HRN: Through the lens: Scenes from Justify's Triple Crown triumph

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

Through the lens: Scenes from Justify's Triple Crown triumph

"There is a certain air of electricity at Belmont Park when a Triple Crown is on the line. Suspense builds throughout the day like the plot of an action movie as the Belmont Stakes approaches. Throngs of fans fill the vast grandstand apron, many of them donning some sort of support for the horse making a bid for racing’s most illustrious prize.

It was only three years ago when American Pharoah rocked not only the racing world, but the sports world, when he ended the longest drought in Triple Crown history by becoming the first horse in 37 years to sweep the series. But recency could not diminish the allure of the potential of a history-making moment.

This year, all eyes were on yet another charge from the hair of the white-haired wizard Bob Baffert in a robust, eye-catching chestnut colt named Justify. Although the colt owned by a conglomerate of owners (WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC, and Starlight Racing) had no enduring drought to end, he still had a magnitude of history to make. . ."

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Through the lens: Scenes from Keeneland's spring meet

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

Through the lens: Scenes from Keeneland's spring meet

"Mother Nature has kept the state of Kentucky on its toes this year. Just when spring appears to finally be flourishing, wintry weather strikes again, leaving the Bluegrass State wondering if winter will ever leave. Kentucky weather is notorious for being unpredictable and temperamental; it’s difficult to know what it will throw at you.

But one thing is certain about spring in Kentucky: a wonderful time at Keeneland spent watching excellent racing. . ."

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HRN: Photos from beautiful Keeneland's opening weekend

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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. . ."

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HRN: My First Trip to Saratoga: A Photo Essay

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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. . ."

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HRN: Photo Blog: Stephen Foster Night at Churchill Downs

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Photo Blog: Stephen Foster Night at Churchill Downs

"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 Runner, McCraken, and Forever Unbridled, the atmosphere was electric as the sun began to set on Louisville, Kentucky. . ."

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HRN: Photo Blog: 2017 Houston Racing Festival

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Photo Blog: 2017 Houston Racing Festival

"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. . ."

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HRN: 2016 Breeders' Cup: A Photo Essay by Mary Cage

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

2016 Breeders' Cup: A Photo Essay by Mary Cage

"Hollywood is known for being home to worldwide stars, but this weekend the Los Angeles area hosted an all-star cast of Thoroughbred athletes and horsemen for the 33^rd Breeders' Cup – the ninth one to be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. But this year's Breeders' Cup may have presented an especially star-studded cast, pitting multiple champions against one another. This ultimately resulted in showdowns for the ages, making the 2016 Breeders' Cup one to remember. . ."

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HRN: Photo Blog: Keeneland Fall Stars Weekend 2016

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Photo Blog: Keeneland Fall Stars Weekend 2016

"Nestled in the heart of horse country, Keeneland is the perfect setting for world-class horse racing. Covered in bluegrass, dotted with trees, embellished in stone, and filled with fashionable, enthusiastic fans, the Lexington, Ky. track is somehow simultaneously idyllic and dynamic – making for the perfect racing experience. This previous weekend, Keeneland kicked off its 17-day fall meet with a star-studded lineup over the first three days that has deemed the season opener "Fall Stars Weekend."

Beautiful fall weather attracted large crowds each day, allowing the track to set a new Fall Stars attendance record of 66,437. Over the span of three days, Keeneland hosted nine graded stakes – including five grade ones and a total of seven Breeders' Cup Win and You're In races.

Although these stakes races were the highlight of the weekend, race days at Keeneland provided for an abundance of other great races, unique sights and sounds, and an overall quality experience. . ."

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HRN: 2016 Lone Star Park Meet in Photos

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2016 Lone Star Park Meet in Photos

"Lone Star Park became my second home this year – second only to my actual home, of course. Texas racing has fallen upon hard times, but the Grand Prairie track has always been one of my favorite places and I made an effort to make it there every weekend I possibly could during its spring Thoroughbred meet.

Whether it was under the blindingly bright sunny skies of the morning or afternoon, brilliantly colorful sunset skies of the evening, or the dark skies of the night, times spent at Lone Star were enjoyable. Old friendships were strengthened, new friendships were formed, and – of course – old and new favorite Texas racehorses brought a smile to my face.

It was rare that I visited the track without my camera, and by the time the meet ended this past weekend, I had taken thousands upon thousands of photos at the beautiful Texas track. With so many trips to the track, I was able to experiment with my photography, and ended up with some of my new favorite photos. It was a terrific spring meet at Lone Star, and I will always have these photos by which to remember it..."

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HRN: 2016 Belmont Stakes Weekend: A Photo Essay

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2016 Belmont Stakes Weekend: A Photo Essay

"As my plane prepared for landing on my first expedition to New York City, I kept my eyes on the sights below me from my window seat, anxious to catch my first glimpse of the world-famous skyline. But an unexpected sight caught my eye instead. Below me was Belmont Park, the ultimate destination for my trip.

I gazed at the track below me – in awe of its size even thousands of feet in the air. I imagined Secretariat “moving like a tremendous machine” as he powered around the far turn to turn in the most impressive performance in horse racing history, as well American Pharoah – the horse who, a year earlier, had become the first Triple Crown in my lifetime. In wonderment, I inwardly told myself that I would soon stand at that very track to attend a Triple Crown race for the first time in my life – the 2016 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). . ."

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HRN: Photo Blog: A Visit to the Bluegrass

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Photo Blog: A Visit to the Bluegrass

"More than 20,000 foals are born each year – more than 7,000 of which breathe their first breaths of life in the Kentucky bluegrass. Spring in the Lexington, Kentucky, area is a magical time – a time when the pastures of green rolling hills are full of mares whose foals nap or romp alongside them.

But just how many of those youngsters go on to be champions? A numbered few. Those who do achieve such greatness on the track or in the breeding shed have their names etched in the books, garnering awe and respect.

While on a brief visit to Kentucky last week, I was able to see Thoroughbreds in each stage of their life – from young foals to retired warriors. The Bluegrass is unlike any other place, and is home to some of the world’s most elite Thoroughbreds – whether they be on a farm or at the track. . ."

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HRN: Opening Weekend at Keeneland: A Photo Essay

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

Opening Weekend at Keeneland: A Photo Essay

"All elements of the weather were present on opening weekend at Keeneland: rain, wind, sun, and even a wintry mix of snow, sleet and hail. The spring meet was beckoned in with winter-like weather, but signs of springs were present at the Lexington, Kentucky, track nonetheless. The turf course and infield were a deep, bright green and the trees dotting the racecourse were beginning to bloom, boasting their attractive flowers to provide for a beautiful backdrop. . ."

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HRN: Rebel Stakes Day 2016: A Photo Essay

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Rebel Stakes Day 2016: A Photo Essay

"As a chilly breeze traveled through the air, the sun peeked through the clouds as it rose above the horizon to offer a sliver of warmth to the dozens of fans that dotted the track apron of Oaklawn Park on the morning of Saturday, March 19, 2016. Not only was it Dawn at Oaklawn – an event held on Saturday mornings for fans to enjoy and learn more about morning training – but it was Rebel Stakes Day.

One of the highlights of Oaklawn’s Racing Festival of the South, the Grade II Rebel Stakes has been an important stepping stone for a countless number of Triple Crown race winners – most notably American Pharoah, the hero that just last year ended the 37-year Triple Crown drought. With a $900,000 purse up for grabs this year, the Kentucky Derby prep race attracted a full field of fourteen – but it was not the only notable race of the day. Also on the card were the Grade III Azeri Stakes and the Grade II Razorback Handicap. . ."

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HRN: A Night of Quarter Horse Racing: A Photo Essay

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A Night of Quarter Horse Racing: A Photo Essay

"Just one week after attending Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland, I made the much shorter journey to my home track, Lone Star Park. Although a smaller venue, Lone Star hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2004 – an event Keeneland will be hosting for the first time at the end of the month. However, on Saturday night, I was not attending any Thoroughbred races. Rather, I was there for a big night of Quarter Horse racing.

Thoroughbred racing has a much larger following, due to its long history and many traditions. But, like Thoroughbred racing, Quarter Horse racing features speedy equine athletes – the fastest in the world, in fact.  . ."

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HRN: Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland: A Photo Essay

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

Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland: A Photo Essay

"I had left behind warm, sunny weather in Texas to arrive somewhere where it was chilly and rainy. Anyone other than a fellow racing enthusiast would have called me crazy. But I was Keeneland bound.

By the time my plane touched down at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., I could barely contain my excitement. I had visited Keeneland before, but only during its off-season. Nonetheless, its timeless beauty had captured my heart and stamped itself as my favorite racetrack. At last, I would be attending the races there.  . ."

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