November 28, 2020, was the last race card for Gulfstream Park West, which opened its doors nearly 50 years before as Calder Race Course. My memory of being there consists of only one race day, but its significance extends deeper into my life than a one-time experience would seem to suggest. It was the first track I went to, and my grandmother made an effort (returning on a day when they were racing as we first tried to go on a day they weren’t) to ensure that happened. She ensured I would experience something I loved and had never had a chance to yet, besides through watching on TV. I don’t recall specifics about experiencing a race in person for the first time, but I did dive into betting inspired by pedigrees of a few entrants. Pedigree remains a big draw for me to this day, mostly for progeny of horses whose careers resonated with me, yet I also have a deep interest in how it has been woven throughout the history of the Thoroughbred.

I did retain a vague memory of liking the track atmosphere from being at Calder on that day in 1997, and also that I loved finding a mug commemorating the career of my all-time favorite racehorse, Cigar. To bring that souvenir home meant a lot, as I lived in a racing desert in Tennessee at that time and there wasn’t anywhere to directly buy such racing memorabilia from a bricks and mortar store. I noted I also bought a Calder shirt. I’d love to have that now, as a memento of the first track I ever visited, but for some reason that’s been lost to time neither of those track souvenirs returned with me, though all my other Florida souvenirs did. The track program, photos, and a newspaper with race results from the day I attended did come back with me, so I still had some keepsakes from my first time attending racing.

Interestingly, the program from that day showed Javier Castellano riding as an apprentice, at the beginning of a stellar career, and a horse that ran that day went on to become a fairly good producer. Some participants that day certainly made their mark on racing…

On the day they ran for the last time at the track once known as Calder, I sought a site of racing’s former glory in the form of the environs of Coldstream Stud with my brother, pausing to pay homage to Bull Dog. That led to reflection of the dynasty he founded through Bull Lea. In fact, that was quite fitting – a bookend of what Calder had been and what the land where we stood had been. And while the time of both those sites in their former incarnations has come and gone, nothing erases what they meant to people and to racing.

Scenes from downtown Lexington and Keeneland, in advance of the Breeders’ Cup November 6 and 7

While the Breeders’ Cup advance celebration had to be more muted than in 2015, Lexington still commemorated the return of the championships that center around one of its signature industries. I found it a bit comical, actually, that the celebration switched to being so low-key that even as much as I had been following along with Breeders’ Cup news, it caught me unaware that a fireworks display near downtown November 1 was to kick off Breeders’ Cup week. In fact, given that streets were blocked off, it even made me late to work and I was not the only Lexington resident who wondered what the fireworks were for. Certainly if it had been more widely publicized I’d have taken an alternate route to work!

That ended up being the only public aspect of the Breeders’ Cup besides watching the horses train a week prior to the Saturday card that I experienced. My Racehorse, minority owners of Classic contender Authentic, held a lottery for microshare holders to attend. While I did not get chosen, it was wonderful they were able to to accommodate some of the people who jumped in on that amazing ride, thanks to Keeneland working with them to allow access.

I greatly enjoyed watching the horses train during the live feed from the designated training time for Breeders’ Cup-bound entrants. It did have the slight effect of the pang of not being able to be on-site. That is not a complaint – I acknowledge and appreciate how much effort Keeneland put into prodcution for everyone who had to be off-site to bring the event and lead-up to it to them as much as possible. The pang came from it being natural that after years of goign to the rack and watching standout horses train and race, it is inevitable to feel that even after months of live events being largely off-limits. But enough of that!

Besides surprise fireworks on November 1, Bob Baffert trainee Improbable worked in California before shipping to Kentucky, and trainer Brad Cox’s entrants shipped from Churchill Downs to Keeneland.

On November 2, Keeneland’s main track was frozen. It was not encased in ice, but the cold temperatures overnight had created a mass of solid clumps of the dirt that didn’t respond to the efforts of maintenance attempts to make it suitable to train over until later in the morning. Because of that, the training track saw a lot of the action, its Polytrack base being more immune to effects of cold weather.

Later, Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver were able to take to the main track to train for the first time on-site in their Breeders” Cup preparations. Both looked spectacular, and Monomoy Girl was on the muscle. It was evident how she has matured since the last time I saw her.

The post position draw was also held that day.

On November 3, Swiss Skydiver went out to train in the darkness of pre-sunrise hours. A few horses (European entrants?) went to the training track, and Monomoy Girl made a second appearance on-site.

Bob Baffert’s horses arrived from California, among them his trio for the Classic: Authentic, Improbable, and Maximum Security. Much like Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver, Authentic looked spectacular.

On November 4, Ollie’s Candy and Princess Noor trained, a few I had not had a glimpse of yet, and Improbable was the first of Baffert’s Classic contenders to make an appearance on the track, around 7 a.m. Monomoy Girl showed up shortly after. She moved comfortably in a strong run, showing an eagerness to do more than the rider let her.

Tacitus, Knicks Go, American Pharoah’s first Grade 1 winner Harvey’s Lil Goil, Tiz the Law, Maximum Security, Gamine, and Authentic were several of the other well-known runners who were sent out to stretch their legs two days before the Breeders’ Cup kicked off.

Authentic had his head bowed slightly as he made his way over the track, and he too moved comfortably. His coat gleamed, spotted through the filtered orange of autumn colors on the trees. It was evident he wanted to run freely, yet he still moved easily down the lane while on a short rein, striding out with great reach. I watched again this colt I’ve been fortunate to have a part of, and could see in his responsiveness to the rider in slowing to a trot when asked, though he wanted to do more, how much he has matured from the time his inexperience still showed a little in the Haskell.

Bob Baffert praised Keeneland for its surface, better in his estimation than Santa Anita’s. Of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, Baffert said, “He shipped great, handled everything… We took him out today for a little spin around the racetrack and he looked like his usual self, spring-loaded, ready to do something. And I’m really happy with the way he shipped and he ate well here. So far everything’s good. He’s right on schedule.”

Referencing that “spring-loaded” aspect of Authentic’s temperament, later My Racehorse spoke to his exercise rider, and Authentic was the only horse of those in the background that had to have the metal door shut instead of being able to look out over the stall webbing. He was feeling good and full of energy!

Humberto Gomez, Authentic’s exercise rider, commented, “He’s doing so well. The track is not as deep as Santa Anita, so he’s going over the track super nice.

He also reiterated the observation about the colt’s mental and physical growth: “Yeah, Authentic has been maturing a lot. It’s been a long process but he’s such a talented horse and we’re really happy right now how he’s maturing.”

On November 5, Aidan O’ Brien’s string of horses filed to the track, creating the usual stir seeing them all parade one by one in great number. Swiss Skydiver again trained in the darkness and Authentic’s tenacity was on display in his strong-willed desire to be let loose to run more freely.

Trainer Thomas Drury spoke of Art Collector, his Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile contender, relaying an anecdote about a woman who purchased pants his jockey wore once, as part of a fundraiser for Second Stride, which helps rehome retired racehorses. The woman had them framed and on her wall, and Drury mentioned considering them a good luck talisman and asked the woman if she would let them be worn for one more race for the Breeders’ Cup and she agreed.

Given the length of each morning’s shows highlighting the training of the Breeders’ Cup contenders, TVG analysts had ample time to also seek out stories of how getting to these races can be a dream realized in and of itself, even before the race results are known.

One story centered around Breeders’ Cup Sprint entrant Diamond Oops, training up to the race under the tutelage of Andie Biancone, assistant trainer and exercise rider for her father Patrick. She was accompanied by a friend who helped care for “Oops,” as they affectionately referred to the gelding who grazed between them ear his Keeneland barn. It was clear being there for one of racing’s biggest days was a close-knit affair encompassing family and friends, and that “Oops was clearly considered part of the family. It is lovely to see how racehorses can spark grand dreams and hopes.

Speaking of such hopes, jockey Hollie Doyle had a mount on Mighty Gurkha in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, culmination of a grand year riding in Europe and her first ride in the United States. TVG reporter Gabby Gaudet interviewed her from aboard her horse Duke one morning. Doyle seemed enchanted by the experience even ahead of the race day, and perhaps also struck by Keeneland’s touches of glamor and all the natural beauty it has in abundance. She said it had been amazing previously just to watch the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, and to go from that to riding in it.

With that, the preparations were concluded, and it was time for the main event to commence.

Halloween day dawned with a frosty chill across the ground, and brilliant fall colors illuminating the trees. The meet at Keeneland had ended a week ago, and the grounds were beginning to be transformed further for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup. Signage at the entrance bade a welcome to the two-day event, and temporary trailers for media were all around, as were workers laying cable to power the trailers. There was an expectant hush in the air, amplified by the chill, and not long after my arrival Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law ran along the outside rail accompanied by a stable pony before breaking free and running down the length of the stretch. He was easily identifiable even before he left the shadow of the pony, with his distinctive large blaze serving like a calling card of personal characteristics.

When he ran over the course a few moments later, he presented a relaxed demeanor and moved fluidly and comfortably, appearing to have taken to the Lexington track well. I’m no expert on horse works and how they can bode for possible race performance, which still seems like it can have a multitude of intangibles, but body language is easy to read when observed. Tiz the Law’s strongly suggested a maturity and a readiness for the race, the grace with which he moved showcasing his level of fitness while also providing a camouflage for the power underneath waiting to be uncoiled on race day.

Across the country, his Derby conqueror Authentic took to the track as the training hours began to wind down in Kentucky. Authentic was barely discernible in what still appeared to be the dark of night as he moved around the track. I paused to watch this horse I bought a micro share in prior to the Haskell, who’s taken me on an amazing journey, but who I have yet to see in the flesh given pandemic protocols. With it being unknown if seeing him on a track will be in the cards for me before he retires, I liked the serendipity of being at Keeneland and watching him train even remotely, for in a sense it was seeing him train at this track when that won’t occur in reality. He will arrive at Keeneland when it is off-limits again to the general public, but I will enjoy his journey regardless.

It was wonderful to be back at Keeneland and see its trees in crimson and gold, and a lovely blue sky and white clouds brushed across its palette as the sun rose, nature’s canvas breathtakingly glorious… I reveled in the moment, both the time at the track that has woven itself into part of me, the serenity it exudes, and also what racing has brought to my life. Moments like these resonate even more when taking place in a year where they’ve been seldom experienced.

It was five years ago on this date that Keeneland’s first Breeders’ Cup, a grand celebration so aptly billed as a homecoming, culminated gloriously in American Pharoah’s tour-de-force in the Classic. And it was a year ago that I arrived in California, making my way to Santa Anita for a day of racing ahead of the first Breeders’ Cup day. Echoes of racing past and what grand days of competition and horses like few others can spark in the imagination and the excitement they can stir that is beyond words…

I walked away from the track to seek Keeneland’s signature bread pudding from the track kitchen while access was allowed, and came across a Breeders’ Cup merchandise tent. I loved that discovery, and getting a little of the experience of the championship event on this day since it is likely to be off-limits to me as it will be to most. That will not matter as much, I know now. For it is how it must be and today was such a jolt of appreciation for the track and to bask in the unique atmosphere of Keeneland that always leaves me restored on quiet mornings like those when its elegance shines most, and the horses are the centerpiece.

Yet there’s no denying how thrilling it is when top horses compete directly against one another and it is time to look ahead to the grand performances that will play out on this track in less than a week’s time.

Today truly did feel like a second homecoming, to a place where access has been sporadic, and it will no doubt have reflections of the first Breeders’ Cup they had, with another quality field expected to contest the Classic, and several standout fillies in contention, as well as the promise of juveniles and what they may be going forward, and the cadre of standouts in between. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will surely be as stellar as Keeneland’s first one was.

After leaving the track, I made a stop to visit the gravesite of a horse of yesteryear, Bull Dog, on the grounds of Carnahan House. It felt fitting to pay homage to a horse that had his influence on the breed leading into a week highlighting what such contributions can generate with the championship races on the horizon.

I concluded the day’s horse activities with a stop at the Kentucky Horse Park, to view a display of items related to Man o’ War’s life.

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Churchill Downs began its fall meet October 25, with a surprise announcement that limited spectators would be allowed to attend, provided all health protocols were followed. I had already conceded that attending lie race this year would not happen, so I was elated to hear attendance would be allowed by the general public. Coincidentally, their opening day was the best day for a friend and myself to visit to attend the new Derby museum exhibit about female jockeys, “Right to Ride,” as well as see everything pertaining to Authentic being honored as the most recent Derby winner.

Since I had not anticipated attending any races this year, the fact that the day that was most ideal to go to Louisville was opening day didn’t even register until the track announced they would allow spectators and I jumped at the chance to get tickets.

Beginning at the Derby museum, the natural first stop was to get a photo with the horse model painted each year like the most recent Derby winner, particularly since I am along for the for the ride as a micro share holder through MyRacehorse. It marked my Derby celebration as my first time on-site since the race. The undeniable highlight was the showing of the movie about the Derby experience, updated each year to showcase the newest Derby winner. To see Authentic on a large screen, running to glory in a larger-than-life format, gave me goosebumps and took me right back to the feeling of him winning in the immediate aftermath of that September day. To paraphrase the famous Irwin Cobb quote about beholding the Derby, there’s no way to ever know what having even a small percentage of a horse that wins it would feel like until it happened. It was pure elation!

But naturally, the lure of the track was strong after nearly a year away, the longest I’ve ever gone without attending races since I moved to a state where there are tracks. It felt like coming home, seeing the track spread out before me, the horses fired up with competitive energy and necks bowed making their way to the paddock and hte thunder of hooves down the stretch, as well as seeing Harley.

Some aspects of doing things for the first time since protocols changed can seem surreal still, and at Churchill the main one (since I have been required to wear a mask and socially distance at work for months, that was not new to be expected to abide by) was that the horses from the last race had barely returned to the grandstand side before Churchill employees were ushering us to the exit.

A few highlights of the day besides the parts related to Authentic, and frankly just getting outside of the usual routine as I’ve been mostly isolating except for work and essential errands, were seeing an American Pharoah colt run and a half brother to Land Over Sea, who carried himself with class. I had begun tracking American Pharoah’s progeny at sales and then races, and that had to get put on hiatus too until I saw that colt run.

It is also worth noting that since the card was all for two-year-olds, each one ran without Lasix. It was also the first time I saw runners identified by microchips with a scanner run over their necks, instead of checking lip tattoos.

It was wonderful to get back to the races, to have access to something I love that is deeply ingrained in me. Even while current situations make this tricky, it also makes it more necessary as long as it can be done in a way that abides by health protocols. I know Churchill would have been hard-pressed to host a Derby and enforce these guidelines easily but as an outdoor sport it has a better chance than most events at having attendance, and I was glad the arrangements were made. People don’t need a lot of the things we once thought we did in terms of entertainment, but it is easier to endure limited activities and socializing if once in a while you can do something you deeply love that is some semblance of normality in a year that has been anything but normal and that is what Churchill allowing spectators represented. I am grateful to have had that opportunity.

When Keeneland began their fall meet this year on October 2, the stage was set for another stellar group of horses and prestigious races to get underway, sweeping towards the track’s second Breeders’ Cup about a month later. And yet, even with months of most racing in Kentucky and around the country being conducted without spectators, it seemed no less surreal to watch the meet go day by day with almost no one present around the paddock rails or trackside. Part of that is that the stage was indeed set, with temporary seating installed all along the track apron, in a practically empty facility. The other component was that October has long been synonymous with going to Keeneland for myself and many others in this region and also from around the country, and there was the expectation of going about each day as though Keeneland was not running. Of course, that’s a minor thing in the scheme of all that is happening currently, and the main thing is they are able to race. Yet as it also is their first meet of the year of the usual duration, it can strike over and over when a great race goes off or a favorite horse runs about the pang of not being present. Another unusual element in this topsy turvy year is their second day of the meet, the lauded FallStars Weekend, ran smack against the Preakness and its riveting showdown between Authentic and Swiss Skydiver, who gave a textbook demonstration of what a grand race is as well showcasing the heart of athletes bred for centuries to run and have a competitive fire burning in them.

But once that was done, the final Triple Crown race of the season, Keeneland shone brightest on the racing calendar during the time of its meet, as it always does. The fall colors were glorious. The horses looked magnificent. Unable to resist wanting photographs as I always do during the meets, I settled for screenshots from the live stream of horses that captured my eye.

Keeneland had its own riveting race to file as an exemplary example of what racing can be, as Aunt Pearl set a stakes record October 7 in the JP Chase Morgan Jessamine Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, Got Stormy charged down the turf course in the final strides to capture the Buffalo Trace Franklin County October 9, and American Pharoah filly Harvey’s Little Goil became her sire’s first Grade 1 winner after catching the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, after leading from the start along with another of her sire’s runners, Sweet Melania, who inexplicably faded to last. Given that I have followed American Pharoah’s progeny avidly, it stung a bit to know those two were running and I couldn’t attend, especially after she became his first Grade 1 winner. But like so much about this year, accepting what we cannot change is the order of the day. There was another moment of seeing someone from Keeneland share the stretch run from their vantage point near the winners’ circle, hearing the crescendo of the track announcer’s voice rise as the field neared the wire, that was electric and drove a fresh longing to be on-site. Yet, then I realized even more I was grateful they shared that video, for it put me as thoroughly in the moment at the track as was possible then.

Keeneland and all the horsemen soldier on, and so shall we through this unprecedented time. Their dedication to the sport has proven already, while this meet is still young, that though it is not racing as usual, it is no less racing as it was meant to be. They always live up to that motto to the fullest. I’m sure it will be inevitable to get the longing to attend to strike now and then and for the Breeders’ Cup too. It’s only natural after my attendance streak extended all the way back to the fall 2005 meet, until this year. And yet I know their first priority is to the horsemen and the horses, with all else being secondary to being able to conduct the meet that makes their livelihood possible. The rest will follow, from being able to wager off-site to watching via live streams and one day they will welcome us back and it will be even sweeter than it is after the usual 6-month hiatus between meets.

This will be updated.