On the last Saturday in April, nine horses lined up under starters orders at the 122nd running of the Maryland Hunt Cup. With Eric Poretz in the irons, Irvin L. Crawford II’s Senior Senator took an early lead and never gave it up to win his second Hunt Cup in three years. It was trainer Joe Davies’ third Hunt Cup win in a row with Senior Senator winning in 2016 and Derwins Prospector (owned by Gerry L. Brewster) winning in 2017.

After getting stuck in traffic in 2017 and falling at the third fence, Poretz kept Senior Senator to the far outside of the start and moved him out in front going to the first. He widened that gap between himself and Bruton Street-US’ Drift Society, who finished second last year, at the second. By the third, it was Senior Senator still in front with Mrs. William D. Class, Jr.’s Gas Can Eddit in second and Drift Society dropping back to third.

The order stayed pretty much the same for the next few fences as Armata Stables’ Joshua G. started to make his move forward at the eighth. By the ninth fence, Joshua G., ridden by Eddie Keating, had moved up to fourth. Haden Frost made his move up into second aboard Drift Society at the 10th and by the 11th it was Senior Senator followed by Drift Society, Joshua G. and Gas Can Eddie dropping back to fourth.

Gas Can Eddie fell at the 12th while Senior Senator and Drift Society opened up the gap. At the famed 13th, Senior Senator seamlessly took an impressive long spot and easily cleared the 4’9” post and rail. Along the second pass of the back of the course, Senior Senator remained in front with Drift Society in second and Joshua G in third. Sovereign Fund with Chris Gracie in the irons made a move at the 16th pushing ahead of Joshua G. to take the third place spot, however they fell at the 20th leaving just three with two fences left to go.

Senior Senator and Joshua G. jumped the second to last in complete unison with Drift Society on their heels. At the last, it was Senior Senator just a hair ahead of Joshua G. as both horses landed with jockeys pushing them on. Senior Senator pulled ahead as they neared the finish to win by five lengths. Joshua G. finished second with Drift Society in third.

To watch the video of this year’s Maryland Hunt Cup, click here.