As printed in The State newspaper, Columbia, SC.

Colonial Cup: Horses deliver thriller
Come-from-behind victory spices up festivities
By JOHN MONK - jmonk@thestate.com

More than 1,000 people Sunday attended Camden's annual Colonial Cup, a mix of high society, down-home animal lovers and a horse race won by a -- you guessed it -- a nose.

"It's food, fun, horses and old friends," said Clark Boone, 48, a member of the Kershaw County a cappella quartet Renaissance, which sang the national anthem at Springdale Race Course.

Out of sight, the usual race bets worth "thousands" were wagered by groups of families and friends who took each others' word that debts would be paid, an insider said on condition his name wouldn't be used. Horse betting is illegal.

Bloody Marys and orange juice spiked with vodka were the most popular alcoholic beverages in the Post and Paddock Club, a tent which for $50 served up drinks and catered food all day to holders of the higher-priced tickets. (Box seats in the grandstand went for $100.)

Outside the tent, Tom Fussell -- proprietor of Camden's Dusty Bend restaurant -- served up hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, soft drinks and tea for more affordable prices.

"This is a barbecue crowd," said Fussell, 59.

It was also a smaller crowd than in recent years, Fussell said. "Things are down a little because of the economy."

The crowd was smaller but serious, said Austin Brown, chairman of the Carolina Cup Racing Association. The group sponsors the Carolina Cup in the spring, and the Colonial Cup in the fall.

"This is for true horse lovers," said Brown, 81, a former national caliber jockey. "If you want to party, come here in the spring."

Sunday's races were what is known as steeplechase -- gallops over circular courses from two to three-plus miles.

Less well-known than races on flat tracks, such as the Kentucky Derby, steeplechase racing requires 1,000-pound horses to leap over barriers more than four feet high at full gallop. Steeplechase jockeys need athleticism -- strong legs, balance, endurance and the ability to flow with the horse.

"If you jump right, it's the greatest feeling in the world," said Brown. He said the best horses know how to lift off from the right distance before an obstacle.

Two riders fell from their horses during the first races. Neither was seriously hurt.

The most-awaited race featured defending champ Good Night Shirt, a 7-year-old thoroughbred, who beat a horse named Preemptive Strike, which almost lived up to its name.

Good Night Shirt lagged the entire race -- a winning tactic as it turned out -- and to a huge roar from the crowd, barely edged Preemptive Strike.

In the stands, Nick Ellis, 59, a still-slender top steeplechase jockey more than 35 years ago, said his adrenaline got rolling as he cheered on Preemptive Strike, admiring the way the horse was staying out front.

"Sometimes I can't believe I used to do that," he said. "It's so risky, it seems crazy to do it. But when you're 22, you are crazy."

Good Night Shirt won $90,000 of the $150,000 purse for his race. But after vet bills, jockeys, trainers and other expenses are paid, there's not a lot of profit, said people familiar with the event.

To Good Night Shirt's owner, Harold "Sonny" Via, 78, of Virginia, the victory -- the horse's fifth first place of the season -- was priceless.

"Most people live a lifetime and never come close to something like this," said Via.