The Middleburg Hunt hopes that you enjoyed a day in the country to enjoy the exciting sport of steeplechase racing at one of the most beautiful race courses in the nation. Glenwood Park is known for offering spectators a spectacular view of the racing action. This year's race card once again included racing over the timber course, the hurdle course and on the flat.

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point Recap

It was rainy and chilly on Sunday at Glenwood Park to close out the Virginia Point to Point season, but that didn't dampen the racing nor the spirits of the spectators.

The Journey's End Bowl Novice Rider Flat kicked off the day of racing, with eight entries going to post. Parker Hendriks rode La Hara Partners' La Hara to the win for trainer Neil Morris. La Hara went to the lead with more than a mile to run and was never headed. Irv Naylor's Family Tree made a bid on the turn for home, but was second best. (Betsy Burke Parker photo)

The Samuel E. Bogley Memorial Maiden Flat had enough entries to split into two divisions of seven horses each. In the first division Stormyvale Farm's Bay B led all the way through the driving rain and widened in the stretch. Morning March and Blue Manate challenged in the final quarter mile, but could not reach winner. (Liz Callar photo)

In the second division, Kid Can Run and North Yorkshire made the running while Freya Gerlach's Boppin Road trailed the field. In the final three furlongs Boppin Road found a different gear and went from last to first. Made To Be Lucky was well positioned at the top of the stretch, and finished well but could not hold off the winner. Trainer Niall Seville saddled the winners of both division of the maiden flat while jockey Tom Garner rode both winners.

Five horses started in The Louis Leith Memorial Maiden Timber. Andale held the lead much of the race but fell three fences from home. Mr. Fine Threads inherited a comfortable advantage and seemed the winner until the rider decided that they should go around an extra time. This led to his being disqualified. Overdrawn and Night Sounds followed Mr. Fine Threads, but realized their mistake and got back on course. Overdrawn finished first by many lengths.  (Liz Callar photo)

Three horses started The Matthew Leslie Memorial Maiden Hurdle. Merriebelle Stable LLC and Jeffrey S. Amling's Real Story led at the start with Upland Flats Racing LLC's Pleasecallmeback stalking him. With a mile to run Real Story went off course. Pleasecallmeback took the lead and won handily. Parker Hendriks won his second race of the day, riding for Keri Brion. (Betsy Burke Parker photo)

The Restricted Maiden Hurdle field was shuffled when Hey Teacher refused the third fence. Ahnaf and Golazo trailed Gundry as the field raced down the backside the final time, but three fences from the finish Gundry fell. Stephany W. S. Harper's Golazo held Ahnaf safe and won easily. Colin Smith had the ride for trainer Alicia Murphy.

(Liz Callar photo of Golazo in the pink silks and Ahnaf)

Four horses ran in The Middleburg Bowl Open Timber. Peter A. Jay & Sarah M. Jay's Be Counted held the lead for most of the race with Lonely Weekend in his shadow. These two jumped the final fence together and battled down the stretch with Be Counted earning the victory. This was Colin Smith's second win on the card. Todd Wyatt trained the winner.

(Betsy Burke Parker photo at the final fence - Lonely Weekend, left, and Be Counted, right)

In the finale, The George Straub Memorial Open Flat, PathFinder Racing's In Effect was rated off the pace while Eagerly and Circus raced on the pace. In Effect rallied and charged down the stretch to win on the nod. This was trainer Neil Morris' second win. Gerard Galligan rode the winner.

Results can be found on the Central Entry website, here: centralentryoffice.com/results.aspx

Photos by Betsy Burke Parker, HERE.

Photos by Liz Callar, HERE.

Photos by Middleburg Photo, HERE.

©Liz Callar

REMINDER - The Howard County Cup Races have been canceled for 2022.

Entries are now open for the Sunday May 15 Potomac Hunt Races - the final point to point of the season. Enter early, online, at Central Entry Office: www.centralentryoffice.com/entriesOvernights.aspx

The Virginia Point to Point Foundation Annual Awards Party will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 5 at Buchanan Hall, 8549 John Mosby Highway, Upperville, VA.

The 2022 Maryland Steeplechase Association Awards Reception is on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club in Owings Mills, MD.