HEY! HO! LET'S MOW!

(We first ran this post back in 2007, but it's worth revisiting annually!)

It’s a three man grounds team here at Great Meadow, so for the three weeks prior to the Gold Cup we run at full tilt getting everything ready for the Virginia Gold Cup races. So what does that mean? It means we are mowing grass. And with the weather turning warm again today and all weekend, it means we will be mowing and weed-eating until the sun sets each day. Don’t tell us we don’t know how to have a good time!

To get the race course ready, it’s a process. First we mow the new spring grass to about 5 inches to thicken it up. Then, we slowly raise the height up on the race course to 6 or 7 inches to make the perfect cushion for the horses. (We also have our own rain dance here at Great Meadow because it is important that the ground have a certain level of moisture on race day.) So, about two weeks ago, we rolled our irrigation reels out onto the course so they would be ready to irrigate as the weather had been very dry. Sometimes, this process is kind of like getting your car washed on a sunny day, it brings the rain. It worked again this year.

Lots of people ask if we aerate. Fortunately, the girls wearing high heels take care of that for us at the fall and the spring races. Once they figure out that while high heels are fashionable, they aren’t the best answer for steeple chase footwear, we’re going to have even more work on our plate.

There is also the work we do to the jumps, fences and other structures in preparation for race day. We’ve repaired, painted and stained fencelines, jumps and more. The roads are groomed so they are ready to handle the nearly 8,000 cars and buses that will pull through the gates on the first Saturday in May.

That’s basically the strategic plan for Gold Cup preparations. Lots of work, but you’re worth it. Did I mention that we have to mow? I’m off to draw straws to see who gets to use the John Deere Chopper Snapper today. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

PRE-GOLD CUP THURSDAY LUNCH: ONE SPRING ROLL, ONE GOLD CUP BLOG ROLL

…no waiting.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/goingoutgurus/2009/04/tally_ho_for_the_virginia_gold.html The one where the Washington Post’s Going Out Guide gives you all the scoop.

http://capitolhillstyle.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/haute-week-virginia-gold-cup-races/
The one where Capital Hill Style weighs in on fashion sense including “Critter pants.” http://www.thedctraveler.com/horses-race-for-the-cup-the-virginia-gold-cup/
The one where D.C. Traveler dispenses some good fashion advice including the oft ignored classic “Flat heels are suggested.” Now, that’s funny.

http://www.cornellclubdc.org/events/2009/05/02/university-row-virginia-gold-cup-races
The one where you can link to all the scoop on “University Row” and learn that “Cornellians” is a word for Cornell grads.

http://jcinthedistrict.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-time-84th-annual-gold-cup.html
The one where In The Distict actually suggest that the dudes wear seersucker suits. Jordan, puh-leez, anything but that!

http://thesebootsrmadeforwalking.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-gold-cup-hat.html
The one where Jamie Lynn at These Boots Were Made For Walking reveals her Gold Cup hat.

http://www.visitwinchestervirginia.com/2009/03/virginia-gold-cup/
The one where the city of Winchester says the Gold Cup is “the largest steeplechase course in the country” with “the best viewing anywhere.” You don’t really need to visit the link ‘cause that’s all it says, but we like that is says “the largest steeplechase course in the country” with “the best viewing anywhere” so we click on it all the time!

GOLD CUP OR HUNT CUP?

You might have thought that Coal Dust, the impressive winner of the $35,000 Grand National in Maryland on Saturday, might have his sights set on the Virginia Gold Cup.

But, now it appears that the winner Coal Dust and the runner-up Private Attack will run in the Maryland Hunt Cup this Saturday. Horses have run in the grueling Maryland race and then run in the Gold Cup just one week later, but it’s quite rare.

On the same day, former Gold Cup winner Bubble Economy won a $20,000 Middleburg Hunt Cup at the Middleburg Races. That would set him up perfectly if his connections deem it appropriate. Bubble Economy is trained by Jack Fisher of Saluter fame (six Gold Cup wins, all with Fisher riding).

Frankly, all four starters in the Middleburg Hunt Cup would seem to be likely Gold Cup starters. Time will tell.

Grand National
First Race. $35,000 Grand National timber stakes.
1. Coal Dust (Armata Stable, Tom Voss, Blair Wyatt).
2. Private Attack (Sportsmans Hall, Alicia Murphy, William Santoro).
3. Western Fling (Stewart Strawbridge, Katherine McKenna, Jason Griswold).

Middleburg Spring Races
Second Race. $20,000 Middleburg Hunt Cup.
1. Bubble Economy (Arcadia Stable, Jack Fisher, Xavier Aizpuru).
2. Seeyouattheevent (Arthur W. Arundel, Jack Fisher, William Dowling)
3. Erin Go Bragh (NZ) (Magalen O. Bryant, Doug Fout, Paddy Young)
4. Irish Prince (Augustin Stables, Sanna Hendriks, Jody Petty)

HAT REDECORATING MADE EASY

No we aren’t kidding. This “recession” has had all different kind of impacts on all different kinds of businesses including hat sales.

Evidently, sales are off in the biz of chapeaus, but the savvy distaff hat haberdasher has learned how to compensate by selling a redecorating service. There’s a word for that and it’s “clever.”

So if you were down and out about not having a new hat for this year’s Virginia Gold Cup, why not find a hat redecorator and give that old lid a nice new makeover?

Truth be told, why not have a couple Margaritas with your girl pals and then redecorate the darn thing yourself?

Really, we aren’t looking to take any business away from Hat Redecorator Extraordinaire Vicky Hoskinson (pictured here), but why not take this on as a post happy hour project.

Cocktails, scissors, feathers, ribbons, Sharpie pens…Go crazy!

Whether adorned with feathers or flowers, hats are as much a part of the Gold Cup spectacle as fast horses, tailgates and sunburns. The trick is to get your hat just right…so get busy, the Gold Cup is now a mere eleven days away.

Besides, “recycling” your Gold Cup hat is a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day!

AN UPDATE ON THAT "OTHER LITTLE RACE"

Virginia owned and bred Kentucky Derbyleading contender Quality Road is doing great. According to sources close to the Florida Derby winner, he hacked around the horse paths at Belmont Park yesterday when rain made both the main track and the training track soup.

Paul Moran wrote a nice piece about Quality Road, his Virginia connection and his public relations/media campaign be orchestrated by the Virginia Thoroughbred Association for ESPN.com.

Down at Churchill Downs, the other two favorites Pioneerof The Nile both and I Want Revenge both worked five furlongs impressively. Pioneerof The Nile has a win last time out in the Santa Anita Derby bolstering his resume, and I Want Revenge won the Wood Memorial in a very impressive fashion last out after falling down coming out of the gate. It’s worth watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUUdR0fXCNo

Hook up with QR on Facebook to become a FAN OF QUALITY ROAD and/or keep up with him on Twitter.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=75003471943&ref=ts
http://twitter.com/Quality_Road

(Photo by Tony Rosca)

LOOK WHO'S ON FACEBOOK

Well, besides you...

The Virginia Gold Cup Races are now on Facebook.

Pay us a visit. Write something clever on our Wall or post some of your favorite Gold Cup pictures. Invite your friends!

http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=75003471943#/event.php?eid=47418509785

LOOK WHO ELSE IS ON FACEBOOK

Virginia's entry in the Kentucky Derby, Quality Road won the race to Facebook and Twitter rather convincingly over his primary rival I Want Revenge. The other top pick, Pioneerof The Nile hasn't even gotten the computer turned on yet..

The three-year-old colt who was born at Edward P. Evans' Spring Hill Farm (about 20 minutes from the Virginia Gold Cup racecourse) is up and running on both Facebook and Twitter and training well in New York. He will ship to Kentucky next Tuesday.

QR is considered one of the favorites for this year's Run For The Roses, as is I Want Revenge. IWR now has his own Facebook page as well, but QR beat him there by about a week.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78485995814#/group.php?gid=75003471943

www.twitter.com/Quality_Road

APRIL SHOWERS...

...bring May flowers.

Yep, it's raining again.

Just be glad you don't have to mow all the beautiful green grass at Great Meadow once it finally stops.

SPRING REALLY IS HERE, FINALLY

Hey, take a moment.

As Bruce Hornsby once said: “Look out any window, look out any open door.”

Yeah, what is that?

That, boys and girls, is the sun.

And, yes it’s been playing hooky quite a bit this dim, dark, rainy April.

It was so dark and cold here in close proximity to Virginia Gold Cup headquarters here in beautiful Warrenton, VA that the Mrs. noted that she almost felt compelled to go out get a Christmas tree. She was wearing a big fleece jacket at the time and was, quite frankly, rather convincing.

Bad enough it’s tax day, did it have to be cold and rainy too?

But today…ah, today is a different story and tomorrow supposed to be nicer.

Looking into the crystal ball we keep stashed in the corner office it looks like the first Saturday in May is going to be gorgeous.

As it should be.

There are a few races this weekend that could shed some light on the field for this year’s feature race. More on that next week.

Have a great weekend.

THE BIGGEST WAKE UP CALL EVER

By now, you’ve seen, or at the very least heard of, Susan Boyle from Scotland. She found her way to the center of the stage on Simon Cowell’s other hit show Britain’s Got Talent.

When the forty-seven-year old unemployed admitted spinster came out looking rather dowdy, rumpled and in WAY over her head, the snickering was downright audible.

Cowell did a fairly nice job of not making fun of this poor woman, but the same can’t be said for the audience.

Then she opened her mouth to sing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables.

Look, we’ve seen this clip five times and still get chills when this woman starts to sing. It’s simply magnificent. The look on Cowell’s face is priceless. If he was in on “the fix,” he’s got a damn good poker face.

If you don’t smile when this woman starts singing, your face is broken.

Even after she finishes her amazing performance, it seems she doesn’t realize how good she was until all the judges vote “yes.”

If you haven’t seen this, watch it. If you have, watch it again – it's a nice addition to your weekend!

There’s a short version (2:52) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il5TBgD9kHI
…and a long version (7:07) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Hey look, we’re full service around here. We recommend the long version, the set-up is priceless.

So, noting that she will probably win the competition and become the next Paul Potts, we figured we better invite her over to the good old U.S. of A. to sing the National Anthem at this year’s Virginia Gold Cup. Our guess is she’ll be so flattered she’ll race right across the pond and do it for free. All in.

*Items in italics may not be true.

WHO ARE THEY KIDDING?

Look, we know there are a bunch of these big steeplechase races here in Virginia. In fact, after college football and NASCAR racing, steeplechase racing is the third biggest spectator sport here in the Commonwealth.

So, of course, each event is going to think their event is the best.

Those other events? They would be wrong.

One thing is for sure, they're all different. Foxfield has a big college crowd. The Middleburg Races are typically host to an older more sophisticated crowd. The Strawberry Hill lot is a bit of a mixed bag, and last weekend it appeared the crowd was trying to compete with the Virginia Gold Cup.

The gig had a Casablanca theme. That tells you something right off the bat. The theme for the Gold Cup is Gold Cup. It's the same theme every year in that "ain't broke, don't fix it" sort of way. To paraphrase Pancho Villa, "We don't need no stinkin' theme!"

Who are they kidding? StrawHill is a nice race meet and a good party, but the Gold Cup it mostly surely is not. Stick to what you do best, which, unfortunately of late, seems to be coping with rainy weather and leave the granddaddy of 'em all to be...well...just that - the biggest and best steeplechase, outdoor cocktail party/picnic, one-day sporting event in the Commonwealth.

Period. End of conversation.

As we are fond of saying around here, it is what it is.

TOP TIMBER HORSE INCOMPLETE UNDEFEATED

Top timber horse Incomplete bided his time trailing the leaders for most of the 99th running of the My Lady's Manor steeplechase race Saturday in Monkton before finding another gear and running away from the rest of the 10-horse field to win by seven lengths.

Incomplete, an 8-year-old bay, is 3-for-3 in National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned races since beginning his career over timber two years ago.

"My horse has a great quarter-of-a-mile kick," said Incomplete jockey Charlie Fenwick III, "and he has enough tactical speed to put him wherever I want to put him, so that's what I did, and it worked out."

Incomplete finished the three-mile, 16-jump course in 6 minutes, 18 seconds and outdistanced co-favorite South Monarch, who placed second with Jody Petty riding. J. Alfred Prufrock, who held the lead briefly, finished third with Conrad Somers in the irons.

The $30,000 My Lady's Manor marked the first of three successive steeplechase weekends in Maryland, to be followed by the Grand National in Butler on Saturday and the Maryland Hunt Cup in Glyndon on April 25.

My Lady's Manor. $30,000 My Lady's Manor timber stakes.

1. Incomplete. Bob Kinsley. Ann Stewart. Charlie Fenwick III.

2. South Monarch. Augustin Stable. Sanna Hendriks. Jody Petty.

3. J. Alfred Prufrock. Conrad Somers owner, trainer, jockey.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT CRYING FOR ARGENTINA!

These past few weekends we have reached some important sporting conclusions. We know that the University of North Carolina Tar Heels are the best college basketball team in the land with the conclusion of the Final Four and their demolition of all before them.

We know the kids at Miami (Ohio), that have never won a NCAA national championship in any sport, let one slip away when the Terriers of Boston University scored two late goals and then one in overtime to capture the Frozen Four this weekend in Washington, D.C.

We know the Nats…well…we apologize in advance…but, it appears that they “suck.” The are 0-for-2009 heading into today’s home opener.

We also know that it was cold and rainy at the Strawberry Hill Races down at Colonial Downs this weekend. Strawberry Hill is like the Virginia Gold Cup’s little sister…more on those races tomorrow.

Yesterday Angel Cabrera won the Masters. He’s from Argentina. Besides the two-time major winner Mr. Cabrera, do you know for what else the Argentines are famous? If you said “horses,” you would be correct. (Yes, there are other answers that are also correct, but we’re trying to bring this thing in for a landing…)

Argentina is the world's undisputed polo mecca, home to the game's best players and horses. For years, they have exported high-goal polo players to the U.S. and other parts of the polo world where they have long been the dominant force in the sport.

In fact, some of them even wind up playing in the summer at Great Meadow after the single most important event at the particular venue – the Virginia Gold Cup – is concluded.

So now that those events are behind us, we only have the quasi-death march that appears to be the Nationals long baseball season, a horrific Wizards team who will miss the seeming endless NBA playoffs and a very good Caps team of which to keep track.

Yes, Wahoos, we know you have a good lacrosse team, but we’ll get to that later as well…

Oh, and the Redskins? The draft? Well…no, don’t even think about it ‘cause you know they’re gonna monkey it up.

So with that as a framework, we clearly have sufficient time and resources to focus on the first Saturday in May.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

(Photo by Paul Morigi via Capital-Club.com)

UNDER STARTERS ORDER

This lovely painting was done by John Hetzel who lives and paints in Charlottesville, VA. For more information about the artist, click here.

MARCH MADNESS IS OVER, TIME TO CHANGE FOCUS

Now that the NCAA's Big Dance, known as March Madness, has draw to a close earlier this week, it's time to change focus.

NEW FOCUS: Virginia Gold Cup, Saturday May 2nd.

First issue we have to overcome is this - the recent unusually cool weather isn't making anybody think about warm days, cool drinks, picnics, sunglasses, bright sun glasses and all the other things that make the first Saturday in May at Great Meadow so memorable and fun.

Maybe it will warm up a degree or two and we can all get more focused.

In the meantime, Virginia's biggest steeplechase race and outdoor cocktail party is only two dozen days a way!

If you are still in that college sports mode, consider attending the Gold Cup along with your fellow students and alums! Check out http://www.universityrow.org/

LOCAL BOY DOES GOOD

Just last weekend, a horse named Quality Road won the Florida Derby, which is a major prep race for that other horse race they run on the first Saturday in May - the Kentucky Derby.

Yes, the Virginia Gold Cup shares it's big day which makes perfect sense -- the biggest "timber" horse race in the land followed up by the biggest "flat" race in the land. Mind you, it takes the Gold Cup horses a bit longer to traverse the four mile course with 19 substantial jumps to hurdle than it does the best three-year-olds in the country to cover 1 1/4 miles sans obstructions.

So if the Kentucky Derby is considered "the most exciting two minutes in sports," that makes the Virginia Gold Cup the "most exciting seven minutes in sports!"

But, we digress...

The point about Quality Road is he was born just down the road from the Gold Cup's headquarters in Warrenton, VA. For those of you that follow the spring steeplechase circuit in Northern Virginia, you will recognize his birthplace - Casanova, VA. That's the same Casanova that hosts the Casanova Hunt and subsequently, the Casanova Hunt Point-to-Point in late February.

Quality Road is now pointing the Kentucky Derby, and should he win, he would be the first horse born in Virginia to do so since Sea Hero won in 1993.

Keep your fingers crossed.

REMEMBER THIS NAME...

This is Orison (right). He may run in the Gold Cup. If you can retain some information about him, you will impress your friends/date/family like crazy.

Orison has been running and jumping for a little while now. He has won over $200,000 in his career which includes a win in the $75,000 Carolina Cup Gr. 2 down in Camden, South Carolina.

Most of the money he has won has been over “hurdles.” Those are the big green jumps. Now, Orison is making the switch to timber – those are the ones that look like post and rail fences made out of telephone poles.

Orison’s owner, Ernie Oare, has had his eye on the Gold Cup for many years. In his younger days, Oare used to ride steeplechase horses and his best timber horse, Allen B.J., had a shot to win the Gold Cup with jockey Oare in the saddle.

Unfortunately, the girth broke during the race. The girth is the big belt looking strap that keeps the saddle on and without it you can’t run four miles and jump over a bunch of big fences unless you have the balance of Shannon Miller or Mary Lou Retton. Even then, it would be next to impossible. Kind of like riding a motorcycle on water.

Since then, Oare and his wife Betty, have been looking for the right horse to win the Gold Cup. Could Orison be the one?

Racing for the Oare’s EMO Stables in their distinctive blue, red and gold silks, Orison won the Novice Timber race at Casanova Point-to-Point back in February. Remember February? It was cold.

Then last weekend, Orison won the The Spring Valley timber race over three miles at the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point.

There is no official word on whether or not trainer Doug Fout is pointing Orison to the Virginia Gold Cup in May, but it sure looks that way…

(Photos by Douglas Lees)

THE ECONOMY EXPLAINED – AGAIN…

First off, in case nobody has told you, the economic recovery started in Warrenton, Virginia (the town the Virginia Gold Cup office calls home) at noon on St. Patrick’s day.

Oddly enough, the much anticipated correction had little to do with more mortgage applications or more new housing starts announced earlier that morning.

In addition, it had little to do with stimulus plan, the banking bailout or AIG bonuses. And, in spite of the event in question happening on March 17th, it had nothing to do with Ireland, Harp or Guiness.

No, the world wide economic recovery started in Warrenton, Virginia just at the horrific swoon had started just a few miles from here last October.

You see, last October in the midst of a media saturated presidential campaign, the economy leapt off a cliff. This can be directly attributed to a horse named Bubble Economy. Trust us, this is exactly what went down.

Bubble Economy won the 71st running of the International Gold Cup at Great Meadow just up the road from Warrenton in The Plains, VA. The International Gold Cup is the little sister and fall version of the Virginia Gold Cup which happens on the first Saturday in May.

So when Bubble Economy won the fall race, the Treasury Department should have been paying attention. You see, Bubble Economy had also won the 83rd running of the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup. You can’t say we didn’t warn you…Wasn’t anybody paying attention?

In the spring, Bubble Economy defeated, among others, a horse named Miles Ahead. Imagine where we would be had he won the biggest steeplechase race here in the Commonwealth. Well…how about…miles ahead of where we are now, which would be nice.

In the fall, Mr. Bubble defeated, among others, A Fine Story…Hmmm.

So now we know. It’s all Bubble Economy’s fault. What we need now is back-to-back victories in the two Gold Cups by a horse named Booming Economy.

In the meantime, we are on the road to a nice slow and steady recovery, and it all got started on St. Patrick’s day with…drum roll, please…ice cream.

Yes, we said ice cream. While a horse named Bubble Economy messed up the whole deal a little treat called ice cream put it all back on the right track.

Warrenton, like many other small towns, has a soft ice cream stand – The Carousel. The Carousel usually opens in April and closes in early November. Seems the Carousel folks are clever enough to have a similar stand down in sunny Florida.

So for reasons unknown to the Gold Cup, the Carousel decided to open two weeks early to a standing room only crowd lined up into the parking lot.

You might be thinking ‘how can that be a major economic indicator?’

Trust us, it is. It’s just what we need to get us all off this bubble economy.

You know, what else will help? If our nation of consumers who drive our economy would open their wallets/purses and buy some stuff.

Why not start with tickets to the best horse race/party in Virginia – the Virginia Gold Cup?

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL IN FULL SWING SANS VIRGINIA’S GOOD MAY WEATHER

Steeplechase racing is big in Great Britain. No race meet is any bigger or more famous than the four day Cheltenham Festival held in England in March. March, as in right now…it concludes on Friday.

Now, we know this because we’ve been to similar events on the Emerald Isle, so we know that both the English and Irish take their jump racing rather seriously.

Not only do they race some wonderful horses, but they approach these events with a “high degree of social enthusiasm,” if you know what we mean.
People take off work in the middle of the week, get all dressed up and go to the races. They socialize. They party. And, since it’s legal, they bet. They do all of this with, as previously stated, “enthusiasm.”

In fact, they are so good at this, that the best steeplechase races in America look to emulate what transpires across the Grand Old Pond. Take a look at the photos.

Lots of racegoers. Beautiful women. Fancy clothes. Crazy hats. Everybody having fun.

But, what’s missing. What will you see at the Virginia Gold Cup – maybe 50,000 times that you will only see a few times at Cheltenham?
Anybody?

Anglophiles?

Steeplechase junkies?

Anybody?

Well, we will tell you exactly what you won’t see: SUNGLASSES.

That’s correct – sunglasses. You won’t see sunglasses very often because the only people wearing them on a typical dark cloudy English day will be movie stars and race fans with hangovers.

You think it’s dismal in Seattle, spend a March in England...

Now, fast forward to May and imagine all of this WITH sunglasses, SUNSHINE and nice Virginia WARM spring weather.

(Photos by Adrian Dennis and Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)

YES, THE ECONOMY SUCKS

So, we all just have to improvise – just like these guys.

You know, be creative – work the angles.

Or you could just have a few less lattes or a little less sushi and set aside a few coins for tickets to the Virginia Gold Cup.

Or skip a Wizards game...who wants to see Georgetown play in the N.I.T.? Those cool new shoes -- put 'em down. Gold Cup.

Bring your friends. It’s May 2nd at Great Meadows in The Plains.

The weather promises to be great, and the best parties always seems to happen when the world is a little out of whack. So the planets seem to be aligning for a great time…

Get your tix today!

NINE ENTERED IN BIG RACE

Nine horses are scheduled to go to post in tomorrow's sixth race the $50,000 International Gold Cup.

1 SHADY VALLEY; 2a A FINE STORY (GB); 3 BUBBLE ECONOMY; 4a PROFOWENS (IRE); 5 SALMO; 6 PROFESSOR MAXWELL; 7 WOODMONT; 8 BRIMSON and 9 THE OTHER ME.

The field includes to the past two winners of the big race in the spring - The Virginia Gold Cup - Salmo (pictured - yellow cap) and Bubble Economy.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH SIMPLE ANSWERS

Unlike those in Presidential politics, some questions are easy to answer.

Are you going to the Fall Gold Cup Saturday?

Is the weather going to be great?

Are you gonna have fun?

YOU BETCHA!!

NO WHINING ABOUT THE ECONOMY

Do your part to jumpstart this economy.

1) BUY your tickets for the International Gold Cup
2) HIRE the best caterer you can find.
3) DON'T scrimp on quality libations.
4) HIRE somebody to drive you home.

There, that was easy.

You will have a great day and the ENTIRE GLOBAL ECONOMY will be better off for your efforts (read that "fun.")

What are you waiting for?

Hey, if AIG can afford English Premiere Soccer League team Manchester United and a $400,000 post bailout spa retreat, you can surely afford a wonderful Saturday in the country.

If nothing else, it will take you mind off the stock market!

MONTE BIANCO WINS MAJOR GOLD CUP PREP

It's not unusual for horses trying to win the International Gold Cup to win the Chronicle Cup at Middleburg prior to the timber staple at Great Meadow.

It wouldn't be all that unusual if a horse own by publisher Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel to run, and win, the International Gold Cup.

It wouldn't be completely out of the question for Monte Bianco to be both of those things.

Last weekend, Arundel's Monte Bianco, who has the Italian nom de plume for a Alp, won the Chronicle Cup and now looks like one of the best timber horses around.

According to Steeplechase Times: To say 2007 was a rough year for Monte Bianco would be like saying Elvis Presley was mildly popular. The Irish-bred son of King Of Kings made it to the races twice last year, pulling up in a Charlotte allowance timber in April before falling in the Mason Houghland at Nashville a month later.

Those efforts were sandwiched between a fall at Marlborough Point-to-Point that started his season and another in a summer schooling session that ended it. Trainer Jack Fisher summed up his feelings succinctly: “I had had it with him.”

The trainer’s tone has changed dramatically in 2008. Monte Bianco took the Radnor Hunt Cup in May and thrust himself into the race for the timber title with an authoritative 3 1/4-length victory in the $35,000 National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup Oct. 4 at the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park.

What a difference a year makes.

Elvis would be so proud.

MEMORY TEST

Who won the Virginia Gold Cup last Spring?

C'mon, it wasn't that long ago...

In a strange twist of irony, the winner's name was Bubble Economy (white cap and silks) upset the 84th $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup at the expense of Miles Ahead and Hot Springs.

(Photos by Douglas Lees)

MILES AHEAD SEEKS THIRD GOLD CUP

by Brian Nadeau – Steeplechase Times

Four miles and 23 timber fences stand between 10 horses and the biggest payoff on the National Steeplechase Association's timber calendar when the circuit heads to Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Va., tomorrow for the 83rd running of the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup.

Any talk of the Virginia Gold Cup and 4-mile timber races begins and ends with Kinross Farm's standout Miles Ahead. Two-time Gold Cup winner, 2005 NSA timber champion and the only horse in the field to have won at this demanding distance, Miles Ahead casts a long shadow over his nine rivals. Trained by Neil Morris, the 11-year-old prepped for the Gold Cup with a second behind Allimac in a 3 1/4-mile allowance at Middleburg, which is news itself, as Miles Ahead tasted defeat for the first time after winning his initial eight timber starts. Hardly dismayed, Morris looks forward to Saturday's race.

Though he missed last year's running, Miles Ahead won the race in 2005 and 2006, and is back in 2008 "for a shot at the big money." As an 8-year-old, Miles Ahead prepped in a Middleburg allowance and then made his timber stakes debut in the 2005 Gold Cup, rallying late for a half-length score. He used the same path in 2006, when his 22-length triumph in the Gold Cup was a performance for the ages.

After more than 17 months on the sidelines Miles Ahead returned last fall for an easy score in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Chris Read, aboard for both Gold Cup victories, has the return call. All starters will carry 165 pounds.

Though Miles Ahead is the horse to beat, contention runs deep in the Gold Cup. Irv Naylor's Hot Springs (Willie Dowling to ride) and Brigadoon Stable's Erin Go Bragh (Paddy Young) continue their rivalry that peaked in the My Lady's Manor April 12.

Desmond Fogarty conditioned Allimac to upset Miles Ahead at Middleburg, and he'll try to turn the trick again with Hot Springs, who finished second by a head to Erin Go Bragh in the Manor but was awarded the victory after Erin Go Bragh was disqualified for interfering with Hot Springs at the last.

Bob Kinsley's Incomplete (James Slater) enters light on experience but long on talent for trainer Ann Stewart. The 7-year-old is perfect in two starts over timber, having won an allowance at Grand National in 2007 and again earlier this season. Incomplete gets tested for class on Saturday but enters as a true wild card who could prove to be a fresh face in the division.

Champion trainer Jack Fisher will send out two in the Gold Cup, Arcadia Stable's Bubble Economy (Chip Miller), the 2004 timber champion, and Arthur Arundel's Monte Bianco (Xavier Aizpuru).

Bubble Economy chased Hot Springs and Erin Go Bragh home when third in the My Lady's Manor and is one of only three horses in the field to try 4 miles. Monte Bianco flies the flag for Great Meadow course founder "Nick" Arundel and steps up after taking his seasonal debut at Camden by 13 1/2 lengths.

Entries for the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup (with jockey, owner and trainer):
1. Straight Gin (Calvin McCormack, Whitewood Stable, Richard Valentine).
2. Incomplete (James Slater, Robert Kinsley, Ann Stewart).
3. Miles Ahead (Chris Read, Kinross Farm, Neil Morris).
4. King Lear (Jeff Murphy, Mrs. Harry Russell, Joe Davies).
5. Hot Springs (Willie Dowling, Irv Naylor, Desmond Fogarty).
6. Erin Go Bragh (Paddy Young, Brigadoon Stable, Doug Fout).
7. Monte Bianco (Xavier Aizpuru, Arthur Arundel, Jack Fisher)
8. Bubble Economy (Chip Miller, Arcadia Stable, Jack Fisher)
9. J. Alfred Prufrock (Conrad Somers, Conrad Somers Conrad Somers).
10. Move West (Jody Petty, Augustin Stable, Sanna Hendriks).

(Top: Miles Ahead (l) in beige and blue silks, bottom Erin Go Bragh (l) and Hot Springs (c).)