Winners From Old Dominion Point-to-Point Races At Ben Venue Farm
The fourth round of spring Point-to-Point horse races took place at the Ben Venue Farm in Ben Venue, Virginia on April 3. Here is a look at some of the winners pictures from the ten steeplechase and flat races that took place. Interestingly, four of the day’s winners are by different Virginia Derby champions — Gio Ponti (Gostisbehere) , English Channel (Ritzy A.P.), Kitten’s Joy (Riendo) and Paddy O’Prado (Go As You Please). Photos are all courtesy of Douglas Lees.
The spring season comes to an end May 9 with the Middleburg Point-to-Point at Glenwood Park. A complete list of entries will be available at centralentryoffice.com.
Fletched and rider Forest Kelly prevailed in the Open Timber race. The 8-year-old Maryland-bred is by Etched.#6 Razoul (far right) ends up winning the Open Hurdle with Bernie Dalton up. #7 (left) Brianbakescookies finished third and #3 (middle) Deposit was fourth. #5 Undisclosed with Bryan Cullinane was best in the Amateur & Novice Rider Timber. The 8-year-old Irish-bred is trained by Paul Fout. Canyon Road finished second. Sky Babe and rider Julie Nafe won the Side Saddle event.Julie Nafe accepts congratulations from rider Kieran Donaldson and her horse, Z.Brian Cullinane urges Ritzy A.P. home in the Novice Rider Flat. A winner of $323,771, the 7-year-old English Channel gelding is owned/bred by the Calumet Farm.Bernie Dalton leads Riendo (#1) to victory in the Maiden Hurdle event. The 6-year-old Kitten’s Joy horse had a flat allowance win at Saratoga in 2019. The New York-bred has bankrolled $103,660. Vincent Van Gogo and rider Graham Waters prevailed in the $2,000 Virginia-Bred Flat for the second straight time . The 6-year-old Paynter gelding was bred by Jim & Katie Fitzgerald. Sophie Henelius guides Go As You Please over a jump en route to victory in the Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle race. The Paul Fout trainee won a maiden special weight hurdle event at Colonial Downs last summer. The Kentucky-bred is by Paddy O’Prado. #4 Gostisbehere and rider Aaron Davis fly over a jump in capturing the Maiden Hurdle event. The 7-year-old son of Gio Ponti was a runner-up twice in the 2019 meet at Colonial Downs. He is trained by Jack Fisher. 12-year-old Cocodimama and rider Chloe Hannum prevail in the Ladies Timber Race. The Emily Hannum trainee, owned by Adlestrop Hill, has bankrolled $117,167 in his racing career.
