Virginia-bred horses fared well on Thanksgiving weekend stakes races, highlighted by Code West’s victory in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship Stakes on Wednesday. Rose Brier actually finished first in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap Saturday at Gulfstream Park but was disqualified and placed second. And Realm finished a respectable third in the Grade I Cigar Mile Saturday at Aqueduct — his first stakes action ever. In non-stakes action, Made Bail lost by just three-quarters of a length in a $63,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs.

A trio of two year olds — Peace of Green Rvf, , Taleoftheprincess and Fly E Dubai — all got to the winners circle in their respective races while 3 year old colt Divine Interventino scored in an Aqueduct allowance race Friday.

Fly E Dubai earned a win in his first lifetime start November 27th at Laurel. The upset winner paid $44.80 to win. photo by Jim McCue.

Fly E Dubai, an E Dubai gelding, was sent off at odds of 21-1 in a 12 horse field of maiden claimers Sunday at Laurel. She stayed among the top four contenders throughout the $33,000 one mile race and was down by just a head at the top of the stretch. Fly E Dubai ended up winning by a length over Papa Pablo in 1:37.61. The victor, who paid $44.80, was bred by Carlos S.E. Moore and Gillian Gordon-Moore and is owned by Jane Thurston.

Peace of Green Rvf wins by a neck over Majestic Calling. Photo by B & D Photography.

The other two victorious freshmen, Taleoftheprincess (at Fair Grounds) and Peaceof Green Rvf (at Penn National) both scored in gate to wire fashion. The former, bred by the William Backer Revocable Trust, dueled in a head to head battle with Hotshot Anna the entire stretch. She prevailed by that head margin in the $43,000 allowance optional one mile claimer. The Tale of the Cat filly completed the six furlong distance in 1:11.10. She has now won back to back starts and has earned $41,040. Her first triumph came October 31st at Keeneland.

The latter, bred by Rose Ann Howell, beat ten other horses and hung on to win by a neck over Majestic Calling Wednesday. The Green Monkey gelding dug in at the top of the stretch to hold off an inside challenge. The winner, out of Belle Peace by Jazz Club, paid $12.60 to win in the $17,000, 5 1/2 furlong maiden claiming sprint. He is owned by the Riverview Farms.

Divine Interventio collected a victory in a $58,000 starter allowance race at Aqueduct November 26th. Photo by Adam Coglianese.

Sophomore Divine Interventio captured a $58,000 starter allowance race at Aqueduct on Saturday. The Malibu Moon colt came from the rear of the six horse field in the final three furlongs. Bred by William Backer, the winner went four wide in the upper stretch and took over in the final 70 yards. He finished seven furlongs in 1:24.22. Divine Interventio is a Steve Asmussen trainee and is out of the Out of Place mare, Art Show. He did not compete as a two year old but has already amassed $93,116 in earnings as a three year old.

Having amassed 17 victories and $1.4 million in earnings during a 50-race career, Lubash was the most experienced and accomplished horse that went to post Nov. 26 for the 100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park West. Watch Video

A veteran of seven racing seasons, winning races has become old hat for Aliyu Ben J Stables’ 9-year-old turf star, but the son of Freud   actually experienced something new in Saturday’s 1 1/16 turf event. After finishing second, 1 1/4 lengths behind Rose Brier, Lubash was placed first after stewards determined that the first-place finisher interfered with his stretch run.

Virginia-bred Rose Brier won the Tropical Turf Handicap (Gr. 3) Thanksgiving weekend but was disqualified and placed 2nd.

“I really don’t like to win a race that way. … Nevertheless, I’m thrilled for the horse. He’s a wonderful horse. He’s 9 years old. He overcame me for many years, which is great,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “I don’t like to win a race that way, but we’ll take it.”

Lubash, the 9-2 fourth betting choice, settled in seventh under jockey Joe Bravo as Rose Brier stalked pacesetter Applicator around the first turn and along the backstretch. Rose Brier, the 5-2 favorite ridden by Trevor McCarthy, moved alongside the tiring pacesetter leaving the turn into the homestretch while Lubash was making a five-wide move.

Midway through the stretch, Rose Brier came out into the path of the oncoming Lubash, whom Bravo had to check to avoid clipping heels with the favorite. The Jane Cibelli-trained Rose Brier drew away in deep stretch, while Lubash held on to finish second, a length ahead of Coalport and jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

Lubash, who captured the 2014 Tropical Turf, was subsequently awarded his 18th victory after the stewards reviewed the stretch incident that occurred as the field passed the hedge at the end of the turf-course chute.

“What a pretty classy old horse. You’ve got to love this guy. I don’t know if Trevor’s horse spooked from the inside or what, but he came out a long way and we were impeded,” Bravo said. “I’m glad everything worked out today. Lubash is a classy old warrior. He’s a New York-bred, but he wins anywhere.”

It had been a great day for the Maryland-based McCarthy, who rode two winners, including Rainbow Heir in the $75,000 Gin Rummy Champ.

“He was running for me and he just leaned in a little bit. I saw the chute coming and I said, ‘OK, let me hit him left-handed just so he knows.’ I hit him once and I hit him twice, and he just ducked. It just seemed like something spooked him and caught him off guard and he just ducked out,” McCarthy said. “He was probably much the best today, and it’s a shame that it really cost him.”

Rose Brier completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.47 while finishing first, although Lubash picked up the $60,140 winner’s share of the purse to push his earnings within $12,000 of the $1.5 million mark. It’s hasn’t been determined if he will be given an opportunity to surpass that milestone.

“I’m not sure (what’s next). The idea was to retire him, but it’s hard to retire a horse that just won a grade III,” Clement said. “It will be up to the owner.”

Thanksgiving weekend traditionally has meant lots of stakes races from tracks around the country to watch and wager, and this year is no exception plus, you can bet the 2017 Kentucky  months in advance! And to top it off, the new Off Track Betting (OTB) Center in Richmond is now open and accepts wagers every day including the Thanksgiving holiday itself.

Here’s your lineup to an exciting week:

Wednesday Nov. 23 – Zia Park has 6 stakes races on their afternoon program including the $300,000 Oaks, $200,000 Derby and $150,000 Championship Stakes. Penn National has a trio of stakes including the $200,000 Fabulous Strike Stakes, $100,000 Blue Mountain Stakes & $100,000 Swatara Stakes. A pair of Virginia-breds will be competing in these stakes — Code West, bred by Edward Evans, is in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship while Sir Rockport, bred by Legacy Farm & Larry Johnson, is in Penn National’s $200,000 Fabulous Strike.

Bred by Albert Coppola, One Go All Go returns to the winners circle at Laurel September 19th after winning the 2015 Grade II, Commonwealth Derby. Jockey Ron Higsby directed the effort. Photo by Jim McCue.

Thursday Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day – The Richmond OTB will open at 11 AM for pre-turkey festivities with 6 tracks on the wagering menu including Aqueduct, Churchill, Laurel, Fair Grounds, Del Mar & Golden Gate.  Graded stakes include the $200,000 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct, the $200,000 Falls City Handicap and $100,000 River City Handicap at Churchill, and the $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes at Del Mar. Commonwealth Derby winner One Go All Go (shown here), bred by Albert Coppola, is in Churchill’s River City Handicap.

Friday Nov. 25 – Ready to escape the family? Churchill hosts the $500,000 Clark Handicap (Gr. I) and $200,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (Gr. 2) while Del Mar chips in with the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (Gr. 2).

Saturday Nov. 26 – Not interested in a Virginia Tech vs. UVA football game? There are 9 graded stakes including a four- pack at Aqueduct highlighted by the $500,000 Cigar Handicap (Gr. I). Their stellar under card includes the $250,000 Comely, $300,000 Demoiselle and $300,000 Remsen Stakes. Churchill complements action with the $200,000 Golden Rod Stakes and $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Del Mar hosts the $200,000 Seabiscuit Stakes while Gulfstream  has a pair of $100,000 stakes — the My Charmer and Tropical Turf Handicap.

A giant video wall at Breakers displays signals from 10 different tracks around the country in the afternoon and another 10 in the evening.

Sunday Nov. 27 – Since the Redskins played Thanksgiving Day, ponies win out over pigskin to cap off the weekend. Del Mar presents a pair of Grade 3 events — the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes and Native Diver Handicap.

Pool #1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is available to bet Thursday November 24th – 27th. Take a shot this weekend and who knows, your early prognostication could pay handsomely come the first Saturday in May. And note that Laurel Park has added a race day on Monday, November 28th at 12:35 PM.

Bet all the holiday week action at the new OTB at Breakers Sports Grille in Richmond at 9127 W. Broad Street in the TJ Maxx Plaza, or on line via TVG.com, XPressBet.com or TwinSpires.com. Have a safe and great Thanksgiving holiday!

William Backer Commonwealth-bred horses have been a roll in the past several weeks, having earned victories at five different tracks around North America. Chorus Line scored in a $58,000 starter race at Aqueduct, Fur Lined won a claimer at Mountaineer, Alone Again was triumphant in a Mahoning Valley claimer, Rare Art connected at Keeneland, and Rock River earned a maiden claiming win at Woodbine.

Chorus Line dominated in an upset win November 4th at Aqueduct. She has won 2 straight at the NYRA circuit in 2 weeks. Photo by Adam Coglianese.

Chorus Line was an upset winner in dominant fashion. The 3 year old Parading filly won her second straight in the New York circuit with an eight length win November 4th. Out of the Lion Hearted mare, Brief Encounter, Chorus Line broke her maiden October 21st at Belmont then turned around two weeks later for the big win. She is co-owned by Frank Giammarino and Edward DeLauro.

10 year old Fur Lined scored her first triumph of 2016 with a 2 3/4 length claiming win November 13th at Mountaineer. The daughter of Trust N Luck got the best of six others, carrying a six length lead into the top of the stretch. She tired slightly but still held on in the one mile event. Trained and owned by Amailia Cox, Fur Lined has remained a model of  consistency this year. In 11 starts, she has four seconds and four thirds to go with the recent win.

Fur Lined’s win at Mountaineer November 13th got owner Amailia Cox a 25% bonus courtesy of the VTA/HBPA Mid-Atlantic incentive program. Photo by Coady Photography.

Alone Again won convincingly by seven lengths in a large ten horse field November 5th at Mahoning. The 6 year old daughter of Bandini earned her fifth straight “in the money” finish in the six furlong sprint. Out of the Apalachee mare, Stony Lonesome, Alone Again collected her 24th “top three” career finish.

A pair of geldings triggered the string of recent successes in late October. Rare Art and Rock River each won by three-plus lengths. The former was best in a seven furlong claimer over Keeneland’s grass course while the latter connected in a $16,000, 6 1/2 furlong maiden claimer north of the border at Woodbine. Rare Art is a 4 year old Speightstown gelding out of Art Show by Out of Place, while Rock River is a 3 year old Bob and John gelding out of Dolittle by Polish Numbers.

(Reprinted from bloodhorse.com on November 12th).

Sticksstatelydude has raced at seven different racetracks and in four different states, but does his best in one—the Empire State.

It’s not that the 3-year-old First Dude   colt runs poorly other places—he finished second in the Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) Sept. 25 at Remington Park—but he pushed his record to a perfect three-for-three in New York Nov. 12 in the $150,000 Discovery Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack. Watch Video

Sticksstatelydude took the lead early and never relented in the 1 1/8-mile dirt test. He set fractions of :24.29, :49.21, and 1:13.87, maintaining a length to a half-length advantage. Longshot Neolithic provided the only challenge and moved alongside in the stretch, but could not go by as the favorites toiled behind.

Sticksstatelydude won his second race of 2016 in the $150,000 Discovery Stakes. Photo by Adam Coglianese.

The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee hit the wire in 1:50.58 under jockey Joel Rosario to secure his first stakes win.

“He was going pretty easy and I just let him do his thing,” Rosario said. “It’s exactly how he likes to go. We stayed up front and it looked like easy fractions and it left him with something in the end.”

Sticksstatelydude broke his maiden at Saratoga Race Course in August of 2015 and won an allowance race at Belmont Park July 15 to complete his New York Racing Association trifecta.

“It was a great race. Greg (Burchell) has trained him most of the time, and sends him up here and we switch back and forth, but he’s done a great job,” McLaughlin said. “We talked and thought there wasn’t much pace after (Hot Seat) scratched, so we told Joel, ‘If they let you go to the lead, do your thing’ and he said he’d be first or second.

“So when he broke well and went on with him, it was a great effort. The fractions weren’t too fast and everything went well, and this was a nice group of horses. We’re proud of him.”

My Man Sam closed from last in the field of nine to win a photo for third with Adulator. Favored Gift Box, Sunny Ridge, Governor Malibu, Wild About Deb, and Vulcan’s Forge completed the order of finish.

Off at 6-1, the winner paid $14.40, $6.80, and $4.80 across the board. Neolithic delivered $17.20 and $10.80, and My Man Sam brought $4.70.

Bred in Kentucky by Canyon Lake Thoroughbreds out of the Gilded Time mare Placerita, Sticksstatelydude now has a 3-3-0 record from eight starts for owners Ferris Haynes, Pack Pride Racing, M. Haynes, and B. Ward.

It’s time at last — Thoroughbred racing’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held this Friday & Saturday, November 4th & 5th at Santa Anita!

Virginia interests again are well represented in races both Friday & Saturday including Virginia-bred Stellar Wind, who will face Beholder for the third straight race along with powerful 6-5 early favorite Songbird in the $2 million Distaff. The clash takes place Friday at 7:35 PM.

Stellar Wind and Victor Espinoza, left, hold off Beholder and Gary Stevens to win the Grade I $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA.
©Benoit Photo

Stellar Wind, bred by the Keswick Stables & Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings Inc., has gotten the best of Beholder in her last two outings. She was one half length better in the Clement Hirsch Stakes and a neck better most recently in the Zenyatta Stakes. The 4 year old daughter of Curlin has 7 wins from 11 lifetime starts and purse earnings of $1,353,200. Songbird is a 3 year old Kentucky-bred who is 11-for-11 with earnings of $3,372,000.

Also on Friday, Virginia owner/breeder David Ross has entered Scuba in the Marathon Stakes, part of that day’s “Cup” under card. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche will direct the 5/2 second early pick for trainer Brendan Walsh. Dortmund, owned by Kaleem Shaw of Reston, Virginia, is 6/5 early choice in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, slated for 6:05 PM on Friday. Martin Garcia will guide for trainer Bob Baffert.

On Saturday, Kaleem Shaw has another horse — Klimt — in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which is scheduled as the 8th race. The Baffert trainee is 6/1 early and will be ridden by Rafael Bejarno. Drefong, set to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, was co-bred by Middleburg native Anthony Warrender. This Baffert conditioned horse will have Martin Garcia up too. Finally, a pair of entrants in Saturday’s under card kickoff race — Con Te Partiro and Red Lodge — are part owned by Sheri Greenburg of Keswick. She is a partner in the Hat Trick Racing ownership group and Wesley Ward trains the duo. Con Te Partiro could participate in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf if she draws into the field; she currently is the #15 horse.

All the action from Santa Anita can be seen on NBC Sports Network late Friday afternoon and all day & early evening . The s $6 million Classic will be aired on NBC itself Saturday from 8-9 PM. Race fans can wager at the new Off Track Betting Center at Breakers Sports Grille in Richmond (9127 W. Broad St.) and via on line wagering partners TVG.com, XPressBet.com and TwinSpires.com.

What a great opening day at the first Virginia Equine Alliance Off Track Betting Center in Richmond!

A giant video wall at Breakers displays signals from 10 different tracks around the country in the afternoon and another 10 in the evening.

Horseplayers can wager from 12 Noon until 11 PM seven days a week at Breakers Sports Grille at 9127 W. Broad St. in the TJ Maxx Shopping Center.

Virginia Bets is the name of the Virginia Equine Alliance’s network of Off Track Betting Centers.

We’re ready for lots of racing fans this weekend for the Breeders’ Cup races on Frfday & Saturday. We have advance “Cup” programs for both days on sale now (as of Wednesday afternoon).