You can bet on a good time in Nelson

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: October 19, 2008

The fifth annual Steeplechase at Oak Ridge will bring some of the sport’s top horses, riders and trainers to the area next weekend.

Scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 26, the popular event will feature seven races sanctioned by the Virginia Steeplechase Association, as well as a tailgating contest, terrier races, shopping opportunities and a variety of children’s activities.

The races are the main fundraiser for the Jubilee Center, founded in 1999 to help Lynchburg’s at-risk children.

“It’s great to have this event,” said Tance Laughon, Jubliee’s public relations coordinator. “We are just so blessed that we have great volunteers and that we’ve had the interest from Nelson County and

Charlottesville and Lynchburg.”

Oak Ridge Estate sits on 5,000 acres of land in Arrington, which is approximately 35 miles between Lynchburg and Charlottesville. Thomas Fortune Ryan built the original track in 1900, and it was expanded in the early 1990s.

Read on for all you need to know about race day.

Schedule

10 a.m.: Gates open

10:30 a.m.: Course walk

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Junior Jockey activities

11:30 a.m.: Terrier races

12:30 p.m.: First race

1 p.m.: Tailgate contest

Between second and third race: Live auction

4 p.m.: Last race

Ticket information

Tickets can be purchased online (http://www.jubileefamily.org/steeplechase) through Monday, by calling (877) 762-2260, or at one of the following locations: Givens Books on Lakeside Drive, Silver Thistle in the Boonsboro Shopping Center, TRAX Tech Services in Wyndhurst, Aylors on U.S. 221 in Forest and the Nelson County Visitors Center.

General admission: $10 in advance; $20 on race day.

Picnic pass (one vehicle with a maximum of eight passengers; walk to event from general parking area): $50 per carload in advance; $65 on race day.

Patron pass (one vehicle with eight passengers; behind-the-rail, assigned parking and close proximity to all race day activities): $350 ($200 is tax deductible).

Founding member pass (one vehicle with eight passengers; on-the-rail assigned parking; includes two general admission parking passes for guests traveling in separate cars, two tickets to the live auction and two tickets for the hospitality tent): $1,000 ($850 is tax deductible).

Directions

Take U.S. 29 south, through Lovingston. Turn left onto Virginia 653.

Races

First race: The Duval Campbell and Yuille Holt Memorial (maiden flat); about 1 mile and 3 furlongs on the turf; $3,000 purse.

Second: The Memory of Hall (maiden hurdle); about 2¼ miles over national fences; $10,000 purse.

Third: The Berkley Stable (challenge hurdle); about 3 miles over national fences; $5,000 purse.

Fourth: The Jubilee (allowance hurdle); about 2 miles and 3 furlongs over national fences; $12,500 purse.

Fifth: The VHBPA (starter allowance flat); about 1¼ miles on the turf; $5,000 purse.

Sixth: Virginia Thoroughbred Association (Virginia restricted flat); about 1 mile and 1 furlong on the turf; $5,000 purse.

Seventh: Extra Race (starter maiden hurdle); about 2 miles and 5 furlongs over national fences; $5,000 purse.

Race day policies

l Parking locations assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

l No tailgating in the general admission parking area.

l Private tents, standing umbrellas, open flame, oil fryers and charcoal smokers are not permitted.

l No alcohol consumption is allowed outside the gate.

l For vehicles holding more than eight passengers, contact Tance Laughon at (434) 845-0433 or

.

Information

Call 845-0433 or visit

http://www.jubileefamily.org/steeplechase.

This article was edited to change national Steeplechase Association to Virginia Steeplechase Association.