Horse racing is a family affair for two-time champion jockey Matt McCarron of Kennett Square.

His uncle Chris McCarron was inducted in 1989 into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, having won six Triple Crown races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont, each twice. Matt's father, Gregg McCarron, also was a flat jockey.

And when 37-year-old McCarron rides this Saturday in the 78th Radnor Hunt Cup, he'll face one of his biggest competitors: his girlfriend. McCarron, who is dating 32-year-old jockey Danielle Hodsdon, said, "The actual competition between us doesn't get personal. We go out and do the best we can to win."

Hodsdon became in 2006 the second female steeplechase champion in history.

The Radnor Hunt is expected to draw 20,000 spectators. Tickets and parking are still available, but only through noon tomorrow; ticket information is available in a separate story on this page. Proceeds will benefit the Brandywine Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that preserves the history, art and natural resources of the Brandywine Valley. The six races throughout the day carry a total purse of $210,000.

The fourth race of the day, the National Hunt Cup, is the third and final leg of the Steeplechase Triple Crown. The Triple Crown series is for novice hurdlers in their first or second year of racing over fences. The series gives spectators a preview of the champions of tomorrow. Thoroughbreds can begin their steeplechase careers at age 3.

The Steeplechase Triple Crown began March 29 at the Carolina Cup in Camden, S.C. The second leg of the series, the Temple Gwathmey, took place April 19 in Middleburg, Va. Each leg carries a $75,000 purse. There has never been a Steeplechase Triple Crown winner since its establishment in 1999.

Rider Jody Petty, 36, is hoping for a win to maintain his lead in the jockey standing. Riding Imagina, a 6-year-old mare, he won the Carolina Cup and placed second in the Temple Gwathmey.

Petty, of Unionville, edged out McCarron as champion in 2005. The following year he suffered major injuries after falling from horse Capital Peak while racing in Dade City, Fla. He broke four ribs and ruptured his spleen. Petty said getting back on the horse after his injury was second nature.

Danger aside, spectators are sure to find excitement on the track and off. Radnor is renowned for its five-star tailgating. Spectators compete for prizes by preparing elegant spreads based on a central theme. This year's theme is Outlaws, Villains, and Scoundrels.

Past winner Amy Brown of Malvern recalled spending several days preparing her spread based on the movie Casablanca. She filled three tables full of Moroccan, French and German food, including chicken bastila, cured lemon, salmon mousse, leek tarts, and sausages. She served champagne, Pernod, an anise-flavored liqueur, and assorted German beers. Brown cut out a Rick's Café Americain sign and rented a roulette wheel for the picnic. And she completed the spread by dressing as Ingrid Bergman's character, Ilsa Lund.

New this year, the Winterthur Point-to-Point, Willowdale Steeplechase, and the Radnor Hunt Races have joined to create the Triple Crown of Tailgating. Radnor will be the third leg of the competition.

"It's a unique way to entertain," Brown said.

If You Go

Where: The Radnor Hunt races take place at the Radnor Hunt grounds, 826 Providence Rd., three miles south of Malvern in Willistown Township.

When: Saturday. Gates open at 9 a.m. and races start at 1:30 p.m.

Parking and admission passes come as a package and unreserved passes for $50 and $100 per vehicle can be ordered through noon tomorrow, but only by phone, at 610-388-8383.

These passes cover all occupants of the vehicle. The $100 parking spot gets you closer to the races.

No passes will be sold on site on race day.