WHIT BECKMAN REACHES 100 CAREER TRAINING VICTORIES AT COLONIAL DOWNS
Posted on August 10th, 2026
No Merlot rallied on the outside to win the ninth race at Colonial Downs on Aug. 7 to give trainer Whit Beckman his 100th career training victory. (Photo credit: Coady Media)
Trainer Whit Beckman (Photo credit Coady Media)
NEW KENT, Va. (Aug 8, 2026) — Trainer Whit Beckman recorded his 100th career victory Friday at Colonial Downs, bookending the card to reach the milestone.
Queen Jubilee started the afternoon by drawing off to win the opener by more than eight lengths at long odds after stalking the early pace and taking command around the far turn.
The final race of the day produced career victory No. 100 as No Merlot, ridden by Jareth Loveberry, rallied through the stretch to prevail by a nose in a thrilling photo finish.
Since opening his public stable in 2021, Beckman has quickly established himself in the sport’s biggest races. He earned his first graded stakes victory with Honor Marie, has saddled Kentucky Derby starters in three consecutive years, finished second in the 2025 Kentucky Oaks with Drexel Hill, and third in the 2026 Kentucky Derby with Ocelli.
In 2026, Beckman expanded to Colonial Downs with a full-time stable, highlighted by Tour Player’s victory in the Royal New Kent Stakes in the March meet and his 100th career training victory during the current stand.
