Keri Brion won six races in two days of racing, while Hendriks, Kingsley and Merryman also had winners

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August 24, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--Keri Brion is riding on top of the world as she saddled four winners on Thursday, Aug.21 and then two more on Saturday for six winners on two days over a three days span, four winners on the flat and two over fences.

Miztertonic (Photo  by Coady Media)"Crazy," said Brion after her four winners on Thursday. "The four winners in one day was wild. I was the winningest trainer in the country that day according to Equiibase."

"just won two more," said Brion on Saturday, who also had a winner on Aug. 15 to make it seven winners in one week.

"I'm just hoping thiis summer is proving to everyone that I'm not just a jump trainer, We can do well with any type of horse." 

First Swore and Anoint won over fences at Colonial Downs Thursday morning, (see story in the Horses dated Aug. 21) and then Miztertonic and One More Knock won Thursday afternoon at Saratoga.

Damchu Stables' homebred Mizteertonic win a $95,000, 1 1/16 mile Allowance race on the turf for New York breds by a nose.

"He''s a cool horse," said Brion of Miztertonic, who now has three wins, four seconds and one third from 11 starts, all on the flat and all at the top tracks of Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.

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Mark Beecher saddled Timetoshine to win $100,000 hurdle at Colonial

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September 12, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va..--TimetoShine (Fr) won the !00,000 Life''s Illusion 2 1/4 mile Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes at Colonial Downs on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Timetoshine (Photo by Coady Media)Trained by Mak Beecher, owned by Runnymoore Racing and ridden by Dan Nevin, Timetoshine won by 8 lengths over Anador (Fr), trained by Todd McKenna, and Madaket's Arrow trained by Kate Dalton, finishing in 4{03.86.

"That was a massive win," said Beecher. "It was a great pick-up for us."

"I bought her iin May for Runnymoore," he said. "She'd been running in England. I got her acclimated to the heat here. This was her first race in this country."

"Her owners never put any pressure on me to race her," Beecher said. "They said, run her when she's ready."

"Today was perfect for her," he said. "A little overcast, and the ground was a little yielding."

"She's a lovely, light-type mare," Beecher said, ""We'll get her home and see how she is, She'll probably run next in the filly and mare stake at Far Hills."

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Successful Fair Hill Races leads to plans for additonal meets

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September 3, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

ELKTON, Md--Officials have declared the Fair Hill Races on Aug. 30 to have been a success and say that there will be another meet over Memorial Day weekend.

Fair Hill turf course "We were thrilled with the day," said George Mahoney, Chairman of the Maryland Racing Commission.

"This was a good first step," said Joe Clancy, a member of Sports Corp., the group that organized the meet. "We puposely didn't have any jump races. We didn't want to compete against Colonial Downs or Saratoga or hurt their entries. We held the number of entries to eight in the interest of safety, and we didn't charge admission."

"We got a good crowd, and I think that the people that came had a good time," said Clancy. "The total betting handle was $56,5503. The total handle is always going to be small, and that never was a money maker, but it's a tradition to have betting. In the old days the handle was around $200,00, but 75 percent of that goes back to the betters and 25 percent is divided between the races, which pay all the expense of betting, and the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources."

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Taylor Kingsley won two races at the first meet held at Fair Hill in six years

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September 1, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

ELKTON, Md.--Recently turned professional Taylor Kingsley rode two winners as racing returned to the Fair Hill turf course on Saturday, Aug, 30 after six long years. 

Taylor Kingsley (File photo)The day, which featured six flat turf races, all without a starting gate but with para-mutual betting, was very successful despite a few minor glitches.

Kingsley won both divisions of the $20,000, 1 mile and five furlongs Starter Allowance, one for Tom Garner and one for her father Arch Kingsley.

Garner saddled Bonita Farm's Fightnomoreforever to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Fenwick, trained by Garner, and Mortal Sin trained by Danielle Hodsdon.

"Fightnomoreforever was a professional," said Kingsley. "He really didn't need me at all. When a hole opened up on the turn, I didn't have to ask him, he just went through it."

"I was delighted to win at the first races  back at Fair Hill," she said. "It was like christening the track. I would love to win one for my Dad at this track."

So in the very next race, she did just that, winning on Gossiper.

"That was brilliant, wasn't it," said Kingsley. "Perfect timing. That was my first win for him as a professional. i still want to win for him at a flat track out of the gate."

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Jimmy P, trained by Keri Brion, won the G1 Sheppard at Saratoga

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August 27, 2025

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. --Keri Brion continued her incredible week-long stretch with yet another win, this time with Jimmy P in the G1 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial Hurdle Handicap on Wednesday, Aug, 27 at Saratoga,

Jimmy P, saddlecloth 9, outduels Zarak the Brave to win the Sheppard (Photo by Tod Marks)Brion has now won seven races in seven days, four on the flat and three over fences.

Madaket Stables, Molly Willis and Paul Willis’ Jimmy , ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, won by 3/4 length over Zarak the Brave, trained by Tom Garner, and Hidden Path, trained by Ricky Henriks.

Jimmy P had blinkers taken off by Brion and successfully defended his title in the G1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard, a 2 3/8-mile hurdle handicap for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course.

Jimmy P had run five times between winning the Sheppard last year and then again this year, not hitting the board in any of those five races.

Brion said she took the blinkers off Jimmy P to help keep his interest throughout the race.

“He’ll outwork anything in the morning and then you put him in the race and he’s just kind of nonchalant about it,” Brion said. “So, I put them on and then I thought let’s just change it back up again, take them off, just keep messing with him a little bit – he did nothing wrong last year in this race, let’s just do exactly the same thing.”

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Jack Fisher had a flat Stakes winner in Mission North

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August 23, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va.--Leading steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher saddled Mission North to win the $125,000 Find Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday, Aug, 16.

Mission North (Photo by Coady Media)Owned and bred by Northwoods Stable, Mission North, ridden by Forest Boyce, won the 1 1/16 mlle turf Stakes by 3/4 length over Giganter, trained by Steve Asmussen.

Fisher has alternated Mission North between flat races and steeplechase races, with great success in both.

Mission North now has four wins and a third in five starts this year, with an overall record of six wins and two thirds from 13 starts.

Fisher ran hm on the flat in '23 and '24 before winning his first start this year, which was also his first race over fences, at Old Dominion Hounds in a Maiden Special Weight in April.

Since then, he's won the Speedy Smithwick Hurdle Stake at Great Meadow, an Allowance race at Laurel and now in Find Stakes.

"He'll run one more time on the flat at Colonial and then go to the 4-year-old Stakes at Far Hills," said Fisher.

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Brion has two Maiden winners and Neilson has a Handicap winner at Colonial

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August 21, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va.--Keri Brion had the winners of both $60,000 Maiden Hurdle races on Thursday, Aug. 21 at Colonial Downs, while Kathy Neilson saddled the winner of the $35,000 Handicap Hurdle.

Swore (Photo by Photos Coady Media)Brion also had two winners at Saratoga in the afternoon for four winners in one day - quite a day!

Swore, trained by Brion and ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, won the first race, a $60,000, 2 1/4 mile Maiden Hurdle, by 2 1/4 lengths over Gratia Prince, trained by Barry Foley and ridden by Bernie Dalton, and Predominate, trained by Todd McKenna and ridden by Freddie Procter.

"Swore is a nice horse for Stone Farm and Upland Flats, which is owned by Patrick Lewis ," said Brion. "He's one of my nicest new horses to go jumping."

A 6-year-old by Broken Vow out of a Ghostzapper mare, Swore was trained by Graham Motion through his 5-year-old year with one win, in an allowance race, two seconds and two thirds.

He was second in his first race for Brion, a maiden hurdle at Colonial. 

Swore ran third for much of race, moved to the inside on the final turn to get to the lead with a furlong to go and edged clear to win in a drive by 2 1/4 lengths. 

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Little Trilby won the $75,000 Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes at Saratoga

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August 15, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Ricky Hendriks saddled Little Trilby (GB)  to win the $75,000, 2 3/8 mile Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes at Saratoga on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Little Trilby, running second to last early in the race (Photo by Tod Marks)Del Rio's Litlle Trilby, ridden by Conor Tierney, won by 12 1/4 lengths in 4:40.29 over Travesuras, trained by Cyril Murphy, with the favorite Roja Redemption another 7 lengths back in third.

Carloun went into the lead from the flag drop but pecked badly losing his rider, giving the lead to Roja Redemption,, who led through the back side and over the last fence.

Litlle Tilby was racing near the back of the seven horse field, moving forward through the backstretch and moved into contention after the last fence.

He caught Roja Redemption on the final turn and went into the lead at the top of the stretch,extending his lead to win easily by 12 1/4 lengths.

This was Little Trlby's second win since being imported last August.

He won the Holiday Stakes in Aiken last November, then finished second in the Carolina Cup Hurdle Stakes in Camden in March.

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Saratoga New York bred sale set records across the board

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August 13, 2025

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINS, N.Y.--The first session of the 2025 Fasig-Tipton New York Bred Yearlings sale, conducted Sunday evening, Aug. 10 echoed the momentum from last week’s record-breaking Saratoga Sale, and then the second and final session  Monday afternoon established new sale records for gross, average, and median.

Saratoga NY-bred sales topper, a filly by Early VotingOver the two sales, two yearlings sold for $525,000, a colt by Practical Joke and a filly by Early Voting.

The opening session was marked by increases in gross, average, and median, and featured several historically significant prices among the offerings.

"There was plenty of money and not enough horses" said top sales agent Russell Jones of Unionville, Pa.

A filly from the first crop of G1 Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting (hip 331) topped the session when sold for $525,000 to Jones/Everett, agent for Sabby and Gargon Racing .

The price is the second highest paid for a filly at the New York Bred Yearlings sale, second only to a Malibu Moon filly sold in 2019. 

“It was an outstanding opening session of the 2025 New York Bred Yearlings sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “The quality of the New York-breds that we’re exposed to in our inspection process continues to improve each and every year and that was indicative of the results tonight.”

Also among the top prices for the first session was a filly by Practical Joke (hip 329) sold for $500,000 to Repole Stable from the consignment of Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

The price tied the third most expensive filly in this sale’s history, tied with an Outwork filly sold in 2019. T

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Laurelin, trained by Graham Motion, won again to remain undefeated in five starts

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August 9, 2025

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y--Undefeated Laurelin, trained by Graham Motion, won the Gr2, $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational, a 1 3/16 mile Mellon turf race,on Saturday, Aug. 9 to keep her perfect record intact.

Laurelin in the winners circleWinning by 1 3/4 lengths, the 3-year-old chestnut filly is undefeated in five starts, all on the turf, beginning with a Maiden win at Belmont followed by wins at Aqueduct in the Tepin Stakes last November and the Memories of Silver Stakes in April and then the Penn Oaks Stakes  at Penn National in June. 

“It’s very hard to go 5-for-5 and I don’t think I’ve ever had a horse do that before,” said Motion. “A lot of things have to go right, and they have to be very good. I feel like we’ve done right by her and tried to go step-by-step and this was a logical time to go into a graded race.

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Jack Fisher saddled The Jackal to win the $60,000 Maiden Hurdle at Colonial

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August 7, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va.--The Jackal, trained by Jack Fisher, won the $60,000, 2 1/4 mile Maiden Special Weight Hurdle at Colonial Downs on Thursday, Aug, 7.

The Jackal winning at Colonial (Photo by Coady Media)Owned by Bruton Street-US and ridden by Graham Watters, The Jackal came from far back in the eight horse field to make a huge run after the last fence, going three wide on the final turn and drew off to win by 8 1/2 lengths ovder In Effect, trained by Neil Morris and Perfect Reel (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson.

A $60,000 purse in a Maiden race is huge for hurdle horses, and this was the third one Fisher has won at Colonial.

"I don't understand why more trainers didn't save their maidens to run at Colonial," said Fisher.

This was The Jackal''s first sanctioned race over fences after running in a couple of point-to-points earlier in the year.

"I was surpised by this win"said Fisher. "I thought he was going to pull up when he was second to last on the backstretch the last time around."

Clancy Bloodstock bought The Jackal the November Keeneland Sale for $37,000 last year, and he went to Fisher to train.

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Saratoga Sale sets records with 16 selling for over $1 million

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August 6, 2025

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--It was an incredible night at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale on Tuesday, Aug. 5, with a record setting $4.1 million sale among the 16 yearlings that sold for $1 million or more.

The Saratoa Sale topper (Hip 218)Records fell across the board during the second session of the Sale, while the two-night sale shattered previously established records for gross, average, and median, including topping gross sales of $100,000,000 for the first time in the boutique sale’s considerable history.

"t was like people were trying to get rid of their money as fast as possible," said Russell Jones, a top sales agent who began and then sold Walnut Green and still continues to buy and sell thoroughbreds in Ireland"

The record setting colt by Into Mischief (hip 218) was sold for $4,100,000 to Coolmore & White Birch Farm from the consignment of Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent for Don Alberto Corporation.

"It was a powerful sale, and the $4.1 million colt s a beautiful horse," said Jones.

The most extraordinary event of the evening was that a filly by Into Mischief didn't reach her reserve of $3.9 million and was bought back by Denali Stud, agent for Don Alberto.

"She's a gorgeous filly," said Jones. "By the time she went through the ring, they had probably sold about $5 million in yearlings, so if ever they were going to keep one she would be the one."

"My credit goes to the Fasig-Tipton inspectors," said Jones. "This was a very strong sales with all good physical horses. Usually, there are a few that make this sale just on their pedigree."

Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale is a boutique sale limited to exceptional yearlings with both a top line pedigree and good conformation.

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Lizzie Merryman's colt out of Zeezee Zoomzoom sold for $1.4 million at Saratoga Yearling Sale

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August 5, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Elizabeth M. (Lizzie) Merryman bred the Justify colt out of her mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, and on Monday, Aug. 4 she sold the colt for $1.4 million to Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Qatar Racing at the Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale..

Lizziie Merryman Merryman got Zee Zee Zoomzoom for free, and the mare has turned out to be a gold mine.

Zeezee Zoomzoom has had eight foals, including this colt, and a foal at foot by Nyquist, five of which are winners and two pf then major stakes winners.

"She was recommended by a friend of mine,  Kim Brette," said Merryman. "She was out of a really nice mare, and she broke her maiden at Saratoga on Travers Day. I was looking for a brood mare at the time, so I took her."

Zeezee Zoomzoom's first foal was Caravel, whose 15 wins included the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Another was Witty, who, trained by Merryman, has won won 10 races so far with his most recent win being the Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico on May 17.

Merryman almost sent Zeezee Zoomzoom, in foal to Justify, to a sale in late 2024 but finally decided against it. and the foal was born in 2024.

The foal grew up on Buffalo Run farm in Coatesille, Pa., owned by Merryman and her husband Bill Rubin.

Rubin raises buffalo on the farm while Merryman raises thoroughbreds.

The yearling was sent to Hunter Valley Farm to prep for the sale and was sold at Saratoga by Hunter Farm as agent for Merryman.

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Hidden Path won an Allowance Hurdle at Saratoga for trainer Ricky Hendriks

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July 30, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Hidden Path, trained by Ricky Hendriks, went from last to first to win the $70,000 Allowance Hurdle at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 30.

Hidden Path, ridden by Conor Tierney, drew off in the stretch to win at Saratoga (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Upland Flats Racing and ridden by Conor Tierney, Hidden Path won by 1 3/4 lengths over St. James the Great, trained by Keri Brrion, with Brie's Mission, trained by Kathy Neilson, third.

Hidden Path was last for most of the race, moving up through the field of nine starters towards the end of the backstretch, hooking up with the favorite, St.James the Great, on the final turn and taking the lead a furlong from the finish.

"He's a very nice horse," said Hendriks. "We gave him the spring off because we campaigned him pretty hard last year. Conor gave him a wonderful ride."

He said he hadn't expected Hidden Path to be that far back

"Conor said.`Ricky will tell me I had him too far back,'" said Hendriks.

He said they hadn't decided where Hidden Patch will run next.

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Starlifter won the $60,000 Maiden Hurdle at Colonial Downs

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July 24, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va.--Jack Fisher saddled Starlifter to win the $60,000, 2 1/4 mile Maiden Special Weight Hurdle at Colonial Downs on Thursday, July 24.

Starlifter wins at Colonial (Photo by Coady Media)Matthew T. Goff's Starlifter, ridden by Graham Watters, won his first sanctioned race over fences by a nose over In Effect, trained by Neil Morris,and Arturo Toscanini (Ire), trained by Keri Brion.

"He was ready to go to Middleburg, but then I saw the purse money a Colonial," said Fisher.

Stalifter moved up to second on the clubhouse turn and moved up to join In Effect for the lead at the last fence.

Starlifter and In Effect battled stride for stride down the stretch with Starlifter edging ahead to win by a nose.

"In the stretch, I was hoping he'd be second," said Fisher.  "That way I'd make more money as he'd get this purse and another when he wins. He'll go to Shawan next .He's not a Saratoga horse."

Before Groff's ownership and his running over fences, Starlifter ran in flat races in 2023 and 2024 as a 2- and 3-year-old, mainly in claiming races at Laurel, winning once and hitting the board in about half of his 14 races.

With this win, Fisher increased his lead in Trainer, Races Won to five,with 15 wins to second placed Leslie Young and Kathy Neilson, with 10 each.

In Trainer, Money Won, Fisher has more than double amount than his closest pursuer, with $751,650 to Brion''s $353.550 and Young's $343.150, and he is well on his way to another $1 million year.

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Graham Motion had five stakes winners in a month, Keri Brion and Ricky Hendriks also had mutliple winners

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July 22, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--Graham Motion had five stakes winners along with eight other winners over the past month, including two stakes wins at Delaware Park and a G1 win at Saratoga.

Graham Motion (Photo by Coady Photography)Motion began his five stakes win streak on June 14 with a win in the $300,000, 1 1/16 mile, G3 Delaware Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables' Fondly won by 3 lengths after taking the early lead and kicking clear in the stretch.

Newstead Stables'' Laurelin won the $150,000,1 mile Penn Oaks Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the turf by 1 1/4 lengths at Penn National on June.27.

Amerman Racing's homebred Test Score won the $750,000, G1, 1 1/8 mile Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes for 3-year olds on the turf at Saraoga on July 4.

Test Score ran two wide for most of the race, angled out five wide into the stretch and won by 1 1/4 lengths.

Cayton Park Stud's homebred Marksman Queen (GB) won the $250,000, G3 1 1/4 mile Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares 3 and up on the turf by a head at Delaware Park on July 5.

Motion won a second stakes for Eclipse Partners and Madaket Stables with Roja in the $102,000, 5 1/2 furlong Blue Sparkler Stakes for 3-year-olld fillies on the turf, winning by 3 1/2 lengths at Delaware Park on July 12.

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Jack Fisher had two winners over hurdles at Colonial Downs

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July 18, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

KENT, Va.--Jack Fiaher saddled two winners for Riverdee Stables, including Cyber Ninja, the winner of the $60,000 Maiden Special Weight Hurdle, at Colonial Downs on Thursday, July 17.

Cyber Ninja (Photo by Coady Media)Cyber Ninja, ridden by Danny Mullins, won the 2 1/4 mile b 6 1/4lengths over Swore, trained by Keri Brion,and Cadogan Place, trained by Richard Valentine.

That was Cyber Ninja's first sanctioned race over fences after racing on the flat in allowance races and a couple of stakes.

"He ran at Old Dominion Point-to-Point, just as a school," said Fisher.

Riverdee acquired Cyber Ninja late last year after he had been campaigned by his owner/breeder George Krikorian.

"He's been schooling over fences since January," said Fisher. "We saved him for this race at Colonial because the purse was so good. He'll go back and forth from flat to hurdle races."

Roja Redemption, ridden by Grahan Watters, won the $35,000 Handicap by 14 1/2 lengths over Kicking Myself, trained by Sean McDermott, and Dante's Fire, trained by  Neil Morris.

Roja Redemption made a big move after the eighth fence and drew off to win easily under wraps.

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Blue Creek won the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes at Saratoga

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July 17, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Blue Creek, trained by Keri Brion, won the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 16.

Blue Creek, left, duels China Beach (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Upland Flats Racing and ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, Blue Creek won by 4 1/4 lengths in 4:34.86 over China Beach, trained by Kate Dalton, and Quick Master, trained by Jack Fisher.

Blue Creek ran in the back of the pack  for the first circuit and then steadily made his was forward through the field of remaining seven horses.

L'Avvpcato had lost his rider on the first turn when jockey Freddie Procter's stirrup broke, and Kitten Around left the course before the third fence when he got rank.

Blue Creek began to make his move after the  last fence and went into the lead a furlong out, edging clear under a drive to win by 4 1/4 lengths.

He was pulled up not long after the finish, Mulqueen jumped off him, and he was eventually vanned off in the equine ambulance.

"Blue Creek ran a huge race," said Brion. "He took a bad step galloping out, but he's doing well."

"he has a minor suspensory injury, and he will run again," said Brion. "He's a really nice young horse, and we're looking forward to having him back next year."

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Racing at Fair Hill finally to resume Aug. 30

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July 10, 2025

By Staff Writers

FAIR HILL, Md.--Racing in finally going to be held again over the turf track at Fair Hill, with six flat races scheduled for Aug. 30.

Racing at Fair HillThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources made the announcement in a meeting at Fair Hill on July 10.

That will be the first time racing will be held at Fair Hill in six years, since 2019.

Horses have been training over the turf course for a few weeks, and the turf ha received top marks from trainers. 

The steeplechase community was upset by the late notice of the meeting, which was only announced on Monday, July 8, two days before the meeting, and also upset about the date of the meeting.

Three steeplechase races were scheduled for July 10 at Colonial, and although they were cancelled as all races were taken off the turf, it was too late for most owners and trainers to get to Fair Hill.

Bill Gallo, Director of Racing for NSA, and Joe Clancy, editor of The Saratoga Special, were in Saratoga.

Charlie Fenwick, president of the Fair Hill Foundation, was on his way to Colonial Downs when he heard the jump races were cancelled, and he turned around and made it back to Fair Hill in time for the meeting, which he said was held in the stands with only about 50 people in attendance 

The Maryland DNR issued a press release about the meeting,

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Travesuras, trained by Cyril Murphy and ridden by Gerard Galligan, won at Laurel

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June 17, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

LAUREL,Md.--Travesuras, trained by Cyril Murphy and ridden by Gerard Galligan, won the $45,000, 2 1/8 mile Allowance Hurdle at Laurel on Sunday, June 15. 

Travesuras, ridden by Gerard Galligan, winning at Laurel (Photo by James McCue)Owned by Irv Naylor, Travesuras traveled mid pack in the seven horse race, moved forward on the final turn, found a gap in the stretch and caught and passed Biggerthanbigtime (Ire), trained by Barry Foley, who had led throughout the entire race, to win by 1/2 length, with Madeket's Arrow, trained by Kate Dalton, third. 

"I got Travesuras in October, 2022," said Murphy. "He's been a solid horse for us. He always runs his race. " 

Travesurus had previously run over fences in England, and his first race for Murphy was at Colonial Downs on Aug. 18, 2023.

"He was too fresh for his own good," said Murphy. "He popped and popped Gerard off. He learned from that and never did it again."

Since that ace, Travesuras has hit the board in nine of the 11 races he's run, and now has a record in this country of two firsts, three seconds and four thirds from 12 starts and total earnings of $105,515.

"He's more than paying his way," said Murphy,

"His jumping has always been his strong point," said Murphy. "He broke his maiden at Radnor last year. At the time, I didn't think he could handle Saratoga. Then he got an ankle and missed the early fall.

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Holey Moley, ridden by Virginia Korrell, won at Laurel

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June 16, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

LAUREL, Md.--Holey Moley, ridden by Virginia Korrell, won the $40.000, 2 1/8 mile Maiden Special Weight Steeplechase at Laurel on Sunday, June 15.

Holey Moley ridden by Virginia Korrell (Photo by James McCue)Owned by Molly and Paul Willis and trained by Barry Foley, Holey Moley ran second throughout most of the race, moved into the lead on the final turn and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Awesome Man, trained by Todd Wyatt, with Derby Street, trained by Jack Fisher, third.

"I've had Holey Moley for about eight or nine months," said Foley. "We bought him privately."

Holey Moley ran in claiming races, mainly at Laurel , in 2023 and 2034 with one in before transitioning to hurdles in 2025, finishing fourth, sixth and second at Radnor in his previous runs over fences.

"I'd never ridden Holey Moley before, but I watched him race this spring," said Korell. "He waa ridden by James O'Sullivan, but he had to go back to Ireland to get his visa sorted out. Barry called me a week ago and asked if I'd ride him."

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Hendriks family, Wendy, son Ricky and grandson McLane, have winners, Motion, Brion, Fisher and Merryman also have winners

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June 14, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Wendy Hendriks had a number of winners over last winter and spring, including three at Tampa Bay Downs, all trained by her son Ricky.

Wendy Hendriks Dynamic Actress won a Maiden Claiming race in January, then finished second twice in Optional Claiming races before winning again on May 4 in a $330,000 Starter Optional Claiming race at 1mile on the turf, with all at her races at Tampa Bay.

Ricky and McLane HenriksDynamic Actress runs as owned by Ken Kachel, but all those that run in the name of Kachel are actually owned by Kachel and Wendy and Ricky Hendriks.

"We bought her as a yearling and got her Delaware certified," said Wendy Hendriks.

Dynamic Actress has now won twice, and finished second twice and third once from six starts.

That threesome won two other races, both with Whirlwind, who won a $20,00, 1 1/16 mile Claiming race on the turd in March and  a $27,500 1mile turf Claiming race in April.

Whirlwind, a 3-year-old Filly, now has won twice from two starts.

Wendy as an owner on her own had a winner in Casino Night, who won a $12,000 5 1/2 furlong Maiden Claiming race at Delaware Park on May 24, also trained by Ricky.

"Casino Night won, we ran her again, and she got claimed," said Wendy.

Wendy's grandson McLane is now also training racehorses, and he too saddled a winner.

Joy Slater's Chevy Man won a $42,215, 1 1/16 mile turf Maiden Claiming race at Laurel on May 26.

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Mark Beecher won the Open Hurdle with Decisive Triumph at the Potomac Hunt Races

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May 20, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

SENECA, Md.--Mark Beecher saddled Decisive Triumph to win the $7,500 Preakness Open Hurdle on Sunday, May 18 at the Potomac Hunt Races.

Mark Beecher, while still a jockey, on Professor Maxwell in the Maryland Hunt Cup without stirrups over the 13thDaniel R.Baker's Decisive Triumph, ridden by Dan Nevin, won the 2 1/8 mile Open Hurdle in 4:39 3/5 over Total Joy (Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Brie's Mission, trained by Kathy Neilson.

Decisive Triumph is a multiple handicap and allowance winner in sanctioned races, and he was running in the last point-to-point of the spring season.

"I wanted to get a run in him before the summer," said Beecher. "He's 12, so he's too old to run at Saratoga, and he's rated above118, so he's too highly rated to run at Colonial Downs. So Potomac was my only option to get a run in him. We'll run him again in the fall."

"He jumped off second, then went to the lead," said Beecher. "He hooked up with Total Joy. They ding-donged down to the last, and then he pulled away to win."

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Leslie Young had two winners at the Radnor Hunt Races

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May 19, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

MALVERN, Pa.--Leslie Young saddled two winners, including Project Two (Ire) in the Allowance Timber, at the Radnor Hunt Races on Saturday, May 17.

Project Two ridden by Jordon Canavan (Photo by Tod Marks)Project Two, owned by Michael A. Smith, trained by Young and ridden by Jordon Canavan, won the $25,000, 31/4 mile Allowance Timber race by 4 3/4 lengths in 7:21 4/5 over Track and Trace (Ire), trained by Mark Beecher, and Imperial Assassin (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson.

"Project Two was still a maiden when he started at Radnor," said Young. "Jordan gave him a great ride. He'd won over hurdles, then he had a tendon injury, so we gave him time, and then we brought him back over timber."

Project Two had previously had two thirds and a second in timber races before winning at Radnor.

Young also saddled Sharon E.Sheppard and Beverly (Peggy) Steinman's Mooney Love (Ire). ridden by Luke Carberry, to win the $30,000, 2 1/8 mile Maiden Hurdle by 1 1/2 lengths in 4:14 4/5 over Bold Look, trained by Barry Foley, and British Royalty (On) , trained by Neilson.

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Joe Davies and Kathy Neilson won the two featured races at Willowdale

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May 12, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Joe Davies trained both winners over timber, including the featured Stakes, while Kathy Neilson saddled the winner of the featured Hurdle Handicap at the Willowdale Steeplechase on Saturday, May 10.

Mr. Fine Threads, ridden by Charlie Marshall  (Photo by L. Mentzel)Armata Stables' Mr. Fine Threads, trained by Davies and ridden by Charlie Marshall, won the $35,000, 3 1.2  mile Willowdale Steeplechase Timber Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths in 7:34 4/5 over The Butler Yates (Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Master Seville, trained by Mark Beecher.

"We've had Mr. Fine Threads for three springs now," said Davies. "He's been an improving horse. He won at the Grand National meet last year and won the Shapiro at the Manor this spring. We're just beginning to figure him out. He had bad feet. He ran for three years with no shoes. We put shoes on him this spring. I don't like to run Maryland Hunt Cup horses in the fall, but we may run hm in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup this fall."

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Abaan won the $250,000 Iroquois Stakes, beating Snap Decision

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May 12, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

 NASHVILLE, Tenn.--In a race between two steeplechase giants, Abaan beat Snap Decision in the G1,  $250,000, 3 mile Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle Stakes.

Abaan leads Snap Decision over the last fence in the Iroquois (Photo by Tod Marks)Snap Decision, 11, a steeplechase Eclipse Award winner and winner of 15 - yes, 15 - steeplechase stakes, is royally bred, by Hard Spun out of an Unbridled mare and was graded stakes placed on the flat before his jumping career.

Abaan, 8, is also royally bred, by Will Take Charge out of a Tapit mare, and won a G3 race as well as being G2 Stakes placed on the flat before turning to steeplechasing.

Described by Charlie Fenwick as "a maturing steeplechase horse," Abaan has already won four hurdle stakes, including two G1 hurdle stakes.

Abaan, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Daigneault Thoroughbreds, trained by Kate Dalton and ridden by Bernie Dalton, beat Snap Decision by 1 length in 4:02, with Vae Patron, trained by Leslie Young, third.

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Taylor Kingsley won at Gulfstream in her first race as a professional

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May 8, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Taylor Kingsley,19, daughter of former top steeplechase jockey and trainer Arch Kingsley, had already won pony and amateur races all over the world when she rode in her first professional race as a flat jockey at a major racetrack.

Taylor Kinsley on Princetown at GulfstreamShe used that experience, plus her knowledge of the horse, to go right to the lead, save ground and improve her position to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

Kingsley rode Princetown for trainer Bill Mott in a $56,000.1 mile Allowance Optional Claiming race at Gulfstream on April 12.

She had started working for Mott as an exercise rider last January.

"It was fantastic," said Kingsley of winning. "I wasn't sure what to expect. I liked the horse. I'd worked him at home (at Churchill Downs, where Mott was stabled). There were a couple of horses in the race that I thought would be tough. If I'd been a betting man,, I would have bet against myself."

"We got a nice, clean trip in front, and no one could catch him." she said. “I’m lost for words. I’m grateful to Bill Mott. This is huge,”

Princetown, a 4-year-old by Speightstown, had previously run seven times with two wins.

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Mark Beecher won two at Winterthur, including the featured Winterthur Bowl

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May 6, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

WINTERTHUR, Del.--Mark Beecher saddled two winners, including Track and Trace (Ire) in the featured Wintrthur Bowl, on Sunday, May 4 at the Winterthur Races.

Track and Trace, ridden by Dan Nevin (Photo by Tod Marks)Track and Trace (Ire), owned by Bruton Street-US, trained by Beecher and ridden by Dan Nevin, won the $25,000. 3 1/4 mile Winterthur Bowl Allowance Timber by 2 lengths in 6:29 over Theda's Boy, trained by Kevin Boniface, and Glencorrib Sky (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson.

"Track and Trace is the first horse I've had for Bruton Street," said Beecher. "He broke his maiden over timber at the Grand National, and this was his second time over timber, so he's two for two,"

"I've had him since last November," said Beecher."'He's a very nice horse, very straight-forward. He'll be entered at Radnor."

Previously, Track and Trace ran in steeplechase races in England, where he won a Handicap at Catterick Bridge.

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Jack Fisher dominated the Virginia Gold Cup with three Stakes wins

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May 5, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

THE PLAINS, Va.--Jack Fisher saddled three Stakes winners on Saturday, May 3 at the Virginia Gold Cup, a meet marred by a number of horses falling on the flat with others slipping badly but not falling.

Cool Jet leads over the last in the Commonwealth Cup (Photo by Tod Marks)It was a dominating performance by Fisher, who won half of the races competed on the day and moved into a big lead in both Trainer, Money Won and also in Races Won.

Harry Beswick, who rode the winner of the first race, Thewizardswell (Ire), who lead by 20 or so lengths over most of the pack throughout the race, summed the race up perfectly.

"For me, it was pretty straight forward," said Beswick."I missed all the chaos behind me."

And chaos it was, with one horse falling over the first fence and then three horses slipping and falling on the turns with others in the race also slipping badly, with one going to his knees but recovering with his rider hanging on.

Following that race, there was a wait of more than an hour before the second race while race officials tried to remedy the problem by putting sand down on the tightest turns.

Also, one of the loose horses had left the grounds and had to be caught.

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Todd Wyatt had two winners at Middleburg Point-to-Point

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April 30, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

MIDDLEBURG, Va--Todd Wyatt saddled the winners of both the Maiden Timber and the Open Timber on Sunday,, April 27 at the Middlebug Point-to-Point.

James, left, and Todd WyattSarah M.Jay's Be Counted, ridden by Wyatt's son James, won the 3 mile Open Timber by a head in 5:59 over Racavan, trained by Richard Valentine, and Gun for Success, trained by Julie Gomena.

Racavan led over the first with Be Counted, Greylover and Marcel Magic following.

Racavan and Greylover had exchanged leads four times by the ninth fence.

At the 13th, Gun For Success joined Racavan, and competition got closer at the last as Be Counted won by a head over Racavan and Gun For Success.

"That was the horse and rider's foyrth win this spring if you count the Team race," said Wyatt. "James is 17 and just finiding his way, so we've been picking spots for him. Be Counted may go to Willowdale or Potomac."

Wyatt also saddled Ann Jackson's Left Blank, ridden by Freddie Procter, to win the Maiden Timber by a head in 6:06 4/5 over Lightning Ridge, trained by Sanna Neilson, and Reason to Pray, trained by James Piper.

At the start, Lightning Ridge was off first with Reason to Pray and Contre Ordre following.

At the seventh, Lightning Ridge led Left Blank with Contre Ordre third, and by the 15th Left Blank had taken the lead, and he went on to won.

"We've had him for a while,"said Wyatt."We ran him over hurdles.He's a good jumper, so we've been trying to get him over timber. It too a while for him to get it all together. It's nice to have a winner for an owner like Ann Jackson."

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Jack Fisher had two winners at Foxfield, including Smart Uncle in the feature

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April 29, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--Jack Fisher saddled Smart Uncle to win the featured $75,000, 2 1/8 mile Daniel Van Clief Memorial Novice Hurdle Stakes on Saturday, April 26 at the Foxfield Spring Races.

Smart Uncle winning at Aiken last November (Photo by Tod Marks)Fisher and Leslie Young each won two races at Foxfield and Kathy Neilson won one race, and now the three are tied for the lead in the National Steeplechase's Trainer, Races Won, with seven wins each.

Fisher leads in Trainer, Money Won with $236,050 over Young with $186,950, and Mark Beecher with $134,850.

This was Smart Uncle's third consecutive win over hurdles, having broken his maiden at Pine Mountain last November, followed by an Allowance win at Aiken Fall.

Mrs. S.K. Johnston Jr.'s Smart Uncle, ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, won by 1 3/4 lengths in 4:05 3/5 over Travesuras, trained by Cyril Murphy, and Clifton Downs (Ire), trained by Todd McKenna.

"He's a nice horse," said Fisher. "He'll go next to Iroquois."

Fisher also saddled Riverdee Stable's Vintage Year to win the $30,000 Maiden Hurdle by 1 length in 4:07 1/5 over Point Me By, trained by Julie Gomena, and Dynamite Dan (Ire), trained by Tom Garner.

"I wanted to start him in a maiden claiming race,"said Fisher. "Luckily, the owner talked me out of it. He'll go to Laurel next."

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Mark Beecher saddled Decisive Triumph to win at Loudoun

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April 24, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

LEESBURG, Va.--Mark Beecher saddled Decisive Triumph to win the $15,000 Apprentice Rider Hurdle, one of three recognized races at the Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point on Sunday, April 20.

Keri BrionKeri Brion had four winners, including three in flat races, in the Point-to-Point section.

Decisive Triumph, owned by Daniel R. Baker, trained by Beecher and ridden by Dan Nevin, won the 2 1/4 mile race by 1 length in 4:27 1/5 over Tufton Avenue (Ire), trained by Todd McKenna, and Kiyomori, trained by Todd Wyatt.

Decisive Triumph has been with us for six or seven years," said Beecher. "He loves the game, and he loves to jump. "It's nice to see a horse come back time after time."

"He's a hard knocking horse that everyone in the barn likes," said Beecher. "He'll go next in the apprentice rider hurdle at Willowdale."

Neil Morris saddled Maranto Manor's Auction Kingdom, ridden by James O'Sullivan, to win the $25,000 Ratings Handicap Hurdle by 1 1/4 lengths in 4:34 1/5 over Dante's Fire, also trained by Morris, and Love Saga, trained by Sean McDermott.

Todd McKenna saddled Keystone Thoroughbreds' Box Office Warrior, ridden by Gerard Galligan, to win the $20,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 6 1/2 lengths in 4:34 3/5 over Love Shaq, trained by Brion, and Selassie, trained by Kathy Neilson.

In the Point-to-Point secton, Brion saddled Arturo Toscanini (Ire), owned by K. Valerio,, T. Murabito and The International Venture and ridden by Stephen Muqueen, to win the first division of the Maiden Hurdle by 3/4 length in 5:00 over Rejection Hurts, trained by Beecher, and Anador (Fr), trained by McKenna.

"Arturo Toscanin iis an old classy horse that actually ran in the Irish Derby in Ireland years ago for Aidan O'Brien," said Brion. "He's got a new lease on life since jumping, and we plan to take him to the Maiden at Nashville."

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Leslie Young, Kathy Neilson and Mark Beecher have winners at the Grand National

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April 23, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

BUTLER, Md--Wrestlingwithrae (Ire), owned by Michael A.Smith, trained by Leslie Young and ridden by Jordan Canavan,, won the $35,000, 3 1/4 mile Grand National Timber Stakes on Saturday, April 19.

Hard Game won the Benjamin H Murray Allowance raceMark Beecher trained the winner of the second race, and Kathy Neilson saddled the winners of the third and fourth races.

Wrestlingwithrae won by 1 1/2 lengths in 6:35 1/5 over Goodoldtimes (Ire), trained by Mark Beecher, and Queens Empire (Ire), trained by Jack Fisher.

Wrestlingwithrae won an allowance race at Cheshire Point-to-Point and was second in the My Lady's Manor Stakes earlier this year.

The 7-year-old bay gelding ran mid-pack in the five horse field in the early going, led over the final fence and went on to win.

None of the five in the Grand National are going in the Maryland Hunt Cup.

Beecher saddled Bruton Street-US' Track and Trace (ire), ridden by Dan Nevin, to win the $15,000, 3 mile Maiden Timber by 10 3/4 lengths in 6:21 2/5 over Hey Teacher (GB), trained by Neilson, and Blackstar Rocco (Ire), trained by Willy Dowling.

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Snap Decision won the $100,000 Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Stakes for a record fourth time

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April 22, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

MIDDLEBURG,Va.--Snap Decision won the G2, $100,00, 2 1/2 Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Stakes for a record fourth time at the Middleburg Spring Races on Saturday, April 19.

Snap Decision leads over the last in theTemple Gwathmey (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Bruton Street-US, trained by Jack Fisher and ridden by Graham Watters, Snap  won by a neck in 5:28 2/5 over Abaan, trained by Kate Dalton, and Who's Counting, trained by Sean McDermott.

"This was one of the most competitive Temple Gwathmey's that's happened in my time," said Watters. "The race didn't go according to plan, Snap started a little slow. I went three or four wide to avoid other horses. He jumped his way into the lead two out, and he winged the last,but then Abaan came running. Snap was giving him a lot of weight."

Snap was giving Abaan 18 pounds, and other horses 10 to 24 pounds.

"Abaan is a terrific horse,"said Mike Hankin, a co-owner with Charlie Fenwick and Charlie Noell in Bruton Street. "Snap lives in Snap's world, and we're lucky to be in it. He's a horse of a lifetime."

"Snap loves to train," said Hankin. "He has to be turned out at night. If he has to stay in at night he gets really unhappy."

If he wins the Iroquois, and then if he wakes up in the morning and wants to train, we'll go on," said Hankin.

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Jack Fisher had two winners at Blue Ridge Point-to-Point

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April 16, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

BERRYVILLE, Va.--Jack Fisher saddled two maiden winners in sanctioned races, one in a timber race and one in a hurdle race, at the Blue Ridge Point-to-Point on Saturday, April 12.

Jack FisherBlue Ridge had four sanctioned races as well as two timber races and three flat races.

Penicilllin Success, owned by Riverdee Stable, trained by Fisher and ridden by Steven Mulqueen, won the $15,000, 3 mile Maiden Timber by 3 1/2 lengths in 6.57 over Presence of Mind (Ire), also trained  by Fisher, and Kelmscott, trained by Leslie Young.

"Penicillin Success is a failed hurdle horse," said Fisher. "That was his first race over timber. He'll run next at Nashville."

Penicillin Success ran on the flat with one allowance win in 2021 and then over hurdles.

Roja Redemption, owned by Riverdee Stale, trained by Fisher and ridden by Graham Watters, won the $20,000 two mile Maiden Starter hurdle race by 9 3/4 lengths in 4:03 1/5 over Forever Hopeful, trained by Lillith Boucher, and Slibh Aughty (Fr), trained by Neil Morris.

"The race conditions fit him perfectly," said Fisher. "That was his first race over fences. He'll probably go to Willowdale with Teddy Davies riding."

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Joe Davies saddled two winners at My Lady's Manor, including Bogey's Image in the Stakes

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April 15, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

MONKTON, Md.--Joe Davies saddled Harvey W. Goolsby III's Bogey's Image to win the featured $50,000 3 mile My Lady's Manor Timber Stakes on Saturday, April 12 at the My Lady's Manor races.

Bogeys Image (Photo by Robert Keller)Davies also saddled the winner of the Apprentice Rider while Kathy Neilson had the first and second placed horses in one Maiden race and Mark Beecher had the winner in the other Maiden race.

Bogey's Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, won by 7 1/2 lengths in 6:20 over Wrestligeithrae Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Theda's Boy, trained by Kevin Boniface.

Bogey's Image ran five times over hurdles in 2021 and was stakes placed at Far Hills before Davies got hm to train in 2022.

"He's a big, lovely horse," said Davies. "Sean McDermott called me and said he thought he'd make a good timber horse. His owner has been very patient with him."

"Teddy gave him a beautiful ride," said Davies. "This is the culmination of his career."

Davies said he wasn't sure where Bogey's Image would run next.

"Right now, we'll just savor this victory," he said.

Neilson saddled Motley Crew Racing's Marcel Magic (Ire), ridden by Freddie Proctor, to win the $20,000 John Rush Streett Memorial Maiden by 4 1/4 lengths in 6:23 2/5 over Hey Teacher (GB), also trained by Neilson.

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Jack Fisher had two winners for Northwoods Stable at Old Dominion

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April 9, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

WASHINGTON, Va.--Jack Fisher saddled two winners for Michael Hankins' Northwoods Stable, including one in a recognized race, at the Old Dominion Point-to-Point on Saturday, April 5.

Jack FisherOld Dominion had three recognized races and nine unrecognized hurdle, timber and flat races.

Fisher saddled Mission North, ridden by Graham Watters, to win the recognized $30,000, 2 1/4 miles Maiden Hurdle in 4:20 by 4 lengths over The Wizards Well (Ire), trained by Todd McKenna, and Point Me By, trained by Julie Gomena.

"That was his first race over fences," sid Fisher. "He was just out for a school."

Mission North is a Northwoods' homebred that ran eight times on the flat in 2023 and 2024, winning twice, including an allowance race.

Fisher also saddled Dream North, ridden by Dylan McDonagh, to win the second division of the Maiden Hurdle in 4:27 by 2 1/4 lengths over Selassie, trained by Kathy Neilson, and Love Foreverafter, trained by Neil Morris..

"She was just out for a school, too," said Fisher. "She'll probably run in the maiden race at Middleburg."

Dream North, also a Northwoods' homebred, ran twice on the flat, once as a 2-year-od and once as a 3-year-old, and then twice over fences last year, finishing third in her first recognized race at Middleburg.

In the other two recognized races, Julie Gomena saddled Bonnie Rae Stables' Winning Spirit (Ger), ridden by Gerard Galligan, to win the $30,000 Amateur/Novice Hurdle in 4:00 by 6 lengths over Vintage Year, trained by Fisher, and Dynamite Dan, trained by Tom Garner.

McKenna saddled Upland Partners' Hard Strike, ridden by Galligan, to win the $20,000, 3 mile Allowance Timber in 6:40 by 2 lengths over Corky Lemon, trained by Fisher, and Fast Vision (Fr), trained by Leslie Young.

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William Dowling, Mark Beecher and Keri Brion won multiple races at Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point

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April 8, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

COCKEYSVILLE, Md.--William Dowling saddled two winners at the Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point on Sunday, March 30.

Kiplin Hall's Take Profit, trained by Dowling and ridden by Teddy Davies, won the Novice Timber over Track and Trace (Ire), trained by Mark Beecher.

EHB Racing's Huyana, trained by Dowling and ridden by Evan Dwan, won the Open Timber over Queens Empire (Ire), trained by Jack Fisher.

Beecher saddled Lucy Goelet's Rocket Star Red, ridden by Dan Nevin, to win the Heavyweight Timber over Brave Deacon, trained by Joe Davies, and Beecher and Nevin also teamed up to win the Amateur Flat with Daniel Baker's Decisive Triumph.

The Kid Rocks, owned  by Petticoats Loose Farm, trained by Meriwether Morris and ridden by Dwan, won the Amateur Apprentice Timber.

Keri Brion had three winners on the flat in the three divisions of  the Training Flat, winning with Damchu Stables' Miztertonic in division one, with R and K Racing's Big Big Star in division two and with Madaket Stables' Jimmy P in division three.

Leslie Young saddled Irv Naylor's Too Friendly (GB) to win the Amateur Flat.

Pauly Aguilers won the Small Pony Flat on Sassy and the Medium Pony Flat on Rose, while Tessa Tullock on Janey Dancer won the Large Pony Flat.

In the Field Masters Chases, Cami Kern on Mallory won the Small Pony, Abby Taylor on Spur of the Moment won the Medium Pony, Kern on Goose won the Large Pony, Kern on Modern Cowpoke won the Horses, and Taylor on Guinness on Draft won the Non-thoroughbred Horses.

Kate Dalton saddled China Beach to win the Carolina Cup

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March 31, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

CAMDEN, S.C.--Kate Dalton saddled St. Rita Racing's China Beach, ridden by Bernie Dalton, to win the $75,000, 21/8 mile Carolina Cup on Saturday, March 29.

China Beach leads Little Trilby over the last fence (Photo by Tod Marks)China Beach won in 4:02 3/5, the fastest time of the day,  by 5 1/2 lengths over Little Trilby, trained by Ricky Hendriks, and Evie's Prince, trained by Neil Morris.

"This was his second win in four starts over fences,"said Dalton. "His syndicate manager, Ted Thompson, is a trainer, too. Bernie rode China Beach for him in a flat race last year. But Ted's alone in Tennessee, and China Beach  doesn't like to train alone. We have a bunch in training, so Ted sent him to us."

"He didn't like the going in his first race, and he didn't like going the wrong way in his second start," said Dalton. "We regrouped, put blinkers on him, and he won well at Aiken last fall."

"He's been training like a bear, so we ran him in the Carolina Cup," she said."He ran there like he loved it. He attacked the fences. Ted lives in Tennessee, so we'll run him next in the novice at Iroquois."

"He's a real character in the barn," Dalton said. "He has no ego problems at all. He's a cool horse."

This was the Daltons' second straight victory in the Carolina Cup, having won it last year with Abaan.

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Mark Beecher had two winners, including in the featured Rokeby Bowl, at Piedmont

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March 25, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

UPPERVILLE, Va.--Mark Beecher saddled Goodoldtimes (Ire) to win the featured 3 1/2 mile Open Timber over a field of top timber horses at the Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point on Saturday, March 22.

Mark Beecher when he was riding racesEven though this was just a point-to-point, the six in the field of the Rokeby were all recognized meet winners or placed horses, and a number of other horses at the meet were top horses prepping for big timber races later in the season.

"It's just the timing," said Beecher."It's three weeks before the first big race, so this was a good place to get a prep race."

Armata Stables' Goodoldtimes (Ire), ridden by Dan Nevin, won by 5 lengths in 7:02 3/5 over The Butler Yates (Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Animal Kingdom, trained by Neil Morris.

"He ran a good race,"said Beecher, "Last year, his goal after the Maryland Hunt Cup was the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. He ran second in Genesee, then they canceled the Hunt Cup."

"He'll go back to the Maryland Hunt Cup, and maybe the Grand National first," said Beecher.

Beecher also saddled Runnymoore Racing's Eternal Story, ridden by Nevin, to win the Amateur and Novice Rider, 3 mile Timber by 1 length in 6:24.2 over Racavan (Ire), trained by Richard Valentine, and Great Road, trained by Joe Davies.

"Eternal Story is a new horse to the barn," said Beecher. "He went around very nicely and jumped well. He'll probably go to the Maiden at the Manor."

"It's nice to get back to good weather," he said. "With the weather it was hard to keep the staff's morale up. We were lucky, we have two sand gallops. We were able to jog there, and we jogged on the roads. It was like the old days."

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