Matt Winn

 

 

Wise Dan Stakes

 

 

Fleur de Lis

 

 

Stephen Foster Handicap

My main lure to Downs After Dark, in addition to just being at live racing again, was Gun Runner. He appeared to be the class of the field, and rocketed to the lead almost immediately when the gates opened. Not only did he run as one would hope the class of the field would, even when the horses began to bunch up around him at the top of the stretch and I wondered if he had enough left to hold them off, he found another gear and drew away to win by seven lengths, the largest winning margin in the race’s history. He looked incredible in the paddock (though it was getting tricky with the low light to get an image that properly reflected that), and it was incredibly thrilling to see how dominant he was in the race and how the way he looked in the paddock translated to such a topnotch performance. I also included my video from the race.

 

Conclusion

 

I lingered a bit longer after the last race for a bit more of the party atmosphere as a DJ spun some songs and the plaza became a dance floor. I definitely felt celebratory after witnessing Gun Runner’s win!

My drive to Denali Stud for a late morning appointment to see Serena’s Song was incredibly idyllic and leaving was even more so, reminiscent of how I felt after my very first visit ever to horse farms in the central Kentucky region. Back then, I felt like I was in heaven after having been able to feed a peppermint to Charismatic, who I had previously only seen on television racing, and then drove down a road lined with trees whose branches met overhead, forming a cathedral-like setting.

Serena’s Song looked as amazing as ever. It’s hard to believe she is 26 years old. Her feisty nature and physique don’t betray her age at all. She still appears to be in robust good health and it shows in her temperament and physical condition. I felt quite lucky to see her again, to feed her peppermints and the unexpected bonus of being offered a chance to hold her on the lead rope! It felt like a real privilege and the first time I’ve been offered that opportunity. It was a brief visit – she isn’t patient to stand still long, especially if the peppermints don’t keep coming, but that made it no less wonderful.