HIGH SPIRITS DESPITE A SMALLER CROWD

EAST MARLBOROUGH » The horses race in the rain, and people came to watch them Sunday at the 26th running of the Willowdale Steeplechases.

More than just a day of races, Willowdale is a Mother’s Day tradition in southern Chester County that is fun for the entire family. Even on a rainy day, families enjoy tailgating while watching the races, and youngsters keep busy with impromptu matches of lacrosse, football and even wiffle ball.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I wanted to be a part of the tradition of the races,” Amy McKay of Unionville said. “I just enjoy coming and seeing the community and meeting the people I used to know.”

McKay had not attended the races for several years, but came back to share the experience with her six-year-old daughter. “I wanted her to see what I grew up with as a child,” she said.

Although the crowd was lighter this year than in past years with brighter weather, the spirit of the event was still upbeat and friendly. There were tents filled with vendors, and plenty of children’s activities in “Kids Alley.”

The heart of the day is in the races, that contain a wide variety of events as well. The day started with the dogs, and a

full slate of Jack Russell terrier Races. Pony races gave young riders a chance to gallop on the Willowdale course, followed by a race for sidesaddle riders.

The featured event on the card of seven sanctioned races was the $35,000 Willowdale Steeplechase Stakes. The winner of the three-and-one-half mile race over fences was Doc Cebu, owned by Charles Fenwick Jr., Michael Hankin and Charles Noell.

This is the second year in a row that Doc Cebu was the winner of the Willowdale Steeplechase Stake for trainer Jack Fisher.

“He was on fire,” jockey Haden Frost said after the race. “He’s an exceptional horse.”

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Ebullience, ridden by Jack Doyle, leads the race over the last jump on the way to victory in the Folly race at Willowdale.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA It was a day for umbrellas and rain parkas at the Willowdale Steeplechase on Sunday.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The racers make the first vault over the jump in front of the tailgaters at Willowdale on Sunday in the Rose Tree Cup.