The countdown. At the cusp of our first big day of 2025. Five runners spread across two meets, two states. All sanctioned. Races that count. Yeah, they count.
Penicillin Success makes his timber debut at Blue Ridge in Berryville, Va. A winner at Radnor last spring, the 7-year-old hunted all winter, went to the team race and had a miscommunication at Green Spring. The maiden timber scratched down to seven. Good place to start. Hopeful but not expectant.
Roja Redemption is another one who had a miscue at a point-to-point. The son of Flintshire makes his NSA debut in the starter maiden. If flat form means anything, he should be tough against a restricted field of nine.
Cool Jet gets a massive class relief and a hefty weight assignment in the apprentice hurdle. It’s been turbulent since the Irish-bred left the novice ranks back in 2023. Last season was a bust after a fall in the Temple Gwathmey in the spring and firm ground in the fall. The three-time winner gives 14 to 21 pounds to quality opponents. Hopefully the 9-year-old can get back on the road here.
Include It stays local for the My Lady’s Manor in Monkton, Md. The 10-year-old finished second in his 2025 debut at Cheshire and returns to the same stakes where he finished second by a neck last year. The first of the big three Maryland timber stakes, the 3-mile feature attracts eight veterans who have combined to make 111 starts over fences.
Potus returns for his second season over timber. The son of Lemon Drop Kid picked up four checks in four starts over timber last year and enjoyed a useful spin around Green Spring earlier in the spring. Virginia Korrell replaces Whitney Schweizer, who broke his ankle earlier this week. Get better soon, Whit.
Good luck and safe trips for those five and all the participants this weekend.
Roja Redemption makes his hurdle debut at Blue Ridge.
