Michael Compton

Texas Red’s Success No Surprise to Mayberry Farm’s Margarita Urtubey

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Texas Red may have surprised his rivals in last year’s Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita, upsetting 10 rivals by 6 ½ lengths at odds of 13-1, but the talented son of Afleet Alex did not sneak up on Margarita Urtubey. As the assistant trainer to Jeanne Mayberry at Mayberry Farm in […] Read More...

Spendthrift Farm’s Breeding Programs a Boon to Small Breeders

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
With innovative programs targeted to help the “little guy” breeder, B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky., has paved the way for small-scale operations to have access to some of the finest stallion blood in the Thoroughbred industry. A scarcity of small breeders enjoying success at the top level of the industry sparked the […] Read More...

Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah Drills at Del Mar

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (with Martin Garcia aboard) worked four furlongs in :47.60 at Del Mar Sunday morning. Owners Ahmed and Justin Zayat were on hand as their superstar readies for his next appearance. While American Pharoah tops a list of 16 horses nominated to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Aug. […] Read More...

Illinois-bred The Pizza Man Delivers Again in Arlington Million

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
The Pizza Man became the first Illinois-bred runner to win the Arlington Million, the state’s most prestigious race, with a shining performance in front of the home crowd on Saturday at Arlington Park. The recipient of a well-timed ride from Florent Geroux, Midwest Thoroughbreds’ The Pizza Man collared pacesetter Shining Copper in the stretch and […] Read More...

Rejuvenated Tom Brady Poised To Lead New England Patriots To Super Bowl After Historic Performance

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Big-game quarterback Tom Brady helped the New England Patriots flip the postseason script on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Clutch second-half play from Brady, already a two-time Super Bowl MVP, carried the Patriots to a come-from-behind win in a chippy AFC divisional-round playoff contest at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots had dropped two of their previous […] Read More...

Aaron Rodgers Will Lead Green Bay Packers To NFC Championship Game

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
The Dallas Cowboys will square off against the Green Bay Packers for the first time in the postseason since “The Ice Bowl” in 1967 when they meet in Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field. While success in the trenches will be among the keys to success in this one, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, […] Read More...

Jim Rome’s Shared Belief Should Be Horse Of The Year

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
With his gritty victory in the Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, Shared Belief once again demonstrated why he is the best horse in training and should be Horse of the Year over Kentucky Derby (G1) winner California Chrome. Owned by sports talk radio and TV personality Jim Rome (Jungle Racing) in […] Read More...

Jacksonville Jaguars On Track For a Return To Relevancy In 2015

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
This week’s Thursday Night Football matchup pitting the Tennessee Titans against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field is perhaps the worst prime-time matchup in history. The Week 16 contest, the final Thursday night game of the season, features two teams with identical 2-11 records playing only for pride and to avoid finishing in the AFC […] Read More...

Goldencents repeats in Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Goldencents, with Rafael Bejarano up, became the first back-to-back winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Friday, holding off Tapiture to win by 1 ¼ lengths on the first of two Breeders’ Cup days at Santa Anita. “I knew I was going fast and I had to find a way to give him […](Read more...) Read More...

Goldencents repeats in Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Goldencents, with Rafael Bejarano up, became the first back-to-back winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Friday, holding off Tapiture to win by 1 ¼ lengths on the first of two Breeders’ Cup days at Santa Anita. “I knew I was going fast and I had to find a way to give him […](Read more...) Read More...

“Paddock Cafe”

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
  Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...) Read More...

Hall of Fame Jockey Gary Stevens to Ride in Breeders’ Cup

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Hall of Fame jockey and 10-time Breeders’ Cup winner Gary Stevens will be riding the Breeders’ Cup World Championships exactly 14 weeks to the day after undergoing total knee replacement surgery on July 25. Stevens will be aboard Sivoliere in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday, Oct. 31. He will be reuniting with […](Read more...) Read More...

Gulfstream Park West Kicks Off Inaugural Fall Turf Festival

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Gulfstream Park West kicked off its inaugural Fall Turf Festival Wednesday afternoon with full fields, sunny skies, a revitalized turf course and horsemen and fans welcoming the first race day of the 44-day meet. The first race at the newly christened Gulfstream Park West went to Mr. Exclusive, trained by Jason DaCosta and ridden by […](Read more...) Read More...

Wise Dan Continues Winning Ways in Shadwell Turf Mile

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Wise Dan treated racing fans to another scintillating performance in winning the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. Away tardily after breaking with his head turned to the side, Wise Dan, last early, moved into contention down the backstretch. The game 7-year-old turned for home with the leaders in his sights […](Read more...) Read More...

Shared Belief Overcomes a Double-Team to Remain Undefeated

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Despite losing ground on both turns, Shared Belief collared Fed Biz in the stretch and fought to an impresssive win in Saturday’s Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. It would be difficult to imagine a wider trip for the odds-on favorite. With Victor Espinoza aboard the Bob Baffert-trained Sky Kingdom floating Mike Smith and Shared […](Read more...) Read More...

Private Zone All Heart in Vosburgh Repeat at Belmont Park

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
In a near repeat of last year’s event, Private Zone surrendered the lead in the stretch and fought back along the inside to win the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday. Making his second start of the year and first for trainer Alfredo Velazquez, Private Zone just refuses to loses. he was away […](Read more...) Read More...

“Please Sign Here”

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...) Read More...

Bayern Wins Pennsylvania Derby; California Chrome Unplaced

Michael Compton | 9 years ago
Bayern defeats California Chrome and a strong field in the Pennsylvania Derby.(Read more...) Read More...

California Chrome Arrives at Parx Racing

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Kentucky Derby (G1) & Preakness Stakes (G1) winner California Chrome, flanked by assistant trainer Alan Sherman, arrived at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday afternoon after a flight from California.  California Chrome is the morning-line favorite in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. Photo By Nikki Sherman/EQUI-PHOTO(Read more...) Read More...

Hello world!

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging! Read More...

Ocala’s Bridlewood Farm Buys $1.1 Million Filly at Keeneland September Sale

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
When the hammer fell on Hip 29 during Monday’s opening session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Fred Mitchell walked out of the Sales Pavilion to collect himself. The operator of family-owned Clarkland Farm in Lexington had just watched the Clarkland-bred yearling, a half-sister to multiple champion Beholder, sell for $1.1 million to John and […](Read more...) Read More...

Wise Dan Holds Off Optimizer to Win Bernard Baruch

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Wise Dan, Morton Fink’s reigning two-time Horse of the Year, returned from a 15-week layoff to hold off late-running long shot Optimizer and win the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap by a nose at Saratoga Race Course. It was the third win in as many races this year for the 7-year-old Wiseman’s Ferry gelding, […](Read more...) Read More...

Shared Belief Remains Undefeated With Pacific Classic Win

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Shared Belief defeats older in Pacific Classic to remain undefeated for Jim Rome's Jungle Racing and partners.(Read more...) Read More...

V. E. Day Nips Stablemate Wicked Strong to Win Travers

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
V.E. Day runs down stablemate Wicked Strong to win Travers Stakes in dramatic fashion.(Read more...) Read More...

Close Hatches Sharp in Personal Ensign Score

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Close Hatches leads from start to finish to take down top prize in Personal Ensign at Saratoga(Read more...) Read More...

Hardest Core Springs Arlington Million Upset

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Andrew Bentley Racing Stable’s Hardest Core surprised 9-5 race favorite Magician and took down top prize in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday. After a good break from the rail, the field of seven starters – including five Grade 1 or Group 1 winners – the son of Hard Spun […](Read more...) Read More...

“Tote Board Action”

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...) Read More...

Somali Lemonade Headlines Beverly D. Contingent

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Two of the past three winners of the Grade 1 Beverly D. have gone on to win an Eclipse Award as champion turf female. With six Grade 1 winners entered in this year’s $750,000 1 3/16-miles race today at Arlington International Racecourse, a win would mark a big step toward the statue. The Grade 1 […](Read more...) Read More...

Larry Collmus to Succeed Tom Durkin as NYRA Race Caller

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Launching a new era for horseplayers and racing fans, New York Racing Association CEO and President Chris Kay announced the appointment of Larry Collmus as the organization’s next race caller.  The voice of the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup for NBC Sports, Collmus will succeed Tom Durkin. “The New York Racing Association was privileged […](Read more...) Read More...

Enterprising Much the Best in La Jolla Handicap

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Glen Hill Farm’s Florida-bred Enterprising simply blew away his opposition in the stretch to win Saturday’s La Jolla Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. Rallying from far back, Enterprising weaved his way around rivals in the stretch to win the 1 1/16 turf test by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:41.31 under jockey Mike Smith. “Last sixteenth […](Read more...) Read More...

Skyway Wins Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Skyway’s victory in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Stewart Elliott their initial stakes score at the seaside oval. Skyway gamely withstood the late stretch challenge of fast-closing Henry’s Holiday to win the $200,000 Best Pal Stakes Sunday before a crowd of 14,204. “I was just wanting […](Read more...) Read More...

Moreno Wires Foes in Whitney

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Moreno, often the bridesmaid, finally broke through and landed a major prize, wiring his rivals in the Grade 1 Whitney on Saturday at Saratoga. Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Moreno broke slowly but rushed to the front per trainer Eric Guillot’s instructions. The 4-year-old Ghostzapper gelding took it from there. Pressed by Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile […](Read more...) Read More...

Sweet Reason Aces Test at Saratoga

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Sweet Reason emerged victorious from a four-horse scramble to take down top prize in the $500,000 Longines Test Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. The win gave the Leah Gyarmati-trained filly her second consecutive Grade 1 victory and third overall. Owned by Treadway Racing Stable, Sweet Reason burst onto the sprint scene as […](Read more...) Read More...

Bayern Sharp in Haskell Score

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Kaleem Shah’s Bayern broke sharply and rolled to a sharp score in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on Sunday. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Bayern defeated runner-up Albano by 7 ½ lengths and covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 4/5. Wildcat Red checked in third. The filly Untapable, who went off as the […](Read more...) Read More...

Wicked Strong Turns the Tables on Tonalist

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Seven weeks after finishing behind Tonalist in the Belmont Stakes, Wicked Strong turned away a challenge from the Grade 1 winner to win the 51st running of the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Saratoga. Equipped with blinkers for the first time, Centennial Farms’ Wicked Strong took the lead from pacesetting Legend on […](Read more...) Read More...

Coup de Grace Mows Down Speed in Amsterdam Stakes

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Coup de Grace took advantage of an early speed duel to mow down the pacesetters in the stretch en route to a comfortable three-length score in the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on Saturday. Ridden confidently by Rosie Napravnik, Coup de Grace settled toward the back of the pack early while C. Zee and […](Read more...) Read More...

Spot Stretching Out for Zito in Curlin Stakes

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito will give Grade 2-winning sprinter Spot another chance to stretch out in Friday’s $100,000 Curlin for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles. Purchased by Joseph Moss following the Grade 3 Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park in February, the gelded sophomore son of Pulpit came from off the pace to beat previously […](Read more...) Read More...

Fashion Alert Proves Best in Schuylerville

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Fashion Alert made it 2-for-2 in stakes appearances, outfinishing Take Charge Brandi after a protracted battle to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville, the opening-day feature for the 146th meet at Saratoga Race Course.   Bumping with Evrybdymstgetstonz after breaking inwardly, Fashion Alert was quickly righted by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and took […](Read more...) Read More...

Mucho Macho Man Retired From Racing

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
It was announced July 15 that Florida-bred Mucho Macho Man has been retired from racing. Bred by John and Carole Rio and owned by Dean and Patti Reeves, the 6-year-old son of Macho Uno—Ponche de Leona, by Ponche, will stand stud at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs Farm alongside his sire. Mucho Macho Man captured this […](Read more...) Read More...

LoPresti Pleased With Wise Dan’s Breeze

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
“Couldn’t ask for anything better for his first breeze,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said after two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan worked on Keeneland’s turf course Friday morning. In his first breeze since emergency colic surgery less than two months ago, the 7-year-old Wiseman’s Ferry gelding and regular exercise rider Damien Rock covered a […](Read more...) Read More...

Princess of Sylmar Tops Delaware Handicap

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Princess of Sylmar, owned by King of Prussia Stable and foaled about 30 miles from Delaware Park, tops the 77th renewal of the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap on Saturday. The 1 1/4-mile, $750,000 filly and mare summer classic has attracted a field of six Last year, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Majestic Warrior won four consecutive […](Read more...) Read More...

12 Feet High

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Running in deep stretch at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, July 5, three horses manage the unusual feat of having all 12 hooves off the ground at the same time. In this open company maiden special weight race the horses are all in the same stride with their ears in the same position. Lynn Roberts of […](Read more...) Read More...

“Pre-Race Festivities”

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Contributed by Ann Sabo To learn more about Ann Sabo and her work click here.(Read more...) Read More...

Soi Phet Wins Bertrando Stakes on Opening Day at Los Alamitos

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Soi Phet won the opening day feature at Los Alamitos July 3, taking down top prize in the Bertrando Stakes. An 11-1 shot, Soi Phet picked up his first win on dirt, rolling to a 3 ¾-length victory over pacesetter Spirit Rules and seven others older horses bred or sired in California. Trained by Leonard […](Read more...) Read More...

Shared Belief Tops Los Alamitos Derby

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old of 2013, will try to stay undefeated against six opponents in the Grade 2, $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby Saturday at Los Alamitos. For 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, the inaugural Derby is the richest event of the Summer Thoroughbred Festival and is the eighth of nine races. Known as the […](Read more...) Read More...

Wildcat Red Rediscovers Best Form in Quality Road

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Any questions about Wildcat Red’s future that may have been raised by his troubled 18th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby were dismissed emphatically Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where the multiple-stakes winner romped to a 10 1/4-length victory in the $90,000 Quality Road. “Actually, I’m more impressed than I expected to be impressed,” said trainer Jose […](Read more...) Read More...