By Laurel Scott
|
|
A sensational spring has turned into a sizzling summer on the American steeplechasing circuit. VIRGINIA GOLD CUP
Early bids from Sprucapade and Hopewell came to naught, and it wasn't until the final turn that Jack Fisher unleashed Saluter. The strapping bay gelding powered effortlessly to the front, meeting the last without a challenger in sight. Saluter's victory -- an unprecedented fifth in this race -- retired the seventh Virginia Gold Cup Challenge Trophy for Virginia-based Ann and Henry Stern, who own the horse in conjunction with Maryland rider/trainer Jack Fisher. It also gave the Virginia-bred marvel a "leg up" on the $100,000 Holland & Holland World Timber Championship, which he claimed last year after winning England's Marlborough Cup. Fisher made it sound simple: "They were all running pretty good," he said. "But Saluter just keeps at 'em, and then he finally wears them down." BROOKHILL Despite a dicey last fence, Welcome Parade jumped into the limelight with a $20,000 conditioned handicap score May 2 at North Carolina's Brookhill Steeplechase. Arch Kingsley Jr. rode the Ricky Hendriks trainee, who's yet another in a long line of classy Irish horses imported by top owner William Lickle. But it was Marylander Toby Edwards who stole the show, racking up wins in the $10,000 starter handicap (with Summer Island) and the $7,500 maiden claimer (Crowned Crane). Edwards rides and trains his own, no small feat in this competitive climate. Other winners at Brookhill were: Commanders Palace (Jonathan Smart), in the $15,000 maiden; Neruda (Michael Traurig), in the second division of that race; and Romantic (Gus Brown), in the training flat. With the exception of the flat contest, all of Brookhill's races were run at 2 1/4 miles over a tight course with a downhill finish. IROQUOIS He finished nowhere in both the Carolina Cup and Keeneland's Royal Chase, but Rowdy Irishman proved May 9 that he is still Grade I material.The race: the Grade I, $100,000 Iroquois near Nashville, Tennessee. The country's only three-mile hurdle event, it attracted the likes of 1996 Eclipse Award winner Corregio and sharp upstart Confidente. For the first time, Vincent "Cort" Marzullo hopped aboard Vesta Balestiere's Rowdy Irishman, who is trained by local horseman Bruce Haynes.The two-time Grand National winner did not disappoint, coming from off the pace in bog-like conditions to overtake Confidente and slog home first. On a day marked by numerous spills in the mud, Teb's Bend enjoyed a comeback in the Margaret Henley Novice Stakes (a Sport of Kings event) and Talkin Butter won his third straight timber stakes (the Mason Houghland). Both horses were ridden by Jonathan Kiser of Maryland. Also successful at this meet was the team of rider Craig Thornton and trainer Sanna Neilson, who tallied scores in both the Sport of Kings maiden (with Spring Salute) and the starter handicap (Dalton River).
 Interested in expanding your business at home and abroad? This publication is being read by horse lovers all over the world. Contact us now for full details and our advertising rates.
Email: joy@field-galleries.co.uk or Click Here
WILLOWDALE Arch Kingsley Jr. was the rider to watch at the rain-soaked Willowdale Steeplechase May 10 near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The local horseman took both the $7,500 Landhope Cup maiden timber, with Bronze Angle; and the $15,000 Willowdale Steeplechase open timber, with Mr. Skylark. Both horses are owned by Frank Richardson and trained by Hall of Famer D. Michael Smithwick. Was the going a factor at this country meet? "It was sloppy, but it didn't seem as tiring or as sticky a going as what we had at Nashville (for the Iroquois Steeplechase) yesterday," Kingsley said. Kingsley also notched a second with Mario in the first division of the William C. Lickle training flat.In the six years since its inception, Wiillowdale has become famous for its massive timber fences. But this year, the course also featured natural arborvitae hurdles, which horses used to National fences found to their liking. Though unsanctioned, these races still proved adequate tests for Panama Jay, in the $7,500 Folly maiden claimer; and Magic on Broadway, in the $10,000 Rose Tree Cup starter handicap. Willowdale fans took time out, too, to honor the memories of the late Hall of Fame trainer W. Burling "Burley" Cocks, as well as F. Bruce Miller's late assistant Patricia Daniels. RADNOR
Here, Jonathan Kiser steered The Fields Stable's Brigade of Guards to a decisive victory over Mario (Arch Kingsley Jr.) in the featured Grade III, $35,000 National Hunt Cup. He also piloted Kuntash to an allowance score in the $25,000 Morris H. Dixon. Both horses were trained by Tom Voss, who shared top billing with trainer Jack Fisher for doubles at this meet. Rider Sean Clancy also headlined here, with Kanawha, in the Milfern Cup maiden; Charmed Circle, in the Henry Collins maiden claimer; and Costly Fun, in the second division of the Milfern Cup. But it was jockey Jody Petty who made out like a bandit. First, he brought Bryan Station from behind to win the day's timber feature, the 3 1/2-mile, $25,000 Radnor Hunt Cup. The victorious entry is owned by Gregory Bentley (of Clearance Code fame) and trained by Russell "Rusty" Carrier. Then Petty learned that he had also won a brand new Volkswagon Beetle. Friends knew he'd been yearning for that model. So when Volkswagon of America offered the car at a raceday raffle, trainer Rusty Carrier's wife Joy bought Petty a raffle ticket. "I was thrilled just to get the ticket," Petty said. "I couldn't believe it." MARENGO The Races at Marengo May 16 featured a "blast from the past" that few fans will forget. Run over Marengo Plantation's level oval near New Kent, Virginia, this small but competitive meet showcased maiden claimers and allowance types (not to mention dedicated tailgaters!)In one fell swoop, Susan Stone's Temperence Night put three lengths between him and Earn My Keep to steal the featured $15,000 allowance hurdle. It was the second straight score for the talented 5-year-old, who was trained by Virginian Barbara McWade and, in a special guest appearance, ridden by her husband Dick McWade. A protégé of the late Burley Cocks, McWade was a top jump jockey nearly 20 years ago. His most famous ride: three-time Eclipse Award winner Zaccio. HIGH HOPE The heat wave continued as the jumpers converged on scenic Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington, Kentucky for the May 17 High Hope Races. Here, jockey Jonathan Kiser renewed his acquaintance with Sundin - and the result was an 8 1/4-length win in the featured $25,000 Coca-Cola Stakes. When last they'd met, trainer Jonathan Sheppard had asked Kiser to ride the Augustin horse at Iroquois. Although he usually rides for trainer Tom Voss, Kiser agreed - and delivered a good second to Dalton River in that meet's starter handicap. The Coca-Cola Stakes set up perfectly for Sundin, who is a confirmed frontrunner. Though Prime Legacy (Jonathan Smart) threatened at the second-last, the speedster fenced better and sashayed home first. Other winners at High Hope were: Summer Island (Toby Edwards), in the starter handicap; Magic on Broadway (Chip Miller), in the open timber; and Farraska (Jonathan Smart), in the maiden hurdle. MARLBOROUGH CUP
He'd shipped "across the pond" without incident, and given the mild weather and fast turf, looked a likely challenger for favorite Merry Gale (Tony McCoy) in the $50,000 Wiltshire contest. When the Irish 'chasing star went down at the fourth of 18 fences, Saluter was traveling easily in fourth. Things looked made to order when, at the uphill 15th fence, Saluter did something he's never done in his entire career. "He stood back a little," Fisher told the press, hitting the fence with his front end and depositing his rider on the ground. Luckily, the superstar suffered only minor scratches.But the incident paved the way for Symbol of Success (Richard Johnson) to cruise home to a four-length victory over High Altitude (Brendan Powell). The winning entry is owned by a syndicate and trained by Dai Williams. Symbol of Success is now eligible for Holland & Holland's World Timber Championship and its attendant $100,000 bonus; all he has to do is ship to the States and win the 1999 Virginia Gold Cup. This was reportedly Johnson's second time on Symbol of Success, and the jockey's first time over timber. FAIR HILL Imagine, if you will, an inviting green expanse that hosts racing just once a year. Maryland's Fair Hill is just such a facility, and the Memorial Day action there is always keen.
Owner/trainer Bruno Favre's only 'chaser, Melissa's Quickie was left at the start, while Uncle Albie (Jonathan Kiser) and Ivory's Pleasure (Richard Boucher) showed the way. But rider Peter Walsh - who'd steered Melissa's Quickie to an upset at Middleburg -- made up for lost time. He knew that although the horse was once considered an erratic jumper, he possessed a brilliant turn of foot. "I just left him alone, and let him find his way," the Irish-born horseman explained. "We were last until halfway down the back; then the inside opened up, and he did all the work - he took off with me and just kept running." The race was decided at the ultimate fence, with Melissa's Quickie outjumping Commanders Palace (Jonathan Smart). It was the first stakes score for the 7-year-old gelding, who paid a hefty $30.40, $9.60 and $6.20. Tom Voss' quadruple came with Sam Sullivan, in the James Stump Memorial allowance timber; Soaringoverseattle, in the third division of the recorded flat; Sky Buster, in the second division of the maiden special weight; and Doctor C in the maiden claimer. Jonathan Kiser rode three of Voss' four winners. TANGLEWOOD Rain, rain and more rain - that was the story of the Steeplechase at Tanglewood near Clemmons, North Carolina. Originally scheduled for May 9, it was postponed to June 6 when flood waters encroached on the riverside course.
Also at this meet, Darn That Erica (Troy Lively) improved on her Radnor performance to win the $15,000 maiden hurdle. And Really Hoping (Barry Duncan) and The Last Hurrah (Troy Lively) produced a rare dead-heat for second behind Lightning Elliot (Geoffrey Brutscher) in the conditioned claimer. Both Lightning Elliot and Darn That Erica were trained by Maryland jockey-turned-trainer H. Brooks Durkee. PIMLICO
Recalled rider Arch Kingsley Jr.: " `The Pirate' just bulled his way through and got out - his confidence had built throughout the race, but he was really just hitting his best stride (coming to the last). "Like Lickle's 1996 Eclipse Award winner Correggio, Laffite the Pirate is a flashy son of European classics sire Sadler's Wells. Lickle's other Pimlico score came with Doubledarn, who outran speedster Assurance and stablemate Hunt Lane to take the $15,000 starter handicap. A game sort, Doubledarn gained pivotal ground at the last, and dug in to hold off Hunt Lane by 3/4 length. "He's so smart, he thinks exactly like you," rider Sean Clancy enthused. CHURCHILL
No one could have predicted such a dramatic entrance, given the horse's two-month layoff (due to a pulled muscle) and his age (10 years). Fate dealt "Lonesome" another blow when Patricia Daniels -- who both broke and galloped him - died in a tragic farm accident last April.But when the going gets tough, the tough get going - and that's exactly what the Millers did. While the trainer's son Chip got Lonesome fit, daughter Blythe took time out from her busy flat racing schedule to school the horse and ride him in the big race.Not surprisingly, Lonesome was sharper than ever. "He jumped great and ran well," Blythe Miller recounted. "At the track over the past couple of years, he just hasn't been as into it. It wasn't a particularly fast race, but it was a good, honest pace the whole way, and he was just ready."Next stop: Delaware Park, and then on to Saratoga.
Laurel Scott is an award-winning freelance turf writer who covers the American steeplechase scene for such publications as SPUR Magazine, The Chronicle of the Horse and The Horse of Delaware Valley. A Virginian by birth and a horsewoman since childhood, Scott also breeds Thoroughbreds and dabbles in photography. She is based near the sport's American hub in southeastern Pennsylvania. She can be contacted for any freelance journalistic or photographic assignments at: Epona Productions, 668 Bell Rd. #1, Kirkwood, PA 17536, phone/fax: (717) 529-2239, and e-mail: schaser@bigfoot.com or Click Here to do so.
|
The spring timber season culminated with Saluter's history-making trip in the $40,000 Mercedes-Benz Virginia Gold Cup May 2 near The Plains, Virginia. The 9-year-old superhorse prevailed once again, cruising in 5 3/4 lengths clear of a late-closing Lexington Ball (H. Brooks Durkee) to win the 4-mile classic's 73rd renewal in 8:58 4/5.
The action moved to Malvern, Pennsylvania May 16 for the popular Radnor Hunt Races. Extreme heat was the order of the day, and the action was hotter still.
Saluter seemed a sure thing in England's May 24 Marlborough Cup, but it was not to be.All systems were "go" for the five-time Virginia Gold Cup winner, who was trying for his second World Timber Championship under rider/trainer Jack Fisher.
Maryland trainer Tom Voss was the toast of the Fair Hill Races, notching a rare quadruple at this parimutuel country meet. But it was Melissa's Quickie who darted to the front in the featured 2 1/4-mile, $25,000 Miles Valentine Novice Stakes.
The heavens opened up again on the new date, but the only casualty this time was the level course's infield. The going proved perfect for Wendy Hendriks' Hunt Lane, who romped to a 1 1/4-length victory under Jody Petty in the featured $10,000 Tanglewood Cup.
June signals the start of 'chasing's major track season here in the States. First on the itinerary was Pimlico, the home of flat racing's Preakness Stakes. Owner William Lickle flexed his muscle here, winning two of the four steeplechases June 17-18 at the Baltimore, Maryland track.His ace in the hole: the Janet Elliot-trained Laffite the Pirate, who came from behind to take the featured $35,000 Joseph Aitcheson Novice Stakes in only his second start over National hurdles.
Then it was on to Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and one of 'chasing's most memorable comebacks on June 28.Lonesome Glory made his 1998 jumping debut here, notching a 1 1/2-length triumph over Clearance Code in the Grade I, $109,500 Hard Scuffle Stakes. Blythe Miller rode Kay Jeffords' four-time Eclipse Award winner, who is trained by her father, Pennsylvanian F. Bruce Miller.With this win, the flashy Transworld gelding surpassed Victorian Hill's record of $748,370 to become American steeplechasing's all-time leading moneyearner. (Though "Lonesome" became American 'chasing's first millionaire last year, the National Steeplechase Association does not recognize the bonus money that pushed him over the million mark. Now -- with "legitimate" career earnings of $790,009 - that honor is officially his.)
