As the MATCH Series rolls in to New Kent, Virginia it’s the new-look Colonial Downs that’s centre piece of this year’s COVID restructured Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship.
“Colonial Downs is honored to host these MATCH Series races, especially showcasing our highly rated dirt track which is often overshadowed by our renowned Secretariat Turf Course,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Colonial Downs Group.
“Such is modern day Colonial Downs, that Churchill Downs trainer John Ortiz has his Chesapeake favourite Mucho based here, and last travelled him to Pimlicio to win the Challendon Stakes.”
Its Mucho who leads the 3YO & Up Sprint division, and jumps from gate 5 in the Chesapeake Stakes with jockey Reylu Gutierrez wearing the black and green silks of WSS Racing and 4G Racing.
In previously winning the Challendon Stakes, he raced in the one-one into the home straight, and on gaining the led at the furlong he held Ledbo by a length, with Whereshetoldmetogo in third.
As a four-times winning, Group 1 placed juvenile, Mucho is also being aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Sprint at Del Mar and was bred in Kentucky by Adele Dibchneider and Claiborne Farm.
Sired by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame, who was also owned and bred by Adele Dibchneider and Claiborne Farm, he’s a half-sister to Iowa Stakes winner Size, from the Pulpit mare Extent.
Leading the Sprint division on 13 points, and fourth in the Maryland Sprint Handicap, Mucho heads dual Frank Whiteley Jr Stakes winner Laki on 12 through fourth, second and fifth placings.
In being a two length second to Yaupon in a time of 1-09.42 for the Lite The Fuse Stakes of 6f, Laki raced in third from the start, but could not match Yaupon when racing into the home stretch.
Trained by Damon Dilodevico for owners Hillside Equestrian Meadows, he’ll be again ridden by Horacio Karamanos and was bred in Maryland by Tom Michaels and Iorna Baker.
Mucho is third in the MATCH Series, with the undefeated 4yo filly Chub Wagon on 20 points in winning the Skipat Stakes and Shine Again Stakes, and the 4yo filly Hello Beautiful on 17 points.
Colonial Downs was always going to spotlight a new MATCH contender, and it’s Never Enough Time who is stepping-up to claim 10 Series points in winning the Seeking The Pearl Stakes of 7f.
Sitting third behind Chub Wagon and Hello Beautiful on 5 points in the 3YO & Up F&M Sprint division, she has finished outside the placing in the Skipat Stakes and Shina Again Stakes.
It’s both trainer Mike Trombetta and owner Larry Johnson who are looking for a return to form, as last year she won the Skipat and Alma North Stakes, and will again be ridden by Julien Pimental.
To start from the outside 8 barrier, Never Enough Time was bred by owner Larry Johnson in Maryland, being by Munnings from the stakes placed winning Partner’s Hero mare What Time It Is.
Hillwood Stables’ Cordmaker is another who need to find that ‘gold medal podium’ and heads into Victory Gallop Stakes of 1 1/16m on 8 points, being third in the 3YO & Up Long division.
Again to be ridden by Victor Carrasco for Rodney Jenkins, Cordmaker was third to Harpers First Ride in the Deputy Testimony Stakes, and wants to improve his 20 win-place success in 30 starts.
Colonial Downs has certainly shone the light on the Love Sign Stakes in throwing open the contest for 3YO & Up F&M Long division honours with the unbeaten Sosua making her first Series start.
In jumping from gate 5, Sousa will be ridden by Hector Diaz Jr, for Arnaud Delacour and owner Mark Grier, and will be challenged by the experienced Sweet Sami D who has 5 MATCH Series points.
Previously third to Mrs Orb in the Caesar’s Wish Stakes, Sweet Sami D will be again ridden by Jesus Suarez from barrier 7 for trainer Patrick McBurney and owners ABL Stables partnership.
As ‘the only one of its kind in racing,’ the MATCH Series now mover onto Laurel Park for 18 September, 13 November and concluding on 26 December, having begun at Pimlicio on 14 May.
