News

From the December edition of Steeplechase Times.

By Sean and Joe Clancy

Another roiling season has come to a close. There were enchanting days, deflating days. Good moments, bad moments. Promising developments, tragic developments. You know about Pierrot Lunaire’s return, Demonstrative’s rally, Irv Naylor’s reign, Jack Fisher’s title . . . Here are some of the most entertaining, enlightening and disturbing stories from 2012.

Yes, it’s been a while for an update in this space. So it goes in small business. We’re hard at work selling calendars, crafting a Steeplechase Times newspaper, producing magazines for Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and organizing the future. Oh, and it’s December. Lots to do before the end of the year.

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.

Overheard as the horses walked out for the Classic, “Did you hear? They’re adding three more races, the Breeders’ Cup Harness Classic, the Breeders’ Cup Quarter Horse Dash and the Breeders’ Cup Stick Horse Derby.” Yes, there are too many races, and yes, it’s still the best show we have in America.

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.”