Tax Ruling wins Iroquois Steeplechase again

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tax Ruling withstood a challenge from Slip Away at the 18th and final hurdle and went on to a second consecutive win in the $150,000 Iroquois Steeplechase at Percy Warner Park on Saturday.

The five-length win in the spring season’s richest hurdle race was the third of the day for amateur rider Darren Nagle and owner Irvin S. Naylor.

Nagle and Tax Ruling went to the front as the field of nine approached the first hurdle on the course and stayed on the lead until they were headed by Slip Away, last year’s steeplechaser of the year, approaching the 18th jump.

Slip Away took off earlier than jockey Paddy Young wanted and failed in his attempt to take the lead in the 70th running of the race.

Tax Ruling and his 22-year-old jockey jumped in form and landed running to win and collect $90,000 for first place.

The one-two finish by Tax Ruling and Slip Away was the same as last year’s race when Tax Ruling won by 434 lengths.