The Maryland steeplechase season kicked off on March 29 at Shawan Downs with the Greenspring Valley Point-to-Point races.
Last year’s Maryland Hunt Cup winner, Road to Oz, won the Worthington Bowl at Greenspring by a nose over Storm Team. The Worthington Bowl is open to amateur riders over 172 lbs and is run over 3 miles with fences not to exceed 3’6. The 2015 gray gelding is by the Virginia-bred Quality Road out of Miz Magician (Mizzenmast) and was ridden to victory by Dan Nevin. He was bred in Maryland by R. Larry Johnson, is owned by Daniel R. Baker, and was trained by Mark Beecher.
Road to Oz is nominated to defend his 2025 victory at the 2026 Maryland Hunt Cup, which will be run on Saturday, April 25.
Last year’s International Gold Cup winner, Keys Discount, won the fifth race of the day, the Green Spring Valley Hunt Cup Frank A. Bonsal Memorial. This race is also run over 3 miles with fences not to exceed 3’6, but is open to non-amateurs as well as amateurs, over 165 lbs. The 2019 dark bay gelding is by Medal County out of Divertimento (Rizzi) and was ridden by Graham Watters. He was bred in Maryland by Bryan Minnich, is owned by Mrs. John R.S. Fisher, and was trained by Jack Fisher.
Congratulations to all their connections!
Left: Road to Oz winning the Worthington Bowl; right; Keys Discount winning the Greenspring Hunt Cup Frank A. Bonsal Memorial. Photos by Tammie Monaco.
