Photos from the first half of Breeders’ Cup 2011 week at Churchill Downs …
Gio Ponti takes in the early morning track activity.
Midday (center) and company return from galloping.
Turallure pauses at the top of the chute.
Goldikova heads to the track.
Goldikova kicks up her feet a little. Harmonious is at right.
Trainer Freddy Heads talks to the press after Goldikova comes off the track. He confirmed that the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile would be her final race. Asked what he hoped for on Saturday, he replied, “I want her to get a good run.”
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, outside his barn with retired Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, reminisces about Breeders’ Cup races past.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile contender Creative Cause plays around during his bath.
Flat Out in his stall. He looks sweet, doesn’t he? As though he’d like you to come over and give him a pat. I would have, but was warned off — apparently he’s a biter. Even trainer Scooter Dickey gets nipped by the big horse.
“Go Scooter! Go Scooter!” Well wishes for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Havre de Grace gets a mint from owner Rick Porter.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile favorite Union Rags, out to graze.
Game on Dude exits the track after galloping.
Outside Bob Baffert’s Churchill Downs barn.
And for a little fun! The Breeders’ Cup Classic contender cartoons.
Posted by JC in Racing on 11/02/2011 @ 3:22 pm / Tagged Backstretch, Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs, Goldikova, Training, Turf / Follow @railbird on Twitter
A food truck festival, a $100,000 stakes race, and the CANTER Showcase made this past weekend a big one for Suffolk Downs …
The crowd on the Suffolk apron, early Saturday afternoon. That mass of people stretching along the back? In line for the grilled cheese truck.
The biggest race of the year was also the best race of the year, with #2 It’s Me Mom (inside) out-bobbing favored #11 Nicole H at the wire in the six-furlong $100,000 Robert O’Malley Stakes. The final time was a swift 1:09.67 after an opening quarter in :21.17 and a half in :43.63.
It’s Me Mom, Willie Martinez up, entering the winner’s circle.
Leading rider Tammi Piermarini after finishing fourth on #9 D’Wild Ride in the Robert O’Malley Stakes.
Mr. Meso, local favorite, recently retired champion, and new racetrack pony, taking a break after the Saturday feature.
Fall colors and a beautiful sunset at Suffolk Downs on Saturday.
CANTER New England held its sixth annual Showcase on Sunday morning. Dozens of people turned out to see more than 70 horses available for sale. Here’s Krabby Patties, making a great impression with her rider.
After taking his turn through Showcase, O’Malley met a potential buyer.
Kappy charms the Showcase crowd. (He sold.)
Posted by JC in Suffolk Downs on 10/24/2011 @ 12:49 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Are you coming to Suffolk Showcase on Sunday?
Looking for a new horse? The sixth annual Suffolk Showcase is this Sunday, October 23, at Suffolk Downs. From 9:00 AM to noon, visitors will have a chance to check out dozens of great thoroughbreds ready for new careers and ask questions of trainers and owners directly. Browse the CANTER New England listings to get a sense of what’s available. It’s no exaggeration to say there’s a horse for every rider — CANTER volunteers (including me) have been busy as the Suffolk meet winds down, cataloging horses athletic and adorable. Racehorses make terrific sporthorses and companions — as the success stories Susan Salk has been publishing on Off-Track Thoroughbreds prove, there’s little these athletes can’t do when they leave the racetrack.
10/18/11 Addendum: Today’s “I want him” CANTER horse. And more!
Posted by JC in Suffolk Downs on 10/17/2011 @ 4:49 pm / Tagged CANTER NE, OTTBs, Retirement, Second Careers, Showcase / Follow @railbird on Twitter
