A Day at the Races

My sister and I went on our yearly pilgrimage to Colonial Downs yesterday and proceeded to receive entertainment for no cost-a good day at the track.

Weather was excellent. Under shade. Breezy. Low humidity. Nice.

Crowds were light. No big races other than "The DaHoss Stakes."

Highlights:
1. The Italian Sausage with grilled onions/peppers....divine.

2. Rosemary Homeister, Jr. : She's an amazing jockey. Yesterday, she won four races and placed a couple of other times. She now leads the Colonial meet in wins. Homeister places a Jr. after name since she's named after her mother and her mother is a trainer. So, frequently in her early career back in the 90's, she would ride her mother's horses. The Jr. identifies them on the program. In the featured race, her mount scratched prior to the race, so she (being the top jock of the meet) was able to pick up an 18/1 horse named Izzy Speaking. Izzy is a fine horse but was jumping in distance from 5f to a mile. Izzy was buried at the start. The field was strong with several graded stakes winners racing. Homeister kept him mid-pack going through the turn home, but he was sealed off. Then she kicked the gas and directed the horse through two sliver openings and blasted him to the front for a driving win. Gutsy ride. Risk/reward.

3. Drunk "Hoooooooooooo-Hooooooooooooooo!" guy: This guy, who had a few too many beers won a sum of money on a race or two. He celebrated by dancing around the facility"Hooooo-Hoooooing" (It was also Hooter's day...lots of girls in skin-tight orange panties who looked four years YOUNGER than my 18 year old daughter. :( ) Anyway, "Hooo-hooo-ing Guy screamed out that this stuff is so easy and he was "...just a rookie!" as he stepped all over the full beer cup he'd set down on the ground. Talk about beginner's luck. He'll never remember the fun he had.

4. Sunset over the Blue Ridge Mtns: From 8:30-9:00 last night, the sun put on a powerful color display as we turned away from it. I thought at the time that fireworks mimic the glorious colors of such sunsets.

5. Dime Supers: A great way to spend that loose change. I used Quick Pick (computer picks numbers). On one race, I had these numbers 8-3-1-2. The winning order was 8-5-1-2...just one odd number away from being set for life.



What a great day. We'll most likely return for the busy Virginia Derby day in middle July.

Douglas Injured in Tragic Spill

Rene Douglas is a name quite familiar to Virginia racing fans. He's appeared at Colonial Downs quite often over the years. My recollection is that after races as I'd play the role of that annoying geek standing along the rail looking for an autograph, he'd stop by and chat with me about the race.

I sure hope that he can recover from this accident that most likely has taken his career. I also hope that Jamie Theriot can overcome the anguish he must feel over his role in this unfortunate event.

Theriot was on the rail, and he nudged his horse, Sky Mom, out directly into the path of Born To Be. The video shows Born To Be's head jerk madly to the left as if part of his bridle had become entangled with Theriot or Sky Mom. Born To Be immediately tumbled head over heels and landed unconscious on top of Douglas. It's sad to note that in addition to Douglas' serious injury, Born To Be had to be euthanized after the race.

Such a thrilling and dangerous sport.

If you wish, you can view the Arlington Matron at Bloodhorse. Thankfully, they don't replay the accident, but one view is horrific enough.

From The Press Democrat

DOUGLAS MIGHT NOT WALK AGAIN:

According to the Chicago Tribune's Neil Milbert, Rene Douglas, one of most accomplished jockeys in Arlington Park history, underwent seven hours of spinal surgery early Sunday morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and, according to his agent Dennis Cooper, a member of the surgical team of specialists said "he might never walk again."

"It doesn't look good," Cooper said Monday. "They won't be a million percent sure until the swelling goes down and that isn't expected to be until about 10 to 14 days. His fifth and sixth vertebrae were compressed, his ribs were broken and there was damage to his neck, but the main damage is to the spinal cord.

"The doctor told me he had feeling and movement in his upper body but not in his legs. They're hoping that the contusions and swelling (affecting his spinal cord) is what is causing the paralysis, but they don't think so. We're hoping for a miracle."

The six-time Arlington jockey champion sustained the injuries at the track on Saturday riding Born to Be in the Grade III Arlington Matron Handicap. Born to Be had just emerged from the stretch turn, boxed in behind the leaders, when she was bumped by Sky Mom on her inside and clipped heels with front-running Boudoir.

Born to Be fell and was knocked unconscious and rolled over onto Douglas.

The 42-year-old rider lay motionless on the track for several minutes before he was taken by ambulance to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

After doctors there examined him, he was placed in an induced coma, flown by helicopter to Chicago and admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Douglas' wife, Natalia, flew to Chicago from Ft. Lauderdale after learning he was seriously injured, and he was awakened from the coma so they could speak late Saturday.

Cooper said surgery began about 2:30 a.m. and continued until 9:30 a.m., with Douglas in critical condition.

Born to Be was euthanized, a track spokesman said Sunday.

Our prayers go out to Rene and his family.

Virginia Derby Day at Colonial Downs

Virginia Derby Day at Colonial Downs

The drive back to Roanoke from Colonial Downs took about four hours this evening. As we were sitting under our shaded tent bench seat in front of the grandstand, a lady asked my sister where we were from. When she found out it was Roanoke, the lady was amazed that we had traveled that far to see the races. Personally, I thought it was no big deal.

Colonial is a beautiful place to watch a race. The turf course is pristine and the viewing is easy.

I didn't have an especially fine day at the races; however, I did manage to pull a mild upset in Race 3, a filly and mare 1 1/16 allowance for 3 year olds and up. I had a win/place bet on winner Kitty Cat Express and a Place/Show bet on second place finisher Stirrup Cup. So I cashed in about $40 on my $8. I didn't think at the time to do an exacta box on the two. If I had, I would have netted $169 on my $2 bet.

The big races of the day were the Kitten's Joy Stakes, The Virginia Oaks, and The Virginia Derby. Nine year old Midwatch, ridden by Edgar Prado, won The Kitten's Joy. Midwatch is an old horse, but he held off Hunting Print, ridden by Kent Desourmeaux, at the line. That was the beginning of Prado domination.

In the Virginia Oaks, Julia Tuttle, ridden by Special K (Horacio Karamanos) leaped out to a commanding lead that kept growing all the way until past the final turn. That's when Prado blasted the favorite, I Lost My Choo, up through the pack and into to a solid half length win at the wire over Kent Desourmeaux's mount, Namaste's Wish. Julia Tuttle held on for a solid third.

In the feature race, The Virginia Derby, the anticipated duel between favorites Sailor's Cap and Gio Ponti was interrupted by Kent Desourmeaux aboard Court Vision. Prado was mountless for this race when his horse scratched, but Garrett Gomez flew in for the race to put Desourmeaux in his place. Actually, the race turned out to be quite a duel between Court Vision and Gio Ponti. Down the stretch, they bumped and banged with Gio Ponti winning by a nose. I spoke with Garrett Gomez after the race and jokingly asked him if that #4 horse (Court Vision) sneaked up on him at the finish. He snarled, "What? He bumped me the whole way down the stretch." I guess Garrett didn't catch my sarcasm. He did sign my program, however, and I observed him a moment later giving a rose from his winner's bouquet to a nice older lady standing by the rail. Court Vision almost won this race, which I find ironic. All spring, I waited and waited for Court Vision to win a race leading up to the Kentucky Derby, but he never did. He was in my fantasy stable and earned me exactly no points. Even more ironic was the fact that Garrett Gomez was one of my fantasy stable jockeys and earned me zero points all through the contest. Saturday in one race, both of those demons were exorcised (or exercised).

All in all, I had a marvelous time at the track. Some old friends from Northern Virginia showed up and we reminisced and chatted. I ate a delicious Philly Cheesesteak and learned how to bet and lose a Double and a $0.10 superfecta.

Colonial Downs Virginia Derby

Tomorrow, I'll be visiting Colonial Downs for the 2008 Virginia Derby (Grade II $750,000)

Court Vision tries the turf again hoping for better results. Many of the top national jockeys will be there: Desormeaux, Johnny V, Prado, and Albarado, as well as local track god Special K.

Win Money...HAVE FUN!

Win Money…HAVE FUN!

That’s what the official Colonial Downs program says in its Grand Slam of Grass edition for July 21, 2007.

I was there to see the Grade II Virginia Derby and to have some fun visiting with my sister The Annoyed Handicapper, my brother Joe, and his chum - Brenda. Joe and Brenda had never been to a track before; however, Brenda, knows quite a lot about horses and was able to offer unique insights. Rarely do I win money, and this visit was no different. I know how to limit my losses, however, and keep it all in proper perspective.

By the time the 9^th race came along, the trend was definitely set had I been paying real attention. Horacia Karamanos, the leading local track rider, was on a torrid run. He had won several races already, but with many of the big boys in the jockey club in residence, Karamanos had no mount in Derby until he gained a 37-1 long shot, Red Giant, the morning of the race.

The field was very strong with Strike A Deal, Duveen, Summer Doldrums, Love Dubai, Soldier’s Dancer and Circular Quay (Key), famously lethargic favorite and looking the part, all entered to run the 1.25 miles over the outer turf.

Inca King led early, but was passed in the turn by Strike A Deal. Circular Quay seemed to be struggling at the back while Summer Doldrums, winner of the first leg of the Grand Slam of Grass was lurking, waiting to move. Inexplicably, Red Giant held the stalking second position through the turn and into the stretch. The Karamanos encouraged the horse to exert a bit more and pass Strike A Deal who had opened a two-length lead. Red Giant took the lead and tried to extend, but Strike A Deal, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, covered the move. The two battled down the stretch bobbing noses in front. No force came from behind. Quay was in mud. Summer Doldrums moved too late to come up to fourth at the line.

In the end it was the 37-1 Red Giant winning by a bob of the head. Strike A Deal was second. Soldier’s Dancer finished third. Another victory for Karamanos. He really does love winning at Colonial.

I lost money, limited my losses, and had fun. All in all, a delightful cool summer day at the track.

Perhaps we’ll add a photo later... perhaps one of my mates has a photo of a horse that ran.