NEW KENT—Nicota made up a 10-length deficit at the midway point and stormed home to win the fastest of eight Virginia-bred title races on yesterday’s $334,000 “Day of Champions,“ which concluded the track’s fall harness season. In last week’s prep race, Nicota lost by a neck to Rick’s Crossroads, the heavy favorite in yesterday’s $43,800 event for 3-year-old colts and geldings. Nicota seemed buried entering the home straightaway. But it was there that reinswoman Devan Miller began her late surge.

HARNESS  RACING
  FIRST RACE
Trot 2:02.0
Also: Ginger Spice, Josh ‘N Me, Code Speed, Chime Glid
Scratched: Strength’s Victory
Exacta (5-1) $63.20; Trifecta (5-1-3) $79.40; Superfecta (5-1-3-7) $775.00
Pace 1:55.2
Also: A Canuck Eh, Here Comes Therain, Return Lane, Nascart, Cobbler Hanover, El Vonte

HARNESS  RACING
  FIRST RACE
Pace 1:56.0
Also: Alert Nelson, My Girl Pearl, Kings Coach Sheets, Cheer’s Western, Chocolate Land, C Un Courrie
Exacta (1-8) $53.40; Trifecta (1-8-5) $109.70; Superfecta (1-8-5-6) $228.70
Trot 2:00.4
Also: Ginger Spice, Code Speed, Josh ‘N Me, Fairway To Play, Rompaway Bulle

HARNESS  RACING
  FIRST RACE
Pace 1:56.1
Also: Bar B’s Apache Cam, King Of Speed, Kings Coach Sheets, The Last Raider, Allamerican Echo, Mighty My T, Northstarlegac
Exacta (6-4) $41.20; Trifecta (6-4-9) $329.10; Superfecta (6-4-9-7) $11,086.50
Trot 2:00.0
Also: Swanky, Code Speed, Red Light, Chime Glide, Blue Motorcycle, Triple T Sunlight, Lori Mac

Jim Larente, 78, the oldest driver in yesterday’s Life Begins Again Trot at Colonial Downs, scored a wire-to-wire win over seven other senior-citizen racers in an event in which participants had to be at least 65 years old. His trotter, Wind Gust, won by nearly four lengths in a time of 1:57 2/5. Larente, who already had a pair of victories in the fall meet, did not let anyone else see the front.

Colonial Downs will assemble 563 years of experience for the debut of its Life Begins Again trotting race on today’s card. The field of eight harness-racing drivers consists of Jim Larente, 78; Sam Miller, 75; George Filion, 73; Larry Tilley, 71; Stan Hathaway, 69; Charlie Dunavant, 66; Mike Terniskey, 66; and Gene Miller, 65. The race is the creation of racing secretary Craig Andow and senior steward Jean Chalk. Eligible horses include trotters that have not won $925 in their past four starts, and drivers must be at least 65.

The 36-day harness racing meet at Colonial Downs begins tomorrow and runs through Nov. 7. Racing will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at the 1-mile track in New Kent County. Post time is 1 p.m. on Sunday and 5 p.m. the other days. The highlight of the meet is the $350,000 Virginia Harness “Day of Champions,“ which will be held Nov. 7 in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup simulcast. The “Day of Champions” features eight championship races where Virginia-bred freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters of both sexes square off. Two-year-old eliminations will be held Oct. 28 and 3-year-old eliminations on Oct. 31.

HORSE RACING TUESDAY
$8,600, 3-year-olds & up, 5 Furlongs
Race time: :58.77
Also ran: Jungleland, Twentynine Knocks, Seattle Glitter, Genuine Justice, Sol T Dawg
Late scratches: Louann’s Boot
Exacta (6-1) $22.80; Superfecta (6-1-5-7) $225.40; Trifecta (6-1-5) $147.00
$8,600, 3-year-olds & up, 5 Furlongs

NEW KENT - Jockey Rosemary Homeister became thoroughbred racing’s second winningest female jockey when she rode Kathleen O’Connell’s Gambles List to victory in last night’s third race at Colonial Downs. Homeister arrived at the track tied with P.J. Cooksey at 2,137 lifetime wins but took over sole possession of second place with the 1½-length victory over Grant Me Sunshine. The 4year-old filly went to the far inside to pass frontrunning Durban City and reach the winner’s circle for the third time in four starts.

Colonial Downs NEW KENT—There was no Nicanor, no hype and no national TV. All Colonial Downs had to offer yesterday was fancy hats and horse racing. And both turned out very well. On a Virginia Derby day where nearly every race was tight, including a dead heat to end the day, it was Battle of Hastings thrilling the crowd with a come-from-behind victory to claim the top prize.

HORSE RACING  FRIDAY
FIRST RACE
$9,100, 3-year-olds & up, 1 Mile
Race time: 1:37.10
Also ran: Pasco Gettle, First Western, Stash Your Cash
Late scratches: Mantle, Thrillofitall, Gambles List, National Guard
Exacta (6-7) $43.40; Superfecta (6-7-8-1) $78.50; Trifecta (6-7-8) $100.20

The Virginia Derby lost a bit of its luster yesterday when morning-line favorite Nicanor, brother of famed Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, was scratched because of injury.

The first thing you have to understand is that Carol McKenzie won’t be driving six hours just to see a horse. The second thing is that Nicanor is not “just a horse.“ Barbaro’s brother is making his stakes-race debut tomorrow at the Virginia Derby, and it’s set an online community abuzz. Several dozen members of a group known as FOB—Fans of Barbaro—will head in from across the country to meet and watch Nicanor’s big race. McKenzie is from Chester, S.C., and will travel with a van of five other FOBs, none of whom she’s met.

Of the 10 horses in this year’s Virginia Derby, two are certain to warrant attention—one going for a $5 million bonus, another will be a sentimental favorite. Both fared well in yesterday’s post-position draw at Colonial Downs. The Derby, the track’s biggest race and one that offers a $750,000 purse, is Saturday. Racing will take place all afternoon, with the Derby scheduled as the 11th of 12 races, posting at 5:59 p.m.

NEW KENT After an eventful career built on winning race after race at nearly 40 miles per hour, and coming around the final turn at Churchill Downs on Derby day, Rosemary Homeister has found peace in New Kent. “I love it here because it’s very laid back and quiet,“ she said. “The track is in the middle of the trees, and it’s a great environment.“