Horse Racing, Weather Draw Hundreds to Steeplechase

By Kyle Hansen

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Barbara Roos and Charlie Ricci, along with hundreds of others, spent Saturday enjoying the perfect weather at the Morven Park Steeplechase.

"It's a beautiful day; it's the perfect day to be out here. The weather is so nice," said Roos, adding that she can't decide which she likes better: the spring or fall races.

"I am sure the people that run this are happy the weather is nice," she said. "There are a lot of people here."

Ricci said it was not just the weather that made him happy. After the first five races, he was ahead in his betting -- by a whole dollar.

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Morven Park Steeplechase

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Jockey Rylee Zimmerman rides Dyn In Texas during the second of eight races at the Morven Park Steeplechase on Saturday. (Kyle Hansen)

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Children line the fence Saturday to watch the race at Morven Park. (Kyle Hansen)

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Horses and jockeys go over a hurdle during the Morven Park Steeplechase. (Kyle Hansen)

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Four horses simultaneously go over a hurdle during the 28th annual Morven Park Steeplechase. (Kyle Hansen)

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One of the trainers calls out the hound dogs during a break in the races at Morven Park. (Kyle Hansen)

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Kids pet the hound dogs during the Morven Park Steeplechase. (Kyle Hansen)

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A pack of horses and riders go by during the Morven Park Steeplechase on Saturday. (Kyle Hansen)

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The horses come around the back side of the track during a race at the Morven Park Steeplechase. (Kyle Hansen)

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Two of the races at the Morven Park Steeplechase included "timber" fences for the horses to jump during the race. (Kyle Hansen)

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The horses race over a fence in front of the stewards stand at the Morven Park Steeplechase. (Kyle Hansen)

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The horses jump over a fence at the Morven Park Steeplechase Saturday. (Kyle Hansen)

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"It's my lucky day," Ricci said. "But I am hanging on to that dollar by a fingernail. If I lose the next race I am down, which is where I usually am."

The two friends from Arlington didn't come to make a lot of money, Roos said, pointing out that Ricci usually comes out on the other end: losing money at the races. They have been going to horse races together for about 10 years.

Saturday was the 28th year of the steeplechase at Morven Park just outside of Leesburg. The day included five races with hurdles and three "flat" races without hurdles. In addition to the races -- and the betting -- there was a petting zoo and jump house for kids, as well as lots of food and drinks for the adults.

"It is relaxing for me to be out here," said Hiroko Kogi, of Round Hill.

Kogi said she has been going to races for several years but had only been to one at Morven Park.

"I think I will come back," she said.

Many of the spectators said they are looking forward to the International Gold Cup, which will be Saturday at Great Meadow near The Plains. Some 35,000 people are expected for that event, according to Gold Cup organizers.

The proceeds from the Morven Park races go toward the restoration of the historic Morven Park mansion, the former home of Westmoreland Davis, who was governor of Virginia from 1918 to 1922.

Tagged: horses

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