Large Fields and Classy Undercard Stakes Highlight Virginia Derby Day Program at Colonial Downs

New Kent, Va. (Sept. 3, 2024) — Exline-Border Racing, Peter Eurton, Richard Hausman and Stonestreet Stables’ Dream Shake, last out winner of the Van Clief, leads a field of 10 horses entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Korbel Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs, one of six turf stakes totaling $1.3 million in purses on the New Kent County Virginia Day program. Averaging 10.4 runners across 12 races, first post for the closing day card is 1:00 p.m. ET.

Trained by Mike Stidham, Dream Shake was tabbed as the 7-2 morning line favorite. The 6-year-old’s resume includes a score in the seven-furlong Connaught Cup (G2). Prior to his winning rally in the Van Clief, the 6-year-old had never been tested at the 5½-furlong Da Hoss distance. With Ben Curtis in the irons, Dream Shake’s run in the Da Hoss could be crucial to both his and Stidham’s bid for their respective meet titles. Going into the last week of racing, both are currently at the top of the standings.

Chief among his competition will be Colts Neck Stable’s sharp 7-year-old Nothing Better. The Jorge Duarte, Jr. trainee is a nose shy of stringing together three stakes wins, starting with the Mighty Beau at Churchill Downs.

Gail Rice’s freshman Good Directions was made the 7-2 morning line favorite in the 1-1/16 miles $125,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes. One of 11 freshman males set to line up in the starting gates, the Kevin Rice trainee exits the toughest test of the bunch, having run seventh in the Saratoga Special (G2) last out.

Proven going two turns on the local lawn, Ikhana Farm’s Ready for Peace broke his maiden on debut for Ignacio Correas. The More Than Ready colt is 4-1 in the morning line.

Bregman Family Racing and Swinbank Stables’ Governor Sam was tabbed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the 5½-furlong $125,000 Richmond Times-Dispatch Rosie’s Stakes. After breaking his maiden at Saratoga, the Improbable colt went on to prove his class, winning the Tyro at Monmouth.

Made 4-1 in the Rosie’s, Case Chambers, Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher’s Out on Bail also boasts a stakes score, taking the Skidmore last out for trainer Mike Maker.

D.J Stables’ graded stakes winner Webslinger headlines the 1½-mile Visit RVA $150,000 Colonial Cup. Trained by Mark Casse, the winner of the 2024 Chorleywood was made 4-5 in the morning line.

Now in the hands of Rodolphe Brisset, Team Valor International’s John Forbes victor McLovin will be making his first start of 2024 in the Colonial Cup.

Colonial Downs has added an extra day of live racing on Wednesday, Sept. 4, serving as a make-up day for the card lost on Friday, July 12. First post is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. ET. Wednesday will kick-off a four-day race week to close the 2024 meet. Post time for Friday’s card has been moved up to 3:00 p.m. ET.