WASHINGTON, Va.--Jack Fisher trained horses placed first and second in the Filly & Mare Maiden Hurdle as well as a close second in the Open Timber in the two of the three recognized races at the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point on April 8.

Jack Fisher Riverdee Stable's Fits the Jill, ridden by Graham Watters, won the $25,000 Filly & Mare Maiden Hurdle by 1/2 length over Northwoods Stable's Dream North, ridden by Jamie Bargery, both trained by Fisher.

This was Fits the Jill's third run over hurdles after running in maiden races on the flat.

"She's been close before,"said Fisher. The 5-year-old mare was second in her second outing at Aiken. "She'll go to Nashville in the filly and mare stake."

"I was really impressed with Dream North," said Fisher.

This was Dream North's first start over fences after running only twice on the flat in maiden races, and she led from the start, was headed by Fits the Jill over the second to last hurdle but dueled back and was just beaten at the wire.

"I was impressed because, first, she led all the way, and, second,  she jumped really well," said Fisher. "She'll go to Middleburg in the maiden race."

Sheila Williams' Storm Team, ridden by Watters and trained by Fisher, led from the start in the $15,000 Open Timber but was just caught at the wire to be beaten by a head by Stooshie, owned by Irv Naylor, trained by Cyril Murphy and ridden by Barry Foley.

"He ran well," said Fisher. "He'll go to Middleburg."

 

LESLIE YOUNG saddled Michael A. Smith's Hoffman  (Ire), ridden by Mikey Hamill, to win the $25,000 Maiden Hurdle by 4 1/2 lengths over Reindo, trained by Kate Dalton.

That win increased Young's lead in Trainer, Races Won to five over Ricky Hendriks with three and Keri Brion with two.

In the non-sanctioned races, Richard Valentine and Brion each saddled two winners.

Kinross Farm's Sea Mist won the Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle by 1 1/2 lengths for Valentine over Rronntline Citizen, trained by Mark Beecher.

Valentine also saddled Fat Chance Farm's Flaming Sword to have an easy win by 21 1/4 lengths over Project Two, trained by Young.

Brion had the only two entries in the Open Hurdle, with Upland Flats Racing's Royne winning by a neck over Hudson River Farm's Iranistan.

She also saddled Upland Flat's Racing's Freddy Flintshire to win the Novice Rider Flat by 2 1/4 lengths over In Effect, trained by Neil Morris.

In the Maiden Hurdle division 1, Master McGrath, trained by Sam Cockburn, won by 9 lengths over Aftermath, trained by Valentine, and in division 2, Boffo Kid, trained by Danielle Hodsdon, won by 1/2 length over Praghas Caert, trained by Brion.

Sliabh Aughty, trained by David Bourke, won the Restricted Young Adult Flat, while Vincent Van Gogo, trained by Morris, won the Virginia Bred flat, and My Silver Belle, ridden by Julie Nafe, won the Side Saddle race.