Four Virginia-bred horses collected an owner’s bonus last week via the HBPA/VTA incentive program, courtesy of wins in the Mid-Atlantic region. Tiz Unbeatable, Jo Pye Weed, Nice Try and Simmstown all connected in their respective outings.
Tiz Unbeatable is a 4 year old Tiz Wonderful colt bred and owned by Sam English II. He earned a 1 1/2 length win last Saturday at Laurel in a $15,000 claiming event. The victor chased the pace early, advanced three wide to bid for the lead exiting the turn, and then drove clear. The Rob Bailes trainee is out of the Johannesburg mare, Xai Xai. Mr. English earned a 25% bonus on top of the purse winnings for the Mid-Atlantic triumph.
Jockey Gilberto Delgado guides Tiz Unbeatable to his second lifetime win January 20th at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.
Joy Pye Weed is a 6 year old mare, but made just her fifth career start January 19th at Charles Town. Bred by the William Backer Revocable Trust, the Liam McVicar trainee broke through and got her first lifetime win in a 4 1/2 furlong maiden claimer. She went gate to wire in the nine horse field, but was just a nose in front at the finish. Owned by the Crookston Castle Stable, Jo Pye Weed is out of Crab Grass by Known Fact.
Joe Pye Weed (inside) held off Slew By The Fool by a nose at the wire January 19th at Charles Town. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.
Nice Try, also bred by the William Backer Revocable Trust, got his first career win at the same track as Jo Pye Weed, at the same distance and for the same $10,000 purse. The 4 year old Giant’s Causeway gelding got away fourth but quickly caught the pacesetter inside and won convincingly by 6 1/2 lengths. The heavy betting choice is out of the Not For Love mare, Blind Date.
Nice Try’s win at Charles Town January 17th gave owners, the Clover Hill Racing LLC, a bonus from the Mid-Atlantic incentive program. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.
Simmstown got his 10th lifetime win and pushed his bankroll to the $266,000 mark by beating eight others at Parx January 17th in a 5 1/2 furlong claiming sprint. The 9 year old Limehouse gelding was actually one of three horses claimed out of the event for $12,500. Bred by the Audley Farms, Simmstown’s victory gave his pre-race owners, the Ho Dee Boy Stable, an owner’s bonus but the new owners — Patrick Sullivan and J.R. Boesen — will get a chance at future bonuses. Simmstown is aging well — he has three wins and a pair of seconds in his last five starts, all at Parx. The streak began November 5th.