McDynamo Heads Steeplechase Field

Heavy favorite for the steeplechase Eclipse Award, Michael Moran's McDynamo will try to extend his winning streak to five in Sunday's season-ending Colonial Cup (Gr. I) at Springdale Race Course in Camden, S.C.

A 6-year-old son of Dynaformer, McDynamo has ruled steeplechasing in 2003 with wins in the two richest grade I races of the year (Keeneland's Royal Chase in April and the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase last month). Trained in Pennsylvania by Sanna Hendriks, McDynamo will try to add the historic Colonial Cup--a race worth $100,000 in purse money but millions in reputation. The race was the first six-figure steeplechase in U.S. history when it was founded in 1970, and has been won by three Hall of Famers and 13 champions.

The race tests Thoroughbreds with a 2 3/4-mile distance and 17 natural brush fences. Springdale is the only course in the U.S. where no fence is jumped more than once.

McDynamo, making his first start in the race, faces six rivals including three (runner-up Pelagos, Mulahen and Hotspur) who finished behind him in the Breeders' Cup. Stakes veterans Lord Zada, who won the 2001 Colonial Cup, and Al Skywalker, who has won the 2 1/4-mile Carolina Cup over the course twice, join the field along with Najjm. The latter, also a son of Dynaformer, finished in front of Lord Zada in a Grade III stakes on the Breeders' Cup undercard but was disqualified for interference.