Monthly Archives: February 2020

Visits To Certified Farms In The Eastern Part Of Virginia

Registered farms and training centers in the Virginia Certified Residency program are located all over the state, in points north, south, east and west.

Donna Mallory is the farm manager at CRE Run Enterprises in Doswell.

The concept of the bonus program is straightforward — any horse that is conceived and foaled outside Virginia but maintains residency in the Commonwealth for a six consecutive month time frame (at a registered farm) prior to December 31 of its two-year-old year, will… Continue reading

Virginia-Sired Mr. Buff Reaches Millionaire Status In Haynesfield Stakes

Congratulations to Virginia-Sired Mr. Buff who reached millionaire status February 22 when he captured his third straight stakes race at Aqueduct. Prior to winning the Haynesfield Stakes, he prevailed in the Jazil and Alex M. Robb Stakes. Mr. Buff is by Friend of Foe, who stands at Smallwood Farm in Crozet. The 6-year-old gelding, a New York-bred owned by Chester and Mary Broman, has earned $1,051,536 from 36 starts. He has 14 wins, six runner-ups and four third place finishes.… Continue reading

Listen To New Season Of “Off To The Races” Radio Show Every Saturday Morning

Off to the Races is back.

The weekly radio show, which airs on the ESPN Richmond (VA) family of stations, and is available everywhere via livestreaming, returned for its 21st season on February 22. Terrestrial stations include 99.5 FM, 102.7 FM, and 950 AM.

The program will air each Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It will also be archived on theracingbiz.com and espnrichmond.com.

“We are excited to bring Off to the Races back for another great season… Continue reading

A Milestone at The Meadow; Secretariat’s Birthday Celebration Set For 3/28

(Doswell, VA) – On March 30, 1970, a legend was born. A fiery red colt named Secretariat took his first breath in a foaling shed at Christopher Chenery’s Meadow Stable in Caroline County, Virginia. In 1973, he left the world breathless with his spectacular and incomparable Triple Crown. Those three track records remain unbroken, and his bloodlines still live on in many of today’s most successful Thoroughbreds.

On March 28, 2020, Secretariat’s birthplace, now known as The Meadow Event Park,… Continue reading

Finite Kicks Away From Champion British Idiom In Rachel Alexandra

Red hot 3-year-old filly Finite is part owned by Virginia Thoroughbred Association Executive Director Debbie Easter. Follow her progress here as the Kentucky Oaks nears!

Ron Winchell, Thomas Reiman, William Dickson and Deborah Easter’s Finite now owns back-to-back victories on the Fair Grounds trail to the Kentucky Oaks, defeating 2019 champion juvenile filly British Idiom (4-5 favorite) by 4 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes. The 3-year-old Munnings filly (5-2 second choice), ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr.… Continue reading

$1,357,730 In Virginia-Certified Bonus Earnings Distributed In 2019

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s Residency program hit a new gear in 2019 as $1,357,730 in bonus monies were distributed from 338 victories at tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region. 156 different owners, who had a horse spend at least six months at a registered farm in the Commonwealth prior to December 31st of their two-year-old year, shared in the monies.

Hero’s Man won his fifth start of 2019 December 18 at Charles Town. Photo by Coady Photography.

Top bonus earnings owner… Continue reading

Renovations At Middleburg Training Center Near The Finish Line

If you haven’t been to the Middleburg Training Center in recent times, you may not recognize it today — in a good way!

The 149 acre facility in Loudoun County is nearing the finish line of a multi-million dollar upgrade courtesy of owner Chuck Kuhn, a Purcelville, Virginia businessman who purchased the property in 2017. The 7/8ths mile track was fitted with a new Duralock race rail and all barns have received or are receiving a facelift. Chuck’s son Steve… Continue reading

$712,500 in Virginia Breeders Fund Award Monies Distributed In 2019

A total of $712,500 in bonus awards were paid out in 2019 to Virginia breeders courtesy of the Virginia Breeders Fund. A total of 45 different breeders shared in the prize pool which came from 165 state-bred winners who amassed purse earnings of $3,298,412.

The Virginia Breeders fund is generated by 1% of every dollar wagered on live racing and via OTBs and ADW in Virginia. Each year the Virginia Racing Commission approves how the money in the fund is… Continue reading

Tickets Now on Sale for Colonial Downs Meet That Begins July 23

Colonial Downs Expands Schedule to Run 18 Race Dates in 2020; Tickets Now on Sale for Meet Beginning July 23
General Admission Remains Free

NEW KENT, Va. (February 3, 2020) – Live racing returns to Colonial Downs in New Kent County in July and August with premium tickets going on sale today. General admission and parking are free. The best thoroughbred horses from around the country will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from July 23 through August 29. Premium… Continue reading