Not even a rainy morning could stop steeplechase lovers from galloping over to the sixth annual Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs in Hunt Valley on Saturday.
The weather may have caused a late-arriving crowd, but the early “ponies” from the Baltimore Chapter from the Roanoke Alumni Association didn?t seem to mind the rain, with a rail-side tailgate party that was in full swing by 10 a.m.
Thankfully, the weather gods cooperated for the 12,000 in attendance, and after a beautiful rendition of the national anthem by the Roland Park Country School Semiquavers, this world-class equestrian event ? with five races and nearly $100,000 in purse money ? was ready to roll.
In 1997, the heirs to the Shawan Farms decided to sell the 300-acre farmland, and a group of local residents ? fearing developers ? got together and acquired the property as The Land Preservation Trust. Now the land is preserved, and the intention is to maintain its agricultural legacy. Hence, The Legacy Chase.
The Greater Baltimore Medical Center was the beneficiary of the event, and on a trip through the GBMC tent, we spotted supporters Doug Smith, Charlie Fenwick, Jewel Martin, Elaine Finklestein, Judy Frankel and Jerry and Eileen Chiat, who were enjoying some of the delicious food provided by The Classic Catering People.
“More than 150 GBMC volunteers helped make this day happen,” said Smith, who is president of the GBMC Foundation. “The net proceeds from this event, including the sales of the Mercedes car raffle, will go to support GBMC?s nurses.”
The $100 raffle tickets were sold all around the venue and got a lot of folks thinking “maybe me” for a few hours. Annette Luskin-Hamamoto, Paula Henry and Lisa Fenwick had their tickets in hand but to no avail. Daily Record publisher Chris Eddings was the lucky winner.
Some other attendees included former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden, now director of ballpark operations at Camden Yards, current Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Citibank newly wed Jennifer Winslow, who only had to add “Wins” to her maiden name “Low.”
At the Oregon Grille tent, we chatted with Pete and Joan McGill and Dennis Connelly. Heading for the car after a long day, I ran into my favorite horsey family ? and Maryland?s first family of horse racing ? the Hopkins clan. A perfect ending to a fun day.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the society columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
