VIRGINIA
DERBY NOMINATIONS
We are used to hearing "quality over quantity" when it comes
to Virginia racing, but the phrase usually refers to breeding in the
Commonwealth. When next Saturday's
Virginia Derby nominations were released on Friday, there were many talented
and compelling horses on the roster.
Trainer Dale Roman' nominees are Cozzetti, Dullahan, Finnegan's Wake, Silver Max and
Quick Wit. Finnegan's Wake and now
Silver Max are probables for the $600,000 mile and a quarter turf test. Hill Prince winner, Summer Front and Palm
Beach stakes winner Howe Great are among those nominated. Of Triple Crown interest there is Atigun,
Optimizer, Done Talking, Five Sixteen, Cozzetti and Dullahan. Kentucky Derby and Belmont starter Dullahan
is expected to start later this month in Monmouth's Haskell. Atigun ran third
in the Belmont Stakes in June could find the Virginia Derby his first turf
start since his maiden voyage at Saratoga last summer. Kentucky Derby starter Done Talking ran on
the dirt last Saturday at Monmouth Park.
Preakness starter Cozzetti and Quick Wit start today in the
American Derby at Arlington Park. Graham Motion filed Lucky
Chappy who hasn't started since racing in Dubai in March. There were 29 nominations for the Virginia
Derby.
QUOTE
OF THE DAY
"Please remember that this is the first day of racing in Virginia, not the last."
"Please remember that this is the first day of racing in Virginia, not the last."
- O.J. Peterson, 9/1/97,
Colonial Downs, President
HORSES AROUND
SILVER MAX and SACHEM SPIRIT
were listed at scratches for the $200,000 American Derby at Arlington Park on
Saturday. While the scratch don't
guarantee SILVER MAX will start in the Virginia Derby, it does appear the
frontrunning turf acer is headed for central Virginia. Virginia-bred REDEEMED is the morning line
favorite (1-1) in Parx's $200,000 Greenwood Cup
on Saturday.
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