Good news for Maryland steeplechasers: the Governor’s Cup Series has expanded to include fall races! The Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs will run on Saturday, September 24, and the new Cattail Chase Races at Pleasant Prospect Farm in Brookeville will run on Sunday, October 16.
The Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs 2021. Robert Keller photo
Since its inception almost 30 years ago, the Governor’s Cup Series featured just the Maryland spring races, concluding with an awards reception. Earlier this year, The Legacy Chase organizers decided to join the Series, and it will kick off the new 2022-2023 Governors Cup Series. Points accumulated at the Legacy Chase and the Cattail Chase Races in 2022 will carry over to 2023, and the Series will conclude in May as usual. The Fall Conditions Book is now available.
The Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs is sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and run under NSA rules. It is traditionally run on the last Saturday in September and marks the beginning of the fall steeplechase season. The feature race is the $35,000 Brown Advisory Timber Stakes but the day includes a full card of hurdle, timber, and flat races. Click here for conditions; click here for tickets.
The Cattail Chase Races will be run at Pleasant Prospect Farm. Robert Keller photo
Horsemen usually do not have the opportunity to run at a point-to-point in the fall, but the new Cattail Chase Races at Pleasant Prospect Farm gives trainers the opportunity to do just that, and just three weeks prior to the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. One of very few point-to-points to offer prize money, the day offers three timber races with a total of $25,000 in purse money. The feature race is the $15,000 Waterford Cup Open Timber. The Harwood is a Novice Timber with a $4,000 purse, and The Roxbury is a race for maiden timber horses with a $4,000 purse. The meet is also offering a total of $2,000 in trainer bonuses. Click here for conditions; click here for tickets.
The Governor’s Cup Series is presented by Horizon Farm Credit. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates as we get closer to the return of steeplechasing in Maryland!