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Monte Bianco ups timber record, heads to New Jersey next
MIDDLEBURG -- With last weekend's Ski Roundtop at Shawan Downs canceled by heavy rains, Saturday's Chronicle Cup kicked off the fall timber schedule. The 3 1/4-mile test attracted an outstanding field of 10 for what many consider a pivotal race in the dash for the year-end championship.
With convincing victory in the Cup, Nick Arundel's Monte Bianco takes over as the "now" horse of the circuit, his third victory in four starts.
"The way he ran, I think he's showed he's a serious timber horse," said jockey Xazier Aizpuru. "He's really taken to it. He's scared of nothing."
In the 3 1/4-mile test, Allimac, Glenwood winner in April, and jockey Willi Dowling set the pace from flag-fall, leading a closely bunched group until the second to last fence.
There, Aizpuru nudged into contention, sticking to the shorter inside track while Erin Go Bragh loomed to the outside.
Monte Bianco kicked clear by the infamous, sharp "elbow" turn into the short homestretch, drawing off to win by three.
Erin Go Bragh was second, with 2007 national champ Irish Prince third.
Champion in '04, Bubble Economy was fourth. Like Monte Bianco, Bubble Economy is trained in Maryland by timber specialist Jack Fisher.
Until Saturday, Bubble Economy somewhat overshadowed his stablemate: He won the four-mile Virginia Gold Cup in May ? the richest timber stakes in the world at $100,000.
The $60,000 winner's check gave him a slim lead ($66,500) over Allimac ($57,000) in the divisional standings.
Monte Bianco leapt into contention with the $20,000 Cup payday for $61,000 total in three rich '08 wins.
The 7-year-old won an allowance at Camden in March to break his maiden, then finished fourth to Bubble Economy in the May Gold Cup. He won the Radnor Hunt Cup two weeks later, earning Aizpuru's admiration.
"He's a tough horse to ride," said the English pro. "He's a little tricky at home, especially ? gets everybody off ? but he's turning into a pro on the course."
Though it seemed natural that Monte Bianco's next start would be the International Gold Cup at Great Meadow Oct. 18 ? owner Arundel is course chairman ? Fisher said the gelding will actually run in the New Jersey Hunt Cup at Far Hills the same day.
"Mr. Arundel wants to keep the same jockey," Fisher said. "And (Xavier) is going to Far Hills." So, he says, is Monte Bianco.
In the weekend's other races, Glenwood course manager Doug Fout saddled three winners, including 3-year-old hurdle victor Orebanks for Peggy Steinman.
The Cup headlined the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park, the only two-day stop on the National Steeplechase Association schedule. Sixteen overfilled races ? including two 12-horse maiden timbers ? highlighted the program.
Results
Allowance hurdle. Purse: $12,500. 2 1/8 miles. Time: 3:55 4/5. 1. Gigger, o/Kinross Farm, r/Matt McCarron; 2. London Grove, o/Mrs. Timothy Gardner, r/Liam McVicar; 3. Ordered To Listen, o/Kinross Farm, r/Xavier Aizpuru. 14 started.
James McCormick memorial maiden timber, first division. Purse: $15,000. 3 miles. Time: 6:26. 1. Meadow Larking, o/Gill Johnston, r/Xavier Aizpuru; 2. Major Frank, o/Emery Taylor, r/Robbie Walsh; 3. Profowens, o/Emma Wettern, r/Lucy Horner. 11 started.
Second division. Time: 6:37. 1. He's A Conniver, o/Calvin Houghland, r/Robbie Walsh; 2. Patriot's Path, o/Irv Naylor, r/Darren Nagle; 3. Greyhame, o/Jennifer Patterson, r/Jody Petty. 12 started.
Chronicle Cup open timber. Purse: $35,000. 3 1/4 miles. Time: 6:37 3/5. 1. Monte Bianco, o/Nick Arundel, r/Xavier Aizpuru; 2. Erin Go Bragh, o/Brigadoon, r/Paddy Young; 3. Irish Prince, o/Augustin Stables, r/Jody Petty. 9 started.
James Mills memorial Virginia turf. 1 1/8 miles. Time: 2:26 1/5. 1. I'm A Hokie, o/Gordon Keys, r/Jeff Murphy; 2. Plymouth Rock, o/Wolver Hill, r/Jody Petty; 3. River Magic, o/Thomas Beach Jr., r/Rod MacKenzie. 11 started.
Daniel Sands memorial maiden claiming hurdle. Purse: $5,000. 2 1/8 miles. Time: 3:58 2/5. 1. Baron Von Ruckus, o/r Ben Swope; 2. Hey Doctor, o/Kinross Farm, r/Matt McCarron; 3. New Point, o/Peggy Steinman, r/Paddy Young. 9 started.
Amateur turf, first division. Purse: $1,000. 1 1/8 miles. Time: 2:26 1/5. 1. Ponce, o/Brigadoon, r/Rod MacKenzie; 2. Humdinger, o/Kinross Farm, r/Billy Santoro; 3. Sir Rahy, o/Debra Kachel, r/Jake Chaflin. 9 started.
Second division. Time: 2:22 2/5. 1. Isti Bee, o/Brigadoon, r/Rod MacKenzie; 2. Duck Hunt, o/Matthew Klein, r/Liam McVicar; 3. Legendary Pacer, o/Vicki Fuller, r/Bruce Daley. 8 started.
Nelson Noland memorial 3-year-old hurdle. Purse: $10,000. 2 1/8 miles. Time: 4:01 1/5. 1. Orebanks, o/Peggy Steinman, r/Paddy Young; 2. Quick Now, o/William Pearson, r/Rod MacKenzie; 3. Imperial Way, o/Henry Rathbun, r/Padge Whelan. 10 started.
Theo Randolph memorial maiden hurdle. Purse: $10,000. 2 1/8 miles. Time: 3:58. 1. Fiscal Storm, o/Arcadia, r/Willi Dowling; 2. Coupe de Ville, o/Eldon Farm, r/Paddy Young; 3. Ufa, o/Chadds Ford Stable, r/James Slater. 11 started.
Marsyl Hammond memorial distaff turf. Purse: $1,000. 7/8 mile. Time: 1:41 2/5. 1. Stylish Affair, o/Wolver Hill, r/Jody Petty; 2. trouble Angle, o/Audior Stable, r/Jeff Murphy; 3. Wild Ball, o/Randy Rouse, r/Rod MacKenzie. 5 started.
Maiden hurdle. Purse: $7,500. 2 1/8 miles. Time: 3:58 4/5. 1. Dynantonia, o/r Gregg Ryan; 2. Jimtown, o/Julia Thieriot, r/Rod MacKenzie; 3. Ole Boy, o/Kinross Farm, r/Matt McCarron. 8 started.
Maiden turf, first division. 1 1/8 miles. Time: 2:31 3/5. 1. Winter Break, o/Susan Mills Stone, r/Richard McWade; 2. Society Milliner, o/Randleston Farm, r/Liam McVicar; 3. Table Bay, o/Alix White, r/Jeff Murphy. 12 started.
Second division. Time: 2:30 2/5. 1. Wall of Lead, o/Kinross Farm, r/Matt McCarron; 2. Strategic Vision, o/Clorevia Farm, r/Liam McVicar; 3. Crew, o/Cedarhurst, r/Forest Boyce. 9 started.
Robert Clark memorial distaff hurdle. Purse: $7,500. 2 1/8 miles. Time: 3:59 4/5. 1. Analyze, o/Flying Horse Farm, r/Danielle Hodsdon; 2. Just Sarah, o/Gone Away Farm, r/Jeff Murphy; 3. Straight To Court, o/Over Creek Stables, r/Tom Foley. 6 started.
Virginia Beach memorial amateur timber. Purse: $5,000. 3 miles. Time: 6:36 1/5. 1. The Other Me, o/Donald Cochran, r/Jake Chaflin; 2. Ice Is Nice, o/Irv Naylor, r/Lucy Horner; 3. Dr. Ramsey, o/Mary Fleming Finlay, r/Billy Santoro. 6 started.
---- Betsy Parker
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