Race Recap

After making seven starts in top-class U.S. company, Irv Naylor’s Belfast Banter broke through with his first National Steeplechase Association win – and did so emphatically – in Wednesday’s Grade 1 $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Stakes at Saratoga.

The two-month National Steeplechase Association spring season came to an end on Saturday with a card of mostly close finishes in the 92nd Radnor Hunt Races in Malvern, Pa.

Scaramanga turns back Snap Decision, Bercasa celebrates special Mother’s Day, Tierney triples, and Kingsley has first training win with longtime partner Ed Swyer.

For the first time in a while, weather wasn’t front and center for the weekend’s races, and beautiful conditions provided the perfect backdrop for a Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup card in The Plains and Sunday’s Winterthur Point to Point outside of Wilmington, Del.

Withoutmoreado gives Naylor his third Hunt Cup triumph; Freddy Flintshire, West Newton take hurdle stakes in North Carolina, Virginia.

Snap Decision, Andi’amu shine at Middleburg while Monbeg Stream scores in the Grand National.

Two was the lucky number as six trainers and riders each came away with a pair of winners on Saturday’s doubleheader in North Carolina and Maryland. Plus, former timber champion Tomgarrow made his long-awaited return and captured the $50,000 My Lady’s Manor Stakes for the second straight year.

Three races, three different winning combinations score at Virginia Point to Point.

Saturday proved a milestone day at Springdale Race Course as Ricky Hendriks recorded his 700th training victory, while Leslie Young won three, new NSA rider David England doubled, and an exciting five-year-old emerged as a formidable presence in the novice ranks.

The Insider avenges the loss that cost him a title; millionaire flat star Cross Border breaks his maiden over hurdles, and Court Ruler emerges as new timber ace.