WORD OF THE DAY: SUNSCREEN

The weather forecast has been updated to sunny with a high temp of 88/89 degrees. That's lobster weather.

Don't forget the sunscreen. Ladies, remember your feet.

OK?

Sunscreen.

Sunscreen.

Sunscreen.

Sunscreen.

Sunscreen.

You've been warned.

ELEVEN TO TRY FOR 85th VIRGINIA GOLD CUP

An accomplished field of 11 timber specialists will line up Saturday for the $75,000 Virginia Gold Cup. Among the horses entered for the four-mile race over timber are defending timber champion Patriot’s Path, 2009 International Gold Cup victor Seeyouattheevent (above), last year’s Pennsylvania Hunt Cup winner, Erin Go Bragh and 2008 Gold Cup winner Bubble Economy.

Trained by Jack Fisher of Saluter fame, Arthur W. “Nick” Arundel’s Seeyouattheevent comes into the Virginia Gold Cup from a two-length victory over Rainbows for Luck in the $20,000 Middleburg Hunt Cup in Middleburg, Va., on April 17. Erin Go Bragh finished third in that race.

In his final start of 2009, Seeyouattheevent had won the International Gold Cup by 3 1/2 lengths over the Great Meadow course. Willie Dowling, who rode the nine-year-old Event of the Year gelding in the Middleburg Hunt Cup, again will be aboard for the Virginia Gold Cup.

Gregory S. Bentley’s Rainbows for Luck also returns in the Virginia Gold Cup, in which all starters carry 165 pounds.

Fisher (pictured), the reigning National Steeplechase Association champion trainer, also will send out Arcadia Stable’s Bubble Economy (below right), winner of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup in 2008 and second in those races last year. Ridden by champion jockey Paddy Young, the 11-year-old Rakeen gelding rallied powerfully to finish second by a head in the $30,000 My Lady’s Manor on April 10.

Irvin Naylor’s Patriot’s Path (above left) comes into the Virginia Gold Cup from a fifth-place tune-up in the Grand National at Butler, Md., on April 17. Winner of last year’s Mason Houghland Memorial at the Iroquois Steeplechase, the ten-year-old Carnivalay gelding is trained by Desmond Fogarty, and Darren Nagle has the mount.

Also entering the Virginia Gold Cup is H. Bruce Fenwick’s Bon Caddo, Magalen O. Bryant’s Erin Go Bragh (NZ), EMO Stables’ He’s a Conniver, Conrad Somers’ J. Alfred Proofrock, Diane Gilliam’s Artist’s Stroke, Gregory Bentley’s Rainbows For Luck, Joseph Davies’ Fort Henry (IRE) and Keystone Thoroughbreds’ Meet at Eleven (IRE).

(NZ) = New Zealand – country of origination.
(IRE) = Ireland – country of origination.

To read more from Steeplechase Times, click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Lookin at Lucky, the likely post time favorite for tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby, with exercise rider Dana Barnes out for a morning gallop at Churchill Downs on April 29, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

By now you should have figured out what you are going to wear...

Here is one last minute tip: DON'T WEAR THIS.

For starters, who knew they even made black metalic duct tape?

Secondly, the taped-up face is gonna scare people...kids, your friends, your date, your spouse, Homeland Security, you name it.

Bad idea, OK?

Finally, your tan lines are going to make you look like a Haloween pumpkin.

Get back in your closet and try again.

You've only got three more days to figure this out!

TOP TEN REASONS TO ATTEND THE GOLD CUP

10. Would it kill you to pay the neighbor kid to mow the grass? We know you will do a better job, but we're talking one time.

9. C'mon! You can play golf (badly) every other Saturday in May.

8. Even the Kentucky Derby needs a pre-game show.

7. When was the last time you hung out with 49,999 of your closest friends?

6. Where else are you going to wear that cool (gigantic) hat?

5. Your (gas guzzling) SUV actually makes sense at Great Meadow.

4. Horse racing is the “Sport of Kings.” Isn’t that good enough for you?

3. Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Bono will probably (not) be there.

2. The Weather Gods promised perfect weather (sort of). Don’t mess with the weather.

…and the Number 1 reason to go to the 2010 Virginia Gold Cup races:

(drum roll, please…)

1. No American Idol contestant (past or present) will be singing the national anthem!

IF YOU SEE BIG EARS, YOU HAVE MADE A WRONG TURN

Every year, we address those of you who claim to have never seen a horse in all your years of attending the Virginia Gold Cup.

Subsequently, each and every year we encourage you to turn around and revel in the splendor that is equine. It’s not that hard – there’s an audio clue.

When you hear the long-time voice of steeplechase racing, Will O’Keefe (the Al Michael's of jump racing), say “They’re off!” simply turn around and look for large animals being ridden by smallish men and women in colorful shirts. How hard is that?

If you do this and you see small animals with large ears being ridden by who-knows-who wearing a bright yellow vest (courtesy of VDOT?), you have managed to land yourself at some other race.

REPEAT: You are not at the Virginia Gold Cup.

If you see carts or anything that looks like carts being pulled by these large eared animals, you have made several wrong turns one of which may have involved your passport and an international flight. In this case, Pakistan…a very far cry from The Plains, VA on the first Saturday of May!

We don’t know where you might be based on these photos, but we know where you are not…

You may see some things that might make you think you’re at the Gold Cup, but look a little closer (note the soccer game in the background) and you will see some tell tale signs to the contrary.

So check those directions, don’t forget your tickets and come enjoy the day.

And, remember to turn around and look at the horses. You’ll be glad you did.

NINE DAY FORECAST FOR GOLD CUP LOOKING PERFECT

Look, we know we are still a week out, but according to weather.com, the forecast for next Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup is absolutely perfect – mostly sunny with a high temp of 70 degrees.

That really is perfect, not too hot, not too cold, not too much sun. Like we said – perfect.

Now considering the whimsical nature of Mother Nature and the vagaries of predicting what she may cast down upon us on any given day, you may be wondering why would even mention the weather forecast some eight days out.

Here’s why.

Scattered about out there in the great realm of potential Gold Cup attendees is a little known sub-group of “fair weather” Gold Cuppers. Yes, this group doesn’t buy tickets until they see the forecast for the first Saturday in May.

While this is not the recommended approach as we believe the Gold Cup is like football – rain or shine – and all the different weather makes for different experiences from year-to-year. That said, we understand why this group wants to wait until the all clear is given dopplerwise.

So, my weather forecast focused friends, get moving.

Some rail spaces are sold out, so get your gold cup tickets today.

Just click on the link above right that says "Buy Tickets."

BEACH POLO NOT AS COOL AS VA GOLD CUP, BUT IT DOESN’T SUCK EITHER

The AMG South Beach Women's Polo Cup is underway in swanky South Beach on the sand behind the Setai Hotel (two blocks north of the Delano and one block north of the Raleigh for you SB aficionados). The ladies played yesterday and the guys play today through Sunday.

It has plenty of the trappings that might remind you of Gold Cup including sponsors, VIP Tents and tickets of all prices.

Two of the sponsors – Grey Goose Vodka and Bombay Sapphire Gin – have brought in their master mixologists to make the perfect martinis for the event. Nice touch.

Tickets for the VIP tent run $100.00, but those out on the beach can enjoy the match for free.

What’s not to like?

(Photos by Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Nina Carberrry (white cap) on Zest For Life leads after landing over Double Bank before going on to win Kildare Hunt Club For Sean Bean Memorial Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup over the Banks Course at Punchestown Races on April 20, 2010 in Naas, Ireland.

We don't think the dude in the green stripped silks reunited with his mount. Most likely, the ground rushed up to meet his face. Stop, drop and roll.

(Photo by Caroline Norris/Getty Images Europe)

GOLD CUP TAILGATE ORGANIZORS FACE TOUGH DECISIONS

(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

LOOK FAMILIAR? Runners in The Toteplacepot Maiden Stakes stretch out early on in the race at Folkestone racecourse on April 20, 2010 in Folkestone, England.

That said, the shot reminded us of the Gold Cup.

(Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Relative to Gold Cup, everything about this is wrong from the lack of sunscreen, to the flip-flops to the alcohol induced gravity storm. Nonetheless, it is funny and adequately demonstrates that over-imbibing is definitely not cool.

LADIES DAY AT THE RACES: AINTREE VS VIRGINIA GOLD CUP

OK, ladies, the fashiom ball is in your court...

This group would fit in...

Is that Elton John in drag?In.This group looks a bit more...how shall we say this...English(?)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Runners cross the line in the last race of the day The Domino's Pizza Classified Stakes at Windsor racecourse on April 12, 2010 in Windsor, England.

(Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

Don't Push It ridden by A.P McCoy (6) clears the last fence alongside Black Apalachi ridden by Denis O'Regan (4) on their way to victory in The John Smith's Grand National Steeple Chase at Aintree Racecourse on April 10, 2010 in Liverpool, England. (Getty Images)

THE HAMSTER BALL DERBY TO SERVE AS GOLD CUP PREP RACE?

So we know the Jack Russell races that happen at the Gold Cup are truly great fun. If you haven’t made your way over to the paddock to see them or looked up from the tailgate long enough to spy them on the jumbotron, you need to check them out.

With that as preface, we may have just discovered another lively racing addition to an already crowded Gold Cup Saturday agenda.

How about hamster racing?

You can check it out Saturday, April 24 at the Petco in Warrenton, VA where the Hamster Ball Derby will be taking place. According to a Petco press release from last October, Petco’s all over the country are hosting derbies – some 950 locations.

According to Petco’s release, last year’s race drew more than 12,000 racing hamsters and their cheering pet parents. Using hamster balls as their vehicles, hamsters will race down eight-foot tracks in heats of four en route to the finish line for a chance at derby glory.

Evidently, this has been going on for a while…

Of course, Petco is quick to point out that they can hook you up with your own Hamster O’ War or Secrehamsterait so you can become a patron of this ever growing sport. Not only can they get you a racing hamster they can also get you one of those plastic balls that they race in as well.

To be sure your hamster is ready to race, Petco also provides a five week training schedule to get your rodent ready for race day…a sample week goes like this: Tuesday, 15 supervised minutes in ball on Super Pet Hamtrac. Yes, the key word is “supervised.” Apparently Hamtrac is like a Nordic Track for the little critters.

Moving along, Wednesday – rest. Thursday – 15 minutes in the ball on the track. Friday – rest. You get the picture.

Oh, and remember on race day, provide plenty of clean water and food for you hamster. Add sunblock to the list and it’s a good strategy for you on Gold Cup day as well.

For more info complete with a training video, click here.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

The Grand National Steeplechase will be run later today at Aintree in Liverpool, England.

Like the Gold Cup it's a big race and an even bigger party.
(Photos by Warren Little/Getty Images and AP Photos)

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR MIXERS

No not the margarita machine, the mixer you use to bake stuff.

Yes, you have one…look in the back of the cabinet…way back there. Move the food processor and the blender…Hey, what’s that sticky stuff on the blender (margarita, daiquiri, who knows?)…yuck, gross.

There's the mixer, right where you left it.

Get it out and get to work because the Gold Cup is having a Cake Walk Contest with none other than Food Network star Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes!

Look this is serious, Chef Duff is not just a television star, he’s also a baker and food artist who has been described as both audacious and creative (by somebody else, not us.) He owns a cake shop in Baltimore called Charm City Cakes. His work has also been featured on the Food Network Challenge, Iron Chef America, Oprah , and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Goldman's bakery shop is unusual in that blow torches, as well as power tools such as grinders and drills, are used to help form the underlying supports of the unique edible creations. With his crew, Goldman has done unusual cakes such as a likenesses of Elvis, a smoking volcano, a three-dimensional German Shepherd, as well as a replica of a CAT scan machine, a jeep, and an edible Wrigley Field.

Needless to say, you’ve got some work to do.

The Contest is limited to the first 30 contestants that have submitted the online application form with payment and illustration/picture of the cake being entered. Applications will be accepted starting on April 1, 2010 at 9:00 AM EST.

You can get your entry forms by clicking here.

VA GOLD CUP ON FACEBOOK

To visit us on Facebook, click here.

SPY IN THE SKY WINS CAROLINA CUP

Paddy Young rode Spy in the Sky (r) to victory in the 78th running of the $75,000 Carolina First Carolina Cup Steeplechase Grade II March 27 in front of 68,000 spectators.

The six-year-old gelding is owned by Jim and Melinda Carter’s Randelston Farm and is trained by Virginia-based conditioner Jimmy Day.

Young said he thought Saturday's ideal weather conditions were a factor in the victory. The past two years, the race was run in wet conditions.

"It's always nice to get a second chance," Young said. "Not that I think I did anything wrong in the fall, but I do think there were things I could have done better."

Spy in the Sky closed a gap of several lengths over the final 14 fences of the course and cruised home ahead of Divine Fortune and Major Malibu by a five-lengths margin. Major Malibu had jumped to an early lead.

"It's a shorter track, so more speed. I said to Jimmy during the week, if he runs hard, I don't think he's going to get beat."

Spy in the Sky, the son of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, has won at the highest level of U.S. Steeplechasing. He broke through last year when he swept from off the pace for a 10 1/4-length triumph at Saratoga Race Course.

(Photo by Tracy Glantz/The State)