Storm Team Repeats Victory in Green Spring Valley Hunt Cup

Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point Recap

The first point-to-point of the Governor’s Cup Series ran in chilly weather at Shawan Downs on Sunday, April 4th. Several horses including Maryland Hunt Cup nominees and hurdle stakes contenders had the opportunity to stretch their legs in preparation for the rest of the season.

The day started with three pony flat races. Carly Kern and Mallory led from the drop of the flag and won the Small Pony Flat Race by three lengths over Hoof Hearted and William Slater. The Medium Pony Flat Race had an exciting finish, with Yomar Ortiz, Jr. and Blueberry pulling away from Domino Effect (William Slater) and Sugar (Cambrie Franks) before the wire. Four ponies ran in the Large Pony Flat Race, all trained by Betty McCue, with Mini and Jaidyn Shore proving best.

The Austin Tamberino Memorial Field Masters Chase was next on the card. The first division for juniors on thoroughbreds started with some excitement. After jumping the first fence, the field master lost control of her horse, circled to pull up, and field master Tommy Fenwick had to step in to lead the competitors through the rest of the race. When he released them at the head of the stretch, it was a tight battle between James Wyatt on Prime Prospector and Jaidyn Shore on Grandiflora. Prime Prospector, once a regular on the Maryland timber circuit, was narrowly best. The small, medium, and large ponies ran together and once again followed field master Tommy Fenwick. Carly Kern and Goose were the large pony winners, Paige Wyatt and Jigsaw were the medium pony winners, and William Slater won the small pony division on Chewy.

The first timber race of the day was the Worthington Bowl Heavyweight Timber. Lucky Soul and Justin Batoff set the pace until they were joined by the rest of the field three fences from home. Rocket Star Red and Brett Owings took the lead before the last fence, and after a tight stretch run, narrowly held off Rhythmia and Eric Poretz to win by a nose. The winner and the third place finisher, Preseli Rock, are both Maryland Hunt Cup nominees. Preseli Rock finished second in the Hunt Cup last year and Rocket Star Red finished third.

The Daniel Baugh Brewster Memorial Novice Timber was won by Kiplin Hall’s Real Good Man. Jamie Neild had the ride for trainer William Dowling. Real Good Man sat second most of the way and stalked frontrunner Junior Senator (Eric Poretz) until he made his move three fences from home. Real Good Man was unchallenged over the last fence and won easily.

The Green Spring Valley Hunt Cup Frank A. Bonsal Memorial Open Timber was a repeat victory for Sheila J. Williams and Northwoods Stables’ Storm Team. Ridden by Graham Watters and trained by Jack Fisher, Storm Team won the Open Timber race for the second year in a row. Storm Team took the lead at the drop of the flag, was passed by Sideling Hill (Jamie Neild) before the third last, regained the advantage over the last fence, and held off a strong stretch run from Shootist (Eric Poretz). Storm Team is a stakes winner over hurdles and timber. Sideling Hill is another Maryland Hunt Cup nominee.

The last timber race of the day, the Kiplin Farm Bowl for amateur apprentice riders, was a three horse contest. Full Time Party (Jamie Neild) took the lead, with Worzel Gummidge (Alex Leventhal) following in second and Notjudginjustsayin (Connor Hankin) in third. Full Time Party dropped back before the last fence, and Notjudginjustsayin and Worzel Gummidge jumped as a pair. It was another tight stretch run, but Notjudginjuststayin took the lead landing the last fence and held it to win by a length.

The next race on the card was the first division of the Caves Farm Amateur Flat. Andi’amu (James Slater) set the pace for most of the two mile race. At the head of the stretch, Eternal Story, who had been stalking the leader in second place, pulled out and drew away to win easily. Liam McVicar had the ride for trainer Leslie Young. The second division was run in a similar fashion with Perfect Tapatino (James Slater) taking the lead for most of the race until he was caught at the line by a late charge from Fast Vision (Virginia Korrell). Both horses were trained by Leslie Young.

The final two races of the day were the Stoneworth Farm Training Flat. The first division was won by Irvin S. Naylor’s Fearsome. Trained by Cyril Murphy and ridden by Elizabeth Scully, Fearsome sat a good way behind the frontrunner Twenty Years On (Graham Watters), closed the gap approaching the backside, and had plenty in the tank to draw away in the stretch and win by four. Fearsome is graded stakes placed on the flat. The second division was won by multiple stakes winner over hurdles, Snap Decision. Owned by Bruton Street-US, trained by Jack Fisher, and ridden by Graham Watters, Snap Decision sat in third place behind the leaders and won handily on the bridle.

The next race meet on the MSA schedule is this Saturday, April 9. The Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point will be run at Atlanta Hall Farm in Monkton. Post time for the first timber race is 12:30.  The inaugural running of the Mount Harmon Wicomico Hunt Point-to-Point is Sunday, April 10.

For full results please click here.

To see all of Robert Keller’s photos from the day click here.