Charles Town has played host to several recent Virginia-bred triumphs, including Mitchell County’s first career win April 1st, Really Boppin’s gate-to-wire effort March 26th and Tomahawk Talk’s come from behind trip on April 2nd.
Mitchell County, sent off at 12-1, pulled an upset in his first lifetime start last weekend. The 3 year old son of Tactical Cat dueled initially with Blogosphere and the two bumped near the halfway point of the 4 1/2 furlong claiming race. After the incident, Mitchell County gained control of the front and earned a 1 1/2 length victory in :53.51. Out of the A.P. Jet mare, Bella Principessa, the winner was bred and is owned by new VTA board member Doug Daniels.
Really Boppin earned his first win since last May by defeating six other challengers in a 4 1/2 furlong claiming sprint for horses three years old and up. The 5 year old Bop gelding went two wide initially down the backstretch, cleared just before the quarter mark and held safely under a steady drive from jockey Luis Batista. Bred by Jackie Hinson and owned by the Vermont Farm, the victor beat Priceless Dancer in :53.09, paid $9.00 and earned the winners share of a $10,000 purse. Really Boppin is out of the Waquoit mare, Key Reality.
Tomahawk Talk was a 22-1 long shot in her 1 1/16th miles claiming event for fillies and mares. She battled seven other entrants and settled off the pace inside, made a three wide move in the turn and was positioned third at the top of the stretch. The 8 year old daughter of Oratory passed the frontrunners and held on to beat runner-up Dynamonds Forever by one length in 1:51.61. Bred by Terry Allen Corbin, the durable Tomahawk Talk was making her 50th career start. She is out of the Rubiano mare, See Me Strut.