Virginia-bred horses will get a chance to compete in a second “showcase” type day in Maryland this year on Saturday June 25th at Pimlico. The event is part of a new “Mid- Atlantic Day” race card that will feature a series of three stakes and two maiden races exclusively for state breds. This new program is in addition to the annual Virginia-Bred Stakes Day slated for September 24th at Laurel, where five long time $60,000 stakes will be run.
“Mid-Atlantic Day” is the highlight of Pimlico’s closing weekend and will include a trio of new $60,000 Virginia-bred stakes — the Nellie Cox (3 & up girls on turf, 1 1/16 miles), the Edward Evans (3 & up boys on turf, 1 1/16 miles) and the White Oak Farm (5 furlongs, turf). A pair of $30,000 Virginia-bred maiden races will also be contested — one for boys and one for girls — ages 3 & up respectively on turf at 5 furlongs. Maryland-bred horses will also be showcased in their own slate of similar races that afternoon.
The third annual Virginia-bred Stakes Day at Laurel this fall will again feature the Oakley, Bert Allen, Jamestown, Brookmeade and Punch Line Stakes. More details will be available at www.virginiahorseracing.com in the coming days.
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Pimlico Racecourse
Pimlico conditions
Here’s a recap of the nominations for all 3 stakes:
Nominations closed the weekend of June 11th for a trio of $60,000 Virginia-bred stakes that will be run at Pimlico June 25th as part of a new “Mid-Atlantic Day” racing event, and the initial response was strong.
A total of 37 horses nominated to the Edward P. Evans Stakes, which is for three year olds and up at 1 1/16th miles on turf. Two of the four high money earners among nominees are horses bred by Evans — Code West and Noble Moon, the latter of which was bred by his estate. Code West is a 6 year old Lemon Drop Kid gelding that has earned $560,283 but has made just one start on grass in 24 outings. Noble Moon is a 5 year old son of Malibu Moon that has bankrolled $399,790 in 16 career starts, all on dirt.
The second highest earning nominee is Long On Value, who was bred by Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds, at $613,118. The Bill Mott trainee is by Value Plus out of Long Message by Orientate, and has won $536,618 on grass.
Every penny of Middleburg’s $429,760 bankroll has come from turf starts. The consistent 6 year old Lemon Drop Kid gelding has 17 “in the money” finishes from 19 starts and captured the Grade 3 Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth most recently.
Other notable nominees include Rose Brier ($386,726), Service For Ten ($373,895), Two Notch Road ($361,433) and Hard Enough ($341,425). One Go All Go, winner of last year’s Grade 2 Commonwealth Derby, has also nominated.
A total of 33 horses nominated to the White Oak Farm Stakes, set for five furlongs on turf. Service For Ten and Two Notch Road are the two high earners, and both also nominated to the Evans Stakes. The former is a 7 year old gelding by Service Stripe out of Tenacious Cheryl by Wild Zone while the latter is 9 year old gelding by Partner’s Hero out of Capiana by Capote. Service For Ten was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Cox while Two Notch Road was bred by James Hackman. Other notables include Simmstown ($207,015), Exaggerated ($169,660) and Joe Tess ($160,594).
A total of 23 horses nominated to the Nellie Mae Cox Stakes for fillies/mares three years old and up, set for 1 1/16th miles on turf. 2015 Brookmeade Stakes winner Complete St. nominated as did 2015 Jamestown Stakes winner, Away We Go.
The former, bred by Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud, LLC, has earned $195,240 from 24 starts, 21 of which have been on grass. She is a 6 year old daughter of St. Averil out of Complete Number by Polish Numbers. The latter is a three year old Tizway filly out of Gone To Utah by Salt lake. She has made only five lifetime starts.
Pauper’s Queen, an 8 year old daughter of Royal Academy, also nominated . She has won two straight races and has made 57 career starts. Virginia Rose, who also dropped in, was bred by David Ross, has made 49 starts and her bankroll is just shy of $100,000.
In addition to the three Virginia-bred stakes, a pair of $75,000 Maryland-bred stakes will be on the card — The Find and All Brandy. Two Virginia-bred $30,000 maiden races will also be held at the five furlong distance — one for boys and another for girls, ages three and up.
