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Gold Cup attracts stellar field
The richest timber race in the world — Saturday's $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup — attracted a stellar group of 12. The four-mile classic runs as the fifth (of six) race of the day at the May 3 Virginia Gold Cup meet at Great Meadow.Two-time race winner Miles Ahead figures as morning-line favorite, but rival Bubble Economy comes from the powerful Maryland stable of trainer Jack Fisher.
Fisher has won nine Gold Cups, the most of any trainer, and Bubble Economy was timber horse of the year in 2004.
Rounding out the field are Erin Go Bragh, Hot Springs, Hotspur, Incomplete, J.Alfred Prufrock, King Lear, Monte Bianco, Straight Gin and Twill Do. All horses carry 165 pounds.
Post time is 1:30 p.m., but the junior field master's 'chase championship opens the day's action at 12 p.m.
Rounding out the main race card are four hurdle races, with the popular Steeplethon, worth $25,000, running as the day's second race.
Steeplethon entrants face a varied course of solid jumping efforts which include standard timber and hurdle fences, natural brush, an open ditch, bank, wall and a unique water splash.
Great Meadow is located halfway between Warrenton and Marshall on U.S. Route 17 at Old Tavern.
View complete entries online at www.NationalSteeplechase.com. No tickets are sold on race day; for pre-purchase tickets or outlets, call (540) 347-2612 or view online at www.VaGoldCup.com.
Sunday's Bull Run Hunt Point-to-Point starts at 1 p.m. for the first of seven races. Opening the card is a novice rider flat race, followed by a unique western tack dash. Other races on the program are maiden and open turf, novice timber and the popular draft horse race.
The Bull Run races are held at Brandywine Park south of Culpeper on U.S. Route 15.
Complete entries are online www.CentralEntryOffice.com. Parking details and more information are available at (703) 866-0509.
One last Virginia point-to-point is next weekend, May 10, at the Bedford County Hunt Point-to-Point. Purses are offered in all races on the flat and over timber. Call (540) 297-3419 for entry details.
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