Monthly Archives: August 2017

John Thomas, Son Of VEA Track Superintendent, Gets First Graded Stakes Win August 30th

The following appeared in The Paulick Report August 30th. Trainer John Thomas is the son of Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) Track Superintendent John Dale Thomas.

Catholic Boy navigated a tough break and late traffic to win the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga on Wednesday, giving Jonathan Thomas his first graded stakes win as trainer. Jockey Manuel Franco kept the colt tucked along the inside rail in mid-pack for much of the 1 1/16-mile contest after being… Continue reading

Virginia-Breds Score Upset Wins & A Graded Stakes Victory In Late August Action

Since Virginia Day at Laurel Park August 5th, action among Virginia-bred horses has produced some upset victories for some and a first ever graded stakes win for another. And, we are less than a month away from the September 30th “Commonwealth Day” card at Laurel which features five $60,000 Virginia-bred restricted stakes and a trio of open graded ones.

Free Union scored his fourth career win on opening day of the 2017 Timonium meet. Photo by… Continue reading

Virginia-Bred Just Call Kenny Earns First Graded Stakes Victory In Monmouth’s Iselin Stales

ABL Stable, Bassone, Cahill & Donnelly’s Just Call Kenny sat comfortably along the backstretch before making his move on the far turn, taking the lead at the top of the stretch and pulling away to a four-length score in the Grade 3 $100,000 Phillip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Just Call Kenny #2 with Eddie Castro riding won the $100,00 Philip H. Iselin Stakes Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey on Saturday August 26, 2017.… Continue reading

Drefong, Co-Bred By Virginia Anthony Warrender, Wins The Grade I Forego Stakes At Saratoga

Champion sprinter Drefong returned to the scene where he wired the field in last year’s Grade 1 Kings Bishop, and repeated that effort against nine others in the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego on Saturday, Travers Day, at Saratoga Race Course.

Drefrong cut through seven furlongs in a final time of 1:21.12. His four-length victory will earned him a trip to California for the Grade 1, $1.5 million TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 4 at Del Mar. 

Sent… Continue reading

Virginia-Breds In Noteworthy Races Saturday August 26th

Virginia-bred Just Call Kenny, winner of over $373,000 in purse monies, will compete in Saturday’s Grade 3 Philip Iselin Stakes at Monmouth. The 6 year old Jump Start horse was third most recently in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes July 30th.

Just Call Kenny, bred by Althea Richards, won by 1 1/4 lengths over Double Whammy April 21st at Laurel. Photo courtesy of Jim McCue.

Out of the Green Dancer mare, Green Jeans, Just Call Kenny was bred by… Continue reading

Valid, A Virginia-Bred Million Dollar Earner, Is Officially Retired

The following article appeared in The Paulick Report on August 22nd. 

On Tuesday, jockey Nik Juarez officially announced the retirement of multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Valid. The 24-year-old Maryland native spent his own money to track down the 7-year-old gelded son of Medaglia d’Oro, and had him shipped back to a farm in Maryland to live out the rest of his days eating grass and occasionally as Juarez’ personal riding horse.

Valid is shown with jockey Nik Juarez.

Valid… Continue reading

Virginia-Bred & Raised Yearlings Attract Interest At Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale

Virginia-Bred & Raised Yearlings Attract Interest At Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale

The Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling sale was held at Saratoga August 7th & 8th and a number of Virginia-breds sold well. An Audley Farms Scat Daddy filly topped the list of Commonwealth-breds at $600,000.

Hip 140 is a Scat Daddy filly that was consigned by Brookdale sales agent for Audley Farm Equine. She sold for $600,000.

A Smitten Farms Violence filly sold for $270,000 along with a… Continue reading

Virginia Horses Test Positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686, www.vdacs.virginia.gov

 

For Immediate Release

August 15, 2017

 

Virginia Horses Test Positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 

 

On Aug. 11, a horse exhibiting neurologic signs was transported to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg from Culpeper. The horse was immediately isolated from the hospital population and has not come into contact with any other patients.

 

On Aug. 12, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’… Continue reading

Four Virginia-Breds Are In Day 2 Of The Saratoga Yearling Sale

Day 2 of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale is (Tuesday) at 6:30 PM with Hips 113-227 available. Four Virginia-breds are on the docket.

Hip 140 is a Scat Daddy filly being consigned by Brookdale sales agent for Audley Farm Equine.

Hip 140 (shown here) is a filly by Scat Daddy out of Bilboquet by Smart Strike.

Hip 161 is an Uncle Mo filly being consigned by the Chilly Bleak Farm.

Hip 161 (shown here) is a filly by Uncle Mo… Continue reading

Fasig Tipton Saratoga Sale Features 5 Virginia-Breds On Monday August 7

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale begins Monday August 7th) at 6:30 PM and Hips 1-112 will be available. Hips 113-127 will be available Tuesday at 6:30 PM.

Virginia-bred Hip 67 is by Hard Spun out of Street Interest by Street Cry.

Five Virginia-bred yearlings are on today’s list. Hip 56 is a colt by Munnings out of Senate Caucus by Siphon. Hip 61 is a filly by Bodemeister out of Snit by Fit To Fight. Hip 67 (shown here)… Continue reading