Virginia-bred horses won three races over the weekend and since all came in Mid-Atlantic states, the owners will all receive a bonus on top of their purse winnings.
Available, bred by Suzanne Dempsey, was the beneficiary of a disqualification Sunday at Laurel and instead of finishing a head behind original winner Thirteenth Avenue, got placed first after a stewards review. The 7 year old Bop gelding ran second throughout the $42,000 allowance sprint but was bumped in mid-stretch and that incident affected the race outcome. Thirteenth Avenue got placed second and Available moved up, gaining his first win of 2016 and second career triumph. He is out of the Star Trace mare, Morelias Star, and has now earned $123,556. Dempsey, who also owns and trains the victor, will receive a 25% bonus via the new HBPA/VTA incentive program.
Available (#7) lost to Thirteenth Avenue by a head July 10, but got bumped up to the wining slot after a stewards review. Photo by Jim McCue.
Rebellious Warrior, bred by Blue Lotus Breeding and Racing, LLC, captured a tight win over Path Dependent Sunday at Laurel in a large 12 horse field. The 4 year old Rebellion colt went gate-to-wire in the 5 1/2 furlong maiden claiming sprint and paid $22.00 to win. Owner Rebecca Kern became the 8th owner to receive a 25% bonus since the incentive program went into effect July 1, and was in addition to the first place share of a $27,000 purse. Rebellious Warrior, who is out of the Smart Strike mare, Ecouter, did not race as a 2 or 3 year old, but has a first and third from three starts this year.
Rebellious Warrior scored a gate to wire win over 11 others July 10th at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.
True Strike kicked off the weekend with a gate-to-wire victory at Penn National in a $14,300 claiming event for fillies and mares. The 6 year old daughter of Aisle competed in a modest field of five and never carried more than a length advantage at any point during the six furlongs. Bred by Anne Tucker, True Strike finished one-half length better than Dulce Majestica and completed the sprint in 1:11.12. The Flint Stites trainee is out of Truly Extravagant by Is It True. Owner John Tucker will receive a 25% bonus for the Virginia-bred victory at Penn. The winner now has seven career wins and earnings of $112,988.
Tomorrow, look for a story on a Virginia sired horse that won at Belmont over the weekend and scored a bonus check for the owner.