Congratulations go out to Explore, who won his third straight race at Mountaineer Park yesterday (Monday) and became the first Virginia-bred to score a third bonus for his owner as part of the new HBPA/VTA incentive program that began July 1st.
Explore rolled to an 11 1/4 length victory at Mountaineer August 10th and secured his second straight owners bonus for the LVR Stable. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.
The 5 year old Stroll gelding (shown here winning the 2nd of his trio on August 10th) was a close second throughout in his $12,000, one mile starter race Monday and at the finish,was a head better. Out of the Giant’s Causeway mare, Elsie Jay, Explore was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone and is owned by the LVR Stable, Inc.
Explore earned his 4th career win July 18th and first owners bonus at Mountaineer. He was sent off as the betting favorite. Photo by Coady Photography.
Ring Knocker earned a 25% bonus as well by capturing a $42,000 claiming race Monday at Saratoga, her third win of 2016. The 4 year old daughter of Birdstone rallied nicely in the seven horse field for trainer Anthony Dutrow. She was sixth until midway through the turn, went four wide and established the lead at the furlong marker. Bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm and owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Ring Knocker won her third start of 2016 and bettered her current year bankroll to $81,320. She is also well traveled – each of her last five starts have come at different track.
Morgan’s Ford Farm also bred Super Bird, another Birdstone offspring who won convincingly Thursday at Penn National. The 3 year old colt raced unhurriedly early in the one mile, $19,000 claiming event, went three wide in the far turn, took over by a head at the top of the stretch and won by 6 1/2 lengths in 1:40.18. Out of the Tiznow mare, Thor’s Daughter, the winner has now earned $28,810 in purse monies in 2016. Owner Robert Lee collected a 25% bonus for the win.
Way Up High collected his first lifetime win Thursday in a $10,000 maiden claiming race at Charles Town. The 4 year old son of Up Periscope stayed close to the leader throughout, racing in second through the head of the stretch. The victor closed the gap in mid-stretch and crossed one-half length over Sovereignty in 1:51.53. Way Up High, who did not race as a 2 or 3 year old, is owned and was bred by the Vermont Farms