Yearly Archives: 2023

Longtime Virginia Steeplechase Race Caller Will O’Keefe Passes Away

The Virginia steeplechase community lost a pillar on December 18 as Will O’Keefe, an iconic race caller and chairman of the Virginia Fall Races, passed away at the age of 76. Condolences go out to Will’s family and friends.

The following story appeared in Bloodhorse.com.

The Virginia Fall Race Committee announced Dec. 20 the death of Will O’Keefe, a Virginia Steeplechase Hall of Fame inductee, horseman, fox hunter, and race announcer. O’Keefe, 76, was race director for the Virginia Fall races and is the son of Dr. Frank O’Keefe, who bred 1966 Kentucky Derby winner Kauai King.

“Will assumed his role of race director for the Virginia Fall Races just 10 years ago and he did it all,” the committee said in a statement. “He arrived early, stayed late, worked out the stall assignments, put up the stall cards, conducted the officials’ meeting, called for the vet check, and welcomed owners, trainers, grooms, and spectators to Glenwood Park for a day of racing.

“Then he took his seat behind the microphone. He called the races with a voice that delivered clarity, drama, accuracy, and knowledge, stride for stride. He always said he had the best seat in the house at every race meet and indeed he did. He may have had the best seat, but the Virginia Fall Race Committee certainly had a one-of-a-kind leader and a friend to all.”

O’Keefe announced his last race at Glenwood Park, at his race meet, a timber race, in October 2022.

In an article about O’Keefe written in 2020 by Betsy Burke Parker, O’Keefe estimated he would handle the race calling for around 20 meets that year and figured during his 41 years of race calling had provided the color to more than 5,000 races.

O’Keefe got into race calling when he was the race secretary for the Casanova Hunt Point-to-Point in the late 1970s. When announcer Barney Brittle stepped down in 1978, O’Keefe had to find a replacement and went to his father to handle the calls by promising he would be at his side to help identify horses and provide any details as the race unfolded.

“I realized after that first year, it’d be just as easy to do it myself,” O’Keefe told Parker. He took the microphone full-time in 1980.

O’Keefe said that having grown up going to racetracks along the East Coast with his father, he learned the finer points of a solid race call.

O’Keefe’s race calling perch at Glenwood Park for the Middleburg Fall Races

“There’s a certain rhythm to it,” he told Parker. “I probably have a Southern accent when I talk, but I don’t think I do when I announce. You learn to project your voice.”

O’Keefe was recognized with numerous honors for his contributions to the sport. He was named Point-to-Point Man of the Year (has also served as Virginia Point-to-Point Association secretary, and Virginia Steeplechase Association secretary and president) in 1986; won the VSA’s Francis Thornton Green award in 1990; was inducted in the Virginia Steeplechase Hall of Fame in 2007; was recognized with the Yves Henry Lifetime Achievement Award and was named Loudoun Preservation Society’s preservationist of the year in 2011; and, received the Monk Noland Award for service to the racing community by the Steeplechase Owners and Trainers Association and National Steeplechase Association in 2019.

In 1980, O’Keefe also owned and trained the Virginia Point-to-Point Association champion steeplechase mare Royal Greed.

Instead of flowers, the family would like donations to be made in O’Keefe’s name to the Virginia Fall Races, PO Box 2, Middleburg, Va., 20118. A celebration of life in his honor and memory will be held in the spring.

Longtime HBPA Executive Director Frank Petramalo Set to Retire December 31

Frank Petramalo, longtime Executive Director of the Virginia HBPA, announced he will be retiring at the end of the year. He will be replaced by Glen Berman who served as Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Director and General Counsel from 2009-2016 and most recently, as head of the Florida HBPA.

Petramalo served on Virginia’s HBPA Board from 2001-2005 and took over as Executive Director in his final year. A native of Rochester, New York, he was introduced to racing at a young age betting harness races at nearby Batavia Downs. “Everyone in the neighborhood was crazy about playing races there,” he said. “I remember winning my first daily double on a 5-5 combination that paid $18 and was hooked instantly.”

Executive Director Frank Petramalo posing with Virginia Racing Commision Chair Stephanie Nixon

Petramalo bought his first horse in 1995 from Virginia horsewoman Diana McClure and they turned it into a steeplechaser. McClure acquired the horse from Billy Turner, who was trainer of the legendary Seattle Slew. Petramalo has owned jump horses ever since.        

Highlights from Petramalo’s HBPA stint read like a history of Virginia racing. He played a lead role in many accomplishments and victories. Included in the lengthy list: Ensuring that a percent of a track’s live race signal sales are directed to horsemen, legalizing Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) in Virginia, increasing the number of OTBs that Colonial Downs can operate from six to ten, increasing the percent of ADW handle that goes to the track and horsemen, formation of the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), legislating a source market fee that helps fund the VEA and enabled it to open four OTBs while Colonial Downs was shuttered, and to enact legislation that allows Historical Horse Racing (HHR) in the state — which led to the reopening of Colonial in 2019 and a new era of higher purse levels and quality racing. 

“Virginia racing had always been small on the radar screen,” said Petramalo. “The most we ever raced in New Kent was a 45-day meet in 2008 which took place over nine weeks. The HBPA got involved in some cutting edge and very interesting stuff over the past couple decades though. In 2001, the horsemen had a contract with Colonial and weren’t getting a dime on the sale of the Colonial simulcast signal. They needed horsemen’s approval to race so in 2002, we negotiated a deal and for the first time, horsemen got 50% of host fees.”

“The HBPA got involved in lobbying and was very successful. In cooperation with the track, increasing the amount of OTBs to ten was huge,” he added. “Keep in mind these were the old days and financing purses came from year-round wagering at the OTBs. We worked a partnership agreement with Colonial and from that, set up a matrix to determine the number of live race days each year. We set a daily purse goal of $200,000 a day and based on how much was in the purse account, figured out how many days we could run.” 

Frank Petramalo pictured with his friend, Groom “Motorcycle Steve”

The formation of VEA in 2015 was key to bringing racing back to Virginia. “That was solely Debbie Easter’s idea,” said Petramalo. “We put together a horsemen’s organization after Colonial shut down and moved forward as a non-profit corporation. We developed a four-way partnership and went back to the legislature to propose that the five percent source market fee of wagers that went to Colonial should go to the VEA. It became a direct funding mechanism and has worked out great. The VEA opened up OTBs as a result which was totally unprecedented.” 

Later that year, the VEA ran a harness meet in Nelson County (south of Charlottesville) and in 2016, opened Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock which begins its ninth season of standardbred racing on April 6. In 2017, Larry Lucas, who had been Board Chairman of Youbet.com, met with Petramalo and Stephanie Nixon about his group’s desire to buy Colonial Downs. In order to move forward, they needed to get legislation in place that allowed HHR. He asked the HBPA to support the cause.  

“We worked closely with Larry’s people and lo and behold, legislation was enacted to enable HHR. We negotiated a revenue sharing agreement and the VEA’s four member groups share in the HHR revenue. Nobody expected HHR to be as lucrative as it has turned out to be.”

This year, over $4 billion will be wagered on 2,790 HHR terminals in play at seven Rosie’s Gaming Emporium locations acrosss the state. 

Frank pictured with a Richmond Area 4-H group as he gives them a tour of the Colonial Downs backside

“We started out at purse levels of $200,000 a day and with the HHR revenue sharing agreement, were over $690,000 a day this year. We paid out $18.7 million in purses in 2023 and 75% of that came from HHR revenue. The trajectory is going forward and upwards.”

Petramalo hands the torch off to Berman on January 1 and leaves the industry in an enviable spot. “I think it’s a nice position to be in. Virginia is one of the few states where racing’s future looks pretty good as far as increasing days and purses. Glen should be a perfect fit here. Where else can you have an opportunity to do something positive versus handling damage control.”

There will be challenges to tackle in the near future, mainly in the expansion of gaming. “That is something I never expected,” said Petramalo. “When I came to Virginia you couldn’t shop on Sundays, but things change of course. The state put its foot in the water with HHR followed by sports gambling, fantasy games and casinos. There are currently four casinos being built with a fifth one coming at some point. Legislation is pending to allow grey machines to come back to the extent they will be taxed and regulated. They are a huge competitor for us. We’ll all be keeping our fingers crossed that HHR continues to sustain itself and can compete with other forms of gaming.” 

Petramalo said he will miss working with various Boards to help better the racing business. “I served under two HBPA presidents — Robin Richards and David Ross — and a number of Board members like Donna Dennehy, Jill Gordon-Moore and Susie Chatfield-Taylor who are all very good and very smart people. Same with the other HBPA Board members that have been there for a long time. It’s been a real pleasure to have worked with them. It’s a group of horsemen so you’ll always hear different opinions, but they made working there a lot of fun.”

Asked if he’ll miss being involved in racing on a day-to-day basis, Petramalo admitted that he will. “During the meet, I spend most of my time on the backstretch. The time between 6 and 10 AM on the backside is the most enjoyable part of the racing experience. There are a lot of characters working back there that make the day fun and interesting. There is great satisfaction in being able to help grooms. The people there work seven days a week and the pay is pretty low. We provided medical, dental and optical care for folks back there. Dental care was very important – we spent $45,000 last year in dental bills alone. Satisfaction comes from helping folks who could really benefit,” he added. “They are pleased as punch that you are helping them. They are very nice people. The part I won’t miss though is being away from home in New Kent for three solid months and coming home only on Sundays.”

For Colonial Downs, More of the Same Sounds Good

Virginia Racing Commission December 6, 2023 meeting update written by Nick Hahn (as it appeared in The Racing Biz)-

The summer meet at Colonial Downs in 2024 will look very similar to the one run earlier this year. But what comes next could be pretty interesting.

The Virginia Racing Commission approved December 6 a request by parent company Churchill Downs, Inc. for Colonial Downs to host 27 days of racing beginning July 11 in a three-day, nine-week format. With last summer’s initial Festival of Racing at Colonial Downs that included the Arlington Million (G1), Beverly D (G1) and Secretariat Stakes (G2) setting a single-day Colonial handle record (just shy of $10 million), racing officials chose the status quo, setting August 10 for the renewal.

Also unaltered is the stakes-loaded Virginia Derby Day, which will again be the last day of the 2024 meet on September 7. The meet format remains largely unchanged except that post time for Friday racing has moved to 4:30 pm. Commissioners approved Thursday’s post time for 1:30 pm, but Colonial Downs is considering moving that day’s start time to 4:30 pm, as well. 

Purse levels will reach nearly $700,000 per day under a two-year contract that was approved by the Commission between Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA); it was more than $650,000 daily in 2023. Using $700,000 as a baseline purse level, racing would expand to 40 days in 2025 assuming historical horse racing machines come online at The Rose in Dumfries, expected to house 1,000 terminals. Virginia law mandates one day of live thoroughbred racing for every 100 HHR terminals that come on-line, making the timing of the Dumfries opening sensitive. Currently there are 2790 terminals in Virginia operating with the number expected to rise, if the Dumfries location meets its opening goal, to over 4,000 by the end of next year.

While Churchill Downs is not contractually tied to hosting forty days of racing in 2025, the construction of a new 20-room dormitory on the backstretch by 2025, updates to the irrigation system along the outer rail, and improvements to the turf lighting system are part of the agreement. It was learned during the meeting that Colonial Downs will be looking for new supervision over its highly regarded racecourses, as Harrison Young, Director of Racing Surfaces, will not return in 2024.

Commissioners also approved fourteen days of harness racing from April 6 through May 19 at Shenandoah Downs, the up-and-coming harness venue that has operated racing in a county fair-like atmosphere in Woodstock, Virginia for over a century. “Shenatoga” will host racing on Saturdays and Sundays will first race post time being 1:05 PM.

Commissioners also approved ADW License renewals for TwinSpires, TVG, Xpressbet and NYRAbets. 

Debbie Easter of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association received approval after her presentation to amend Virginia breeder and stallion awards to award bonuses for Virginia-bred -sired thoroughbreds to receive bonuses from third place up, replacing the winners-only bonus that was previously applied. Virginia’s $3 million Certified Residency program that rewards thoroughbred performance that reside in Virginia for at least six months up to their two-year-old year remained unchanged.

Later in the meeting, the Commission heard a Victor-Strategies report about HHR in response to a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) concept that would remove HHR regulation from the Racing Commission and place it under the Virginia Lottery Board at first and perhaps eventually under the purview of a newly created statewide gaming commission.

Currently, a gaming sub-committee in Virginia’s General Assembly is reviewing all gaming regulation in Virginia. Under the Virginia Racing Commission, HHR has been a significant portion of the economic model that has worked well for Colonial Downs since its reopening in 2019. The 2023 meet recorded $72 million handle, down slightly from $75.1 million in 2022 but far above any prior year.

“The uniqueness of horse racing is such that you need review by a dedicated agency,” said Richard Schuetz, an expert who took part in the presentation.

Recent advancements in racing in Virginia have been encouraging enough to inspire Virginia’s First Lady, Suzanne Youngkin, to appear in a recently released video promoting Virginia’s overall horse industry and showcasing racing. The new video was presented to the commission.

The Commission thanked Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) director Frank Petramalo for his decades of service in representing the horsemen. Petramalo is stepping down as executive director of the VHPBA but will remain as consultant. Commissioners were introduced to Glen Berman, who is taking over Petramalo’s role. 

Colonial Downs to Race 27 Days in 2024

Schedule to mirror 2023 season racing Thursday through Sunday

Racing dates for 2024 at Colonial Downs were approved today at the Virginia Racing Commission meeting. The 27-day live racing season will be held over nine weeks from Thursday, July 11 through Saturday, September 7. The New Kent racetrack will race three days per week, Thursday through Saturday.

“The success of the 2023 meet, which brought weekend racing back to Colonial Downs, was a credit to the tremendous support here in Virginia from the owners, trainers, horseplayers, hard-working staff, and partners,” said Senior Director of Racing Operations Frank Hopf. “We’re excited to build upon the momentum and look forward to a tremendous 2024 season.” 

The Festival of Racing including the Grade 1 Arlington Million is slated for Saturday, August 10. The Grade 3 Virginia Derby will anchor the closing day card on Saturday, September 7.  The entire stakes schedule for the 2024 season will be made available in the coming weeks.

The 2023 season offered more than $650,000 per day in purses and boasted an average of 8.19 starters per race. Average daily handle was $2,658,028. Purse money for the 2024 season is expected to be nearly $700,000 per day.

Virginia’s First Lady, Shows Support for the Equine Industry

a has managed to maintain, grow, and thrive in the modern horse-racing industry. This is possible because of the men and women who work so hard every day to continue to expand the sport. No one in the Commonwealth has been more supportive or a greater spokesperson than First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. The attached clip is a promotional piece done by the VEA (Virginia Equine Alliance) in partnership with First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. The video can be watched here.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin try to spot a winner in the paddock at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Va. on Saturday, August 12 during 'Festival of Racing."
Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin try to spot a winner in the paddock at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Va. on Saturday, August 12 during ‘Festival of Racing.”

Churchill Down (CDI) purchased Colonial Downs at the end of 2022. Part of CDI’s promise to the Commonwealth was that racing would continue and be stronger than ever in Virginia. They kept this promise by creating the Colonial Downs “Festival of Racing.” This massive card on August 12 attracted many of the biggest horses and horsemen in the nation. The event was highlighted by the Grade I Arlington Million, and Beverly D, as well as the Grade II Secretariat Stakes. But also, by the presence of Virginia Governor and First Lady, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Youngkin. The Governor and his wife have been extremely supportive of the “Virginia Renaissance” in racing. They even hosted a party the night before the “Festival of Racing” for members of the horse racing community in Virginia, Churchill Downs Executives, and the last living connections of racehorse hero and Virginian Secretariat.

Set Piece clears the field in en route to winning the Arlington Million at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)

Another huge step forward for the equine industry in 2023 was the addition of the first-ever Spring Harness meet at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, VA. The expansion of dates and addition of a whole other meet illustrates the commitment to the equine industry in the Commonwealth and the upward trajectory of not only thoroughbreds — but also the standard-bred harness horses and all the men and women who make their livelihood from the sport of harness racing.

Standardbred horses running around the Blue Ridge turn during the first ever Spring meet at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, VA

Horse racing in Virginia has never been in a stronger position. An industry that creates over 38,000 jobs and contributes over 1.3 billion dollars to the economy annually. With the continued partnership of CDI, the VEA, and Virginia’s first family, the future is bright. We look forward to many more years of expansion in the equine industry and to bringing more breeders, owners, and trainers into the Commonwealth. Governor Youngkin’s campaign slogan is “I think Virginia is the best place to live, work, and raise a family.” On Arlington Million Day he had one more to add to the list: “Virginia is the best place to be a horse!” 

‘Beautiful Virginia-Bred’: Gigante Rolls to Main Track Victory in Commonwealth Turf

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s (VTA) 2022 Virginia-Bred Two-Year-Colt Champion Gigante is back with another stakes win. Gigante was bred by Ann Backer in the Plains, VA. The colt started his racing career at Colonial Downs, breaking his maiden in the second start of his two-year old season. His stakes-winning ways began his next time out winning the Black Type Kitten Joy Stakes in September of 2022.

He began his 3-year-old season with another Black-type stakes victory in the Caesars Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis and did not slow down coming into Colonial for the 2023 season. He was able to cross the wire first in the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes during Colonial’s “Festival of Racing.” Besting some of the best three-year-old horses in the world, we look forward to Gigante returning home to Virginia to continue his winning streak during his 4-year-old campaign.

Originally posted on Paulickreport.com on 11/26/2023, as an edited press release.

Virginia-bred Gigante angled out at the top of the stretch, collared Smokey Mandate inside the three-sixteenths pole, and kicked away late to win the off-the-turf $257,500 Commonwealth Turf on Sunday at Churchill Downs, closing day of the 134th Fall Meet.

Not This Time colt Gigante, under Luan Machado, rolls to a comfortable win on Churchill Downs’ main track in the Commonwealth Turf (Photo by Jetta Vaughns/ Coady Photography).

The Not This Time colt won by 4½ lengths over 3-5 favorite Northern Invader, earning his fifth win from 12 career starts.

Gigante, who broke his maiden at Colonial Downs as a 2-year-old in his only other race on dirt, ran 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:44.46 to collect his fourth stakes win. Luan Machado rode the winner for the meet’s leading trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Originally carded as a Grade 3 race, the race was shifted to the main track when track officials on Friday canceled turf racing for the remainder of the meet. The race’s status will be reviewed by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

Sent off at odds of 10-1, Gigante had to check off heels as the field of eight 3-year-olds raced into the first turn, but he settled nicely in fourth just behind J. P. Race, Wild Sean, and Smokey Mandate who raced three-wide through early fractions of :23.86, :47.56, and 1:12.12. When J. P. Race began to retreat leaving the final turn, Gigante spurted three-wide into contention and proved best down the lane.

Virginia-bred Gigante (#2) in his win of the G2 Secretariat Stakes (Coady Photography).

“He’s a very nice horse and Steve Asmussen and his team did a great job getting him prepared for this race,” Machado said. “I sat a beautiful trip behind the pace and he came with his closing kick down the lane. Every time I asked him, he dug in.”

Previously, Gigante won the Kitten’s Joy at Colonial Downs at age 2 and prevailed in this year’s Caesars Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis in May at odds of 33-1 and Secretariat (G2) at Colonial Downs in August at 22-1 odds.

“He’s a beautiful Virginia-bred and it was great to see him dominate versus open company today,” Asmussen said. “I thought Luan gave him a great ride today. We’re very fortunate to be in the position we’re in with horses like him.”

Gigante returned $22.06 as the fourth betting choice. Northern Invader got up by a head for second, and Smokey Mandate was third in the eight-horse field.

Winters Lion, Lincoln Highway, Wild Sean, Worthington, and J. P. Race completed the order of finish. Anglophile, Runaway Storm, Ohana Honor, Irish Aces, Bal a Kazoo, Santorini, and Clyde’s Get a Gun were scratched.

Gigante netted $150,350 for owners Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing and boasts career earnings of $915,475.

Gigante is out of the Empire Maker mare Summertime Green and was bred by Ann Mudge Backer and Smitten Farm. Taylor Made Sales Agency sent bay colt through the auction ring at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was bought by Andrew Dean for $120,000.

Longtime Breeder and Member of the VTA, Bobby Gene “Bob” Sowder Passes Away

Originally posted on Fauquiernow.com on 10/28/23.

B.G. “Bob” Sowder of Catlett, VA, passed away on October 14, 2023.

One of eleven children, he was born December 4, 1937, in Weirwood, WV, to William Ernest and Goldie Pearl (Settle) Sowder. He is survived by his wife, Janet, of 62 years, son, Andrew Sowder, daughter-in-law, Dean Foster, and grandchildren, Anna Charlize, Lucas James, and Laurel Legare Sowder, all of Mount Pleasant, SC. Bob is also survived by his sister, Rosann Culley, brothers, James and Charles, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Mark Sowder, and by his parents, sisters, Lorraine, Evelyn, Betty, Bonnie Sue, and Geneva, and brothers, Harold and Sherman.

Bob Sowder left his childhood home among the coal fields of West Virginia before completing high school to find work and opportunity in the Northeast. He later settled in the Washington, D.C., region where he would meet his lifelong companion, Janet, and go to work for Eastern Airlines on the ramp and later as a ground agent at National and Dulles International Airports.

Working evenings, he received his high school equivalency diploma (GED) and changed his vocation to real estate, which would become his passion for the rest of his life. Rising quickly from real estate agent to broker, Bob would go on to establish many real estate firms and land development companies throughout his five-decade career. In 1997, Bob Sowder was named the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.

Bob enjoyed raising and racing thoroughbred horses. While he celebrated the “wins, places, and shows” of his horses over the years, he was particularly proud watching his filly win the 2012 Maryland Million Ladies Race at Laurel Park, MD.

Education was always important to Bob given his own limited options growing up in rural West Virginia. And when the opportunity arose, he did not hesitate to offer “The Barn” and 2.5 acres of land on his Corral Farm property just south of Warrenton on Route 29 – along with renovation funds – to start the Fauquier campus of the Laurel Ridge Community College (formerly Lord Fairfax Community College). His service to the Virginia community college community continued with additional donations, an endowed scholarship for students, and an emergency student fund. Bob has been affectionately recognized as the “grandfather” of the Fauquier campus, and the library bears his name and a plaque dedicated to the memory of his mother, Goldie Pearl.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all his friends and caregivers during his extended illness. Special appreciation goes out to the personnel of Manassas Home Instead, to the nurses and staff of Warrenton Heartland Hospice, and to the staff of the Blue Ridge Christian Home in Bealeton, VA, for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Bob’s memory to the Laurel Ridge Community College “Building the Future Fund” for career and technical education, including the skilled trades. Checks payable to the Laurel Ridge Foundation can be sent to 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645. Online donations can be made at http://laurelridge.edu/donatenow.

A Celebration of Life is planned for early Spring 2024.

Online condolences may be expressed at moserfuneralhome.com.

Da Hoss Stakes Winner, Nobals Rallies Up Rail to Land Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Colonial Down’s alumni Nobals was back in style over the weekend at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Winning the Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint in his first start back after taking the $150,000 Black type Da Hoss stakes over the summer in New Kent, VA.

Originally Posted on Paulickreport.com on 11/4,

Patricia’s Hope LLC’s Nobals parlayed a ground-saving trip into a diminishing neck victory over Big Invasion in the 16th running of the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.

Trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by Gerardo Corrales, Nobals covered the five furlongs over a firm turf course in :55.15. It is the first Breeders’ Cup victory for Rivelli and Corrales.

Nobals in his win of the 2023 Da Hoss Stakes (Photo by Coady Photography)

European raider Live In The Dream (IRE) shot to the front and opened a daylight advantage through an opening quarter-mile in :21.15 while Corrales had Nobals racing on the inside.


Live In The Dream took his advantage into the stretch, where he shook off a challenge from defending champion Caravel and Arzak but left room to his inside where Nobals slipped through at mid-stretch to take command.

Nobals opened enough of a cushion to hold off Big Invasion, who had followed him along the inside into the stretch and a fast-closing Aesop’s Fables (IRE), who was another half-length back in third with Live In The Dream and Motorious completing the top five. Caravel finished 10th.

Nobals is a 4-year-old Noble Mission (GB) gelding. Bred in Kentucky by Dr. John A. Chandler, he is out of the Empire Maker mare Pearly Blue.

Nobals in his win of the 2023 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint (Photo by Horsephotos)

The victory was worth $520,000 and increased Nobals’ lifetime earnings to $1,453,274 with a record of 18-10-3-0.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Quotes:

Winning trainer Larry Rivelli, Nobals – “Absolutely not (how I drew it up). Stuff happens in these types of races and I think the jock made the difference today. He rode the horse perfect and stayed inside and the gap came and he was gone. This is it. I’m a third-generation trainer and we’ve been doing this forever. I’m happy for the connections — Vince Foglia, my buddy — and all my owners and friends and staff and family… it’s nice.”

Winning jockey Geraldo Corrales, Nobals – “We had a real nice trip. I had a lot of horse and when the rail opened up, my horse was ready to go. He was the best horse today.”

Wolfie’s Dynaghost Makes All For Autumn Triumph, First Graded Score

Virginia Certified Wolfie’s Dynaghost wins first graded stakes race at Woodbine. The five-year-old gelding was certified at Rene & Lauren Woolcott’s Woodslane Farm in Middleburg, VA. Wolfie’s Dynaghost is a Colonial Downs alumni, having won the 2022 Bert Allen Stakes in New Kent, VA.

Originally posted on Paulickreport.com on 11/5, Written by Chis Lomon/ Woodbine Communications.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost, a 5-year-old son of Ghostzapper, put on a front-running tour de force to win Sunday’s $175,000 Autumn Stakes (G2) at Woodbine.

Trained by Jonathan Thomas for owner-breeder Woodslane Farm, the gelding arrived at the 1 1/16-mile main track race for 3-year-olds and up off a third in the Durham Cup (G3) at the Toronto oval on October 7.

Wolfie’s Dynasty (Photo by Chelsea Durand)

Supplemented to the Autumn, multiple graded stakes placed Wolfie’s Dynaghost earned his first graded triumph courtesy of a flawless performance on a cloudy gray afternoon at Woodbine.

Sent on his way at 7-2 in the compact field of six, the bay, with leading rider Kazushi Kimura aboard, was engaged by multiple graded stakes victor War Bomber (IRE) and Win for the Money in the run to the first turn.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost was a half-length clear of War Bomber through an opening panel timed in :24.71, followed by Win for the Money, 3-5 choice Tyson, Artie’s Storm, and Luckman.

In front by a length through a half in :48.44, Wolfie’s Dynaghost, making his third appearance at Woodbine, remained unfettered on the front end in the leadup to the final turn, with little change in positioning throughout the field. Coming off the turn for home, Wolfie’s Dynaghost, still running comfortably on the lead, began to pull away from his pursuers and held a 2½-length advantage at the stretch call.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost in his win of the $175,00 Autumn Stakes (Photo by Michael Burns/ Woodbine)

From there, the only thing left to decide was second place, as Win for the Money and 40-1 Luckman dueled for the runner-up spot, with the former three-quarters of a length clear of his rival at the wire.

The final time for Wolfie’s Dynaghost’s 4½-length victory was 1:42.52.

“I felt like he had a nice, high cruising pace, and I just kept him steady and just kept it going from the beginning,” said Kimura. “He was really relaxed on the backstretch and just took off from the three-eighths. It was a magnificent race.”

It was the ninth lifetime win, accompanied by a pair of seconds and five thirds from 24 starts for the Kentucky-bred, whose travels have taken him to Florida, New York, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost, whose dam is the Dynaformer mare Dynaire, returned $9.70 for the win.

Petes For Real Finishes 3-for-3 In Virginia Breeders Championship Series at Shenandoah Downs; Scores In $85,250 Finale 

(WOODSTOCK, VA — 10/30/2023) — Pam Wagner’s Petes For Real completed a sweep of his Virginia Breeder’s divisional championship series with a big win in Sunday’s $85,025 2-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace, one of eight title races for freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters of both sexes that were on the card. Those eight carried total purse money of $702,000 and combined with a four pack of $20,000 Aged Breeder’s races and a pair of $10,000 Opens, a total of $802,200 was distributed Sunday making it the richest card in Virginia harness racing history. 

Petes For Real in the Winners Circle with his connections (Photo by Quentin Egan)

The 2-year-old Rusty’s For Real colt won both his $8,000 preps on back-to-back weeks in 1:59 1/5 and 1:59 4/5, then powered home to a 1:56 4/5 finishing time in the finale. Driver Fern Paquet Jr. was in the sulky in all three legs for trainer John Wagner, who had three wins total on Championship Day. Petes For Real sat second in the final behind Tracy Bradshaw’s Bgoing Away until mid-stretch then surged past late to win by a comfortable 2-3/4 length cushion. Bgoing Away finished second while Pam Wagner & Scott Woogen’s K J Real Deal was third. 

Petes for Real, Driven by Fern Paquet Jr. (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Anne McDonald’s Sweet Pirategirl captured the $90,100 freshman female counterpart going wire-to-wire with trainer Mark Gray aboard in 1:59/1. The Sweet Lou filly, who finished second in her lone prep, crossed two lengths better than Pam Wagner’s Covid For Real in gaining her first lifetime win. Caviart Farms’ Caviart Sanibel was third. 

2-year-old Filly Pace Champion Sweet Pirategirl (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Jane Dunavant’s Rip Away kicked off the afternoon festivities by connecting in the $92,400 2-Year-Old Filly Trot with her Dusty Winner homebred filly. The Carlo Poliseno trainee broke at the start of her second prep a week ago and came up a nose shy at the wire but that wasn’t the case Sunday. After breaking before the quarter pole in the final, she rebounded quickly and regained the lead after previous leader Divoc broke stride near the half. Rip Away went on to win by three lengths in 2:02 3/5 with Cody Poliseno in the bike. Nanticoke Racing Inc. and Delbert Cain’s Platinum Proposal finished second and Arthur Hauser’s Ida Muscles was third.      

2-year-old Filly Trot Champion Rip Away (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen’s K J Dash continued a stellar young racing career with a close win over Debbie Warnick’s Royal Beep Beep in the $87,875 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot. Interestingly, the Lockkeeper gelding did not win either of his prep races after breaking stride in both. On Sunday with Corey Braden in the sulky, K J Dash stayed flat throughout but trotted sixth at the half — nearly ten lengths behind Royal Beep Beep — then came outside to begin making up distance but was still fourth at the third marker trailing by 5-3/4 lengths. In the final straightaway, Braden had his trotter positioned second and he pushed forward to nip Royal Beep Beep by less than a length in 1:59 4/5. Pam Wagner’s Gerald A Keeper took third. The winner’s bankroll now stands at $157,809 from seven wins in ten career starts. 

K J Dash in the winner’s circle with driver Corey Braden (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Driver Victor Kirby Collects Career Victory Number 5,000 in Final Breeder’s Race

In three-year-old finals action, driver Victor Kirby collected career win number 5,000 when he piloted Pam Wagner’s K J Todd to victory in the $85,600 Colt/Gelding Trot. Sent off at 10-1, the Trixton gelding had to make up a deficit of 18-1/2 lengths in the second half of the race but after passing Tyler Shehan’s Cantab Speed and Scott Woogen’s KJ Devil in deep stretch, prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59 3/5. The other pair finished second and third respectively. The win was trainer John Wagner’s third in Breeder’s action for the afternoon. Kirby initially came to Woodstock Sunday with plans to make one drive — in the second race aboard his trainee Ronnie Ridge. He ended up taking over five of John Wagner’s drives as well including the finale’s board K J Todd. Wagner was involved in a spill the day prior and even though he was at the track Sunday, was unable to drive.    

Driver Victor Kirby in the winner’s circle for the 5,000th time (Photo by Quentin Egan)

In the $84,000 filly counterpart, Caviart Gwen took over the lead from Graham Grace Stables’ Quarantine Crisis at the quarter and never looked back, winning by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:59 2/5. Trainer Philip Scott Sonsteby earned his first win in the U.S. with Caviart Gwen in her September 30 prep where she dominated by ten lengths. Sent off again Sunday at odds of 1-9, she did not disappoint in boosting her impressive lifetime bankroll to $258,497. Jane Dunavant and Thomas Davis’s Starlight Lounge was second and Quarantine Crisis finished third.

Caviart Gwen in her win of the $84,000 Filly Championship (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Charles Myers’ Hillbillypacinhill saved the best of his three Woodstock appearances for last by outdueling an eight horse field of 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers in the $89,800 divisional final. The Racing Hill gelding went coast-to-coast in 1:53 3/5, just two-fifths of a second off his lifetime best. Reinsman Lucas Myers authored quarter fractions of :27.0, :56 3/5 and 1:24 4/5 before sailing across the wire three lengths ahead of Jimmy Viars’s Miraclepowerfull — last year’s 2-year-old champ in this division. Myers’ consistent pacer has finished first, second or third in 11 straight races and in 16 of his last 17. Lawrence & Derrick Cooper’s Caviart Stoney finished third.

Hillbillypacinhill in the Winner’s Circle with his connections (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Hickory View Farm’s Caviart Leeloo led initially in the $87,400 3-Year-Old Filly Pace, surrendered the top spot to Pam Wagner’s Lloyd’s Loves in the second turn and didn’t regain the lead until just before the finish. The Downbytheseaside filly caught Lloyd’s Loves just in time and ended up three-quarters of a length the best in a lifetime mark of 1:55 2/5. David Ward drove for trainer Tom Blankenship. Pam Wagner’s Morgans All In finished third.

Caviart Leeloo in her win of the $87,400 3-year-old Filly Pace (Photo by Quentin Egan)

Champions Day marked the end of Shenandoah Downs’ fall season. Combined with its first ever spring meet earlier this year, the Woodstock oval offered 28 pari-mutuel race dates over a 14-week period evenly split between spring and fall. A 7-week spring campaign is planned for 2024 pending Virginia Racing Commission approval. The meet would run from April 6 – May 19 with racing every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Racing applications will be available at shenandoahdowns.com beginning February 1.       

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