Yearly Archives: 2021

First Lady of Virginia Praises ‘Vision’ of Horse Therapy Center

Blue Mountain Therapy co-founder Clint Waddell introduces members of his staff to Virginia first lady Pamela Northam before touring the new location. Northam was visiting students and child care providers in Southwest Virginia.
  • David Crigger | Bristol Herald Courier
Blue Mountain Therapy co-founder Clint Waddell gives Virginia first lady Pamela Northam a tour of their new location in the former Dixie Pottery retail location. Pictured, Northam looks over a fly fishing boat used by the therapy group. Northam was visiting students and child care providers in Southwest Virginia.

The following appeared in the Bristol Herald Courier.

Joe Tennis

ABINGDON, Va. — Virginia first lady Pamela Northam on Wednesday praised the innovation of the staff at Blue Mountain Therapy in Abingdon, especially their plans to use horses to communicate with children who have special needs.

The recently relocated therapy center now occupies the former Dixie Pottery building along Lee Highway, just off Interstate 81’s Exit 13.

Earlier this summer, it was granted a special-exception permit from the Washington County Board of Supervisors to host horses on the property for equine therapy — a concept Northam, a former therapist, says she relishes.

“I’m very excited about that. I grew up riding horses in central Texas. And I know what working with animals like that can mean to your average young person,” Northam said. “But also those with special needs, we’ve seen tremendous gains in therapy.”

She added that she considers horses “a wonderful tool” that can be used “to really engage students who have communication disorders.”

Northam is slated to continue touring schools and facilities Thursday with stops at Grundy and Richlands.

“It’s good to see all the efforts that the people are putting into early childhood education, especially,” Northam said. “If we can get service to children with special needs in early years, we know that they will prosper when they enter into school.

Blue Mountain Therapy helps children with emotional and physical needs, said owner Clint Waddell.

Following a tour of the facility, Northam said, “The vision of the folks here is astounding.”

The United Way of Southwest Virginia coordinated the tour “because we work with all of the publicly funded programs,” said Susan Patrick, the United Way’s director of childhood success.

“We know how valuable the children of Southwest Virginia are,” Patrick said. “We know they are the workforce of tomorrow, the citizens of tomorrow.”

The United Way is interested in supporting Blue Mountain’s efforts, she said.

“Putting our time and energy and resources into places like Blue Mountain as they’re trying to get this service of children off the ground and bring this service of child care to the community is something that we can get behind.”

MATCH Series Retuns to Colonial Downs With Four $100,000 Stakes On Monday, Aug. 23

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AUGUST 18, 2021 – Strong fields have been assembled for the four Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Series (MATCH) Monday, Aug. 23, at Colonial Downs, which returns to the series for the first time since 2001.The Virginia track will host four $100,000 stakes in each MATCH Series division for 2021: the Chesapeake (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt), Seeking the Pearl (Filly and Mare Sprint—Dirt), Victory Gallop (3-Year-Olds and Up Long—Dirt) and Love Sign (Filly and Mare Long—Dirt). First post time for the pari-mutuel program is 1:45 p.m., with a pair of non-wagering steeplechase events beginning at 12:15 p.m.   

Chesapeake Stakes – The six-furlong Chesapeake attracted the top two horses in the division standings by points: WSS Racing and 4 G Racing’s Mucho (13 points) and Hillside Equestrian Meadows’ Laki (12 points).Mucho (above), who has been stabled at Colonial Downs with trainer John Ortiz, won the Challedon Stakes at Pimlico Race Course July 31 to earn his first series victory. Reylu Gutierrez, who was aboard at Pimlico, is named again in the Chesapeake, which will be the 5-year-old Blame horse’s third series start. Laki, trained by Damon Dilodovico, will make his first Colonial Downs start in 36 career outings. Laki, an 8-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Cuba, was second in the Lite the Fuse Stakes at Pimlico and has started in the first three stakes in his division. He will pick up 5 MATCH Series bonus points in the Chesapeake for his fourth start in the series. Regular rider Horacio Karamanos is named. Also entered is Whereshetoldmetogo, who finished third behind Mucho in the Challedon for owners Madaket Stables, Ten Strike Racing, Michael Kisber and BTR Racing (trainer Brittany Russell). The 6-year-old Maryland-bred by El Padrino has won 11 races and also makes his local debut. Sheldon Russell is named to ride.   

 Seeking the Pearl Stakes  – With division leader Chub Wagon (20 points) having opted for a Pennsylvania-bred stakes at Parx Racing on the same day, and Hello Beautiful—second in the standings with 17 points—taking a pass, the seven-furlong Seeking the Pearl offers a chance for Larry Johnson’s Never Enough Time (above) to make up ground. Trained by Mike Trombetta, who also entered Three Diamonds Farm’s Kiss the Girl, Never Enough Time has 5 MATCH Series points after two starts in her division. The 5-year-old Maryland-bred by Munnings is the only entrant with a win at Colonial Downs—in her last start in her first outing locally. Julian Pimentel is named to ride again. Multiple graded stakes winner Frank’s Rockette, owned by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations and trained by Bill Mott, also is entered and appears the probable favorite as the 4-year-old Into Mischief mare approaches the $900,000 mark in earnings on a record of eight wins in 15 starts.   

Victory Gallop Stakes – Hillwood Stables’ Cordmaker, third in the division standings with 8 points after two MATCH Series starts, gets a chance to move up in the standings in the 1 1/16-mile Victory Gallop which, like the Love Sign, is raced around one turn. Regular rider Victor Carrasco is named on Cordmaker (above), a 6-year-old Maryland-bred gelding trained by Rodney Jenkins. He has been first, second or third in 20 of 30 starts and has performed well at the one-turn-mile distance at Laurel Park. Triple V Racing and trainer Ortiz claimed Singapore Flash for $40,000 from an allowance/optional claiming race on the turf at Colonial Downs last time out and entered him in the Victory Gallop. In his last race on the dirt, the 5-year-old Shanghai Bobby gelding cleared his first allowance condition at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana. Gutierrez will ride.  

Love Sign Stakes – Mark Grier’s Sosua, undefeated in three starts for Fair Hill Training Center-based trainer Arnaud Delacour, will attempt to remain perfect in the 1 1/16-mile Love Sign. Hector Diaz Jr., aboard for all three of the 4-year-old Speightstown mare’s victories, will ride again. ABL Stables, Domenic Bossone, Patrick Donnelly, Jacob Schnoor and W. Oberdorf’s Sweet Sami D, with 5 MATCH Series points after two of six division legs, also is entered. Trained by Pat McBurney, the 5-year-old First Samurai mare finished third in Caesar’s Wish Stakes at Pimlico and then won an allowance event at Delaware Park. 

The MATCH Series, the only one of its kind in racing, began May 14 at Pimlico and will wrap up Dec. 26 at Laurel. The 2021 edition features 24 stakes valued at $2.75 million and $282,000 in bonus money. Owners and trainers will compete for $63,000 in divisional bonuses and the overall MATCH Series champion will net $30,000 in bonuses for its owner and trainer. In addition, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association will pay a $3,000 bonus to the breeder of the top points-earning Maryland-bred and $3,000 for the top points-earning Maryland-sired horse. If the top points-earner is both Maryland-bred and -sired, the breeder would get $6,000.

Colonial Downs, which was an original partner when the series debuted in 1997 and participated until it was discontinued in 2001 but returned in 2018, had signed onto the planned 2020 series, which was canceled because of COVID-19. When the regional MATCH partners determined that the full series would be delayed until 2022, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Jockey Club decided to run a Maryland-based series, and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Colonial Downs offered to participate.  For further information, contact Alan Foreman at 410-336-0525; David Richardson at 410-984-2770; or Tom LaMarra at 859-492-8365.

Colonial Downs, Home of the Secretariat Turf Course, Finds More Takers Of Late For Its 1 1/4 Miles Dirt Oval 

When Colonial Downs ushered in thoroughbred racing in 1997, every race during that first meet was held on dirt since the track’s signature Secretariat Turf Course was not yet ready for use.

A year later, Penny Chenery cut a ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the 180-foot wide grass surface and since then, Colonial Downs has been synonymous with turf racing. The track generally hosts 80% of its races over the massive oval which is 1 1/8 miles around at its outermost rail setting. 

Colonial’s dirt track will play host to four $100,000 MATCH Series stakes races on Monday August 23.

Last Wednesday, Colonial completed week five of a seven-week summer race season and at last, the number of dirt races carded has slowly begun to rise. Actually — due to heavy rains early in the week — all the races on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s program were taken off the grass and contested over the 1 1/4 miles dirt track. Eight of those twenty-seven were originally scheduled to be run on dirt.

Carding more races over the somewhat forgotten surface has been a project of Jill Byrne, Colonial’s Vice-President of Racing Operations, and Allison DeLuca, Colonial’s Racing Secretary.

“American racing is a lot of dirt racing and here it always seemed like people forgot that we had a dirt course,” said DeLuca. “We made some good dirt races this year and I’m really happy about it. We have a fabulous dirt course. It was almost criminal that people weren’t using it. This year I feel like we’ve made a dent in it. Trainers and riders have said the dirt track was fantastic and it is. This is my third year at Colonial and over that time, people have said horses come here and they get better going over it.” 

Co-leading trainer Michelle Lovell, based at Colonial for the first time ever, has been impressed with both the turf and dirt ovals. “The dirt track is a really nice surface and it’s been very fair,” she said. “You can win from anywhere — in front, in the middle and from behind. We’ve won a couple races on it and I’ve been pleased with it. It’s been very kind to the horses during training too.”

Trainer Hamilton Smith had two wins entering action last week. All four horses he entered on Tuesday and Wednesday’s card reached the winners circle and he is now tied with Lovell and Ferris Allen atop the trainer standings. The four — Big Rinne, Witty Banter, Peculiarity and McCain — were all slated to run on grass.

Dirt races are popular with Colonial track attendees since action appears directly in front of them.

“I didn’t think about scratching,” Smith said. ” I knew they could run well enough on dirt though I was a little concerned about Peculiarity. I wanted to try her on turf, but that can come later.  I think it’s a great surface. It’s one of the best dirt courses around. Horses get on it real well. I haven’t had horses running down, hitting or cutting themselves over it. It’s a well-maintained course. I’d like to see even more dirt races,” he added. “I have some fillies that like dirt and can’t find races for them anywhere. Everything has gone turf for some reason.” 

When Colonial Downs reopened in 2019 under the ownership of the Colonial Downs Group — after a six-year thoroughbred racing hiatus — jockey Mychel Sanchez brought home the first race winner in that “Racing Revival” season. His Charmn Charlie Ray prevailed by a head on the inner turf course. Last Wednesday, he piloted Black V. K. to victory at seven furlongs on dirt.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Sanchez of the dirt course. “We’ve had all the chances to prove it this week. We’ve had rain all week long, and hard rains too. You can race anywhere on this track right now. It’s in good shape.”

“The safety of both of our track surfaces is paramount and it is important to get such positive feedback from all horsemen about the two tracks, especially under some trying weather conditions,” said Byrne. “Credit the entire track crew, led by Ken Brown, who have done a fantastic job last week.”

Secretariat Colonial Downs Day At The Races Scheduled for Monday August 30

Ticketing is now open for the upcoming Secretariat Day at the Races , Monday August 30 at Colonial Downs racetrack!

Join Kate Tweedy, Leeanne Ladin, Jocelyn Russell and the Secretariat.com team on for all the action taking place at the track in New Kent, Virginia. Big Red fans near and far are invited to join this festive gathering for an exploratory conversation to commemorate Secretariat with his own bronze statue in Virginia, his birth state.

Secretariat’s first statue was unveiled at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The event begins when gates open at 12:45 p.m at the track’s exclusive fourth floor clubhouse Sky Suites overlooking the historic Secretariat Turf Course. A luncheon buffet and cash bar will be available throughout the majority of the day, which also includes a book-signing, silent auction, and an afternoon of live racing with first post at 1:45 p.m.

Kate Tweedy will be a featured speaker at the New Kent event, which features a silent auction of Secretariat memorabilia on both the 30th and 31st.

Please note: Spacing for this event is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No physical tickets are necessary for this event. Upon your arrival at the track, please proceed to the fourth Floor for check-in and wrist-banding. We look forward to seeing you soon!

For those of you who wish to extend your racing fun and enjoy the festivities of the prestigious Virginia Derby on Tuesday the following day, please visit rosiesgaming.com for more information. Note: Out-of-towners can enjoy special Colonial Downs guest rates at the Hampton Inn and DoubleTree hotels near the Richmond airport.

Cavalier Cupid Captures the $100,000 Keswick Stakes; Wins Second Time at Colonial Summer Meet

The race was one of three turf sprint stakes on the card that included the Hickory Tree for 2-year-olds — also Virginia restricted — and the Da Hoss, which was postponed from last Monday due to a thunderstorm.

Cavalier Cupid won a maiden special weight opening day at the meet July 19 and wheeled back Monday, just two weeks later, and ran a similar race with higher stakes on the line. The daughter of Quality Road trailed DARRS Inc.’s Rambert until the top of the stretch when she eased past, then ended up beating the former frontrunner by one length in the 5 1/2-furlong test. It was a nearly identical scenario to her maiden breaking win when she also faced Rambert, who led until the stretch run in that event and finished second.

Cavalier Cupid was best in the Keswick Stakes for Big Lick Farm, based in Charlottesville and Crozet. Coady Photography.

“It was similar race,” said jockey Horacio Karamanos who rode in both victories. “We saw some different fillies in from out of town for the stakes. The filly that was second, she really tried today but my filly was better. When I asked her to give me a kick, they otherwise go with me a little bit, but my filly, she was rolling at the end. I think she can longer too, maybe not now though. She’s fast out of the gate but when you pull her back, she relaxes nice.”

“She just doesn’t do a single thing wrong,” said trainer Sarah Nagle. “She’s just a pleasure to train. If they were all like this, it would be a whole lot easier.  Atter the maiden win, she had five days off in the paddock just rolling around. We didn’t work her during the time between races, just galloped her lightly.”

The winner paid $3.40 and increased her bankroll to $93,080 from three starts.

Bird Mobberley’s Local Motive broke his maiden July 24 on the dirt at Pimlico, then switched surfaces Monday at Colonial and captured the Hickory Tree Stakes by one-half length over Ray M. Pennington III’s Roll Dem Bones at the same 5 1/2-furlong distance.

Local Motive won the Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial August 2. It was one of two Virginia-restricted stakes on the card. Coady Photography.

The Divining Rod colt raced two-wide in the turn in a field of nine, came on strong and took the lead in the final furlong, then crossed one-half length the best in :57.52. J.D. Acosta was up in both starts.

“I’m not so sure he took to the turf as well as it looked,” said trainer John Salzman Jr.. “It was a little bit of an easier race today. I hate having to change courses. I don’t think it’s fair to the horses but we had to try. I almost didn’t run this horse back because it was a quick eight-day turnaround. It’s not my style. But If you skip it, what are you going to do. It worked out for us.”
The winner, now 2-for-2, paid $8.20 and pushed his bankroll to $86,920.

Michelle Lovell and Griffon Farms’ Just Might won his second straight race and sixth overall in the Da Hoss Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2-furlongs. The 5-year-old Justin Phillip gelding sat behind Maribeth Sanford and Lynch Racing LLC’s Francatelli from the start in a five-horse field through the turn when the pair engaged in a stretch duel. Lovell’s colt was best by one-half length in 1:01.77.

“He’s such an energetic horse and was hoping the stake’s cancellation last week didn’t affect him or take anything out of him,” said Lovell.

Just Might (#5 outside) captured the Da Hoss Stakes for trainer Michelle Lovell. Coady Photography.

“He stayed straight and ran a great race,” said winning jockey Colby Hernandez. “The horse in front had a little more speed, so I tracked him. At the eighth pole, I called on him and he ran on home. At the sixteenth pole, he kicked on even harder and stronger. He’s just an honest horse and he tries his heart out every single time.”

With the win, Just Might’s lifetime earnings increased to $460,309. The winner paid $3.40.

Colonial Downs continues its summer season Tuesday August 3 with a 9-race card beginning at 1:45 PM.

Virginia Equine Veterinarian, Owner Dr. Doug Daniels Elected National HBPA President

Horse owner and equine veterinarian Dr. Doug Daniels has been elected president of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents thoroughbred racing owners and trainers through affiliates in a number of states.

Daniels, who was unopposed for the National HBPA presidency, has been vice president of the Virginia HBPA and a member of the National HBPA’s executive committee since 2019. He succeeds Leroy Gessmann, who had been president since 2015. In addition to his own Virginia Equine PLLC veterinary practice, Daniels has and continues to work for the Virginia Racing Commission when needed as a regulatory veterinarian at the commonwealth’s thoroughbred, standardbred and steeplechase race meets.

Jami Poole, president of the Mountaineer HBPA who chaired the nominating committee, said of Daniels: “Having someone with the credentials of Dr. Daniels lead the National HBPA speaks to the commitment of our organization, and should be a message to all that we are leading into the future and we are ‘horsemen helping horsemen.’”

“It’s a pivotal time for the industry in general,” Daniels said. “I feel very fortunate to be involved and to have the opportunity to give back to an industry that’s been good to me personally and professionally. My hope and my goal would be to use my education and my work experience and knowledge of equine medicine to the betterment of the membership.”

He takes over the helm at a time when the National HBPA is challenging in federal court in Texas the legality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The National HBPA long has advocated for enhanced safety regulations, security and tougher sanctions for cheaters but believes policies must be implemented with transparency and input from horsemen’s and veterinary representative groups.

“Because of the pending federal legislation, I feel like this is a good time for the membership to have a veterinarian with a voice to look out for their interests,” Daniels said.

As a horse owner who keeps a couple of racehorses in training as well as a broodmare or two at any time, Daniels said he “all too painfully” knows the concerns facing owners.

“If there is some noise to be made, some massaging or finessing to be done, I plan to be all up in it,” he said of the challenges facing owners and trainers. “Medication policy, worker’s compensation and immigration issues are going to require a lot of continued attention.

“I definitely enjoy what I do for a living, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But I’m looking forward to branching out into this next aspect of my professional career. It’s one I’ve not taken lightly and it’s one I discussed with my family at length before taking this step. I’m excited about it. I’m excited about the people I’ll be working with at the HBPA, in particular with (CEO) Eric Hamelback. We’re so lucky to have him. He makes my position so much easier.”

Daniels grew up in Kansas, his parents raising and racing horses in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. He attended undergraduate and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University, graduating cum laude. Daniels ventured into horse ownership once his vet practice became established. He has raced in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Daniels was elected at the National HBPA’s full board meeting late last week at Prairie Meadows racetrack in Altoona, Iowa, which included the election of all National HBPA Officers. The only change other than the election of president Daniels was that of the National HBPA’s East Region vice president. The East Region affiliates elected Sandee Martin, president of the Pennsylvania HBPA. Re-elected as vice presidents were: Kentucky HBPA president Rick Hiles (Southern Region), Arizona HBPA vice president Lloyd Yother (West Region) and Indiana HBPA president Joe Davis (Central Region). Hiles also remains in the position of first National HBPA vice president. The secretary-treasurer, an appointed position, remains Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the Nebraska HBPA.

Hamelback concluded with saying the overall meeting was positive and productive. He said among the topics discussed at the meeting were fixed-odds wagering on horse racing and the importance of revenue sharing for horse owners, legislative efforts revolving around H2B and H2A visa programs, continued discussions of HISA implementation, and the signature Claiming Crown. Additionally, the NHBPA Full Board recognized and approved an affiliate, the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association. That organization will be returning with its members as an affiliate under the National HBPA.

Jockey Maria Rosana Scaldaferri Wins First Race In America Wednesday at Colonial Downs

Jockey Maria Scaldaferri from Argentina at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ. Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

The 30-year-old rider had been winless in 27 U.S. starts until the ninth on Wednesday when she piloted Leanne Hester’s homebred Tempting Moment to a gate-to-wire effort at odds of 15-1. The 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint attracted a field of thirteen $10,000 claimers who competed for a $25,000 purse.

Hester’s 6-year-old Gone Clubbing gelding led by 1 1/2 lengths early on, carried a five-length cushion into the top of the stretch and crossed three lengths ahead of Fashionable in 1:04.05. The winner paid $32.20 and marked his first win in 12 starts.

The day’s last race matched a jockey with a horse, both of whom were in search of a much-needed victory.

Scaldaferri aboard Tempting Moment July 21. Picture courtesy of Coady Photography.

“I’m so happy,” said an emotional Scaldaferri after the race. “You can’t imagine how happy I am. I’ve put in so much hard work to get to this point. I rode at Gulfstream for three years then at Monmouth for a short time before coming here and didn’t win at either place. I thought it was going to be easier by now. This means so much to me because I got sick so many times last year and only made one start. I had pneumonia at one point, would feel better, get going then get sick again and have to start all over.”

The win came in Scaldaferri’s third start this week at Colonial. She had four starts at Monmouth before arriving in Virginia and only had one in 2020.

“This is my first win ever in America,” she proclaimed again as she walked back into the paddock all smiles. “I’ll be back riding here all season, for sure.”

Tempting Moment’s owner/breeder/trainer Leanne Hester is from Gloucester.

Colonial Downs continues its 7-week season Monday July 26 with nine races beginning at 1:45 PM. Three open stakes will be contested — the $150,000 Buckland, and $100,000 Da Hoss and Andy Guest Stakes.

Colonial Downs Opens Its Racing Season With Record Opening Day Handle

Donna Dennehy, Nick Hahn & Karen Godsey in the paddock on opening day.

“We would like to thank the horsemen, our fans on and off site and our team for starting the meet on the right foot,” said John Marshall, Executive VP Operations for the Colonial Downs Group. “What a delight it was to see 2,500 fans at Colonial Downs on a Monday afternoon with such enthusiasm.  We appreciate our fans for urging a new all-time Colonial Downs all-source handle opening day record.  Looking at today’s card, Colonial Downs has arrived at a whole new level.”

Horacio Karamanos scored three wins on the opening day card including this one atop Passion Play in the Bert Allen Stakes.

Story lines were aplenty in the nine-race program as Colonial’s all-time leading rider Horacio Karamanos reached the winners circle three times including a gate-to-wire victory atop Reiley McDonald’s Passion Play in the 1 1/16th miles Bert Allen Stakes. The 5-year-old Hold Me Back gelding crossed two lengths ahead of Forloveofcountry, who had a four-race win streak snapped. The winner, a Mary Eppler trainee who broke his maiden two years ago in New Kent, pushed his bankroll to $197,947. Betting favorite Chess Chief finished fourth.

“I expected someone else to go to the front, but when my horse broke out of the gate and took the lead, I tried to control the pace and at the half mile mark, knew I had plenty of horse left,” said Karamanos. “I’m so happy to come here and win this much. This is like my home. I broke records here and feel so happy when I’m back at Colonial Downs.

Karamanos also scored aboard Cavalier Cupid and My Sweet Story.

Grateful Bred, jockey Jevian Toldeo and trainer Madison Meyers in the winners circle after capturing the Meadow Stable Stakes.

Gordon Keys’ Grateful Bred’s win in the 5 1/2-furlong Meadow Stable Stakes gave Middleburg, Virginia-based trainer Madison Myers her first stakes win. The 5-year-old Great Notion gelding raced three-wide around the turn, took the lead at the top of the stretch and crossed 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Sky’s Not Falling. He is now 4-for-5 on the turf with earnings of $159,765.

“It’s pretty important and exciting to get my first stakes win,” said Myers. “I can’t thank Mr. Keys enough for giving me a chance with a horse like this. We only have a handful of horses, so for him to leave him with me and let us go down this route is very special. He won a Maryland-bred allowance four weeks and this was the goal, so we worked him once in between.”

Myers added that winning in Virginia made it extra special win. “The horse is Maryland-bred and Virginia-Certified, and we want to support both programs. We moved to Virginia 8 1/2 years ago, bought a house and just had a baby, so we’re pretty settled here now.”

Owners David & Dana Ross and jockey Sheldon Russell discuss Gold For Kitten’s impressive win in a $60,000 allowance. Ross’s Kitten’s Joy filly is now a perfect 4-for-4.

Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s Tasting the Stars earned her third stakes win in the Nellie Mae Cox for Virginia-bred and sired horses with Feargal Lynch in the irons. The John Kimmel trainee was fifth heading into the final turn, launched an inside bid turning for home, and won by 2 1/4 lengths. The 5-year-old Bodemeister mare previously won the Brookmeade at Laurel and Just Jenda Stakes at Monmouth. She is now 5-for-7 with earnings of $204,600.

Robin Petrine & Lisa Cox — both daughters of Nellie Mae Cox — shown in the winners circle after presenting a trophy to the connections of Tasting The Stars in Monday’s Nellie Mae Cox Stakes.

Robin Petrine & Lisa Cox — both daughters of Nellie Mae Cox — shown in the winners circle after presenting a trophy to the connections of Tasting The Stars in Monday’s Nellie Mae Cox Stakes.

Big Lick Farm’s Puppymonkeybaby prevailed in the M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes, her second straight win, and gave trainer Sara Nagle her second win of the day. The lightly raced 3-year-old Hit it a Bomb filly was sent off at 24-1 and was making just her third lifetime start. Winning jockey Jevian Toledo collected his second stakes win — he also guided Grateful Bred to victory. Betting favorite Street Lute, winner of seven dirt stakes, finished sixth in her first effort on grass.
Colonial Downs continues its summer meet with a nine-race card Tuesday at 1:45 PM. The season continues every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday thru September 1.

111 Horses Enter Colonial Downs’ 9-Race Opening Day Card on Monday July 19

Opening day of the third Colonial Downs racing season under ownership of the Colonial Downs Group attracted a full entry box when the draw for Monday’s (July 19) card was conducted Wednesday afternoon.

A total of 111 horses are slated to compete in nine pari-mutuel races, five of which feature 14-horse fields and another with 13. Of the nine, all but one will be contested over the Secretariat Turf Course including four $100,000 stakes. Post time is 1:45 PM. A pair of non-betting steeplechase races will kick off festivities at 12:15 PM prior to the pari-mutuel program.

Colonial Downs will have no attendance or capacity restrictions when the summer race season opens July 19.

The Meadow Stable and M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes, both Virginia-restricted, boast fields of 14 and will run at 5 1/2 furlongs. The stakes are open to Virginia-bred, sired and certified horses.

Lothenbach Stables’ Elusive Mischief, winner of the 2019 Meadow Stable Stakes during Colonial’s “Racing Revival” campaign, looks to make it two straight in the event, which was not run in 2020. The 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding sports a bankroll of $214,409 and will be ridden by Chris Landeros. Ed and Susie Orr’s Boldor is a three-time stakes winner with earnings of $360,517. The 5-year-old Steve Asmussen trainee captured the 2019 Punch Line Stakes for Virginia-breds. Paco Lopez will ride. Louis Ulman & H. Neil Glasser’s Kenny Had a Notion also is a three-time stakes champ and is 4-for-8 lifetime.

Virginia-Certified and Maryland-bred sensation Street Lute headlines the Gilpin field. The 3-year-old Street Magician filly is 8-for-11 with seven stakes wins on her resume. The John Robb trainee, owned by Lucky 7 Stables, has yet to race on turf. She will be ridden by Xavier Perez. 2020 Gilpin winner Virginia Beach will try to defend her title. Country Life Farm’s 4-year-old Twirling Candy filly is conditioned by Michael Trombetta and will have Julian Pimentel up top. A pair of Kentucky-breds — Sally Thomas & Olga Payne’s Momentous Miss and David Ross’s Larimar — are in as well. The former has raced only twice, but had a successful career debut in a maiden special weight at Keeneland last fall. The latter, who broke her maiden last summer in New Kent, invades from Charles Town fresh off back-to-back allowance wins.

Street Lute wins the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship December 5, 2020 at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.

A third Virginia-restricted stakes showcases 5-year-old Into Mischief horse, Chess Chief. The Dallas Stewart trainee has amassed $688,920 in earnings and plans to use the Bert Allen Stakes as a prep for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The Virginia-bred won the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes in March and finished fifth most recently in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill. Jockey Florent Geroux will direct Chess Chief from post five in a field of seven. Troy Johnson, Charles Lo and Jagger Incorporated’s Forloveofcountry brings an impressive four-race win streak into the Allen, though all have come on dirt. The Jamie Ness trainee will be ridden by Jaime Rodriguez.

Chess Chief wins a $46,000 allowance at Fair Grounds to kick off his 2020 campaign. Picture courtesy of Hodges Photography.

The Nellie Mae Cox finishes off the stakes four-pack and is open to Virginia-bred and sired fillies & mares. Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s Tasting The Stars, 4-for-6 lifetime and 2-for-3 on grass, leads the field of 11. The 5-year-old Bodemeister mare started her career with three straight wins in 2019, finished sixth in the Virginia Oaks that year, then raced twice in 2020. Her most recent out was a triumph in the Brookmeade Stakes last October at Laurel. Winchester Place Thoroughbreds’ Urban Fairytale is fresh off a pair of respectable third place finishes in the Lady Canterbury Stakes and a turf allowance at Churchill. Florent Geroux will be in the irons.

“We’re thrilled with the enthusiastic response and support from the horsemen,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs VP of Racing Operations. “The entry box was overflowing for the opener and we look forward to offering full fields for fans to wager. Kudos to Allison DeLuca and her race office staff for doing such a great job.”

The Colonial Downs season will continue through September 1 with racing every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:45 PM. All races during the summer meet will be broadcast on TVG. Highlight of the meet is the $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby (Gr. 3), scheduled for Tuesday August 31.