Latest news with #ColonialDowns
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
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Wondrwherecraigis? Meet Brittany Russell's New ‘Trainer Taxi'
Wondrwherecraigis? Meet Brittany Russell's New 'Trainer Taxi' originally appeared on Paulick Report. There's a new celebrity on the backside at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., and he goes by Craig. His legal name is Wondrwherecraigis, and his latest role is acting as a 'trainer taxi' for trainer Brittany Russell.'He's only been working about a month and a half,' said Russell, who trained Wondrwherecraigis during his racing career. 'Everybody loves seeing him out there. He's like a celebrity, and the joke is that he could still outrun all of the barn.'The 8-year-old Munnings gelding retired from racing in October 2023, with a fourth-place finish in an allowance at Laurel Park. Wondrwherecraigis' 20 career races from March 2020 until his retirement took Russell into the limelight for the first time. He provided her with her first career graded stakes win in the 2021 Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap, and took her across the world to run in the 2022 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan retired in 2023 after Russell and his ownership group, comprising Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group LLC, Madaket Stables LLC, and Michael Caruso, felt he had lost a step.'He wasn't quite that stakes caliber horse anymore. We decided to retire him healthy and sound,' explained Russell. Post-retirement, Wondrwherecraigis was retained by Russell and began training for a show jumping career. Despite finishing 17th of 49 competitors in show jumping at The Thoroughbred Makeover last year, Russell felt Wondrwherecraigis wasn't at his happiest.'It went fine, but we just didn't feel like that was his thing,' she said. 'He did it, but we didn't think he loved it.'Russell pulled him out of show jumping training and returned him to the racetrack.'He's been awesome, I just feel like he wants to be in the racehorse barn,' said Russell.'He's more like a trainer taxi than a pony. He doesn't do a whole lot of ponying, but he is my taxi.' Russell is married to jockey Sheldon Russell, and together they have two children: their daughter, Edy, and their son, Rye.'[Wondrwherecraigis] was the first horse that my daughter really clicked on to in the racing barn,' said Russell. 'It's hard for the kids to understand sometimes. They come in the barn and get to know a horse, and then maybe they get claimed, or they get retired.'The hope is that one day Wondrwherecraigis can be a mount for Edy, who is now five years old.'We're hoping Craig is with us for many years,' said Russell. 'I believe she'll be riding him one day.' This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Studlydoright Headlines Opening Weekend Stakes At Colonial Downs
Studlydoright Headlines Opening Weekend Stakes At Colonial Downs originally appeared on Paulick Report. Mens Grille Racing's Studlydoright headlines a field of nine in the $125,000 Star De Naskra, one of two opening weekend stakes at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., on Saturday, July 12 for registered Virginia/Maryland-bred or -sired 3-year-olds. The Star De Naskra and its sister stakes, the $125,000 Miss Disco Stakes, will both be run at seven furlongs. Colonial Downs' expanded 41-day summer session begins on Wednesday, July 9 and runs through Sept. 13. Fields across the first four-day race week of the meet average more than 11 entries. First post for Saturday's 10-race card is 12:30 p.m. ET. The Star De Naskra is scheduled as Race 9 and the Miss Disco, Race 5. Advertisement Winning both the Tremont and the Nashua as a 2-year-old, Studlydoright has amassed over $300,000 in career earnings for trainer Jerry Robb. The Maryland-bred colt held his own in Kentucky Derby preps, earning points in four affairs, including a fifth-place finish in the local Virginia Derby. Returning to a sprint distance, Studlydoright will start from post 3 with Xavier Perez in the irons. Chief among Studlydoright's competition is AJ Will Win Stables' Jersey Derby winner Barbadian Runner, who ran second to Admiral Dennis last out in the Delaware Derby; as well as Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable, William Gotwals, and Lynn Ashby's Dover Stakes winner Re Markably who will be making his second start for trainer Bill Mott. Barak Farm's Safe Trust leads a field of eight fillies in the Miss Disco. With 10 in-the-money finishes from 13 starts, the Maryland-bred trained by Jose Corrales sports a win against open company in the Beyond the Wire last March at Laurel Park. In that race, Safe Trust was moved up by the stewards over Moon Cache, who she will face again in the Miss Disco on Saturday. Regular pilot Denis Araujo will be aboard Safe Trust, who drew post 7. Looking to add a second stakes victory to her resume, Dream Big Racing's Winfinity returns to Colonial Downs where she made her freshman debut, winning the Keswick Stakes last August. Trained by John Ortiz, the Virginia-bred daughter of Not This Time will leave from post 5 under last year's leading rider, Ben Curtis. The Miss Disco is the first leg in the Old Dominion 6, a classic Pick 6 wager which has a reduced minimum of 50-cents this year. Complete fields for both the Star De Naskra and the Miss Disco can be found on Equibase here: . Tickets for the entire meet can be purchased online at Colonial's races will be prominently featured on FanDuel TV all season long. Additionally, FanDuel TV will be on-site for coverage of the Festival of Racing on Aug. 9. Racing fans who can't make it to Colonial can wager at any of the Rosie's Gaming Emporiums throughout the state, The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries or VA-Horseplay locations in Chesapeake and Henrico. Bettors also can wager on racing from ColonialDowns via , the official advance-deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Incorporated and its family of racetracks. boasts an improved wagering experience and mobile app combining the latest technology with the ability to wager on virtually every quarter, harness and thoroughbred horse race from venues around the globe. also offers access to unmatched insight and analysis from horse racing experts, handicappers, insiders, educators and Bloodstock Research Information Services (Brisnet). This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colonial Downs' Stable Area Opens June 23
Colonial Downs' Stable Area Opens June 23 originally appeared on Paulick Report. Colonial Downs' stable area in New Kent, Va., will be open for business Monday, June 23, welcoming returning conditioners, as well as newcomers who are sure to impact the standings. Training is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 25. The expanded 41-day summer session runs from Wednesday, July 9, through Saturday, Sept. 13. The 2025 season will be conducted a four-day per week schedule Wednesday through Saturday plus the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 1. Mike Trombetta, the 2024 leading trainer, and Ben Curtis, last year's top jockey, are returning to defend their respective titles where they will face a mix of returning conditioners and jockeys as well as plenty of new faces. 'Last year was my first year there and I love the place,' Curtis said. "The turf track is phenomenal. I really enjoyed my first experience there. It all seemed to go really well. Since then, it's been all-systems go to come back there. Hopefully, I'll do as well as last year.' Advertisement The $5.8 million Colonial Downs 2025 summer stakes program is headlined by the Festival of Racing on Saturday, Aug. 9, which is topped by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Grade 2, $500,000 Beverly D., and Grade 2, $500,000 Secretariat Stakes. The undercard includes the $150,000 Van Clief Stakes, which has been upgraded to Listed status for 2025; the $150,000 Andy Guest Stakes, the $100,000 Petramalo Mile, and the $100,000 Tyson Gilpin. The lucrative stakes program also features the Grade 3, $500,000 Old Dominion Derby and its sister race, the Listed $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks, which anchor the Saturday, Sept. 6 card. Four other stakes will be raced that day: the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes, the $150,000 Colonial Cup, the $125,000 Exacta System Rosie's Stakes, and the $125,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes. 'I'm excited to begin my first full season at Colonial Downs,' said new racing secretary Dan Bork. 'With our solid overnight purses and expanded stakes schedule, our barn area is full plus I expect plenty of shippers from throughout the Mid-Atlantic states." Post time on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday is 12:30 p.m. Friday's twilight card gets underway at 4:00 p.m. There will be a special Noon start time Saturday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Sept. 6. For tickets and additional racing information, visit our website at . This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
