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By MUPHEN WHITNEY
Arundel Newspapers Special Writer
Virginia’s steeplechase courses have come through a long, hot and dry summer with flying colors.
“Luckily all of this rain that has fallen lately has put us in good shape,” says Fairfax Race Chairman, Randy Rouse. The Fairfax races are the first on the fall schedule and Mr. Rouse hopes for one more rain before September 20th.
“We didn’t clip the course all summer during the drought,” explains Mr. Rouse. “We just bushhogged to about 8” and left the mulch on top to protect from sun baking. We fertilized the course two weeks ago; now we’ll just mow it all once more.”
Down in Charlottesville, Foxfield race organizer Page Fiery admits she was worried about the drought earlier in the summer.
“It had gotten to the point where it could have done damage, but the turf held up well and it’s beautiful right now,” says Miss Fiery. “Actually I wouldn’t mind if it quit raining now!”
Thomas Shifflett, who is in charge of maintenance at the Foxfield course, explains that his crew has been having to mow more often since the rain started, two weeks ago.
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