Category: Features

Coal Battle’s West Virginia connection

by Ted Black | Mar 25, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, West Virginia, WV Racing | 0 |

Kentucky Derby contender Coal Battle has a couple of big fans in West Virginia, whose connection is through the horse’s WV-bred dam.

Racetrack reunion has them asking, when’s the next one?

by Emily White | Mar 20, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, Maryland, MD Business | 2 |

The Midlantic Racetrack Reunion will take place for the fifth time April 13 at Laurel Park, and each year participants ask when the next one is.

Well-executed gameplan leads to American Promise win

by Nick Hahn | Mar 18, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, Virginia, Virginia Racing | 0 |

The way the Virginia Derby unfolded was exactly to the plan mapped out by American Promise’s trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

“Big, happy” Hammer leads way for Gazzier barn

by Ted Black | Mar 14, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, West Virginia, WV Racing | 2 |

With two straight wins, Hammer is leading the way for the productive, family-oriented barn of trainer Kristy Gazzier.

Virginia Derby: No walkover but Amoss hopes for Authentic upset

by Nick Hahn | Mar 12, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, Virginia, Virginia Racing | 1 |

If Tom Amoss isn’t nervous during Authentic Gallop’s Virginia Derby, it may be because he’s already suffered enough Colonial Downs-related anxiety.

Virginia Oaks: Icona Mama doing “really well”

by Frank Vespe | Mar 12, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, PA Breeding, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Virginia Racing | 0 |

Icona Mama had a sharp breeze March 7 and is doing “really well” ahead of a scheduled start in Saturday’s Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.

Virginia Derby: Lukas hopes American Promise ready to deliver

by Nick Hahn | Mar 11, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, Virginia, Virginia Racing | 1 |

Octogenarian trainer D. Wayne Lukas hopes formerly “big, awkward teenager” American Promise is ready to step forward in Saturday’s Virginia Derby.

The cat, her human, and the horse: Roadrunner’s tale

by Jennifer Kelly | Mar 11, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, New Jersey | 0 |

New Jersey native Michael Greenblatt’s unusual cat has inspired a new children’s book, about a cat who races horses, and a horse’s name.

Not your father’s Virginia Derby – or Derby prep

by Nick Hahn | Mar 7, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, Virginia, Virginia Racing | 0 |

The March 15 Virginia Derby is a bit of a different beast, both from what the Virginia Derby has been and from other Kentucky Derby preps.

Horacio Karamanos “happy” with Gulfstream stay

by Press Release | Mar 6, 2025 | Breaking, Features, Maryland, MD Racing, Press release other | 2 |

Veteran jockey Horacio Karamanos has spent the winter at Gulfstream Park, and though business has been a bit slow, he says he’s happy with the decision.

“The best time of year” as Derby fever hits New Kent

by Frank Vespe | Mar 6, 2025 | Breaking, Bylined Feature, Features, Virginia, Virginia Racing | 0 |

We visit with announcer Travis Stone, who calls it “the best time of year,” as for the first time, the road to the Kentucky Derby runs through New Kent.