A pair of Virginia-bred horses — What a Wildcat and Tough Weather — scored wins at Presque Isle and Delaware Park on Wednesday July 6) to secure their respective owners a 25% bonus based off a new incentive program sponsored by the HBPA and VTA.
What a Wildcat, making his 54th career start, raced unhurried early in the 6 1/2 furlong claiming event. The 9 year old son of Wildcat Heir rallied four wide coming into the stretch in a field of eight, gained control by mid-stretch and won by two lengths in 1:17.79. Out of the Parfaitement mare, Not What I Do, What a Wildcat got his 9th victory and increased his lifetime bankroll to $120,959. Breeder/owner Larry Johnson received a 25% bonus on top of his share of the $12,000 purse.
Tough Weather stayed hot, winning for the fourth time in her last five starts, in a six furlong gate to wire trip. Bred by Sam English II and trained by Scott Lake, the 5 year old daughter of Wiseman’s Ferry beat four other foes in the $36,000 allowance optional claiming race. Tough Weather crossed in 1:11.32, paid $3.20 as heavy betting choice. The victor, out of the Montreal Red mare, Soft Weather, has 7 wins, a second and a third in ten starts this year alone, good for $90,420 in earnings. The win gave owner Thomas Reynolds an additional 25% bonus on top of his purse winnings.
The new Virginia-bred owners bonus program began last Friday and continues through December 31st. Any horse that wins an overnight race in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Delaware will receive a 25% bonus on top of purse winnings
