Kelsy Wagner’s Brooksforreal and Caviart Farms’ Caviart Glory established new track records in their respective Virginia Breeder’s 2-Year-Old Elimination Division victories over the weekend at Shenandoah Downs as freshmen competitors looked to punch their tickets to the $650,000 Champions Day card in two weeks.
The former, who rolled into Woodstock with a bankroll of $117,015 and six consecutive victories, lived up to his billing and simply dominated in wire-to-wire fashion as the 1-9 betting choice. Driven by Corey Braden for trainer John Wagner, the Rusty’s For Real gelding pacer crossed in 1:56.0, 19 lengths ahead of runner-up BDay. The prior best time in that category was authored by Lemonaideshine (1:56 3/5) in 2017. Brooksforreal is now 7-for-11 and has finished out of the money just one time. Wagner’s Playin For Real finished third.
The latter, a freshman filly trotter, had a similar outing despite entering the race winless in five outings and being sent off at 7-1. Trainer/driver Philip Scott Sonsteby led the wire-to-wire effort in 1:59 4/5 and guided the Greenshoe filly to a 20-length triumph over second place finisher Royal Toni. Caviart Glory, whose best previous effort had been a fifth at the Red Mile, broke the track record in the filly trot category held by Miss Norissa (2:00 3/5 in 2022). K J The Thirteenth finished third.
In other Breeder’s action Sunday, Britney Dillon’s Paxamillion wired the field in a second colt/gelding pace division in 1:56 3/5 with Luke Hanners in the bike. Hanners, who was injured August 7 and spent two months recovering, recorded his first win since returning to action October 7. The 2-year-old Sweet Lou colt was six lengths the best over Jerry Nock’s Rusty’s Lancelot and Tracy Bradshaw’s Mr. Big Check. Paxamillion won for the fourth time in eight career starts.
Trainer Billy Carter’s Toys Little Tinker and Alexandria’s Dream swept both filly pace divisions in 1:58 4/5 and 1:57 4/5 respectively. The former went coast-to-coast and held off runner-up Caviart Rose by 1 ¾ lengths while the latter was a neck better than Caviart Lyra in a photo finish. Billy Carter piloted Toys Little Tinker for co-owners Elwood Tignor and Deborah Mulligan while owner William Carter was at the helm for Alexandria Dream’s win.
Gary Messenger’s KJ Breeze took the second Virginia Breeders’ filly trot division after securing a perfect pocket trip behind Twin Springs Mari through the head of the stretch. Corey Braden directed the winning effort and after taking control of the field late, surged in deep stretch to a 7 3/4 length win over runner-up Speedy Gal. The victor, making just her third lifetime start, is owned by Scott Woogen. William Wyatt’s Peggys Girl finished third.
Messenger’s Mane Man Charlie prevailed in a colt/gelding trot elimination in 2:03 4/5 with Fern Paquet Jr. aboard. The Met’s Hall colt won his second career start by half a length over John Wagner’s Swervingmervin. He now has eight “in the money” finishes in 11 starts. Wagner’s Roan Ridge finished third.
Elwood Tignor’s TJ Jadster got his picture taken for the first time ever after passing HS Jesse — who had gone off stride for the second time in the mile — before the wire in another colt/gelding trot elimination. The freshman gelding was driven by William Carter and crossed in 2:04 3/5. HS Jesse took second while I Luv Women was third.
Shenandoah Downs’ fall season continues Saturday & Sunday October 19 & 20 with cards both days at 1:05 PM. The $650,000 Champions Day card closes out the season on Sunday October 27.
