Street Lute and Miss Leslie, a pair of Virginia-Certified horses that scored tight respective stakes victories in the Gin Talking and Anne Arundel County Stakes December 26 at Laurel.
Street Lute went gate-to-wire in her seven-furlong dirt test and held off fast closing Fraudulent by a nose at the wire. The 2-year-old Street Magician filly captured her fifth overall victory this year from six starts. Previously, the Kentucky-bred won the Small Wonder Stakes at Delaware and a pair of stakes at Laurel — the Smart Hale and Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship. Jockey Xavier Perez directed the victory for owner, Lucky 7 Stables. The John Robb trainee has bankrolled $290,220 this year. Street Lute spent her six-month residency at Diana McClure’s DMC Carousel Stable in Berryville.
Street Lute edges Fraudulent for her fifth win of 2020. Photo by Jim McCue.
Maryland-bred Miss Leslie came from 2 1/2 lengths down at the top of the stretch to win the Anne Arundel County Stakes by a head over Buckey’s Charm — her third straight victory. She finished the 1 1/16ths dirt stakes in 1:44.97 and beat six others. The 2-year-old Paynter filly broke her maiden November 13 and followed that with an allowance win December 10, both at Laurel. The Claudio Gonzalez trainee has bankrolled $108,630 this year for owner, BB Horses. Prior to racing, Miss Leslie spent time at Morgans Ford Farm & Warwick Stables in Front Royal.
Miss Leslie beat Buckey’s Charm to win the $100,000 Anne Arundel Stakes. Photo by Jim McCue.
Eight other Virginia-Certified horses reached the winners circle in addition to the two stakes victors. Swirrlie Shirlie connected in gate-to-wire fashion, 2 1/2 lengths the best, on the same Laurel card. The 4-year-old Gemologist filly won her fourth of the year in a $17,595 fillies/mares claimer. Owned by R D B Services and trained by Richard D’Angelo, the Kentucky-bred was making her 38th lifetime start and recorded her 10th victory. She has earned $146,790. Swirrlie Shirlie spent her Virginia residency at Horseshoe Hill Farm in Ashland.
Maryland-bred Gimme’s Goldengirl also found success at Laurel when she captured a $42,273 waiver maiden claimer there December 27. The 4-year-old Algorithms filly was making just her second lifetime start for the M and D Stable.
Swirrlie Shirlie spent her six month Virginia residency at Horseshoe Hill Farm in Ashland. Photo by Jim McCue.
A pair of other Kentucky-breds also reached the winners circle Christmas week. Larimar prevailed in a $19,000 claimer Penn National, the seventh different track she has competed at, from eight lifetime starts. The 3-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection broke into the win column this summer in a $46,000 maiden special weight at Colonial Downs. The winner is owned and bred by David Ross and is trained by Jeremiah O’Dwyer. She spent her pre-racing months at Audley Farm in Berryville.
Farther south, Mozano captured a one mile, 40-yard maiden claiming race handily at Tampa Bay Downs as a heavy betting choice, crossing 5 1/4 lengths in front. The 3-year-old Verrazano gelding took control at three-quarters, opened up by 4 1/2 entering the stretch and added another one length cushion while powering home. Owned by Faron McCubbins, Mozano notched his ninth “in the money” finish of 2020.
Horseshoe Hill Farm is just one of many Certified farms & training centers in the state.
A trio of Pennsylvania-breds got their picture taken at Penn National during holiday week. Red Barn Farms’ Stormy Spell won her second straight in a $14,400 claiming sprint. The 3-year-old Well Spelled filly broke her maiden November 6 at Penn. Lord Winsalot also gained his second win of 2020 in a $19,000 sprint race for owner Tom Coulter. The 3-year-old Alternation gelding spent his Virginia residency at Rose Retreat Farm in Goochland. Expressful Grace prevailed in a maiden claimer December 22 for owner Kendra Rentz-Gustafson. The 4-year-old Bullsbay filly had three runner-up finishes prior to gaining the win.
Finally, Roger Sterling’s Cubic Sound won a claiming race at Mountaineer December 22, his fourth of 2020. The 3-year-old Creative Cause gelding, who has bankrolled $56,725 this year, was raised at Bel Voi Farm in Berryville.
The VTA Certified program rewards horse owners who send their babies to Virginia to spend a minimum six-month residency prior to December 31 of their 2-year-old year. Once they begin racing, owners receive a 25% bonus for wins at tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region. A complete list of Certified farms and program specifics is vabred.org.