Venue: Foxfield Races, Charlottesville, Virginia (hurdle course, turf)
Distance: 2 1/8 miles (hurdle)
Purse: $50,000 Guaranteed
Conditions: For 4-year-olds and upward rated 130 or lower (handicap)
Scheduled Post Time: 2:50 PM ET (first post for the day: 12:30 PM ET)
Expected Weather Conditions (Charlottesville, VA):
Mild spring afternoon with highs in the mid-70s°F (around 72–76°F by post time) and lows near 55–60°F overnight. Partly cloudy skies with light winds (5–10 mph) and only a low (10–15%) chance of any isolated light showers. No significant precipitation expected during the racing card.
Expected Track Conditions: Good turf (hurdle course). The Foxfield course is green and lush with turf height maintained at 6–7 inches. Surfaces are smooth overall (minor rough spots down the back hill), well-aerated, and irrigated consistently. Penetrometer readings average “good” with ~24–25% moisture—ideal for a fair, testing handicap hurdle that rewards jumping accuracy and stamina over the stiff Foxfield fences.
This is the Good Night Shirt Stakes, a Sport of Kings Handicap Hurdle named in honor of the consecutive Eclipse Award-winning steeplechaser owned by Charlottesville native Harold “Sonny” Via, Jr. The 10-horse field is a competitive mix of seasoned imports and domestic campaigners in a true handicap at 2 1/8 miles. Jack Fisher (two runners) and Cyril Murphy (two runners) are the trainers to watch, with several horses carrying top weights (158 lbs). Ratings and recent HRN figures point to a tactical battle where early speed and clean jumping will be key over the rolling Foxfield course. Morning-line odds are not yet finalized in the overnight but are expected to favor higher-rated or lightly weighted contenders.
Full Field with Post Positions, Jockeys, and Trainers
| PP | Horse | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds (est.) |
| 1 | Batman Girac (FR) | 8/G | Graham Watters | Neil R. Morris | 5/2 |
| 2 | Who’s Counting | 8/G | Sean McDermott | Sean McDermott | 6/1 |
| 3 | Boldog (FR) | 8/G | Evan Dwan | Thomas Garner | 8/1 |
| 4 | Givemefive (IRE) | 6/G | Harrison Beswick | Cyril Murphy | 7/2 |
| 5 | Lydford (GB) | 9/G | Cian Quirke | Thomas Garner | 10/1 |
| 6 | Coutach (GB) | 5/G | Jake Coen | Richard J. Hendriks | 4/1 |
| 7 | Two Past Eight (GB) | 6/G | Luke Carberry | Leslie F. Young | 12/1 |
| 8 | King of the Kids | 7/G | Bernard Dalton | Cyril Murphy | 15/1 |
| 9 | Smart Uncle | 6/G | Stephen Mulqueen | Jack Fisher | 5/1 |
| 10 | Welshman | 8/G | Jamie Bargary | Jack Fisher | 9/2 |
Analysis of Each Horse (including recent form via HRN ratings where available, key notes, and race-specific angles):
PP 1 – Batman Girac (FR) (5/2, Graham Watters, Neil R. Morris)
By Bathyrhon (GER) out of Mangenie (FR). Owner: One O Two Racing. Consistent French import with strong recent hurdle placings and a high rating (127). Morris knows the Foxfield course; Watters is a reliable local rider. Rail post is ideal for a forward or stalking trip—prime candidate to set or press the pace and be in the mix throughout. Clear top selection on class and connections.
PP 2 – Who’s Counting (6/1, Sean McDermott, Sean McDermott)
By Vancouver (AUS) out of Counter Measure. Owner/breeder: South Branch Equine LLC. HRN rating: 100. Homebred with tactical speed and recent sharp efforts. McDermott retains the mount; expect him to be prominent early. Solid exotic contender at a square price if he handles the handicap weight.
PP 3 – Boldog (FR) (8/1, Evan Dwan, Thomas Garner)
By Authorized (IRE) out of Belga Wood. Owner: Butler Hall Racing Stables, LLC and The Luck Family. Garner trainee with veteran experience over hurdles. Dwan can ride him into a mid-pack trip. Dangerous underneath play with proven stamina for the Foxfield hills.
PP 4 – Givemefive (IRE) (7/2, Harrison Beswick, Cyril Murphy)
By Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) out of Girl of The Hour (GB). Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Cheek piece on for the first time. Murphy barn runner carrying top weight (158 lbs) but with upside in handicap company. Beswick is a plus rider; tactical closer who will benefit from any early speed duel. Live contender.
PP 5 – Lydford (GB) (10/1, Cian Quirke, Thomas Garner)
By Fastnet Rock (AUS) out of Miss Brown To You (IRE). Owner: Maranto Manor, LLC. HRN rating: 93. Second string for Garner with experience at this trip. Quirke knows the course; mid-pack style suits a contested pace. Longshot with improvement potential in a wide-open handicap.
PP 6 – Coutach (GB) (4/1, Jake Coen, Richard J. Hendriks)
By Blue Bresil (FR) out of Aisance (FR). Owner: Del Rio Racing LLC. Lightly raced 5YO with sharp recent form and top weight (158 lbs). Hendriks ships winners to Foxfield; Coen retains the mount. Stalking trip expected—major threat to pounce late.
PP 7 – Two Past Eight (GB) (12/1, Luke Carberry, Leslie F. Young)
By Sir Percy (GB) out of Hazy Dancer (GB). Owner: Silverton Hill LLC. HRN rating: 92. Young trainee with flashes of ability but needs a career-best to factor at this level. Carberry can get him into the race; best as a deep exotic filler.
PP 8 – King of the Kids (15/1, Bernard Dalton, Cyril Murphy)
By Lemon Drop Kid out of Lion Cub. Owner: James B. Steele, Jr. Murphy second string with solid local placings. Dalton is capable; forwardly placed style could suit if the pace is honest. Longshot value in exotics.
PP 9 – Smart Uncle (5/1, Stephen Mulqueen, Jack Fisher)
By Uncle Mo out of Smart Together. Owner: Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr. HRN rating: 98. Blinkers off. Fisher trainee with high-class pedigree and improving hurdle form. Mulqueen knows the biases well. Tactical speed from mid-pack makes him a live exotic play.
PP 10 – Welshman (9/2, Jamie Bargary, Jack Fisher)
By Flintshire (GB) out of Unforgiving. Owner: Riverdee Stable. HRN rating: 43 (recent dip but prior stakes form strong). Fisher’s other runner with explosive closing kick. Bargary is a veteran rider; outside post may require a wide trip but he’ll benefit most from a hot pace. Solid value longshot.
