Luck's John Ortiz fits right in at the racetrack

John Ortiz with trainer Julio Canani at Clockers’ Corner, Santa Anita

Actor John Ortiz is often spotted at Clockers’ Corner these days, diligently soaking up the sights, sounds and unique ambiance of a training morning at Santa Anita Racetrack. Ortiz is obviously deeply immersed in his role in the highly anticipated new HBO series, Luck. In the series, he plays trainer Turo Escalante – a character fashioned after real-life trainer and racetrack character Julio Canani.

HBO viewers were treated to a sneak preview on Dec. 11 of what promises to be another great show from writer/producer David Milch (of Deadwood fame) and director Michael Mann. The series premiers on Sunday, Jan. 29.

A Visit with The Pamplemousse at Santa Anita

I visited The Pamplemousse in his stall at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning, and I found him heartily devouring his breakfast. In fact, he was enjoying his meal so much that he barely came up for air or to get a pat! He looked absolutely marvelous, though.

The Pamplemousse, whose racing career was sidelined in April just before the Santa Anita Derby -- costing him a chance at the Kentucky Derby -- has been recuperating very well according to trainer Julio Canani. Tentative plans call for a trip north for "The Mousse," where he could spend some time in the snow -- a remedy for tendon problems such as the one he suffered.

Stay tuned for updates!

Silent Stalk Schools at Del Mar

Silent Stalk caught my eye as she was schooling in the Del Mar paddock this morning for trainer Julio Canani. Entered for tomorrow's second race at Del Mar, an allowance optional claiming race at 5 furlongs on the turf, she certainly looks fit and ready.

A Visit with The Pamplemousse

I visited The Pamplemousse Saturday at Julio Canani's barn at Hollywood Park. "The Mousse" looked wonderful and was extremely sociable!

Co-owner Alex Solis II said the colt is happy and doing well and "doesn't know anything is wrong!"

The Pamplemousse has been out of training since April due to a lesion on the tendon of his left foreleg. The winner of the Grade 3 San Rafael and Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita this year was scratched from the Santa Anita Derby and has been on a program of walking and stall rest at Canani's barn. According to Solis, The Pamplemousse will be transferring to a farm within the next two weeks. I'll keep you posted.

Greetings from The Pamplemousse

The Pamplemousse at Santa Anita, 4/7/09.

The Pamplemousse looked relaxed in his stall this morning at trainer Julio Canani's barn, posing for a photo and happily chomping on a peppermint I gave him.

According to co-owner Alex Solis II, The Pamplemousse will be out of training for six to 12 months due to a lesion on the tendon of his left foreleg. The Pamplemousse, winner of the Grade 3 San Rafael and Grade 3 Sham stakes at Santa Anita this year, was scratched from Saturday's Santa Anita Derby.

Although Saturday's turn of events saw so many people's Kentucky Derby hopes go up in smoke, it is heartwarming to know there are horsemen of such integrity caring for "The Mousse" and making the difficult decisions based on what's best for the horse. I will provide future updates on his progress.

The Pamplemousse Puts in a Bullet Work at Santa Anita

The Pamplemousse worked 3 furlongs Tuesday morning in :34.80 -- the fastest of 13 works at the distance. He took his time walking back to trainer Julio Canani's barn, just ambling along under jockey Alex Solis, checking out the scenery and other horses in his usual, relaxed style!

It was his final blowout before Saturday's Santa Anita Derby. Also working Tuesday morning were Derby rivals Pioneer of the Nile, who went 4 furlongs in :47.60 for trainer Bob Baffert, and Chocolate Candy, who also worked 4 furlongs, in :48.60, for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

The Pamplemousse Works Wednesday at Santa Anita

The Pamplemousse, Alex Solis up.

The Pamplemousse worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.00 on Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. As usual, jockey Alex Solis was up.

On hand for the early morning workout were owners Alex Solis Jr., Jeff and Bill Strauss, and Tom Murray. Trainer Julio Canani is in Dubau with Grade 1 winner Hyperbaric, a contender for the Dubai Duty Free on Saturday.

Ron Bob Schooling for Trainer Julio Canani at Santa Anita

Ron Bob, trained by Julio Canani.

Here's a lovely grey I watched schooling in the paddock at Santa Anita on Friday for trainer Julio Canani. Ron Bob is a 5-year-old gelding by Dumaani and runs in the 9th race at Santa Anita Saturday, a starter allowance at about 6-1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

Ron Bob had a bullet work last Wednesday, 3/18/09, going 5 furlongs in :58.00 -- the fastest of 46 works at the distance.

Miss Silver Brook Works at Santa Anita

Miss Silver Brook (grey, outside), Alex Solis up.

Miss Silver Brook looked like "Miss Silver Bullet" tearing down the stretch at Santa Anita Wednesday morning. Trained by Julio Canani and ridden by jockey Alex Solis, Miss Silver Brook was clocked in :59.40 for the 5 furlong work.

Update on The Pamplemousse

The Pamplemousse returns from a gallop on Monday morning at Santa Anita.

The Pamplemousse looked fabulous returning from a two-mile gallop on the main track at Santa Anita this morning. With the Santa Anita Derby less than two weeks away, it's great to see him looking fit and well filled out. He was, of course, as relaxed as ever as he walked leisurely back to trainer Julio Canani's barn.

The 'Mousse is scheduled for a workout Wednesday morning, and I hope to catch a video of that to post on this blog.

Historic San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita Saturday

Spring House, trained by Julio Canani

Spring House heads a field of seven for Saturday's $150,000 San Luis Rey Handicap at 1-1/2 miles on the turf at Santa Anita. Trained by Julio Canani for R.D. Hubbard, Spring House was an impressive winner of the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo Handicap at the same distance on the turf on Feb. 22.

This race was named for Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, founded in 1798 and named for St. Louis IX (1215-1270), King of France. Although it was the last of the California missions to be founded in the south, it came to be one of the largest and wealthiest. Located in Oceanside, just a few miles from Del Mar Racetrack, it is still a thriving mission parish, complete with a museum and gift shop.

The 58th Running of the San Luis Rey Handicap (Grade II)
$150,000 Guaranteed
One Mile And One Half (Turf) - Four Year Olds and Up

PP Horse               YOB  Sex Wt  Jockey         Trainer
1  YOU GOT ME ROCKING  '04  G   113 Baze, T        Mitchell, Mike
2  BONJOUR (NZ)        '00  G   114 Talamo, J      Knapp, Steve
3  MEDICI CODE (GB)    '04  G   115 Rosario, J     Vienna, Darrell
4  MIDSHIPS            '05  C   113 Espinoza, V    Frankel, Robert
5  SPRING HOUSE        '02  G   118 Solis, A       Canani, Julio
6  ARTISTE ROYAL (IRE) '01  R   118 Bejarano, R    Drysdale, Neil
7  ON FIRE             '04  G   112 Blanc, B       Abrams, Barry

Alex Solis Works The Pamplemousse at Santa Anita

The Mousse is Loose!

The Pamplemousse worked five furlongs in :59.80 with jockey Alex Solis up this morning for trainer Julio Canani. On hand to watch the workout were three of the colt's owners, Jeff and Bill Strauss and Tom Murray, as well as the crew from Animal Planet taping footage for the upcoming season of "Jockeys."

The video takes you from Canani's barn to the track and back, and includes an interview with Jeff Strauss. Enjoy!

Ditto This Schooling for Trainer Canani

Ditto This will return to the races following an 8-week rest, in today's 2nd at Santa Anita, a $40,000 claimer for 4-year-old fillies at one mile on the turf. David Flores gets the mount for trainer Julio Canani and owners Gold & Gold LLC.

The Pamplemousse Schools for the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita

The Pamplemousse schooled during Friday's first race at Santa Anita for trainer Julio Canani, in preparation for today's Grade 3, $200,000 Sham Stakes at a mile and an eighth on the synthetic track. Best of luck to his connections: Canani, Alex Solis II (and jockey Alex Solis), Bienstock & Winner, and Jeff Strauss!

The Pamplemousse: Ready for Saturday!

The Pamplemousse just keeps getting better looking! I caught a glimpse of him out for a jog this morning at Santa Anita, and was impressed by the fact that he looks bigger and more muscular each time I see him.

The Pamplemousse is aiming for Saturday's Sham Stakes, and Trainer Julio Canani is looking like a proud papa these days!

The Pamplemousse Schooling in the Gate

Trainer Julio Canani looks on as The Pamplemousse gets some schooling in the starting gate at Santa Anita this morning.

The Pamplemousse Turns in a Bullet Work

The Pamplemousse was clocked going 4 furlongs in :46.60, Alex Solis up, for trainer Julio Canani on Wednesday morning. It was the fastest of 39 works at the distance.

This colt is looking more AWESOME every day to me! Notice Solis' comment directed at Canani, "He wants me to slow down a train."

The Pamplemousse Cools Out After an Impressive Work

I watched The Pamplemousse cooling out at Julio Canani's barn following a very quick work this morning on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride track. Look for the video to go up this evening.

Miss Silver Brook in Today's La Habra Stakes at Santa Anita

Miss Silver Brook Returning from a morning work at Santa Anita.

Trainer Julio Canani starts the gorgeous gray filly Miss Silver Brook in today's Grade 3 La Habra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going about 6-1/2 furlongs down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita. Alex Solis has the return call. The La Habra is the 8th race on a special Superbowl Sunday 9-race card that begins at 11:00.

Miss Silver Brook won her debut at six furlongs over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on Jan. 11. The daughter of Cozzene is owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino.

The Pamplemousse Works at Santa Anita

Jockey Alex Solis was on The Pamplemousse, winner of the Grade 3 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 17, this morning as he worked for trainer Julio Canani. The Pamplemousse was clocked going 3 furlongs in :36.20, breezing.