December stakes cupboard far from bare

The deep dark December that some racing fans feel is really unwarranted as the next few weekends will be replete with interesting racing from winter-oriented destinations that deservedly grab the spotlight.  Calder will offer the first two of five graded stakes races between now and December 18 this afternoon with terrific renditions of the Tropical Turf Handicap (G3) and the My Charmer Handicap (G3).  A week from now the Fred Hooper (G3) is the featured event at Calder and the Hollywood Starlet (G1) will headline Hollywood’s Saturday program.  The Fair Grounds has two big weekends coming up including Louisiana Champions Day a week from today and “Santa Sprint Saturday” on December 18 with five stakes races.  The CashCall Futurity is the 2nd of four Grade I races to be run in California this month on December 18 and as always it figures to go a long way towards sorting out the West Coast’s best 2 turning 3YOs as the calendar moves to 2011.  Of course, the month is highlighted by Santa Anita’s traditional December 26 opener with the Malibu and La Brea as the focal points of the opening day program...