Colonial Downs hosted a full night of harness racing Tuesday evening, with a twist: two of the night’s 10 races were three-quarters of a mile, rather than the usual one mile distance.
In the first shortened race, J J Thomas N led from the start, the quarter pole, and cut the first two early fractions in :27 and :56. The seven-year-old gelding led by one and a half lengths at the top of the stretch, where eventual winner Gaje and Jimmy King made their presence felt.
Driver Wayne Long directed Gaje past all front steppers to win the dash by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:24. The upset winner returned $18.80. Jimmy King was second and the early leader hung on for third.
In the second three-quarter mile race, track regular Hi Im Johnny Kash grabbed a pocket trip behind frontstepper Strong Belief and patiently waited until mid-stretch to descend on the leader.
Reinsman Chris Page, making his first seasonal appearance at Colonial Downs Tuesday, directed Hi Im Johnny Kash to an impressive four and three-quarter-length triumph in 1:23.3. The seven-year-old gelding has a pair of seconds and a win in the first five days of the young meet.
The New Kent, Virginia track will host a 10-race card Wednesday, September 16 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
(With files from Colonial)