For the casual horse racing fan, the Virginia Gold Cup might seem like an anomaly. Held on the same day as the Kentucky Derby, the race is a 4-mile steeplechase, meaning horse and rider must clear a series of 4-foot wood fences. It is not a big gambling event. And, perhaps most shocking of all, there is no alcohol involved.
But that doesn’t stop tens of thousands of Washington-area fans from flocking to Great Meadow, an 800-acre track of land in Fauquier County, every first Saturday in May.
“It’s a great celebration, but very different from the Derby,” said Nick Arundel, who owns Great Meadow. “The Derby is more casual.”
Arundel, who bought the land in 1982 to protect part of Fauquier County from creeping development, says he’s always had a passion for steeplechase racing.
“It’s much more challenging, and much more dangerous for rider and horse,” he said.
The Northern Virginia newspaper publisher has been involved in the sport for decades, both as rider and owner. One of his horses, English-bred See You at the Event, will be at the starting gates Saturday.
At the Gold Cup, the race is the main event.
“Once upon a time, there used to be a lot more parties, but those things have faded,” Arundel said.
Not so for the Derby, of course.
Often it’s more about drinking, gambling and elaborate hats than the two minutes of actual racing.
Plenty of bars around town will be embracing that spirit.
• The St. Regis Hotel downtown (923 16th St. NW) is turning its bar into “Washington’s Infield” for Saturday’s race. Revelers are encouraged to don their favorite hats — prizes for the best one — and the menu features mint juleps, Champagne and pearls, and light fare from the hotel’s Adour Restaurant.
• The historic Willard Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) claims to be where Henry Clay introduced the mint julep to Washington. Its Derby party at the Round Robin bar features a Southern buffet, prizes for best hat and best tie, and of course mint juleps in the style of the famous Kentucky senator.
• If you’re looking for an early start and a rowdier crowd, McFadden’s in Foggy Bottom (2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) is opening at 11:30 Saturday morning. The party is called “Talk Derby to Me,” but you don’t have to know a filly from a colt to enjoy half-priced wine, $5 mint juleps and special deals on Kentucky’s classic Woodford Reserve bourbon.
• The Third Edition in Georgetown (1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW) is having a Derby Days event beginning at 2:30 Saturday. Hats and Derby attire are strongly encouraged. $7 mint juleps; no cover.
• Buffalo Billiards in Dupont (1330 19th St. NW) will have 10 big screens dedicated to the race — and plenty of mint juleps.
