PREAKNESS WEEKEND STAKES

Cramer Racing LLC’s Bayonne and Erik Ramirez winning the $40,000 Kattegat’s Pride Starter Allowance on Friday at Pimlico.  (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

The Jim Stables’ Ben’s Cat and Julian Pimentel winning the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes on Friday for trainer King Leatherbury. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Tim E. O’Donohue’s Debt Ceiling with Eric Camacho up winning the $75,000 Rollicking Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico.  Debt Ceiling is trained by John Robb. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Joel Rosario and Fiftyshadesofhay winning the $500,000 Black Eyed Susan Stakes Gr.3 at Pimlico on Friday.  (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

CJZ Racing Stable’s I’m Mom’s Favorite and Russell Sheldon winning the $100,000 Miss Preakness Pink Warrior Stakes on Fraidy at Pimlico. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

John D. Gunther’s Last Gunfighter, with Javier Castellano up, winning the $300,000 Pimlico Special Gr.3 on Friday for trainer Chad Brown. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Pianist and Mike Smith winning the $150,000 Gallorette Handicap Gr.3 (again for trainer Chad Brown) at Pimlico on Friday. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Redwood Kitten and Joel Rasario winning the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes on Saturday.  Wesley Ward trains. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

John Velazquez and Sage Valley capture the $150,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap Gr.3 on Preakness Saturday for trainer Rudy Rodriquez and owner Michael Dubb. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Three Lyons Racing’s Sensible Lady and Angel Serpa winning the $100,000 Very One Stkes for trainer Tim Salzman on Friday. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Gary Stevens scores an upset win for trainer D. Wayne Lukas with Calumet Farm’s Skyring in the $300,000 Dixie Stakes Gr.2 on Saturday at Pimlico. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Gil Campbell’s Summer Applause and John Velazquez winning the $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes Gr.3 at Pimlico on Saturday.  Chad Brown trains the winners. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Zayat Stables LLC’s Zee Bros and Martin Garcia winning the $100,000 Chick Land Stakes on Saturday for trainer Bob Baffert.  (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

VA-BRED WINNERS

Cho Cho Cat (f, 5yo), Tale of the Cat - Cho Cho San by Deputy Minister. B - Edward P. Evans. Evangeline Downs, 5/18/2013, stk, $30,000, 5 f, 0:55.32. ($19,000, 2yo, 2010, keenov)

Code West (r, 3yo), Lemon Drop Kid - Charitabledonation by Saint Ballado. B - Edward P. Evans. Pimlico, 5/18/2013, alwc, $29,640, 8.5 f, 1:46.67. ($340,000, yrlg, 2011, keesep)

Eldarion (g, 5yo), Aragorn (IRE) - Pagan Dance by Valley Crossing. B - Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III.

Presque Isle Downs, 5/19/2013, str alwc, $12,000, 6 f, 1:11.73. ($11,500, yrlg, 2009, keesep)

Razzo Succo (g, 4yo), Indian Charlie - Cryptos' Best by Cryptoclearance. B - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc. Arlington Park, 5/17/2013, alwc, $23,400, 8 f, 1:37.73. ($130,000, yrlg, 2010, keesep; $325,000, 2yo, 2011, ftffeb)

Snowball Fight (g, 3yo), Two Punch - Enough Tough by Cox's Ridge. B - Althea Richards.

Pimlico, 5/16/2013, clmg, $9,690, 6 f, 1:14.58.

Tirion (c, 5yo), Royal Academy - Domenica's Dream by Woodman. B - Lady Olivia at North Cliff LLC Maisons-laffitte, 5/18/2013, clmg, $12,193, 8 f, 1:38.60. ($37,000, Wnlg, 2008, keenov; $62,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)

THE TURF TEN - MAY 20, 2012

By Nick Hahn

Nick's picks for the top ten three year old horses in North America with at least one start on the turf in 2013 and perhaps with an inclination of running in the $500,000 Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs on July 13th.

Redwood Kitten, the James Murphy winner on Preakness day at Pimlico, is one of three Kitten's Joy-sired colts in Nick Hahn's Turf Ten. Kitten's Joy won the 2004 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. (Photo-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club)

1. 1. NOBLE TUNE – Solid run in the American Turf over Derby weekend places Chad Brown’s colt by Unbridled Song atop the Turf Ten.  The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf runner up has 4 wins in his 5 starts and is the most proven over the last nine months.
2.  UP WITH THE BIRDS – Malcolm Pierce’s Stormy Atlantic colt has certainly has seen tough foes, perhaps the best on this roster.   Only Javier Castellano’s nifty ride aboard on the winner kept this Canadian-bred on the winner from winning the Transylvania.
3. JACK MILTON – If Todd Pletcher’s lightly raced colt had a few more outings, he may be ranked even higher.  His Transylvania win was over a talented field.  Gary Barber’s late foal didn’t have a start as a two-year old.
4. WAR DANCER – Ken McPeek’s War Front colt ran out of turf in his stretch run in the American Turf.  Jockey Alan Garcia may not wait so long in his next start.  The winner’s in the turf races he lost? Noble Tune and Jack Milton.
5. ADMIRAL KITTEN – The “admiral” ride by Mike Smith was nearly measured perfectly by one of many Kitten’s Joy to be watching this summer.  Only one career win on the turf for Michael Maker’s pupil for the Ramsey home-bred but he’s been running well in tough company.
6. RYDILLUC – The Palm Beach stakes winner at Gulfstream couldn’t hold on to the lead in the Bluegrass on the synthetic.  His front running style might be more questionable if Silver Max hadn’t virtually wired the Virginia Derby field last year.  He’s perfect on the turf in three outings.
7. PROCUREMENT – Perhaps the “best in the west” with his LaPuente win, Tom Proctor knows the road to New Kent as he trained Banned, the 2011 Virginia Derby morning line favorite.  The Milwaukee Brew Florida-bred has three wins in six starts on the turf. 
8. TATTENHAM – Bill Mott’s Rock Hard Ten colt has only two starts for Juddmonte Farms, both impressive wins on the turf at Tampa.  He’s been up north at Belmont Park since late April with solid morning works.
9. CHARMING KITTEN – A suitable Derby effort for Ramsey’s homebred in the Kentucky Derby slop shouldn’t setback Pletcher’s student in a transition back to the turf.  In March, he won the Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream, named after his sire.
10. REDWOOD KITTEN – Wesley Ward will be bringing a portion of his stable to Colonial Downs this summer so Kitten’s Joy was a Virginia Derby prospect even before winning the Murphy over Preakness weekend at Pimlico.

         Also eligibles-Infinite Magic, Animal Style, Examen, Joelito, Rosengold, Fire Guard, I'll Call, Chamois

OXBOW UPSETS PREAKNESS

Oxbow #6, ridden by Gary Stevens, leads the field out of the fourth turn to win the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Molly Riley/Getty Images)

Oxbow #6, ridden by Gary Stevens, leads the field to the finish line to win the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The field races during the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The field breaks the gate at the start of the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Molly Riley/Getty Images)

Orb #1, ridden by Joel Rosario, breaks the gate to start the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Molly Riley/Getty Images)

Trainer D. Wayne Lucas leads Oxbow #6, ridden by Gary Stevens to Winner's Circle after winning the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Gary Stevens smiles atop of Oxbow #6 in Winners Circle. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The field breaks the gate at the start of the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Molly Riley/Getty Images)

Jockey Gary Stevens (3L), and trainer D. Wayne Lucas (4L) celebrate with the trophy in Winner's Circle after Oxbow #6 won the Preakness. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jockey Gary Stevens hugs his daughter Madison in the Winner's Circle. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

PICTURES OF THE DAY

The first two-year-old race of 2013 in New York is in the books. Ogermeister, a son of Met Mile winner Silver Train, ran them off their feet with Kentucky Derby winner Joel Rosario aboard. Last year,  Eclipse Awards/Breeders' Cup World Championships winner Shanghai Bobby won the first 2yo maiden race at Belmont Park. (NYRA/Facebook)

Live Oak Plantation’s Za Approval waited patiently near the back of the pack before moving around the far turn, splitting rivals near the eighth pole and running down Tune Me In in the final yards of the Grade 3 $100,000 Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday. (Equiphoto/Monmouth/Facebook)

Queen's Plate hopeful Pyrite Mountain breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Saturday morning with Luis Contreras in the irons. (Woodbine/Facebook)

Silvestre De Sousa riding Farhh (L, blue) win The JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury racecourse on May 18, 2013 in Newbury, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Glorious View, with jockey Junior Alvarado, captures the $200,000 Vagrancy Gr.2 at Belmont Park on Saturday, May 18, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/New York Racing Association, Adam Coglianese)

Open Water and jockey Joseph Talamo win the Grade II, $150,000 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap horse race, Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Betfair Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Benoit Photo)

CW Brown (blue and yellow silks with red cap) rides Goliath to win The Hornet 2008 Stakes during Singapore racing at Kranji on May 17, 2013 in Singapore. (Neville Hopwood/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Joao Moreira rides War Affair to win the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe during Singapore racing at Kranji on May 17, 2013 in Singapore. (Neville Hopwood/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Ivaldo Santana riding Stepitup celebrates after winning the Group 1 Singapore Guineas during Singapore racing at Kranji on May 17, 2013 in Singapore. (Neville Hopwood/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Damian Lane riding Mister Milton wins The Straight Six during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on May 18, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Jamie Mott riding Streets Away on the inside defeats Craig Robertson riding Another Prelate in the Luxbet Winter Championship Series Heat 2 during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on on May 18, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Paul Milrennan riding Ancient Cross (C) win The Betfred Mobile Sports Stakes at York racecourse on May 16, 2013 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Runners make their way to the start for The Betfred Jorvik Stakes at York racecourse on May 17, 2013 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Christophe Lemaire riding Dalkala (2nd R) win The Betfred Middleton Stakes at York racecourse on May 16, 2013 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Tom Queally riding First Mohican (L) win The Infinity Stakes from Lahaag (R) at York racecourse on May 15, 2013 in York, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

PREAKNESS DOINGS

Orb, with exercise rider Jennifer Patterson aboard, gallops during a workout at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Thursday, May 16, 2013. The Preakness Stakes horse race is scheduled to take place May 18. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Kentucky Derby winner Orb shows off his now famous injury-enlarged right nostril while he grazes following a workout in preparation for the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jockey Kevin Krigger takes Preakness entrant Goldencents over the track in preparation for the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Preakness entrant Oxbow is walked following a monring workout in preparation for the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Preakness Stakes entrant and Illinois Derby winner Departing gallops the track at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Thursday, May 16, 2013, with exercise rider Trina Pasckvale in the saddle. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)

Preakness Stakes entrant Departing, left, waits with a pony to begin a morning workout at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)

Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness morning line favorite Orb, with exercise rider Jennifer Patterson up, gallops over the track in preparation for the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

NEW YORK TIMES VIDEO: MEET ORB

To see the video, click here.

CLN PREPARING FOR 17TH LIVE MEET OPENING JUNE 8TH

(NEW KENT, VA---5/15/13) Colonial Downs will open its 17^th season of pari-mutuel thoroughbred racing on Saturday June 8^th, and the barn area will be nearly full according to Director of Racing Tyler Picklesimer. The barn area will open two weeks in advance, on Saturday May 25th, and the track will open for training that same day. 

Top returning trainers include Ferris Allen with 30-plus head, Ham Smith with 20-plus, and Hugh McMahon, last year’s leading conditioner, with 30. New this year to the backstretch is trainer Wesley Ward, who will have a string of 15. Ward, a regular competitor at Gulfstream’s winter meet and at Keeneland’s spring session, has over 200 horses in training across the country.

Racing will take place every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 PM (EDT) and Sunday afternoons at 12:55 pm. Friday racing however won’t begin until June 21^st and several big race days will feature an early post at 5:00 PM.

Highlights of the meet include a pair of Grade II stakes. The $300,000 Colonial Turf Cup, which regained its graded status earlier this year, is slated for Saturday June 22nd while the 16^th running of the $500,000 Virginia Derby will close out the meet on Saturday July 13^th.

The $250,000 Commonwealth Turf Fest, a series of five Virginia-bred stakes worth $50,000 each, will be contested on Saturday July 6th.

Evening racing will again be a focal point of Colonial’s summer stand. In February 2012, the track repositioned nearly all of its light standards to illuminate the signature Secretariat Turf Course instead of its 1¼ miles dirt track. Since between 80-90% of the races are held on turf, the track is able to again have a later start time and not worry about running out of daylight, though first post will be an hour earlier (at 6 PM) than it was last summer (7 PM).

The 25-day meet is shorter than in past years, but Picklesimer is optimistic. “I’m looking forward to the revised schedule because it allows us to increase overnight purses, which should translate into higher quality racing.”

Stall applications, condition book #1, stakes schedules and Virginia Racing Commission license information are all available at colonialdowns.com. For more information, call the racing office at 804-966-7223, ext. 1056.

ORB DRAWS RAIL FOR PREAKNESS