Festival of Racing Slated for August 1; Old Dominion Derby for September 7

 A robust schedule of 35 stakes races and handicaps worth more than $6.5 million, topped by the Colonial Downs Festival of Racing on Saturday, August 1, is on tap when the Virginia racetrack opens its doors for a 45-day summer season on Thursday, June 25.

The 2026 schedule will offer live racing every Thursday through Sunday, plus a special holiday card to bring down the curtain on the season on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Overnight races will offer $70,000 purses for open maiden special weight contests ($87,500 for Virginia-restricted races), while allowance races will feature purses up to $80,000 for open runners and $90,000 for their Virginia-restricted counterparts.

The Colonial Downs Festival of Racing is highlighted by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 2 $500,000 Beverly D. and the Grade 2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes. The Million will be run at 1¼ miles, the Beverly D. will be contested at 1-3/16 miles and the Secretariat covers one mile. The renowned trio of races are slated to be run over Colonial’s acclaimed Secretariat Turf Course.

Five additional stakes races pepper the Festival Day program: the $150,000 Van Clief (Listed) for older runners at 5½ furlongs on the turf and its sister race the $150,000 Andy Guest; the $100,000 Petramalo Mile, a one-mile dirt race for 3-year-olds and its distaff counterpart , the $100,000 Tyson Gilpin at seven furlongs; and the $100,000 Reigh Count at seven furlongs on the dirt.

Colonial’s other graded stakes race, the Grade 3 $500,000 Old Dominion Derby, is slated for closing day on Labor Day. The Old Dominion Derby is a 1-1/8 miles turf race for 3-year-olds and headlines a sextet of turf stakes which also includes the $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks (Listed) for sophomore fillies at also 1-1/8 miles; the $150,000 Colonial Cup for 3-year-olds and up traveling 1½ miles; the $150,000 Da Hoss for older runners sprinting 5½ panels; and a pair of tests for the juvenile set – the the 1-1/16 mile $125,000 Kitten’s Joy and the 5½-furlong $125,000 Rosie’s Stakes.

Four new $100,000 stakes races were added for the expanded season – the Maggie Walker for fillies and mares at a mile on the dirt on Saturday, July 18; The Yorktown for older horses at nine furlongs on the main track on Saturday, July 25; plus the Colonial Turf Dash for 3-year-old turf sprinters and its female counterpart the Shenandoah Turf Dash both at six furlongs on Saturday, August 8.

There is one more open company stakes race on the 2026 docket, the $100,000 Love Sign on Saturday, July 25 for fillies and mares sprinting six furlongs on the dirt.

Virginia-bred, -sired, and/or -restricted runners get plenty of opportunities throughout the summer starting June 27, the first Saturday of the meet, with the $125,000 Edward P. Evans for older horses at 1-1/16 miles on turf its distaff counterpart the $125,000 Brookmeade.

Two weeks later turf sprinters are spotlighted in the $125,000 Punch Line and the $125,000 Glenn Petty, both at 5½ furlongs, the latter race restricted to females.

A pair of 2-year-old races for Virginia-restricted runners – the $100,000 Hickory Tree and its sister race the $100,000 Keswick – headline the Sunday, August 2 program. Each race offers $50,000 in additional money for Virginia-bred/sired horses and will be run over 5½ furlongs on the dirt.

Later in the meet older Va.-restricted horses are featured in the $100,000 Meadow Stable Handicap for older turf sprinters on Saturday, August 15 and the distaff version, the $100,000 Camptown Handicap two weeks later on Saturday, August 29. Each race offers the same Virginia-bred/sired bonus as above.

The final races restricted to Virginia runners – the $100,000 Bert Allen Handicap and the $100,000 Nellie Mae Cox Handicap – top the Saturday, September 5 card. The races, each of which offer $50,000 in additional purses for Virginia bred/sired participants, are 1-1/16 miles turf events with the latter restricted to fillies and mares.

With continued collaboration between Virginia and Maryland stakeholders, six stakes races restricted to Maryland- and Virginia-bred or sired horses begin on the second Saturday of the meet on Independence Day with the $125,000 Star De Naskra for 3-year-olds and $125,000 the Miss Disco for sophomore fillies with each race slated for seven furlongs on the dirt. Two more are slated for Saturday, August 15 – the $125,000 Find for older horses at 1-1/16 miles on the turf and its distaff counterpart, $125,000 All Brandy at the same distance. The remaining two are 5½-furlong turf races for 2-year-olds: the $125,000 Jamestown and its sister race, the $125,000 Dolley Madison scheduled for Saturday, August 29.

For the second straight year, Colonial Downs will host qualifying races for the Claiming Crown. The top two finishers in each race will automatically qualify for the Claiming Crown which will be held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, November 14.

Eight races under Starter Handicap conditions will be run on Saturday, August 22: the $50,000 Iron Horse Qualifier (1-1/16m dirt); $50,000 Ready Rocket Express Qualifier (6f dirt); $50,000 Glass Slipper Qualifier (1m dirt); $62,500 Rapid Transit Qualifier (7f dirt); $75,000 Canterbury Qualifier (5½f turf); $75,000 Tiara Qualifier (1-1/16m turf); $87,500 Emerald Qualifier (1-1/16m turf); and the $100,000 Jewel (1-1/8m dirt).

Condition books and stall applications are available online at www.colonialdowns.com under the horsemen’s tab as well as at Equibase.com.

~ Virginia Derby runners Incredibolt and Ocelli to follow-up strong showings at Kentucky Derby in this weekend’s Preakness Stakes~

After strong showings in the 152^nd Kentucky Derby, 2026 Virginia Derby alums Incredibolt and Occelli will race in the second leg of the Triple Crown at Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park in Maryland.

After winning the 2026 Virginia Derby, Incredibolt finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby. Ocelli, who finished sixth in the Virginia Derby, ran a stunning race to finish third in the sport’s biggest event.

“Having two horses go from the Virginia Derby to multiple starts in Triple Crown races just shows the strength of Virginia’s racing program and the high-quality horses, jockeys, trainers, and teams we are attracting to Colonial Downs,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing at Colonial Downs. “We are excited for Saturday’s race and hope to see one of our Virginia Derby runners write their name in the history books.”

Just three of the fourteen Preakness Stakes starters will be Kentucky Derby runners, and two of them are also Virginia Derby entrants.

Incredibolt will start from Gate 12 and will again by ridden by Jaime Torres, as he was for the Virginia Derby and Kentucky Derby. Morning line odds show Incredibolt as one of the race’s favorites with 5-1 odds.

Ocelli will start from Gate 2 and again be piloted by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, just as he was for his thrilling third place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Gaffalione won the 2019 Preakness Stakes aboard War of Will. Ocelli is also a top contender in the morning line odds at 6-1.

Race fans are invited to watch and wager on the Preakness at Colonial Downs Racetrack, any Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Richmond, Hampton, Emporia, Vinton, and Collinsville, The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries, or Roseshire in Henrico.

Colonial Downs’ record setting summer season is right around the corner and tickets are now on sale at www.ColonialDowns.com. Building on the momentum of an incredible three-day spring meet that featured a record crowd of 9,700+ fans for the sold out 2026 Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs will host another 45 days of live racing each Thursday through Sunday from June 25 through a special day of racing on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. This will be the most days of live racing in the nearly thirty-year history of Colonial Downs Racetrack.

Eagle Point Farm in Ashland is an iconic equine property in Central Virginia that has been in Donna Dennehy’s family for 79 years. Her father, Ed Gilman, purchased the property in 1947 and while Donna represents the second generation to operate the 200-acre farm and training center, her daughter Karen — the third generation —  now trains and oversees most aspects of the business.

Racing enthusiasts will soon get a chance to learn more about Eagle Point’s history via a 200-page hardcopy book titled “Donna Dennehy, Eagle Point Farm, Legacy of Grit and Grace” that will be released May 9 at a fundraising event for the Ashland Museum. Writing and preparing the book for publishing has been a 14-year project.

“It’s been on my to-do list for a long time,” said Dennehy. “I’d start it, put it aside and get busy with other things in my life then go back to it. It’s a conglomeration of stories from over the years. I got a little emotional looking back and thinking about my parents and events that occurred here, but we’re getting it done.” 

“The project actually started 18 years ago when my grandson lived with me. At night he’d want to hear a story about the farm and often times he’d say you ought to write a book. Then I’d have people come out to the farm and I’d tell them a story and they would say the same thing — that you should write a book. Our life here has been interesting for sure but I don’t think I’ll be rich and famous from the book.”

Dennehy’s parents bought the farm initially and the first chapter fittingly, is about them.

“They adopted me in 1949 when I was six months old,” she said. “I was never that horse crazy girl that wanted a pony, but I always had something to ride. I showed, fox hunted and even had a donkey to ride when I was a year old. As a child I rode every day of my life. I went to college with plans to be a math major and a teacher. That changed though. I ended up coming home to run the farm.”

Dennehy still has a very active role with Eagle Point’s operations and she assists Karen daily.

“Right now, I’m exhausted from completing this project and also helping out at the farm,” she said. “When I get the book in my hand, it will be very gratifying. I’m also going to be relieved. It’s something I wanted to do. There’s a lot of pride here. My husband Steve ran Eagle Point after my father, then I went back to running it, and now it’s Karen. It’s been a roller coaster ride whether we were going to make or if we weren’t going to make it. This is our livelihood. Karen has done a marvelous job. She does it different than me, my husband or my father had, but she is an excellent horsewoman, good with owners and good with horses. It’s kind of unbelievable what we’ve done here.”

Dennehy credits the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s Certified Residency program with providing local farms an opportunity to get a needed boost, including theirs.

“Our farm stays full now,” she said. “We are able to be more selective in horses that stay here, we’ve been able to raise our rates, and have been able offer better pay to our employees. I just had $9,000 in hay delivered and I’ve got money in my checking account to pay for it. That financial pressure has been relieved. We just finished re-building 4-1/2 miles of fencing on the property. We’re don’t have to patch things up anymore. We replace things now. You can go anywhere on this farm and climb over a fence and not worry about it breaking.” 

Dennehy says Eagle Point is in as good a shape now as it has been at any other point in its history. “We’re probably at the top,” she said.

~ Record-setting season will feature reduced ticket prices, new Sunday racing with family activities, the return of Wiener Dog racing, and the addition of Corgi races on opening weekend ~

Coming off a historic Kentucky Derby that saw Virginia Derby runner Ocelli finish third and Virginia Derby champion Incredibolt finish sixth, now is the time to buy single day and season tickets for the 2026 Colonial Downs summer racing season at www.ColonialDowns.com.

Building on the momentum of an incredible three-day spring meet that featured a record crowd of 9,700+ fans for the sold out 2026 Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs will host another 45 days of live racing each Thursday through Sunday from June 25 through a special day of racing on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. This will be the most days of live racing in the nearly thirty year history of Colonial Downs Racetrack.

This season’s expanded and adjusted schedule will add an additional day of weekend racing every Sunday to allow more fans and families to experience the thrill of live thoroughbred racing and all that a Colonial Downs race day has to offer. Each Sunday will feature family friendly entertainment like a petting zoo for young guests.

“March’s sold-out Virginia Derby set the stage for a record-breaking year of live racing at Virginia’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs. “We’re thrilled to see the continued growth of the sport with the largest race schedule in Colonial Downs history and Virginia Derby horses delivering incredible performances in the iconic Kentucky Derby last weekend. We’re especially excited to introduce Sunday racing this season, giving even more fans and families across Virginia the chance to experience the track. All summer long, guests can enjoy great entertainment both on and off the track including food and drink specials, family fun on Sundays, and even some friendly competition featuring the Commonwealth’s Corgis and Wiener dogs. We invite everyone to make plans to join us this summer.”

Experiencing live racing is more affordable than ever with new reduced-price ticket options at Colonial Downs in 2026. General admission is FREE nearly every race day, with General Admission for three Premium Racing Events available at the fan-friendly price of just $5 and free admission for children five and under. For an elevated experience on any race day, Colonial Downs offers covered seating in the Reserved Grandstand Seats and Grandstand Box Seats, as well as indoor and dining options at the Jockey Club and the 1609 Restaurant.

The 2026 Premium Racing Events that will require a ticket include:

• Saturday, June 27—Opening Saturday will feature the all new Corgi Race with a fun competition between some of Virginia’s most adorable amateur athletes. Registration details will be forthcoming.
• Saturday, August 1—The annual Colonial Downs Festival of Racing will feature the season’s biggest races and purses including the Grade 1 Arlington Million with its $1 million purse, along with the Grade 2 Beverly D., and Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes.
• Saturday, August 15—Wiener Dog Racing returns to Colonial Downs as mighty little athletes race down the track on tiny legs. Registration details will be forthcoming.

The standard post time for the 2026 season will be 12:30pm on all race days except the Festival of Racing and Old Dominion Derby which will begin at noon.

Throughout the summer Colonial Downs will offer a variety of exciting promotions that will be unveiled in the weeks ahead.

For more information on ticketing, dining, and pricing, visit www.colonialdowns.com.

Virginia-based harness horse owners Adam Ainspan and Anne McDonald have had their pictures taken in the Colonial Downs winners circle in past decades courtesy of standardbred champions that captured Virginia Breeder’s divisional titles. Ainspan’s Graham Grace Stables scored with Great George Two in 2004 while McDonald’s Always Quick Star snagged trophies in 2013 & 2014 and her Celtic Girl took similar honors in 2010 & 2011.

In a unique twist of fate, Ainspan and McDonald each returned to the winner’s circle last week at the New Kent track —- years after harness racing departed Colonial Downs for Shenandoah Downs — courtesy of wins with thoroughbred horses during Colonial’s three-day Virginia Derby meet that took place from March 12-14.

Ainspan, who is principal owner of 2025 Harness Horse of the Year Beau Jangles and 2024 Breeder’s Crown Open Mares champ Call Me Goo, collected his second thoroughbred stakes win ever in the $100,000 Royal New Kent Stakes on Derby Day with Tour Player in front of a sellout crowd of 9,700 fans. McDonald kicked off action the day prior in a $50,000 maiden claiming score with Virginia-bred C C Commander — her first thoroughbred win in 2-1/2 years.

Both owners are unique in a sense they own and campaign horses of both breeds. In fact both their stables are comprised of about half thoroughbreds and half standardbreds.

“Getting to the winners circle at Colonial with Tour Player, with all his connections from Legion Bloodstock, the sponsors, and twenty years after Great George Two, that was special,” said Ainspan. “Colonial means a lot to me. The fans were so engaged reminding me a lot of the energy from the Canadian crowds when Beau Jangles wins. I’m very grateful. The Colonial team put on a great show.”  

“I left Florida a day early just to be at Colonial Downs for the race,” continued Ainspan. “I had a horse, Mary’s Lad, win at Tampa Bay Downs on the 13th — a race I missed so I could see Tour Player compete in New Kent the next day. I knew Tour Player would race well. He was anxious and sweaty in the paddock in his prior on Pegasus Day at Gulfstream Park. It was hot, loud, and the starting gate truck broke down causing a 20-minute delay. But last Saturday, he looked completely professional. When I saw the opening quarter go in 22 and change, I knew the race was over especially with Flavien Prat on board and the front runners cutting that fraction. Tour Player was relaxed and professional, and those were some talented runners in the short field that he beat.” 

Tour Player is a 5-yar-old son of American Pharoah who was bred by Bob Baffert and is trained by Whit Beckman. He is 5-for-11 now with earnings of $381,173.   

“C C Commander’s win was very exciting,” said McDonald, who captured a third Virginia Breeders Championship at Shenandoah Downs in 2024 with two-year-old standardbred filly Sweet Pirategirl. “It was a big win in just her third start. We bred her and raised her but had to delay her racing debut by a year because she jumped over a five foot fence and cut herself pretty badly.” 

McDonald’s home base is Alexandria and her horse farm is in White Post, VA where she has a pair of thoroughbred yearlings & 4-year-olds, and a 2-year-old. In addition to two standardbred mares — who are both in foal — she has three yearlings & 2-year-olds along with a pair of 3-year-olds.

Ainspan is based in Clifton, Virginia. His first thoroughbred stakes win came in 2023 in the $500,000 Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs. His standardbred Beau Jangles was a perfect 12-for-12 last year as a 2-year-old with earnings of over $1.2 million.        

Both dual breed owners keep an eye on the Virginia racing landscape for obvious reasons. Shenandoah Downs kicks off a 7-week spring harness meet in Woodstock April 11 and continues thru May 24. Colonial Downs ushers in its summer thoroughbred season June 25 and continues thru September 7. Details are at virginiahorseracing.com.

*Originally posted on thoroughbreddailynews.com on 2/25/2026, written by J.N. Campbell*

Amy Moore, who owns and operates South Gate Farm in Virginia’s northern Shenandoah Valley, went to $300,000 on Tuesday afternoon to acquire Neom Beach (Omaha Beach) (hip 1) as the topper out of the Fasig-Tipton February Digital sale.

The breeder said she is always looking to add to her broodmare band and went online to see what she could unearth. It worked out by the time the ‘shot clock’ wound down.

“Fasig-Tipton has a great platform, especially for broodmares and broodmare prospects,” said Moore. “You’re not trying to evaluate whether they can run, you already know that. I am looking at pedigree and conformation, and you can do those things online pretty effectively. This is the second horse I’ve bought out of a digital sale.”

Of course, Moore is no stranger in auction circles as she bred current sire Forte (Violence) and sold his MSW dam Queen Caroline (Blame) for an even $3-million back in 2023. Finding the next prospect–broodmare or otherwise–is a challenging task South Gate’s owner said, especially in the current competitive climate.

“I’ve been looking since last November for either an in-foal mare or a broodmare prospect that I could breed this season,” she said. “I identified a number of mares that I was interested in, but I kept getting trampled underfoot when the bidding started. It’s amazing what mares of the quality I’m trying to buy are bringing these days.”

Moore said Neom Beach was very interesting because of her race record. The former attorney-turned-farmer set breeding a sound horse as one of her main priorities when she got into this business and that means steering well clear of unraced mares.

“I like to see a mare that’s actually been sound enough to run and talented enough to run successfully,” said Moore. “Neom Beach has both of those qualities and I was interested in her pedigree. She’s got a lot of family and has some siblings who also seem to have been very sound, durable runners at a lower level.”

The multiple stakes winner formerly co-owned by Bloom Racing has a half-sister who started 43 times and another who went to the post on no less than 32 occasions. According to Moore, the connection down the page to Virginia’s Woodslane Farm and their mare Dynaire (Dynaformer) was particularly intriguing.

“Neom Beach’s dam is half-sister to Dynaire who has produced stakes winners and fillies that are themselves stakes producers,” she said. “That’s a live family with Sadler’s Joy (by Kitten’s Joy), Wolfie’s Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) and the mare Dyna Passer (Lemon Drop Kid). Wolfie’s Dynaghost and Dyna Passer’s filly Sister Troienne (Munnings) will be running this weekend at Gulfstream, so we can always hope for an update.”

Described by Moore as a pretty mare with a lovely shoulder, Neom Beach will be immediately retired and head from Steve Asmussen’s shedrow at Sam Houston Race Park to Gunston Hall Farm in Kentucky.

“We will let her down from her racing form and have her relax for a few weeks so she can unwind,” said Moore. “I’m keeping my options open about where to send her. City of Light would be a good match. This mare needs a stallion that has a good hind leg. I think she is a little weak in that area and City of Light conveys that to his foals. I want a proven stallion that’s in the right price range and offers value.”

Moore confirmed that once Neom Beach is in foal and 42 days have elapsed at Gunston Hall the mare will return to South Gate Farm where she will join roughly 30 other residents–including yearlings who are part of the state’s robust certified program.

“I’ve got a beautiful piece of land and I’m trying to breed good, sound and talented racehorses,” she said. “We breeders have to race eventually and eat our own cooking, but I’m a farmer by nature and this is what I love to do.”

South Gate’s newest broodmare should be right at home in Virginia.

Million-dollar earning Gigante, named 2025 Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year, headlines a slate of award winners whose connections will receive hardware for their efforts Saturday March 14 at Colonial Downs. The trophy presentations will take place on the winner’s circle stage between races during the prestigious Virginia Derby Day card in New Kent. 

Gigante, owned by L and N Racing LLC and Clark Brewster, had three wins last year — two on grass and one on dirt — and $241,578 in earnings. The 6-year-old Not This Time horse was also named Virginia-bred Turf Horse of the Year. Gigante kicked off the year with a victory in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes at Fair Grounds, then after stakes placed efforts in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial in New Orleans and the Find Stakes at Colonial Downs, won back-to-back starts at Remington — the Remington Green Stakes and an allowance. The Steve Asmussen trainee was bred by Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm.

Of Gigante’s 31 career starts, seven took place at the New Kent track including wins in the 2023 Secretariat Stakes (Gr. 2), 2022 Kitten’s Joy Stakes and a maiden special weight score the same year. Overall, the Virginia award winner has bankrolled $1,371,978 heading into action this spring.

Another million-dollar earner was named Top Virginia-bred Older Male. Eight-year-old Tapiture gelding Repo Rocks took honors by winning the Edward P. Evans Stakes at Colonial and collecting top-three finishes in two other stakes — a third in the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin at Monmouth and a second in the Boston Handicap in New Kent. The Jamie Ness trainee was also runner-up in a Parx allowance. Bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, Repo Rocks has career earnings of $1,150,466 —  $184,875 of which came in 2025. The award recipient is owned by Double B Racing Stables.

John Wade’s 4-year-old Not This Time filly Winfinity took honors as Top Virginia-bred Older Filly/Mare. Bred by Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm, the award winner made her presence felt in New Kent with a victory in the $125,000 Miss Disco Stakes July 12, a pair of close seconds in a $101,000 spring allowance and in summer $127,000 All Brandy Stakes. She even collected a third in a $100,000 handicap on closing day. The John Ortiz trainee bankrolled $143,480 from seven starts last year.

Top Virginia-bred Two-Year-Old honors went to Larry Johnson’s Doubting Thomas who captured the $125,000 Jamestown Stakes on turf in gate-to-wire fashion. One month prior, the Carvaggio colt came from behind to win an $87,500 maiden special weight against ten other turf sprinters. With only two lifetime starts, the Michael Trombetta trainee has earnings of $127,500, He was bred by the late Larry Johnson at his Legacy Farm in Bluemont and is owned by Johnson’s Estate.   

Multi-million dollar earning Mindframe, also bred by Johnson, was named Top Virginia-Certified Older Male based on a stellar season that included a pair of Grade 1 stakes wins and a Grade 2 score. The 5-year-old Constitution horse won the Churchill Downs Stakes (Gr. 1) by a neck in May then came back a month later and prevailed in the Stephen Foster (Gr. 1) by a length over Sierra Leone. He kicked off the 2025 campaign with a win in the Gulfstream Park Mile (Gr. 2) and overall, amassed $1.4 million in winnings last year alone. Owned by Repole Stables and St. Elias Stables, Mindframe is trained by Todd Pletcher and has $2,054,580 in career earnings from just nine outings.

 The Estate of Larry Johnson’s Future Is Now powered home to three stakes victories in 2025, compiled earnings of $366,000 and as a result, was named  Virginia-Certified Older Filly & Mare of the Year. The 6-year-old Great Notion mare reached the winners circle in the Giant’s Causeway Stakes (Gr. 3) at Keeneland by a nose in April, the Caress Stakes (Gr. 3) at Saratoga by one-half length in July, and the Smart and Fancy Stakes at Saratoga the following month. In June, Future Is Now was runner-up in the Intercontinental Stakes at Saratoga (Gr. 2). Overall, the Michael Trombetta trainee has earned $967,000 in winnings from 18 career starts. He was bred by Johnson and was certified at his Legacy Farm. 

Just Philtored, a now 3-year-old great Notion filly, was named Top Virginia-Certified 2-Year-Old courtesy of an outstanding 2025 campaign where she won four races and bankrolled $279,430.  Bred by ZWP Stable & Non Stop Stable of Maryland, the winner spent her 6-month Virginia residency at Pat Neusch’s Braeburn Training Center in Crozet. Another Trombetta trainee, Just Philtored won two stakes in New Kent including the Dolley Madison in an impressive gate-to-wire performance with Mychel Sanchez in the irons, and the Keswick Stakes by a neck with Sanchez up again. Later in the year, she prevailed in the Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes at Laurel.

Madison Meyers, whose operation is based out of the Middleburg Training Center, will be awarded Top Trainer honors on March 14. In 2025, she sent 146 starters out to compete and collected 19 wins, 15 seconds & 12 thirds, good for $1,043,173 in purse earnings. Desvio, her star performer, won the Grade 2 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland in October which followed a second in New Kent’s Colonial Cup Stakes and third place finishes in a pair of Grade 2’s — the Red Smith at Aqueduct and the Dinner Party at Pimlico. Meyers also scored wins with six different horses at Colonial Downs: Secure’s Hope, Rector, Phil’s Prince, Twain, War Madam and Ruby Hamilton.

Larry Johnson, who had 18 Virginia-breds in action last year that compiled $861,273 in winnings, was named Virginia Breeder of the Year. In addition to Doubting Thomas, other of his top competitors included Noquestionaboutit who bankrolled $111,600 and had a maiden special weight and allowance win at Laurel, Hark Theangelssing who amassed $108,900 and had a winning maiden special weight effort at Colonial, and Noquestionaboutit ($107,613) whose 2025 highlight was a triumph in the Glen Petty Stakes.         

*Originally posted on 1/31/25 on www.thoroughbreddailynews.com, written by Stefanie Grimm”

Two turns, zero problems.

With racing action largely limited to the far south across the rest of the country, Nearly (Not This Time) gave the frozen East Coast something to cheer about and passed his stretch-out test with authority Saturday, capturing the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and picking up 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

A Florida-bred and Virginia-certified son of Not This Time, Nearly built on a lackluster Aqueduct debut in October, coming back less than a month later to destroy fellow Florida-breds at Gulfstream by 9 1/4 lengths. Going seven furlongs against winners in his 3-year-old debut, the Todd Pletcher runner put up a 97 Beyer Speed Figure in a five-length winning performance Jan. 2. And if that failed to catch the eye, Nearly entered Saturday’s Holy Bull off a best-of-25 work going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs in :48 2/5 on Jan. 24.

The second choice at 8-5 behind favored ‘TDN Rising Star’ Cannoneer (Into Mischief) just to his inside, Nearly hooked his rival right from the jump and the pair sped off on the short run into the first turn on this 1 1/16-mile journey. The slightly speedier Cannoneer held a heads-length advantage into the backstretch with Nearly content to sit just off his flank through fractions of :22.82 and :45.96.

New York-bred Bravaro (Upstart) sat in that pair’s wake a length back and Global Aviator (Global Campaign) was the only other runner left in the shot as the dueling leaders continued to duke it out around the far turn.

With just over a quarter-mile left to run, Nearly stepped on the gas and Cannoneer failed to respond to the move, falling back as his rival hit a new gear down the lane. Bravaro did well to run a strong second but there was no doubting the winner as Nearly cruised home under a hands and heels ride from John Velazquez. 40-1 longshot Project Ace (War of Will) out-finished Cannoneer to fill out the trifecta.

“I thought it was going to be a two-horse race, but I didn’t think my horse would be that close,” said Velazquez. “He got a little aggressive today. He was never like that. Normally, it takes him a little while to get his legs under him, but today he was there right away. This race he elevated to a different level. I didn’t expect him to be that aggressive, but that’s what good horses do.”

Now with 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Nearly sits officially tied for second with GIII Lecomte Stakes winner Golden Tempo (Curlin). The leader however, Nearly’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ stablemate Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), was recently pulled off the Derby trail with bone bruising. Bravaro earned 10 points for his runner-up finish and now sits 15th on the leaderboard for Saffie Joseph Jr. while Project Ace added 6 points and sits 20th for Albaugh Family Stables whose On Time Girl won the earlier GIII Forward Gal.

“We wanted to get to the first turn forwardly, not necessarily on the lead but in a good stalking position,” added Pletcher. “He kind of broke inward a little bit and recovered. Those two went to the first turn and they were clicking right along. It looked like he got into a good rhythm. At that point I was a little worried about who might be closing from behind because they went pretty fast together early, but it looked like he turned for home and had a lot of horse under him. It was an impressive race.”

“We always felt like he would handle the stretchout but it’s always good to see. The horse has been training super and we felt good coming into this but, yeah, that was everything we hoped it would be.”

“You have ups and downs in this game, that’s just the way it is. [Ted Noffey] won’t be the only defection on the way to the Derby. We were fortunate he had a magnificent 2-year-old campaign, and it just wasn’t meant to be in the early spring for this year. We’re happy the prognosis is good for a healthy comeback and we look forward to getting him back at Saratoga. I don’t really look at it like this one replaces that one. This horse has been doing well on his own and we have high hopes for him. We’re happy to have him.”

Pletcher indicated that Nearly would likely stay at Gulfstream Park to compete in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, the track’s final leg on Road to the Kentucky Derby.

“We kind of talked about it,” Pletcher said. “This was his third race pretty close together and we felt like we’d get the two-turn race under his belt and see where we stood. I think after seeing that today, I’ll talk to Don Little and the Centennial [Farm] guys and we’ll come up with a plan. But the horse is three-for-three at Gulfstream and there’s plenty of time to the Florida Derby. It probably makes sense to take a close look at staying home.”

*Originally posted on Paulickreport.com on 1/21/2026 written by Chelsea Hackbart*

The initial redevelopment project called for Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Md., to be used as a training center, but that plan was abandoned due to “environmental impacts and excessive costs” of construction.

Renovation plans for Thoroughbred racing in the state of Maryland have seen a major shift this week with the announcement of a tentative agreement to purchase Laurel Park from The Stronach Group.

The state is in the midst of rebuilding the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and initial plans had called for Shamrock Farm in Woodbine to be developed as a training center. The Maryland Stadium Authority purchased Shamrock for $4.5 million in May 2025, but the location was deemed “not viable due to environmental impacts and excessive costs,” according to Maryland General Assembly documents sourced by The Baltimore Banner.

Instead, the state has announced intentions to purchase Laurel for $50 million and to use that facility as a training center while horses ship in to Pimlico for year-round racing. The deal is projected to save roughly $50 million, according to a press release from the Maryland Stadium Authority. 

“Today’s action marks the first step in writing the next chapter of Maryland’s rich Thoroughbred racing heritage,” said Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Craig A. Thompson. “This represents more than a planned acquisition — it represents the preservation of a storied racing facility. By pursuing Laurel Park as the home of Maryland’s statewide training center, we are creating a path to secure the state’s historic investments into Maryland’s horse industry and develop the next generation of Triple Crown champions.”

Since Jan. 1, 2025, the state-operated nonprofit The Maryland Jockey Club has leased Laurel Park from The Stronach Group as a transition facility while Pimlico is being redeveloped, as outlined by a master agreement approved in May 2024 (link). Under those terms, racing operations would have permanently ended at Laurel Park at the conclusion of the lease. While final details will be negotiated in the coming weeks, the Maryland Stadium Authority will assume ownership of Laurel Park, pending necessary approvals and closing procedures, giving the historic landmark a renewed purpose as a best-in-class horse training facility.

Once finalized, acquisition costs will be paid by the Stadium Authority with available project funds. At that point, the state will pursue methods to offset these costs, to include revenue bonds issued by the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). The Maryland Jockey Club will continue to oversee daily operations at Laurel Park under state ownership.

“This planned approach affords maximum flexibility, cost savings and efficiencies going forward— on behalf of the State and thoroughbred industry.” said Maryland Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Sadowski. “We look forward to the prospect of Laurel Park continuing to support Maryland’s storied racing tradition, with a renewed focus on training excellence and equine health.”

With approximately 1,100 horse stalls available for use at Laurel Park, day-to-day racing and training operations will be consolidated at the new statewide training center, while the Pimlico Race Course will transition to a “ship-in” racing model where horses and trainers will travel from other facilities to the venue on racing days. The strategic pivot will save the State an estimated $26.3 million in construction costs toward hundreds of new stalls at Pimlico, support about 500 jobs in Laurel, and preserve roughly 1,000 parking spaces around the race course. Moreover, by concentrating all overnight racing staff at Laurel Park, the Maryland Jockey Club expects to save $2.5 million annually in operating expenses.

“Using Pimlico Race Course as a ship-in track will allow The Maryland Jockey Club to operate a world-class racetrack efficiently, with all training consolidated at Laurel Park,” said Maryland Jockey Club Executive Director Bill Knauf. “Laurel Park is an ideal training center, valued for its history and its status as our current Maryland racing hub. This acquisition enables a smooth transition from racetrack to training facility, minimizing disruption for horsemen and staff. The proven dirt and turf surfaces are ideal for preparing horses for races at the new Pimlico Race Course.”

As part of this strategic pivot, the State will save an additional $22.5 million by pursuing alternatives to a previously designed large-scale contiguous event center at Pimlico, guided by a community needs study conducted by MEDCO. The Stadium Authority still plans to develop gathering spaces at Pimlico’s enhanced clubhouse, to include a restaurant, sports bar, and other meeting areas with total capacity for about 1,500 people.

Over the next few months, the Stadium Authority will convene local officials and industry leaders as part of a task force to determine Shamrock Farm’s future, including potential use as horse rescue sanctuary space or for future recreational development.

“This plan represents a pivotal opportunity to secure the future of Maryland racing,” said Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Katharine M. Voss. “By preserving and reinvigorating Laurel Park as a premier thoroughbred training center and aligning it with a reimagined Pimlico, the State and Governor Moore have taken decisive action to preserve a historic industry that has supported Maryland families for generations. This approach delivers long-term certainty for horsemen, stability for thousands of workers, and ensures that Maryland’s rich racing heritage remains a strong and sustainable economic engine for generations to come.”

The 151st Preakness Stakes will run at Laurel Park as scheduled on May 16, 2026, before returning to a reimagined Pimlico Race Course in spring 2027. Once finished, Pimlico will become the permanent home of Maryland horse racing, with approximately 120 racing days running at the venue each year.