YOUR PHOTOS: Perfect Day for Elkridge-Harford Hunt Races

Connor Hankin, a senior at Gilman School, rode Battle Op to victory on Saturday in the Edward S. Voss Memorial, the marquee race of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Point-to-Point.

Battle Op is owned by his father, Michael Hankin, and is expected to run in the Maryland Grand National in two wees, and, if healthy, the Maryland Hunt Cup later this month.   

Private Attack, last year's Hunt Cup winner, fell in Saturday's Voss Memorial. The horse and the rider are both in good condition, according to Charlie Fenwick III, who won the Voss last year on Incomplete.

Connor Hankin, 18, has been riding as an amateur for three years and won Saturday's race despite it being his first time racing Battle Op, trained by Lilli Kurtinecz.

"It was my first spin on the horse ever," Hankin said. "It was a great learning experience for both of us." 

Hankin had been running behind the leader toward the end of the race, but Battle Op got stronger as he approached the front of the pack.

"He started jumping better as he got toward the front," Hankin said. "He was happiest and jumping well at the front, then the horse in front fell and he had a nice run down the last two fences." 

Hold Your Fire was close behind when Battle Op gained a length after the last jump, Hankin said. 

"It's fun anytime you win," he said. 

Hankin said he expects to race in My Lady's Manor next Saturday.

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Read more of our coverage of last year's steeplechase season here.