Defending champs returned in several Virginia-bred stakes this afternoon at Laurel Park but only one could defend the crown.
Aptly named for more than one reason, Long On Value will look to be a bargain yet again Saturday at Royal Ascot.
Graded stakes winners Ben’s Cat and Rose Brier top a day of six stakes races at Laurel Park.
At its June 6 meeting, the Virginia Racing Commission learned of a potential new racing venue in the state and formed two new committees to take a hard look at the industry’s future.
Renown may be the only horse in training — ever — to own wins at Laurel, Delaware, Keeneland — and Great Meadow (to say nothing of Wexford, in Ireland).
Quality Road and Bodemeister sired the Oaks-Derby double last weekend — quite a feat for a pair of Virginia-breds whose own Derby dreams were dashed.
Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup races, including three on the flat and five over jumps, brings plenty of old familiar faces back together on the race track.
Stellar Wind will be honored as Virginia-bred horse of the year Friday evening in a ceremony at Great Meadow, as will the divisional champions.
Five years ago, Bodemeister almost won the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness. How might wins have affected Virginia’s struggling thoroughbred industry?
Virginia wagering rose in the first quarter, with ADW providers showing solid growth and the two new off-track betting ramping up.