Horse Country hosted its second popular Meet the Neighbors series of tours on the weekend of March 9, opening up a variety of farms and other horse-related sites to central Kentucky residents for free.

I got a last-minute opening to attend the Darby Dan tour when a spot on the waitlist opened up, where I have not been in several years.

I appreciate that Horse Country tours often provide an opportunity to visit sites that I haven’t seen when booking a visit on my own. While I always enjoy seeing the horses, it is intriguing to get a glimpse of other parts of farms as well.

For the visit to Darby Dan, that included going inside the grand manor house. With the elegant horse portraits adorning the walls, a cabinet featuring silver trophies, and luxurious furniture around the room where our tour began, it very much seemed reminiscent of a home in England equally steeped in racing tradition and its earliest beginnings. It evoked that feeling of stepping back to that time just by walking through its door.

After an introduction to the farm and its history, the procession began to the stallion barn. I had hoped to see Shackleford, and did catch a glimpse of his distinctive large blaze through his stall door.

The stallion chosen to be led out for photos was Dialed In. He was magnificent to see, from the look in his eye to the incredibly well-developed crest on his neck.

 

Tale of Ekati was also outside, his coat gleaming in the March sun as he received a bath.

 

Then I made my way to Keene Ridge, where I had never visited. Farm owner Ann McBrayer began the visit with the story of English Channel, foaled at the farm after being purchased when he was carried by his dam. As would be expected with such an illustrious runner, he is a point of pride for the farm, and a blanket embroidered with his name is draped prominently across a chair in the office.

Nursery farms are not as common on tours as the many stallion farms that dot this region, yet I may enjoy them just a bit more. It’s not solely for the chance to see foals. It is to feel even closer to the cycle of nature, evident in mares of all categories, from maidens to those waiting to foal to those with playful foals at their sides, as well as weanlings or short yearlings romping through the fields.

McBrayer jokingly–though no doubt with more than an inkling of truth–that she sells beer and wine because she hasn’t figured out how to get the horses to pay for themselves. While the margin of profit can be slim for racing enterprises, that’s probably a bit tongue-in-cheek, though. Her passion for the horses in her care, most of which are from boarders, and the meticulous attention to detail speak volumes about her dedication.

So did her telling the story of finally getting a colt out of English Channel’s dam, after a series of fillies, and persisting in getting him to the track even when minor setbacks kept him from being entered in a sale. He looked like he had a chance at being a good runner, but that was not to be either. So McBrayer decided to give him a chance as a stallion, since he appeared to have potential and is English Channel’s full brother.

She also told the visiting group about a mare, Beat Your Feet, who was incredibly attached to her foal. One day they heard the mare neigh in the pasture where she was turned out with her foal, and she sounded panicked. When they went out to check on her, they realized she had suddenly gone blind and could no longer see her colt in the pasture with her.

They took her to a clinic, and she was found to have tumors in both eyes that were cancerous. The tumors were removed, and Beat Your Feet had to have her foal touching her during the whole procedure. The options for her were to put her on medication, or take her to a clinic in Ohio for more aggressive treatment, but her colt would have to be left behind. McBrayer knew she was too devoted to her foal for that to be an option.

Beat Your Feet returned to Keene Ridge, and her colt was fitted with a bell so she could keep track of him, a reverse of the well-known case of Begum, born without eyes, necessitating fitting her dam Rullah Good with a bell so Begum could find her when she was a foal.

Beat Your Feet lived until the day her colt was weaned, dying that same afternoon. McBrayer said it gave every indication she had stayed alive long enough to raise her foal, so absolute was her devotion to him.

McBrayer has a shadowbox of items from when Beat Your Feet was raising this colt, as well as photos of her in the clinic after her tumors were removed, which actually ended up being part of a TV show Animal Planet filmed.

Her foal, a 2014 gelding by Channeled, is named Big Bad Zin. At the time of the farm visit, he was expected to make a start near the end of the upcoming Keeneland spring meet.

Before going out to meet some of the horses, we took in a few of the sights around the farm. Two things that especially stood out were seeing the Keeneland grandstand from the farm, and the sign post showing the distance to various notable racetracks.

 

Video of the foal in the photo above; the broodmare manager said it seemed figuring out how to lay back down had not yet been achieved. This foal was only hours old at the time this video was taken.

On the way back from Keene Ridge, I passed this barn with decor that caught my eye. I love a drive through the country, seeing all the foals starting to dot the fields, and unexpected sights like these, lending a pop of color to a weather-beaten structure.

 

 

 

I returned to Gulfstream the morning of the Pegasus World Cup, eager to see workouts at the lovely setting. I enjoyed being in the Florida warmth in January, the first time I’d ever been anywhere warm in winter, and also seeing the palm trees around the track and paddock. The track and its environs are a lovely setting for photos, and the atmosphere the day of the Pegasus World Cup was a lot of fun, with an amazing live band that loaned even more of a tropical feel to the day.

Morning workouts

La Prevoyante Handicap

Race 4, maiden special weight

Race 5, a maiden special weight

Won by Neepawa (not pictured)

Ladies’ Turf Sprint Stakes

Fred W. Hooper Stakes

W.L. McKnight Handicap

Hurricane Bertie Stakes

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Handicap

won by Rainbow Heir

Pegasus World Cup

This was the race I came for, to see Gun Runner’s swan song as well, after thrilling to his Stephen Foster victory and its large margin of victory and his season-ending Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well as every race in between. I don’t often travel that far to see a particular horse race, but he was one that I wanted to do that for.

I didn’t know what the atmosphere surrounding this race would be, given its recent beginning, and of course having never been to it. The anticipation waiting for the horses to enter the paddock felt every bit as strong as that I’ve felt at any Derby I’ve been to, and the people thronging the paddock and in it increased markedly preceding the World Cup, just as it does for the Derby. While the crowd was understandably smaller than at the Kentucky Derby, it did still grow in numbers of attendees right before this race, just as at the Derby.

Gun Runner looked magnificent, calm, and collected as always. He had been going through his workouts prior to the race looking as strong as he had during his whole multi-race win streak. I was as confident as one could be that he’d close out his career with an emphatic victory, even given the vagaries surrounding racing and trying to assess ahead of time what a particular horse may do in a race.

Before, I had thought it was a little bittersweet to know this was Gun Runner’s last race and his last works–bitter because sometimes you just don’t want to see a good run end, even knowing something being finite makes it all the sweeter, ultimately; and sweet because there was one more opportunity to see Gun Runner do what he has done so well, and hopefully delight in another victory.

He entered the saddling area wearing his Breeders’ Cup Classic blanket, embroidered with his name. He didn’t walk around that area like several of the other horses, so I didn’t get another look at him until he entered the walking ring.

I was grateful to Gulfstream for creating a ticket option that limited access directly around the rail at the walking ring, so I had a chance to see Gun Runner and the other contenders up close without having to contend with finding a spot with everyone who had purchased general admission.

I had planned to watch the race by the grandstand, but since I had bought the ticket that allowed me rail access to the walking ring, I chose to see Gun Runner as much as possible there and then watched the race on the screen instead of fighting through crowds at the rail by the track. I did go over to be part of the celebration once he won, though and it was a thrill to celebrate his victory as it is anytime your favored horse wins, but even more fun surrounded by racing enthusiasts. I had thought I wouldn’t want to come all this way and still watch it on a screen, but since I got to see him beforehand and was still surrounded by excited people, it didn’t diminish the experience at all. There was a large group in the walking ring who celebrated wildly and I was so happy to see him win one more time and applaud the effort of a top-notch horse.

It was even better to get to see him up close and all the acclaim he received as he reached the grandstand again. It made the whole trip and being there personally worth it. It didn’t even feel bittersweet. It was just exultation and soaking in all that goes along with seeing an incredible runner win brilliantly and easily once more.

 

 

 

 

 

I arrived in Florida the morning of January 25, ahead of the Pegasus World Cup, for my first visit to this track.  I loved the architecture, as seen in one of the photos below, and the picturesque paddock and track.

Race 6

 

Race 8

The beach house, seen below, was another unique feature of Gulfstream, along with sand spread along the area of the grandstand where it was.

 

Race 9

 

Race 10

I mostly focused on the ponies prior to this race, including a sweet moment with a baby feeding one a peppermint. It seemed like a small hometown type feel with the way people interacted with the ponies, including a lot of racegoers that seemed to know them and their riders well. I love seeing that type of connection forged between patrons and the ponies, to find an element of being involved, in a sense, beyond just watching.

Race 11

 

 

 

As usual, the new year brings a new opportunity to buy horses at the Keeneland January sale, and to visit stallions at various farms. I didn’t get to make as many visits to the farms as I’d like, but I did get to visit Buck Pond Farm, where I had never been before, and was greeted by mares, friendly employees and farm dogs. It’s a beautiful farm, and surely must be even more so when the tree-lined drive to the stallion barn is in full greenery.

Ashford

 

Vancouver

Pharoah – looking as laid-back as always, and seeming to have filled out as best I could tell with his blanket on – that’s what life as a stallion will do!

Uncle Mo

Buck Pond Farm

Wildcat Red

A show of affection for Hootenanny

Hootenanny

Hootenanny

Conveyance

Conveyance

V.E. Day

Keeneland January sale

The day before the sale was a typical chilly January day, while the final day saw temperatures in the upper 50s – quite a contrast!

Paynter colt

American Pharoah filly

The contrast of the green decor of the Lane’s End barn and the blue patch of sky caught my eye.

 

 

 

November 24, 2017 – good to be back at the track for the first time since Keeneland concluded their fall meet!

The light was perfect when I arrived, illuminating the horses’ coats beautifully, as seen with Tiz Too Much entered in a maiden claiming race

Tiz Too Much drawing clear in race 4, the maiden claiming event

Tiz Too Much wins for jockey C.J. McMahon and owner Randy Patterson

Tiz Too Much in the winners’ circle

Rebel Bull

Rebel Bull

In sync

Muscle of an athlete

Close quarters early on in race 5, an allowance optional claimer on turf

Derby Champagne stretching out to try to win in race 5

Derby Champagne challenged by Space Mountain

Space Mountain starts to take over from Derby Champagne

Space Mountain in the winners’ circle

A pat for winner Space Mountain

A look ahead

Pop Culture with a head in front in race 6, a maiden claimer for two-year-olds

Spinning Serve starts to move in further on Pop Culture’s lead

Spinning Serve in the winners’ circle

Whateverybodywants and Corey Lanerie win race 7

Barbaro statue in the waning sun

Daddys Lil Darling coming on the track for the Mrs. Revere

Incredible sunset begins to sweep across the sky behind the grandstand

The Player on the walk to the paddock for the Clark Handicap, with trainer Buff Bradley in a suit and on the rail

Destin, walking over for the Clark Handicap

Good photos were becoming difficult in the darkness, but got one of Seeking the Soul and John Velazquez, before the inquiry was investigated and they were declared official winners

Songbird at Taylor Made, during a Songbird Fan Day prior to selling at Fasig Tipton (this may have been in October, rather than November)

Songbird

Songbird

Songbird

Songbird

Songbird’s life-sized shadowbox outside of the Taylor Made barn at Fasig Tipton

Tepin

Quality Rocks

Loved the way the sunlight illuminated this weanling’s head, mane, and forelock

Miss Temple City

American Pharoah’s half sister American Cleopatra

Finest City

A barn cat at Three Chimneys

Fast Anna

Will Take Charge (my first time seeing him in retirement)

Gun Runner, a few days after his Breeders’ Cup Classic win; his walk was so efficient that even in that I could see what a top athlete he is

Gun Runner

Gun Runner

Gun Runner

Cupid at Ashford

Classic Empire at Ashford

Ashford fall scenery

Fall colors at Gainesway

Bird Song at Gainesway

 

Sun King at Old Friends (my first time getting to see him since his arrival)

Sun King

Sun King

Charismatic’s grave

Del Mar held its first Breeders’ Cup this year, following in the footsteps of boutique track Keeneland two years ago. Unable to attend as hoped, I settled into a room at the National Horse Show in Lexington to watch on a large screen.

I read prior to the Cup that Del Mar’s tight turns may have been a factor in how races unfolded, and whether that played a role or not, a lot of favored horses didn’t prevail. I would have liked to see Lady Eli go out a winner if indeed this was her last race, after all the adversity she overcame just to survive and then come back to the races in top form. She was not able to do that, but she did have a valid yet unfortunate excuse, sustaining a cut to a leg during the race that required recuperation time afterwards and led to her being withdrawn from the Keeneland November sale.

Longshots continued to check in first at the wire on the second day of the Breeders’ Cup, and amazingly Good Magic, who came into the race a maiden, won the Juvenile. His maiden status may have not been indicative of his quality, as he is a Curlin colt, and is still young. Time will tell going forward.

Talismanic captured the Breeders’ Cup Turf in what to me had been the most exciting Breeders’ Cup race to that time, particularly after a few others I had liked had not been able to win. His victory was one of determination. That always speaks to me.

But it was after the race he endeared himself to me, and echoed what a friend had said a few days ago about how the sport should always be about the love of the horse and everything else should be secondary. That may not ring true to handicappers, but few sports have a living breathing animal counterpart who–I have heard it said–is at times as much a factor in how the race plays out, in how he or she makes a run and tactics used, as the jockey can be. It is very true to me that the love of the horse, as sentimental as that sounds in a sport that can also be ruled by the dollar or the bottom line, should be part of what draws people in and keeps them captivated. A horse running in full flight, determined to excel, means more to me than any payout on a winning bet. Connection to the sport for some may be because of bets and payouts. That’s fine. Betting is part of the formula to keep racing going forward. To me, though it is about the horse.

Talismanic’s trainer hitting the ground in sheer uncontainable excitement after his horse won; even a simple thing like Talismanic trying to take a nibble of the bouquet of flowers in his victory garland, and the way his connections greeted him with completely spontaneous applause when he came back to the barn–all of this made his win a highlight, and made him one of my new favorites. And it was all because of those moments of connection to him, even on an opposite coast and through a TV screen. So yes, it definitely is about the love of the horse for me and that was an apt reminder of what my friend had said a few days before.

The other moment I hoped for was to see Gun Runner continue his run to excellence in the Classic. Yet I almost had a feeling of not wanting to jinx him, given had favorites’ chances had played out, silly as that may sound.

I was nearly beside myself when he was in charge into the stretch and didn’t relinquish his lead, proving his dominance throughout the latter half of the year held strong. I know Arrogate had a lot of backers, but I had never been on the bandwagon for him; Gun Runner had just captivated me to such an extent no other older horse could split that.

It is incredibly fun to be in a room with other racing fans, even if you’re not at a track, when a favored horse wins and fully express that jubilation. I’m usually pretty reserved but when Gun Runner captured the Classic, I jumped up and down and hugged my friend, elated at his win. The elation even fed off of the excitement of others who were present and equally enthused.  Again, it was about the love of the horse, so fitting on a day to showcase some of the best in training at the time.

The Breeders’ Cup ended on an incredibly high note for me with that victory.

 

I was grateful for the opportunity to visit these properties in October 2017. Hill n Dale has long been one of my favorite farms. It exudes serenity, with the trees close to the farm roads, and the architecture of its barn also captivates me. And to visit the farm where Man o’ War held court at stud as part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of his birth, marked in a myriad of ways in Lexington throughout 2017, was an opportunity that had never presented itself to me before, and one I was eager to have. The history of racing, from its earliest days to some of its most golden eras, as well to during more recent times, has always fascinated me. To have a chance to see where one of the top Thoroughbreds ever foaled spent so many years invoked a feeling of reverence, just to see where he once lived.

 

A look inside Man o’ War’s roomy stall; (low quality due to being a phone photo, the lens on my “real” camera was too large to get a photo of it this close up)

Another look at the bell rung when his progeny won races

Headstones of some of the famed horses buried near Man o’ War’s barn

Highlighting the October meet with some of my favorite photos and moments

 

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!