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Coastal Mission Named Top West Virginia Horse
Coastal Mission Named Top West Virginia Horse
By Bill Cauley
oleswood Farm’s Coastal Mission took home some impressive honors during the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual dinner on Sunday, March 10, at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Coastal Mission, a 4-year-old gelding owned and trained by Jeff Runco of Charles Town’s Coleswood Farms, was named West Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year. He was also named Champion Older. Listed as roan colored, he was foaled March 24, 2019 and is by Great Notion out of Smart Crowd by Crowd Pleaser.
With Arnaldo Bocachica aboard as jockey, Coastal Mission had a huge win in the Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic Stakes race at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Slots on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. He covered the 1 1/8 mile distance in 1:53.49, earning $135,000. His lifetime earnings are now listed at $595, 653,
Coastal Mission finished with a 5 3/4-length victory over Muad’dib. Runco trained Muad’dib as well. Taylor Mountain Farms’ (West Virginia) Late In The Game finished third.
While Coastal Mission’s effort was the highlight of the evening, the WVTBA also paid tribute to three horsemen who died in 2023. Dennis Bybee, John Casey and John McKee posthumously received the Sam Huff Award, named after the late Sam Huff.
An NFL Hall of Famer whose playing career included stints with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins (now Commanders), Huff was well-known in West Virginia horseracing circles and is credited with being the primary driving force in saving the horse racing industry in West Virginia. He also was a longtime Middleburg resident.
There were other major awards handed out at the annual dinner. Direct the Cat was named Champion 2-year-old Filly. Jubawithatwist earned Champion 2-year-old Colt.
Great Spirit and Jubaslilballerina were jointly named Champion 3-year-old Fillies.
Little Roo Roo, owned by Michael E. Jones, grandson of the late Sylvia Rideout Bishop (the first nationally-licensed African-American female horse trainer), was named Champion 3-year-old Colt and Male Sprinter of the Year. Someday is Today won Champion Older Filly-Mare honors.
\WVTBA honored Stryda as Female Sprinter of the Year. Smart Crowd, owned by Susan Runco, was named Broodmare of the Year. Sire of the Year honors went to Juba. McKee was posthumously named Breeder of the Year.
Mark your calendars now for The West Virginia Breeders Classics XXXVIII on Saturday, October 12th at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
