'Jump': Snap Decision Eyes 3rd Historic Win at the 2024 Iroquois Steeplechase, Percy Warner and Willowdale Entries; Rampoldi Plan Surges into NSA Top 10!
'Jump': Snap Decision Eyes 3rd Historic Win at the 2024 Iroquois Steeplechase, Percy Warner and Willowdale Entries; Rampoldi Plan Surges into NSA Top 10!
Thursday May 9th, Edition #36
In Case You Missed It: This Weekends Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Weekend Preview - Snap Decision trying again to make history at the 2024 Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville
This Weekends Entries - Percy Warner and Willowdale Steeplechase
Throwback Thursday - Watch Snap Decision win his first Iroquois Hurdle Stakes back in 21’
Willowdale Steeplechase - THREE days until race day!
NSA Ratings - Rampoldi Plan up 9lbs to break into the Top 10
“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)
WEEKEND PREVIEW
Snap Decision trying again to make history at the 2024 Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville
Photo - Alan Poizner - The Tennessean
Article by Mike Organ
Nashville Tennessean
Snap Decision's bid to become the first horse to win the Calvin Houghland Iroquois three consecutive years was foiled in 2023, but owner Bruton Street isn't giving up on the 10-year-old gelding.
Snap Decision is back in the field for the 83rd running of the $200,000 Grade I stakes race Saturday at Percy Warner Park. And he won't have to deal with Scaramanga, who made a strong run down the stretch to beat him in the three-mile featured race over 16 fences in 2023.
Snap Decision finished second followed by Scorpion's Revenge.
"The Iroquois looks really good with Snap Decision back," Iroquois chairman Dwight Hall said. "He got beat last year, but he ran in Middleburg (Virginia) a couple of weeks ago and gave away anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds and still won. He won by six or eight lengths and looked really impressive. He'll be very formidable and it will be fun to see if he can win for the third time."
WEEKEND ENTRIES
Percy Warner
Willowdale Steeplechase
THROWBACK THURSDAY
Watch Snap Decision wins his first Iroquois Hurdle Stakes back in 21’
Since its inaugural run in 1941, the race has been a yearly highlight, with pauses only in 1945 due to World War II and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's named after Iroquois, the trailblazing American-bred horse to clinch victory at Britain's esteemed Epsom Derby. Over the years, the race has showcased champions like Flatterer and Lonesome Glory, amongst others, many of whom have earned the title of American Champion Steeplechase. On Saturday Snap Decision attempts to win the race for the third time!
WILLOWDALE STEEPLECHASE
THREE days until race day!
The final call to post for the day is for The Landhope Cup, a maiden timber for horses who have never won over timber fences. Post time is 3pm.
Race Chair Dixon Stroud explains, "Landhope is the name of the farm where I grew up with all my brothers and sisters. Formerly, the farm was owned by the famous Philadelphia architect Arthur Meigs, then movie producer and 9 goal polo player Cheever Cowdin. Meigs' girlfriend was the famous Hope Scott from the Philadelphia story. He named the farm Land of Hope. Therefore: Landhope."
The Landhope Cup was won in 2023 by Skip Crawford's TO BE OR NOT TO BE, ridden by Eric Poretz and trained by Joe Davies. This year, for the first time, The Landhope Cup will be ridden over our NEW timber course!
Join us on Saturday May 11! Tickets are available right through race day at Willowdale.org.
NSA STANDINGS
Rampoldi Plan up 9lbs to break into the Top 10
The latest NSA ratings have just been released, and Leslie Young's Rampoldi Plan is the biggest mover soaring up 9lbs after clinching the Grade 1 Commonwealth Cup. This weekend's action in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois is not something you'll want to miss, featuring 5 of the top 7 rated horses in the USA. Adding to that, the 4th ranked High Definition will be taking on the 8th ranked Abaan in the Green Pastures Stakes. It promises to be a cracking day of racing!
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Check back on Monday for more USA Steeplechase news and insights!
Steve
@USASteeplechase - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram