by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — Whatever successes Color’s A Virgin, Candy’s A Virgin, and Fits Well enjoy individually this season, they could have each other to thank for it. The three 4-year-old female pacers are something of BFFs in trainer Brian Brown’s stable.

“They all get turned out together and train together every time,” Brown said about the three mares, all bred and owned by Bruce Trogdon’s Emerald Highlands Farm. “They had a good winter in Florida; nothing out of the ordinary. Candy got a little behind because she was popping a gravel in a back foot. She took about 10 days to come out of that and she’s been good ever since.

“They trained back good because they get to hang together all the time, they train together, and they just all seem to be happier when they get to go together all the time.”

Color’s A Virgin, who received the 2014 Dan Patch Award for best 3-year-old female pacer, and Candy’s A Virgin will get to hang together Sunday (May 3) at Miami Valley Raceway, where they will compete in the $75,000 Chip Noble Memorial for pacing mares.

The field also includes Rocklamation, who shared Dan Patch Award honors for best older female pacer, Yagonnakissmeornot, Carolsideal, and Fancy Desire. Yagonnakissmeornot, Carolsideal, and Fancy Desire finished second through fourth in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series championship on April 25 at Yonkers.

Linscott Photography

Color’s A Virgin was a 1:52.2 winner in her most recent start in a Fillies and Mares Invitational Handicap at Hoosier Park.

Color’s A Virgin won her first two starts this year, both in Fillies and Mares Invitational Handicaps at Hoosier Park.

Last season, she won 13 of 18 races — including the Jugette at Ohio’s Delaware County Fair, Nadia Lobell Stakes and $220,000 Indiana Sire Stakes Super Final for 3-year-old filly pacers. For her career, the daughter of Always A Virgin-Full Color has captured 20 of 29 starts and earned $765,322 in purses.

Color’s A Virgin, with regular driver Trace Tetrick in the sulky, won her most recent start by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:52.2, but was not at her best.

“I thought she raced great last week but Trace came back and said she didn’t seem quite herself; she was a little dull,” Brown said. “We pulled blood and he was right. She was pretty dehydrated and just barely tied up. Nothing extreme, but enough that we need to work on it. But we worked on the dehydration more. I expect her to be pretty decent (on Sunday).”

Brown is making no predictions about what Color’s A Virgin can do as she continues her transition from competing in age-restricted races last season to facing older foes.

“I think she’s going to be fine, but until I see some races we’ll just put her out there and see what we can do and then we’ll go from there,” Brown said. “It’s just too early to tell.”

Conrad photo

Candy’s A Virgin was a 1:52.1 winner in the Distaff Open on April 24 at Miami Valley.

Candy’s A Virgin, with Chris Page driving, won her seasonal debut in the Fillies and Mares Open at Miami Valley on April 24. She started from post eight and got parked out in an opening quarter-mile of :26.2 before getting the lead and never relinquishing it.

Last year, she won two $75,000 Indiana Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-old filly pacers. For her career, she has won nine of 23 starts and earned $277,396.

“I was really happy with her first start, making the front after being parked out of the eight hole and still being able to get home like she did,” Brown said.

Sunday’s card also includes the $86,500 Miami Valley Distaff for older female trotters. Shake It Cerry, the 2014 Trotter of the Year, is scheduled to compete along with fellow Dan Patch Award winner Classic Martine and last week’s Meadows Maturity winner Daylon Miracle.

Daylon Miracle, with Aaron Merriman driving for owner/trainer Bill Bercury, won the inaugural Meadows Maturity by four lengths in 1:53.3. Shake It Cerry and Classic Martine, both making their seasonal debuts, finished fourth and sixth, respectively.

Following is the field for the Chip Noble Memorial in post order with listed drivers and trainers:

1. Yagonnakissmeornot, Tim Tetrick, Rene Allard
2. Waasmula, James MacDonald, Bruce Goit
3. Table Talk, TBA, Bart Dalious
4. Charisma Hanover, Mike Wilder, Ron Burke
5. Candy’s A Virgin, Chris Page, Brian Brown
6. Color’s A Virgin, Trace Tetrick, Brian Brown
7. Rocklamation, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
8. Carolsideal, Daniel Dube, Rene Allard
9. Fancy Desire, Aaron Merriman, Daniel Renaud

Following is the field for the Miami Valley Distaff in post order with listed drivers and trainers:

1. Charmed Life, Jody Jamieson, Dave Menary
2. Whata Donato, Doug Snyder, Doug Snyder
3. Cowgirl Hall, TBA, Ron Burke
4. Shake It Cerry, Yannick Gingras, Jimmy Takter
5. Dancehall Mistress, Daniel Dube, Rene Allard
6. Daylon Miracle, Aaron Merriman, William Bercury
7. Mystical Wishes, Tyler Smith, Jill Arnold
8. Anaffairtoremember, Mike Wilder, William Bercury
9. Classic Martine, Tim Tetrick, Chris Oakes