CNL: Trombetta sweeps sophomore stakes
Both runners homebreds for Johnson estate
Press Release
August 8, 2026
Trainer Mike Trombetta and the Estate of R. Larry Johnson swept Colonial Downs’ companion six-furlong turf stakes for 3-year-olds with homebreds Hark Theangelssing and Doubting Thomas. Hark Theangelssing captured the $100,000 Shenandoah Stakes, and Doubting Thomas followed one race later with a victory in the $100,000 Colonial Turf Dash. The sweep capped a three-win day for the owner-trainer team.
Hark Theangelssing won the early battle for the lead and never looked back, turning away eight rivals to capture the Shenandoah Stakes by two lengths.
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Several fillies showed early speed, but Hark Theangelssing proved quickest. After turning back her early challengers, she opened a clear advantage through the stretch. Carolyncaroline ran second, while Tap Into Grace rallied late to finish third.
Ridden by Ismerio Villalobos, Hark Theangelssing completed six furlongs on the turf in 1:09.17. She returned $12.40 to win, $6.40 to place and $3.80 to show.
The victory marked Hark Theangelssing’s second stakes triumph and improved her career record to 7-4-0-0 with earnings of $242,400.
Doubting Thomas completed the stakes sweep with a determined late run, defeating Beautiful War by a neck in the Colonial Turf Dash.
The son of Caravaggio settled into an outside tracking position while Spidey Man set the pace and turned back an early challenge from Ewing. He remained within striking distance as Beautiful War swept to the lead on the far turn, then found his best stride in the stretch and wore down that rival in the final yards. Proton finished third.
With Mychel Sanchez in the irons, Doubting Thomas covered six furlongs on the turf in 1:08.66. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite, he returned $5.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show.
The 2025 Jamestown Stakes winner improved his career record to 5-3-2-0 with earnings of $229,700.
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