On a chilly, overcast and mostly rain-free October afternoon, Punkin Lee, president of the Virginia Fall Races, orchestrated an Oscar worthy production. The 69th running benefited INOVA Loudoun Hospital Foundation and the Glenwood Park Trust. And kudos to friends and board members who turned up at Glenwood Park the very next morning to pick up trash and clean up the stalls.
Robin Keys presents the trophy to jockey Parker Hendriks, with Skylar McKenna and her mother, trainer Kathy Neilson. Hendriks rode Sycamore Run Farm’s five-year-old chestnut gelding Union Gen. George to victory in the Daniel C. Sands Cup. The $20,000 hurdle race was sponsored by the Virginia Equine Alliance in memory of Robin’s late husband, Gordon C. Keys.
No tailgate is complete without a bottle of The Widow.
Harrison Beswick heads out on Leipers Fork Steeplechase’s Court Ruler trained by Leslie Young, who finished second in the Kinross Steeplethon run in memory of Speedy Smithwick, Jr. The $25,000 race over two miles and five furlongs was won by Fashion Line, trained by Katherine S. Neilson with Gerard Galligan up for Amata Stables .
Robin Klombers of the Posh Pixies shop in Middleburg and Tori Sullivan of BarnWiz.
Harrison Young was a Clerk of the Scales.
This little cutie pie had a ball at the petting pen.
