WARRENTON, Va.--The Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point runs for the 80th time on Saturday, March 13 and, although it will run without spectators, it will be live streamed.
Skylar McKenna receiving an award at last year's meet. (Photo by Betsy Burke Parker)Last year’s Warrenton races were the last horse event held before the COVID pandemic shut down sports, businesses and the world economy this week one year ago, and organizers hope this return of racing marks the beginning of the end of disruption in what’s a strong part of the local economy.
“Last year, we got the races run, though it was a little touch-and-go, if you remember,” said Warrenton Hunt huntsman, and point-to-point race director, Matt Vanderwoude. “We were waiting on the governor’s orders right up to race morning, holding our breaths that he wouldn’t shut down everything.
“We’re able to run (this spring), and for that we’re grateful.”
Warrenton Hunt is holding a second point-to-point March 28, the date left open when Orange County Hounds opted not to hold a 2021 race.
“I figured our course would already be set up,” Vanderwoude said of the unique situation. “We decided it would be a real benefit for horsemen.”
Hunt-hosted point-to-points act as a pre-season circuit for horses and riders aimed at the big purses and prestigious races offered at National Steeplechase Association races held in late spring, summer and autumn.
THERE ARE 13 point-to-points this spring, seven in Virginia, four in Maryland and two in Pennsylvania, and with several hundred horses in training for the jump circuit, it adds up to plenty of opportunities to fine-tune fitness and experience levels.
Apprentice jockey Skylar McKenna of Unionville, Pa., is just one of the apprentice jockeys who will benefit from the additional opportunities Warrenton offers this weekend, and she is named to ride in three races on Saturday.
Running the popular event without spectators was a tough decision Vanderwoude, co-chair and joint-master John Wyatt and the other Warrenton Hunt masters, along with Airlie officials, had to make for what is usually the club’s biggest annual fundraiser.
“There’s so much uncertainty still, with COVID,” Vanderwoude said. “We didn’t want to push it on the host facility or be responsible for a super-spreader.”
Betting handle went way up during the pandemic
Virginia’s online betting handle was $10,690,431 in January, 2021, compared with $7,053,900 in January, 2020.
Online betting totals everywhere have been sharply up since the pandemic shutdown of most spectator sports in March, 2020.
Purses at pari-mutuel tracks are generated by a percentage of betting handle, and live stream broadcasts from racetracks worldwide allows for online wagering from home, something that has kept horse racing thriving through 2020.
Steeplechase purses, on the other hand, are generated by spectator admission fees and sponsors, making seamless 2020 – and early 2021, race seasons impossible.
Post time Saturday is 12 p.m., and the live stream link will be on warrentonhunt.com.
Complete entries can be seen at centralentryoffice.com.
