Origionally posted on Nationalsteeplechase.com on 10/31/2023, written by Tod Marks

On a day that felt more like August at Colonial Downs in nearby New Kent, Va., rather than The Plains in late October, Bruton Street-US’ Snap Decision captured the G2 $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson hurdle stakes while Dolly Fisher’s Schoodic scored in the $75,000 International Gold Cup timber stakes.

The day was nothing short of a tour de force for Hall Of Fame trainer Jack Fisher and jockey Graham Watters, who not only combined for victory in the two stakes, but captured two other races on the eight-race card. Watters additionally finished second three times and third once, propelling him to a tie in the NSA standings for leading rider with Harry Beswick, who had one winner on Saturday. Both are knotted at 16 victories.

Snap, crackle, and plenty of pop

Flashing the form that made him an electrifying force in the steeplechase world starting in 2019, the nine-year-old Phipps-bred dueled Upland Flats Racing and John Lewis’ West Newton throughout the 2 1/8 Ferguson. The two raced as a pair for most of the going, separated from the rest of the field. Snap Decision finally putting away his gutsy challenger after the final fence. The margin of victory for Snap Decision, who carried 20 pounds more than West Newton under the race’s handicap conditions, was 3 lengths. Riverdee Stables and Ten Strike Racing’s Awakened, a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga last summer, was third. Snap Decision’s victory came a week after he was pulled up in the Grand National at Far Hills over a soft course that wasn’t to his liking.

The victory — his 15th — was also a milestone in Snap Decision’s magnificent 42-race career, which began on the flat under the tutelage of Hall of Fame conditioner Shug McGaughey in 2016. It put the grand gelding over the $1 million-mark in total earnings.

Watters’ other triumphs came aboard Bruton Street’s Neotropic, also trained by Fisher, and Maranto Manor’s Auction Kingdom, for trainer Neil Morris. Fisher’s other score came with Northwoods Stable’s Look North.

Ageless Schoodic adds to his incredible resume

At age 13, Schoodic has racked up a list of career accomplishments that would be the envy of just about any race horse.

After three innocuous starts on the flat as a 2-year-old in 2012, and a couple more in his 3-year-old season, the son of Tiznow switched to jumps and became a phenom from his first outing, in the prestigious Gladstone stakes at Far Hills.

Since then he has made 46 trips to the post, winning 14 more times, and finishing second or third in 17 others. His victory in the $75,000 International Gold Cup at 3 1/2 miles on Saturday was his 10th stakes score over both timber and hurdles. His earnings to date: $571,606.

Only four went postward in the Gold Cup: The Hundred Acre Field’s Cracker Factory, a stakes winner himself; Boudinot Farms’ Elusive Exclusive, who was caught near the wire by Cracker Factory in the Brown Advisory timber stakes at Shawan; and Irv Naylor’s Stooshie, a maiden and allowance winner looking for his first stakes score.

Elusive Exclusive took the lead under Freddie Procter and held it under a leisurely pace for three miles, until Schoodic, the odds-on favorite, took command on the final turn and extended his advantage to 6 1/4 lengths as Watters celebrated nearing the wire.

Cracker Factory put in a late charge under Jamie Bargary to be clearly second best, nine lengths ahead of Elusive Exclusive.

Bred and originally owned by Edie Dixon, and trained by Michael Matz on the flat, Jack Fisher took over conditioning duties at the start of his NSA career. When Schoodic ended his long hurdle career and switched to timber, Dolly Fisher became the owner.

Imperial Assassin is top gun in $30,000 maiden opener

Armata Stable’s Imperial Assassin, who began his career this year and had three thirds in his first four starts, found the winner’s circle in the first division of the Virginia Equine Alliance maiden special weights hurdle.

Settling in mid-pack in the field of seven for most of the 2 1/8 miles, the five-year-old Irish-bred, ridden by Parker Hendriks and trained by Kathy Neilson, took aim at the leader, Teresa Haupt and Carl Doran’s Boffo Kid (with Bernie Dalton) on the final turn, and led a charge over the final fence in a thrilling race to the wire.

Bruton Street-US’ Quick Master (Graham Watters), a four-year-old son of Hard Spun making his second start over jumps, also launched his bid on the final turn, dueling Imperial Assassin and R. Larry Johnson’s Mr Jefferson over the last hurdle and hanging in gamely to the finish. The margin of victory was three-quarters of a length. Alexander Fulton’s Reassured (Jamie Bargary), who was shuffled back on the far turn, reasserted himself to finish third, four lengths behind Quick Master.

Look North looks great in $30,000 maiden score

The second division of the Virginia Equine Alliance maiden special weights hurdle was almost a carbon copy of the first.

Northwood Stable’s Look North began his career in the spring and had made four starts coming into Saturday’s International Gold Cup Races. And just like Imperial Assassin in the opener, Look North was an impressive first-time winner.

With Jamie Bargary riding for Jack Fisher, the four-year-old Maryland-bred son of Lookin At Lucky led from the start, was never headed, and drew off through the stretch to score by 5 lengths over Hard Game’s High Deff (Gerard Galligan). Kincraig Stables’ In Effect, making his second NSA start, was third.

Seven years later, veteran Mercoeur repeats in $30,000 Steeplethon Stakes

Making his seventh start at Great Meadow since 2016, Ballybristol Farm’s Mercoeur captured his second Steeplethon, blowing by pacesetter Salamanca School coming out of Swan Lake and never looking back.

The Steeplethon is a unique race in which competitors navigate mixed obstacles — including hurdles, natural brush fences, and water. Contested at 3 miles, Fat Chance Farm’s Salamanca School and Freddie Procter seized the lead at the start and held it for the first mile and a half or so, with the 12-year-old gray French-bred his constant shadow. As the field of six headed to the water, Salamanca School continued to show the way with Mercouer and Harry Beswick to his outside, and Sheila Fisher and Northwoods Stable’s Storm Team sitting in third.

Mercoeur maintained his advantage and was never seriously threatened. Storm Team, who made a strong bid two fences out, overtook Salamanca School on the final turn, but was outkicked in the stretch.

The victory was the seventh in Mercoeur’s long career, which began in Europe in 2014. He’s finished in the money 33 times in his 48-race career. He also boasts a stakes win over hurdles, taking the Noel Laing at Montpelier in 2017. He captured the Steeplethon at Great Meadow in 2016.

Neotropic flashes winning form, romps in allowance

Snap Decision wasn’t the only star of the day for Bruton Street-US. Neotropic, who garnered attention since his NSA debut a year ago, found the winner’s circle for the first time since breaking his maiden at Charleston last November, with a powerful 6 3/4-length score in a $35,000 non-winners of two allowance hurdle.

With Graham Watters riding for Jack Fisher, the five-year-old son of Tapit snatched the lead after the second fence, had a clear lead after the final hurdle, and extended his advantage through the stretch. Gill Johnston’s Pure Courage, with Elizabeth Scully, put in a spirited rally in the stretch to finish second. Greg Hawkins’ Kiyomori, stepping up after a maiden victory at Virginia Fall two weeks ago, gained steadily for third.

Following Neotropic’s win at Charleston, he was a close second to highly regarded The Hero Next Door in allowance company at the Middleburg Spring Races last May, in which he finished ahead of subsequent Grade 1 winner Awakened. In his next start, he was uncharacteristically dull when finishing off the board at Shawan Downs in September.

He’ll Do does it again

Sanna Neilson and John Huganir’s He’ll Do won for the third time in his last four outings, getting up in the final strides to edge Gill Johnston’s Ping Pong Champ by a length in a $30,000 115 ratings handicap.

With Parker Hendriks in the saddle, the seven-year-old Florida-bred, who is also trained by the jockey, passed the $100,000 career earnings mark.

Content to sit fourth in the field of five for the first mile and a half, Hendriks roused his mount heading toward the last fence. Going over the last, He’ll Do was still in second to favored Ping Pong Champ (Graham Watters), as the duo dug in for the stretch run. But He’ll Do had the momentum to win going away. Bruton Street-US’ South Mountain was far back in third.

After capturing a 110 handicap at Foxfield last fall, He’ll Do scored in a 115 handicap a few weeks later at Montpelier. He was uncharacteristically dull in a 120 handicap at Foxfield earlier this month, a race in which he never got untracked.

Auction Kingdom takes $20,000 maiden claiming finale, ends Watters’ day with an exclamation mark

Making his fourth start over jumps, and his first outside of the maiden special weights ranks, Maranto Manor’s Auction Kingdom completed Graham Watters’ riding grand slam.

Advancing steadily from ninth to first, Auction Kingdom, benefitted from a less-than-perfect jump at the final fence by Louisa Stevenson and Achsah O’Donovan’s pacesetter Greylover and jockey Jamie Bargary. Though the pair locked horns through the stretch, Auction Kingdom outfinished his foe by three-quarters of a length. Sawbuck Racing’s Bellamine Hall was third.

The four-year-old son of Animal Kingdom, trained by Neil Morris, began his second career over the summer at Colonial Downs, following a 16-race campaign on the flat, mostly at Laurel. He has two seconds in his brief NSA tenure to go along with his victory on Saturday.

NEW KENT, Va. (10/31/2023) – Eleven horses who raced at Colonial Downs, led by Fev Rover and Gina Romantica, the 1-2 finishers G1 Beverly D. on August 12, are among the 167 runners entered for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to be run at Santa Anita Park on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4.

The Mark Casse-trained Fev Rover a 3½-length victress in the Beverly D. has been installed at odds of 8-1 in the G1 $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf while Gina Romantica, from the barn of Chad Brown, runs in the G1 $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Mile with a morning line of 12-1. The Argentina-bred Didia, winner of the 2022 Old Nelson Stakes also goes in the Filly & Mare Turf for trainer Ignacio Correas IV. Both the Filly & Mare Turf and Mile are part of Saturday’s program which gets underway at 1:10 p.m. with the first Breeders’ Cup race slated for 2:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday, Brown has Adhamo slated to go in the G1 $4,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Irish-bred finished third in G1 Arlington Million which was raced in Virginia for the first time on August 12.

Da Hoss Stakes winner Nobals, trained by Larry Rivelli, carries the Colonial flag into the G1 $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, the eighth of the nine Championship races on Saturday. Calumet Farm’s Gear Jockey, who finished sixth in the Van Clief Stakes also runs in the Turf Sprint.

Friday spotlights the “Future Stars” of racing with a strong contingent of Colonial Downs runners starting at 2:30 p.m. The first Breeders’ Cup race is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and kicks off the five Championship races for the best two-year olds in the world.  

The 2023 Rosie’s Stakes winner, No Nay Mets, trained by George Weaver, returns to action in the G1 $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Trainer Kelsey Danner has Shards, who broke her maiden here on September 7, entered as well. In 2019, the inaugural Rosie’s winner, Four Wheel Drive, went on to capture the Juvenile Turf Sprint also at Santa Anita.

Additionally on Friday, Kitten’s Joy Stakes winner, the Graham Motion-trained Tok Tok, and a pair of maiden winners for trainer Arnaud Delacour in Air Recruit and Fulmineo, are among the 14 runners in the G1 $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Wagering for both days of Breeders’ Cup action begins Friday and will be offered throughout Virginia at Colonial Downs in New Kent, all Rosie’s Gaming locations – Richmond, Hampton, Vinton, Collinsville, Dumfries and our newest location in Emporia – and VA-Horseplay locations at Breakers Sports Grill in Henrico and Buckets Bar & Grill in Chesapeake. If you can’t make it to one of our off-site wagering locations, betting is available online at www.twinspires.com. For more information visit www.colonialdowns.com.

About Colonial Downs
Colonial Downs Racetrack, in New Kent, Virginia, hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America at 180 feet wide and on a 1 1/4-mile dirt track, second in length to only the world-famous Belmont Park. The Colonial Downs Group, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums ® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, Emporia and Dumfries which offer innovative historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full card simulcasting as well as Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville, which features a limited selection of some of their best HHR titles plus full card simulcasting.

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The Powhatan Plantation in King George, Virginia is not unique in the fact that they have horses enrolled in the Virginia Certified program, it is unique because it is one of the only farms in the Commonwealth that is involved in raising both standardbred and thoroughbred race horses. 

The facility was initially constructed in 1829 by Edward Thorton Tayloe and was a major agricultural centre trading with English ships coming in on the Rappahannock River. The current operation was started by present owner Achille Guest’s father Raymond Guest, after he purchased the facility in 1952. 

Raymond bred and raised thoroughbreds, some of which were well renowned race horses, not just here in the States, but overseas in Ireland, France, and England as well. Raymond was the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 1965 – 1968, He was always passionate about horses. He played polo,  hunted, and rode; he was a true horseman. He is one of only three owners to win both the Epsom Derby and the Grand National. Some of his most iconic horses included Sir Ivor, the winner of the 1968, 2000 Guineas Derby in New Market, and Larkspur, winner of the 1962 Epsom Derby. 

He was voted in as President of the Viriginia Thoroughbred Association in 1958. His most accomplished horse in the States was Tom Rolfe, the winner of the 1965 Preakness Stakes whose accomplishments led him to win American Champion 3-year-old Male Horse honors. Guest also dabbled in steeplechasers, the most impressive of which was I’Escargot a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame member who was awarded 1969 U.S. Steeplechase Horse of the Year. After receiving the award, he shipped across the Atlantic to England where he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in back-to-back years (1970-1971). There is a history of greatness at the Powhatan Plantation. 

The farm started with Polo horses, Raymond played Polo and began keeping the horses on the property in the off-season. Typically, the horses played a summer season in New York and then returned to Virginia to rest for the off-season before returning to Florida for the Winter. To this day they continue to house polo horses in the off-season.

When the Virginia Certified program started, Raymond’s son Achille was seeking to diversify the cattle business that dominated his interests. In 2019,  they brought in their first bunch of standardbred race horses, these horses were owned by Virginia Harness Horse Association President Dr. Scott Woogen. He remains the primary owner of the standardbreds on the property. The farm is currently on their fifth group of standardbreds. 

Farm Manager Gena Nelson has been at Powhatan since 2018 when the farm was focused on cattle. She delighted in the arrival of the horses and said“ I’ve always loved racehorses and thoroughbreds; I love polo horses as well. But working with the standardbreds is a little different. They are some really smart, intelligent, and levelheaded horses. So, a lot of times they’re not handled as much as the thoroughbreds are, but they seem to settle in quicker once they understand.” She knows the difference in the breeds is significant but is comfortable managing both. “The one thing about taking care of animals is that they can’t tell you what they need. And if there’s one gift that I’ve been given, it’s the sense of just understanding, okay, they need this or they want that, or this is what’s necessary. And that’s just not something that I necessarily have been taught. It’s just something that I’ve learned with experience.”

The first group of thoroughbred race horses showed up to Powahattan last December, the first group consisted of 4 colts and 3 fillies. Unlike the standardbreds who usually arrive as two-year olds, the thoroughbreds were primarily yearlings. With the farm’s rich history Achille has always wanted to return to the thoroughbred roots of the farm and continue his father’s legacy. 

Some of the standardbreds they helped develop can be found racing for Sharon Robert’s local farm in Maryland, or right here in Virginia where Dr. Scott Woogen races his horses from Powhatan every Saturday and Sunday during the Spring and Fall at Shenandoah Downs. 

When asked about his experience with Powhatan, Dr. Woogen said “I like it because they have 1000 acres, good pastures, good fences, and good people working with the horses. They handle them so, when it’s time to be broken, they are ready.” Dr. Woogen also noted that KJ Dash, the 2-year-old Maryland Champion who has won over $100,000 for him this year, was trained and broken at Powhatan Plantation last year.

Originally posted on Nationalsteeplechase.com on October 19, Written by Tod Marks

At the Virginia Fall Races in Middleburg, the rain stopped long enough to complete the entire eight-race card, highlighted by the return of veteran timber star Schoodic in the $50,000 National Sporting Library & Museum Cup at 3 ¼ miles. In a fight to the finish, Dolly Fisher’s 13-year-old son of Tiznow fought off recent stakes winner and defending Cup winner Cracker Factory, to win by 1 ¾ lengths.

With the victory, Schoodic, ridden by Graham Watters for trainer Jack Fisher, went over the half-million-dollar mark in earnings in a remarkable 51-race career that began in 2012.

On the sidelines for 17 months, Schoodic returned to the races two weeks ago at Shawan Downs to finish a hard charging second, in a timber allowance. The gelding has been a model of consistency, not only winning multiple stakes over hurdles and timber, but finishing in the top three 32 times, including in Grade 1 competition.

Here’s how the rest of the card played out:

Press Pause goes fast forward in maiden hurdle

Rolling Tide’s Press Pause, a French-bred five-year-old, led from start to finish in the $30,000 Theodora A. Randolph Cup maiden hurdle at 2 1/8 miles, the distance of all of the hurdle races at Glenwood Park.

Trained by Doug Fout for owner Allie Lawaetz, Press Pause, under Harry Beswick, broke swiftly in the nine-horse field, and extended his lead at every call, drawing off easily by 16 lengths at the wire. The win came in Press Pause’s fifth career start. He began his career at the Carolina Cup Races in April and finished in the top three in four of his five outings. Northwood Stable’s Look North (Graham Watters) was second. Armata Stable’s Imperial Assassin was third.

Kiyomori comes from behind to break maiden in exciting finish

Greg Hawkins’ NY-bred four-year-old gave leading 2023 rider Harry Beswick back-to-back wins. The race began with Kiyomori stalking the pacesetter, Gary Barber’s Finding Freedom, in the $30,000 Virginia Equine Alliance maiden hurdle.

The gelding, in the hands of new trainer Todd Wyatt, fell back to fifth, then launched his bid heading toward the final fence. Kiyomori still trailed Michael Smith’s Foxy Walk (Mikey Hamill), who raced close to the lead throughout, and South Branch Equine’s I Can Only Imagine (Jamie Bargary), as the last hurdle loomed. Turning into the stretch after the long downhill run, Kiyomori narrowed the gap and closed with a flourish to get up at the wire by three-quarters of a length. Foxy Walk was second in his career debut, with I Can Only Imagine, third.

Eye of Gunfighter gives Larry Smith milestone win

Trainer Larry Smith earned his 300th career victory – on the flat and over jumps – when Hickory Made Stables and Celtic Venture Stable’s Eye of Gunfighter captured the $30,000 Magalen O. Bryant ratings handicap.

With Gerard Galligan aboard, the six-year-old Pennsylvania-bred tracked the leader, Flying Elvis Stable’s Vincent Van Gogo, in second the first time around the course, took charge on the final lap, and held off Bruton Street-US’ South Mountain (Jamie Bargary) by 1 3/4 lengths. Gill Johnston’s Ping Pong Champ (Graham Watters) was third.

The victory was the second in a row for Eye of Gunfighter, who took a maiden claimer at Foxfield on Oct. 1.

“General” takes no prisoners in $20,000 maiden starter hurdle

Making his first start over jumps after 11 tries (and three victories) on the flat, Sycamore Run Farm’s Union Gen. George made his move the second time around the course under Parker Hendriks, took the lead in a cavalry charge over the final fence, and was in an all-out drive to score by a neck over Maranto Manor’s Auction Kingdom in a race for runners who had previously started for a claiming tag of $20,000 or less.

Kathy Neilson trained the winner, a five-year-old son on Union Rags. The second and third-place finishers are also newcomers to steeplechase racing. Auction Kingdom, a son of Animal Kingdom trained by Neil Morris and ridden by Graham Watters, began his career over the summer at Colonial Downs. He finished two lengths ahead of South Branch Equine’s Casamo, who made his NSA debut at Shawan Downs two weeks ago.

Sheppard-bred Lap of the Gods gives Hendriks his first training victory

On a week that a memorial was held in honor of training legend Jonathan Sheppard, a horse that the late Hall of Fame conditioner bred made his first trip to the winner’s circle after three years and a dozen starts.

Owned by Stewart Strawbridge, whose father, George, teamed up with Sheppard to campaign several champions and multiple stakes winners, Lap of the Gods was third at the final fence and made up ground in the stretch to get up in time to defeat Bon Nouvel Chasers Ya Boy Ya by a length in the $20,000 James P. McCormick maiden timber.

The winner, a six-year-old Pennsylvania-bred son of Temple City, was trained and ridden by leading 2022 jockey Parker Hendriks. It was Hendriks’ first victory as a conditioner.

Ya Boy Ya, ridden by Gerard Galligan and making his first start in two years, was second best, 11 lengths ahead of Keystone Thoroughbreds’ Hard Strike.

Fashion Line makes statement in $25,000 steeplethon

Armata Stable’s Fashion Line, a seven-year-old son of Morning Line, made it three wins in six 2023 outings with a come-from-behind victory in the Kinross Steeplethon over mixed obstacles.

Ridden by Gerard Galligan, Fashion Line gave trainer Kathy Neilson her second score on the card, uncorking a late burst after the natural brush final fence to catch the leader, Leipers Fork Steeplechasers Court Ruler (Harry Beswick). The winning margin was 1 3/4 lengths. Sheila Fisher and Northwoods Stable’s Storm Team was another three-quarters of a length behind in third.

Scanno takes training flat finale

After 25 starts on the flat from Gulfstream Park in Florida to Woodbine in Canada, S. Rebecca Shepherd’s Scanno made his NSA debut a winning one on the flat at 1 1/4 miles.

With Taylor Kingsley riding for trainer Liam Bourke, the six-year-old son of Bernardini dueled Elizabeth McCue’s Prince Khozan, with Gretchen Eisenberg aboard, for most of the going. Heading downhill toward the stretch, Scanno – a winner of nearly a quarter-million-dollars in his flat career — took the lead and coasted to the wire 2 3/4 lengths ahead of late-closing Clifton Down (Mikey Hamill), an Irish-bred and France-raced three-year-old making his NSA debut for Runnymoore Racing and Leslie Young.

For Scanno, the race was a prep for next weekend’s $100,000 John Forbes Memorial flat stakes at Far Hills. For Liam Bourke, who works alongside his dad, trainer David Bourke, it was the first victory under the younger Bourke’s name.

Originally posted on nationasteeplechase.com on October 13, Written by Tod Marks

Eight races have been carded for the 69th Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park in Middleburg. First run in 1955, the meet carries $205,000 in purses for a mix of timber and hurdle races.

Anchoring the program is the $50,000 National Sporting Library & Museum Cup stakes at 3 ¼ miles. The race has gotten a purse bump of $20,000 over last year.

A field of seven is expected, including The Hundred Acre Field’s Cracker Factory, who captured the race last fall for trainer Mark Beecher. The eight-year-old is coming off a come-from-behind victory in the Brown Advisory stakes over Elusive Exclusive and champion Andi’amu at Shawan Downs two weeks ago.

The wildcard in the race is Dolly Fisher’s venerable star Schoodic, trained by her son, Hall of Fame conditioner Jack Fisher. The 13-year-old, a multiple stakes winner of nearly half-million-dollars over hurdles and timber, returned recently after 17 months on the sidelines to run a hard-charging second, beaten 2 ½ lengths by Chosen Mate in an allowance race at Shawan Downs. A model of consistency over his 11 years on the track, Schoodic has 13 top-three finishes in 15 starts since April 2019.

Leslie Young, sends out Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Tomgarrow, the 2021 timber champ. Tomgarrow began 2023 with a win in the My Lady’s Manor stakes, and had won four of his previous five outings coming into the Virginia Gold Cup in May, where he fell.

Fat Chance Farm’s Flaming Sword, trained by Richard Valentine, was second in the Willowdale Steeplechase, and set the pace for 2 miles in the Brown Advisory at Shawan before tiring to finish last. Valentine also saddles Jacqueline Ohrstrom’s Hafajay, who makes his first start in more than two years. The lightly raced British-bred 10-year-old broke his maiden over timber at Winterthur in 2021.

Upland Partners’ Shootist, trained by Todd McKenna, makes his first appearance at Middleburg. The nine-year-old son of Smart Strike is stakes placed over timber. He was third in the Maryland Grand National and competitive in the four-mile Maryland Hunt Cup before tiring and being pulled up at the 18th fence.

Rounding out the field is Stooshie, a winner of two of his past four starts for leading owner Irv Naylor and trainer Cyril Murphy. The 10-year-old broke his maiden at the Virginia Fall Races in 2022 and outfought multiple stakes winner Storm Team in an allowance event at the Old Dominion Hounds meet in April. He lost his rider in his only other start this year, in the Steeplethon stakes at Great Meadow.

Besides the timber stake, the card consists of two $30,000 maiden special weight hurdles; a $30,000 handicap for horses rated at 115 or less; a $20,000 maiden starter allowance for horses who have run for a claiming tag of $20,000 or less; a $20,000 maiden contest over timber; a $25,000 steeplethon over mixed obstacles; and a training flat finale. Post time is 12:30 p.m.

For complete entries, click here: https://nationalsteeplechase.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Middleburg-revised-1.pdf

You can watch all of Saturday’s races via live stream from the link on the NSA homepage, www.nationalsteeplechase.com. The stream is sponsored by Brown Advisory.

The first weekend of the National Steeplechase Association fall season was a blockbuster for Leslie Young, who padded her lead in the training standings, while Freddie Procter zoomed into the top three among riders.

With a hat trick at both Shawan Downs in Cockeyesville, Md., and at Foxfield in Charlottesville, Va.,Young has amassed 27 victories with nine meets to go on the calendar. Five of those wins came over hurdles. Last season, Young won her first training title, with 37 wins, and you’d have to go back to the late Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard in 1988 to find a trainer who won more races than that (39). Jack Fisher is currently second in the standings, with 13 wins.

Procter, who rang up 19 victories and 33 top-three finishes in 51 starts in his first year on the circuit, hasn’t ridden as much this year, but he’s made the most of his opportunities. His four weekend victories give him a total of nine in 22 starts, which moves him up to third, three behind Harry Beswick and two behind Graham Watters, and tied with Barry Foley (who is out with an injury).

Here is a recap of the Action at the Foxfield Hunt Races

Eye of Gunfighter wins shootout in maiden claimer

Virginia Korrell, who had a winner on the final race on Saturday at Shawan Downs, picked up where she left off on Sunday, piloting Hickory Made Stables and Celtic Venture Stable’s’ Eye of Gunfighter to a front-running score over eight rivals in a $15,000 maiden claiming hurdle at 2 ⅛ miles.

Sprinting to the lead at the flag drop, the six-year-old Pennsylvania-bred, trained by Larry Smith, led by as much as five lengths and repelled challenges at one time or another from Tom Rice’s Secret Soulmate, Runnymoore Racing’s Codigo, and a late surge by Vivian Rall’s Icandothat, who finished second, under rider/trainer Sean McDermott, beaten two lengths. Louisa Stevens and Achsah O’Donovan’s Greylover (Jamie Bargary) was third.

In his lengthy, 54-race career, Eye of Gunfighter has seesawed between flat and jump racing. This was his first victory over hurdles.

The Hero Next Door makes heroic return

Michael Smith’s The Hero Next Door, a budding star en route to victory when he fell at the final fence in the Green Pastures novice stakes at the Iroquois Races in May, made his first start since his mishap in the second at Foxfield, a training flat race.

Ridden by Mikey Hamill for trainer Leslie Young, The Hero Next Door was content to sit in second in the field of 11 going 1 1/4 miles, as Shannon Hill Farm’s Sliabh Aughty, with Tom Garner, exploded to a huge lead and nursed his advantage until running out of gas near the final turn. At that point, The Hero Next Door snatched the lead and prevailed in a hand ride by 2 ½ lengths over Sonny Via’s late-closing Welshman (Graham Watters). Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Fast Vision was third.

The victory by The Hero Next Door sets the Irish-bred four-year-old up for the fall’s big races to come, notably steeplechasing’s championship day at Far Hills on Oct. 21. The lightly raced gelding had won his first two starts impressively and had a clear lead in the Green Pastures when he fell.

Afraid Not takes $30,000 filly & mare maiden

Bonnie Rye Stable’s Afraid Not, another runner who has alternated between flat and jump racing, defeated nine foes by 3 ¼ lengths in the maiden special weights hurdle for fillies and mares at 2 ⅛ miles.

Breaking alertly under Gerard Galligan, the Julie Gomena-trainee set the pace as Atlantic Friends Racing’s Lacey Underall and Mell Boucher stalked in second. But with two fences to go, the field bunched up and fanned across the course, and it looked like any one of the eight runners had a legitimate shot. Heading to the final fence, Buttonwood Farm’s Lady’s Game (Tom Garner) made her move on the outside, but Afraid Not had plenty left and actually drew off powerfully in the final furlong. Lacey Underall fought back to finish second, with Lady’s Game 4 ½ lengths behind in third.

Newcomer Garrison Forest takes down nine foes in $30,000 maiden hurdle

The third time proved a charm for Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Garrison Forest. The four-year-old Irish-bred, who began his career with two previous unplaced starts over the summer at Colonial Downs, benefitted from those experiences with a come-from-behind victory in the fourth race, another maiden special weights event at 2 1/8 miles.

With Freddie Procter riding for Leslie Young, the Walk in the Park Gelding broke in midpack, rallied on the outside from seventh after the ninth fence to pass the frontrunners, Northwoods Stable’s Look North, with Jamie Bargary, and Gill Johnston’s Active Duty (Tom Garner). Active Duty was tough as nails and dug in, until Garrison Forest drew clear by a length and a half in the final strides. Look North was four lengths behind Active Duty in third.

Arrowheart makes it back-to-back wins with $25,000 handicap score

Starting slowly and waiting patiently to strike, Charlie Fenwick’s Arrowheart took charge after the first mile and didn’t look back, drawing off by nearly 10 lengths in a handicap for horses rated at 110 or less at 2 ¼ miles.

The five-year-old New York-bred Hard Spun Gelding, a veteran of a dozen starts on the NYRA circuit, entered the race off of a layoff of nearly 11 months. In his previous start, he captured a maiden claiming hurdle at the Montpelier Hunt Races.

The win was also the second straight on the card for both trainer Leslie Young and jockey Freddie Procter.

Content to sit in midpack as Ann Jackson’s Left Blank and Elizabeth Scully set the early pace, Arrowheart assumed control with two fences to go, widening his lead with every stride. Buttonwood Farm’s Baltimore Kid, ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, came within striking distance with a quarter mile to go, but faded. After a poor start, Paul and Molly Willis’ New Appointment rallied to finish third under Mell Boucher.

Who’s Counting an easy winner in $35,000 handicap

In a third win on the day for horses who have concurrently competed on the flat and over jumps, South Branch Equine’s Who’s Counting pounced on Genet Racing’s Wicked West after the second to last fence, cut the corner on the far inside and spurted clear to take the finale at Foxfield, a 120 handicap at 2 ¼ miles, by 6 ¾ lengths.

Trained and ridden by Sean McDermott, the five-year-old Maryland-bred won for the first time since consecutive victories at Colonial Downs in 2022, a starter allowance on the flat over turf, and a handicap over fences.

When Wicked West (ridden by Tom Garner) weakened in the late going, Bruton Street-US’ Presence of Mind (Jamie Bargary) launched his bid from sixth at the10th fence and appeared as if he’d be in the thick of things but was unable to gain ground on the winner. William Russell’s Animal Kingston (Graham Watters) was third.

Originally Posted on Ustrotting.com on October 1, 2023, Written by John Berry, For the United States Harness Drivers Club.

Shenandoah, VA – Shenandoah Downs Racing Secretary Dee Lineweaver carded 15 races on their Saturday afternoon (Sept. 30) racing program; 14 pari-mutuel events and one race to find a cure for cancer as quickly as possible.

First, the track played host to the “Pink Power” fundraiser putting the spotlight on breast cancer awareness benefitting the American Cancer Society’s Harrisonburg, VA chapter.

That event featured five of the top female drivers and as medicine looks for a “theorem”—a formula for something that is needed to be proven—the event went to the aptly named “Theorem” (Southwind Frank) wiring the competition for Veronica Merton.

The 5-year-old was perfectly rated as the 1-5 tote-board choice and was never threatened in scoring the 2:01.4 win over Triple T Swinger, handled by Devan Miller, and Tungsten Tim, with Sierra Seidner driving. Stacey McLenaghan and Betsy Brown were next with their respective charges.

After that event, Stacey McLenaghan (fourth in the event) lamented, “The real winner of that race was the American Cancer Society and we just hope our ‘Pink Power’ event can continue to put a dent and find a cure for a very difficult disease. It’s about ‘time’ to find a method of prevention and a cure was found.

“I’m hoping I can win one for our ‘pink power’ ladies in one of the USHDC events coming up.”

For Theorem, it was his fourth win of the year in 13 starts and 12th success lifetime. For Veronica Merton, who has 239 training successes, it was her 27th career driving win.

Theorem is trained by Michael Whitaker for Shantae Gant.

The track then teamed up with the United States Harness Drivers Club to conquer that most important race of the afternoon—a cure for cancer—and representatives from the American Cancer Society were at the track for an initial $1,000 donation presentation.

Racing Secretary Dee Lineweaver was on hand for the festivities, as was Dein Spriggs, president of the USHDC and several Club members for the generous donation.

The amateur racing was, again, outstanding with driver Scott Woogen repeating his feat of last week with yet another driving double.

The good doctor kicked off the festivities by guiding the 10-year-old gelding KJ Erich (Roll With Joe) to an upset victory—$59.40—in the first of four events for the USHDC.

The warhorse overcame a difficult journey from the outside eight post and survived being roughed up early while double-bubbled through an opener in :28.3 and then got into yet another skirmish the final 5/16ths to bully his way to a win measuring a half length in 1:58.

The pacesetter, Hoosier Shark fought valiantly and finished second for John McNeil III while Cruise Control, driven by Adrian Wisher, Jr. finished third.

Woogen also owns KJ Erich while Oscar Johnson, Jr. trains.

Stacey McLenaghan, indeed, fulfilled her hopes in the next amateur event and she meant business from the first stride to the last with the 5-year-old pacer Hulou (Sweet Lou).

Zipping off the wings with alacrity, Hulou had daylight measuring a dozen lengths through an opener in :27.2 and had even more daylight—15 lengths—at the half in :55.1 before coasting the rest of the way to win by 12-1/2 lengths in 1:56.4.

Windemere Frank, with Dein Spriggs in the sulky, came from more than 20 lengths away at the half to get up for second with Cole On The Beach, driven by Kubi Erzene, just another nostril or two back in third.

Rollatown, handled by (Wyatt Long) and Doc’s Papparazzi, with Justin Griffith, were four-five in the mile.

For Houlu, it was win number four of the year with the win—his 13th lifetime—vaulting him over the $100,000 plateau—$102,644—with the success benefitting his faithful to the tune of $7.20.

Hulou is trained by Scott Warnick for Deborah Warnick.

It was McLenaghan’s 37th career driving success to go along with 377 training wins.

Veronica Merton then put an exclamation for the “pink power” gang in the next race with a hard fought win back of Betabcool N (Bettor’s Delight) in 1:58.3

The gutsy 13-year-old mare, trained by Michael Annunziata for the Ettore Annunziata Trust, had “1’s” at every call, got in a heated discussion with Lenda Hand Man, with Wyatt Long in the sulky, and, after an epic stretch duel, prevailed by a neck.

Freak On A Leash, driven by Scott Wooten, was just another neck back in third.

Pacific Stride with John McNeil III was next while Amazing Ponderosa and Stacey McLenaghan teamed up to get the nickel.

For the winner, it was his 51st career victory—37th in North America—and pushed his career earnings to $644,222, of which $522,295 has been earned since arriving from “down under” in 2017. Betabcool N returned $6 to win.

For Veronica Merton, it was her first driving double, although, driving sparsely, she did win two races on consecutive days at Monticello Raceway back in 2003.

In the amateur finale, Woogen, for the second straight week, doubled up guiding the chalk, Moneyorroses (Cougar Hall), to a handy two-length win in 1:57.1.

Out from fourth before the half, Moneyorroses ducked back after finding the garden spot near the third station and then had a :29.2 final panel under his girth at the expense of the pacesetting Anythingforlove A, driven by Adrian Wisher, Jr., for the win.

Hey Siri, with Stacey McLenaghan, was third with Allieverdreamedof and Wyatt Long teaming for fourth and Relentless Dancer, driven by John McNeil III, earning the final check in this septet.

Eric Davis owns and trains Moneyorroses.

It was the first win of the year for Moneyorroses in 33 starts with this success leaving him just a “nose” short of $100,000 in career bounty—$99,374. The winner paid $4.

After the festivities, USHDC President Dein Spriggs lamented, “This is what great goodwill can do or worthy causes and our sport. When we can walk forward with the tracks and race office personnel like Dee (Lineweaver) and so many others, it makes our efforts well worth it.

“Our members donate 100% of their driving earnings to these great causes and, since our inception, that number is over $300,000 and we know that our efforts and participating tracks make a positive difference in many lives.”

Originally posted on nationalsteeplechase.com on September 29

Following a two-year hiatus, fall steeplechasing resumes at historic Charlottesville, Va., for the second straight year on Sunday.

After years of decline, the meet was put on hold in order to reimagine the event. During that time new leadership was put in place, leading to partnerships with charitable organizations, major improvements to the course and grounds, a de-emphasis on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and a commitment to becoming a good neighbor to the community.

This year’s meet will be bigger and better than ever, with six races worth $140,000 on the program, representing a substantial boost over last year’s $95,000 card.

The Foxfield card consists of six races, highlighted by a $35,000 handicap for horses rated at 120 or less. The other races are a $15,000 maiden claiming hurdle; $30,000 maiden hurdle for fillies and mares; $30,000 maiden hurdle for three-year-olds; $25,000 handicap for horses rated at 110 or less; and a training race on the flat at 1 ¼ miles.

Click here for complete entries: Entries

First race post time is 12:30 p.m. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with activities starting at 10 a.m. For a full schedule of the day’s events, food, and vendors, click here: https://www.foxfieldraces.com/schedule/.

If you can’t make it to the races, be sure to watch the live stream, sponsored by Brown Advisory, at www.nationalsteeplechase.com.

Originally Posted on Rosiesgaming.com on 9/25/2023

Grand Opening celebrations included donation of $25,000 to local non-profit organizations.

At a ceremonial outdoor ribbon cutting, Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) announced om Monday that Rosie’s Gaming Emporium (“Rosie’s) is now open in Emporia. Rosie’s, located on West Atlantic Street and convenient to Interstate 95, features 150 slots-like gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a restaurant and bar. At the event, Rosie’s displayed its commitment to the community by donating $25,000 to five (5) local charities: the Family YMCA of Emporia/Greenville, Community Youth Center, Ltd, Emporia Greenville Recreation Association, Communities in Schools of Virginia and H.E.A.R Me Out Inc.

Jack Sours, Vice President of Gaming Operations for CDI, stated, “It is very exciting to be opening the seventh Rosie’s in Virginia. The opening of this Rosie’s adds to our tremendous success in the state and takes us to the Southern border for the first time. The Emporia location builds on our commitment to provide more than one thousand jobs and generate significant tax revenues across the Commonwealth by bringing together gaming enthusiasts and the community to experience an exciting and fun activity.”

Jeremy Callahan, General Manager at the Emporia location, said, “I am so pleased to be part of the expansion of Rosie’s in Virginia. We have built a team that is fully committed to delivering a fun experience and economic development to the Emporia community and we are ready to play!”

Rosie’s in Emporia will be open Sunday – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. It will create more than 100 local jobs and generate approximately $1 million in annual tax revenue for the City of Emporia.

Since opening in Virginia just five years ago, Rosie’s and Colonial Downs have invested more than $400 million in the Commonwealth; created over 1200 new jobs; and now contribute $54 million a year in state and local tax revenue.