GOOD NIGHT SHIRT WINS LONESOME GLORY

Defending steeplechase Eclipse Award winner Good Night Shirt took another step toward a repeat with a powerful score in the $150,000 Lonesome Glory Stakes (Gr. I) at Belmont Park Sunday.

Owned by Virginian Sonny Via, the 7-year-old son of Concern took over at the top of the stretch and drew off late to win by 3 3/4 lengths for Maryland-based trainer Jack Fisher. Sermon Of Love rallied late for second with Red Letter Day a neck back in third. The winner covered the 2 1/2 miles and 12 fences in a course record 4:24.88. Regular jockey Willie Dowling piloted Good Night Shirt, who captured his fourth consecutive Grade I stakes and paid $2.80 as the heavy favorite in a field of eight.

Idle since May, Good Night Shirt broke sharply but settled behind early leader Red Letter Day (Robbie Walsh) through the race's early stages. Duke Of Earl found a spot in third with Irish invader Dalucci fourth early. Second choice Dark Equation relaxed near the back of the field. With a circuit remaining, Red Letter Day still controlled the pace with Good Night Shirt pulling Dowling out of the saddle. The winner surged at the eighth fence, diving through and landing awkwardly but got back to running with no effect. Finally given some rein on the final turn, Good Night Shirt passed Red Letter Day, flew the final two fences and won easily.

"That was a pretty impressive performance," said Dowling. "Going into today I thought we were vulnerable with top weight and not running for four months. I thought today was the day for people to beat us, but that was great. He was so good out there today. I cannot believe a horse can go that fast from start to finish and not give up."

In 2007, Good Night Shirt set a record for yearly steeplechase earings with $314,163 and claimed the championship despite coming into the year as somewhat of an unproven commodity at the highest level. He dispelled that notion and has done even more this year -- winning his first three starts and bankrolling $237,000 thus far. The $250,000 Grand National comes next Oct. 18 with the finale being the $150,000 Colonial Cup in November.

Also the Lonesome Glory winner in 2007, Good Night Shirt lifted his steeplechase bankroll past $685,000 (fourth all-time) and won for the fourth consecutive time. -- Joe Clancy

(Photos by Tod Marks: Top - Good Night Shirt, Bottom - Jockey Willie Dowling, trainer Jack Fisher, owner Ann Via, NSA president Lou Rafetto, and co-owner Sonny Via are beaming after Good Night Shirt's 3 3/4 length tally in the $150,000 Lonesome Glory steeplechase.)

THOROUGHBRED TROTTERS

For the first time ever, both breeds of horsemen came together at Colonial Downs last Tuesday night as thoroughbred trainers joined their harness counterparts in sulkies to compete in a quarter-mile dash. The Thoroughbred celebrities got to ride in the sulky with a licensed trainer and (according to various sources) were supposed to have thier hands on the reins during the contest.

Virginia trainer Karen Dennehy of Eagle Point Farm in Ashland defeated five fellow thoroughbred owners and trainers in a tight photo. Karen's mom, currrent VTA president Donna Dennehy was second while and all time leading Colonial trainer A. Ferris Allen, III, (above) originially of Varina, VA was third.

Virginia HBPA president Robin Richards of Boyce, and Virginia HBPA executive director Frank Petramalo were both "up the track."

The trainers raced in double-seater jog carts with experienced standardbred horsemen providing advice, especially urging thoroughbred trainers to go with a pace or a trot and not a gallop.

There was some controversy following the race when Donna Dennehy lodged an objection with the stewards claiming daughter Karen didn't have her hands on the reins during the race. While the photo here seems to justify the senior Dennehy's complaint, the stewards (in thier infinite wisdom) let the results stand.

A day later, Donna had little to say other than "She cheated. She didn't have her hands on the reins."

Looks like things are ripe for a rematch!

JUMPERS AND TROTTERS...

Longtime Virginia owner/trainer Randy Rouse sent One Sea out to a victory in a $15,000 optional claiming hurdle, the feature of a two-race steeplechase visit to Colonial Downs Sunday, September 14.

Ridden by Roderick Mackenzie, One Sea defeated Sussex County and Gigger in the race, restricted to non-winners of $9,100 once or horses who started for a $15,000 claiming price). The winner started for the tag, as did most of the field.

In the opening jump race, owner/trainer Allison Fulmer saddled Charismic American (Danielle Hodsdon) (pictured) to win a maiden claiming hurdle worth $12,000. The winner scored over Questioning (Carl Rafter) and Cuse (Liam McVicar).

The two jump races shared the card with harness racing. -- Joe Clancy/ST-Publishing.com

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Curlin keeps rolling along.

Here, ridden by Robby Albarado, he captures The Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 in Elmont, N.Y.

Curlin became the first horse in North America to top $10 million in career earnings, winning the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Gr. 1.

(AP Photo/NYRA, Adam Coglianese)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

Everything came together at once for 2007 Virginia Derby Gr. 2 winner Red Giant in the $250,000 Clement Hirsch Turf Championship.

He set a world record of 1:57.16 for 1 1/4 miles on turf, won the first Grade 1 race of his 12-race career, and left John Fort of Peachtree Stable planning for a start in a Breeders' Cup race here Oct. 25.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Red Giant caught Out of Control in the final furlong to win by a head. The final time eclipsed Double Discount's course and world record of 1:57.40, set in 1977.

(AP Photo/Hector Mata)

VA-BREDS AT TIMONIUM

VBF FUTURITY GRAND CHAMP SELLING AT TIMONIUM

VBF FUTURITY RESERVE GRAND CHAMP SELLING AT TIMONIUM

BEACH RACING

Yes, it's truly unique -- the only sanctioned beach racing in Europe. Here, the field charges down the course in the third race at the Laytown beach racetrack on September 11, 2008 in Laytown, Ireland.

The Laytown racecourse is located at a small seaside resort on the east coast of Ireland, 29 miles north of Dublin. It is a most unusual course as it is a beach course run on the sand.

On the day of a race meeting, the beach is closed from early morning and work on the course then commences. Post time is scheduled for when the tide has gone out.

Steps have been built up into the face of the sand dunes to fomr a grandstand. Tents are put up on the day before the races and these are used to provide a jockey's room, bars and snack bars.

Without doubt one of the most unusual racecourses in the country.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

VA-BRED WINS FUTURITY STAKES

Virginia-bred Charitable Man swept into contention with a five-wide bid on the turn, seized command with one furlong to run, and edged clear to win the $250,000 Futurity Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Belmont Park. Edward P. Evans bred Charitable Man in Virginia. The $200,000 Keeneland September yearling is out of the stakes-winning Saint Ballado mare Charitabledonation.

The Lemon Drop Kid colt held off game runner-up Flying Pegasus, who battled on the inside of the winner to deep stretch. Charitable Man crossed the finish line under a vigorous hand ride from Alan Garcia one length in front while covering seven furlongs in 1:24.30 on a track rated as good.

Charitable Man entered off a gate-to-wire 11 1/4-length debut victory at Saratoga Race Course on August 10.

He demonstrated the ability to rate in the Futurity and after his professional effort, Garcia gave him a strong endorsement.

“He wants to go longer,” Garcia said. “He’s going to the Kentucky Derby (G1).”

Garcia positioned Charitable Man off the pace, in sixth then fourth, as High Mesa set a solid tempo of :22.87 for the opening quarter and :46.97 for a half-mile while closely pressed by Kensei and Flying Pegasus.

Charitable Man advanced on the outside and loomed menacingly at the quarter pole. High Mesa and Kensei yielded in the stretch and left Flying Pegasus and Charitable Man to vie for supremacy. Charitable Man surged clear with one furlong to run to win his stakes debut.
Friesan Fire finished another 2 3/4 lengths back in third.

“We’re just very happy that one of them won, and Alan chose the right one,” trainer Kirian McLaughlin said. “Girolamo ran well, too. He kind of had trouble. Charitable Man is a very nice horse with very nice owners. Hopefully, he will have a very bright future. He was a little wide the whole way, which didn’t help him.”

While Girolamo will most likely be sent to Dubai, McLaughlin plans to run Charitable Man in $400,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) on October 4.

With the $150,000 winner’s share of the Futurity purse, Charitable Man increased his bankroll to $187,200. – Thoroughbred Times

Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo

GOOD CAUSE

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James Madison's Montpelier will be hosting its annual Art at the Barn fundraiser on Sunday, October 5th at The Black Barn on the estate.

The event will offer hors'd'oeuvres adn wine and a chance to purchase fine art. The event will go from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm and cost $25 per person in advance and $35 per person at the door.

The horse pictured on the invitation is Gordy, a son of three million dollar earner Gulch. Gordy is out of the graded stakes winner A Kiss For Luck who won over $600,000.

Unfortunately, Gordy was neither very fast or very lucky. He came to TRF some three years ago with an injured ankle, and no future prospects.

Luckily, the TRF has been able to give Gordy a safe and secure retirement. He can now run from the herd and he has his sponsors, Terri Piggot and her family, to thank. Without such contributions, Gordy and others just like him, would not be able to live out their lives here in the Commonwealth.

For more information contact Sue Hart, 434-409-4102, sjh58@hotmail.com.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

In a photo provided by Equi-Photo, Big Brown, right, with Kent Desormeaux riding, wins the $500,000 Monmouth Stakes horse race on the turf at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008.