In A Word: BEAUTIFUL

The National Steeplechase and Hunt Association, which is the NFL for steeplechase racing, puts out a weekly report. Included in said report is a description of the race course at Great Meadow for the upcoming International Gold Cup.

Here’s what is says:

International Gold Cup – Course Inspection:  The course was inspected on October 3, 2011 by Don Yovanovich.

Turf:  Thick, lush and very green, about 10 inches in height with a very thick mat.

Smoothness:  Course is very smooth.

Compaction:  90-105 (Good).  There has been an abundance of rain in Northern Virginia through September.

Moisture:  10 (Wet)                   

Notes:  A word to describe the race course: “Beautiful."

2010 INT. GOLD CUP WINNER HE'S A CONNIVER

The report also includes the nominations for the feature race – the $50,000 International Gold Cup.  Suffice to say, the race came up tough:

AERO (165 – Fout), BON CADDO (165 – Williams), EXPEL (150 – Mulligan), G’DAY G’DAY (160 – Fout), GATHER NO MOSS (150 – Berryman), GORGEOUS CHARGER (160 – Meister), HE’S A CONNIVER (165  – Jackson), I’M TELLING (160 – Cockburn), MUSIC TO MY

EARS (165 – Valentine) and WON WILD BIRD (159 – Welsh).