Vegas Does Gold Cup

BON CADDO WINNING 2010 VA GOLD CUP
(Douglas Lees Photo)

Who do you like in the International Gold Cup?  Here's how Don Clippinger of the National Steeplechase Association sees the race:

Incomplete. 2001 b. g., Press Card--Sioux Lady, by Poker. Owner: Robert A. Kinsley. Trainer: Ann D. Stewart. Jockey: Mark Beecher. 2011 record: 3-0-1-0, $6,450. 15-1 odds. Finished distant sixth in Virginia Fall's National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup after losing rider in the Maryland Hunt Cup. Ran a good second to Private Attack in the Grand National on April 23, beaten a neck while closing on the winner.

He's a Conniver. 2002 ch. g., Crafty Friend--Better to Be Lucky, by Roberto. Owner: EMO Stable. Trainer: Dale L. Jackson. Jockey: Bernie Dalton. 2011 record: 4-0-1-1, $7,100. 8-1 odds. Defending winner of International Gold Cup finished third in Chronicle Cup. Fell in Virginia Gold Cup after second in the Middleburg Hunt Cup on April 23.

Aero. 2005 b. g., Northern Spur (Ire)--Best Victory (Fr), by Cadoudal. Owner: Alfred C. Griffin Jr. Trainer: Doug Fout. Jockey: Jeff Murphy. 2011 record: 3-2-0-1, $28,000. 5-1 odds. Ran sparkling race in the National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup to win by six lengths at the Virginia Fall Races in Middleburg on Oct. 1. Scored his maiden timber victory at Willowbrook Steeplechase in May.

(R) HE'S A CONNIVER

I'm Telling. 2001 dk. b. or br. g., Linkage--Don't Tell Ma, by Ga Hai. Owner-trainer: Bay Cockburn. Jockey: Jacob Roberts. 2011 record: 1-0-1-0, $2,700. 10-1 odds. Finished second in Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs, his first start since winning Morven Park optional allowance over timber last October.

Expel. 2004 dk. b. or br. g., Expelled--Kentwood Miss, by Our Native. Owner: Northfield Farm LLC. Trainer: Teddy Mulligan. Jockey: Liam McVicar. 2011 record: 4-0-0-0, $1,850. 15-1 odds. Finished fifth in the James P. McCormick Memorial, a maiden timber race at Virginia Fall on Oct. 1. Also finished fifth in a similar race at Winterthur in Delaware in early May.

Bon Caddo. 2001 b. g., Bon Point (GB)--Tactical Info, by Tactical Advantage. Owner: Merriefield Farm. Trainer: Dawn Williams. Jockey: Jody Petty. 2011 record: 3-2-0-0, $67,200. 4-1 odds. Won the Virginia Gold Cup by 13 lengths on same course on May 7 but then was sixth in the Radnor Hunt Cup two weeks later. Front-running winner of the My Lady's Manor in first 2011 start.

(L) AERO

Won Wild Bird. 2002 gr. or ro. m., Wild Wonder--Rowdy Bird, by Topsider. Owner: Pink Ribbon Racing. Trainer: Regina Welsh. Jockey: Carl Rafter. 2011 record: 4-2-0-0, $33,000. 9-2 odds. Came back from fall in Maryland Hunt Cup and refusal at start of Virginia Gold Cup's Steeplethon to win the Radnor Hunt Cup in Malvern, Pa., on May 21. Won Benjamin H. Murray Memorial at Maryland's Grand National meet.

Gather No Moss. 2001 gr. or ro. g., Awad--Caro Landing, by Caro (Ire). Owner: Manown Kisor Jr. Trainer: Michael Berryman. Jockey: Mark Watts. 2011 record: 2-0-0-1, $3,400. 15-1 odds. Finished fifth in the Chronicle Cup after a third in the C. P. & Edith Wills DeBose Cup at the Carolina Cup Races in Camden, S.C., on April 2.

G'Day G'Day. 2003 b. g., Eastern Echo--Say Farewell, by Second Bar. Owner: Magalen O. Bryant. Trainer: Doug Fout. Jockey: Paddy Young. 2011 record: 3-0-1-0, $6,300. 8-1 odds. Homebred finished second to Aero in Chronicle Cup on Oct. 1.