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Colonial Downs Track News



Colonial Downs closes out the 2010 Thoroughbred Meet

July 21, 2010
The Colonial Downs 2010 Thoroughbred racing season came to an end Wednesday night as jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr. and trainer Hamilton Smith captured the leading titles for the 40-day summer meet.


Written in Stone Sets Track Record in Chesapeake

July 20, 2010
Leading owner David Ross’ Written in Stone made his mark at Colonial Downs as he broke the track record under a hand ride in the $50,000 Chesapeake Stakes on Tuesday.


Seven Juveniles to Compete in Jamestown Stakes

July 19, 2010
A field of seven promising two year olds are set to go to post in the $50,000 Jamestown Stakes for Virginia-breds on Wednesday, the final day of Colonial Downs’ Thoroughbred summer meet.


Leading Trainers and Jockeys Win Big on Sunday

July 18, 2010
With the summer race meet coming to an end, leading trainers A. Ferris Allen and Hamilton Smith had big days along with leading jockeys Horacio Karamanos, Rosemary Homeister, Jr. and Eric Comacho on the card Sunday at Colonial Downs.


Paddy O’Prado Rolls to Virginia Derby Victory

July 17, 2010
Paddy O’Prado returned victorious to Colonial Downs when he scored a 1 ½ length come from behind win in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) on Saturday, his first start since winning the Grade II Colonial Turf Cup last month.


Check the Label Wins Virginia Oaks in Last to First Fashion

July 17, 2010
Heavy favorite Check the Label endured a well-ridden last-to-first trip under jockey Ramon Dominguez to take the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (Gr. III) on Saturday at Colonial Downs.


Ten Fillies Set to Go in the Virginia Oaks

July 12, 2010
A field of ten three year old fillies drew in to the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (Gr. III) to be run on Saturday, July 17 at Colonial Downs.


Paddy O’Prado is Favored in Saturday’s Virginia Derby

July 12, 2010
Paddy O’Prado, recent winner of the Colonial Turf Cup and third place finisher in this year’s Kentucky Derby, is the 7-5 favorite in Saturday’s thirteenth running of the $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) at Colonial Downs.


Class Bopper Displays Class in Ten-Length Zeke Ferguson Triumph

July 11, 2010
Class Bopper took the lead quickly and ran away with it in the fourteenth running of the $50,000 Zeke Ferguson Memorial (NSA-GIII) on Sunday at Colonial Downs.


Elusive Gift Rolls to Punch Line Victory as Heavy Favorite, Karamanos Wins Four

July 10, 2010
Elusive Gift brightened a rainy day for many as he rolled to a 4 ¼ length win as the heavy favorite in the $50,000 Punch Line Stakes for Virginia-bred three year olds and up on Saturday at Colonial Downs.



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BloodHorse Featured News



Breeder/Owner George Steinbrenner Dies

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:25:57 GMT
New York Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner, a major breeder/owner, died the morning of July 13 in Tampa following a heart attack.


Uptowncharlybrown Owners Appeal Belmont DQ

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:03:20 GMT
Fantasy Lane Stable has filed an appeal regarding the disqualification of Uptowncharlybrown.


Oak Tree Eyes Del Mar as Future Home

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:46:54 GMT
A day after the Oak Tree Racing Association received a one-year reprieve from its landlord at Santa Anita Park, its executive vice president said he's working on a long-term lease arrangement for the autumn meet at Del Mar.


NJ Breeders Simply Hoping Monmouth Plan Works

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:23:17 GMT
Thoroughbred breeders and owners in New Jersey hope a new summer format at Monmouth Park is successful, but they also are concerned about whether it will have a long-term positive effect.


Major Hurdle Coming Up For Kip Deville

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:36:00 GMT
Kip Deville, who has been battling laminitis at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington, will have to pass a critical stage in the next two weeks if he is to have much chance of surviving.


Feb. 1 Deadline to Make Attempt to Name Foals

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:55:32 GMT
The Jockey Club announced Dec. 23 that it has published on the registry's Web site a list of 40,263 names released from active use to aid owners and breeders make a a valid attempt to name foals of 2008 by Feb. 1.


Five Questions: Al Stall Jr.

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:56:26 GMT
We caught up with trainer Al Stall Jr. Dec. 14 as his last training set of the day went out and asked him five questions.


Prominent Sire El Prado Dead

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:04:51 GMT
Irish-bred El Prado, the horse that inspired Frank Stronach to get involved in the stallion business, died of an apparent heart attack in his paddock at Adena Springs near Paris, Ky. the morning of Sept. 21.


Major Sire Gone West Euthanized

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:01:43 GMT
Gone West, who carved out a successful branch of the Mr. Prospector sire line all his own as the sire of 98 stakes winners, was euthanized the night of Sept. 7 because of complications following colic surgery.


Icon Project Runs Smasher in Personal Ensign

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:37:53 GMT
Favored Icon Project, ridden by Julien Leparoux, demolished her rivals with a Rachel Alexandra-type performance Aug. 30 in the $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race course.


Summer Bird Takes Flight in Travers Victory

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:03:48 GMT
Summer Bird continued his meteoric rise to the top of the nation's 3-year-old ranks, as he rolled through the slop for an easy 3 1/2-length score in the $1-million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.


Gulfstream Trying to Attract Rachel, Others

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:00:08 GMT
Gulfstream Park has waved the nomination fees for grade I winners Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird, and Quality Road to next year's Donn Handicap.


Bullsbay Scores Huge Upset in Whitney

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:05:03 GMT
The longest shot in a field of six, 18-1 Bullsbay pulled a shocking upset in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga, splitting horses on the turn and pulling away for a 1 1/2-length score under Jeremy Rose.


Gio Ponti Much the Best in Arlington Million

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:59:36 GMT
Castleton Lyons' Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive grade I victory Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) under Ramon Dominguez.


Secretariat: Take the Points Earns the Money

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:23:06 GMT
Starlight Partners' Take the Points, locked in a stirring stretch duel with Black Bear Island, got up in the final strides under Kent Desormeaux to earn his first graded stakes win in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 8 on the Arlington Park turf.


Graded Winner Finallymadeit Euthanized

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:24:53 GMT
Finallymadeit, a graded stakes winner and millionaire, was euthanized after fracturing his left front cannon bone during a workout Aug. 4 at Saratoga.


Derby Museum Closed Due to Heavy Rains

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:44:26 GMT
Items at the Kentucky Derby Museum, located on the grounds of Churchill Downs, suffered damage due to heavy rains Aug. 4 and the facility will be closed until further notice, museum officials said.


Rainstorm Causes Severe Flooding at Churchill

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:06:22 GMT
A torrential rainstorm in the Louisville area Aug. 4 has wreaked havoc at Churchill Downs. Flooding caused several horses to be removed from the barn area, both the main track and infield are completely underwater, and employees at the racetrack were unable to get off the property for hours due to severe flooding in the parking lot and on many area roads.


Sam-Son a New Saratoga Consignor

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:43:42 GMT
Sam-Son Farm, one of Canada's most successful Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations, will have a consignment at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling auction, Aug. 10 and 11, in New York. The five horses cataloged include an A.P. Indy colt that is a full brother to Canadian champion Catch the Thrill and a Giant's Causeway filly that is from the family of Eclipse Award winner and Canadian Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Dance Smartly.


Rachel Alexandra Gets Her Own Vintage

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:35:42 GMT
Superstar Rachel Alexandra will be honored with her own line of limited wines, which will be available during the holiday season.


Ellis Gets OK on Dates, Keeneland on Purses

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:29:18 GMT
Ellis Park got the official OK to add five days of racing to its current meet, and Keeneland will be permitted to change the way it divvies up purses in each race.


Auerbach Launching Racing Venture

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:16:31 GMT
California owner Madeline Auerbach announced a new racing venture in which she is syndicating offspring by major California stallion Unusual Heat.


Breeders Nominate Record Number to BC Program

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:26:09 GMT
Thoroughbred breeders worldwide saved nearly $1 million and nominated a record 9,630 foals to the Breeders' Cup program before Aug. 1 as part of an incentive program that exceeded expectations, Breeders' Cup officials announced Aug. 4.


Arlington Accredited by NTRA Safety Alliance

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:15:33 GMT
The NTRA announced Aug. 4 that Arlington Park has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.


Danehill Dancer Sires 100th Stakes Winner

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:55:46 GMT
Irish champion Danehill Dancer became the first son of the great Danehill to reach the 100 mark by number of stakes winners.





'The Monkey' is 2009-2010 Horse-of-the-Year

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:54:00 GMT
Unlike the Chinese proverb the year of the monkey has quite a different meaning is this part of the hemisphere. For harness racing fans down underit's a self explanatory glorification of a season that has seen Dancingonmoonlight's crowning jewel Monkey Kingreign supreme over the opposition from start to finish.


'It was like losing an a friend' - Kahdon

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:25:00 GMT
You could tell by the look on his face that Harness racing breeder and owner Ben Smith had lost a good mate when Kahdon passed away suddenly last month. That pain was alleviated somewhat in Christchurch tonight (Saturday July 31) when Kahdon was named 2009-2010 New Zealand Trotter-of-the-Year.


Ponder two year old filly wins at Mohawk

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:16:00 GMT
Two year old Ponder filly 'Highly Thought Of' driven by Steve Condren and trained by Bob McIntosh paced to her second win from just five starts in a $16,000 two year old race at Mohawk Raceway, Friday 30th July. The other impressive winner on the harness racing program was the top mare 'To Helen Back' who made it win number 25 lifetime and increased her total stakes to $1,325,000.


Meet Sportswriter at Grand River Raceway

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 06:27:00 GMT
River Raceway is pleased to announce the special addition of a Meet 'N Greet with Sportswriter for its Industry Day celebration on August 2. Following an announcement on Friday of the world champion's retirement, the connections of Sportswriter suggested the idea as a venue for harness racing fans to meet the pacer before his trek to Australia in a few weeks to begin his new career at stud.


Andover Hall filly wins for Mullinax & Brown

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:39:00 GMT
Shaking off the problems that have plagued her all season, Up Front Juansteen worked out a cozy pocket trip and captured a division of Friday's harness racing $66,614 Arden Downs stake for 3-year-old trotting fillies at The Meadows. Full Tank took the other split.


Hasty Impulse changes bikes, scores in Arden

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:34:00 GMT
Improved by a last-minute sulky change, Hasty Impulse captured a division of Friday's $88,864 Arden Downs stake for 2-year-old filly pacers at The Meadows. The Grand Circuit harness rtacing event, known as the Catherine Baker Knoll, was contested over four divisions, with Mothermayi Hanover, Tea Pot Hanover and Whatrugonnado taking the other splits.


Takter takes Peter Haughton eliminations

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:08:00 GMT
Jimmy Takter trainees won both $20,000 eliminations for the Peter Haughton Memorial for harness racing two-year-old colt and gelding trotters Friday night at Meadowlands Racetrack. Leader Of The Gang pulled away in the stretch, trotting to victory in 1:55.3. Neal finished second and The Lindy Reserve was third.


Steacy trainees deliver the Grassroots goods

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:50:00 GMT
Trainer-driver Mark Steacy shipped four freshman trotting fillies to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Friday evening for the second Grassroots harness racing event of the season, and the Lansdowne, ON resident went home with one Grassroots trophy, two second-place finishes and a fourth-place finish.


The 'August Fun' trotting series underway

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:46:00 GMT
The "August Fun" Trotting Series got underway on the final weekend of July at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Friday night and Howd That Feel stole the show. The Matt Butcher Jr trainee had just one local start to his credit before competing in Friday's $20,000 first leg of the harness racing Free-For-All Trotting Series.


The boys invaded Northfield for stakes action

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:42:00 GMT
Traditionally, Northfield Park Fridays feature fillies and mares. But July 30, the three-year-old harness racing colts and geldings invaded for their Ohio Sires Stakes 2nd leg, with four $15,000 trotting heats and two $20,900 pacing splits.


Octet O' dashes in 245G Clyde Hirt Pace

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:23:00 GMT
Was eight really enough? Probably. That was the number of Friday night frosh filly divisions, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the harness racing $245,456 New York Sire Stakes Clyde Hirt Pace. The so-far-misnamed Drop the Ball (Jim Morrill Jr., four NYSS winners) made it 3-for-3 to begin her career, easily winning the $30,157 second division in 1:57.4.


Credit Winner lass remains undefeated

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:16:00 GMT
The highly regarded 2-year-old trotting filly Jezzy remained undefeated after five lifetime starts after her 1:58.2 harness racing performance in Friday night's $134,150 New York Sires Stakes feature at Vernon Downs.


Major Herbie aiming to climb the OSS ranks

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:10:00 GMT
Ontario's precocious two-year-old trotting colts head back to Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, Aug. 4 for the second $130,000 Gold Final of their young harness racing careers, and owner Dan McCann is hoping Major Herbie comes up with another steady performance.


Tony O'Sullivan has a busy weekend ahead

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:05:00 GMT
Regular WEG harness racing trainer Tony O'Sullivan has a busy weekend ahead of him at Mohawk Racetrack and south of the border at The Meadowlands. Dalhousie Dave has been entered into this Saturday's Ontario Sire Stakes Gold elimination at Mohawk Racetrack while stablemate Seriously will race in the Mistletoe Shalee at The Meadowlands this Saturday, as well.


Lucy Lucy repeats in Tioga Downs' feature

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:59:00 GMT
Lucy Lucy tasted victory once again in Tioga's harness racing feature the $15,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap pace on Friday night at Tioga Downs. Anthony Napolitano picked up the catch drive and settled Lucy Lucy in fourth as Biggest Big Bertha (Luke Plano) took the field through fractions of 28.3 and 57.3.


Millers hoping for bigger slice of Hambo pie

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:58:00 GMT
Last year, harness racing trainer Julie Miller got a taste of Hambletonian success. This year she's hoping for a bigger slice of the pie as she points Mystery Photo toward the $1.5 million Hambletonian on August 7 at Meadowlands Racetrack. Mystery Photo drew post position one in the fifth race, the second of three $70,000 Hambletonian elimination races on Saturday night.


Melpark Major can't handle the mac attack

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:41:00 GMT
Benny Mac's emergence as a potential top-liner continued in last night's Yeoman's Slate & Stone Pacers Handicap at Melton's Tabcorp Park. The Tony Peacock-trained improver denied harness racing stars including reigning Victorian Horse of the Year Melpark Major and Kilmore Cup-winning stablemate Ohoka Nevada in the 2760-metre stand.


I Didnt Do It denies Sundons Gift milestone

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:29:00 GMT
Sundons Gift fans entered last night' Sumthingaboutmaori Trotters Free-For-All thinking a promising five-year-old was all that stood between their hero and a spot in Australasian trotting's millionaire's club. They were proven correct, but it wasn't the harness racing five-year-old they expected.


Lisa Miles & Village Em win Chariots Of Fire

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:26:00 GMT
The Lisa Miles trained and driven Village Jasper gelding Village Em has won the 2010 Group One $200,000 Chariots Of Fire Pace at Menangle Park Raceway in Sydney tonight (Friday July 30). The 4-year-old sat back after Deadsetlucky (Jarrod Alchin) and then Ima Rocket Star (Colin Brown) set the pace in the mile (1609m) mobile.


Sportswriter retired due to training injury

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:18:00 GMT
World champion Sportswriter p,2,1:49.2s; 3,1:48.3s ($1,566,460) has been officially retired due to a training injury. The 3-year-old son of Artsplace- Precious Beauty last raced in the Meadowlands Pace on July 17 and was preparing for a start in the upcoming Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs when the injury occurred.