It's that time of year… AAAAAAND THEY'RE OFF!!!!

Days are getting longer, there are glimmers of spring, and you can go racing every weekend in Virginia from mid-March until the first Saturday in May at Great Meadow where you can bet Pari-Mutuel on the Virginia Gold Cup Races and the Kentucky Derby.

First things first: Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 17. Sure, 'tis a grand day to celebrate St. Patrick and the start of the spring season at the 77th running of the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-point Races at the Airlie course in Warrenton.

Get up a party of friends to go general admission ($20 per car at the gate) or purchase a tailgate parking spot and do up your day with glam and bling. Look for Warrenton Hunt Point-to-point on Facebook and follow the links for information, tailgate parking, and more. Post time is noon when Warrenton PTP kicks off the Side Saddle Chase Foundation's series, the first of only two aside races in Virginia. Post time is noon for the Viola T. Winmill Memorial Chase. Don't let the elegantly kitted out side-saddle ladies fool you – they are fiercely competitive and they go all-out hammer and tongs. Spectators love it.

Side Saddle Racing is rather exotic, recalling the grace and elegance of a bygone era. Just as exciting as racing astride, racing aside has generated a real buzz. There's even the occasional gentleman jockey, riding with both legs on one side of the horse. Best of all, because Side Saddle Racing is so competitive, more riders are turning to Thoroughbreds for that nonpareil burst of speed.

Check out this sporting phenomenon that harks to the good old days within the high tech parameters of here and now:
https://www.sidesaddlechase.com

Piedmont Foxhounds' Point-to-point takes place on Saturday, March 24, at the scenic Salem Farm course, Upperville. Post time is 1 p.m. For information about tailgate spaces, visit Piedmont Fox Hounds on Facebook and look for the events tab. General admission is $20 per carload or you can purchase a parking space and host a tailgate party. The Orange County Hounds' Point-to-point celebrates both Easter and April Fool's Day on Sunday, April 1, at Locust Hill Farm, Middleburg. Post time is 1 p.m. Please email Pippy@vafall-races.com for tailgate parking, general admission, and other pertinent race day info.

Racing into April, we have point-to-points at Old Dominion Hounds, Ben Venue Farm, on Saturday, April 7 with the first race going under starter's orders at 1 p.m., and Loudoun Hunt at Oatlands on Sunday, April 15.

Loudoun Hunt has been setting the stage for Side Saddle Races, jumping and flat, since 2015, and this year's edition marks the second aside race in Virginia for the Side Saddle Chase Foundation's new point-to-point series. No doubt the local aside contingent will travel to race at Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds (Pa.) on March 25 and Green Spring Valley on March 31.

The Middleburg Spring Races are a sanctioned meet at historic Glenwood Park, on Saturday, April 21, with Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-point on Sunday, April 22. Foxfield sanctioned races run in Charlottesville on April 28, with Middleburg Hunt Point-to-point hosting a full card at Glenwood Park on Sunday, April 29.

Racing on the flat and over fences is one of the greatest al fresco sports shows on earth. Be prepared for all kinds of weather, pack along sturdy shoes, warm and waterproof jackets, maybe a rain hat and umbrella. Then again, it's been known to snow or hit unseasonably high temperatures — all part of the fun.

For information from the calendar to overnights, results, standings, etc:
www.centralentryoffice.com