The "usually when they hook our California horses, reality sets in" line doesn't exactly prove true.
The last four horses to really establish themselves as clear-cut leaders of the handicap division in Southern California have been Lava Man, Rail Trip, Richard's Kid, and Game on Dude.
Game On Dude didn't run in California until about his 7th start. He came up at Gulfstream Park before Baffert went and got him.
Richard's Kid was a Maryland horse. Ran a bunch of races in the Mid-Atlantic before Baffert went and got him.
Rail Trip was a horse who came up in Southern California -- but he didn't do so hot when he came East.
Lava Man was a horse who came up in Northern California ... and was another one who improved under a fine So. Cal trainer.
Zenyatta is the only California based horse to win the Breeders Cup Classic since 2003 -- and she did it on Pro-Ride.
The last 6 times the Breeders Cup Distaff/Ladies Classic has been run on dirt -- no West Coast horse has won it.
No West Coast horse has won the Breeders Cup Mile since 2004.
There's only been one West Coast based winner of the Breeders Cup Turf since 1994 ... and that was Johar who dead-heated for a share of the win.
The way Ellis described it -- you'd think the California based horses win these races every single year.