©Tod Marks The competition on Saturday in The Plains was top class, as the Virginia Gold Cup began its second century with the 101st running of the second richest meet of the spring. Seven races were on tap at Great Meadow Race Course including three stakes highlighted by the season’s first Grade 1, the $150,000…

©Tod Marks Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow Race Course features the first of eight Grade 1 National Steeplechase Association hurdle stakes. The first weekend of May will host the 101st Virginia Gold Cup Races, the second richest event of the spring with seven races, three stakes, and $405,000 in purses. Highlighting the…

Third times’ a charm for Mr. Fine Threads Under rainy skies, Armata Stables’ Mr. Fine Threads began inching his way up at the 16th of 22 fences, moved into second at the next jump, and after a scintillating duel with Upland Partner’s late-charging Shootist, managed to pull clear late by six lengths to capture America’s…

©Tod Marks Maryland and Virginia take center stage for this weekend’s National Steeplechase Association stops. In Glyndon, 10 horses are expected to face the starter for the 129th Maryland Hunt Cup, America’s oldest, longest, and most challenging timber race. Meanwhile hurdlers will be spotlighted at Foxfield in Charlottesville, where $240,000 in purses are on the…

©Tod Marks The National Steeplechase Association passed the mid-Spring mark last weekend with 15 races spread across three meets in three states worth $460,000. There was action at all levels of the sport, from claimers to stakes, over hurdles and timber, with multiple opportunities for veterans and newbies. Three stakes highlighted the schedule. At Glenwood…