Under a sunny sky in Brookeville, the Howard County Cup Races kicked off with three junior riders racing in the Jack Mobberly Field Masters Chase for Horses. Winning by two lengths was Teddy Davies aboard Mary Houghland’s Classical Art, trained by Joe Davies. Teddy raced to his second win of the day later in the afternoon riding Elizabeth McCue’s Count Chocula, trained by Ashton Williams, in the Mobberly Pony Field Masters Chase for Medium Ponies.
The Large Ponies division was won by Austin Belt riding Class Day for Mint Meadows Farm LLC and trainer Suzanne Stettinius. Sophie O’Brien took home the win in the Small Pony division riding her own Baby Blue, trained by Tracy O’Brien.
Continuing in the junior races, the first division of the Lead Line Pony race was won by Alexis Arbaugh riding Little Bit. Parker Reuwer defended his Lead Line title by winning the second division riding Harley Davidson.
Junior riders ended the race day with the Shetland Pony flat race where Carroway Tuesday raced home the fastest with Daphne Walsh in the irons. Carroway Tuesday is owned by Imogen Weaver and trained by Regina Welsh.
Sandwiched in the middle of all the junior races were the Howard County Hunt Cup, Alda Clark Plate and Harwood Foxhunter Timber.
After three horses lost their riders along a turn nearing the end of the course, only Class Indian and Sumo Power were left to race to the finish. Class Indian crossed the wire first but after an inquiring, officials concluded that all jockeys went off course and thus, no there was no winner to the open timber race this year.
Celtic Venture Stable won the novice timber with their Bridge Builder, ridden by Woods Winants and trained by Eva D. Smithwick. It was an exciting finish as Bridge Builder was nearly caught at the finish by Black Fox Racing’s Red Light District.
Only two foxhunters took on the timber course this year with Julie Nafe from Radnor Hunt winning aboard Forgotten Knot.
There is a bit of a break in the Maryland Steeplechase Governor’s Cup series this weekend with the next race being the Potomac Hunt Races on May 19.
