Baltimore-area steeplechase meet Shawan Downs hosts seven races and 60-plus horses in the first race meeting of the 2004 fall season Saturday. Now in its fourth year, Shawan has quickly become a key fixture on the National Steeplechase Association circuit and proves it again with the popularity at the entry box.
The day includes two $15,000 maiden hurdle races, one with the maximum 12 starters and the other with 11. A filly and mare maiden drew 11 runners. The feature on the day, the $25,000 Ski Roundtop Trophy timber stakes, lured division title contenders Joe At Six, Bug River and Bubble Economy in addition to capable veteran Darn Tipalarm.
At 3 3/4 miles, the race tests timber horses and should suit Bug River ideally. Owned by Northwoods Stable and trained by Regina Welsh, the 11-year-old won the classic Maryland Hunt Cup this spring and is unbeaten in two starts this year. His $48,000 in timber earnings put him atop the list of post-and-rail specialists this year.
"He's a little bit behind because the ground got hard and he's got bad feet", said Welsh, who utilizes glue-on shoes for her horse. "There's a small chance he could be Timber Horse of the Year so wešre going to give it a go."
The Shawan race will help decide that timber title as Bubble Economy (second on the earnings list) and Joe At Six (third) will also run. Like Bug River, Bubble Economy is a Shawan Downs local - coming from the barn of trainer Jack Fisher. The 5-year-old won on the flat at Shawan last year, and made the switch to timber with ease this spring. Pennsylvania shipper Joe At Six upset the Virginia Gold Cup in May, carrying owner/jockey Michele Hunter to the win in the $50,000 stakes at four miles.
Shawan's hurdle feature, the $25,000 Legacy Chase, drew a field of eight.
The novice stakes (restricted to non-winners before June 1, 2003) showcases the rising stars of the sport. Saratoga winner Paradise's Boss, a 4-year-old from the barn of trainer Jack Fisher, is a contender along with Barzulu.
Imported from New Zealand this year, the latter finished third twice in open stakes company at Saratoga. Barzulu and Erin Go Bragh represent the Brigadoon Stable of Edgar Cato and Virginia trainer Doug Fout.
Post time at Shawan, in Hunt Valley, Md., is 1 p.m.