Joe Clancy

In 1970, American jump racing needed a boost, a push, a splash. It came from within as Marion du Pont Scott funded and founded an international steeplechase worth $100,000. And thus one of the great American races came to be.  

In a game known for distance, it comes down to inches. The Eclipse Award still hangs in the balance as entries close for this year’s Colonial Cup. The Grade 1 stakes, worth $100,000, attracted 12 entries for its 2 3/4 miles of pull-the-curtain finality Saturday at Springdale Race Course in Camden, S.C.

Back, and better than ever. Pierrot Lunaire, upset winner of the Grade 1 Iroquois over Good NIght Shirt back in 2009, came back to life last month at Belmont Park and duplicated that effort to win Saturday’s $250,000 Grand National at the Far Hills Races.

Entries made. Traps packed. Horses brushed, braided, primped, primed. Selections sorted. Boots and other assorted mud clothes ready. Must be the third weekend in October.

In the Thursday morning sun and dew, Graham Motion walked in a circle in front of the grandstands at Fair Hill Race Course. He was wearing a microphone for NBC, speaking into a walkie-talkie, nursing a cold and wondering about all the things horse trainers wonder about.

“Is that my horse?” Brianne Slater is still getting to know the new steeplechasers under her care. In her defense, they were wearing rugs and walking through sharp sunlight Wednesday morning at Fair Hill. Oh, and they’ve only just arrived.

**Now updated with link to helmet cam video courtesy of Cosequin – see below**

“That’s more nerve-wracking than watching a race.”

Once in a while you guess right. As the horses left the paddock for Saturday’s Cotillion, the first Grade 1 stakes in Pennsylvania history, I started walking and editorially handicapping. Where was the story?

“Twelve and two . . . twelve and two . . . twelve even . . .” Graham Motion called the splits into his walkie-talkie as two horses worked a half-mile on the dirt at Fair Hill Training Center Wednesday morning. The sky was blue and high, the breeze was cool and even, the air crisp and clean. And the work was perfect. Last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom continued his progression toward a return to the races with a breeze in company with Meistersinger – getting a half-mile in 48 seconds and officially galloping out 5 furlongs in 1:01 2/5.

The action at Saratoga Race Course ends every year on Labor Day, sending horses and people to their respective homes – Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Albany, Canada, Manhattan, Kentucky, Long Island, Maryland, pretty much everywhere.