Virginia Derby

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous Post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Present at Colonial Downs for Virginia Derby Day Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Present at Colonial Downs for Virginia Derby Day FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2025 News Tags:Best Turned Out Horse, BTOH, Colonial Downs, TAA Race, Thoroughbred Aftercare, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Race, Virginia Derby, virginia Derby Day LEXINGTON, KY — Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Colonial Downs Racetrack during the weekend of the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks, set for Saturday, March 15, 2025. For the first time ever, the Virginia Derby and Oaks will now be considered prep races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Colonial Downs, a longtime supporter of accredited aftercare, will honor Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race on the Virginia Derby Day. Following the race, a presentation will take place in the winner’s circle, where the connections will receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and gift bag. On Saturday, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Best Turned-Out awards for the Virginia Derby and Oaks. The Best Turned-Out awards are generously sponsored by Virginia HBPA. “Virginia HBPA is pleased to continue sponsoring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s Best Turned Out Horse Awards during Virginia Derby weekend at Colonial Downs,” said Glen Berman, Executive Director, Virginia HBPA. “We are very proud to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance while also honoring the grooms whose care ensures that our horses look their best on race day.” Additionally, a representative from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present to host the winners of the “Off to the Races” VIP Experience online benefit auction. This exciting VIP experience was donated by Colonial Downs. The winners will enjoy premium dining, paddock passes and winners circle access for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race, and much more. “Colonial Downs is excited to once again host Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during Virginia Derby weekend,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing, Colonial Downs. “We appreciate and love highlighting the important work Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance does in providing funding and support for their accredited aftercare organizations.” About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since its inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $36.04 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently, 83 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 175 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org. Contact Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance 859-224-2756 info@thoroughbredaftercare.org Fundraising & Events Emily Dresen 352-362-6934 edresen@thoroughbredaftercare.org Media Contact Samantha Smith Share This Release  

Tuesday’s action-packed Virginia Derby Day included a dedication to Thoroughbred aftercare. After the sixth race on the Virginia Derby card Sep. 6 at Colonial Downs, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) accepted a check for $66,000 from Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). Initiated in 2019, Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA have each pledged $15 per start at the Colonial Downs meet to the TAA. “Colonial Downs is once again proud to support the TAA during our record breaking 2022 racing season,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs’ Vice-President of Racing Operations. “The care of horses, both during and after their racing careers, is of the utmost importance and the TAA does such a great job to make sure this is accomplished. We were delighted to have TAA on site at the Virginia Derby and happy to present an even larger check than in past years.” “Tuesday was a great day for Virginia horsemen, and we were thrilled to honor the TAA on our biggest day of racing,” said Virginia HBPA’s Executive Director, Frank Petramalo Jr. “The funds we donate to the TAA are the most important way we can support our Thoroughbreds after they retire from racing.” The TAA also hosted the Best Turned Out Horse Awards on Virginia Derby Day, sponsored by the Virginia HBPA, providing a cash prize and gift bag to the winning groom of the Best Turned Out Horse for each of the six stakes races on the card: the Hidden Figures Overnight Handicap, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes, the Woodford Reserve Da Hoss Stakes, the Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes, the Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks, and the New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3T). The winning horses and grooms for the TAA Best Turned Out Horse Awards Sponsored by Virginia HBPA are as follows: R4 Hidden Figures Overnight Handicap: JILTED BRIDE and groom Jorge Gonzalez R6 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes: DETERMINED CRUSH and groom Gervin Hernandez R7 Woodford Reserve Da Hoss Stakes: NOBODY LISTENS and groom Octavio Rodriguez R8 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes: OPPOSITES ATTRACT and groom Louis Solario R9 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks: SPARKLE BLUE and groom Jesus Catalun R10 New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3T): TWO SOCKS (IRE) and groom Bernie Sanchez “Both Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA are outstanding partners of the TAA who are committed to supporting our equine athletes,” said TAA’s Funding and Events Manager, Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “The TAA is honored to showcase our partnership on such an exciting day of racing.” In addition to the Best Turned Out Horse Awards, the TAA presented the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes, won by Steve Asmussen trainee GIGANTE and Feargal Lynch for owners Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing. Photo: Coady Photography

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is hosting the Best Turned Out Horse Awards in partnership with the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent Protection Agency (VHBPA) and Colonial Downs during Virginia Derby Day. For a third year, VHBPA sponsored the groom cash prize during the Tuesday September 6, 2022 race card. A cash prize and TAA gift bag will be presented to the winning groom of the Best Turned Out Horse for the six stakes races on the card. Representatives from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, VHBPA, and Colonial Downs will select the horse in each race that was deemed to be the best presented, and that horse’s groom will receive a gift bag and cash prize. The winning groom will be congratulated on the live simulcast feed. Stay tuned for live updates all day on the winners of the TAA Best Turned Out Horse Awards Sponsored by Virginia HBPA.   Virginia Derby Day Best Turned Out Horse Award Winners RACE 4— The Hidden Figures Overnight Handicap #4 JILTED BRIDE Groom: Jorge Gonzalez Trainer: Steve Asmussen   RACE 6— The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes #8 DETERMINED CRUSH Groom: Gervin Hernandez Trainer: Phil Schoenthal Breeder: Godolphin   RACE 7—The 16th Running of The Woodford Reserve Da Hoss Stakes #8 NOBODY LISTENS Groom: Octavio Rodriguez Trainer: Michael Lovell   RACE 8—The 3rd Running of The Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes #4 OPPOSITES ATTRACT Groom: Louis Solario Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta   RACE 9— The 13th Running of The Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks  #9 SPARKLE BLUE Groom: Jesus Catalun Trainer: H. Graham Motion   RACE 10— The 19th Running of The New Kent County (Grade III) Virginia Derby #2 TWO SOCKS (IRE) Groom: Bernie Sanchez Trainer: H. Graham Motion

Another successful Colonial Downs race meet will culminate on Virginia Derby Day, highlighted by a dedication to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). The Kitten’s Joy Stakes will be presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Virginia Derby Day. A presentation of a TAA blanket and swag bag will be made to the winning connections following the running of the race. “We’re thrilled to again partner with the TAA in sponsorship of the Kitten’s Joy Stakes,” said Colonial Downs Vice-President of Racing Operations, Jill Byrne. “We appreciate and value the importance of what the TAA provides to the industry and are happy to recognize their great efforts on our biggest day of the year, especially with a race named after one of the greatest Virginia Derby winners ever.” The TAA will host the Best Turned Out Horse awards sponsored by the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association (HBPA) for every stake race on the Sep. 6 card. Winning grooms of the Best Turned Out Horse awards sponsored by the Virginia HBPA will receive a $100 cash prize and a TAA swag bag and will be streamed on the live simulcast feed at the New Kent, Virginia-based track. “The Virginia HBPA is happy to sponsor and recognize the fine care that grooms provide our horses,” said Virginia HBPA Executive Director, Frank Petramalo Jr. “We at the Virginia HBPA are so appreciative of what the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and its accredited organizations provide for these horses after they retire.” Initiated in 2019, Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA have each pledged $15 per start at the Colonial Downs meet to the TAA. “Both Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA are staunch supporters of the TAA, and we are thankful for their recurring inclusion of the TAA on Virginia Derby Day,” said TAA President, Jeffrey Bloom. “We look forward to this event every year and the opportunity it provides to work alongside TAA supporting racetracks and horsemen’s groups to promote Thoroughbred aftercare.” PHOTO: Suzie Picou-Oldham

Another successful Colonial Downs race meet was highlighted by a dedication to Thoroughbred Aftercare.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Virginia HBPA will present the Best Turned Out Horse Awards on Virginia Derby Day.