Ponies Take the Spotlight at Elkridge

The weather on April 6th at Atlanta Hall Farm didn’t feel like spring, but we have reached the busiest month of spring racing in Maryland. With so many options for horsemen this time of year, entries sometimes come up lighter at certain race meets. Although the Elkridge Harford Point-to-Point only had four races on the card this year, the races were competitive crowd pleasers and there were plenty of ponies to fill the void.

The Shetland Pony Flat had a full field of nine entries. Clara Polinski rode Hunter to the win over Daniel Edelstein and Dash of Mint. Seven small ponies went to post in the Small Pony Flat. Emma Ness and Higgins took the win over Abby Taylor and Roger. The Medium Pony Flat also had seven runners, in which Abby Taylor and Emma Ness took the first two spots again. This time, it was Abby Taylor and Spur of the Moment who prevailed over Emma Ness and Peacock. Yomar Ortiz, Jr. rode his first of two winners on the day when he won the Large Pony Flat on Class Day.

The Junior Field Masters Chase had one small pony, four mediums, and three larges. Cami Kern and Mallory continued their dominance taking the small pony division. Yomar Ortiz, Jr. had his second victory of the day on Blueberry in the medium pony division. Jaidyn Shore rode Janneydancer to the win in the large pony division, and then went on to win the junior horse division on The Orebanks’ Railmaster. The pair won the junior horse division of the Field Masters Chase at Green Spring a week prior.

There were also two divisions of the popular Leadline Pony Trot Race. Bristol Price rode Honey Bee, owned and trained by Stephanie Price, to victory in the first division. The second division was won by Harrison Brown and Olney Oh My, owned by Emmy McGuirk and trained by Kate Perri.

The Edward S. Voss Memorial Open Timber had a $10,000 purse for the second year in a row. Four horses went to post, including Hunt Cup nominee Mr. Fine Threads, who narrowly won the race over Huyana. The pace was set by Huyana and Paddy’s Crown, with Mr. Fine Threads close behind. Huyana and jockey Dan Nevin pulled away and jumped the last in front, but Mr. Fine Threads and Teddy Davies made up ground to nab the win at the wire. The eleven year old Maryland-bred is owned by Armata Stables and trained by Joseph Davies.

The Ann L. McIntosh Heavyweight Timber and the Leith Symington Griswold Amateur Apprentice Timber ran together. Three horses were entered in the Heavyweight and two in the Amateur Apprentice. The early pace was set by Our Legend with the rest of the field bunched closely behind. With a turn to go, Our Friend and Teddy Davies took the lead and never looked back, giving Armata Stables, Joseph Davies, and Teddy Davies their second straight win. The Irish-bred Hunt Cup nominee was entered in the Amateur Apprentice division. Turks Head Turf’s Brooklyn Speights and jockey Dan Nevin finished second overall but were the winners of the Heavyweight division. Mark Beecher was the trainer.

The day concluded with two flat races, each about one mile. The Alfred J. Smithwick Open Flat was won by Late Night Larry, who aggressively took the lead at the start and was never challenged. Casey Pinkard owned and trained the winner for CMK Stables. The Sara Bosley Secor Memorial Amateur Flat was a four horse race. A C Expressway took the early lead with Recent Revelations sitting second. Entering the stretch, Dan Nevin piloted Recent Revelations to the lead and won well for owner Del Rio Chasers LLC and trainer Ricky Hendriks.

Full results can be found on Central Entry or click here.

Replays of the races can be found on the Elkridge Harford Point to Point Facebook page.

We shared some of Tisa Della-Volpe’s photos and Tammie Monaco’s photos on our Facebook page. All of Tammie Monaco’s photos will be posted on her website.

Next on the schedule: the My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase in Monkton on Saturday, April 13th.