Venue: Foxfield Races, Charlottesville, Virginia (hurdle course, turf)
Distance: 2 1/8 miles (hurdle)
Purse: $75,000 Guaranteed
Conditions: For 4-year-olds and upward which have not won over hurdles prior to March 1, 2025 or which have never won three races (restricted novice hurdle stakes)
Scheduled Post Time: 2:15 PM ET (first post for the day: 12:30 PM ET)
Expected Weather Conditions (Charlottesville, VA):
Mild spring afternoon with highs in the mid- to upper 60s°F (around 66–76°F by post time) and lows near 43–53°F overnight. Partly cloudy skies with light winds (5–10 mph) and only a low (15%) chance of any isolated light showers. No significant precipitation expected during the racing card.
Expected Track Conditions: Good turf (hurdle course). The Foxfield course is green and lush with turf height maintained at 6–7 inches. Surfaces are smooth overall (minor rough spots down the back hill), well-aerated, and irrigated consistently. Penetrometer readings average “good” with 24.8% moisture—ideal for a fair, testing novice hurdle test.
This is the long-standing Daniel Van Clief Memorial Stakes, a featured novice hurdle event on Foxfield’s spring card that spotlights promising jumpers transitioning to or early in their hurdle careers. The compact field of eight is dominated by the powerful Jack Fisher barn (three entrants), setting up a tactical 2 1/8-mile test over Foxfield’s rolling course. Recent form ratings (HRN) highlight Neotropic (108) and Cyber Ninja (103) as the class standouts, but the novice nature of the race leaves room for upsetters with sharp recent flat-to-hurdle transitions. Expect a contested pace early with plenty of scope for closers over the stiff hurdles. Morning-line odds are not yet finalized in the overnight entries but are expected to favor the Fisher runners and high-rated horses.
Full Field with Post Positions, Jockeys, and Trainers
| PP | Horse | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds (est.) |
| 1 | Rocket One | 7/G | Stephen Mulqueen | Jack Fisher | 4/1 |
| 2 | Mr Percy (IRE) | 6/G | Graham Watters | Neil R. Morris | 6/1 |
| 3 | Take Your Seats (IRE) | 5/G | Cian Quirke | Thomas Garner | 12/1 |
| 4 | Cyber Ninja | 6/G | Jamie Bargary | Jack Fisher | 5/2 |
| 5 | Risk Taking | 8/G | Kevin Sexton | Julie Gomena | 8/1 |
| 6 | McTigue (IRE) | 7/G | Harrison Beswick | Cyril Murphy | 10/1 |
| 7 | Neotropic | 8/G | Freddie Procter | Jack Fisher | 3/1 |
| 8 | Dynamite Dan (IRE) | 6/G | Evan Dwan | Thomas Garner | 15/1 |
Analysis of Each Horse (including recent form via HRN ratings where available, key notes, and race-specific angles):
PP 1 – Rocket One (4/1, Stephen Mulqueen, Jack Fisher)
By Into Mischief. HRN rating: 99. Consistent performer making his hurdle debut or with limited jumps experience; Fisher trainee with strong recent flat form. Mulqueen is a reliable rider for the barn. Forwardly placed from the rail—prime candidate to set or press the pace and be in the mix throughout. Live contender on class and connections.
PP 2 – Mr Percy (IRE) (6/1, Graham Watters, Neil R. Morris)
By Sir Percy (GB). Solid Irish-bred with cheek pieces on for the first time. Morris barn has a good record at Foxfield; expect a stalking trip. Tactical speed and scope over hurdles make him a dangerous exotic play at a square price.
PP 3 – Take Your Seats (IRE) (12/1, Cian Quirke, Thomas Garner)
By Too Darn Hot (GB). HRN rating: 20 (suggests a recent dip or different scale). Lightly raced 5YO with upside in novice company. Garner knows the Foxfield course well; mid-pack style should suit if the pace is honest. Longshot with improvement potential.
PP 4 – Cyber Ninja (5/2, Jamie Bargary, Jack Fisher)
By Arrogate. HRN rating: 103 (one of the highest). Sharp recent efforts and Fisher’s second string—always dangerous in these novice stakes. Bargary retains the mount and should have him in a perfect stalking position. Major threat to go wire-to-wire or pounce late.
PP 5 – Risk Taking (8/1, Kevin Sexton, Julie Gomena)
By Medaglia d’Oro. HRN rating: 86. Veteran with experience over hurdles; Gomena trainee dropping in for a stakes try. Sexton is capable locally. Tactical closer who will benefit from any early speed duel—solid underneath play.
PP 6 – McTigue (IRE) (10/1, Harrison Beswick, Cyril Murphy)
By Fracas (IRE). Irish import carrying top weight (158 lbs). Murphy barn longshot with (L) equipment. Needs a career-best to factor but has the pedigree to handle the distance and course; best as a deep exotic filler.
PP 7 – Neotropic (3/1, Freddie Procter, Jack Fisher)
By Tapit. HRN rating: 108 (field high). The other Fisher entrant with explosive recent form and proven stakes upside. Procter is a plus rider; expect a mid-pack trip and strong finish. Clear top selection on ratings and barn dominance.
PP 8 – Dynamite Dan (IRE) (15/1, Evan Dwan, Thomas Garner)
By Lauro (GER). HRN rating: 92. Garner second string with (L) equipment. Has shown flashes but faces tougher company here. Outside post may require a wide trip; longshot who could improve with a pace meltdown.
