KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Joe Davies trained both winners over timber, including the featured Stakes, while Kathy Neilson saddled the winner of the featured Hurdle Handicap at the Willowdale Steeplechase on Saturday, May 10.
Mr. Fine Threads, ridden by Charlie Marshall (Photo by L. Mentzel)Armata Stables' Mr. Fine Threads, trained by Davies and ridden by Charlie Marshall, won the $35,000, 3 1.2 mile Willowdale Steeplechase Timber Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths in 7:34 4/5 over The Butler Yates (Ire), trained by Leslie Young, and Master Seville, trained by Mark Beecher.
"We've had Mr. Fine Threads for three springs now," said Davies. "He's been an improving horse. He won at the Grand National meet last year and won the Shapiro at the Manor this spring. We're just beginning to figure him out. He had bad feet. He ran for three years with no shoes. We put shoes on him this spring. I don't like to run Maryland Hunt Cup horses in the fall, but we may run hm in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup this fall."
DAVIES also saddled Armata Stables' Da Nordener (Ire), ridden by Marshall, to win the $15,000, 3 mile Maiden Timber by 6 1/2 lengths in 5:46 over Project Two (Ire), trained by Young, and Take Profit, trained by Willy Dowling.
De Nordener (Photo by L Mentzel)"We bought Da Nordener to go to the Velká Pardubická (known here as the Par Dubiche)," said Davies. "He missed last fall as he had a foot abscess. We'd love to go there this fall. He may go to Shawan as a prep."
Neilson saddled Hard Game's' Ruthenian, ridden by Mell Boucher, to win the $20,000, 2 1/4 mile Rose Tree Cup Ratings Handicap by a head in 4:58 over Dante's Fire, trained by Neil Morris, and Roja Redemption, trained by Jack Fisher.
"Ruthenian is a barn favorite," said Neilson."He's a chubby,, really cute horse. He's round all over."
"We got him at Delaware Park," said Neilson. "He's by Union Rags. Skylar (Neilson's daughter) found him. He''s a little lazy and a little smart. Mell gets along with him, ad she gave him a great ride. We're hoping to run him at Colonial Downs."
Todd McKenna saddled the winners of both the first and second races on the card.
Runnymoore Racing's Tufton Avenue (Ire), ridden by Conor Tierney won the $15,000 Apprentice Rider Hurdle by 2 3/4 lengths in 4:53 over Two Past Eight (GB), trained by Young, and King of the Kids, trained by Cyril Murphy.
McKenna then saddled Paul Willis' Anador (Fr), ridden by Virginia Korrell, to win the $15,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 3/4 length in 4:55 3.5 over Tea with Edgar, trained by Neilson, and Starforce, trained b y Ricky Hendriks.
Dowling saddled EHB Racing's Huyana, ridden by Elizabeth Scully, to win the $15,000 Apprentice Rider Timber Handicap in a walkover in 6:30 1/5 after one horse fell,, two lost their riders and another went off course.
