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A good, old-fashioned steeplechase double. Even if we wish they’d separate (somebody run on Sunday) it’s good to see a full weekend of American jump racing as the circuit heads to historic Glenwood Park for the Virginia Fall Races in Middleburg and goes north to western New York for the Genesee Valley Hunt Races.
Thoroughbreds can do anything. By now, the ex-racehorses of the world have proven that to be true many times over – in rings, arenas, fields, paddocks, quite literally anywhere people want to take them.
Step Two. The steeplechase season hits its second weekend of September with Sunday’s Foxfield Races in Charlottesville, Va. The fall meet takes its next step toward a complete rebuild with six races and total purses of $90,000.
How’s this for a lineup? The North American slate features 20 graded stakes over the weekend, from Friday to Sunday, and with plenty of Breeders’ Cup implications on the line. We preview the Saturday docket here, with the annual autumn return of The Saturday Special.
Trivia question. Who sired a steeplechase winner first? Runhappy or Imagining? The first was a champion sprinter. The second was a Grade 1 winner going long on the turf.
Crank up the old steeplechase machine, we’re going racing again. The autumn (don’t say fall) season starts Saturday with Shawan Downs in suburban Baltimore. Expect tailgating, tents, lacrosse balls, dogs, oh and horse races. Post time is 12:30 p.m. for the first of eight races covering hurdle, timber and flat.
The races are long over. So, too, was the race for leading handicapper at The Saratoga Special.
It all comes down to this. The final day of the 2021 Saratoga Race Course meeting – one marked by brilliant performances in the headline events with fans in the stands – will decide the race for leading handicapper here at The Saratoga Special.
The final weekend of racing at Saratoga in 2021 rolls along Sunday with a 12-race card topped by the Grade 1 Spinaway for 2-year-old fillies.
Hello Labor Day Weekend. Also known as Closing Weekend here at Saratoga Race Course.
