While it may not qualify as a Camden spring racing festival, the Springdale Race Course will host its second consecutive weekend of National Steeplechase Association racing on Saturday, April 6 with “The Cup Runneth Over,” a full program of jump racing offering $90,000 in purses.

“The Cup Runneth Over” takes the place on the National Steeplechase Association calendar of the Georgia Steeplechase, which was canceled by its organizers in mid-March due to lagging ticket sales. 

The day of racing action is being billed as a scaled-down, less-expensive day at the races and a thank you to the thousands of patrons who have supported the Carolina Cup Races.

The NSA is putting up the entire $90,000 in purse money for Saturday’s races which features a $30,000 Sport of Kings maiden hurdle, a $25,000 ratings handicap for horses rated at 115 or lower, a $20,000 maiden hurdle for fillies and mares, a $15,000 maiden claiming hurdle and a training flat race. As entries closed on Monday, NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo Jr., said he was expecting full fields for the day’s card.

In addition, there will also be four pony races prior to the regularly scheduled slate of NSA racing as the US Pony Racing and Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation will sponsor the inaugural running of the Camden Pony Derby Races. The first race is slated for an 11 a.m. start.

The first NSA-sanctioned race of the afternoon will meet the starter’s flag at 1:30 p.m. with a 1 p.m. paddock time. 

There will only be two gates for patrons to enter on Saturday and they are both located on Springdale Drive and marked with signs directing patrons into the reserved parking and boxholder --- Gate 2 and Gate t6, respectively, parking areas. Both entryways will be staffed by workers and will have large signs in front of them near the road. The general admission gates, located on Knights Hill Rd. and Highway 97, will be closed on race day.

The cost for admission is $40 per vehicle, regardless of the number of people entering the races. Tickets will only be on sale at the gates on race day. There will be no pre-sale for tickets.

Parking is available along the front row as well as behind the grandstand. All other parking areas, including the infield, will be closed. The grandstand, which will have chairs in place, will be open to patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. The sponsor mounds on the home stretch of the race course will also be available for fans to watch the racing.

Officials with “The Cup Runneth Over” are encouraging guests to bring their own tailgate and picnic food to enjoy during the day. Food trucks are being contacted and they could be a possibility for food purchases Saturday.

There will be hospitality available at The Finish Line Tent, located next to the grandstand. The cost is $75 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the tent the day of the races or in advance at the National Steeplechase Museum on Knights Hill Rd. in Camden.

“We think it’s going to be fun. We think it’s going to be good for the town. We think it is going to be good for the sport and, to be honest with you, we were flattered to be asked to host this event,” said interim Carolina Cup Executive Director John Cushman. “We encourage families with children to come out and enjoy another great race day at the Springdale Race Course.”

For more information on “The Cup Runneth Over” race, please call 432-6513 or, log onto www.carolina-cup.org.