Open Hurdle winner Sulwaan (#8) ridden by Paddy Young leads second place finisher Sporty (#3) ridden by Mark Beecher over the last fence. / Douglas Lees photo
Jimmy Day-trained horses swept both Open Races at the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point at Airlie Race Course, Warrenton, Virginia on Saturday, March 16, 2013. With Paddy Young in the irons for both races, Sulwaan owned by Magalen O. Bryant and Triple Dip owned by Daybreak Stables won the Open Hurdles and the Open Timber Races respectively.
With a half mile to run over hurdles, Sulwaan and Sporty left the field behind and made it a two-horse race, but Sulwaan drew away after the last fence and won easily. In the timber race Zulla Road led after the last fence, but Triple Dip put on a burst and prevailed by a nose.
On the Corner ridden by Mark Beecher (left) won the Novice Timber Race. Darren Nagle on Lead Us Not was third. / Douglas Lees photo
Trainer Alicia Murphy posted two wins on the day with West Is Best in the Maiden Hurdles and On the Corner in the Novice Timber. Jockey Mark Beecher brought both horses to the winner’s circle for Murphy.
Foolish Surprise redeemed himself for Owner/Rider Benjamin Swope by winning the Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle Race and evening the score with Fogcutter. In their previous match-up two weeks ago, Foolish Surprise stopped at the first fence giving Fogcutter the easy win. This time Foolish Surprise took the lead after the first fence and held it, drawing away in the stretch.
Foolish Surprise, owned, ridden, and trained by Ben Swope, won the Amateur/Novice Rider Hurdle Race. / Douglas Lees photo
In both divisions of the Novice Rider Flat Races, trainer Brianne Slater and owner Irvin S. Naylor (Leading Owner in Virginia last year) ruled supreme. Slater/Naylor horses finished one, two, and three in the first division and one and two in the second division. They sent five horses to the post on the day and were unbeaten!
Click for complete results.
Posted March 19, 2013
Albany Road ridden by Robert Walsh (left) won the First Division of the Maiden Hurdle Race for trainer Richard Valentine. Lady Greeley with Jacob Roberts up finished sixth. / Douglas Lees photo