QUALITY ROAD PRE-ENTERED IN B.C. CLASSIC

Edward P. Evans’ Virginia-bred Florida Derby winner and Jockey Club Gold Cup runner-up has been pre-entered in the $5,000,000 Breeders Cup Classic.

It’s not exactly an easy spot.

Others include: Awesome Gem ($1,695,682), Colonel John ($1,629,012), Einstein (BRZ) ( $2,903,324), Gio Ponti ($2,253,800), Mine That Bird ($2,196,581), Regal Ransom ($1,747,200), Summer Bird ($2,023,040 G1) and undefeated Zenyatta ($2,774,580).

To see all the pre-entries, click here.

QUALITY ROAD UPDATE

Virginia-bred Quality Road, who trainer Todd Pletcher said is pre-entered in the $5 million Classic, worked five furlongs in 1:00.52 over the Belmont training track, according to Daily Racing Form, in company with the multiple stakes winner Harlem Rocker.

With John Velazquez in the irons, Quality Road started about a half-length outside of Harlem Rocker and went in splits of 12.79 seconds, 24.66, and 35.89, meaning he got his last quarter in 24.63 while finishing on even terms. Quality Road galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.21. Harlem Rocker, who was officially given a time of 1:00.74, has not run since being disqualified from first and placed second in last November’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile.

“Good, solid work; both horses went well,” Pletcher said. “Quality Road, I think the horse is doing very well. He’s a very relaxed horse right now. He’s kind of push-button, doesn’t do anything more than you ask him to do, but is there when you want it. I think he’s got the right kind of mindset right now to get a mile and a quarter effectively.”

Pletcher said Quality Road, who won the Florida Derby Gr.I when trained by Jimmy Jerkens in March, has become more settled over the course of the summer. Pletcher received the horse in early June after owner Ned Evans made a trainer change.

(Photo by Jay Moran via Flickr)

REMEMBERING VA-BRED CHAMP PARADISE CREEK

At four, Brian Zipse was in the stands when Secretariat won the Belmont. So when he recalls one of his favorite turf horses of all time – Virginia-bred Paradise Creek – we feel compelled to pay attention.

Here’s what Brian had to say over at Zipse At The Track:

Who was the best American turf horse of the 1990s? A tough selection to be sure, but I know whom I would pick…Paradise Creek. A model of consistency, the Creek ran 24 times on the lawn spanning four marvelous seasons. Keeping the very best company, he won 14 times and finished 2nd in seven others. There was only one occasion, in these 24 turf races, where Paradise Creek did not prove a major factor. It is always a joy to root for a horse that you know will fire every time, and Paradise Creek was one of those rare horses...

To read the entire story, click here.

VIRGINIA-BRED RACE WINNERS

Apromisebytomorrow (f, 6yo), Ball's Bluff - Apromiseisapromise by All Done John. B - Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. Laurel Race Course, 10/23/2009, clmg, $5,700, 6 f, 1:12.08.

Broken Fever (f, 2yo), Stormin Fever - Broken Halo by Saint Ballado. B - Edward P. Evans. Philadelphia Park, 10/24/2009, mdn clmg, $13,200, 8 f, 1:41.53.

Colonial Causeway (c, 5yo), Giant's Causeway - Probable Colony by Pleasant Colony. B - Edward P. Evans. Calder Race Course, 10/24/2009, alwc, $15,300, 8.5 f, 1:48.78. ($900,000, yrlg, 2005, keesep; $26,000, rac age, 2007, keenov)

Dillon Said (g, 5yo), In Case - Star Ruby by Rubiano. B - Albert O. Poe. Fort Erie, 10/20/2009, clmg, $4,896, 5 f, 0:58.07. ($3,000, yrlg, 2005, ftmoct)

Giant Mover (f, 3yo), Giant's Causeway - Gold Mover by Gold Fever. B - Evans Edward P. Meadowlands, 10/23/2009, alwc, $25,200, 8.5 f, 1:43.80.

Glenwood Ace (g, 5yo), Officer - Misty Rain by Rubiano. B - Chance Farm. Suffolk Downs, 10/24/2009, clmg, $5,160, 6 f, 1:12.35. ($47,000, yrlg, 2005, keesep)

Hammering Buckeye (c, 2yo), Stormin Fever - Biding Time by Seeking The Gold. B - Edward P Evans. Belmont Park, 10/22/2009, mdn clmg, $11,400, 6 f, 1:11.14. ($7,000, yrlg, 2008, keesep; $110,000, 2yo, 2009, ftmmay)

Hard Rockin (f, 4yo), Hay Halo - Hard Headed Woman by Hagley. B - Hamilton Smith.Laurel Race Course, 10/22/2009, clmg, $10,260, 8.5 f, 1:47.51.

In The Rough (f, 2yo), Stormy Atlantic - Old Fashion Girl by Arch. B - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc. Meadowlands, 10/24/2009, mdn sp wgt, $22,800, 8.3 f, 1:42.15. ($40,000, yrlg, 2008, ftmoct

Malibu Legacy (f, 2yo), Malibu Moon - Lady's Legacy by Matchlite. B - McNeely C. Wilson Mrs. III. Hawthorne, 10/25/2009, alwc, $15,600, 5.5 f, 1:04.81. ($160,000, yrlg, 2008, keesept)

Marital Court (g, 3yo), Vindication - Marital Spook by Silver Ghost. B - Evans Edward P. Charles Town, 10/25/2009, mdn clmg, $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:54.76. ($325,000, yrlg, 2007, ftsaug)

Outrageous Sadie (f, 4yo), Outflanker - Purely Fabulous by Capote. B - Manning Diane Louise Mrs. Penn National, 10/23/2009, clmg, $14,400, 8.3 f, 1:47.60.

Powder Mountain (c, 3yo), Whywhywhy - Gone To Utah by Salt Lake. B - Carolyn Nicewonder Beverly. Laurel Race Course, 10/22/2009, clmg, $9,120, 8 f, 1:39.62.

Shady Lady Saidie (f, 6yo), Charismatic - Shady Lady Dancer by Woodman. B - Lazy Lane Stables, Inc. Finger Lakes, 10/19/2009, clmg, $6,180, 6 f, 1:11.59. ($2,500, yrlg, 2004, keesep)

Spec House (f, 5yo), Housebuster - Berta's Silver by Silver Ending. B - Mrs C W McNeely III. Finger Lakes, 10/24/2009, clmg, $5,000, 5.5 f, 1:06.11. ($7,000, yrlg, 2005, ftmoct)

That'sthequestion (c, 2yo), Holy Bull - What Do I Do by Two Smart. B - R. Larry Johnson. Laurel Race Course, 10/23/2009, mdn sp wgt, $13,680, 5.5 f, 1:06.09.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Vineyard Haven (right) beats Ravalo by a neck to win the 19th Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash. Finishing third is Fleet Valid. (Photo by Horsephotos.com/NTRA)

Ted Durcan and Treasure Town land The Dormans Park Median Auction Maiden Stakes Race run at Lingfield Racecourse on October 26, 2009 in Lingfield, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

In this photo released by Benoit Photo, Summer Bird and jockey Kent Desormeaux work out Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., in preparation for the $5,000,000 Breeders' Cup Classic horse race in November.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, You Go West Girl and jockey Jose Lezcano capture the Ticonderoga Stakes horse race at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.

In this photo released by Benoit Photo, Forging Oaks Farm's April Pride and jockey Garrett Gomez win the Grade III, $100,000 Harold C. Ramser, Sr. Handicap horse race, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

In this handout provided by New York Racing Association, Belle Allure with jockey Ramon Dominguez captures The Athenia stakes horse race at Belmont Park, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 in New York.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Operation Red Dawn and jockey Rajiv Maragh capture the Knickerbocker Stakes horse race at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.

LOVE COLONY WINS OLD DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP

Virginia-bred Love Colony was reserved off the pace, saved ground on the final turn while moving into contention and took the lead in the stretch to win the $20,000 Old Dominion Turf Championship at the International Gold Cup race meet by 1 ¼ lengths.

The five-year-old Love Colony, by Not For Love, out of Soaring Colony, by Pleasant Colony earned $12,500 for owner Debra Kachel, trainer Ricky Hendriks and jockey Jake Chalfin.

The same owner/trainer team provided the runner-up as Secret Style ($3,600) was second while Godie Key’s Virginia-bred veteran, I’m A Hokie ($2,000) was third. Daybreak Stables’ Roseville Run ($1,000) was foruth while Mede Chaba Stable and Stud LLC’s Class Band ($800) was fifth. The frield was rounded out by Seeking Allie ($600), River Magic, Smartes One and That Dream Cat.

The winner was bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III and the race was sponsored by Edward P. Evans of Spring Hill Farm.

(Photo by Douglas Lees)

VTA MEMBER SAM HUFF TRUE TO WEST VIRGINIA ROOTS

Former NFL All-Pro and member of the Hall of Fame Sam Huff of Middleburg is as passionate about horses as he is about the currently miserable Washington Redskins. Huff provided color, as he has for many years, on Sunday when the Redskins lost to the lowly Chiefs, but on Saturday night the 75-year-old native West Virginian gamely stood in the steady rain to award trophy after trophy to the winning owners during West Virginia Breeders Classics XXIII.

Huff, co-founded the event with longtime partner Carol Holden in 1987. According to an article in the Northern Virginia Daily, "The miserable weather be damned, Huff made certain he was in the winner's circle to pose for every picture, shake every hand, offer each an individual congratulation."

To read the entire story about Huff's ties to the racing industry, click here.

VIRGINIA-BRED WINNERS

Big Boper (g, 3yo), Bop - Proud Entrance by At The Threshold. B - Richard M. Taylor. Laurel Race Course, 10/14/2009, mdn clmg, $7,980, 5.5 f, 1:04.10. ($4,000, yrlg, 2007, ftmoct)

Chalice Bearer (f, 4yo), Vicar - Allison's Duchesse by Noble Title. B - Sam E. English II. Charles Town, 10/16/2009, clmg, $6,600, 7 f, 1:28.38.

Crazy Like A Fox (f, 5yo), West Acre - Mindgames by Believe It. B - Donna M. Hayes. Laurel Race Course, 10/16/2009, clmg, $6,840, 5.5 f, 1:05.73.

Internalaccounting (c, 2yo), Pleasantly Perfect - Chasing Yield by High Yield. B - Evans Edward P. Keeneland, 10/15/2009, mdn clmg, $12,600, 8.5 f, 1:46.60. ($35,000, yrlg, 2008, keesep)

Nan's Real Love (g, 4yo), Not For Love - Real Concern by Concern. B - Iselin Mary S. Meadowlands, 10/17/2009, clmg, $8,400, 5.5 f, 1:03.34. ($30,000, yrlg, 2006, ftmoct)

Researcher (f, 5yo), Two Smart - Wild Magnolia by Apalachee. B - Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. Charles Town, 10/16/2009, stk hcp, $31,620, 9 f, 1:51.25.

Storm The Field (c, 4yo), Stormin Fever - Biding Time by Seeking The Gold. B - Edward P. Evans. Philadelphia Park, 10/12/2009, str alwc, $15,000, 8.3 f, 1:43.75. ($100,000, yrlg, 2006, keesep)

Union Soldier (c, 3yo), Dixie Union - Mather Miss by Black Tie Affair (IRE). B - Audley Farm. Santa Anita, 10/17/2009, str alwc, $14,400, 8.5 f, 1:43.93. ($70,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep)

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Lady Felicity Of Merton and Jade Ward lead the eventual winner Birdies Bobby Joe ridden by Brooke Bekir to land The Andy Stewarty Charitable Foundation Shetland Pony Derby Race run at Plumpton Racecourse on October 19, 2009 in Plumpton, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images Europe)

Champs Elysees with Garrett Gomez up outruns Jukebox Jury to victory in the $2,000,000 Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine Racetrack, Canada. (Photo by Michael Byrne Photography)

El Brujo and Jockey Edgar Prado win The Perryville Gr. III at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, KY, 10.17.2009. (Photo Horsephotos.com/NTRA)

Get Stormy, with Javier Castellano aboard, scored his third straight victory with a win in the Gr. III Bryan Station Stakes on Sunday at Keeneland. (Photo by Z)
Tom Queally and Twice Over (pink cap) land The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes on October 17, 2009 in Newmarket, England. (October 16, 2009 - Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images Europe)

BROODMARE ROBERTA GRUMP DOMINATES WEST VIRGINIA CLASSIC

It has to be a record.

Surely, one broodmare has never produced three of the top six finishers in back-to-back $500,000 races?

Last night Robert Grump, by Verification, did just that when Russell Road (Wheaton) won the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders Cup Classic and Natures Annuity (Valiant Nature) and Shesagrumptoo (Luftikus) took the place and show in the race prior – the $500,000 West Virginia Jefferson Security Bank Cavada Breeders’ Classic Stakes.

The fillies couldn’t match Cavada winner My Sister Margaret, but Russell Road answered all the questions about his ability to go 9 furlongs against older horses. Travis Dunkelberger (a two-time winner on the card) took the Wheaton gelding back early and made a bold move at the 3/8ths pole. He cruised/splashed home to win by eight lengths.

Russell Road is a product of a VTA Stallion Auction season purchased by his breeder Robert Lloyd of Berryville. He is trained by James Casey, also of Clarke County, and owned by Mark Russell of Winchester, VA.

Russell Road has 11 wins from 14 starts. He has won his last four at Charles Town and six additional starts at the West Virginia oval. Russell Road also has won the Dancing Count Stakes at Laurel and last night’s win worth $234,000 boosted his earnings to $648.165.

PICTURE(S) OF THE DAY

Brad Rawiller gestures after riding Viewed to win the BMW Caulfield Cup during the Caulfield Cup Day meeting at Caulfield Racecourse on October 17, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.

It was trainer Bart Cummings’ seventh win in the prestigious race.

PETITION FOR SECRETARIAT MONUMENT

Dabney Oakley is suggesting a monument for Secretariat on Richmond’s Monument Avenue. He’s created a Facebook page with a petition for same, and next week we will begin pursuing the idea through official channels.

According to Oakley: "Monument Avenue in Richmond, VA was the first street in America to receive a Historic Landmark distinction. The street is notorious for its cobble stones, wide houses, and unabashed reverence for Confederate officers…

I propose the erection of a monument commemorating Secretariat, the legendary Triple Crown winner, to be placed near Strawberry Street, between the preexisting Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee monuments."

To join the group and sign the petition, click here.

If you aren’t a member of Facebook this is a great reason to become one. It’s fast, it’s easy and it’s free. We wager you’ll enjoy it!

VA-CONNECTED RUSSELL ROAD LOOMS LARGE IN $500,000 WEST VIRGINIA CLASSIC

On Saturday, trainer Jim Casey (c) will send out talented three-year-old Russell Road for the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders Classic at Charles Town Races and Slots. While Russell Road is a West Virginia-bred, he has Virginia roots beyond his trainer. He is owned by Winchester's Mark Russell (l) and was bred by Clarke County’s Bobby Lloyd (r).

In addition, the stallion season used to produce the now multiple stakes winner was purchased from a VTA Stallion Auction…

The Northern Virginia Daily recently did a story about all four. To read it, click here.

JUDGE APPROVES LAUREL/PIMLICO AUCTION

A federal bankruptcy judge approved Wednesday a plan to auction Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park early next year, over objections from the tracks' former owners, who opposed the speed of the sale.

Meanwhile, two potential Maryland buyers - developers David S. Cordish and Carl Verstandig - reiterated their interest in bidding on the tracks and the Preakness Stakes.

Magna Entertainment Corp., the Canadian firm that owns the racetracks and the Preakness Stakes and filed for bankruptcy protection in March, said the auction should be held quickly because Maryland law gives the state 60 days to review a deal and the right to match any bid.

The sale procedures also would require potential buyers to keep the Preakness, the middle leg of racing's Triple Crown, in Maryland, satisfying concerns of the state and others in the horse industry who had feared losing the state's single largest sporting event.

Potential bidders have until Nov. 2 to submit proposals to Magna. They must provide a 10 percent deposit, as well as evidence that they have the money to complete the deal.

To read more, click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Glen Boss riding Irish Lights celebrates as he crosses the line to win the Schweppes Thousand Guineas during the Thousand Guineas Day meeting at Caulfield Racecourse on October 14, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.

(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)

SECRETARIAT MOVIE GALLOPS OFF TO KENTUCKY

Everybody knows Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Century, Secretariat was born and bred in Virginia so how come the movie about Big Red is being made in Kentucky?

Short answer: Money.

When the Disney scouts came calling, the VTA helped organize their trip around the Commonwealth to scope out potential sights for shooting. Obviously, Virginia had history on its side boasting not only pretty locations but the actual historic sites where the events took place.

Well, as anybody who watches T.V. or the movies knows, reality and accuracy are not always top priorities in tinsel town. Who can forget the horses nickering in the starting gate during one scene in Seabiscuit? Like that happens…

Anyway, long story short, while the Virginia Tourism Corporation has a film division, the General Assembly chooses to under fund their efforts. While our film folks offered the actual sites and beautiful farms as stand ins for the real McCoy, Kentucky eventually landed the movie with cash -- $800,000.

Richmond Biz Sense tells the tale. For even more, click here.

QUALITY ROAD UPDATE

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Florida Derby Gr.I winner and Jockey Club Gold Cup Gr.I runner-up Quality Road probably will start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7 during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park.

The three-year-old bay Virginia-bred Elusive Quality colt has placed in all six of his starts this season, winning three races for owner-breeder Edward P. Evans of Spring Hill Farm in Casanova, Virginia.

If Quality Road is not entered in the Classic, he most likely would be entered in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

“I'll discuss it further with his owner, Mr. Evans, but the Classic is the most likely scenario," Pletcher said.

Pletcher also said that Evans’ Virginia-bred Grade 3 winner Nite Light, the runner-up in the Brooklyn Handicap Gr.II on June 5 at Belmont, would be entered in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.

(Photo by Nick Aquilino via Flickr)

BREEDERS CUP NOW WITHOUT TWO OF RACING’S BIGGEST STARS

Racing’s biggest superstar, Rachel Alexandra, will not contest a Breeders Cup race for well-documented reasons. Now, European superstar Sea The Stars has retired denying the Breeders Cup the top horse from across the Atantic.

Sea The Stars was retired Tuesday after becoming the first horse to complete a sweep of three top European races in the same season.

The 3-year-old Irish colt’s victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this month followed triumphs in the English 2000 Guineas and Derby to make it six Group 1 wins in a row.

“We feel it is unfair to keep him going any further given his unprecedented record of achievement in the last six months,” trainer John Oxx said. “He’s come out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in his usual good form. He is fit and healthy and has been cantering since the race.”

During two years on the track, Sea The Stars lost just one of his nine races — in his debut—and earned around $7 million in prize money.

Going in the other direction is Mine That Bird (a gelding). In spite of a disappointing sixth in the Goodwood Stakes over the weekend, the Kentucky Derby winner’s connections say they still plan to go in the Breeders Cup Classic.

(Photo by Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty Images)

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Devil May Care prior to winning the $400,000 Frizette Stakes Gr.I on Saturday at Belmont Park. (Horsephotos/NTRA)

Maryland-bred Homeboykris winning the $400,000 Champagne Stakes Gr.I at Belmont Park. The colt, by Roman Ruler, out of One Last Salute by Salutley, was bred by Dark Hollow Farm and William Paca Beatson and sold at the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $50,000. (Horsephotos/NTRA)

Take The Points after winning the $300,000 Jamaica Handicap Gr.I at Belmont Park on Saturday. (Horsephotos/NTRA)

VIRGINIA-BRED WINNERS

Cobexa (f, 3yo), Tom Cobbley - Ibexa by Magic Prospect. B - Overfelt Michael. Charles Town, 10/9 /2009, mdn clmg, winner's share of purse: $6,600, 6.5 f, 1:22.06.

Glenwood Ace (g, 5yo), Officer - Misty Rain by Rubiano. B - Chance Farm. Suffolk Downs, 10/7 /2009, clmg, winner's share of purse: $5,160, 6 f, 1:12.75. ($47,000, yrlg, 2005, keesep)

Like Parker Dreamt (g, 3yo), Parker's Storm Cat - Bullet Assault by Assault Landing. B - Eric A Rizer & Nancy M Rizer. Charles Town, 10/9 /2009, clmg, winner's share of purse: $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:52.69.

Osage County (c, 3yo), Malibu Moon - Peacefally (IRE) by Grand Lodge. B - North Cliff Farm. Delaware Park, 10/5 /2009, mdn clmg, winner's share of purse: $7,800, 8 f, 1:41.05. ($110,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep; $135,000, 2yo, 2008, ftmmay)

Romanscoliseum (c, 6yo), Stormin Fever - Irish Dear by Irish River (FR). B - Edward P. Evans. Suffolk Downs, 10/7 /2009, clmg, winner's share of purse: $4,080, 6 f, 1:12.12. ($40,000, yrlg, 2004, keesep)

Sandys Gold (g, 7yo), Swiss Yodeler - Starighaway Whirl by Island Whirl. B - Valerie Harris E.Charles Town, 10/7 /2009, clmg, winner's share of purse: $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:53.54. ($10,000, wnlg, 2002, keenov; $17,000, yrlg, 2003, obsjan; $50,000, 2yo, 2004, ftmmay)

Side Buster (g, 5yo), Housebuster - Als Delight by Wayne County (IRE). B - Concepts Unlimited. Charles Town, 10/9 /2009, clmg, winner's share of purse: $11,160, 4.5 f, 0:52.44.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Godolphin Racing's Gayego and jockey Garrett Gomez win the Grade I, $300,000 Ancient Title Stakes, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.

Proviso, veers into Mushka, left, in the final furlong of the $500,000 Grade I Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Proviso finished first under jockey Rajiv Maragh, and Mushka second under jockey Kent Desormeaux, but was disqualified for interference in the stretch and placed second behind Mushka.
(photos by Z)

In this photo provided by the New York Racing Association, Girolamo, ridden by Alan Garcia, captures The Jerome Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

In this photo provided by Benoit Photo, Presious Passion and rider Elvis Trujillo win the Grade I $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.

Jockey Kieren Fallon pats Gitano Hernando on the head after winning the $350,000 The Goodwood Stakes horse race at Santa Anita Race Track, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Arcadia, Calif.

In this handout provided by Benoit Photo, Gitano Hernando with jockey Kieren Fallon, right, outleg Colonel John, left, to win the Grade I $350,000 Goodwood Stakes on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.

Mine That Bird with jockey Calvin Borel, left, follows the pack during the $350,000 The Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita Race Track, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Arcadia, Calif. Gitano Hernando won the race. Mine That Bird finished sixth.

Jockey Mike Smith pats Zenyatta after winning the $300,000 The Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita Race Track, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Arcadia, Calif.

In this handout provided by Benoit Photo, Magical Fantasy with jockey Alex Solis wins the Grade I $300,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at Santa Anita.

In this handout provided by Benoit Photo, Cowboy Cal wins the Grade II, $150,000 Oak Tree Mile on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.

Czech jockey Josef Vana, 57, celebrates, next to his Polish horse Tiumen, after winning his sixth title at the 119th traditional Velka Pardubicka Steeple-Chase in Pardubice city, East Bohemia, on October 11, 2009. Vana won ahead of Czech jockey Josef Bartos on French horse Sixteen, who came in second, and Polish horse Numero Due with Czech jockey Jiri Kalousek who placed third. (Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images)

Riders compete during the 119th traditional Velka Pardubicka Steeple-Chase in Pardubice city, East Bohemia, on October 11, 2009. (Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images)

VIRGINIA TO CO-HOST NSA’S STEEPLECHASE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The National Steeplechase Association (NSA) recently announced the inaugural running of the U.S. Steeplechase Championships on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The event will consist of 12 races contested for $700,000 in purse money at two different race meets on the steeplechase schedule: the Far Hills Race Meet in Far Hills, New Jersey and the International Gold Cup at Great Meadows in The Plains, Virginia.

In addition, the NSA has entered into a 3-year multimedia deal with NBC Universal Sports to televise five hours of live coverage of the event, as well as to provide online and broadband coverage, beginning at noon (Eastern). The agreement also includes coverage of additional NSA events in 2010.

“We’re very excited to add this great new event to the Universal Sports stable, and to promote U.S. Steeplechase competition to our wide audience,” said Carlos Silva, President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Sports. “We look forward to having a long-term relationship with the NSA for years to come.”

Far Hills will conduct a six-race program headlined by the $250,000 Grand National. The six races from the International Gold Cup will be highlighted by the 3 1/2 mile International Gold Cup. The races will be run on an alternating basis at 20-25 minute intervals from meet to meet with the first race at Far Hills scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m.

The 89th annual Far Hills Race Meeting draws more than 50,000 spectators to Moorland Farms in central New Jersey. The 72nd International Gold Cup Race Meet is expected to bring more than 35,000 fans to the northern Virginia countryside.

Two of the sport's premier race callers known throughout North America and Europe will be on hand to call the races for Universal Sports. Mark Johnson, the renowned announcer from Europe, who now handles those duties at Churchill Downs, will be at Far Hills to call all the action. Dave Johnson, famous for his "And down the stretch they come!" call will handle the mike at the Gold Cup. Dave Johnson called the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes on ABC Sports from 1987-2000.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Darryll Holland riding Eseej (green silks) in The Kia Soul Safe Bet Handicap Stakes at Kempton Park Racecourse on October 7, 2009 in Staines, England.

(Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Europe)

MORGAN'S FORD YEARLING SELLS FOR $50,000

Fasig-Tipton’s Eastern Fall Yearling Sale ended yesterday on yet another down note. The sale ultimately sold 387 yearlings for $5,616,450 for an average of $14,513. A total of 144 yearlings were not sold.

The final numbers represent a decline of just under 32% for the gross and 14.6% for the average. Buy backs did decline from 2008’s number of 270.

The top price for a Virginia-bred on Tuesday was Hip #341, a colt by Include, out of Early Mass by Pleasant Tap. Early Mass was a placed at two to four earning $56,349 and she is a half-sister to stakes winners The Texas Tunnel and Kris’s Prayer. Her second dam is Katonka, the dam of the graded stakes winners Give Me Strength, Talakeno and others.

Jay Em Ess Stable purchased the colt consigned and bred by Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor’s Morgan’s Ford Farm for $50,000. It was the twelfth highest price of the second session which was topped by a $300,000 Harland’s Holiday colt.

LOCAL TV STATION FOCUSES ON VINTON OTB

It was nearly five years ago the town of Vinton took the gamble and allowed an off-track betting parlor to set up shop.

"I say five years later, it's a good thing for Vinton," said Chris Lawrence, town manager.

Colonial Downs came to Vinton in the fall of 2004 after a battle between concerned citizens and the town. Eventually the town won out saying revenue from admissions and meals taxes would equal big bucks.

In numbers News7 received from Vinton, tax revenue from the OTB has hovered around $50,000, a far cry from initial expectations.

"Money-wise it's meeting our expectation now. We've adjusted our expectation a little bit," said Lawrence.

Five years ago, the town of Vinton hoped that Colonial Downs would bring in about $100,000 a year. Those numbers never really materialized, but town manager Chris Lawrence says the off-track betting site has been a good neighbor.

"They pay taxes. They're a source of entertainment and they keep their property up very nicely," said Lawrence.

As for Colonial Downs, it says all of its tracks and sites are taking a hit, especially in this economy.

"We are pleased with the Vinton site, bodies continue to come in there, per capita wagering down a little bit, but that's to be expected with the current economy," said Darrell Wood, with Colonial Downs.

Colonial Downs says the gamble is paying off and the odds are in their favor to stay right where they are.


To see the video, click here.