VIRGINIA THOROUGHBREDS: HORSE SENSE

This editorial appeared in today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch. It would appear that some of the facts were taken from an editorial we submitted last month as well as some info posted here on the blog. However, we aren’t sure what conclusions are drawn except that 1) the RTD supports racing in Virginia and 2) in their humble opinion, Pimlico is a dump.

By Staff Reports

Published: July 18, 2009/Editorial Page

The Virginia Derby is slated for Colonial Downs today. Our bet always goes to the jockey with the prettiest silks, which may explain why we're not retired and playing golf in Bermuda. A long shot thrilled fans by winning the Kentucky Derby. A filly took the Preakness in a race to the tape. This spring The Washington Post noted that despite a rich history regarding breeding and horsemanship, Virginia did not field an entry in either stakes. The Virginia-bred Charitable Man raced in Belmont, however.

Secretariat was bred in Virginia, just up the road in Doswell as a matter of fact. Many consider him the greatest race horse ever. A Virginia native has not run for the roses since 1996.

Virginia racing dates to Colonial days. Although the state did not authorize regular pari-mutuel betting until the late 1980s, Virginia horses prospered nationally. That no longer seems to be the case. According to The Post, in its prime Virginia produced 1,400 Thoroughbred foals a year. It produces only 350 now.

Various factors contribute to the decline, including a loss of farmland to development and breeder funds that cannot compete with those in other states ("breeder funds" refers to the dollars allocated to breeders from the state's share of gambling). Pari-mutuel was advertised in part as a means to boost the Thoroughbred industry. The Post suggests that the results have proved disappointing. We continue to support racing in Virginia, and hope that Colonial Downs and its parlors eventually will generate the revenue to restore the glory days.

Racing in general is not doing well. In tough times people are less likely to risk a flutter on a pony. Other forms of gambling are siphoning cash from the races, too. Legendary venues such as Churchill Downs are feeling the heat. Tracks increasingly rely on slots and other enticements. Viewers of the Preakness on TV may have noticed an almost empty infield. This year Pimlico banned beer brought in from outside. The rowdy crowds disappeared, which says a lot about their priorities, and their etiquette. Can the sport of kings flourish in a nation of slobs and inebriates?

Racing in Maryland faces hurdles as well. The legislature there has debated rescue plans to prevent the Preakness from bolting for another state, and to promote Maryland's tracks. In London, Pimlico refers to a neighborhood of gentility and grace. Baltimore's Pimlico has a charming name but is otherwise a dump.

(Editor's note: If you are wondering what has happened to the photos that usually accompany the blog posts, we can no longer post any until we expand our storage capacity at blogger. We did that Friday, but it make take a few days to get back to normal. Sorry for the lack of visual stimuli.)

VA-BRED CHARITABLE MAN ARRIVES IN SARATOGA

Virginia-bred Charitable Man has not run since he finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes at the beginning of June, but now he's in Saratoga prepping for his next race -- whatever that may be.

The colt, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, shipped to Saratoga yesterday and will start his prepations for his summer at the Spa Saturday morning. McLaughlin, speaking from Belmont on Friday morning, said his plan is to run the horse in the $500,000 Jim Dandy at the Spa on August 1 at 1 1/8 miles.

There had been talk of possibly running him in the $1 million Haskell at Monmouth (also 1 1/8 miles) on Aug. 2 but there were reasons not to go there. The biggest was Rachel Alexandra.

“We were always pointing to the Jim Dandy for the most part,” McLaughlin said. “But that (Rachel) might have had a little to do with staying in Saratoga. Really, we just want to get a race over the track. We know he already likes it. We can hook her (Rachel) in the Travers if that’s what they decide to do.”

Charitable Man broke his maiden at Saratoga last summer, beating his competition by 11 1/2 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs.

TOP THREAT IN OAKS PARKED OUTSIDE

By Marty McGee/Daily Racing Form

The strength of the Virginia Oaks field appears to be assigned to the outside post positions. Farthest out is the filly who looks as good as any: Shared Account.

"I really like this filly," said trainer Graham Motion. "She won her first two starts, and then for reasons I still don't understand, she just didn't do well in Florida over the winter. But since she came back north, she's been a different horse."

Shared Account, with Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado named, will break from the far outside in a field of 11 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3, $150,000 Virginia Oaks, a 1 1/8-mile turf race that serves as the secondary feature on a 12-race Saturday card at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va.
Shared Account most recently ran third in her grass debut, an overnight stakes on June 26 at Belmont Park.

"I thought she ran really well that day, and that was around one turn," Motion said. "I think the one and one-eighth miles will be just right for her. I have to think she'll be very competitive in there Saturday."

Shared Account is owned by Sagamore Farm, the former Maryland powerhouse that is undergoing a rejuvenation under Kevin Plank, the 36-year-old founder of the Under Armour sporting wear company.

Besides Shared Account, other Virginia Oaks contenders include Blind Date (pictured), winner of the Hilltop Stakes two races back; Fast Tigress, a New York shipper making her sixth straight stakes start; and Katara, a romping winner of a Delaware Park allowance last out.

Blind Date, trained by Hamilton Smith, will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the Hall of Fame jockey who has the call on Hold Me Back in the Virginia Derby.

BATTLE OF HASTINGS NOW LOGICAL VA DERBY FAVORITE

Colonial Turf Cup winner Battle of Hastings (GB) will now resume his logical spot as Virginia Derby favorite now that Nicanor is out of the race.

Here's what the Daily Press had to say:

By Dave Fairbank

Listen to assistant trainer Ral Ayers describe his horse, Battle of Hastings, and it sounds almost as if he's talking about a bricklayer or a carpenter.

"He's an honest, blue-collar horse," Ayers said. "He's not a standout-looking horse. He just looks like a horse. But he loves his job. We've had horses that had more ability, but not many that worked harder or showed up better on race day."

Battle of Hastings, a 3-year-old English bred, won last month's Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs and is one of the contenders for Saturday's $750,000 Virginia Derby — a Grade II stakes race on turf for 3-year-olds and the premier event on the state thoroughbred calendar.

Hastings overcame a sluggish start and a slow early pace to defeat fast-closing Straight Story by a head in last month's $500,000 Turf Cup. He faces a better, deeper field Saturday.

Three other graded stakes winners are in the 10-horse field, as well as four other horses that have finished in the money in graded stakes races. The top four finishers in the Turf Cup are entered in the 11/4-mile race, scheduled for a 5:59 p.m. post time.

That doesn't even take into account the early favorite, Nicanor (7-2), a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

"It's a tougher field," Ayers said, "but I still like our chances."

Ayers, who assists primary trainer Jeff Mullins, said that little fazes Battle of Hastings, the second favorite at 4-1. He travels well and adapts to all manner of turf courses.

Owner Mike House's stable is based in California, presently at Hollywood Park. Hastings' last three races were the Turf Cup here, Churchill Downs in Louisville, where he finished second in the Grade III American Turf Stakes, and at Santa Anita, where he won a $100,000 stakes race.

In four starts this year, Battle of Hastings has three wins and a place and has won more than $440,000. After winning the Turf Cup, he is the only horse eligible to win the Grand Slam of Grass, Colonial Downs' owner Jeff Jacobs' pledge of $5 million in purses and bonuses to any horse that wins four turf races: the Turf Cup, the Virginia Derby, the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park and the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita.

"To be honest, we didn't know about the Grand Slam and all the bonuses until we got here" for the Turf Cup race, Ayers said. "We were just looking at the purse money. We figured we could race him at Hollywood for $100,000 or come to Virginia for $500,000. Like Mike said, it was pretty much a no-brainer."

Ayers hopes for what he called "a more honest pace" Saturday than the Turf Cup. He said Battle of Hastings didn't run his race that day, moving a little earlier than usual. Jockey Tyler Baze steered Hastings to the rail when a hole opened up near the top of the front stretch.

"He could have driven a semi-truck through there," Ayers said. "He had to take it."

Ayers stood outside Battle of Hastings' stall the other day following a morning gallop as the horse playfully nipped at him.

"He's got a little attitude," Ayers said. "He thinks he's somebody, but that's a good thing. I'd rather him be confident."

VA-BREDS AT FASIG-TIPTON JULY 20-21

There are six Virginia-bred yearlings entered at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale next Monday and Tuesday -- Hip numbers 47, 193, 307, 327, 329 and 455. To see thier catalog pages, click here.

Potential buyers looking at these yearlings will be given the card seen here. The card highlights the extra earning power of Virginia-breds noting the 100% Owners Bonus and the restricted race and stakes programs.

Click on the image for a better look.

The same (or similar ones) 3x6 cards will be available to consignors of Virginia-bred yearlings at Saratoga, Keeneland and Timonium...and where ever else one surfaces for that matter.

JOCKEY BENEFIT GOLF TOURNEY AT COLONIAL DOWNS

The Royal New Kent Golf Club next to Colonial Downs features a challenging links style golf course. It is visually, and, at times, physically intimidating until you’ve played it a few times. The perfect way to play this beautiful course is utilizing the Captain’s Choice format with three of your buddies. That way when you have to hit a 3-wood across the giant moon crater on #2, your squad gets four swipes at it…

And that is exactly what you’ll be doing if you participate in the 5th Annual Shannon Campbell and Disabled Jockeys’ Fund Benefit Golf Tournament, Wednesday, July 22 at noon.

The annual event is sponsored by the VHBPA, Colonial Downs and the VTA. Last year the event raised some $10,000.

Campbell was paralyzed from the waist down in a riding accident at Charles Town. Prior to that, she had also ridden at Colonial Downs. She is one of more than 50 jockey in the U.S. who are permanently disabled and who rely on the Disabled Jockeys’ Fund for support.

Single players cost $100, making a foursome $400. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 to $500.

For more info: Frank Petramalo, fpetramalo@msn.com, 804-966-1234 or cell 703-999-7491.

NICANOR SCRATCHES FROM VIRGINIA DERBY

Virginia’s run of bad luck in big races for colts continues as Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s full-brother Nicanor has scratched from tomorrow’s $750,000 Virginia Derby Gr. II.

According to the Blood-Horse, Nicanor was scratched due to a leg injury.

Trainer Michael Matz says Nicanor injured his left hind leg during a gallop the other day. The injury became evident when the horse worked out Thursday in Maryland.

"It's disappointing because we were all very much looking forward to going down there to watch him," Matz said. "But we certainly wouldn't take any chances, so we'll just have to get him right and look forward to something else down the line."

Starting with Quality Road’s quarter crack which caused him to miss the Triple Crown, Virginia and Colonial Downs have had a hard time catching a break. Whether it’s Charitable Man’s good fourth in a very tough Belmont Stakes or the boycott of Colonial Downs by TrackNet Media ADWs and racetracks, Virginia hasn’t had much to cheer about this summer.

However, mimicking the national scene, where Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are making headlines, the Virginia fillies continue to make great news.

We’ve researched this a bit and we can’t find a contradictory answer, so we are gonna go out on the limb and say when Edward P. Evans’ Cat Moves and Light Green finished first and second recently in the Gr. I $200,000 Prioress Stakes at Belmont, that was the first time EVER that Virginia-breds finished 1-2 in a Gr. I stake.

Of course, Secretariat and Riva Ridge running one-two in the Marlboro Cup comes to mind, but while Riva Ridge was owned and bred by the Meadow Stable of Virginia, he was actually foaled in Kentucky…

Congratulations to the whole Spring Hill farm crew on another remarkable accomplishment, and maybe the filly Malibu Prayer can turn Virginia’s luck around tomorrow in the $250,000 Delaware Oaks Gr.II?

SEARCHING FOR A RAINBOW

Today’s VRC meeting was marked with what Greg Scoggins of MEC/Xpress Bet called a “Virginia venting session.” After Colonial CEO Ian Stewart explained the negative impact of the TrackNet Media/Twin Spires/Xpress Bet/related racetracks and subsidiaries and YouBet boycott of the Colonial Downs signal, a spontaneous forum erupted and all the various parties in the room had a chance to speak their peace.

Two words: Nice mess.

We won’t rehash why each of the parties thinks their position is the right one, but suffice it to say that it’s going to take a while to sort out the ever growing ADW puzzle in Virginia.

Why is this important? It’s important because most folks in the room believe the future of horse racing in Virginia is ADW – not slot machines, but computer and telephone wagering that should eventually allow us to take the pari-mutuel product to all 7.5 million Virginians.

To that end, for a brief period following the VRC meeting, a group now called the Virginia Breeding and Racing Improvement Group (or Virginia Racing and Breeding Improvement Group, we’re not sure which just yet) spent a few moments talking about their efforts to form a five year plan to preserve, and maybe even grow (with a little luck) horse racing and breeding here in the Commonwealth. This group is a gathering of stakeholders that is similar to the Virginia Racing Task Force which redesigned horse racing in Virginia some years ago. It will start with the stakeholders' group representatives and the VRC folks and eventually invite owners, breeders, trainers, fans, bettors, and…yes…even the ADW companies to the table to seek their input on how to move the industry forward.

One thing we know for sure: The status quo ain’t working. Wagering, which has been down all year, nosedived in June. There may be some folks out there who think that this is all economy related, but there are larger forces at work here – social, cultural, financial forces that we need to figure out.

We talk each year about expanding the number of live racing days, but in today's economic environment (wagering down 16% on Thoroughbred racing) who can advocate that with a straight face? Until we figure out how to create additional handle through new wagering opportunities, we are going to have a tough time preserving what we now have.

Now, it’s not all bad news. Here in Virginia we have a tradition of getting all the stakeholders together and setting aside differences long enough to figure out what is mutually beneficial. That is exactly what the Improvement Group is looking to do while drawing a road map for the future of racing in Virginia.

The next organizational meeting is in late August and we will keep you posted. At some point in the process, we will be seeking input from everyone with an idea...

WHAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM CHURCHILL’S SUCCESSFUL NIGHT RACING EXPERIMENT?

After today’s VRC meeting, Commissioner Clint Miller asked why the night racing experiment at Churchill Downs had been so successful.

As we often seem to do, we look for a reason – as in one. Again, as is typically the case, there are several reasons. Everybody at the table gave answers – good ones. And, the two hour drive home lent some additional perspective.

There seems to be three reasons for the large crowds at Churchill’s night racing: 1) they presented a good product, 2) they made it a fun social event with music and other things, and 3) they lowered prices for admissions and concessions. Simply put, it worked.

Gary West of the Dallas Star-Telegram had some interesting observations. He noted that the track attracted a crowd of "33,481 for its final night of racing without slots, the Derby the Oaks or a Jonas Brothers concert."

His point was simple: Give the fans a good product, an enjoyable time, a special experience and a bargain, and they will indeed come out to the track.

According to West, “Churchill first night of racing attracted a crowd of 28,011, but, by all accounts, the track fumbled. Fans had to wait in long lines to bet and to buy concessions. It was a classic case of dropping the ball when there was a clear field to the end zone. But Churchill, much to its credit, rallied to make amends. For its next night, June 26, the track offered an extended Happy Hour, with dollar beer. And 27,623 attended. Apology accepted. And Thursday, a throng came out for the final night of racing. For the three nights, Churchill attracted 89,115, an increase of 318 percent from the corresponding dates a year ago. The increased attendance also led to significant increases in handle.”

As the Office Depot add says “that was easy.” Or was it?

There are several key issues here. Yes, pricing is one of them, but the bigger picture is night racing at Churchill was something special – an event (at night when a lot of fans and potential attendees are off work).

(Side bar: Another relevant question is why didn’t horse racing embrace night racing long ago…There are reasons (lots of them) that other major sports play the majority of their games at night. Horse racing has resisted night racing because it’s horrificly inconvenient for the participants who traditionally get up very early in the morning. That not withstanding, the folks at Charles Town have been doing it for years…If this industry is going to survive as a “niche sport” – and like it or not, that’s what it is – we have to stop banging heads with the big boys during weekend afternoon primetime…but that’s another blog for another day.)

Every article that talks about boosting horse racing’s popularity mentions NASCAR. Well, guess what folks, NASCAR races three days a week. They qualify, they race one division on Saturday and the big boys on Sunday. Three days at only one track in the entire U.S. of A. It’s hard for racing to duplicate that model.

However, this we have learned from steeplechase racing – if it’s a special event and a well-marketed social event, big crowds will turn out. The challenge is how to incorporate this into the massively crowded live horse racing calendar?

Like it or not, the problem is too much racing. The only way to create the “special event/social event” environment is to race less often. There’s not much special about a Wednesday at Pimlico or Tuesday at Colonial…You can’t have a special event every day…And there is nothing "special event" about the seemingly 24 hour grind of a slot casino.

Problem is less racing has a negative economic impact on everybody involved – the horsemen, the owners, the breeders, and, at times, even the racetrack. So with millions invested by all the stakeholders everybody needs a maximum number of economic opportunities (good economic opportunities) to make the financial model viable. Hello, conundrum.

So how do we run less and run better to get the fans excited without destroying the economic model that currently sustains thousands of stakeholders and some 30,000 Thoroughbred foals a year? That is not so easy.

Truth is no one knows that answer, and, unfortunately, there may not be a good answer. The giant swoon the industry is currently suffering may weed out a lot of weaker stakeholders whether we like it or not, and we may wake up in a world that has more fans for less racing and fewer horsemen/owners/breeders.

It may not look like NASCAR, but it may end up looking like a cross between Churchill Downs last Thursday night and any given weekend in England or Ireland with a dash of east coast jump racing thrown in for good measure.

Time will tell.

VANQUISHER TOPS KITTEN’S JOY

Kinsman Stable’s Vanquisher looks to win the seventh running of the $50,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes as he faces nine rivals in the 1 1/16 mile turf race on Saturday at Colonial Downs. The race, for three year olds and up, is the first of three stakes races on the card.

Trained by Gregory Griffith, the five year old gelding won the Tallahassee Stakes earlier this year at Gulfstream after closing from eighth to first through the stretch. Most recently, Vanquisher finished third in the Blazing Sword Stakes at Calder and has now finished on the board in eleven of twenty-two starts. Alan Garcia has the mount aboard the 7-2 morning line favorite.

Independent George, the 4-1 Graham Motion-trained second choice, has not posted a win since the Sussex Stakes in May ’08 and has faced tough competition in the United Nations (Gr. I) and the Nijinsky (Gr. II). The six year old gelding most recently finished second in the Henry Clark Stakes and sixth in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. III). Edgar Prado, who has the most Virginia Derby wins of any jockey, will be aboard.

9-2 third choice is Jungle Fighter, an eight year old gelding who is well-versed at Colonial Downs with two wins and one third in three tries. The Justin Nixon trainee most recently finished second after weakening late in the Da Hoss Stakes last month at Colonial. The track’s second leading rider, Sheldon Russell, has the mount.

Rounding out the field are Tiger Woodman, Izzy Speaking, winner of last month’s Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial, along with Baltimore Bob, Rockaby Bay, Jazz in the Park, Brickell, and CLN stalwart Mint Slewlep.

The Kitten’s Joy, named after Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s 2004 Virginia Derby winner (pictured above), is the ninth of twelve races on Colonial’s Saturday program, and kicks off an “All-Stakes Pick-3”.

CALIFORNIA TO OUT-OF-STATE OWNERS: IOU

You think we have problems, check out his post from Ray Paulick’s Paulick Report.

Oh, the joys of sending a horse to race in California. Some owners with horses participating in last year’s Breeders’ Cup on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park believed running on that track was a crapshoot if it was their horse’s first time on synthetics.

Obviously, it worked out for some (Raven’s Pass in the Classic was the most notable first-time synthetic winner), but not for others (Curlin finished fourth in the race, and trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Jess Jackson blamed the racing surface).

But that wasn’t the end of the surprises for out of state or foreign owners. Those who were lucky enough to get a share of the Breeders’ Cup’s $25.5 million in prize money had 7% of the purse they won withheld by the state of California for income tax purposes. They were told the money could be refunded after filing a tax return with the state. California is apparently one of the only states to withhold purse money awarded to out-of-state owners.

Well, guess what? Since the Breeders’ Cup was run, the state of California has fallen into a huge budget crisis and, for all practical purposes, is out of money.

So what did those owners get from the California treasury after they filed a state income tax return? An IOU, or a “registered warrant” as the state calls it, that may be worth something “on or AFTER” Oct. 2, 2009.”

As we like to say in the hospitable South, “Y’all come back now, hear?”

The Breeders’ Cup does indeed return to Southern California this Nov. 6-7. And some owners are wondering why.

THE BARBARO PHENOMENON IS COMING TO VIRGINIA

And what does that have to do with cats? Read on.

We are anxiously awaiting Saturday to see what impact the Friends of Barbaro (FOB) have on the Virginia Derby. News of Colonial Downs’ biggest race is now surfacing in all sorts of interesting, not so interesting, and let’s be frank – at times – weird places.

How about the blog CATS WORKING.

Cat Working is written by Karen Wormald, an award-winning business writer and author of How to Work Like a CAT, her second book. Her quirky column on office life, “Around the Watercooler” regularly appears in Office Solutions magazine, and she’s a contributing editor to PC Solutions. Her work has appeared in many other publications, including Cruise Travel, Credit Union Business, Cats magazine, and at AbsoluteWrite.com. She also runs Business Writers’ Bootcamp for her alma mater, the University of Richmond.

Here’s part of what she had to say:

On July 18, Barbaro’s younger brother, Nicanor, is running in the $750,000 Virginia Derby — AND KAREN’S GOING TO SEE HIM!

Colonial Downs discriminates by prohibiting cats from attending races, and Cats Working briefly considered staging a poop-in all over the front lawn. But the race will be shown on TVG, the horse racing channel, and Karen promised to leave the TV on for us, so we can’t complain because we’ll probably see the race better than she will.

Nicanor’s odds are 7-2 in a 10-horse field, and considered the wild card who could beat the favorite, a British horse named Battle of Hastings, who won the Colonial Turf Cup at the Downs earlier this year…

To read the full post, click here.

Stay tuned for more FOB updates.

RACHEL TO TAKE ON THE BOYS AGAIN

The Boston Herald: They couldn’t beat her in the Preakness, and now the 3-year-old males will get another opportunity against superstar filly Rachel Alexandra.

Majority owner Jess Jackson announced Tuesday that the front-runner for Horse of the Year will make her next start Aug. 2 in the Grade I, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

"Rachel Alexandra is in top condition," Jackson said in a statement. "If this preparation continues, our target is to race in the Haskell."

To read the entire story, click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

R.I.P. LAWYER RON. In this May 3, 2006 file photo, then Kentucky Derby hopeful Lawyer Ron is attended to by groom Chuck Chambers at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Lawyer Ron, among the Kentucky Derby favorites in 2006 and a champion older horse in 2007, was euthanized Friday, July 10, 2009, because of complications from colic surgery.

When he was retired from racing last year, he had earned nearly $2.8 million.

PEDIGREE AND CONNECTIONS DRIVE OPENING ODDS ON NICANOR

We were somewhat surprised when Babaro’s brother Nicanor, making only his sixth lifetime start and his third on the turf, was made the morning-line favorite at 7-2 for Saturday’s $750,000 Virginia Derby.

Now, we aren’t looking to step on the toes of Barbaros’s zillions of fans, and we were there when he broke down and we followed his saga closely, so were all on board the FOB’s Nicanor Express. But does making him the morning-line favorite make sense?

First off, we aren’t questioning Michael Matz or the Jacksons. They know what they are doing and they know the horse better than anybody else. They've found their way to the winner's circle follwoing a Colonial Turf Cup and a Kentucky Derby so we'll defer to thier judgement. We’re questioning the odds makers.

The race includes the winner of the Colonial Turf Cup over the same turf course – Battle of Hastings (GB). The field also includes the runner-up, Straight Story, who was closing like a house on fire and the third place finisher Lime Rickey. Add to the mix Florentino (JPN) who won his last start as well – the Grade II Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs.

All the while, Nicanor has run but five times. In his turf debut, he was very impressive winning by 15.25 lengths and earning a 97 speed rating. In his final prep, he won ging wire-to-wire by 1.75 with a speed rating of 102.

However, if you watch the race, it is very clear that he is leg weary at the end of this 9 furlong race and simply put, he didn’t really beat anybody the caliber of what he’ll face in New Kent on Saturday.

So the question remains is Nicanor ready to go 10 furlongs against a group of graded stakes winners? He may well be, but we’d wager if he wasn’t the full brother to Barbaro, his morning line odds would be 10 to 1 at best.

Finally, we surmise Nicanor’s connections have him in this race to see if he’s a great horse or potentially a great horse. They know he’s a good horse, so there is no reason not to give him a shot in a race against some of the best turf three-year-olds. Matter of fact, there are 750,000 reasons to find out exactly how good he is.

We will know for sure at about 6:05 pm on Saturday.

Here’s his last start at Delaware Park. Take a look and you’ll see why we aren’t quite ready to declare him as good or better than Battle of Hastings (GB), Straight Story, Lime Rickey or Florentino (JPN).

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST - THE VIRGINIAN PILOT

The Virginian-Pilot which has given Colonial Downs very little coverage this year (probably, like most newspapers, due to a shrinking pool of reporters and other resources), did run a story about the Virginia Derby.

Nicanor tabbed as early favorite for Virginia Derby

The Virginian-Pilot© July 14, 2009
Staff report
NEW KENT

Nicanor, a 7-2 favorite, heads the field for Saturday's Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. He nabbed the fourth starting position in Monday's draw for the 1-1/4-mile race on turf.

Nicanor is a full brother to Barbaro, who won the 2007 Kentucky Derby and broke down in the Preakness Stakes two weeks later. Jockey Jose Lezcano, who guided Summer Doldrums to victory in the 2007 Colonial Turf Cup, has the mount aboard Nicanor.

Second favorite at 4-1 is Battle of Hastings, the Colonial Turf Cup winner. Trained by Jeff Mullins and owned by Mike House, the 3-year-old gelding is scheduled to arrive at Colonial Downs today.
He has won five of 10 lifetime starts and has earned $474,592. Jockey Tyler Baze will pilot Mullins' horse for the sixth straight time.

Saturday's undercard features the $150,000 Virginia Oaks and the $50,000 Kittens Joy Stakes. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the first race is scheduled for 12:55 p.m.

The Virginia Derby is schedule to start about 6 p.m.

VA DERBY ACCORDING TO THE TIMES-DISPATCH

By Michael Phillips Published: July 14, 2009

Of the 10 horses in this year's Virginia Derby, two are certain to warrant attention -- one going for a $5 million bonus, another will be a sentimental favorite.

Both fared well in yesterday's post-position draw at Colonial Downs. The Derby, the track's biggest race and one that offers a $750,000 purse, is Saturday. Racing will take place all afternoon, with the Derby scheduled as the 11th of 12 races, posting at 5:59 p.m.

All eyes will be on morning-line favorite Nicanor, which drew the No. 4 gate. Nicanor is a full brother to Barbaro, the famed 2006 Kentucky Derby winner which broke his leg at the Preakness and died several months later.

Trainer Michael Matz entered Nicanor in a maiden race at Delaware Park on May 13, where he picked up his first win in dominant fashion -- by more than 15 furlongs.

At an allowance race June 17 he gave an encore by claiming the lead early and taking the victory. Saturday will represent his first entry in a stakes race, making him a wild card in the field, though one that will be heavily bet -- he'll start at 7-2 odds.

In second at 4-1 odds is Battle of Hastings, the British horse that took the Colonial Turf Cup earlier in the season at Colonial Downs. A win Saturday would put him halfway to the $5 million Grand Slam of Grass, composed of the top four races on turf.

He drew the No. 8 gate in the Turf Cup and drew No. 9 yesterday for the Virginia Derby. During his career, he's won almost $500,000 on turf, making him a veteran presence to Nicanor's $60,900 in earnings.

The Derby will be preceded by two other stakes races, the $50,000 Kittens Joy Stakes at 4:39 and the $150,000 Virginia Oaks at 5:15. A pick 3 bet will be offered for the three stakes races.

Also taking aim at the Derby are the other top finishers from the Turf Cup. Straight Story (10-1) finished second by a head, and will try for revenge on Battle of Hastings. He drew the No. 6 gate. Third-place Lime Rickey (8-1) drew the outside gate, No. 10, and will also take part in Saturday's race.

The rest of the field, and their odds, include No. 1 Affirmatif (8-1), No. 2 Florentino (6-1), No. 3 Take the Points (12-1), No. 5 Safety Valve (30-1), No. 7 Hold Me Back (5-1), and No. 8 El Crespo (6-1).

The entire card Saturday will be broadcast on the TVG horse-racing network, available as a premium option for Comcast cable customers.

VA DERBY ACCORDING TO THE DAILY PRESS

Jul. 14 - Colonial Turf Cup winner Battle of Hastings will start from near the outside as he attempts to win the Virginia Derby on Saturday at Colonial Downs.

Battle of Hastings drew the No. 9 post position in the 10-horse field for Saturday's $750,000 Derby, a Grade II stakes race for 3-year-olds on the Secretariat turf course.

The 12th Virginia Derby, a 11/4-mile test, is the second leg in the $5 million Grand Slam of Grass. Any horse that wins all four races -- the last two are the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington in August and the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November -- earns $5 million-plus in purses and prizes.

Gates open Saturday at 11 a.m., and post time for the first race is 12:55 p.m. The Derby is the 11th of 12 races and is scheduled to go off at 5:59 p.m.

Battle of Hastings goes off as the second-favorite (4-1) behind Nicanor (7-2). Nicanor (below), a full brother of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, drew the No. 4 post and will make his first appearance at Colonial Downs and just his third start on turf.

Those two will be challenged by a solid field. El Crespo and Japan-bred Florentino are both stakes winners on turf and each goes off at 6-1.

The Nos. 2-3-4 horses from last month's Colonial Turf Cup also are entered. Straight Story, which closed fast and lost by a head to Battle of Hastings, goes off at 10-1. Lime Rickey (8-1) rallied from a slow start to finish third.

Hold Me Back (5-1), trained by Bill Mott and with Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux up, makes his first start on turf after a poor run in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has two horses entered: Affirmatif (8-1), which drew the No. 1 position, and Take the Points (12-1), which finished ninth at the Colonial Turf Cup and drew the No. 3 position.

This is the fifth year of the Grand Slam of Grass. Only English Channel in 2005 won both the Turf Cup and the Virginia Derby.

Saturday's 12-race card also includes the $150,000 Virginia Oaks, a grade III stakes race, and the $50,000 Kittens Joy Stakes.

BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB), NICANOR TOP DERBY FIELD

According to the Blood-Horse, a field of 10 has signed up to contest the $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. IIT) July 18 at Colonial Downs, including Nicanor, the full brother to Barbaro who will be trying stakes company for the first time.

But Nicanor is far from the most accomplished contestant in the 10-furlong event on the grass. Mike House’s Battle of Hastings, bred in Great Britain, is returning to the scene of his Colonial Turf Cup (Gr. IIT) triumph June 20 with a lifetime bankroll of better than $474,000. Jeff Mullins trains. In addition, the runner-up Straight Story and third-place finisher Lime Rickey will try the Secretariat Turf Course once again.

Japanese-bred Florentino is another Grade II winner vying for the Virginia Derby crown, having taken the Jefferson Cup on the grass at Churchill Downs June 13 following a third in the Transylvania Stakes (Gr. IIIT) at Keeneland for Darley Stable and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Another graded victor is El Crespo, who won the Palm Beach Stakes (Gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park, and then placed in the Arlington Classic Stakes and was second to Florentino in the Jefferson Cup for owner G. Watts Humphrey and trainer Rusty Arnold.

Post time for the Virginia Derby is 6 p.m. ET.

The field, in post position order with weights and riders:
1) Affirmatif (Chris DeCarlo, 117)

2) Florentino (Alan Garcia, 121)

3) Take the Points (Edgar Prado, 117)

4) Nicanor (Jose Lezcano, 117)

5) Safety Valve (E. Camacho, 117)

6) Straight Story (Chuck Lopez, 117)

7) Hold Me Back (Kent Desormeaux, 117)

8) El Crespo (Julien Leparoux, 121)

9) Battle of Hastings (Tyler Baze, 121)

10) Lime Rickey (Cornelio Velasquez, 117)

JAKE RATTLE N ROLL WINS PUNCH LINE STAKES

Owner David A. Ross made a quick return on his investment as recent claim Jake Rattle N Roll overcame early trouble and closed strongly along the rail to capture Saturday’s Punch Line Stakes at Colonial Downs. Claimed for $15,000 on June 13, Jake Rattle N Roll is trained by Michael Pino and returned $9.80 for the win.

Last year’s winner and favorite, Laure Connelly's A Reel Buster, held on for second by a neck after dueling through early fractions of 22.55 and 45.65. Native Playboy, another Ross-owned horse trained by Pino, finished third after swinging four-wide in upper stretch.

Bryan Baker’s Humming Along closed for fourth after racing five-wide around the far turn. Hugo, winner of the John D. Marsh Stakes last month, finished fifth, with El Piston, Cryptogram, Patriot Heart, The Visualiser, and Should Expect rounding out the field.

Jake Rattle N Roll is a Maryland-bred by Bop, out of Brenta by Compelling Sound.

SLIP AWAY CAPTURES THE "ZEKE"

Slip Away stepped up in company and scored his most impressive lifetime win in Sunday’s $50,000 David L. Zeke Ferguson Memorial (Gr. III) Steeplechase Stakes at Colonial Downs.

Slip Away brought a five race winning streak into the Zeke Ferguson event Sunday, though all his recent triumphs came in either claiming or starter allowance jump events. With Preemptive Strike out, Slip Away had no other competition for the early pace, and the six-year-old Skip Away gelding easily got to the front and opened by as many as fifteen lengths at the halfway point of the race.

“I didn’t expect to be that far out in front,” said rider Chip Miller. “The hardest part was trying to gauge where the other horses were. Normally, you can hear the hooves of the trailing horses as they land right after the jump, but I couldn’t hear them today.”

Though Slip Away’s margin did diminish to five lengths in the stretch, he bore down as the field grew closer and maintained that lead to the finish in gaining his first stakes win. The victor is trained by Thomas Voss and is owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, who also owned former Virginia Derby winner Kittens Joy. Ironically, the $50,000 Kittens Joy Stakes is part of the ’09 Derby under card this coming Saturday. The winner returned $5.80.

Bill Pape's Mixed Up , a Jonathan Sheppard trainee whose $600,000-plus bankroll topped the field, finished second, while Mrs. S. K. Johnson, Jr.'s Swagger Stick was third for trainer Jack Fisher.

VIRGINIA-BRED WINNERS

Aero (g, 4yo), Northern Spur (IRE) - Best Victory (FR) by =Cadoudal (FR). B - Eldon Farm Racing Stable LLC. Colonial Downs, 7 /12/2009, mdn sp wgt, winner’s share of purse: $17,700, 18 f, 4:18.22.

B B's Bop (f, 3yo), Bop - B B's Prospect by Allen's Prospect. B - Vermont Horses, LLC.Charles Town, 7 /8 /2009, mdn sp wgt, winner’s share of purse: $16,800, 4.5 f, 0:54.03.

Boone's Babe (f, 3yo), Bop - Booneton by Boone's Mill. B - Waln Gary Ray.Charles Town, 7 /12/2009, mdn clmg, $10,200, 4.5 f, 0:54.59.

Coral Cave (f, 5yo), Lion Cavern - Coral Reef by Dumaani. B - Morgan's Ford Farm.Colonial Downs, 7 /6 /2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $14,616, 8 f, 1:41.21.

Disguise (c, 3yo), Dixie Union - Dorm by Pleasant Colony. B - Evans Edward P.Monmouth Park, 7 /8 /2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $20,400, 8 f, 1:38.79. ($350,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep)

Easter Jelly Bean (g, 4yo), Outflanker - All Specious by All Done John. B - Sally Ann Yeckley & Gerald B Yeckley Jr. Charles Town, 7 /12/2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $9,000, 7 f, 1:29.50.

Kid Rigo (g, 11yo), Summer Squall - Higher Learning by Fappiano. B - Paul Mellon.Ellis Park, 7 /12/2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $5,700, 8 f, 1:39.75. ($12,000, yrlg, 1999, keesep)

Magic Moonshine (g, 3yo), Changeintheweather - Magical Chase by Northern Baby. B - James S. Carter & Ann Marie Matthews. Colonial Downs, 7 /11/2009, mdn clmg, winner’s share of purse: $11,136, 8 f, 1:41.01.

Makin A Suit (g, 4yo), Makin - Dressy Dress by Kokand. B - Harris Richard P Jr.Charles Town, 7 /12/2009, mdn clmg, winner’s share of purse: $7,200, 7 f, 1:31.02.

Melodar (f, 9yo), Pleasant Dancer - Brooke's Sarah by Melodisk. B - Carlton M. Southworth Sr. Charles Town, 7 /8 /2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $6,000, 8.5 f, 1:51.24.

Pagan Star (f, 3yo), Two Punch - Pagan Dance by Valley Crossing. B - Iselin III C. Oliver Mrs. Colonial Downs, 7 /6 /2009, mdn sp wgt, winner’s share of purse: $23,340, 6 f, 1:11.68.

Pride Of The Fleet (c, 3yo), Parker's Storm Cat - Fancy Dancer by Citidancer. B - Run Aweigh Stable. Colonial Downs, 7 /11/2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $10,556, 5.5 f, 1:04.66.

Rockcrusher (c, 3yo), Rock Slide - Music Music Music by St. Jovite. B - Mr & Mrs Samuel H Rogers Jr. Philadelphia Park, 7 /12/2009, mdn clmg, $13,200, 6 f, 1:13.29. ($20,000, yrlg, 2007, ftmoct)

Rollicking Affair (f, 4yo), Black Tie Affair (IRE) - What A Rollick by Rollicking. B - Dresden Farm. PID, 7 /8 /2009, alwc, winner’s share of purse: $25,800, 8 f, 1:37.11.

Rutledge Star (g, 2yo), Oratory - Just Dews by Radio Star. B - Va Tech Foundation, Inc.Charles Town, 7 /10/2009, mdn sp wgt, winner’s share of purse: $16,800, 4.5 f, 0:53.55.

Sharp Affair (g, 3yo), Black Tie Affair (IRE) - Sharp Factor by Sharpen Up (GB). B - Paul Maxwell. Philadelphia Park, 7 /6 /2009, mdn clmg, $11,400, 6.5 f, 1:19.74.

Shaunna (f, 3yo), Housebuster - Caty's Quest by Norquestor. B - Hackman James M.Philadelphia Park, 7 /11/2009, alwc, winner’s share of purse: $25,800, 6 f, 1:09.51.

Speedy Escape (f, 4yo), Aptitude - Great Escape by Relaunch. B - Mr & Mrs C W McNeely III. Prairie Meadows, 7 /6 /2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $8,000, 8.3 f, 1:45.37. ($22,000, yrlg, 2006, keesep)

Wardelle (f, 3yo), Toccet - Toe In The Water by Bertrando. B - Audley Farm.Monmouth Park, 7 /10/2009, clmg, winner’s share of purse: $15,000, 8 f, 1:34.90. ($46,000, yrlg, 2007, ftmoct)

Unwanted Horse Coalition Releases Survey Results

The findings from the Unwanted Horse Coalition’s (UHC) Study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue are now available at http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/. The study is the first of its kind to assess the causes and magnitude of the unwanted horse population in the United States.

Results indicate that the problem of unwanted horses is perceived to be growing on many fronts. More than 90% of participants believe the number of unwanted horses, as well as those neglected and abused, is increasing. Almost all participants (87%) indicate that in the past year, the issue of unwanted horses has become “a big problem,” compared with only 22% who said the problem was important three years ago. Respondents also report that the number of horses being euthanized is increasing.

In light of one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history, the economy is considered to be a significant contributor to the unwanted horse problem. The closing of the nation’s processing facilities, changes in breed demand/indiscriminate breeding, as well as the high costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal are also cited by respondents as major contributors.

Regarding placement options for unwanted horses, 63% of equine rescue/retirement facilities polled report they are at near or full capacity and, on average, turn away 38% of the horses brought to them. Capacity is clearly the issue in that as many horses stay for life at the facilities as are adopted out.

Survey respondents believe the top solutions for solving the problem of unwanted horses are to educate owners to purchase and own responsibly, increase the ability of private rescue and retirement facilities to care for unwanted horses, reopen the U.S. processing plants, and increase options and resources for euthanizing and disposing of unwanted horses.

The survey was conducted from November 2008 to January 2009 by an independent market research company. More than 23,000 horse owners, equine industry stakeholders and non-horse owners participated. For more information, contact Julia Andersen, UHC director, at (202) 296-4031 or jandersen@horsecouncil.org.

VRC RESOLUTION

We were reminded today while perusing the agenda for the Virginia Racing Commission meeting on Wednesday that at last month's meeting the group passed a resolution honoring Bill Passmore.

WHEREAS, William Passmore, a resident of Maryland, who died on the 14th day of May 2009, at the age of 76 years, was a life-long contributor to the sport of horse racing; having spent 38 years as a successful and honored jockey, winning 3,531 races with purses accumulating over $23 million dollars in purse money; and
WHEREAS, he also served 20 years as a Racing Steward, including 11 years as a Steward at the Colonial Downs Racetrack in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, during his career as a jockey, and after his retirement, he served as a mentor and tutor to younger jockeys and established himself as an appropriate role model in the sport; and
WHEREAS, as a jockey and Steward, he always supported and promoted safe and sound horsemanship; and
WHEREAS, Bill always exhibited a gracious sense of humor, and maintained a dignity that earned the respect and admiration of fans, and of his associates, personal and professional, as a true gentleman;
BE IT RESOLVED by the Virginia Racing Commission that, due to all of the above, and more , we do hereby honor William Passmore, and express our thanks and appreciation for all his contributions to our efforts to sustain a viable sport of horse racing and the horse industry in Virginia; and we commend him by this resolution as being an honorary Virginian who will be truly missed by all of us; and we express our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife Charlene and his seven children and their families on the great loss of this wonderful gentleman, whose memory is cherished by all here in the Commonwealth of Virginia who came to know him during his exemplary career.

FIRST 2009 VA CASE OF EEE CONFIRMED

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse this year. The horse, a two-year-old female draft cross from Chesapeake, was confirmed positive for EEE late in the afternoon of July 10. Because of the severity of her symptoms – incoordination, depression, and fever (105° F), progressing to an inability to stand without help – she was euthanized on July 3, prior to diagnosis. The horse had not been vaccinated for EEE.

This is the first reported case of EEE in a horse in Virginia this year. Last year the state had only one case, reported in September. So far there have been no reported cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Virginia horses this year.

In an April 2009 press release, Dr. Richard Wilkes, VDACS’ State Veterinarian, encouraged horse owners to work with their veterinarians to plan a vaccination schedule that would protect their horses from EEE. Available vaccines are effective in drastically reducing the incidence of both EEE and WNV in horses. The vaccines are effective for six to twelve months, so horses should be re-vaccinated at least annually. In an area where the disease occurs frequently, such as southeast and Tidewater Virginia, most veterinarians recommend vaccination every six months.

For more information, please contact the Office of the State Veterinarian at 804.692.0601 or consult your local veterinarian.