YEARLING COCKTAILS

The Virginia Tech MARE Center and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association will be hosting a cocktail party and yearling preview at the Center on Thursday, October 11 at 6:30 pm. Cocktails and heavy hors d’ouevers and other refreshments will be served, and a preview of some of the Center’s auction yearlings will begin at 7 p.m. The party and the preview will be held at the Center's Sales Pavilion. The dress is causal. To RSVP contact the VTA by October 8, 2007 at 540-347-4313 or vta@vabred.org

Pedigrees for the sale yearlings can be found at:
http://www.apsc.vt.edu/centers/mare/Website/Yearling%20Auction/Auction.index.htm

The auction is Sunday, October 14.

Directions
From I-66:
Exit 31, then North on Rte. 245 to The Plains. Turn Right (East) on Rte. 55, half block to Left (North) on Rte. 626. Drive for 7 miles, then turn Right on Rte. 807 (Sullivans Mill Rd) at Virginia Tech sign. Follow gravel road 0.5 mile to office buildings and sale pavilion on right.

From Rte 50:
On West side of Middleburg, turn South on Rte. 626 for 0.9 miles. Turn Left at curve, Rte. 807 (Sullivans Mill Rd) at Virginia Tech sign. Follow gravel road 0.5 mile to office buildings and sale pavilion on right.

RACING THROUGH IRELAND

It started out as a golf trip to one of the Meccas of the sport – Ireland. Places like Ballybunion, Lahinch and Waterville annually make all the lists of “best ofs” when it comes to the world’s greatest golf courses. When I agreed to fill in for a buddy who had an unresolvable conflict, I was delighted to learn that the week in question was chosen for a variety of reasons including “they are racing at Listowel.” Maybe, they threw that in for my benefit. Who knows?

So, the question goes like this: How was the trip to Ireland? The short answer is five amazing golf courses, two days of horse racing that rivaled anything we have here, and (just to liven it up a notch), the town where we were staying won the Irish equivalent of our Super Bowl on day three of the trip. Needless to say, the locals were excited. They didn’t have a parade, they had two. Believe it or not, they both ended at a pub. Hard to believe, I know.

We flew from Atlanta to Shannon arriving at 9:00 a.m. We quickly shook off our few hours of sleep, rounded up the bags, stumbled through customs and somehow ended up in rental Ford mini-van complete with automatic transmission and air conditioning. I drove. I’m not sure why. I guess I’m the oldest.

If you have been to Ireland, you know the roads are small, the cars are small, the truck and buses are huge and everyone drives literally like bats out of hell. You can’t move over when the “lorry” threatens to give you a header because there is a bank or a wall resting on the six inch shoulder (If it’s that big…). To my companions credit there was minimal second guessing in the area of automotive operations. Perhaps they were too terrified to speak. Every query was answered with “Don’t make me kill you.” That one seemed to quiet them down.

After our second attempt to exit the airport – I threatened to turn right the wrong way into the roundabout within the first 10 minutes just to wake everybody up – we found the road to Kildare and our first stop – The Irish National Stud. Management Assistant Sinead Hyland had agreed to give us a tour if we could show up by noon. Seems as Sinead’s boss, John Clark, the Chief Executive, was over at the Curragh for the Goffs Million later that day as the Stud was sponsoring the Group 2 Blandford Stakes also on the card.

The National Stud is lovely. It is working stud farm with a lovely Japanese Garden incorporated in it. They stand 11 stallion with stud fees ranging from approximately $45,000 to $6,500. The stud also features a museum, and the facility attracts 130,000 tourist each year at $12.50 per person admission. The stud bred and sold My Typhoon who won the Virginia Oaks at Colonial (or maybe it was the All Along) prior to winning the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga this August. They office staff was impressed that we knew exactly who she was when we saw her photo in the reception area.

The walk about the Irish Stud was a great way to unwind after a trans-Atlantic flight and a 2.5 hour harrowing-wrong-side-of-the-road car ride. Luckily, the Curragh was but a 10 minute drive away, and even more luckily the village of Kildare was between us and them.

Of course, we had to stop and sample a local pub. The place we chose (the name now escapes me, but I’m sure it had a Guiness sign outside) was small, but it had two large flat screen televisions. One was on about soccer and rugby and what not, while the other was showing race recaps from around Ireland the day before. There were only two chaps in the place and one of them was studying the race card. Home, away from home! We had a quick pint, made three new friends, snapped a couple of pictures and proceeded to the racecourse which turned out to be every single bit of four minutes away.

The Goffs Million Day is the second biggest day of racing after the Irish Derby at the Curragh. It features two million dollar seven furlong straight sprints for two-year-olds cataloged in the Goffs Sale. As it were, all the preliminary races were also straight sprints and one had to drive past the starting gate on the way into the track. Needless to say, we stopped. They were loading the horses for the first race and we stood next to the gate right on the rail. It was a brilliant perspective for my first race in Ireland. They are going the wrong way so I might as well watch it from behind. It was perfect and incredibly scenic and peaceful.

The Irish refer to the race by its post time as opposed as its number on the card. Of course, the program says Race 1, but the most prominent number in the upper left hand corner of the page is the time of the race. The locals refer to the first race as “the 2:30.”

I had press credentials at the gate, and the Curragh was kind enough to give us three complimentary admissions for my friends. They did this without so much of a question which, of course, again makes it different than here in the states. Once in, I was very impressed. The facility is nothing special, although I do really like the bar stools which are attached to the paddock fence. Security was minimal – I walked right into the paddock and onto the race course. Of course, toting around a big camera always helps at such events.

The crowd wasn’t huge, but it was a Friday. They were dressed up and very focused on the races and on having a good time. It was the first time I’d seen the bookie system in action, and it was just fascinating to watch and listen to them. In retrospect, the whole scene is rather hard to describe, but it was very clear very quickly that horse racing is ingrained in the culture of these people.

We didn’t stay for the big races as we had a four hour drive in front of us to reach our headquarters in Tralee. This was rather painful…A racetrack, two big races, lots of Murphys and Guiness…and a four hour drive of peril. Hmmm…better go before temptation gets the best of me…

Needless, to say we made it, and we watched the replays the next day. -- gp

Next week, part 2 – Tralee and beyond.

INNER CITY KIDS GO COUNTRY

On September 15th, a group of children from the Washington, DC inner city experienced a day of country farm life, complete with fresh air, green grass and Thoroughbreds, thanks to the joint efforts of The Thoroughbred Network, the Bungalow Foundation, the Virginia Tech MARE Center and a group of caring horsemen.

The Thoroughbred Network and the Bungalow Foundation created a “Name the Foal Contest,” seeking donations for the opportunity to name a Thoroughbred racehorse. The proceeds of the contest are dedicated to financing projects to help inner city children broaden their horizons, including introducing them to country and farm life and to the world of horses.

The first project was a bus trip to visit the Thoroughbred farm of Keith and Cheryl Early and the MARE Center. On the appointed day, at 10:00 a.m., a bus consisting of eighteen very excited children and their chaperones left Laurel, Maryland and arrived about an hour later at their first stop, the Early farm. Their very first experience of farm life was to be a demonstration of blacksmithing by farrier Wayne Van Sant, who had generously donated his time and expertise for the project.

The children’s excitement and interest in the horses was evident from the beginning. In fact, their first sight of a horse required some quick thinking and action on Van Sant’s part: When the children saw the horse on which he was to demonstrate shoeing standing in the distance, they left the bus like a cavalry charge, running straight for the unsuspecting beast. Van Sant and his assistant (both of whom had considerably more experience with the equine mind and temperament than a bus full of enthusiastic city children!) quickly led the horse back into a enclosure, until the first rush of excitement had passed and it could be explained to the children the proper way to approach a large animal.

After Van Sant’s demonstration of the blacksmith’s art, the children witnessed a horseback riding demonstration by Audra Bielke of the Thoroughbred Network, followed by a question and answer session. Bielke later commented, “I was amazed at how serious the children were and how well-thought-out their questions were. For children who had never been around horses before, they had an unbelievable sense of what I was doing.” After the riding demonstration, the children had photos taken with the young Thoroughbred who is the subject of the “Name the Foal” contest. The youngster, who is gifted with a superb temperament, was also the horse used in Van Sant’s earlier blacksmith demonstration.

Each child was given a copy of the photo as a memento of the trip, along with a coloring book of the story of the youngster and his dam, Lamina Blue. After the photo shoot, a fantastic lunch was enjoyed at the main farmhouse, and three of the youngest children asked owner Keith Early if they could move in! “I told them if they worked hard and kept their dreams alive, they could have a farm themselves one day,” Early recounted. “The main reason that my family and I opened up our farm for this project is that we want to help expand these kids minds, show them that there is another world outside of the city – I think that happened.” -- Mark Deane and Heather Stanley

After lunch, the group headed off to the Virginia Tech MARE Center in Middleburg, where Superintendant Kathleen Crandell and her staff were gracious hosts, ensuring the children had a learning experience that was also full of fun. Crandell and her staff had various equipment set up that the children could actually touch and use. Crandell then showed the children different types of horse feeds, explaining how and what horses need to eat to thrive, and then allowed the children to actually feed the mares and foals from their hands.

It was wonderful to watch the children, many of whom were quite scared of the large animals initially, quickly overcome their fears with such positive encouragement and happily interact with the horses. The children were also introduced to the mare Lamina Blue, dam of the “Name the Foal” youngster which they had met at the Early’s farm – meeting the young gelding’s mother was especially fascinating to the children, who nicknamed the mare, “Mama Blue.” The MARE Center visit finished up with several more horse demonstrations and then a hay ride throughout the large farm.

The wonderful experience had by all – the children, their chaperones, and the various groups involved with the project – was probably best expressed at the very end of the day by one little boy who, sitting on a bale of hay, said, “Please don’t tell me it’s time to go!” -- Mark Deane and Heather Stanley

JAMES RIVER TRF

Polly Bance and Bill Collins delivered the first Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation horses to James River Correctional Center's Barn 4 last on Sept. 6, 2007. After 18 months of anticipation,
counselor and program coordinator Heather Mitchell was overjoyed at the sight of those horse trailers. The horses came from Polly's TRF herd of ex-racehorses. Inmates, staff and volunteers were all smiles. Barn 4 looks great after its renovation, and the field allotted to the horses has good new fencing and wonderful grazing.

Polly had the horses looking good, and Southern States (Farmville and Broad Street) had donated new halters (among many other supplies). Debby Thomas took a photo for each horse's file, as well as dozens of candid shots to commemorate the day. Doug Daniels, DVM, came by and went over each horse with each new handler. The six men in the work-training program are all doing a great job caring for the horses. They are absorbing every bit of equine information as fast as we can give it to them. Reid McLellan, developer of the Groom Elite curriculum, came back Sept. 20-21 to get everyone started on the formal training program.

Volunteers have been going over to Barn 4 every day to observe and occasionally assist. Everyone reports that seeing the inmates work with the horses is very heartwarming.

We are planning an Open House -- tentatively set for Friday, November 9 (after the election, for those of you involved with that sort of stuff).

I snapped a few photos. -- Robin Traywick Williams

BACK FROM IRELAND

The Curragh on Goffs Million Day.

Listowel races.

Dogs allowed at Listowel described by the locals as a country meet. Darley won the first race we saw and there were 25,000 people there. Country?

GOOD NIGHT SHIRT GOOD AGAIN

(By: Joe Clancy, st-publishing.com)

Virginian (and VTA member) Sonny Via's Good Night Shirt spent 45 days in trainer Jack Fisher's field – playing with other Thoroughbreds, standing in the pond, rolling, running, getting dirty and swatting flies.

If that doesn't sound like a vacation to you, it's Club Med to a horse. Iroquois winner Good Night Shirt made his first start since May a winning one with a powerful run in the $168,400 Lonesome Glory Stakes at Belmont Park Saturday. Trained by Jack Fisher, Good Night Shirt (Willie Dowling) scored by a length over Orison (Matt McCarron) with early leader Preemptive Strike (Paddy Young) staying around for third. The final time for the 2 1/2 miles was 4:42.45. The winner paid $7.80 as the second choice in the field of nine. Slight favorite Mixed Up finished fifth.

Good Night Shirt earned more than $101,000 and took control of the race of the steeplechase Eclipse Award. the 6-year-old son of Concern has earned $218,683 in three starts this year. He and the other contenders will head next to the Breeders' Cup Grand National at Far Hills Oct. 20.

(Photos by Tod Marks - ST-Publishing.com)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

UPSET. Coming off a narrow and hard-luck loss to Lady Joanne in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, West Point Stable's Lear's Princess, on the outside, outduels Belmont Stakes winner Rags To Riches in Saturday's Grade 1 Gazelle Stakes for 3-year-old filles at Belmont Park.

(Photo by Tod Marks - ST-Publishing.com)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

THE RED MONKEY? After waiting more than a year for his much-anticipated debut, The Green Monkey, a $16 million purchase at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old-in-training sales at Calder, finished a distant third Saturday at Belmont Park, beaten 7 lengths by Roi Maudit.

(Photo by Tod Marks - ST-Publishing.com)

OFF TO IRELAND

The blog will take a brief nap while we head off to the Emerald Isle...look for future reports from The Curragh and Listowel.

EQUINE TRIVIA

Equine Trivia Nights at the Iron Bridge Wine Company

Thoroughbred Network will be holding a series of equine trivia nights every Tuesday in October from 6 to 8 pm at the Iron Bridge Wine Company in Warrenton. You must be 21 or older to participate. Pre-registration is not necessary, but space is limited to the first 12 teams to sign up. Contestants will form or be placed in teams of four to answer trivia questions on a wide range of equine-related subjects including history, health, nutrition and different breeds, particularly Thoroughbreds. Prizes will be given to the nightly winner and to the series-end champion.

The entry fee is $25 per team, with all proceeds benefiting Thoroughbred Network in its mission to showcase the versatility of the Thoroughbred as a pleasure, performance and show horse and to provide a network for Thoroughbred enthusiasts. Thoroughbred Network, established in Warrenton in 2006, strives to promote responsible ownership of Thoroughbreds and serves as an information resource for the Thoroughbred community.

The Iron Bridge Wine Company, which just opened its doors in Warrenton in June, features wonderful wines, including its own selection of Thoroughbred wines. They are also known for great food and a relaxing atmosphere. A special menu will be available for Trivia Night participants.

In addition to the trivia nights, Thoroughbred Network has scheduled several upcoming clinics and fundraisers. On September 29, they are holding “From the Track to a TTeam,” a TTeam and TTouch clinic with Jan Snodgrass at Fox Trot Farm in Opal. This seminar will focus on dealing with issues pertaining to the off track Thoroughbred, utilizing the methods developed by Linda Tellington-Jones to relax and focus the horses’ attention. Participation will be limited to 6 horses and is open to any breed. Auditors are welcome and will receive the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations.

On October 14, in conjunction with Adams Livestock and the Clifton Horse Society, Thoroughbred Network will hold a team penning fundraiser to raise money for the recently devastated Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Center and for Thoroughbred Network itself. Novices are welcome and western tack is not required.

This December, Thoroughbred Network plans to repeat last year’s caroling on horseback fundraiser, in which horses and riders from various farms, in conjunction with the “Midland Outlaws” trail riding club, rode through housing developments in Bealeton singing carols for donations. The exact date, location and participating groups have not yet been determined, but will be posted on the website when confirmed.

For more information on any of these events, please call Cleo at (540) 207-3528, email equutopia@hotmail.com or go to http://www.thoroughbrednetwork.org/. Please note that the website is in development and not all event information has been added.

VIRGINIA CONNECTIONS - 9/04/07 to 9/09/07

SEPTEMBER 3, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 4 – Virginia trainer Susan Cooney wins a $27,000 allowance race with Excommunicated. The West Virginia-bred gelding is by Housebuter, out of Minister’s Lady by Mane Minister.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 5 – Virginia trainer Larry Curtis wins a claiming race with Maryland-bred Mr. Major Look. Mr. Major Look is by Rubiyat, out of Cancun Ruler by Key To The Mint.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 6 – Virginian R. Larry Johnson’s Lord of Midnight wins a claiming race. The Kentucky-bred gelding is by El Corredor, out of Midnight Stroll by Private Account.

LAUREL – Race 5 – Virginia-bred Hugo, by Stormy Atlantic, out of Go Baby Go (IRE) by Lion Cavern wins a $26,000 maiden special weight race. Hugo was bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm.

DELAWARE PARK – Race 8 – Edward P. Evans’ Intentional Fever wins the $55,000 Walking In Da Sun Stakes going 5.5 furlongs on the turf. The Virginia-bred filly is by Stormin Fever, out of Dance Teacher by Smarten.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
LAUREL – Race 6 – Virginians Patrick Nuesch and owner Sam English, II capture a $26,000 allowance on the turf with Kentucky-bred Raising Charlie. Raising Charlie is by Indian Charlie, out of Raise the Flag b Dr. Adagio.

LAUREL – Race 7 – Trainer Michael Matz of Barbaro fame wins a $24,000 maiden special weight for Virginians Bert and Diana Firestone. Elsie Jay, by Giant’s Causeway, out of Northern Pageant by Spectacular Bid wins by 1.75 lengths covering the 8.5 furlongs in 1:41.06.

LAUREL – Race 10 – Virginia-bred Idle Cash wins a maiden claiming for her breeder/owner Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor’s Morgan’s Ford Farm. Idle Cash is by Cozzene, out of Ready Cash by Key To The Mint. He is trained by Alex White.

PRESQUE ISLE – Race 7 – Lazy Land Farms’ multiple Colonial Downs stakes winner Kona Blend wins an $87,500 allowance race on the all-weather track. Virginia-bred Kona Blend is by Dixieland Band, out of Life In Seattle by Unbridled. Kona Blend won both the $60,000 Daniel G. Van Clief Stakes and the $60,000 John D. Marsh Stakes during the 2007 live meet at the New Kent racetrack.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 5 – Virginia owner Ron Kilbourne captures a maiden claiming race with Kittykitty Flys By. The Pennsylvania-bred filly is by Victory Gallop, out of Miribilla by Lord Avie.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 8 – Well known Virginian A. Ferris Allen, III leaves his Maryland stomping grounds and captures a $15,000 claiming race with Linda Harding’s Side Buster. Side Buster is a Virginia-bred by Housebuster, ouf of Als Delight by Wayne Country (IRE).

PRESQUE ISLE – Race 7 – Virginian James “Chuck” Lawrence, II captures a $80,000 alloance race with a Pennsylvania-bred homebred colt Makin Peace. Makin Peace is by Makin, out of I’m for Peace by Peace for Peace.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 3 – The Scrappy T connections of Rob Bailes and Marshall Dowell send Mickees Mecke to the winners circle after a $16,000 maiden claiming race. Mickees Mecke, a Florida-bred, is by Mecke out of Saracenade by Cannonade.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 4 – Virginia trainer Susan Cooney wins a $21,000 claiming race with Case of Reality. A West Virginia-bred, Case of Reality was bred by her co-owner Patricia Ramay. The filly is by In Case, out of Lost In Reality by Cure the Blues.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 6 – Virginia-bred Mr. Madison wins a $30,000 allowance race for owner John Casey and trainer Rodney Jenkins. Mr. Madison is by Wild Rush, out of Shorcount by Oh Say.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 8 – Virginians Ollie Figgins and Ray Pennington, III make up half of a dead heat in the $45,000 added Cinderella Stakes. There half is the appropriately named We’re In The Money, by Whywhywhy.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 3 – The Brittle team of Clay, Jr. and Gould win a maiden claiming race with West Virginia-bred Lucky Sprinkles. The mare is by Lucky Lionel, out of Camachee Bay by Eskimo.

DELAWARE PARK – Race 8 – Colonial Downs stakes winner Pass Play wins a $46,000 allowance/optional claiming race for Michael Pino and Virginian David A. Ross. Pass Play is by Fast Play, out of Shecky’s Sister by Green Forest.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

JUST DREAMY. Frank Calabrese’s Dreaming of Anna, last year’s two-year-old champion filly, took the lead at the start of the $200,000 Pucker Up Stakes (G3) at Arlington Park and rolled to a 4 1/4-length victory over ten challengers in the 1 1/8-mile turf contest.

The chestnut lost her first three starts this year, including her only off-the-board finish to Rags to Riches in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 4, but got back on track after that, winning Arlington’s Double Delta Stakes on June 2 and the Virginia Oaks on July 21 at Colonial Downs in her previous start.

Out of the Broad Brush mare Justenuffheart, Dreaming of Anna has won seven of ten career starts and earned $1,558,172.

(Four Footed Fotos)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

SEVENTH HEAVEN. A large crowd watches on as jockey K.T. Yeung on his mount Sevens Heaven (3rd L) takes control of the race towards the finish line, and wins Race 2, the Hung Hom Handicap at the opening of 2007-2008 racing season at Sha Tin in Hong Kong, 09 September 2007.

(Photo credit should read ROB ELLIOTT/AFP/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

UH-OH! James Gillies riding Hart takes a fence before crashing out of the Great Northern Steeplechase at the Ellerslie Racecourse September 8, 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 4

YOU GO, GIRL! Oprah Winney ridden by jockey Garrett Gomez wins the Schenectady Stakes at Belmont Park in New York on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007.

(AP Photo/New York Racing Association, Adam Coglianese)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

There are complete Yearling Futurity results, as well as photos of the top three in each class, further down the page under the heading Saturday, September 1, 2007.

Also, we are always looking for news. If we miss you ,or someone you know, in VIRGINIA CONNECTIONS drop us an email at VTA@vabred.org, subject: BLOG.

VIRGINIA CONNECTIONS

AUGUST 29, 2007
SARATOGA – Race 1 -Virginia trainer Doug Fout captures the $68,000 steeplechase with Beverly Steinman’s Dark Equation. The betting favorite wins by five lengths with Mathew McCarron in the irons. Dark Equation is a PA-bred by Polish Numbers, out of Night Risk by Wild Again.

AUGUST 30, 2007
SARATOGA – Race 5 - Cape Cod Escape, a NY-bred, wins a $50,000 claiming race on the dirt. Cape Cod Escape was bred by Virginian Arthur Watson’s Burning Daylight Farms, Inc. She is by American Chance, out of Quick Escape by Geiger Counter.

AUGUST 31, 2007
TIMONIUM – Race 2 – Virginia-bred Bankcard wins a $15,00 claiming race going 6.5 furlongs. Bankcard is by Banker’s Gold, out of Diplomatic Cover by Roberto. The four-year-old filly was bred by Mr. & Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III. She is owned by Richard F. Blue, Jr. and David A. Ross.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 8 – Virginia trainer Sam Deane wins a claiming race with a mare bred in Kentucky by Marvin Little, Jr., the long-time manager of the famous Virginia nursery Newstead Farm. Cussie’s Mirror is by Cat’s Career, out of Chickapee by Alleged.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 6 – Virginians Ollie Figgins, III and Ray Pennington, III (the 3rd Brothers) win a claiming race with Eternal Vigil. Eternal Vigil is a Kentucky-bred by Honour and Glory, out of Back Seat Babe by You And I.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2007
TIMONIUM – Race 9 – Virginia-bred Festive Moment wins a maiden claiming race for her breeder and owner Hazel B. Marsh. Mary Eppler trains. Festive Moment is by Carnivalay, out of Lady’s Journel by Chromite.

DELAWARE PARK – Race 8 – Colonial Turf Cup Gr.III winner Summer Doldrums, and Virginia Derby Gr. II runner-up Strike A Deal finish third and fourth in the $500,000 Kent Breeders Cup Stakes Gr.III. Elizabeth Valando’s Nobiz Like Shobiz (pictured), who is trained by Barclay Tagg, wins the race by a nose over Twilight Meteor.

PRESQUE ISLE – Race 2 – Virginia trainer Flint Stites makes some history on opening day at the new Pennsylvania track when Zubani wins a $40,000 maiden special weights. Zubani is woned by Four Sisters Stable LP. The two-year-old filly is by Proud Citizen, out of Fluid by Dehere.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 8 – Maryland-bred Long Time To Come wins a $15,000 claiming race with a $22,000 purse for Virginian R. Larry Johnson. Long Time To Come is by Lion Hearted, out of No Cynic by Two Punch.

CHARLES TOWN – Race 7 – Virginia-bred Royal Prospect wins a $28,000 allowance race by a neck. Owned by Hermen Greenberg’s Rutledge Farm and trained by Jeff Runco, the three-year-old filly is by Prospect Bay, out of Mrs. Highness by Alydar. She was bred by Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc.

SARATOGA – Race 6 – Virginians Sam and Carolyn Rogers breed Moon de French, the winner of a $62,000 maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies. A Florida-bred, Moon de French is by Malibu Moon, out of French Silk by French Deputy.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2007
CHARLES TOWN – Race 8 – Virginia-bred Lunar’s Serenity win a $29,000 allowance race by 16 ¾ lengths. Oddly enough, she was not the favorite (2nd choice). Lunar’s Serenity was bred, and is still owned by Concepts Unlimited Stable and Nellie Mae Cox. She is by Louis Quatorze, out of Lunar Antics by Hay Halo.

DELAWARE PARK – Race 5 – Virginia-bred Molly Moon wins a $40,000 two-year-old maiden special weight. Molly Moon, by Malibu Moon, out of Woodlea by Baederwood, was bred by Dr. and Mrs. Reynolds Cowles’ Yadkin Farm.

DELAWARE PARK – Race 3 – Maryland-bred Yacht Man wins a claiming race for Virginian Paula Haughey’s P.T.K., LLC. Yacht Man is by Regal American, out of Busy Woman by Full Intent. . Yacht Man is by Regal American, out of Busy Woman by Full Intent. Yacht Man is trained by Laura Dennis.

PHILADELPHIA PARK – Race 6 – Kentucky-bred Picker, by Forestry out of Melody by Gone West, wins a $35,000 maiden special weight for Virginia owner William M. Backer. Picker was bred by Paragon Farms, LLC.

PRESQUE ISLE – Race 8 – Virginian David A. Ross and trainer Michael Pino find the winners’ circle with Peace Rock. The $5,000 claiming race has a purse of $24,500 at the new slot infused Pennsylvania racetrack. Peace Rock is by Slew City Slew, out of Connie Bonner by Groovy.

MORE COLTS

FOURTH - #18. Unnamed, Dark Bay/Brown Colt, Chapel Royal x Gilded Ivory – Gilded Time, Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Frank Zureick & Mr. & Mrs. George Rayborn, Owner: Same. ($250)

FIFTH - #24. Unnamed, Bay Colt, Louis Quatorze x Uncanny Ability – Cryptoclearance, Breeder: Lady Olivia at North Cliff, LLC, Owner: Same. ($150)

SIXTH - #11. Class Classic, Bay Colt, Brahms x Class Reality – Class Secret, Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud, LLC, Owner: Same. ($100)

MORE FILLIES

FOURTH - #39. Real Sassy Affair, Gray/Roan Filly, Black Tie Affair (IRE) x Real Women – Real Courage, Breeder: Jimmy Keaton, Owner: Same. ($250)

SEVENTH - #42. Unnamed, Chestnut Filly, Meadowlake x Wonders Delight – Icecapade, Breeder: Morgan’s Ford Farm, Owner: Same.

RAIL BIRDS

From left: Patrick Nuesch, Mark Deane, Felix Nuesch and ringmaster Chuck Hoovler. Patrick and Felix judged the Futurity.

Snowden Clarke, Diane and Tommy Lee Jones.

VTA brain trust Pat Faramarzi and Heather Stanley.

Susie Chatfield-Taylor and Rick Abbott.

Amy Sweet, Sam Maloney and Virginia HBPA president Robin Richards.

Ned Moore and VTA president Donna Dennehy.














Robin Richards, Ned Moore, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor and Rick Abbott.

PICTURE OF THE DAY (and maybe the year!)

A PICTURE REALLY IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. Here is a spectacular shot of sunrise at Saratoga. Enough said.

(Photo by Tod Marks - SteeplechaseTimes.com)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

SHOULDN'T SHE BE WEARING A HELMET? Mary McGlothlin tends to Footlights and friend hours before the mare captured the Grade 1 New York Turf Writer's Cup at Saratoga.

(Photo by Tod Marks - SteeplechaseTimes.com)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

PLENTY IN RESERVE. Timber Reserve with Javier Castellano riding, wins the $1,000,000 Pennsylvania Derby over Xchanger and Luis Garcia at Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Pa. on Monday, Sept. 3, 2007.

(AP PhotoEqui-Photo, Barbara Weidl)

YEARLING FUTURITY

The Seventh Annual Virginia Breeders Fund's Yearling Futurity was held this morning at the Warrenton Horse Show. The Grand Champion and winner of the filly class was an unamed filly by Meadowlake, out of Senate Caucus by Siphon (BRZ). The filly was bred by Dr. Carlos "Ned" Moore and Jill Gordon-Moore of Corner Farm in Berryville. Jill showed the winning filly.

The Reserve Champion was the winner of the colt class - Class Mark, by Not For Love, out of Class Excells by Class Secret. This colt was bred by Mignon C. Smith's Mede Cahaba Stable and Stud, LLC. Ms. Smith also bred the colt's dam Class Excells, and the colt's dam's sire Class Secret.

FILLIES

FIRST - #40. Unamed, Chestnut Filly, Meadowlake x Senate Caucus – Siphon (BRZ), Breeder: Carlos S. E. Moore & Gillian Gordon-Moore, Owner: Same
SECOND - #32. Unnamed, Chestnut Filly, Lion Heart x City Hylton (ARG) – Jack Hylton (IRE), Breeder: North Wales, LLC, Owner: Same
THIRD - #38. Swinging Belle, Bay Filly, Father Roland x Miss Kricketwood – Commissionor, Breeder: Imogen Slade, Owner: Same
FOURTH - #39. Real Sassy Affair, Gray/Roan Filly, Black Tie Affair (IRE) x Real Women – Real Courage, Breeder: Jimmy Keaton, Owner: Same
FIFTH - #33. Class Band, Dark Bay/Brown Filly, Dixieland Band x Class Award – Class Chief, Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud, LLC, Owner: Same
SIXTH #41. Mom’s Elegant Lady, Bay Filly, Louis Quatorze x St. Paddy’s Star – St. Jovite, Breeder: Mary C. Turner, Owner: Mar-Jim Farms, LLC

COLTS & GELDINGS

FIRST - #10. Class Mark, Bay Colt, Not For Love x Class Excells – Class Secret, Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud, LLC, Owner: Same
SECOND - #17. Unnamed, Dark Bay/Brown Colt, Volponi x Flying Yolanda – Launch A Dream, Breeder: Nellie M. Cox, Owner: Same
THIRD - #25. Unnamed, Bay Colt, Successful Appeal x Worry Not – Concern, Breeder: Lady Olivia at North Cliff, LLC, Owner: Same
FOURTH - #18. Unnamed, Dark Bay/Brown Colt, Chapel Royal x Gilded Ivory – Gilded Time, Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Frank Zureick & Mr. & Mrs. George Rayborn, Owner: Same
FIFTH - #24. Unnamed, Bay Colt, Louis Quatorze x Uncanny Ability – Cryptoclearance, Breeder: Lady Olivia at North Cliff, LLC, Owner: Same
SIXTH - #11. Class Classic, Bay Colt, Brahms x Class Reality – Class Secret, Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud, LLC, Owner: Same

THANKS TO ALL THE EXHIBITORS

James S. Carter, Sara Collette, Nellie Mae Cox, Eagle Point Farm, Marjorie J. Flowers, Mar-Jim Farms, LLC, Louise H. Fuller, Cheryl Gamboney, Jimmy H. Keaton, Erika Rozell Keller & Cheryl S. Rozell, Lady Olivia at Northcliff, LLC, Lamina Blue Syndicate, Mignon C. Smith’s Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud, LLC, Carlos S. E. Moore & Gillian Gordon-Moore, Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor’s Morgan’s Ford Farm, Run Aweigh Stable, LLC, Imogen Slade, Ten Hills Farm, North Wales, LLC, Megan Walker, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Zureick, and Mr. & Mrs. George Rayburn.

Thanks for coming out and supporting the event.

2nd PLACE FILLY

Unnamed, Chestnut Filly, by Lion Heart, out of City Hylton (ARG) by Jack Hylton (IRE).

Breeder and owner: North Wales, LLC.