Hey Procrastinators, Get Moving

Look, we know there is a group of you out there that hold back on buying your International Gold Cup tickets until the last minute because you are worried about the weather. 

So…stop worrying and start buying.

Saturday’s weather looks…um…what’s the word we’re looking for?  Oh yeah, PERFECT.

How about sunny and 65 degrees.

So quit the squirming and the hand wringing and click here. 

Pictures Of The Day

Runners make their way past the low setting sun at Huntingdon racecourse on October 16, 2012 in Huntingdon, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Tony McCoy riding Another Trump (C) on their way to winning The simplythebestevents.co.uk Handicap Steeple Chase at Huntingdon racecourse on October 16, 2012 in Huntingdon, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Harry Skelton riding Drumland (C) win The Warrens Of Warwick 34 Years Anniversary Handicap Hurdle Race at Huntingdon racecourse on October 16, 2012 in Huntingdon, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Veteran And Newcomers Square Off In International Gold Cup

AERO JUST BEHIND GOLD CUP WINNER INCOMPLETE (Douglas Lees Photo)

(From NationalSteeplechase.com) Alfred C. Griffin Jr.’s Aero will be seeking to improve on last year’s second-place finish when he meets a well-matched field in the 75th anniversary running of the $50,000 International Gold Cup, the feature race of the International Gold Cup meet at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains on Saturday, Oct. 20. First post time for the 29th annual International Gold Cup meet is 1:30 p.m.

Trained by Middleburg-based horseman Doug Fout, Aero will be seeking his first win of the year in the 3 1/2-mile International Gold Cup over timber fences. He most recently finished fourth in the $35,000 National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup at the Virginia Fall Races in Middleburg on Oct. 6.

In his previous start on the Great Meadow course, Aero finished fifth in the Virginia Gold Cup on May 5. Christopher Read will ride.

Challenging the veteran timber horse will be Michael T. Wharton’s Grinding Speed, a newcomer to timber racing who finished a good second in the Chronicle Cup. He also was second in the $15,000 Legacy Chase at Maryland’s Shawan Downs on Sept. 29. He had two victories and a second this spring.

Alicia Murphy trains the six-year-old Grindstone gelding, who will be ridden by Mark Beecher, winning jockey aboard Incomplete in last year’s International Gold Cup.

Owner-trainer Karen Gray entered Hot Rize, who finished sixth in the Chronicle Cup. Gus Dahl will ride.

Blythe Miller Davies will saddle Gerry L. Brewster’s Brands Hatch, who won the Western Run Plate timber allowance at Maryland’s Grand National on April 21 before finishing second in the Willowdale Steeplechase at Kennett Square, Pa., on May 13. Jackson Roberts has the mount.

Seeking her first victory of the year will be Wally Pinkard’s Won Wild Bird, who finished fifth in the $25,000 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup on Oct. 13. Trained by Regina Welsh, Won Wild Bird finished fifth in the Radnor Hunt Cup, a race the ten-year-old Wild Wonder mare won in 2011. Roddy Mackenzie will ride.

Owner-trainer Jack Fisher’s Monte Bianco, returning to the races after a nearly four-year absence, ran ninth in the Radnor Hunt Cup and improved to fourth in Shawan’s Legacy Chase. Willie McCarthy has the mount.

Pictures Of The Day

Jockey Damien Oliver riding Commanding Jewel wins the Schweppes Thousand Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse on October 17, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Jockey Craig Newitt (R) riding Isabella Snowflake wins race 1 the Superior Food Services Handicap during Caulfield Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield Racecourse on October 17, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

 Runners create kickback as they race on the new polytrack surface at Lingfield racecourse on October 17, 2012 in Lingfield, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Picture Of The Day

Play...just because.  It will be Saturday soon and you too will want to play...(Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe)

Pictures Of The Day

Nicholas Hall riding Instinction crosses the line to win the BMW Weekend Hussler Stakes during Guineas Day at Caulfield Racecourse on October 13, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) celebrates with fans after a 76-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Good Luck, Nationals!

(Rob Carr/Getty Images)

As previously stated, according to MLB.com, the National League Championship Series will go dark on Saturday, October 20th, the day of the International Gold Cup races.  

So, if/when our Washington Nationals advance to said NLCS by beating the Cards tonight, they will be playing on Friday before the Gold Cup and Sunday after the Gold Cup (if necessary).

You know what that is?

Perfect. That’s what that is.

In fact, "Natitude" could be a winning theme for a tailgate!

So get your tickets and start getting organized for the International Gold Cup.

Go Nats!

Question(s) Of The Day

(Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images Europe)

Q: Will Bono sing the National Anthem before the International Gold Cup?

A: No. You may hear his voice, but it’s only in your head. 

Q: Is that Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates on the right?

A: Yes.

Q: Who is the guy standing between Bono and Bill Gates.

A: Who cares?

Actually, that is French President Francois Hollande with the fellas a few days ago in Paris. 

Pictures Of The Day

 It is what it is, and, right now, it seems like there are so many...(Gold Cup Photo/Facebook)

Charlie Wallis riding Arctic Echo (R) clear the last to win The Ladbrokes Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Steeple Chase at Worcester racecourse on October 11, 2012 in Worcester, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Tom Cannon riding Sovereign Spirit (R) on their way to winning The Ladbrokes Selling Handicap Hurdle Race at Worcester racecourse on October 11, 2012 in Worcester, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Question Of The Day

KISS YESTERDAY IN NEW YORK CITY (PacificCoastNews.com)

Q: Will KISS sing the National Anthem at the International Gold Cup races?

A: No

Next question.

Locals Get Discounted Tickets – Woo Hoo!

Hey, if you live in Fauquier County, the home of many famous historical places AND the Virginia and International Gold Cups, you can purchase discounted general admission passes for the 75th annual International Gold Cup steeplechase races Saturday, Oct. 20, at Great Meadow, near The Plains.

Those who live in Fauquier may purchase up to two tickets for $45 each — a $10 discount. Each ticket will admit one vehicle with up to six people.

The discounted tickets required a valid ID and may be purchased at the Virginia Gold Cup office at 90 Main St. in Warrenton.

The first of six races will start at 1:30 p.m. The gates will open at 10 a.m.

Twelve Nominated To International Gold Cup

Twelve well-matched timber horses have been nominated to the 75th anniversary running of the $50,000 International Gold Cup, the feature.

AERO (left) (Douglas Lees Photo)

Middleburg-based trainer Doug Fout nominated Warrenton resident Alfred C. Griffin Jr.’s Aero, seeking to improve on a second-place finish in the 2011 International Gold Cup, a 3-1/2-mile race over timber fences.

Aero on Oct. 6 finished fourth in the $35,000 National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup at the Virginia Fall Races. In his previous start on the Great Meadow course, Aero finished fifth in the Virginia Gold Cup on May 5.

Coming off a second-place finish in the Chronicle Cup will be Michael T. Wharton’s Grinding Speed. He also finished second in the $15,000 Legacy Chase at Maryland’s Shawan Downs on Sept. 29. Alicia Murphy trains the 6-year-old Grindstone gelding.

The Chronicle Cup’s third-place finisher, Joseph W. Henderson’s Triple Dip, also was nominated. Trained in Virginia by Jimmy Day, Triple Dip pulled a major upset when he won the 2011 Mason Houghland Memorial in his first career start over timber fences. Owner-trainer Karen Gray nominated Hot Rize, who finished sixth in the Chronicle Cup.

2012 Virginia Gold Cup Winner Takes Chronicle Cup

(From NSA) Robert A. Kinsley’s Incomplete made his usual late charge and pulled away to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $35,000 National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup, the featured race of the 57th annual Virginia Fall Races in Middleburg on Saturday, Oct. 6.

INCOMPLETE (r) (Betsy Burke Parker Photo/www.HuntersRest.net)

Michael T. Wharton’s Grinding Speed, coming back on one week’s rest after finishing second in Shawan Downs’ Legacy Chase timber allowance, again finished second. Michael A. Smith’s Triple Dip, who set the pace for most of the Chronicle Cup, finished third.

Ridden by champion jockey Paddy Young, Incomplete ran the Chronicle Cup’s 3 1/4 miles over timber fences in 6:42.40 on firm turf. The Chronicle Cup was his third victory of the year in three starts and raised his division-leading total earnings to $84,000. 

Trained in Maryland by Ann Stewart, Incomplete previously had won the My Lady’s Manor and the Virginia Gold Cup back in May.

Tailgating Tip Of The Day

Don’t forget the tablecloth. Make sure it’s unique and well-suited for the occasion.

(Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)

Here, Karl Lagerfeld walks the runway with the his newest line of Chanel tablecloths during the Chanel Spring/Summer 2013 show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Grand Palais last week in Paris, France.

What???

Those aren’t tablecloths…?

Really?

Pictures of The Day

Early morning exercise on racecourse side gallops at Newmarket racecourse on October 10, 2012 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Another view of the gallops at Newmarket racecourse on October 10, 2012 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Horses are prepared for sale and inspected by potential buyers at Tattersalls yearling sales on October 10, 2012 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

The auction ring at Tattersalls yearling sales on October 10, 2012 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Daybreak Stables' Wolverton (Paddy Young) won the Virginia owned and trained maiden hurdle race at the Middleburg Fall races on Oct 6th. (Susan M. Carter photo)

S. Bruce Smart's Orchestra Leader (Danielle Hodsdon) won the maiden three-year-old hurdle race at the Middleburg Fall races on Oct 6th. (Susan M. Carter photo)

Karen Gray's Cuse (Gus Dahl - right) won the optional allowance/claiming race at the Middleburg Fall races on Oct 6th.Teddy Mulligan's Final Straw (Willie McCarthy) finished third. (Douglas Lees photo)

Morning Star Stables' Thermostat (McLane Hendriks - right) won the amateur rider timber race at the Middleburg Fall races on Oct 7th.. Northwoods Stable's Eye Said Scat Cat (Connor Hankin - leading) finished second. (Douglas Lees photo)

International Gold Cup Will Not Host A Presidential Debate

While the International Gold Cup remains a major fixture on the Fall social and sporting calendars, the management of the second biggest steeplechase race in the Old Dominion wondered if there might be away to make our version of the Fall Classic even bigger and better.

Some genius in the marketing department thought it would be a good idea to host a Presidential Debate prior to or just after the October 20 steeplechase.  Being a marketing savvy operation, we decided to put together a focus group to determine if the Gold Cup wanted to be part of the 2012 election process.

The focus group met for every bit of 90 seconds before asking the following question:  "Why in the world would you want to do that?"

Of course, we wouldn’t.

The Gold Cup is a great way to spend a beautiful afternoon in the country and to take an afternoon off from the real world.  No politics allowed.

Get your friends, get your tickets, get your tailgate and get ready to have a great time.

Pictures Of The Day

Teddy Alexander's Kisser N Run (left - Paddy Young) held off Mede Cahaba Stable LLC's Class Launch (Richard Boucher) in the filly and mare maiden race.  (Susan M. Carter photo)

Racegoers sport some fancy hats at the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe race meet at Longchamp near Paris on Sunday. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Olivier Peslier riding Solemia (R) catch Orfevre and Christophe Soumillon (L) to win the Qatar Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp  October 07, 2012. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

The Mini Grand National: Take Two, They’re Small…

Those of us in the horse racing game have always said the best way to increase interest is to get more children involved riding the noble steeds.  The Plumpton races in England have figured it out hosting flat and steeplechase races for little kids on even littler Shetland ponies.  Being English, they even bet on the little buggers…

Here is what the blog Teen Sleuth had to say about it:

The card in England’s Plumpton Racecourse includes a ten-strong Shetland Pony Champion Hurdle, on which the Tote runs a special pool as part of their between-races entertainment. There’s the Shetland Grand National – only the most nauseatingly adorable thing I’ve seen in my whole life…

The ponies are paraded around before the race, and there’s a commentator and pretend bookmakers. When the race begins, the chunky monkeys gallop at top speed, leaping over two-foot steeplechase fences. The little riders  - boys and girls age 9 – 13 under 5 feet tall and donning candy colored jockey silks - have to work to qualify for a coveted place among the 10 runners in the race, through a year of competing in riding disciplines like jumping, eventing, dressage and controlling their ponies at top speeds. 

It’s a huge honor to qualify for the race. The Shetland Pony Grand National is – naturally –  a big crowd-pleaser,  televised to much media attention every year. The British love racing, both on the flat and over jumps and they love their fuzzy-wuzzy, native ponies.

For some video of the shenanigans, click here. 

Maybe next year? 

What Not To Wear

(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

No, not the ear phones, although we don't recommend them...

No Playoff Baseball On Gold Cup Saturday

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

According to MLB.com, the National League Championship Series will go dark on Saturday, October 20^th, the day of the International Gold Cup. And, on Sunday, the Redskins travel to New York for the first of their two annual dances with the New York football Giants.

So, if/when our Washington Nationals advance to said NLCS, they will be playing on Friday before the Gold Cup and Sunday after the Gold Cup (if necessary).

How convenient.

With that out of the way, you don’t have to worry about missing a game, so get your tickets and start getting organized for the Fall Gold Cup.

Seriously, are you waiting for somebody to pour beer on your head??

Deal Of The Day

Don’t miss out, this great deal ends later today.  For more info, click here. 

Pictures Of The Day

Jacob Roberts is nearly unseated on Mary Fleming Finlay's Hey Doctor but stayed up in the open timber race. Don Yovanovich's Cat Walkin (Annie Yeager) was awarded the win when Hey Doctor was disqualified for interference. (Betsy Burke Parker Photo/www.HuntersRest.net)

Mede Cahaba Stable LLC's Complete Dyno (Richard Boucher - right) was narrowly best over Magalen O. Bryant's Southwest (Jacob Roberts) in the Virginia bred flat race at Foxfield. (Betsy Burke Parker Photo/www.HuntersRest.net)

Pictures Of The Day

William Buick riding Caucus (L) win The Jockey Club Rose Bowl at Newmarket racecourse on September 27, 2012 in Newmarket, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Runners pull up after finishing The Cambridge News Excellent Horseracing Coverage Nursery Handicap Stakes at Newmarket racecourse. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

‘Tis The Season - What Not To Wear

Fall is fast upon us and the stink bugs are in full bloom.  College football is underway and the real NFL season with real officials gets underway tonight. That can mean one thing, and one thing only…The International Gold Cup is coming.

The race meet will be held as it always is on the third Saturday in October at the Great Meadow race course near The Plains.  We don’t have to tell you it, will be here before you know it.

As we often do, we’d like to ramp up the Fall Gold Cup blogging season with a VA Blog Cup standby “What Not To Wear.”

Really, don’t wear this. It tends to be cool in October and typically windy.  That is going to cause at least two problems for this lovely outfit designed by fashion designer Fatima Lopes (who evidently has never been outside after August 31^st).

THE MODEL LOOKS UNHAPPY...WHO CAN BLAME HER?

Pictures Of The Day

The field heads into the first turn during the 88th $300,000 Black Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Shannon Casey, of Marshall, Va., watches the action at Pimlico Race Course, Friday, May 18, 2012, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Virginia-bred Bodemeister gets a bath prior to running in today's $1 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. (Patrick Smith/Reuters)

The field races down the backstretch during the 42nd Pimlico Special at Pimlico in Baltimore, May 18.  (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)

Mike Hendrick, of Baltimore, moves through the grandstand area at Pimlico Race Course, Friday, May 18, 2012.  If you know Baltimore or Orioles baseball, you know his inspiration for the hat! (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)