Yesterday, the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup returned to its Ohio home after a 36-year absence. A refurbished Cleveland Metroparks polo field marks the reason for its return. The old lawn surface was replaced with a mix of sand and shredded fabric. “It’s one of the softest footings for the horses,” says Spokeswoman Gail Tobin. “It’s also quiet. If you’re riding in there, you can barely hear the other horses.”
Olympic gold medalist Joe Fargis won the opening $10,000 1.45-meter Open Jumper Stake. Fargis rode both of his mounts, Edgar and Diems III, to clear first round performances. There were three other clean rides in Round 1 by Kate Levy, Chris Kappler and Jimmy Torano.
First to go in the jump-off, Fargis aboard Edgar had one rail down. Levy, was next to go on, Vent du Nord, and set the pace with a clear round in 35.96 seconds. Her time held up until Joe returned with his second ride of the day on Diam III. They managed to chop .57 off of Levy’s time and finished in 35.39 seconds for the victory.
Levy was second, and Torano took third place on Marlo. Fargis was also 4th on Edgar.
The $6,000 1.40-meter Speed Stake was also held yesterday. Torano took the win aboard Ralvesther, with a clear round in 56.90 seconds.
Kappler took second place aboard Rivell C. Candice King, winner of the Cleveland Grand Prix in 2002, placed both third and fourth.
Friday’s Welcome stake will determine the entries in Sunday’s main event.
Last year’s Gold Cup winner, Patty Stovel, will return to defend her title for a prize of $100,000 and a chance to compete at the World Cup in Las Vegas next April.
The Gold Cup debuted in Cleveland in 1970. It relocated to Florida the following year and eventually found a home in Devon Pennsylvania. It moved again last fall when the Metroparks’ new field was installed. Says organizer Mike Morrissey: “We’re moving from one historic grounds to another, as we bring it back to where it began.”
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