STEEPLECHASING REORGANIZES TRIPLE CROWN

Equisearch.com 1/23/2004
http://equisearch.com/equiwire/news/jan-feb04/sheppard012304/

The Steeplechase Triple Crown is alive and well with three $100,000, Grade I stakes races, television coverage and a visit to a major racetrack.

After Churchill Downs opted not to renew the Hard Scuffle Stakes (Gr. I) for 2004 and Pimlico passed on hosting the Joe Aitcheson (gr. I) while a slots bill gets batted around Maryland, two National Steeplechase Association race meets stepped up and agreed to card major novice hurdle stakes this spring. The series consists of the Georgia Cup at the Atlanta Steeplechase in Kingston, Ga. April 10, the National Hunt Cup at the Radnor Races in Malvern, Pa. May 15 and the Meadow Brook Stakes at Belmont Park June 3. All three legs carry Grade I status from the NSA and are scheduled to be part of the Long John Silver's Wire to Wire program on the ESPN networks.

Now in its sixth year, the Triple Crown offers an important step to first- and second-year hurdle horses (the equivalent of 3-year-olds on the flat) and has been the launch point of such standouts as champions Pompeyo and McDynamo and Grade I winner Praise The Prince. Three times a horse has won two of the three legs, but the Triple Crown has never been swept.

NSA director of racing Bill Gallo expects the new schedule to entice even more horses to the popular races.

"There is more space between races, which helps, and the variety of race courses should suit some trainers," said Gallo. "We were disappointed to lose Churchill Downs and Pimlico, but we are pleased with the new schedule and remain excited about the series. The support of the two meets and NYRA has been tremendous, and we couldn't have maintained this without their cooperation."

Gallo added that, contrary to recent reports, the NSA worked to save the Churchill date.

"The NSA, particularly George Strawbridge, had several talks with top Churchill Downs executives in an attempt to keep the first leg at Churchill," Gallo said. "Unfortunately, for this year, a solution could not be reached."

Atlanta enters its 39th year on the NSA circuit, and benefits the Atlanta Speech School. The Georgia Cup gets sponsor support from longtime steeplechase backer Coca-Cola and the Beaulieu of America flooring company. Radnor, in suburban Philadelphia and sponsored by the Mellon banking company, hosts its 74th annual meeting in 2004 while the National Hunt Cup (dating to 1909) is one of U.S. steeplechasing's oldest races. The great Flatterer set an American steeplechase weight-carrying record when he won the 1986 renewal under 176 pounds. Belmont's history with steeplechasing dates to the track's first season in 1905, and includes a number of top races through the years. The Meadow Brook was first run in 1916 and counts among its past winners Hall of Famer L'Escargot. The race was dormant from 1971 until 1999, when it was renewed as the third leg of the Triple Crown. The 2004 race will be run two days before the Belmont Stakes.

This year's Triple Crown (restricted to horses that did not break their hurdle maidens before March 1, 2003) looks competitive thanks to a number of new additions to the steeplechase ranks last year. Major flat winner Gritty Sandie (2-for-2 over jumps) is a player as is Martin Cherry's flat convert Serazzo (also unbeaten in two starts) and 2003 novice champion Sur La Tete.

2004 Steeplechase Triple Crown

April 10: $100,000 Georgia Cup (Gr. I) at Kingston, Ga. 2 miles.
May 15: $100,000 National Hunt Cup (Gr. I) at Radnor, Pa. 2 1/4 miles.
June 3: $100,000 Meadow Brook Stakes (Gr. I) at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. 2 1/2 miles.