It is still two weeks until the Breeders’ Cup Championships but there is plenty of great thoroughbred and harness racing to wager and to view in person this weekend.

On Saturday October 22nd, Belmont Park hosts their annual “Empire Showcase Day”, a series of 8 state-bred stakes with $1.7 million in purse monies up for grabs. Nearby Laurel Park hosts their annual Maryland Million Day, where 9 state-bred stakes are on tap and $1 million in purses on the line. Keeneland continues their prestigious fall meet and the $250,000 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (Gr. 2) for 3 year old fillies highlights Saturday action.

Complete St. wins the 2015 Brookemeade Stakes with all time Virginia leading rider Horacio Karamanos up. Photo by Jim McCue.

The International Gold Cup card at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, takes place Saturday too with 10 pari-mutuel races — 6 steeplechase and 4 flat ones. The setting is spectacular and the crowd will number 30,000-plus. Featured stakes are the $90,000 International Gold Cup Timber Stakes and the $75,000 Zeke Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2). Ticket info is at vagoldcup.com. Great Meadow is located north of Warrenton and is easily accessible.

Between races this Friday and Saturday, 50 Virginia-bred thoroughbred horses will compete in races around the country.  Three will battle in the Maryland Million card at Laurel including Magician’s Vanity (bred by Larry Johnson), Titan Alexander (bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III) and Complete St. (bred by Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud LLC). Check out the  website vabred.org for a recap on all the action.

Titan Alexander will compete in Saturday’s Maryland Million $150,000 Classic Stakes. Photo by Coady Photography

For harness fans, The Meadowlands kicks off their 40th anniversary season with 4 Breeders’ Crown elimination races Friday night and 14 on Saturday! The $6 Million Crown Championships will be contested the following weekend. And on Friday, the fastest standardbred ever — Always B Miki, based on a sizzling 146.0 mile at the Red Mile a couple weeks back — will compete at The Big M in a $25,000 Open Pace in preparation for next week’s “Crown”.

Virginia residents can wager all the action on line at TVG.com, XPressBet.com and TwinSpires.com. Take advantage of the great bonus offers from all three companies this time of year, especially if you are a new customer. With Breeders’ Cup races just around the corner, there are offers galore!

And, the first Off Track Betting Center will open in Richmond in time for the Breeders’ Cup! Check out details at virginiahorseracing.com.

Written by Don Clippinger, from National Steeplechase Association. Saturday’s Gold Cup card features 6 pari-mutuel steeplechase races and 4 pari-mutuel flat ones.  We hope to see many VTA members at Great Meadow!

The Field Stable’s Portrade, a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga Race Course in his most recent start, will meet a high-quality field in Saturday’s $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2), the featured hurdle race of the International Gold Cup.

The Ferguson Memorial, at 2 1/8 miles over National Fences, is one of 10 races on the program at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Va. First post time is noon, and pari-mutuel wagering will be offered on all races.

Trained by Elizabeth Voss, Portrade set all the pace in winning Saratoga’s New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1) on Aug. 25 after a game third in the A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) three weeks earlier. Ross Geraghty will ride the seven-year-old Irish-bred.

Among Portrade’s opponents is Flying Elvis Stable’s Diplomat, winner of last year’s Ferguson Memorial. Trained by Kate Dalton, Diplomat will be making his first start of the year and will be ridden by Bernie Dalton.

Horses race for the wire at Great Meadow. The 2016 International Gold Cup is slated for October 22.

Leading owner Irv Naylor’s Charminster won last spring’s David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) at the Virginia Gold Cup on the same course and comes into the Ferguson from a third in Belmont Park’s Lonesome Glory Handicap (Gr. 1). Trainer Cyril Murphy named Carol-Ann Sloan to ride.

Leading trainer Jack Fisher will saddle Edith Dixon’s Schoodic and Woodslane Farm’s Sharp Numbers. Schoodic was pulled up in the Lonesome Glory, and Sharp Numbers is making his first start since winning an allowance hurdle on the 2015 Virginia Gold Cup card. Sean McDermott rides Schoodic, and Alice Mills will be aboard Sharp Numbers.

Here is the field for the $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2) in post-position order. The number in parentheses at the end of each profile is the horse’s National Steeplechase Association rating.

Diplomat. 2009 b. g., Kitten’s Joy—Waki Affair, by Miswaki. Owner: Flying Elvis Stable. Trainer: Kate Dalton. Jockey: Bernie Dalton. Breeders: Ken and Sarah Ramsey (Ky.) 2015 record: 8-3-0-0, $128,000. Won International Gold Cup’s David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 3) before sixth in Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup (Gr. 1). Claimed from victory in Saratoga optional allowance hurdle on Sept. 2 and finished seventh in New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1). Began 2015 season with half-length victory in $75,000 Carolina Cup for novices. Bred by champion owners-breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey and is a full brother to stakes-placed Kitten Love. (137)

Top Striker. 2009 b. g., Van Nistelrooy—Two’s Cozy, by Cozzene. Owner: Mrs. George M. Sensor. Trainer: Arch Kingsley Jr. Jockey: Paddy Young. Breeder: Sycamore Hall Farm (Md.) 2016 NSA record: 5-0-2-2, $39,700. 2015 record: No starts. Lost a tough decision by a nose in Saratoga Ratings Handicap, then was second in another Spa handicap. Finished second in Fair Hill’s Valentine Memorial Ratings Handicap. Finished third in 2016 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) at Virginia Gold Cup after fourth in Middleburg Spring’s Temple Gwathmey Handicap (Gr. 3). Won 2014 Carolina Cup and AFLAC Supreme Hurdle. (127)

Schoodic. 2010 b. g., Tiznow—Aunt Henny, by Hennessy. Owner: Edith R. Dixon. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Sean McDermott. Breeder: Edith R. Dixon (Ky.) 2016 record: 6-1-2-0, $60,150. 2015 record: 4-0-2-2, $58,000. 2014 record: 6-2-0-1, $67,500. Won Radnor’s 2016 National Hunt Cup (Gr. 3), then was sixth in Saratoga’s A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and fourth in New York Turf Writers Cup (Gr. 1). Eased in Belmont’s Lonesome Glory Handicap. Finished second in 2016 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) and Middleburg Spring Ratings Handicap. (135)

Charminster (Ire). 2006 b. g., Broadway Flyer—Monteleena, by Montelimar. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Jockey: Carol-Ann Sloan. Breeder: Raymond Cahalane (Ire). 2016 record: 4-1-1-1, $75,000. 2015 record: 5-1-0-1, $63,500. 2014 record: 2-0-1-0, $11,700. Charged to 3 3/4-length win in 2016 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) at Virginia Gold Cup, then was second in Radnor’s National Hunt Cup (Gr. 3). Faded to fifth in New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (Gr. 1). Finished third in 2016 Lonesome Glory (Gr. 1). (135)

Balance the Budget. 2009 ch. g., Bellamy Road—Every Day Is Good, by El Corredor. Owner: Stonelea Stable. Trainer: Julie Gomena. Jockey: Mark Watts. Breeder: Liberation Farm & Oratis (Ky.). 2016 record: 4-1-1-0, $51,600. 2015 record: 7-1-1-0, $37,250. 2014 record: 7-1-1-2, $27,000. Kicked off 2016 season with victory in $75,000 Carolina Cup, a novice stakes, then was seventh in Saratoga’s A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1) and sixth in Saratoga handicap. Finished second in Shawan Downs Ratings Handicap. Kicked away powerfully to win Aiken Spring’s 2015 Budweiser Imperial Cup (Gr. 3) by 21 lengths. (120).

Portrade (Ire). 2009 b. g., Trade Fair (GB)—Portorosa, by Irish River (Fr). Owner: The Fields Stable. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Jockey: Ross Geraghty. Breeder: Keene Bloodstock (Ire). 2016 record: 3-1-0-1, $104,300. 2015 record: 2-0-0-0, $2,500. 2014 NSA record: No starts. Won the 2016 New York Turf Writers (Gr. 1) after setting all the pace. Finished third in Saratoga’s A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Gr. 1). Opened 2016 with fifth in Fair Hill’s Valentine Memorial Ratings Handicap. In final 2014 starts in Ireland, won Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Listowel and then was second in a handicap hurdle at Tipperary. (129)

Orchestra Leader. 2009 b. g., Van Nistelrooy—Magic of Life, by Seattle Slew. Owner: S. Bruce Smart Jr. Trainer: Jimmy Day. Jockey: Keri Brion. Breeder: Strategy Bloodstock (Ky.) 2016 NSA record: 7-1-2-0, $30,150. 2015 record: 8-1-5-1, $52,000. 2014 record: 6-1-0-2, $12,500. Won 2016 Foxfield Fall’s featured optional allowance hurdle. Finished second in 2016 Aiken Spring’s Budweiser Imperial Cup optional allowance hurdle and Daniel Van Clief Memorial before being pulled up in High Hope’s optional allowance hurdle. Finished fourth in Monmouth Park Ratings Handicap and fourth in Saratoga handicap. (117)

All the Way Jose. 2010 b. g., Senor Swinger—Maternity Leave, by Northern Baby. Owner: Rodman W. Moorhead III. Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard. Jockey: Willie McCarthy. Breeder: Jonathan Sheppard (Pa.) 2016 NSA record: 2-0-0-0, $5,250. 2015 record: 3-0-0-0, $3,750. 2014 record: 6-3-3-0, $149,700. Finished fifth in David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2) at 2016 Virginia Gold Cup, then fourth in Fair Hill’s Valentine Memorial Ratings Handicap. Clinched 2014 novice championship with Foxbrook Champion Hurdle victory. (134)

Sharp Numbers. 2008 dk. b. or br. g., Johar—Flight Numbers, by Polish Numbers. Owner: Woodslane Farm. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Alice Mills. Breeder: Richard C. Granville (Md.) 2016 record: No starts. 2015 record: 2-1-0-1, $29,500. Making first start since victory in an allowance hurdle at the 2015 Virginia Gold Cup. In only other 2015 start, finished third in a Middleburg Spring optional allowance hurdle.

From National Steeplechase Association website – written by Don Clippinger. Saturday’s Gold Cup card at Great Meadow features 6 pari-mutuel steeplechase races and 4 flat races.

The reigning timber champion and the current leader in the timber standings will square off Saturday in the $90,000 International Gold Cup, the fall’s richest race over post-and-rail fences.

The richest-ever running of the International Gold Cup highlights an action-filled 10-race program that also includes the $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2) over hurdles.

Including also-eligible horses, the International Gold Cup program attracted 120 entries. First post time is noon at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains. Pari-mutuel wagering under supervision of the Virginia Racing Commission will be offered on all races.

Personal Brew leads the 2015 International Gold Cup as the field encounters an obstacle

Two’s Company, owned by Bruton Street-US, is angling to run away with the 2016 timber championship after winning four times, finishing second in his only other start this year, and banking $87,000.

Trainer Jack Fisher named Sean McDermott for a return engagement on Two’s Company. In his most recent start, the Irish-bred pulled away to a dominant victory in the $40,000 National Sporting Library & Museum Cup at the Virginia Fall Races on Oct. 8. He also won the Middleburg Hunt Cup and was second in the Virginia Gold Cup in the spring.

Finishing second in the National Sporting Library was Michael Wharton’s Grinding Speed, who will be shooting for a record fourth win in the International Gold Cup. His win in last year’s International Gold Cup, after a second in the Virginia Fall stakes, assured him the timber title.

Winless so far this season, Alicia Murphy-trained Grinding Speed again will be ridden by Mark Beecher.

Looking to pull an upset of the top two established timber contenders is Donald Reuwer Jr.’s Grand Manan, who scored easy wins in two most recent starts, the Willowdale Steeplechase in May and the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup earlier this month.

Trainer Billy Meister named Darren Nagle for a return ride on the Giant’s Causeway gelding. Grand Manan likes to go out to the lead early and is the probable pacesetter for the International Gold Cup.

Coming into the International Gold Cup from unplaced finishes in the National Sporting Library are Peter and Sarah Jay’s Prime Prospector, who was fifth, and Armata Stables’ Cornhusker, the seventh finisher. Paddy Young rides Prime Prospector for Todd Wyatt, and Murphy named Kieran Norris to ride Cornhusker.

Completing the field is Irv Naylor’s Almarmooq, who was seventh in the My Lady’s Manor and fell in the Maryland Hunt Cup. Gerard Galligan will ride for trainer Kathy Neilson.

Here is the field for the $90,000 International Gold Cup at 3 1/2 miles.

Two’s Company (Ire). 2009 b. g., Soviet Star—Gaye Lady, by Pistolet Bleu (Ire). Owner: Bruton Street-U.S. Trainer Jack Fisher. Jockey: Sean McDermott. Breeders: M. W. and Mrs. M. Doran (Ire). 2016 record: 5-4-1-0, $87,000. 2015 record: 4-1-1-0, $12,600. Opened 2016 with victories in Carolina Cup’s C. P. and Edith Wills DuBose Cup and Middleburg Hunt Cup, then closed for second in Virginia Gold Cup. Won 2016 Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs and Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup.

Grinding Speed. 2006 gr. or ro. g., Grindstone—Cozelia, by Cozzene. Owner: Michael T. Wharton. Trainer: Alicia Murphy. Jockey: Mark Beecher. Breeders: Alan S., Mark T., Mitchell A., and Madeline R. Kline, et al. (Md.) 2016 record: 4-0-1-0, $12,350. 2015 record: 5-3-1-0, $124,550. 2014 record: 5-1-1-2, $46,350. Finished second in 2016 National Sporting Library & Museum Cup at Virginia Fall. Finished sixth in 2016 Virginia Gold Cup and My Lady’s Manor, races he won the previous year, then was fourth in Shawan’s Legacy Chase. Clinched 2015 timber title with stylish victory in International Gold Cup, his third win in richest fall timber race. Also won his second Virginia Gold Cup in 2015.

Prime Prospector. 2008 b. g., Seeking the Gold—Remember Love, by A.P. Indy. Owner: Peter and Sarah Jay. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Jockey: Paddy Young. Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds (Ky.) 2016 record: 3-0-0-0, $3,600. 2015 record: 2-1-0-1, $7,500. Finished fifth in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup. Finished fifth in Willowdale Steeplechase after finishing fifth and placed fourth in the Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial. Won maiden victory over timber at 2015 Willowdale Steeplechase.

Grand Manan. 2009 b. g., Giant’s Causeway—Manoa, by Seeking the Gold. Owner: Donald Reuwer Jr. Trainer: William Meister. Jockey: Darren Nagle. Breeders: Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable (Ky.). 2016 record: 3-2-0-0, $25,950. 2015 record: 3-2-0-0, $31,050. 2014 record: No starts. Finished in dead heat for 2016 Willowdale Steeplechase win after fifth in My Lady’s Manor. Won Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Closed 2015 campaign with runaway victory in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance. In first start in more than two years, won Fair Hill’s Valentine Memorial Novice Timber by seven lengths, then was sixth in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup.

Cornhusker (GB). 2007 b. g., Dynaformer–Nebraska Tornado, by Storm Cat. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Alicia Murphy. Jockey: Kieran Norris. Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (GB). 2016 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2015 record: 4-2-0-0, $66,250. 2014 record: 5-2-1-0, $50,300. Finished last of seven in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup. Ended 2014 and 2015 seasons with second-place finishes in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Finished sixth in 2015 New Jersey Hunt Cup after winning Iroquois’ Mason Houghland Memorial for the second straight year. Won 2015 Middleburg Hunt Cup after sixth-place finish in My Lady’s Manor.

Almarmooq. 2007 dk. b. or br. g., Dynaformer–Tuscoga, by Theatrical (Ire). Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Kathy Neilson. Jockey: Gerard Galligan. Breeder: Stone Farm (Ky.). 2016 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. 2015 record: 4-1-0-0, $23,250. 2014 record: 6-1-3-0, $23,400. Finished seventh in 2016 My Lady’s Manor, then fell in Maryland Hunt Cup. Won 2015 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Finished sixth in Willowdale Steeplechase after late fall in Maryland Hunt Cup. Finished distant fourth in Grand National. Capped busy 2014 fall season with victory in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup’s Arthur O. Choate Jr. timber allowance.

Things are heating up for horseplayers as cooler temperatures roll in and leaves begin to change colors. We’re just three weeks away from the two day Breeders’ Cup Championships at Santa Anita and just one week away from the Maryland Million at Laurel Park. Don’t ignore this weekend though —  Keeneland heads into its second weekend of fall action and the field of their featured Saturday stakes race includes a Virginia-bred!

Queen Caroline won the 2nd race at Pimlico on Preakness Day. Bred by the Morgan’s Ford Farm, the 3 year old filly was ridden by John Velazquez. Photo by Jim McCue.

Queen Caroline, winner of three consecutive stakes and four races overall, is entered in the Grade I, $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, scheduled for 5:30 PM as the 9th race on the card. Owner Amy Moore’s 3 year old Blame filly will face 8 other challengers in the 9 furlong stakes. Bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm, Queen Caroline broke her maiden May 21st at Pimlico then reeled off wins in the Nellie Mae Cox Stakes at Pimlico June 25th, the TaWee Stakes July 20th at Indiana Grand, and in the Indiana Grand Stakes September 7th. She enters Saturday’s race with $255,130 in earnings this year. The Michael Matz trainee is out of Queens Plaza by Forestry.

Jockey Alex Cintron was atop Queen Caroline in the June 25th Nellie Mae Cox Stakes. Photo by Jim McCue.

Belmont has a pair of $200,000 graded stakes this weekend for freshmen. The Futurity Stakes is Saturday at 2:01 PM (Race 3) and the Matron Stakes, for 2 year old fillies, is Sunday at 2:34 PM (Race 4). Belmont’s other stakes is the $200,000 Pebbles, which features a field of 14 going one mile on the grass at 4:46 PM (Race 8) Saturday.

Woodbine offers a pair of Grade I stakes on Sunday — the $1,000,000 Pattison Canadian International and the $500,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes. The former is for fillies and mares, 3 & up at 10 furlongs, and the latter is for 3 & up at 12 furlongs. Post times are 4:56 PM and 5:40 PM.

Harness fans have lots of action as well to wager on this weekend. The $1,000,000 Yonkers International Trot will be held Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM as the 6th race on the Yonkers card. Their first race begins at 1:10 PM. Both 2 and 3 year old championships of the Ontario and Indiana Sire Stakes will be held at Mohawk and Hoosier respectively Saturday too. Each track will host 8 of those stakes for pacer and trotters of both sexes.

Virginia residents can wager all the action via one of three on line betting partner companies — TVG.com, XPressBet.com and TwinSpires.com. If you are new to racing, be sure to check out those three sites because most have great bonus offers tied into the upcoming Breeders’ Cup that are available to new customers.

Reprinted from Bloodhorse.com. Stellar Wind was named Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year for 2015. She most recently won the Grade I Zenyatta Stakes and now prepares for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She was bred by the Keswick Stables and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, LLC.

Trainer John Sadler has had a deliberate plan for Stellar Wind‘s 2016 campaign, and so far, Hronis Racing’s Curlin   filly has checked off every box.

Ahead, however, is the most important box to check in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) and Stellar Wind put in her first of three planned works for her matchup against fellow champions Beholder and Songbird Oct. 14 with an easy half-mile workout in :48 2/5 at Santa Anita Park.

“It was a nice, easy half,” Sadler said as he watched his chestnut filly move through the paddock after her Friday-morning drill. “Right on her routine. She’s obviously right where she’s supposed to be.”

With the Distaff as the main target all along, Stellar Wind has made steady progress during her 4-year-old season. She began with a strong, ableit nonthreatening, second to Beholder in the Vanity Mile (gr. I) off a more than seven-month layoff, then defeated the three-time champ back-to-back in the Clement L. Hirsch (gr. I) and Zenyatta (gr. I).

Hronis Racing’s Stellar Wind and jockey Victor Espinoza, outside, outleg Beholder (GaryStevens), inside, to win the Grade I, $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes, Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO

“What’s nice is we haven’t had any glitches. Everything is right on plan,” Sadler said. “She hasn’t missed any days, she’s eating great—everything is just super.

“It’s gone exactly like we wanted—unless we could have beat (Beholder) three times,” he added with a laugh. “Everything has gone like we hoped and we’re going into the race with a fresh horse. … I always thought she could be better at 4 and she’s proven me right.”

Under jockey Jose Contreras Friday, Stellar Wind ran the first quarter of her work in :24 1/5, made her way through three furlongs in :36 2/5, and galloped out to five furlongs in 1:02 2/5. Sadler said unlike the other female stars on the West Coast, Stellar Wind doesn’t dazzle in her morning works with fast times, but that’s also how he likes her to train.

Stellar Wind and Victor Espinoza, left, hold off Beholder and Gary Stevens to win the Grade I $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA.
©Benoit Photo

“She’s not an ‘A’ workhorse. She’s like a ‘B-plus’ or a solid ‘B’ if you read those clocker reports,” Sadler said. “That’s just her. She’s like that in her races, too—you’ve got to ride her along. She’ll work fast if I asked her, but I don’t really need to at this point. She likes what she’s doing and we get so time consumed in California about fast works—it’s kind of what we live in.”

As for Stellar Wind’s future, Sadler called her reserved spot in the Keeneland November sale “flight insurance,” in case anything should go awry, and that the current plan is to race her at age 5.

The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) will soon open its first Off Track Betting (OTB) Center in Richmond inside Breakers Sports Grill at 9127 W. Broad Street. The OTB is located in the TJ Maxx Shopping Center between Parham and Gaskins Road.

A soft opening has been planned for as early as the week of October 24th and everything should be geared up in time for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday November 4th and Saturday November 5th from Santa Anita.

The OTB at Breakers will feature a manned and several self betting terminals in a non-smoking side room area that will be shared with pool players, and four self serve betting terminals in the main area where a giant TV wall will feature action from ten different tracks around the country at any one time. The OTB will be open 7 days per week beginning at 12 Noon. Breakers is also a sports bar, so you can enjoy your favorite ball games on many of the other TVs. They also have a full restaurant menu with daily food and drink specials.

The second Richmond based OTB at Ponies ‘n Pints is expected to open later this year

The second OTB to open will be at the former Tiki Bob’s Cantina in Shockoe Bottom at 110 North 18th Street. This new venture will be called “Ponies ‘n Pints” and the building is  5,500 square feet and can accommodate 300 people. There will be 60 craft beers on tap in addition to many amenities listed above at Breakers. Renovations are currently in progress and updates will be posted here.

Stay tuned to this website and to facebook.com/Virginia Horse Racing for the most current updates.

Here’s a recap of recent Virginia-bred wins since the big Commonwealth Stakes Day at Laurel September 24th and of course, Stellar Wind’s victory over Beholder in the Grade I Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita.

Mike Trombetta trainee, Up Hill Battle, was victorious September 29th in a $17,100 claiming race at Penn National. photo by B&D Photography.

A pair of 3 year olds, neither of whom raced as freshmen, finished out September by winning sprint races in the Mid-Atlantic region. Here and There, a Langfuhr gelding, went gate to wire in a $29,000 maiden claimer at Belmont while Up Hill Battle, a Street Magician filly, came from behind to win a $17,000 filly/mare claimer for the Mike Trombetta stable.

Photo

True Cost, bred by Anne Tucker, won a tight half length triumph over Deliver Me at Penn National in a $32,850 claiming event. Photo by B&D Photography.

Here and There, out of Dehere by Stay Here, was bred by Quest Realty and earned his first lifetime victory in a bit of an upset — he paid $18.60 to win. Up Hill Battle was bred by the Johnson Brothers Stable and is out of the Saint Ballado mare, Pennyhill.  She pushed her earnings to $45,225.

Virginia-bred True Cost got to the winner’s circle the prior week at Penn National and gave owner John Tucker the winner’s share of a $32,850 purse. Bred by Anne Tucker, the 6 year old daughter of Aisle won by a half length over Deliver Me in the six furlong test. She has earned $36,935 this year alone and has finished first or second in 7 of her last 8 starts at Penn National.

Start Winning captured her first lifetime win in convincing fashion with a score at Charles Town. Photo by Coady Photography.

Start Winning, a 3 year old Jump Start filly who did not start as a 2 year old, got to the winner’s circle for the first time the same week at Charles Town. Bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, the appropriately named Start Winning beat eight other maidens handily — by 7 1/2 lengths — in the 7 furlong event in 1:29.65. Owner C and B Stables captured the winner’s share of a $10,000 purse. Start Winning is out of the Runaway Groom mare, Ritual Dance.

All horses noted above that won their race in the Mid-Atlantic region, will collect a 25% owners bonus on top of their purse earnings as part of the VTA/HBPA owners bonus initiative that began July 1st.

 

 

Here’s a recap of recent Virginia-bred wins since the big Commonwealth Stakes Day at Laurel September 24th and of course, Stellar Wind’s victory over Beholder in the Grade I Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita.

A trio of recent Virginia-bred winners — Bird Call, What a Wildcat and Alabama Slim — all saw their 2016 bankrolls approach or surpass the $30,000 level.

Bird Call, a 4 year old Birdstone gelding who didn’t race as a 2 or 3 year old, scored a ten length, gate to wire blowout victory in his six furlong claimer at Penn National. Bred by the Lazy Lane Farms, the victor crossed in 1:10.77 and earned his second win of the year from 7 starts. Out of the Secret Hello mare, Silent Greeting, Bird Call now has earned $29,290 this year for owner, the Lawrence Stable, Inc.

Bird Call, bred by the Lazy lane Farms, dominated October 7th at Penn, winning by 10 lengths. photo by B&D Photography.

What a Wildcat didn’t have it as easy, but the 9 year old Wildcat Heir gelding prevailed at Presque Isle in his 60th career start. Outrun early in the 11 horse field, the Larry Johnson bred and owned veteran split rivals in the turn of the 6 1/2 furlong claimer and surged late to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The winner was 8th at the half and crossed in 1:17.17. In 11 starts this year, he has 3 wins and $31,675 in earnings.

Alabama Slim collected his 7th “top three” finish of the year and boosted his earnings to $29,255 by connecting in a claiming race at Churchill Downs. The 4 year old son of Flatter was claimed out of the race for $8,000 by Randy Patterson. The winner, bred by the William Backer Revocable Trust, stayed within striking distance through the half before jockey Robby Albarado directed him three wide in the turn. Out of the Lion Hearted mare, Brief Encounter, Alabama Slim has collected a 1st, 2nd or 3rd in 2016 at five different tracks:  Gulfstream, Indiana Grand, Churchill, Keeneland and Ellis Park.

River Date, bred by Henry Carroll, went inside to score a win by a head over Do Share at Belmont October 2nd. Courtesy of Coglianese Photo.

Virginia-bred River Date made it 2-for-3 this year October 2nd at Belmont when the 4 year old Pioneerof the Nile gelding eeked out a tight inside victory over Do Share in a $34,000 claiming race. The victor took the lead halfway through the seven furlong race and held off a late challenge. Out of the Proud Citizen mare, How Bout Tonight, River Date boosted his ’16 earnings to $46,900. He was claimed out of the race though by Five Racing Thoroughbreds.

Town Leader, bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone, has won 2 at Laurel & 2 at Charles Town this year. Photo by Coady Photography.

Town Leader continued to roll by scoring her 4th win and 10th “in the money” finish of 2016 the day prior in a filly/mare claiming race at Charles Town. The 5 year old daughter of Proud Citizen was dominant in a gate-to-wire performance that saw her carry a 10 length lead halfway through the 1 1/16th miles race. She crossed the wire in 1:49.00, nearly five lengths in front of the runner-up. Town Leader was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone and is owned by Michael Miller, Out of the Theatrical mare, Theme, the winner has earned $40,037 this year from 11 starts. of a $10,000 purse. Start Winning is out of the Runaway Groom mare, Ritual Dance.

All horses noted above that won their race in the Mid-Atlantic region, will collect a 25% owners bonus on top of their purse earnings as part of the VTA/HBPA owners bonus initiative that began July 1st.

 

 

(WOODSTOCK, VA — 10/4/2016) —- The inaugural five week harness racing season at Shenandoah Downs will come to an end this coming weekend (October 8 & 9) with programs scheduled Saturday and Sunday along with a slate of added value events.

Saturday is “Seafest” Day, where three popular seafood vendors will be on the grounds and situated outside the main grandstand selling their fare. Pro Shuckers from Annapolis, Maryland will have oysters prepared three ways, along with fried shrimp. Po’ Greens LLC from Strasburg specializes in fish dinners, crab cakes and pulled Q while Cuz & ’em Seafood from Harrisonburg will offer shrimp, crab cakes and soft shell crabs.

Admission is $5 to “Seafest”, and kids 12 and under are free. As part of closing weekend festivities, the Virginia Harness Horsemen’s Association (VHHA) will be giving the first 1,000 fans (18 & older) a free $5 betting voucher both Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s a way that we can say thank you to the fans for their support,” said Dr. Scott Woogen, VHHA President and an active harness horse owner and driver. “The crowds have been very enthusiastic over the past month, and all the participants recognize and appreciate that. We hope to end the meet on a strong note to build momentum for the future.”

Sunday, closing day, will feature free admission and a Shenandoah Downs souvenir baseball cap giveaway to the first 200 fans. The first 1,000 patrons will also receive that free $5 betting voucher.

Gates open at 11 AM both days and races begin at 1 PM. Shenandoah Downs is located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock off I-81 at Exit 283, halfway between Winchester and Harrisonburg. For mlore details, visit www.shenandoahdowns.com. A list of the horses entered this weekend will be available at www.virginiahorseracing.com later in the week.