July 13th, 2023 BYMike Curry

Horses race on Colonial Downs’ lush turf course during the 2022 meet. (Coady Photography)

The 2023 meet at Colonial Downs began July 13 and the New Kent, Va. racetrack traditionally offers some of the best turf racing in the country. The action heats up quickly as Colonial’s Saturday (July 15) card features four turf stakes races, each with a purse of $125,000, for Virginia-bred or Virginia-sired runners.

The Tyson Gilpin/Petty Stakes and the Punch Line Stakes both are 5 ½-furlong turf sprints that drew eight and 10 runners, respectively. The former is for fillies and mares 3-years old and older while the latter is open to all Virginia-bred or sired 3-year-olds and older. The card also features the Brookmeade Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares and the one-mile Edward P. Evans Stakes, which drew a competitive field of 10 and is the focus here.

EDWARD P. EVANS STAKES

Racetrack: Colonial Downs, New Kent, Va.

Date: July 15

Purse: $125,000

Distance: 1 mile on turf

Race: 7

Post time: 4:40 p.m. ET

1. E. P. Milton (30-1 morning-line odds): Ran in the aforementioned Punch Line Stakes last July and finished seventh at 69.50-1 odds, but E. P. Milton enters off a sharp win going seven-eighths of a mile June 6 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort that earned a career-top 88 Equibase Speed Figure. Adding 2022 leading Colonial Downs jockey Jevian Toledo gives him some appeal as a longshot.

Jockey: Jevian Toledo; Trainer: Susan Cooney

2. Southpaw Mike (30-1): As a lifelong baseball fan named Mike, I wanted to like this 3-year-old gelding, but he’s 2-for-10 lifetime and has been beaten by 4 1/4 lengths or more in last three races. Looks outclassed against this bunch.

Jockey: Antonio Gallardo; Trainer: Susan Cooney

3. Spritzer (30-1): He’s been sprinting on the main track and enters off back-to-back third place finishes, but Spritzer has not finished in the top three in eight previous tries on the grass. With rain in the forecast, he would be helped if this race came off the turf.

Jockey: Jesus Castanon; Trainer: Leanne Hester

4. Hay Chief (30-1): Rallied from well back to finish second and third, respectively, in his previous two starts at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Laurel Park. Tough to endorse as win candidate, however, with no wins in five career starts, all at the maiden claiming level. A fast pace would improve his chances to close for a minor award, and he ran well when second on a sloppy track in his second race if this stakes is washed off the turf.

Jockey: Yan Aviles; Trainer: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon

5. Reconvene (30-1): Has found trouble in three of his last four races and is winless in last 16 starts dating back to an allowance win in August 2020 at Monmouth Park. Reconvene has closed for third in a pair of stakes races during the winless stretch and would really benefit from a fast early pace and some moisture in the turf (his best races have come on softer ground). Jockey-trainer tandem has clicked at 39% with a sparkling return on investment.

Jockey: Mychel Sanchez; Trainer: James L. Lawrence II

Gigante (Coady Photography)

6. Passion Play (4-1): He won this race in 2021 and faded to fifth last year in the Edward P. Evans (following a layoff of over a year) after setting the pace. The 7-year-old Hold Me Back gelding is a win candidate at his best, but there is reason for concern that he might need a race to reclaim his top form as this is his first start in eight months. Trainer Mary Eppler wins at a 20% rate off a layoff of 180 days or longer.

Jockey: Horacio Karamanos; Trainer: Mary Eppler

7. Kendama (8-1): Finished third last year in this race and ran third in another turf stakes later in the 2022 Colonial meet at 1 1/16 miles. Took a nice step forward in his second start of 2023 when winning a 1 1/8-mile turf race June 11 at Laurel Park. Should be a nice price and could outrun his odds.

Jockey: Jeiron Barbosa; Trainer: Madison Meyers

8. Buddy Buddy (15-1): His stock is on the rise after back-to-back wins at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. In fact, he’s finished in the top three in all four starts in 2023, but all of those starts came in dirt sprints and he’s unplaced in three tries on grass. He is another who could benefit greatly if rain washed this stakes off the turf onto the main track.

Jockey: Fredy Peltroche; Trainer: Tim Collins

9. Gigante (9-5): The probable favorite. He’s a winner on turf and dirt for a Hall of Fame trainer and scored two starts back in May in the Caesars Handicap at this one-mile distance on the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Gigante also has a victory on this turf course last year as a 2-year-old when he romped by 6 ¾ lengths in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes.

Jockey: Adam Beschizza; Trainer: Steve Asmussen

10. Alex Joon (3-2): Enters off a third-place finish in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland on turf rated as good, so the 6-year-old Flatter gelding might appreciate if rain softens the ground a bit. Finished second in this race last year and has a chance to improve upon that in this edition. A win candidate.

Jockey: Forest Boyce; Trainer: Lindsay Schultz

THE PICK: Gigante

LIVE LONGSHOTS: E. P. Milton/Reconvene

SUPERFECTA: 9-6-10-1

Colonial Downs® 2023 Racing Season Starts Thursday, July 13

NEW KENT, Va. (July 10, 2023) – The iconic Churchill Downs is bringing live racing back to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County. Weekend racing returns with top Thoroughbred horses from around the country every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with post time at 1:30 p.m. Also new this year are three high level stakes races at Colonial Downs showcased as part of the new Colonial Downs Festival of Racing card on Saturday August 12 featuring the prestigious Arlington Million, Beverly D. and Secretariat Stakes. It is expected to be the biggest day in Virginia horse racing history. Premium tickets, full racing schedule and information are available at www.colonialdowns.com

Family activities and entertainment will be offered trackside every Saturday with a new family friendly zone. Each Saturday will feature a rotation of activities including a petting zoo, face painters, a bounce house and more. Additionally, there will be five premium giveaway days. Baseball Caps will be distributed Opening Day, Thursday, July 13 followed by Plush Horses Friday, July 28, T-Shirts on Friday, August 11, Clear Stadium Bags on Friday, August 28 and Water Bottles on Friday, September 1.

Additionally, Colonial Downs is partnering with a new food and experience provider, Oak View Group (OVG), this season. Highlights include an outdoor Grab & Go marketplace concept with vendors including: The Sausage Guy (sausage, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and fries), CM Concessions (freshly squeezed lemonade, cotton candy, fresh popcorn), Shake It Up (Milkshakes, etc.) and Bavarian Pretzels. The Jockey Club restaurant has a new Chef’s Table buffet menu and the 1609 Club will feature a bistro-style menu.

“It’s an exciting time for Colonial Downs and New Kent County in 2023,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations. “The goal is to provide our guests a terrific experience and with the return of weekend racing, world class stakes races and new amenities, we are on the right path this season.”

Ken Gaber, President, OVG Hospitality commented, “We are thrilled to join forces with Churchill Downs Inc. to increase our presence in horse racing and take the fan experience at Colonial Downs to new heights. We believe fans deserve the very best, from food service offerings to efficient and quality service, and are pleased to welcome Colonial Downs into the OVG Hospitality family. We can’t wait to get started.”

About Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs Racetrack, in New Kent, Virginia, hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America at 180 feet wide and on a 1 1/4-mile dirt track, second in length to only the world-famous Belmont Park.

The Colonial Downs Group, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, and Dumfries which offer innovative historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full card simulcasting as well as Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville, which features a limited selection of some of their best HHR titles plus full card simulcasting. The 2023 live racing season, which consists of 27 days from July 13 through September 9, is highlighted by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Grade 1 Beverly D. and Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes on August 12 and the Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby on September 9. The Beverly D. is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” race.

About OVG360 

OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 240 client-partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health, public safety and more.

Nominations for Virginia-Bred Stakes Day at Colonial Downs, which headlines opening week festivities on Saturday July 15 with a four-pack of $125,000 turf stakes for Virginia-bred and Virgnia-sired horses, closed on July 1. 

The top three finishers in the 2022 Edward P. Evans Stakes were among 20 who nominated for the one-mile turf test open to three-year-olds and up. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ Largent, Ten Strike Racing’s Alex Joon and Ballyerin Racing’s Kendama may be poised for a rematch.

In addition to last year’s Evans victory, Largent captured the 2020 edition along with the Bert Allen Stakes the same year. The 7-year-old Into Mischief gelding, bred by Lazy Lane Farms, has bankrolled $609,320 from seven wins and five seconds. Alex Joon, who finished one-half length behind Largent, has earned $232,399 from 25 starts. In addition to his second, the 6-year-old Flatter gelding won a turf allowance at Colonial one month after the Evans. Kendama took third in both the Evans and Bert Allen Stakes and sandwiched a second between the pair in a New Kent turf allowance. The 6-year-old Uncle Mo gelding was bred by Audley Farm Equine. 

The top three Punch Line Stakes finishers from last year also nominated including D Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock’s Determined Kingdom, who prevailed by a convincing 5 ½ lengths. The 4-year-old Animal Kingdom gelding was also best in the ’21 Jamestown Stakes. The Phil Schoenthal trainee, also bred by Audley Farm Equine, has earned $250,189 from 15 outings. Larry Johnson’s Embolden, the Punch Line runner-up, also took second in the ’20 Evans and reached the winners circle in the ’19 Jamestown. The Michael Trombetta trainee has a robust $342,641 bankroll. Ed & Susie Orr’s Boldor finished third in the ’22 Punch Line and won the Meadow Stable Stakes last summer. The Steve Asmussen trainee captured the 2021 Punch Line and boasts a bankroll of $562,183. 

Reiley McDonald’s 7-year-old Hold Me Back gelding Passion Play nominated as well. In 2021, he won both the Evans and Bert Allen Stakes. The Mary Eppler trainee has a career bankroll of $311,497 from 26 starts. In all, 23 horses, age three and up, nominated for the 18^th running of the Punch Line to be contested at 5 ½ furlongs.

2022 M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes winner Chambeau heads a list of 17 nominees to the 2023 edition, slated for fillies and mares three and up at 5 ½ furlongs. Owned and bred by Sam English II, the lightly raced 6-year-old Karakontie mare has made just five life starts — all last year.  Robert D. Bone and Edward J. Brown Jr.’s Carolina Sun, second in last year’s Gilpin, also nominated. The 4-year-old Summer Front filly, bred by Susan Cooney, had a trio of top three finishes at Colonial last summer. Stonestreet Stables’ Aisha R N, an Asmussen trainee, nominated as well and is fresh off a turf allowance triumph at Lone Star May 11. This year’s stakes has been renamed to also include former VTA Executive Director Glenn Petty in its title, along with Gilpin. 

The Brookmeade Stakes, for fillies and mares three and up at 1 1/16^th miles, attracted 15 nominations including Chambeau — also nominated for the Gilpin/Petty — and ’22 Jamestown runner-up Bee Mountain. The latter is trained by Ferris Allen and was bred by Audley Farm Equine. Another nominee — Morgan’s Ford Farm’s Surya — had a maiden special weight and an allowance turf win at Colonial last summer. The 4-year-old daughter of Street Sense is trained by Brittany Russell. 

Entries close for the Commonwealth four-pack on Wednesday July 12. Colonial Downs ushers in its annual summer racing season Thursday September 13 at 1:30 PM. The 9-week campaign continues through September 9 with cards every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:30 PM. 

Just a reminder to owners/trainers of Virginia-Bred and Virginia-Sired horses — the Saturday July 15 card at Colonial Downs will feature a 4-pack of $125,000 turf stakes exclusively for those Commonwealth Bred/Sired horses ages three and up. 

Nominations to the four — including the Edward P. Evans, Punch Line, M. Tyson Gilpin/Glen Petty and Brookmeade Stakes — are due by Saturday July 1.  

The Evans and Punch Line, carded at one mile and 5 ½ furlong distances respectively, are for males while the Gilpin/Petty and Brookmeade, programmed at 5 ½ furlongs and 1-1/16^th miles each, are for filles and mares.

Colonial Downs kicks off its annual summer race season Thursday July 13 and the Virginia Stakes card on the 15^th highlights open week festivities. The season continues through September 9 with another round of five Virginia stakes slated for Saturday September 2. The $125,000 Jamestown is for Virginia-Bred/Sired 2-year-olds while the other four — the Meadow Stable, Camptown, Bert Allen and Nellie Mae Cox — feature $150,000 purses and are Virgnia-restricted (open to Virginia-Bred, Virginia-Sired and Virginia-Certified horses).         

Colonial Downs is set to begin its first season of thoroughbred racing under the ownership of Churchill Downs on Thursday July 13! The 9-week season in New Kent will continue through September 9 with racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:30 PM. In preparation for the meet, the stable area opened June 20 and training began June 23. Come opening day, some 850 horses are expected to fill the barn area.

The following pictures are from the week the stable area opened and training began.

9-Week Racing Season Begins Thursday, July 13

NEW KENT, Va. (June 23, 2023) – Horse vans began arriving in earnest as the stable area at Colonial Downs opened June 19 in advance of the New Kent, Va., racetrack’s 2023 season which spans 27 days from Thursday, July 13 through Saturday, September 9.

A record $5.25 million in stakes purses and an average daily purse distribution of $700,000 (includes stakes) ensures the 2023 meet will offer some of the best Thoroughbred racing ever seen in the Commonwealth, topped by the G1 Arlington Million, G1 $500,000 Beverly D., and G2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes on Saturday, August 12, plus the G3 $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks which will highlight the Saturday, September 9 card.

Weekend racing returns for the first time since 2019 with live racing scheduled every Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a first post time of 1:30 p.m.

Colonial Downs again will have a full complement of 850 horses on its backstretch. Among the first horses to arrive were those from the barn of Kelsey Danner, shipping in from Kentucky; Virginia mainstays Karen Godsey, Woodbery Payne and David Bourke; and Angel Rodriguez, arriving from his Florida home base.

“People remember when I was 16 and hotwalking, learning the ropes around here. The quality from what used to be here compared to what is here now is unreal. It is so nice to see bigger outfits, nice quality horses and big stakes race days in New Kent,” said Godsey.

She moved 18 horses in last Wednesday during a rainstorm and has six more to bring, for a total of 24.

“I’m pretty excited about this year. For some reason, I just feel my string has really come around — a lot further along than I thought they’d be at this point. My older horses are pretty talented and the young Virginia-Certified and Virginia-Bred babies have some pretty nice pedigrees to them and think they’re going to do pretty well. I don’t think I have one in the barn that I don’t want to have right now.”

“I have a lot of turf horses and the purses there are great,” added Mark Casse, a member of both the Canadian and American Halls of Fame, who will have a full contingent here for the first time. “Seeing the opportunities there, it just made sense.”

Casse mentioned that he is considering the G1 Arlington Million for Strong Quality who was fifth in the G1 Manhattan at Belmont on June 10.

The first horse on the track June 23 when training began was Payne’s young filly, Wine and Roses. “This is a Vino Rosso who is a first-year stallion and is very popular,” he said. “She is typical of a bigger, rangier type. She is very promising and is owned by the Pewter Stable out of Pennsylvania. They sent her down to Colonial and get her ready. Everybody appreciates how good this facility is for training and prepping horses.”

“Colonial has established its niche in the market and people are following the money,” he added. “You can tell by the stall list on the backside — there’s going to be formidable competition here this year. I think Virginia is on the upswing. I’ve got some solid 2-year-olds in the stable and the Virginia-Certified program is ultimately why I have them based here instead of at other tracks. People want to take advantage of the Certified races.”

Other trainers expected for the 2023 meet include Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen; Graham Motion, winner of both the 2019 and 2021 editions of the G3 Virginia Derby; last year’s leading trainer Mike Stidham; Jonathan Thomas; Mike Trombetta; and Michelle Lovell.

Colonial has added an Early 50-cent Pick 5 with a fan-friendly 12% takeout to the wagering menu covering the first five flat races daily and a $1 Pick 6 with a 15% takeout which covers the final six races each day.

All races from Colonial Downs can be seen daily on either FanDuel TV or FanDuel Racing. In house, Jason Beem returns for his fifth season at the mic while Kaitlin Free joins the broadcast team as racing analyst and paddock host.

About Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs Racetrack, in New Kent, Virginia, hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America at 180 feet wide and on a 1 1/4-mile dirt track, second in length to only the world-famous Belmont Park.

The Colonial Downs Group, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, and Dumfries which offer innovative historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full card simulcasting as well as Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville, which features a limited selection of some of their best HHR titles plus full card simulcasting. The 2023 live racing season, which consists of 27 days from July 13 through September 9, is highlighted by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Grade 1 Beverly D. and Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes on August 12 and the Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby on September 9. The Beverly D. is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” race.

If Approved by Voters this Fall, Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Will Create up to 150 New Well-Paying Jobs in Manassas Park; Generate Millions in New Tax Revenue That Could Bring Down Property Taxes, Help Fund Schools – More Information Can be Found at: www.manassasparkwins.com 

Manassas Park, VA – June 22, 2023 – Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), the iconic host of the Kentucky Derby and owner of Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Virginia, and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums across the Commonwealth, announced today it is collecting signatures to initiate a voter referendum to allow pari-mutuel wagering at a satellite facility in Manassas Park in accordance with the state code of Virginia.

Per Virginia law, localities that have not already approved pari-mutuel wagering require a voter referendum before a pari-mutuel facility can be located in their community. To place a referendum on the ballot, signatures from at least 5% of qualified voters must be submitted to, and certified by, the General Registrar. The local Circuit Court will then officially decree that the referendum will appear on the ballot.

The petition to initiate the signature drive was submitted to the Prince William County Clerk of Circuit Court by Michael Carrera, who has been a resident of Manassas Park for over a decade. Carrera, a government business analyst, is also serving his second term as a member of the Manassas Park City Council. Carrera stated, “I am excited that Churchill Downs has selected the City of Manassas Park for expansion. The major benefit will be increased tax revenues that will assist with additional city services and property tax reduction. Churchill Downs has been a strong community partner across the Commonwealth, and I look forward to welcoming them to Manassas Park”.

Also commenting on the campaign effort, Laura Hampton stated, “As both a city council member and a life-long Manassas Park resident, I am excited by the job growth, the shopping center revitalization, the increase in city tax revenue and other opportunities this nationwide business will offer our city”.

Manassas Park City Council member Darryl Moore stated, “Churchill Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium will bring much needed revenue and create new jobs. I am supportive of their efforts to locate in our city”.

And, Manassas Park City Council member Yesenia Amaya said, “As a councilwoman, I support the implementation of pari-mutuel systems as they promote fair competition, generate revenue for local economies, and provide an engaging and socially interactive form of entertainment.”

Speaking on behalf of Churchill Downs about the beginning of the ballot access effort, Jack Sours, Corporate Vice President of Gaming Operations for CDI in Virginia, noted, “Manassas Park is exactly the kind of Virginia locality in which we look to operate. We want to bring good jobs, new tax revenue and a lot of fun to the city! We look forward to letting Manassas Park residents know more about our company, our facilities and all we can do to help make their community a better place to call home in the months ahead. We also know the city is seeking ways to increase revenues so it can lower property taxes and invest in redevelopment of the downtown area. The revenue we generate can help make that happen and we are committed to making further contributions towards that effort. We are true partners in all the communities in which we operate, and we look forward to playing that same role in Manassas Park if voters give us their approval this November!”

CDI is proposing to locate the Rosie’s in the Manassas Park Shopping Center on Centreville Road. The facility would create up to 150 new well-paying jobs and generate an estimated $1.5 Million + in annual tax revenues for the city. More information about the project can be found at www.manassasparkwins.com 

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) has been creating extraordinary entertainment experiences for nearly 150 years, beginning with the company’s most iconic and enduring asset, the Kentucky Derby. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, CDI has expanded through the development of live and historical racing entertainment venues, the growth of the TwinSpires horse racing online wagering business and the operation and development of regional casino gaming properties. More information is available at http://www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

About CDI in Virginia

CDI is a proud business operator in Virginia, employing more than 1,000 team members in the Commonwealth and paying over $30 million in annual salaries, wages, and benefits. Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums^® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, Dumfries and Collinsville offer innovative historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full card simulcasting. Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces – Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America at 180 feet wide and a 11/4-mile dirt track, second in length to only the world-famous Belmont Park.  

Virginia Thoroughbred Owner Marshall Dowell Passes Away at 77

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The Virginia horse industry sends deep condolences to family and friends of Marshall Dowell, 77, who departed this world Thursday, April 27, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Melvin Dowell; mother, Mary Elizabeth “Brown” Dowell; and brother, Claude “Melvin” Dowell, Jr.  

Marshall is survived by his daughter Kimberly Dowell; son, Marshall Dowell, Jr.; grandchildren, Jacob, Tanner, Fairan, and Georgia; sister-in-law, Madeline Dowell; long-time girlfriend, Cathy; and his faithful road trip companion, Kim.  

Marshall grew up in Lakeside (Richmond area) where his tenacious work ethic started.  He worked several jobs as a young man, winning trips for top sales contests.  He joined the Army where he became a special forces member in Vietnam.  His service rendered him several medals.  Returning home, he then turned his sights on the automotive business and became a successful car dealer. While in his tenure, he ventured into the Harley-Davidson Community with great success.

His passion then turned to thoroughbred horse racing, where his success was high among his peers.  His horse, Scrappy T, was his most successful horse courtesy of a second-place finish in the memorable 2005 Preakness with the help of his trainer, W. “Robbie” Bailes. Overall, Scrappy T earned $645,919 from 17 starts including a win in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes, runner-ups in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby and Grade 3 Discovery Handicap, and a third in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. Local fans got to see Scrappy T compete in the 2008 Old Nelson Handicap at Colonial Downs.

Another of Marshall’s best horses was Mint Slewlep who bankrolled $174,556. Career highlights for the bay horse included a win in the 2008 Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial and a seventh in the 2007 Preakness. He also competed in the Colonial Turf Cup in New Kent the same year.

Marshall’s Jakey D, winner of $200,000-plus, broke his maiden at Colonial in 2000. The Chimes Band gelding provided 31 top-three finishes from 64 starts.

Marshall’s final win came last October at Charles Town when his Theola Huggins broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion.

Overall, Marshall’s horses made 1,014 starts that produced 138 wins, 160 second place finishes and 139 thirds, good for $3,684,802 in purse monies.

Marshall’s life was one of passion, adventure, travel, and overall lust for life.  He was loved by many.  The family will received friends on Sunday April 30, 2023 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd, where services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2023.  Interment will follow in Signal Hill Memorial Park.

Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) Executive Director Debbie Easter welcomed 2023 Officers and Board members — both new ones and those whose terms had expired — at the most recent VTA Board meeting held at the Warrenton office. 

The ’23 slate of Officers includes President Amy Moore of South Gate Farm in Millwood (breeder of early Kentucky Derby favorite Forte), Vice-President Wayne VanSant of Atoka Forge in Middleburg, Treasurer Turner Kobayashi of Audley Farm Equine in Berryville and Past-President Susan Cooney — who recently collected her 300^th training win — of Cooney Racing Stables in Delaplane.

Directors represent three different regions in the Commonwealth. New Board members in the Capitol region include Donna Dennehy (Ashland) and Alan Hutchinson (Glen Allen) who join returning members Christine Applegate (Onancock) and Chris Kuhn (Providence Forge). New Board members in the Potomac Region include Wayne Chatfield-Taylor (Front Royal), Diana McClure (Berryville) and Laura Smith (Purcellville), who join returning members Janet de Teran (Boyce), Pat Ramey (Upperville) and Larry Johnson (Bluemont). The Blue Ridge district is represented by newcomers Sara Miller (Charlottesville) and Diane Manning (Keswick) who join returnees Brooke Royster (Gordonsville) and Pat Sheperd (Culpepper). 

Ms. Easter thanked outgoing Directors A. Ferris Allen III, James Arrison, Dr. Al Griffin Jr., Ellen Kill Kelly and Robin Mellen along with Past-President Gillian Gordon-Moore for their service and dedication to the VTA.                  

Secretariat, in the form of a 3,500-pound bronze monument, is racing to his home state of Virginia to kick off the national 50TH anniversary celebration of his immortal Triple Crown of 1973. The “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument by renowned equine artist Jocelyn Russell is traveling over 1,000 miles from the foundry in Oklahoma to the historic town of Ashland, Virginia. At 21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall, this is the largest monument of Secretariat in existence, dramatically illustrating the Virginia-born champion’s larger-than-life presence as an equine athlete and American icon. On April 1, the heroically proportioned artwork will be formally unveiled as the centerpiece of the anniversary celebration.

Ashland has the honor of being the first venue of the multi-state Secretariat 50th anniversary  tour due to longstanding ties to the Chenery family. Secretariat’s breeder Christopher Chenery grew up here, attended Randolph-Macon College, and founded nearby Meadow Stable where Secretariat was born in 1970. Penny Chenery took over the farm for her father and managed Secretariat’s spectacular career. Her daughter, author/speaker Kate Chenery Tweedy, lives in Ashland and is carrying on the Secretariat legacy. She is chairing the Secretariat For Virginia Committee to raise the funds to place the Secretariat monument permanently in Ashland.

“Secretariat’s story truly would come full circle if the monument is placed in Ashland,” said Ms. Tweedy. “How fitting it would be to see this happen during this milestone Triple Crown anniversary.”  

Here is a preliminary schedule of the festivities on April 1. The day’s activities are FREE. 

11 am – 1:30 pm at the Ashland Theatre: a free showing of the Disney film “Secretariat.” Kate Tweedy, who was in the film with her mother, will share her behind-the-scenes experience on the movie set.

2:00 pm at Ashland Town Hall Pavilion: the official unveiling of “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument with local officials, special guests, live music and birthday cake.

2:30 – 5:00 pm at Town Hall and Lawn areas: meet and greet with a Secretariat lookalike horse who is a descendant of “Big Red;” display of the first saddle Secretariat wore at Meadow Stable; kids’ activities and crafts; presentation on sculpting the monument by Jocelyn Russell; videos of Secretariat’s Triple Crown races; tours of the Ashland Museum  featuring its Meadow Stable display; sale of Secretariat merchandise; and more.

“Secretariat Racing Into History” will stay in Ashland until late April. Then Ms. Russell and the monument will continue the anniversary tour through the summer. Further details of the tour will be announced by Secretariat.com shortly. 

After the anniversary tour, the bronze is expected to return to Ashland as the fund-raising effort by SECVA continues. If fund-raising goals are met, this will be the first and only monument of Secretariat located in his home state. The town of Ashland and Randolph-Macon College have agreed to provide a site on the college campus near the CSX train tracks. 

“I have always wanted this second edition of “Secretariat – Racing into History” to come home to Virginia,” said Ms. Russell. “This is literally where his history started.” The first version of the monument was placed in Lexington, Kentucky in 2019.

Donations for the monument are being accepted by the Ashland Museum, a 501c3 non-profit organization. For continuing program updates and additional information, please see www.SecretariatForVirginia.com

The cost of the Secretariat monument is $550,000, including transportation to the site. Installation and landscaping are additional costs, for which the group hopes to obtain in-kind contributions. SECVA is accepting pledges online and donations through the Ashland Museum, also a partner in the project.

If you have any questions on the monument or would like more information on how you can help make this movement to bring Secretariat home to Virginia a reality, please contact us and become part of “Friends of Secretariat for Virginia (SECVA).”  You can also join our email list for updates on our progress.  We look forward to hearing from you!