80 years of good friends, exciting races

Windy weather can’t derail 80th annual Pa. Hunt Cup

Steeplechases go on even if the weather turns unexpectedly cold, and fans still come out to see their favorites run.

“I love to watch the horses run, even though it’s cold,” said Amanda Howe of Oxford, who was at the event to assist the outriders as well as watch the races.

The 80th running of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup went off Sunday with spectators enjoying the excitement of the races, and the fun of their tailgate parties, even if they did have to bundle up against the wind.

“I totally enjoy the horses,” said Pat Hurley of Atglen, as he turned his back to the wind. “I just love to hear the thunder of the hooves,”

Events like the Hunt Cup can become such a tradition that the party goes on even after the founder has passed away. Each year a pickup truck with an American flag is always at a spot near the final fence, reserved in memory of Gilbert V. H. Sheck. Alongside the truck is a fabulous selection of food and drink and friends gathered to enjoy the day.

“It started with Gilbert hav-

ing this. He invited all his friends,” said Bradley Hendrix from atop the bed of the truck. “He was the glue. That’s why we’re all here. It celebrates the memory of a good friend and the passing of another race season.”

Also at the tailgate was Stacy Enoch of Berwyn. “We come every year. I’m here for the horses,” she said. “It’s an incredible day to have fun.”

In the races, the featured event of the day, the $35,000 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup was won by Delta Park, owned by Arcadia Stables and trained by Jack Fisher. Jockey Sean McDermott stayed near the back of the pack throughout the race while Jeremy Batoff’s Major Malibu set the pace for the first lap of the four-mile race. Annie Yeager took Sovereign Fund to the lead for most of the second lap, but as the last two fences came into sight, it was a closely grouped field with only about five lengths from the leader to the end of the group. Delta Park put on a strong run in the stretch to win in a time of 9:20 4/5.

Other winners of the day were Almarmooq, owned by Irvin S Naylor in the Arthur O. Choate Jr. Memorial, and Senior Senator, owned by Irvin L. Crawford in the Lewis C. Ledyard Maiden Timber race.

CHRIS BARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Pennsylvania Hunt Cup winner Delta Park, left, ridden by Sean McDermott, races toward the finish line in the final timber race in Unionville on Sunday. From left are Delta Park, Major Malibu, Sovereign Fund and Jashua G.

MARCELLA PEYRE-FERRY — FOR 21ST CENTURY MEDIA Horses clear a fence during the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup race. Delta Park, the horse on the right, went on to win the event.