The following appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch July 31, 2022 as an Opinion article written by former Virginia Racing Commissioner, J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr.

I remember the morning of Aug. 8, 2019, like it was yesterday. Colonial Downs had been closed for six years and this was the day horse racing returned to the New Kent County track.

None of us were certain what the future would hold for horse racing and breeding, and the state’s many horse farms. What we did know is a good plan was in place via the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC), the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) and others.

Fast forward to today and we are seeing the results of a lot of groups and individuals working hard to make the industry successful for years to come.

Considering Virginia’s horse racing industry and the economic impact it now is generating, it’s evident that the horses have left the gates and are running, so to speak. The industry generated $542.1 million in the commonwealth in 2019, according to a study released in 2021 by the VEA — the organizational body that promotes the racing and breeding industry throughout the state.

Despite the effects of COVID-19, we have seen that jobs are coming back, horse racing-related expenditures are up and tax revenue to the state is increasing. These all are very positive signs, showing that the racing industry is moving in the right direction, and benefiting the commonwealth’s agribusiness and related businesses.

This all is significant because horse racing was at a low point in 2014 after the closure of Colonial Downs. However, the General Assembly took a number of important steps, most notably the passage of historical horse racing (HHR) machines in 2018, that provided the revenue to reopen the track and revitalize the industry. Lawmakers also put in place mechanisms for the VRC and others to dictate how and where monies would flow to the horse farms, and the riders.

The VRC’s mission is to sustain and grow a native horse racing industry with pari-mutuel wagering by prescribing regulations that promote excellence and integrity in racing and wagering. As a former VRC chair and board member, I cannot overstate how much the group has done to partner with others in the state, to make certain the horse racing relaunch was successful and to ensure it will continue into the future.

Even with horse racing industry changes, such as Colonial Downs soon having a new owner, the VRC will be the group that continues to oversee important aspects of the industry. It’s a key functioning body that is driving success, whether it pertains to the horses, the farms or the HHR machines.

Let’s not forget that Virginia has a rich history of breeding and racing thoroughbreds, even from before the days of Triple Crown-winning Secretariat from Caroline County, and continuing to today. The equine industry is an important part of our agriculture economy, especially in rural parts of the commonwealth. A successful horse industry means more farms remain economically viable, which in turn makes it easier to maintain and conserve productive farmland throughout Virginia.

On July 11, Colonial Downs opened its 9-week summer season with a crowd of more than 3,000 people on hand and a record opening-day wagering handle of more than $3 million. The 27-day meet will continue through Sept. 7, with free general admission and a stable area full of horses, all while riders chase $625,000 in purse monies per day.

I’ll be coming out to the track on a regular basis, and I encourage everyone to do the same. Cheer on the horses, particularly on Virginia Derby Day, which is Sept. 6.

I am pleased the results of legislative action, as well as the commission’s work and collaboration, are providing the support needed to ensure that Virginia continues to be a place where the horse industry can thrive.

Trinity Farm’s Red Knight returned from an 11-month layoff to score his ninth lifetime win Wednesday in the inaugural $150,000 Colonial Cup turf test at Colonial Downs. The stakes attracted a field of eleven that battled 1 1/2 miles over the Secretariat Turf Course and was the first stakes race in Colonial’s history to ever be contested at that distance.

The 8-year-old Pure Prize gelding crossed 1 1/2 lengths the best and pushed his career bankroll to $893,258. The winner is trained by Michael Maker and was ridden by Horacio Karamanos.

Both Red Knight and runner-up Another Mystery had to steady shortly after the start when Nathan Detroit clipped heels with another horse and lost his rider, William Humphrey. Both horses stayed mid-pack through the one-mile distance while betting favorite Cellist and La Lune battled back and forth for the lead.

Karamanos maneuvered Red Knight into fourth approaching the final straightaway, came outside and passed Another Mystery and the two frontrunners en route to victory in 2:27.31.

“I got a good break and saved ground early”, said Karamanos. “The trainer told me the horse is ready to win so save ground and wait for your moment. In the second turn he wanted to go but I wouldn’t let him go. I tried to hold him back as best I could. At the top of the stretch, I finally let him go. He gave me a nice kick. He’s got a long beautiful stride so I just let him go. I’ve won many races at 1 1/2 miles,” added Colonial’s all-time leading rider. “In my country, we run long distance so I love it. I’m very confident when I run long distance.”

Red Knight in fact set the Gulfstream Park track record at the two-mile distance in 2018 when he won the $100,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes.

Owner Tom Egan of Trinity Farm was nearly as confident as his jockey heading into Monday’s “Cup”.

“I had high expectations because this horse is a terrific race horse,” he said. “Mike Maker thought he’d run a very big race and he did. He was coming off a long layoff. He needed every bit of that layoff. He was in bad shape last September. He came back and came back all the way at the age of eight. He has a lot of zest for racing. We bred him and we owned his mother,” added Egan. “We love horse racing and it’s been very kind to us.”

Team Block’s Another Mystery finished second and Bruton Street’s Snap Decision was third.

Rider Humphrey suffered a laceration on his right elbow which was stitched up at the track. He did not go to the hospital.

Colonial Downs continues its race season on Monday August 1 with a 1:45 PM post. Featured race is the $100,000 Housebuster Overnight Handicap.

(NEW KENT, VA — 7/22/2022) —- The safety of our equine and human athletes is always a top priority at Colonial Downs. With excessive temperatures and heat indexes predicted, live racing on Monday July 25 has been cancelled. 

Monday’s featured stakes —- the $150,000 Colonial Cup at 1 1/2 turf miles —- will now be run on Wednesday July 27 as originally drawn. 

Live racing resumes on Tuesday July 26 at 1:45 PM.

The Richmond Police Mounted Unit, formed in 1894,  is one of the oldest, continuous mounted units in the country. The equine squad has multiple functions which include a daily patrol throughout the entire city of Richmond, crowd control during major events, occasional search/rescue operations, and to build positive community relations.

Due to the mounted officer’s high visibility, they are considered Ambassadors for the City, capable of maneuvering through a variety of terrain. According to a 2014 study by Oxford University, a mounted officer is six times more likely to be approached by a citizen than an officer on foot. The mounted unit encourages the public to come speak with them and engage with their horses.

Since 1991, the equine unit has benefitted from a 501c3 non-profit group called The Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad. They help provide awareness, opportunity and financial support to the Richmond Police Mounted Unit.  Friends have generously purchased several horses and equipment for the unit, organized fundraisers and donated many hours of their time to assist. 

The squad, which at one time was 20 strong, currently has four members. The longest serving member is 12-year-old Toby, a percheron-standardbred who has served since the age of five. Aslyn is a 7-year-old percheron-thoroughbred and Banjo, second newest member, is a percheron-standardbred who began duty last October. Marshall, the newest, is a percheron-appaloosa and not quite out on the streets yet — he started just three weeks ago.    

“We like draft crosses now so can get some of the size which can handle male riders,” said Master Patrol Officer Holly Donovan. “They are a great combination of a heavier horse that adds that presence and a lighter horse that they’re not so big that they are hard to get on and transport. These guys are just super calm because they have the draft in them. They take to the city very well and to the kids. They are gentle and kind. We don’t necessarily have the gigantic full percherons or full clydesdales which would be a lot for us to handle on a day-to-day basis.”

“The squad is essentially a patrol unit,” continued Donovan. “We try to visit each of the four precincts in the city every week and help serve as a crime deterrent in high crime areas. Everyone knows when they’re there. The four horses are slow moving and walk around for several hours at a time in those neighborhoods. It gives the officers a chance to make connections and talk to people. There is a lot of public engagement,” she continued. “A patrol car is great but it passes through quickly versus horse patrols, which wander for longer periods of time. People find it comforting and love to come up to meet the horses and talk with us.”

The equine unit serves goodwill purposes too including regular visits to the Memory Unit at the Veteran Affairs Hospital.

“That is one of my favorite activities,” said Donovan. “They roll wheelchairs out and horses go right up to the wheelchairs. Veterans love to tell old war stories. You can just tell it means a lot to them to have horses there. It gives me goosebumps every time.”

Activities through the Police Athletic League (PAL) also serve as a way to reach younger community members.

“We can bring a group of ten kids out to the barn for a morning and they get to have hands on experiences with the horses. It’s a great way to engage the kids and make that connection with an officer. It keeps lines of communication open with police which is especially important in the city.”

The squad of four currently resides in their stable downtown at 1201 Brook Road right under the Chamberlayne Road overpass. They are in desperate need of a new facility and fundraising efforts to facilitate a move have been underway for several years now. 

“The barn has cramped quarters,” said Donovan . “The building has been condemned. The turnout space is completely inadequate for any horse living under that bridge. The proximity to the roadway is a negative factor. We can’t train on site. Since there is no ring, we always have to ship somewhere else to train.” 

Good news though may be on the horizon as plans to hopefully relocate the squad’s home base are underway. The city has 30 acres off Government and Crestview Road near Gillies Creek Park and a $3.1 million “Raise the Barn 2022” fundraising campaign is underway with hopes of building a new barn on that property. 

The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), whose goal is to sustain, promote and expand horse breeding and horse racing opportunities in the Commonwealth, often extends its support to other equine-related organizations. On July 25, the VEA will make a special contribution to the “Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad” in the Colonial Downs winner’s circle after the seventh race. The donation will help the unit toward its goal in the “Raise the Barn 2022” initiative and hopefully soon lead to a new home for the squad.  

The following appeared at richmond.com on July 10 and was written by Wayne Epps.

Twenty-five years ago, Williams found himself in the winner’s circle on what was a historic day for horse racing in the Commonwealth.

That day, Sept. 1, 1997, was opening day at Colonial Downs, the first-ever day of pari-mutuel racing at the New Kent track. And in the fourth race on the program, a mile-long dash, Williams’ Hagley’s Hero won — garnish on what was already a momentous occasion for he and other local horse owners.

“That opening day was just spectacular, to be able to be here and race here in the state of Virginia, and be so close to home,” said Williams, who owns Garydale Farm, a horse training facility in Henrico.

And 25 years later, he and friend George Gregory are back at Colonial Downs once again. Their friendship dates back well before Colonial Downs opened — since the late 1950s estimates Gregory, a New Kent-based horse owner. Gregory joined Williams in the winner’s circle when Hagley’s Hero triumphed in 1997, and both have been regulars at Colonial Downs since.

They’re both in their 80s now. But as they prepared for this summer’s set of races near their barn stalls on Thursday morning, the vigor they have for horse racing was written on their faces.

The bug bit both long ago. And they remain peers in a sport that doubles as a passion, heading into a meet with the track’s most race dates ever: 27, beginning on Monday.

“It’s just one of those things. It gets in your blood,” Williams said of racing. “And it’s in our blood.”

For Williams, it got there through a friend. The friend was a jockey, and Williams joked that he “made the mistake” of joining him at races. Williams became hooked.

The owner of the Richmond-based Total Printing Company, Williams bought what became Garydale Farm some six decades ago.

“Total Printing is work,” Williams said. “The horse racing business is entertainment and fun.”

Gregory’s father introduced him to the sport, and he obtained his first horse in 1957. It was something he, like Williams, loved.

The competitiveness of horse racing is the driver, Williams said. He and Gregory, who was a longtime farmer at his 578-acre Castle Farm in New Kent, may be friends but Williams made it clear that his goal is always to beat Gregory or whoever else he may be lined up against. According to Equibase, Williams has 246 total first-place finishes to his name.

“If you are a sports-minded person, you like the competitiveness,” Williams said. “And I just like horses and I like the competitiveness. So that’s why I bought a farm. I train my own horses on the farm. And I do everything myself. And I’m a very competitive person.”

He and Gregory were already longtime competitors by the time Colonial Downs popped up. The track’s opening was a blessing to them, Williams said — close by, when they were used to racking up miles driving to Maryland and West Virginia to race.

Hagley’s Hero had only won three of his previous 48 starts before Colonial Downs’ opening day in 1997. But, ridden by jockey Carol Rice, he established a clear lead and held it in a race that was reserved for horses bred in Virginia, finishing in 1:35.56.

“It was great to be able to race and perform here at Colonial,” Williams said.

In the years that followed, when it comes to meets at Colonial Downs, “We don’t miss any,” Williams said, referring to he and Gregory.

The two don’t spend a ton of time together outside of racetracks, though Gregory has trained horses on Williams’ half-mile training track at Garydale Farm. But, at Colonial Downs, the friends “unite as one,” Williams said.

The business of horse racing has changed much over the years. There were a lot of horse farms in the area at one time, Williams said. Those numbers have dropped. There was no racing at Colonial Downs from 2014-18, after former track owner Jacobs Entertainment surrendered its license to operate and before the track was sold in 2018, to what was then Revolutionary Racing. 

“Hoping that Colonial Downs will get more [race] days and more people will buy farms and raise horses in Virginia,” Williams said. “Which will bring more help and riders to Virginia. And that’s all we can hope for.”

Churchill Downs is in the process of acquiring Colonial Downs’ parent company, a deal revealed earlier this year. That could lead to further evolution at the track — Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen told The Times-Dispatch in March that he foresees the track jumping to as many as 50 days of racing.

For now, this race season, Colonial Downs will go from 21 race days last year to a record 27 this year. Daily purses will average $600,000, and the meet will continue through Sept. 7. The $300,000 Virginia Derby and $200,000 Virginia Oaks will be contested on Sept. 6.

Williams plans to have seven of his horses at Colonial Downs this year and Gregory has one, Blue Bonnie.

“Colonial Downs has got the best facility that I’ve ever run at, I think,” said Gregory. “We’ve run all over.”

Williams is back at Colonial Downs after recovering from a heart attack suffered in January. But he wasn’t going to let something like that get in the way of racing, he said. He’s recovered and said he’s doing well now.

And so there he and Gregory were on Thursday, energetic, with the start of this year’s meet quickly approaching.

The passion for racing still burns bright in them, perhaps even more at Colonial Downs than at any other track.

“Colonial Downs is Colonial Downs. That’s just the way it is,” Williams said. “Like going to Madison Square Garden. Madison Square Garden, whoever’s playing there, it doesn’t matter. It’s the same thing.”

wepps@timesdispatch.com

(NEW KENT, VA — 7/7/2022) — Reiley McDonald’s Passion Play and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ Largent — respective winners of the 2021 and 2020 Edward P. Evans Stakes for Virginia-Bred/Sired horses — will face each other in the ’22 edition Monday July 11 when Colonial Downs presented by Woodford Reserve kicks off its 9-week “More Racing, More Money” meet.

The Evans is one of four $125,000 turf stakes on the program which also includes the Punch Line, Brookmeade and the M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes. First post is 1:45 PM. Eight of the nine flat races will be contested over the Secretariat Turf Course, widest grass racing surface in the country at 180-feet across. The pari-mutuel card will be preceded by two non-betting steeplechase races at 12:15 and 12:50 PM. Parking and general admission are free and the first 1,000 fans will receive a free Secretariat T-Shirt.

Both Passion Play and Largent followed similar paths in their respective Evans victories. Passion Play won the Bert Allen Stakes in 2021 and Largent prevailed in 2020.

Passion Play, second early choice at 3-1, is a perfect 3-for-3 at Colonial. The 6-year-old Hold Me Back gelding pocketed $150,000 of his $257,946 career bankroll from the trio. Horacio Karamanos, who rode both stakes victories last summer, will be up Monday for trainer Mary Eppler.

The consistent Largent, even money betting choice, has six wins and four seconds from only 13 starts and earnings of $504,320. The 6-year-old Into Mischief horse won the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream in 2020 then came up a neck shy in the $1 million Grade I Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, also at Gulfstream, in January, 2021.

Ed Orr and Susie Orr’s Boldor, winner of the 2019 and 2021 Punch Line Stakes, will square off against 2020 winner, Larry Johnson and Bruce Quade’s Embolden, in the 2022 Punch Line at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Boldor is 9-5 early and will be ridden by Feargal Lynch, who was a board for trainer Steve Asmussen in both prior Punch Line wins. The 6-year-old Munnings gelding has $447,096 in earnings from 26 career starts.

Embolden’s Punch Line victory two years ago came at Laurel after Colonial’s season got cut short. The 5-year-old The Factor horse also captured the 2019 Jamestown Stakes and enters the race with a bankroll of $303,107. The Michael Trombetta trainee is the third early favorite at 4-1, will be ridden by Victor Carrasco.

2021 Punch Line runner-up Elusive Mischief, owned by Lothenbach Stables, is second choice at 3-1. The 7-year-old Into Mischief gelding, with $239,398 in earnings, finished second to Boldor in the 2019 edition as well.

Winchester Place Thoroughbreds’ Urban Fairytale, 2021 Brookmeade Stakes champ, returns to defend her title against six other fillies and mares at 1 1/16th miles. The Ian Wilkes trainee will be ridden by regular jockey Chris Landeros who was atop for last summer’s victory in New Kent. The 5-year-old Distorted Humor mare is the early 9-5 choice and has $140,618 in turf earnings, second only to Susan Cooney’s Fionnbharr’s with $144,857.

Fionnbharr was stakes placed three different times last summer during the 7-week meet. The 6-year-old Exchange Rate mare was second in the Nellie Mae Cox and third in the Van Clief and Brookmeade Stakes.

Larry Johnson’s Continentalcongres, runner up in the 2021 Jamestown, has been very consistent in 2022. The 3-year-old Constitution filly has finished in the “top three” in six of seven starts including a maiden special weight score at Laurel in April. The second early choice at 3-1 will be ridden by Jaime Rodriguez.
A field of seven will go to post in the $125,000 M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes including Morgan’s Ford Farms’ Strands Of Pearls, who is trained by Brittany Russell and will be ridden by her husband Sheldon — a former Colonial Downs leading jockey who recently returned to action after a ten-month layoff due to injury. The 3-year-old Super Saver filly has won back-to-back races.

Top money earning horse in the field is Nicholas Cammarano’s Still Alive with a bankroll of $167,942 and fresh off a 6-furlong claiming win at Parx. The 5-year-old Midshipman mare was bred by Daybreak Stables.

Sam English’s Chambeau is a 5-year-old daughter of Japan-bred Karakontie and will be making her career bow with Colonial’s all-time leading rider Horacio Karamanos in the irons. Anthony Aguirre, Jr. trains the mare, who is coming off three solid works.

A pair of $70,000 allowance races, one dirt and one turf, highlight opening day’s under card.

The 1 1/16th miles grass race features a field of ten fillies and mares, led by Heider Family Stables’ Flown, a Brendan Walsh trainee that has a win and four seconds in five turf outings. The 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy filly is the 8-5 morning line favorite and will have Feargall Lynch in the irons.

Noteable conditioners with horses in the turf allowance include 2021 leading trainer Hamilton Smith (Witty Banter), 2019 leading trainer Michael Stidham (Pearl Earring) and Colonial’s all-time leading trainer Ferris Allen (Nicolar).

Big E Stables’ Sacred Samurai is 3-1 choice in the 7-furlong Optional Allowance/Claimer that features a deep 11-horse field. The 3-year-old First Samurai colt dominated a $100,000 maiden special weight at Keeneland April 29, winning by 5 1/2 lengths. Jevian Toldeo will ride for trainer Joe Sharp.

Colonial’s 2022 meet will continue thru September 7 with racing every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:45 PM. The track will feature a daily Pick-5 wager on the final five races with a low 12% takeout. The bet will offer a carryover aspect for the first time ever. All races will be broadcast on TVG.

Showcase event of a $3.5 million stakes schedule is the 19th running of the $300,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby (Gr. 3) on Tuesday September 6. The Derby under card features five additional stakes including the $200,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks.

The following appeared in The Paulick Report July 4. Green Up was bred by Althea Richards and is now an impressive 3-for-3 this year with $118,200 in earnings!

With Paco Lopez riding the lone speed horse in a short field the outcome is fairly predictable.

That was the case in Sunday’s $100,000 Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park, when Team Valor International’s Green Up was able to coast on the front end through soft fractions and then spurted away when asked for a 5¾-length victory.

Sent off as the 3-2 second choice in the four-horse field, Green Up was able to easily rebuff any challenge from 2-5 favorite Radio Days because of the easy fractions in the one-mile and 70-yard feature.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Green Up earned a free entry and startinng fees to the Monmouth Oaks (G3) on July 31 as a result of the victory. It marked the first stakes win in the four-race career for the 3-year-old Virginia-bred daughter of Upstart out of Green Punch, by Two Punch.

“My thought was just to go to the lead since she looked like the only speed in the race,” said Lopez, seeking his ninth Monmouth Park riding title. “Todd Pletcher told me to do whatever I felt comfortable doing. She jumped a little at the break and didn’t break well but I was able to get to the rail and make the lead pretty easily.

“I saw Joe Bravo (aboard Radio Days) pressing us at the three-eighths but my filly had too much left. She was very strong after we were able to get away with a slow opening half and she just took off when (Radio Days) came to us.”

Despite an awkward start, Green Up was able to make the lead without a challenge, with Lopez putting her on the rail. She carved out fractions of :24.77, :49.26, and 1:12.53 for six furlongs and was well in hand despite a compact field and mild pressure. The mile went in 1:37.79.

Green Up’s winning time was 1:40.93 on a fast track. She returned $5.

“She just shipped in this morning from Saratoga,” said Anthony Sciametta, who oversees Pletcher’s division at Monmouth Park. “That’s where she has been working. Todd said when they scratched out a couple of horses if Paco Lopez wants the lead he should take it because there’s no other speed in the race.

“She broke badly, seemed to stumble a little, but she still made the lead easily. She’s a nice filly. Even if the field had stayed intact she would have been very tough to beat. Todd will make the decision on whether she goes to the Monmouth Oaks or not.”

Radio Days finished three lengths ahead of Capotainsdaughter in third.

Since being moved to the Pletcher barn (from Chris Melton) after finishing second in her career debut at Gulfstream Park on May 13, 2021, Green Up has won all three subsequent starts by a combined 16½ lengths, including a 6 3/4-length wire-to-wire romp in March at the Hallandale Beach, Florida, track to break her maiden. Stepping up to allowance/optional claiming company there, she won by four lengths April 21.

“Both of her Florida (wins) were impressive,” said Sciametta. “I’m sure Todd will look at the Monmouth Oaks, but he is the one who will make the decision.”