Gerry Brewster's Derwins Prospector, ridden by Gozangue Cottreau, finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Drift Society, ridden by Hadden Frost, in the 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup. (Douglas Lees photo)
The 122nd edition of the $100,000 Maryland Hunt Cup has attracted 25 nominees, including the past three winners of the storied timber classic.
The four-mile test in Glyndon on Saturday, April 28, concludes the Maryland timber triple series that encompasses the My Lady’s Manor in Monkton on April 14 and the Grand National at Butler a week later.
Maryland horseman Joseph G. Davies nominated the past two winners, Gerry L. Brewster’s 2017 winner, Derwins Prospector, and 2016 victor Senior Senator, owned by Irvin L. “Skip” Crawford. Both will be making their first starts since the 2017 Hunt Cup.
In 2015, Raven’s Choice finished a close second and was placed first after first finisher Imperial Way lost saddle weights while jumping a fence. Raven’s Choice, owned by Ann Jackson and trained by Todd Wyatt, and Merriefield Farm’s Imperial Way, trained by Elizabeth Voss, both were nominated to this year’s Hunt Cup.
Derwins Prospector prevailed by three-quarters of a length last year in a scintillating stretch battle with Bruton Street (US)’s Drift Society. Trained by Jack Fisher, Drift Society also was nominated to this year’s Hunt Cup. Senior Senator, a favorite to win last year’s Hunt Cup after his brilliant 2016 victory, fell at the third fence.
Irv Naylor’s Ebanour, two-time winner of the Virginia Gold Cup and Pennsylvania Hunt Cup at four miles, has been nominated for a shot at the Maryland Hunt Cup’s big fences. The Irish-bred is trained in Butler by Cyril Murphy.
Richard Valentine, a two-time winning Hunt Cup trainer, nominated Kinross Farm’s Old Timer, who was leading at the top of the stretch but lost his rider at the 21st of 22 fences.
Here are the 25 nominees to the $100,000 Maryland Hunt Cup in alphabetical order. Entries will be taken and post positions drawn on Monday, April 23. The Hunt Cup is limited to amateur jockeys acceptable to the race committee.
Carrickboy (Ire). 2004 b. g., Silver Patriarch—Alaskan Princess, by Prince Rupert. Owner: Morningstar Farm. Trainer: Ricky Hendriks. Breeder: B. and I. McClelland (Ire). 2016 record: 3-1-1-1, $14,200. Won 2016 Winterthur maiden timber after second in John D. Schapiro amateur apprentice allowance race at My Lady’s Manor. Won at 2013 Cheltenham Festival.
Class Indian. 2007 gr. or ro. g., Waquoit—Class Story, by Class Secret. Owner: Jeremy A. Batoff. Trainer: William Dowling. Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable and Stud (Va.). 2017 record: 5-1-1-0, $13,650. 2016 record: 3-1-0-1, $14,000. 2015 record: 4-1-0-2, $14,000. Fell while leading in Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Won 2017 John D. Schapiro amateur apprentice timber race at My Lady’s Manor, then was fourth in Grand National’s Western Run Plate and second in Winterthur amateur apprentice timber allowance. Finished seventh in Shawan’s Legacy Chase. Won 2016 Queen’s Cup timber allowance.
Daddy in the Dark. 2010 b. g., Bernardini—Appealing Zophie, by Successful Appeal. Owner-trainer: H. Bruce Fenwick. Breeder: My Meadowview (Ky.). 2017 record: 2-1-0-0, $9,750. 2016 record: No NSA starts. Won a Pennsylvania Hunt Cup maiden timber by more than 32 lengths after beginning his career with a fourth over timber at the Virginia Fall Races. Raced on the flat in Maryland and specialized in off tracks.
De Chera. 2006 ch. g., Deputy Commander—Torchera, by Pirate’s Bounty. Owner-Trainer: H. Bruce Fenwick. Breeder: Hidden Point Farm (Fla.). 2017 record: 7-1-2-0, $19,650. 2016 record: 2-0-0-0, $750. Awarded win in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance on medication disqualification after finishing second by a neck. Fell at last in New Jersey Hunt Cup. Finished fifth in 2017 Shawan Downs maiden timber after sixth in Fair Hill timber allowance and second in Willowdale maiden timber. Finished second in the Grand National’s 2017 Benjamin H. Murray Memorial amateur allowance race, beaten a neck before early fall in Maryland Hunt Cup.
Derwins Prospector. 2008 ch. g., Van Nistelrooy—Stringtown Sally, by Crafty Prospector. Owner: Gerry L. Brewster. Trainer: Joseph Davies. Breeders: Patricia Lagden and Devi Hall (Ky.). 2017 record: 2-1-0-0, $61,200. 2016 record: 4-0-1-1, $5,100. Won the 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup by three-quarters of a length in a stirring stretch battle. Finished fourth in the 2017 Grand National. Finished sixth in 2016 Grand National, then lost rider in Maryland Hunt Cup.
Drift Society (Ire). 2008 b. g., Jackson’s Drift—Tansey Yearwood (Ire), by Moscow Society. Owner: Bruton Street-US. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Breeder: Eleanor Bennett (Ire). 2017 record: 2-0-3-0, $23,400. 2016 record: 3-1-1-1, $23,500. Finished second by three-quarters of a length in 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup after stirring stretch fight. Finished second in 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Finished second in 2016 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Won 2016 John D. Schapiro amateur apprentice allowance at My Lady’s Manor, then finished good third in Maryland Hunt Cup.
Duc de Savoie. 2006 b. g., Harlan’s Holiday—Tee for Three, by Lil E. Tee. Owner: Wits End Stable. Trainer: William Dowling. Breeder: Brereton C. Jones (Ky.) 2017 record: No starts. 2016 record: 2016 record: 2-0-0-1, $2,250. Coming back after missing the 2017 season. Finished third in a 2016 Steeplechase at Callaway maiden timber after fourth in a Winterthur timber maiden.
Ebanour (Ire). 2007 ch. g., Indian Ridge—Ebadilya, by Sadler’s Wells. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Breeders: Aga Khan’s Studs (Ire). 2017 record: 5-2-1-0-, $89,150. 2016 record: 4-3-0-0, $78,000. Won Virginia Gold Cup and Pennsylvania Hunt Cup in 2016 and 2017. His 18-length win at Unionville followed fifth in 2017 New Jersey Hunt Cup. Was disqualified to second from win in 2017 Radnor Hunt Cup. Won 2015 New Jersey Hunt Cup.
Gas Can Eddie. 2007 ch. g., Maria’s Mon—Donnan’s Holly, by Dixieland Band. Owner: Mrs. William D. Class Jr. Trainer: William Meister. Breeder: Bohemia Stable (Md.) 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $450. 2016 record: No starts. Finished distant sixth in 2017 Willowdale maiden after bolting in division of John Rush Streett Memorial maiden timber race at 2017 My Lady’s Manor.
Imperial Way. 2005 ch. g., Point Given–Lasha, by Rahy. Owner: Merriefield Farm. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Breeders: McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Craig and Cathy Beam, et al. 2017 record: 1-0-0-0, $900. 2016 record: 2-0-0-0, $4,000. Finished sixth in 2017 Grand National. Finished fifth in 2016 Maryland Hunt Cup after seventh in Grand National. Disqualified from win in 2015 Maryland Hunt Cup after losing saddle weights late in race. Just missed by a nose in thrilling 2014 Maryland Hunt Cup finish.
Jeffery G. 2007 ch. g., Awad—Search for Reality, by Regal Search. Owner-trainer: Jason L. Cole. Breeder: Jason L. Cole (Pa.). 2017 record: No starts. 2016 record: 3-0-0-1, $2,550. Coming back after missing the 2017 season. Maiden from eight career starts finished third in 2016 John Rush Streett division.
Joshua G. 2006 ch. g., Run Softly—Search for Reality, by Regal Search. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Kathy Neilson. Breeder: Jason L. Cole (Pa.) 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $1,050. 2016 record: 5-0-0-3, $8,000. 2015 record: 4-0-0-0, $5,750. 2014 record: 3-1-0-0, $10,400. Fell at sixth fence of 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup, then was last of six in Willowdale Steeplechase. Finished fourth in 2016 Grand National, then fell in Maryland Hunt Cup and finished third in Willowdale amateur allowance timber. Finished third in Genesee Valley Hunt Cup, then was third in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup allowance timber race. Finished fifth and placed fourth in Maryland Hunt Cup.
Just Barely. 2008 dk. b. or br. m., Coastal Storm—Salem Jewel, by Sword Dance (Ire). Owner-trainer: William Meister. Breeder: Billy Meister (Md.). 2017 record: No starts. 2016 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. In first start over fences, fell in Grand National’s 2016 Benjamin H. Murray amateur allowance timber.
Old Timer. 2006 b. g., Orientate—Chatham Hall, by Green Dancer. Owner: Kinross Farm. Trainer: Richard L. Valentine. Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds (Ky.) 2017 record: 2-0-1-0, $5,400. 2016 record: 4-0-1-2, $17,400. Was leading in 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup when he unseated his rider at second-to-last fence. Finished second in 2017 Grand National, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Finished third in 2016 New Jersey Hunt Cup after second in Radnor Hunt Cup.
Our Town. 2009 gr. or ro. g., Purim—Eurosceptic, by Cozzene. Owners: Gerry Brewster, George Tydings, and Richard F. Blue Jr. Trainer: Joseph Davies. Breeder: F. Bruce Miller (Pa.) 2017 record: 3-0-0-0, $600. 2016 record: 3-0-1-0, $4,050. Unseated jockey early in 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup after seventh in Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial amateur allowance timber race. Pulled up in 2016 Virginia Gold Cup after finishing third and placed second in 2016 Murray.
Prime Prospector. 2008 b. g., Seeking the Gold—Remember Love, by A.P. Indy. Owner: Peter A. Jay. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds (Ky.) 2017 record: 3-1-0-0, $10,750. 2016 record: 5-0-0-1, $12,600. Won a Willowdale timber allowance after fourth-place finishes at My Lady’s Manor and Grand National. Finished third in 2016 International Gold Cup.
Raven’s Choice. 2007 dk. b. or br. g., Dance With Ravens—Millashand, by Regal Intention. Owner: Ann Jackson. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Breeder: Cary W. Jackson (Md.) 2017 record: 3-0-0-1, $3,300. 2016 record: 2-1-0-0, $18,000. Finished third in 2017 Grand National, then was pulled up in Virginia Gold Cup and Willowdale Steeplechase. Won 2016 Grand National, then fell at 16th fence in Maryland Hunt Cup. Placed first in 2015 Maryland Hunt Cup after finishing close second. Won 2014 Willowdale Steeplechase.
Senior Senator. 2010 b. g., Domestic Dispute—Queen Kennelot, by Awesome Again. Owner: Irvin L. Crawford II. Trainer: Joseph Davies. Breeder: Charles C. D. McGill (Pa.) 2017 record: 2-1-0-0, $18,000. 2016 record: 2-1-0-0, $60,000. 2015 record: 2-0-2-0, $10,800. 2014 record: 3-1-1-0, $12,000. Fell at third fence of 2017 Maryland Hunt Cup after winning Grand National by 1 1/2 lengths. Won 2016 Maryland Hunt Cup after setting most of the pace. Finished first and disqualified to last for interference in 2016 Benjamin H. Murray Memorial amateur allowance timber at Grand National.
Serene Harbor. 2003 b. g., Valley Crossing—We Wak Harbor, by Waquoit. Owner: Welcome Here Farm. Trainer: Stephanie Dowling. Breeder: Nina Gardner (Pa.). 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. 2016 record: 2-0-0-1, $8,000. Fell in 2017 Grand National and was pulled up in the Willowdale Steeplechase. Finished third in 2016 Grand National, then fourth in Maryland Hunt Cup. Won Grand National in only 2015 start. Closed 2014 season with a runaway victory in Genesee Valley Hunt Cup.
Sovereign Fund. 2006 dk. b. or br. g., Giant’s Causeway—Colonial Play, by Pleasant Colony. Owner: Upland Partners. Trainer: Stephanie Dowling. Breeder: Robert S. Evans (Ky.) 2017 record: No starts. 2016 record: No starts. 2015 record: 4-1-1-0, $18,250. Finished fourth in 2015 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup for second straight year. Finished second in Willowdale Steeplechase after losing rider in Maryland Hunt Cup. Opened 2015 season with win in Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial timber allowance race.
Tango Rhthym. 2008 b. g., Spanish Steps—More Than Half, by My Cielo. Owners: Lucy A. Goelet and Charles Noell. Trainer: William Meister. Breeder: Bruce Ekstrom (Fla.) 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $450. 2016 record: No starts. Began steeplechase career with a sixth in a division of 2017 John Rush Streett at My Lady’s Manor and fell in Willowdale maiden timber. Previous races were on the flat in 2013.
Vintage Vinnie (Ire). 2009 b. g., Vinnie Roe (Ire)—Bobby’s Jet, by Bob’s Return. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Joseph G. Davies. Breeder: Carmel Hennessy (Ire). 2017 NSA record: No starts. Winner of an Aintree steeplechase by 22 lengths in June 2017, he subsequently was unplaced in the Galway Plate Steeplechase.
Where’s the Beef. 2008 gr. or ro. g., Rockport Harbor—Clair de Lune, by Regal Classic. Owner: Welcome Here Farm. Trainer: Stephanie Dowling. Breeder: Broodmares Anonymous Partners (Ky.). 2017 record: 5-2-1-1, $45,950. Won 2017 New Jersey Hunt Cup after maiden win at Shawan Downs, then finished third in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Finished fourth in the 2015 Carolina Cup and missed the 2016 season.
Wildcatter. 2008 dk. b. or br. g., Tale of the Cat—Cita My Dear, by Kris S. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Elizabeth Voss. Breeder: Ramona S. Bass (Ky.) 2017 record: 2-0-0-1, $3,000. 2016 record: No starts. 2015 record: 3-1-0-0, $18,000. Finished third in the 2017 Radnor Hunt Cup after falling in Grand National. Finished second and placed first in 2015 Radnor Hunt Cup.
Wingo Star. 2008 dk. b. or br. g., Siphon (Brz)—Conowingo, by Valley Crossing. Owner: Holbrook Hollow Farm. Trainer: William Meister. Breeder: Bonita Farm (Md.) 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $750. 2016 record: No starts. Finished distant fourth in 2017 Willowdale allowance timber after 10th in Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial allowance timber. Won Genesee Valley maiden timber in 2015.