Colonial Capsule: Tall tale
Ralph Sampson, Gary Clark check out the ponies
Nick Hahn
July 14, 2026
For one afternoon at Colonial Downs, Virginia’s biggest stars weren’t wearing silks.
Instead, basketball Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson and former Washington Redskins great Gary Clark traded hardwoods and gridirons for horses and handicapping as the track celebrated the two Virginia sports legends.
Though both men achieved greatness in their respective sports, each embraced being a newcomer—or near newcomer—to horse racing.
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Sampson, making his second appearance at Colonial Downs, admitted the sport wasn’t always on his radar. But a first visit to the Kentucky Derby, along with trips to Secretariat’s former home at Meadow Stable and previous visits to Colonial, has turned him into a genuine fan.
“I never was interested in the Kentucky Derby initially, but [then] it was something that was on my bucket list,” Sampson said Saturday morning on Off to the Races Radio. “Coming to Colonial Downs is an amazing time. People should come out and just enjoy the day because… it’s just an experience I think everybody should have.”
The three-time National Player of the Year at the University of Virginia even brought reinforcements, arriving with children and grandchildren in tow to share the experience.
As for picking winners?
Sampson apparently has a knack.
Reminded that during previous visit he correctly selected the winners of three races, Sampson allowed that his secret isn’t studying past performances. On the other hand, he has spent plenty of time around horses.
“I can judge a horse only by its cover,” Sampson said with a laugh. “It’s like looking at a basketball player, a football player… you can see that horse maybe have the same swagger.”
Clark, meanwhile, was making his first visit to the New Kent track, and his enthusiasm was evident before he even arrived.
“I’m really excited about the races,” the two-time Super Bowl champion told Off to the Races Radio host Nick Hahn.
The former James Madison standout, whose No. 80 jersey was the first football number retired by JMU, may have been excited, but he wasn’t about to try out riding.
“I’m too big. The horse would not like me,” he joked. I’m too fat to be on a horse.”
The two legends also shared something beyond athletic greatness: deep loyalty to the Commonwealth.
Sampson, who famously stayed all four years at UVA despite being an NBA-ready talent long before graduation, spoke proudly about remaining devoted to Virginia throughout his life while continuing his family’s charitable work supporting scholarships for young women.
Clark credited James Madison University for launching a career that eventually produced four Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl rings.
“Without JMU, there is no Gary Clark-Washington Redskins,” he said. “JMU was the stomping grounds that allowed me to lay my foundation.”
The legends’ visits gave racing fans a chance to mingle with two icons whose exploits came on very different stages. And while neither Sampson nor Clark was trading sneakers or cleats for jockey boots anytime soon, both proved that great competitors never lose their curiosity.
Sampson came armed with an eye for a good-looking horse. Clark was taking his first foray to the track seriously, too.
“Riders up!” he called, adding, “I’ve been practicing.”
That’s not a bad exacta.
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COLONIAL NEWS AND NOTES
Tip of the hat (trick) – Trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer gave a leg up to Johan Rosado on three winners on Thursday, July 9 followed by jockey Martin Chuan returning three to the winner’s circle on Friday for trainer Jamie Ness. On Saturday trainer Michael Trombetta sent out three winners, while on Monday, jockey Jorge Ruiz returned three horses to the winner’s circle.
Bet a Trombetta –Trombetta remains the leader in the trainer standings at the end of the third weekend (10 wins), followed by Ness (7) and O’Dwyer (5). Paco Lopez tops the rider table with 19 wins.
Found the Open Road – Winless since the Not Surprising Stakes at Gulfstream Park on June 8, 2024, In a Jam avoided traffic to win the opener on Sunday, going five-wide off the turn “to prevail under a drive” by the Equibase charts. Clever: In a Jam is sired by Preservationist (such as preserve or fruit spread.)
Some Nerve – Yaudacity gained bragging rights over at least one stablemate in trainer Whit Beckman’s shedrow, claiming a win in a $70,000 maiden special weight. The three-year-old Yaupon filly now has the yaudacity to boast more wins than stablemate Ocelli, who ran third in the Kentucky Derby in May. On the other hand, Ocelli can argue back with earnings of $829,800 versus Yaudacity’s $68,863.
Grit and Grace, the sequel – A few months after the release of Donna Dennehy’s book, Eagle Point Farm, A Legacy of Grit and Grace, her daughter, trainer Karen Dennehy, began a new chapter with her first two winners of the Colonial meet in Set Ablaze and Clearly Sophia. Donna’s book spans the comical seriousness of The Camptown Races to the rescue of the family farm in nearby Ashland, Virginia.
Fluffy not soft at Colonial Downs – Her name may be more appropriate for a cat than a horse, but the five-year-old mare Fluffy is no softie as Colonial Downs. All three of her wins have come at Colonial Downs, where she is 3-for-7 (versus 0-for-24 everywhere else). Fluffy, bred, owned and trained by Angel Rodriquez who regularly exercises his own horses, won July 11 with Luis Fuenmayor up.
Ascending to the Throne – Taylor Kingsley won her first career race at Colonial Downs on July 13 with Gripen, her seventh win of the year and twelfth career triumph. Her father Arch Kingsley is a two-time national steeplechase champion rider.
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