Santa Anita news: Espinoza to ride twice in Thursday races

Life and career are returning to normal for Victor Espinoza, who rode in his first race last Monday at Santa Anita after recovering from serious injuries in a training accident last July at Del Mar.

The 46-year-old Hall of Fame member and three-time Kentucky Derby winner finished second on favored Gallantlystreaming for trainer John Sadler that day.

On Thursday, Espinoza is named on two horses for long-time patron Jim Cassidy, Tiz Wonderfully in the first race and Gold N Grand in the eighth.

“Everything is good,” said Espinoza, who worked two horses Sunday morning. “I’m excited and looking forward to winning some more races for my buddy Jim. I always joke with him, saying that the only bad thing about riding for him is it ruins my percentage. Seriously, Jim has always been good to me and a big supporter. I’m happy to be back.”

NEPTUNE’S STORM MAKES STAKES DEBUT IN PASADENA

Bill Morey, a training presence in both northern and southern California, hopes to add to his laurels at Santa Anita when he runs Neptune’s Storm in Saturday’s $100,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf.

The grass pedigree is evident for the gelded son of Stormy Atlantic, who has run on turf in his last four starts, winning two. The Pasadena will be his first stakes race.

The 44-year-old Morey ranks among the top 10 trainers at both Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields. At Santa Anita, he has nine wins from 53 starts, 17 percent, in addition to 12 seconds and nine thirds (an in the money percentage of 57).

At Golden Gate, Morey has 12 wins from 54 starts, well above average at 22 percent, and an in the money mark of 43 percent.

His career stats are nothing less than gaudy, with 1,658 wins from 7,035 starts, 24 percent, and an in-the-money percentage also of 57.

Kent Desormeaux rides Neptune’s Storm in the Pasadena, which also is expected to attract Big Scott Daddy (Mike Smith), Rijeka (no rider) and Shining Through (Flavien Prat).

ONE BUT NOT DONE FOR NEW TRAINER CESAR DeALBA

Former top Los Alamitos jockey Cesar DeAlba saddled his first horse as a trainer Saturday but was out of business in just under a minute and 11 seconds and looking for another runner.

DeAlba sent out 11-1 shot Pied N True to finish second in the second race, a six furlong sprint for $16,000 claimers, and after Platinum Nights won the race by 3 ¾ lengths in 1:10.25, lost the six-year-old mare via claim to trainer Matt Chew.

“She was the first horse I ever ran as a trainer and my only horse,” said the 37-year-old DeAlba, who also owned Pied N True. “Now I’m looking to claim a horse to get back in action, but I have a 2-year-old coming in next month,” added the native of Guadalajara who was raised in San Diego.

DeAlba rode Thoroughbreds when he started as a jockey in 2001, switched to quarter horses in 2005 and won more than 1,000 races. His father, 64-year-old Salvador, still breaks babies at a layup facility in Valley Center in North San Diego County and also gallops horses for trainers Michelle Dollase and Sam Scolamieri.

“I love the challenge and I love racing,” Cesar said of his new vocation. “This is my life.”

CARMA ELECTS CANDACE CODER-CHEW AS BOARD PRESIDENT

The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), a non-profit organization that provides funding for retirement of California-raced Thoroughbred horses, has announced that Candace Coder-Chew has been unanimously chosen board president.

Nominated by her predecessor, veteran trainer Howard Zucker, whose term had come to an end in January, Coder-Chew fills the position perfectly with her tenacious personality, involvement in racing and love of Thoroughbreds.

“There is no one who deserves this title more than Candace,” said CARMA’s founder Madeline Auerbach. “She dedicates so much time to this organization and our mission. CARMA has seen tremendous growth over the last several years and I am confident Candace will continue that upward trajectory.”

In her previous role as vice president, Coder-Chew oversaw the expansion of CARMA’s Placement Program and the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show (TCHS).

During her tenure, participation in both programs grew more than 50 percent. She was also instrumental in creating Aftercare Awareness Days at Santa Anita Park. Recognizing a need to demonstrate the versatility of Thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over, Coder-Chew created an on-track event to showcase their abilities to horsemen and fans during live racing.

“I am more than honored to serve as President of CARMA with a team of dedicated and passionate industry professionals that make up CARMA’s board of directors,” said Coder-Chew. “CARMA, and its critical mission of supporting Thoroughbred aftercare and aftercare awareness, has been near and dear to my heart since its inception.”

“To begin this month, we have designed a new campaign titled OWN. RACE. RETIRE. This will be the common thread through our existing programs designed to increase awareness and promote inclusiveness with both the horse racing industry and the general public. I am looking forward to working with our talented board and staff to see the organization reach its fullest potential,” she said. 

Professionally, Coder-Chew is Santa Anita Park’s Director of Print and Graphics – a position she has held for 26 years. She is the wife of Thoroughbred race trainer Matthew Chew and has owned many retired racehorses.

“Candace is incredibly hands-on--her passion for Thoroughbreds is evident in the amount of time she gives to this organization,” said Executive Director Lucinda Mandella. “She has brought so much of her knowledge and professional skills to the charity and we are excited to see where she will lead us over the next three years of her term.” 

FINISH LINES: Undefeated Triple Crown contender Instagrand, a candidate for the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 6, is scheduled to work Monday morning under Florida-based four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Javier Castellano, Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Sunday . . . Humberto Ascanio, who played Colonel Parker to Bobby Frankel’s Elvis for 35 years until the legendary trainer’s death in 2009, visited with friends at Clockers’ Corner Sunday. Ascanio’s two sons keep dad in the game , Mike as an integral member of Santa Anita’s clocking team and Mathew, training to become a photo finish operator under the aegis of Jim Anderson . . . Multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Ashleyluvssugar worked five furlongs on the training track Saturday in 1:01.60. Trainer Peter Eurton has him ticketed for the San Luis Rey Stakes (G2) at a mile and a half on turf March 23 . . . Santa Anita will be dark for live racing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week but be open for simulcast wagering Wednesday with free Grandstand admission and free parking. Admission gates open at 10 a.m. Live racing resumes Thursday at 1 p.m.