Senior Senator was only pressed a few times during Saturday’s Maryland Hunt Cup, and any time another horse tried to challenge the lead, he brushed off the attempt and stayed in front.
One of the biggest threats happened near the end of the grueling four-mile race, when Joshua G. came within a head of Senior Senator after both horses cleared the last of 22 fences.
But Senior Senator pulled away with ease, winning his second Maryland Hunt Cup in three years and completing what some have called the Maryland Steeplechase Triple Crown, capturing victories at My Lady’s Manor, Maryland Grand National and Maryland Hunt Cup.
Rider Eric Poretz told The Sun: “He just kept getting stronger, fence by fence. He was challenged a little towards the end, but he responded. It’s a great feeling to win this thing again.”
Only three horses out of nine finished the race in Worthington Valley. Organizers reported all horses and jockeys were safe afterward.
Now with two wins to their credit, owners Irvin L. “Skip” Crawford and Vicki Crawford have a chance next year to retire the cup with a third win, either with Senior Senator or a different horse.
Six other stables have the same chance. The last time that happened was in 1983, when Mrs. Miles Valentine retired the cup.
