Pennsylvania Hunt Cup 2016

[Flatterer]

The 82nd annual Pennsylvania Hunt Cup just west of Unionville Pennsylvania kicks off with a 12:30 p.m. post time for the first of its five races, four over timber and one on the flat.

This is one of my favorite races, because of the timber jumps and I can walk to the races. I have to traverse 2 creeks and a paddock fence but the landowners don’t mind.

The first race is a Lady’s side saddle race at 3 miles over timber fences. The entries are not available at the National Steeplechase site. They run over a modified timber fence with the top rails removed so they don’t jump as high but they still run surprisingly fast. There were side saddle races in the Spring at some point to point meets.

The Lewis Ledyard Maiden Timber at 3 miles features 8 runners that have not won over timber. #8 Handsome Hoyt has a win a win over timber at Brandywine Point to Point is my top selection. Because it was not an National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned race, it does not appear in the past performances. Next is #2 Surf Classic with a 3rd at Shawan and 2nd at Middleburg. After that, #6 Derwin’s Prospector ran a good 2nd at Genesee Valley in New York. Projected order of finish: 8-2-6-1-4-7-3-5.

The Arthur O. Choate allowance at 3 miles has 7 runners. #6 Prime Prospector with Paddy Young is the top pick after running a respectable 3rd in the Virginia Gold Cup. #7 Battle Aray will put in a good run after winning the Genesee Valley maiden. #5 Pured It rounds out the top 3. Projected order of finish: 6-7-5-3-4-1-2

The feature $35,000 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup at 4 miles is next. There are 22 fences ranging in height from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 2 inches. This race has some interesting history. Trainer Johnathan Sheppard was a steeplechase jockey when he first came to the United States and won this race 2 times in the early 1960s. Twice in the past 13 years there has only been 1 finisher in the race. Jockeys are not permitted to remount and continue to race if they fall off their horse. Owner Irv Naylor, with $880,000 in steeplechase earnings this year will send out likely winner #1 Ebanour. #6 Drift Society will run 2nd and comeback horse #2 Grinding Speed will run 3rd. Projected order of finish: 1-6-5-2-4-3.

The Athenian Idol flat race at 1 3/8 miles ends the day. This race is restricted to riders (mostly amateurs) that have never won 10 jump races. Breeders Cup winner Rosie Napravnik rode in this race in 2005 and finished up the track (7th place). There is always an interesting mix of horses and this year is no exception. Johnathan Sheppard sends out top choice #7 Lawn Ranger who finished 6th in the 2014 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf losing by 2 ½ lengths. #6 Spirit of Shankley, a 2015 Cheltenham Steeplechase Festival runner is next and #3 Officer Sydney for Ricky Hendricks is the 3rd pick. 6 of the 12 runners have never broken their maiden. Projected order of finish: 7-6-3-8-5-1….then pick a maiden.

Good Luck at the races!

[Flatterer]

It was a cool and windy autumn day with about 3000 in attendance. The wind had an influence as front runners melted away after providing cover for the rest of the field.

Only 4 runners finished the Lewis Ledyard for maidens. Irv Naylor’s Henry San #3 won by 8 lengths. 3rd selection Derwin’s Prospector ran 3rd and both Handsome Hoyt and Surf Classic lost their riders.

The Arthur Choate only had 4 finishers. Pured It ran 2nd losing by 4 ½ lengths to #3 Canyon Road. Both Prime Prospector and Battle Aray did not finish.

The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup had Irv Naylor’s Ebanour winning by 4 lengths over Drift Society. Grinding Speed tired to run 4th.

The Athenian Idol flat race was true to form with Sheppard’s Lawn Ranger winning by 7 over Spirit of Shankley. Officer Sydney ran 4th after setting the early pace. It’s too bad Sheppard did not try Lawn Ranger at Saratoga this past summer to keep his win streak alive.

The day ended well with a cold exacta in the last 2 races.

Irv Naylor added to his record setting year with a new total of $934,700 from 101 starters, breaking his $778,650 total from last year. Trainer Jack Fisher passed the million dollar mark with $1,085,410 from 128 starters. There is only one meet remaining, Colonial Cup at Camden SC November 19.

Thank you for your support this past year! Steve, thanks for the shout out on your show after the Far Hills races. I’ll be back to provide Steeplechase commentary for the 2017 season.

Good Luck at the races!!