Tidewater Teddy shook off an interference incident at the three-quarter pole then passed five front-steppers in the stretch to capture the $38,500 Virginia Breeders three-year-old colt and gelding pace Saturday afternoon at Colonial Downs. The race was one of eight
divisional championships that were contested on the day.
Driver Chris Page, who also trains Tidewater Teddy, directed his The Panderosa gelding from Post 6 against eight other challengers. Blueridge Straight got to the front and cut early panels of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:26.2 before the eventual winner made his move. Page’s pacer rebounded gamely early in the stretch then stormed to the finish, cutting a final panel of :27.3. Tidewater Teddy won by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:54, his first win of the year and fifth lifetime score.
In the $35,400 sophomore colt/gelding trot, Page reached the winner's circle again aboard Jane Dunavant’s Apparition, who beat four other foes. The S Js Photo gelding, who won by 1-1/2 lengths in a come from behind effort, beat his previous best by two ticks, crossing in 1:56.1. Apparition was last heading into the turn, came outside and was within two lengths of the lead before the final straightaway.
Blueridge Rahab and Tidewater Lilpaige won the respective three-year-old filly trot and pace, both of which were non-betting races held prior to the pari-mutuel card. The former romped to a 12-1/2 length win in 2:03.2 while the latter wired the field, but had to hold off fast closing Sallies Pride by a neck in 1:58.3.
Blueridge Dagon captured the $37,200 freshman male trot in 2:01.4 by wiring the field. The consistent Donerail gelding came into the race fresh off a dominant prep effort a week prior. Wayne Long directed Blueridge Dagon for trainer/owner Mike Gillock.
The Dean Collins-trained Itrustyou went outside at the three-eighths marker, stayed in the second tier through the turn and just had enough left to nip Fast Heat at the finish in the $36,900 colt/gelding pace in 1:58. The Third Straight gelding’s winning time was over two seconds slower than his prep clocking, but he prevailed for the D & G Racing Stable.
The freshman filly races were both contested in coast-to-coast fashion. Trainer/driver Mark Gray’s Celtic Girl won the trot in 2:02.4 while Twincreeks Jazz won by a close neck in 1:57.2.
Colonial’s Day of Champions card finished off the 13th annual fall harness racing season. Corey Braden captured the driver’s while title Manley Brown Jr. took top trainer honours. Cheryl Whitsell’s Imadragon won the USHWA Mid Atlantic Chapter’s “Horse of the Meet” title by winning five races over the eight week stand.
(Colonial Downs)