Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Untapable won the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) as she pleased on Saturday, cruising to the wire 9 ¼ lengths clear of runner-up Princess Violet. The Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.48 under John Velazquez for trainer Steve Asmussen. The only pebble in Untapable’s path came early in the race when Princess Violet […](Read more...)
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Michael Compton
Keeneland, Santa Anita and Del Mar to host next 3 Breeders’ Cups
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
The Breeders’ Cup announced June 24 the sites of the next three Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The announcement marks the second time in the event’s history and the first time since 1993 that it has revealed on the same day more than one future host site for the World Championships. The multi-year strategy represents the […](Read more...)
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Alexandra Jara Gets First U.S. Win
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Apprentice jockey Alexandra Jara registered her first career victory in the U.S. while lighting up the toteboard in Sunday’s second race at Gulfstream Park. Riding in her 10th race since arriving from Panama, the 23-year-old 10-pound apprentice guided 80-1 outsider Naheelah to a narrow victory in the $25,000 claiming race. Jara, who attended the Laffit […](Read more...)
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Calhoun Strikes Again in Debutante at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
For the second straight year, a 2-year-old Texas-bred gray filly from the barn of trainer Bret Calhoun invaded Churchill Downs to win the Debutante Stakes. Last year, it was Fiftyshadesofgold, who’d go on to win this year’s $200,725 Eight Belles (G3) on Kentucky Oaks Day. On Saturday, it was Promise Me Silver’s turn to shine […](Read more...)
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Tonalist Wins Belmont Stakes, California Chrome Fourth
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
The Triple Crown went unclaimed for a 36th year as Tonalist captured the 146th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park. Tonalist won the Belmont by a head over Commissioner, with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome finishing in a dead-heat for fourth in the “Test of […](Read more...)
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“At the Top of the Empire State Building”
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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Post Positions Drawn for 146th Belmont Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Post positions for Saturday’s 146th Belmont Stakes (G1) were drawn today, and Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner California Chrome drew post position No. 2. Looking to become the first Triple Crown winner since Florida-bred Affirmed in 1978, California Chrome is unbeaten this year, and his connections report that the 3-5 morning line […](Read more...)
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California Chrome Continues to Impress
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
California Chrome had his connections raving about his form following his two-mile gallop on Tuesday at Belmont Park. Sherman, assistant to his father, Art Sherman, said the colt, who will attempt to sweep the Triple Crown when he competes in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7, expressed his eagerness Tuesday morning. […](Read more...)
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California Chrome Dazzles Record Crowd in Preakness
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
California Chrome continued on his quest for a Triple Crown sweep Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, scoring a dominating victory in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1) to the enthusiastic approval of a record crowd of 123,469. Two weeks after capturing the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 1 ¾ lengths, the California-bred 3-year-old colt received yet […](Read more...)
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“50 to 1″
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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California Chrome Arrives at Pimlico
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner California Chrome arrived at Pimlico Race Course Monday at 3:12 p.m. to continue his quest for an elusive Triple Crown sweep in Saturday’s 139th Preakness Stakes (G1). The 3-year-old California-bred colt, who captured the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths on May 3, was soon joined […](Read more...)
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California Chrome Confirmed for Preakness Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner California Chrome is headed to the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 17, bringing trainer Art Sherman back to Maryland for the first time in 55 years. Sherman confirmed his plans to run the Lucky Pulpit colt in the Middle Jewel of the Triple […](Read more...)
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California Chrome Impressive in Kentucky Derby Win
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Steven Coburn and Perry Martin’s favored California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza, took command at the head of the stretch en route to a 1 3/4-length victory over Commanding Curve to win the 140th running of the $2,202,800 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). A crowd of 164,906, the second-largest attendance in Kentucky Derby […](Read more...)
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California Chrome Draws Post Position No. 5 for Kentucky Derby
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
California Chrome, winner of four consecutive races by a combined 24 ¼ lengths, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s 140th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. With 20 starters that include four Grade 1 winners, the purse for the Kentucky Derby will be $2,202,800 with $1,442,800 going to the winner. The […](Read more...)
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Untapable Draws Post 13 for Kentucky Oaks
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Untapable, who has been installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite in a field of 13 for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1), drew post position No. 13 at the Oaks draw Wednesday morning. The Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred has won her two starts in 2014 by a combined 17 ¼ lengths. The Oaks, to be contested at 1 […](Read more...)
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Embellishing Bob Gets Derby Trial Win on DQ
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Martin Cherry’s homebred Embellishing Bob was elevated to first place after Bayern was disqualified for drifting out in deep stretch to win the 90th running of the $176,700 Derby Trial (G3) at Churchill Downs. Trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Embellishing Bob tracked odds-on favorite through fractions of :23.23, :46.62 and […](Read more...)
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Mr Speaker Much the Best in Coolmore Lexington Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Phipps Stable’s homebred Mr Speaker took command at the head of the stretch and powered home to score a four-length victory in the 33rd running of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington (G3) at Keeneland Saturday. Trained by Shug McGaughey, Mr Speaker raced next to the rail while tracking early leaders Solitary Ranger and Supermonic, who raced […](Read more...)
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Constitution Out of Kentucky Derby
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Constitution, a leading Triple Crown hopeful off his win in last month’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1), will be forced to miss the May 3rd Kentucky Derby (G1) due to the discovery of a hairline fracture in his front right cannon bone on Monday. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the undefeated son of Tapit breezed a […](Read more...)
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Dance With Fate Best in Blue Grass Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Florida-bred Dance With Fate swept past Pablo Del Monte in the stretch and held at bay the late charge of Medal Count to win the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. The win was accomplished in front of 39,722 in attendance, the seco...
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Wise Dan Sparkles in Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Wise Dan sparkled in his seasonal bow on Friday, defeating Kaigun by a measured three-quarters of a length in the Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) at Keeneland. Trained by Charlie LoPresti and ridden by John Velazquez, Wise Dan, the 2012 and 2013 Horse of the Year, covered the mile on a firm turf course in 1:34.91. [...](Read more...)
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“Mixed Company”
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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Wise Dan Returns in Maker’s 46 at Keeneland
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Reigning two-time Horse of the Year returns to the races today at Keeneland, squaring off against six foes in the $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) on the turf. The Maker’s 46 Mile will go as the ninth race on Friday’s 10-race program with a post time of 5:13 p.m. ET. First post time Friday is [...](Read more...)
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California Chrome Dazzles in Santa Anita Derby
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Art Sherman knows what it takes to get a horse to the Kentucky Derby and win. He had a close-up view as an 18-year-old workout rider when Swaps won the 1955 Run for the Roses. Santa Anita Publicity- Nearly 60 years later, Sherman is taking his own colt...
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Constitution Wins Florida Derby in Stakes Debut
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Making only his third lifetime start and his stake debut in the Grade 1 Triple Crown prep, Constitution showed he belonged with the big colts Saturday at Gulfstream Park, winning the Besilu Florida Derby (G1). Gulfstream Park Publicity- Constitution em...
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Cairo Prince Made 9-5 Favorite in Florida Derby
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Multiple graded-stakes winner Cairo Prince was installed as the 9-5 program favorite in a field of eight 3-year-olds entered on Wednesday for Saturday’s 63rd running of the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Gulfstream Park Publicity- Dominant winner of the $400,000 Miller Lite Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream on Jan. 25 [...](Read more...)
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Spot Added to List of Florida Derby Contenders
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
According to Gulfstream Park Publicity, Spot has been added to the list of contenders for the Florida Derby (G1) following a bullet workout at Palm Meadows Saturday morning. The 3-year-old son of Pulpit, who was purchased privately and turned over to trainer Nick Zito before his dominant 2 ½-length victory in the $200,000 Swale Stakes [...](Read more...)
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Classic Contenders Work at Gulfstream Park
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
A host of Triple Crown contenders hit the main track together on a busy Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park. Gulfstream Park Publicity- Wildcat Red, Social Inclusion and Honor Code each put in timed works through a light rain shortly after 7:30 a.m. Gulfstream Park Derby winner General a Rod was also out for a routine [...](Read more...)
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Cairo Prince Tops Florida Derby Nominations
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Cairo Prince, a convincing 5 ¾ -length winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) in his most recent start, tops a group of 97 3-year-olds nominated for the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) on March 29 at Gulfstream Park. Gulfstream Park Publicity– The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt has produced a solid series of workouts [...](Read more...)
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Game on Dude First Three-Time Winner of the Big ‘Cap
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Game on Dude became the first three-time champion of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita on March 8 with a sparkling win over Will Take Charge. Game On Dude snapped a three-race skid with his victory against seven rivals, including Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge, the one-two finishers over the track [...](Read more...)
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Samraat Remains Undefeated With Gotham Score
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Samraat battled his way to a narrow victory over Uncle Sigh and In Trouble in the 62nd running of the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The victory – his fifth straight – gave the son of Noble Causeway 50 points in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” qualifying series. Along with his win [...](Read more...)
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“Rich Purse”
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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Tampa Bay Derby Draws 57 Nominations
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Vinceremos and Harpoon, the 1-2 finishers in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) on Feb. 1, head 18 Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds nominated for the 34th edition of the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs. Pletcher’s sophomores are among 57 horses nominated to the Tampa Bay Derby, the showpiece [...](Read more...)
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Jennifer Lopez to Perform Concert at Dubai World Cup
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
According to a Meydan press release, Jennifer Lopez will perform a full-length concert to close out the 19th renewal of the Dubai World Cup program at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday March 29. The world’s richest day of horse racing at Meydan is the culmination of the three-month-long Dubai World Cup Carnival. “I traveled to Dubai [...](Read more...)
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Kobe’s Back Much the Best in San Vicente
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Kobe’s Back notched a stylish 5 ¼-length win in Sunday’s San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Kobe’s Back covered seven furlongs in 1:21.84. The victory earned him a spot among Southern California’s leading Kentucky Derby prospects. “I wanted Joel to ride him patiently, because everybody has kind of counted us [...](Read more...)
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Bayern Impressive in Santa Anita Allowance
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
In a race that could have Derby implications, Bayern stretched out to a mile and dominated a $58,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, winning by 15 lengths. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Gary Stevens, Bayern covered the distance in 1:35.77—and was then ridden out past the wire another sixteenth of a [...](Read more...)
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Larry Collmus Named Track Announcer at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Larry Collmus will succeed Mark Johnson as track announcer for Churchill Downs. Collmus, one of the premier race callers in North America, will be on the microphone as the seventh announcer at the historic home of the Kentucky Derby starting with the first race of the “Opening Night” program on Saturday, April 26. The 47-year-old [...](Read more...)
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Candy Boy best in Robert Lewis Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Candy Boy announced his arrival on the Kentucky Derby trail with a stylish score in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) Feb. 8 at Santa Anita. Under Gary Stevens, Candy Boy won the 1 1/16-mile test by a half-length and covered the distance in 1:41.83 for trainer John Sadler. “I just wanted Gary to be [...](Read more...)
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“Last Rung on the Class Ladder”
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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Lorde to headline Preakness InfieldFest Concert
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
The Maryland Jockey Club today announced that double Grammy Award winner Lorde will headline the 2014 Preakness InfieldFest concert. The 17-year-old rising star will play an extended set on the main stage Saturday, May 17 at Pimlico Race Course when th...
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Gulfstream to raise purse for Hurricane Bertie if Groupie Doll runs
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Gulfstream Park announced Feb. 2 that if two-time champion Groupie Doll runs in Sunday’s Hurricane Bertie (G3) as expected, the purse will be increased $50,000 to $200,000. Groupie Doll put in her final workout for the race Sunday, breezing four furlongs under Jada Schlenk at Gulfstream in :48 1/5 under the watch of trainer Buff [...](Read more...)
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Samraat Remains Perfect With Withers Win
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Samraat outlasted Uncle Sigh to win the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Feb. 1 to remain unbeaten in four career starts. Backed as the second choice in the $250,000 Withers off a 16 ¾-length win in the Damon Runyon on Dec. 18, Samraat broke alertly from post position 5 and led in the opening [...](Read more...)
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Cairo Prince Dominates Foes in Holy Bull Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Cairo Prince returned to his winning ways with a dominant victory in the $400,000 Miller Lite Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25. After experiencing a less-than-perfect trip while losing his first career race by a nose to Honor Code in the Remsen Stakes (G2), Cairo Prince asserted himself with a 5 ¾-length [...](Read more...)
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Competitive Field Set for Holy Bull Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
A competitive field is set for Saturday’s $400,000 Miller Lite Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Shug McGaughey will send out Mr Speaker, winner of the Dania Beach Stakes (G3) on turf last time out. Mr Speaker will be racing over dirt for the first time in the Holy Bull. “He’s trained good [...](Read more...)
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Mucho Macho Man an Easy Winner in Sunshine Millions Classic
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Jockey Gary Stevens had a message for trainer Kathy Ritvo following Mucho Macho Man’s 14-length tally in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. “Congratulations,” said the Hall of Fame jockey following the reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner’s 14-length romp in the finale of Saturday’s $1.3 million Sunshine Millions program, ‘you’re [...](Read more...)
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“A Clean Break”
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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Mucho Macho Man Set for Sunshine Millions Classic
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Mucho Macho Man, the reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, went to the track at Gulfstream Park Wednesday to continue preparation for Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Classic. The 6-year-old son of Macho Uno went to the track around 7:30 a.m. following a heavy rainstorm, said Kathy Ritvo, who trains Mucho Macho Man for owners Dean and Patti [...](Read more...)
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Midnight Hawk Best in Sham Stakes
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Midnight Hawk stamped himself as a leading contender for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in winning Saturday’s Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. With two scratches out of the Sham, the field was reduced to four and 2-1 second choice Kristo, with Rafael Bejarano up, was sent to the lead going into the first turn, [...](Read more...)
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Eclipse Award Finalists Announced
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Led by Horse of the Year candidates Mucho Macho Man, Will Take Charge and Wise Dan, Eclipse Award finalists were announced on Wednesday. Winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 43rd annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony, presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group on Saturday [...](Read more...)
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General A Rod Wins First Derby of the Year
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
What trainer doesn’t want to see his horse opening up a clear lead in the stretch? Well, Mike Maker, for one – at least during the early stretch run of Wednesday’s $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby. When General a Rod took a narrow lead at the top of the stretch in the one-mile stakes for newly [...](Read more...)
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Mucho Macho Man Selected to Receive Vox Populi Award
Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Mucho Macho Man, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, has been selected to receive the 2013 Secretariat Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People” Award. The award recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing. Mucho Macho Man was the unanimous favorite among [...](Read more...)
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