Race Preview

The National Steeplechase Association Spring campaign gets underway Saturday in South Carolina at Aiken’s sprawling new showcase racecourse on Richland Avenue, while the Mid-Atlantic timber season begins with a family-fun day at Cheshire in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

After nearly eight months and 42 meets and race dates in 10 states, the 2022 National Steeplechase season comes to a conclusion on Sunday with the Steeplechase of Charleston at Stono Ferry Race Course in Hollywood, S.C.

The jumpers land in Georgia and Virginia on Saturday, and Pennsylvania on Sunday for the penultimate weekend of racing on the 2022 National Steeplechase Association calendar.

Steeplechase racing returns to where the season began last spring, in horsey Aiken, S.C., where a five-race card and plenty of Halloween family fun gets underway Saturday morning.

The jumpers return to Virginia on Saturday for the third time this fall with the eight race International Gold Cup at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains. First race post time is early, 12 noon, with betting opportunities available at parimutuel machines onsite and online via Twin Spires.

With all eyes focused on the Grand National, it’s easy to look past the rest of the seven-race card for Saturday’s 101st Far Hills Race meeting at Moorland Farm in New Jersey.
While the outcome of the $250,000 Grand National has often helped crown Eclipse Award winners – including The Mean Queen last year – the other stakes typically have an impact on divisional honors.

Seven races, including six stakes, and $625,000 in purses are up for grabs on Saturday’s card, which will be broadcast nationally by Fox Sports. First race post time is 12:50, and wagering will be available.

A pair of timber stakes featuring veteran jumpers headline this Saturday’s National Steeplechase Association doubleheader in New York and Virginia.

The jumpers head to historic Charlottesville, Va., in Albemarle County, for six races, five over hurdles, worth $105,000, with a 12:30 p.m. post time.

The first of 11 meets and 61 races spread across seven states through mid-November takes place on Saturday at Shawan Downs near Hunt Valley in Baltimore County with an eight-race card.