Mrs. George N. Sensor’s Riddle had the correct answer in a Colonial Downs steeplechase claiming race on Sunday, June 13, when the nine-year-old Wagon Limit gelding drew away to a ten-length victory over Fogcutter. Indy Run finished third in the claiming race, which carried a $20,000 purse.
Trained by Arch Kingsley Jr. and ridden by Danielle Hodsdon, Riddle set the early pace on the Virginia track’s spacious turf course and opened a large lead through the first 1 1/2 miles of the 2 1/4-mile race over National Fences. Owner-trainer Todd Wyatt’s Closertoyourheart mounted a strong challenge on the final turn and was head to head with Riddle approaching the final fence. But Closertoyourheart and jockey Matt McCarron fell at the last obstacle, and Riddle was ridden out to the finish line.
The second betting choice at 4-to-1 in a field of ten, Riddle ran the 2 1/4 miles in 4:02.60 on firm turf. The Colonial race was his first start in more than three years. In his previous start on April 20, 2007, Riddle had finished fourth in the $150,000 Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings (Gr. 1) with trainer Kingsley in the saddle. Earlier that year, he had won the Founder Cup Hurdle Stakes at Little Everglades, Florida.
Also on the Colonial program, Mimi Voss’ Farndale pulled away to a 9 1/4-length victory in a $15,900 maiden claiming race. Trained by Tom Voss and ridden by Xavier Aizpuru, the four-year-old Petionville gelding overtook stablemate Manassa Mauler after 1 1/2 miles of the 2 1/4-mile race, turned back a challenge by Century Gold over the final fences, and drew away steadily through the final furlong. Century Gold finished second, and Treasure Map was third in a field of ten. Farndale, 5-to-1, ran the distance in 4:06.48.