The regular monthly meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) took place July 29 at the Patrick Henry Building in downtown Richmond. Five key agenda items were addressed and approved: A day of thoroughbred racing at Great Meadow on September 20th along with continuation of owner bonuses (from the Virginia Breeders’ Fund) at that event; a four day harness meet at Nelson County’s Oak Ridge Estate in mid-October; the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) budget; and additional monies… Continue reading →

Virginia-bred made it a hat trick in the Saskatchewan Lotteries Handicap at Marquis Downs on Saturday, lodging a driving victory by the better part of 3 lengths. Owned by Wind Dancer Stable and Bill Meikle, the 3-year-old gelding is by Larry Johnson’s Legacy Farm’s Street Magician and out of the Nureyev mare Dance Gaily. He was adding to a 4-length allowance victory at this same venue and a 2 3/4-length maiden win at Assiniboia last month.

Meanwhile, at Saratoga,… Continue reading →

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s 30^th annual National Awards Dinner will be held Friday, September 11 at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, Ky. The National Awards Dinner honors the achievements of Thoroughbred owners in the four major North American racing regions and breeders in 23 states and Canada. For the tenth time since 2000, the Estate of Edward Evans has been named Breeder of the Year in Virginia: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,… Continue reading →

Loudoun and Fauquier counties are considering conducting a joint study on the feasibility of having an equine quarantine facility at or near Dulles Airport, reports Loudon Business. The facility would act as a port of entry for horses coming to compete Great Meadow in The Plains, Loudoun Supervisor Janet S. Clarke told the publication. The study, if it’s approved, could take up to a year to conduct.

“This would substantially increase the viability of bringing international horses to world-class… Continue reading →

Lazy Lane Farm-bred horses scored a double over the weekend, kicked off with homebred Rapid Rhythm at Pimlico on Friday. The 3-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal won a Laurel Park allowance by a gutsy nose after a fierce duel in the straight. The Susan Cooney trainee broke her maiden in her debut in March, scoring by the better part of 2 lengths at Fairgrounds.

Strong Stipulation, now owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, put in an impressive allowance win at Delaware… Continue reading →

Ruxton Farm’s Virginia stallion Fierce Wind lodged his first winner over the holiday weekend when Nellie Mae Cox and Concepts Unlimited Stable’s Frankin Storm broke his maiden by 1/2 lengths at Laurel. The 2-year-old bred by Susan Minor is out of the Storm Boot mare Stormy Heroine and was making his second start.

A son of Dixie Union, Fierce Wind was a multiple stakes winner for Minor Stables, lodging wins in the Challenger Stakes and the Sam F. Davis… Continue reading →

The Virginia Racing Commission met last week to discuss a number of items that have an impact on future of Virginia racing. Here’s what you need to know:

1. The VHBPA has been approved as the majority horsemen’s representative and the Virginia Equine Alliance has been designated as the industry stakeholder organization.

These were designations provided for under the recent legislative amendments and the Commission approved the groups’ requests yesterday. Both groups have been formally recognized for the next three… Continue reading →