Virginia
River Gal “carries family forward” with Jamestown win
River Gal won the Jamestown Stakes today at Laurel Park, the latest in an equine family that’s been very good to Morgan’s Ford Farm.
Driver Sam Miller, 84, wins first race in nine years
Driver Sam Miller won a harness race at Shenandoah Downs on Sunday — the 84-year-old’s first win in nine years.
Altamura vanned off after Oakley victory
Three-year-old Altamura won her fourth consecutive race in the Oakley Stakes but was vanned off after taking a bad step in the gallop-out.
Lookback: No turf, no problem in Virginia-bred stakes
Four Virginia-bred stakes were taken off the turf at Laurel last Saturday – but owners, trainers, and jocks were undeterred and the show went on.
VEA: More discretion need in proposed Va. historical racing regs
Regulations governing historic racing machines in Virginia must have greater flexibility and discretion if this industry is to thrive, the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) argued in a letter to the Commission.
Virginia: 3000 historical racing terminals, 30 days live racing under proposed regs
Regulations proposed by the Virginia Racing Commission would allow 3000 historical racing terminals statewide while calling for one day of live racing per 100 terminals – at least 30 for max buildout.
Edward Evans Stakes: Sticksstatelydude bred — sort of — by Bud
Glenn Eickhoff, breeder of Evans Stakes winner Sticksstatelydude, got his start with a different horse breed: the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Gilpin Stakes: Altamura gives trainer Stephens first stakes win
John Stephens broke the great Barbaro, that being his main business, but had never trained a stakes winner until Altamura scored today at Laurel Park.
Northam: New Colonial Downs to “put a lot of people to work”
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday held a ceremonial signing of legislation that will help reopen Colonial Downs for live racing in 2019.
Gilpin winner Do What I Say back for title defense
Gilpin Stakes winner Do What I Say and Camptown Stakes winner Northern Eclipse square off in Saturday’s Gilpin at Laurel Park.
Queen Caroline looks to defend Nellie Mae Cox title
The Michael Matz-trained Queen Caroline is the favorite to defend her title in the Nellie Mae Cox Stakes Saturday at Laurel Park.
Special Envoy tabbed as Evans favorite
Special Envoy, who dominated Virginia-bred company last year, is favored in Saturday’s Edward Evans Stakes at Laurel Park.
Two Notch Road, 11, gunning for White Oak Farm win
Two Notch Road, now 11 years old and having earned over $500,000, heads the field for Saturday’s White Oak Farm Stakes at Laurel Park for Virginia-breds.
“Grateful” Woolcott enjoying ride with Sadler’s Joy
Lauren and Rene Woolcott’s small operation is having outsized success – and moving state policies. They’re on the big stage with Sadler’s Joy in today’s G1 Manhattan.
Colonial Downs: Packed town hall welcomes rebirth of track
An overflow crowd at a New Kent County town hall meeting largely welcomed the return of Colonial Downs, while casting a wary eye at a proposed Indian casino.
At Colonial Downs, the future is in flames
Colonial Downs set its turf course aflame Tuesday, another step towards the return of live racing to New Kent County.
Greyvitos: From fire to surgery and back to racing
Three-year-old Greyvitos survived the San Luis Rey fire and later had to undergo surgery. Back on track, he’ll tackle the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Saturday.
Virginia Equine Alliance hails “brighter prospects” for horse industry
The Virginia Equine Alliance, the umbrella group representing the state’s horse industry, is applauding a new state law and the sale of Colonial Downs.
Colonial Downs: Back to the future as sale is completed
The sale of Virginia’s Colonial Downs was completed Wednesday, moving Virginia racing one step closer to a rebirth — live racing perhaps returning in 2019.
Commonwealth Derby, Oaks will not be run in 2018
The Grade 3 Commonwealth Derby and Oaks – will be mothballed this year, possibly to return in ’19 at a reopened Colonial.
