CNL: Lonesome Road headlines Friday card
Looks for third straight dirt win; Carmelina favored in filly ‘cap
Press Release
March 12, 2026
Two $150,000 Virginia-restricted handicaps highlight Friday’s card at Colonial Downs during Virginia Derby week, led by rising star Lonesome Road — a half-brother to G1 winner Mindframe — in the Boston Handicap and multiple stakes winner Carmelina in its sister race, the Stellar Wind Handicap.
The Virginia Derby week meet runs March 12-14 at Colonial Downs and culminates with Saturday’s stakes program headlined by the $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby and the $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Oaks.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
The $150,000 Boston Handicap, is contested at seven furlongs for horses 4 years old and up registered as Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified. Larry Johnson’s homebred Lonesome Road headlines the field of seven males. The 4-year-old emerged as a rising star after switching from turf to dirt late in 2025, winning his Dec. 26 debut on the surface at Laurel Park by 8 1/2 lengths. He followed with another dominant performance Jan. 23 at Laurel, controlling the pace in a one-mile allowance before widening to win by 6 1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. The effort earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. Lonesome Road breaks from post 4 under Mychel Sanchez.
Prior to trying dirt, trainer Mike Trombetta had Lonesome Road gelded, a decision that seems to have paid dividends.
“You know, he just wasn’t really paying attention [previously],” Trombetta’s assistant Tana Aubrey said. “We knew it was there. We knew he had the ability, but he really wasn’t focusing.”
The $150,000 Stellar Wind Handicap is contested at six furlongs for fillies and mares 4 years old and up registered as Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified.
Leading the field of eight fillies and mares, Carmelina is a consistent Mid-Atlantic stakes performer trained by Robert “Butch” Reid Jr. and owned by Cash Is King and LC Racing. The Pennsylvania-bred mare has earned more than $500,000 through early 2026 while compiling a resume that includes multiple stakes victories. Among her highlights are wins in the Unique Bella Stakes at Parx Racing in 2025 and the local Penny Chenery Stakes in 2024. Earlier, Carmelina captured the Keswick Stakes. Angel Adorno has the mount on Carmelina, who will leave from post 6.
Scheduled as Race 6, the Stellar Wind Handicap opens Friday’s feature action, followed by the Boston Handicap. First post for the eight-race program is 12:30 p.m. ET.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
LATEST NEWS
