Cooney Leads Virginia-Bred Trainer Bonus Standings; Three-Way Tie For Top Spot In Owners Category

Trainer/Owner Bonus Award Standings Update For 2018 Virginia-Bred/Sired Events

The second series of races in the 2018 Virginia-bred/sired stakes race program being held at Laurel Park is now complete, and updated trainer and owner standings for both bonus award divisions have been announced.

The first part of the series kicked off respectively on June 15th and 23rd. A $40,000 maiden race for fillies & mares was first, followed by a four-pack of $75,000 stakes that included The Edward Evans, White Oak Farm, Tyson Gilpin and Nellie Mae Cox Stakes. Respective winners, along with their trainer and owner were:

Maiden (F/M) – Altamura (John Stephens; Fred Seitz, Danny Ward & John Stephens)

Edward Evans – Sticksstatelydude (Kiaran McLaughlin; A. Haynes, J. Ferris, Pack Pride Racing, M. Haynes & B. Ward)

White Oak Farm – Determined Vision (Phil Schoenthal; D Hatman Thoroughbreds & Kingdom Bloodstock, Inc.)

Tyson Gilpin – Altamura (John Stephens; Fred Seitz, Danny Ward & John Stephens)

Nellie Mae Cox – Armoire (Arnaud Delacour; Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone)

The second part was held on August 4th with four $75,000 stakes races — the Camptown, William Backer, Hansel and Meadow Stable — along with a pair of maiden special weight races August 2nd and 4th. Winners, along with their trainer and owner are:

Maiden (F/M) – Holiday Hopes (Don Barr; Walter Vieser II)

Maiden (3 & up) – Vincent Van Gogo (Lacey Gaudet; Saratoga Seven Racing Partners)

Camptown – Altamura (Wayne Catalano; Susan Moulton)

William Backer – Paulita (Arnaud Delacour; Hat Creek Racing)

Hansel – River Deep (Phil Schoenthal; Morgan’s Ford Farm)

Meadow Stable – Homespun Hero (Mark Shuman; Tag Stables LLC & Bedlam)

New this year is a $40,000 bonus program, to be divided among top point earning owners and trainers that participate. $20,000 will be earmarked for trainers and $20,000 for owners. Points are tallied in the following manner — 5 for a first place finish, 4 for a second, 3 for a third, 2 for a fourth and 1 for every starter below fourth place.  After the 2018 series is complete, the trainer and owner with the most points will each win a $10,000 bonus. $4,000 will be awarded for second, $3,000 for third, $2,000 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth.

Sheldon Russell guided River Deep to victory in the $75,000 Hansel Stakes August 4th. Photo by Jim McCue.

Here are top point leaders in the $20,000 Trainers Bonus category:

Susan Cooney – 21

Phil Schoenthal – 19

Arnaud Delacour – 16

John Stevens – 12

Lilith Boucher – 7

Here are top point leaders in the $20,000 Owners Bonus category:

Mr. & Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone – 11

Quest Realty – 11

Walter Vieser – 11

Frederick J. Seitz, Danny Ward & John Stevens – 10

Andrew and Beck Lavin – 9

D. Hatman Thoroughbreds & Kingdom Bloodstock, Inc – 9

The series will continue with a pair of two year old races for Virginia-bred, sired or certified horses Friday August 10th at Laurel, then conclude with a five-pack of $75,000 stakes at Laurel on September 22nd — the Bert Allen, Brookemeade, Punch Line, Oakley and  Jamestown Stakes.