Contenders
Sierra Sunset
Trainer: Jeff Bonde
Owner: Philip Lebherz, Al Mariani, George Schmitt, and Carol Wirth
Breeder: Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wygod
One of the most experienced horses on the Derby trail, Sierra Sunset produced a dominating performance to take the Rebel Stakes by three lengths. Sierra Sunset's $40,000 yearling price does not sound impressive until you realize that it was almost five times the sale average. After recording consecutive stakes victories in the Bay Meadows Juvenile and California Cup Juvenile, the California-bred son of Bertrando stepped into graded company and ran a credible sixth in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) and fourth in the San Rafael (gr. III). Trainer Jeff Bonde decided to take the horse to Oaklawn for their Derby preps. After a solid second to Denis of Cork in the Southwest (gr. III), Sierra Sunset stamped himself as a legitimate Kentucky Derby horse with a powerful win in the Rebel (gr. II).
Auction History
| Year | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Northern California Yearling Sale | $40,000 |
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/15/08 | Rebel Stakes (gr. II) | 8.5f | 1 | $180,000 |
| 02/18/08 | Southwest Stakes (gr. III) | 8f | 2 | $50,000 |
| 01/12/08 | San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) | 8f | 4 | $9,000 |
| 12/22/07 | CashCall Futurity (gr. I) | 8.5f | 6 | $20,000 |
| 11/03/07 | California Cup Juvenile Stakes | 8.5f | 1 | $75.000 |
| 09/15/07 | Bay Meadows Juvenile Stakes | 6f | 1 | $47,350 |
| 08/24/07 | Allowance/Optional Claiming | 5.5f | 3 | $4,836 |
| 08/05/07 | Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes | 5.5f | 2 | $13,260 |
| 07/04/07 | Hollywood Juv. Chmpionshp (gr. III) | 6f | 9 | $0 |
| 05/31/07 | MSW | 4.5f | 1 | $21,450 |
| 05/18/07 | MSW | 4f | 2 | $7,800 |
| Record: 11 Starts, 4-3-1 | Total Earnings: $428,696 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Ankle Fracture Sidelines Sierra Sunset
Sierra Sunset, a three-length winner of the $300,000 Rebel (gr. II) March 15 at Oaklawn Park, has a hairline fracture of his left front ankle and is out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Jeff Bonde reported.
Sierra Sunset Sparkles in Rebel Romp
California-bred Sierra Sunset threw his name smack into the middle of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) mix March 15 at Oaklawn Park, dominating eight rivals to win by three lengths in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II).
Stone Bird Final Derby Hope for Lukas
Stone Bird will try to pull off the upset in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 15 at Oaklawn Park. Making his stakes debut, he will have to take down eight rivals, including Z Fortune and Anak Nakal.
Southwest a Real Corker
Denis of Cork came with a three-wide move into the stretch and ran away with the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) to score a 2 1/4 length win Feb. 18 at Oaklawn. The $250,000 mile race for 3-year-olds was run in 1:37.59.
El Gato Malo Pounces in San Rafael
Unbeaten El Gato Malo took advantage of a blistering pace to register a runaway 6 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) as the West Coast Triple Crown campaign got underway at Santa Anita Jan. 12.
Mahubah's Corner: Sierra Sunset
A weekly feature found only on BloodHorseNOW.com, " Mahubah's Corner" is Avalyn Hunter's column that explores the bloodlines that produce stakes winners around the world. Please enjoy this special free preview.
Bold Chieftain Conquers Cal Cup Classic; Lava Man 6th Again
A change in strategy by trainer William Morey Jr. and jockey Russell Baze helped propel the 4-year-old Bold Chieftain to the biggest win of his career in Oak Tree's $250,000 California Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 3. It was another disappointing outcome for favored Lava Man, who faded in the stretch to finish off the board.
| Sierra Sunset | Bertrando | Skywalker |
| Gentle Hands | ||
| Toot Sweet | Pirate's Bounty | |
| Kay Ho |
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