A former three-year-old star who became a legitimate novice, Nancy Gerry's Flat Top graduated to the "big time" Oct. 4 at Colonial Downs.

The third of four 'chase dates at this new track, the Sunday meet featured the 2 3/4-mile, Grade II David "Zeke" Ferguson Memorial, a new open hurdle stake worth the lion's share of $50,000 to the winner.

The day was showery, but all systems were "go." With amateur apprentice Bitsy Patterson at the helm, Flat Top rushed to his trademark early lead. The 5-year-old continued to dominate until the second-last, where he was overtaken on the inside by a rapidly-advancing Hudson Bay. But the real action was to Flat Top's outside, where Mario and Approaching Squall (Jonathan Kiser) were closing in for the kill. Four horses met the last together, but Flat Top touched down first, turning back his nearest rival by half a length. "We needed a good last one, and he gave it," Patterson said. "He just landed running."

Trainer Elliot was happy, too - especially since it was her birthday. "He jumped brilliantly," she said. "I was pretty excited."

In other action: Sanna Neilson trainee Dalton River (Craig Thornton) recorded his fourth win from five 1998 starts with a fast trip in the $15,000 starter handicap. Grand Turk (Jonathan Kiser) romped to a convincing 3 1/2-length score in the $25,000 maiden race for the Sport of Kings. And Arch Kingsley Jr. took the ride on Kilkeel, who rewarded him with a $17,500 allowance win over Neruda (Jonathan Kiser).

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Like all sports, American 'chasing has its highs and lows -- and the Morven Park Races Oct. 10 near Leesburg, Virginia showcased both extremes.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard sent Augustin Stable's Willstown to a come- from-behind win under Arch Kingsley Jr. in the feature event, the $30,000 Arthur Mccashin memorial for the Sport of Kings.

Hurler repeated his Fairfax score here in the season's only timber handicap, the $10,000 Samuel H. Rogers Memorial. With substitute jockey Blythe Miller in the irons, the veteran took over three from home to register his 13th win over fences.

And Pennsylvania trainer Janet Elliot notched a rare triple, with Lenape Forge (Arch Kingsley Jr.) in the maiden hurdle; Motley Crue (Colvin Ryan) in the conditioned claimer; and Ballynonty (Sean Clancy) in the maiden claimer.

However, Sean Clancy's good fortune was overshadowed by his fall with Bewray in the conditioned claimer. The classy newcomer was one of two casualties in that race who were reportedly destroyed due to leg injuries.

The day's two amateur rider training flat races went to Really (Aynsley Musgrave) and Bitter Rebel (Hilary Thompson).

Morven Park wasn't the only nationally-sanctioned event on Oct. 10.

Timber reigned up north at the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup Races in Geneseo, New York. And a maiden named Gold Quoit (Matt McCarron) upset veteran Talkin Butter (JW Delozier III) for the crown -- the $25,000 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup timber stakes. The 8- yer-old gelding is owned by Kinross Farm and trained by Neil Morris, both of Middleburg, Virginia.

Big Destiny won Genesee's maiden timber, with Chip Miller in the irons.

COLONIAL DOWNS

Sovereign Key, who broke his maiden Sept. 13 at Colonial Downs, returned to try his hand at allowance company there Oct. 11 (to the tune of $17,500). He didn't disappoint, ousting Keep It a Secret (Arch Kingsley Jr.) by a length for owner Augustin Stable, rider Craig Thornton and hot trainer Sanna Neilson.

Sean Clancy hit paydirt again, too, racking up a maiden special weight score with the Janet Elliot-trained Campanile.

INTERNATIONAL GOLD CUP AND MARYLAND MILLION

Saluter and Chip Miller

Saluter's quest to win his first International Gold Cup on Oct. 17 made for one of the most compelling stories of the season. Ann Stern's five-time Virginia Gold Cup winner (and former World Timber Champion) was primed and ready when rider/trainer Jack Fisher injured his leg in a farm accident.

With the big race only days away -- and Fisher headed towards surgery -- Chip Miller took the ride on the big bay superstar. He'd never been on him before, but as Fisher said, "An idiot can ride this horse." And Saluter was certainly familiar with the course, the same hourglass-shaped layout near The Plains, Virginia that hosts his signature race, the Virginia Gold Cup.

The pair made their move late in the 3 1/2-mile contest. Miller roused Saluter approaching the final turn, and he responded by passing horse after horse. "The first fence after the water jump was as long as you can jump a fence!" the horseman related. "There was never a doubt - as soon as he took off, I said, `Ah, we're winning.'"

They took control approaching the last; Saluter turning back a late-closing Double Dater (Michael Traurig) with ease.

It was the first International Gold Cup win for the 9-year-old Saluter, who had attempted it three times before (in 1994, 1995 and 1997). But it was the third straight IGC victory for Miller, who won here with Big Boo Boo in 1996 and Final Final in 1997.

The young Pennsylvanian took two other races that day: the $15,000 Moriah Steeplethon (with Striking North) and the $10,000 Virginia Steeplechase Association Claiming Race Championship (with Avanico).

The $25,000 Maryland Million Steeplechase, run earlier than afternoon at Laurel Park, went to Bitsy Patterson and Aggro Crag. Patterson then drove to Virginia in time to ace the International Gold Cup's flat race for amateur riders with Woody Creek.

Other IGC winners included: Invest West (Jonathan Kiser), in the $25,000 Future Champions Cup; Evening Gown (JW Delozier III) in the $10,000 Champion Hurdle maiden claimer; and Bitter Rebel (Patrick Cooney), in the $15,000 "straight" maiden hurdle.