Event: Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks Location: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California Date: January 18, 2025 Distance: One Mile (Turf) Purse: $175,000 Eligibility: Golden State Series Eligible California-Bred or California-Sired Three-Year-Old Fillies Weight: 124 lbs (trophy presented to winning owner)
Horse, Trainer, and Breeder Details
| P# | PP | Horse | Age | S | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L | Owner | Breeder | Pedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Less Is More (CA) | 3 | F | Juan J. Hernandez | 124 | Doug F. O’Neill | 12/1 | Reddam Racing, LLC | Reddam Racing, LLC | Nyquist – Blame the Agent, by Jimmy Creed |
| 2 | 2 | Tequilaandtherapy (CA) | 3 | F | Edwin A. Maldonado | 124 | Doug F. O’Neill | 6/1 | Here We Go Brothers | Reddam Racing, LLC | Mrazek – Chexcess, by In Excess (IRE) |
| 3 | 3 | Sunset Grazen (CA) | 3 | F | Armando Ayuso | 124 | Samuel Calvario | 20/1 | Samuel Calvario | Legacy Ranch, Inc. | Grazen – Sausalito Sunset, by Slew’s Tiznow |
| 4 | 4 | Big Soiree (CA) | 3 | F | Alejandro Gomez | 124 | Jorge Bautista | 30/1 | Paradox Stable | Paradox Stables | Mr. Big – Silver Soiree, by Tapizar |
| 5 | 5 | Chilly Philly (CA) | 3 | F | Diego A. Herrera | 124 | Tim Yakteen | 30/1 | Brown, Klein, Lebherz | PT Syndicate #1 LLC | Frosted – Estelle, by Distorted Humor |
| 6 | 6 | Take Another Card (CA) | 3 | F | Hector Isaac Berrios | 124 | Simon Callaghan | 9/2 | Reddam Racing, LLC | Reddam Racing, LLC | I’ll Have Another – You Missed It, by Lookin At Lucky |
| 7 | 7 | We the Hobby (CA) | 3 | F | Antonio Fresu | 124 | Peter Miller | 20/1 | Altamira Racing Stable | Peter Miller | Om – American Farrah, by Pioneerof the Nile |
| 8 | 8 | Miso Phansy (CA) | 3 | F | Umberto Rispoli | 124 | Leonard Powell | 8/1 | Ciaglia Racing LLC | Ciaglia Racing LLC | Karakontie (JPN) – Sandy Cheeks, by Souvenir Copy |
| 9 | 9 | Grateful My Love (CA) | 3 | F | Flavien Prat | 124 | Michael W. McCarthy | 5/1 | Sweetwater Stable | W. Thomas Clark | Danzing Candy – Miss Georgie Gal, by Include |
| 10 | 10 | Hey Jessie (CA) | 3 | F | Kyle Frey | 124 | Sean McCarthy | 5/2 | Sayjay Racing LLC | Say Jay Racing, LLC | Grazen – Bea’s Cee, by Cee’s Tizzy |
| 11 | 11 | Pavel Is Appealing (CA) | 3 | F | Mario Gutierrez | 124 | Doug F. O’Neill | 12/1 | Reddam Racing, LLC | Reddam Racing, LLC | Pavel – Almost Guilty, by Distorted Humor |
| 12 | 12 | In the Air Tonight (CA) | 3 | F | Tiago Josue Pereira | 124 | Steve R. Knapp | 12/1 | Chacon, Flores, Lovingier | Terry C. Lovingier | Stay Thirsty – Angel Allie, by Sky Mesa |
| AE | 13 | Musical Number (CA) | 3 | F | Kazushi Kimura | 124 | Dean Pederson | 20/1 | Harris Farms, Inc. | Harris Farms, Inc. | Uptown Rythem – Logical Single, by Singletary |
Race Analysis
The Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks features a competitive field of three-year-old fillies showcasing top-tier talent from California. Here’s a closer look at the key contenders:
- Hey Jessie (5/2), trained by Sean McCarthy and ridden by Kyle Frey, enters as the morning line favorite. This filly has shown impressive performances in her recent races, proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the turf.
- Take Another Card (9/2), under the guidance of Simon Callaghan and jockeyed by Hector Isaac Berrios, is another top contender. This filly’s consistency and strong finishing ability make her a serious threat in this race.
- Grateful My Love (5/1), trained by Michael W. McCarthy and ridden by Flavien Prat, brings experience and versatility to the field. Her solid performances make her one to watch.
- Tequilaandtherapy (6/1), part of Doug F. O’Neill’s strong lineup, with Edwin A. Maldonado in the saddle, has shown potential and could provide an upset.
- Miso Phansy (8/1), trained by Leonard Powell and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, has displayed strong form in past turf races and could surprise the field.
Trainer Highlights
- Doug F. O’Neill has three entries—Less Is More, Tequilaandtherapy, and Pavel Is Appealing—demonstrating his depth and strategic approach in this stakes race.
- Simon Callaghan’s entry, Take Another Card, shows his knack for preparing top-caliber fillies.
