Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point Opens Virginia 'Chase Season
Submitted by: Betsy Burke Parker
Phone: 540-364-2929
Email Address: betsyp(at)crosslink.net
Date Added: 3/9/2010
The March 13 Warrenton Point-to-Point kicks off Virginia's spring steeplechase season, even though in reality it's "third" on the schedule. Record snows forced cancellation and postponement of the first two 'chases of the season.
Though the snows have finally receded from the Airlie racecourse north of town, Warrenton's not out of jeopardy yet – heavy rain is forecast for later this week and weekend, which could make for sloppy conditions and a challenging parking area. Still, the mile-long turf oval is completely clear of snow. The race committee has worked diligently placing directional flags and leveling the course, and horsemen have responded with relatively strong entries to support the first racing opportunity this season.
Training has been difficult all year, racing horsemen say, and steeplechasers, especially, have missed many days of jumping practice and speed works. Entries in hurdle and timber races on Saturday's program reflect it, with just five or six in most of the jump races. But the popular novice turf and Virginia-bred turf races each drew a crowd, with 20 and eight entries, respectively.
There are nine races carded, with splits possible in the novice flat. First post is 12:30 p.m.
The featured open timber attracted a quality group of four. Heading the field is sanctioned winner Kilbreena, from the Pennsylvania stable of trainer Brianne Slater. Husband James Slater will be in the irons of the Irish-bred 10-year-old.
Quite the globetrotter, Kilbreena started his race career in his native Ireland, placing once over hurdles in two dozen starts before finally breaking his jump maiden over the big 'chase fences at Chepstow in Wales in 2007. Sire Carroll House, a winner of nearly $2 million on the turf, won the 1988 Arc in France, the Group 1 Champion Stakes in Ireland, a Group 1 in Germany, a Group 2 in England, and placed second in the Italian Derby.
Switched to timber when imported to the U.S. by Lindsay Dryden in 2008, Kilbreena won over the testing Loudoun point-to-point course first out that spring, then finished fourth in the competitive Steeplethon at Great Meadow a month later. Kilbreena went to Slater's stable for new owner Irv Naylor by 2009, winning at Shawan last fall.
Kilbreena's main challenge Saturday is expected from veteran Professor Maxwell, trained in The Plains by Richard Valentine. The pair faced off in the amateur timber at Pennsylvania Hunt Cup last fall; Kilbreena lost his rider, Professor Maxwell finished fourth.
Over in the short novice timber field, look for first-timer True Blue Fingers from local trainer Doug Fout. The Virginia-bred grandson of Storm Cat and Blushing Groom was stakes-placed on the turf at Colonial Downs. Useful in a single season over hurdles, True Blue Fingers was second three times and third once in five starts last fall.
Rounding out the timber card are owner-rider and foxhunters divisions.
Hurdle races, all of which have been shortened to 1 3/4-miles, include maiden, restricted maiden, amateur and open. The open division features the return of five-time point-to-point champion Marino Feliz. The gelding has two Hurdle Horse of the Year mantles to date for owner Gary Baker. Marino Feliz will be ridden by amateur Ben Garner.
The Warrenton races are held at the historic Airlie Foundation north of Warrenton just off of U.S. Route 17. Parking options include some hillside homestretch tailgate spaces still available or general admission.
For more information about entries, log onto www.CentralEntryOffice.com. Parking information and more details on the Warrenton races are available by calling (540) 219-1400.
Changes on the point-to-point schedule include cancellation of Sunday's Warrenton Hunt hunter pace, which was to be held at Dondoric Farm near The Plains but snow and rain forced cancellation because the parking area is swamped.
The Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point was postponed from March 6 to March 27, sharing the race weekend with Sunday's Orange County Hunt Point-to-Point. Blue Ridge has added a jumpers turf race, and there will be no hurdle races on the card. Hurdle races – in addition to junior field masters chases, turf and timber, will be held at Orange County.
The March 20 Piedmont meet will feature shortened timber races, with the 3 1/2-mile Rokeby Bowl, a Virginia classic and prep for the 4-mile Virginia Gold Cup, will run at 3 miles.
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