Charles C. Fenwick Jr.’s Doc Cebu, a rising star on the National Steeplechase Association’s timber-racing circuit, will be the horse to beat in Saturday’s $30,000 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup, the featured race of the historic meet in Geneseo, N.Y.
Trained by Jack Fisher, Doc Cebu has not finished worse than second in his five starts over fences. Most recently he trounced a talented field in the Willowdale Steeplechase by nine lengths on May 14.
Fisher, who is running away to his sixth straight training title, named Hadden Frost to ride Doc Cebu in the 3 1/2-mile Genesee Valley Hunt Cup.
Doc Cebu’s owner is no stranger to a timber course. Charlie Fenwick was a leading timber jockey through the 1970s and 1980s, and the Maryland businessman rode Ben Nevis to victory in the 1980 Grand National at Aintree in England.
Also coming out of the Willowdale Steeplechase is Rosbrian Farm’s Class Brahms, who finished a distant third; and Irv Naylor’s Super Saturday, the fifth finisher.
Graham Watters will be aboard Super Saturday for trainer Kathy Neilson. Trainer Tara Elmore named Eric Poretz to ride Class Brahms.
Here is the field for the $30,000 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup.
Doc Cebu. 2010 b. g., Hard Spun—Berga, by Jade Hunter. Owner: Charles C. Fenwick Jr. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Hadden Frost. Breeder: Graceville Breeding (Ky.) 2017 record: 3-2-1-0, $33,600. 2016 record: 2-2-0-0, $21,000. Won 2017 Willowdale Steeplechase by nine lengths. Opened his timber career with a maiden victory at 2017 My Lady’s Manor and was second in Queen’s Cup timber allowance. Won his two starts over hurdles in 2016.
Super Saturday. 2009 gr. or ro. g., Any Given Saturday—Lady Aloma, by Cozzene. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Kathy Neilson. Jockey: Graham Watters. Breeder: Walton Breeders (Ky.) 2017 record: 3-0-0-0, $2,900. 2016 record: 5-0-1-0, $4,550. 2015 record: 4-1-1-0, $19,800. 2014 record: 5-1-0-1, $13,000. Finished fourth in the 2017 Grand National, then fell at fourth fence of Maryland Hunt Cup and was fifth in Willowdale Steeplechase.
Class Indian. 2007 gr. or ro. g., Waquoit—Class Story, by Class Secret. Owner: Jeremy A. Batoff. Trainer: William Dowling. Jockey: Justin Batoff. Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable and Stud (Va.). 2017 record: 4-1-1-0, $12,450. 2016 record: 3-1-0-1, $14,000. 2015 record: 4-1-0-2, $14,000. 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 after third in Carolina Cup’s C. P. and Edith Wills DuBose Cup for second straight year.
Class Brahms. 2008 b. g., Brahms–Class Babe, by Class Secret. Owner: Rosbrian Farm. Trainer: Tara Elmore. Jockey: Eric Poretz. Breeder: Mede Cahaba Stable and Stud (Va.). 2017 record: 2-1-0-1, $15,500. 2016 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2015 record: 3-0-0-2, $4,000. 2014 record: 2-0-0-1, $1,500. Won Grand National’s 2017 Benjamin H. Murray after a fall the previous year, then finished third in Willowdale Steeplechase.
Sumo Power. 2006 dk. b. or br. g., Dynaformer—Connie’s Spirit, by Theatrical (Ire). Owners: Blythe Miller Davies and Charles Noell. Trainer: Joseph G. Davies. Jockey: Gonzague Cottreau. Breeder: Mercedes Stable (Ky.). 2017 record: 2-0-0-1, $1,500. 2016 record: 2-0-0-0, $750. 2015 record: 2-1-0-0, $7,250. 2014 record: 6-0-0-2, $4,700. Finished third in 2017 Willowdale timber allowance after ninth in Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial. Finished fourth in 2016 John D. Schapiro Memorial amateur apprentice timber, then ninth in Grand National’s Western Run Plate. Had two wins over hurdles and won 2015 Western Run Plate.