by Kyle Fitzgerald, for Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — VIP Internet Stable’s Quick Arrow N continued his stellar 4-year-old season with a gritty head victory in the $15,900 Virginia is for Horse Lovers late closing series final on Saturday night (October 6) at Colonial Downs.

Quick Arrow N ran his win streak to three and posted his sixth win from just nine starts this season by out gaming Kelly’s Spur at the end of a mile in 1:51.

Quick Arrow N was fairly quick off the gate but was outsprinted for the early lead by Broule Hanover and Notorious Bigslick. Broule Hanover got the opening quarter in a brisk :26.4, but driver Jonathan Roberts was intent upon the lead, sending Quick Arrow N to the front right before the field hit Colonial’s lone turn, passing Broule Hanover and Notorious Bigslick en route to a half in :54.2.

Despite winning the early battle, Quick Arrow N got no breathers on the turn as Kelly’s Spur moved first-over to challenge his supremacy at the three-eighths pole. Kelly’s Spur got a nose in front and emerged at the top of the lane with a narrow advantage after three-quarters in 1:22.1.

Kelly’s Spur had another gear for the 1,300-foot stretch drive, but Quick Arrow N refused to give up while racing on the inside, scratching out a quarter length advantage at the eighth pole. Kelly’s Spur slowly cut into the margin with every stride but Quick Arrow N simply would not let him by, holding off his stubborn foe by a head in the end. Winterwood Jet closed well to get third, 3-3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Quick Arrow N has now won five of seven starts since joining Greg Trotto’s barn after beginning his career in New Zealand. The 4-year-old gelding demolished the lifetime mark of 1:52.3 he set two weeks ago in the second leg of the Virginia is for Horse Lovers.