MAD AT MARCH?

Yep, it's the that time of year again...March Madness...Is your team still in the tourney? If you went to or go to Georgetown, American or George Mason, you're out. If you went to or go to GW, UVA, Maryland or Virginia Tech you never got in the Big Dance. The Wahoos and Hokies went to other tourneys, and now there out too.

So your bracket is probably all you have left...oh, that's not looking so good either? Never fear in a couple of weeks your taxes are due...Argghhh!!

But wait, there's a perfect remedy to all that anxiety -- just two short weeks after Tax Day comes the Virginia Gold Cup where all your March and April madness will be assuaged by a wonderful afternoon in the Virginia countryside. What a perfect way to kick off one of the best month's of the year which is then followed by the best season of the year -- summer. All ahead, full.

We feel better just thinking about it...

OIL, FAST HORSES, LOTS OF MONEY: NOT AROUND HERE

Jockeys and horses train in the early hours of March 26, 2008 at Nad al-Sheba club ahead of the Dubai Equestrian World Cup 2008. The Dubai World Cup, held on March 29, is the richest horse race in the world, with prize money totaling $21.25 million.

You know what that is? A lot of CASH.

You know what else it is? Damn INCONVENIENT.

Your aren't going to Dubai, but the Virginia Gold Cup is an easy commute from Washington, DC, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia.

You should go.

(Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

GO GREYHOUND? NOT EXACTLY

No, better, much better!

The Virginia Gold Cup has partnered up with Lindy Promotions, Inc. to provide bus transportation and a pre-party package from three Metro locations in the D.C. region.

“This year, Lindy Promotions has been exclusively selected to organize The Official Gold Cup Bus Trip,” states Dr. William Allison, Virginia Gold Cup race chairman. Catch a ride to the races on the bus in the morning and eliminate the worry about driving and parking. Buses will depart from three Metro accessible bars in Bethesda (Tommy Joe’s on the Red Line), Arlington (Front Page Arlington on the Orange Line), and D.C. (Regional Food and Drink on the Red Line), and packages will feature pre- and post-bus trip specials.

Each ticket includes round trip bus transportation, admission to the races and reserved bus parking close to the north rail. Ticket price is currently $40 increasing as the race approaches so get your tickets early. Bus tickets to Gold Cup must be booked in advance. To order tickets, visit the Lindy Promotions web site www.lindypromo.com/goldcup

and click on “Purchase a Seat” or call Lindy Promotions at 301.652.7712.

The Virginia Gold Cup Races takes place on Saturday, May 3 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. The setting is truly spectacular in the heart of Virginia horse country with the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as the backdrop. Event gates open at 10 am with pre-race entertainment starting at 11 am including terrier races, the Junior Field Master Chase for young riders, and the Blackwater Parachute Team with the National Anthem being sung by former American Idol contestant, Travis Tucker.

The first of six horse races gets underway at 1:30 pm. General admission car passes are $75 in advance, $85 the week of the race (allows entry of car and up to 6 occupants) or buy a bus ticket and let Virginia Gold Cup do the driving.

For more information on the Virginia Gold Cup Races please call 540-347-2612 or visit the web site at www.vagoldcup.com.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

DON’T EVEN TRY TO TELL US…there is no such thing as leprechauns.

Actually, that’s not the point of this picture. Check out the caption straight from Getty Images and we quote:

"Robert 'Chocolate' Thornton celebrates as he rides the horse Katchit (not pictured) into the winners enclosure after winning The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle during the first day of the Cheltenham Festival in England on March 11, 2008.”

It’s the “(not pictured)” part that got us giggling.

Now we know folks at our Gold Cup don't always no where the horses are, but evidenlty the press over in jolly old England has a bit of trouble keeping tabs on the equines during teh Cheltham Festival which ultimatley hosts the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

(Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)