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78th Running of the International Gold Cup

The luminous fall colors at Great Meadow provided the perfect backdrop for a day of steeplechase racing and socializing for the 78th running of the International Gold Cup Saturday.

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

Actress Meg Ryan was even spotted in the paddock enjoying the turning out of the horses before the fourth race. Ryan's directorial debut film "Ithaca" was being featured at the local Middleburg Film Festival.

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

The fifth race of the day was the highlight, despite mild competition beforehand from the garish cavalcade of chapeaus in the winner's circle known as the 'hat contest'.

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

Grinding Speed, owned by Michael Wharton and piloted by jockey Mark Beecher captured the $75,000 International Gold Cup Saturday.

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

Grinding Speed won his third Gold Cup by fighting off Magalen O. Bryant's Dakota Slew in a thrilling final mile of the timber race.

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine

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Oliver Devine
Oliver Devine