With Colonial Downs at the one-third mark of its 2024 summer season — and major events like the Festival of Racing Day and Virginia Derby Day still to come — Virginia trainers and connections have made their presence felt often during the first three weeks. Even beyond a four-pack of $125,000 stakes for Virginia-Bred/Sired horses and a slate of lucrative races for Virginia-restricted horses, other noteworthy performances with Commonwealth ties from the July 11 – July 27 race period include the following:
Susan Cooney, whose stable is based in Delaplane, won on back-to-back days with Virginia Fritz and Carolina Hideaway. Andrew Lavin’s Virginia Fitz was best in a $56,250 maiden claiming 2-year-old race July 25th. The Kobe’s Back gelding was making his first career start and surprised many with a handsome $45.40 win payout. Jockey Ben Curtis collected his third riding win of the day with Virginia Fitz’s score. The winner was bred by Becky Lavin.
Jockey Trevor McCarthy led Carolina Hideaway’s big win July 26 in a $75,000 maiden special weight event. The daughter of Run Away and Hide collected her first career win in her third career start which was open to Virginia-Restricted fillies and mares.
Ferris Allen, a native of Varina, Virginia and all-time leading trainer at Colonial Downs, got his first win of the summer season July 25th with Walter Doggett’s Translate. The 7-year-old Tonalist mare earned her fourth career win in come from behind fashion with all-time Colonial leading jockey Horacio Karamanos up. Allen won his 303rd race at Colonial while Karamanos recorded win number 554 in New Kent.
Trainer Leanne Hester of Gloucester, Virginia kicked off the Friday July 19th race card with a nice win with Cajun Expectation. The 4-year-old Cajun Breeze filly earned her second lifetime score while winning jockey Ubardo Casique earned his second lifetime riding victory.
Colonial’s all-time leading owner David Ross, a Northern Virginia businessman and President of the Virginia HBPA, collected victory #163 at the New Kent track July 18th with 2-year-old War of Will gelding Curahee. The Brittany Russell trainee was making just his second lifetime start and prevailed by six lengths in a $60,000 maiden special weight race with Jevian Toldeo up.
Ross, whose stable name is DARRS, Inc., won an opening day race July 11th with 4-year-old Temple City gelding My Sanctuary. The Michael Stidham trainee was ridden by Ben Curtis who led the Ross’ charge to the winners circle for the first time.
Trainer Madison Meyers’ 3-year-old filly Lady Ophelia who kicked off the July 26th race card with an impressive win. The daughter of Madefromlucky won her first race ever for co-owners Cockburn Stables LLC and Holston Hall. Jockey Ben Curtis led the winning effort; Kieran Norris of Ballyerin Racing was on site – he is one-half of the training team which is based at the Middleburg Training Center.
Virginia trainer Diana McClure had a big win at Colonial July 19th with Holly House Farm’s 5-year-old gelding Arden’sluckytobe in a $80,000 dirt allowance. The son of Madefromlucky continued a solid 2024 campaign in which he has three wins, a pair of seconds and a third in eight starts, good for $144,490 in earnings. Tais Lyapustina had the winning ride.
Karen Godsey, whose Eagle Point Farm is based in Ashland, collected her first win of the meet in New Kent July 25 with 4-year-old American Freedom gelding Green Beans. The Virginia-bred winner is owned/bred by Robin Richards and was led to victory by rider Gavin Ashton.
