Racing

Coloial Dows has cancelled the remainer of its meet, a bitter pill for stteplechasing

Details: August 15, 2020; By Staff Writers

Colonial Downs canceled the remainder of its 2020 meeting due to COVID-19, the track announced Friday evening, Aug. 14.

This cancels the remaining steeplechase races at the meet, which had three scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17.

"Horrible," said Jonathan Sheppard's assistant trainer Keri Brion after hearing the annoncement.

Sheppard, who was just one win away from catching Jack Trainer in Leading Trainer, Races won, had four entered on Aug. 17. racing colonial Colonial Downs

Saratoga and the NYRA are continuing to run steeplechase races each week.

But steeplechasing has suffered many lost meets due to Covid-19, and the fall season is not yet finalized.

Colonial Downs canceled racing Tuesday and Wednesday. Aug. 11 and 112 after leading jockey Trevor McCarthy tested positive for COVID-19, per a report in Daily Racing Form.

“Colonial Downs Group places the health and safety of our team, partners and visitors as our top priority,” a statement from Colonial Downs read.

“We established thorough protocols prior to the 2020 racing season to address any issues that may arise from the coronavirus pandemic. As a result of recent test results at the track in New Kent County, and in an abundance of caution, Colonial Downs is cancelling the remainder of its 2020 meet. In making our decision, we collaborated with the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent Protection Association (VHBPA) and Virginia Racing Commission. We have communicated the outcome with all participating parties. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support. This was a difficult decision, but the best one for Virginia’s racing community. We are already starting to make plans for the 2021 meet at Colonial Downs and are optimistic for a safe return in a better health environment for our nation, state and community.”

The meeting was slated to conclude Sept. 2.

Matz has an allowance winner plus Hendriks, Houghton and Motion winners

Details: July 25, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

WILMINGTON, Del.--Michael Matz saddled Hidden Creek Farm's Lasting Union, a 3-year-old filly by Union Rags, that he also trained who won the Belmont Stakes, to win a $42,000. 1 mile and 70 yards Allowance race at Delaware Park on July 22.

Michael Matz 2 Michael Matz "We were really please with her," said Matz. "The jockey that we had planned to ride her had a fall in the third race and couldn't ride. The only jockey we could get was Alexander Crispin, an apprentice. But he gave her a good ride. She's a pretty nice filly."

This was Lasting Union's second win after finishing fourth three times at Gullfstream Park and then winning a maiden special weight at Laurel on June 19.

"We really liked her in Florida, but we couldn't get a race with two turns," said Matz. "They were all mile races but only around one turn. She wants a bit of distance."

"She's a Canadian-bred, so we're looking at the Woodbine Oaks in three weeks," said Matz. "We don't know if she'll like a synthetic surface, but for a half a million dollars, we have to take a chance."

"Racing without spectators hurts a town like Saratoga," said Matz. "But people are still betting on the races. We were okay during the shut-down, and we didn't lose any owners. But I have cut down. I had two barns at Fair hill, but I've lease one now. I don't need 70 horses any more."

"I have 42 horses now, and that's enough to keep me busy between the race horses and th ekids showing," said Matz. :They're showing in Kentucky now, and DD is with them, With social distancing and wearing masks, with showing and racing being outdoors, it's all okay."