Monday, December 26, 2011
VA-BRED WINNERS
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Saturday, December 24, 2011
YOUR CHECK IS (ALMOST) IN THE MAIL
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
PICTURE OF THE DAY
The "recall man" waits in the middle of the track as the
stalls open at Kempton racecourse on December 20, 2011 in Sunbury, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
JOHN HOLLAND (1955-2011); Owner of Oak Ridge Estate
( By Nick Hahn)
John C. Holland, Jr., 56, of Oak Ridge Estate passed peacefully on December 16, 2011 at the University of Virginia hospital. Born on August 30, 1955 in Portsmouth, Va., he grew to become a successful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and businessman.
He envisioned the invisible to achieve the impossible in every aspect of his life. He was the President of John C. Holland Enterprises and Hampton Roads Disposal, both located in Suffolk, Va. He served on the Board of the Elizabeth Building and Loan and was recently nominated by the Governor of Virginia for Waste Management Facility Operators Board.
He was preceded in death and will be welcomed in heaven by his parents, John C. Holland, Sr. and Marie Holland. His passing will also reunite him with his son John C. Holland, III who he has missed dearly over the last twelve years.
He will be remembered in this world by his beloved wife of 34 years Rhonda M. Holland and two daughters Heather H. Goodwin and husband JC, and Reagan H. Thompson and husband Ben. He is also survived by three grandsons, Logan, Lawson, and Ledger Goodwin who will greatly miss their "Granddaddy". He was also survived by his siblings JoAnn Nesson and husband Ed, Jeanne Tippett and husband Bill, Jonnie Franklin, many nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends who he treasured.
A service will be held at The Carriage House at Oak Ridge Estate Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. immediately followed by a burial service also on Oak Ridge Estate. A memorial service will also be held in Suffolk, Va. on December 28, 2011. Details are not yet available. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorial contributions consider donations to either the Food Bank of Nelson County or to the Toys for Tots program in Suffolk, Va.
Arrangments by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, Va. (434-263-4097)
John Holland was the owner of Oak Ridge Estates in Nelson County. A decade ago, he built a harness and steeplechase course at Oak Ridge Estate, one of his many projects on the 4,000 acre parcel. Partial built with recycled cupolas from demolished 7-11 convenience stores and Civil War cannon balls, he operated live harness racing with a limited pari-mutuel wagering license he obtained from the Virginia Racing Commission and the Oak Ridge Steeplechase Races. He gave me the opportunity to call races live. Quite the patriarch of his close-knit family.
John C. Holland, Jr., 56, of Oak Ridge Estate passed peacefully on December 16, 2011 at the University of Virginia hospital. Born on August 30, 1955 in Portsmouth, Va., he grew to become a successful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and businessman.
He envisioned the invisible to achieve the impossible in every aspect of his life. He was the President of John C. Holland Enterprises and Hampton Roads Disposal, both located in Suffolk, Va. He served on the Board of the Elizabeth Building and Loan and was recently nominated by the Governor of Virginia for Waste Management Facility Operators Board.
He was preceded in death and will be welcomed in heaven by his parents, John C. Holland, Sr. and Marie Holland. His passing will also reunite him with his son John C. Holland, III who he has missed dearly over the last twelve years.
He will be remembered in this world by his beloved wife of 34 years Rhonda M. Holland and two daughters Heather H. Goodwin and husband JC, and Reagan H. Thompson and husband Ben. He is also survived by three grandsons, Logan, Lawson, and Ledger Goodwin who will greatly miss their "Granddaddy". He was also survived by his siblings JoAnn Nesson and husband Ed, Jeanne Tippett and husband Bill, Jonnie Franklin, many nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends who he treasured.
A service will be held at The Carriage House at Oak Ridge Estate Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. immediately followed by a burial service also on Oak Ridge Estate. A memorial service will also be held in Suffolk, Va. on December 28, 2011. Details are not yet available. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorial contributions consider donations to either the Food Bank of Nelson County or to the Toys for Tots program in Suffolk, Va.
Arrangments by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, Va. (434-263-4097)
Monday, December 19, 2011
VA-BRED WINNERS
Bay Button Bill (c, 6yo), Ball's Bluff - Magic Dot by
Dancing Count. B - Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. Charles Town, 12/14/2011, clmg, $6,600, 7 f,
1:29.64.
Fingersnapper (f, 4yo), Domestic Dispute - Dance In Flight
by Meadow Flight. B - Great Oaks Farm. Laurel Race Course, 12/16/2011, mdn
clmg, $5,700, 7 f, 1:27.87.
Follow The Star (f, 3yo), Race On Green - Dough Re Mi by
Sewickley. B - Mr & Mrs Samuel H Rogers Jr. Charles Town, 12/17/2011, clmg,
$6,600, 7 f, 1:33.14.
Political Diva (f, 2yo), Political Force - Try Lea by
Marquetry. B - Yadkin Farm & Rmf Thoroughbreds. Charles Town, 12/18/2011,
clmg, $10,200, 6.5 f, 1:25.60. ($8,000, 2yo, 2011, obsapr)
Samysilver (c, 3yo), Indian Charlie - Hidden Ransom by Silver
Ghost. B - Evans Edward P. Naples, 12/16/2011, alwc, $5,137, 5 f, 0:00.00.
($70,000, 2yo, 2010, obsapr)
Sugadadeze (f, 2yo), Silver Train - Love Scene by Not For
Love. B - Hart Farm. Laurel Race Course, 12/14/2011, clmg, $10,830, 5.5 f,
1:06.19. ($6,000, wnlg, 2009, ftmdec)
That'sthequestion (c, 4yo), Holy Bull - What Do I Do by Two
Smart. B - R. Larry Johnson. PRX, 12/17/2011, clmg, $12,000, 5.5 f, 1:05.84.
Ziegfeld (c, 5yo), Elusive Quality - Colonial Minstrel by
Pleasant Colony. B - Evans Edward P. Delta Downs, 12/16/2011, clmg, $6,708, 7
f, 1:28.42. ($95,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep; $200,000, 2yo, 2008, ftffeb)
THOROUGHBRED CELEBRATION HORSE SHOW RESULTS
 |
| SPENCER ROAD |
First and second place ribbons in the $1,000 After the
Finish Line Hunter Stake were earned by horses owned by Clover Grove of
Virginia. Top honors went to Harvest
Moon March, a 2002 son of Tank out of Dixieland Affair who raced three times as
a 3-year old. Second place went to Have
a Heart, formerly known as Grabachek, a 1998 unraced son of State Dinner out of
Lizzy Ryan. Angee Quattro Kerns rode
both horses under the guidance of Clover Grove trainers Luanne Leonard and
Britni Johns Cash. They were greeted in
the winner’s circle by Dawn Mellen, President of After the Finish Line, who
sponsored the Hunter Stake.
The winner of the $1,000 Virginia Horse Center Jumper Stake
was Spencer Road, a 2006 unraced son of Slew City Slew out of Snars Good
Fortune. Spencer Road is owned by Royal
Crown Stables of Pennsylvania. This is
his first year in the show ring and he was piloted to the win by 19-year old
Gillian King who is trained by her father, Douglas King.
 |
| PICKIN N SINGIN |
The Jumper Style Award, sponsored by North Shore Designs,
Tom & Nancy Ginaven of Virginia, went to the 14-year old mare, Castlellen,
formerly known as Window Table, by My Cielo out of Weekend Spree, with
owner/rider Blair Barbieri, also of Virginia.
Special 2011 series end awards were presented at this
show. The W. A. “Jimmy” Croll, Jr.
Memorial Trophy for the High Score Monmouth Hunter was awarded to Ash Hill,
formerly known as My Regal Smile, by Ops Smile out of Regal Nigel, owned by
Babbie Wanamaker and ridden by Susan Sisco, both of Pennsylvania.
The Powerful Storm Memorial Trophy for the High Score
Suffolk Hunter was awarded to Mischief Managed, formerly known as Tap Room, an
unraced son of Tapit out of Wawota, owned and ridden by Billie Rae Croll.
The What If Memorial Trophy for the High Score Pimlico
Hunter went to Well Spent, formerly known as All Game, by Game Quoit out of
Squirt Can, owned and ridden by Krista Hodgkin of Virginia.
 |
| HARVEST MOON |
Money Makes Money, a son of Talk Is Money out of Soak, was
chosen as the winner of the R. Huey Versatility Award, donated in honor of the
retired R. Huey by Hannah Ong of Maryland.
This award is for a horse that came off the track and has excelled in at
least two other disciplines. Money Makes
Money, also known as Mr. Kitster, with owner/rider Karen Benson of North
Carolina, has competed in Hunters, Jumpers, Extreme Cowboy Challenges,
trailriding, rounding up cattle and performing bridleless.
This show series endeavors to positively impact the lives of
Thoroughbred ex-racehorses across the United States. At each show, a portion of the entry monies
received for the Blue Horse Charities Pleasure Hunter Division is donated to
Blue Horse Charities in memory of John Hettinger. All of the proceeds from silent auctions
throughout the year have been given to After the Finish Line, a 501 (c) 3 funding
non-profit for Thoroughbred rescue and rehabilitation.
Save the dates of March 16-18, June 8-10, and November 2-4,
2012 for the fourth year of Thoroughbred
Celebration Horse Shows at the Virginia Horse Center.
(Photos by Danny Young/Action Shots Photography)
MARYLAND LIVE RACING IN 2012
 |
| (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club) |
“I am glad we got this resolved,” said Richard Hoffberger,
MTHA president. “This means running the same amount of live days as this year
which was important to the horsemen to maintain a year-round program.”
The parties will continue to meet on a regular basis on
developing a long-term plan for thoroughbred racing in the state with a goal of
a proposal in place by July 1, 2012.
“The Maryland Jockey Club is pleased that the parties have
come together for the betterment of the industry,” said MJC president Tom
Chuckas. “And our management team looks forward to working with the other
industry participants in creating a long-term plan for sustainability in
Maryland.”
The agreement reached needs to be ratified by the MTHA
board. The parties will then take the agreement to the Maryland Racing
Commission on Tuesday, December 20 for final approval.
“What we are looking for is a sustainable business model for
the future,” said Maryland Racing Commissioner John McDaniel, who along with
commissioner Bruce Quade has been part of the process. “The Maryland Racing
Commission will actively spearhead the process and we are looking forward to
working with the parties with frequent meetings. We are also working with the
Governor’s office, and his emissary Joe Bryce, to make sure we are conforming
to the intent from the legislature for the long-term plan of the racing
industry.”
The 2012 Laurel Park winter meet is scheduled to begin
Wednesday, January 4. Entries will be taken Friday, December 30.
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Thursday, December 15, 2011
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
RAPID REDUX UPDATE
That said, Rapid Redux's accomplishments still rank in the upper echelon of equine achievements and his efforts are clearly appreciated by his connections.
“I love the horse,” owner Robert Cole, Jr. said. “The
trainer [David Wells] has done an incredible job. I feel very blessed. It’s an
incredible feat of luck and incredible skill by the horse. My dad talked about
Citation all the time, and it’s amazing--here we are at 19 with Citation. There
is no way you could ever imagine claiming a horse for $6,000 that would be mentioned
in the same breath as Citation. It is more than a million to one. I know that and
do not take it for granted.”
Rapid Redux was haltered out of $6,250 claimer at Penn
National in October of 2010 and has lost only one start–his third effort for
Wells last November–in 24 subsequent starts. He has earned $256,384 during the stretch
while winning at seven different tracks and racing from five furlongs to 1 1/8
miles.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
COLONIAL DOWNS LIGHT PROJECT UNDERWAY
 |
| (Colonial Downs Photo) |
The track lights are actually going to be moved from their current location on the outside of the dirt track to the inside of the turf course. The foundations for the new lights arrived on
December 9th and the actual work will begin in mid-December. The project will
be complete by March 31.
RAPID REDUX WINS AGAIN
 |
| (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club) |
 |
| (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club) |
The win streak has propelled Rapid Redux past the likes of Personal Ensign, Zenyatta and Pepper’s Pride to name a few.
VA-BRED WINNERS
Father Jones (g, 7yo), Lemon Drop Kid - Fabulous Fame by
Cherokee Colony. B - Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III. Turf Paradise, 12/6 /2011, clmg, $5,400, 6 f,
1:10.22. ($5,000, yrlg, 2005, keesep)
My Friend Bernie (c, 4yo), Domestic Dispute - Boltin' Bride
by Runaway Groom. B - Anne N Tucker. Beulah Park, 12/6 /2011, clmg, $2,340, 5.5
f, 1:06.47. ($65,000, yrlg, 2008, ftkjul)
R.I.P. BUTLER 2001-2011
The Jack Russell terrier known to most as Butler, and to a
few as Mutler, who greeted visitors to the VTA office more often than not over
the past ten years has relocated to dog heaven.
Just last week, it was discovered that Butler had a cancerous tumor
growing rapidly in his throat, and was given a grim prognosis of a rapid
demise.
After a weekend of steak and ice cream the typically
cantankerous, but ever vigilant, recently retired office canine relocated. No doubt, he’s already barking orders to his new
keepers.
No worries though, there are still office dogs at 38 Garrett
Street. That said, Butler’s shoes were
so big he was replaced by, not one, but two critters – the Shelties Colin and
Timmy.
Neither is as loud or as cantankerous as their predecessor (may
he rest in peace!)
HBO’s NEW SERIES: LUCK
According to ESPN’s Bill Findley, "Luck," looks like a "winner:"
It takes the new HBO series "Luck," which opens
with Dustin Hoffman's character being released from jail, no more than about
three minutes to get to the racetrack, and when it does it's immediately
apparent that this will be nothing like the typical horse racing movie or
television show. The show connects right out of the gate with its authenticity,
with shots of horses galloping in the morning, steam cascading from their
mouths and nostrils, gamblers filling out Pick Six slips and a larcenous
trainer chewing out his apprentice jockey for running his mouth about how well
a particular horse is doing.
The motion picture and television industries have always
used large helpings of artistic license when it comes to racing, choosing hokum
over the real thing every time. That may be because Hollywood guessed that
horse racing unfiltered isn't all that interesting or is too confusing.
The motion picture and television industries have always
used large helpings of artistic license when it comes to racing, choosing hokum
over the real thing every time.
Created by David Milch, among other things a prominent racehorse
owner, "Luck" refuses to lower itself to that level. Here, you get
the real thing, which, during the pilot episode, includes scenes of a horse
breaking down and being unsympathetically destroyed on the racetrack. The
television version was every bit as gory as the real thing.
Milch and company are gambling that the racetrack world,
combined with their acting, directing and writing talents, will make for
compelling television. That doesn't exactly make it an odds-on favorite, but
the first episode certainly suggests that they may be on to a winning formula. ...
To read the rest of his review, click
here.
Jay Cronley wasn’t as impressed labeling the show “decent.”
"Luck" is a bunch of stories running
simultaneously in and around a horse race track: Dustin Hoffman plays an
ex-con, going from jailbird to railbird, looking to make a killing with a big
horse and with slot machines at Santa Anita; Nick Nolte is the standard issue
grizzled trainer with a little horse offering a last run at the glory days;
four degenerates win $2.6 million and don't cash in the ticket until another
day; Gary Stevens is a drunk jockey (an apprentice jockey looks like he could
start at safety for the 49ers); and a larcenous track security guard is willing
to do anything for a dollar but work; old saws playing familiar tunes.
It's good to see Hoffman not being a Focker, and Nolte
moving beyond that mug shot; throughout the pilot episode, you kept wondering,
where's Mickey Rourke?
To read more, click here.
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Friday, December 9, 2011
RAPID REDUX GOES FOR 21st STRAIGHT TUESDAY
LAUREL, Md. (AP)—Rapid Redux, who broke the record for
consecutive wins last month at Mountaineer Park with his 20th straight victory,
will try to tie the all-time North American record for victories in a calendar
year on Tuesday at Laurel Park.
Citation owns the single-season record with 19 wins in 20
starts in 1948, the year he won the Triple Crown. Rapid Redux has won all 18 of
his starts this year.
Rapid Redux drew the No. 1 post for Tuesday’s sixth race at
1 1-16 miles, along with six other horses.
The gelding’s winning streak began on Dec. 2, 2010, at Penn
National. He has won 21 of 22 races and earned $246,694.
Rapid Redux earned his 19th straight victory at Laurel Park
on Oct. 27 to tie Zenyatta and Peppers Pride in the record book and has won
three other races at the track during the streak.
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
VA-BRED WINNERS
Blazeaway (f, 2yo), Proud Citizen - Long N Lanky by Cozzene.
B - Hickory Tree Farm LLC.PRX, 11/30/2011, mdn clmg, $13,200, 7 f, 1:26.57.
Blueskiesnrainbows (c, 2yo), English Channel - Cho Cho San
by Deputy Minister. B - Edward P Evans.Hollywood Park, 12/1/2011, mdn clmg,
$13,200, 6 f, 1:10.95. ($33,000, yrlg, 2010, keesep)
Casanova Giant (c, 3yo), Giant's Causeway - Marital Spook by
Silver Ghost. B - Edward P Evans. Mountaineer Park, 11/28/2011, mdn clmg,
$4,440, 5.5 f, 1:06.78.
Catale Key (f, 3yo), Mineshaft - Key Causeway by Giant's
Causeway. B - Edward P Evans.Remington Park, 12/2/2011, clmg, $6,945, 5.5 f,
1:04.66. ($7,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)
Cho Cho Cat (f, 3yo), Tale Of The Cat - Cho Cho San by
Deputy Minister. B - Evans Edward P.Fair Grounds, 12/2/2011, clmg, $11,904, 5.5
f, 1:04.71. ($19,000, 2yo, 2010, keenov)
Lie Of The Tiger (f, 3yo), Yes It's True - Gone Golfing by
Gone West. B - Audley Farm.Charles Town, 12/3/2011, mdn clmg, $7,800, 4.5 f,
0:54.60. ($47,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)
October Song (f, 4yo), Bernstein - Secret Patriot by Secret
Hello. B - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc.Turfway Park, 12/1/2011, mdn clmg, $5,400, 8 f,
1:41.25. ($1,200, rac age, 2011, keejan)
Stormy The Cat (c, 3yo), Storm Cat - Unrestrained by
Unbridled. B - Edward P Evans. Gulfstream Park, 12/4/2011, clmg, $15,300, 8 f,
1:35.17.
Successful Bluff (c, 2yo), Successful Appeal - Shy Lil by
Lil's Lad. B - Hart Farm. Golden Gate Fields, 12/3/2011, str alwc, $10,800, 6
f, 1:10.64. ($35,000, wnlg, 2009, keenov)
Touch The Light (c, 4yo), Pulpit - Arch Lady by Arch. B -
Minor Halsey. Charles Town, 12/1/2011, mdn sp wgt, $15,600, 10 f, 2:13.24.
2012 LIVE DAYS AT COLONIAL SET
 |
| (Brad Benson Photo) |
Per the request made by Colonial Downs, and supported by the
Virginia HBPA and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, the Commission
approved a 32-day schedule for next summer.
The meet will run eight weeks from June 2nd (the week before
Belmont) through July 28th, with a 7 pm post on Thursday through Saturday, and
a 1 pm post on Sunday. The new night
post times are being made available by lighting the CLN turf courses.
The project moving the lights from the dirt course to the
turf course should start within the next few weeks. The track is also working
to improve the drainage on both turf course turns where it's usually very soft
after a good rain.
Any card rained out will be run in total the following
Wednesday. There is no racing on Sunday, July 22nd. That date is being held
open in case the July 21st Virginia Derby card is postponed due to wet conditions.
The meet will open on Saturday, June 2nd, with the
Strawberry Hill races starting at 1 pm (6 races for jumpers) to be followed by
six flat races. The Strawberry Hill
tailgate crowd which usually parks on the dirt track base will be relocated to
other areas around the track.
In spite of falling total handle numbers in 2011, it is
hoped that the 100% Virginia-bred bonus program will remain intact.
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