We already know Paynted by Nancy as the 2024 Virginia Breeder’s Fund Yearling Futurity Grand Champion. Joined by her owner/breeder Quest Realty, trainer Susan Cooney, and the whole crew from the farm, it was a special day ending with the Grand Champion ribbon, a trophy, and a check for placing first in the Virginia-Bred/Sired Fillies Class.
“She sure is pretty to look at,” said Cooney while watching Quest Realty’s 2-year-old maiden enter the Colonial Downs paddock for her first race, a maiden special weight, on July 31st in New Kent.
“Mainly with the 2-year-olds, the first time out you really just want a good experience and the best chance possible because they remember the bad ones. The goal is always for them to go over to the gate nicely, break well, and come back safely.”
Paynted by Nancy finished 6th in a field of 11 horses. Based on Cooney’s goals, she checked all her boxes—she was good in the paddock, good in the post parade, and walked right in the gate, and came back well.
“She made a good move around the turn there in the stretch and maybe got a little tired.” Said Cooney. “Sometimes it’s not as much physically tired, but mentally tired.”
By Paynter out of Jumpin’ Nancy, the 2023 Virginia-Bred, never sees turf at home except for her paddock. Running in a 5 ½ furlongs race on the turf for Virginia-restricted maidens, fillies 2-years-old, she ran a good race for her first time out, and we look forward to following her career.