Virginia's new Certified Residency program got off to a flying start June 22, when the first two program graduates of the 2019 foal crop reached the winner's circle on the same day and at the same track in their career debuts.

KJ Hunter and KJ Unreal — both two-year-old pacers — were best in their respective $3,900 conditioned races at Monticello Raceway. The pair are owned by Dr. Scott Woogen, trained by Gary Messenger, and were driven to victory by Jim Taggart. The former won by 6-3/4 lengths as the 1-2 betting choice and crossed in 2:00. The latter prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.3. Both competed over a sloppy track.

Before they started racing, Woogen sent them — along with his other babies — to the Powhatan Plantation in King George, Va., where they spent six months being raised, per residency program requirements.

Once a horse's residency is complete and they are of age to start racing, program graduates accumulate points every start during their respective two- and three-year-old seasons. The better the finishing position in each start, the more points they accumulate.

Awards are distributed based on cumulative year-end point totals and the bonus pool monies available. Foals of 2019 ill compete for a $200,000 prize pool in each of their two- and three-year-old seasons. Foals of 2020 will compete for a $300,000 bonus pool each season, while 2021 foals will vie for a $400,000 pool in each. Double points will be awarded from any start in Virginia — at the Shenandoah County Fair and Shenandoah Downs meets.

Horses in the Certified program, beginning with the 2020 foal crop, will also be eligible for a series of newly-added $25,000 restricted races at Shenandoah Downs during their freshman and sophomore seasons, based on age, sex and gait. With bonus and restricted race opportunities combined, 2020 and 2021 foals will compete for a combined $2 million in bonus monies.

"We are excited to see the program coming to fruition," said Debbie Warnick, Executive Director of the Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA). "After time spent mapping out the program and welcoming foals to farms and training centres in Virginia the past couple years, it's nice to see the first foal crop begin to compete. It's especially nice to kick the program off with wins from the first two starters."

To enrol in the lucrative program, horses must register with the VHHA and reside at a participating farm or training centre in the Commonwealth for a minimum of six consecutive months before they turn two years of age.

Complete program details, application forms and a list of participating farms is available at vhha.net. For more information, call Debbie Warnick at 443-463-0917. The Residency program is separate from the Virginia Breeders Fund program.

(VHHA)