Michael Compton | 11 years ago
In her North American debut, Alterite ran down Discreet Marq to win the Garden City Stakes (G1) Saturday at Belmont Park. Purchased privately by Martin Schwartz following the final race of her juvenile season last fall in France, where she was bred, Al...
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Michael Compton
War Front Colt Commands $2.5 Million During Thursday Session at Keeneland
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Powered by the sale of 18 horses for $1 million or more, the first four days of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale – which comprise the premier Book 1 catalog – came to a close on Thursday. The first week saw gross sales reaching $153,385,000 for 546 horses sold. Five seven-figure yearlings were sold on [...](Read more...)
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$2.2 Million Indian Charlie Filly New Topper at Keeneland September
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The third session of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale saw the continuation of a bullish market highlighted by the $2.2 million paid for a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy and Will Take Charge, winner of the 2013 Travers (G1). The amount for the Indian Charlie filly, who is a daughter of four-time Keeneland [...](Read more...)
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Four Yearlings Sell for $1 Million During Keeneland’s Second Session
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The final horse through the ring during Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale sold for $1 million to become the fourth yearling of the day to bring seven figures. Through the first two sessions of this year’s sale, eight yearlings have been sold for seven figures, exceeding the seven sold during the [...](Read more...)
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Medaglia d’Oro Filly Brings $1.5 Million at Keeneland Sale
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The 70th Keeneland September Yearling Sale opened Monday with four yearlings selling for $1 million or more. Topping the session at $1.5 million was a filly by Medaglia d’Oro out of Flying Passage, by A.P. Indy, who was purchased by Alan Cooper on behalf of the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Stables Ireland Limited. Gainesway, agent, consigned [...](Read more...)
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Untapable Grinds Out Win in Pocahontas Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Untapable recorded a determined half-length victory over Stonetastic in Saturday night’s 45th running of the Pocahontas Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. Ridden by Rosie Napravnik and trained by Steve Asmussen, Untapable ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.38 and banked $101,125 for the win. Additionally, the Pocahontas is part of the Breeders’ [...](Read more...)
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Donegal Racing’s Cleburne Leads Stable Sweep of Iroquois
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Donegal Racing’s unbeaten Cleburne, a 34-1 longshot, defeated stablemate Smart Cover to win the 32nd running of the Iroquois Stakes (G3) Saturday night at Churchill Downs. The result of a three-horse photo finish provided a 1-2 finish for Iowa-based Donegal Racing and trainer Dale Romans, a Louisville, Ky. native who won the Iroquois for the [...](Read more...)
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Solitary Ranger Much the Best in Arlington-Washington Futurity
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Susan Moulton’s Solitary Ranger broke his maiden in style taking the $150,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) at Arlington Park on Saturday. Trained by Wayne Catalano and ridden by Florent Geroux, Solitary Ranger staled the early pace, took command on the far turn and won by a widening 5 ½ lengths. He covered the one mile in [...](Read more...)
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Diamond Bachelor Impressive in Oak Tree Juvenile Turf
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Diamond Bachelor rolled to an impressive 2 ½-length score in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf on closing day at Del Mar on Wednesday. Ridden by Julien Leparoux for trainer Patrick Biancone, Diamond Bachelor covered the one mile on turf in 1:34 1/5. Now perfect in two starts, the handsome son of War Front was a [...](Read more...)
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Diamond Bachelor Impressive in Oak Tree Juvenile Turf
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Diamond Bachelor rolled to an impressive 2 ½-length score in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf on closing day at Del Mar on Wednesday. Ridden by Julien Leparoux for trainer Patrick Biancone, Diamond Bachelor covered the one mile on turf in 1:34 1/5. Now perfect in two starts, the handsome son of War Front was a [...](Read more...)
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John Mattos named official artist for 2013 Breeders’ Cup
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The Breeders’ Cup today announced that multi-award winning illustrator John Mattos has been named the official artist for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The Mattos collection features two art deco images celebrating the 30th running of the event at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., on November 1-2. Mattos’ vintage-inspired official primary image features [...](Read more...)
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Egg Drop Earns First Career Stakes Victory in Yellow Ribbon
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Florida-bred Egg Drop notched the first stakes win of her career in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) at Del Mar on Monday. The Little Red Feather colorbearer had to withstand a lengthy inquiry into the stretch run but her number remained up. Martin Garc...
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Christina Rodriguez Wins With First Mount at Gulfstream
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Apprentice jockey Christina Rodriguez got off to a triumphant start at Gulfstream Park Monday, scoring a gate-to-wire victory aboard Ridge Kitten ($15) in the fifth race. Aboard her very first local mount, the 20-year-old California native hand rode the Dennis Ward-trained mare to a half-length victory. “The horse did everything,” said Rodriguez, who has been [...](Read more...)
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Strong Mandate Romps in Hopeful Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
D. Wayne Lukas celebrated his 78th birthday in style on Monday, watching Strong Mandate stroll to a 9 ¾-length victory in the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. The bay son of Tiznow, owned by longtime Lukas clients Bob Baker and Bill Mack, was ridden by Jose Ortiz. Staying clear on the outside, Ortiz [...](Read more...)
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She’s a Tiger Wins Del Mar Debutante
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
She’s a Tiger, a half-sister to Smiling Tiger, won the Del Mar Debutante (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday. Under Gary Stevens, the promising 2-year-old filly disposed of even-money favored Awesome Baby entering the stretch and then had enough left in the tank to hold off the fast-closing Fascinating by a half-length. She’s a Tiger [...](Read more...)
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Alpha Prevails in Woodward Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Alpha and Flat Out hooked up for a furious finish in the Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday with Alpha digging in gamely to secure the victory. Ridden for the first time by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, Alpha–who dead-heated with Golden Ticket to win last year’s Grade 1 Travers -broke on top [...](Read more...)
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Popular Multiple Stakes Winner Saginaw Euthanized
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Popular multiple stakes winner Saginaw was euthanized Friday after suffering an injury during the running of the third race at Saratoga Race Course. He appeared to take a bad step approaching the far turn and was pulled up by jockey Junior Alvarado and...
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Fort Larned out of Woodward: Paynter Made Favorite
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Fort Larned, among the favorites for Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course, will be scratched from the race, said trainer Ian Wilkes. “He worked great Monday morning and jogged and walked fine Tuesday and Wednesday,” the trainer said of Fort Larned, most recently fifth in the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational Handicap. “This [...](Read more...)
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Cross Traffic to Jockey Club Gold Cup
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
GoldMark Farm’s Cross Traffic will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 28 at Belmont Park, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed on Wednesday. An impressive front-running winner of the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational Handicap on August 3 at Saratoga, Cross Traffic also was being considered for Saturday’s [...](Read more...)
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Game on Dude Powers to Pacific Classic Romp
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Game on Dude, the leading handicap horse in the country, dominated rivals in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) on Sunday at Del Mar. With Martin Garcia filling in for the injured Joel Rosario, Game On Dude hustled to the lead in the first few strides from t...
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“Stalking Position”
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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Royal Delta Too Much for Personal Ensign Foes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Champion Royal Delta made it look all too easy in dispatching rivals in the 66th running of the Personal Ensign Invitational Handicap (G1) on Sunday at Saratoga.The victory earned the 5-year-old mare, a two-time Eclipse Award winner, an automatic berth and an all-fees-paid entry into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita this fall as [...](Read more...)
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O’Connell and Campbell Sweep Florida Stallion Stakes Events
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The second legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder belonged to trainer Kathleen O’Connell and owner Gil Campbell. After winning the Desert Vixen and Dr. Fager divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes with Scandalous Act and My Brown Eyed Guy, it was no surprise that O’Connell and Campbell had the morning-line favorites. Scandalous Act [...](Read more...)
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Will Take Charge Prevails in Travers Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
In a determined effort, Will Take Charge tagged a game Moreno eight on the wire to prevail in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Derby winner Orb, making his first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in June, checked...
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Capo Bastone Charges Late to Win King’s Bishop Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Capo Bastone rallied from off the pace to collar pacesetter Mentor Cane in the stretch to post a 28-1 upset in the King’s Bishop (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Capo Bastone split horses at the three-sixteenths pole, took command in deep stretch and won going away by two lengths. Capo [...](Read more...)
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Sweet Lulu Ships East and Wins Test Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Sweet Lulu turned in a brilliant effort in her first try on a traditional dirt surface to win the Test Stakes (G1) Saturday at Saratoga. Jerry Hollendorfer shipped the daughter of Mr. Greeley in from Del Mar for the historic Test off just three outings – wins in a maiden, allowance and optional claiming race. [...](Read more...)
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Lezcano to Replace Rosario Aboard Orb in Travers Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Joel Rosario will be out for six weeks with a fractured bone in his left foot and will be replaced by Jose Lezcano aboard Orb in today’s 144th running of the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga. Rosario, who was unseated after finishing last aboard Casual Elegance in Friday’s seventh race, was taken to Saratoga Hospital [...](Read more...)
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Dance to Bristol Wins Ballerina for Seventh Straight Score
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Susan Wantz’s 4-year-old filly Dance to Bristol, won her seventh consecutive race on Friday, taking the seven-furlong Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Dance to Bristol defeated Book Review by a head, and secured an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) in November at Santa Anita Park in California. The Breeders’ Cup Challenge [...](Read more...)
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Accomplished Cast Set for Saratoga’s Travers Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb makes his return in Saturday’s Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga against Verrazano, Palice Malice and six others in a stellar renewal of the prestigious race. With championship implications, the Travers brings together a competitive and accomplished cast. The centerpiece of the summer meet at Saratoga, the Travers will be run [...](Read more...)
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Orb Fires a Bullet Work Ahead of Travers Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby winner Orb, who arrived at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 11, turned in a four-furlong breeze over the Oklahoma training track on Monday for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers. Breezing for the first time since his arrival at the Spa, Orb was clocked in 47.68 seconds and galloped out five furlongs in [...](Read more...)
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Discreet Marq Impressive in Del Mar Oaks
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
East Coast invader Discreet Marq swept to the lead at the head of the lane and proved best in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday. The recipient of a well-time ride by jockey Julien Leparoux, Discreet Marq was prominent from the start. She mov...
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Real Solution Awarded Victory in Arlington Million
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Making only his third career start in the U.S. after beginning his career in Italy, Real Solution was awarded the victory in Saturday’s Arlington Million after The Apache was disqualified for interference nearing the wire. Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Real Solution was reserved toward the back of the 13-horse field early. Under Alan [...](Read more...)
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Princess of Sylmar Much the Best in Alabama Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Princess of Sylmar continued her dominance of the 3-year-old filly division with a decisive score in the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Princess of Sylmar now has won seven of her past eight starts and becomes the first filly since Hall o...
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Dayatthespa Returns to Winning Ways in Yaddo
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Putting her Grade 1 talents to full use, 1-4 favorite Dayatthespa made Saratoga Race Course’s $150,000 Yaddo her showcase on Friday with an easy 1 ¾-length victory over New York-breds. Dayatthespa returned to her winning ways on Friday with an easy 1 ¾-length victory over New York-bred runners in the Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga. With [...](Read more...)
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Stellar International Field Set for Arlington Million
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Florida-bred Little Mike will defend his Arlington Million crown on Saturday against a stellar international field. The Dale Romans-trained son of Spanish Steps has not finished better than 4th in three Grade 1 events in 2013, but he has reportedly bee...
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Marketing Mix Tops Competitive Beverly D. Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Glen Hill Farm’s Marketing Mix headlines the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1) during Arlington Park’s International Festival of Racing on Saturday. Marketing Mix finished second last year, and Chicago native Craig Bernick said he wants to win this race as the start to an international campaign that could include tilts in the Grade 1 Breeders’ [...](Read more...)
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Corfu Hangs on For Saratoga Special Score
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Corfu held off Wired Bryan to take the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special by a nose, giving trainer Todd Pletcher his first win in the race. It also gave Pletcher a victory over his former assistant Michael Dilger and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez his fifth winner on Sunday’s card at Saratoga Race Course. [...](Read more...)
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Designer Legs Placed First in Roughly Run Adirondack
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
In a roughly contested stretch run in the Adirondack Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on Sunday, Designer Legs was elevated to first place following the disqualification of Who’s in Town. Trained by Dallas Stewart and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, Designer Legs remained perfect through three starts. Who’s in Town, ridden by meet-leading jockey Joel Rosario, repelled [...](Read more...)
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Wise Dan Clearly Best in Fourstardave
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan ran his win streak to eight with a decisive victory in the Fourstardave Handicap (G2) at Saratoga Saturday. Favored at 2-5 in a field of six, Wise Dan covered one mile on the inner turf course in 1:34, only .58 seconds off the track record set by L’Oiseau [...](Read more...)
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Ownership Group Little Dreams Racing Taking Flight
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Carlo Vaccarezza enjoyed a spectacular 2012 racing season when his homebred Little Mike put the local restaurateur and his wife, Priscilla, in the winner’s circle following some of the industry’s biggest events. Little Mike captured such marquee races as the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, the Arlington Million (G1) at Arlington Park [...](Read more...)
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Fox Sports 1 and The Jockey Club Announce New Racing Package
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
FOX Sports and The Jockey Club announced today a multi-year agreement to air prominent graded stakes races starting in 2014 from many of horse racing’s best known tracks on FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network launching Saturday, Aug. 17. The newly created package of nationally televised races consists of up to 10 telecasts per [...](Read more...)
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Concave Scores in Del Mar’s Sorrento Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Reddam Racing’s Concave became the first stakes winner for her sire, Colonel John, when she won the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 7. Concave, a winner over the Betfair Hollywood Park grass course in her only previous race, was able to run down a game foe in She’s a Tiger to win the 6 [...](Read more...)
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OBS Graduates Clash in Del Mar’s Sorrento Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Florida-bred Stop Smiling, an impressive debut winner at Betfair Hollywood Park in July, returns today in the Sorrento Stakes (G2) at Del Mar. A $130,000 OBS March graduate owned by Mark De Domenico and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Stop Smiling notched a smart tally in her first start at Betfair Hollywood Park. She broke a tad [...](Read more...)
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Asmussen Targeting Breeders’ Cup Sprint with Justin Phillip
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Zayat Stables’ Justin Phillip was in good shape the morning after earning his first career Grade 1 victory in Sunday’s $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, according to NYRA Press. The 5-year-old son of First Samurai came a neck shy of winning last year’s Vanderbilt and had won two of eight starts since, including the Grade [...](Read more...)
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Clear Sailing for Cross Traffic in Whitney Invitational
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Cross Traffic parlayed a smooth trip to earn the initial stakes victory of his career in the 86th Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Ridden by John Velazquez, Cross Traffic recorded solid fractions of :24.17 with Mucho Macho Ma...
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No Denying Saginaw in Morrissey at Saratoga
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Sprint star Saginaw added to his impressive resume with a 1 ¼-length victory in the $100,000 John Morrissey on Thursday at Saratoga. It was the fifth consecutive victory and 21st in 40 lifetime starts for Saginaw, who also annexed the Morrissey in 2012. “There is nothing left to say. He’s an incredible horse,” trainer David [...](Read more...)
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Post positions drawn for Whitney Invitational
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
A field of eight headed by Fort Larned is set to square off in the Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 3. Post positions for the race were drawn on Wednesday. Fort Larned, last year’s Whitney winner, drew post position No. 3 and was installed as the 7-5 favorite. From the rail [...](Read more...)
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Long On Value Remains Perfect With Delaware Park Stakes Score
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Long On Value remained perfect in three starts and won his second consecutive stakes race with a six-length romp in the Strike Your Colors Stakes at Delaware Park July 29. The son of Florida stallion Value Plus blazed through fractions of :21.65 and :44.80 before drawing clear late to win the 5 ½-furlong test in [...](Read more...)
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Dance to Bristol Wins Exciting Honorable Miss at Saratoga
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
With a relentless charge between horses in deep stretch, 4-5 favorite Dance to Bristol collared Classic Point in the final strides to win the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga July 29. The victory, Dance to Bristol’s sixth straight at five different tracks, sent trainer Ollie Figgins, III to the Spa winners’ circle for the [...](Read more...)
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Take Charge Indy Officially Retired
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Grade 1 winner and millionaire Take Charge Indy was retired from racing today after surgery to repair his left foreleg resulting from an injury sustained in yesterday’s Monmouth Cup (G2) at Monmouth Park. The son of A.P. Indy will stand at WinStar Farm for the 2014 breeding season. “I was on the lead with a [...](Read more...)
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