Rare Bush, a son of Dynaformer, led wire to wire to win the featured race of the 58th running of the Stoneybrook Steeplechase on April 4 at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford.

Rare Bush, a nine-year-old entered in The Sandhills Cup race as a claimer, led from start to finish in the two-mile, three-furlong race with jockey Xavier Aizpuru riding for trainer Jack Fisher, finishing in 4:27.2. Fisher stands second in the 2009 National Steeplechase Association (NSA) trainer rankings. Rare Bush shares the same sire (Dyanformer) as the ill-fated Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

Fisher entered Rare Bush, who has had multiple leg problems, in the optional $25,000 claiming race hoping Rare Bush would be claimed.

"I expected him to win," said Fisher, who doesn't give instructions on how to run a race to his jockeys. "He had a good trip and jumped well. I've been here before, having won this race four or five years ago with Dynability (also sired by Dynaformer). I like this race course."

Leading the pack kept jockey Aizpuru out of trouble. The back of the pack had to deal with a loose horse that had unseated his jockey in the backstretch. The loose horse landed in front of another jockey, contributing to his horse's taking a tumble. Both horses and riders were unhurt.

"I didn't have to deal with any of that," said Aizpuru who hails from England. "I was a bit concerned being in front for so long. I would like to say that the trip went according to plan: stay in front and don't let anyone pass. But that wasn't the plan and I had to change tactics. The competition was less than this horse is used to."

Trainer Janet Elliot, who is ranked third in the 2009 NSA standings, has been coming to Stoneybrook since the races took place at the late Mickey Walsh's farm on Youngs Road in Southern Pines. Her connections to the Walsh family go all the way back to Ireland. Elliot grew up near Mickey Walsh's brother.

"It's fun to come back to Stoneybrook," Elliot said. "The track conditions are vastly improved (at the Carolina Horse Park). The organizers deserve all the credit. They have done a tremendous job."

Elliot had a good day winning the second race of the card, the $10,000 Stoneybrook Chase, with Rusty Reign, and also winning the last race of the day. NSA leading Irish rider Robert Walsh (no relation to the Southern Pines Walsh family) rode a keen Rusty Reign to victory for Elliot in the Stoneybrook hurdle race. Then he rode Monsieur Henri, coming off an injury last year, to win the Holland and Holland Cup flat race.

Waracha, trained by Thomas Voss and ridden by Padge Whelan, won the third race, The Embarq Hurdle with a purse of $10,000. During the race, six-year-old mare Roseland fell at the next to the last fence. The mare was loaded on the equine ambulance and taken back to the barns where she was euthanized. The jockey was not injured in the fall.

"My medical people were at the sight of accident within seconds of it happening," Race Director Toby Edwards said. "The owner and the trainer were right there, and unfortunately the decision was made that it was in the horse's best interest to be put her down."

Edwards added, "There is no better equine ambulance at any race track in America. We're very fortunate to have it."

Ogden Dunes trained and owned by Leslie Young and ridden by Paddy Young won the first race, The Stoneybrook Cup with a purse of $15,000 in 4:00.2.

Eight-year-old Planets Alligned won the Pond House race in 2:44. The Pond House race sponsored by Veronese Atkins was a flat race for three-year-olds and upward. Padge Whelan rode the grandson of Deputy Minister for trainer Thomas Voss.

Top 3 Results:

THE STONEYBROOK CUP: (Horse, rider, owner, trainer) 1. Ogden Dunes, Paddy Young, Leslie Young, owner. 2. Nationbuilder, Danielle Hodsdon, Calvin Houghland, Jonathan Sheppard 3. Giant Strides, Padge Whelan, Robert Kinsley, Thomas Voss

THE STONEYBROOK CHASE: 1. Rusty Reign, Robert Walsh, Edition Farm, Janet Elliot 2. BK's Double Jade, Carl Rafter, Karen Gray, owner 3. English Dancer, Will Haynes, Manown Kisor Jr., Michael Berryman THE EMBARQ HURDLE: 1. Waracha, Padge Whelan, Mrs. Thomas Voss, owner 2. Bold Turn, Jody Petty, Carrington Racing Stable, Arch Kingsley Jr. 3. Second Approval, James Slater, Brianne Slater, owner

THE SANDHILLS CUP: 1. Rare Bush, Xavier Aizpuru, Mrs. Rufus Williams, Jack Fisher 2. Dalucci, Robert Walsh, Janet Elliot, owner 3. Terpsichorean, Danielle Hodsdon, Bright Brook Farm, Jonathan Sheppard THE POND HOUSE: 1. Planets Aligned, Padge Whelan, Fox Ridge Farm, Thomas Voss 2. Wingplow, Bernard Dalton, Kate Dalton, owner 3. Silence, Melanie Williams, William Pape, Jonathan Sheppard THE HOLLAND AND HOLLAND CUP: 1. Monsieur Henri, Robert Walsh, Robert Blanchard, Janet Elliot 2. The Price of Love, Danielle Hodsdon, William Pape, Jonathan Sheppard 3. Fabi's Legacy, Richard Spate, Linda Klein, owner.