California-bred upstart Chao Chom to step up in La Brea
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Photo:
Benoit Photo/Del Mar
Considering the owner doesn’t speak English and the trainer doesn’t speak Thai, S. Sandow, Inc. and Gary Stute have a business relationship made in heaven.
Stute trains Chao Chom for Sandow, who plans to be on hand when the upstart daughter of Tizbud runs in the Grade I La Brea Stakes for three-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on opening day, Dec. 26.
“It’s a big step up for her but as long as I get (Kent) Desormeaux, I’ll be happy,” Stute said. It was Hall of Fame rider Desormeaux who piloted 8-1 Chao Chom to a 1 ¾-length upset over 1-9 favorite Enola Gray in the Betty Grable Stakes for California-breds at Del Mar Nov. 13.
“He’s got those magic hands,” Stute said of Desormeaux, who was riding the filly for the first time. “He had a chance to ride another filly in the Betty Grable, but that owner wanted to try somebody else.”
Stute said Chao Chom’s owner, who owns a business that collects trash in Bangkok, usually visits the United States later in the year but is coming in specifically to see Chao Chom run in the La Brea.
“The difficult part of our relationship is, I don’t speak Thai and he doesn’t speak English, and I’ve been training for him 15 years,” Gary said. “My Dad (retired trainer Mel Stute) loves them. Every time they come here, his wife gives him a hundred-dollar bill.”
Chao Chom worked six furlongs on Santa Anita’s main track Tuesday in a bullet 1:12.20 under jockey Juan Ochoa.
SANTA ANITA OFFERS POPULAR WALL CALENDAR AND MUCH MORE OPENING DAY
In addition to four graded stakes, Santa Anita Park will again treat fans to its popular 2017 wall calendar and much more with the beginning of its traditional Winter Meet on Monday, Dec. 26. A fan favorite for decades, the Santa Anita 2017 wall calendar will be given free of charge to all attendees with paid admission. With a pair of Grade I stakes, the Malibu and the La Brea leading the way, Santa Anita’s Winter Meet opener will again command center stage among racing fans nationwide.
Mathis Brothers Furniture, for whom the opening day Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile is named, will provide a plush Thoroughbred toy to the first 5,000 kids 12 and under, as well as Mathis Brothers Gift certificates to all paid attendees. Santa Anita will also provide a Family Fun Zone in its spacious Infield Area. (General Admission and parking are free in the Infield, via Gate 6 off of Colorado Place).
Santa Anita’s luxurious Chandelier Room will again play host to the highly acclaimed Guest Chef Series as one of LA’s hottest restaurants will provide contemporary cuisine and post-holiday celebration. Ticketing, available online, includes innovative signature dishes throughout the afternoon, six delicious whiskey tastings, live music, a racing program, a wagering tip sheet and more. To purchase tickets, please visit santaanita.com/events.
With first post time set at 12 noon, admission gates will open at 10 a.m.
Here’s a schedule of opening day events:
--Grade I, $300,000 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.
--Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs
--Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile (turf) for 3-year-olds
--Grade III, $100,000 San Simeon Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, at 6 ½ furlongs down hillside turf
--Free 2017 Santa Anita Wall Calendar
--Free Mathis Brothers plush Thoroughbred toy to first 5,000 kids 12 and under
--A Mathis Brothers Gift Certificate, free with paid admission
--Craft Beer and Cider Festival on Grandstand Apron
--Guest Chef Series in the Chandelier Room featuring a catered menu from one of LA’s hottest restaurants, delicious whiskey tastings, live music and more
--Infield Family Fun Zone featuring pony rides and much more
--Bud Light Lounge, all you can eat buffet, first beer included, racing program and more
Entries for opening day races will be taken Wednesday, Dec. 21.
FINISH LINES: As is its tradition, Santa Anita begins its Winter Meet at 12 noon the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, which falls on a Monday but is considered a holiday since Christmas is on a Sunday. Santa Anita will be dark for live racing Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 27 and 28, and resume live racing Thursday, Dec. 29, at 12:30 p.m. . . . The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Los Alamitos Race Course. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website. The public is encouraged to attend.
Source: Santa Anita Park
Read More
Louisville, Ky. Trainer Brad Cox knew full well that 2-year-old Further Ado was unlikely to repeat his 20-length,...
Godolphin homebred Bella Ballerina rallied from five lengths off a runaway pacesetter, made the first move around the...
There are only a few races in America that can boast the same age as the Del Mar...
Truly Quality led all performers with a 152 Horse Racing Nation speed figure in his repeat victory in...
The Japan road to Kentucky Derby 2026 got underway early Saturday morning when 8-5 favorite Satono Voyage was...