Michael Campbell

A proposal floated by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey (TBA) that would have significantly cut the cash awards the organization pays to the state's horse breeders and owners failed to gain approval at Wednesday's New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) meeting. The measure, which was accompanied by the disclosure that the TBA has been unable to pay out $200,000 that is still due to breeders and owners who earned incentives at the 2025 Monmouth Park meet, got tabled until the July NJRC meeting by a 3-0 vote. The money...

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey (TBANJ) has announced that it has reached an agreement with Darby Development, the management company that oversees operations at Monmouth Park, that should end what had been a stalemate concerning future racing dates at the seaside track. In a statement released Wednesday, the TBANJ said it was supporting "an amended bill that protects Thoroughbred racing and breeding in New Jersey." With the possibility that a $10-million subsidy that had been used to enhance purses at Monmouth Park might not be available in the...

A vote scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8 in New Jersey's Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee appears to threaten Thoroughbred racing dates in the state, cutting the required number from 50 to 25. The story was first reported by DRF's Matt Hegarty. Michael Campbell, the executive director for the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, sent out a letter to Association members Tuesday warning breeders of "serious threat" to the New Jersey Thoroughbred breeding industry if the bill is passed. "This drastic reduction would effectively eliminate the foundation necessary to sustain...

The connections of GIII Vosburgh Stakes winner Patriot Spirit (Constitution) are not quite ready to commit their 'Win and You're In' victor to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, though a trip to Del Mar is in the cards no matter what they decide. Trainer Michael Campbell has provided a good prognosis for this son of Constitution in the post-race follow-up Sunday morning, and admitted that he's got his eyes on the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile as well when asked about using his guaranteed berth into the Sprint. "He's [come...

George A. Mellon's Patriot Spirit (Constitution), a smart last-out winner of the Reigh Count S. going seven furlongs at Colonial July 26, punched his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint with a 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GIII Vosburgh S. at the Belmont at the Big A meeting. Well-backed as the 5-2 second-choice, he pressed in second through an opening quarter in :22.76, hit the front while traveling nicely beneath Javier Castellano at the top of the stretch and took care of business from there...

New Jersey owner and breeder John Bowers Jr. of Roseland Farm Stable has been named the 2024 recipient of the Virgil "Buddy" Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, Monmouth Park announced Tuesday. The Raines Award, in its 29th year, honors men and women who have demonstrated a continuing commitment to the sport of Thoroughbred racing as an owner, trainer or administrator, and whose conduct has been exemplary for professionalism, integrity and service to the sport. Bowers has twice been honored by the state's Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association as the Breeder of...

Wanamaker's, in partnership with the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, will be holding its first-ever New Jersey-Bred Sale on Thursday, Nov. 16. "We are excited to partner with Wanamaker's on a New Jersey-bred mixed sale," said Michael Campbell, executive director of Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey. "The New Jersey-bred program is gaining attention from breeders and owners across the country.  The partnership with Wanamaker's is a great benefit to New Jersey breeders who can sell their horses without the stress and financial commitment of bringing them to the sales grounds. With...

Dear Editor: In your article, "Arlington Horsemen Beg for Help," published Aug. 17, it is was stated by President Michael Campbell of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) at the public comment period before the Illinois Racing Board, that Churchill Downs may not sell Arlington Park to the highest bidder in order to avoid competition. Mr. Cambell said, it is "the worst-kept secret in Illinois--and we all know it--is that Churchill Downs and [that corporation's business entity at] Rivers Casino is attempting to eliminate horse racing at Arlington Park because...

For the fourth consecutive meeting of the Illinois Racing Board in the six months since Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI), announced its industry-devastating intention to sell Arlington International Racecourse for "non-horse racing" purposes, the 10-member board on Tuesday remained stunningly silent on the prospect of suburban Chicago's premier Thoroughbred venue going dark forever after Sept. 25. How pronounced was the "elephant in the room" syndrome during the IRB's one-hour Aug. 17 teleconference? After listening to impassioned pleas from the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) and members of Arlington's backstretch community for...

4th-Colonial Downs, $40,400, Msw, 8-3, 2yo, f, 5f, :57.65, ft. FEELING MISCHIEF (f, 2, Into Mischief--True Feelings {GSP, $111,205}, by Latent Heat) broke like a shot and led Some Nights (Street Boss) and 21-1 shot Bravo Regina (Congrats) through a :22.38 quarter. Clear and moving easily turning for home, the 6-5 choice pulled away with aplomb, crossing the wire a geared-down eight-length winner over Bravo Regina. Palmgirl (Commisioner) completed the trifecta. The winner is a half to Grade III-placed Royal Act (American Pharoah). Grade III-placed True Feelings--a half-sister to Flirtaious...

Purse contract negotiations between the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) and Arlington Park remain deadlocked three weeks after missing a state-mandated deadline to have one in place for the 2020 meet. Despite the issue taking center stage with 90 minutes of testy back-and-forth debate at Tuesday's Illinois Racing Board (IRB) meeting, the two sides appear no closer to bridging the gap, which chiefly hinges on a daily average purse figure of $130,000 versus $200,000 for the 68-date, May-through-September meet. IRB chairman Jeffrey Brincat did underscore on Tuesday that the horsemen...