Amid Big Stakes Race Controversy the Phony Ponies Main Street Downs Title Moves to Town Hall

The third annual “Talk Derby to Me Pub Crawl — A Race to Give Back” was held in downtown Front Royal on Friday, April 25th. As hinted in the title of the Rotary-sponsored fundraiser in support of Rotary International’s effort to eradicate polio worldwide, other than all the eating and drinking, the feature event among all the local downtown business pubs and other treat stops was the Phony Ponies race.

It is held annually at the Gazebo, which has been renamed “Main Street Downs” for the occasion. This year, Buckle & Belle sponsored the race. Owner Olivia Heflin set up a hat bar on site so participants and fans could customize their hats as race time approached.

This year, the race featured five apparently genetically engineered pony-jockeys. Defending champion “Blazin’ Botox,” again ridden by Warren County Sheriff Crystal Cline, Sponsor CSM Aesthetics, was back to seek a repeat.

This year’s race will be rain-shortened to 2 laps instead of 3. Below, defending champ Blazn’ Botox jockey Crystal Cline discusses race dynamics. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini unless otherwise noted.

Seeking to prevent that repeat were:

“Petty Trotter” ridden by new Town Manager Joe Petty, sponsored by Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell;

“Closing Real Fast”  with Warren County Rotary President Ellen Aders in the saddle, sponsored by Clint Pierpoint and NextHome Realty Select;

“Money For Nothing” with Front Royal Rotary President Holly Rodenhizer, Sponsor Ken Evens with RE/MAX Real Estate;

and “Bullseye” with jockey and Assistant Fire Chief Gerry Maiatico in the saddle, sponsored by Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing Company. — Nothing like a little axe-throwing sponsorship to propel one forward at speed.

What’s that Petty Trotter and Jockey Joe Petty doing eavesdropping on the defending champ’s race discussion?

In addition to its eradication of polio funding effort, the event is designed to encourage investment in “local organizations and projects that make a difference right here in our community,” the sponsoring membership noted. And for the tea-totalers among community supporters, it was also noted that: “While it may be a pub crawl, this event is absolutely both drinking and non-drinking friendly – with plenty of nonalcoholic options like cupcakes, frozen treats, customized hats, and other items available for purchase.”

So, what happened at the Main Street Downs main event?

As the starting gun approaches, Jockey Cline checks Petty Trotter’s last-minute adjustments. The 5 Phony Ponies are in place and ready to go. And two laps later, it was a wet, close, and hectic finish between Petty Trotter and Bullseye.

Post race in response to Blazn’ Botox jockey Cline’s questions, Closing Real Fast jockey Ellen Aders, in white center left back to camera, explains sometimes there is no controlling a horse’s directional decisioning as the finish line approaches, especially in the rain. Below, winning Petty Trotter jockey Joe Petty and sponsor Mayor Lori Cockrell celebrate the win.

The Pub Crawl Courtesy Photo of the girls behind the table is identified, from L to R, as committee members Laura Potts, Blake Pierpoint and Amy Mawyer, with Rotary Club of FR President Holly Rhodenheier. Below, Courtesy Photo of an enthusiastic, if unidentified, patron sporting a Phony Ponies event T-shirt.

Congratulations to 2025 Main Street Downs winners, jockey Joe Petty on Petty Trotter. And tough break by a nose or so to runner-up Bullseye and jockey Gerry Maiatico. And thanks to all participants, sponsors, and participating businesses and patrons.

And there was one other winner we were informed by organizers: “Throughout the pub crawl, participants earned beads for various purchases at each location and whoever had the most beads at the end won a prize! For having the most beads, the winner, Raychel DeArmmitt, walked away with an awesome Kentucky Derby themed bourbon basket.

“And the club was ecstatic to have so many Main Street small businesses return for another year of success!” we were told.

More information about Rotary’s efforts to end polio can be found at this website: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/ending-polio