VIRGINIANS AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY
While Kentucky is the clear winner with the most Kentucky Derby winners produced (101) to date, the Commonwealth of Virginia, which produces many fewer foals annually (10,400 for KY and only 380 for VA in 2006 when this year’s Derby horses were born), is third on the list.
Four Derby winners have been born in Virginia, and only Florida with six homegrown Derby winners has a better record. But, other Virginians have been to the winners circle at Churchill Downs… Continue reading
QUALITY ROAD UPDATE
From Chris Baker, farm manager of Edward P. Evans’ Spring Hill Farm:
Most of the soreness has come out of the foot. It may be patched over the weekend. He will probably walk or tackwalk under the shed until then. Until we get him right and can get back in a pattern of consistent training discussion of future races would be pure conjecture.
(Photo: Foaling barn at Spring Hill)
ELEVEN ENTERED IN 84th VA GOLD CUP
Eleven timber steeplechase horses have been entered in Saturday’s 84th running of the $75,000 Virginia Gold Cup.
The two previous winners – Virginia-bred Salmo in 2007 (pictured) and Bubble Economy in 2008 – will face-off against nine “wanna-bes” tackling the four mile course that features 23 timber fences.
One of the contenders looking to grab the cash and the Gold Cup trophy is Seeyouattheevent who won the International Gold Cup over the same Great Meadow course in October of 2007.… Continue reading
PICTURE OF THE DAY
LUCKY OR UNLUCKY? David Lanzman, who is part owner of Kentucky Derby entrant I Want Revenge, hangs the silks in gate No. 13 during the post-position draw for the Ketucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
A QUALITY DECISION
Jeremy Plonk over at ESPN.com is saying what a lot people are thinking about the withdrawal of Quality Road from the Kentucky Derby…
“A catastrophe involving Quality Road would have been insurmountable for the horse racing industry, Churchill Downs and every single fan amongst us who loves this game. It simply was a risk not worth taking, and believe you me, there are owners and trainers out there who would not have shown the discretion exhibited by Evans and Jerkens.”… Continue reading
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
QUALITY ROAD: The news of Quality Road’s foot problem and withdrawal from the 135th Kentucky Derby is profoundly disappointing. Disappointing to everyone involved from owner, trainer, exercise rider and groom in New York down to everyone at Spring Hill Farm down in Casanova. My guess is even the dogs that hang out in the Spring Hill office were bummed out.
Yes, it’s horse racing and these things happen, but everyone involved had such high hopes for the horse, the farm… Continue reading
VIRGINIA-BRED RACE WINNERS
Blackjack N Beers (c, 3yo), Stormin Fever – Promising Affair by Colonial Affair. B – Edward P. Evans. Los Alamitos, 4 /24/2009, mdn clmg, winner’s share of purse: $2,805, 4.5 f, 0:51.93. ($1,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep)
Calm Bay (f, 3yo), Stormy Atlantic – Falling Leaves by Deputy Minister. B – Lazy Lane Farms, Inc. Pimlico, 4 /25/2009, mdn sp wgt, winner’s share of purse: $13,680, 8 f, 1:41.83.
Cat Moves (f, 3yo), Tale Of The Cat – Dance Move by… Continue reading
VIRGINIA TRAINER VALENTINE WINS MARYLAND HUNT CUP
Eight horses started the 113th Maryland Hunt Cup on Saturday. Two of them finished. One by one, the 22 menacing fences picked off mounts and jockeys, most of whom had ridden the race before.
In the end, though, it was a couple of Hunt Cup rookies who fought it out as Michele Marieschi, with George Hundt Jr. aboard, defeated Rosbrian by 4 1/2 lengths on an unseasonably hot afternoon in Glyndon. The victory by Michele Marieschi meant that the Hunt… Continue reading
BLUE RIDGE FARM PARTNER CARY T. GRAYSON, JR.
Cary T. Grayson Jr., 89, died March 15, 2009, on Sanibel Island, Fla., where he was wintering.
Grayson, and his family, operated Blue Ridge Farm in Upperville which served as one of the leading stallion stations and nurseries in the Commonwealth for over 30 years.
He was born March 21, 1919, in Washington, D.C., the son of Alice Gertrude Gordon and Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson.He graduated in 1937 from St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., where he won the… Continue reading
