Edited press release

A trio of flashy debut winners headline Saturday’s $100,000 Keswick Stakes at Colonial Downs, a 5 ½-furlong test for Virginia-restricted two-year-old fillies.

The Keswick is the third race on a 10-race program and is immediately followed by the Hickory Tree for Virginia-restricted two-year-olds, also at 5 ½ furlongs.

Smooch Up, Slewperstitus, and Just Philtored all won their debuts by at least half a dozen lengths, and all arrive hoping to run their records to 2-for-2.

Tabbed as the 6-5 morning line favorite in a field of seven for the Keswick, Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds’ Just Philtored overcame adversity to win her debut effort at Laurel Park in May. After hopping out of the gate, the Virginia-certified freshman filly was soon pinched back, but Just Philtored offered a big stretch run, pulling away to win by eight lengths.

Purchased privately after her impressive debut, the Maryland-bred daughter of Great Notion is now in the care of Mike Trombetta. Mychel Sanchez will guide Just Philtored from post 5.

Eric Rizer’s local debut winner Slewperstitus not only has success at the Keswick distance, but the Maryland-bred has also proved herself much the best against three of her Keswick foes: Wickedwithbourbon, Thisishowwedoit, and Snow Bella. On opening day July 9, Slewperstitus produced a professional effort, coming from seventh early to lead by three lengths at the top of the stretch and nearly nine lengths the best by the time she crossed the wire.

The Robert Bailes-trained daughter of Great Notion will see J.G. Torrealba return to the irons.

The Pennsylvania-bred Smooch Up (4-1) also won easily on debut. Running on the synthetic at Presque Isle Downs July 21, the Cupid filly went straight to the front and drew away to win by six lengths.

She will leave from the rail with Ronald Allen, Jr. in the irons. Ron Potts trains Smooch Up for owner-breeders Robert Klimasewski and Tammy Klimasewski.

By contrast, only one of the seven runners in the Hickory Tree is no longer a maiden.

When debuting locally on the second day of the meet July 10, Midway Racing’s Trendsetter hit the gate and was blocked by an outer foe before settling nicely near the back of the field and producing an outside rally down the stretch that gathered energy with every stride. Trained by Ben Colebrook, the Kentucky-bred Modernist colt beat four of his Hickory Tree rivals that day and will have a target on his back as the 8-5 morning line favorite.

Drawing the rail in a field of seven, Trendsetter will be piloted by the current meet-leading rider Ben Curtis.

Post time for the card is 12:30 p.m.