Above all things, the 101st Far Hills Race Meeting was another celebration for all involved that produced  a wealth of smiles.

Yet the featured race of the Oct. 15 card, the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle, generated a much different emotion than the joy seen in all corners of the racetrack throughout the day.

There were tears welling in the eyes of Irish trainer John “Shark” Hanlon and his emotions poured out after T.J. McDonald’s Hewick captured the Grade 1 steeplechase stakes by a widening 11 ½ lengths.

It’s no hyperbole to state that the upcoming weekend in North American horse racing will be the most eventful – and possibly the most exciting – one on the calendar aside from Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup weekends.