Lennox the Grey has just enough in Old Dominion Derby * The Racing Biz

Lennox the Grey has just enough in Old Dominion Derby

Fends off rivals in thrilling finish

Press Release
September 8, 2026

Willow Pond Stable’s Lennox the Grey stole the Grade 3 $500,000 Old Dominion Derby on the front end, then found more when The Big Con surged past him along the rail, fighting back to prevail by a nose in a dramatic photo finish Monday at Colonial Downs.

Making his third start of both the Colonial meet and his 3-year-old campaign, Lennox the Grey completed 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:49.77 for trainer Arnaud Delacour and jockey Mychel Sanchez.

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Lennox the Grey broke sharply and was allowed to dictate terms through fractions of :24.57 and :50.80, with Chambersville stalking just to his outside. The Big Con crossed over to the rail and settled in mid-pack before beginning to advance inside, splitting rivals around the far turn.

*Lennox the Grey (#4 between) had just enough to win the Grade 3 Old Dominion Derby. Photo by Coady Media.*

Sanchez brought Lennox the Grey off the rail midway down the stretch to meet the challenge of Chambersville, with the two brushing as they straightened for home. That opened a path inside for The Big Con, who surged through along the rail and briefly headed Lennox the Grey. Once Lennox the Grey saw his new challenger, he responded, battling back through the final yards to get his nose down first.

The Big Con was second, with Chambersville third. Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes winner and post-time favorite Supercharger rallied to finish fourth.

“Arnaud and I talked about the race a little bit, and after a couple of the speed horses scratched, we didn’t want to change the horse too much,” Sanchez said. “If somebody wanted to go, they could go. He broke so fast and so sharp that I just let him take me to the lead. He fought hard all the way to the wire. When the horse on the inside looked like he was going to go by me for a bit, my horse fought back. We’re very proud of him.”

The victory rewarded Delacour’s patient approach with Lennox the Grey, who was making his third start since returning from a layoff. The colt finished second behind fellow Old Dominion Derby entrant Dr. Agne in his seasonal debut at Colonial after doing too much early, according to Delacour, before improving when allowed to settle behind a faster pace in his next start.

Lennox the Grey returned $11.40, $5.60 and $4.80. The Big Con paid $4.80 and $3.40, while Chambersville returned $4.60 to show.

Lennox the Grey improved his career record to 5-3-1-0 with earnings of $391,398.

UNDERCARD STAKES RECAPS

Old Dominion Oaks

William Werner’s homebred Storm’s Wake answered the distance question in dramatic fashion Monday at Colonial Downs, prevailing by a nose over seven 3-year-old filly rivals in the $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks and earning her first victory at 1 1/8 miles. Trained by Brian Lynch and ridden by Samuel Marin, Storm’s Wake won her second career stake and improved to 4-for-11 with over $718,000 in earnings. She paid $3.40 to win.

Colonial Cup

Qatar Racing LLC and Marc Detampel’s Just a Touch showed his class and determination to hold on by a head in the $150,000 Colonial Cup. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Just a Touch, a five-year-old son of Justify, darted to the front on the final turn and just fended off a stern challenge from Carcano. Just a Touch has won two turf stakes in three tries and overall has won six of 15 starts while earning $993,408. He paid $3.40 to win as the odds-on favorite.

Da Hoss Stakes

Winterhawk Farm’s Spirited Sol came from the back of the pack and finished with a fury to spring a 25-1 upset in the $150,000 Da Hoss at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, the final race of Colonial Downs’ 2026 meet. Despite his big price, the eight-year-old Soldat gelding has now finished in the top three in 11 consecutive races. Trained by Kimberly DePasquale and ridden by Martina Rojas, Spirited Sol earned the second stakes win of his career and now has seven wins and over $396,000 in earnings from 36 career starts. He rewarded backers with a $53.20 payout.

Kitten’s Joy Stakes

Robert V. LaPenta’s homebred Popcorn relaxed early in the 1 1/16-mile Kitten’s Joy before launching a wide move through the far turn under Axel Concepcion and going on to deliver one of the day’s most impressive victories, closing sharply to win by two lengths. The two-year-old Catholic Boy gelding is trained by Jonathan Thomas and improved to 2-for-2 in his young career. He paid $3.60 as the favorite.

Rosie’s Stakes

Runnymede Farm, Callahan Equine, Jim Mastriani, Jim and Edgar Harty’s Omaha Spirit remained unbeaten with a front-running victory in the 5½-furlong Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes, leading home fellow filly Bee Crazy by 1¼ lengths as the fillies handled the boys in this two-year-old tilt. Pressed throughout by Bee Crazy, Omaha Spirit and rider Paco Lopez attained some separation in the final quarter-mile to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Trained by Wesley Ward, Omaha Spirit, by Omaha Beach, is now 2-for-2 in her career, both wins having come at Colonial Downs. She paid $4.80 as the favorite.