'Jump' Newsletter: The Carolina Cup tops weekend triple header!
'Jump' Newsletter: The Carolina Cup tops weekend triple header!
Friday March 29th, Edition #21
Greetings and welcome to the 21st edition of 'Jump'
The 2024 racing season kicked off with a memorable Imperial Cup last Saturday.
Jamie Bargary and Caramelised looked to have made a winning move when jumping the last in the lead but West Newton fought back on the inside, and dug in through the stretch. Owned by Upland Flats, trained by Ricky Hendriks, and ridden by Harrison Beswick, West Newton comes from the lineage of Kitten's Joy and was bred by Queen Elizabeth II, adding a touch of royalty to his victory.
This coming weekend promises an exhilarating triple-header of racing events. The action starts with the Blue Ridge Point To Point in Berryville, VA and the highly anticipated Carolina Cup Races on Saturday. The weekend concludes with the Cheshire Hunt Races on Easter Sunday.
The highlight of these events is the $75,000 Carolina Cup, which is shaping up to be a highly competitive affair. Although the race only features four, all four novices could be poised to make their mark as the future stars of the sport.
Riders Up!
Steve Coxon - USASteeplechase
In Case You Missed It: This Week's Top 6 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Weekend Preview - Carolina Cup tops weekend triple header
Saturday’s Entries - The Carolina Cup
Carolina Cup Analysis - A deep dive into the Carolina Cup
Blue Ridge Point To Point and The Cheshire Hunt Races - Entries
Brandywine Hills Point to Point - April 7th - Leading Jockey Award Created
Willowdale Steeplechase - May 11th - The Tradition Continues, Willowdale Steeplechase
“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)
Carolina Cup tops weekend triple header
PICTURED: Abaan, left, and The Hero Next Door duel over the final fence in the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle at Far Hills last October - Tod Marks
By Tod Marks
Six races worth $190,000 are on tap for South Carolina’s premier spring social event, while a pair of point to points in Virginia and Pennsylvania host five additional contests, mostly over timber.
Racing returns to historic Springdale Race Course in Camden, S.C., on Saturday for the 89th running of the Carolina Cup Races. Anchored by the $75,000 Carolina Cup, which this year will be run as a stake for novice jumpers ages four and up at 2 ⅛ miles, the card includes four other hurdle races, all of which will be contested at the same distance. Gates open at 9 a.m.; first race post time is 1:30 p.m.
Four horses will face starter Stirling Young in the Carolina Cup, and a lot of attention will be on Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Daignault Thoroughbreds’ Abaan, a multiple stakes winner on the flat and over jumps of more than a half-million dollars. Trained by Kate Dalton and ridden by her husband, Bernie, the son of 2013 Travers winner Will Take Charge came off the flat late last summer to make three starts over hurdles. After finishing a close second in a field of 10 in his debut at Colonial Downs, Abaan broke his maiden impressively over the course, then overtook highly regarded The Hero Next Door to win the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle stakes at Far Hills to end the season.
Michael Smith’s The Hero Next Door, trained by Leslie Young, will attempt to turn the tables on his foe in Camden. He ended his 2023 season with a pair of seconds, in the Foxbrook and AFLAC Supreme novice stakes at Callaway Gardens, and he was on his way to a clear victory in the Green Pastures stakes at the Iroquois Races in May when he fell at the final fence. The field also includes last year’s novice champion, Hudson River Farms’ L’Imperator, trained by Arch Kingsley. Another multiple stakes winner (on the flat) of more than $500,000, the French-bred son of Holy Roman Empire was third in the Foxbrook and second – beaten a half length by stablemate and Eclipse Award winner Merry Maker – in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory at Aqueduct. Hall of Fame conditioner Jack Fisher sends out Bruton Street-US’ up-and-comer Neotropic, who concluded his five-year-old campaign in October with a score in a non-winners of two allowance race at the International Gold Cup Races.
The remainder of the card consists of two $30,000 maiden-special-weight hurdles; a $25,000 maiden claimer; a $30,000 handicap for horses rated at 115 or less; and a training-flat event. For full entries, click the link: https://nationalsteeplechase.com/.../Carolina-Cup-Final...
Also on Saturday, about 450 miles north of Camden in Berryville, Va., the 75th running of the Blue Ridge Hounds Point to Point will for the first time feature a pair of NSA sanctioned races: a $15,000 handicap hurdle at 2 miles and a $15,000 allowance race over timber at 3 miles. Both races are restricted to amateur or apprentice riders.
The event takes place at historic Woodley Farm, a 383-acre site at 490 Woodley Lane, just south of Berryville. It was originally bought by Daniel Sowers in the 1830s from George Washington’s cousin and has been used for fox hunting since. One of the unique attributes of the property is that it allows spectators to see the entire course at one time. The two sanctioned races are sponsored by the Virginia Equine Alliance. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the sanctioned races are scheduled for 1:35 p.m.and 2:45 p.m. Here are the entries: https://nationalsteeplechase.com/.../Blue-Ridge-Final...
The point-to-point will have other entertainment, too, such as a parade of foxhounds and another of beagles, stick horse races for kids, a car show, and carriage parade. Attendees are welcome to picnic on the general admission hillside, and food vendors will also be on site, along with a vendor village with craft and other items for sale.
On Sunday, racing resumes in Unionville, Pa., in Chester County for the 77th Cheshire Races at Plantation Field on Route 82. The day’s activities include pony races, a parade of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds, a side-saddle race, and three NSA sanctioned timber races at 3 miles: a $15,000 maiden, $15,000 allowance for apprentice riders, and the featured $20,000 Cheshire Bowl open allowance. The pony races kickstart the day at 10:45 a.m. The NSA races are scheduled to go off at noon, 12:30 p.m., and 1 p.m. Here are the entries: https://nationalsteeplechase.com/.../Cheshire-Final...
If you can’t make it to the races in person, you can watch the live stream via the NSA website.
PICTURED: Abaan, left, and The Hero Next Door duel over the final fence in the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle at Far Hills last October
First race post time is 1 p.m. and you can watch all the action via live stream from the NSA website,www.nationalsteeplechase.com.
Entries for The Carolina Cup Races
National Steeplechase Association
The Carolina Cup (Analysis)
By USASteeplechase
Sharon Sheppard and Gill Johnston’s Caramelised leapt over the last with jockey David England in the 2023 Carolina Cup. ©Tod Marks
Today we take a deep dive into the Carolina Cup
The Carolina Cup $75,000 Guaranteed - The 89th Running of the Carolina Cup (Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle Stakes)
Abaan - Originally a graded stakes winner on the flat for Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Pletcher, he's smoothly transitioned to jumps, clinching his maiden win at Colonial Downs on his second try. He then defeated The Hero Next Door and L'Imperator in the $95k Stakes race at Far Hills. The Hero Next Door will be 3lb lighter this time, after a 3L loss to Abaan. He excels on firm ground and looks to be the one to beat this weekend.
The Hero Next Door (IRE) - The Hero Next Door catches the eye. This Irish-bred, owned by Michael A. Smith, showcased remarkable consistency last year with two wins and two second-place finishes. Notably, he finished behind Abaan at Far Hills and also secured a runner-up position to the talented Cool Jet in the Aflac Supreme Hurdle at Pine Mountain. The slightly shorter distance of 2 miles and 1/8 at the Colonial Cup may play to his strengths. Anticipate seeing him leading or near the front early in the race.
L'Imperator (Fr) - The French-bred, made an impressive mark by narrowly defeating our very own ‘Geordie Dreamer’ at Percy Warner, followed by a commendable allowance win at the spa. However, it was his performance in the Lonesome Glory that truly showcased his potential, where he was just half a length shy of overcoming the Eclipse Horse of the Year, Merry Maker.
This horse brings to the table the most distinguished form among the entries. Should he replicate his performance from the Lonesome Glory, he presents himself as a formidable contender.
Neotropic - Hails from the Jack Fisher stable. Last season, Neotropic's achievements were modest, clinching a single victory in a non-winner of 2 allowance race. However, it's worth noting he ran well against The Hero Next Door at Middleburg, going down by only a length and a half.
Neotropic could be another setting the pace early on, alongside The Hero Next Door.
From the horses mouth….
Parker Hendriks on L’Imperator - We are hopeful for a nice run. I rode him in the Jonathan Sheppard and finished 5th on him, which was a pretty nice run in a big step up in class. If he could replicate his run in aqueduct he should be live, but he does have some distance to find on Abaan and Hero next door from far hills.
Kate Dalton on Abaan - Abaan is great. He’s moving well, he’s in great form and Bernie and I are certain that he’s as fit as we can get him here at home.
Graham Watters on Neotropic - he has been training nicely and seems to be in with a good chance. It’s a small field but fiercely competitive. He should love the track so hopefully he can build of his win in he fall.
SELECTIONS
1. Abaan 2. The Hero Next Door (IRE) 3. L'Imperator (Fr)
Blue Ridge Point To Point
The Cheshire Hunt Races
Brandywine Hills Point to Point
Leading Jockey Award
Brandywine Hills Point to Point are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the generous support from Ashwell Stables, the Point to Point races on Sunday April 7th will feature a special award. A $500 prize will be presented to the Leading Jockey based on their performance in today's events. The allocation of points will adhere to the Delaware Valley Point to Point conditions.
Willowdale Steeplechase
The Tradition Continues, Willowdale Steeplechase
The Willowdale Steeplechase, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Chester County in Kennett Square, PA, boasts a rich history steeped in equestrian tradition. Dating back to its inaugural run in 1993, the event has grown to become a cherished annual spectacle, drawing riders, enthusiasts, and families alike. Originally conceived as a fundraiser for the land preservation efforts of the Trust, it has since evolved into a premier steeplechase event, renowned for its thrilling races, festive atmosphere, and signature water jump. Over the years, Willowdale has remained a steadfast celebration of horsemanship and community spirit, weaving itself into the cultural fabric of Chester County with each passing year. Join us for race day, Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday May 11, 2024. Tickets: willowdale.org
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