Hard-knocking Just Might (Justin Phillip) has won no fewer than eight stakes, but will try to secure his first graded score here. The chestnut won three straight black-type events at the Fair Grounds: the Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Classic S., the Dec. 26 Richard Scherer Memorial S. and the Jan. 22 Duncan F. Kenner S, but was second last out in the Colonel Power S. Feb. 19.

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Impressively taking over early and winning the turf sprint by 2 ¾ lengths geared down late, Just Might was disqualified and placed 8th after the stewards ruled his move to the rail as impeding a foe's ability to get out of harm's way. Winning or finishing 1st in 7 out of his last 8 starts, his lone miss came in the Phoenix (G2) when he grabbed his quarter.

“People don't send me horses that could to go to Dubai,” Lovell said. “I had to raise one, which is crazy. I got to make every call in this horse's career and it makes me feel good that we got this far.

“Yeah, Dubai,” Lovell mused and spoke to Just Might in his stall. “It's a big step, Pappa. I think they have to give an official invite, too–they've asked me a few times to nominate. I think they want me to nominate.”

“It's a straight six furlongs,” Lovell continued. “We have nowhere to practice, but you know he probably will be okay. He runs his turns pretty good and he does make his little move right there sometimes. But he leans out in the turns so maybe he will be a little better going in a straight line. He leans out in every race just because he is going pretty fast and the turns on the turf are just sharper. He just runs.”

“He has really matured a lot this past year,” Lovell said. “I think one of his best races maturing in his brain as a race horse, not just raw talent but figuring it out, was when he ran and beat Johnny Ortiz' horse, Mucho, at Colonial. It was on the dirt which was a little scary for me, six furlongs which was stretching him out more. He actually dug in and won that race. And he lost his shoe somewhere in the race, too. He never took a bad step, he never tore his foot up but he did run the race with his left shoe off. And he dug in really hard–that day he grew up, really fighting that nice horse that Johnny has. And he broke the track record, which they don't really say a new track record because they didn't run a lot of races on the dirt there. He ran a 1:07 and change.”

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The winner of both the Indiana Derby (G3) and the Oklahoma Derby (G3) during his sophomore campaign, the 4-year-old ridgling by Street Sense has raced only three times this year. He finished a disappointing fifth in the Shaefer Memorial at Indiana Grand in his seasonal debut this summer, but bounced back with a game win the Tri State at Ellis Park. In his most recent run, he finished a hard-fought third behind his highly decorated stablemate Knicks Go in the Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs.

“He is a very, very hard trying horse,” Cox said. “I feel like he's moved forward from age three to four. We've always liked him, but to pick up two Grade 3's at age three, I thought that was a nice achievement. He's somewhat lightly raced. It took us a little while to get him back in the swing of things, but once we did, he started running well. The Schaeffer I don't have an answer for you there on him that day. We loved him that day but he didn't show up and we kind of hit the reset button with him.”

“We found the right spot for him (in the Tri State) and then I thought he ran a really good race in the Lukas Classic,” Cox continued. “He had a little bit of a setback after that race and we lost a little bit of time, but he has been training well. On a good day he can be a good grade three horse.”

A deep closer earlier in his career, Shared Sense has shown the ability to sit much closer early on in his recent starts.

“He has been able to put himself into the race a little bit more now,” Cox said. I don't know if that is him maturing a little bit or what but he definitely doesn't make it as tough on himself as he used to. He is a pretty basic work horse. His work last week was a really good work and that gives me confidence in him going into this race.”

A maiden winner at Fair Grounds on New Year's Day 2020, Lloyd Madison Farms IV's Major Fed would go on to finish second in a division of the Risen Star (G2) and then a better than it looks fourth in the Louisiana Derby (G1). Second behind Shared Sense in the Indiana Derby that year, he would later finish 10th of 15 in the Kentucky Derby, which was run in September. He has two allowance wins from four tries this year, and the long Fair Grounds stretch should work in his favor. At 9-2 in the morning line, trainer Greg Foley will give a leg up to Mitchell Murrill aboard the the 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper who will leave from post two of 10.

With a post time of 3:33 p.m. CT, the Tenacious is scheduled as race 8 on the 13-race card. The remainder of the field with post position, jockey/trainer and morning line odds is as follows: Pravin Patel's Ebben (post 1, Adam Beschizza/Juan Cano, 12-1 ML), a participant in both the 2018 Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2) who was last seen winning a third-level optional claiming allowance over seven furlongs at Churchill; Floyd Sagely Properties and Keith Johnston's Trident Hit (post 3, David Cabrera/Ron Moquett, 6-1 ML), a four-time winner who finished fourth in the JA Hawk Memorial at Remington Park last out; Gulliver Racing, Craig Drager and Dan Legan's Pirate's Punch (post four, Corey Lanerie/Grant Forster, 10-1 ML), a two-time graded stakes winner who finished third in the 2020 edition of the locally run Mineshaft (G3); LTB and Miles Childers' Warrior in Chief (post six, Marcelino Pedroza, Jr./Bernie Flint, 20-1 ML), a four-time winner who earned black type by finishing a distant third in the mud two starts back in the Salute the Hero at Indiana Grand; Fly P Stable's Little Menace (post 7, Colby Hernandez/Tom Morley, 10-1 ML), who was claimed for $40,000 out of an authoritative victory over 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs last out; Lothenbach Stables' Happy American (post nine, James Graham/Neil Pessin, 10-1 ML), the winner of consecutive allowance races in scintillating, off the pace fashion at Churchill Downs; and the Estate of Jim Coleman, Jr.'s Chess Chief (post ten, Reylu Gutierrez/Dallas Stewart, 10-1 ML), the winner of the New Orleans Classic (G2) on March 21.

Just Might Returns to Turf to Take on Comebacking Manny Wah in Richie Scherer Memorial

If you saw the race, there's no way you've forgotten Manny Wah's first time on turf. Last with a half furlong to go in January's Duncan F. Kenner Stakes, Miguel Mena sent Susan Moulton's 12.80-1 Manny Wah flying by six foes, the last of which was hard-used dueler, Just Might. Visually stunning, the only questions in people's minds were — why hadn't this 2019 Triple Crown nominee tried turf before and when would he get back on this surface. Wait no longer, the 16th renewal of the Richard R. Scherer Memorial $75,000 Stakes turf sprint is here.

Just Might was there for Manny Wah's next attempt in the Colonel Power last February but that day was rained off the turf, and Just Might held court again on the lead to win. Since then, 2-1 morning line favorite Just Might has won five out his last eight, including two stakes on the turf.

“He's won a lot of stakes on the turf and he likes this turf course,” Lovell said. “He's doing awesome so I thought we ought to give it a try. Hopefully he shows up like he has been, you know he's been so honest, and it's a nice race. He's been super. My horse is doing super. I pray for a great race and a safe one.”

Thanksgiving Classic romper Just Might's last four races have been on dirt. He won three of those, and was severely compromised in the Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland when he suffered a severe quarter crack. Back on turf where he has 4 wins out of 21 turf sprint tries, Just Might breaks from post 5 with Colby Hernandez back aboard. This 5-year old gelding owned by Michelle Lovell and Griffon Farms seems at the top of his game.

Manny Wah (post 8, 9/2 morning line, jockey Core Lanerie) has been on the shelf. But he's back, and this feisty bay 5-year old looks to come with the late kick to win again.

“That was a very explosive move he made when we ran him on the turf here the last time,” Manny Wah's trainer Wayne Catalno said. “He's everybody's favorite horse. It's nice having him back. We're really happy with him being back in action. He had a few minor things going on, some bone bruising, he just needed plenty of time. Our goal now is to get him ready for the Breeders' Cup this year. He could have won it last year.”

Finishing third in the Thanksgiving Classic to Just Might, Al Stall Jr's Pyron (8-1 morning line) earned a 96 Bris speed figure last out–only 4 points shy of Just Might's 100. Declan Carroll keeps the mount on this versatile runner who has 0 wins out of 3 starts on the grass but is making his first start on turf as a much improved 5-year old. Pyron will be coming late.

Mark Casse sends Lucky Curlin (8-1 morning line) out from post number 3. He scored his best Bris speed figure in his one win on the turf, where came running from behind at 7 furlongs against first-level optional claimers at Woodbine. Florent Geroux takes the mount on this 4-year old who has finished second twice against graded stakes company.

The rest of the field has early speed.

Steve Asmussen's Grinning Tiger (8-1 morning line, jockey Adam Bescizza) is another horse that shocked-and-awed when trying something new. In the $100k Crystal Waters on June 6, 2020 at Santa Anita, this seven-time dirt winner wired the field going 1 mile on the turf at odds of 92.00-1, holding off graded stakes star Lieutenant Dan. Breaking from the rail, front-runner Grinning Tiger is in deep against this field but seems to be in form after scoring his first turf sprint win while being put up for a $40k tag against first-level optional claimers at Remington Park.

Breaking from the 4-hole, The Connecter (6-1 morning line) will attempt to win his fourth turf sprint with Angel Suarez up. He will be making his second start for trainer Darien Rodriguez after finishing third in the $90k Metzen Memorial on December 4th at Gulfstream.

Turf sprint stakes winner Firecrow (post 7, 5-1 morning line, jockey Reylu Gutierrez,) has proven he can win on the lead or just off it for trainer Ronald Moquett.

And just outside of Manny Wah, turf sprint specialist Field Day makes his first start since finishing third in the Dade Park Dash at Ellis Park on July 4th, 2021. Breaking from post 9, Brian Hernandez Jr will likely send this 10-1 morning line front runner.

After a game defeat to Midnight Tea Time in last Saturday's third-level optional claimer at Fair Grounds, Juan Cano's Mr. Hustle will scratch.

Post Time is 3:02 pm CT. The Richard R. Scherer Memorial is race 7 of a 13 race Road to the Derby Kickoff Day card.

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We see it again and again–class climber runs into a buzz saw of horses who have been facing our sport's best. How much of a factor does class play in a horse race? Can a horse learn something from his hard-fought wins against lesser? On Thursday, November 25th at 3:12 CT we'll have our answers in the 97th running of the $150,000 Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The joke could be on those who bet against him if Necker Island runs to his Kentucky Derby potential. He looked to be struggling when trying turf earlier this year, but both trips were troubled, setting up his backers for overlay scores in his next two races: dirt sprints at Churchill that resulted in career-best speed figures.

“The horse is having a good campaign,” trainer Chris Hartman said. “And I think we have finally found what he likes: sprinting.”

Earlier this month, he beat two game foes in Mucho and Sir Alfred James in the Bet On Sunshine at Churchill Downs. This son of Hard Spun has class and talent to spare, but he is being turned around in 19 days, similar to when he won an allowance race on June 6 and then entered the G2 Stephen Foster this summer, eventually finishing 11 lengths back from winner Maxfield.

“We're a little bit short on time with this guy but he's in pretty good form right now,” Hartman added. “His energy level is good, he's carrying a lot of flesh, and he's doing really good. We thought best to strike while the iron is hot. I think he'll love that race track.”

When “ol'Necker” runs, as Hartman affectionately refers to him, you can't help but admire his rhythm and swagger. This horse is class in motion. He's the morning line favorite at a lukewarm 3-1. Breaking from rail, Mitchell Murril will be tasked with putting this first-run chestnut in position to eye down his foes late.

Michelle Lovell's five-year-old gelding, Just Might (7-2 ML), has a similar long, strange trip to 6-furlong dirt fixtures.

This near $700,000 earner has run his last three races at this distance and surface, but had only been entered in one dirt contest in his first 27 races. With seven graded stakes races under his belt, one of those being the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint, coming home in the G2 Phoenix at Keeneland he had the run to win his first.

“He was making a run to the eventual winner in the stretch,” trainer and owner Michelle Lovell said. “I was excited. I thought this horse was going to win this race.”

That would have been a victory against 2021 Breeders Cup winner Aloha West and entrant Special Reserve. And Mucho, whom Necker Island beat by a head last out. But he took a bad step.

“He just grabbed his quarter,” Lovell explained. “He was very tender walking home. In the end, he hit the meaty part of the heel and tore the protective cover. It has healed up nicely. He had a really nice breeze last week, and he shipped down [to Fair Grounds] and he's ready to roll. He better be because it is not an easy spot.”

We know he likes Fair Grounds, having posted his career-best speed figure here. Can his class carry him home? Lovell says he has more than classy company up his sleeves.

“He's learned to fight harder this past year as he matured mentally,” Lovell said. “When I entered him in the dirt stakes at Colonial Downs, I was not sure if he could beat dirt horses. We'd beaten off the turf races but that was a big question. He answered and he did it in a head-and-head battle, nose-to-nose. The year before I don't think he would have fought as hard. That's just an example of when horses win, they get grittier–they grow up mentally and physically and they learn to give more.”

That brings us to the $10k claimer in the corner. The one who has stared down fifty-five horses in his last nine races and beaten them all: Greeley and Ben (7-2 ML). He can win out front or from off the pace, and his last race was his first foray into stakes company. He won by 2 ½ lengths running 3 to 4 wide throughout. This 7-year-old gelding out of Greeley's Conquest has sixteen wins and a half million in purses to show for it. Out of 17 races the past two years, he only finished out of the money once and it was his lone two-turn try. But does Remington Park and Prairie Meadows form transfer to Fair Grounds?

“I'd like to have been able to run this horse [Necker Island] in starter races,” Hartman said. “I think he'd win 12 in a row, too.”

But wait, more competition just walked in. Winner of three out of the last five Thanksgiving Classics, New Orleans native Al Stall Jr. sends the powerful closer Pyron (6-1 ML) to battle from gate 2. Declan Carroll gets the mount after the passing of longtime Fair Grounds rider and friend to all, Miguel Mena. Four wins out of seven tries at this distance, this Candy Ride chestnut likely needs these horses to duel early and fade in order to have a chance.

Watch how this race shapes up early–if Louie Roussel's Went West (8-1 ML) can break from gate 3 and get to the rail, where he does his best running, he might very well bulldoze the field. But this is New Orleans newcomer Jareth Loveberry's first time up.

He'll have to pass another out-classed underdog, Emerald Forest (8-1). The connections claimed this Gemologist gelding for a $15k tag at Fair Grounds last February. With the blinkers off, he will likely be passed early by the speed to his outside, Strike Power (4-1 ML). This son of Speightstown trained by Steven Asmussen won the G3 Swale and placed in the G2 Fountain of Youth, but then faltered against the better in the G1 Florida Derby and did not earn enough points for a spot in the 2018 Kentucky Derby. DeShawn Parker will have this 5-year-old breaking quick out of the 6th gate, but will he save enough for the real running at the end?

The Thanksgiving Classic matches extremely talented horses at the top of their game, finally running at their preferred distance and on their preferred surface.

“You've got a lot of fit and sound horses that impress you in the morning, but when it comes to being eyeballed by a horse that can run as good as them they just cave, they just falter because they don't have the heart, the guts for the fight,” Lovell said. “It separates the boys from the men.”

The 7th race on the day, post time is 3:12 pm CT. The first running of the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial stakes follows at 3:44 pm CT. The first post on Thanksgiving is at noon CT for a 9 race card.

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Ron Faucheux, who earned his first local crown last season, and three-time champion jockey James Graham return to defend their titles over the 80 days of racing, scheduled between Nov. 25, 2021 and March 27, 2022. They will have targets on their backs as the usual suspects and some newcomers show up to vie for the crown.

At the helm of one of the country's premier barns, four-time Fair Grounds champion Brad Cox will have something to say about who wins this year's title. Steve Asmussen, North America's all-time leading trainer by wins, returns as well as perennial contender, Thomas Amoss. Cox, Asmussen, and Amoss will surely be peppering in 2-year-olds to watch and 3-year-olds to compete in the Road to Derby Races — the newly coined Gun Runner (Dec. 26), Grade 3 Lecomte (Jan. 22), Grade 2 Risen Star (Feb. 19), and the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby (March 26).

Some exciting barns with larger-than-normal presences include Michael Maker, Brendan Walsh, and Mark Casse. Joe Sharp's and Michael Stidham's stalls will be flush as well.

Jockey newcomers include Jareth Loveberry who had a 30% percent win rate during the 2021 Arlington meet. He has won multiple riding titles at Arlington and Canterbury, and looking at his mounts for opening day, top trainers are excited to employ his services. Also, Reylu Gutierrez, in the midst of a career-year by purses earned, descends upon New Orleans ready to show the world why he is ready to take his game to the next level.

The opening card is drawn and the fields are big. The card averages over nine horses in each of the nine races. Beginning with a pair of Louisiana-bred races filled with horses who have taken a recent break, there will definitely be value on the board. From there the competitive fields are filled out with many horses who spent the fall at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. One 2-year-old to watch is Godolphin-owned and Stidham-trained Walhalla. Ridden by Murrill last out, Walhalla showed his early speed and will to win, fighting back after being passed to lose by ½ length in a nine-furlong maiden special weight race at Keeneland.

The 97th running of the Thanksgiving Classic is slotted 7th on the card with a post time of 3:12 CT. Pay attention to the class differences between the three main contenders: Just Might, Necker Island, and Greely and Ben. Just Might has spent a lot of his career facing graded-company, the pinnacle of that being his start in the 2020 Breeders Cup Sprint. Necker Island has had a solid 4-year-old campaign after his 3-year-old highlight of racing in the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby. But class-climber Greely and Ben comes in as hot as you will find a horse. Winner of nine races in a row, 11 out of 14 this year, Reylu Gutierrez will take his first mount on this Karl Broberg trained gelding, and his speed figures say he will be in the photo at the end.

Thanksgiving this year also heralds the first running of the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes, named for the longtime racing official who passed away last year. Firing on the turf course after the Thanksgiving Classic, this $75,000 purse will be hotly contested by as evenly-matched field of 11 horses as you will find.

The 80-day, 2021-2022 Fair Grounds racing season runs through Sunday, March 27. Regular post time will be 1:05 p.m. CT, but there will be an earlier noon CT first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25), Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 11), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 26), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 22) Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 19) and Louisiana Derby Day (March 26). There will be over $7 million in stakes races, highlighted by the March 26, $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. A complete list of the stakes schedule can be found here: http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/

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Scheduled as the eighth race on Friday's 10-race program with a 5:10 p.m. ET post time, the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race with the winner receiving a fees-paid berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) to be run Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Trained by Mike Maker, Special Reserve has compiled a 6-4-2-0 record in 2021 and enters Friday's race off a runner-up effort in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga on July 31. In his lone Keeneland start, Special Reserve was second in this spring's Commonwealth (G3).

Joel Rosario, who was aboard in the Vanderbilt, has the mount Friday out of post position six.

Looming as the main threat to Special Reserve is Griffon Farms and trainer Michelle Lovell's Just Might.

Winner of his past four starts, all coming in stakes, Just Might enters Friday's race off dirt victories at Colonial Downs and most recently at Churchill Downs. Colby Hernandez has the mount from post four.

The field for the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix, with riders and weights from the inside, is:

1. Quick Tempo (Sophie Doyle, 118)
2. Mucho (Reylu Gutierrez, 120)
3. Endorsed (Julien Leparoux, 120)
4. Just Might (Hernandez, 120)
5. Aloha West (Jose Ortiz, 120)
6. Special Reserve (Rosario, 120)
7. Sir Alfred James (Corey Lanerie, 120)

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Just Might, trained by Lovell and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, ran six furlongs in 1:08.71 after dictating the pace in the field of six 3-year-olds and up through fractions of :21.81, :44.75 and :56.53.

“He got into stride quickly and was on the early pace,” Bejarano said. “He traveled well and even though we were going fast he was doing it comfortably. In deep stretch, there were other horses coming to us but he was very game. He's been in great form this year.”

Just Might won for the eighth time in 29 starts and the $168,105 payday jumped the Kentucky-bred's career earnings to $688,414.

Just Might, a son of Justin Phillip, spent the summer at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., where he was victorious in the $100,000 Da Hoss Stakes on turf and $100,000 Chesapeake Stakes on dirt. His stakes-win streak began at Churchill Downs came in June when he defeated six rivals in the $110,000 Mighty Beau at 5 ½ furlongs on turf.

“He's in unbelievable form this year,” Lovell said. “Turf or dirt, it doesn't really matter what the surface is. He runs so hard every time. It was great being able to celebrate tonight with 'Pappy' (Griffon). That made this win much more special. Pappy is such a lovely human. He's been like family to me and has been with me for most of my career. This horse is very special to us.”

Said Griffon: “He's by far the best horse I've ever owned and bred. I was hoping he would run in 1:09 tonight to try and back up the (1:07.93) last out. He went in 1:08 and change (1:08.71). He's run well on every surface but I think he loves the dirt.”

Just Might paid $8, $4.40, and $2.60 as the 3-1 second betting choice. Endorsed, ridden by Julien Leparoux at odds of 8-1, returned $7.80 and $3.60. Bango, with Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle, paid $2.40 to show.

It was another six lengths back to Mighty Mischief in fourth, who was followed by Dennis' Moment and Derby Date.

The race is named for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, which opened for regular hours of operation in March 2021. The Louisville Thoroughbred Society is Louisville's only on-site wagering by Churchill Downs in the heart of Louisville's metropolitan scene. The premier club for Thoroughbred enthusiasts is open for private membership applications, and reservations for special events are being accepted. For more information, visit www.thelouisvillethoroughbredsociety.com.

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Michell Lovell and Griffon Farms' Just Might, Chad Schumer's Saracosa, and Stud Los Lorones' Cheetara were the other winners of MATCH stakes as the series returned to Virginia for the first time since 2001 and now moves back to Maryland for the remaining division legs in September, November and December at Laurel Park.

Cordmaker, a 6-year-old Maryland-bred Curlin gelding, had finished fourth and third in the first two legs of the 3-Year-Olds and Up Long—Dirt division at Pimlico Race Course. He was entered in a $75,000 Maryland-bred stakes as “main track only” Aug. 22, but the race remained on the grass. That left the 1 1/16-mile Victory Gallop Stakes, and it worked out for his connections.

With regular rider Victor Carrasco aboard in a field shortened by scratches, Cordmaker rated in second or third a length or two behind front-running Rock on Luke in the one-turn event, made a bid for the lead turning for home and pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths over McElmore Avenue, who rallied from fourth and last. Rock on Luke held for third.

Cordmaker, trained by Rodney Jenkins, paid $4 as the favorite and covered the distance on a fast track in 1:40.45, which broke the previous record set in 1998 when the distance and more dirt races were run at the facility. It was his second stakes win of 2021 as he nears the $700,000 mark in earnings.

“What is there to say? He's awesome,” assistant trainer Eveline Kjelstrup said when asked about Cordmaker's performance in the Victory Gallop.

“We had the outside post and I just sat him and rode him like he was much the best like I thought he was,” Carrasco said. “When he changed leads he was gone. He's a very special horse and one of my favorites. If the Pimlico race (Sunday) had come off the turf, he would have been tough to beat in that race, too.”

Cordmaker collected 10 points for his victory and now has 18, seven more than Harpers First Ride in the division. He is also eligible for bonus money now that he has made three starts in his division.

Just Might, owned by trainer Michelle Lovell and Griffon Farms, is better known as a very good turf sprinter. But this winter he won the off-the-turf Colonel Power Stakes in Louisiana by five lengths, and in his return to dirt was a narrow winner of the $100,000 Chesapeake Stakes at six furlongs with Colby Hernandez aboard.

In his MATCH Series debut, Just Might grabbed the early lead from the outside post through a quick opening quarter-mile and for the rest of the race was in a battle with division leader Mucho. He fough back inside and held off Mucho by a head, with Bank three lengths behind in third. The time for six furlongs—1:07.38—was a new track record for the distance. The previous record was set in 2012.

Just Might paid $4.20 to win as the favorite.

“There were some questions but that really was an exciting race,” said Lovell, who is contending for the Colonial Downs training title with five programs left in the season. “It wasn't going to be an embarrassment running second to Mucho. The meet is going great—it has been a lot of fun. Winning today was great because my partner in the horse and his family were here.”

Mucho, with his second-place finish, picked up 7 MATCH points and now has 20. With three division starts the 5-year-old Blame horse is eligible for series bonus money. Hillside Equestrian Meadows' Laki, who was seventh in the Chesapeake, picked up 5 bonus points for his fourth division start and remains second with 18 points.

Graded stakes-placed Saracosa, owned by Chad Schumer, didn't have the best of trips in her first two starts of the year but capitalized on a good journey to take the $100,000 Love Sign Stakes at 1 1/16 miles around one turn. And only two races after Cordmaker established a new track record, the 6-year-old Bernardini mare lowered it yet again to 1:39.72.

Saracosa, trained by Cipriano Contreras at Indiana Grand Racetrack & Casino, was content to trail in seventh through the first six furlongs before jockey Francisco Arrieta asked her for run. She rallied inside, split horses late and drew away to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Dream Marie was second and Paris Lights third. The winner paid $38.40 as the second-longest price in a seven-horse field.

“Her first start of the year at Churchill Downs was at a flat mile—that was the only option, but she wants to go longer,” Schumer said. “Her second start (in the Delaware Handicap) wasn't the best; she had some trouble. Today she finally got a clean trip and she won. I know if she gets clear, she will run her race. There aren't a lot of spots for older fillies and mares going two turns on dirt. This race was one turn but it was 1 1/16 miles, and I think that makes a difference.”

Saracosa was second in last year's Grade 2 Del Cap and fourth in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill. The Love Sign victory pushed her earnings over the $400,000 mark. She now has 10 MATCH Series points along with two others to make for a three-way tie at the top.

In a July 26 allowance sprint at Colonial Downs, Larry Johnson's Never Enough Time defeated Stud Los Leones' Cheetara by a neck. In the seven-furlong Seeking the Pearl, Cheetara was able to take command early and held off a rallying Never Enough Time by a neck. Heavily favored Frank's Rockette didn't break well but rallied well for third.

Trained by Ignacio Correas IV and ridden by Horacio Karamanos, Cheetara had raced in high-level races in her native Chile before shipping to the United States. Her first U.S. start came in the allowance race at Colonial Downs.

“Her last race was her first race in the United States,” said Karamanos, who had ridden Cheetara in the allowance event. “Today she was more relaxed. She broke well, and I tried to take her back, but she wanted to go. She gave me beautiful kick (in the stretch). She responded when had she had to.”

Cheetara, who paid $14.80 to win, covered the distance in 1:20.61, which broke the previous track record set in 1997.

Never Enough Time became the only member of her division to qualify for bonus money given the Seeking the Pearl was her third start in the series. She is now third in the division standings with 12 points behind Chub Wagon and Hello Beautiful.

Colonial Downs was a MATCH Series partner when the series was first held from 1997-2001. The series returned in 2018. Colonial Downs was part of the schedule for 2020, but the series was canceled because of COVID-19. Management and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association reached out when Maryland interests proposed an in-state series to bridge the gap, and Colonial became part of the 2021 series.

The next stop for the MATCH Series is Sept. 18, when all four divisions will be represented at Laurel.

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The race was one of three turf sprint stakes on the card that included the Hickory Tree for 2-year-olds — also Virginia restricted — and the Da Hoss, which was postponed from last Monday due to a thunderstorm.

Cavalier Cupid won a maiden special weight opening day at the meet July 19 and wheeled back Monday, just two weeks later, and ran a similar race with higher stakes on the line. The daughter of Quality Road trailed DARRS Inc.'s Rambert until the top of the stretch when she eased past, then ended up beating the former frontrunner by one length in the 5 1/2-furlong test. It was a nearly identical scenario to her maiden breaking win when she also faced Rambert, who led until the stretch run in that event and finished second.

“It was similar race,” said jockey Horacio Karamanos who rode in both victories. “We saw some different fillies in from out of town for the stakes. The filly that was second, she really tried today but my filly was better. When I asked her to give me a kick, they otherwise go with me a little bit, but my filly, she was rolling at the end. I think she can longer too, maybe not now though. She's fast out of the gate but when you pull her back, she relaxes nice.”

“She just doesn't do a single thing wrong,” said trainer Sarah Nagle. “She's just a pleasure to train. If they were all like this, it would be a whole lot easier.  Atter the maiden win, she had five days off in the paddock just rolling around. We didn't work her during the time between races, just galloped her lightly.”

The winner paid $3.40 and increased her bankroll to $93,080 from three starts.

Bird Mobberley's Local Motive broke his maiden July 24 on the dirt at Pimlico, then switched surfaces Monday at Colonial and captured the Hickory Tree Stakes by one-half length over Ray M. Pennington III's Roll Dem Bones at the same 5 1/2-furlong distance.

The Divining Rod colt raced two-wide in the turn in a field of nine, came on strong and took the lead in the final furlong, then crossed one-half length the best in :57.52. J.D. Acosta was up in both starts.

“I'm not so sure he took to the turf as well as it looked,” said trainer John Salzman Jr.. “It was a little bit of an easier race today. I hate having to change courses. I don't think it's fair to the horses but we had to try. I almost didn't run this horse back because it was a quick eight-day turnaround. It's not my style. But If you skip it, what are you going to do. It worked out for us.”

The winner, now 2-for-2, paid $8.20 and pushed his bankroll to $86,920.

Michelle Lovell and Griffon Farms' Just Might won his second straight race and sixth overall in the Da Hoss Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2-furlongs. The 5-year-old Justin Phillip gelding sat behind Maribeth Sanford and Lynch Racing LLC's Francatelli from the start in a five-horse field through the turn when the pair engaged in a stretch duel. Lovell's colt was best by one-half length in 1:01.77.

“He's such an energetic horse and was hoping the stake's cancellation last week didn't affect him or take anything out of him,” said Lovell.

“He stayed straight and ran a great race,” said winning jockey Colby Hernandez. “The horse in front had a little more speed, so I tracked him. At the eighth pole, I called on him and he ran on home. At the sixteenth pole, he kicked on even harder and stronger. He's just an honest horse and he tries his heart out every single time.”

With the win, Just Might's lifetime earnings increased to $460,309. The winner paid $3.40.

Colonial Downs continues its summer season Tuesday, August 3, with a nine-race card beginning at 1:45 p.m. ET.

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The five-furlong Hickory Tree Stakes attracted a field of ten colts/geldings including Sean Feld's Evan Harlan, the morning-line favorite. The Graham Motion trainee finished third in a maiden special weight turf race at six furlongs June 20 at Belmont, his only career start. The Temple City colt was two lengths back at the wire. Victor Carrasco has the mount from post three.

Jeremy Brooks' Wow Whata Summer, second early choice, finished second in his career bow July 20 at Colonial, but was bumped up to the top spot when initial winner Capt. Candy was disqualified and placed down a notch. The Summer Front colt is trained by James Lawrence and will be ridden by Feargal Lynch, who was up in the start two weeks ago.

Four first-time starters are also in the field. The Hickory Tree has been carded as the eighth race of nine at a scheduled post of 5:01 PM.

A field of nine fillies will compete in the Keswick Stakes, also at five furlongs, led by Big Lick Farm's Cavalier Cupid. The Sarah Nagle trainee is fresh off a two-length victory in a maiden special weight turf sprint opening day at the New Kent track. The daughter of Quality Road was the favorite with Horacio Karamanos in the irons. She is the morning-line choice in the stakes and Karamanos is scheduled to ride again.

David Ross's Rambert finished second to Cavalier Cupid in that maiden race July 19 and is the second early pick in the Keswick at 4-1. Michael Stidham, leading Colonial trainer in '19 and '20, conditions the Declaration of War filly. Colby Hernandez is back as rider.

Three other horses in the field come in fresh off maiden victories, though they all came on dirt. O K Smarty Pants and Fancy Her Up prevailed by five-plus lengths at Charles Town Race Track in Charles Town, W.Va., while Buff My Boots dominated gate-to-wire by ten lengths at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. Determined Truth, third early choice, lost by a neck at Pimlico in her debut July 9 which was also was on dirt.

The Keswick Stakes has been carded as the seventh and will go to post at 4:33 PM.

Six of the seven Da Hoss Stakes entrants have a bankroll of $220,000-plus including Michelle Lovell and Griffon Farm's Just Might, the 9-5 early favorite. The 5-year-old Justin Phillip gelding captured the Mighty Beau Stakes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., last out and earlier this year, powered home to a five-length win in the Colonel Power Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. In 2020, Just Might was stakes placed in a pair of Grade 2's — the Woodford Stakes and Twin Spires Turf Sprint. In all, he has bankrolled $400,309. Colby Hernandez will ride.

Ed Orr and Susie Orr's Virginia-bred Boldor, conditioned by Steve Asmussen, is the second early choice at 7-2. The 5-year-old Munnings gelding prevailed in the King Cotton and Sam's Town Stakes earlier this year at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., and Delta Downs in Vinton, La., in back-to-back starts. Jockey Sheldon Russell gets the call Monday.

Jim and Susan Hill's Holiday Stone, top money earner in the field with $521,159, is the third early pick. The 7-year-old Harlan's Holiday horse has a turf allowance victory in each of the last three years. Feargal Lynch will ride for trainer George Weaver.

The Da Hoss, open to three-year-olds & up at 5 1/2 turf furlongs, will kick off the stakes action in the third race at 2:41 PM. First post at Colonial is 1:45 PM.

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