Irv Naylor’s Jack Frost, idle since a second-place finish in the Charleston Cup, carries the 156-pound top weight for Saturday’s $25,000 Sandhills Cup optional allowance hurdle at the 65th annual Stoneybrook Steeplechase in Raeford, N.C.
First post time is 1:30 p.m. for the program, which features full fields for its four races over hurdles and a training race on the flat.
Jack Frost boasts royal breeding—he was bred in England by Queen Elizabeth II—and has two second-place finishes in the U.S. for trainer Cyril Murphy. His best effort was his first U.S. start, a second-place finish in the $100,000 Foxbrook Champion Hurdle, a novice stakes at Far Hills, N.J., on Oct. 17.
He subsequently was the runner-up in the Charleston Cup optional allowance hurdle in November. Ross Geraghty has the mount on Jack Frost.
Betsy Mead’s Forgotten Man will hardly be forgotten by Stoneybrook fans after his 1 1/2-length victory in the 2015 Sandhills Cup. Trainer Doug Fout tightened him with an unplaced start in a training flat race at the Carolina Cup Races on April 2.
Returning to the races after missing the 2015 season is Harrods Creek, a flat stakes winner who made a successful transition to jump racing in 2014 for owners Dr. J. David Richardson and Richard M. Knapp. Trained by Arch Kingsley Jr., Harrods Creek will be ridden by Bernie Dalton.
The Elkstone Group’s Albany Road, coming back after a year’s absence, will carry a $20,000 claiming price under the race conditions. Jack Doyle, last year’s champion jockey by purse earnings, will ride for trainer Richard Valentine.
Noble Stables’ Candy Man Can won his 2016 debut, a maiden hurdle at Aiken Spring on March 26. Trainer Neil Morris named 2014 champion jockey Willie McCarthy to ride.
Here is the field for the $25,000 Sandhills Cup optional allowance hurdle, to be run at 2 3/8 miles. The starters’ National Steeplechase Association Ratings are at the conclusion of each profile.
Candy Man Can. 2011 ch. g., Lemon Drop Kid–Snow Cone, by Cryptoclearance. Owner: Noble Stables. Trainer: Neil Morris. Jockey: Willie McCarthy. Breeder: Live Oak Stud (Fla.) 2016 record: 1-1-0-0, $15,000. 2015 record: 1-0-1-0, $3.600. Won $25,000 maiden hurdle at Aiken Spring to open 2016 season. In first start over fences, finished second to Dreamin Fool in 2015 Aiken Fall maiden hurdle. (116)
Second Amendment. 2010 gr. or ro. g., National Anthem (GB)—Bullet Card, by Press Card. Owner: Welcome Here Farm. Trainer: Elizabeth M. Merryman. Jockey: Darren Nagle. Breeder: Nina H. Gardner (Pa.) 2015 NSA record: 2-1-0-0, $14,000. Won maiden hurdle at Charleston Cup to close 2015 season. In first start over fences, finished fourth at International Gold Cup. (116)
Forgotten Man. 2008 ch. g., Bowman’s Band—Hark the Sound (GB), by Robellino. Owner: Betsy Mead. Trainer: Doug Fout. Jockey: Kieran Norris. Breeder: Betsy B. Mead (Ky.) 2015 record: 7-2-0-1, $36,750. 2014 record: 5-0-1-1, $10,450. Closed 2015 season with fifth in Charleston Cup. Won Foxfield Fall’s featured optional allowance hurdle before seventh-place finish in Far Hills Ratings Handicap. Won Stoneybrook’s Sandhills Cup optional allowance hurdle to kick off 2015 season, then was third in Foxfield Spring’s Daniel Van Clief Memorial optional allowance hurdle. (119)
Harrods Creek. 2007 ch. g., Langfuhr–Float and Sting, by Two Punch. Owners: J. David Richardson and Richard M. Knapp. Trainer: Arch Kingsley Jr. Jockey: Bernie Dalton. Breeders: Dr. J. David Richardson and Dr. Hiram C. Polk (Ky.). 2015 record: No starts. 2014 record: 6-1-1-1, $32,150. Missed 2015 season after 2014 maiden victory at Parx Racing and second in Saratoga allowance hurdle. Earned more than $250,000 on flat and won John’s Call Stakes. Bred by two prominent Louisville physicians who are long-time horse owners and breeders. (119)
Jack Frost (BG). 2010 ch. g., Midnight Legend—Bella Macrae, by Bustino. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Jockey: Ross Geraghty. Breeder: The Queen (GB). 2015 NSA record: 2-0-2-0, $22,500. In first U.S. start after purchase from Nicky Henderson’s yard, finished second in Far Hills’ Foxbrook Champion Hurdle, then was second in Charleston Cup. on Oct. 17. In final start for Queen Elizabeth II, won a novice hurdle at Ffos Las in April. Won his first three starts in 2014. (125)
Mizyen (Ire). 2010 b. g., Teofilo—Housekeeper (Ire), by Common Grounds. Owner: Rosbrian Farm. Trainer: Ricky Hendriks. Jockey: Michael Byrne. Breeder: Mrs. A. Brudenell (Ire). 2015 NSA record: 3-1-1-1, $21,400. Scored maiden hurdle victory at 2015 Montpelier Hunt Races after second at Parx Racing, his first U.S. start, and third at Far Hills, N.J. (116)
Albany Road. 2007 ch. g., Mr. Greeley—Jane’s the Name, by Trempolino. Owner: The Elkstone Group. Trainer: Richard Valentine. Jockey: Jack Doyle. Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds (Ky.) 2015 record: No starts. 2014 record: 6-0-0-3, $22,450. Coming back after a year’s absence. Finished third in Saratoga allowance hurdle to conclude 2014 season. Also finished third in Parx Racing allowance hurdle. (118)