Near the Hall of Champions and the road named Cigar Lane at the Kentucky Horse Park, there is a sign promoting the Park foundation. The sign reads, in part, “For the Love of the Horse.”

It was a fitting day to notice the juxtaposition of two such signs, the road sign and the foundation sign as a large crowd braved the cold rain that fell all day to honor the late, great Cigar once more.

The program began with a replay of some of his most renowned victories and when his effortless superiority shone, the applause was thunderous. It was grand to relive his historic career, made even more wonderful due to all the appreciation for him among those gathered. It chased away the initial feeling that he should be parading forth into the pavilion at any moment, as he had done during his years of residence at the Park after the tape of his races was shown.

I don’t remember Jane Beshear’s exact comments as she spoke before the statue honoring Cigar was unveiled. But I do remember that essentially she said today is not a day to grieve. Today is a day to honor Cigar and let the memories shine.

I have learned a lot about grief in the past year. So too have many of the people who gathered today, who worked with and knew Cigar well during his racing career, and who knew him and worked with him in retirement at the Park. Wes Lanter summed it up very well when he said he could still almost see Cigar in the afternoons running down to his corner of his paddock and rearing almost vertically.

There were a few teary eyes among those gathered, mine briefly included. But the memories were so much stronger and sweeter than grief, and having been fortunate enough to be face-to-face with Cigar as much as possible over the years, I knew that to be true. It is an adjustment to make when a life ends, as always. And if it was deeply treasured, the people whose lives were touched by that life will often find themselves having counted how much time they had to share, or what that life meant to them. I think, then, when you reflect on what that life meant to you and can find the joy in the memories, even as it may still be mingled with a bit of sadness,
that is when healing begins. Time never makes it whole, but it does help.

Cigar’s Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott spoke briefly, after joking about how they managed to get him to speak after all. He was framed by a background of golden leaves and flanked by two incredible photographs of Cigar set on easels on either side of a podium. Cigar’s spirit shone through so brightly in those photos, just as brightly as he shone in the memories of Mott, jockey Jerry Bailey, the Horse Park staff, and the assembled fans.

Bill Mott speaks in honor of the champion

Bill Mott said people talk about horses that change their lives, but Cigar really was a horse that changed his life. I think he is a stellar and somewhat underrated trainer, and maybe he prefers to just let the horses he trains be his legacy, more than any words he would say. Even as good a trainer and horseman as he is, it still seems it took that confluence of destiny to have Cigar be a charge in his barn. It is hard now to imagine Cigar not being intrinsically intertwined with Bill Mott’s name, and vice versa. Together, they probably both changed each other’s lives. Who can say if anyone else would have tried Cigar on the dirt, even though he wasn’t showing his full potential on turf as his pedigree seemed to suggest he would. Either way, he was in the best hands with Bill Mott.

Mott also talked of everywhere he traveled with Cigar during his career and his incredible 16 race win streak, at the highest levels of competition, all around the country and even the world. He said people still come up to him and say how grateful they are they got to see Cigar and that he was brought to a particular track near them. He also spoke of the people he met and friendships he made due to traveling with Cigar, and how many of those still endure today.
Jerry Bailey spoke next, and said he couldn’t promise he wouldn’t get emotional. I fully understood. Cigar just moved people that way, even if they didn’t get to work with him or know him one-on-one. I got tears in my eyes just seeing him the first time in person. Many incredible horses like Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and American Pharoah have come along recently, and all of their careers I followed or am following with avid interest, and I feel lucky to see them. But Cigar still ranks above all the horses I’ve seen race, and I am sure always will. Campaigns like his are just rare these days, and while there are still many ways for horses to show their heart and mettle, it seems he showed just how much depth there can be to the Thoroughbred. Not even just to the Thoroughbred, but to Cigar. He is in a realm of his own among the racehorses of the last 20 years.

Jerry Bailey

Bailey said he had never loved horses before Cigar, and to him they were just a means to an end, a part of his job. Not that he didn’t have a rapport with them, clearly, but I suppose it makes sense when you ride a multitude of horses day in and day out.

Then Cigar came along, and he said he still doesn’t know how he got the mount, but every day he’s grateful for that. He said he went from being a person who never loved horses to being at the barn with Cigar constantly. He did get emotional, but it was all so wonderfully genuine and an echo of the feelings of many present I’m sure. Bailey was the lucky one who got to ride him for the majority of his career, but all of us who saw him were likely to have left touched by that incredible presence he had, and in a sense that made him everyone’s horse. It was not a presence that necessarily invited familiarity, but it certainly drew you in and made him linger in your memory.

Bailey also said people asked him why he let Cigar run as soon as he did in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He said it was because Cigar was pulling so hard, he couldn’t feel his fingers and he may have dropped the whip or the reins if he didn’t let him go, and that is when a tour-de-force of power began, capping a perfect 10-for-10 season and fully clinching Horse of the Year honors for the first time. It was likely a foregone conclusion he’d be Horse of the Year even before his triumph in the Classic but that completely sealed it, as surely if his name had already been etched onto the Eclipse Award.

Jerry Bailey speaks about Cigar
quick note about the above video link: my battery began running low so it cuts out abruptly but it is still great to hear his memories of Cigar

Adrian Wallace of Coolmore, where Cigar briefly stood at stud until his infertility was discovered, also spoke of the impact the champion had on him. He said he was 12 at the time Cigar was racing, but it seems Cigar’s legacy – the legacy of what could have been – perhaps is still a part of Coolmore as well. Wallace said everyone wanted to come to Coolmore just to see Cigar, breeding to him aside, so that when it was discovered he was infertile, the Horse Park seemed like the best place for him to be so everyone who wanted to could see him.

Wallace also said Cigar influenced the course of his life, as far as being involved in racing and wanting to work for Coolmore.

It was just incredible to hear what a difference one horse, one truly unforgettable horse, can make.

Then Mott and Bailey stood near Cigar’s grave site, blanketed in white flowers and now with the statue presiding over the quiet spot where he lays at rest, just outside the paddock he called home for so long. Memories like Lanter’s still see him in that paddock, as though part of him left his indelible mark. No doubt it did, and now those memories of him in that paddock are forever solidified in the bronze statue sculpted by Douwe Blumberg.

The Horse Park provided one last incredible tribute to Cigar’s legacy, as did everyone involved in bringing the statue into existence. It will stand now as the lasting tribute even as other residents of the Hall of Champions come and go. It was assuredly a day when the slogan “For the love of the horse” was shown once more to ring true….. for “the unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar!”

A large crowd packed the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Lounge at Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Classic post position draws on October 26th, 2015. Victor Espinoza, Joe Bravo, and Bill Farish were among the racing luminaries in attendance.

Anticipation rippled throughout the crowd during the draw and intensified, a prelude to the excitement of when these horses become the flesh and blood horses in the starting gate for their respective races, more than just names on a screen.

Cheers rocked the temporary yet nicely appointed setting when American Pharoah’s name was read in combination with his post position. It was a loud measure of the welcome that awaits him when he arrives at Keeneland and when he parades to the track in the procession for the Classic.

The Lounge was decked in purple and gold, naturally, and filled also with good food and friends.

With the draws achieved, and night falling over the track, we are now one day closer to the highly anticipated Cup. The fields are set and the initial odds are noted.

Keeneland is nearly ready. Lexington is ready. All is ready.

October 25, 2015: The first edition of Breakfast at the Breeders’ Cup

There was a strong sense of excitement and anticipation in the air and by the rail as people congregated for the first special morning edition of workouts at the track, launching Breeders’ Cup week with an array of horses entered in the championship races appearing on the track mostly wearing their Breeders’ Cup saddle towels, identifying them by name, uniquely assigned numbers, and the name of the race they were expected to race in. Keeneland’s Betologists were spread across the track apron to hand out lists of the entrants matched to the numbers they’d been assigned and categorized by race, and also to provide insight based on seeing the horses on the track, if desired.

The workouts were listed as beginning at 7 a.m. At this time of year, there isn’t any daylight by then, so I came a bit later, hoping to get good photos but not wanting to miss many of the horses even while conditions weren’t ideal for photography. Commentators announced which horses were working and spoke of their potential chances in their respective races, and how they had trained so far or were looking this morning. They also mentioned that quite a few horses had worked even earlier than 7. Understandable, since morning training does start before 7.

However, there was still a plethora of contenders to see. Holy Lute, who I was so impressed by early in the meet, was the first one on the track around the time I arrived that made me stop and look. He’s not dark bay like his sire Midnight Lute, but he is a tall and solidly built horse. In that regard, he is reminscient of his sire. He ran against the top notch Grand Arch earlier this month, but you never know what can happen in a Breeders’ Cup race. He’s got a stellar sprinter as a sire, after all.

Liam’s Map, a Classic contender, also was quite eye-catching. He too is dapple gray like Holy Lute, but in a darker shade. It was still too dark to get decent photos of him as well, but seeing those two was still worth being out that early.

Lea was the first horse I’d heard of that made a track appearance as the light began to illuminate the sky. The forecast had called for a rainy morning, so I was appreciative that no rain fell on this first of two days I will get to see the Breeders’ Cup workouts. My day job calls the next two days but I will be back Wednesday morning, fresh on the heels of American Pharoah’s Tuesday afternoon arrival, when it is expected he should take to the track at some point. Hopefully while it is daylight.

Lea

Then my friend and I heard that Beholder had been on the training track and was making her way to the paddock to school. A chance to see a horse of her caliber was absolutely not to be missed so we made our way to the paddock along with a horde of other photographers. I read when I returned to Lexington after three days away that she had spiked a mild fever, but appeared to be doing fine now. As she entered the paddock, she looked the picture of health and well-being, taking a calm interest in her surroundings. Her trainer had her go from saddling stall to saddling stall several times, finally explaining that they didn’t know what post position she’d have to the laughter of the gathered crowd. Beholder …. well she really is a horse to behold and took everything in stride. I did initially see her when she worked at Dawn at the Downs in her Oaks year, but she has made such a name for herself since then that I definitely wanted new photos of her and to see her once more. The Classic can be filled with intriguing storylines and backgrounds of the horses entered, as can many of the Breeders’ Cup races. Yet even with a race that can hold such interest, I find this one perhaps the most intriguing I’ve seen since Zenyatta’s, with two horses like American Pharoah and Beholder going head-to-head. That is not to discount the rest of the field, naturally all top horses themselves, but the idea of a Triple Crown winner and one of the most accomplished mares to come along in a while competing against each other is such a compelling draw.

Beholder in one of the saddling stalls

As Beholder entered the paddock and began to walk around the circular paths nearest the entrance, a bay colt with a pony entered behind her and walked the whole length of the paddock, presumably going to the track. I only turned to watch him go briefly before turning back to Beholder because one photographer nearby said that he is Cocked and Loaded, on of the top Juvenile entrants. Also, as I wrote in a previous post, he was bred by Bob Austin, whom I briefly worked for this spring. I am intrigued to see what Cocked and Loaded does. While I never worked with him and was just at the farm a short time before most of their broodmares shipped out of Kentucky and they therefore didn’t require additional help, I still take an interest in him just because I did have a connection with the farm that bred and raised him.

As Beholder entered the smaller walking ring, she seemed to anticipate being expected to head through the tunnel and onto the main track, turning her head that way several times. We had been told several Breeders’ Cup contenders had opted for the training track due to the sloppy conditions of the main track today, after all the rain from yesterday and through the night last night.

Then we settled into the grandstand to watch several more Breeders’ Cup contenders make their appearances on track.

That concluded the first morning of Breakfast at the Breeders’ Cup. The fall colors are just perfect right now, and I walked through a barn just to get another dose of that Keeneland serenity.

The traditional final weekend of the Keeneland fall meet provided a glorious backdrop for the racing rituals as the tree leaves were turning crimson and gold at last. I had been out of town for three of the week’s four race days, so this was my first opportunity to see how it looked like a true fall meet.

The weather was rainy off and on, but fortuitously didn’t fall heavily until the last race concluded. The intermittent rain left its mark on the turf course, and all races were contested on the main track, including the closing day stakes race. Interestingly from patrons’ standpoints, a larger than usual number of races began and ended in front of the grandstand, and included a mile race, which I believe is a race distance not typically used at Keeneland but rolled out during this meet because of the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The last race was run, the last horse went back to the barn, the trailers rolled in to take the horses shipping out, Corey Lanerie won his first leading jockey title at Keeneland, and the crowds went home. There was a bit of that usual wistful feeling that the meet is over, though it didn’t fully hit me until I went to the track kitchen for another taste of bread pudding and happened to glance at the photos of renowned horses on its wall that my nephews had sought out earlier in the meet, looking for years that coincided with their birth dates. But then, that did have more to do with wanting to see them than missing the meet even though it just concluded.

After all, there are three more days of racing and this is merely an interlude, a conclusion so there can be a new beginning…. a highly anticipated beginning of Keeneland’s first Breeders’ Cup. After all the wait and all the preparations, the moment is nearly at hand. I feel so lucky it is all happening practically in my backyard.

Meet’s end
and illumination

the interesting silks that catch one’s eye

a row of neatly arranged braids mirroring the curve of a horse’s neck

the focus on a jockey’s face as he readies himself to get a leg up

a glimpse into the eye of a Thoroughbred

the gleam of an athlete’s coat

the “look” that draws you in

saddling under the trees, so picturesque

the sun illuminating the famed sycamore

the bond between horse and groom

first time by

shadows across the track

dapples

game face on

eventual winner passing by (and a name in common with mine)

to the lead

more dapples

running for home

a famous face

Rachel’s Valentina

reflections of Rachel

beautiful and sweet

day’s end

All taken at Keeneland, October 17, 2015

Wise Dan was paraded through the paddock after his recent retirement on day 2 of the fall meet. Fans, Keeneland employees, and horseplayers alike couldn’t resist turning to watch as he passed and there were smiles all around as he went by. His history is intrinsically intertwined with Keeneland’s, through a long illustrious career. The highlights were recited by announcer Kurt Becker as Wise Dan walked down the track once more, making it even clearer why so many had paused and turned to watch this living legend pass their way.

As for the day’s racing, the Grade 3 Woodford Stakes was part of the track’s traditional Fallstars weekend, good horses and top races being a sort of prelude to the Breeders’ Cup at month’s end.

The “parade” of stakes races continued with the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America. Champion and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Judy the Beauty was among the entrants, eventually placing third.

The next stakes race on tap that I watched was the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity for two-year-olds. It was won by Brody’s Cause and Corey Lanerie.

The Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile concluded the stakes races for the first Saturday of the fall meet.

Keeneland Fall Meet, Day 3

The Grade 3 Dixiana Bourbon

The Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster

California Chrome was recently showcased at Taylor Made for fans, media, and anyone who is intrigued by racing. It was my first glimpse of the chestnut colt since watching him win the Kentucky Derby over a year ago, and he is wonderful to photograph. He has since left Taylor Made to go back into training, but will return as a stallion when his racing career concludes. Below are a few of my images of him from that day and a few other photos from Taylor Made. This event was a bit of a preview of how fan-friendly many more of the farms are trying to become with the launch of Horse Country, Inc. It was a wonderful precursor to that.

The star of the hour, California Chrome

Not to be outdone, Graydar displays his class as well.

The visit concluded with seeing some broodmares, foals, and yearlings.