Tuesday, October 10, 2017

HRN: Photos from beautiful Keeneland's opening weekend

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

Photos from beautiful Keeneland's opening weekend


"Although it is not my home state, Kentucky has always felt like it, particularly the Lexington area. The rolling green hills lined with wooden fences. The fields dotted with Thoroughbreds grazing and frolicking. The sign of the horse everywhere  on street signs, in ads downtown, in road names.

But one place in particular truly feels like home: Keeneland.

Nestled on the outskirts of Lexington, bordered by Blue Grass Airport and the historic Calumet Farm, and overlooking beautiful Kentucky scenery, Keeneland is certainly in the heart of horse country. Each year – for three weeks in the spring, and three weeks in the fall – thousands of race fans enter the gates surrounded by Keeneland’s idyllic ivy-walled stone walls to witness some of the nation’s highest quality racing. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

HRN: My First Trip to Saratoga: A Photo Essay

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .

My First Trip to Saratoga: A Photo Essay


"Every racing enthusiast has a list of racetracks they hope to make it someday. As far as North American tracks go, there is probably one track that likely frequents these lists more so than others: Saratoga Race Course.

This certainly applied to me. I can name off a multitude of other tracks I would love to attend, but Saratoga seems to be one of the tracks that has eluded me. Since 1863, Saratoga has contributed some of racing's most colorful stories to the history books of the Thoroughbred. Year after year, it is the meet that attracts the attention of everyone in the industry, hosting some of the nation's most successful and promising racehorses.


But I thought it would be years before I ever made it to Saratoga. However, something fell together this summer for me to be able to make my first trip to Saratoga Springs, New York. In large part thanks to Horse Racing Nation's own Brian Zipse, I was invited to join the Young Racing Photographers Panel at Equestricon - the first-ever horse racing convention, held this summer in Saratoga Springs. In a whirlwind of events, I found myself in upstate New York to attend not only racing's most illustrious track, but its very first celebration and fan festival.


While Equestricon took up most of my time since I was only there for a few days, I was certain to spend some time at the track in the mornings - although I never got to attend a Saratoga sunrise like I've always dreamed of (maybe another trip!) - and of course go to the races.


Upon my first morning visit to the track, I was instantly blown away by the size and beauty of Saratoga, as well as the mass of people there - even in the morning. It was clear that horse racing is the culture in Saratoga Springs. In awe, I watched morning training with my camera in hand to catch the scenes. After all, it had not sunk in that I was actually at Saratoga; I would need these photos to capture the memories. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Monday, June 19, 2017

HRN: Photo Blog: Stephen Foster Night at Churchill Downs

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .



"On Churchill Downs’ biggest day (or rather, night) other than Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby Days, a crowd of more than 20,000 filed in beneath the twin spires for a special edition of Downs After Dark: Stephen Foster night. With five graded stakes on the card, featuring top horses like Gun RunnerMcCraken, and Forever Unbridled, the atmosphere was electric as the sun began to set on Louisville, Kentucky. . ."

Click http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/grandstand/Photo_Blog_Stephen_Foster_Night_at_Churchill_Downs_2017618_123 to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Monday, May 8, 2017

HRN: Racing's Future: Jade Cunningham

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .



"“Racing’s Future” is a Q&A series in which I aspire to help everyone in the industry. In addition to shining a spotlight on youth who plan to have a career in horse racing, I hope that the opinions expressed in their responses will offer industry leaders insight into what a younger audience believes the sport should improve upon.

Meet Jade Cunningham

20-year-old Jade Cunningham is originally from Nashville, Tennessee, where all her family lives, and now resides in Oklahoma. She started on the racetrack at age 12, and her love for racehorses came a couple years after that. She is currently in school working to obtain a bachelor’s degree in communications. Last summer, she worked as an assistant trainer for Danny Pish at Lone Star Park. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

HRN: Photo Blog: 2017 Houston Racing Festival

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .



"There is a saying that goes, "Everything is bigger in Texas." Growing up in the Lone Star State, I know all too well that this applies to the state itself. It takes several hours to drive from one big city to the next. 

I have been to tracks across the country (Belmont in New York; Churchill, Keeneland and Turfway in Kentucky; Oaklawn in Arkansas; Remington in Oklahoma; and Santa Anita in California), but up until this weekend, the only track in my home state I had been to was Lone Star Park - the closest racetrack to me and the track I frequent during their spring meet. Eventually, that had to change. This year's Houston Racing Festival seemed like the perfect opportunity for my first trip to Sam Houston Race Park. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

HRN: Racing's Future: Devon Dougherty

Each time I post a new article on my Horse Racing Nation blog, I post a notice on this blogThese notices include an excerpt from the beginning of that article and a link to the piece. My latest Horse Racing Nation article is. . .



"“Racing’s Future” is a Q&A series in which I aspire to help everyone in the industry. In addition to shining a spotlight on youth who plan to have a career in horse racing, I hope that the opinions expressed in their responses will offer industry leaders insight into what a younger audience believes the sport should improve upon.

Meet Devon Dougherty

From Philadelphia, Pa., Devon Dougherty has been a fan of racing her entire life, being raised in a horse racing family. She has worked at Parx Racing as a hot walker and groom for the past two years and is starting to learn to gallop horses. She is currently a freshman at the Community College of Philadelphia, and will go on to the University of Kentucky to earn her bachelor’s degree in Equine Science. After college, she plans to apply to the Godolphin Flying Start Program and eventually get her trainer’s license. . ."

Click here to read the rest of my newest Horse Racing Nation article.