Tag: Chandelier Stakes

Big Saturday in CA Races for HnR Nothhaft Horseracing

Two PABreds and One KYBred invade the Golden State

Hank Nothhaft’s HnR Horseracing Nothhaft Horseracing (HnR Horseracing) got its’ start in Northern CA in the 2007 time frame while we were living in Saratoga CA at the time. We enjoyed a number of years racing in both northern and southern CA. Our favorite track was Bay Meadows, but ran at all the CA tracks including most of the Fair Circuit venues.

Sulis with Practical Joke PABred filly Huntingcoco Chandelier Stakes Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Win and Your In Santa Anita Park 6

NorthviewPA; 3/8/20; PABred filly by Practical Jok o/oSulis, by Maria’s Mon; foaled 3/5/20; breeder HnR Nothhaft Racing

Once we got some direct experience in the wonderful world thoroughbred horse racing, HnR Horseracing decided to combine racing with commercial breeding. Our goal was/is to breed horses that are valuable enough so that we couldn’t or wouldn’t afford to buy them. We have accomplished that goal many times over.

HnR Horseracing geographic focus in the breeding business is and has been the Mid-Atlantic and Kentucky with a strong focus on PA.

It’s true horses can take you anywhere, but it is a bit surprising and thrilling for a small operation like HnR Horseracing to find itself blessed with three starters in races in CA on Saturday say instead of PA. Though it is surprising, I have found over the years that the thoroughbred industry is filled with surprises, both good and bad. Another odd coincidence is that Jockeys Edwin Maldonado and Joe Bravo rode for HnR Horseracing on a number of occasions while racing in CA.

The horses and the Races!!

Carson Jen Race 4 Santa Anita Park MSW Jockey Joe Bravo Trainer George Papaprodromou

Miss Mahalia 20 filly by Gunrunner 3 days of age now Carson Jen

Carson Jen frolicking at Coolmore America

Huntingcoco Race 6 Santa Antia Park Chandelier Stakes Grade 2 Jockey Edwin Maldonado Trainer Bob Baffert

Six Week old Huntingcoco PABred Northview PA

Lookin to Excel Race 3 Fresno MSW Jockey Irving Orozco Trainer Jamey Thomas

Lookin to Excel PABred colt by Lookin at Lucky o/o Exceed and Excel mare Macaabra

What’s next for HnR’s PABred 2 yo filly Huntingcoco?

Huntingcoco, a 2 yo PABred filly bred and sold by Hank Nothhaft’s HnR Nothhaft Horseracing won impressively for Bob Baffert and her connections in her first start. Huntingcoco is by promising 2nd crop sire Practical Joke and o/o Sulis by Maria’s Mon. Going 5.5 furlongs on the dirt at Del Mar on September 4th, Huntingcoco was sent at 7:1 odds, substantially higher than her high priced ($950K Keeneland yearling purchase) stablemate Carla, the odds on favorite. Breaking well along the rail, Huntingcoco asserted herself in the stretch and won by a widening 6 3/4 lengths. .

Huntingcoco Wins Impressively 1st Time Out

Huntingcoco dominated the field in MSW Del Mar

Nine days after this fine effort, Huntingcoco worked lights out at Delmar on September 13th. Huntingcoco put in a serious work going 46.40 for the day’s bullet work.

Huntingcoco Bullet work Del Mar Turf Club 13 Sept 2022

Given Huntingcoco’s success and continued level of effort, one wonders where Huntingcoco will show up next. One distinct possibility is the Chandelier Stakes contested this year on October 8th at Santa Anita Park. The race is for 2 yo fillies, going 1 1/6 mile on the dirt for a $200,000 purse. The Chandelier is a Grade 2 that is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You are in Championship Series. Previous winner’s of the Chandelier include Blind Luck, Song Bird and Serena’s Song. This would be a major step up for Huntingcoco, but she has shown strong signs of significant talent. If this is not her next stop, it will be fun watching to see where the connections place her for her next effort.