Meet Peter Vegso, publisher of the popular “Chicken Soup for the Souls” series of books — and the winningest horse owner in Virginia Derby history. His powerhouse trio of homebred horses — Orchard Park, Silver Tree and Go Between — captured Virginia’s 3-year-old turf showcase at Colonial Downs in 2002, 2003 & 2006 respectively. Legendary trainer Bill Mott conditioned all three. Edgar Prado rode the first two to victory and Garrett Gomez was up for the latter. The 22ndedition of that race — now called the Old Dominion Derby — will be contested this Saturday at the New Kent track as the final event of a stakes-filled 10-race card. First post is 12 Noon.
Vegso still has fond memories of Colonial Downs and that string of success. “I loved it. It’s a great track and I had a great time there obviously in terms of winning. I have so many wonderful memories. Those three horses, they were three goodies and they all loved grass. I’ve always wanted to win the Triple Crown, and I feel like I’ve already won it in Virginia.”
Orchard Park is named after the town in Western New York where the Buffalo Bills football stadium is based. “I was up there on business and remember driving past the stadium and I just liked the name of the town. Orchard Park kicked off my run. He was special. He was one of my first ones that did really well. I was pretty excited about going to the Virginia Derby. He loved the grass and he loved coming from behind. And it was just the beginning of a good time.”
The son of Hennessy finished his career with six wins and purse earnings of $669,722. The Virginia Derby, which then had a purse of $500,000, capped off Orchard Park’s career.
Silver Tree, also a Hennessy horse, is named after a ski resort Vegso used to frequent. He accumulated 14 wins — six from graded stakes including the Fourstardave Handicap — and bankrolled over $1.7 million. “He is still at the farm enjoying life,” Vegso said. “He was a goodie and we had a great time with him.”
“Go Between was an incredible horse that had his own unique running style,” said Vegso. “He let them hang out and then he’d come strong at the end and win by a nose. He’d get you excited every single time, including the Virginia Derby. He was an incredible horse.” When Go Between crossed first in the 2006 Virginia Derby, the purse was $1 million and the stakes had risen to a Grade 2 level.
After finshing fifth in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic — which was preceded by a Grade 1 win in Del Mar’s Pacific Classic — Go Between died after a workout in January, 2009. “If he hadn’t have died, he’d have won the Breeders’ Cup that year,” added Vegso. “He loved artificial turf and would have thrived at Santa Anita in November.”
A son of Point Given, Go Between ranked sixth in earnings of all horses that competed in 2008. He finished his career with eight wins from 22 starts and earnings of over $2.9 million.
Asked if breeding all three of his Derby winners added any special meaning to the victories at Colonial Downs, Vegso replied, “I don’t think so. Winning a race like that, you can’t describe it. It’s like the best drug in the world, ever. I mean you feel like you’re in heaven. It’s just the greatest feeling when you win a race of that caliber. It’s indescribable.”
Vegso’s farm is Ocala, Florida and over the years, his horses have made over 2,500 starts. He got involved in the business in 1988 when he and buddy bought a five percent share in a group of horses and one turned into a nice filly. “I just started moving up and getting more involved from that point. I started buying my own horses and bought the farm in 1993. We still breed, we train and we race. We haven’t had any great luck in a bit. It’s hard because you never know when luck is coming, when a horse is really going to do it. Horses that win these Grade 1 races really want to do it. They enjoy it. I keep looking for one. I want to do it. I love horses and I love being at the farm. It’s still my favorite place to be.”
