Shawan Downs is comprised of 300 acres of open space protected by the Land Preservation Trust. © Tod Marks

The first of 11 race meets spread across seven states over the next month and half takes place at Shawan Downs near Hunt Valley in Baltimore County on Saturday with an eight-race card that’s attracted 75 entries.   After two months of high-profile flat-track steeplechase racing at Saratoga and Colonial Downs in Virginia, the National

BATTLE OF THE SEXES: The mare The Mean Queen and Richie Condon outduel Snap Decision and Graham Watters in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory.

Buttonwood Farm’s The Mean Queen prevails in epic grade one showdown vs. Snap Decision Whether you were there in person or watching the live stream, Thursday’s $150,000 Lonesome Glory hurdle stakes at Belmont Park was a race fans will be talking about for a long time. The showdown between the quirky, but freakishly talented mare

"Doc" Richardson and wife, Maxine, at the 2018 Aiken Races. ©Tod Marks

J. David Richardson, a renowned Louisville surgeon, horse owner, and racing executive — familiar to both the flat and steeplechasing communities — died on Tuesday in Saratoga Springs. According to DRF, “Doc” Richardson was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia following a Covid-19 diagnosis, and subsequently experienced cardiac arrest. Here’s a link to the full

Chetzeron (1) leads Perfect Tapatino, Booby Trap (2) and Wightman (right) early in Wednesday's Spa steeplechase finale. ©Tod Marks

Though fewer races were run compared to previous meets, the Saratoga jump racing season offered plenty of excitement and showcased horses that give fans a lot to look forward to in the fall and, hopefully, for a long time to come. The meet featured three stakes — the AP Smithwick, Jonathan Kiser novice, and inaugural