PICTURE OF THE DAY

Regina Mayer takes her cow Luna overa  jump in Laufen, Germany.  When Regina’s parents dashed her hopes of getting a horse, the 15-year-old trained her cow to jump over homemade hurdles made of beer crates and painted logs.  (Photo by Kerstin Joensson/AP Photos)

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO…

Hmmm…

Well, you never know what Frank Stronach and company will do next and the last few years the Preakness infield, long a critical component of Maryland Jockey Club profitability, has been the subject of change, scrutiny, criticism…you name it.

This is what the Baltimore Sun’s Jill Rosen had to say about the 2011 Preakness infield mascot…

Half-man, half-horse and altogether drunk, the Preakness' newest pitchman, introduced Tuesday, is a "party manimal" with one job: reassuring young people that this year's infield festivities will indeed be rowdy, raunchy and booze-soaked.

Kegasus, a centaur with a nipple ring, body hair and ample beer gut, is the centerpiece of the new ad campaign for Maryland's leg of theTriple Crown. Starting this week, he'll be spreading his hard-partying message on television, radio and social media outlets that cater to the 21- to 40-year-olds the race hopes to reach.

Only hours old, the campaign was already garnering criticism Tuesday for being tasteless and encouraging binge drinking. Jason Loviglio, director of media and communications studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, declared it "awful," "depressing" and "sad," but also predicted it would be quite effective.

To read more, click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Runners race down the back straight at Taunton racecourse on March 29, 2011 in Taunton, England.  (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

HAY, OATS AND WATER? RCI LEADERS CALL FOR PHASE OUT OF DRUGS

(Edited press release via TDN) Both the outgoing and incoming chairmen of the Association of Racing Commissioners International Inc. have challenged the racing industry and member regulators to embrace a strategy to phase out drugs and medication in horse racing.

Outgoing RCI Chair Dan Hartman of the Colorado Racing Commission said that Aa five-year phase-out is reasonable to bring North American racing policies in line with what is going on in  other parts of the world like Europe and Hong Kong.

Hartman said that a phased approach would give horsemen and owners sufficient time to adjust to the change.

RCI’s new Chair, William Koester, the chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission, said, “Today, over 99% of Thoroughbred racehorses and 70% of Standardbred racehorses have a needle stuck in them four hours before a race. That just does not pass the smell test with the public or anyone else except horse trainers who think it necessary to win a race. I'm sure the decision makers at the time meant well when these drugs were permitted, however this decision has forced our jurisdictions to juggle threshold levels as horseman become more desperate to win races, and has given horse racing a black eye.”

These comments mark a major departure from regulatory policy that has been based on allowing traces of medication, and a move toward enacting a policy of zero tolerance. 

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Robert Thorton riding Araldur wins the Free Bets At gg.com Novice Hurdle to record his 1,000th winner of his riding career at Towcester racecourse in England.  (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

VIRGINIA-BRED RACE WINNERS

American Wildcat (c, 3yo), Forest Wildcat - Gingham And Lace by Kris S. B - Lazy Lane Farms Inc. Santa Anita, 3 /25/2011, clmg, $18,000, 8 f, 1:37.72. ($115,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)

Bean (g, 7yo), Will's Way - Mexicali Rose by El Gran Senor. B - Backer William M. Fonner Park, 3/26/2011, clmg, $4,800, 6 f, 1:15.20.

Camp Victory (c, 4yo), Forest Camp - Victory Trick by Clever Trick. B - Atkins Danny Mark 1. Santa Anita, 3 /27/2011, alwc, $35,400, 6.5 f, 1:13.98. ($90,000, 2yo, 2009, obsmar)

Dominus (c, 3yo), Smart Strike - Cuando by Lord At War (ARG). B - Edward P Evans. Santa Anita, 3/26/2011, mdn sp wgt, $32,400, 7 f, 1:22.61.

Outrageous Sadie (f, 6yo), Outflanker - Purely Fabulous by Capote. B - Manning Diane Louise Mrs. Laurel Race Course, 3 /25/2011, clmg, $6,840, 8 f, 1:40.52. 

FOREST BELL WINS AGAIN

Will Russell’s Forest Bell with regular rider Liam McVicar on board won the $2,000 VHBPA flat race for Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired runners at the Piedmont Point-to-Point.  The five-year-old Forestry gelding went to the front with old rival Love Colony in close pursuit.  With about a quarter mile to run, Forest Bell pulled away to win by 1 ¾ lengths.  Rockmani closed strongly to gain the place.

Forest Bell is out of the Kingmambo mare Mambo Bell and was bred by Edward P. Evans.

RACE RESULT: 1) Forest Bell (Liam McVicar rider, Simon Hobson trainer, Will Russell owner) $1,200; 2) Rockmani (Jacob Roberts, Charles J. McCann, Celtic Venture Stable) $400; 3) Love Colony (Paddy Young, Ricky Hendriks, Debra E. Kachel) $220; 4) Hey Doctor (Bruce Daley, Mrs. D. M. Smithwick, Mary Fleming Finlay) $100. 

(Photos by Douglas Lees)

2011 Colonial Downs Stake Schedule

From Colonial Downs: 

Colonial Downs will host 18 stakes races, including the 14th running of the Grade 2 Virginia Derby, during the 2011 summer thoroughbred meet which runs from June 8 – July 31. A total of $2,050,000 will be doled out in stakes purses over the eight week, 33 day season.

There are several notable changes in this year’s stakes program, including a new condition for the Colonial Turf Cup, a bundling of stakes to create a third impact race card, and a name switch in one of the Virginia-bred events.

Highlight though still is the $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II), slated for Saturday July 16th. The 1¼ mile turf stakes for 3 year olds headlines an evening that includes the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (Gr. III) and a trio of $50,000 stakes -- the Chenery (2 YO), Tippett (2 YO Fillies) and the Kittens Joy (3 & up). All five races will be contested over the Secretariat Turf Course beginning at the new Saturday post time of 5 PM.

Battle of Hastings

The Colonial Turf Cup, which has been a Grade II turf stakes for three year olds from 2005–2010, will have its condition tweaked to three & up this summer in hopes of luring former Cup & Derby champs back to compete.

The Turf Cup will keep its $500,000 purse and its date, June 18 (four weeks before the Derby), but will lose its graded status with the new condition. The 1 3/16 mile stakes was captured by Paddy O’Prado and Battle of Hastings the past two years, both of whom went on to prevail in the Virginia Derby.

Turf Cup Day will feature a trio of under card stakes including the $100,000 All Along (Gr. III), $50,000 Da Hoss & the $30,000 Old Nelson starter handicap.

Paddy O'Prado (rail)

Director of Racing Tyler Picklesimer created a third multi-stakes card by grouping five Virginia-bred races together on Saturday July 30. Previously contested on separate days, the Oakley, Daniel Van Clief, Brookmeade, Jamestown and newly named Bert Allen stakes will share co-billing together in a “Best of Virginia” card on closing weekend.

Bert Allen, long time Virginia horse racing advocate & father of seven time leading trainer Ferris Allen, passed away several months ago. The John D. Marsh stakes, which had been run twelve times at four different distances, has been renamed in Bert Allen’s honor. The senior Allen, a nearby Varina, Virginia native, was the first recipient of Colonial’s “Ambassador for the Sport” award. 

Kitten's Joy

Also on the 2011 stakes program is the Buckland Stakes, to be run on “Ladies Night” (July 25), the Chesapeake and Punch Line Stakes, to be held on July 3 and 4 respectively, and the Zeke Ferguson Memorial, a Grade III NSA stakes slated for June 26.

Six steeplechase races will also dot the Colonial racing landscape this summer. A trio of jump events will both be held on June 12 as part of opening weekend festivities, and on the 26th.  

Colonial’s 15th annual thoroughbred season will be feature racing every Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday at 5 PM, and on Sundays at 12:55 PM. A matinee card will also be held on Monday July 4th. For more information, visit colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223.

(Photos by Coady Photography)

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Animal Kingdom heads to the winner's circle with jockey Alan Garcia aboard after capturing the $500,000 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park race course in Florence, Ky., Saturday, March 26, 2011.

In this photo provided by Gulfstream Park, All Due Respect with jockey Javier Castellano, right, captures the Ocala Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Sunday, March 27, 2011, in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

In this photo provided by Benoit Photo, jockey Corey Nakatani guides Church Camp to the winner's circle after their victory in the $70,000 Santa Lucia Stakes, Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

This photo provided by Hodges Photography shows James Graham, center, aboard Daisy Devine beginning his move coming out of the turn and passing Grandacious and jockey Jesse Campbell (turquoise cap) to win the 45th running of the $500,000 Fair Grounds Oaks at Fair Grounds, New Orleans, La., Saturday March 26, 20111.

Sylvia Heft’s Eighttofasttocatch (Sheldon Russell up) battled shoulder-to-shoulder with Marilyn’s Guy through the stretch before edging clear to win the closing day feature at Laurel Park, the $75,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes.  (Photo by Jim McCue/MJC)

Horses compete amid a heavy sand storm in the Godolphin Mile during the Dubai World Cup 2011 at Meydan in the rich Gulf Emirate, on March 26, 2011.  (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

Jockey Mickael Barzalona leads on Khawlah (C) during the UAE Derby at the Dubai 2011 World Cup at the Meydan race track in the Gulf emirate on March 26, 2011.  (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

This photo provided by Hodges Photography shows James Graham, right, glances over at Rose Napravnik (pink cap)aboard Pants On Fire as they come into the Fair Grounds stretch for the Louisiana Derby, Saturday March 26, 2011. Pants On Fire went on to win as Napravnik became the first female to win the Derby in its 98 year history.

Jockey Rayan Moore (R, in a black vest with white stars) leads the Presvis to win the Dubai Duty Free  during the Dubai World Cup 2011 at Meydan on March 26, 2011.  Virginia-bred Victor’s Cry, the one U.S. entry, finished fifth.  (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

Jockey Oliver Peslier (L) leads on Seraphin Du Paon to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic during the Dubai World Cup 2011 at Meydan on March 26, 2011. (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

This photo released by Hodges Photography shows Edgar Prado, white cap, aboard Smart Bid gets a nose in front of Expansion and jockey Gerard Melancon, gold cap, and Kent Desormeaux (green and red cap) aboard Moryba to win the 19th running of the Grade II $400,000 Mervin Muniz, Jr. Handicap at Fair Grounds Saturday March 26, 2011.

Jockey Gabriel Saez guides Summer Soiree to victory in the $100,000 Bourbonette at Turfway Park race course in Florence, Ky., Saturday, Mar. 26, 2011.

Jockey Mirco Demuro gestures as Victoire Pisa (R) wins the $10 million Dubai World Cup 2011 at the Meydan race track in Dubai on March 26, 2011. Former Virginia Derby winner Gio Ponti was fifth.  (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

In this image provided by Benoit Photo, Worth Repeating, center, and jockey Martin Pedroza, heads down the stretch to win the Grade III, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Calif.

VIRGINIA HORSE INDUSTRY HAS $1.2 BILLION ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced today a new study on the Virginia horse industry. A study prepared by the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center (WCC) for Public Service and funded by the Virginia Horse Industry Board found that the horse industry in Virginia has an annual economic impact of $1.2 billion.

WCC’s Regional Economist Dr. Terance Rephann determined that the equine industry in the Commonwealth continues to expand and its economic impact continues to grow. “The equine industry’s influence is felt in all parts of the state,” said Dr. Rephann. “We see a very positive effect on jobs, recreation, tourism, retail sales and state and local taxation.”

He adds that the largest areas of economic impact continue to be in Northern Virginia with more than 1,600 horse-related jobs in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties. However, the largest employment impact in the state is in Rockbridge Country—the location of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. More than 1,330 jobs are industry related in Lexington and Buena Vista. “The horse industry in Virginia generates $65.3 million in state and local taxes,” he said, “with more than 50 percent of that representing state taxes.”

Additional key findings from the just-released equine survey include:

• The industry generated more than 16,000 jobs in 2010 in Virginia with the greatest effects in the agricultural and ag services sectors, and a lesser effect in the areas of trade and construction.
• Horse owners spend $873 million annually on horse-related expenses—including feed and bedding, boarding, training, tack, capital improvements and labor. These expenses average $4,060 per horse.
• Nearly 1,200 horse shows and events were held in Virginia in 2010—generating $25 million in revenue.
• Some 939,000 people attended Virginia horse shows and competitions last year. Out-of-state participants spent an average of $3,100 per event.
• Virginia ranks 12th in the nation for numbers of horses.
• According to the Census of Agriculture Statistics, while the number of farms in Virginia decreased between 1997-2007, the number of farms with horses actually increased from 10,972 to 13,520 during that same period—offsetting a more significant decline in farms in general.
• Virginia has an estimated 215,000 equines and some 41,000 equine operations.

“While I am glad to see these very impressive figures on the economic impact of the horse industry in the Commonwealth, I didn’t need a statistical survey to prove how important horses are in Virginia,” said Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner. “My father-in-law has three horses on his farm and both of my children enjoy riding them around his property. Horses add so much to our lives on a personal level, but when I look at the big picture, I see just how much they contribute to our state’s economic well-being, as well.”

The full study is available on the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center website, (click on link in the news and events section) and highlights of the survey can be found on the Virginia Horse Industry Board website. The Virginia Horse Industry Board, based at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is comprised of 12 representatives from various sectors of the industry throughout the state. The Board’s mission is the promotion and economic development of the equine industry in the Commonwealth

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Two jockey’s at the tack of Meydan racecourse during their preparations for the Dubai World Cup 2011 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.   Three-time Eclipse Award and Virginia Derby winner Gio Ponti leads a field of 14 for Saturday's $10 million Dubai World Cup UAE-G1. The six-year-old champion was fourth as the favorite in last year's running.

Virginia-bred Victor’s Cry is also in Dubai.  The six-year-old son of Street Cry (Ire) has dazzled onlookers ever since he arrived, and his owners said his striking appearance and attitude give them more reasons to be optimistic about his performance in the $5-million Dubai Duty Free UAE-G1.

(Photo by Ali Halder/EPA)

VIRGINIA-BRED VICTOR'S CRY SEEKS DESERT GLORY



Victor's Cry (inside #8) captures the 2010 Shoemaker Mile

Victor's Cry seeks to add a $5 million Group 1 to his resume when he enters Saturday's starting gate for the Dubai Duty Free.  The Duty Free is about a mile and eighth on the turf.  Saturday's post time is estimated to be 11:45 am.

The Street Cry sired six year old won a Grade 1 and Grade 2 at Hollywood Park in 2010 and is bred by Legacy Farm.  Victor will be  seeking Victory with Victor as jockey Victor Espinosa returns for the mount.  Owned by Equilite Stable and trained by Eion Hardy, Victor's Cry is 6 of 22 lifetime with five of those wins occuring on the turf.  At 9-2, Victor's Cry is the 2nd ML choice in the 15 horse field.



Gio Ponti on the backstretch at Colonial Downs



Also on Saturday, 2008 Virginia Derby winner Gio Ponti who has won over $5 million seeks to avenge his 4th place finish in last year's Dubai World Cup in this year's running.  The winner of two Grade I stakes in 2010 Gio Ponti's gallop over the synthetic surface in Dubai World Cup was his only start out of the money in seven attempts.  In his last start he ran second to Goldikova in the Breeder's Cup Mile.

Now a six year old, Gio Ponti is trained by Christophe Clemente who has assigned the irons once again to Ramon Dominquez.  The $10 million dollar Duty World Cup is a mile and a quarter over an "all-weather" surface.  At 8-1, Gio Ponti is the fourth ML choice in the 14 horse field.  Post time for Gio Ponti's race is approximately 1:35 pm Saturday afternoon.

VA-BRED RESEARCHER ON COMEBACK TRAIL

More than 11 months removed from the biggest win of his career, two-time Charles Town Classic winner Researcher will make his return to the races in Saturday night’s featured allowance at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The race, which drew a field of six, will be the now seven-year-old’s first start since taking the 2010 Charles Town Classic over Awesome Gem and Redding Colliery.

Purchased with a career in steeplechase racing in mind, Researcher’s owners, the Kinross Corporation, decided to return the gelded son of Two Smart to flat racing and put him on a path to a third Charles Town Classic.

While Researcher will be reunited with jockey Luis Perez on Saturday, he will be making his first start for trainer Neil Morris.  Morris takes over from leading Charles Town trainer Jeff Runco who conditioned the horse to both Charles Town Classic wins.  Morris has overseen all of Researcher’s training in his comeback bid.

“We made a decision around January 1 that we were going to create a plan for the horse to get back to this point and make an effort at the Charles Town Classic,” Morris said.  “He’s done everything textbook so far that we’ve asked him to do.”

Since he was placed back in training, Researcher has posted three bullet workouts, the most recent being a 1:01.60, 5 furlong breeze at Charles Town on March 19^th.  While Morris wants to see a solid effort on Saturday night in order to take the next step to the Charles Town Classic, finding the winners’ circle isn’t necessarily the goal.

“I don’t need to see a win on Saturday night.  I’m more interested in seeing him come from off the pace, make his run and finish strong.”

Among the challengers for Researcher is Janet Wayson’s In The Juice, who comes into the race with two wins in his two efforts at 1 1/8 miles at Charles Town.  In October 2010, In The Juice dominated the $50,000 HBPA Governor’s Cup with a 6 ¼ length victory over 2011 General George (G2) winner No Advantage. 

Also in the field is the Rodney Jenkins trained Edgewater, who returns from a five month layoff on Saturday.  Edgewater racked up more than $100,000 in earnings in 2010 on the strength of a second place finish behind Virginia-bred Sir Whimsey in the $100,000 R.R.M. Carpenter Memorial and win in the $75,000 Governor’s Day Stakes, both at Delaware Park.  In both races, Edgewater finished in front of Alma d’Oro, who has since gone on to win multiple stakes at Laurel and Aqueduct.  Travis Dunkelberger, who recently won his 3,500^th career race, has the mount.

Peaceful Bliss, Leobuster and Termsofengagement round out the field.

Post time for Saturday’s first race at Charles Town is 7:15pm EST, with the featured allowance scheduled to go off at 10:25pm.  The 2011 Charles Town Classic (G3) will be run three weeks from Saturday on April 16^th, with nominations for the $1,000,000 race closing on April 2^nd.

VRC APPROVES 2011 CLN LIVE RACING DAYS

Democracy at work.

Today, the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) approved a 33 day live meet at Colonial Downs for 2011 by a unanimous vote of 4-0.  The meet will be conducted as proposed by a joint submission of Colonial Downs, the VHBPA, and the VTA.

The meet will run from Wednesday, June 8th (leading up to Belmont Day on June 11th) to Sunday, July 31, 2011 -- 8 weeks, four days per week.  Racing will be conducted on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with a 5pm post time on all days, except Sunday (1pm).  There will be one special day of racing -- July 4th with a post time of 1pm.  The day prior, July 3rd, will offer a 5pm post as opposed to the normal 1pm Sunday post.

Overnite purses are expected to average about $2,400 more per race than last year due to the fewer days -- 33 days instead of last year's 40 days. The barn area opens on May 25th. Stall applications are due by April 30th. A copy of the stall application can be downloaded on the VHBPA website and Colonial's website.

At a special meeting last weekCommissioner Clinton Miller had been elected the new Chairman to replace Peter Burnett.  The VRC also introduced former Kentucky Racing Commission Executive Director Bernard J. Hettel who they have hired to be their new Executive Secretary replacing Vic Harrison who resigned some months ago.

To see Nick Hahn's Bloodhorse article about changes for Colonial's summer meet click here.  To see Nick's article on the appointment of Bernie Hettel click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Long Run stands with owner Robert Waley-Cohen (L), jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (C) and trainer Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows racing stables, home of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run, who is trained by Nicky Henderson on March 19, 2011 in Lambourn, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

VIRGINIA-BRED RACE WINNERS

Cho Cho Cat (f, 3yo), Tale Of The Cat - Cho Cho San by Deputy Minister. B - Evans Edward P. Mountaineer Park, 3 /19/2011, mdn sp wgt, $10,736, 5 f, 0:59.96. ($19,000, 2yo, 2010, keenov)

Daddys Caddy (g, 3yo), Lion Hearted - Egret by Alwuhush. B - Keswick Stables. Charles Town, 3/16/2011, clmg, $9,600, 7 f, 1:29.34. ($3,200, yrlg, 2009, ftmoct)

Dance City (c, 3yo), City Zip - Ballet Colony by Pleasant Colony. B - Edward P Evans. Gulfstream Park, 3/19/2011, alwc, $26,760, 8 f, 1:36.93.

Flipofthecoin (f, 3yo), Songandaprayer - Proof Positive by Editor's Note. B - Morgan's Ford Farm.
Laurel Race Course, 3 /18/2011, mdn sp wgt, $17,000, 5.5 f, 1:07.18. ($130,000, wnlg, 2008, keenov)

Follow The Star (f, 3yo), Race On Green - Dough Re Mi by Sewickley. B - Mr & Mrs Samuel H Rogers Jr. Charles Town, 3 /17/2011, mdn clmg, $9,600, 7 f, 1:31.45.

I Know Why (c, 5yo), Whywhywhy - Buckles And Kinks by Waquoit. B - Foxcroft Farm. Laurel Race Course, 3 /17/2011, alwc, $19,950, 8.5 f, 1:45.36.

Ike (c, 5yo), Louis Quatorze - Uncanny Ability by Cryptoclearance. B - Lady Olivia @ North Cliff LLC.
Charles Town, 3 /19/2011, clmg, $6,600, 7 f, 1:30.02.

My Friend Bernie (c, 4yo), Domestic Dispute - Boltin' Bride by Runaway Groom. B - Anne N Tucker.
Beulah Park, 3 /18/2011, clmg, $2,460, 8 f, 1:41.25. ($65,000, yrlg, 2008, ftkjul)

Nepobedimiy (c, 4yo), Tale Of The Cat - Triangle by A.P. Indy. B - Edward P. Evans. Golden Gate Fields, 3 /19/2011, clmg, $4,510, 8 f, 1:39.87. ($5,500, 2yo, 2009, keejan)

Que Paso (g, 8yo), Cherokee Run - Gone Private by Private Account. B - Carolyn L. Nicewonder. Oaklawn Park, 3 /18/2011, clmg, $17,580, 6 f, 1:10.31. ($57,000, yrlg, 2004, keesep)

Samysilver (c, 3yo), Indian Charlie - Hidden Ransom by Silver Ghost. B - Evans Edward P. Rome, 3/18/2011, alwc, $17,869, 6 f, 1:12.40. ($70,000, 2yo, 2010, obsapr)

SECRETARIAT BIRTHDAY PARTY SUNDAY AT THE MEADOW

Click on image for a better view.

Join friends of SFVA (State Fair of Virginia, Inc.) and fellow admirers of the unsurpassable Secretariat for a day of celebration and activities on the occasion of the birthday of America’s favorite horse at his birthplace, 

The Meadow.  The event is this Sunday March 27 from 1 to 5 pm.

The event will benefit the planned Museum of the Virginia Horse and includes a variety of equine related events including a Secretariat Look-Alike-Contest.

There is a $10 entry fee for the contest and the judges include Penny Chenery, Kate Tweedy, and the grooms who cared for young Secretariat!

There is a $500 prize to the winner.

Tickets to the event range from $5 to $15 and must be purchased in advance.

For more information, click here.

SNOWBUSTER WINS VHBPA VIRGINIA-BRED/SIRED RACE AT WARRENTON

Snowbuster

John McCormack’s homebred Snowbuster, with John Delaney in the irons, rallied from the middle of the field and then won impressively in the $2,000 VHBPA Virginia-Bred/Sired flat race at the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point Raes on Saturday.

The Virginia-bred winner has a pedigree that says both Virginia and steeplechasing being by Bop, out of Eyrecourt Rose by Salutely.  Bop was a Virginia-bred stakes winner and Salutely is the sire of Virginia Equine Hall of Fame member and six time Virginia Gold Cup winner Saluter.

Complete order of finish: 1) Snowbuster (John Delaney – rider, John McCormack – owner, John McCormack – trainer) $1,200; 2) Hurricane Carousel (Jeff Murphy, MarJim Farm, Simon Hobson) $400; 3) Wild Ball (Roddy Mackenzie, Randy Rouse, Randy Rouse) $220; 4) Lonesome (Carl Rafter, William M. Backer, Julie Gomena) $100; 5) Hey Doctor (Bruce, Mary Fleming Finlay, Mrs. D.M. Smithwick) $80; 6) Silver Daughter (Liam McVicar, Atkins Homes, Inc., Susan Cooney); 7) Finneas (Suzanne Stettinius, Jalin Stable, Jaz Napravnik).

Aero (left)

In the last race of the day, Virginia-bred Aero won the Novice Timber race for owner Dr. Al Griffin.  By Northern Spur (IRE), out of Best Victory (Fr) by Cadoudal (Fr), the winner under Jeff Murphy prevailed by a half-lenghth over Belarion and Paddy Young.

Aero was bred by Eldon Farm Racing Stable LLC.

(Photos by Douglas Lees)

LONG RUN WINS CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

Long Run backed up his victory in the King George VI Chase by winning the Gold Cup with a late burst in the showpiece race of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.

The 7-2 favorite, ridden by 28-year-old amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and trained by Nicky Henderson, took the lead for the first time when jumping the second-to-last fence and pulled away from former winners Denman (8-1) and Kauto Star (5-1) in the sprint to the line.

“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” Waley-Cohen said. “I didn’t think we were going to get there, but he picked up and I think he still had a bit left."

“He’s a whole lot better than I thought he was. That’s a very special feeling and he’s a very special horse.”

Denman finished second, the 11-year-old maintaining his record of never having finished outside the top two in seven starts in Cheltenham.

Two-time winner Kauto Star, who was denied a fifth straight King George VI title by Long Run in January, finished third ahead of What a Friend, the 25-1 shot owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

“I can’t think of a better race than that,” Ferguson said.

Paul Nicholls, the trainer of both Kauto Star and 2008 winner Denman, said his 11-year-old horses couldn’t have done any more.

“They’ve run absolutely amazing races. I thought they had it between them at one stage, but Long Run was always going well just behind,” Nicholls said.

(Photos by Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

TRACKSIDE GRILL HOSTS SECRETARIAT BIRTHDAY DINNER

It's not too late to make reservations for the "Secretariat" Dinner Party Celebration at the Trackside Grill in Ashland on March 30. Cocktails will be served from from 5:30 - 7 pm followed by dinner.

Tickets are $50 per person and a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

The event is sponsored by Norden Equine and will feature a book signing with Kate Chenery Tweedy with Leanne Ladin, the co-authors, of the  Secretariat's Meadow: The Land, The Family, The Legend. 

For more info, or to make a reservation contact Debbie Hamman at debbiehamman@embarqmail.com

or call (804) 752-4688.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Under confident handling by Travis Dunkelberger, Hillwood Stable’s Bandbox cruised to victory in the $50,750 Private Terms Stakes for 3-year-olds at Laurel Park on Saturday.  Bandbox is trained by Virginian Rodney Jenkins. (Photo by Jim McCue/MJC)

In this photo released by Gulfstream Park, Hilda's Passion and jockey Javier Castellano capture the Inside Information horse race in track record time at Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Gulfstream Park, Adam Coglianese)

In a photo provided by Benoit Photo, Juniper Pass and jockey Rafael Bejarano, left, outrun Dahoud, with Joel Rosario, to win the Grade III, $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes horse race Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

La Luna de Miel ridden by John Velazquez captures the Orchid Handicap at Gulfstream Park, Sunday, March 20, 2011, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (Photo by Horsephotos.com/NTRA)

Malibu Pier and jockey Rafael Bejarano, left, pull away from Washington Bridge and jockey Mike Smith, right, in the stretch to win the Grade II, $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes, Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Spectators wear their passes on their glasses ahead of the second race on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, in Gloucestershire, central England, on March 17, 2011. The Cheltenham Festival, jump racing's annual Olympics spread over four glittering days of top quality National Hunt action, started on Tuesday. (Photo by Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

Quantum Miss showed sharp early speed and held off a late charge from Coax Liberty to post a half-length success in the 19th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Cicada for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. (NYRA photo)

The Factor and jockey Martin Garcia (6) win the $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., Saturday, March 19, 2011.  (Photo by Horsephotos.com/NTRA)

Jockey Daryl Jacob rides "Zarkandar" (L) to victory in the first race on the fourth day of the Cheltenham Festival, Gloucestershire, on March 18, 2011. Favourite Long Run won the Cheltenham Gold Cup here on Friday to become the first six-year-old winner since Mill House in 1963. (Photo by Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)