WEST CHESTER, Pa.--Virginia Korrell of West Chester, Pa., went to Ireland before Christmas to ride for trainer Andrew Slattery, a trip she had also made last year.
Virginia Korrell (On the right)She was hoping to get some rides over fences this year, but her license was held up for the first few weeks that she was there, finally coming through in mid-January, allowing her to finally get a ride in a point-to-point, an opportunity she put to good use.
Riding Ahaknowyerself for trainer Slattery, Virginia finished second in a 3 mile race at the Ballycrystal Point-to-Point in County Wexford.
Her parents, Brian and Wis Korrell, said that when they talked to her she told them that because she is an American that the cameras followed her all over.
Virginia Korrell leading on Ahaknowyerself"My first Irish point-to-point ride was a memorable experience,"said Korrell. "The point-to-point people were extremely nice and treated me like a celebrity. My horse ran and jumped like a star, and we almost won. If everything goes to plan, I will ride him in another point-to-point on Feb. 5."
Riding is this country last spring, Virginia had considerable success riding in point-to-points before suffering a broken leg from a horse kicking her as she was riding back from a work for trainer Leslie Young, an accident that sidelined her until just before she went to Ireland.
"She's riding works for Slattery every day," said Brian. "She rides up to eight or nine a day."
GRAHAM MOTION had five winners during the past three weeks, beginning with two on Dec. 30.
Michael J. Ryan's Ancient Peace won a $89,100, 1 mile turf race for Maiden Fillies, 2 years old, at Santa Anita.
Ancient Peace took control early, set the pace and drew off to win by 4 1/4 lengths.
Glenangus Farm's Diamondsifyoudo won a $53,980, 1 1/16 mile Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old fillies.
Diamondsifyoudo ran second early, moved into the lead in the stretch and won by a head.
Calumet Farm's homebred English Bee won a $88,000, 1 mile and 79 yards Allowance Optional Claiming race on the turf at Gulfstream on Jan. 13.
English Bee stalked the pace and won by a neck.
RyZan Sun Racing's Mission of Joy won a $26,500, 1 mile Allowance Optional Claiming race on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 18.
Mission of Joy pressed the pace and kicked clear in the stretch to win by 2 lengths.
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Albert Frassetto's The Grey Wizard (Ire) won a $72,000, 1 1/4 mile Allowance race on the turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 20.
The Grey Wizard was bumped at the start, reserved early, took over in mid stretch and went on to win by 2 1/2 lengths.
BERNIE HOUGHTON had a Maiden winner at Penn National on Jan. 13.
Robin H. Perry's homebred Foreclosure won a $13,600, 1 1/16 mile Maiden race for 4 year olds and up.
Foreclosure was rated early, was three wide on the turn and won driving by 1 3/4 lengths.
