correspondent

Kevin Modesti

Kevin Modesti has covered horse racing for years for the Los Angeles Daily News and Southern California News Group. An L.A. native, he has been a sports writer, columnist and editor, an editorial board member, writer and editor in the Opinion section, and a political reporter.

The Tim Yakteen-trained 4-year-old beats Mi Hermano Ramon by three-quarters of a length in the San Gabriel Stakes, one of several notable performances on an opening day with six graded stakes.

Sports |
Santa Anita roundup: Johannes stakes claim to turf championship with win

December 27, 2024 at 1:25 a.m.

The Tim Yakteen-trained 4-year-old beats Mi Hermano Ramon by three-quarters of a length in the San Gabriel Stakes, one of several notable performances on an opening day with six graded...

Jockey Frankie Dettori guides the colt to victory in the $300,000, Grade I Malibu Stakes while the Kentucky Derby winner struggles in his return from a layoff.

Sports |
Raging Torrent wins, Mystik Dan last at Santa Anita opener

December 27, 2024 at 1:27 a.m.

Jockey Frankie Dettori guides the colt to victory in the $300,000, Grade I Malibu Stakes while the Kentucky Derby winner struggles in his return from a layoff.

The favorite in Friday’s Robert J. Frankel Stakes is one of several horses this week coming out of Breeders’ Cup weekend defeats.

Sports |
Horse racing notes: Hang the Moon can bounce back at Santa Anita

December 26, 2024 at 3:24 p.m.

The favorite in Friday’s Robert J. Frankel Stakes is one of several horses this week coming out of Breeders’ Cup weekend defeats.

The Kentucky Derby winner returns from a six-month layoff to face tough sprinters in Thursday’s Malibu Stakes to kick off the track’s 90th-anniversary season.

Sports |
Mystik Dan brings ‘buzz’ to Santa Anita opener

December 26, 2024 at 7:52 a.m.

The Kentucky Derby winner returns from a six-month layoff to face tough sprinters in Thursday’s Malibu Stakes to kick off the track’s 90th-anniversary season.

The Kentucky Derby winner will return to face Stronghold, Bentornato and Raging Torrent in the Grade I, $300,000 Malibu Stakes on opening day (Dec. 26).

Sports |
Mystik Dan to face seven in Santa Anita opener next week

December 19, 2024 at 5:12 p.m.

The Kentucky Derby winner will return to face Stronghold, Bentornato and Raging Torrent in the Grade I, $300,000 Malibu Stakes on opening day (Dec. 26).

It’s part of a plan to consolidate California thoroughbred racing in the south after the 2025 Pleasanton meets are dropped.

Sports |
Horse racing notes: Santa Anita lowers claiming prices to draw Northern California horses

December 19, 2024 at 2:51 p.m.

It’s part of a plan to consolidate California thoroughbred racing in the south after the 2025 Pleasanton meets are dropped.

The Hollywood Derby, one of this week's seven stakes, could offer a preview of 2025.

Sports |
Horse racing: Del Mar’s Turf Festival showcases rising stars

November 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

The Hollywood Derby, one of this week's seven stakes, could offer a preview of 2025.

The jockey has seven Turf Festival mounts as he chases national marks for stakes wins.

Sports |
Horse racing notes: Flavien Prat rides for records at Del Mar

November 28, 2024 at 2:42 p.m.

The jockey has seven Turf Festival mounts as he chases national marks for stakes wins.

Overmatched in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Pacific Classic winner faces sharp foes in the Native Diver Stakes.

Sports |
Horse racing notes: Mixto aims to bounce back Saturday at Del Mar

November 21, 2024 at 2:49 p.m.

Overmatched in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Pacific Classic winner faces sharp foes in the Native Diver Stakes.

The Hall of Fame trainer has multiple horses in 2-year-old stakes, which he has dominated.

Sports |
Horse racing notes: Silent Law can extend Bob Baffert’s rule at Del Mar

November 14, 2024 at 2:55 p.m.

The Hall of Fame trainer has multiple horses in 2-year-old stakes, which he has dominated.

All Stories