VIRGINIA H.B.P.A. $1,000 CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

The Virginia H.B.P.A. counts among its members some 1,800 owners and trainers who have raced at Colonial Downs. Now, the V.H.B.P.A. is looking for member emails to increase thier ability to better inform owners and trainers about race days, purses, medication rules, overnights, etc.

As part of the effort to collect those emails, the organization is holding a Christmas Raffle for $1,000 if they receive 400 email addresses as a result of this campaign.

To be eligible for the raffle, just email your name, phone number and E-MAIL to V.H.B.P.A. Executive Director Frank Petramalo (race@vhbpa.org).

So if you have ever run a horse at Colonial Downs as an owner or a trainer, please send this info the V.H.B.P.A.

Who knows, you might win $1,000!

VIRGINIA-BRED RACE WINNERS

Boone's Babe (f, 3yo), Bop - Booneton by Boone's Mill. B - Waln Gary Ray.Charles Town, 11/27/2009, clmg, $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:53.86.

Free And Single (f, 3yo), Domestic Dispute - Kinita by Northern Baby. B - Griffin Al.Charles Town, 11/25/2009, mdn clmg, $9,000, 6.5 f, 1:22.83.

Huge (f, 3yo), Meadowlake - Wonders Delight by Icecapade. B - Morgan's Ford Farm.Laurel Race Course, 11/25/2009, alwc, $19,380, 6 f, 1:10.88. ($20,000, yrlg, 2007, ftmoct)

Imanheiress (f, 2yo), Smoke Glacken - Miss Moola by Saint Ballado. B - Nellie M. Cox & Rose Retreat Farm.Laurel Race Course, 11/27/2009, alwc, $17,000, 7 f, 1:26.48. ($15,000, yrlg, 2008, ftmoct)

Little Warm (c, 2yo), Stormin Fever - Minidar by Alydar. B - Evans Edward P.Philadelphia Park, 11/23/2009, mdn sp wgt, $26,400, 6 f, 1:09.97.

Max Makin (f, 3yo), Makin - Famous Pilot by Morning Bob. B - Vermont Farm, LLC.Charles Town, 11/28/2009, mdn clmg, $9,000, 6.5 f, 1:24.11.

Patriot Heart (g, 3yo), Not For Love - Secret Patriot by Secret Hello. B - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc.Charles Town, 11/25/2009, clmg, $13,640, 6.5 f, 1:21.85.

Staged Affair (f, 3yo), Not For Love - Colonial Stage by Pleasant Colony. B - Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III.Laurel Race Course, 11/28/2009, mdn sp wgt, $15,960, 5.5 f, 1:04.73.

Storm The Field (c, 4yo), Stormin Fever - Biding Time by Seeking The Gold. B - Edward P. Evans.Philadelphia Park, 11/27/2009, str alwc, $18,000, 7 f, 1:25.60. ($100,000, yrlg, 2006, keesep)

Summer Shade (f, 2yo), Stephen Got Even - Summer Delight by Quiet American. B - Lazy Lane Farms Inc.Laurel Race Course, 11/27/2009, mdn sp wgt, $15,960, 8.5 f, 1:48.42.

Tizahit (f, 2yo), Tiznow - Never A No Hitter by Kris S. B - Morgan's Ford Farm.Aqueduct, 11/28/2009, gr 2 stk, $120,000, 9 f, 1:53.09. ($185,000, yrlg, 2008, keesep)

ZENYATTA HONORED AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

A large crowd was on hand Sunday at Hollywood Park to honor Breeders Cup Champ Zenyatta. Excercise rider Steve Willard, jockey Mike Smith, owners Jerry and Ann Moss and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were all part of the celebration.
(Benoit photos)

2009 JAPAN CUP TURF

Add the name Vodka to the 2009 filly and mare honor roll along with Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. The five-year-old mare who is the leading money earning filly or mare in the history of Japanese racing added to her bankroll winning the $5.6 million Japan Cup Turf by a nose over Oken Bruce.

Like her American counterparts, Vodka has beaten the boys more than once including a win in the 2007 Japanese Derby. This win was Vodka’s 10th in 25 starts.

She was the Japanese Horse of the Year in 2008 and looks poised to repeat again this year.

Here, Vodka with Christophe Lemaire and his wife Barbara celebrate after winning the Japan Cup 2009 at Tokyo Fuchu racecourse, Japan on Sunday.

English entry Conduit was a little bit difficult at the gate a la QR.

(Photos by Horsephotos.com)

PICTURES OF THE DAY

In a photo provided by Benoit Photo, The Usual Q.T. and jockey Victor Espinoza win the $300,000 Hollywood Derby Gr.I Sunday, Nov.29, 2009, at Hollyood Park. 2009 Virginia Derby Gr.II winner Battle of Hastings was the runner-up.Belmont and Travers winner Summer Bird (seen here at Santa Anita prior to the Breeders Cup) was injured while training for the Japan Cup Dirt. He suffered a fracture to the medial, or inside, front portion of the right ankle. Summer Bird is resting comfortably and in no distress, said trainer Tim Ice, who said a cast was applied to the leg as a precaution. He will return to the U.S. and undergo surgery.

In this image provided by Benoit Photo, the Mailet and jockey Joel Rosario win the $100,000 Miesque Stakes Gr.III Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 at Hollywood Park, Inglewood, Calif.

In this photo released by Churchill Downs and Reed Palmer Photography, Super Saver, ridden by Calvin Borel, rolls to victory in the $191,250 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Gr.II on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Churchill Downs.

In this photo released by Churchill Downs and Reed Palmer Photography, Sassy Image, ridden by Robby Albarado, pulls away to win the $150,000 Golden Rod Stakes Gr.II race for 2-year-old fillies on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

In this photo released by Benoit Photo, Who's Up and jockey Victor Espinoza win the $100,000 Generous Stakes Gr.III, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.
In this photo released by Benoit Photo, jockey Garrett Gomez waves his whip in celebration aboard Ventura after their victory in the $300,000 Matriarch Gr.I, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Kodiak Kowboy, left, wins the $300,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Gr.I at Aqueduct Race Track, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Flashing and jockey Richard Migliore win the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes Gr.I at Aqueduct Race Track, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, in New York. In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Buddy's Saint and jockey Jose Lezcano win the $200,000 Remsen Stakes Gr.II at Aqueduct Race Track, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Virginia-bred Tizahit and jockey Edgar Prado win the $200,000 Demoiselle Stakes Gr.II Aqueduct Race Track, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, in New York. Tizahit was bred by Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor's Morgan's Ford Farm in Front Royal, VA.

In this photo released by Benoit Photo, Fluke and jockey Joseph Talamo win the $300,000 Citation Handicap Gr.I on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.

In this photo released by Churchill Downs and Reed Palmer Photography, Rahystrada (6) and jockey Leandro Goncalves win the $112,700 River City Handicap Gr.II Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at Churchill Downs.

In this photo released by Churchill Downs and Reed Palmer Photography, Blame (5), ridden by Jamie Theriot, en route to winning the $460,600 Clark Handicap Gr.II on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at Churchill Downs.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Sara Louise, right, ridden by Edgar Prado, captures the $150,000Top Flight Handicap Gr.II at Aqueduct Race Track in New York, on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009.

HIALEAH TO REOPEN TOMORROW

Fabled Hialeah Park, closed since May of 2001, will reopen in a limited fashion on Saturday for Quarter Horse racing. The tracks owners, the Brunetti family, are looking to rebuild Hialeah as a combination race track, casino and entertainment center -- a "destination point'' patterned along the lines of the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in nearby Hollywood, FL.

For the full story from the Miami Herald, click here.

(Photo by Marcie Cohn Band/Miami Herald)

PICTURES OF THE DAY

In a photo provided by the New York Racing Association, Cherokee Country, with jockey Jose Lezcano, captures the Fall Highweight horse race at Aqueduct on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in New York. Greenspring, left, with Jeremy Rose, was second.

In a photo provided by Churchill Downs, Serenading, ridden by Julien Leparoux, wins the Grade II Falls City Handicap horse race by three lengths at Churchill Downs on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in Louisville, Ky.

In this photo provided by Fair Grounds Race Course, Euroears, right, with Jamie Theriot aboard, pulls ahead of Tempo Five, with James Graham aboard, to win the Thanksgiving Day Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009.

British entry Conduit, with jockey Ryan Moore aboard, works out Friday morning Nov. 27, 2009 at Tokyo Racecopurse, outskirts of Tokyo. Conduit is here for Sunday's Japan Cup international horse racing.

Steeplechase and hurdles racing in Australia’s Victoria state will end after the 2010 season following the deaths of 20 horses over the past two years.

Racing Victoria said Friday a program of weight races will be scheduled for the 2011 season to help steeplechase jockeys, trainers and horses go through the transition. It came after animal rights groups had led a recent campaign to have the racing stopped.

QUALITY ROAD TO SKIP CIGAR MILE

According Chris Baker, manager of Edward P. Evans' Spring Hill Farm in Casanova, homebred Quality Road has been withdrawn from consideration for Saturday's Cigar Mile Gr.I at Aqueduct. Entries for the race will be taken tomorrow.

According to Baker the horse continues to do well and the QR team has decided to simply focus on a "productive 2010 starting at Gulfstream Park."

According to the Blood-Horse, Quality Road, who set track records in two graded stakes wins as a three-year-old, has been the victim of some bad luck with the weather this year prior to his incident at the Breeders Cup.

Baker said all the extensive gate schooling since the Breeders’ Cup had to be done anyway, and he extends his gratitude to the NYRA gate crew for all their help.

“They’ll be seeing the horse again plenty, so all that effort was for a good reason and it answered a lot of questions for us and how effectively this horse will be able to race next year,” Baker said. “Granted, he hasn’t started in a race yet, but all that schooling gave us a lot of confidence that his experience at Santa Anita is not going to affect him next year.”

Baker said there were several factors involved in their decision, including the weather forecast for the weekend.

“They’re expecting rain starting Thursday night and continuing all through Friday, and it’s expected to end early Saturday morning, so you may or may not have a fast track, and we prefer to have a fast track,” Baker said.

QR: NO DECISION YET ON CIGAR MILE

According to Spring Hill Farm manger Chris Baker, Viriginia-bred Quality Road will be watching the weather map. The Florida-Derby winner's connections will make a decision on Thursday whether or not to enter for Saturday's Cigar Mile Gr.I at Aqueduct and the weather may have an impact.

Quality Road, who to date has been a rainmaker of sorts, would surely like to see a dry fast track having seen his share of rain, slop and mud in the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup. But, according to weather.com, the forecast for Friday at the Big A calls for a 70% chance of rain while Saturday is predicted to be cloudy and windy.

We will keep you posted as we learn more.

QUALITY ROAD UPDATE

Virginia-bred Quality Road took another step on Monday toward a possible start in Saturday's Grade 1 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile by working a half-mile in 50.88 seconds over the training track at Belmont Park.

Exercise rider Hector Ramos was aboard for the work, which was termed breezing.

"I thought he worked well and he came out of it well," said Todd Pletcher, who trains Quality Road for Edward Evans. "I'll have a discussion with Mr. Evans and we'll make a decision [Tuesday]."

PICTURE(S) OF DAY

Runners take a bend on The All Weather surface during The Halcyon Gallery Handicap Hurdle Race run at Kempton Park Racecourse on November 23, 2009 in Sunbury, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images Europe)

Robert Thornton and Stoney's Treasure (2nd from left) lead the field from the last flight before wining The Copthorne Novices' Hurdle Race run at Lingfield Park Racecourse on November 24, 2009 in Lingfield, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images Europe)
In a photo provided by Benoit Photo, Bickersons, with Joe Talamo aboard, wins the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. The win was the fourth of five on the day for Talamo.

VIRGINIA OCTOBER HANDLE POSTS SECOND LARGEST DECLINE OF YEAR

At yesterday’s Virginia Racing Commission meeting figures distributed noted another decline in wagering for the month of October.

For the month, total traditional handle (live and/or OTB wagering) was down from $11,885,227 in 2008 to $9,158,118, a drop of 22.95% - the second largest decline of the year. Handle dropped 24.01% in August.

Wagering on Thoroughbred Racing declined 23.23% from $8.9 million in 2008 to $6.8 million in 2009. Harness handle fell 22.09% for the period. Overall, Thoroughbred handle for the year has declined 17.78% from $130,342,232 in 2008 to $107,171,206.

The decline in wagering has cost the Breeders Fund $173,000 to date, and the Thoroughbred purse account more than $850,000. The OTBs in the rural locations of Alberta (-42.94%) and Scott County (-41.67%) posted the sharpest declines along with Vinton (-34.4.1%), a suburb of Roanoke.

The unresolved issues regarding which signals are available to Virginia bettors is part of the problem, and the shaky economy remains a key reason for continuing declines. In 2008, the Breeders Cup was held in October while the Championship was conducted in November this year which also impacts the numbers.

Through October ADW wagering across the state has increased a modest 3.75%. The first ten months of 2008 saw $40,3444,102 was wagered through the various licensed ADW companies such as Colonials EZ Wager, YouBet, TVG, Xpress Bet and Twin Spires as opposed to $41,866,901 this year.

Almost 90% of the ADW handle is from Thoroughbred races.

COLONIAL VENDOR TO INSTALL LIGHTS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

Musco Lighting, the company that installed the lights at Colonial Downs, has been awarded the contracting bid to install permanent track lighting at Churchill Downs.

Following the popularity of three special "Downs After Dark" nighttime racing programs this spring under temporary lights, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Sept. 29 that permanent lights would be installed at the Louisville, Ky. racetrack before the start of the 2010 Spring Meet.

Churchill Downs plans to host six Downs After Dark events in 2010 (pending final approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) - four during the 42-date Spring Meet and two during the 20-day Fall Meet.

Musco has provided permanent and temporary lighting services to the Olympic Games, Daytona International Speedway, Wimbledon Centre Court, Yankee Stadium, Dodger Stadium and NFL Super Bowls to name a few. They've also installed lighting at more than three dozen racetracks around the world including Colonial Downs, Emerald Downs, Dundalk Racecourse, Great Leighs Racecourse, Hawthorne Race Course, Meadowlands, Mountaineer, Nad Al Sheba, Penn National, Prairie Meadows, Presque Isle, The Red Mile, Turfway Park and Woodbine.

Musco is also installing lights at the United Arab Emirates' new Meydan Racecourse, which will host the Dubai World Cup on March 27, 2010.

QUALITY ROAD SCHOOLS AT THE BIG A

Virginia-bred Quality Road had a successful schooling at Aqueduct over the weekend and is due to work this morning (Monday). His connections are likely to make a decision regarding Saturday’s Gr. I Cigar Mile later this week.

According to Chris Baker, farm manager for Edward P. Evans, Quality Road was vanned from Belmont to Aqueduct, along with two other Spring Hill horses.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Quality Road was led to the Aqueduct paddock in company with stablemates Nite Light and Storm Play. The colt stood quietly in the saddling enclosure while being tacked up and, after regular jockey John Velazquez was given a leg up by Pletcher, made several circuits of the paddock.

QR was then handed off to a NYRA lead pony and taken to the track for a simulated pre-race warm-up with the two other horses. The group worked its way toward the gate, which was positioned at the back of the mile chute on Aqueduct's main track.

As he has done all week at Belmont under the supervision of former NYRA starter Bob Duncan, Quality Road loaded into the gate at least a half-dozen times without incident, both with and without Velazquez aboard, and led by both Duncan and assistant NYRA starter Guido Rouse. The colt stood in the gate for varying lengths of time before being backed out, and never balked or fussed.

"We wanted to come as close as we could to simulating a race without actually doing so," Pletcher said. "He handled it the same way he's handled schooling all week -- perfectly."

(Photo courtesy of the Blood-Horse/NYRA)

VIRGINIA-BRED WINNERS

Camp Victory (c, 2yo), Forest Camp - Victory Trick by Clever Trick. B - Atkins Danny Mark 1. Hollywood Park, 11/21/2009, mdn sp wgt, $21,600, 6 f, 1:09.19. ($90,000, 2yo, 2009, obsmar)

Complete Zen (g, 3yo), Cozzene - Complete Number by Polish Numbers. B - Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud LLC. Laurel Race Course, 11/20/2009, clmg, $7,980, 8 f, 1:39.92.

Favorite Class (f, 3yo), Two Punch - Classic Contender by Buckfinder. B - Iselin C. Oliver Mrs. III. Laurel Race Course, 11/21/2009, mdn clmg, $6,840, 5.5 f, 1:07.40.

I Know Why (c, 3yo), Whywhywhy - Buckles And Kinks by Waquoit. B - Foxcroft Farm. Laurel Race Course, 11/20/2009, alwc, $17,000, 6 f, 1:10.87.

My Blue Eyed Jax (c, 3yo), Orientate - Doctoressa by Doc's Leader. B - Morgan's Ford Farm. Charles Town, 11/18/2009, clmg, $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:52.39. ($50,000, yrlg, 2007, ftmoct)

Only By Invitation (g, 4yo), Black Tie Affair (IRE) - Stormy Nation by Storm Boot. B - Marjorie Flowers & M Deborah Kinney. Laurel Race Course, 11/21/2009, clmg, $5,700, 6 f, 1:12.19.

Osage County (c, 3yo), Malibu Moon - Peacefally (IRE) by Grand Lodge. B - North Cliff Farm. Charles Town, 11/21/2009, clmg, $7,200, 9 f, 1:55.44. ($110,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep; $135,000, 2yo, 2008, ftmmay)

Pavoratti's Soul (g, 3yo), Perfect Soul (IRE) - Lady Nadine (GB) by Alzao. B - Lady Olivia @ North Cliff LLC. Meadowlands, 11/19/2009, clmg, $15,600, 8.5 f, 1:44.82. ($17,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep)

Power Base (g, 4yo), Grand Slam - Lyrical Prayer by The Minstrel. B - Evans Edward P.Mountaineer Park, 11/21/2009, clmg, $4,930, 8 f, 1:43.42. ($200,000, yrlg, 2006, keesep)

Side Buster (g, 5yo), Housebuster - Als Delight by Wayne County (IRE). B - Concepts Unlimited. Charles Town, 11/18/2009, clmg, $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:52.63.

Tiz Hidden (f, 2yo), Tiznow - Hidden Ransom by Silver Ghost. B - Evans Edward P.Aqueduct, 11/20/2009, mdn clmg, $16,800, 6 f, 1:12.98.

BREEDERS’ CUP GROOMS’ AWARDS

The Breeders’ Cup honored stable grooms at the World Championships for the best turned out horses awarding a total of $7,000. Each winning groom of the best turned out horse received a $500 prize in a special winner’s circle ceremony.

Rogelio Martinez, from Bill Mott’s stable, won twice, earning the award for Dynaforce in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) and Courageous Cat in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Previous Virginia Derby Gr.II winner Gio Ponti’s groom Jose Torres won the award for the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic Gr.I.

Breeders’ Cup Marathon - Muhannak (Ire) - Gary Plasted
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf - Elusive Galaxy (Ire) - Francisco Pulido
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) - Connie and Michael - Carlos Navas
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) - Dynaforce - Rogelio Martinez
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) - Silver Swallow - Raul Gonzalez
Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1) - Cocoa Beach (Chi) - Herminio Garcia
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) - Viscount Nelson - Johnny Frain
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint - California Flag - Mynor Palma
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) - Gayego - Alberto Rodriguez
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) - Lookin At Lucky - Martin Campuzano
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) - Courageous Cat - Rogelio Martinez
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) - Midshipman - Manuel Garcia
Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) - Monzante - Ricardo Mejia
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) - Gio Ponti - Jose Torres

RUSSELL ROAD WINS AGAIN

Mark Russell’s Russell Road ran his record to eight-for-eight in West Virginia-bred stakes with a victory in the $51,100 A Heuvo Stakes at Charles Town Races and Slots on Saturday night.

With Travis Dunkelberger riding for trainer James W. Casey, Russell Road easily won the 1 1/8-mile event by eight lengths over Dancin Baker. Peaceful Bliss finished third. The final time was 1:52.66 on a fast track.

The winner was the heavy favorite at 0.10-1 and forced a minus place pool of more than $20,000.

Russell Road, a 3-year-old gelding by Wheaton out of the Verification mare Roberta Grump, has won seven of nine starts this year for earnings of $476,295. In his previous start, Russell Road won the West Virginia Breeders Classic, which carried a first-place payday of $234,000.

He is a product of the VTA's Stallion Season Auction from which the season to his sire Wheaton was purchased by Virginia breeder Bobby Lloyd.

Overall, Russell Road has won 12 of 15 starts with a second and a third. He has won 10 stakes.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Six-year-old Twin Sparks eclipsed the world dirt record for six furlongs when he clocked a time of 1:06.49 in winning the $50,000 Caballos Del Sol Handicap at Turf Paradise on Saturday. (Coady Photography)

Irish jockey Mickael Kinane and Sea the Stars after they won the 88th edition of the Arc de Triomphe at the Longchamp racecourse in Paris, in October 2009. Legendary Irish racehorse Sea The Stars was named European horse of the year last week at the Cartier Awards.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Haynesfield, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, captures the Discovery handicap horse race at Aqueduct Race Track in New York, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.American Lion with jockey Julien Leparoux, right, pull s away from the field in the stretch to win the Grade III, $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes horse race, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 at Hollywood Park, Inglewood, Calif.

Paddy Flood and Vic Venturi (r) clear the last fence in company with the Paddy Brennan partnered Hello Bud (c) and the Jason Maguire ridden Keenan's Future before winning The totesport.com Becher Handicap Steeple Chase Race run at Aintree Racecourse on November 22, 2009 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images Europe)
Jockey Craig Newitt riding Bashful Girl wins race Six the Betfair Eclipse Stakes during the Eclipse Stakes Day meeting at Sandown Racecourse on November 21, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images AsiaPac)