Race Preview

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.

Snap Decision eyes third 2022 Grade 1; The Mean Queen returns after long layoff

As the summer steeplechase season winds down, four races are on tap this week at Colonial Downs in Virginia and Saratoga in upstate New York. It’s a busier week than usual as a result of the rescheduling of the $75,000 Michael G. Walsh novice stakes at the Spa, which was postponed by heavy overnight rain on Aug. 23 and recarded for Thursday Sept. 1.