It may only be January, but we are thinking spring! The Virginia Point-to-Point racing season schedule is available now at centralentryoffice.com as is the list of National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned meets that will be held in the Commonwealth.

Curve of Stones with Barry Foley won the 2020 International Gold Cup. Photo by Douglas Lees.

The season kicks off Saturday March 6 with the Rappahannock Hunt and continues with events every weekend through the end of April. Respective Point-to-Point meets include the Warrenton Hunt (March 13), Piedmont Fox Hounds (March 20), Orange County Hounds (March 28), Old Dominion Hounds (April 3), Blue Ridge Hunt (April 11), Loudoun Hunt (April 18) and Middleburg Hunt (April 25) Point-to-Points.

Menacing Dennis (ridden by Shane Crimin) and Feisty (ridden by Jacob Roberts) compete in the Orange County Point-to-Point’s Open Hurdle in 2019. Photo by Douglas Lees.

The NSA sanctioned meets include the Middleburg Spring Races (April 17), Foxfield Spring Races(April 24 in Charlottesville), Virginia Gold Cup Races (May 1), Foxfield Fall Races (September 26), Virginia Fall Races (October 9 in Middleburg), the International Gold Cup Races (October 23) and the Montpelier Hunt Races (November 6).

The 2020 edition of Montpelier’s Hunt Races was not held due to Covid-19. The 2021 edition is scheduled for November 6.

More info on these meets and the Virginia Equine Alliance’s “Point-to-Points Pay” Starter Rewards program — which returns for a third straight year —  is available at centralentryoffice.com.

The VEA’s popular Starter Rewards program returns for a third straight year.

Thoroughbred race dates at Colonial Downs in New Kent are set for 2021. A seven week meet will run from July 19 – September 1 with racing every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday — a total of 21 days. More details are at colonialdowns.com.

The 2021 season in New Kent will run from July 19 – September 1.

Harness racing dates at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock still need to be confirmed but a 14-day season is expected — four more  than in the 2020 campaign. A four day harness meet will also take place during the Shenandoah County Fair on September 1 – 4. More details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

Congratulations to Virginia-bred Boldor, who kicked off 2021 with a come from behind win at Delta Downs in the Sam’s Town Stakes January 4. The 5-year-old Munnings gelding won for the fourth time and pushed his career bankroll to $245,197. Bred by Carlos Moore and Gillian Gordon-Moore, Boldor won the 2019 Punch Line Stakes at Colonial Downs. The following piece appeared in The Paulick Report.  

Delta Downs hosted the $60,000 Sam’s Town Stakes on Monday afternoon and it was the Steve Asmussen trainee Boldor who proved best in the five-furlong affair for sprinters. Boldor used a last-to-first move in the homestretch under jockey Joel Dominguez to snare the win.

Virginia-Bred Boldor captured the Sams Town Stakes at Delta Downs January 4. Photo by Coady Photography.

Breaking from post six in a field of eight, Boldor let the speed develop up front as Firecrow, Secular Nation and Shangroyal battled for the lead while setting fractional times of 22.05 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 45.44 for the half. As the field turned for home it was 59-1 longshot Shangroyal who forged a narrow lead and appeared to be home free, but that’s when Boldor kicked it into high gear and mowed down his rivals, reaching the finish line ¾ of a length to the good of Secular Nation who finished second, and Shangroyal who faded to third, another neck behind the top pair.

Boldor, who is owned by Ed Orr and Susie Orr, covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 58.26 seconds.

The win by Boldor marked the fourth of his 13-race career. He earned $36,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $245,197.

Bred in Virginia by Carlos S. E. Moore & Gillian Gordon-Moore, Boldor is a 5-year-old bay horse by Munnings, out of the Siphon mare Senate Caucus.

Sent to the gate at odds of 7-1, Boldor paid $16.20 to win, $7.60 to place and $6.20 to show. Secular Nation was worth $9.40 to place and $6.40 to show. Shangroyal returned $19.20 to show.

Boldor was named a TDN “Rising Star” based off his tight win in a maiden special weight race October 25th, 2018 at Keeneland. Photo by Coady Photography.

Delta Downs continues its race week on Tuesday with another nine-race program starting at 12:55 pm. The featured race is the $60,000 Orleans Stakes going as the eight event on the card.

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.