The following article appeared on richmond.com May 20 and was written by Michael Martz. 

Colonial Downs Group is ready to enter the starting gate for reopening Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Richmond and three other Virginia localities, but it plans to run a much different business than before the coronavirus pandemic shut down gaming and other recreational venues.

People will be “invited” to make reservations to visit Rosie’s locations in South Richmond, New Kent and Roanoke counties, and Hampton, under the company’s plan. They’ll have two hours to play the historical horse racing machines before cleaning crews return to scour every potentially contaminated surface before the next group of players arrives.

Employees and guests will have to wear face masks over their mouths and noses. Everyone’s temperature will be scanned by thermal cameras — and in some cases rechecked by hand — and no one will be allowed to enter with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or other potential symptoms of COVID-19.

The formerly bustling parking lot at Rosie’s on Midlothian Turnpike (in Richmond) was empty on May 20. RTD photo by Mark Gormus.

No more elbow-to-elbow gaming at racing terminals, which will be reduced by two-thirds and spaced 6 feet apart, separated by plexiglass dividers. Outdoor dining will be allowed at the Colonial Downs race track and Rosie’s gaming emporium in New Kent, but only takeout food will be served at the other locations.

“These are unprecedented times,” said Aaron Gomes, chief operating officer at Colonial Downs, which also owns and operates the live horse racing track in New Kent. “While we may not know when we will be allowed to reopen and welcome back guests and team members to our facilities, we do want them to know we will be ready when that moment comes.”

Colonial Downs has communicated its proposal to Gov. Ralph Northam and his staff, but doesn’t expect imminent action to lift the restrictions the governor imposed on March 23, eight days after the company voluntarily closed its operations.

“It’s all about being proactive in our discussions with him,” Gomes said in an interview on Wednesday. “We want to show that we’re ready when it’s safe to do so.”

Clark Mercer, Northam’s chief of staff, said the administration recently spoke to a number of businesses that run large recreational, cultural and athletic venues.

“All of the businesses we’ve been talking to have been really serious about putting together appropriate plans to reopen safely,” he said.
Colonial Downs “has been good about communicating with us,” Mercer said. “I think their plan is a good one. It’s something we’re going to have to dig in on in a little bit.”

The reopening can’t come too soon for Colonial Downs, which has spent $5.5 million on maintaining salaries and benefits for its more than 1,000 employees in the past two months. The company, owned by the casino resort operator Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, expects to spend $500,000 on equipment, training and extensive safety measures to carry out its “Extra Care” plan for operating under the shadow of COVID-19.

Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in the state, which have OTBs on site, closed on March 16 due to Covid-19.

The stakes are high for the lucrative gaming industry in Virginia.

Before Northam declared a public health emergency, ordered recreational and other nonessential businesses to close and prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people, Virginia was embarking on a new era of public gaming, with Colonial Downs taking an early lead.

This year, the General Assembly approved legislation, which Northam signed, that will legalize casino gambling in five Virginia cities with voter consent; allow sports betting and internet lottery sales; and compensate Colonial Downs with 2,000 additional gaming terminals, primarily at a planned facility in Dumfries, a Prince William County town in the lucrative Northern Virginia market.

The pandemic didn’t stop those plans from moving forward, but it gave unexpected life to electronic games of skill that the assembly had banned largely because they had posed unregulated competition to the Virginia Lottery. Northam gave them another year of life and taxed them heavily to generate money for the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Colonial Downs is ahead of the pack because the General Assembly approved historical horse racing in 2018, allowing the operation of gaming terminals that look like slot machines but rely on data from actual races. The legislation allowed the company to operate up to 3,000 gaming terminals.

The company has invested $300 million to reopen the shuttered horse track and establish gaming parlors with a total of 2,150 machines there in New Kent; South Richmond; Hampton; and Vinton, in Roanoke County; and prepare to open a fifth Rosie’s in Chesapeake.
The company also hopes to open Rosie’s locations in Dumfries — with up to 1,650 machines under the casino legislation — and Danville, where Peninsula Pacific is vying for a casino license. Voters approved referendums last fall to allow historical horse racing gaming in both jurisdictions.

When the first Rosie’s opened in New Kent just over a year ago, 500 people lined up outside.

That won’t happen this time. Colonial Downs is producing a video that it will send to its invited guests and circulate on social media to let them know “what to expect when you come back to a Rosie’s,” said Gomes, the company’s chief operating officer. “It’s going to be a different experience.”

Instead of lining up to play, people will come to Rosie’s “by invitation only,” with reservations for a two-hour slot. Between each two-hour slot, crews will sweep in to spray sanitizer and clean thoroughly. Initially, the company will invite previous customers in its database, although it also will allow the public to make reservations through the system it already operates for dining and other events at the New Kent track.

Two-thirds of the gaming terminals in each facility will be unplugged, allowing 6 feet of space between those that remain in operation. In Richmond, that means guests can play 233 of the facility’s 700 terminals. The company will limit the number of people to less than half of each building’s approved occupancy.

When guests arrive, they will undergo touchless temperature screenings at kiosks outside the buildings. Anyone who runs a confirmed temperature of 100.4 degrees or above, or displays COVID-19 symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath, won’t be allowed to enter.
Those who show an elevated temperature will be offered a second temperature reading conducted by a security officer wearing protective gear and using a temporal thermometer. Anyone who refuses the temperature check will not be allowed to enter. Anyone whose temperature is confirmed at 100.4 degrees or higher will be turned away with an information card on COVID-19.

The new protocols include “required cloth face coverings for all employees and guests,” the plan states.

Curtis Marshall, vice president of security and a former longtime agent at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the company is drawing on the experiences at other Peninsula Pacific gaming facilities, which the company has reopened in Louisiana and expects to open this week in Kansas and later in Iowa.

“So far, the public seems to be supportive of what businesses have required in certain protective equipment, namely masks,” Marshall said.
Gomes said the Extra Care program “goes above and beyond” health and safety requirements in the five states, including Virginia, where Peninsula Pacific operates.

“Now, we want all Rosie’s guests and employees to know that when we open our doors again, their health and safety will be first in mind,” he said. “We can’t wait for our guests to resume playing, our employees to return to working, and the fun to begin at Rosie’s.”

There may not be any fans trackside, but mainstay ovals like Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn that host late winter/early spring meets have been posting record betting handles the past two months solely from on line wagering. Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs — lesser known tracks to east coast players — have experienced similar record shattering marks.

Despite the lack of U.S. horse racing product available to wager due to the covid-19 pandemic, a large audience has embraced the handful of tracks that have been able to run. Through the first four months of 2020, handle from Virginia horseplayers is up 23% over last year. Fans can wager via four partner wagering sites — TVG.com, Xpressbet.com, Twinspires.com and NYRABets.com.

Tampa Bay Downs, which extended their meet thru April, requested to add another eight days to their season.

In April alone, TVG handled $5,261,753, which was $1.3 million more than they handled in either January, February or March. For the four month period, they have handled $16,744,374, up almost 40% from 2019.

Twinspires followed next, accepting $2,800,544 in bets which was $582,000 more than in any other month. They have handled $9,025,538 this year, up 1% over 2019. Xpressbet has seen a comparison double digit business increase. They handled $1,331,242 in April and $4,540,037 for the year, which is up 10.6%. NYRABets, newest Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) outlet of the four, is up 97% this year with $1,2317,678 in handle versus $615,846 in 2019.

Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in the state, which have OTBs on site, closed on March 16 due to Covid-19.

Overall, Virginia residents wagered $31,627,629 in the first four months compared with $25,629,433 in 2019. Thoroughbred handle is up 29% while harness is off 21%. Unlike thoroughbreds, no North American harness track has conducted races in the past couple months.

Heading into Memorial Day weekend, the menu of tracks available to wager —without on track spectators — is increasing. The list includes Gulfstream Park, Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Tampa Bay Downs, Charles Town, Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs. Scioto Downs will be the first harness track to return to action with an opening day of May 22.

The following appeared in bloodhorse.com May 17 and was written by Meredith Daugherty. Bellafina, who won the Desert Stormer Stakes, earned Top Virginia-Owned Horse honors in 2019. The Kentucky-bred filly is co-owned by Virginia businessman Kaleem Shah who previously won this category in 2015 with Dortmund. Bellafina bankrolled $858,725 last year from a stellar campaign that included a three stakes wins at Santa Anita — the Grade 2 Santa Ynez and Las Virgenes, and the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. In 10 starts at California tracks — that include Del Mar and Los Alamitos as well — she has 7 wins and three runner-up finishes. 

Returning to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year, Bellafina drew away in deep stretch to claim the $101,000 Desert Stormer Stakes (G3) May 17 at Santa Anita Park.

The favorite in a field of seven older fillies and mares, Bellafina broke from the gate just a touch slow under jockey Flavien Prat. Fighting Mad and jockey Drayden Van Dyke went straight to the lead, followed closely by Artistic Diva, who pressed the leader through an opening quarter-mile in :21.38.

Bellafina settled well back in third, allowing the frontrunners plenty of room to duel it out along the backstretch. Fighting Mad maintained a head advantage over Artistic Diva as the half-mile went in :44.47.

Bellafina and jockey Flavien Prat win the Grade III, $100,000 Desert Stormer Stakes, Sunday, May 17, 2020 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO

Turning for home, the pair came under threat from Bellafina, who ranged up three wide to draw even at the top of the stretch. Spurred home by Prat’s left-hand urging, Bellafina opened up through midstretch and crossed the wire one length clear.

The final time for the six-furlong sprint on a fast track was 1:09.85. The victory was the fifth of the day for Prat.

“This is pretty cool,” said Prat. “She broke well and she put me in a good spot and we had those two fillies (Fighting Mad and Artistic Diva) as a target. At the quarter pole, we angled out and she did the rest. It’s great to be back home with this filly, she loves it here. I won five in one day at Del Mar last summer, but never here at Santa Anita.”

Hang a Star chased the pack near the rear of the field through much of the race before kicking home between rivals in the stretch to take second. Fighting Mad held on to cross the wire in third but was disqualified to fourth following a steward’s inquiry into a claim of interference at the start. Mother Mother, Artistic Diva, Tomlin, and First Star completed the order of finish.

“It unfolded pretty much as we expected,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “We had decent speed, and Flavien had her in a great position to stalk and gave us a really good performance. It shows how much she loves Santa Anita, and we’re glad to get her back in the winner’s circle.”

Owned in partnership by Kaleem Shah, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, Bellafina improved her record to 7-3-1 from 15 starts with $1,512,975 in earnings. She made her season debut April 25 at Oaklawn Park in the Carousel Stakes where she finished fourth. Her previous victory came in April 2019 when she took the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita.

Bellafina was bred in Kentucky by JSM Equine out of the Malibu Moon mare Akron Moon. The daughter of Quality Road was purchased by Shah under the name K S I for $800,000 from the consignment of Wavertree Stables to The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training.

When Anne Tucker’s prize horse Boltin Out won the Punch Line Stakes, two allowance races and Horse of the Meet honors at the 2013 Colonial Downs thoroughbred season — it’s final one before a six year hiatus — it provided an exclamation point to a 15-plus year legacy as a breeder/owner.

Based at her Bowles Knob Farm in Western Hanover County, Tucker estimates she bred 30 or 40 horses over the years once she retired in 1996 from a career in immunotoxicology at the Medical College of Virginia and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. From that point, she devoted all of her time to breeding and from a small band of mares, had 21 winners including two stakes winners.

Anne Tucker, along with Mary Looman, conduct the “Through The Gate” program at Bowles Knob Farm.

Her great grandfather was the owner of Day Star, the fourth Kentucky Derby winner back in 1878. “He and my grandfather were noted breeders in Kentucky,” she said. “My grandfather passed away at an early age from pneumonia and my Dad was a just a kid then so of course I never knew him. As a child, I used to go the track in Kentucky with my uncles and all of them were either trainers or bookies. They’d take me into a barn and introduce me as Kenny Nickols’ granddaughter. I could do pretty much anything I wanted from that point. I could sit on a lead pony or do whatever. So yeah, racing’s kind of in my blood.”

Besides her breeding/racing involvement, Tucker is past president of the Deep Run Hunt Horse Show Association, a past board member of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and was involved in founding the James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation —a Second Chances program offering unwanted race horses and inmates another chance — and is still active there.

Anne Tucker’s Bowles Knob Farm is located at the highest point in Hanover County.

Scootin Girl provided an early success story as a breeder/owner. She broke her maiden at Colonial in 2001 and went on to win a handful of races with purse earnings of $147,193. The Dumaani mare won the Jenny Wade Handicap (black-type) at Penn National, was second in the ’02 Punch Line and ’03 Somethingroyal Stakes and competed in seven other stakes. She is out of Boltin Bride by Runaway Groom.

If Scootin Girl offered an initial bookend, Boltin Out’s success created a later one of sorts. The Outflanker gelding won a maiden race and a claimer at Colonial in June, 2012 then in 2013, won the trio noted earlier. In his first four starts at Colonial, he went gate to wire. In the first three, he won by at least four lengths. After a 2014 allowance win at Delaware and a runner-up finish in the Punch Line that year — held at Laurel at this point — he called it a career with $174,505 in earnings, six wins and 13 “top three” finishes. Tucker’s second career, as a breeder, also reached the finish line.

11-year-old Boltin Out enjoys his post-racing career at Tucker’s farm.

“We had so much fun with him,” she said. Half the fun was with his trainer, Stephanie Nixon. She would run down the steps from the box seat area at Colonial Downs when the horse won, screaming at the top of her lungs. One time the track announcer even called oen of his wins a “Stephanie Nixon scream race. She still comes out to the farm frequently to see him.”

Tucker recalled a moment soon after she acquired him. “In 2012, before Boltin Out’s first race, he did some work in the starting gate and was taught to go in, stand and walk out,” said Tucker. “The day came he was supposed to break in company and I was standing on the hill with Stephanie. I said to her, ‘I hope I’m not going to be a laughingstock for claiming this horse Boltin Out.’ He didn’t disappoint us.”

Boltin’ Out won the Punch Line Stakes at Colonial Downs in 2013.

When thoroughbred racing returned to Colonial for the first time in six years last summer, Tucker attended but with mixed feelings. “It was tough,” she said. “It was my first time at the track without Nellie Cox, who I had horses with over the years and was a great friend (she passed away in 2015). That was hard. And not being involved in the business or having a horse in training any more was tough. It felt weird. But that first part is over now and I’m anxious to go again. I know I can enjoy the races.”

Boltin Out’s story doesn’t end with that 2014 retirement from racing, nor does Tucker’s. The pair combine efforts these days at the same place “Bolt” was bred and raised — at Bowles Knob Farm. Tucker has become passionately involved in a program called “Through The Gate”, which offers equine assisted personal development through a horse-human relationship model.

Anne Tucker’s Bowles Knob Farm encompasses 42 acres and has 8 paddocks. 10 horses currently reside there.

Using a method called eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), a registered, credentialed mental health professional and a certified equine specialist work together collaboratively to assure clients get therapeutic attention they need as they make life changes. Clients can include those suffering from addictions, depression and trauma and at the same time, those looking to improve relationships in families and groups through team building. Eagala, which was founded in 1999, is a non-profit organization with over 2,500 certified members in 40 countries.

Tucker became interested in eagala soon after she stopped breeding horses and was certified as an equine specialist in July of 2017. She teamed with Dr. Mary Looman, who has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has been a licensed mental health provider for over twenty years. Her career as a trauma psychologist has been spent working with marginalized people in prisons, psychiatric hospitals and in rural and inner-city communities.

Tucker has owned Bowles Knob Farm for 23 years.

Tucker’s farm is ideally suited for teams or clients to focus on their task without distraction. It is private and quiet. Some of her retired horses are living out their years peacefully at the farm where they were bred. A few of them as well as several newcomers participate in her eagala program. “I like to work with thoroughbreds because they are very sensitive, very smart and they engage with people so beautifully,” she said. “And they pretty much have been there and done that in so many different scenarios.”

“We worked with a nursing student a couple years ago who was having frequent panic attacks. When she first came to work with us, her anxiety level was totally off the charts. She gave off an aura of this anxiety. We worked with her for six weeks and saw a great turnaround. Bolt is sort of our barometer,” Tucker added. “We brought her in with Bolt one day and he walked right up to her. When that happened, I just glowed. That showed me he’s perfect for this program. He doesn’t necessarily like for anybody to come and start fooling with him but he’s got the attitude that, ‘I’ve had a few tough days too so lets talk about it’. The student has now graduated, is working in a hospital emergency room, is engaged to be married and has a wonderful life. Success stories like that are very rewarding.”

Super Doppler is one of three horses Tucker adopted from the James River’s Second Chances program.

Tucker also adopted three horses from the Work Center program to use in Through The Gate too — Super Doppler, Timber Cruise and To Clem. They have all fit in nicely and are active in her eagala activities. Super Doppler is a 25-year-old grandson of Storm Cat and made 83 starts on the Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park circuit during his racing career. “He had been suffering a bit at the Work Center. He had a lot of dental issues, wasn’t finishing his grain and was dropping weight so I brought him here. He is doing lots better, is a wonderful companion for Bolt and has been a great addition to the eagala program.”

Timber Cruise, another grandson of Storm Cat, was bred by Stuart Janney, III who also owned and bred 2011 Virginia Derby winner Air Support. Now 15, Timber Cruise competed in New York on the NYRA circuit first then at Finger Lakes and bankrolled $143,063 from 53 starts. “He had sort of an attitude issue initially but he’s doing fine now,” said Tucker. “He’s been here since August and lives out in a far paddock. He is out the Secretariat line so I call him Red.”

To Clem, who was also adopted from the Second Chances program, has been a star pupil in the eagala program.

Tucker noted that almost any horse can be involved in an eagala program but some horses just excel at it. To Clem is one who excels. He is 16 and only raced four times, back in 2008 at Penn National. When speaking about him, she beamed and inferred he was her best pupil. “I adopted him from the Work Center and he was just unbelievable from the start. He has a way to pick up what’s going on with somebody and just relate to them, then help them work through it. It’s really quite amazing. I knew from the get go he’d be a solid addition. You need to see how they react to a stranger.”

Tucker hopes to recruit additional horses from the Work Center’s 29 horse population. “We hope to evaluate some of those horses but right now only two can be ridden. The rest are pasture horses. One of them who would be great is Covert Action, yet another grandson of Secretariat. He likes people and I know he’d be good at it. And there are others.”

After a day’s work, Tucker can relax on her back patio which overlooks a small lake.

In the current covid-19 pandemic, Tucker is not able to accommodate groups for team building at her Through The Gate initiative. But she will take individual clients since they are outdoors and can maintain social distancing at a six foot distance. For more information, visit www.throughthegateva.com or e-mail her at TTGEquine@gmail.com.

For over eight decades, the Montpelier Races have been a staple on the National Steeplechase Association’s (NSA) annual calendar. Held at the lifelong home of James Madison, fourth President of the U.S., the 86th running is scheduled to take place this coming November 7. The property, located four miles west of the Town of Orange in the Piedmont district, has evolved from plantation to 20th-century horse farm to historic landmark.

In 1901, William duPont purchased the Montpelier Estate and along with his wife Annie, made substantial changes to the house, enlarging it and adding many outbuildings and stables. Mr. duPont’s daughter, Marion duPont Scott, an accomplished horsewoman, inherited the property from her parents and resided there until her death in 1983 at which time the duPont family transferred Montpelier to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

A renovation of the Montpelier mansion from the duPont Scott era back to the Madison era was completed in 2009.

Mrs. Scott, with the help of her brother, William duPont, Jr., transformed Montpelier into a first class thoroughbred breeding and racing facility, building a state of the art steeplechase course and a flat training track. In 1934, she inaugurated the Montpelier Races on the large front lawn of the home and opened them to the public. Regarded by many as America’s First Lady of Racing, she generously supported the equine industry throughout her life and donated funds to construct Virginia’s leading equine medical center in Leesburg.

Asked to describe the niche Montpelier Hunt Races has established over decades, Executive Director Martha Strawther responded with just one word — “homecoming”.

Martha Strawther stands in front of live brush jump on the course at Montpelier.

The 86th homecoming — or running of the historic races — will take place on the grounds of the Montpelier Estate the first Saturday in November. “I like to think this is a lot like Saratoga in a way,” said Strawther, now in her 15th year. “The event is bigger and grows a little bit every year but the feel here still stays the same. People that grew up here and moved away come back every year for the races. Regulars want to share the Montpelier experience with others, especially when they find people that have never attended. It’s a very welcoming setting.”

Two horses from Ingleside Training Center, based on the property, head to the dirt training track for several laps before they ship to Belmont for the summer.

Seven races, put together by Race Directors Brooke Royster and Justin Wiley, are traditionally held with total purses of around $140,000. Featured race is the $40,000 Noel Laing Hurdle Handicap, run over their signature live brush fences. Other races pay tribute to Marion duPont Scott and her 1938 Grand National champion steeplechaser, Battleship. Between 16,000 – 18,000 people annually gather for the festivities.

Mrs. Scott’s Battleship, won the 1938 Grand National, is buried at Montpelier.

A training flat on the dirt track kicks off the afternoon races .”Mrs. Scott always used the dirt track as part of the event,” said Strawther, “So we want to continue that aspect. It sets Montpelier races apart from the other steeplechase meets. And it’s something we actually need. All the cars have to cross Center Road to access the tailgate and infield area so when we use the dirt track for our first race, we can keep Center Road open to get spectators in. The one or two times we didn’t have a dirt race, it wreaked havoc with traffic.”

A look out Montpelier’s front lawn and dirt track with mountains in the background.

Tickets always go on sale the first business day after the July 4 holiday — Monday July 6 this year. Strawther says attendees come from between 19-23 states and as far away as Arizona and California. “We attract an older crowd, family oriented and multi-generational,” she said. “We’re also becoming more popular with the James Madison University (JMU) community. We pride ourselves in having zero arrests. It’s almost at the point of being self regulating. When I come back the morning after the races, trash from everyone’s tailgate is bagged and sitting right at the parking numbers. That’s just the way the crowd is — very respectful of the event and property.”

Montpelier’s hurdle course features the live brush jumps in the Commonwealth.

“We have incredible groups that help pull this all together,” she said. One example is the Orange County ROTC which handles trash pickup duty the morning after the races. “They bring in three busloads of cadets and have the property cleaned in 2 1/2 hours.”

The Orange County High School cross country team plays a valuable role but one that is less obvious. On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of race week, their runners come in and pick up walnuts that have dropped from trees overhanging the course, in return for being able to practice there. “A couple years ago, we had a bad storm come in on Thursday night and a new batch of nuts fell over the course they had just cleaned up,” Strawther recalled. “The Foundation office called me on Friday around 2 or 3 PM and asked who was going to pick them up. Their staff was already maxed out getting ready for race day so I said, ‘I guess I’ll have to do it’. I started walking to the course and a car pulled up next to me. The driver said, ‘Hi Martha, we’re here to pick up the nuts’. They were coaches from the cross country team that just assumed the high winds would blow nuts back onto the course. They showed up without even being called. People like that make this event a joy to put on.”

The 2020 edition of Montpelier’s Hunt Races are scheduled for November 7.

When Strawther first started as Executive Director, the Montpelier Foundation received a $10,000 or $15,000 contribution as a result the annual races. That figure has risen to around $70,000 now. “The races raise money for the Foundation so we simply can’t break even. We need to provide funds.”

Acquiring sponsors to cover purses and other expenses is a big part of her job. “It’s different now,” Strawther said. “The category of businesses that support us has changed. A new category has come in to replace older, more traditional categories. Financial management companies used to beat a door down to be a sponsor but not so much any more. Banks are harder to get now. Cars used to be the mainstay of race sponsorships but even they are hard to get now. We’re lucky though. We’ve got many loyal partners that have stayed with us. Last year, a company that wanted to broadcast our races became a sponsor and they brought a number of other companies under their umbrella which opened up new possibilities and some off the wall ones for us as well.”

A training flat race over Montpelier’s dirt oval traditionally kicks off their annual festivities.

“My favorite part of this job is that it’s so entrepreneurial,” she added. “One day I could be trying to sell a $20,000 marketing package to a prospective sponsor and the next day I could be weeding the garden path. Overall though, it’s more of a big business now,” she said. “We used to be able to handle a lot of jobs with volunteers, like putting up the national fences. Some of our Directors even brought help in from their farm to get everything set up. Now we’re more under the auspices of a paid staff and crew to get that done.”

Strawther recalls several moments that stand out over the years. “When I started here, the duPont mansion was still in place but a complete renovation was in progress. The mansion was big, pink and had a turqoise colored door. It was also much bigger than James and Dolley Madison had it originally. The renovation, which returned it to the Madison era with 22 rooms, was completed in 2009 and it was a big deal at the races that year.”

The mansion at Montpelier provides a unique setting for the annual meet.

That same year, a souvenir program that featured the history of Montpelier Races was produced for the 75th anniversary running. “People in town were very appreciative of that,” said Stawther. “There was a lot of love for Mrs. Scott in town. She was a big employer in Orange with 110 people on the payroll. There was a lot of angst among locals for taking the house back to the Madison era thru the renovation. They were reluctant to think it was a good idea but when it opened, people were won over. It fits the landscape better and the story of James Madison can be told better.”

A permanent stewards stand is located at Montpelier’s dirt track. A larger, multi-level tower for the grass course is erected and taken down each year.

Battleship, Mrs. Scott’s best horse, was celebrated at Montpelier in 2013 on his 75th anniversary of winning the British Grand National. Battleship was the first American owned and bred horse to win that preeminent test of a steeplechase horse. He won six of 12 starts as a four-year-old and started racing over fences at five. In 1938, Battleship, aong with 32 other horses, started in the Grand National, which itself was celebrating its 100th anniversary. Only 13 finished including Battleship, who won the race by a head after a nail biting stretch run. Mrs. Scott retired him to stud at Montpelier after the win and he is buried there alongside two of her other famous horses, Annapolis and Accra.

Annapolis, along with Accra and Battleship, are buried on the grounds.

The Montpelier races are the biggest one day event the Foundation puts on annually. “Mrs. Scott started this lovely tradition and we get to keep it going,” said Strawther. “The mansion being right here gives this whole event a certain aura. We are so lucky. I am so lucky. 70% of the people come back every year. Do you know how lucky that is? I am so grateful.”

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every spring steeplechase or Point-to-Point meet whether it be via rescheduling, cancellation or possibly running without spectators. Montpelier is the last scheduled race meet in Virginia this year and has some time on their side to see how events play out through the summer and early fall. Tickets go on sale July 6. For more details on the November 7 races, visit www.montpelierraces.org.

The following appeared in The Paulick Report May 5.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the application process for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program after a short delay. Farms with fewer than 500 employees whose primary activity is breeding horses may now apply for these loans offered to businesses that have suffered economic hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is welcome news and a terrific opportunity for horse farms that are currently facing a number of daunting challenges,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “The NTRA encourages quick action by those interested, as the loans are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.”

The NTRA lobbied the SBA for several weeks after farms were excluded from earlier federal emergency aid packages.

On April 24, President Trump signed into law another package providing relief to small businesses, including farms and ranches.
NTRA partner Dean Dorton, one of the nation’s leading experts on equine tax matters, posted an update to the COVID-19 microsite on NTRA.com that outlines the new provisions that will positively impact horse breeding farms. That PowerPoint can be found here.

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Here’s a look back at the March 30 controlled burn of the Secretariat Turf Course at Colonial Downs (4 pictures), followed by a comparison peek at the course a little over a month later on May 4.

The March 30 controlled at Colonial Downs began in the far turn.

Colonial Downs VP of Racing Jill Byrne during the March 30 controlled burn.

Brush trucks and New Kent Fire Depatment members doused flames.

Racing Operations Manager Jeff Wingrove (left) with Track Superintendent Ken Brown.

Looks like quite a healthy transition in just over a month! Colonial’s Jeff Wingrove, who oversaw the burn, said cooler than normal April weather delayed full regrowth a bit but after applying nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the course last Wednesday (April 29), it’s nice and green again courtesy of 2 1/2 inches of rain the day after and warm weather over the May 2 & 3 weekend.

“It came back nice, but took a while” said Wingrove. “The grass yellowed back up pretty quick after the burn but because of the cooler  weather but it just didn’t ‘pop’ up as quickly as it normally would. It is tight now and we’ll start letting it grow out.”

Here are pictures from May 4:

All businesses are feeling economic hardship right now, and horse owners are no exception. Congress and the Trump Administration have provided several mechanisms to keep businesses afloat and provide some financial relief. Every business and every financial situation is unique, however, so it is critical that you have a conversation with your tax or financial advisor to ensure that you are accessing all the benefits to which you are entitled under the new law.

1. Tax Benefits. Owners may be entitled to some new tax benefits that allow them to file amended returns for prior years and get cash in the form of tax refunds.

a. Net operating losses can now be carried back for up to 5 years. This applies to C corporations and individuals who generate net business losses. The IRS is currently accepting faxed refund requests in order to expedite these cash refunds.
b. The excess business loss limitation for individuals, trusts and estates is now deferred until 2021. Those who were subject to this limitation in 2018 and 2019 may file amended tax returns to receive cash refunds.
c. The prior year AMT credits in C corporations, originally refundable through 2021, are now fully refundable in 2018 or 2019. The IRS is currently accepting faxed refund requests in order to expedite these cash refunds.

2. Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available to owners regardless of whether they have employees to assist in funding working capital needs (e.g., payment of training and board bills). In some instances, the borrower may be entitled to a $10,000 forgivable loan advance. The initial loan disbursements (in addition to the $10K advance) are available based on two months of working capital, with a maximum of $15,000 per applicant. The first loan payment back to SBA on EIDLs is deferred for one year.

a. The EIDL program does not require a business to have employees who receive W-2 wages but the SBA is currently distributing the $10k EIDL advances that are not required to be repaid to only those businesses with employees or self-employed individuals. They are calculating these as $1k per employee up to $10k maximum per applicant.
b. Through the EIDL program, the SBA is also supposed to be quickly distributing two months of working capital up to $15k per application. So, racing stables, trainers, and others without employees should still apply thru the EIDL program, although these loans will have to be repaid. Loan applications for the EIDL loan program will be available on the SBA’s website once the SBA has posted it.

3. The Main Street Lending Program will enhance support for small and mid-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the crisis by offering 4-year loans to companies employing up to 10,000 workers or with revenues of less than $2.5 billion. Principal and interest payments will be deferred for one year. The Federal Reserve and the Treasury recognize that businesses vary widely in their financing needs and are still working on the specific guidelines for this program, which are expected to be finalized by May 1st.

4. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been funded with an additional $310B in the latest Congressional act passed on April 24, 2020, $60B of which is designated for smaller banks and credit unions. Those loan terms include two-year loans at 1% interest, deferral of payments for six months, interest accrued from the date the loan is received and no prepayment penalty. Also, the PPP loan may be forgivable if spent on qualifying expenditures (payroll, rent or mortgage interest and utilities). The exact forgiveness calculation for the PPP loan is pending additional guidance from Treasury.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are available to owners but only under specific circumstances:

a. Owners are generally required to have employees who receive W-2 wages to take advantage of the PPP.
b. Owners in Partnerships with both employees who receive W-2 wages and self-employment income of partners should include both the W-2 wages and the partners’ self-employment income when calculating the partnership’s PPP loan. The partnership only should file the application.
c. Self-employed sole proprietorships and pass-through single-member entities (e.g. LLCs) may qualify for a PPP loan if they have 2019 Schedule C or Schedule F net profit (2019 Net Profit). If 2019 Net Profit is less than zero, then that entity is not eligible for a PPP loan. PPP loan forgiveness for sole proprietors is limited to 8/52nds of 2019 Net Profit.
d. Employers who have received a PPP loan, but whose loan is not yet forgiven, may defer deposit and payment of the employer’s share of Social Security taxes beginning on March 27, 2020 until the loan is forgiven. These taxes will continue to be deferred under the normal payment terms for the PPP program. Once the employer’s PPP loan is forgiven, this deferral is no longer available.

5. Employee Retention Payroll Tax Credit. The CARES Act created payroll tax credits for employers who retain W-2 employees if the business is fully or partially suspended due to COVID-19 orders from a government agency or if there is a 50% decrease in gross receipts when compared to the prior calendar quarter. This is essentially a refundable payroll tax credit of up to 50 percent of the “qualified wages” paid by an employer to an employee from March 13 through December 31, 2020. Qualified wages include salaries and employer-provided health benefits and cannot exceed $10,000 per employee. This credit for an employee who earns at least $10,000 annually is capped at $5,000. This credit is only available to employers that do not receive a PPP loan and additional restrictions apply for those with more than 100 employees. An advance of this credit may be requested via the IRS Form 7200; otherwise, this may be claimed on the quarterly payroll tax return.

As a reminder, owners need to consult their tax and financial advisors for their specific situations.

The NTRA acknowledges the contributions of Jen Shah, CPA, and Director of Tax Services for the Lexington, KY accounting firm, Dean Dorton, and Lauren Bazel, Vice President and tax policy advisor for the Washington, DC lobbying firm, The Alpine Group, in the preparation of this tax advisory release.

The Covid-19 pandemic has played havoc with events around the globe, and Virginia’s spring horse racing season has been no exception as postponements and cancellations have dotted the spring calendar. Virginia’s oldest steeplechase meet — the Middleburg Spring Races — was set to have its 100th running April 18 at picturesque Glenwood Park. Due to the pandemic, the meet date has changed twice and is now scheduled for Saturday June 13, although the event could hinge on what virus-related Executive Orders Governor Ralph Northam may or may not have in place at that time. His current stay at home order is in effect until June 10.

Glenwood Park is scheduled to host the 100th edition of the Middleburg Spring Races June 13.

Traditionally held the “Third Saturday in April”, the Middleburg Spring Races are synonymous with hospitality, graceful country living and great sport. Signs in town promote that Middleburg IS Virginia horse country. The first steeplechase meet was held there in 1921 and its rich history dates back to 1911 when Daniel Cox Sands organized the first Middleburg Hunt meet.

Middleburg’s grass course is 1 1/4 miles around at its outermost point.

Doug Fout has been President of the Middleburg Spring Race Association for 17 years and is carrying on a legacy started by his late father Paul, who was Past President, Chairman and GM of the Spring Races. “I was born and raised on this course,” he said. “When I was five or six years old, I ran up and down the bleachers, ran in the woods here and pretty much got lost in the woods.”

Middleburg Spring Race Association President Doug Fout is also Clerk of the Course for the Fall Races and Point-to-Points held at Glenwood Park.

The property encompasses 112 acres and the grass course is 1 1/4 miles around at its outermost lane. There are three barns and 88 stalls. Spectators enjoy a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. Under Fout’s direction, Middleburg has gone from a Class D course to a Class A venue. “I’ve enjoyed the transition and am amazed how much it has changed over the years,” he said. “At one time, the head trustee here used to have cattle on it and only moved them off the property ten days before the races so we could get a chance to mow the grass before horses arrived.”

The Blue Ridge Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for spectators at Glenwood Park.

Over time, each sanctioned steeplechase meet in the Commonwealth — the Gold Cup, Montpelier and Foxfield — has developed its own niche. “Out meet is so different because we only have one road coming in and one going out, so we can only accommodate a certain amount of people,” said Fout. “And it’s an old country road that is so narrow and limited.”

Paul Fout, Doug’s father, started the process of elevating the Middleburg Spring Races to a Class A event.

Attendance averages between 6,800 and 7,200 by design. “It’s a boutique meet and we don’t cater to big crowds,” said Fout. “We have a quality crowd that tends to come in smaller groups and actually enjoys watching the races while they tailgate. No matter where you stand or sit, you’ll have a great view of the course all the way around. And that goes for people that pay $15 for a ticket as well as for major sponsors that might pay $10,000 of $15,000,” he added. “We purposely don’t park cars in the infield. If we did, we’d lose the beauty of the racecourse and don’t want to lose that ambience. At Glenwood, you’re in a bowl looking out at the Blue Ridge. We’d never want to jeopardize the value of that view.”

The Jockeys Room at Glenwood Park offers a pleasant view from its porch.

As far as the race program itself goes, Fout’s goal is to stick with a similar event lineup each year. He dedicates around $190,000 for purses and come June 13 — assuming they are able to run with or even without spectators — anticipates carding as many as nine or ten races. Featured annual race is the $75,000 Temple Gwathmey, a Grade 2 hurdle stakes which has been contested at Glenwood since 1990 and features the best hurdle horses in the country. Another staple is the Alfred Hunt Steeplethon which is two miles, five furlongs in length and held over various fences and obstacles like ditches, banks, brush, timber, coops and water. The “fanciful” course was designed by Doug’s father and Tommy Beach. Similar races are also held at Willowdale (Pennsylvania) and at the Gold Cup so horses have a series of sorts in this category.

Glenwood Park’s final turn before the finish line.

“Besides those two, I always schedule a straight non-winners of two (NW2), a timber stakes, and a maiden hurdle that is often split into two divisions,” said Fout. “I like having a handicap race for older horses and a straight NW2 because it gives maiden horses another stepping stone to get more experience before they have to jump into the heavy hits.”

The winners circle at Glenwood Park is also named in Paul Fout’s honor.

In order to ensure a solid future, the Middleburg Spring Races recently began an endowment campaign which coincided with the celebration of their Centennial Year launch. Fout said the return generated by a $3 million endowment will be used solely for annual purse meet distribution and no other expenses. The campaign has already generated $1.2 million toward that goal.

Glenwood Park has 3 barns that provide 88 stalls for competitors.

“We’re different from other meets in that we don’t have to count on all the spectator tailgates and general admission revenues to help with the purse structure,” said Fout. “Of course those proceeds help to pay expenses but we can’t get enough people in here to make a big difference with purse monies given our capacity. We have a Sports Council group that has been the long time backbone of our race meet along with a number of individuals that have been kind and supportive and have been a rock over the years.” Members of those groups and other sponsors enjoy premier seating in VIP hospitality areas perched above the finish area behind the stewards stand.

The Glenwood Park property is protected courtesy of a conservation easement.

Besides is passion fpr the Spring Races, Fout currently trains 24 horses at his farm in The Plains, conveniently located just ten minutes from Glenwood Park. His most accomplished horse was Hirapour, who won an Eclipse award and six Grade I stakes including a track record performance in the 2004 Colonial Cup at Springdale Race Course. Proximity between the farm and Glenwood is key. “I stay busy,” he said. “I’m always running horses and still try to get up to Glenwood two or three times a week. Sometimes I’ll even work there all weekend. I’ve got a great long time assistant there in Brian Pope who takes care of mowing, maintenance, roads, barns, fences and pretty much anything else. He’s a blessing.”

Steps lead to a VIP tailgate/tented area for race sponsors.

Fout gets emotional when he thinks about the effort his father put in to Glenwood Park and the efforts he continues to make to bring it to another level. “I just have a ton of pride in this place,” he said. “I’m trying to follow in my father’s footsteps to make the course better each year and have a bigger purse structure. My father’s dream was to see this upgraded and he saw it 90 percent of the way through. I just wish he could see it today.”

Stall applications for the 2020 Colonial Downs summer season are now available for download at colonialdowns.com and vabred.org plus, the Colonial condition book will be released shortly. This year’s meet is scheduled to run July 23 – August 29. With a virtual running of the Kentucky Derby set for Saturday May 2 and an actual Arkansas Derby — in two $500,000 divisions — set for the same day, the time seems right to take a look back at the Colonial Downs “Racing Revival” season last summer. 

Virginia’s first partnership with horses began back in 1609 with the arrival of the first horse to the Virginia colonies. According to many historians, the first American horse races were held in Henrico County, near Richmond, in 1674 and the first racetrack in Virginia was a one mile oval that operated in Williamsburg in 1739. Now fast forward 279 years.

In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1609 which authorized expansion of the Commonwealth’s pari-mutuel wagering laws to include betting on horse races that have already taken place (Historical Horse Racing). That legislation triggered thoroughbred racing’s return to Colonial Downs last summer through the investment of the Colonial Downs Group — a division of Peninsula Pacific — for the first time since 2013.

With the call of “Riders Up” from Kate Tweedy, daughter of Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, thoroughbred racing in Virginia began a new era August 8, 2019 as Colonial Downs conducted racing for the first time in six years. The five week meet was met with enthusiastic crowds and top flight racing that saw 1,229 horses compete over five weeks for $7.4 million in purse monies.

Charmn Charlie Ray held on to win the first race with Mychel Sanchez up top. Photo by Coady Photography.

Foxtale Racing Stable’s Charmn Charlie Ray, ridden by Mychel Sanchez, went wire-to-wire in capturing the meet’s first race by a head over Conquest Falcon. On his reaction to his winning the first race back at Colonial, Sanchez said, “It was pretty awesome. This was my first time here and it’s a beautiful place. Happy for everyone to get it back going again. The turf is amazing.”

A Glittering Night for the Virginia Derby

One of the season’s top moments was the 17th running of the Virginia Derby, which along with a stellar under card of three additional stakes, highlighted a “Racing Revival Weekend”. Top three-year-old turf horses like Eclipse award winning champions English Channel (2005), Gio Ponti (2008) and Kitten’s Joy (2004) have reached the winner’s circle in past Derbies. Other high profile winners include Go Between, Paddy O’Prado and Silver Max among others.

The 2019 edition, a Grade 3 stakes sponsored by New Kent County, was won by Calumet Farm’s English Bee who held off a late rally from Jais’s Solitude to prevail by a head. Jorge Vargas, Jr. was aboard the Graham Motion-trained son of 2005 Virginia Derby winner English Channel.

“I’ve had a couple of tough beats (in this race) over the years,” said Motion after the race. “This is a tough little horse. He’s really deserving because he always shows up and tries so hard. It’s great to be here with a big crowd on an exciting night. Great racing.” Virginia Governor Ralph Northam presented the Virginia Derby trophy in the winner’s circle.

English Bee (inside) noses out Jais’s Solitude to win the 2019 Virginia Derby.

In the evening’s under card, Godolphin’s Carnival Colors rallied three-wide in the stretch and drew off to a 1¼-length score in the $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Virginia Oaks to give trainer Mike Stidham his second stakes tally of the night (he also won the $100,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes with Doc Boy). Forest Boyce was in the irons for the Distorted Humor filly.

“I ran a few horses at Colonial years ago but never came here in person,” Stidham said. “This is the first time we’ve had a major presence here. The purse money is great and both racing surfaces are fabulous. I couldn’t be happier. I wish the meet would never end.”

It’s not often one sees a first-time starter in a $100,000 stakes race, let alone win it, but that’s what happened when Breeze Easy’s Four Wheel Drive was on cruise control in taking the Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes by 3 ¼ length. Jorge Vargas, Jr. rode the Wesley Ward-trained son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah to victory in a course-record time of 1:00.84 for the 5½ furlongs.

After the win, owner Mike Hall spoke of lofty ambitions he had in store for Four Wheel Drive. “We bought this horse as a yearling and we’ve trained him through the process,” he said. “Wesley told us it was time for him to run. We made plans to run in this race several months ago and it really worked out well. We’ll probably try to get to at least one more race and hope to get to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Four Wheel captures the inaugural running of the Rosie’s Stakes in 2019.

Four Wheel Drive followed his owner’s desires to a tee. The three-year-old Kentucky-bred colt went on to win the Grade 3 Futurity Stakes at Belmont and the $1 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Rick Kanter’s Doc Boy overcame a tardy start and rallied wide in the second turn to capture the Kitten’s Joy Stakes. “I’m pleased he was able to step right out of a maiden race and win a stakes,” said trainer Stidham. “That’s what we were all hoping for. He still has a lot to learn. He’s a big powerful horse. He’s got a big future I think.”

Doc Boy kicked off 2020 with a win in the Columbia Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and rolled into spring with $153,155 in purse monies.

Virginia-Bred/Sired Stakes Bookend The “Racing Revival”

Nine stakes for Virginia-Bred/Sired horses that each featured $100,000 purses created some memorable moments as well.

Eagle Point Farm’s homebred filly What the Beep overtook longshot English Heiress in deep stretch to win the first of those, the M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes, by a length on opening weekend. Owner-trainer Godsey was both ecstatic and emotional afterwards. “My family fought so hard for Colonial Downs to get here originally, then fought so hard for it to come back (after a six-year hiatus). The mare’s dam (Toccoa) was the first winner I had as a trainer and to win in front of this huge crowd was awesome. It’s hard to put into words how I feel.”

Trainer Karen Godsey, her mother Donna Dennehy, and jockey Forest Boyce are all smiles after What The Beep’s win.

Later that evening, Morgan Ford Farm’s River Deep was moved up to the top spot in the Edward P. Evans Stakes following the disqualification of original winner Speed Gracer who was placed fourth following a steward’s inquiry. The adjudicated victory gave the Phil Schoenthal-trained son of Arch his third Virginia-Bred stakes triumph. He won the 2018 Hansel and Bert Allen Stakes at Laurel Park.

The meaning of that opening weekend event was not lost on Schoenthal, “What’s special about this day is that it rewards all the breeders that hung in there for all those years (with no racing in Virginia) and kept on breeding Virginia-breds. It would have been very easy to ship their mares to Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York or anywhere else, so it was gratifying to see these people being rewarded with $100,000 purses in their home state, on a beautiful night, at a beautiful racetrack. It’s a great night for Virginia racing and Virginia horse breeders.”

On closing night, Holly and David Wilson’s Yes It’s True filly, Holly Hundy, invaded from California complete with her regular jockey, Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux. She earned an easy three-plus length victory over Solarte in the Camptown Stakes and boosted her bankroll to $145,022. The resume enhancing victory helped propel Holly Hundy to be named 2019 Virginia-Bred 3-Year-Old Filly of the Year.

Holly Hundy, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, was best in the Camptown Stakes at Colonial Downs. closing night. Photo by Coady Photography.

Saratoga shipper Ferdinanda, who races in the silks of Ann Backer and is trained by Barclay Tagg, made easy work disposing of her rivals in coasting to a six-length victory in the Brookmeade Stakes. “I knew I was on a pretty nice horse when I looked in the program and saw the name Barclay Tagg,” said winning rider Forest Boyce. “The first part of the race I just let her find her own position, find her own way. I just waited as long as I could before making a move to the lead.”

Ferdinanda was recognized as Top 2019 Virginia-Bred Older Turf Mare while the Backer Stable earned Top Virginia Breeder honors.

Several Open stakes were contested during the meet. Extravagant Kid, owned by Northern Virginia businessman David Ross, invaded from Kentucky (via Toronto) to win the $75,000 Da Hoss Stakes. By year’s end, the 7-year-old son of Kiss the Kid’s career bankroll stood at $727,214 from 12 wins. The Da Hoss was one of four stakes triumphs he had in 2019. His others came at Gulfstream, Tampa and Churchill.

“It’s just wonderful to see a great horse win a great race,” Ross said after the victory. “He’s just a terrific horse.” Ross also spoke of racing’s return to New Kent. “I can’t tell you how impressed I am with the operation here. It’s just been a step above anything I could ever have imagined. We’ve been supporting Colonial for years and it’s so good to be back and so good to see the quality of the operation. It’s only going to get better from here.”

David and Dana Ross are shown with the Da Hoss trophy courtesy of Extravagant KId’s win.

Reality Horse Racing’s Redeemed Gentleman made a five-wide rally down the lane to win another Open stakes, the $75,000 Old Nelson Starter Handicap, at odds of 39-1. The Maryland-bred rewarded his backers with a $81.80 payoff. It was the first stakes win for both trainer Anthony Aguirre and owner Jerome Aiken.

“We’ve had a lot of setbacks getting to this point,” said a jubilant Aguirre in the winners circle. “We knew he (Redeemed Gentlemen) would relish the distance. We don’t often have this kind of opportunity to run 1 3/16ths in Maryland, let alone on turf,” he added. “We knew the company would be tough and obviously the bettors thought so also at 39-1.”

Season Ending Figures — “An Unqualified Success”

Sparked by outstanding participation from horsemen and racing fans, Colonial Downs concluded its 2019 race meeting punctuated by a lucrative daily purse structure, large fields and an emphasis on horse safety and welfare for its participants.

Total handle for the 15-day meet exceeded $17.5 million for the 144 races that were conducted. 895 different horses competed representing 17 states including the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, and also from California, Kentucky, Minnesota, Louisiana and Florida. Average field size was 8.53 horses per race. There were no racing or training equine fatalities from the time the barn area opened on July 25.

As an incentive for horsemen, Colonial Downs introduced both owner and trainer participation programs. Each owner received $1000 per start for any of its horses which did not earn $1000 in that race, and each trainer received $300 for each time they started a horse. Colonial paid out $614,000 in owners incentive bonuses and $364,300 in trainer bonuses. Colonial also established a mount fee schedule with a minimum fee of $125 per ride, the highest in the Mid-Atlantic area.

Among sweeping improvements to the facility were upgrades to the racetrack, including a new irrigation system for its world-renowned Secretariat turf course, renovations to the 1 ¼-mile dirt track, stable area and paddock, receiving and test barns and dormitories and a new jockey’s room kitchen.

Colonial Downs VP of Racing Jill Byrne stands in front of a controlled burn of the turf course, which took place March 30th this year in preparation for the 2020 season.

90% of the races were held over Colonial’s massive grass course which is the widest in the country at 180 feet across. It is 7 1/2 furlongs around at the inner most rail setting and 1 1/8 miles at its outermost. To recognize Secretariat’s Virginia legacy, the Colonial Downs turf course was named in the champion’s honor in 1998, and that relationship was renewed with the Secretariat Foundation in July, 2019.

Besides Derby Day’s winning conditioners mentioned earlier, the meet drew top trainers from across the country including Shug McGaughey, Jonathan Sheppard, Arnaud Delacour, Jonathan Thomas, Tom Proctor, Ferris Allen, Steve Asmussen, Dallas Stewart, Ian Wilkes, Vladimir Cerin and Bob Hess.

Mike Stidham and Jamie Ness led all trainers with 10 wins apiece, with Ness topping the leader board in purses with $293,040. David A. Ross’s DARRS, Inc., led the owner standings with five wins, followed by Endsley Oaks Farm with four. Trevor McCarthy led all jockeys with 15 wins and $777,590 in total purses. Horacio Karamanos, Daniel Centeno and Mychel Sanchez all tied for second, each with 13 victories. Karamanos led all riders in mounts with 101.

“By all accounts, our Racing Revival was an unqualified success,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs Vice President of Racing Operations. “The 2019 meet was an especially emotional and rewarding season for the hundreds of people who worked so hard over the last year to make the return of racing in Virginia become a reality. We thank our horseman who participated, to all of our fans who came out and enjoyed a tremendous experience, and to the dedication and support demonstrated by our racing department, officials and track maintenance team which worked long hours with great efficiency in conducting a safe and successful racing program.”