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)

SEEYOUATTHEVENT CAPTURES MAIN EVENT (AGAIN)

By Brian Nadeau/Steeplechase Times

Far Hills visited The Plains, Va. on Saturday in the form of rain, cold and wind. In the midst of it all Jeff Murphy stole the show, winning two of the three jump races on the card.

Subbing for Far-Hills bound Willie Dowling, Murphy took the International Gold Cup for Nick Arundel and Jack Fisher with Seeyouattheevent, who bested Bon Caddo and stablemate Bubble Economy. The 8-year-old son of Event Of The Year took the Gold Cup in 2007 and doubled up on Saturday with a late rush that carried him clear of Uppercut late. The latter was later disqualified for going outside a beacon, which moved Bubble Economy into second and Shady Valley third. Fan favorite Salmo was forced to settle off the quick pace set by Incaseyouraminer and Music To My Ears and never factored while racing wide.

Murphy and Fisher also scored aboard Major Malibu in the $25,000 Steeplethon. The 5-year-old took charge midway through and proved a handy winner over a late-running Swimming River.

Sonic Charm and Diana Gillam took the opener, a $15,000 maiden hurdle, for Rusty Cline and Don Yovanovich.

There were also two open flat races on the card. The $10,000 International World Cup at 1 3/4 miles was won by Slaney Rock (Michelle Penman) while the $25,000 Virginia-bred at 1 1/2 went to Love Colony (Jake Chalfin).

FAIR WEATHER RACE GOERS CAN WATCH ON LINE

So you chickened out and decided to forgo the International Gold Cup just because it’s wet and it’s cold…Really?

Well, you’re missing a bunch of fun, but if you want to keep up with what’s going on at Great Meadow as well as at the meet at Far Hills, NJ, you can do so thanks to Universal Sports and the National Steeplechase Association.
To watch the live feed, click here.

If you change your mind, you can still get out to the race course in time for the feature!

"REAL HOUSEWIVES" HEADED TO GOLD CUP

Not too long ago, television network Bravo announced a that a spin-off of its hit docu-series franchise The Real Housewives was in development in the influential metropolitan region of Washington, D.C.

Hmmm...

Guess what? According to our sources, they have chosen the cast and they plan on filming at Saturday’s International Gold Cup.

“We’re tapping personalities who are among Washington D.C.’s influential players, cultural connoisseurs, fashion sophisticates and philanthropic leaders – the people who rub elbows with the most prominent people in the country and easily move in the city’s diverse political and social circles,” said Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Bravo Media.

Evidently,some of those “players” will be out at Great Meadow eating, drinking and bickering, or whatever it is that Real Housewives do, while the Bravo team captures it all on tape (or digital).

In addition, Universal Sports will also be at the races producing five hours of coverage in cooperation with the National Steeplechase Association. They will broadcast three races and they can be seen at UniversalSports.com or on Verizon, Cox or DirectTV. So if you want to actually see the races, you can Tivo them and watch it when you get home. How convienient.

And,finally, just because clothes make the man and t.v. cameras make the event, the Virginia Tourism Corporation will also be at the Gold Cup filming for future promotions.

So look your best, and you might be an “extra” in one of three television productions!

For more scoop from our friend Carol Joynt (of the late great Nathans of Georgetown fame) click here and from the Washington Post click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Riders compete during the 119th traditional Velka Pardubicka Steeple-Chase in Pardubice city, East Bohemia, on October 11, 2009.

(Photos by Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images)

WEEKEND PLANNER: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17th

So, your sittin’ around trying to figure out what to do on Saturday, October 17th…

The answer is obvious – you go to the International Gold Cup. It’s a great sporting event combined with a great party and a nice day in the country. Enough said.

However, while the gals will relish the opportunity to wear that new dress and hat (we recommend a bringing a sweater and/or sunscreen and a pair of sensible shoes even though we know that latter item is ALWAYS ignored), the guys are always running down the “sporting events” check list before making a decision.

Thankfully, the woeful Redskins and the ongoing drama that is the Jim Zorn Show and As The Vinny Turns, both brought to you by Daniel Snyder’s Red Zebra Productions, do not play on Saturdays.

Baseball is out since both local squad, the Nats and the O’s, didn’t sniff the post-season playoffs. Heck, the Nationals were so bad they misspelled their own name on their jersies, not once, but twice. You can watch the playoff on TV Saturday night since MLB has decided to abandon kids as part of the fan base and to show the overwhelming majority of the games when the next generation of fans is asleep.

College football? Why bother. The only legit DI team in the Commonwealth is Virginia Tech, and they play Georgia Tech the night of the International Gold Cup. No sweat, you can go to the races and easily be home or be at your favorite sports bar for the 6 p.m. kickoff.

Virginia is 1-3 going into this weekend and Maryland is 2-3. Both are likely to lose again on Saturday, and then guess what? On Gold Cup Saturday, they play each other. If you’re a die-hard, you can catch the second half since it starts at 4pm, but, really, why would you?

Two of the best D1AA squads in state, #1 Richmond and #10 JMU face off this weekend, so that’s out of the way come Gold Cup. No. 8 William and Mary has a bye on IGC weekend.

Our one legit professional franchise, the Caps, is home in the Verizon Center, but they don’t skate until 7 p.m.

Thankfully, Agent Zero and the rest of the Wiz/No Wiz have the night off.

So, simply put, the International Gold Cup remains the best party on Saturday’s menu and one of the best local sporting events as well.

So get your tix and we will see you there.

(Go JMU!)

JACK RUSSELL RACES HIGHLIGHT GOLD CUP PRE-GAME EVENTS

On Saturday, October 17 at the International Gold Cup the pre-race events will again be highlighted by the now famous Jack Russell Terrier race exhibition. We aren’t gonna get in trouble with the guys that put on the horse races and say this is just a bit more entertaining, but we will say it’s pretty good stuff.

Just wander over to the paddock at noon and check it out. It’s not that far of a walk and besides you will see all sorts of interesting things between where you are and where you will end up. Just another part of the Gold Cup experience!

Remember: noon and paddock.

None of the canine knuckleheads seen here will be competing.

JUST ONE MORE REASON AMERICA IS A GREAT COUNTRY

Of course, we constantly compare the Gold Cup (both Spring and Fall) to other big spectator sporting events to be sure we offer our patrons a quality experience. So...

Enter Australia.

The Aussies are always good for a little perspective and our friends over at the blog wonderfully titled “Sucks To Be You” hipped us to this item which makes the Gold Cup (which, we will admit, has a handful of useful rules and regs related to attending the event) look like geniuses. And, that is a good thing.

Evidently, there is an auto race down under called the Bathurst 1000. Again, evidently, it is something of a party. So much so that organizers of the event are limiting attendees to one “slab” of beer a day. For those of you who are not familiar with the Aussie lingo, a “slab” equals 24 cans or as we say in these parts A CASE.

No kidding.

However, if you drink the Aussie version of “light beer,” you can have 36 cans! Ahhh...the emergency 12-pack!!!!

According to Reuters, wine lovers must make do with no more than “four liters of cask wine per day” and combinations of the options will not be allowed. Damn.

Here are a few points to ponder. Hey, Aussies, ever heard of water? It’s free if you bring it from home, and if you want to get fancy you can even buy it at a store.

If your naïve enough to believe somebody stands out in the show with a wooden bucket on some glacier in who knows where to capture the stuff, you’ll really enjoy the store bought version. On the other hand, maybe the glaciers melting isn’t global warming, but a byproduct of Evian?

If water isn’t your thing, there’s cola. You can drink the regular kind by the gallon and end up weighing 400 lbs and starring on NBC’s hit show Biggest Loser or you can stick with the diet stuff that used to kill lab rats, but we’re pretty sure it’s OK now. At least, it hasn’t killed Diet Coke swilling pro-golfer John Daly – yet.

And then there are those energy drinks that taste like gasoline. That will get you all amped up so you are more likely to pay attention to the race while you quaff 36 Australian Miller Lites! Woo-hoo!

So be glad there are no “tailgate police” at the International Gold Cup. As long as you maintain a level of decorum that is appropriate while not infringing on your neighbor’s right to a good time, you’ll be OK. It’s really pretty easy and it doesn’t involve math so we’ve got that going for us.

We won’t even mention a designated driver because we KNOW that if you plan to party you already HAVE ONE.

MIDDLEBURG RACES PRELUDE TO FALL GOLD CUP

VIRGINIA FALL RACES RECAP

Written by Brian Nadeau – Steeplechase Times

With the NHL season getting underway over the weekend it was only fitting that Hat Tricks were the theme at the Virginia Fall Races, where Paddy Young increased his lead in the standings with a trio of wins on Saturday and Jacob Roberts doubled his season total with three wins on Sunday.

Young entered the day with a two-win lead (13-11) over Xavier Aizpuru and Jody Petty in the standings but quickly left little doubt on his fall intentions. He teamed up with main client Doug Fout to sweep the first two on the card, including the featured National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup aboard Maggie Bryant’s Erin Go Bragh. Saving all the ground in the $35,000 timber tilt at 3 1/4 miles, Young engineered the mild upset over Seeyouattheevent and pro-tem leader Patriot's Path.

The win was Erin Go Bragh’s first since taking the New Jersey Hunt Cup last October at Far Hills. In three starts this spring the New Zealand-bred struggled, finishing third of four in a Middleburg allowance, a distant third in the 4-mile Virginia Gold Cup and then fifth, beaten 22 lengths in the Radnor Hunt Cup.

“We kind of played with him in the spring because he came back a bit keen and sketchy in his jumping. We kind of though ‘what’s the best way to ride him?’” At Far Hills he won sitting back off of it so we thought that might be the best way,” Young said. “It helped on Saturday that he was fresh and he jumped so well. He was a bit sharper than earlier in the year and shortening up a little bit helped as well. It’s good to get him back going in the right direction.”

In the opener, an optional claimer, Young guided Eldon Farm’s Chess Board to a neck win over Fogcutter and then made it a perfect 3-for-3 when he guided Ann Stern’s Major Malibu to a maiden timber win for Jack Fisher.

“Coming in I would have been happy to pick up one win, so obviously I didn’t expect this kind of day,” Young said. “Obviously when you get that first one out of the way it makes it a little easier to relax for the remainder of the day. And to win with my only three mounts on the day makes it all the more exciting."

Fisher also scored a training double on the day when he saddled Gil Johnston’s I Know It’s Not (Willie Dowling) to a win in fifth, a maiden-claimer. The 5-year-old son of Yes It’s true won in his fifth start over hurdles.

JUMP RACING LAST WEEKEND AT COLONIAL DOWNS

Eagle Beagle with Paddy Young wins the open hurdle race at Colonial Downs on 13 September.

Torlundy, ridden by Paddy Young, won the maiden hurdle at Colonial Downs, the first sanctioned steeplechase meet of the fall season. Hope he uncrossed those front legs before he landed...

Virginia-bred Class Disco (3rd) with Bernard Dalton and Beech Cay (2nd) with Jody Petty.
All photos by Susan M. Carter of Jeffersonton, VA. Susan is an equine enthusiast and photographer. To see more of her award winning work, click here.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL GETS UNDERWAY TONIGHT...

...and that can mean one thing, and one thing only -- Fall is fast approaching and with it the International Gold Cup.

On October 17th, 2009, 35,000 spectators will gather at Great Meadow near The Plains, Virginia, to celebrate the 72nd running of the International Gold Cup Races.

This event will provide a full day of entertainment including six nationally sanctioned horse races, terrier races, tailgate contest and a Porsche sports car exhibit.

Ticket sales benefit the Great Meadow Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Start planning now.