With two dozen entries and a forecast of beautiful weather, this weeks 64th running of the Block House Steeplechase promises good racing and sunny weather for racing fans this Saturday here in Tryon.
Four horses will go to the post for the featured $25,000 Carolina First Block House, with high weight of 158 pounds assigned to the favorite, William Papes Divine Fortune. Winner of $147,790 over a three-year career, the seven-year old will be ridden by veteran rider Richard Boucher and saddled by Jonathan Sheppard, this years leading conditioner and all-time top steeplechase trainer with over $18 million in purse winnings. The favorite will be challenged by Karen Grays Cuse and EMO Stables Indy Run.
The favorite and high weight at 152 pounds in the $15,000 Bradshaw Memorial, will be Dave Washers Junood, who won at Aiken this spring. Ridden by Bernie Dalton, Junood will be giving 12 pounds to Cranmore Stables General Roanoke and Lilith Bouchers Class Crash, both of them winners last season.
The Tryon card also includes two maiden races, the $15,000 Carter Brown, sponsored by BMW; and the $10,000 Cannon Harmon Memorial. The favorite in the Brown will be John Griggs Back to Mandalay, carrying 154 pounds and jockey Bernie Dalton; while William Papes Twinbucktu and Janet Elliots Happy Seamus, both assigned 148 pounds, are expected to battle it out in the $10,000 Harmon Memorial.
Closing out a fine day of racing will be the Foxhunters Cup, a $2,000 Amateur flat race for local riders.
Questioned about the small fields, Laura Weicker, executive secretary for the Tryon Riding and Hunt Cup, commented, “Were a little disappointed over receiving fewer entries than usual; however, smaller fields often produce better racing because the horses have more racing room. A five-horse race can be even more exciting than a cavalry charge with ten horses.”
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Peter Peckenbushs Peerless Prognostications
Herewith are the sure-fire speedy steeds who will win, place, and show in this years battle at the Block House:
1st Race: $15,000 BMW Carter Brown Memorial for Maidens; Two miles and three furlongs over National Fences.
1. Back to Mandalay; 2. Triplekin; 3. Primero Peru.
2nd Race: $10,000 Cannon Harmon Memorial for Maidens; Two miles and three furlongs over National Fences.
1. Twinbucktu; 2. Happy Seamus; 3. Johann Star
3rd Race: $15,000 Bradshaw Memorial; Claiming. Two miles and three furlongs ovrer National Fences.
1. Junood; 2. General Roanoke; 3. Class Crash
4th Race: $25,000 Carolina First Block House; Allowance. Two miles and one half over National Fences.
1. Divine Fortune; 2. Cuse; 3. Indy Run.
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