Congratulations to Porte Cochere and Explore, the first Virginia-bred horses to win a second bonus for their owners since the new HBPA/VTA incentive program began July 1st.
Porte Cochere captured a $28,000 starter optional claiming sprint Friday at Laurel while Explore romped to an 11 1/4 length victory Wednesday in a $6,600 claiming event at Mountaineer Park. The former was bred by Legacy Farm & Larry Johnson and is owned by the Sheffield Stable while the latter was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone and is owned by LVR Stable, Inc.
Porte Cochere is a 3 year old daughter of Street Sense who has bankrolled $37,590 so far in 2016. She competed at the 5 1/2 furlong distance against five other sprinters and jockey Edgar Prado guided her to a three length win over Fiveoclocksomewhere in 1:05.90. Out of the Partner’s Hero mare, Wonderous Woman,
Porte Cochere has won two straight. Her first bonus winning race came on July 3rd at Laurel.
Explore is a 5 year old son of Stroll who rolled over six horses in a dazzling gate to wire effort.
The Louis Ruberto Jr. trainee covered the one mile distance in 1:39.73 as a heavy betting favorite. He dictated the tempo from the start, led by 1 1/2 at the half and by four at the top of the stretch. Like Porte Cochere, Explore has won two straight — his first bonus earning trip came July 18 at Mountaineer. He is out of Elsie Jay by Giant’s Causeway and has won $86,771 in purse monies.
