Colonial Downs Racetrack (10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent, Virginia) hosts the Fasig-Tipton Sandy Bottom Stakes (Division 1) on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This inaugural $100,000 Listed stakes race for fillies and mares 4-years-old and upward is contested at 1 mile on the main dirt track and serves as Race 6 on the card. The scheduled post time is 2:55 PM ET.
Expected weather conditions in New Kent, VA, forecast a mild mid-March day with a high near 64°F (18°C) and lows around 42-44°F, light winds (4-10 mph), and partly sunny to cloudy skies with zero chance of precipitation. No rain or snow is expected, so the track condition should be fast—favoring speed and one-turn-mile performers on Colonial Downs’ wide, sweeping dirt surface.
Due to 14 total entries, the Sandy Bottom was split into two divisions (Races 6 and 7). This is Division 1 with a compact field of seven older fillies and mares. Base weight is 124 lbs.; allowances applied for non-winners of stakes or recent restricted earnings (all carry 119 lbs. here). No scratches reported. Morning-line odds are official from the program.
Here is the full field with post positions, recent form highlights, and in-depth analysis of each horse, jockey, and trainer:
Post Position 1: Passage East (4/F, 119 lbs) – ML 2/1
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Trainer: Hugh I. McMahon
Pedigree: Audible – Salten Sapity (by Congrats); bred by Don Alberto Corporation, owned by Larry E. Rabold. Recent finishes: Dominant winner of the $100,000 What a Summer Overnight Handicap (6f, Laurel, Jan. 2026); followed by a sharp victory in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (Laurel, Feb. 14, 2026). She has never been out of the top three in 13 career starts and fires fresh off a layoff. Analysis: The clear morning-line favorite brings elite recent stakes form and consistency. McMahon has this barn rolling, and Russell knows Colonial well. Tactical speed from the rail sets up perfectly for the one-turn mile. The one to beat if she repeats her Laurel brilliance.
Post Position 2: Zadorsky (5/M, 119 lbs) – ML 12/1
Jockey: J.D. Ramos
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Pedigree: Tapiture – Fingerprint (by Competitive Edge); bred by Peace Of Heaven Thoroughbreds, owned by Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC et al. Recent finishes: Entering off solid allowance/optional claiming efforts at mid-Atlantic tracks; consistent placer stretching out to stakes level. Analysis: Longshot value at 12/1. Beckman spots horses sharply for big days, and Ramos rides the meet well. She’ll likely sit mid-pack and close; live underneath play if the pace is hot. Colonial’s wide turns suit her stalking style.
Post Position 3: Running Away (4/F, 119 lbs) – ML 5/2
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Allez Marie (by Unbridled’s Song); bred/owned by Stud TNT, LLC. Recent finishes: Sharp recent allowance wins and stakes placings; Ward specializes in peaking horses for stakes spots. Analysis: Second choice on talent and connections. Ward’s barn is always dangerous on big days, and Espinoza brings big-race experience. Forwardly placed with high speed figures, she loves fast dirt and the mile trip. Major contender who could wire or sit just off the pace.
Post Position 4: Amalfi Drive (4/F, 119 lbs) – ML 12/1
Jockey: Jairo Toledo
Trainer: Michael Stidham
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – Sara Street (by Street Sense); bred/owned by Godolphin, LLC. Recent finishes: Coming off allowance optional claiming placings; Godolphin homebred with pedigree for the distance. Analysis: Stidham is a master at getting horses to fire at the right moment. Toledo is a capable rider. She’ll need a clean trip from mid-pack but has the class to hit the board at a price. Live longshot with upside on a fast track.
Post Position 5: Brown Sugar (4/F, 119 lbs) – ML 8/1
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Pedigree: Twirling Candy – Cashmere (by Cowboy Cal); bred by John & Diane Fradkin, owned by Resolute Racing. Recent finishes: Recent allowance romper with improving speed figures; Joseph has her sharp. Analysis: Prat upgrade is huge—he wins at a high rate. Joseph knows how to have them ready. Tactical speed and closing kick make her dangerous from outside; excellent value underneath the favorites in exactas/trifectas.
Post Position 6: Chasten (4/F, 119 lbs) – ML 4/1
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Lockdown (by First Defence); bred/owned by Juddmonte (half-sister to Eclipse champion Idiomatic). Recent finishes: Broke her maiden at two; 2nd in an allowance on Kentucky Oaks undercard at three; returned off a long layoff with a one-length allowance victory at Fair Grounds (Jan. 2026). This is just her second stakes attempt. Analysis: Elite connections (Cox/Ortiz/Juddmonte) and world-class pedigree scream upside. Freshness is a question, but she’s bred to improve with racing and loves one-turn miles. The “class” horse who could explode at 4/1.
Post Position 7: Her Laugh (4/F, 119 lbs) – ML 9/2
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Richard A. Mott
Pedigree: Practical Joke – Truth Goddess (by Point of Entry); bred by Grantley Acres, owned by Grantley Acres, Pantofel Stable et al. Recent finishes: Consistent stakes-level placer with strong recent allowance efforts. Analysis: Mott and Velazquez are a proven big-race tandem. She has the stamina and tactical versatility to stalk or close. Outside post is fine on this wide track; logical contender who could outrun her odds.
Overall race preview and key angles: This first division of the Sandy Bottom features a deep, quality field of older fillies on a fast Colonial mile. Passage East (PP 1) is the deserving favorite on back-to-back stakes wins and consistency, but Chasten (PP 6) offers huge upside with Juddmonte/Cox/Ortiz firepower and fresh form. Running Away and Her Laugh are rock-solid mid-pack threats. Expect an honest pace with Running Away or Passage East involved early, setting up closers like Chasten or Brown Sugar.
