well documented as the nation is trying to provide strong wallets, maintain field size, and compete with states that receive wallet funds from additional games. Presented by NYRA BETS, this year’s Belmont Stakes serves as the latest reminder that California issues don’t include the quality of runners on track.
Top horses are most certainly trained in California, especially when it comes to classic type dirt horses.
Three of the eight runners who participated in Belmont on the Saratoga race course on June 7th this year are based in Southern California. Each horse looks like a major player, as the skilled trio of Journalism, Baeza and Rodriguez are three of the top four options on the morning line.
Journalism, 8-5 morning line finished second in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, and took a hair-up victory in the Preakness Stakes. Journalism, who matched Sierkarlin as the winner of Preakness, entered the Triple Crown from his victory in the Santa Anita Derby.
After a light race 4-1, Baeza finished second in journalism in the Santa Anita Derby before third in the Kentucky Derby. Baeza found the Santa Anita Derby to be on the qualifying list for that derby as it marked the sole start on the road to the Kentucky Derby Points race, with the second-place finish not scoring the typical 50 qualifying points.
Rodriguez (6-1) will attract the attention of his rivals on Saturday after a gate-to-wire victory at the Wood Memorial Stake presented by Resorts World Casino. The son of Front Running 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic will make his classic debut after foot issues lock him out of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Journalism is conditioned by Mike McCarthy for Owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partner, Bridlewood Farm, breeders Don Albert Stubble, Robert Trapenta, Elaine Stable 5, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Delic Miss. McCarthy grew up near Santa Anita Park, but before returning to Southern California, she was an assistant to Todd Plitcher in the Midwest and New York.
“California speaks for itself,” McCarthy said. “I think our best horses in California are equally effective everywhere in the country.
“Look, our wallets may not be as competitive as Kentucky or the East Coast, but from a quality perspective, from a racehorse perspective, it’s as good as it is everywhere.”
McCarthy pointed out that the ongoing emphasis on California’s early speed continues to translate well into competition in dirt races everywhere in the world. Baeza trainer John Shirreffs is being campaigned by CRK Stable and Breader Grandview Equine, but while understanding the growth of turf racing, he said the sport should attract more fans each year to attract more fans and watch triple crown races.
“The most exciting dirt races are very dynamic compared to grass races,” Shirev said. “In turf races, you have a sprint in the last quarter, right? There’s a pace, speed, there’s a closer in the dirt races.
Shirreffs said California has remained the best place to train horses, and he pointed out that there is a number of horse quality out there, especially considering that they don’t have as many horses as other states. Trainers can count on good weather and Southern California offers maidens, allowances and staged stocks throughout the year, so there’s no need to move the barn to another state in the winter.
“California doesn’t get enough credibility,” Shirev said. “Everyone seems to be very critical of California. I don’t understand that at all because there are great weather all year round. The weather is not a factor in training. Weather is a huge advantage because you don’t lose a lot of time with your horse. It’s especially important for younger horses.”
Of course, the two recent Triple Crown winners were each based in Southern California. Trainer Bob Buffate secured the second and third Belmont victory in 2015 when the American Pharaoh completed the sweep in 2018, matching the results.
Buffate said travel to other jurisdictions is geographically difficult to talk about, so California-based horses tend to be placed, and it tends to make competition in Southern California stronger. They sharpen each other everywhere else they may play the game, like top university athletes.
“I mean, we’re like the SEC,” Baffert said. “It’s always tough. We can’t run out of town and go to the various little trucks around. We’re together.”
On Saturday, the three will be together at the Belmont Stakes Starting Gate.
Byron King contributed to this story.
