As 2016 winds down, a trio of Virginia-bred horses earned their maiden victories in the past week from different tracks around the country. Jazz Pizzaz, Bourbon and Beer, and Yes I Win all collected their first career wins at Tampa Bay Downs, Laurel and Hawthorne respectively.
Jazz Pizzaz was dominant in her sixth career start, winning a $13,700 maiden claimer at the seven furlong distance. Bred by Lady Olivia at North Cliff LLC and trained by Keith Nations, the Cosa Vera filly raced in third through the first half of her race December 21st in a field of nine, powered to the outside then pulled away to win going away by 11 3/4 lengths. Out of the Horse Greeley mare, Trending Now, Jazz Pizzaz paid $4.80 and was guided by jockey Daniel Centeno.
Bourbon and Beer was the best of 10 horses in a maiden claimer at Laurel December 16th. Photo by Jim McCue.
Owner/breeder Sam English’s 3 year old gelding, Bourbon and Beer, scored his first career triumph December 16th at Laurel Park in an $18,000 maiden claimer. A son of Pioneerof the Nile, the victor wired the field and beat nine others including a pesky Silver Starship, who batted for first throughout and came with a nose. Bourbon and Beer, who is out of the Orientate mare, She’s a Blue Devil, finished the one mile contest in 1:40.24. The Rob Bailes trainee was ridden by Jevian Toledo.
Owner English will also receive a 25% bonus courtesy of the HBPA/VTA Mid-Atlantic incentive program, which rewards owners whose horses win an overnite race at any track in the Mid-Atlantic region (Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania). That bonus program has been extended for all of 2017.
Yes I Win, bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm, beat ten other foes and captured a four length victory December 16th in a $7800 maiden claiming event. The son of Yes It’s True, sent off as the betting choice, earned his fifth straight “in the money” finish and collected his first lifetime win as a 6 year old. He is out of the Tiznow mare, Thor’s Daughter. Yes I Win made three starts in 2013, then did not race again until this year, where he has made a dozen starts.