From Dawn to Dusk at The Virginia Fall Races

From Dawn to Dusk at The Virginia Fall Races

Photos and copy by Leonard Shaprio

As president of the Middleburg Fall Races, Punkin Lee had a very long day behind the scenes of an event that has attracted and captivated huge crowds at Glenwood Park since the event began in 1955. It started this year not long after sunrise as Punkin and her fellow volunteers began doing all the little things—and the big ones as well—to assure another highly successful day of racing, tailgating, wagering, people-and horse-watching at Middleburg’s premier sporting venue.

Tara de Nicolás with baby Claire and Rebecca Thistlethwaite with baby William at the Virginia Fall Races.

Photo by Bradley Duckworth

Jacqueline Ohrstrom presented the trophy in memory of George Ohrstrom, Jr. for the National Sporting Library & Museum Cup $30,000 timber stakes to the The Hundred Acre Field’s Cracker Factory connections: trainer Mark Beecher, jockey Jamie Bargary with Amy Fenwick (far right).

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo

Racing aficionado and race committee member Gordie Keys.

Photo by Vicky Moon

Tailgate hostess extraordinaire Robin Keys doesn’t miss a detail such as these designer cookies with appropriate silks and names of 2022 flat racing super stars such as Epicenter.

Photo by Vicky Moon

Tweed clad Wendy and Mike Smith had an enjoyable afternoon out at the races.

Photo by Vicky Moon

Verna Stern, Melanie Blunt and Ashley Kennedy recently spent an afternoon at Glenwood Park for the Virginia Fall Races.

Photo by Vicky Moon

Setting up snacks for the grooms.

Punkin hung up the banner for INOVA Loudoun Hospital Foundation a beneficiary of the event along with The Glenwood Park Trust.

Secretary/Treasurer Cricket Bedford stepped up to help Punkin set up.

Opening up the boxes for some of the trophies to be presented later in the afternoon.

Spreading out the tablecloths for the trophy display.

The Punkin mobile.