©Tod Marks Blue Creek takes featured Imperial Cup; caps two-win day for Brion, Mulqueen On a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon, a record crowd turned out for the National Steeplechase Association season kickoff in Aiken, S.C. a six race, $140,000 card highlighted by the $40,000 Imperial Cup, a handicap for horses rated at 120 or less. It…

©Tod Marks The National Steeplechase Association Spring season gets underway on Saturday in horsey Aiken, S.C., at the beautiful new course on Richland Avenue. First run in 1930, the Aiken races mark the one of 16 events through May 17 worth a collective $2.67 million. The $140,000 Aiken card consists of six races, five over…

©Tod Marks As many know by now, former National Steeplechase Association jockey Roderick “Roddy” MacKenzie, who competed on the circuit for nine years from 2006 to 2014, passed away suddenly on Wednesday in Delaware at the young age of 45.  While arrangements are pending, the funeral home that made the announcement said that the family…

©Tod Marks Perry Bolton, who co-owned Armata Stable with Ben Griswold and campaigned Maryland Hunt Cup winners Welter Weight and Vintage Vinnie passed away Tuesday at his home in Florida at age 94. A Maryland fixture, Bolton, who resided in Lutherville, formed the Armata partnership with his lifelong friend in the early 1990s and the…

 $1000 award given to a jockey, race official, race meet director, or others who support the growth of Steeplechase Qualifications of the award recipient: Potential recipients are nominated by their peers for performance in 2024 (previous year). Petitioners for nominees must complete an application and submit by 28 February. The Achuff family will select from…