By LOUISA WOODVILLE

By LOUISA WOODVILLE

Times-Democrat Staff Writer

SPERRYVILLE — Unseasonably warm weather coupled with Rappahannock’s infamous hills made racing especially challenging for horses competing at the Rappahannock Point-to-Point March 2.

Such veteran horses as Topeador and Crab Apple took it all in their stride, besting their competition Eternally Irish and Nomoniker, both Casanova winners, by 15 and seven lengths respectively.

Other winners over timber —there was no hurdle racing this year at Thornton Hill Farm — included Dr. Rogers’ Roses and Drums, Jill Waterman’s Worthy Key and Mrs. Fanning’s Palace Party. These horses secured comfortable victories at the wire.

Rogers’ Blue Rocket, however, had to fight for his maiden hurdle win against Eskimo Point, who ran a nose behind the winner when the two crossed the wire.

Topeador won his first owner-rider timber race of the 1991 spring season when he took the Ben Venue by 15 lengths over Casanova winner Eternally Irish.

Topeador, who won the race in 1989 and 1990, retired the trophy for his owner, Henry Wood of Atlanta, Ga.

As is his custom, Topeador took the early lead, but rider Bay Cockbum had Eternally Irish take over this job about halfway through the race.

Though Topeador was galloping within striking distance, Cockbum’s mounts surged ahead to enjoy a fourlength advantage on the far side of the course.

Coming down the hill, however, Wood saved time on the sharp left hand turn while Cockbum took it wide, and Topeador made up enough ground to outrun Eternally Irish by a resounding 15 lengths. .

“I paid Bay to do it,” joked Wood about Cockbum’s wide maneuvering, adding that he thought the pace was fast.

Wood said he thought Rappahannock’s infamous hills worked to his advantage.

“My horse jumped a little better at Casanova, I