WEST CHESTER, Pa.--Kathy Neilson saddled two winners and two second placed horses at Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Races on Easter Sunday, April 5.

Teddy Davies left Bunny Meister and Skylar McKenna at a previous race meet (File photo by Joe Davies) The 83rd running of the races was Carl J. (Bunny) Meister's final meet as chairman after serving for 60 years, and Jim Jordan and Nancy Swayne spoke of his long service before the running of the timber races.

"It''s bittersweet to be honoring Bunny today," said Jordan. "Bunny, thank you for all you've done for Brandywine." 

"I've had a wonderful life, and a lot of it is because of the people here," said Meister, 91. "My son Jay will be taking over, and nothing will change. I'll stay on the board."

Unfortunately, just as the pony races began, the rain began, but despite it's being Easter and raining, a number of people still came and set up tents to watch the races.

"We had the best races we've had in a long time," said Meister. "And we had all the costs covered before the races, so we didn't make out too badly."

Neilson saddled Irv Naylor's Withoutmoreado (Ire), ridden by Teddy Davies, to win the three mile Henry C. Baldwin Open Timber by about 2 lengths over Court Dunn, trained by Leslie Young, and Fit for a King, trained by Todd McKenna.

"Teddy won on him at Cheshire, so we wanted to run him at Brandywine to have another go and another school for the partnership of Teddy and the horse," said Neilson. "The ground was perfect, and I was happy with the way we finished the race. Teddy won with just hands and heels. Withoutmoreado will go to the Grand National next."

 

NEILSON also saddled the first and second place finishers in the Novice Timber, winning with Hard Game's Rutherian. ridden by Eric Poretz, with Shining Marble (Ire) second, and Don't Shout (Ire), trained by Elizabeth Korrell, was third. 

"We got Rutherian from Delaware Park a few years ago," said Neilson. "My daughter Skylar found him. He's been a wonderful addition to our stable. He won twice over hurdles, but everyone who rode him said he'd be better over timber. He ran at Cheshire but jumped too much like a hurdle horse. He benefited from Cheshire and jumped well at Brandywine. His race was the fastest of the day. He'll go to the maiden race at the Grand National."

Todd McKenna saddled Upland Partners' Bob's Bar, ridden by Elizabeth Scully, to win the Lady Rider Timber over Great Road, trained by Joe Davies, and Itsknownasthebern, trained by Billy Meister.

Thomas Young owns, trains and rode Kelmscott (Ire) to win the Amateur/Apprentice Rider Timber by about a length over Marcel Magic, trained by Neilson.

For Young, a son of Leslie and Paddy Young, it was his first win over fences and he was rewarded with a little extra water than just the rain being dumped over his head.

Julie Nafe on her Noble Weed won the Side Saddle race over fences over Lauren Apple on Leadingthelight (Ire) and Audrey Buchanan on Lucas Tuesje.

The pony races, lead line pony and bouncy rider races were well filled but no results were available at this time.