'Jump' Newsletter: West Newton rallies after being caught and passed to win the Imperial Cup!
'Jump' Newsletter: West Newton rallies after being caught and passed to win the Imperial Cup!
Sunday March 24th - Edition 21
West Newton - GB (Seen here with Skylar McKenna Up) rallies to win the feature race at Aiken
In Case You Missed It: Saturday’s Top 4 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Aiken Review - West Newton rallies after being caught and passed to win the Imperial Cup!
Aiken Results - All Saturday’s Results
Aiken - Steeplechase brings in more than 25,000 people for their biggest race meet yet.
NSA Standings - Bernie Dalton rides an Aiken double.
“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)
West Newton rallies after being caught and passed to win the Imperial Cup!
By Dede Biles
dbiles@aikenstandard.com
far right, with Harrison Beswick aboard, leads after clearing a jump during the $35,000 Imperial Cup during the Aiken Spring Steeplechase on March 23.
Barry Bornstein/Special to the Aiken Standard
When Caramelised passed the front-running West Newton on the backstretch of the Aiken Steeplechase Association’s racecourse, Ricky Hendriks prepared himself for disappointment March 23.
The end of the $35,000 Imperial Cup was nearing, and West Newton’s trainer thought, “Oh OK, he’s going to finish second.”
But then the 8-year-old bay gelding suddenly found another gear and started to rally with determination, closing in on his rival with every stride.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, he’s going to run him down. He’s coming back, man,” Hendriks said.
Ridden by Harrison Beswick, West Newton surged past Caramelised on the inside while charging toward the wire and pulled away to a 3 ¼-length victory.
“This horse has a heart of gold,” said a proud Hendriks of West Newton. “He tries really hard. He didn’t care he got passed. He just kept on trucking. I’m tickled to death with him.”
*The content and images featured in this article were originally produced and sourced from the postandcourier.com. We acknowledge and credit the original creators for their work.
Saturday’s Results
Aiken Steeplechase brings in more than 25,000 people for their biggest race meet yet.
Photo Credit - AP Gouge Photography
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Spring Steeplechase this year was their most attended race yet.
Thousands of people gathered to place their bets, tailgate and watch the horses take on the track.
“This is the first kickoff of all the steeplechases in the United States and it starts and ends in Aiken!” said Barbara Welles, who attended Steeplechase.
With more than 25,000 people at this year’s Steeplechase, it’s their biggest race yet.
“The village of shops is bigger, we’ve finally gotten our tower completely completely finished. It’s in full swing. And now we’re gonna move on to other construction projects to continue to develop the property,” said Frank Mullins, Aiken Steeplechase President.
Thousands of people stood around the track cheering on the horses, hoping for their favorite to win.
“The track we just did the compaction on, it’s actually at the perfect place. So the track couldn’t be any better. It’s a little soggy in spots, but not that bad on the outfield. So I think it’s just right, the sun is peeking in and out, just perfect,” Mullins said.
And many people say after coming once, you’ll want to keep coming back.
It is one of the signs of spring in our area. The steeplechase returned to Aiken today. Opening ceremonies included the Aiken County Pony Club and a Parade of Hounds.
NSA Standings
Bernie Dalton rides an Aiken double!
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