Four Virginia-connected horses have headed off to Santa Anita to try their luck at racing’s most prestigious day: Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup. Check out our easy guide to who you should be cheering for this weekend!
Virginia-owned Hardest Core wins the Grade I Arlington Million. Photo courtesy DRF.
Breeders’ Cup Turf, 3:23 PT Saturday
10/1 morning line
9th post position
Virginia connections
Owned by Andrew Bentley stables, selected by Virginian Rusty Carrier.
What’s the story?
Hardest… Continue reading
Posted by Nick Hahn for The Racing Biz, October 24, 2014
Though Colonial Downs surrendered its license at the October 15th Virginia Racing Commission meeting, few believed that the track intended to relinquish its seat at the racing industry table. Colonial’s latest move exhibits that point. A Colonial Downs-affiliated company has filed a “demand for arbitration and statement of claim” with the American Arbitration Association against the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA), VHBPA officials said.… Continue reading
Virginia-trained Demonstrative claimed his third Grade I victory in a row in Saturday’s Grand National at Far Hills. The 7-year-old son of Elusive Quality, owned by Jacqueline Ohrstrom and trained by Richard Valentine, added the $250,000 race to wins in the New York Turf Writers at Saratoga and the Lonesome Glory at Belmont Park. The 3 3/4-length victory makes Demonstrative 2014’s leading earner over fences.
“I love this horse,” Valentine said. “I love my owner. I love my staff.”
The… Continue reading
by Nick Hahn
The Virginia Racing Commission assembled under gray skies Wednesday morning and adjourned in a downpour of uncertainty.
Many arrived at the meeting in downtown Richmond expecting a perhaps final showdown in a dispute between Colonial Downs and Virginia horsemen that’s been much larger than contract negotiating. Their surmise seemed logical when Colonial’s representative strode to the lectern.
Then Colonial Downs’s owner and CEO, Jeffrey… Continue reading
NEW KENT — Colonial Downs owner Jeff Jacobs tearfully announced to the Virginia Racing Commission on Wednesday morning that he will surrender the track’s unlimited pari-mutuel owners and operators licenses Nov. 1, meaning that the track and its Off-Track Betting (OTB) facilities will close for good next month.
Harness racing season concludes at the track Oct. 26.
“I would like to see quality thoroughbred racing thrive… Continue reading
Virginia bred Valid will most likely make his next start in the Breeders Cup Mile after winning the Eight Miles West Stakes Saturday at the old Calder Racecourse, now known as Gulfstream Park West.
A $500,000 Keeneland yearling from the next to last crop of Ned Evan’s homebreds, Valid was purchased by Carolyn Vogel’s Crossed Sabres Farm for $115,000 at last October’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall sale. Valid continues to pay dividends for Vogel with his win Saturday. Since his purchase… Continue reading
Sara Collette’s Wahoo won the Virginia-bred flat race at the Virginia Fall Races on October 4. A homebred, the 6-year-old son of Prized is trained by Neil Morris and took the 1 1/4-mile training flat race by 2 1/4 lengths.
You can check out the full results here. Thanks to photographer Douglas Lees for the exciting photos from the day!
The VHBPA Flat Race winner Sara Collette’s Wahoo drawing away in the stretch. Photo courtesy Lees.
All Together won… Continue reading
Need another reason to enter your Virginia-bred in the International Gold Cup? 100% owners bonuses will be paid to owners of Virginia-breds that earn purses in the following races:
Race 1: The Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle
Race 2: The Steeplethon
Race 4: The Open Flat going seven furlongs
Race 5: The Allowance Timber
Race 6: The Open Flat going one mile and one furlong
Virginia-bred Prima Facie, who dominated in the VTA and VHBA-sponsored flat race on Virginia Gold… Continue reading
Why Not Racing’s Complete Dyno took the Old Dominion Training Flat at Foxfield with style on September 28. The Virginia-bred son of Dynaformer racked up his third lifetime win in the HBPA-sponsored 1 1/14-mile race. Trained by Lilith Boucher, Complete Dyno is “likely prepping for a bigger task at Great Meadow next month,” according to the handicapping team over at Thisishorseracing.com.
Complete Dyno won the Old Dominion Training Flat. Owned by Whynot Racing and… Continue reading
Jeffrey P. Jacobs announced today a closure date of November 1 for Colonial Downs and its statewide OTB system absent the Virginia Racing Commission’s approval of a boutique series of races accompanying a long-term contract with the newly-formed horsemen’s group.
