Maryland Hunt Cup 2017

[Flatterer]

The Maryland Hunt Cup received a nice push from 60 Minutes when they ran a feature on this Timber Classic. Although there were some archival video of fallers in the Maryland Hunt Cup, most of the video was shot at Great Meadow Fall in Virginia (running through the infield water) and the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup run November 2016 (up close timber jumps and overhead drone shots). Rider-less horses are a real concern in the Maryland Hunt Cup because they run along the fence line unseating race runners in the process. Here are the links to the 60 Minutes story and the 60 Minutes overtime story.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/horse-ra...land-hunt-cup/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-60-...nt-horsewoman/

Here is the helmet cam video of Twill Do winning the 2010 Maryland Hunt Cup. Jockey James Stierhoff was interviewed during the 60 Minutes piece. Across the Sky was leading the race by 50 lengths but hit the 17th, 18th and 19th fences so hard the hind leg “thwack” echoed through Worthington Valley. Across the Sky mercifully refused at the 20th fence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfr2hLL48SU

Here is a link for this year’s runners.

http://www.nationalsteeplechase.com/...-Overnight.pdf

To navigate the 22 post and rail fences, experience and practice are key for a good performance. From 2008 through 2015 winners had 1 previous start in the race, were 9 to 11 years old and finished top 3 in an April prep race. However, the last 2 winners were successful in their first try, were 7 and 6 years old, but they still had solid April preps.

Last year, Senior Senator won in his 1st attempt and was one of the youngest winners at age 6. He opened a 25 length lead, was passed after 21 fences and came back to win by ½ length. This year, Senior Senator won a Point to Point at Elkridge Harford (Voss’ farm) and The Grand National. Showing a new dimension, Senior Senator stayed 4th most of the Grand National race, took the lead with 2 fences to go, was passed then ran on to win by 1 ½ lengths. He has run 1st or 2nd in all 9 of his sanctioned and unsanctioned timber races since October 2014. Senior Senator is head and shoulders above this field. The only way he loses is if he unseats jockey Poretz.

This begs the question, if Senior Senator is so good, who has run close to him. This spring, De Chera and Old Timer have both run 2nd to Senior Senator. De Chera lost by 1 length at Elkridge Harford and Old Timer lost by 1 ½ lengths in the Grand National.

De Chera is a maiden over timber and did not have a jockey named when entries closed. With veteran Bruce Fenwick as trainer, I’ll make him 6th choice.

Old Timer is the strongest runner after Senior Senator. Old Timer’s jockey McLane Hendricks is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program and is riding in this race for the 3rd time. He had a choice of 3 runners and landed on Old Timer. Old Timer closed 10 lengths after the last jump over a very tiring course at Grand National, forcing Senior Senator to kick in another gear to hold Old Timer safe. Old Timer is the 2nd choice.

Serene Harbor has 3 timber wins and a point to point win this spring and is my 3rd choice. Jockey Annie Yeager has experience in this race but has not won.

Imperial Way has come close 2 times in this race (lost by a nose and disqualified when he lost a 26 pound weight blanket) but is still a maiden over timber. I have to make him 4th choice if the top 2 are taken out of the race.

Drift Society for trainer Jack Fisher is my 5th choice with 2 lifetime timber wins but no races this April.

The remaining 7 runners can only win if there is a catastrophic incident preventing the 6 runners listed above from finishing.

Event rider Jennie Brannigan will be on Joshua G. I hope she makes it around the course safely.

Thank you for reviewing this information and your support. Looking at the number of times my Steeplechase write ups have been viewed, I’m glad that so many are interested in this aspect of thoroughbred racing.

If you go to the Maryland Hunt Cup, stop by and say hello. I’ll be in the Subscriber’s parking area.

Good Luck at the races!

[Flatterer]

Ten started and only two finished.

Senior Senator arrived at the paddock washed out and annoyed with the large crowd. He reared up several times and appeared distracted before jockey Poretz climbed aboard. Senior Senator settled while jogging to the start but after the starting flag dropped, furiously tossed his head while Poretz held him behind 6 runners at a pedestrian pace. Watching the runners in front of him instead of the 3rd fence, Senior Senator did a face plant after the fence throwing Poretz hard to the ground. Both were ok, but Senior Senator suffered his first DNF in 10 timber races.

Half the field fell or refused at the next 2 fences, leaving 4 runners with 3 miles and 14 fences to negotiate.

Our Town was the next faller leaving Old Timer, Drift Society and Derwins Prospector to jump the last 10 fences.

Old Timer flew over the 19th fence opening up 5 lengths and appeared the best of the remaining runners. Jockey McLane Hendricks told me he had plenty of horse left, but at the 21st fence Old Timer propped and McLane was already over Old Timer's withers, tumbled over Old Timer's neck and was out of the race. Both horse and rider were ok.

Drift Society was in front at the last but Derwins Prospector closed and won by 3/4 of a length.

Derwins Prospector's lifetime earnings increased to $81,000 with the $60,000 winner’s purse.

All horses and jockeys were not injured despite some nasty falls.

Here is a link to the race video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNjk5ndlrY8

My next stop is Winterthur Sunday May 7th just north of Wilmington, DE. The following Sunday is Mother’s Day May 14 at Willowdale where I’ll play The National Anthem on my trumpet and serve as Official Timer of the races.

Good Luck in the Kentucky Derby and at all the races!