Determined Kingdom Seeks Fourth Punch Line Victory as Colonial Downs Stages Four Stakes Saturday
Posted on July 5th, 2026
Determined Kingdom Seeks Fourth Punch Line Victory at Colonial Downs on Saturday, July 11. (credit: Coady Media)
Just Philtored puts unbeaten restricted race streak on the line in the Miss Disco Stakes on Saturday, July 11 at Colonial Downs (credit: Coady Media)
NEW KENT, Va. (July 5, 2026) — Four $125,000 stakes highlight Saturday’s 10-race program at Colonial Downs, with fan favorite Determined Kingdom seeking an unprecedented fourth victory in the Punch Line Stakes.
Originally scheduled to feature only the $125,000 Glenn Petty and $125,000 Punch Line, companion turf sprints for older Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired runners, Saturday’s stakes program expanded after last week’s postponement of the $125,000 Miss Disco and $125,000 Star De Naskra. The companion seven-furlong dirt stakes are restricted to Virginia- and/or Maryland-bred 3-year-olds. First post for the 10-race card is 12:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s 50-cent Late Pick 5, featuring a 12% takeout, covers all four stakes beginning with the Miss Disco in Race 6. The Star De Naskra is Race 7, followed by the Glenn Petty in Race 8 and the Punch Line in Race 9.
The Estate of R. Larry Johnson’s Determined Kingdom headlines a field of eight older males in the 5½-furlong Punch Line Stakes. Trained by Mike Trombetta, the 7-year-old returns to Colonial Downs after earning his first victory since joining Trombetta’s barn by defeating a strong allowance field during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga. Named Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year in 2024, Determined Kingdom has made the Punch Line his signature race, winning the sprint stakes three times. He scratched from the 2025 edition when it was moved to the main track. Mychel Sanchez has the return call from post 3.
His chief rival may be War Humor, who breaks from the post immediately to his outside. Trained by Robert Bailes, War Humor enters off the first stakes victory of his career after capturing the Edward P. Evans Stakes on opening weekend. While successful at 1 1/16 miles, all three of his previous victories came sprinting 5½ furlongs.
The companion Glenn Petty Stakes drew a field of six older fillies and mares led by Quadra, who nearly wired the field in the Brookmeade Stakes on opening weekend before settling for third. Following a similar effort in last year’s Brookmeade, Quadra responded with a front-running allowance victory over the Colonial turf, earning a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure. Now trained by Ricky Hendriks, the filly reunites with Sanchez, who rode her in all three Colonial Downs starts last summer.
The postponed Miss Disco Stakes renews the rivalry between Just Philtored and Slewperstitus as they meet for the fifth time.
Owned by Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds and trained by Trombetta, Just Philtored is unbeaten in restricted company, including victories in last year’s Keswick and Dolley Madison Stakes at Colonial Downs. The daughter of Great Notion will be ridden by Mychel Sanchez.
Eric Rizer’s Maryland Million Lassie winner Slewperstitus finished one spot behind Just Philtored in each of their previous four meetings, including both Colonial Downs stakes last summer. Jevian Toledo has the call astride the daughter of Great Notion.
The Star De Naskra Stakes attracted a competitive field of eight 3-year-olds headed by Gold Square’s Tartabull.
Purchased for $310,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the son of Tapit will make his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton with defending Colonial Downs riding champion Paco Lopez aboard.
Among his challengers is Forge Ahead Stable’s Sav’n Money, who ships from Churchill Downs for trainer Wayne Catalano. The half-brother to 2024 Brookmeade Stakes winner Tufani was runner-up to Woody Stephens Stakes winner Englishman earlier this spring and exits a start on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Jareth Loveberry has the mount.
The postponed Miss Disco Stakes renews the rivalry between Just Philtored and Slewperstitus as they meet for the fifth time and loom largest in the field of six fillies.
Owned by Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds and trained by Trombetta, Just Philtored is unbeaten in restricted company, including victories in last year’s Keswick and Dolly Madison Stakes at Colonial Downs.
Eric Rizer’s Maryland Million Lassie winner Slewperstitus has finished behind Just Philtored in each of their previous four meetings, including both Colonial Downs stakes last summer.
The Star De Naskra Stakes attracted a competitive field of eight 3-year-olds headed by Gold Square’s Tartabull. Purchased for $310,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the son of Tapit will make his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton with defending Colonial Downs riding champion Paco Lopez aboard.
Among his challengers is Forge Ahead Stable’s Sav’n Money, who has shipped in from Churchill Downs for trainer Wayne Catalano and posted a local breeze July 5. The half brother to 2024 Brookmeade Stakes winner Tufani was runner-up to Woody Stephens Stakes winner Englishman earlier this spring and exits a start on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Jareth Loveberry has the mount.
Live racing resumes at Colonial Downs with a special 10:45 a.m. ET first post on Monday, July 6. Regular 12:30 p.m. post times resume on Thursday, July 9. Colonial Downs also has added a live racing program on Monday, July 13.
