Any weekend plans? While flat racing takes a breath, barely, after the Kentucky Derby and before the Preakness (calm down, everybody), jump racing heads to its biggest weekend of the spring season with Saturday stops at the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville (with $730,000 in purses up for grabs) and the Willowdale Steeplechase closer to home in Kennett Square, Pa.
The seven-race Iroquois lineup is about as good as American jump racing gets with deep fields across the program and top horses from just about every outfit. Post time at Percy Warner Park is 2 p.m. eastern time (1 p.m. central) with the featured Grade 1 Iroquois set to go at 4:40 eastern as the fifth race. Willowdale’s six-race lineup starts at 1 p.m. and, while it’s not the Iroquois, the timber feature drew major names.
All can be seen on the NSA website livestream.
Quickly, last week’s Virginia Gold Cup went to budding timber legend Keys Discount who ran his winning streak to seven over the last year plus. He won the 4-mile timber stakes by 16 3/4 lengths after main challenger Bogey’s Image ducked inside a beacon and went off course. Jamie Bargary rode the winner for Dolly Fisher and trainer Jack Fisher. Over hurdles, Little Trilby ruled in the Commonwealth Cup (the year’s first Grade 1) for Del Rio Racing, Ricky Hendriks and Conor Tierney. The British-bred caught Merry Maker at the last fence and drew off by 6 3/4 over Welshman, who had a head on Merry Maker. Highweight Abaan finished an even fourth in his first start in almost a year. He’s back in the Iroquois Saturday. Other winners on the day were Missionaire in the maiden hurdle at a healthy 10-1; Anzio in the cross-country for trainer Sandra Webb; I’m A Rocket Man by a head over Arch Kingsley-trained stablemate Feeling Festive in the allowance hurdle; Pudding Lane in the Speedy Smithwick 4-year-old hurdle stakes for trainer Kate Dalton; Ten Bucks A Glass to complete the Dalton late double in the starter maiden.
In the TIHR handicapping race, Sean tripled with Missionaire, Little Trilby and Keys Discount. Tom also tabbled three – Anzio, Keys Discount, Pudding Lane. Joe (Missionaire, Keys Discount) and Miles (Keys Discount, Ten Bucks A Glass) doubled. Sean leads with 25, followed by Tom (20), Miles (19) and Joe (18). The trailers need a big weekend.
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Iroquois Steeplechase
The only U.S. Thoroughbred racing to occur in a city park (Nashville’s Percy Warner Park). Also the richest spring stop on the National Steeplechase Association circuit and the second-richest meet of the year behind October’s Far Hill Races in New Jersey – although that meet’s $795,000 distributed last year included a $150,000 flat race. Saturday in Tennessee is all jumping.
First race. $45,000 Bright Hour handicap hurdle going 2 3/4 miles. For horses rated 120 and below, the distance test attracted 10 topped by 120-rated highweights Going Country and Grey Pharoh. Love that this race recognizes Calvin Houghland’s farm name. What a legend. Newcomer Darcy’s Friend rates a look for the Kingsley barn. Scoop The Pot won two handicaps last year, and gets some class relief. Grey Pharoh dominated maidens at Montpelier last fall, and was second twice before that. He gives away some experience. King Of Tsavo won at Camden. Vintage Year was second in a 115 at Foxfield. This looks tougher. Boldog has a right to move forward. Bee Well was fourth at this level in his 2026 debut at Aiken. Smart Uncle drops out of a 130, but needs to find his form from a year ago.
- Sean: Bee Well, Going Country, Grey Pharoh.
- Tom: Vintage Year, Grey Pharoh, Be Well.
- Miles: Grey Pharoh, Bee Well, Vintage Year.
- Joe: Bee Well, Scoop The Pot, Vintage Year.
Second race. $60,000 Louis Brown McMillan maiden sweepstakes going 2 1/4 miles. Always a competitive maiden, this one fits right in. Irish raider Famous Figure won a bumper at Punchestown in October and was second in a 20-runner maiden hurdle at Naas in March. Look out. Twice a stakes winner on the flat, Fulmineo was second at Foxfield, 2 lengths ahead of today’s rival Massif. Team Valor International’s McLovin has loads of flat class. Irelands Call gets off the bench for Leslie Young. Four-time flat winner Loose Wire makes his jump debut for hometown owners Leipers Fork and trainer Keri Brion. Hard Spun gelding Really Good was second at Middleburg for Matthew Sims, who also runs four-time flat winner Copper Missile off a Keeneland turf start April 16. Give It A Whirl was fast enough to win twice sprinting as a 2-year-old and good enough to win an off-the-turf stakes at Laurel in 2024. Enahm figures. Deep group, as usual.
- Sean: Loose Wire, Fulmineo, Give It A Whirl.
- Tom: Famous Figure, Fulmineo, Loose Wire.
- Miles: Famous Figure, Loose Wire, Fulmineo.
- Joe: Famous Figure, Fulmineo, Massif.
Third race. $125,000 Green Pastures novice hurdle stakes going 2 1/4 miles. This condition overfilled, so what did Iroquois management do? Split it and kept the purse level. Bravo. This division goes eight deep and you could stop anywhere and make a choice. Cyber Ninja is 3-for-4 with a second, and won his 2026 debut at Foxfield. He better bring his running shoes however as the field includes Far Hills winner Coutach (second in a 130 handicap at Foxfield), Irish-bred frontrunner Take Your Seats (fourth behind the favorite at Foxfield), Grade 1 winner Rampoldi Plan, Far Hills maiden winner We’re Back Again, Aiken handicap winner St James The Great (second to Cyber Ninja last fall), veteran Neotropic and novice stakes winner McTigue who was sixth at Foxfield (his first start since 2023).
- Sean: Cyber Ninja, Coutach, St James The Great.
- Tom: Cyber Ninja, Coutach, St James The Great.
- Miles: Cyber Ninja, Coutach, St. James the Great.
- Joe: Cyber Ninja, Coutach, St James The Great.
Fourth race. $125,000 Marcellus Frost novice hurdle stakes going 2 1/4 miles. Love how the races have different names but are essentially the same. Another eight pack, not quite as deep. Rocket One was second to his stablemate Cyber Ninja at Foxfield and should improve for that run. He’s a former $600,000 yearling and former $25,000 claimer. He’s also got two wins and five seconds over hurdles. Mr Percy won at Fairyhouse in 2026 and was third behind Cyber Ninja and Rocket One in U.S. debut. Predominate has done little wrong in his hurdle career with two wins and two thirds in five starts for Todd McKenna. The Arrogate gelding finished behind today’s rival Dynamite Dan twice last year, but dazzled at Middleburg in April. Dynamite Dan won the maiden here last year and placed twice against winners last fall. His run at Foxfield was terrible. L’Avvocato exits a win at Aiken. He’ll try to make one run late and was a decent third in the handicap here last year (going 2 3/4 miles). Walk The Warrior was second in the maiden in 2024 and third in this race last year. He’s been second in both starts this year. Travesuras has run well enough to be competitive in this, but needs to step up. Salted Carmel won at Aiken last fall and was third behind Predominate at Middleburg.
- Sean: Rocket One, Mr Percy, Predominate.
- Tom: Rocket One, Walk The Warrior, Mr Percy.
- Miles: Mr. Percy, Rocket One, L’Avvocato.
- Joe: Dynamite Dan, Rocket One, Mr Percy.
Fifth race. $250,000 Iroquois Steeplechase going 3 miles. The Grade 1 is everybody’s goal when the year begins and lured 10 with a purse to match the American Grand National at Far Hills. The prize money and likely Irish ground also lured 2025 Grand National winner Zanahiyr from Ireland. The 9-year-old tuned up with a second at Gowran Park April 8. He’ll take plenty of beating, but the others are as ready as they can be. Sweet Will won at Aiken and was second over the course last year. Abaan won last year’s Iroquois and will look to use last week’s Commonwealth Cup as a prep. The seven-day turnaround seems aggressive, but there weren’t many options. He’s proven his ability in all kinds of going and under all kinds of circumstances. Ziggle Pops dominated a handicap hurdle here in 2024, and won the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick two starts later. Injury kept him on the sidelines until a third in the Temple Gwathmey last month. Any improvement makes him a player. Swore continues to shine since switching to hurdles last year. The Broken Vow Gelding finished second to Cyber Ninja at Colonial Downs in July, then won two in a row (including the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory) and closed 2025 with a novice win at Callaway Gardens. He opened this year with a dismantling of Chortal and Coutach in the Carolina Cup in March. The only blemish on his record is a pull-up in ground he hated in last year’s Grand National. He gets his stiffest test yet, but he’s earned it. Lydford won at Foxfield and at Callaway last year. Vae Patron makes his third Iroquois start. He was second in 2024 and third last year. James Du Berlais makes his U.S. debut off a win at Navan for Willie Mullins in February. The 10-year-old has won seven races, finished second in another eight and earned $654,831. He moves way up in soft ground. Fil Dor won the Colonial Cup last year after a fifth in the Grand National. Zabeel Champion won the Gwathmey, his best American effort. He was going well when he fell two fences out in last year’s Iroquois. Deep, talented group.
- Sean: Zanahiyr, Abaan, Fil Dor.
- Tom: Zanahiyr, Swore, Zabeel Champion.
- Miles: Zanahiyr, Zabeel Champion, Abaan.
- Joe: Abaan, Zabeel Champion, Swore.
Sixth race. $100,000 Margaret Currey Henley filly/mare hurdle stakes going 2 1/4 miles. The Irish bring over Blue Waters for local owners Del Rio Racing. She was second at Limerick in March and won a 17-runner race, against males, last fall. Future U.S. winner I’m A Rocket Man was third. Timetoshine won three over hurdles in Britain and her U.S. debut at Colonial Downs last summer. She labored in fifth at Far Hills last year, but tuned up with a second on the flat at Middleburg in April. Gold Charm has won four in a row, but also hasn’t started since this race last year. If she’s right, she’s super tough, but she gives away heaps of weight while shouldering 159 pounds. Broken Vow (the Irish-bred 4-year-old not the deceased U.S. stallion) makes her American debut.
- Sean: Timetoshine, Gold Charm, Blue Waters.
- Tom: Blue Waters, Gold Charm, Timetoshine.
- Miles: Gold Charm, Blue Waters, Timetoshine.
- Joe: Gold Charm, Timetoshine, Blue Waters.
Seventh race. $25,000 allowance timber going 3 miles. The traditional timber closer (for non-winners of three) lured seven runners. Potus closed 2025 with back-to-back wins. For The Parish has won two this year and won the handicap hurdle here last year. Evie’s Prince has been second twice this year and brings strong hurdle form. Step Out won the maiden at My Lady’s Manor. Track And Trace will be thrilled to get away from Keys Discount after losing to the timber champion four times.
- Sean: For The Parish, Potus, Step Out.
- Tom: Potus, For The Parish, Step Out.
- Miles: For the Parish, Track and Trace, Potus.
- Joe: For The Parish, Potus, Evie’s Prince.
Willowdale Steeplechase
A community event with few peers, Willowdale brings out the community (horse and otherwise) every spring and also manages to showcase quality racing while up against the biggest ticket of the spring.
First race. $15,000 allowance hurdle for apprentice jockeys going 2 1/4 miles. Eight line up in the opener. British Royalty won at Foxfield and gives Hunter Holm a hurdle mount. Two Past Eight has back class and gets Luke Carberry. They were second in this last year. Belfast Banter and Elizabeth Scully won a similar race at Blue Ridge. On The Couch won at Camden in March and teams up with Chloe Hannum. Who’s Counting is one of the coolest horses in racing with flat and hurdle wins (four each). The veteran exits a solid fourth at Foxfield. Tuddenham Green won two British hurdle races in 2023. King Of The Kids has won three and was third in this last year.
- Sean: Who’s Counting, Belfast Banter, Two Past Eight.
- Tom: Belfast Banter, Who’s Counting, Tuddenham Green.
- Miles: Belfast Banter, Who’s Counting, King of the Kids.
- Joe: Belfast Banter, Two Past Eight, Who’s Counting.
Second race. $15,000 maiden claiming hurdle going 2 1/4 miles. Whiskeyinthejaro and Path To Victory get to waive the $10,000 claiming price as part of a big field that includes several first-time starters. Vana Bright is 0-for-10. Lewins Gully has been third twice in four tries. Carnane refused to start at Foxfield. Despite three bad races this year, Tea With Edgar might be favored if he draws in off the also-eligible list. He was second twice last year, once at Willowdale.
- Sean: Whiskeyinthejaro, Lewins Gully, Stroke Of Luck.
- Tom: Vana Bright, Lewins Gully, Mainstream Sellout.
- Miles: Lewins Gully, Whiskeyinthejaro, Vin Santo.
- Joe: Whiskeyinthejaro, Vin Santo, Path To Victory.
Third race. $20,000 handicap hurdle (110 or lower) going 2 1/4 miles. Seven contest the hurdle feature. Anador won over the course last year. Super Chunk was third in April and second to close 2025. Ranger Thunderbolt won by 30 (yes 30) at Loudoun April 19. That effort would serve him well here. Benjis Benefit won an Irish hurdle by disqualification in 2024. He was second in November.
- Sean: Ranger Thunderbolt, Benji’s Benefit, Super Chunk.
- Tom: Super Chunk, Benjis Benefit, Brie’s Mission.
- Miles: Ranger Thunderbolt, Super Chunk, Anador.
- Joe: Ranger Thunderbolt, Super Chunk, Anador.
Fourth race. $35,000 Willowdale Steeplechase timber stakes going 3 1/2 miles. Bogey’s Image was meant to give Keys Discount a run at the Virginia Gold Cup last week, but ducked off the course and was pulled up. Willowdale is by no means a simple course so he better be ready for the steering. He meets Maryland Hunt Cup winner Withoutmoreado, classy veteran Storm Team, the hard-luck/good-luck Uco Valley and Pennsylvania Hunt Cup winner Master Seville in a field of seven. Want some fun? Master Seville (a 10-year-old by Seville) and Bogey’s Image (a 9-year-old by Imagining) are half-brothers. Bred by South Branch Equine in Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, they’re out of the Hurricane Run mare Casablanca Lily.
- Sean: Bogey’s Image, Uco Valley, Storm Team.
- Tom: Master Seville, Uco Valley, Bogey’s Image.
- Miles: Bogey’s Image, Uco Valley, Master Seville.
- Joe: Bogey’s Image, Master Seville, Uco Valley.
Fifth race. $15,000 maiden timber going 3 miles. Eleven look for timber diplomas. Ice Bar (second), Ruthenian (third) and Shining Marble (fourth) exit the same race at the Grand National. Doesn’t Sting tries timber after five hurdle starts (one win). Jeremy Pass, Vadavvero and The Ballybreen Fox are all meant to be better than their last tries, which none finished.
- Sean: The Ballybreen Fox, Ruthenian, Jeremy Pass.
- Tom: Ruthenian, The Ballybreen Fox, Ice Bar.
- Miles: The Ballybreen Fox, Jeremy Pass, Ruthenian.
- Joe: Jeremy Pass, The Ballybreen Fox, Vadavvero.
Sixth race. $15,000 allowance timber for apprentice jockeys going 3 miles. De Nordener won over the course in 2025 and reunites with English rider from that day Charlie Marshall. Irish-bred has won three of four over timber including two this year for American apprentice Sophie O’Brien. Recoup has run well three times this year, two second behind De Nordener and a win last time at Grand National. The Kid Rocks was second at the Manor and third in the cross-country at the Virginia Gold Cup. Include It fell at the Manor, but bounced back to finish a solid second to For The Parish at the Grand National. Corky Lemon beat Snap Decision, once upon a time, over hurdles in 2019.
- Sean: Recoup, Include It, The Kid Rocks.
- Tom: Include It, De Nordener, Recoup.
- Miles: De Nordener, Recoup, Include It.
- Joe: De Nordener, Include It, Recoup.
