The first weekend of the National Steeplechase Association fall season was a blockbuster for Leslie Young, who padded her lead in the training standings, while Freddie Procter zoomed into the top three among riders.

With a hat trick at both Shawan Downs in Cockeyesville, Md., and at Foxfield in Charlottesville, Va.,Young has amassed 27 victories with nine meets to go on the calendar. Five of those wins came over hurdles. Last season, Young won her first training title, with 37 wins, and you’d have to go back to the late Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard in 1988 to find a trainer who won more races than that (39). Jack Fisher is currently second in the standings, with 13 wins.

Procter, who rang up 19 victories and 33 top-three finishes in 51 starts in his first year on the circuit, hasn’t ridden as much this year, but he’s made the most of his opportunities. His four weekend victories give him a total of nine in 22 starts, which moves him up to third, three behind Harry Beswick and two behind Graham Watters, and tied with Barry Foley (who is out with an injury).

Here is a recap of the Action at the Foxfield Hunt Races

Eye of Gunfighter wins shootout in maiden claimer

Virginia Korrell, who had a winner on the final race on Saturday at Shawan Downs, picked up where she left off on Sunday, piloting Hickory Made Stables and Celtic Venture Stable’s’ Eye of Gunfighter to a front-running score over eight rivals in a $15,000 maiden claiming hurdle at 2 ⅛ miles.

Sprinting to the lead at the flag drop, the six-year-old Pennsylvania-bred, trained by Larry Smith, led by as much as five lengths and repelled challenges at one time or another from Tom Rice’s Secret Soulmate, Runnymoore Racing’s Codigo, and a late surge by Vivian Rall’s Icandothat, who finished second, under rider/trainer Sean McDermott, beaten two lengths. Louisa Stevens and Achsah O’Donovan’s Greylover (Jamie Bargary) was third.

In his lengthy, 54-race career, Eye of Gunfighter has seesawed between flat and jump racing. This was his first victory over hurdles.

The Hero Next Door makes heroic return

Michael Smith’s The Hero Next Door, a budding star en route to victory when he fell at the final fence in the Green Pastures novice stakes at the Iroquois Races in May, made his first start since his mishap in the second at Foxfield, a training flat race.

Ridden by Mikey Hamill for trainer Leslie Young, The Hero Next Door was content to sit in second in the field of 11 going 1 1/4 miles, as Shannon Hill Farm’s Sliabh Aughty, with Tom Garner, exploded to a huge lead and nursed his advantage until running out of gas near the final turn. At that point, The Hero Next Door snatched the lead and prevailed in a hand ride by 2 ½ lengths over Sonny Via’s late-closing Welshman (Graham Watters). Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Fast Vision was third.

The victory by The Hero Next Door sets the Irish-bred four-year-old up for the fall’s big races to come, notably steeplechasing’s championship day at Far Hills on Oct. 21. The lightly raced gelding had won his first two starts impressively and had a clear lead in the Green Pastures when he fell.

Afraid Not takes $30,000 filly & mare maiden

Bonnie Rye Stable’s Afraid Not, another runner who has alternated between flat and jump racing, defeated nine foes by 3 ¼ lengths in the maiden special weights hurdle for fillies and mares at 2 ⅛ miles.

Breaking alertly under Gerard Galligan, the Julie Gomena-trainee set the pace as Atlantic Friends Racing’s Lacey Underall and Mell Boucher stalked in second. But with two fences to go, the field bunched up and fanned across the course, and it looked like any one of the eight runners had a legitimate shot. Heading to the final fence, Buttonwood Farm’s Lady’s Game (Tom Garner) made her move on the outside, but Afraid Not had plenty left and actually drew off powerfully in the final furlong. Lacey Underall fought back to finish second, with Lady’s Game 4 ½ lengths behind in third.

Newcomer Garrison Forest takes down nine foes in $30,000 maiden hurdle

The third time proved a charm for Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Garrison Forest. The four-year-old Irish-bred, who began his career with two previous unplaced starts over the summer at Colonial Downs, benefitted from those experiences with a come-from-behind victory in the fourth race, another maiden special weights event at 2 1/8 miles.

With Freddie Procter riding for Leslie Young, the Walk in the Park Gelding broke in midpack, rallied on the outside from seventh after the ninth fence to pass the frontrunners, Northwoods Stable’s Look North, with Jamie Bargary, and Gill Johnston’s Active Duty (Tom Garner). Active Duty was tough as nails and dug in, until Garrison Forest drew clear by a length and a half in the final strides. Look North was four lengths behind Active Duty in third.

Arrowheart makes it back-to-back wins with $25,000 handicap score

Starting slowly and waiting patiently to strike, Charlie Fenwick’s Arrowheart took charge after the first mile and didn’t look back, drawing off by nearly 10 lengths in a handicap for horses rated at 110 or less at 2 ¼ miles.

The five-year-old New York-bred Hard Spun Gelding, a veteran of a dozen starts on the NYRA circuit, entered the race off of a layoff of nearly 11 months. In his previous start, he captured a maiden claiming hurdle at the Montpelier Hunt Races.

The win was also the second straight on the card for both trainer Leslie Young and jockey Freddie Procter.

Content to sit in midpack as Ann Jackson’s Left Blank and Elizabeth Scully set the early pace, Arrowheart assumed control with two fences to go, widening his lead with every stride. Buttonwood Farm’s Baltimore Kid, ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, came within striking distance with a quarter mile to go, but faded. After a poor start, Paul and Molly Willis’ New Appointment rallied to finish third under Mell Boucher.

Who’s Counting an easy winner in $35,000 handicap

In a third win on the day for horses who have concurrently competed on the flat and over jumps, South Branch Equine’s Who’s Counting pounced on Genet Racing’s Wicked West after the second to last fence, cut the corner on the far inside and spurted clear to take the finale at Foxfield, a 120 handicap at 2 ¼ miles, by 6 ¾ lengths.

Trained and ridden by Sean McDermott, the five-year-old Maryland-bred won for the first time since consecutive victories at Colonial Downs in 2022, a starter allowance on the flat over turf, and a handicap over fences.

When Wicked West (ridden by Tom Garner) weakened in the late going, Bruton Street-US’ Presence of Mind (Jamie Bargary) launched his bid from sixth at the10th fence and appeared as if he’d be in the thick of things but was unable to gain ground on the winner. William Russell’s Animal Kingston (Graham Watters) was third.

Originally Posted on Ustrotting.com on October 1, 2023, Written by John Berry, For the United States Harness Drivers Club.

Shenandoah, VA – Shenandoah Downs Racing Secretary Dee Lineweaver carded 15 races on their Saturday afternoon (Sept. 30) racing program; 14 pari-mutuel events and one race to find a cure for cancer as quickly as possible.

First, the track played host to the “Pink Power” fundraiser putting the spotlight on breast cancer awareness benefitting the American Cancer Society’s Harrisonburg, VA chapter.

That event featured five of the top female drivers and as medicine looks for a “theorem”—a formula for something that is needed to be proven—the event went to the aptly named “Theorem” (Southwind Frank) wiring the competition for Veronica Merton.

The 5-year-old was perfectly rated as the 1-5 tote-board choice and was never threatened in scoring the 2:01.4 win over Triple T Swinger, handled by Devan Miller, and Tungsten Tim, with Sierra Seidner driving. Stacey McLenaghan and Betsy Brown were next with their respective charges.

After that event, Stacey McLenaghan (fourth in the event) lamented, “The real winner of that race was the American Cancer Society and we just hope our ‘Pink Power’ event can continue to put a dent and find a cure for a very difficult disease. It’s about ‘time’ to find a method of prevention and a cure was found.

“I’m hoping I can win one for our ‘pink power’ ladies in one of the USHDC events coming up.”

For Theorem, it was his fourth win of the year in 13 starts and 12th success lifetime. For Veronica Merton, who has 239 training successes, it was her 27th career driving win.

Theorem is trained by Michael Whitaker for Shantae Gant.

The track then teamed up with the United States Harness Drivers Club to conquer that most important race of the afternoon—a cure for cancer—and representatives from the American Cancer Society were at the track for an initial $1,000 donation presentation.

Racing Secretary Dee Lineweaver was on hand for the festivities, as was Dein Spriggs, president of the USHDC and several Club members for the generous donation.

The amateur racing was, again, outstanding with driver Scott Woogen repeating his feat of last week with yet another driving double.

The good doctor kicked off the festivities by guiding the 10-year-old gelding KJ Erich (Roll With Joe) to an upset victory—$59.40—in the first of four events for the USHDC.

The warhorse overcame a difficult journey from the outside eight post and survived being roughed up early while double-bubbled through an opener in :28.3 and then got into yet another skirmish the final 5/16ths to bully his way to a win measuring a half length in 1:58.

The pacesetter, Hoosier Shark fought valiantly and finished second for John McNeil III while Cruise Control, driven by Adrian Wisher, Jr. finished third.

Woogen also owns KJ Erich while Oscar Johnson, Jr. trains.

Stacey McLenaghan, indeed, fulfilled her hopes in the next amateur event and she meant business from the first stride to the last with the 5-year-old pacer Hulou (Sweet Lou).

Zipping off the wings with alacrity, Hulou had daylight measuring a dozen lengths through an opener in :27.2 and had even more daylight—15 lengths—at the half in :55.1 before coasting the rest of the way to win by 12-1/2 lengths in 1:56.4.

Windemere Frank, with Dein Spriggs in the sulky, came from more than 20 lengths away at the half to get up for second with Cole On The Beach, driven by Kubi Erzene, just another nostril or two back in third.

Rollatown, handled by (Wyatt Long) and Doc’s Papparazzi, with Justin Griffith, were four-five in the mile.

For Houlu, it was win number four of the year with the win—his 13th lifetime—vaulting him over the $100,000 plateau—$102,644—with the success benefitting his faithful to the tune of $7.20.

Hulou is trained by Scott Warnick for Deborah Warnick.

It was McLenaghan’s 37th career driving success to go along with 377 training wins.

Veronica Merton then put an exclamation for the “pink power” gang in the next race with a hard fought win back of Betabcool N (Bettor’s Delight) in 1:58.3

The gutsy 13-year-old mare, trained by Michael Annunziata for the Ettore Annunziata Trust, had “1’s” at every call, got in a heated discussion with Lenda Hand Man, with Wyatt Long in the sulky, and, after an epic stretch duel, prevailed by a neck.

Freak On A Leash, driven by Scott Wooten, was just another neck back in third.

Pacific Stride with John McNeil III was next while Amazing Ponderosa and Stacey McLenaghan teamed up to get the nickel.

For the winner, it was his 51st career victory—37th in North America—and pushed his career earnings to $644,222, of which $522,295 has been earned since arriving from “down under” in 2017. Betabcool N returned $6 to win.

For Veronica Merton, it was her first driving double, although, driving sparsely, she did win two races on consecutive days at Monticello Raceway back in 2003.

In the amateur finale, Woogen, for the second straight week, doubled up guiding the chalk, Moneyorroses (Cougar Hall), to a handy two-length win in 1:57.1.

Out from fourth before the half, Moneyorroses ducked back after finding the garden spot near the third station and then had a :29.2 final panel under his girth at the expense of the pacesetting Anythingforlove A, driven by Adrian Wisher, Jr., for the win.

Hey Siri, with Stacey McLenaghan, was third with Allieverdreamedof and Wyatt Long teaming for fourth and Relentless Dancer, driven by John McNeil III, earning the final check in this septet.

Eric Davis owns and trains Moneyorroses.

It was the first win of the year for Moneyorroses in 33 starts with this success leaving him just a “nose” short of $100,000 in career bounty—$99,374. The winner paid $4.

After the festivities, USHDC President Dein Spriggs lamented, “This is what great goodwill can do or worthy causes and our sport. When we can walk forward with the tracks and race office personnel like Dee (Lineweaver) and so many others, it makes our efforts well worth it.

“Our members donate 100% of their driving earnings to these great causes and, since our inception, that number is over $300,000 and we know that our efforts and participating tracks make a positive difference in many lives.”

Originally posted on nationalsteeplechase.com on September 29

Following a two-year hiatus, fall steeplechasing resumes at historic Charlottesville, Va., for the second straight year on Sunday.

After years of decline, the meet was put on hold in order to reimagine the event. During that time new leadership was put in place, leading to partnerships with charitable organizations, major improvements to the course and grounds, a de-emphasis on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and a commitment to becoming a good neighbor to the community.

This year’s meet will be bigger and better than ever, with six races worth $140,000 on the program, representing a substantial boost over last year’s $95,000 card.

The Foxfield card consists of six races, highlighted by a $35,000 handicap for horses rated at 120 or less. The other races are a $15,000 maiden claiming hurdle; $30,000 maiden hurdle for fillies and mares; $30,000 maiden hurdle for three-year-olds; $25,000 handicap for horses rated at 110 or less; and a training race on the flat at 1 ¼ miles.

Click here for complete entries: Entries

First race post time is 12:30 p.m. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with activities starting at 10 a.m. For a full schedule of the day’s events, food, and vendors, click here: https://www.foxfieldraces.com/schedule/.

If you can’t make it to the races, be sure to watch the live stream, sponsored by Brown Advisory, at www.nationalsteeplechase.com.

Originally Posted on Rosiesgaming.com on 9/25/2023

Grand Opening celebrations included donation of $25,000 to local non-profit organizations.

At a ceremonial outdoor ribbon cutting, Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) announced om Monday that Rosie’s Gaming Emporium (“Rosie’s) is now open in Emporia. Rosie’s, located on West Atlantic Street and convenient to Interstate 95, features 150 slots-like gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a restaurant and bar. At the event, Rosie’s displayed its commitment to the community by donating $25,000 to five (5) local charities: the Family YMCA of Emporia/Greenville, Community Youth Center, Ltd, Emporia Greenville Recreation Association, Communities in Schools of Virginia and H.E.A.R Me Out Inc.

Jack Sours, Vice President of Gaming Operations for CDI, stated, “It is very exciting to be opening the seventh Rosie’s in Virginia. The opening of this Rosie’s adds to our tremendous success in the state and takes us to the Southern border for the first time. The Emporia location builds on our commitment to provide more than one thousand jobs and generate significant tax revenues across the Commonwealth by bringing together gaming enthusiasts and the community to experience an exciting and fun activity.”

Jeremy Callahan, General Manager at the Emporia location, said, “I am so pleased to be part of the expansion of Rosie’s in Virginia. We have built a team that is fully committed to delivering a fun experience and economic development to the Emporia community and we are ready to play!”

Rosie’s in Emporia will be open Sunday – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. It will create more than 100 local jobs and generate approximately $1 million in annual tax revenue for the City of Emporia.

Since opening in Virginia just five years ago, Rosie’s and Colonial Downs have invested more than $400 million in the Commonwealth; created over 1200 new jobs; and now contribute $54 million a year in state and local tax revenue.

Please click on the link below to find a list of the VA Certified yearlings in the Timonium Sale.

https://www.vabred.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Certified-yearlings-at-TImonium.xlsx

The 22^nd annual Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity was held September 5 at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds which again saw solid participation from over twenty different breeders who were competing for $40,000 in awards.

The prize money was distributed that day in each of four classes — VA-Bred/Sired yearling colts/geldings, VA-Bred/Sired yearling fillies, VA-Certified colts/geldings and VA-Certified fillies. Grooms were recognized as well with awards in each division and in the championship class. 

The event was judged by renowned Maryland trainer Brittany Russell, who compared each entrant’s confirmation, quality, substance and suitability to become racehorses. The top two finishers in each of the four classes returned to compete for Futurity Grand Champion and Champion Reserve honors.  

The Grand Champion, winner of the Virginia Certified Fillies class, was a 2022 Un-named bay by Vino Rosso out of Astral Favor by Astrology. She is owned by Timbercreek Farm’s Sara Miller. Reserve Champion honors went to the second-place finisher in the same category —- an Un-named bay by Practical Joke out of Empire Lady by Empire Maker. Also owned by Sara Miller and Timbercreek Farm, and bred by Magic Cap Stables LLC

Finishing third in the Certified Fillies category was Philanthropic 22 by This Time Out (Ann Backer/ Smitten Farm) followed by a 2022 Un-named bay by Holy Boss Out (Charles Clement). Rounding out the class was Un-named bay by Great Notion (Brandon Mackey/ Dark Hollow Farm & John Foster), an Un-named bay by Mo Town (Alfred Smithwick/ Anzac LLC/ Respite Farm &Terlep), Street Expectation by Street Magician (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables), an Un-named bay by Always Dreaming (Alfred Smithwick/ Chc Inc), a 2022 Un-named bay by Speightster (Tommy Fahrney/ Amy H. Daney Bloodstock), Nancy’s Notion by Great Notion (Nancy B. Heil), an Un-named bay by Jimmy Creed (Joan Fontana/ Country Life Farm & Sagamoon LLC), and an Un-named bay by Always Dreaming (Joan Fontana/ Don Alberto Corp)

The Virginia-Bred/Sired Colts & Gelding class winner was Nancie’s Boy by Unified out of Jumpin’ Nancy by Jump Start. Owned and Bred by Quest Realty and Daniel Wukich. Second place finisher was Se Thar Barr by The Factor out of Embarr by Royal Academy. Owned and bred by Susan Cooney. Third was a 2022 Un-named dark bay by Maclean’s Music (R. Larry Johnson). Finishing out the class was Go to Bingo by Holy Boss (Helen H. Masek), Buthespretty by Paynter (Virginia Equine PLLC/ Douglas K. Daniels DVM), Blackthorne Brusca by Summer Front (Quest Realty/ Daniel Wukich), a 2022 Un-named dark bay by Kobe’s Back (Becky Lavin), Darbyfullofblarney by Mr. Prankster (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables LLC), and Into Reality by Tom’s d’Etat (Machmer Hall/ Picturesque Farm)  

 The Virginia-Bred/Sired Fillies class was won by a 2022 Un-named bay by McKinzie out of the Sky Cooper mare by Petionville.  Owned and bred by R. Larry Johnson. Runner-up was a 2022 Un-named Gray or Roan by Cupid, out of Hen House. The Filly is owned and bred by Elise W. Kendall.  Friendly Chase by Friend or Foe was third (Phyliss C Jones). The rest of the class included an Un-named bay by War of Will (Morgan’s Ford Farm), Dame’s Rocket by Karakonite (Althea Richards), a 2022 Un-named Gray or Roan by Frosted (Morgan’s Ford Farm), Sunflower State by Divining Rod (Virginia Equine PLLC/ Douglas K. Daniels, DVM), We’re Just Friends (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables), and Louvar by Golden Years (Bruce B Collette).

In the Virginia-Certified Colt/Gelding class, a 2022 Un-named chestnut by Gormley prevailed over seven others. Owned by Joni Fontana/ Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette and bred by Gmbracstables LLC, the ribbon earner is out of Tell a Secret by British Blue. Runner-up was an Un-named chestnut by Tapiture owned by Sara Miller/Timbercreek Farm and bred by Haymarket Farm LLC. Blessings Bestowed was third (C. Allen Johnson) followed by an Un-named bay by Rowayton (Joni Fontana/Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette). Finishing out the class was an Un-named Chestnut by Gormley (Alfred Smithwick), Wild as Fridaynite by First Mondays (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables LLC), a 2022 Un-named dark bay by Street Boss (Sara Miller/ Timbercreek Farm/ Theta Holding I, Inc), and an Un-named bay by Peace and Justice (Joan Fontana/ Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette).

Shenandoah Downs will open its eighth fall season of pari-mutuel harness racing on Saturday September 16 at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock and continue its 7-week “Harness the Mountain Magic” campaign through October 29. Racing will take place every Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM. The track conducted a 7-week spring meet for the first time earlier this year.

Meet highlight is the 26^th running of the $640,000 (est.) Virginia Breeder’s Championships which will close out the season on Sunday October 29. Two and three-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes will compete in eight divisional title bouts, each worth a minimum $80,000 purse. The “Day of Champions” event has been conducted at Colonial Downs from 1998-2014, at Oak Ridge Racecourse in 2015 and at Shenandoah Downs since.   

Two premium giveaway days are planned. Fans that attend opening day festivities will receive a free T-Shirt commemorating 137 years of harness racing in Woodstock while those that come to the October 21 Armed Forces Day promotion will get a free Shenandoah Downs Camouflage Baseball Cap. 

Small animals will get their moment in the spotlight again this fall. A trio of miniature horse races will complement pari-mutuel action on Sunday October 8 while the popular wiener dog races will return the following Sunday, October 15.

Regional bands like the Skillbilly’s, Seven Bends Band, River’s Edge, Surf Jaguars and Jake Johnson/Chris Howerton duo will perform on select afternoons during the races. A new trackside karoake promotion will make its debut on Saturday September 23.

The track will also host a series of double seater sulky races throughout the fall featuring first responders, war veterans and breast cancer survivors.    

The Shenandoah simulcast signal will be streamed on Dish-TV so fans around the country can wager Virginia races at their favorite track or simulcast outlet, and online via Twinspires, TVG, Xpressbet and NYRAbets. Free Trackmaster past performance programs along with handicapper “Derby Bill Watson’s” Tip Sheet will be available at shenandoahdowns.com.

Parking and admission are always free and the races are family friendly. The track is located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at I-81, Exit 283 in Woodstock, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester. Complete meet details are available at shenandoahdowns.com.

Horsemen should note that entries for each weekend’s race cards are due the Tuesday morning prior. A total of $715,000 in OverNite purse money will be available for the 14-day meet — an average of over $51,000 per day. In addition, $640,000 in purses will be dedicated to Virginia Breeder’s 2 and 3-year-old Championship races, $336,000 to Breeder’s eliminations and $80,000 to aged Breeder’s divisional races. Any questions can be directed to the race office at 540-459-4807 or by e-mail to raceoffice@shenandoahdowns.com.   

The best and brightest horses representing the Virginia breeding and certified program were on display September 2 in Commonwealth Champions Day at Colonial Downs. Five stakes for varying ages and over multiple distances were presented as part of a 10-race card at the New Kent track. Among the top performances were a stakes riding double for jockey Horacio Karamanos and a second stakes win of the meet for Chambeau and Determined Kingdom.

In the first of the day’s stakes events, Reilly McDonald’s Passion Play ($6.20, $2.80 and $2.10) took the lead on the far turn and was relentless in holding off the late challenges from DARRS, Inc.’s Palio and Jeremy Brooks’ Wow Whata Summer to prevail by a neck in the $131,500 Bert Allen Stakes. Horacio Karamanos was aboard the Virginia-bred Mary Eppler-trained son of Hold Me Back who covered the 1-1/16 miles over firm turf in 1:43.67. The win was the sixth in 29 starts for the 7-year-old gelding who earned $90,000 for the effort to boost his lifetime bankroll to $327,497.

“This horse deserved to win,” said Karamanos, who has ridden Passion Play in nine of his last 10 starts including a win in the 2021 edition of this race. “He always tries. His last race (a seventh-place finish) was so tough for him. Today, I just wanted him to break ok and see how the race unfolded. After a couple others went to the front, I sat back a bit and relaxed until the eighth pole. When I asked him, he fired so nicely all the way to the wire.”

O’Sullivan Farms’ Unruly Julie ($30.40, $10 and $5.60) changed tactics and ran to a front-stepping, half-length tally over Naval Empire in the $105,500 Nellie Mae Cox Stakes under jockey Wesley Ho. The Javier Contrerastrained mare ran the 1-1/16 miles in 1:42.25 to score her seventh victory from 36 trips to the post. She added $60,000 to her lifetime earnings which now stand at $225,819.

“She’s been training the best she ever has. She ran in this race last year (finishing second). Coming into this race she’s really been a different horse. Honestly, she took me to the lead,” Ho said when asked about the change in running style. “She was so keen in taking the lead, she pulled me there. I just tried to save as much as I could for the stretch run and she still gave me everything she had. I’d have rather been mid-pack but she had other ideas today.”

D Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock, Inc.’s Determined Kingdom ($3.60, $2.60 and $2.40) improved from a sixth-place finish in the 2022 edition of the Meadow Stable Stakes to notch a wire-to-wire neck victory as the 4-5 favorite in the $130,000 2023 renewal of the 5½-furlong dash. Victor Carrasco rode the gelded son of Animal Kingdom for trainer and co-owner Phil Schoenthal who sprinted the distance in 1:02.08.

“He’s certainly taken a step forward as a 4-year-old,” Schoenthal said. “He’s a lot keener horse. It’s a beautiful thing to have a Virginia-bred who loves the grass at Colonial. We’ll give him a couple of starts in the fall and then turn him out on the farm like we do with all our grass horses. As long he’s doing good we’ll make this a regular stop every year.”

The Meadow Stable was the sixth win in 18 starts for Determined Kingdom, who previously won the Punch Line here in July. The $90,000 winner’s share Saturday elevated his earnings to $442,189.

Bird Mobberly LLC’s Low Mileage ($8.40, $4.60 and $3) rallied along the rail to take command mid-stretch and draw off to a 3¼-length victory in the $125,000 Jamestown Stakes for Virginia-bred/sired 2-year-olds. Jevian Toledo was aboard the John Salzman trainee who recorded his first stakes tally and second win in four starts overall. The daughter of Mineshaft covered the 5½-furlongs in 1:04.22 and earned $75,000 for the score to push her bankroll to $121,500.

Wrapping up the stakes action was the $130,000 Camptown Stakes which was taken by Sam English II’s Chambeau ($4.60, $3 and $2.40) who picked up her third win of the season after capturing the Tyson Gilpin/Glenn Petty Stakes in July and an allowance race last week.

“I wasn’t as confident today as I was last week,” English said. “We only started her (for the first time) as a 5-year-old, and she’s only run eight times in her life. She’s a special horse.”

Lots of excitement, special features, and premier horse racing are on tap for the 20^th running of the New Kent County Virginia Derby on Saturday, September 9. The nation’s top 3-year-old turf horses will compete on the widest turf course in North America. The day will be highlighted by the Grade 3, $500,000 Virginia Derby^® for 3-year-olds ($200,000 more than last year). Other stakes races will include the $250,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks^®, $150,000 Korbel Da Hoss Stakes, $150,000 Biosaphe Colonial Cup, $125,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes, and $125,000 TAA Kitten’s Joy Stakes. A total of more than $1.3 million dollars will be up for grabs on Virginia Derby Day. Post time is 1:30 p.m. 

Plenty of family friendly entertainment will be available on the grounds including pony rides, a petting zoo, strolling entertainment, face painter, juggler/magician & stilt walker. Fans can also enjoy the magnificent bronze Secretariat statue at Colonial Downs on Derby Day along with the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame’s Traveling Exhibit. The exhibit will be open during 4 consecutive days of racing at Colonial Downs starting Wednesday, September 6 and culminating on Derby Day, Saturday, September 9.

“It has been a terrific season for Colonial Downs under the new ownership of Churchill Downs. We are proud of providing a high-level racing product along with added entertainment elements to Virginians this summer.,” said Frank Hopf, senior director of racing operations at Colonial Downs. “We look forward to concluding our successful meet with Virginia Derby Day on September 9^th.”

Additional seating for Derby Day will be available in the banquet room. General admission and parking are free. For more information on 2023 Colonial Downs Racing presented by Woodford Reserve visit www.colonialdowns.com.

Fields for five all-turf stakes — that will showcase Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified horses — are set to go this Saturday (Sept. 2) in the newly named Commonwealth Champions Day program at Colonial Downs. A total of $725,000 in purse money will be up for grabs between the five. Four of the $150,000 stakes — the Camptown, Bert Allen, Meadow Stable and Nellie Mae Cox — are open to horses in the three categories noted while the $125,000 Jamestown is for Virginia-bred/sired 2-year-olds.  

The top three finishers in the 2022 Camptown are among a field of 12 fillies and mares in the 2023 edition which will be contested at 5-1/2 furlongs. Larry Johnson’s Spun Glass won last year’s Camptown and recently was a close second in the Jameela Stakes at Laurel July 1 and The Very One Stakes at Pimlico May 19. The Michael Trombetta trainee has $324,729 in earnings. 

DARRS Inc.’s Rambert finished second to Spun Glass in 2022 and has won two of three since in expanding on a consistent career. The Michael Stidham trainee has three wins and four seconds in eight starts with $145,600 in earnings. Mary Slade’s Island Philo, third in last year’s Camptown, leaves from gate position one in the ninth race rematch. 

The runner-up in last year’s Nellie Mae Cox Stakes and the top three finishers from the current meet’s Brookmeade Stakes are in a field of twelve fillies and mares who will vie 1-1/16^th miles in the Nellie Mae Cox’s sixth race. 

O’Sullivan Farms’ Unruly Julie lost by a nose to Tass in a thrilling 2022 edition. The 7-year-old The Factor mare is conditioned by Javier Contreras and is fresh off a third-place finish in a $90,000 allowance at Colonial August 2. 

Country Life Farm’s Galilei, Susan Moulton’s Tufani and Larry Johnson’s Continentalcongres finished one-two-three in the July 15 Brookmeade. Three-year-old Distorted Humor filly Tufani — betting choice in the stakes —had back-to-back wins leading up to the Brookmeade while Continentalcongres powered home to an eleven length allowance score at Colonial three weeks afterwards. 

Dewberry Thoroughbred’s Princess Theorem enters with the most stakes experience of the dozen. The 5-year-old Nyquist mare chocked up  respective third and fourth place finishes in a pair of G3 stakes earlier this year in the Honey Fox at Gulfstream and the Galorette at Pimlico.  .         

The Bert Allen Stakes attracted six entries including Jeremy Brooks’ Wow Whata Summer who won last year’s G2 Penn Mile Stakes and after, competed in the G3 Virginia Derby where he finished ninth. The 4-year-old Summer Front gelding took fourth in Colonial’s Kitten’s Joy Stakes as a 2-year-old. 

Also in-to-go are a pair of horses that have racked up three wins each at Colonial — DARRS’ Palio and Reilley McDonald’s Passion Play. The former is fresh off a turf allowance win in New Kent August 2 while the latter captured the Allen Stakes in 2021. The Bert Allen, for horses aged three-and-up, will be contested 1-1/16^th miles as the second race.   

A field of seven horses aged three-and-up will battle in the Meadow Stable Stakes sprint including the top two finishers from the 2022 renewal — $570,683 earner Boldor and trainer Madison Meyers’ Grateful Bred. The former is owned by Ed Orr and Susie Orr and has reached the winners circle in two other Virginia-bred stakes — the 2021 and 2019 Punch Line’s. The latter won the Meadow Stable Stakes in 2021 and was a runner-up in last year’s Van Clief.

The Meadow Stable, carded as race seven, is 5-1/2 furlongs.

Capping off the stakes five-pack is the Jamestown which has drawn eight 2-year-olds that include a mix of six fillies and two colts. Of the eight, two have reached the winners circle so far — Bird Mobberley’s Low Mileage and Mary Lightner’s Afterneath. The first, a Mineshaft filly, registered a maiden special weight victory on the dirt May 5 at Laurel while the latter won a maiden claimer over Colonial’s turf August 11. The Jamestown has been programmed as the eighth race.