Under overcast, but friendly skies, combined with warm and dry weather, the Block House Steeplechase again produced fine sport this past Saturday, April 17, for a large turnout of racing fans here for the 64th running of Tryons annual spring classic.

In the featured $25,000 Carolina First Block House, William Papes favored Divine Fortune ran true to form, winning by a decisive 14 lengths and giving jockey Richard Boucher and trainer Jonathan Sheppard a double for the day. Karen Grays Cuse was second, a good 7 lengths ahead of EMO Stables Indy Run. A bad fall at the last fence nearly marred the race when the trailing horse, Regality, went down hard and did not get back up. However, quick work by his rider, the veterinarian, and race staff revived the fallen chaser, who did not suffer permanent injuries.

The opening $15,000 BMW Brown Memorial marked the initial victory for rider Boucher and conditioner Sheppard when Magalen Bryants Triplekin stormed over the finish line 2 lengths to the good of Dr John Griggs Back to Mandalay. Owner-Trainer Rafael Fernandez Primero Peru was third in a three-horse placing which was maintained throughout the race.

The $10,000 Cannon Harmon Memorial nearly resulted in a triple for the Boucher-Sheppard team as Mike Berrymans Johann Star and William Papes Twinbuckto enagaged in a neck-and-neck duel down the back stretch and to the last fence where Twinbuktu lost his rider after a bad landing. EMO Stables Beachcomber and Karen Grays Eye Said Scat Cat finished second and third by many.

The $15,000 third race, named for the future site of the Block House course at the under-construction Green Creek Equestrian Park, was still another two-horse thriller with owner-trainer Dave Washers Junood and owner-trainer Todd Wyatts Most Bossest battling it out head-to-head down the back straight, over the last fence, and to the finish. Most Bossest prevailed by a single length; however, during an inquiry, the stewards found that Most Bossest had interfered with Junood at the last fence. Therefore, the first two placings were reversed and Junood was declared the winner. The third placing went to Lilith Bouchers Class Crash, three lengths behind the first two finishers.

The final race was the combined $1,000 amateur flat race for both thoroughbreds and nonthoroughbreds. With only six entrys, two thoroughbreds and four non-thoroughbreds, the two divisions competed in one race. As expected, the two thoroughbreds finished one-two; with Libby Arnolds Rush to Market, ridden by husband Bob, first over the finish line, well ahead of Ever So Clever, ridden by owner Lindsey Harte. Among the non-thoroughbreds, Larry Gardners Thirsty Lil Abbie, ridden by Amanda Bilharz was first home.

Summaries:

1st Race. $15,000 Maiden Hurdle, 2? Miles.

1.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Triplekin, 154,&bsp; Boucher;

2.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Back To Mandalay, 154, Dalton;

3.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Primero Peru, 149, Mackenzie.

Margin: 2, Time: 4:43 1/5 Ownr: Magalen O. Bryant. Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard.

2nd Race. $10,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle, 2? Miles

1.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Johann Star, 148, Watts;

2.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Beachcomber, 143, Mackenzie;

3.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Eye Said Scat Cat, 138, Delaney;

4.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;LR Twinbucktu, 148, Boucher.

Margin: 29, Time: 4:35 4/5 Ownr: Michael Berryman Trainer: Owner.

3rd Race: $15,000 Open Claiming Hurdle, 2? Miles

2.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Most Bossest, 135, Mackenzie;

1.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Junood, 152, Dalton;

3.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Class Crash, 140, Boucher;

4.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Dancing Sky, 132, Delaney;

5.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;General Roanoke, 140, Watts.

Most Bossest DQ for interference with Junood and placed 2nd. Junood placed 1st.

Margin: 1, Time: 4:32 4/5 Ownr: Dave Washer Trainer: Owner.

4th Race: $25,000 Block House Hurdle Steeplechase, 2 Miles

1.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Divine Fortune, 158, Boucher;

2.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Cuse, 150, Dalton;

3.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Indy Run, 141, Mackenzie;

4.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;F Regality, 136, Delaney.

Margin: 14. Time: 4:56 4/5 Ownr: William Pape Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard.

5th Race: $1,000 Amateur Flat Race, 6 Furlongs

Division 1 – Thoroughbreds

1.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Rush To Market, R. Arnold, Ownr: L. Arnold;

2.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Ever So Clever, L. Harte, Ownr: Rider.

Division 2-Non-Thoroughbreds

1.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Thirsty Lil Abbie, A. Bilharz, Ownr: L. Gardner;

2.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Calli, J. Hinely, Ownr: Rider;

3.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Hows Tricks, L. Scott, Ownr: Rider;

4.&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;Jasmine, S. Kocher, Ownr: Rider.