LAUREL, Md.--Holey Moley, ridden by Virginia Korrell, won the $40.000, 2 1/8 mile Maiden Special Weight Steeplechase at Laurel on Sunday, June 15.

Holey Moley ridden by Virginia Korrell (Photo by James McCue)Owned by Molly and Paul Willis and trained by Barry Foley, Holey Moley ran second throughout most of the race, moved into the lead on the final turn and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Awesome Man, trained by Todd Wyatt, with Derby Street, trained by Jack Fisher, third.

"I've had Holey Moley for about eight or nine months," said Foley. "We bought him privately."

Holey Moley ran in claiming races, mainly at Laurel , in 2023 and 2034 with one in before transitioning to hurdles in 2025, finishing fourth, sixth and second at Radnor in his previous runs over fences.

"I'd never ridden Holey Moley before, but I watched him race this spring," said Korell. "He waa ridden by James O'Sullivan, but he had to go back to Ireland to get his visa sorted out. Barry called me a week ago and asked if I'd ride him."

 

"VIRGINIA'S ridden for me before," said Foley, "She rode a winner for me in a point-to-point. And she rode one race before for the Willises, and she won that for them, so she's 100 percent winner for the owners,"

Holey Moley, number 2, early in the race (Photo by James McCue)"Barry just said he'd be pretty keen early on, so just to try to keep him settled," said Korrell. "I sat second through most of the race. He was pretty keen early, but he settled after the fourth fence."

"He jumped really well the whole way around," she said. "I had a lot of horse, but I wanted to wait as long as possible. It's such a long run in now at the major tracks without the last fence."

"I thought I had a good chance after we jumped the last fence, and after the final turn I didn't think anyone could catch him," said Korrell.

The race at Laurel was run over the outside turf track, so there were wide, sweeping turns and plenty of distance between the fences.

All 10 horses in the race jumped well, and it was a great example of steeplechase racing for the betting public.

"He'll probably go to Saratoga in an allowance race towards the end of the meet" said Foley.