West Virginia Breeders' Classic
Encyclopedia
The West Virginia Breeders Classic is a thoroughbred
horse race for West Virginia
breds run at a distance of one and one/eighth mile on the dirt. Open to three-year-olds and up, it takes place each year at the Charles Town Races
in Charles Town, West Virginia
, and offers a purse of $500,000. Along with this race are eight other West Virginia Breeders’ races on the same day for West Virginia-bred horses.
In its 21st running, the West Virginia Classic and its complement of similar races was created in 1987 by retired Washington Redskins
and New York Giants
football great Sam Huff
. Huff owns thoroughbreds and was born in West Virginia.
Owner Mark Hopkins's A Huevo, trained by Michael Dickinson, was disqualified from first and placed last in the 1999 edition of the race after a post-race test revealed traces of clenbuterol. Wind N'Springs Farms Eastern Delite, trained by Freddie Johnson has also been disqualified from first and placed last from 2007's edition of the race, after the post-race test revealed a positive for caffeine. However, 2nd place finisher Confucius Say has not been awarded the purse yet, due to litigation. If the ruling is upheld, Confucius Say will surpass the $1 million plateau in earnings.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse race for West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
breds run at a distance of one and one/eighth mile on the dirt. Open to three-year-olds and up, it takes place each year at the Charles Town Races
Charles Town Races & Slots
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is a gambling facility owned by Penn National Gaming and located just outside the eastern city limits of Charles Town, West Virginia. It features a six furlong thoroughbred horse racing facility that is home of the West Virginia Breeders' Classic...
in Charles Town, West Virginia
Charles Town, West Virginia
Charles Town is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,907 at the 2000 census. Due to its similar name, travelers have sometimes confused this city with the state's capital, Charleston.-History:...
, and offers a purse of $500,000. Along with this race are eight other West Virginia Breeders’ races on the same day for West Virginia-bred horses.
In its 21st running, the West Virginia Classic and its complement of similar races was created in 1987 by retired Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
and New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
football great Sam Huff
Sam Huff
Robert Lee "Sam" Huff is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982....
. Huff owns thoroughbreds and was born in West Virginia.
Past winners
- 2011 - Russell Road (Luis PerezLuis PérezLuis Pérez may refer to:*Luis Alberto Pérez, Nicaraguan boxer*Luis Alberto Pérez-Rionda, Cuban athlete*Luis Deines Pérez, Puerto Rican boxer*Luis Ernesto Pérez, Mexican footballer*Luis Manuel Pérez, Domincan baseball pitcher...
) - 2010 - Sea Rescue
- 2009 - Russell Road
- 2008 - Ghostly Thunder (Travis Dunkelberger) (Eastern Delite, placed)
- 2007 - Eastern Delite (Oscar Flores)
- 2006 - Speed Whiz (Anthony Mawing)
- 2005 - Speed Whiz (Anthony Mawing)
- 2004 - A Huevo (Ramon Dominguez)
Owner Mark Hopkins's A Huevo, trained by Michael Dickinson, was disqualified from first and placed last in the 1999 edition of the race after a post-race test revealed traces of clenbuterol. Wind N'Springs Farms Eastern Delite, trained by Freddie Johnson has also been disqualified from first and placed last from 2007's edition of the race, after the post-race test revealed a positive for caffeine. However, 2nd place finisher Confucius Say has not been awarded the purse yet, due to litigation. If the ruling is upheld, Confucius Say will surpass the $1 million plateau in earnings.