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*Story originally posted on nationalsteeplechaseassociation.com on 5/7/2025, written by Emma Cary, Photos courtesy of Douglas Lees*

Despite some ominous weather in Virginia, fan turnout was undeterred as the Virginia Gold Cup celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Six races were on tap at Great Meadow Race Course – a seventh was cancelled when storms blew in – including three stakes highlighted by the season’s first Grade 1, the $150,000 Commonwealth Cup, and the eponymous $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup timber stakes.

In the Commonwealth Cup, Riverdee Stable’s Cool Jet, a two-time novice stakes winning  Irish-bred, earned his first victory since 2023 and first Grade 1 ever with a tactical front-running performance under veteran reinsman Bernie Dalton. Dalton, the NSA’s -most seasoned rider, is having a sensational spring, with more than $200,000 in earnings, good enough for second in the standings. Under Dalton’s skilled handling, the nine-year-old broke on top, controlled the pace, and never looked back, drawing off from a classy field of seven by 7 1/4 lengths.

Ballybristol Farm’s Noble Anthem (Evan Dwan), exiting a 115 handicap score at the Carolina Cup Races in his NSA debut following a long career in Europe, was second with Irv Naylor’s G1-conqueror of Snap Decision, Too Friendly, third under Jordan Canavan.

In the Gold Cup, one of only two $100,000 timber races on the calendar, Dolly Fisher’s Keys Discount captured his second consecutive stake with a 1 3/4-length victory, coming from off-the-pace in the centennial running of the storied event.

With Graham Watters aboard, who made a speedy recovery from a bad spill at Middleburg two weeks ago, the Maryland-bred six-year-old grabbed an early lead then backed off as Uco Valley (James O’Sullivan) took charge, regaining the top spot at around the 3 1/2-mile mark, and drew clear through the stretch following a duel with Irv Naylor’s Family Tree (Jordan Canavan). Daniel Colhoun, Achsah O’Donovan, and Harvey Goolsby’s Bogey’s Image (Sean McDermott) was third.

In a third stake on the day, the $50,000 Speedy Smithwick for four-year-olds, Fisher and Watters joined forces once again, this time with Northwoods Stable’s Mission North, who romped by 27 lengths in the three-horse field.  For Mission North, another Maryland-bred, it was his second consecutive score following his maiden tally in his NSA debut at the Old Dominion Hounds meet in early April. Actually, it was the son of Noble Mission’s third win in a row, if you include his final race on the flat at Laurel.

In other action

A sorcerer’s apprentice no more

Runnymoore Racing’s The Wizards Well made his first trip to the winner’s circle in five career starts, leading from start to finish in the opener at Gold Cup, a $40,000 maiden special weights contest.

With Harry Beswick riding for trainer Todd McKenna, the five-year-old Irish-bred led the field of 10 from the start, leading by a length and a half for the first mile and a half, then extending his advantage after Risk Taking (Gerard Galligan) slipped and fell on the final turn. The margin of victory was 20 lengths. Bruton Street-US’ Derby Street (Graham Watters) was second in his second start over jumps, while Jacqueline Ohrstrom’s Blueflagflyinghigh (Mell Boucher) was third.

Fashion Line cements his status as the new king of the steeplethon

Armata Stables’ Fashion Line captured his second steeplethon in three weeks, his third in his last four outings, and fourth overall, with a determined one-length tally over gritty challenger Animal Kingston.

The steeplethon, a $20,000 race at 2 5/8 miles contested over timber, natural brush fences, and through water, is a unique test, and the nine-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Morning Line was more than up to the challenge.

Once again ridden by Gerard Galligan for trainer Kathy Neilson, Fashion Line sat patiently, gradually moving up from fifth to fourth, to third at the two-mile mark as Runnymoore Racing’s Old Style Humor (Dan Nevin) set the pace. He assumed the lead heading into the final turn, opened up by three, and held on by a length over Will Russell’s Animal Kingston (James O’Sullivan). It was far back to Gill Johnston’s Mortlach in third.

Active Duty pulls rank in $45,000 allowance

Gill Johnston’s Minella Juke may have been the betting favorite in the non-winners of two contest, but at the wire it was his 4-1 Johnston stablemate Active Duty who stole the show with a three-length victory in the field of nine.

With Bernie Dalton riding for trainer Tom Garner, the French-bred six-year-old son of millionaire and multiple group 1 winner Almanzor rated off the pace, rallied two fences from home, and drove past Irv Naylor’s Sultan Pierji (Evan Dwan) for the score. Riverdee Stable’s Palio (Stephen Mulqueen) was third.

The win was the second straight for Active Duty, who was coming off of a year-and-a-half layoff. Active Duty broke his maiden at Aiken in November 2023.

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) has announced that Jill Byrne will take over as the organization’s Executive Director. Debbie Easter will remain an integral part of the VTA but will now focus more time and energy on a wider range of industry initiatives with the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) of which she is President. Byrne will also continue to serve in her existing role as Vice-President of Marketing & Strategic Planning for the VEA.  

Byrne is a Virginia native and graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and has come full circle in a sense. After spending several decades in various roles around the country — as on-air host and handicapper with TVG, Senior Director of Industry Relations with the Breeders’ Cup and Director of Broadcast Operations with Churchill Downs, she returned to Virginia to serve as VP of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs during the 2019 “Racing Revival” season and remained in that capacity for three more years before joining the VEA in 2023. With her combined VEA and VTA responsibilities, Byrne is once again based in Charlottesville where she works and resides. 

“I look forward to continue to represent the Virginia horsemen and women, and work with all stakeholders as our racing and breeding programs in the state are growing and prospering,” said Byrne. “Virginia has a renowned history in the thoroughbred industry and our future is brighter than ever.” 

“Our Virginia Equine Alliance team has accomplished so much over the last 7 years, but we need to continue to keep our foot on the gas if we are going to see continued growth for our Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries,” added Easter. ” Jill has done a fantastic job heading up marketing for the VEA and I am so pleased that she is willing to also take on a roll with the VTA. With her marketing knowledge and passion for Virginia’s Thoroughbred industry, the VTA will be in very good hands.  This move will allow me to enhance my role as President of the Virginia Equine Alliance.  I can work even closer with Jeb Hannum (VEA Executive Director) to concentrate on the larger industry initiatives that will keep us moving forward into the future.”

“I’m pleased that Jill Byrne is taking on an even larger role in Virginia racing,” said Turner Kobayashi, VTA President and General Manager of Audley Farm Equine in Berryville. “She has tremendous experience and has been a major player for a long time. Her new role allows Debbie (Easter) to help in other important areas. They are both great leaders and we are lucky to have both these talented professionals to lead us into the future.”    

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association was organized in 1941 to cultivate the development of the Commonwealth’s heritage as a producer of quality Thoroughbred horses. Today, more than 80 years later, the VTA boasts a membership base of about 700 members and is responsible for implementing a number of successful bonus programs including the Virginia Breeders Fund and the Virginia Certified Residency program — which was instrumental in keeping the native industry not just afloat, but vibrant, after Colonial Downs initially ceased thoroughbred operations after the 2013 season.

The Certified Residency program, which started in 2017, requires horses to spend at least six consecutive months at a registered Virginia farm or training center before they turn three years of age. Since the program began, a total of 5,031 horses have participated and on average, each horse has stayed eight months in Virginia. Between 2018 and 2023, the program paid out a total of $14.6 million in bonuses and has had a total economic impact of $86.2 million, supporting 825 jobs in the Commonwealth.

The VEA is a non-profit, 501(c)6 organization which is comprised of the Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA), the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, the Virginia Gold Cup Association and the VTA. The purpose of the VEA is to sustain, promote and expand the horse breeding and horse racing industries in Virginia. The VEA represents the interests of horsemen at meetings of the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Racing Commission along with other racing, horsemen and breeder associations.     

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The Old Dominion Hounds Point to Point was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Ben Venue farm in Washington, Virginia. The exciting day of racing featured 10 races, including 3 races sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association (NSA). Two of the point-to-point races had so many entries that they split into 3 & 2 divisions, respectively. The eight race was cancelled due to a lack of entries. leading to 12 competitions throughout the card.

The first race was an amateur/novice rider hurdle. For four-year olds and up going about 2 and a half miles over fences. This race was won by Lydford (GB) ridden by Even Dwan, owned by Maranto Manor, LLC and trained by Thomas Garner.

Second was the Hunter’s Rest maiden hurdle, for horses four and up who have never won over hurdles. Racing about two and a quarter miles. Ziggy Wiggy (IRE) was the winner for owner Mrs. S. K. Johnston, JR, and trainer Neil Morris. The 5-year-old mare was ridden by James O’Sullivan.

They ran a second division of this race that was won by Dream North, ridden by Dylan McDonagh for trainer Jack Fisher and owner Northwoods Stable.

With 29 entries in this condition, they had to split the Hunter’s Rest maiden into a third class which was won by Baseline Beater for owner Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr, and trainer Richard L. Valentine. The Kentucky bred gelding was ridden by Mell Boucher

The next event was the Old Dominion Hunt Cup for amateur & novice riders over foxhunter timbers. Similarly, too the Hunter’s Rest the race over filled and had to be split into 2 divisions the first of which was won by Bet the Pot for owner Vincent M Bonanni and trainer Neil Morris. The Pennsylvania bred gelding was ridden by Conor Tierney.

The second division scratched down to just one-horse Straw into Gold who was ridden by Sam Cockburn for owner Kinross farm and trainer Julie Gomena.

The first of the NSA sanctioned races was the fourth. A maiden hurdle race going 2 and a quarter mile, competing for a $30,000 purse. This race was won by Winning Spirit (GER) for owner Bonnie Rye Stables, and trainer Julie Gomena. The German 5-year-old was ridden by Gerard Galligan.

The fifth race was the Piedmont Equine NSA Maiden Hurdle, sponsored by the Virginia Equine Alliance. The $30,000 race was for horses four and up going two and a quarter miles. The race was won by Mission North notching another win on the card for owner Northwoods Stable, and trainer Jack Fisher. The Virginia-certified gelding was ridden by Graham Watters.

The next race The Meeting House Mountain Open Hurdle was not NSA sanctioned. The race was won by Madaket Stables LLC & The International Venture’s Going Country (IRE). The Irish gelding was ridden by Declan Carroll and trained by Keri Brion.

The seventh was the final race sanctioned by the NSA; the Leeds Don NSA Allowance Timber sponsored by the Virginia Equine Alliance going for $20,000. The race was won by Hard Strike trained by Todd McKenna and owned by Upland Partners. The winner was ridden by Gerard Galligan making it a double header for Gerard in NSA races on the card.

The eighth race the Aiken Classic restricted young adult flat race ended up scratching down to zero horses and did not end up being ran.

The ninth race was the High Thicket novice rider flat race for four-year-olds and up for novice riders, going a mile and a half on the flat turf. The race was won by Cadogan Place (GB) ridden by Mell Boucher, giving her two wins on the card. It was also a second win for owner Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom L. and trainer Richard L. Valentine.

The last race on the card was The Dark Horse Virginia-Bred or Virginia-Sired Flat races sponsored by the Viriginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association. The nightcap was won by Avalanche is Comin, ridden by Sarah Cundith for owner/trainer Jean L. Rofe.

Even though the day started misty and chilly, it turned out to be a beautiful, partly sunny day with temperatures in the upper 60s. Fans and patrons from throughout the Commonwealth and beyond came out to experience this historic event.

The second race was named in honor of  R. Larry Johnson, who passed away in February. Mr Johnson had a significant impact in breeding and racing in the Mid-Atlantic for decades. His family were present for this emotional tribute. Divine Works (by Divining Rod, out of Saltworks) crossed the wire first for owner Country Life Farm and trainer Michael Trombetta, a longtime friend and trainer to Larry Johnson, in the Virginia Restricted race. The Johnson family was cheering on their homebred,  Ann’s Girl – also trained by Mike Trombetta – and were thrilled with the filly’s third-place effort in her debut run.

There was one more Virginia Restricted race on this day. Champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr crossed the wire first aboard Virginia-certified Eastbostonbenny owned by Lillian Klesaris (certified at CRE-Run Enterprise, LLC in Doswell, VA). Medagooch took second place for owner WWCD, LLC (certified at Legacy Farm in Bluemont, VA), and Ben’s Hero was 3^rd for owner Lillian Klesaris (certified at Eagle Point Farm in Ashland, VA).

Between races the Virginia Thoroughbred Association held their annual Champions Awards presenting the award recipients for 2024. It was the perfect day to thank and honor our Virginia horses, breeders, and trainers in front of a record crowd. On March 15^th we congratulated the following winners:

• 2024 Virginia-Bred Two-Year-Old Champion – Saxton; bred by Lazy Lane Farms, LLC
• 2024 Virginia-Bred Two-Year-Old Filly Champion – Sail Theseven Seas; bred by R. Larry Johnson
• 2024 Virginia-Bred Older Mare Champion – Tufani; bred by Chance Farm & Distorted Humor Syndicate
• 2024 Virginia-Bred Turf Horse Champion – Gigante; bred by Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm
• 2024 Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year & Turf Sprinter Champion – Determined Kingdom; bred by Audley Farm Equine, LLC
• 2024 Virginia-Certified Filly Champion – Future Is Now; certified by R. Larry Johnson
• 2024 Virginia-Certified Colt Champion – Book’em Danno; certified by Greg Kilka & Bright View Farm
• 2024 Virginia Based Co-Trainers of the Year – Madison Meyers and Susan Cooney
• 2024 Virginia Breeder of the Year – Audley Farm Equine

The day was a memorable one for our guests. We had great support from members of the legislature and other dignitaries. Governor Youngkin and the First Lady, who are wonderful advocates for the horse industry, were in attendance as well and presented the trophies for the Virginia Oaks and Virginia Derby. Turner Kobayashi, President of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, put it best, saying, “It was a great day and showcase for Virginia racing and breeding. We received a lot of airtime, press and social media coverage that always helps expand our mission. Great crowd and fun. The hospitality was second to none and made our guests feel special and welcomed.”

Alan Hutchison, VTA Board Member, added, “It started with the greeting in the parking lot, cordials at the hospitality entrance, pleasant elevator attendants, capable wagering staff and continued throughout the friendly confines.” He also noted, “the weather was perfect.”

Other compliments came from Hunter Marek, representing Smitten Farm and Mrs. Anne Backer for Gigante’s 2024 achievements, stating, “It was absolutely perfect…the food was delicious, the company was great, and the racing couldn’t have been better! It feels good being a VTA member and seeing how far racing in Virginia has come in the last few years.”

Janis Paiva, President of the James River Horse Foundation, thanked Colonial Downs, Churchill Downs Inc., and the Virginia Equine Alliance “for making our experience at The Virginia Derby Day completely wonderful. The expanded opportunity to let the public know more about our program – benefiting both the horses and the inmates – is really priceless.”

Virginia horse racing couldn’t have asked for a better day, and all guests and fans enjoyed watching the races in the much-welcomed warm sunshine. It was the first time the Virginia Derby had been run on the dirt course and served as a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier. Every Virginian in the facility were likely rooting  for the  Virginia-bred Omaha Omaha, and we are all very proud of his third-place performance.

We saw high profile horsemen participate in this historic day, including Kenny McPeek, champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., and six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert.

But it would be the Hall of Fame trainer, 89-year-old D. Wayne Lukas, who captured the Virginia Derby with American Promise in a record-setting performance, earning a coveted spot in the gate for the 151^st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. Trainer Graham Motion, a perennial leading trainer at Colonial Downs, sent out Eclipse Partners’ Fondly to win the Virginia Oaks and secure a position in the Kentucky Oaks .

Congratulations to all the connections from Virginia’s very first spring meet. Congratulations as well to our Champions Awards recipients, and a heartfelt thank you to our VTA members, guests, and everyone who made March 15, 2025, a day to remember.

~ High-profile trainers Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Ken McPeek all enter horses in historic Kentucky Derby qualifying race this Saturday, March 15 at Colonial Downs; Multiple Triple Crown race winning jockeys to ride this weekend ~

The race fields for the historic 2025 Virginia Derby and 2025 Virginia Oaks will feature a slate of promising young horses, including one born right here in Virginia, and legendary race teams, trainers, and jockeys with multiple Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown victories on their resumes.

“Racing’s legends and rising stars will be continuing their journey on The Road to the Kentucky Derby right here at Colonial Downs this Saturday,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations for Colonial Downs. “The 2025 Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will feature worldclass horses trained and jockeyed by some of the absolute best in the business. This is sure to be an exciting and historic day in Virginia racing!”

Fewer than 500 General Admission tickets remain at the fan-friendly price of just $5, while all reserved seats are sold out.

The 2025 Virginia Derby will, for the first time ever, serve as a qualifying race on The Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winning horse securing a spot in the 151^st Kentucky Derby.

The 2025 Virginia Derby will feature world-class three-year old horses including:

• Early favorite Getaway Car trained by two-time Triple Crown winning and six-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert.
• American Promise, son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas
• Render Judgement featuring the trainer/jockey combination of Ken McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr. who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan and 2024 Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna
• Omaha Omaha—this promising horse was born at Chance Farm in Gordonsville, Virginia and will be running his first race in his home state
• John Hancock ridden by Mike Smith who won the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify and has won a total of seven Triple Crown races in his career

The full Virginia Derby field with odds as of Saturday, March 8 is:

1.          Calling Card (Luan Machado, Mike Maker, 15-1)

2.         John Hancock (Mike Smith, Brad Cox, 3-1)

3.         American Promise (Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas, 12-1)

4.         Omaha Omaha (Raul Mena, Michael Gorham, 10-1)

5.         Studlydoright (Xavier Perez, John Robb, 15-1)

6.         Getaway Car (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Bob Baffert, 9-5)

7.         Rapture (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox, 5-1)

8.         Authentic Gallop (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 10-1)

9.         Render Judgement (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 12-1)

10.       Georgia Magic (Sheldon Russell, Ray Handal, 30-1)

(Jockey, Trainer, Odds)

The 2025 Virginia Oaks will feature a field of eight promising three-year old fillies seeking qualification for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks. These include:

• Gowells Delight and Anonima both trained by 2024 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks winning trainer Ken McPeek. Gowells Delight will be ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr. who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby aboard Mystik Dan and the 2024 Kentucky Oaks riding Thorpedo Anna
• Low Key ridden by Mike Smith who won the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify and has won a total of seven Triple Crown races in his career
• Icona Mama ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner John Velazquez
• You’ll Be Back ridden by four-time Triple Crown race winning jockey Javier Castellano

The full Virginia Oaks field with odds as of Saturday, March 8 is:

1.          Icona Mama (John Velazquez, Flint Stites, 8-1)

2.         Low Key (Mike Smith, Tom Amoss, 10-1)

3.         Gowells Delight (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 3-1)

4.         Anonima (Colby Hernandez, Ken McPeek, 6-1)

5.         Early On (Flavien Prat, Saffie Joseph, Jr., 8-1)

6.         You’ll Be Back (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 9-2)

7.         Girl Math (Luan Machado, Rodolphe Brisset, 5-1)

8.         Fondly (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Graham Motion, 7-2)

(Jockey, Trainer, Odds)

This special weekend of spring racing at Colonial Downs begins on Thursday, March 13 with a post time of 12:30pm, continues on Friday, March 14 with races beginning at 12:30pm, and culminates with Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, March 15 with the day’s first race beginning at noon. Derby Day will feature a 10-race card including the Virginia Oaks (Race 8) and Virginia Derby (Race 9.)

For tickets or more information about the 2025 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.

Colonial Downs will offer an extensive wagering menu for Virginia Derby
weekend, highlighted by two daily 50-cent Pick 5 wagers each with a fan-friendly 12% takeout.

Thursday and Friday’s eight-race cards will feature Pick 5s beginning in Races 1 and 4. Saturday’s Virginia Derby card will include two Pick 5s, starting in Races 1 and 6. If no winning tickets correctly select all five winners in the sequence, the pool will carryover to the next day’s late Pick 5 sequence. There will be a mandatory payout in all Pick 5 pools on Saturday.

The wagering lineup also includes the $1 Old Dominion 6, a traditional non-jackpot bet, covering the final six races each day with a low 15% takeout. Thursday and Friday will feature two 50-cent Pick 4 wagers (starting in races 2 and 5), while Saturday will offer three (beginning in races 2, 4, and 7).

Saturday’s 10-race program is headlined by the $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks, Championship Series contests on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, and Road to the Longines Kentucky Oaks, respectively. Friday’s action includes the $150,000 Boston Handicap and $150,000 Stellar Wind Handicap, both restricted to Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified horses.

Colonial Downs will offer lucrative purses for the undercard races all weekend, with open-company Maiden Special Weight races carrying a $75,000 purse and Virginia-bred Maiden Special Weight races worth $93,750. Open-company allowance races will range from $80,000 to $85,000, while Virginia-bred allowance races will offer a purse of $100,000.

Fans can catch the action live on FanDuel TV, who will broadcast on-site all weekend, or via the Colonial Downs simulcast feed. Horseplayers can wager on all the action from Virginia Derby weekend at www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires will offer special
promotions for betting on races from Colonial Downs and a qualifier for the $250,000 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge featuring races from both Colonial and Oaklawn.
For the latest information about the Virginia Derby, visit https://rosiesgaming.com/virginia-derby/

Exiting a second-place finish in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds Race
Course & Slots, Fern Circle Stables’ Gowells Delight was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the $250,000 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.

The co-feature of a special three-day meet beginning Thursday, March 13, the 1 1/16-miles Virginia Oaks will be held on Saturday, March 15, together with the 1 1/8-miles $500,000 Virginia Derby. The winning horse in each race will receive 50 points toward the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) or Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), respectively. The second- through fifth-place finishers will earn 25-15-10-5 points on a sliding scale.

First post for Saturday’s 10-race card is 12:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Virginia Oaks is scheduled as Race 8, followed immediately by the Virginia Derby.

Debuting at two turns in December at Fair Grounds, Gowells Delight beat seven rivals by 5½ lengths. Trainer Ken McPeek threw the daughter of Practical Joke into deep waters for her encore, where she ran a troubled fourth in the Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park. After showing a new dimension when setting the pace in last month’s
Rachel Alexandra, Gowells Delight proved no match for the undefeated Good Cheer, but with her runner-up finish, she boosted her Oaks qualifying points to 16.5. One of two entered in the local oaks by McPeek, Gowells Delight drew post 3 and will be piloted by Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Drawing to the immediate outside of her stablemate, Magdalena Racing and Steve Crabtree’s two-time winner Anonima will ship to New Kent fresh off her first stakes try, when she ran sixth to Quietside in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn. Installed at 6-1 in the morning line, Anonima will receive the services of Colby Hernandez.

Though she’s only started once, Fondly won her debut in style on Valentine’s Day at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Graham Motion. Demonstrating her push-button potential when overcoming two spots of trouble, the Upstart filly won going away and earned an 84 Brisnet Speed figure. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Fondly was tabbed as the 7-2 second choice in the line and will break from the far outside post under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Sent off as the favorite last out in the Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park, WinStar Farm’s Girl Math only managed to run fifth across the Tapeta surface where she broke her maiden I the start prior. With three second-place finishes on main track at Churchill Downs on her resume, the Rodolphe Brisset trainee will return to the dirt for the Virginia Oaks and reunite with jockey Luan Machado who was aboard for her maiden score. Set at 5-1 in the morning line, the daughter of McKinzie drew post 7.

Looking the part in her first try going two turns, C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, and Bradley Kent’s Early On exits a 5¼-length maiden score at Gulfstream Park for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. Flavien Prat, the 2024 Eclipse Award-winning jockey, is named to ride the Union Rags filly, who drew post 5 and was made 8-1 in the morning line.

The complete field for the $250,000 Virginia Oaks from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds):

1. Icona Mama (John Velazquez, Flint Stites, 8-1)
2. Low Key (Mike Smith, Tom Amoss, 10-1)
3. Gowells Delight (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 3-1)
4. Anonima (Colby Hernandez, Ken McPeek, 6-1)
5. Early On (Flavien Prat, Saffie Joseph, Jr., 8-1)
6. You’ll Be Back (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 9-2)
7. Girl Math (Luan Machado, Rodolphe Brisset, 5-1)
8. Fondly (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Graham Motion, 7-2)