Winning Ponies

Jeremy Balan, staff writer and Assistant Editor for the Blood-Horse covering racing on the West Coast has had an exhausting week covering the impact the California fires have had on the racing industry. The equine death toll from the devastating brush fire that ripped through San Luis Rey Downs Training Center Dec. 7 is at 46 as of the morning of Dec. 9, according to officials at the California Horse Racing Board. Jeremy will update us on the tragedy and some of the efforts that are taking place to help the horses and horsemen impacted by the fire. Les Instone is living in the Tampa, FL area and is back to hosting handicapping seminars. Saturday is a marquee day for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners and will be highlighted with the $125,000 City of Ocala Stakes and the $125,000 Marion County Stakes. Les will be hosting a handicapping seminar prior to the races at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. Les and John will look at those races and some other stakes on Saturday.