Ed Golden
Oak Tree at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. – Del Mar Debutante winner Mi Sueno suffered a condylar fracture to her right leg on a gallop out at Hollywood Park Tuesday after a four-furlong blow out in :47.60, preparing for Sunday’s Oak Leaf Stakes, according to trainer Eric Guillot.

By Pulpit, Mi Sueno races for Southern Equine Stable, owned by Michael Moreno and Guillot.

Mi Sueno has won both her added-money starts, taking the Darley Debutante (Grade 1) and Sorrento (Grade 3) Stakes, both at Del Mar this year. She ran second in her other two races and has earned $288,400.

Bred by Southern Equine in a partnership that also includes Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Bruce Lunsford, Mi Sueno was bought as a weanling by Southern Equine for $1.7 million at the 2007 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Her yearling half-brother (by Pulpit  ’s sire A.P. Indy  ) sold for $1 million to Coolmore associate Demi O’Byrne at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Mi Sueno is the first foal out of Grade 1 winner Madcap Escapade (by Hennessy).

SADLER HOPES TO CONTINUE SURGE INTO BREEDERS’ CUP

Trainer John Sadler, a consistent winner since he began his career 30 years ago, has attained national prominence. The 53-year-old Long Beach native expects to continue his surge during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita which starts tomorrow.

Sadler, directing a stable of some 80 horses, will be seeking his sixth Southern California training title, having won HollywoodPark’s autumn meet in 2007, the 2008 Del Mar and Oak Tree crowns, Santa Anita’s 2008-09 winter/spring title, and the recent Del Mar championship in runaway fashion.

Sadler has never won a Breeders’ Cup race but hopes to add one to his extensive resume this year on his home course. He plans to run both Privilaged and Dave in Dixie in the Grade I Norfolk Stakes this Sunday, Pure Class in the Grade I Oak Leaf Stakes the same day, and Cost of Freedom in the Grade I Ancient Title Stakes on Oct. 11, all in preparation for possible Breeders’ Cup engagements. Dave in Dixie worked seven furlongs Sunday in 1:27.

“I hope to train Noble Court up to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but that could change,” Sadler said, adding that promising 2-year-old Sidney’s Candy “won’t make the Juvenile. He had a little shin (problem) and won’t be ready until the fall.” Noble Court worked five furlongs on Pro-Ride Thursday in 1:00.80.

Multiple graded stakes winner Black Mamba, who is not Breeders’ Cup-eligible, is being pointed to the Grade I Yellow Ribbon Stakes on Oct. 10. She worked seven furlongs on Pro-Ride Sunday in 1:27.

“We have great help, lots of nice horses, and good clients to train for,” Sadler said in explaining his prosperity. “I’m blessed to be going pretty strong in a national economy that’s not very great, so I’m kind of lucky.”

POPULAR OAK TREE STEIN GIVEAWAY ON OPENING DAY

All fans in attendance at Santa Anita on opening day tomorrow will receive a free commemorative Oak Tree stein with paid admission while supplies last. This is the 23rd consecutive year of the promotion, the longest running and most popular in Oak Tree history.

This year’s collector’s stein features the likenesses of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Raven’s Pass and Ladies’ Classic winner Zenyatta, as well the racing colors of all 14 World Championship winners from last year. The late John Gaines, founder of the Breeders’ Cup, also will be represented through his Gainesway Farm colors.  

The classic commemorative stein was commissioned by the Oak Tree Racing Association.

OAK TREE TO OFFER ‘FREE FRIDAYS’ PROMOTION

For the first time in its 41-year history, the Oak Tree Racing Association will institute a full menu of “Free Fridays” throughout its six-week meeting, which begins tomorrow and concludes Nov. 8.

This Friday will mark the first of five “Free Fridays” and will get underway with a special first post time of 2 p.m. All fans attending Fridays will receive free general admission with the exception of the first day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Friday, Nov. 6.

In addition to free general admission, fans will be offered free box seats, while supplies last, along with $1 beers, sodas, hot dogs, popcorn and coffee.

FINISH LINES: Teenage riding star Joe Talamo enjoyed his appearance on NBC-TV’s “Tonight Show” hosted by Conan O’Brien Monday evening. “He asked me about I Want Revenge, and who the hot horses were right now, and I told him Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta,” Talamo said. “He asked me about Elizabeth (Ellis, daughter of trainer Ron Ellis, and Joe’s girlfriend). They had a picture of her in (high) heels and she was like six inches bigger than me, but really, she’s only about two or three inches taller than me. It’s hard to remember everything, because it was such a blur.” . . . Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity winner Square Eddie worked six furlongs on Pro-Ride Sunday in 1:14.20. “He’s probably one work away from a race,” said Dennis O’Neill, brother and associate of trainer Doug O’Neill. “He could run in the Ancient Title (Stakes on Oct. 11).” . . . Eric Kruljac has relocated full time to Southern California. The 56-year-old San Jose native had his base of operations at Turf Paradise for three decades. “I was there for the last 30 years, and would have been out of there 10, 12 years ago if it hadn’t been for my two boys, who were young at the time,” Kruljac said. “Now, the last one’s off to college, so I’m full time in Southern California. All of what’s going on in Arizona is being handled by my little brother, Jay, and I’m concentrating on what I have here.” That would include La Nez, third in the Grade 1 Darley Debutante at Del Mar, and promising maiden Whispering Hush, second as the 17-10 favorite in the Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar. Both 2-year-old fillies are pointing to the California Cup Juvenile Fillies this Saturday.