Virginia-breds had another solid weekend at tracks around the country, highlighted by a pair of victories at the competitive Belmont Park spring meet. Carbon Data and Max James connected on May 12th and 13th respectively — the former in a 1 1/4 miles, $90,000 maiden special weight test and the latter in a 1 1/16th miles, $41,000 maiden claimer.

Carbon Data battled head-to-head, literally, with runner-up Into the Breach from the top of the stretch to the wire. The Lazy Lane Farms bred colt was a half length better at the finish, crossing in 2:05.01. A four year old son of Birdstone, Carbon Data did not race a 2 or 3 year old, and was making just his third career start. He is trained Chad Brown, was ridden by Javier Castellano, and is out of the Sky Classic mare, Penney Marie.  Owner Paul Pompa Jr. cashed in as well via the VTA/HBPA Mid-Atlantic bonus program. He received a $10,000 bonus (the 25% bonus is capped at $10,000) in addition to the winner’s share of the purse.

Max James also scored his first lifetime win against a field of ten competitors. The 3 year old Union rags colt took command with 5/16ths left and won by almost two lengths in 1:48.28. Bred by the Audley Farm Equine LLC, Max James is out of Pink Champagne by Awesome Again. He is owned by Al & Michelle Crawford Racing, who like Pompa Jr., received a 25% owners bonus for winning an overnite race in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Everything Magic won her third race from five starts May 4th at Laurel Park. The Larry Johnson owned and bred filly is trained by Mike Trombetta. Photo by Jim McCue.

Everything Magic is a lightly raced 4 year old Street Sense filly who earned a well spaced, third consecutive triumph earlier in the month. She won handily by six lengths in a $30,000 starter optional claiming race May 4th at Laurel, which followed a pair of wins nearly a year prior — last May in a Monmouth maiden claimer and last June in a Pimlico allowance race. The Mike Trombetta trainee is owned and bred by Larry Johnson, and is out of the More Than Ready mare, More Than Magic. She has won three of five lifetime starts, good for $53,010.

Johnson added another head to his stable a week later (May 12) at Pimlico, when he claimed a horse that he bred. Six year old Greek God, making his 47th lifetime start, trailed frontrunner Atascaderan throughout the 1 1/16th miles claimer until the bitter end. The Pleasantly Perfect gelding nipped leader at the wire by a neck and collected his 8th lifetime win. Johnson claimed the winner for $7500 and named Trombetta as the new trainer. Greek God is out of the Mr. Greeley mare, Grecian Wings.

Jockey Forest Boyce guides Isabella Rocks to victory at Laurel May 5th. Photo by Jim McCue.

Other recent Virginia-bred winners include Isabella Rocks, Talk Less and Sambrook Edge, who have connected at Laurel, Thistledown and Gulfstream respectively.

Isabella Rocks is another Larry Johnson owned and bred horse who gained her first lifetime win at the age of five, in just her second career outing. Jockey Forest Boyce guided the effort for trainer Suzanne Dempsey. Talk Less was part of an entry that finished one-two in a $24,000 Thistledown allowance. Bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III, the 3 year old Blame colt has a pair of wins and seconds in five starts. Sambrook Edge collected his second win of 2017 and fourth straight “in the money” finish at Gulfstream May 14th when he beat seven others in a $17,000 claimer. The victor was bred by the Lazy Lane Farms and is by Afleet Alex.

Sadler’s Joy, shown here as a yearling at Woodslane Farm in The Plains, finished third in the Grade I Man O’ War Stakes May 13th as a 4 year old. Photo by Nick Hahn.

Although it didn’t result in a winners circle picture, congratulations go out to the Virginia connections of 4 year old colt Sadler’s Joy, who finished third in the Grade I, Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park May 13th. The son of Kitten’s Joy is owned by Lauren and Rene Woolcott of Woodslane Farm, which is based in The Plains, Virginia. Sadler’s Joy now has a win, runner-up and third place finish in three starts this year, good for $197,480 in earnings. His victory came in the Grade 2, Pan American Stakes April 1st at Gulfstream. Here’s a photo of Sadler’s Joy as a yearling.

The following article appeared in The Racing Biz last week.

by Nick Hahn

Virginia’s “country racing” experiment uses the timing and tradition of steeplechase venues to create opportunities for primarily Virginia-based horsemen to race. Flat racers have been part of steeplechase cards for decades, but the concept of raising the level of flat races in popular one-day steeplechase stopovers in Virginia has been at least one answer for the 2013 closure of Colonial Downs.

For the last three years, the Virginia Equine Alliance has offered races out-of-state at Laurel Park and in-state at Great Meadow, where just shy of some 20,000 car loads attempt to cover The Plains. These “country races” have frequently generated double-digit fields.

Renown wins the Secretariat. Photo provided by Virginia Gold Cup.

Trainer Elizabeth Voss has now gathered stakes wins for the Merriebelle Stable LLC star in an unlikely series of arenas: Laurel Park, Delaware Park, Keeneland — where he won the Grade 3 Sycamore — and Great Meadow. It’s safe to say that nobody has gotten home on that grand slam other than Renown.

Renown can actually add one more venue to his win list, Wexford Race Course in Ireland, in his first start. Bred in Great Britain by Juddmonte Farms, Renown is by the British sire Champs Elysees out of Fame at Last by Quest for Fame.

“I think he’d be a pretty good hurdler, but that doesn’t look like it will happen at the moment, the way he has been running,” noted rider Jack Doyle who delivered Renown to the winner’s circle on that soaking Saturday afternoon. “He’s schooled over hurdles and did just fine.”

With versatility like this, Renown could start next over hurdles or in your backyard, but more likely would be going two miles in the Grade 3, $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational on Friday, June 9th on Belmont Stakes weekend.

“There aren’t many races over a mile and a half in this country,” Doyle points out.

In the initial year of country racing, Jack Doyle and Renown delivered two wins at Great Meadow in allowance flats in 2015. In 2016, Renown faded on the soft going in the Secretariat, finishing behind Rum Tum Tugger and Mutasaawy, two horses Renown bettered in the 2017 edition. He has now won 7 of his 12 starts.

“He seems to be improving all the time,” added Doyle.

His only setback since last year’s Secretariat was when he finished third at Saratoga in the $100,000 John’s Call behind Mr. Maybe and My Afleet, coincidentally a horse that won the 3rd race earlier in the day at Great Meadow, going 17 furlongs over jumps.

In the other two flat races, favored Swellelegent won a $40,000 allowance flat at a mile and a half for trainer Neil Morris and owner Tom Hulfish. Leading only two in the 10-horse field at the half-mile pole, rider Gerald Galligan circled eight-wide to win by 10 lengths.

Hooping, bred by Hickory Tree Farm of The Plains, VA, went wire-to-wire in a $35,000 VA-bred allowance at a mile and a quarter for owner Debra Kachel and trainer Ricky Hendriks. Ross Gehaghty delivered the win in the finale.

FOILED VA-BRED DERBY HOPEFULS EARN REDEMPTION
by Nick Hahn | May 10,2017
Reprinted with permission of the Racing Biz

Virginia swept the Oaks/Derby double over the weekend at Churchill Downs — though you might not know it — in manners that couldn’t be more opposite. Under a masterful, measured, front running ride of jockey John Velazquez Always Dreaming won the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Mike Smith kept passing fillies aboard Abel Tasman in going from last to first in the Kentucky Oaks.

Abel Tasman- Benoit Photo

Always Dreaming was sired by Virginia-bred Bodemeister, who stands at Winstar Farm in Kentucky. Abel Tasman is by Virginia-bred Quality Road, who stands at Lane’s End, also in Kentucky.

In Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, Always Dreaming finished where his sire fell short, and just short. In 2012, Bodemeister blazed out of both Derby and Preakness starting gates, stubborn with the lead until just steps before the wire. Perhaps aided by a sloppy racetrack, Always Dreaming turned back every attempt made at him and stayed well ahead of those that still had their bids underway.

Trainer Todd Pletcher who endured inquisitive looks nearly every morning of Derby week for his colt’s “all too happy” gallops, had settled his colt enough during the week to get the best out of him on Saturday.

Bodemeister’s first crop of three-year-old progeny are racing this year, and Always Dreaming will be quite a beacon. Bodemeister, the Derby and Preakness runner up of 2012, was bred by Audley Farm in Berryville and sired by Empire Maker out of the Storm Cat mare Untouched Talent.

The Clarke County farm, along the West Virginia border, once stood Sir Barton, the first winner of the Triple Crown, before it was even titled as such.

“It brought back memories of 2012, that’s for sure. We were wondering about the distance but he just kept going. It’s redemption,” observed Turner Kobayashi, Audley’s General Manager. “Always Dreaming is a dream for us as well. We’re part of the stallion syndicate with Winstar.”

The Kentucky Derby is settled. Always Dreaming shipped to Pimlico on Tuesday seeking to avenge Bodemeister’s near miss in the Preakness on May 20th.

Abel Tasman, didn’t follow quite the same parade route as Always Dreaming. She was last out of the gate, and jockey Mike Smith steadied his filly off the first turn, went six wide in the second turn and cleared to win by a length and a quarter. Smith timed his rally astutely.

“I felt they were going quick enough for as far back as I was,” said Smith after the race.

Quality Road, who has four crops of foals of racing age, has seen five of his progeny win graded stakes this year. And with the win in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks, Abel Tasman shot to the top of that list.

While Bodemeister’s racing career ended with the Triple Crown — like I’ll Have Another, who ran him down in both the Derby and the Preakness, he never raced again after the latter race — in many ways Quality Road’s was just beginning after the Triple Crown.

Coming into the 2009 Kentucky Derby, Quality Road was expected to be favored after wins in the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth. But a quarter crack in the days before the Derby forced him to the sidelines. He would later win three Grade 1 races — the Woodward, the Metropolitan Handicap and the Donn Handicap — during his 4-year-old campaign.

One of Virginia’s most successful breeders, the late Edward P. Evans, bred Quality Road, a son of Elusive Quality out of Kobla, by Strawberry Road (AUS). Evans’ Spring Hill Farm in Casanova Farm in Fauquier County was sold last year.

Two native sons of Virginia, now standing in Kentucky, channeling their brilliance through their offspring.

Central Virginia residents got a chance to bet the Kentucky Derby for the first time in four years Saturday at two new Off Track Betting Centers in the Richmond area — Ponies & Pints downtown, and Breakers Sports Grille in the west end.

Fans filled the Ponies & Pints OTB all afternoon to bet action from Churchill Downs.

Ponies & Pints held a $1,000 Fancy Hat Contest soon after Always Dreaming crossed the finish line to win the Triple Crown’s first leg. Many attendees got creative in their hopes of winning top prize.

Ladies in the Fancy Hat contest prepare to be judged in hopes of winning the $1,000 top prize.

Ponies & Pints took advantage of their parking lot to stage an outdoor party aspect to Derby Day. That aspect enabled the Shockoe Bottom restaurant to handle hundreds of extra customers. After a few late afternoon sprinkles, a rainbow appeared in the sky 20 minutes before Derby post time.

A pre-Derby rainbow followed a few sprinkles 20 minutes before Derby post time.

And the Fancy Fat Contest winner was…

Gus Dahl went to the winner’s circle Saturday wearing a mudpack and a sunny smile after Irv Naylor’s Ebanour charged relentlessly through Great Meadow Race Course’s stretch to win the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup for a second straight year.

Last of six in the early going, Ebanour closed past Bruton Street-US’s Lemony Bay to secure the victory by 1 1/2 lengths. Holston Hall’s Hot Rize, the 2013 Virginia Gold Cup winner, ran a strong race to be third, another three-quarters of a length back.

Irv Naylor’s Ebanour won the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup Saturday on a wet afternoon. Photo by Todd Marks.

Trained by Cyril Murphy, Ebanour ran the Gold Cup’s four miles in 9:49 flat on a course rated as soft after day-long rain on Friday and showers on race day. Both Ebanour and Dahl picked up a coating of mud as they dashed to victory.

Donald Reuwer’s Grand Manan, the 2016 International Gold Cup winner on the Great Meadow course, took his accustomed position on the lead and set a steady pace under Darren Nagle. Grandly bred Grand Manan was accompanied in the early going by 2014 Maryland Hunt Cup winner Raven’s Choice, who was jumping well, and Lemony Bay, ridden by Sean McDermott.

Raven’s Choice began to drop back with more than a mile remaining, and Grand Manan surrendered the lead to Lemony Bay before the final fences. Dahl put Ebanour in high gear over the last two fences, and their charge carried them to the lead after the last fence.

Ebanour is shown winning the 2016 Virginia Gold Cup, Photo by Tod Marks Photography.

Naylor and Murphy were going for a double double with Ebanour and Charminster, winner of last year’s $75,000 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2), the afternoon’s featured hurdle race. After the last fence, Charminster looked to be moving toward his second straight victory. But Edith Dixon’s homebred Schoodic uncorked a powerful move in the stretch and drew away late to a two-length victory under Paddy Young.

Trained by Jack Fisher, Schoodic is both strong and strong-willed, and he required two handlers in the spacious Great Meadow paddock. But he settled nicely for the five-time champion jockey after the start and took a forward position as Rosbrian Farm’s Simenon set a solid pace under Ross Geraghty.
Simenon handed the lead to Charminster and Jack Doyle at the last, but Young had Schoodic in high gear over the fence, and they surged to the lead on the inside of the course. Schoodic ran the 2 1/8 miles in 3:47.80.

Simenon ran on to finish third, another three lengths farther back, in an encouraging effort.

Story courtesy of Don Clippinger.

The following piece appeared on the National Steeplechase Association’s website and was written by Don Clippinger.

Irv Naylor’s Ebanour will defend his 2016 victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup against an elite field that includes an International Gold Cup victor and a Maryland Hunt Cup winner.

The four-mile timber classic is the signature race of the 92nd annual Virginia Gold Cup meet, which offers purses totaling $425,000 and annually attracts one of the largest crowds for American Steeplechase racing. First post time is 12:30 p.m. at Great Meadows Race Course in The Plains.

Trained by Cyril Murphy, Ebanour dominated last year’s Gold Cup, taking the lead before the last fence and drawing away easily to a 6 1/2-length victory. He previously had won the My Lady’s Manor by the same margin.

Ebanour, winner of the 2016 Virginia Gold Cup, goes for two straight in the May 6th race at Great Meadow. Photo by Tod Marks Photography.

His path to the year’s timber champion was derailed when he fell in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup, but he came back to win the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Gus Dahl again will be in the saddle for Ebanour’s first 2017 start over fences.

Donald Reuwer’s Grand Manan blazed to a seven-length score in the International Gold Cup on the Great Meadow course last October. He showed his usual early speed in the My Lady’s Manor but faded late to finish fourth on April 15. Trainer Billy Meister named Darren Nagle to ride.

Champion trainer Jack Fisher will saddle Bruton Street-US’s Lemony Bay, the My Lady’s Manor winner who has not finished worse than second in his six starts since arriving from England. Sean McDermott will ride.

A crowd of 70,000 is expected at Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup.

Also entered for the Virginia Gold Cup was Michael A. Smith’s Le Chevalier, the 2016 New Jersey Hunt Cup winner who was third in the My Lady’s Manor. Mark Watts has the call for trainer Julie Gomena.

Raven’s Choice, who was placed first in the 2015 Maryland Hunt Cup, will carry the silks of owner Ann Jackson in the Gold Cup. He finished third in the Grand National on April 22. Mark Beecher will ride for trainer Todd Wyatt.

Holston Hall’s Hot Rize, the 2014 Virginia Gold Cup winner and timber champion, is working to get back on track. In his first start in 11 months, he finished third in the Middleburg Hunt Cup. Trainer Russell Haynes named Gerard Galligan to ride.

Completing the field is Gordonsdale Farm’s Canyon Road, the second finisher in the Middleburg Hunt Cup. Jeff Murphy has the mount for trainer Christopher Kolb.

Here is the field for the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup in post-position order.

Le Chevalier. 2009 g. or ro. g., Broken Vow—Orellana, by With Approval. Owner: Michael Smith. Trainer: Julie Gomena. Jockey: Mark Watts. Breeder: Haras du Mezeray (Ky.) 2017 record: 1-0-0-1, $3,000. 2016 record: 5-2-1-0, $49,250. 2015 record: 2-0-1-1, $4,200. Finished third in the 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Won the 2016 New Jersey Hunt Cup by 11 lengths, then was fourth in Steeplechase at Callaway timber allowance. Broke through for a decisive victory in division of John Rush Streett Memorial maiden timber race at 2016 My Lady’s Manor, then was second in Mason Houghland Memorial at Iroquois Steeplechase.

Hot Rize. 2004 dk. b. or br. g., Sultry Song—Donesia, by Desert Wine. Owner: Holston Hall. Trainer: Russell Haynes. Jockey: Gerard Galligan. Breeder: Anne Haynes (Ky.) 2017 record: 1-0-0-0, $2,500. 2016 record: 1-0-0-1, $2,500. 2015 record: 5-0-0-0, $5,100. Opened 2017 campaign with third in Middleburg Hunt Cup. Finished well-beaten fourth in 2016 Mason Houghland Memorial at Iroquois Steeplechase. Unplaced in five 2015 starts. Clinched 2014 timber championship with half-length score in Far Hills’ New Jersey Hunt Cup after winning that year’s Virginia Gold Cup at odds of 10.70-1.

Grand Manan. 2009 b. g., Giant’s Causeway—Manoa, by Seeking the Gold. Owner: Donald Reuwer Jr. Trainer: William Meister. Jockey: Darren Nagle. Breeders: Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable (Ky.). 2017 record: 1-0-0-0, $1,500. 2016 record: 4-3-0-0, $82,950. 2015 record: 3-2-0-0, $31,050. 2014 record: No starts. Finished fourth in 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Closed 2016 season with back-to-back front-running victories in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup and International Gold Cup. Finished in dead heat for 2016 Willowdale Steeplechase win after fifth in My Lady’s Manor.

Canyon Road. 2009 ch. g., Service Stripe—Observe, by Patton. Owner: Gordonsdale Farm. Trainer: Christopher Kolb. Jockey: Jeff Murphy. Breeder: Gordonsdale Farm (W.Va.) 2017 record: 1-0-1-0, $5,400. 2016 record: 5-2-0-1, $25,250. 2015 record: No starts. Opened 2017 season with second in Middleburg Hunt Cup. Finished fourth in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup, then won timber allowance at Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Won Willowdale maiden hurdle in May and then was distanced in Fair Hill’s novice timber allowance.

Ebanour (Ire). 2007 ch. g., Indian Ridge—Ebadilya, by Sadler’s Wells. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Jockey: Gus Dahl. Breeders: Aga Khan’s Studs (Ire). 2016 record: 4-3-0-0, $78,000. 2015 record: 2-1-1-0, $31,800. Won 2016 Virginia Gold Cup after victory in My Lady’s Manor. Won Pennsylvania Hunt Cup after losing rider late in Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Won 2015 New Jersey Hunt Cup.

Raven’s Choice. 2007 dk. b. or br. g., Dance With Ravens—Millashand, by Regal Intention. Owner: Ann Jackson. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Jockey: Mark Beecher. Breeder: Cary W. Jackson (Md.) 2017 record: 1-0-0-1, $3,300. 2016 record: 2-1-0-0, $18,000. 2015 record: 2-1-0-1, $48,000. Finished third in 2017 Grand National. Won 2016 Grand National, then fell at 16th fence in Maryland Hunt Cup. Placed first in 2015 Maryland Hunt Cup after finishing close second. Began that season with third in Grand National. Won 2014 Willowdale Steeplechase.

Lemony Bay (GB). 2009 b. g., Overbury—Lemon’s Mill, by Roberto. Owner: Bruton Street-US. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Sean McDermott. Breeder: G. R. Waters (GB). 2017 record: 1-1-0-0, $18,000. 2016 record: 5-3-2-0, $38,400. Won 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Closed 2016 season with victory in Steeplechase at Callaway timber allowance race. Won Virginia Gold Cup’s Steeplethon and Middleburg Spring’s Alfred M. Hunt steeplechase after second in division of John Rush Streett maiden timber at 2016 My Lady’s Manor. Finished second in Virginia Fall’s Steeplethon.

Virginia Thoroughbred Association Award Winning Horses For 2016 Announced 

Virginia-bred champion thoroughbred horses for 2016 have been announced, and their respective connections will receive trophies at the annual Virginia Thoroughbred Association awards ceremony Friday May 5th at Great Meadow. The annual Virginia Gold Cup Races will be contested there the next afternoon.

Horse of the Year honors will be awarded to Stellar Wind for the second consecutive year. The now 5 year old Curlin mare only made four starts in 2016, all in Grade I stakes, and first three were highlighted by a showdown with arch rival Beholder. After a runner-up finish to Beholder in Santa Anita’s Vanity Stakes, Stellar Wind turned the tables and beat her nemesis by one-half length in the Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar, and by a neck in a thrilling Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. Since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup, she has earned some well deserved time off.

Hronis Racing’s Stellar Wind and jockey Victor Espinoza, outside, outleg Beholder (GaryStevens), inside, to win the Grade I, $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes, Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO

Out of the Malibu Moon mare, Evening Star, Stellar Wind was bred by Peggy Augustus’s Keswick Stables and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC. She earned $540,000 in 2016 alone and has a lifetime bankroll of $1,453,200 from 12 starts. She was the Eclipse Award as Champion 3 Year Old Filly in 2015.

Valid, another million-dollar plus earner, was named Top Older Horse for the second consecutive year. The 7 year old Medaglia d’Oro gelding raced four times last year, all in graded stakes at Gulfstream Park. His lone victory came April 2nd in the Grade 3 Skip Away Stakes. That followed second place finishes in the Hal’s Hope Stakes and Donn Handicap, and a third in the Gulfstream Park Handicap. Valid was bred by Edward Evans, earned $268,070 in 2016, and has amassed $1,101,647 in his 37 career starts. The Marcus Vitali trainee is out of Grand Prayer by Grand Slam.

Valid is shown winning the 2017 Skip Away Stakes. Photo by Leslie Martin.

 

Long On Value put an exclamation point of sorts on his selection as Champion Turf Sprinter with a close runner-up finish in the recent Grade I, $1 Million Al Quoz Stakes in Dubai. The 6 year old Bill Mott trainee earned $118,270 from seven starts last year, highlighted by a victory in the Lucky Coin Stakes July 25th at Saratoga. He was bred by Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds and is by Value Plus out of Long Message by Orientate.

Rapid Rhythm was named Champion Female Turf Sprinter after collecting five wins in eight starts last year. The 5 year old daughter of Successful Appeal bankrolled $153,617 from key victories in the Oakley Stakes at Laurel and the Battle of New Orleans Stakes at Fair Grounds. The Mike Stidham trainee was bred by the Lazy Lane Farms, LLC.

Eight year old Rose Brier, named Champion Turf Horse, captured four races in 2016 and finished either second or third in his other three. Earnings from the seven totaled $180,560, which helped push his career total over the $500,000 mark. Bred by William Backer and trained by Jane Cibelli, the Mizzen Mast gelding won the Bert Allen Stakes for the third straight year in addition to the Henry Clark and Edward Evans Stakes.

In the three year old category, Sticksstatelydude was named Champion Male while Queen Caroline took Champion Female honors. The former had an allowance win at Belmont July 15th then won the Grade 3 Discovery Stakes at Aqueduct in mid-November. Bred by the Canyon Lake Thoroughbreds, the Kiaran McLaughlin trained colt earned $243,540 in ’16. Queen Caroline won four straight last year beginning with a maiden special weight score at Pimlico May 21st followed by three stakes triumphs. The Blame filly crossed first in the Nellie Mae Cox, TaWee and Indiana Grand Stakes. She was bred by the Morgan’s Ford Farm and is owned by Virginia based Amy Moore.

Jockey Alex Cintron was atop Queen Caroline in the June 25th Nellie Mae Cox Stakes. Photo by Jim McCue.

Lime House Louie and Taleoftheprincess were named Champion two year old male and female horses respectively.  The former captured a maiden special weight race at Charles Town July 23rd then won the Jamestown Stakes at Laurel in September. The latter, a Tale of the Cat filly, collected a maiden claiming win at Keeneland and an allowance optional claiming triumph at Fair Grounds November 27th. Lime House Louie was bred by Carlos S.E. Moore and Gillian Gordon-Moore and is out of Mystic Boy by Housebuster. Taleoftheprincess was bred by the William Backer Revocable Trust and is out of the Waquoit mare, Frost Princess.

Zanclus was named Champion Steeplechase Horse based on wins at Foxfield and Great Meadow, and allowance runner-ups at Fair Hill, Shawan Downs and Pine Mountain. The 7 year old son of Xenodon was bred and is owned by Sara Collette, and is trained by Neil Morris.

Zanclus won his 4th straight race October 22nd at Great Meadow in the $40,000 Steeplethon. Photo by Douglas Lees.

Doug Fout will be recognized as the Top Virginia Trainer. Horses in his stable made 103 starts last year and earned $505,485 in purse monies. His Hardrock Eleven captured the $75,000 William Entenmann Memorial Hurdle Stakes at Belmont and a $65,000 allowance race at Saratoga. Fout’s Help from Heaven scored a similar allowance victory at Saratoga. He also had a pair of wins on the fall Gold Cup card at Great Meadow with Canadian Gold in a maiden special weight race and with Cryptos’ Holiday in an allowance.

Leading Breeder honors will go to the late William Backer, who passed away in 2016. Horses he bred won 35 races  including the Penn Oaks and Honey Ryder Stakes (both by Sweet Victory), the Punch Line Stakes (by Moon River), and the trio of stakes won by Rose Brier. Chorus Line, a 4 year old Parading filly, didn’t win a stakes race but did  finish the year with three straight wins on the New York circuit. Mr. Backer won $56,524 in Breeders Fund awards in 2016, tops among Virginia breeders.

A Special Achievement Award will be presented to Tough Weather, a 6 year old Wiseman’s Ferry mare who won eight races in 2016. She amassed 13 “in the money” finishes from 15 starts and bankrolled $119,989 last year. The wins came from three different tracks — Delaware Park (3), Penn National (3) and Laurel (2). Tough Weather was bred by Sam English II and is trained by Scott Lake.

Kentucky Derby weekend is as good as it gets for horseplayers. Kentucky Oaks Day on Friday May 5th kicks things off with a 13 race card featuring six graded stakes including the Grade 1, $1 Million Kentucky Oaks. On Derby Day itself, Saturday May 6th, Churchill Downs plays host to 14 races, including 7 stakes races, a $1 million Guaranteed Pick-6 pool and of course, the $2 Million Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.

First post BOTH days is 10:30 AM; the Richmond OTBs at Breakers Sports Grille and Ponies & Pints will open at 10 AM both days. The Oaks itself goes to post at 6:12 PM Friday and the Derby itself goes to post at 6:46 PM Saturday.  Advance Derby betting is available all day and evening on Friday, and again on Saturday from 10 AM on.

The Ponies & Pints OTB in Richmond will have a day-long party in their parking lot on May 6th complete with betting terminals and flat screen TVs.

There are also two unique bets available — the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby Double, and a Kentucky Oaks-Woodford Reserve Turf Classic-Kentucky Derby Pick-3. Both wagers will close when the Oaks goes off on Friday at 6:12 PM.

Here is a listing of the stakes Churchill Downs will host both days:

Friday May 5

*$1,000,000 Kentucky Oaks (Gr. I)

*$400,000 Alysheba Stakes (Gr. 2)

*$300,000 La Troienne Stakes (Gr. I)

*$200,000 Eight Belles Stakes (Gr. 2)

*$150,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (Gr. 3)

*$150,000 Edgewood Stakes (Gr. 3)

Saturday May 6

*$2,000,000 Kentucky Derby (Gr. I)

*$500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (Gr. I)

*$500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (Gr. 2)

*$300,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (Gr. 2)

*$300,000 Humana Distaff (Gr. 1)

*$300,000 American Turf Stakes (Gr. 2)

*$250,000 Pat Day Mile (Gr. 3)

The Breakers Sports Grille OTB in Richmond will serve mint juleps in the official souvenir Kentucky Derby glass.

Hope to see all racing fans at the OTBs Derby weekend! If you can’t get to Richmond, there are four partner on line betting companies Virginia residents can place bets with — TVG.com, XPressBet.com, TwinSpires.com and NYRABets.com. All have great “match play” bonus offers going on for new customers — take advantage of these in time to make your Derby weekend wagers. And don’t forget, the Virginia Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow (in The Plains, VA) on May 6th will finish the Kentucky Derby simulcast and yes, you can wager all day at the Gold Cup event too!

Virginia-bred horses continued an Easter weekend streak that saw victories every day at tracks around the county, all the way through April 22nd.

Virginia-bred Just Call Kenny scored a 1 1/4 length victory April 21st in a $47,000 allowance optional claiming race at Laurel. Bred by Althea Richards, the 6 year old Jump Start horse won by 1 1/4 lengths over Double Whammy after coming three wide in the turn. The winner pushed pushed in ’17 bankroll over the $40,000 mark while his lifetime earnings climbed to $332,565. He is out of the Green Dancer mare, Green Jeans, and is owned by the ABL Stable, Dominic Bossone, James Cahill and Peter Donnelly.

Just Call Kenny, bred by Althea Richards, won by 1 1/4 lengths over Double Whammy April 21st at Laurel. Photo courtesy of Jim McCue.

The Riverview Farms owns a pair of Virginia-breds that each won a maiden claiming race on consecutive nights at Penn National last week. Their Shenandoahlove Rvf captured a 5 1/2 furlong sprint April 19th while Preacherman R V F was victorious the next card in a six furlong test. The former, bred by Rose Ann Howell, got to the winners circle for the first time in nine career starts. The 3 year old daughter of Greeley’s Conquest dueled for the lead between horses at the quarter pole, drew off from there and won by three lengths in 1:06.93.  She is out of the Itaka mare, Itaka’s Brianna.

Shenandoahlove Rvf scored a three length triumph at Penn National April 19th. Photo courtesy of B&D Photography.

Preacherman Rvf won a close race by a head over S W Gilley Time and paid $30.20 after being sent off at 14-1. The 3 year old son of Greeley’s Conquest won his first race in six career outs and a beat seven others in 1:14.62. The victor rallied from second with a three wide move turning for home. Riverview Farms bred Preacherman Rvf, who is out of Acting Grand by Grand Slam.

Preacherman Rvf won by a head over S W Gilley Time April 20th at Penn National. Photo courtesy of B&D Photography.

Class Brahms, a 9 year old Brahms gelding, closed out the week with a neck triumph in a $20,000 allowance steeplechase race, contested April 22nd at the 3 1/4 miles distance at the Grand National Racecourse. Bred by Mede Cahaba Stable and Stud, LLC, the long distance winner was 14 lengths behind at the 2 3/4  miles mark but rallied in deep stretch.  Class Brahms beat ten other horses and crossed in 6:30.20. He is out of the Class Secret mare, Class Babe.

Virginia wagering figures on horse racing have been tabulated for the month of March 2017 and the first quarter itself, and handle placed via the four partner Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) sites continues to rise.

TVG, which handled $2,724,759 in bets from Virginians last month, continues to lead the way in activity. TwinSpires and XPressBet though, each had their best month of the first quarter, handling $2,093,806 and $1,135,952 respectively. NYRABets, newest player in the Commonwealth, handled $55,144. The four combined to generate $6,009,662 in handle, just shy of January’s $6,053,361 when the inaugural Pegasus World Cup was held at Gulfstream Park.

For the quarter that includes January through March, the four combined to handle $17,976,686. That compared with 2016’s figure of $16,937,019, which is a 6.14% increase. TVG is up 7.59% while XPressBet and TwinSpires have gains of 3.62% and 2.67% respectively.

The OTB at Breakers Sports Grille handled $2,919,342 in the first quarter of 2017.

The Virginia Equine Alliance’s (VEA) first two Richmond based Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers continue to do robust business, even as on line (ADW) betting figures climb. Breakers Sports Grille, the first to open back on November 2nd, handled $2,919,342 in the first quarter while the newest one, Ponies & Pints, generated $1,783,096 in wagering activity. The latter opened on January 16th.

When combining both the ADW and OTB figures, a total of $22,679,125 in horse race bets were placed in the first quarter.

Focus now is on the upcoming Kentucky Derby, slated for Saturday May 6th. Both Richmond OTBs are expecting their busiest day of the year. Additional manned and self betting machines are being installed to handle extra demand and parties are planned at both locations. Ponies & Pints is having a party in their parking lot in addition to their inside OTB. The party will feature big flat screen TVs, outdoor betting areas, a disc jockey, “winner take all” $1,000 Fancy Hat Contest, VIP area, beer, mint julep and food stations. Breakers will also hold a Fancy Hat Contest at 5:30 PM, serve Mint Juleps in commemorative Kentucky Derby glasses, and have an “Express Derby Betting Station” on their patio for people who simply want to place a Derby bet.