Oldtophatandtails will be racing for a good cause when he breaks from post five under Martin Garcia in the eighth race at Hollywood Park Saturday, a $25,000 claiming race at six furlongs.
The 4-year-old California-bred colt has won one of six starts for trainer Paula Capestro and earned $18,250 for owner Rebecca Younger, who has funneled all the winnings into New Life Beginnings, an organization she co-founded in Long Beach.
The mission of NLB, a grassroots community-supported organization established in 1984, has been to provide pregnant women a safe shelter and the ability to deliver healthy babies with dignity while learning to become contributing members of society.
"We're for unification of the family and to keep the children out of foster care," explained Younger, adding the 15-bedroom house the organization uses is currently occupied by six women and 23 children. The women often have other young children who are also housed there.
Younger said 20 of the tenants - 15 children and five adults - will attend the races for the first time Saturday to cheer for their horse in the race that offers a $20,000 purse.
Younger explained the acquisition of the horse was purely coincidental. "I was not a racing fan but three years ago Diana Ramsey, his breeder, was moving to Virginia," explained Younger. "She was donating some household items to the facility and asked 'Would you like a horse?'
"I didn't know what to say but Donald Stover, a retired jockey who is our operations manager, said 'yes,'" continued Younger. "Donald was working at San Luis Rey Downs, told Paula about us, and she said, 'I'll help.'"
Capestro said, "I get the trainer's commissions, but all the earnings go to the home."
Younger said, "We've been to the backside to see the horse but this will be the first time on the front-side for those going Saturday." She said a mood of excitement reigns, not only to cheer for Oldtophatandtails and spend an afternoon at the races but also to see the Kentucky Derby simulcast as a bonus.
BEJARANO TO RIDE ON THE ACORN IN JIM MURRAY
Rafael Bejarano has taken a call to ride On the Acorn for the first time when the 7-year-old gelding seeks to become the first repeat winner in the $250,000 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap at 1½ miles on turf here May 10.
Victor Espinoza, who rode the Indizguys Stable color-bearer to victory last year for trainer Mike Mitchell and has been aboard in his last five starts, has opted to ride another Mitchell trainee, Church Service, in the Grade II test.
On the Acorn went to the sidelines for the remainder of the year following the Jim Murray victory and has been winless in three 2008 starts, the most recent a fourth-place finish in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap on April 20 at Santa Anita.
Church Service was a fast-closing second, beaten by a nose, in the Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita on March 29 under Espinoza in his last start. The 5-year-old gelding worked six furlongs in 1:14 on Cushion Track here Friday.
SADLER HOPES A BIG MONTH IS DAWNING
Trainer John Sadler points out that stablemates Dawn After Dawn and Dawn Before Dawn are unrelated but hopes they will have a connection as graded stakes winners.
Both fillies are named for co-owner Dawn Thrash. She and husband Ike, residents of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, initially sent Dawn After Dawn to Sadler last fall because of the synthetic tracks on the California circuit. The filly had shown an affinity for synthetic surfaces with a third-place finish in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland last year.
Dawn After Dawn, a 4-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal, delivered at Santa Anita, winning the Grade II La Canada Stakes and finishing second to Nashoba's Key in the Grade I Santa Margarita Handicap.
Sadler hopes for more synthetic success when the filly breaks from post five in a field of seven in the $100,000-added Grade III Hawthorne Handicap here Sunday.
On May 10, Sadler plans to start Dawn Before Dawn, a daughter of High Yield, in the $100,000-added Grade III Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. She has won two of four starts and had a bullet five-furlong work in :57.60 on Cushion Track here Tuesday.
Sadler also plans to stay busy in stakes with Tasha's Miracle in the $100,000-added Railbird Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs May 11 and Dearest Trickski in the $75,000-added Desert Stormer Handicap at six furlongs May 17. Dearest Trickski, winner of the Grade I La Brea Stakes, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 Friday.
SAILORS SUNSET POINTED FOR L.A. 'CAP DEFENSE
Sailors Sunset, like Jim Murray Memorial Handicap winner On the Acorn, went to the sidelines shortly after winning the Los Angeles Handicap on the same card and has not won again since. Like On the Acorn, Sailors Sunset will be ready to answer the bell in defense of stakes honors on May 10, trainer Marcelo Polanco said Friday from his base at Santa Anita.
"This is the race we've been pointing for the last two months," said Polcano of the 5-year-old gelding, who won the $100,000-added Grade III test last year after setting a track record of 1:07.79 for six furlongs capturing the Vernon Underwood Stakes here in December, 2006.
Sailors Sunset seeks to become the first horse to win the Los Angeles Handicap in consecutive years in its 56-year history. Native Diver is the only two-time winner with scores in 1965 and 1967.
Sailors Sunset went to the sidelines after a fifth-place finish in the Triple Bend Handicap here in July and is winless in three 2008 starts, the most recent a sixth-place finish in the Potrero Grande Handicap at Santa Ania April 5.
"He needed some time off after that race last summer, but he's an easy-going horse and looks happy now," said Polanco. "He just worked three furlongs in 36 and two on the training track this week and will work again Wednesday."
Bilo, winner of the Triple Bend last year, worked six furlongs in 1:11.60 under Tyler Baze Friday for the Los Angeles Handicap. Potrero Grande winner Greg's Gold is also expected to start as the probable favorite under Victor Espinoza.
CORRAL POPULAR ON BACKSIDE
Exercise rider James Corral, a former jockey, has turned a hobby into a part-time job.
Corral harnessed his talent as a handyman and carpenter and mounted horseshoes onto a wood base to build quality bridle racks. He later tried putting one horseshoe onto a smaller base to make a plaque.
Corral has found a growing market for his attractive work. "Just taking a bridle rack over to David Hofmans," said Corral Friday of his latest completed project.
Corral donated a Lava Man plaque with one of the horse's shoes to groom Noe Garcia last weekend upon the multi-millionaire's return to the races. Garcia returned to work two months ago after losing his left arm in an automobile accident last July.
Corral said he is also planning to donate a second Lava Man plaque to Garcia's wife and is working on a Thor's Echo plaque for the champion sprinter's owners.
