Race Preview

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.

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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.

Wednesday’s $75,000 Michael G. Walsh novice stakes at 2 ⅜ miles is an intriguing contest that pits up-and-coming hurdlers against proven competitors at this level.

The centerpiece of the summer steeplechase season at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., takes place tomorrow with the running of the $100,000 Randolph D. Rouse hurdle stakes for fillies and mares at 2 ¼ miles.

The marquee race on the summer steeplechase calendar — a contest that often has championship implications — takes center stage on Wednesday at Saratoga.

A trio of National Steeplechase Association contests are on tap this week as the summer season continues.

At Saratoga on Wednesday, a field of seven is expected to face NYRA starter Hector Soler in the Kiser, at 2 1/16 miles.