Posted on February 18, 2025 by Aidan Turnage-Barney

Determined Stables and Kingdom Bloodstock’s Determined Kingdom has been named Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year and will be recognized — along with other 2024 award winners — during Virginia Derby Day festivities at Colonial Downs March 15. A series of award presentations will take place between various races from the paddock infield that day and broadcast over Colonial’s simulcast feed. After 21 editions of the Virginia Derby — on turf, held during the summer months since 1998 — the race switches to dirt this year and becomes an official qualifier race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Virginia’s Derby winner will secure a spot in the field for the “Run for the Roses” May 3 at Churchill Downs. 

Determined Kingdom had an outstanding 2024 campaign which included wins in the $125,000 Punch Line Stakes and $150,000 Meadow Stable Handicap, both held at Colonial Downs. The 6-year-old Animal Kingdom gelding collected four wins from six starts and bankrolled $285,900 — pushing his career tally to $734,177. Other winners circle appearances came in a $140,000 fall allowance at Keeneland and a $56,000 early summer allowance at Laurel. The Phil Schoenthal trainee also finished third in Colonial’s Van Clief Stakes and fifth in the G3 Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes. Prior to 2024, Determined Kingdom had won four Virginia-bred stakes — the Punch Line in 2022 & 2033, Meadow Stable in 2023 and Jamestown in 2021. The trophy winner, who also was crowned Virginia-bred Turf Sprinter of the Year, was bred by Audley Farm Equine.

Million-dollar earner Gigante was named Virginia-Bred Turf Horse of the Year. The Steve Asmussen trainee earned $152,175 from five starts last year including a win in the Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds December 21. The 5-year-old Not This Time horse added to his resume with a runner-up finish in the G2 Muniz Memorial Classic at Fair Grounds and a third in the G3 River City Stakes at Churchill. Gigante of course started his career in 2022 with wins at Colonial in a maiden special weight and later in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes, then prevailed in the G2 Secretariat Stakes in 2023. Interestingly, Gigante was sold by his original owners — Diamond T Racing & Iapetus Racing — for $610,000 to Clark Brewster & L and N Racing on January 31 of this year. Virginia’s 2024 Champion Turf Horse was bred by Ann Mudge Backer and Smitten Farm. 

Freshman title awards will be presented to Sail Theseven Seas and Saxton in respective Virginia-bred Filly & Colt categories. The former, a Michael Trombetta trainee bred by Larry Johnson, finished in the top three in all five of her races. She prevailed in a maiden special weight at Laurel to close out her 2024 campaign and earlier in the summer, finished second in both the $125,000 Jamestown and $150,000 Keswick Stakes at Colonial. The latter trophy winner, a Cathal Lynch trainee bred by Lazy Lane Farms, was 2-for-5 last year and bankrolled $110,400. The Mosler gelding won a maiden special weight in New Kent in his career bow and followed up with a gate-to-wire allowance win at Laurel four weeks later. He also took second in the Maryland Juvenile Stakes and third in the James Lewis III Stakes. 

Top Virginia-bred Older Female honors went to Susan Naylor’s Tufani, who was bred by Chance Farm and Distorted Humor Syndicate. The now 5-year-old mare won two key races at Colonial — the $125,000 Brookmeade Stakes and $150,000 Nellie Mae Cox Handicap. Jockey Ben Curtis had the winning ride in both. Overall last year, the Michael Stidham trainee earned $188,500 from five starts and pushed her lifetime earnings to $362,442.      

Virginia-Certified winners include Future Is Now as top female performer and Book’em Danno as top male. Both had outstanding campaigns — the former earned $513,155 while the latter bankrolled $807,500. 

Maryland-bred Future Is Now won four stakes including a pair of Grade 2’s — the Intercontinental at Saratoga June 7 and the Franklin Stakes at Keeneland October 13. Other stakes victories came in Laurel’s The Very One and in Saratoga’s Smart N Fancy. The trophy winner is a 5-year-old Great Notion mare trained by Michael Trombetta and owned/bred by Larry Johnson. Future Is Now spent her Virginia residency at Johnson’s Legacy Farm in Bluefield.

Book’em Danno collected a trio of stakes wins including a Grade 1 score in the Woody Stephens Stakes at Saratoga on the Belmont Day card. The 4-year-old Bucchero gelding also connected in the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth. In addition, Book’em Danno took second in the G3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. The Derek Ryan trainee is a New Jersey-bred, owned by Atlantic Six Racing, LLC and spent his 6-month Virginia residency at Gracie Bloodstock’s Locust Hill Farm in Middleburg.

Virginia Trainer of the Year honors go to Susan Cooney, whose farm is based in Delaplane. In 2024, Cooney had 11 wins, 9 seconds and 17 third place finishes. Her Carolina Hideaway had a great summer at Colonial Downs, winning twice and collecting a third in three starts. Those victories came in a $75,000 maiden special weight July 26 and in a $70,000 allowance September 4. Cooney’s Speak Your Mind crossed the wire first on two separate occasions at Laurel and seven other horses from her stable captured individual wins in 2024.

The following was written by Leland Schwartz and appeared in FauquierNow January 22, 2025

The 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup races will be held at Great Meadow, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The boards of Great Meadow Foundation and the Virginia Gold Cup Association have agreed on how best to keep the racecourse properly maintained, they announced Wednesday.

Race day is May 3, a Saturday.

The two groups said the agreement “follows a year of significant investments and enhancements to the Great Meadow racecourse, ensuring its readiness to host this prestigious event. These improvements include the installation of two new wells to secure a reliable water supply for the venue’s retention ponds, addressing the challenges posed by the 2024 drought, and a comprehensive maintenance plan restoring the racecourse to world-class condition.”

“Our commitment to preserving and enhancing the racecourse at Great Meadow has been unwavering,” said Karen Crane, chair of the Great Meadow Foundation. “We are proud to welcome the Virginia Gold Cup back to the place it was always meant to call home, as we honor a century of equestrian excellence in the heart of Fauquier County.”

The fall races were moved to Middleburg when race officials decided the Great Meadow course was not safe to run on. Great Meadow leadership said they felt conditions would have been ready by the time the races were held at the end of October.

The Gold Cup races at Great Meadow are widely viewed as one of the iconic events that help define Fauquier and Virginia Horse and Wine Country. They generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in local economic activity.

Dr. William Allison, chair of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, stressed the importance of the partnership saying, “The Virginia Gold Cup and Great Meadow share a deep-rooted history. This venue was established as a permanent home for our cherished event, and the collaboration between our organizations ensures we can continue to celebrate the traditions, camaraderie, and world-class competition that define the Gold Cup. We look forward to an unforgettable 100th running in May 2025.”

The Great Meadow Foundation and the Virginia Gold Cup Association expressed gratitude to the Virginia Equine Alliance as well as the many supporters, sponsors and partners “who have made these advancements possible. Together, these collaborative efforts ensure that Great Meadow continues to be a cornerstone of the equestrian community and a destination for excellence in steeplechase racing,” they said.

The agreement was expected given the comments of newly elected Foundation chair Karen Crane a few weeks ago when she said, “I can’t imagine not being able to work this out. We need each other.”

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t get things back to safety for the horse and the rider. That’s always our paramount concern.” What’s more, Crane said, “The original goal when Nick Arundel bought this property was to have a permanent home for the Virginia Gold Cup and the International Gold Cup.”

“We all want the same thing. Great racing in Virginia,” she said.

The following appeared in The Racing Biz February 6, 2025 and was written by Frank Vespe

R. Larry Johnson, who put his stamp on the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred industry on racetracks, in breeding sheds, and in boardrooms in Maryland and Virginia, passed away Feb. 4. He was 78.

“He was successful in all parts of the horse business — standing stallions, selling yearlings and breeding good, competitive racehorses,” said Cricket Goodall, executive director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA), on whose board he sat. “He had strong opinions which often resulted in good ideas. He challenged us all to be better.” 

“Larry Johnson was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever come across, an absolutely integral part of the Virginia breeding and racing industry,” said Andrew Motion, a neighbor of Johnson’s who assisted Johnson in navigating the commercial breeding landscape, and whose brother Graham Motion trained off-and-on for Johnson for decades.

“He was so helpful with trying to sort things out legislatively, with the horsemen’s groups, and with bright ideas and ways to go about things,” Motion added.

Johnson, a forensic accountant by trade, built a powerful breeding and racing operation notable both for its success – runners he owned himself or in partnership earned more than $20 million – and its humble beginnings.

The best horses Johnson has bred – including his homebred multiple graded stakes winner Future Is Now and Belmont Stakes runner-up Mindframe, whom he sold for $600,000 as a yearling – stem from the same family.

“It starts with a $2,500 Charles Town horse named Ran’s Chick,” said Johnson’s longtime trainer, and friend, Michael Trombetta. “That was the start of it all. I mean, truly, he built something that was a one-in-a-million kind of thing.”

Ran’s Chick, when bred to Parfaitement, whose entrymate in the 1983 Preakness, Deputed Testamony, was the most recent Maryland-bred winner of the Middle Jewel, produced Special Kell.

Special Kell begat Star Kell, the granddam of Mindframe, and Magical Meadow, the granddam of Future Is Now.

“Whether it’s sisters or nieces or mother, it all goes back Ran’s Chick and the foal she had, Special Kell,” Johnson told The Racing Biz this past June. “Special Kell has just been phenomenal… If [Mindframe] would achieve Grade 1 success, the influence it would have on the pedigrees of so many of my horses… it’s just overwhelming.”

Racing in Johnson’s distinctive white-and-black silks, his horses found success up and down the East Coast, from Florida’s Gulfstream Park to Canada’s Woodbine. Among the better runners he campaigned were the graded stakes winners Spun Glass, Sincerely, and Street Magician, later a sire, as well as Despite the Odds, who ran for Johnson and partners and later was a sire.

Speaking of Street Magician: One year Sheikh Mohammed invited owners of Darley-connected horses to Dubai – on the Sheikh’s dime – and treated them to an extremely first-class visit. Following Street Magician’s win in the Grade 3 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes at Pimlico, Johnson, known for his casual dress and demeanor, was among those invited, since Street Magician was by the Darley stallion Street Cry.

“Larry called me, and he said, ‘You ain’t gonna believe this,’” Trombetta remembered. “’I got an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed to go to Dubai.’ And I said, ‘You gotta go.’”

When Johnson was introduced to Sheikh Mohammed as the owner of Street Magician, the Sheikh made, in Johnson’s telling, the universal “raising the roof” sign.

“Did Sheikh Mohammed just raise the roof for Street Magician?” Johnson asked in laughing wonderment years later.

Johnson also made a stamp on the sport through his roles on various boards of directors. In addition to his time with the MHBA, he served for years on the board of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and pushed to make the organization more accountable to its membership. More recently, he has served with the Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) and had joined the board of the state’s horsemen’s group, the Virginia HBPA.

In his work in Maryland, Johnson was among a small group of people who helped design a more robust system of breeder bonuses that helped the state’s breeding industry bounce back from the lean years that preceded the mid-2010s. In 2012, the state’s foal crop had dropped to just 371; nine years later, it topped 700.

“He was instrumental in shaping the direction of Maryland racing,” said Bruce Quade, who was chairman of the Maryland Racing Commission at the time. “Both behind the scenes and in the spotlight, he helped make racing successful.”

Johnson, like Quade, originally was from Maryland’s Prince George’s County. Johnson later graduated from the University of Maryland, and though Quade said he at first felt a bit intimidated – Johnson was already “well established and highly respected,” Quade said, while he was new to the Commission – the two later became close friends, bonding over their shared background and commitment to improving Maryland racing.

“He was a true friend to me personally, and a steady hand for Maryland racing,” Quade said. “He could see the big picture and guide others to see it, too.”

Johnson also was instrumental in the work to develop Virginia’s certified residency program, which incentivizes horses spending part of their formative years in the Old Dominion. In 2022, he was both Maryland’s leading earner of Maryland Fund awards – the sixth straight year he earned that title – and the leading earner of Virginia certified developer bonuses.

“He helped develop [the certified program] at a time when we didn’t have racing, and our farms and our infrastructure were disappearing,” said VTA executive director Debbie Easter. “Not only did it do what we hoped as far as saving our farms and allowing them to grow, but it’s done other things, like help fill races at Colonial Downs and improve the quality of horses there.”

Johnson is survived by his daughters Tracy and Kelly, as well as grandchildren. Arrangements are pending.

Though many of Johnson’s best-known horses were Maryland-breds, in more recent years, he had moved much of his operation to his Legacy Farm in Bluemont, VA. He had plans to breed over 20 mares this year, a roster that Andrew Motion said was “the best list of stallions I’ve ever seen Larry breed to.”

“His program was really set up to pop, and as his program popped, it was going to be good for Virginia,” Easter said.

“It’s a great loss to Maryland and Virginia,” she added.

For all his work on boards, Johnson’s first love was the game itself: breeding, racing, and handicapping.

“It’s a great ride,” Johnson said prior to the 2024 Belmont weekend, during which his homebred Future Is Now won the Grade 2 Intercontinental and Mindframe, whom he bred and sold, ran second in the Belmont Stakes (G1). “I don’t do this to necessarily make money. I try not to lose money. But it’s weeks like this: if this doesn’t get you going, you really ought to just go into hibernation someplace.”

“He loved this sport; he loved this game, understood all the ins and outs,” said Trombetta, who worked with Johnson for nearly 30 years. “In all the years I’ve worked with him, we never had one cross word or disagreement. Truly, one of my very best friends.”

~ Exclusive seating options and experiences unveiled for Virginia’s first-ever Kentucky Derby qualifying race including limited General Admission tickets at fan-friendly prices ~

NEW KENT, Va. (January 8, 2025)—Colonial Downs Racetrack today unveiled a series of special ticket and experience packages for the Virginia Derby on March 15 including a limited number of General Admission tickets now available at the fan-friendly price of just $5. Additional seating, ticket, and experience options have been created especially for this historic day of racing on the Road to the Kentucky Derby including special trackside seats and boxes, the Trackside Dining Pavilion and Lounge, the Homestretch Derby Party Tent, and an elevated experience in the elegant Colonial Downs Jockey Club.

All tickets are now on sale at www.ColonialDowns.com. Quantities are extremely
limited, so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets today.

“We are pulling out all the stops to make this historic Virginia Derby an unforgettable experience for Virginia race fans,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs. “Whether you’re looking for a premium experience in the jockey club, a great time in the trackside party tent, or a general admission ticket to experience the thrill of racing along the rail, we have ticket options to make this a great day at the races. Just like our horses, these tickets are going to go fast so get yours today!”

This will be a historic day of racing as the Virginia Derby will serve for the first time ever as a Kentucky Derby qualifier race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winning horse securing a spot in the field for the 151st Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025. All ticketed guests will receive a special commemorative keepsake to remember this momentous day in Virginia racing.

For this special day of racing, a limited supply of 5,000 general admission tickets
will be available for the fan-friendly price of just $5.

Colonial Downs is also offering unique ticketing options exclusively for the Virginia
Derby including:
Apron Box Seats and Group Packages

• Reserved trackside table and seating for six – Price: $300/box; Can be purchased in increments of 1, 2, 4, or 6 boxes; Amenities: Convenient access to food, beverage, and wagering locations and a viewing area along the rail.
• Trackside Pavilion Dining and Lounge – Premium trackside table with seating for eight and access to covered lounge area; Price: $680/table; Amenities: Exclusive buffet included, full cash bar, easy access to wagering locations, viewing area along the rail and bleacher seating
• Jockey Club
• Bar High Seats: $75/person including premium buffet and full cash bar; Seats assigned at check-in; Viewing area in the front of the High Rollers Bar and access to wagering locations
• Tables for Two, Four, or Six: $95/person including premium buffet and full cash bar; Tables assigned at check-in; Direct views of the races and access to wagering locations
• Tables for Eight: $600/table including premium buffet and full cash bar; Tables assigned at check-in; Viewing area in the front of the High Rollers Bar and access to wagering locations.
• For the 2025 race season, Colonial Downs will host a special March meet with races
  on Thursday, March 13, Friday, March 14, and culminating with the Virginia Derby
  Day on Saturday, March 15. Derby day will feature at least ten races beginning at
  noon and culminating in the Virginia Derby later that afternoon. This special three-day spring race event is part of a 44-day race season at Colonial Downs that will run
  from Thursday, March 13 to Saturday, March 15 and continue with 41 days of live
  racing each Wednesday through Saturday from July 9 through September 13 with a
  special day of racing on Labor Day, Monday, September 1. The season will include the
  annual Colonial Downs Festival of Racing on Saturday, August 9 featuring a slate of
  high-profile graded stakes races.
  

Horse racing dates and events for the 2025 calendar year in Virginia are set and include a healthy combination of thoroughbred, standardbred and steeplechase competitions that will be held at venues across the Commonwealth. 

The season kicks off March 1 with the Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point (PTP) meet at The Hill in Boston, Virginia and concludes November 1 with the Montpelier Hunt Races at James Madison’s homestead in Montpelier Station. In between, six more spring Point-to-Points will be conducted — three of which feature a sprinkling of National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned jump races — in addition to six full NSA sanctioned jump meets.

Following Rappahannock’s kickoff event, the PTP schedule continues with the Warrenton Hunt PTP March 15 at the Airlee Race Course, the Piedmont Fox Hounds PTP March 22 at the Salem Course in Upperville, the Old Dominion Hounds PTP April 5 at the Ben Venue Farm in Ben Venue, the Blue Ridge Hunt PTP April 12 at the Woodley Farm in Berryville, the Loudoun Hunt PTP April 20 at Morven Park in Leesburg, and the Middleburg Hunt PTP April 27 at Glenwood Park. The first five PTP’s are on Saturdays and the last two fall on Sundays. Information on these meets can be found at centralentryoffice.com.      

“We’ve had a good experience running sanctioned steeplechase races at the Old Dominion and Blue Ridge meets and will be adding the Loudoun Hunt Meet at Morven Park to the mix this year,” said NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo. “We thought it would be good to reach out to Point-to-Point meets that were well established and had good racecourses that were safe to race over and give them a chance to expand their racing opportunities. We refer to them as hybrid meets now since they include regulated NSA sanctioned races and other races they traditionally have run that are not regulated. These mixed meets give Point-to-Points a bit more validity and substance.”

A trio of one-day NSA sanctioned jump meets will also be held in spring with another four-pack of events scheduled in fall. The Middleburg Spring Races are slated for April 19 at Glenwood Park followed by the Foxfield Spring Races April 26 in Charlottesville and the 100^th running of the Virginia Gold Cup Races on May 3. Autumn’s docket includes the Foxfield Fall Races October 5, Middleburg Fall Races on October 11, International Gold Cup card on October 25 and the 90^th running of the Montpelier Hunt Races a week later.     

“Montpelier had their strongest race card ever in 2024 and had the biggest crowd that I’ve ever seen there,” noted Gallo. “And Foxfield put a tremendous amount of effort into their course and are presenting themselves beautifully with major renovations and increased purses.” 

Two major additions to the Virginia steeplechase stakes schedule that debuted in 2024 will continue in 2025 — the Grade 1 Commonwealth Cup, which was run during the spring Gold Cup card, and the Grade 1 Will Allison Stakes, which was contested during fall’s International Gold Cup card. The pair represented the first Grade 1 steeplechase stakes ever to appear on the Commonwealth’s calendar.  Additional meet details are available at nationalsteeplechase.com.   

A total of 44 pari-mutuel thoroughbred race days at Colonial Downs in New Kent were approved by the Virginia Racing Commission at its December meeting and include two separate meets for the first time ever. A new three-day spring meet will debut March 13 -15 and feature dirt racing only, including the $500,000 Virginia Derby, to be followed by a 41-day summer stand from July 9 – September 13. 

The Virginia Derby, now a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will transition to the dirt after 21 years on turf and highlight the spring session on March 15. Another feature at the spring meet is the $250,000 Virginia Oaks, which is now a Kentucky Oaks points race. The winning horse in each race will receive 50 points toward the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby or Oaks respectively. The second- through fifth-place finishers will earn 25-15-10-5 points on a sliding scale. Post time will be 12:30 PM on Thursday and Friday and 12 Noon Saturday for the Virginia Derby card. 

The expanded summer thoroughbred schedule will feature racing four days per week, Wednesday through Saturday, with a post time of 12:30 PM except Fridays when twilight cards start at 4 PM. Racing also will be offered on Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Sundays will serve as a make-up day for any cards that are cancelled during the meet. 

Colonial’s “Festival of Racing” and its three graded stakes — the G1 Arlington Million, G2 Beverly D and G2 Secretariat — is slated for Saturday, August 9 and will have a special 12 Noon post time. Racing also will start at Noon on Saturday, September 6 for a stakes-laden card that will replace the former Virginia Derby program — which had traditionally been held toward meet’s end. Steeplechase races will also be mixed in throughout the campaign as well. More details are at colonialdowns.com.

A pair of seven-week pari-mutuel standardbred meets totaling 28 race days will be held at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, pending VRC approval. The spring campaign will extend from April 26 – June 8 while the tenth annual fall season will run from September 13 – October 26. Four additional non-wagering harness cards will be contested during the Shenandoah County Fair from August 27-30. 

First post is scheduled for 1:05 PM every Saturday and Sunday at the historic Shenandoah County Fairgrounds which has hosted pacers and trotters on its half mile oval for 105 years. Key stakes include a round of eight Virginia Breeder’s championship races for 2- and 3-year-olds, each with a purse of $80,000-plus, and four Virginia Sired Stakes races for 2-year-olds with a $60,000-plus purse. More harness racing details are available at shenandoahdowns.com.  

Information on Virginia’s overall horse racing and breeding industry can be found at virginiahorseracing.com.

The following appeared in the Daily Racing Form and was written by Marcus Hersh

Million-dollar Virginia- bred earner Gigante returned $3.80 in winning the Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday December 21.

Even chasing a loose leader who set a slow pace, Fair Grounds-turf-loving Gigante proved too much for the opposition in the $100,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes on Saturday.

Swiftsure went an opening half-mile in a glacial 50.95, yet still had no answer when Gigante and Jose Ortiz came with their run past the quarter pole. Gigante swept past and had little trouble holding clear Idratherbeblessed in posting a one-length victory.

Eight-year-old Another Mystery finished with verve to get third, a half-length out of second after closing from last, albeit in a five-runner field.

Gigante came into the Diliberto, a 1 1/16-mile grass race for older horses, with six wins and earnings over $1 million, and the 4-year-old has demonstrated a particular fondness for the Fair Grounds grass course. After besting fellow 3-year-olds in the Woodchopper about one year ago, Gigante went on to finish a solid fourth facing older horses in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes, following that with a career best, a second-place showing in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial, the most important grass race of the meet.

“Very pleased to have him back at Fair Grounds,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Gigante for Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing.

Gigante clocked 1:45.62 over firm going and paid $3.80 as the favorite. Gigante is by Not This Time out of the Empire Maker mare Summertime Green, and was bred in Virginia by Ann Mudge Backer and Smitten Farm.

When retired Virginia small animal veterinarian Adam Ainspan purchased his first racehorse 22 years ago, he most likely had a dream — as any new owner would — to someday win a stakes race say, with a $500,000 purse. That dream turned into reality for Ainspan on August 31, 2023 when his thoroughbred horse Harlan Estate captured the $500,000 Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs after being sent off at odds of 37-1. 

Fast forward fourteen months to October 26, 2024 when Ainspan again found himself in the winner’s circle of a race that carried a near $500,000 purse, this time at the Meadowlands. His horse Call Me Goo, a Virginia-Certified standardbred, won the $496,000 Breeder’s Crown Open Mare Trot Championship on harness racing’s grandest stage. 

Two wins, each with a half million purse, within nearly a year of each other and most interestingly, with different breeds. Not an everyday occurrence but to Ainspan, who races under the Graham Grace Stable moniker — named after his children’s middle names — it wasn’t a complete surprise.  

“I was shocked a bit, but I wasn’t totally surprised,” he said. “A friend called me up recently and asked for advice about his daughter who was going into the entomology field. I said you can be successful based on whatever you are passionate about. My passion early on in life was horses and always thought if I owned a horse someday I would do well no matter what the breed was. I conduct interviews with many trainers before buying a horse to find one who best matches my personality. You’ve got to build the right team.”

Ainspan grew up in Albany, just south of Saratoga where he said everybody was into horses. “I had friends who owned standardbreds and always knew it was something I wanted to do.”

After grade school, he went to veterinary school in Tennessee and graduated in 1990. After completing an internship in Rochester, New York, he relocated to Washington DC where his wife worked at the International Monetary Fund and as he noted, “A vet can get a job anywhere.” In 1992, Ainspan bought his first vet practice in Centreville, VA and since then, he and his business partner have purchased other practices in the area and even recently sold a batch to a private equity company. 

After setting up a business and setting in, the time came to finally acquire a horse. “Being in DC, I would go to Rosecroft Raceway sometimes and finally saved up some money, bought my first horse, and it happened to go well”.

Ainspan had immediate success with that 2002 standardbred purchase. No Wishes was a foal out of the great foundation mare Classic Wish. No Wishes continued racing until 2010 and when his career was over, the 11-year-old No Nukes gelding had amassed $373,000 in earnings. His life mark of 1:51 4/5 came at Virginia’s Colonial Downs in 2004.   

“I bought him at the Harrisburg sale for $26,000 and even though he didn’t turn out to be a Hall of Fame-type horse like some of his offspring, he was a nice horse that competed in winners over company for $10,000 purses. He was a smart horse and I had him for six or seven years. His success allowed us to buy a similar horse, which was followed by our third, Great George Two.   

Great George Two competed four years, from 2004 – 2007, and among his 12 wins was a victory in the Virginia Breeder’s 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot Championship at Colonial in 2004. He was a $25,000 purchase and went on to win $436,864. 

“He is the background for what we have going today,” said Ainspan. “Great George Two is the father to Call Me Goo’s mom and he has had some good ones in between which has kept the cash flowing well. If the first horse wasn’t so successful, I’m not sure we’d be where we are today. With George, I thought his bloodline would eventually click because he had come close before. Some of his horses have had the talent but not the mindset and others have had the right mindset but not the talent. Call Me Goo has put it all together.”

Call Me Goo gave Ainspan an especially big thrill this year, with more to come he believes. That’s saying something. The 4-year-old Googoo Gaagaa mare has won 23 of 37 races with earnings of $945,898 so far. Trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt joined Ainspan’s team in September — as a co-owner as well — and was in the sulky for Call Me Goo’s Breeder’s Crown win. 

“I don’t think she has reached her peak yet,” Ainspan added. “Give Ake a full year to train her and we might see her endurance improve even more toward the end of next year. I have a lot of confidence in the people around me, their character, ability and passion. ”   

Ainspan speaks volumes about the care and training Call Me Goo got early in her career courtesy of Jason and Sharon Skinner. Trainer Bib Roberts, who Ainspan has used almost exclusively — especially early on with No Wishes and Great George Two — recommended that Skinner train Goo initially. From 32 starts under Skinner’s watch, the mare won 21 times and bankrolled $583,768.  “The Skinner team deserves a ton of credit for her development,” said Ainspan. “Jason, Susan and their kids are incredibly talented people with impeccable character.”  

Prior to Skinner’s involvement, Call Me Goo spent six months at the Powhatan Plantation in King George, VA where she participated in the Virginia Harness Horse Association’s (VHHA) lucrative residency program prior to her racing career. The stay paid off. Her combined certified bonus — determined by a points system based on race earnings as a 2 and 3-year-old — was over $50,000. 

Ainspan’s interest in the thoroughbred horse world began fifteen years ago when he owned a minor percentage in a broodmare partnership at the invitation of a friend. That eventually led to the purchase of his Tapit Stakes winner, Harlan Estate, a $150,000 buy at the 2022 Keeneland Horses of Racing Age sale. The now 6-year-old Kantharos gelding took fourth in a Colonial Downs allowance just before his Tapit Stakes win in 2023.

“I was semi-retired at that point and sold a good part of my veterinary practice,” said Ainspan, “So had funding available for the purchase. After interviewing people and finding the right trainer in Whit Beckman, we went forward and bought two racehorses, including Harlan Estate, and have since added a number of yearlings which have been pretty successful.”

“That Kentucky Downs win was a great experience,” he added. “The uniqueness of its all-grass, rolling, European style track made it a fun day, and Harlan’s Estate was a horse that didn’t get much respect from the betting public. He is a smart horse and a great athlete. If he thinks he can win, he’ll really try, but if he doesn’t think he can win, he won’t try. It was also my trainer’s first stakes win ever. It was nice to see things come together for a trainer who was just starting his career and with people that you actually like from a team you built.” 

The 64-year-old vet has enjoyed recent thoroughbred wins with some other stablemates like C’Est Cheese, who captured a maiden special weight October 4 at Keeneland and Agoo, who crossed first in a $80,000 claimer September 14 at Churchill Downs.  

As for some of his horse’s names — like Call Me Goo, Googoo Gaagaa and Agoo — it is not by coincidence. And Ainspan does not have a fascination with the band Goo Goo Dolls. “My older sister tells the story that if I got in trouble as a child, I would blame everything on my imaginary friend Agoo. I’ve had some fun with the name since.” 

After achieving success with both breeds, Ainspan was asked which he prefers at this point. “I can’t say I like one over the other but I’ve had more success with standardbreds. The breeds are very, very similar but different at the same time. I can’t say that the Kentucky Downs win was any less thrilling than the Breeder’s Crown win. And I get the same feeling from the wins I’ve had in Canada with Call Me Goo.”

“You put a team together for each breed and with standardbreds, it’s been for over 20 years now. With thoroughbreds, a small bloodstock agent helped me out initially and he still is a big part of the team. Sometimes having that crossover experience can help. I had a thoroughbred that dealt with a knee issue and treated it similarly to how we would treat a standardbred. It doesn’t happen that often but at times it is helpful. My experience with small animals also comes into play. I’ll try things based on my experience. Having a broader knowledge is helpful.” 

“Standardbreds are more blue collar, but in a very positive way,” he added. “Everybody helps out if you have a question or issue. In thoroughbreds, the people are just as great but everyone stays much closer to the vest. Another difference is that trainers on the thoroughbred side are never actually on the horse and rely on others to tell them how the horse is doing. On the harness side, the trainer is sitting behind the horse. I think that aspect leads to a different level of understanding and they are more intimately involved in training of the horse. When it comes to purchasing a horse though, I’m a little better at judging a thoroughbred horse’s conformation myself where in harness, I need to rely on other people’s judgment.” 

Heading into 2025, Ainspan has a combined stable of 30 horses from both breeds. His home base is Clifton, Virginia though his horses reside elsewhere based on whether or not they are racing. His competing thoroughbreds are at Fair Grounds and the rest are in Kentucky. His standardbreds are in both New Jersey and Maryland. Ainspan is sole owner of his thoroughbred horses but he has partners in some of his standardbreds. “In partnerships, I ultimately decide issues that arise but everybody has input and an equal say if not more. It’s a very positive experience that way.”

In addition to managing his dual-breed stable, Ainspan has plans to debut a new company in January that will seek investors to raise funds for a thoroughbred yearling portfolio called Visionary Thoroughbred Investors. He plans to acquire thirty yearlings — ten fillies and twenty colts — for the project. “I’ll rely on Allegiant Bloodstock — which has been very helpful to me — and my own business acumen.” And of course he hopes to find success in that next $500,000 stakes.     

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Darrell Wood

Based on the recent success of running several National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned races at Virginia’s spring Point-to-Point meets the past couple years, that strategy will continue and even expand in 2025 according to NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo. 

“We’ve had a good experience at the Old Dominion and Blue Ridge meets and will be adding the Loudoun Hunt Meet at Morven Park in Leesburg to the mix next year,” said Gallo. “We thought it would be good to reach out to Point-to-Point meets that were well established and had good racecourses that were safe to race over and give them a chance to expand their racing opportunities. We refer to them as hybrid meets now since they include regulated NSA sanctioned races and other races they traditionally have run that are not regulated. These mixed meets give Point-to-Points a bit more validity and substance,” added Gallo. “It clearly gets the top riders and trainers to participate in these meets. It’s a win-win situation. It’s a small step but a very positive one. It’s good for the Point-to-Points and good for the NSA as well.”

The new Loudoun Hunt PTP is scheduled for Sunday April 20 and will feature a minimum of two sanctioned races though the final program is still being created. The Old Dominion PTP, slated for Saturday April 5 at the Ben Venue Farm in Washington, Virginia, hosted two sanctioned races last year — one hurdle and one timber — and will get an additional sanctioned hurdle race this spring to bring its total number up to three. The Blue Ridge, which has a new date of Saturday April 12 at the Woodley Farm in Berryville, will host a four-pack of sanctioned races, up from two last year. They will have three hurdle events and a timber race.     

Overall, the NSA is coming off a strong 2024 which saw purses rise one million dollars — from just under $6 million, to just under $7 million. Gallo referred to the gain as “unheard of”. 

“The fall meets in Virginia were great and a big reason why we had a successful year,” he said. “We did have a course problem at Great Meadow but the transition to running it at Glenwood Park in Middleburg worked out nicely. Thank God we had that option for the International Gold Cup card as opposed to cancellation of a major meet. Horsemen liked running at Glenwood Park.”

“Montpelier had their strongest race card ever and had the biggest crowd that I’ve ever seen there,” continued Gallo. “And Foxfield put a tremendous amount of effort into their course thanks to Jack Sanford and Reynolds Cowles. They are presenting themselves beautifully with major renovations and increased purses.  As a result, they have two premier meets now. Horsemen really appreciate those efforts.”

Two new additions to the Virginia stakes schedule also played a major factor in 2024’s growth. The Grade 1 Colonial Cup was run during the spring Gold Cup card and the Grade 1 Will Allison Stakes was contested during the fall International Gold Cup card. The pair represented the first Grade 1 steeplechase stakes to ever appear on the Commonwealth’s calendar.     

The jump race program at Colonial Downs also was key. “We love going to Colonial,” added Gallo. “It is such a great opportunity. It’s not just the volume of races, but the purses are very good too. It’s pivotal for us. The meet there offers $50,000 purses for maiden special weights — which is substantial for us — along with several ratings races for claiming type horses which are in the mid to lower end — like they are in any kind of racing. The meet was complemented by two $100,000 filly stakes which were held a month apart which fit perfectly with the program.” Discussions are currently taking place about what the 2025 summer season in New Kent will look like. 

Gallo reminisced about the NSA’s path forward after the pandemic. “Covid was crippling to us. We salvaged some meets that year to keep our horsemen going but didn’t have fans at any of the races — which is a big source of revenue. It was very difficult financially. We’ve rebounded and rallied to the point that race meets are much better and NSA is doing much better. We are very excited about the future.” 

*Originally posted on covilar.com on 12/9/2024*

• Josep Bassaganya-Riera of Covilar LLC Acquires 50% Ownership of Five Star General in Partnership with Kenny Alhadeff of Elttaes Stables
• Stallion to Stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in Floyd, Virginia for 2025 Breeding Season

Floyd, Virginia — December 9, 2024 — Covilar LLC (“Covilar”) is pleased to announce acquisition of 50% ownership in Five Star General through a strategic partnership with existing owner Kenny Alhadeff. Five Star General, whose nickname is “Ike,” after U.S. President and five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower, will stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in 2025, offering breeders in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region unique access to Kentucky-quality, high-profile genetics at a competitive price. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Covilar’s mission to establish itself as the premier breeding and racing facility in Virginia.

Since acquiring Owl Hollow Farm in 2021, Covilar has worked to transform the sprawling property into a modern, world-class breeding facility. With facility upgrades complete, Covilar’s founder Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera sought a stallion of exceptional caliber to launch Owl Hollow Farm as a top-tier Thoroughbred breeding and racing destination. Five Star General’s pedigree, performance and versatility aligns with Dr. Bassaganya-Riera’s long-term vision for Owl Hollow Farm.

“Five Star General is the ideal stallion to begin expanding Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm,” said Dr. Bassaganya-Riera. “Thanks to our partnership with Kenny Alhadeff, we’re thrilled to offer breeders a top-class stallion right here in Virginia. Our unique breeding program has already produced two crops of foals from Snapy Halo (ARG), sired by top southern hemisphere producer Southern Halo. Our breeding programs are designed to maximize performance, speed and stamina of the offspring. We believe that the addition of ‘Ike’ as our leading stallion is a natural choice and excellent complement to our emerging Thoroughbred breeding program.”

“We’ve been thrilled with the success of Five Star General, one of the most special horses our family has had the privilege of owning. We’re looking forward to partnering with Covilar to launch ‘Ike’ as a sire and to bring this accomplished stallion prospect to breeders in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Alhadeff. “The partnership is exceptionally beneficial to our family, to Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm’s plans, and to breeders in the Virginia and mid-Atlantic region. I am elated to be partnering with Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, and his determination to improve the breed is thrilling. What better place than Virginia?”

“Five Star General is what all breeders should be looking for: speed, soundness, exceptional looks and a stallions’ pedigree.  We have great confidence in his ability to pass on those sought-after traits,” said international bloodstock agent Chad Schumer.

Alhadeff said, “I’ve been in Thoroughbred horse racing my entire life.  My grandfather, Joe Gottstein, founded Longacres Racetrack in the Seattle area in 1933. In 1935, he created the Longacres mile with a purse of $10,000, the richest race at the distance at the time. Winning back-to-back Longacres miles with Five Star General is a highlight of my entire career as an owner. I’ve had the privilege of racing over 100 Thoroughbreds, and Five Star General’s continued display of endurance, desire and courage has been breathtaking. His improbable stretch run in the last race before retirement is best described by legendary jockey, Joe Bravo, who said ‘The horse willed it. He’s a warrior.’ When a Thoroughbred runs from ages 2 through 8—winning every year— it tells you something very important about their durability and desire.”

Five Star General ran five years in a row in the historic Longacres Mile, placing all five years and winning the last two years to finish out his racing campaign.

2025 Breeding Season Details and Incentives
Craig Whitlow announced that Five Star General will stand for an introductory fee of $6,000 for the 2025 breeding season. He added, “In the very near future, we will release a very lucrative incentive program specifically designed to benefit breeders in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.” Covilar’s planned incentives will support broodmare owners with proven racing or stakes potential, ensuring access to Five Star General’s exceptional racing bloodlines.

About Five Star General and His Exceptional Bloodlines
Five Star General (Distorted Humor x Party of Interest) is the product of a superior lineage. His sire, Distorted Humor, has produced numerous champions known for their versatility and racing prowess. His dam, Party of Interest, hails from the prestigious Bernardini, a Champion 3-year-old colt and classic winner whose influence extends deeply into the Thoroughbred racing world.

Party of Interest’s strong pedigree includes a lineage tied to notable names like Seeking the Gold and Deputy Minister, known for producing durable and competitive racehorses. Five Star General’s siblings have also showcased talent, further supporting the genetic strength he brings to the breeding program. Party of Interest’s most recent foals have been sired by multiple G1 winning stallions including Charlaton, Gunite and Jack Christopher.

Five Star General has amassed career earnings of $902,202, highlighted by victories in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings and back-to-back wins in the Longacres Mile, demonstrating his resilience and competitive spirit. In 2024 alone, he earned $224,773 and secured a 33%-win rate, with an impressive 72% top-three finish rate across all races. His career-best equibase speed figure of 114, competitive spirit and adaptability underscore his quality as both a racehorse and a top-quality stallion prospect.

Key Details:
Sire: Distorted Humor
Dam: Party of Interest
Career Earnings: $902,202
2024 Earnings: $224,773
Wins: 39 starts with 13 wins, 6 second-place finishes and 9 third-place finishes, including wins at the Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct and Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings, and two Longacres Mile wins.
Top-3 finish rate across all races: 72%
Win Rate: 33%
Equibase Speed Figure: 114
2025 Stud Fee: $6,000

Booking Information
Breeders interested in booking with Five Star General or learning more about Covilar’s’ 2025 incentives are encouraged to contact Covilar LLC at craig@covilar.com or visit www.covilar.com.

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About Covilar LLC

Located in Floyd, Virginia, Covilar was founded by Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera with the goal of creating a premier Thoroughbred breeding and racing program in the Mid-Atlantic region. Recently renovated and meticulously designed, Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm provides a world-class environment for top breeding quality Thoroughbreds. Five Star General is a Kentucky-bred Thoroughbred stallion that exemplifies the vision of Covilar, demonstrating our commitment to offering elite genetics to establish a progeny of race winners and outstanding service to Thoroughbred breeders.

Boston, a Hall of Fame Virginia-bred thoroughbred horse, was feted December 1 at Historic Tuckahoe in Henrico County with a historical highway marker dedication that recognizes his prominence in the racing world.

The marker was recently installed near his foaling location in the county along the westbound lanes of Route 6, at 10400-10402 Patterson Avenue. The dedication ceremony took place inside the original horse stable at Historic Tuckahoe — situated just outside of Richmond about 35 miles from Colonial Downs — which is the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson.  

Boston, a regal chestnut colored horse with a white blaze on his nose, was a grandson of Sir Archy and lived from 1833-1850. He was the most accomplished racehorse in an era when thoroughbred racing was the nation’s most popular sport. 

Bred by Richmond attorney John Wickham and foaled near Historic Tuckahoe, Boston was known for his vicious temperament as well as his speed and endurance. He was trained in the stable of William R. Johnson, known as the “Napoleon of the Turf.” Boston won about 40 of 45 known races between 1836 and 1843 on tracks from Georgia to New York, once in front of a crowd of 70,000. He was an inaugural inductee into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1955.

During his racing career, he was undefeated as a 4- and 5-year-old starting in 15 races. Thirty of Boston’s victories were in four-mile heats and nine were in three-milers. In the era of grueling marathon contests, Boston was in a class of his own. Thirteen of Boston’s starts took place in Virginia including eight in Petersburg –- all of which he won. Post-racing, Boston was the leading sire in 1851, 1852 and 1853 and eventually sired 95 winners of 293 races. Among his noted progeny were Lexington and Lecomte.

Moderators at the dedication ceremony were Sarah Pace, President of the Henrico County Historical Society, and Josh Pons, equine author and co-owner of Country Life Farm in Hartford County, Maryland. Pons bred Fulmineo, winner of the inaugural $125,000 Boston Stakes held July 13 at Colonial Downs. The 3-year-old Bolt d’Oro colt also competed in the September 7 Virginia Derby.  

Special appreciation for Boston’s renewed attention this year — which led to the historical highway marker and inaugural stakes race in his honor — was extended to Becky Francois, sponsor of the highway marker, along with Jennifer Loux of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the Virginia Equine Alliance, Colonial Downs, Virginia Racing Commission, Virginia HBPA and Historic Tuckahoe.