Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Ending a streak of five consecutive runner-up finishes, Clubhouse Ride won the Grade 2 Californian Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park. Positioned closest to an early duel between Batti Man and Blueskiesnrainbows by jockey Garrett Gomez, Clubhouse Ride took over midway around the turn, drew clear and wasn’t seriously challenged by favored Liaison in the final [...](Read more...)
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Michael Compton
Orb and ‘Todd Squad’ Set to Work Sunday For Belmont Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
A number of Belmont Stakes hopefuls will have key workouts at Belmont Park Sunday morning, including Kentucky Derby winner Orb and five prospective runners from trainer Todd Pletcher. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said that Orb will run in the 1 ½-mile Belmont if he breezes well Sunday. The Malibu Moon colt will [...](Read more...)
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Oxbow Works at Churchill Downs Ahead of Belmont Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Oxbow recorded his first published breeze since winning the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) and clocked six furlongs in 1:14.60 on Thursday at Churchill Downs. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained 3-year-old, who is targeting the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8,...
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Sahara Sky Prevails in Dramatic Met Mile
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Sahara Sky made an unwavering charge from last to defeat a resilient Cross Traffic by a nose in the 120th running of the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on Monday at Belmont Park. Attempting to avenge a close loss in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct ...
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Midnight Lucky Rolls in Acorn Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Even-money favorite Midnight Lucky bounced back from her effort in the Kentucky Oaks and rolled to a commanding 6 ¼-length victory in the Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn at Belmont Park. It was the third victory in four starts for the 3-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute, who had set the pace and finished fifth as one [...](Read more...)
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Joao Moreira Gets First U.S. Win at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
In Sunday’s finale at Churchill downs, jockey Joao Moreira scored his first U.S. win aboard 25-1 long shot Princess Millie. Moreira, a native of Brazil and a champion jockey in Brazil and Singapore, booted home his first U.S. winner for Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds and trainer Wesley Ward. He will ride 5-2 morning line favorite Judy the [...](Read more...)
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General Election Wins Arlington Classic
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
WinStar Farm’s General Election survived an eventful stretch drive and a claim of foul to prevail by a length in the Arlington Classic (G3) at Arlington Park on May 25. Trained by Kellyn Gorder and ridden by jockey Joe Rocco, Jr., General Election stopped the clock in 1:45.48 for the mile and a sixteenth on [...](Read more...)
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Obviously Cruises in American Handicap
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Heavily-favored Obviously easily dispatched five opponents in the $150,250 American Handicap Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park. The victory by the Irish-bred gelding continued a stakes roll for jockey Joe Talamo. The 23-year-old native of Marrero, La. has won the last four stakes offered at Betfair Hollywood Park. He went 3-for-3 last weekend, taking the Fran’s [...](Read more...)
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Chantal Sutherland to Return to Riding at Del Mar
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
In a Daily Racing Form article on May 23, jockey Chantal Sutherland announced that she plans to return to race riding at Del Mar in July. Sutherland retired last summer. “I just started dreaming about it again,” she told Daily Racing Form. “All of a sudden I started waking up at 4 a.m. I missed [...](Read more...)
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Oxbow Puts Connections in Record Books With Preakness Win
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas made history at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday when he saddled Oxbow for a front-running upset victory in the 138th Preakness Stakes (G1). The 15-1 long shot gave his 77-year-old trainer a sixth Preakness victory, a...
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Stars Aligned for Orb in Today’s Preakness?
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
As the sun rises over Pimlico Race Course this morning, the day of the 138th Preakness Stakes (G1), you can still grab a seat on Orb’s bandwagon. But you’d better hurry the bus is filling up fast. Racing fans can already purchase Orb apparel from concession stands around Pimlico. Why tempt the Racing Gods before [...](Read more...)
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“Preakness Special”
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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Post Positions Drawn for Preakness Stakes: Orb Draws Rail
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Post positions were drawn Wednesday for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico. Orb Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb drew the rail and has been installed as the even-money favorite in the field of nine. Following are post positions for the Preakness Stakes with morning line odds. 1. Orb (1-1) 2. Goldencents (12-1) 3. Titletown Five [...](Read more...)
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Shug: ‘Maybe We’ll See Something Special’
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb got well acquainted with his new surroundings at Pimlico Race Course Wednesday morning. The Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, who arrived from Belmont Park on Monday and walked the shedrow of the Preakness Stakes Barn Tuesday, made his first appearance on the racetrack at approximately 6 a.m. The Shug [...](Read more...)
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D. Wayne Lukas Trio and Itsmyluckyday Arrive at Pimlico
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Five-time Preakness winner D. Wayne Lukas arrived at Pimlico Race Course with his three-horse contingent of Oxbow, Titletown Five and Will Take Charge at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday. The trio arrived at Pimlico following a 12 ½-hour van ride from Churchill Downs. Also arriving Tuesday from Monmouth Park was Itsmyluckyday. “They’re better than I am probably. It’s [...](Read more...)
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Orb Arrives at Pimlico for Preakness Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby winner Orb arrived at Pimlico Race Course Monday, stepping off the van that transported him from Belmont Park shortly after 3 p.m., according to a Maryland Jockey Clu press release. Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s homebred 3-year-old colt grazed on grass for 40 minutes before being bedded down in Stall 40, the [...](Read more...)
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McGaughey Says Orb’s Latest Work ‘Breathtaking’
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby winner Orb breezed a half-mile in a seemingly effortless 47.18 seconds Monday morning at Belmont Park. It was his final serious work for the next leg of racing’s Triple Crown, Saturday’s Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. The series concludes Saturday, June 8, with the 145th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont [...](Read more...)
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Itsmyluckyday Works Between Races at Monmouth
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Preakness Stakes contender Itsmyluckyday with jockey Elvis Trujillo in the saddle worked between races at Monmouth Park on Sunday. The son of Lawyer Ron drilled four furlongs in :47 1/5 between the 3rd and 4th races. Itsmyluckyday was ridden by Trujill...
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Mylute Confirmed for Preakness Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
GoldMark Farm and Whisper Hill Farm’s Mylute, the fifth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby (G1) is a go for the Preakness. “I talked with Paul Buhlman (of GoldMark) and Mandy Pope (of Whisper Hill) and we discussed how he was doing and how he was training and the decision was made to go to the [...](Read more...)
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Hollywood Park to Close Following Autumn Meet
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The anticipated development of the Hollywood Park property by owner Hollywood Park Land Company has become a reality. It was announced today that Hollywood Park Racing Association will not apply to the California Horse Racing Board for 2014 race dates ...
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Goldencents Arrives at Pimlico for Preakness Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents settled in at Pimlico Race Course Tuesday after arriving in the middle of the night from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., according to Maryland Jocky Club Publicity. In 2012, trainer Doug O’Neill sent Derby winner I’ll Have Another to Baltimore two days after the race, and the colt won the [...](Read more...)
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Kentucky Derby Winner Orb Returns to Belmont Park
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and jockey Joel Rosario returned to Belmont Park Sunday, prepared to gear up for the next leg of the Triple Crown. Orb’s next goal is the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday, May 18. The series concludes June 8 with the 145th running of the [...](Read more...)
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Orb Wins Kentucky Derby
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb rallied from far off the pace to take command in mid-stretch en route to a 2 ½-length victory in the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by Joel Rosario, Orb covered the 1 ¼ miles on a sloppy main track in [...](Read more...)
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Princess of Sylmar Surprises in Kentucky Oaks
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
King of Prussia Stable’s Princess of Sylmar, the second-longest shot on the board at 38-1, won the 139th running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday. The filly won the Oaks by a half-length before the second-largest Oaks Day crowd in history, 113,820. Friday’s attendance was surpassed only by the 116,046 that [...](Read more...)
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Black Onyx Scratched From Kentucky Derby
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
There is a late scratch from Kentucky Derby 139. Number one Black Onyx has been scratched from Saturday’s 139th running of the Kentucky Derby, it was announced Friday. The reason for the scratch was not shared at the time of the announcement. Stewards have decided that the No. 1 slot in the starting gate will [...](Read more...)
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Post Positions Drawn for Kentucky Derby
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Post positions were drawn on Wednesday for Saturday’s 139th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Florida Derby (G1) winner Orb, who has impressed onlookers at Churchill Downs in recent days, was installed as the 7-2 morning line favorite. Wood Memorial (G1) winner Verrazano is the second choice at odds of 4-1. In [...](Read more...)
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“Threw a Shoe”
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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Post Positions Drawn for Kentucky Oaks
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Post positions for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) were drawn Tuesday morning. The race drew a competitive field of 11, headed by morning line favorite Dreaming of Julia (3-1) and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Beholder (7-2). The Kentucky Oaks field in position order and morning line odds: 1–Silsita, 20-1 2–Midnight Lucky, 9-2 3–Beholder, [...](Read more...)
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Orb Works at Churchill Downs: Continues to Impress McGaughey
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb breezed four furlongs in :47.80 under exercise rider Jennifer Patterson Monday morning at Churchill Downs. Working in company, Orb broke off just behind stablemate Overwhelming before pulling even on the turn and drawing clear by several lengths through the stretch. The Florida Derby (GI) winner galloped out five [...](Read more...)
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Kentucky Oaks Contender Midnight Lucky Pleasing Baffert
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Trainer Bob Baffert had good things to say about Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman’s Midnight Lucky Sunday after she breezed five furlongs in :59.60 with exercise rider Dana Barnes in the irons. Undefeated after two career starts, the gray filly prepped for Friday’s Oaks with the fourth fastest of 42 works at the [...](Read more...)
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Forty Tales Prevails in Derby Trial
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Perretti Racing Stable’s Forty Tales held off Capo Bastone by a diminishing neck to win the 89th running of the $201,425 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on April 27. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Forty Tales was the fourth of five winners on the night for jockey Joel Rosario. “When we turned for home, I asked [...](Read more...)
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Normandy Invasion Gets in Early Work at Churchill
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Fox Hill Farms’ Wood Memorial (G1) runner-up Normandy Invasion tuned up for the Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong work in :59 at 5:45 a.m. Saturday. It was the second-fastest of 52 works at the distance. With rain in the forecast, trainer Chad Brown didn’t want to take any chances and sent the colt out to [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Drills at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
At 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning there was a lot of weather checking going on at Todd Pletcher’s Churchill Downs barn. Pletcher and his staff were covering it all ways possible – using smart phones, computers, TVs. Finally, Pletcher went to the source of sources, working through Churchill Downs’ senior director of communications Darren Rogers to [...](Read more...)
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Orb Gallops at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb galloped 1½ miles under exercise rider Jennifer Patterson and visited the starting gate after the renovation break at Churchill Downs Friday morning. “He’s getting over the track great. He’s feeling good. I couldn’t be more satisfied,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. The Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby [...](Read more...)
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Itsmyluckyday Works at Calder Prior to Shipping to Kentucky
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby contender Itsmyluckyday worked four furlongs in :53 at Calder Race Course on Thursday morning prior to shipping to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby (G1). Second to Orb most recently in the Florida Derby (G1) and winner of the Holy ...
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Vyjack Gallops at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Pick Six Racing’s Vyjack jogged to the finish line and then galloped 1 ½ miles under trainer Rudy Rodriguez after the renovation break at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning. “He looked around a little bit at first but then settled in and went about his business. He was very good this morning,” Rodriguez told Churchill [...](Read more...)
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Borel Gets Acquainted With Revolutionary
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Revolutionary breezed four furlongs in :48.80 and recorded fractions of :12.60, :24.80 and :37 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.20 and six furlongs in 1:15.20 with Calvin Borel in the irons on Sunday at Churchill Downs. Borel will be aboard Revolutionary on the First Saturday in May. “We wanted to get Calvin familiar with [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Works at Churchill With Gary Stevens Up
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Verrazano breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 and recorded fractions of :13, :25.20 and :36.80 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20, seven furlongs in 1:26.80 and a mile in 1:41.60 on Sunday at Churchill Downs. Guided in the work by Gary Stevens, Verrazano started one length back behind the workmate and they finished together. “We [...](Read more...)
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Orb Impresses McGaughey in Latest Work
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Florida Derby (G1) victor Orb impressed trainer Shug McGaughey Sunday morning at Payson Park. The colt breezed five furlongs during a key workout for a scheduled start in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4. “This was the one we need to get behind us,” McGaughey shared with Gulfstream Park Publicity. “What I really wanted [...](Read more...)
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Winning Cause Cruises in Coolmore Lexington Stakes
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Alto Racing’s Winning Cause won the 32nd running of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Saturday. In addition to the $120,000 winner’s share, Winning Cause earned 20 points toward the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs. The Derby is limited to the top [...](Read more...)
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Summer Front Best in Miami Mile at Calder
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Waterford Stable’s Summer Front proved 1 ½ lengths best in the Grade 3 Miami Mile Handicap at Calder Casino & Race Course on Saturday. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Summer Front covered the eight-furlongs in 1:35.31 over a turf course listed as good. Starting from post one, Summer Front was always traveling comfortably along the hedge [...](Read more...)
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Derby Contender Itsmyluckyday Drills at Calder
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Kentucky Derby hopeful Itsmyluckyday on Thursday put forth what is likely his penultimate workout before shipping to Louisville, Ky. for the Kentucky Derby. He covered one mile in 1:43.20 over a fast track at Calder. The Eddie Plesa, Jr.-trained colt is tentatively scheduled to breeze one more time before departing next week. “He is scheduled [...](Read more...)
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City Zip Filly Fastest at OBS Breeze Show
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
A City Zip filly consigned by Old South Farm, agent, sped an eighth in :9 3/5 to post the fastest work at the distance at Tuesday’s under tack show for the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. The chestnut filly, hip No. 252, is out of Danse Kongo, by Petionville, and is a half-sister [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano and Normandy Invasion Arrive at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
The Tex Sutton flight from New York transporting Wood Memorial (G1) winner Verrazano and runner-up Normandy Invasion arrived in Louisville, Ky. late Sunday afternoon. Verrazano, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) prior to capturing the Wood Memorial, is owned by Let’s Go Stable, Michael Tabor, Mr. and Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith. The [...](Read more...)
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Xavier Perez Bravely Handles ‘Wild Ride’ on Spicer Cub
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
It did not make SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays, but Spicer Cub’s eventful trip in Saturday’s 11th at Pimlico Race Course has gone viral and is generating interest outside of horse racing circles. The Mary Eppler trainee took the early lead but bolted midway on the far turn before jockey Xavier Perez was able to straighten [...](Read more...)
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Mylute Breezes at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Mylute, runner-up to Revolutionary in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), continued his preparations for the Kentucky Derby (GI) with a six-furlong breeze in 1:12.20 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. Working under Shaun Bridgmohan in company with two other Tom Amoss trainees, Mylute (ranked No. 16 on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented [...](Read more...)
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Overanalyze Wins Arkansas Derby
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Overanalyze stamped his ticket to Churchill Downs with a clear victory in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. With Rafael Bejarano riding for trainer Todd Pletcher, Overanalyze made a sweeping move to the leaders, brushed with Frac Daddy in the stretch and went on to win by 4 ½ lengths over Frac Daddy. Carve [...](Read more...)
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Java’s War Gets Up in Final Strides to Win Blue Grass
Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Charles Fipke’s Java’s War overcame a slow start to catch Palace Malice in the final yards to win the 89th running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. Java’s War won by a neck before a crowd of 37,161.Saturday’s attendance is the second largest in track history, surpassed only by [...](Read more...)
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