Always A Virgin shatters Battle of Brandywine stakes record

August 19, 2007

On a track, labeled as sloppy, the Battle of the Brandywine took five divisions of Sunday evening�s card at Chester Downs. The first $50,000 division went to Trueys Legacy in a stakes record 1:53.1, of which Artist�s View broke in the second division, pacing the mile in 1:52.3. Always A Virgin then came in the fourth division and shattered those two records, winning in 1:51.3.

In the first division, Ghee�s House went to the front for Yannick Gingras with Rusy�s For Real and Tony Morgan pulling first over and battling with Ghee�s House. Trueys Legacy then had to go three wide around those two horses in the last turn. Pardon You (Ron Pierce) came up to finish second and Lindy�s Bandit (Brian Sears) got third. Ghee�s House was able to hold on for fourth. Trueys Legacy, trained by Noel Daley for Darius Oshidar and Michael Nelin, is now just under $100,000 in lifetime earnings.

Artist�s View and George Brennan took the second division in 1:52.3, breaking the just set stakes record. Big Business and Ben Stafford took the lead from Oh Poncho before the half. Artist�s View was second over going to the 1:25 three quarters, following Big Al�s Delight. Going three wide around the last turn, Artist�s View was able to take the win from Big Business who was second with Rendarosa getting up for third.

In the third division, Fresh Deck took his division with a 1:53.1 effort for driver Brian Sears. Kevin Sizer had Mr Aviator leave from the gate to take the field to a :28.1 first quarter. Fresh Deck got away second with Hennessy Hanover in third. Sears pulled Fresh Deck wide and made the front before the half. Stormin Rustler came from the back of the pack which flushed out Future Character going to the three quarters. Mr Aviator made a final bid coming to the wire but Fresh Deck held off, winning by a length. Hennessy Hanvoer and Ben Stafford finished third with Future Character and Dave Miller getting gup for fourth. Fresh Deck is owned by Val D�or Farms and Schoor Racing Stable. Joe Holloway trains the Cam�s Card Shark colt.

Always A Virgin pulled a near wire to wire victory in the fourth Battle of the Brandywine division, shattering both stakes records set in the first and second division. Brian Sears and Always a Virgin pulled away from the field to a 1:51.3 victory. Artzina and Tim Tetrck came three wide around the last turn to get up for second and Tiber Hanover with Dave Miller up finished third. Always a Virgin comes off a win in the Oliver Wendall Holmes on Hambletonian Day for trainer Joe Holloway and owners Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable and Val D�or Farms.

The fifth and final $50,000 split went to Adios winner May June Character, who moved from third at the half to challenge the leader Sutter Hanover before drawing clear to a 1 3/4-length win in 1:52.1 over a rallying Honky Tonk Hanover. Sutter Hanover held on for third as the 4-5 favorite in the race.

The 8-5 second choice in the six-horse field, May June Character was driven by George Brennan for trainer Ronnie Burke. The sophomore gelded son of Shady Character is owned by Sandy Goldfarb and A Bunch Of Characters II.

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