The National Steeplechase Association (NSA) will hold the inaugural running
of the U.S. Steeplechase Championships on October 17, it was announced
Wednesday. Consisting of 12 races worth $700,000, the event is scheduled to take
place at two different race meets on the steeplechase schedule: the Far Hills
Race Meet in Far Hills, New Jersey, and the International Gold Cup at Great
Meadows in The Plains, Virginia.
The NSA and NBC Universal Sports has penned a three-year multimedia deal to
televise five hours of live coverage of the Steeplechase Championships, as well
as to provide online and broadband coverage. Additional 2010 NSA events will
also be covered.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to showcase the glamour and
excitement of steeplechase racing on Universal Sports,” said Lou Raffetto
Jr., CEO of the NSA. “The beauty and grace of a Thoroughbred running and jumping
will be brought to a new level as our partnership enables us to take center
stage before a national audience.”
Far Hills will conduct a six-race program headlined by the $250,000 Grand
National (NSA-G1). The six races from the International Gold Cup will be
highlighted by the 3 1/2-mile Gold Cup. The races will be run on an alternating
basis at 20-25 minute intervals from meet to meet with the first race at Far
Hills scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. (EDT).
Churchill Downs announcer Mark Johnson will call the races for Universal
Sports and will also be at Far Hills to call all the action. Dave Johnson, race
caller for the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Belmont S. (G1) from
1987 to 2000, will handle the mike at the Gold Cup.
As a prelude to the event, the NSA will conduct a Fall Steeplechase Festival
at Monmouth Park on September 26, integrating a full card of steeplechase races
with four races on the flat.