'Jump' - Blackhall rallies to win the 127th Maryland Hunt Cup, Total Joy powers to first stakes victory in Van Clief Memorial + Who's Counting captures inaugural Good Night Shirt stakes!
'Jump' - Blackhall rallies to win the 127th Maryland Hunt Cup, Total Joy powers to first stakes victory in Van Clief Memorial + Who's Counting captures inaugural Good Night Shirt stakes!
Monday April 29th, Edition #32
In Case You Missed It: This Weekends Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Foxfield Summary - Total Joy powers to first stakes victory in Van Clief Memorial
The Maryland Hunt Cup - Blackhall (IRE) rallies to win the 127th Maryland Hunt Cup
Virginia Gold Cup Races - Tickets are still available - May 4th
Radnor Hunt Races - Still looking for a spot at the Radnor Hunt Races on May 18?
The Jumping Game Podcast - Join Megan Connolly, Aiden Coleman and Harry Beswick to discuss the VA Gold Cup - May 2nd
“The ‘Jump newsletter’ is an absolute boon to me. Now domiciled in the UK, it keeps me updated on US jump racing. Thank you.” - Barbara Shaw (Facebook)
Foxfield Summary
By Tod Marks
Race #1 - Auchincruive cruises in NSA debut in $20,000 maiden claimer
With Evan Dwan riding for trainer Keri Brion, the seven-year-old Pennsylvania-bred sat toward the rear of the six-horse field or most of the 2 1/8 miles, as Hurricana Farm's Fingal and Morningstar Farm's I Am Fortunata and, later, James R. Stainbrook's Mr. Jefferson battled for the lead.
With two jumps to go, Dwan asked his mount for run, and Auchincrove took off on the outside, but Fingal, under Ryan Treacy, wasn't ready to give up, and the two battled over the last fence and through the stretch. With about a sixteenth of a mile remaining, Auchincruive found another gear and spurted clear by about four lengths.
Race #2 - Baltimore Kid breaks through with first win in two years
Buttonwood Farm's Baltimore Kid, who hadn't won a race since his career debut at the Virginia Gold Cup Races in 2022, put in a huge effort on Saturday, bursting clear by 6 lengths in the second race, a $30,000 handicap for horses rated at 115 or less.
Race # 3 - Hidden Path prevails in spirited duel with Ireland's
In a thrilling battle to the wire, Upland Flats Racing's Hidden Path, a recent convert to jump racing, barely got the better of Gill Johnston's Ireland's Call in a $30,000 maiden special weights contest.
Race #4 - Animal Kingston breaks maiden over timber
A winner over hurdles and stakes placed in novice competition, Will Russell's Animal Kingston made the successful transition to timber on Saturday with a hard-fought last-to-first victory in a $20,000 maiden contest at 3 miles.
Race #5 - Total Joy powers to first stakes victory in Van Clief Memorial
On Saturday, facing three foes in the $75,000 Daniel Van Clief Memorial novice stakes, Total Joy, with Paddy O'Hanlon in the irons, stalked pro-tem leader Go Poke the Bear (Jamie Bargary), steadily advanding before the final fence, and taking charge at the top of the stretch. The winning margin was 4 lengths. Go Poke the Bear was second best, with Greg Hawkins' aforementioned Kiyomori third. Leslie Young trained the winner.
Race #6 - Who's Counting captures inaugural Good Night Shirt stakes for trainer-rider McDermott
Though the field was reduced to just three, the $50,000 Good Night Shirt stakes, named after Virginia horseman Sonny Via's Hall of Fame jumper, drew three classy runners who put on an exciting show.
Race #7 - Oscar Winner gives Leslie Young her second winner on the day.
In a closely contested final race, Leslie Young-trained Oscar Winner narrowly secured victory over stablemate Arctic Choice.
THE MARYLAND HUNT CUP
Blackhall rallies to win the 127th Maryland Hunt Cup
Relive Saturday's fantastic finish to the $100,000 Maryland Hunt Cup. The winner was Irish-bred Blackhall, trained by Joe Davies and ridden by Charlie Marshall and owned by Kinross Corporations.
Full Race Video - James Curtis (You Tube)
Full Chart
Fabulous Photo by Douglas Lees
VIRGINIA GOLD CUP RACES
Tickets are still available
Join us in the stunning Northern Virginia countryside next Saturday for the 99th Running of the Virginia Gold Cup. Tickets
Tickets are still available at https://vagoldcup.com/va/tickets.
Radnor Hunt Races
Still looking for a spot at the Radnor Hunt Races on May 18?
Photo : Jim Graham
If you're looking for a more casual day at the races, the East Infield Rail location offers a front row unobstructed view of all the racing action! To learn more about this popular tailgating location, visit www.RadnorHuntRaces.org
Remember: tickets must be purchased in advance by May 8—there will be no sales on Race Day! All proceeds from the Radnor Hunt Races benefit the open space programs of the Brandywine Conservancy, which has been the sole beneficiary of the Races for more than 40 years.
THE JUMPING GAME PODCAST
Join Megan Connolly, Aiden Coleman and Harry Beswick on May 2nd to discuss all things VA Gold Cup
Live on You Tube at Thursday May 2nd at 2pm (EDT)
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