Kelsey Wagner's Brooksforreal and Caviart Farms' Caviart Glory established new track records in their respective Virginia Breeders Stakes two-year-old elimination victories over the weekend at Shenandoah Downs as freshmen competitors looked to punch their tickets to the $650,000 USD Champions Day card in two weeks.
Brooksforreal rolled into Woodstock behind the strength of 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 Rustys For Real gelding pacer crossed in 1:56, 19 lengths ahead of runner-up B Day. The prior best time in that category was authored by Lemonaideshine (1:56.3) in 2017. Brooksforreal is now seven for 11 and has finished out of the money just one time. Wagners Playin For Real finished third.
Caviart Glory, 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 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 in 2022). K J The Thirteenth finished third.
In other Breeders Stakes action on Sunday, Britney Dillon trainee Paxamillion wired the field in a second colt/gelding pace division in 1:56.3 with Luke Hanners in the bike. Hanners, who was injured on Aug. 7 and spent two months recovering, recorded his first win since returning to action on Oct. 7. The two-year-old Sweet Lou colt was six lengths the best over Rustys Lancelot and Mr Big Check. Paxamillion won for the fourth time in eight career starts.
Billy Carter-trained Toys Little Tinker and Alexandrias Dream swept both filly pace divisions in 1:58.4 and 1:57.4, respectively. The former went coast-to-coast and held off runner-up Caviart Rose by 1-3/4 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 Alexandrias Dream's win.
The Gary Messenger-trained KJ Breeze took the second Virginia Breeders Stakes 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. Peggys Girl finished third.
Messenger trainee Mane Man Charlie prevailed in a colt/gelding trot elimination in 2:03.4 with Fern Paquet Jr. aboard. The Mets Hall colt won his second career start by half a length over Swervingmervin. He now has eight "in the money" finishes in 11 starts. Roan Ridge finished third.
Elwood Tignor trainee 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 the wire in 2:04.3. HS Jesse took second while I Luv Women was third.
Shenandoah Downs' fall season continues Saturday and Sunday, with cards both days at 1:05 p.m. The $650,000 USD Champions Day card closes out the season on Sunday, Oct. 27.
(With files from Shenandoah Downs)