Jump racing returns to Fair Hill
The newly renovated course will host nine races worth $315,000 on Memorial Day as part of a two-day Turf Showcase.
For the first time since 2019, the National Steeplechase Association will co-host a day of top-class racing at its home base in Elkton, Md., on Monday May 25. It will be the 16th and final meet of the spring campaign. Afterwards, racing will move to Saratoga, Laurel, and Colonial Downs for the summer, starting with the Grade 1 $150,000 Beverly R. Steinman handicap hurdle at the Spa on the first day of the Belmont Stakes Festival on Wednesday June 3.
The nine-race Fair Hill card has drawn tremendous support from horsemen, with large fields, and total entries approaching 90 runners. Highlighting the event is the $50,000 Valentine Memorial at 2 ¼ miles for non-winners of an open hurdle stakes. The rest of the card consists of a $25,000 2-mile flat race for jumpers; two $40,000 maiden hurdles; $35,000 maiden hurdle for fillies and mares; $50,000 allowance hurdle for non-winners of two races; $30,000 handicap for horses rated at 110 or less; $25,000 maiden claiming hurdle; and $20,000 maiden over timber at 3 miles. Aside from the Valentine Memorial, the hurdle races will be contested at 2 miles.
Post time is 1 p.m. and gates open at 10:30 a.m. There will be approximately 30 minutes between races. There will be eight flat races on the turf on Sunday. Monday’s races can be viewed via live stream from the NSA web site, www.nationalsteeplechase.com.
The Turf Showcase marks the first time live racing at Fair Hill will be held under the new Maryland Jockey Club’s auspices. The event is a partnership between The Maryland Jockey Club, NSA, Cecil County, the Cecil County Breeders’ Fair, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Fair Hill Foundation, and the Maryland Racing Commission.
Fair Hill hosted its first race in 1934, the Foxcatcher National Cup over fences. For nearly 90 years, Fair Hill hosted live steeplechase racing on Memorial Day weekend. Due to track renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic, live racing was suspended after the 2019 meeting. It returned to Fair Hill last year for a one-day event on Saturday, August 30.
“The National Steeplechase Association and its strong following of horsemen and fans are grateful to The Maryland Jockey Club for hosting the event, and excited about the return, after a long hiatus, of this historic Maryland steeplechase tradition,” said Bill Gallo, Director of Racing for the NSA. “This will be a perfect finale, with a mixture of hurdle, timber, and flat races, to close out our spring racing season on Memorial Day,” he added.
Parimutuel wagering will be available on-site and nationwide through ADW wagering accounts under the “Laurel at Fair Hill” name. For ticketing and additional information visit https://www.laurelpark.com/fhts/