Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...)
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Michael Compton
Strapping Groom Rolls to Gravesend Win
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Strapping Groom, sent off as the 8-5 second choice in the $100,000 Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct on Saturday, made his odds look like a gift to his backers. Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Strapping Groom rolled to a 6 ½-length victory over odds-on favorite Palace to win the 55th running of the six-furlong fixture in 1:09.74. [...](Read more...)
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Shared Belief Powers to CashCall Futurity Win
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Shared Belief won his first two starts by a combined 14 ¾ lengths. In his first two-turn effort he proved dominant once again, winning the CashCall Futurity (G1) Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park. Ridden with confidence by jockey Corey Nakatani, Shared Belief, a gelded son of Candy Ride and the Storm Cat mare Common Hope, [...](Read more...)
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Zaikov Sharp in Return
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Undefeated Zaikov returned from a nine-month layoff with a sharp score at Gulfstream Park on Friday. The Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-old colt had been on the sidelines with a shin issue since easily capturing his racing debut at Gulfstream Park on March 15 by 14 ¼ lengths. The son of Distorted Humor and champion Wait A [...](Read more...)
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Zaikov Returns Friday at Gulfstream Park
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Nine months after his impressive maiden victory, Zaikov returns to Gulfstream Park in an optional claiming allowance on Friday. The Arindel Farm homebred will break from post six of 10 under jockey Javier Castellano in the sixth race, going six furlong...
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Snowfall at PARX Racing
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Snowfall at PARX Racing on Dec. 8 courtesy of Equiphoto.(Read more...)
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Mucho Macho Man to Remain in Training for 2014 Season
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
The connections of Mucho Macho Man announced Wednesday that their 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner will stay in training for the 2014 racing season. A title defense in the Classic at Santa Anita next November is the primary goal for the Kathy Ritvo-trained 6-year-old son of Macho Uno. “We just decided for sure (Tuesday) that [...](Read more...)
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Honor Code Game in Remsen Win
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Honor Code re-rallied in deep stretch after being passed in the lane to prevail in the $400,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct on Nov. 30. A dawdling early pace—the opening half-mile was run in :52.74 and it required 1:17.56 to cover six furlongs—set the stage for a thrilling stretch duel. Honor Code, trained by Hall [...](Read more...)
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Will Take Charge Defeats Game on Dude in Clark Handicap
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Will Take Charge turned in a strong late rally under Luis Saez to run down Game On Dude to win the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs. Beaten a nose by Mucho Macho Man in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 2, Will Take Charge collared Game on Dude in the final jump to [...](Read more...)
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Majestic Stride Wins Underwood at Hollywood Park
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Favored Majestic Stride gave trainer Jeff Bonde his second consecutive win in the $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park. After stalking the quick pace (21.86 and 44.35 for the opening half-mile) set by stablemate Anillo...
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“Who Finished First”
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...)
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Groupie Doll Completes Work Ahead of Cigar Mile
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Champion Groupie Doll on Monday turned in her final breeze in preparation for Aqueduct Racetrack’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap, traveling four furlongs in 48.55 seconds over Belmont Park’s training track. With exercise rider Jada Schlenk aboard, Groupie Doll ran the opening quarter-mile in 24.44 seconds and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.79, according to [...](Read more...)
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Drayden VanDyke Notches First Career Win at Hollywood Park
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Apprentice jockey Drayden VanDyke earned the first win of his career as he guided Money Clip, a pick-up mount, to a last-to-first victory in Thursday’s sixth race at Betfair Hollywood Park. The half-length victory in the $45,750 contest for maidens came with the second career mount for VanDyke. The 19-year-old finished sixth aboard 13-1 outsider [...](Read more...)
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Pletcher’s Cigar Mile Contenders Work at Belmont
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Trainer Todd Pletcher’s three contenders for the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap – Forty Tales, Capo Bastone, and Verrazano – took to the Belmont Park training track on Sunday to turn in their penultimate breezes prior to the Nov. 30 race at Aqueduct. All three are 3-year-old colts who are seeking their first victory against [...](Read more...)
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Gary Stevens Wins Big Sport of Turfdom Award
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
The Turf Publicists of America announced today that its membership has elected jockey Gary Stevens, winner of the 2013 Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic, as the recipient of this year’s Big Sport of Turfdom Award. Turf Publicists of America press release The annual honor is bestowed upon a person or group of people who [...](Read more...)
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Shared Belief Defeats Kobe’s Back in Hollywood Prevue
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Shared Belief followed up his impressive debut win at Golden Gate Fields with a dazzling score in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) Nov. 10 at Betfair Hollywood Park. Purchased privately after his debut score by a partnership that includes radio and television personality Jim Rome, Alex Solis II, Jason Litt, George Todaro and Hall of [...](Read more...)
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Javier Castellano Notches First Six-Win Day at Aqueduct
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Jockey Javier Castellano registerd his first six-win day at Aqueduct on Saturday, Nov. 9. He closed out a superlative day by piloting North Star Boy to win the ninth and final race of the card. Castellano, the leading rider in New York in 2013 with 217...
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Mucho Macho Man Back at Gulfstream Park
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Mucho Macho Man returned to his Florida roots Wednesday, arriving at Gulfstream Park just before noon following a cross-country flight from Southern California. Upon arriving at Palm Beach International airport on a flight that originated in Los Angeles, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Breeders’ Cup hero was vanned to Gulfstream, where he was [...](Read more...)
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Awesome Maria Brings $4 million at Keeneland November Sale
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Grade 1 winner Awesome Maria sold for $4 million during the first session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale on Tuesday. Total sales increased 52 percent from the first session of the 2012 sale, while the average increased 35 percent and the median jumped nearly 73 percent. During the session, six horses – led [...](Read more...)
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Mucho Macho Man Prevails in Thrilling Breeders’ Cup Classic
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Florida-bred Mucho Macho Man proudly carried the Sunshine State’s banner to a thrilling victory in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Saturday at Santa Anita. With Gary Stevens in the irons, Mucho Macho Man rated off the early pace in fourth. He ranged up menacingly five-wide outside race favorite Game on Dude around the [...](Read more...)
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Beholder Runs Away With Breeders’ Cup Distaff
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Trainer Richard Mandella had been preparing Spendthrift Farm’s Beholder to rate behind horses during her workouts. The morning training paid off in a big way on Nov. 1 when last year’s Eclipse Champion 2-year-old filly likely locked up another championship in winning the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Ridden by Gary Stevens, Beholder rated [...](Read more...)
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Majestic City Wires Rivals in Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Hard-sent from the gate by Edwin Maldonado, longshot Majestic City led throughout to win Friday’s $70,000 Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita. Majestic City ran a flat mile in 1:35.20 while prevailing by a neck over 8-5 favorite Rousing Sermon. The biggest price in the five-horse Big Bear at 15-1, Majestic City had lost his [...](Read more...)
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Fort Larned Works Five Furlongs at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Fort Larned completed his serious preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita with a five-furlong workout under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. early Monday morning at Churchill Downs. The 5-year-old Janis Witham homebred son of E Dubai was among Monday’s early workers as he went to the track at approximately 6:40 [...](Read more...)
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Fort Larned to Work Monday at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Janis Whitham’s Fort Larned, the reigning winner of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G I), is set for a final pre-race tune-up on Monday at Churchill Downs. He is scheduled for a Tuesday flight to California for his bid for a rare second consecutive victory in the Championships’ main event on Saturday, Nov. 2 [...](Read more...)
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“Haunted Halloween”
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...)
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Conan O’Brien Calls a Race at Santa Anita
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Late night talk show host Conan O’Brien replaced Trevor Denman in the announcer’s booth for the second race at Santa Anita on Friday. In a performance that would have to be categorized as “Not yet ready for prime time,” O’Brien left ‘em laughing as he put his oratorical stamp on the race, unwittingly cementing Trevor [...](Read more...)
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Breeders’ Cup Classic in Primetime on NBC
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The 30th running of the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be broadcast live in primetime on Saturday, Nov. 2, culminating 9½ hours of Breeders’ Cup World Championships coverage over two days by the NBC Sports Group. All 14 Breeders’ Cup races from Santa Anita will be televised live by NBC and NBCSN. Live NBC Sports Group [...](Read more...)
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A Total of 172 Horses Pre-Entered in 2013 Breeders’ Cup
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Led by an international all-star cast of the world’s best horses,172 horses have been pre-entered for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Breeders’ Cup press release Among the pre-entered runners are multiple grade 1 winner Game On Dude, Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice, defending Breeders’ Cup [...](Read more...)
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Breeders’ Cup Announces Race Order, Wagering Menu and Post Times
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The Breeders’ Cup announced the official race order, wagering menu and post times for the 30th Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held on Nov.1 and Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park. This year’s wagering menu on the 14 Breeders’ Cup races features an abundance of wagering opportunities including two Breeders’ Cup Ultra Pick Sixes, [...](Read more...)
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Sum of the Parts Works at Keeneland Ahead of BC Sprint
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence’s two-time Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G3) winner, Sum of the Parts, worked a half-mile in :50.60 under jockey Leandro Goncalves shortly after 6 a.m. Saturday on the main track at Keeneland. “He did it well and in hand,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “He worked a little quicker than he did [...](Read more...)
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Wise Dan’s Scheduled Workout Postponed Due to Weather
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan had his morning workout postponed on Thursday due to inclement weather in Kentucky. With nearly a quarter of an inch of rain overnight and a forecast for more that materialized Thursday morning, there were no grass works at Keeneland, which meant Wise Dan had his morning exercise on [...](Read more...)
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Discreet Marq Victorious in Pebbles Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Discreet Marq outkicked Tapicat to win the Pebbles Stakes, the Columbus day feature at Belmont Park on Oct. 14. The victory was the fourth in five starts, all in stakes, for the New York-bred daughter of Discreet Cat since she was transferred to the ba...
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Queen’s Award Lights Up Toteboard in Buffalo Trace Franklin County
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Coudelaria Jessica Inc.’s Queen’s Award surprised defending champion Madame Giry in deep stretch to win the 17th running of the $100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County at Keeneland on Friday. Trained by Eduardo Caramori and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Queen’s Award was last in the field of 10 in the run down the backstretch as Bounding [...](Read more...)
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Breeders’ Cup, Metrolink Partner On Thoroughbred Wrapped Train Car
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The Breeders’ Cup has partnered with Metrolink in Los Angeles to encourage fans to use public transportation during Breeders’ Cup festivities at Santa Anita on Nov. 1-2. A wrapped train car adorned with six Thoroughbred horses is currently in service across the Metrolink system leading up to Breeders’ Cup week in Southern California. The wrapped [...](Read more...)
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Havana Holds Off Honor Code in Champagne
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Havana held off a furious late charge from Honor Code on Saturday to win the Foxwoods Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 2-year-old son of Dunkirk broke alertly and hugged the rail to shadow Debt Ceiling through an opening q...
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Silver Max Upsets Wise Dan in Shadwell Turf Mile
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Silver Max turned back the challenge of 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan at the top of the stretch to win the 28th running of the $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) by 1 ¼ lengths. Because of heavy rain earlier in the afternoon, the race was taken off the turf course and run at [...](Read more...)
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My Conquestadory Overcomes Trouble to Win Darley Alcibiades
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Conquest Stables’ My Conquestadory proved much the best in winning the 62nd running of the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland on Friday. The victory earned My Conquestadory a berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run Nov. 2 at Santa Anita. In the Darley Alcibiades, My Conquestadory was trapped [...](Read more...)
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Gaming Commission Issues Ruling on Travers Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The New York Gaming Commission has concluded its investigation into the allegation that an electrical device was used by the Jockey of “Will Take Charge” in the 2013 Travers Stakes. The Commission’s investigation concluded that Jockey Luis Saez was not carrying any sort of electrical device and that trainer Eric Guillot’s allegation was wholly unsubstantiated. [...](Read more...)
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Groupie Doll to Face Five Rivals in Thoroughbred Club of America
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Groupie Doll, the champion female sprinter of 2012, will square off against five rivals when she defends her crown in the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland on Saturday. Winner of last year’s TCA by 6½ lengths, Groupie Doll will try to join Excitable Lady (1982-83) as the only repeat winner of the race [...](Read more...)
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Indy Point Rolls in John Henry Turf Championship
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Indy Point made amends for disappointing in the Arlington Million (G1) in August by winning the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) at Santa Anita on Sept. 29. Under Gary Stevens, Indy Point rolled to an authoritative 1 ¼-length score as the 2-1 favorite. The win provided Stevens with his third graded stakes score of the [...](Read more...)
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Mucho Macho Man Gets Well Deserved Grade 1 Victory
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Mucho Macho Man earned the initial Grade 1 win of his career by cruising to a 4 ¼-length score in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 28. Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Mucho Macho Man was runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Saturday’s win gave him an [...](Read more...)
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Ron the Greek Scores Upset in Jockey Club Gold Cup
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Ron the Greek, dispatched at odds of 21-1, dominated a competitive group in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Saturday at Belmont Park.Under Jose Lezcano, Ron the Greek won by 6 ¾ lengths over runner-up Palace Malice and third-place finisher Flat Out in the 95th edition of the $1 million event. The victory earned [...](Read more...)
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Little Mike Victorious in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Little Mike rediscovered his best stride on Saturday, rallying from off the pace to win the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) at Belmont Park. A 6-year-old gelding, Little Mike is known for his early lick, but won the Turf Classic coming from o...
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Private Zone Prevails in Sizzling Vosburgh
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
California shipper Private Zone fought back gamely in deep stretch to turn back Justin Phillip to win the Vosburgh Invitational (G1) at Belmont Park on Sept. 28. Second choice in a field of seven, Private Zone had to survive a stewards’ inquiry and ran six furlongs on a fast main track in 1:08.02 for his [...](Read more...)
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Chips All In Best in Eddie D. Stakes at Santa Anita
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Julien Leparoux guided 5-2 second choice Chips All In to a nose victory over longshot Boat Trip and Garrett Gomez in the Eddie D. Stakes (G3) on opening day at Santa Anita Sept. 27. Chips All In covered 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12 flat. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Chips All [...](Read more...)
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Flat Out Seeking History in Competitive Jockey Club Gold Cup
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Florida-bred Flat Out on Saturday will attempt to join the famed Kelso as the only other horse in history to win three consecutive editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park. In 1962, Kelso became the first horse to achieve the monumenta...
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Royal Delta and Princess of Sylmar Top Beldame
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
A much anticipated showdown between Royal Delta and Princess of Sylmar is on tap in the 74th running of the Beldame Invitational (G1) at Belmont Park on Super Saturday. Victory in the Beldame, a one-turn race run at 1 1/8 miles, automatically qualifies the winner for entry into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff as part of [...](Read more...)
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Unbridled’s Note and Caracortado to Clash in Eddie D. Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Unbridled’s Note heads a strong field of 14 in the Eddie D. Stakes (G3) at about 6 ½ furlongs over Santa Anita’s downhill turf course on opening day Friday. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Unbridled’s Note won last year’s Eddie D. at age three and was subsequently second, beaten a half length by Mizdirection in the [...](Read more...)
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Will Take Charge Rallies to Win Pennsylvania Derby
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Will Take Charge continued his recent winning ways with a dramatic tally in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2) at PARX Racing on Sept. 21. Will Take Charge, winner of the Travers Stakes (G1) in his previous start, was handled patiently by jockey Luis Saez in the race’s early stages. Behind a wall of [...](Read more...)
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Gary Stevens to Ride Mucho Macho Man in Awesome Again
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
According to Santa Anita Stable Notes, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens will ride 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Mucho Macho Man in the Grade 1, Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 28. Mucho Macho Man is ticketed for a return engagement in the $5 million Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2, [...](Read more...)
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