Kentucky Derby contender Coal Battle has a couple of big fans in West Virginia, whose connection is through the horse’s WV-bred dam.
With two straight wins, Hammer is leading the way for the productive, family-oriented barn of trainer Kristy Gazzier.
Coastal Mission, who’s earned more than $1.1 million, has been named by the state’s breeders as WV-bred Horse of the Year for the second straight year.
Six-year-old Gran Andrews has made quite a home for himself in starter allowances at Charles Town, having won 11 of them in a row.
Moonlit Notion has won the first three starts of his career impressively — but he has a ways to go to catch up to his dam, 14-time winner Moonlit Song.
Five-year-old El Pacho gives breeder-owner-trainer Ruben Reyes a “fighter” to lead his small barn as he strikes out on his own.
Former jockey Kelly Lynn Deiter, now a trainer, is hoping for big things from speedy filly Mudslide, who posted a sharp recent score at Charles Town.
Four-year-old Dorado took a bit of time to come around, but with seven consecutive one-two finishes, it looks like he’s set to redeem his early promise.
Correspondent Ted Black, who’s known Pete Medhurst for decades, remembers him as much more than the voice familiar to the region.
Full Moon Lover didn’t show much in the mornings and was ignored in her debut but has gone on, mostly under the radar, to win 11 races.
