What’s New in 2024?
Another winter come and gone, the spring flowers are poking out, and we’ve reached March. The 2024 spring racing season is nearly here. The Governor’s Cup Series winners will be determined in May by points acquired in the 2023 Legacy Chase and Cattail Chase Races, plus 8 meets in the spring. The same race meets return this spring, and the dates remain the same as usual, minus the Leap Year difference. Here are some things that are different this year to keep in mind.
Foxhall Team Chase on Sunday, March 17th
1 change: Condition #10 reads, “All horses must be on the grounds no later than a half-hour prior to Post Time. Any horse deemed late to the start may be scratched.”
Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point on Sunday, March 31st
1 change: General condition reads: “Reusable (fabric) number cloths must be returned to the Scales trailer; any unaccounted-for reusable number cloths will be charged to the associated Trainer.”
Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point on Saturday, April 6th
2 changes: Last year, the Voss races offered purse money on all of the timber races to celebrate 100 years. This year, a $10,000 purse will still be offered for the Edward S. Voss Memorial Open Timber.
Pony racing and junior entries will be taken by U.S. Pony Racing, not Central Entry.
My Lady’s Manor on Saturday, April 13th
1 change: Instead of offering two divisions of the maiden timber, there will be one maiden timber and one allowance timber. The John Rush Streett Memorial will be for horses that have never one two races over timber and offer a $25,000 purse. The Thomas H. Voss Memorial will remain a maiden timber with a $20,000 purse.
Mount Harmon Wicomico Hunt Point-to-Point on Sunday, April 14th
2 changes: Pony racing entries will be taken by U.S. Pony Racing, not Central Entry.
There will be a side saddle race offered this year.
Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, April 20th
BIG CHANGES: This year, all four races will be run over a new course. The races remain at the same location, but the far loop (across the second driveway) on the course will no longer be used. Co-Chairman Forrest Kelly and team have been busy building fences and redesigning the course. Spectators should have some more visibility. Course maps will be shared on our Facebook page.
In addition, all four races have purse increases. The Grand National Timber Stakes offers $35,000, the Maiden Timber offers $15,000, the Benjamin H. Murray Memorial offers $20,000, and the Western Run Plate offers $15,000.
The Maryland Hunt Cup on Saturday, April 27th
No changes. Same time, same place.
Potomac Hunt Races on Sunday May, 19th
1 change: Purse increases. Potomac has increased their prize money in all of their jump races. $2500 for the Maiden Hurdle, $5000 for the Open Timber, $5000 for the Open Hurdle, and $4000 for the Novice Timber.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page, website, and Condition Book for any additional changes.