Senior Senator and jockey Eric Poretz soared over the Maryland Hunt Cup's towering third fence in 2019, when he scored his third victory in the world's best-known post-and-rail timber race. (Douglas Lees photo)
Irvin L. “Skip” Crawford’s Senior Senator has been nominated for a chance to win an unprecedented fourth victory in the $100,000 Maryland Hunt Cup, the world’s best-known race over post-and-rail fences.
The 124th running of the testing four-mile race will be Saturday, April 25, at the Hunt Cup course in Glyndon. The 2020 edition attracted a bumper crop of 26 nominees.
Now a 10-year-old, Senior Senator retired the Hunt Cup trophy for Crawford last spring after nearly losing his footing on a road crossing in the final mile and then coming back to score a four-length victory. He had won the 2018 Hunt Cup after returning from neck surgery and also triumphed in 2016.
Joseph G. Davies, who trains Senior Senator, is the undisputed king of Hunt Cup horsemen in this century and would be seeking his fifth straight victory. In all, he nominated six contenders to the 2020 Hunt Cup.
The Maryland-based horseman has a deep understanding of the race after also winning it twice as a rider, and he recognizes that Senior Senator will not have an easy path to a historic victory. The last horse to win the Hunt Cup three times was Cancottage in 1983. Cancottage tried once more and finished third in 1985. Senior Senator was the eighth horse to win the Hunt Cup three times.
“We realize it’s a tall mountain to climb,” Davies said. Senior Senator “is doing great. He’s pretty settled.”
Current plans are for Senior Senator to make one or two starts in unsanctioned point-to-points, most likely beginning with the Cheshire Hounds races in Unionville, Pa., on March 29. Also on the tentative schedule is another start in the $50,000 Grand National, which Senior Senator has won the last three years, a week before the Hunt Cup.
Davies also is working through how to bring Senior Senator to his best form on the last Saturday in April. The complication this year has been an unusually mild winter. “This year, we’ve had perfect footing all winter. We usually have interruptions for snow or ice or cold. “With the best footing over the winter that we’ve ever had, some horses will peak early,” Davies said.
Also among Davies’ nominees is Gerry Brewster’s Derwins Prospector, who won in 2017, when Senior Senator fell at the Hunt Cup’s soaring third fence. Derwins Prospector, now 12, finished sixth last year.
Every finisher from last year’s Hunt Cup has been nominated to the 2020 running. Bruton Street-US’s Drift Society, who took the lead before Senior Senator’s slip and grudgingly surrendered the advantage at the last fence, was nominated by trainer Jack Fisher.
Half brothers Joshua G. and Jeffery G. finished third and fourth, respectively. Armata Stables’ Joshua G. is trained by Kathy Neilson, and Jason Cole trains Jeffery G. for owner Irv Naylor. Cole bred the half brothers in Pennsylvania.
Davies also sent out the fifth finisher, Hill Tie, who is owned by Sportsmans Hall.
Billy Meister, another Maryland-based trainer who specializes in Hunt Cup horses, nominated Armata’s Grand Manan, a multiple timber stakes winner who carried his front-end speed through the four miles of last fall’s Pennsylvania Hunt Cup and finished second.
Here are the 25 nominees to the 2020 Maryland Hunt Cup in alphabetical order.
Battle Aray. 2008 b. g., Johar—Stormy Monday, by Storm Cat. Owner: William Meister. Trainer: William S. Meister. Breeder: Two Hearts Farm (Ky.) 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. Pulled up in Grand National’s 2019 Benjamin H. Murray Memorial and lost rider in the Maryland Hunt Cup. Won 2016 Genesee Valley maiden timber race.
Biedermeier. 2011 b. g., Empire Maker—Back Bay Dixie, by Dixieland Band. Owner: Riverdee Stable. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Breeder: Sienna Farms (Ky.) 2019 record: 2-0-1-1, $3,800. 2018 record: 3-1-0-0, $13,500. Finished second in 2019 Fair Hill novice timber after third in Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray allowance timber. In first season of racing over fences, was placed first in a 2018Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance. Finished fourth in two maiden starts, at Willowdale and Virginia Fall. Had three wins on the flat prior to his jumps debut.
Canyon Road. 2009 ch. g., Service Stripe—Observe, by Patton. Owner: Gordonsdale Farm. Trainer: James R. Piper. Breeder: Gordonsdale Farm (W.Va.) 2019 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: 4-0-1-1, $12,450. 2017 record: 4-0-1-0, $6,600. 2016 record: 5-2-0-1, $25,250. Finished seventh in 2019 Middleburg Hunt Cup. Closed 2018 with second in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup and third in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup.
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.). 2019 record: 3-0-0-0, $300. 2018 record: 2-0-0-0, $1,650. 2017 record: 5-1-1-0, $13,650. Pulled up in 2019 Willowdale Steeplechase. Pulled up in 2019 John D. Schapiro Memorial at My Lady’s Manor and lost jockey in Grand National. Finished sixth in 2018 Schapiro Memorial and Winterthur Bowl. Won 2017 Schapiro and 2016 Queen’s Cup timber allowance.
Daddy in the Dark. 2010 b. g., Bernardini—Appealing Zophie, by Successful Appeal. Owner: H. Bruce Fenwick. Trainer: H. Bruce Fenwick. Breeder: My Meadowview (Ky.). 2019 record: No starts. 2018 record: 3-0-0-0, $5,750. 2017 record: 2-1-0-0, $9,750. Finished well-beaten fourth in 2018 Willowdale Steeplechase. Finished fifth in the 2018 Virginia Gold Cup after seventh in Grand National’s Benjamin H. Murray Memorial amateur timber allowance. Won a 2017 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup maiden timber. Raced on the flat in Maryland and specialized in off tracks.
Davy Street (GB). 2012 b. g., Grape Tree Road—Miner Yours, by Miners Lamp. Owner: Stephanie Moore. Trainer: Leslie Young. Breeder: R. A. Webb (GB). 2019 record: No starts. 2018 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. In only career sanctioned start, pulled up in 2018 Winterthur maiden timber.
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.). 2019 record: 3-0-0-0, $5,000. 2018 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. Finished sixth in 2019 Maryland Hunt Cup before being pulled up in Willowdale Steeplechase. Finished fifth in 2019 My Lady’s Manor. Fell late in the 2018 Grand National before fall at 18th fence in Maryland Hunt Cup. Won the 2017 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). 2019 record: 2-0-1-0, $20,500. 2018 record: 2-0-0-1, $11,500. 2017 record: 2-0-3-0, $23,400. Finished second in 2019 Maryland Hunt Cup after third in 2019 Grand National. Finished third in 2018 Maryland Hunt Cup after second by three-quarters of a length in 2017 Hunt Cup. Finished fourth in 2018 My Lady’s Manor. Won 2016 John D. Schapiro amateur apprentice allowance at My Lady’s Manor, then finished good third in Maryland Hunt Cup.
El Jefe Grande. 2010 dk. b. or br. g., Silver Train—Mighty Clever, by Clever Trick. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Breeder: Richard O’Neil Trust (Ky.) 2019 record: 4-0-2-1, $8,550. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 6-0-0-1, $5,950. Finished second in 2019 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance after sixth in Fair Hill novice timber. Began 2019 with second in Foxfield Spring maiden timber and was third in similar race at Willowdale.
Embarrassed. 2005 b. g., Flatter—Stormy Blast, by Kayrawan. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Kathy Neilson. Breeder: James S. Karp (Ky.) 2019 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2015 record: 2-1-0-0, $6,000. In first start since 2015, pulled up in 2019 Willowdale timber allowance. Won 2015 Winterthur timber allowance. Finished fourth in the 2014 Grand National, then fell early in the Maryland Hunt Cup. Won 2013 Willowdale Steeplechase.
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.) 2019 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: 2-0-0-0, $0. 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $450. Lost jockey in 2019 Grand National. Fell late in 2018 Grand National and lost rider at 12th fence of Maryland Hunt Cup. 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.
Grand Manan. 2009 b. g., Giant’s Causeway—Manoa, by Seeking the Gold. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: William Meister. Breeders: Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable (Ky.). 2019 record: 6-0-2-2, $14,500. 2018: 4-0-0-1, $6,200. Finished second in 2019 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup after third in Shawan’s Legacy Chase and Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Finished second in Willowdale timber allowance. Closed 2016 season with back-to-back front-running victories in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup and International Gold Cup.
Hill Tie. 2010 b. g., Dance With Ravens—Ready for Love, by Not For Love. Owner: Sportsmans Hall. Trainer: Joseph G. Davies. Breeders: Corbett Farm and John B. Secor (Md.) 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $6,000. 2018 record: 3-1-1-0, $17,700. Finished fifth in 2019 Middleburg Hunt Cup and Grand National. Finished sixth in 2018 Virginia Gold Cup. Won his maiden victory in Grand National’s 2018 Benjamin H. Murray Memorial amateur timber allowance after second in John Rush Streett maiden timber at My Lady’s Manor.
Hooded. 2011 b. g., Empire Maker—Yashmak, by Danzig. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (Ky.) 2019 record: No starts. 2018 record: 2-1-1-0, $11,700. Won a 2018 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup maiden timber after second at Virginia Fall.
Jarir (GB). 2013 b. g., Oasis Dream (GB)—Generous Lady (GB), by Generous (Ire). Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Breeder: Deerfield Farm (GB). 2019 record: 5-0-0-1, $3,050. 2018 record: 5-1-1-3, $30,600. Switched to timber in fall of 2019 and had sixth at Shawan and fifth at Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, both in maiden races. Scored maiden victory over hurdles at 2018 Foxfield Spring.
Jeffery G. 2007 ch. g., Awad—Search for Reality, by Regal Search. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Jason L. Cole. Breeder: Jason L. Cole (Pa.). 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $6,000. 2018 record: 3-0-0-0, $2,100. Finished fourth in 2019 Maryland Hunt Cup John Rush Streett maiden timber. Finished fourth in maiden timber races at 2018 Genesee Valley and Pennsylvania Hunt Cup meets. Half brother to Joshua G.
Joshua G. 2006 ch. g., Run Softly—Search for Reality, by Regal Search. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Kathy Neilson. Breeder: Jason L. Cole (Pa.) 2019 record: 2-0-1-1, $19,000. 2018 record: 2-0-1-0, $20,000. 2017 record: 2-0-0-0, $1,050. Finished third in 2019 Maryland Hunt Cup after second in Grand National. Finished second, beaten five lengths, in 2018 Maryland Hunt Cup after fifth in Grand National. 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.
Just Wait and See (Ire). 2009 dk. b. or br. g., Acambaro—Connollys Glory, by Kadeed. Owner: Kinross Farm. Trainer: Richard Valentine. Breeder: Andrew Connolly (Ire). 2019 record: 5-2-0-2, $41,000. 2018 NSA record: 2-0-0-1, $4,800. Won timber allowance at 2019 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup after fourth in International Gold Cup’s Steeplethon. Won 2019 Willowdale Steeplechase after third-place finishes in steeplethons at Middleburg Spring and Virginia Gold Cup. Finished third in International Gold Cup’s 2018 Steeplethon.
Naturally Won. 2012 gr. or ro. g., Afleet Alex—Cateleisha, by Smoke Glacken. Owner: Northwoods Stable. Trainer: William Dowling. Breeders: Anthony Mitola and Keith Leonard (N.Y.) 2019 record: No starts. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 4-1-0-0, $11,750. Coming back after missing 2018 and 2019 seasons. Won maiden timber victory at 2017 My Lady’s Manor.
Our Town. 2009 gr. or ro. g., Purim—Eurosceptic, by Cozzene. Owners: Laura Delozier, Gerry Brewster, and Richard F. Blue Jr. Trainer: Joseph Davies. Breeder: F. Bruce Miller (Pa.) 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $600. 2018 record: No starts. 2017 record: 3-0-0-0, $600. Fell at 19th fence of 2019 Maryland Hunt Cup after sixth in John Rush Streett maiden timber at My Lady’s Manor. 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.
Pocket Talk (Ire). 2010 dk. b. or br. g., Alkaadhem—Glen Supreme, by Supreme Leader. Owner: Kinross Farm. Trainer: Joseph G. Davies. Breeder: A. R. M. M. Kavanagh (Ire). 2019 record: 2-0-0-0, $750. 2018 record: 2-0-0-1, $2,750. Finished fifth and was placed fourth in Genesee Valley maiden timber before fall in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup maiden. In first sanctioned career start, finished fourth in 2018 John Rush Streett division at My Lady’s Manor and then third in Grand National’s Benjamin Murray Memorial amateur allowance timber.
Rocket Star Red. 2012 ch. g., Eskendereya—Sanibel Star, by Unbridled’s Song. Owner: Lucy A. Goelet. Trainer: Mark Beecher. Breeder: William D. Graham (Ont.) 2019 record: 3-1-0-0, $10,750. Placed first in 2019 Genesee Valley maiden timber, then finished fourth in Pennsylvania Hunt Cup timber allowance. Opened 2019 season with fourth in Shawan timber maiden.
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.) 2019 record: 2-2-0-0, $90,000. 2018 record: 2-2-0-0, $90,000. 2017 record: 2-1-0-0, $18,000. Won the 2019 Maryland Hunt Cup and retired its trophy with his third victory. Also retired the Grand National trophy with third win. Won his second Maryland Hunt Cup victory in 2018 after coming back from neck surgery.
Sideling Hill. 2012 dk. b. or br. g., Rock Slide—Julia, by Eastern Echo. Owner: Kiplin Hall. Trainer: William Dowling. Breeder: Daniel T. and Katherine S. O’Ryan (Md.) 2019 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. Pulled up in Genesee Valley maiden timber, his only 2019 start.
Sovereign Fund. 2006 dk. b. or br. g., Giant’s Causeway—Colonial Play, by Pleasant Colony. Owner: Keystone Thoroughbreds. Trainer: Todd McKenna. Breeder: Robert S. Evans (Ky.) 2019 record: 3-0-0-0, $0. 2018 record: 2-0-0-0, $1,500. Lost jockey in 2019 Grand National, then was pulled up in Willowdale Steeplechase and Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. In first start since 2015, finished sixth in 2018 Grand National before fall at Maryland Hunt Cup’s 20th fence.
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). 2019 record: 1-0-1-0, $3,600. 2018 record: 1-0-1-0, $2,700. 2017 NSA record: No starts. Finished second in Grand National’s 2019 Benjamin H. Murray timber allowance after leading at last. In first U.S. start, finished second in division of 2018 John Rush Streett Memorial at My Lady’s Manor. Winner of an Aintree steeplechase by 22 lengths in June 2017, he subsequently was unplaced in the Galway Plate Steeplechase.