“He had a tremendous four-year-old season, and we’re excited about what he could do this year at five,” Runco said of Coastal Mission, who finished fourth in the $150,000 Stymie Stakes at Aqueduct on March 2. “We might try him on the grass this year. The Great Notions have done well on the grass. There’s a few options for him down the road. Ideally, we would like to have him ready for everything in the summer and fall.”

Last year Coastal Mission prevailed against open stakes foes in the Russell Road, but that race was dropped from the calendar this season. In its absence, Coastal Mission could opt for the Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic instead en route to competing in the WVBC in October.

However Runco proceeds will be fine with regular pilot Arnaldo Bocachica, now faced with the task of choosing either Coastal Mission or Muad’dib in the state-bred stakes and also competing against his son, Abnel Bocachica every night.

“He’s always been such a nice horse to ride,” Bocachica said. “He was so good in those races here last year. He was okay [in the Stymie], but he had missed a work and he just kind of flattened out a little late. But I think Jeff will find a spot closer to home next and then he may try him on the grass. It will be nice to see him try the big race [Charles Town Classic] in the summer and then come right back for the Breeders’ Classics.”

Coastal Mission won eight of 10 starts and earned nearly $450,000 last year. He made his presence known early in the campaign by taking the $75,000 Confucius Say Stakes. But he emerged on the scene in a big way last summer with his win in the Russell Road, and he returned eight weeks later to capture the WVBC in his first attempt beyond seven furlongs.

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Coastal Mission ended his 2023 season by finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.

Someday Is Today was named champion older filly or mare for trainer Anthony Farrior and owner Andrew Warren, while repeat WVBC Cavada winner Hessica was the runner-up in that category, with Lucylou Who taking third for trainer Emanuel “Mike” Geralis. Someday Is Today won five of nine starts and earned nearly $150,000 last year to edge Hessica for the honor of champion older mare and sports a 9-2-3 slate and $250,000 banked from 20 lifetime tries.

Little Roo Roo was among the select few horses that garnered a pair of division titles from the WVTBA voters. Owned and trained by Mike Jones, Jr., Little Roo Roo won eight of 12 starts, including three stakes, and earned nearly $250,000 last season to earn laurels as champion three-year-old male and champion sprinter. Runco trainees Duncan Idaho and Penguin Power took second and third, respectively, in the sprint category, with Juba’s Hat Trick and Duncan Idaho second and third, respectively, among sophomore males.

Direct The Cat and Jubawithatwist were named champion two-year-old filly and champion two-year-old male, respectively, with Direct The Cat also finishing third behind Coastal Mission and Muad’dib for horse of the year honors. Both won four of six starts, including three stakes, and earned just shy of $150,000.

Direct The Cat was bred by the late John McKee and is owned and trained by his widow, Cynthia McKee. The Redirect filly won her last four starts in a row in 2023, including consecutive wins in the Rachel’s Turn, WVBC Triple Crown Nutrition, and James and Eleanor Casey Memorial.

Jubawithatwist finished up his season with wins in the Henry Mercer Memorial, WVBC Vincent Moscarelli Memorial, and West Virginia Futurity. Bred by the late John A. Casey, he is trained by Kristy Petty for her own KP Racing Stables LLC.

Great Spirit and Jubaslilballerina shared the honors as champion three-year-old filly, with Maggie’s Girl third in that category. Stryda was named champion older distaff sprinter for trainer  Jamey Johnson, with Maggie’s Girl and Great Spirit taking second and third, respectively, in that category. Juba unseated Fiber Sonde as the top sire for 2023, while Smart Crowd was tabbed for best broodmare.

The late John McKee was posthumously honored as leading breeder, with Taylor Mountain Farm and the late John A. Casey second and third. Three other longtime local horsemen, breeder Dennis Bybee, McKee and Casey were also honored with the Sam Huff Award for their lifetime contributions to West Virginia racing. Mary Sell served as Master of Ceremonies and announcer Paul Espinosa, Jr. was the trophy presenter throughout the program.