Longtime California racing and breeding industry leader, Don Valpredo, passed away on October 31, but his legacy was honored on January 18 at Santa Anita Park with five California-bred stakes races, including one named in his memory. The Valpredo Family Trust won two races that day with homebreds, Mayacama and Shocking Grey, the latter upsetting favored Stay and Scam in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes.
Shocking Grey, a 6-year-old daughter of Grazen, won the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes under jockey Antonio Fresu, trained by Jeff Mullins. The victory was a special moment for Valpredo’s daughter, Alexis Moseley, who reflected on her experiences with her father at Santa Anita and expressed her honor in representing him that day.
In addition to Shocking Grey’s win, other California-bred stakes races at Santa Anita that day included Big City Lights winning the Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes, Old Pal winning the Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes, Whiskyginandbrandy being elevated to first in the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby, and Take Another Card winning the Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks. Each race featured impressive performances from California-bred horses.
