Royal Victory Thoroughbreds - February Newsletter

Hello Royal Victory Thoroughbreds Partners and Racing Enthusiasts,

Following the first race at Laurel Park on Friday, Jan 30, RVT’s Snowboarder was parading inside the covered paddock as one of seven entered in the next race. She appeared calm and collected as her distinct black and gray tail swished with an air of confidence. Her sharp appearance was broadly recognized when the ‘best turned out’ horse was announced over the racetrack’s public address system. The race also appeared to set up well for Snowboarder as she was the only obvious speed based on past performances. It was not implausible to envision her making the lead and milking the field with soft fractions, then finishing with a fury. Unlike her first three races, she had a realistic chance to hit the board and possibly even win this one!

The intro paragraph could serve as foreshadowing of an epic drama, hard-fought race and neck-and-neck battle to the wire resulting in ultimate triumph, right? As post time approached, the horses circled in the paddock, led by their respective grooms. The tote board continuously flashed updated odds, handicappers shared prognostications and the horses were saddled under a blanket of frigid winter air. Post time finally arrived and … the horses were still being hand-walked in the paddock. Hmm. Five minutes later and still no riders. Something felt off. Then, it came. The the track announcer declared all remaining races would be canceled due to frigid temps and dangerous wind-chill. It was the second cancelation in as many weeks for Snowboarder; both weather related. There would be no epic battle or hard fought victory on this day.

We’re clearly in the dead of winter as temperatures dip to single digits at night and low 20s during the day. Mounds of snow and ice reflect the afternoon sun throughout the infield. The term ‘wind-chill’ has become a feared reference in every new weather report. Snow, cold temps and dangerously cold wind chill ultimately caused race-day cancelations at Aqueduct, Penn National, Turfway Park, Charles Town and of course, Laurel Park. While missing the chance to race on both Jan 23 and Jan 30 was disappointing, the track personnel made the correct decision to protect the horses and riders. Even though that pesky groundhog saw his shadow in Punxsutawney on Feb 2, the weather will eventually thaw and we’ll finally get the opportunity to run on another day.

On the racetrack, January was another quiet month with just a single race; however, the workout tab showed more signs of life. Bang and a Boom ran a respectable race in finishing fourth at Santa Anita in the first race of 2026 for Royal Victory Thoroughbreds. Meanwhile, Snowboarder, Chief Wild Eagle and Bang and a Boom all recorded multiple breezes during January.

Of note, this upcoming February 17 marks the transition from Year of the Snake to Year of the Horse. Hopefully, the New Year will bring positive energy and strong results for Royal Victory Thoroughbreds!

Royal Victory Thoroughbreds currently has three horses who are ‘race-ready’. Bang and a Boom will try his luck at Turf Paradise in Arizona while Chief Wild Eagle and Snowboarder will start at Santa Anita and Laurel Park respectively. In addition, Lucky Tin Tin has returned to Laurel Park with a projected April-May timeframe for her career debut. Emerald Downs will open for training in March and while Jess in Time, Princess Hekawi and Native Empress are not officially in training, they’re getting daily exercise on the walker in Yakima.

Finally, we have added a two-year-old to the RVT roster (in 50% partnership with Tim McCanna). Turn Back da Clock, a full brother to Jess in Time, is now part of the RVT stable. Hopefully, we’ll see him make his career debut at Emerald Downs in the summer of ‘26.

🐴 RVT Horses - In Training 🏇

• Chief Wild Eagle (CA)- Last race at EMERALD DOWNS (8/17), 2nd place. In training at Santa Anita - next projected start is February at Santa Anita.

• Bang and a Boom (CA) - Last race at SANTA ANITA (1/19), 4th place. In training at Turf Paradise - next projected start is February at Turf Paradise.

• Snowboarder (KY) - Last race at LAUREL PARK (11/29), 11th place. In training at Laurel Park - next projected start is February at Laurel Park.

• Lucky Tin Tin (MD) - Unraced. She returned to Laurel Park in mid-January. Early timeline projects her career debut in April or May.

🚜 RVT Horses - Turned Out 🧺

• Princess Hekawi (CA) - Turned out in Yakima. Projected to return to training at Emerald Downs in March/April 2026.

• Louisville Liam -Unraced and turned out in Virginia. Projected to return to training at Laurel Park in April.

• Jess in Time - Turned out in Yakima. Projected to return to training at Emerald Downs in March/April 2026.

• Native Empress - Turned out in Yakima. Projected to return to training at Emerald Downs in March/April 2026.

• NEW! Turn Back da Clock - Unraced 2-year-old. He is being saddled for the first time and early work in Yakima.

Entry Alerts ⚠️ Upcoming RVT Races

Check the website regularly for latest RVT entries

Timed Workouts: January 2026:

• Chief Wild Eagle g, 19 worked 5f in 1:02.2 on 01/25/26 at SANTA ANITA

• Chief Wild Eagle g, 19 worked 5f in 1:00.6 on 01/18/26 at SANTA ANITA 

• Snowboarder f, 23 worked 3f in 37.0 on 01/17/26 at LAUREL PARK 

• Bang and a Boom g, 21 worked 5f in 1:02.4 on 01/11/26 at SANTA ANITA

• Chief Wild Eagle g, 19 worked 5f in 1:02.4 on 01/11/26 at SANTA ANITA

• Bang and a Boom g, 21 worked 4f in 50.0 on 01/05/26 at SANTA ANITA

• Snowboarder f, 23 worked 3f in 38.0 on 01/03/26 at LAUREL PARK

Race Results: January 2026

• Bang and a Boom g, 21 finished 4th in the 2nd race, a MCL race, on 1/19/26 at SANTA ANITA

In the Spotlight < Jess In Time, 23

One of the more encouraging developments of 2025 was the debut of juvenile, Jess in Time. The WA-bred gelding showed preciousness by racing at Emerald Downs as a 2-year-old. In his career debut against maiden allowance company last August, he appeared a bit tentative throughout the race and finished seventh. However, he returned to the races a few weeks later against similar company and ran gamely to finish third at the close of the Emerald meet.

Jess in Time is the son of Jess Mo (by superstar stallion Uncle Mo) out of an Empire Maker mare. His first DAM registered six other foals to race before him, all winners, including champion 2-year-old filly TIME FOR GOLD and stakes placed Kenjistorm.

The now 3-year-old will return to Emerald Downs for his Sophomore campaign this year with valuable racing experience under his girth. Over the autumn and winter months, he’s grown up, filled out and matured. Hopefully, his growth and experience will translate to strong performance on the racetrack in 2026!

If you’re local to Washington State, come on out to Emerald Downs this summer and join the RVT crew to catch this promising young racehorse live in action!