Horse Racing News by Jack Shinar

She's in the driver's seat already, but a win in the $350,000 Starlet Stakes Dec. 13 would mean the checkered flag in the juvenile filly Eclipse Award race for Take Charge Brandi.

Odds-on Tiz Midnight proved a popular winner of the $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos for the former Quarter Horse trainer Bob Baffert when she battled back along the rail by a head over Warren's Veneda Dec. 6.

Dual classic winner California Chrome successfully debuted over turf in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby Nov. 29 at Del Mar when he defeated Queen's Plate winner Lexie Lou by about two lengths.

California Chrome had his first breeze over the turf at Del Mar Nov. 23, after which trainer Art Sherman told reporters he would enter the dual classic winner in the upcoming $300,000 Hollywood Derby.

Undefeated Ocho Ocho Ocho, one of several Southern California shippers in the field, outfought Mr. Z through the drive to capture the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot by a nose at Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel Nov. 22.

Following the controversial non-call in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, the California Horse Racing Board appears ready to change the rule that led to the decision. But it may take awhile.

Reacting to strong criticism, California racing steward Scott Chaney explained the decision to allow the Breeders' Cup Classic win Nov. 1 by Bayern to stand in spite of obvious interference at the start.

Front-running Dayatthespa, making her first start at the 1 1/4-mile distance, skipped away in the stretch to post a mild upset in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

Untapable put the finishing touches on her 3-year-old filly championship campaign when she won the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff in a driving finish Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park.

The Breeders' Cup Turf always brings the world into these World Championships.