by Nick Hahn
There appears to be a group within the group of this year’s edition of the Virginia Derby, the Penn Mile group. There are plenty of points to be made for those in this field outside of the subset, but Rydilluc (pronounced RYE-DILL-LUKE), Charming Kitten and Jack Milton’s efforts discouraged the other Penn Mile starters from showing up here. Although it happened in the Turf Cup three weeks ago, I wouldn’t be looking for a longshot here. The winner comes from this trio, and that decision is tough enough.
You’re going to hear much about Kitten’s Joy today, the horse, the sire…but for the moment, let’s talk about Kitten’s Joy the stakes. Now with the distance moved to a mile-and-a-half, the 11th running gathered a deep field of 12 starters, diverse as they come. The field includes All Together and Cognashene coming off the jumps, and Ken McPeek’s Olympic Thunder making his first start in the United States after 10 outings in Brazil. Royal Bench has started in Hong King, Dubai, Singapore, France and Delaware. Stretching out this race to three turns seems to be the right call.
Derby Bill and I, Nick Hahn, would like to thank everyone that made our 16th season of “Off to the Races” a success. We had a memorable raining remote in Cigar Realm in Ashland on Colonial’s opening day. Big on the show were veteran handicapper Mike Barone and Colonial newcomer Chris Sorenson (the “darkhorse”). Frank Vespe (theracingbiz.com), Jerry T, (EZ Horseplay) had regular segments. Matt Josephs and Mitchell Bradley kept us on the air. It’s not our show, it’s yours…and from Derby, Kentucky to Derby, Virginia tonight, we’ve had a lot of fun hosting it.
Once more, with feeling, Nick’s Picks
| RACE 1 | ||
| 10 | FEISTY BROAD | Class edge to Devereux performer running well on the turf this year. |
| 3 | KALAHARI QUEEN | |
| 2 | MIDSUMMER’S EVE | |
| RACE 2 | ||
| 1 | OPERA HEROINE | Regulars know these jumpers win here. Parx invader gets Karamanos. |
| 13 | CROSS MOUNTAIN | |
| 12 | LISTEN BOY | |
| RACE 3 – THE $75,000 CHENERY STAKES | ||
| 5 | MY CORINTHIAN | PTK, a threat to sweep the trifecta, but this is Ward in a two-year old race. |
| 8 | HE’S GOT TALENT | |
| 9 | SILVERTONGUEDTOMMY | |
| RACE 4 -THE $75,000 TIPPETT STAKES | ||
| 9 | LA MEJOR FIESTA | Ward & PTK square up again. Several here won in their first start. |
| 2 | HAUTE CHEQUE | |
| 3 | RED BOTTOMS | |
| RACE 5 -THE $75,000 KITTEN’S JOY | ||
| 2 | TARGET SIGHTED | Run for the first time at a mile and a half, a plus for Campitelli Not For Love. |
| 9 | BERNIE THE MAESTRO | |
| 11 | AMEN KITTEN | |
| RACE 6 – THE $150,000 VIRGINIA OAKS (G3) | ||
| 5 | PRAIA | Kitten’s Dumplings, not here tonight to deny Praia. Contessa filly undefeated. |
| 6 | BLOSSOM’S TRAIL | |
| 10 | CAT’S HOLIDAY | |
| RACE 7 – THE $500,000 VIRGINIA DERBY (G2) | ||
| 5 | JACK MILTON | The same Penn Mile trio shows up, but the extra 1/4 mile changes results. |
| 4 | RYDILLUC | |
| 3 | CHARMING KITTEN | |
| RACE 8 | ||
| 4 | RISK TOLERANCE | Monterrey has been working “Jenkins” gelding up the podium. One step left. |
| 6 | SHOW SOME LOVIN | |
| 1 | CITIZEN CHRIS | |
| RACE 9 | ||
| 3 | ANNAWON | Fisher gelding just missed at this level coming off the jumps. X-man off the win. |
| 10 | LOVE’S NOT FAIR | |
| 1 | FRATELLO | |
| RACE 10 | ||
| 2 | GRAND TIER | On Derby day, Shep’s “Tier” was jumping Gold Cup. On Belmont day, jumping here. |
| 5 | SMART POWER | |
| 4 | AFLEET BANDIT | |
| RACE 11 | ||
| 4 | SILENT TALE | Bert B Don looking for his 3rd win of the meet. D’Pepjo Victim of Nick’s Pick circle. |
| 8 | D’PEPJO | |
| 5 | BERT B DON | |
| RACE 12 | ||
| 2 | SHAIKHA | Sheppard breaks thru with a slight drop. Goodnight, see you next summer. |
| 9 | MALIBU MUDSLIDE | |
| 4 | FINURA | |
(Featured photo, of Redwood Kitten, by Nick Hahn.)
