Steven Bortstein
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Articles by Steven Bortstein
Curtis draws quite a crowd at ABFive camp at Bloomfield High
Tuba City High School's Layla Curtis leads students in basketball drills during an ABFive camp, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 at Bloomfield High School. (W. Dean Howard/Special to The Tri-City Record) BLOOMFIELD – Tuba City High School’s Layla Curtis made quite an impression on the nearly 200 young students in attendance Sunday morning during an ABFive basketball camp at Bloomfield High.
This week in high school sports
Tohatchi junior Kaden Skeet finishes in first place for the varsity boys in the 2026 Miyamura Invitational with a time of 17:48.88, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 at Red Rock Park in Gallup. (Truman Begaye/Special to the Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – With the fall prep sports season entering into its final weeks, district titles and postseason berths are on the line across San Juan County.
Kj Desparado adds to historic career with win in Championship
Kj Desparado (6), with Noe Garcia, Jr. in the irons, narrowly outfinishes Stetsonn (7) in the Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship Stakes, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. Scoops Dynasty (5) finished third with Hooked N Gone (8) finishing fourth.
Kirtland Central rolls past Aztec 48-0 for fourth straight win
Kirtland Central's Logan Nelson (13) grabs the ball away from Aztec's Cooper Gomez (10) in the end zone for a second quarter touchdown pass during a district football game, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 at Fred Cook Memorial Stadium.
Local, area football teams make postseason push Friday night
Bloomfield's Wyatt Babcock (3) steps away from a tackle attempt by Del Norte's Devin Sedillo (0) and Jaydon Martin (23) during a district football game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 at Milne Stadium. (Tasha Higgins/Special to The Tri-City Record) BLOOMFIELD – The Bloomfield High School football team enters Friday’s road matchup ranked third in Class 4A in the latest MaxPreps rankings, while holding a narrow edge atop the state coaches poll ahead of St. Pius.
Scorpions girls soccer team picks up fourth straight win, topping Cleveland High 2-1
Farmington's Brooklyn Herrera (7) and Cleveland's Isa Pfaff (23) battle for possession along the sidelines during a district girls soccer match, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 at the Piedra Vista soccer fields. (Charles Cook/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – Brooklyn Herrera scored both of Farmington’s goals as the Scorpions edged Cleveland 2-1 in a District 1-5A showdown at the Piedra Vista soccer fields.
All this fuss over a foul ball
Unidentified boys caught in the middle of story regarding a foul ball caught in the stands during Game Three of the National League Division Series, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Courtesy Photo) Imagine going to a party with a raffle. Tickets cost $5, and numbers are called throughout the evening. One guest leaves early, leaving their tickets behind. Another guest picks them up and wins a prize when one of those numbers is called.
FHS cross country teams score big at Chicken Creek Challenge
Farmington's Cache Webb (383) and Noah Sandoval (382) pursue Gunnison, Colorado's Ian Baker (387) during the high school boys' race on Sept. 13, 2025 in Bayfield, Colorado. Joel Priest/For The Tri-City Record, File MANCOS – The Farmington High School boys cross country team delivered a strong performance at the 2026 Chicken Creek Challenge, highlighted by a standout podium finish in the Boys Varsity 5,000-meter event.
Big Ted proves much best in $1 million State Fair QH Futurity
Big Ted, ridden by Sergio Becerra, Jr. edges clear of his rivals in the $1,061,369 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Tungsten Racing Partnership’s Big Ted ran away from his competition Sunday at Albuquerque Downs, proving much the best in the $1,061,369 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity.
State’s best under spotlight this weekend at Albuquerque Downs
Jockey Luis Martinez and Bogarts Brown Sugar reach the finish line ahead of their rivals in the sixth trial for the Zia Quarter Horse New Mexico-bred Futurity, Friday, July 3, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Sunday’s New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity, worth a purse of more than $1 million, is the headline event of an important day of racing for state-breds at Albuquerque Downs.
Navajo Prep airs it out over Cuba on homecoming night
Navajo Prep's Nijrelle Denetso (3) breaks free from Cuba's Jeriah Vigil on his way to a second half touchdown during a district football game, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 at home in the Eagles Nest. (Kallan Pablo/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – Navajo Prep quarterbacks Aden Clah and Kaleil Benally combined for nine touchdowns, including eight passing scores, to power the Eagles to a 58-22 homecoming win Thursday against Cuba at the Eagles Nest.
Scorpions, Mustangs fight for playoff push on football field
Farmington's Daniel Austin (23) reaches the end zone and a touchdown ahead of Albuquerque's Josiah Tafoya (24) during a district football game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 at Hutchison Stadium. (W. Dean Howard/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – A pair of teams fighting to make the Class 6A postseason will square off Friday night at Hutchison Stadium when Farmington hosts West Mesa. The Scorpions (1-5 overall, 0-3 District 1-6A) are looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
Aztec, KCHS volleyball teams open district on winning note
Aztec's Payton Graham (15) goes up for a spike while Shiprock's Divinity Dee (23) looks on during a volleyball match, Friday, Sept 18, 2026 at Chieftain Arena. (Cyndi Frank/Special to The Tri-City Record) AZTEC — Aztec High School’s volleyball team opened its District 1-4A campaign Tuesday night with a hard-fought five-set victory over Bloomfield at Lillywhite Gymnasium.
Kirtland Central football headed the right direction this season under head coach Shuttleworth
Kirtland Central football coach Bob Shuttleworth talks with Matthew Telkamp as he comes off the field after a play during a district football game against Thoreau, Friday, Oct. 2, 206 at Bill Cawood Field at KCHS. (Charles Cook/Special to The Tri-City Record) KIRTLAND – Four plays into the first quarter of Friday night’s District 1-3A clash between Kirtland Central and Thoreau, Broncos head coach Bob Shuttleworth knew there was a problem.
Unwound runs off in Casino at the Downs Thoroughbred Derby
Jockey Luis Fuentes guides Unwound to victory in the $75,000 Casino at the Downs Thoroughbred Derby, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – A maiden no more, Simon Buechler’s Unwound earned her first career win and became a stakes winner at the same time, drawing clear of her rivals in deep stretch in Sunday’s $75,000 Casino at the Downs Thorougbhbred Derby at Albuquerque Downs.
Broncos topple Thoreau 50-0, earn second straight victory
Kirtland Central's Logan Nelson (13) intercepts a first quarter pass from Thoreau quarterback Aiden Woody, before racing to the end zone, the first of his two interceptions on the night in a district football game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 at Bill Cawood Field.
Full field of 10 head to starting gate for rich quarter horse dash
Jockey Christian Cardenas and Paradise Pete (8) outfinish Toastin Heros (inside) and Kj Desparado (6) in the $250,000 All American Gold Cup, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Paradise Pete will be in search of the biggest win of his career Saturday night, when he and jockey Christian Cardenas reach the starting gate as the morning line favorite in the $350,000 Downs at Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship, a Grade I event to be run at 440 yards.
High school football takes center stage Friday night
Farmington's Talon Stowell fights for extra yards after being hit along the sideline by Rio Rancho's Bryce McMurtrey during a football game, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Rio Rancho High School. (W. Dean Howard/Special to The Tri-City Record) KIRTLAND – With Piedra Vista and Navajo Prep on a bye week, high school football action will focus on several teams vying for playoff positioning in both Class 3A and 4A.
Cleveland High School boys soccer shuts out Piedra Vista
Piedra Vista's Antonio Garcia (8) goes up for a header over his teammates and defenders during a boys soccer match against Cleveland, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 at the PVHS soccer fields. (W. Dean Howard/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – Senior Erick Andrade scored two second-half goals Wednesday to lead Cleveland High to a 5-0 victory over Piedra Vista at Panther Field in the District 1-5A opener for both teams.
‘The Super Bowl of rez racing’
Jockey Larnell Gray has Cherry on a big lead over Immigrant down the stretch of a 400-yard race, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 at Aneth Point Downs at Aneth, Utah. (Annrelena Woody/Special to The Tri-City Record) ANETH, Utah – The two-mile dirt road off Highway 162 in southeastern Utah is dotted with old trailers. If travelers happen to miss the hand-lettered cardboard sign pointing toward the track, they can easily drive right by.
Benally chosen to represent New Mexico in national photography campaign
Curtis Ray Benally's winning photo entry for VSCO The Fifty (fifty photographers, fifty billboards) submission for New Mexico. The image of Natalie Frank, Diné contemporary dancer, taken on Highway 371 near Bisti Wilderness, south of Farmington, will be placed on a billboard somewhere in the state. Details of the placement and announcement of the billboard are pending.
Harken rallies to win $70,000 First Moonflash Maturity
Harken (7), ridden by Jose Ortiz, gets past Kj Bad Moon Rising (5) approaching the finish line in the $70,000 First Moonflash Maturity, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 at The Downs at Albuquerque. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Alepony LLC’s Harken rallied in the final yards under jockey Jose Ortiz to post a convincing, one-length win in Saturday’s $70,000 First Moonflash Maturity under the lights at Albuquerque Downs.
Volcano Vista boys soccer team edges Panthers in district match
Piedra Vista's Mateo Mortenson (5) and Volcano Vista's Roger SantaCruz (6) meet to fight for possession of a loose ball during a boys soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2026 at the PVHS soccer fields. (Charles Cook/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – Junior Tristen Soto scored the lone goal midway through the second half as Volcano Vista’s boys soccer team prevailed on the road, topping Piedra Vista by a score of 1-0.
Local sports teams keep an eye on weather forecasts this week
Navajo Prep's Nataya Serrano (4) leaps for a kill attempt during the second game of a volleyball match against Gallup, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at The Eagles Nest. (Kallan Pablo/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – With inclement weather in the forecast this week across San Juan County, high school sports teams will be trying to keep busy on the field, the courts, the gridiron and the race courses.
Piedra Vista makes short work of Santa Fe in homecoming win
Santa Fe High quarterback Manuel Pena has the ball knocked loose by Piedra Vista's Thayden Santangelo (5) and Kael Farley (0) during the first half of a football game, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Hutchison Stadium. (Charles Cook/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – Senior quarterback Reuban Marquez accounted for three touchdowns as Piedra Vista High School relished its first home football game in nearly a month, dismantling Santa Fe 59-8 on homecoming night Friday at Hutchison Stadium.
Big Ted rolls to victory in trial heats for NM State Fair Futurity
Jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr. guides Big Ted to a convincing win in the second trial heat for the $1.2 million New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE — Big Ted, already a proven stakes winner, vaulted into the spotlight after a romping performance Thursday in trials for the New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity at Albuquerque Downs.
Kirtland Central, Navajo Prep girls soccer teams duel to tie
Kirtland Central's Danley Triplett (16) looks to gain possession of a loose ball while Navajo Prep's Kymber Yazzie (2) and Nihatalia Austin (16) chase during a girls soccer match, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Bill Cawood Field.
District battles headline high school weekend football slate
Hozho Academy's Cody Dooley hauls in a pass in the end zone over a pair of Shiprock defenders to complete a 2-point conversion attempt during the second quarter of a game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at Chieftain Stadium. (Cyndi Frank/Special to the Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – The high school football season has reached a midway point, and the chase for the playoffs is paramount for many teams across San Juan County.
State’s top older thoroughbreds to take part in Darnell Stakes
Antonios Mark and jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr. approach the finish line in the $75,000 Casey Darnell Stakes, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – A field of 10 older New Mexico-bred thoroughbreds will head to the starting gate Saturday at Albuquerque Downs for the $75,000 Casey Darnell Stakes.
Scorpions extend win streak with sweep over Miyamura
Farmington's Khloie Chavez (11) goes for a tip against Miyamura's Hailey Footracer (14) and Lusanna Arviso (16) during a volleyball match, Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026 at Scorpion Arena. (Kallan Pablo/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – A potent service game and an explosive net attack carried the Farmington High School volleyball team to a sweep over Miyamura on Tuesday night at Scorpion Arena.
Bobcats hit the road Thursday night to keep district win streak intact against Espanola Valley
Bloomfield's Taydem Callado (24) receives a pass and turns upfield while being defended by Bernalillo's RJ Fleets (7) during a football game, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 at Bobcat Stadium. (W. Dean Howard/Special to The Tri-City Record) BLOOMFIELD – The Bloomfield High football team takes to the road Thursday night to square off District 1-4A against Espanola Valley as both teams bring unblemished records against district competition into the contest.
Blanchard states renewed intent to relocate casino to Clovis
This undated image shows crowds of people attending a day of live racing at SunRay Park and Casino. (File photo) CLOVIS – Plans to relocate SunRay Park and Casino from Farmington to Clovis have hit a legal hurdle following a decision by District Court Judge Daniel E. Ramczyk. Last month, Ramczyk ruled in favor of San Juan County commissioners, stating the New Mexico Racing Commission exceeded its authority when it voted 3-0 earlier this year to approve a “relocation license” for Western Gaming LLC.
Shiprock High volleyball closes out Aztec in five-set thriller
Shiprock's Taleah Phillips (22) keeps a rally going after a dig during the second set of a volleyball match against Aztec, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 at Chieftain Arena. (Cyndi Frank/Special to The Tri-City Record) SHIPROCK – With district campaigns looming for both teams, Shiprock High’s volleyball team continued to play with a hot hand, topping Aztec 3 games to 2 in a Friday night thriller at Chieftain Arena.
Angels In The Clouds leads qualifiers for State Fair Derby
Angels In The Clouds, ridden by Daniel Torres, outfinishes Sya Narra (7) in the third trial heat for the New Mexico State Fair Q.H. Derby, held Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Angels In The Clouds earned the role of fastest qualifier for the October 11 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby, snapping an eight-race losing streak and posting an upset in the third of five trials held Saturday at Albuquerque Downs.
Robertson takes advantage of Broncos miscues in 30-12 win
Kirtland Central's Logan Nelson (13) leaps to attempt an interception of a pass while being backed up by teammate Wesley Atcitty (6) defending against Robertson Miles Cavanaugh (1) in the first quarter of a football game, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 at Bill Cawood Field.
Clah, Denetso lead the way as Navajo Prep storms Crownpoint
Navajo Prep junior Nijrelle Denetso steps in front of a short pass for an interception during the 42-0 shutout win over Crownpoint on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at Crownpoint High School. (Lee Begaye/Special to The Tri-City Record) CROWNPOINT – Senior quarterback Aden Clah accounted for four touchdowns and junior Nijrelle Denetso scored three times Thursday night as Navajo Preparatory School shut out Crownpoint High School at home by a final of 42-0.
Funkhouser cruises to seven-shot win in New Mexico Open
Jackson Funkhouser tips his cap to the crowd after completing the third and final round with a birdie at the New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain in Elephant Butte. Funkhauser, an amateur golfer currently on the mens golf team at New Mexico State University, won the tournament with a total score of 23-under par. (Jerry Jaz) ELEPHANT BUTTE – Jackson Funkhouser overcame a shaky start Wednesday to run away with the New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain Golf Course.
Prep football campaign reaches important midseason contests
Thoreau's Elijah Emerson (12) tries to outrun Aztec's Drake Rivera (54) during a football game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at Fred Cook Memorial Stadium. (Charles Cook/Special to The Tri-City Record) BLOOMFIELD – The race for the Class 4A championship in high school football may still well run through Bloomfield High, but this season’s edition of the two-time defending champions are a different team than in recent seasons.
Trials for rich stakes races take center stage this weekend
King Estate, ridden by Jesse Levario, races to a dominating victory in the third trial heat of the Zia Quarter Horse Futurity, becoming the fastest qualifier in the process, Friday, July 4, 2025 at Ruidoso Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque Downs takes center stage this weekend as 161 of the region’s top state-bred Quarter Horses compete in trial heats for two of New Mexico’s premier horse racing events.
Farmington girls soccer shuts out Bloomfield, improves to 9-1
Bloomfield's Aurelia Armenta (7) and Farmington's Angelica Stevenson (17) battle for possession before the ball is passed ahead to Farmington's Logan Reeves (16) during a girls soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at Hutchison Stadium. (Kallan Pablo/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – With the District 1-5A campaign set to open next week, the Farmington High girls soccer team earned its third straight win with a 5-0 shutout over Bloomfield on Tuesday at Hutchison Stadium.
Bye Bye Vicki rolls to victory in $75,000 Petticoat Stakes
Bye Bye Vicki rolls home to a clear victory under jockey Christian Ramos in the $75,000 Petticoat Stakes, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE — Todd Fincher-trained Bye Bye Vicki earned the first stakes win of her career in wire-to-wire fashion, opening up in deep stretch to a 5-length score in the $75,000 Petticoat Stakes on Saturday at Albuquerque Downs.
Bloomfield races to 35-6 district win on the road over Manzano
Bloomfield’s Questin Ellis carries the ball during a game against Manzano at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Jon Austria/Special for The Tri-City Record) ALBUQUERQUE – Quarterback Wyatt Babcock scored two rushing touchdowns, and the Bloomfield High School football team powered to a 35-6 road win over Manzano on Saturday afternoon at Wilson Stadium.
Record purse attracts large field for 54-hole New Mexico Open
Aidan Thomas, playing for NMSU at the time, watches his ball after teeing off during the NB3 Matchplay at Twin Warriors Golf Club on the Pueblo of Santa Ana in 2024. (Jessica Baca/Albuquerque Journal) ELEPHANT BUTTE — A star-studded field and a record purse are set for the 72nd playing of the New Mexico Open, opening Monday at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort.
Hozho Academy rolls over Shiprock for first win of season
Hozho Academy's Hudson Cash races downfield while being pursued by Shiprock's Koni Clah during the first quarter, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at Chieftain Stadium. (Cyndi Frank/Special to The Tri-City Record) SHIPROCK – The Hozho Academy football team ended its season-long losing streak Friday night, routing Shiprock High School 50-0 at Chieftain Stadium. The victory snapped a three-game skid by the Wolves (1-3) and gave the squad momentum heading into the rest of the season. “It’s been a hard season.
Navajo Prep tops Tohatchi 36-14, earns third straight win
Navajo Prep's Isaiah Herbert (35) and Miles Charley (23) bring down Tohatchi's Caleb Muskett (26) during the first quarter of a football game, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at Eagles Stadium. (Kallan Pablo/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – Navajo Prep football’s 36-14 victory over Tohatchi on Thursday night at Eagles Stadium was far from pristine.
Petticoat Stakes headlines weekend at Albuquerque Downs
Country Club Crush, with Miguel Fuentes, Jr. in the irons, wins the $150,000 New Mexico Classic Lassie Stakes, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Zia Park. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Saturday’s $75,000 Petticoat Stakes headlines a strong opening weekend of racing at the current fall meet at Albuquerque Downs.
San Juan County football teams head into district campaigns
Cleveland High’s Kaeleb Escudero catches a pass for a touchdown while defended by Centennial’s Cisco Sandoval during their game at V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho on Friday, August, 21, 2026. (Jon Austria/Special to The Tri-City Record) FARMINGTON – The top-ranked Cleveland High School football team visits Hutchison Stadium Friday at 7 p.m. to take on Farmington in the opening game of the District 1-6A season for both teams.
Piedra Vista volleyball remains perfect with sweep over Aztec
Piedra Vista's Maggie Rasmussen goes up for a kill attempt during the second set of a volleyball match against Aztec, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 at Lillywhite Gym. (Cyndi Frank/Special to The Tri-City Record) AZTEC — The Piedra Vista High School volleyball team continued its undefeated start to the season Tuesday night, picking up its sixth consecutive victory with a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-22, 25-15) over Aztec at Lillywhite Gymnasium.
The high cost of doing business in New Mexico horse racing
The field for the $3 million All American Quarter Horse Futurity break from the starting gate, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) FARMINGTON – The ongoing back-and-forth between San Juan County and the owners of SunRay Park and Casino was just one story making headlines across New Mexico horse racing.
Cowboys Flying soars to win in $3 million All American Futurity
Jockey Nestor Duran, aboard Cowboys Flying (7), pull clear of the competition approaching the finish line in the $3 million All American Quarter Horse Futurity, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 at Albuquerque Downs. (Coady Media) ALBUQUERQUE – Double J Racing’s Cowboys Flying overcame a bit of a tardy break from the starting gate before storming home to an impressive win in Monday’s $3 million All American Quarter Horse Futurity at Albuquerque Downs.
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