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Virginia
American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby, now Kentucky Derby qualifier, at Colonial Downs
NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. — More than 8,000 people filled the stands at Colonial Downs for the much-anticipated Virginia Derby on Saturday.
American Promise won the race and secured a spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3.
WATCH: American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
In addition to the Derby, there was another significant race on Saturday: the Virginia Oaks, where 10 horses competed for a spot in the Kentucky Oaks.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the First Lady presented trophies to the winners of the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks events.
Virginia Derby Day’s roughly 8,000 tickets officially sold out on Wednesday.
Colonial Downs/International Sound Corp.
The event included special guests, unique experiences, and entertainment to honor the significant day in Virginia sports.
Esther Hall, a lifelong horse racing enthusiast from Virginia, was thrilled that the Virginia Derby is now a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby.
“I’m just so glad that Churchill created this race as a Derby prep race. It’s a brand new, first year it’s ever been a prep race,” Hall said. “And it’s a big prep race, a 50-point winning, you’re in prep race. So there are a lot of good horses here, good riders, good trainers. And I think it’ll really help the growth of Colonial Downs and hopefully horse racing in Virginia.”
FULL INTERVIEW: Jockey Nik Juárez on American Promise’s Virginia Derby win
FULL INTERVIEW: Jockey Nik Juárez on American Promise’s Virginia Derby win
Hall said her passion for the sport began in her youth and was fueled by her father’s promise.
“He put me up on one of the last old draft horses we had down there on the farm when I was three. And, you know, and I got scared, made him take me off,” she recalled. “But then when we got home, I said, ‘Daddy, I want a horse.’ He said, ‘Well, you can have one when you’re 12.’ And he thought I was going to forget, but I didn’t. And I’ve been riding since I was 12.”
PHOTOS: Fashion on display at Virginia Derby
Local News
PHOTOS: Fashion on display at Virginia Derby
Hall said horses have “always just been a passion” for the 70-year-old.
“Since I don’t work with horses anymore, I was able to come down here to the racetrack,” Hall said.
She hopes more people discover the sport.
“Bring your friends and your family here and introduce them to horse racing. These horses you’re seeing right now, these are some of the top horses in the country,” Hall said. “It’s beautiful watching the horses. There’s no excitement like it, you know. And then half an hour later, you get to watch another race and go through it all over again.”
FULL INTERVIEW: Why horses have ‘always been a passion’ for Virginia woman
FULL INTERVIEW: Why horses have ‘always been a passion’ for Virginia woman
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
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MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Extreme drought conditions in parts of Virginia have prompted an emergency drought warning for a wide swath of the region, including Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, along with the cities of Danville, Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville.
The governor has warned that if conditions worsen, she will activate mandatory nonessential water-use restrictions.
In Martinsville, city leaders have issued a voluntary water conservation notice and are urging residents and businesses to cut back where they can. The request comes as local businesses that rely heavily on water say the drought is already affecting day-to-day operations.
SEE ALSO: Botetourt County residents adjust daily routines as voluntary water restriction continues
John Hughes, owner of John’s Car Wash, said the dry conditions have hit his business hard in recent weeks. “For the last 3 weeks, it’s been hitting pretty hard. We done three yesterday and haven’t done anything today with the drought and hot weather. Yeah, I’m really concerned about it,” Hughes said.
Restaurants are also feeling the strain. David Kitzmiller, an owner of Be Wiched, said water is essential for routine tasks such as washing dishes and preparing some menu items.
“We use a lot of water for washing dishes and some of our recipes if they limit us in anyway defiently can’t produce and its a scary aspect,” Kitzmiller said.
Kitzmiller added that cutting back is not always realistic for businesses that must meet sanitation needs. “Not really feasible for a business that depends solely relies on water to wash their dishes, so that can’t definitely be an impact there,” he said.
City leaders emphasized that the conservation request is voluntary for now, but they are encouraging everyone to do their part by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when it is not in use, washing only full loads of laundry, and limiting outdoor watering whenever possible.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were charged after Virginia Beach Police conducted a two-day human trafficking and vice operation on July 3, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted the operation, which was aimed at identifiying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex and targeting individuals seeking to exploit or recruit children for prostitution.
Detectives used many investigative techniques to proactively identify individuals involved in criminal activity related to prostitution, human trafficking and offenses against children. The operation was conducted in Virginia Beach, involving personnel from all of the bureau’s squads.
As a result of the operation, five people were identified and charged with offenses ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and crimes involving minors. Two vehicles and U.S. currency were seized during the operation. Other people were connected to victim services through Samaritan House.
The operation led to the following people being charged:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitaate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Investigators also developed leads about people who are suspected of trafficking and exploiting others for commercial sex. Those are now active and ongoing investigations. There may be more charges and arrests pending further investigation and consultation with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
If you’re a human trafficking victim or know someone who is, you can report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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