by Kyle Fitzgerald, for Colonial Downs
New Kent, VA — Colonial Downs opened its seventh annual harness season with 35 trotters contesting the first leg of the VHHA Trot late closer series. Royal Photo annexed the first of four divisions of the VHHA Trot. Royal Photo trotted the mile in 1:57.1 to win by two lengths. Driver Donald Dancer allowed the SJ’s Photo gelding to settle into stride at the rear of the field in the early going. Royal Photo came with a rush around the turn while parked two wide and drew off in the stretch. Royal Photo is trained by Roland Dunavant, Jr. SJ’s Tostitos was an easy winner of the second division, prevailing by five lengths after a mile in 1:56. The six-year-old SJ’s Photo gelding was driven to the victory by Jim Marohn, Jr. SJ’s Tostitos was making his first start for trainer Kathleen Hayes. Giant Thunder was an overwhelming winner of the third division. The ten-year-old Giant Victory gelding was sent off as the 3-5 favorite and lived up to the public’s expectations with a dominant five and a quarter length victory. Donald Dancer was in the bike for his second win in a VHHA Trot division. Dancer also trains Giant Thunder, who trotted the mile in 1:56. Meadowbranch Quip won the fourth and most exciting division with a desperate late charge. Meadowbranch Quip outfinished his rivals to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.3. The first five finishers were within a length and a quarter at the finish. Meadowbranch Quip was driven to victory by Sean Bier. The five-year-old Meadowbranch Jerzy gelding is trained by Greg Trotto. The VHHA Trot will continue with its second leg on Friday, October 8. The final is slated for Friday October 29.