Race 9 – Colonial Downs, New Kent, VA
Saturday, July 26, 2025 – Post Time: 4:35 PM ET
Purse: $100,000 – 7 Furlongs – Dirt – 3YO & Up – Open Company
Race Overview
The inaugural Reigh Count Stakes honors the legendary 1928 Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Fame inductee Reigh Count. This seven-furlong dirt sprint at Colonial Downs features a well-matched field of eight older males, blending stakes veterans, rising allowance stars, and pedigrees built for speed. With a fast surface and tactical pace expected, this race could be a launching pad for late-season stakes campaigns.
Full Field Breakdown
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Inveigled | Ben Curtis | Jane Cibelli | Enticed – Kitty Quality | 5-1 |
| 2 | Bouncer | Carlos Lopez | Jamie Ness | Adios Charlie – Kaiken | 6-1 |
| 3 | O’Conner Sunset | J.D. Acosta | Mike Jones Jr. | Curlin – Miss Sunset | 30-1 |
| 4 | My Handsome Man | Denis Araujo | Melvin Ovando | Central Banker – Bisou Francais | 50-1 |
| 5 | Celtic Contender | Victor Carrasco | Hamilton Smith | Irish War Cry – Celtic Katie | 6-1 |
| 6 | Kavod | Axel Concepcion | Joe Sharp | Lea – Weekend Connection | 8-1 |
| 7 | Patriot Spirit | Mychel Sanchez | Michael Campbell | Constitution – Mistical Plan | 7-5 |
| 8 | Worcester | Sheldon Russell | Brittany Russell | Empire Maker – Lil Super Bear | 7-2 |
Top Contenders to Watch
Patriot Spirit (7-5 Favorite)
Trainer: Michael Campbell
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez
Pedigree: Constitution × Mistical Plan
Form: Runner-up in Knicks Go Stakes; 2-for-2 at Colonial Downs
Edge: Tactical speed, local affinity, and a 104 Brisnet Speed Figure last out
Worcester (7-2)
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Pedigree: Empire Maker × Lil Super Bear
Form: Winner of Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes; 5-for-6 in the exacta this season
Edge: Classy closer with stakes credentials and strong connections
Inveigled (5-1)
Trainer: Jane Cibelli
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Pedigree: Enticed × Kitty Quality
Form: Win and two seconds in four starts this year
Edge: Versatile style and improving form; sharp Laurel Park prep
Live Longshots
Celtic Contender (6-1)
Trainer: Hamilton Smith
Jockey: Victor Carrasco
Pedigree: Irish War Cry × Celtic Katie
Form: Third to Book’em Danno locally; consistent at 7 furlongs
Upside: Could control pace and hang on late
Kavod (8-1)
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Pedigree: Lea × Weekend Connection
Form: Stakes winner with back class
Upside: Dangerous if pace collapses
Race Dynamics & Strategy
Pace Setup: Expect early speed from Celtic Contender, Bouncer, and Kavod, setting up for stalkers like Patriot Spirit and closers like Worcester.
Track Bias: Colonial Downs dirt favors tactical speed and inside draws—advantage Patriot Spirit and Inveigled.
Key Factor: Worcester’s late kick vs. Patriot Spirit’s home-track dominance.
Betting Strategy
Exacta Box: Patriot Spirit / Worcester / Inveigled
Trifecta Key: Patriot Spirit over Worcester, Inveigled, Celtic Contender
Superfecta Sleeper: Kavod (8-1) – sneaky late surge potential
Prediction:
Patriot Spirit
Worcester
Inveigled
Final Time Estimate: 1:22.4
