News Summary
This past weekend, the Virginia Breeders elimination races for 3-year-old pacers and trotters launched at Shenandoah Downs, marking a historic spring harness racing series for the state. Under sunny skies, the event welcomed local attendees and racing enthusiasts, showcasing impressive performances from horses like Proper Lady and Paxamillion. The event promises an engaging series leading up to finals with substantial purses, reflecting Virginia’s growing role in equestrian sports.
Virginia made history this past weekend as Shenandoah Downs kicked off the Virginia Breeders elimination races for 3-year-old pacers and trotters. This marks the inaugural spring harness racing series held in the state, a significant development for the racing community. The event took place under sunny skies, drawing attention from both local attendees and racing enthusiasts.
On Saturday, trotters took to the track, while pacers raced on Sunday. The weekend was especially noteworthy for the performances recorded, with several horses setting impressive times. In the $8,000 Filly Pace’s first division on Sunday, Proper Lady, under the guidance of driver Cody Poliseno, achieved the fastest time of the day with a mile completed in 1:54 4/5. Proper Lady is trained by Carlo Poliseno and has now marked her third career victory, positioning her as a competitor to watch in upcoming races.
The first division saw Caviart Acadia finish in second place, while Alexandria’s Dream secured third. In a thrilling second division of the Filly Pace, Toys Little Tinker triumphed with a time of 1:55.0, overtaking KJ Becky, the previous year’s 2-year-old champion. Toys Little Tinker is trained by Elwood Tignor and Debbie Mulligan, and she was driven to victory by William Carter.
The Colt/Gelding Pace featured Paxamillion, who dominated the race, finishing impressively in 1:55.0 and winning by over six lengths. Trained by Britney Dillon and driven by Tyler Shehan, Paxamillion’s powerful performance further solidifies his status as a favorite in the series.
Another highlight was the competitive nature of the races; Brooksforreal, trained by Stacy McLenaghan, accomplished a remarkable feat by winning his 12th consecutive race, finishing in 1:56 2/5 with a narrow victory over Caviart Cash.
Saturday’s events also included the Breeder’s races, where K J Title won the first Filly Trot division with a time of 1:58 3/5. Caviart the Glory demonstrated her dominance in her prep race, mirroring an outstanding performance from the previous year, crossing the finish line with a considerable margin to spare. The Colt/Gelding Trot was captured by HS Jesse in 2:00 1/5, an event where Joseph Carroll served in both driving and training roles.
As the elimination rounds proceed, additional races are scheduled for the upcoming weekend at Shenandoah Downs, creating excitement for fans and participants alike. The finals for these events promise an impressive purse totaling around $90,000, to be awarded during the concluding races on June 7 and 8, ensuring a remarkable end to the series.
This historic spring harness racing series underscores Virginia’s expanding role in equestrian sport and highlights the talent and dedication of all participants involved. As fans anticipate the finals, the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the Virginia Breeders elimination races continue to build.
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