By Tod Marks The first two of 11 meets through mid-November take place this weekend at Shawan Downs near Hunt Valley in Baltimore County, followed by the Foxfield Fall Races in Charlottesville, Va. After two months of high-profile flat-track steeplechase action at Saratoga, Colonial Downs, and Aqueduct, the National Steeplechase Association returns to the hunt-meet…

By Tod Marks Thursday’s Grade 1 $150,000 Lonesome Glory stakes, which kicked off the Belmont at Aqueduct fall meet, was chock full enough story lines to fill any highlight reel. With Bruton Street-US’ Snap Decision coming off a five-month rest, punters bet down the multiple Grade 1 winner of more than $700,000 over hurdles, to…

By Tod Marks Once again shouldering top weight – and conceding 20 to 22 pounds to his far less accomplished rivals – Bruton Street-US’ Snap Decision emerges from lengthy downtime on Thursday, seeking to avenge two previous losses in the $150,000 2 ½-mile Lonesome Glory handicap hurdle stakes on opening day of the Belmont at…

By Tod Marks After an abbreviated four-race steeplechase program at Saratoga and 16 hurdle events at Colonial Downs, the National Steeplechase Association summer came to a dramatic end on Friday as Irv Naylor’s Bercasa gave the stable a season to remember while veteran NSA rider Ross Geraghty called it a career. In the Life’s Illusion,…

By Tod Marks Allowance hurdlers will bring down the curtain on Saratoga season tomorrow as a field of eight is expected for the fifth and final jump race of 2023 at Saratoga Race Course, a $70,000 allowance event at 2 ⅜ miles. Post time is 1:10 p.m., and as always, NYRA races are broadcast live…