Sharing with you my fascinating discoveries about Thoroughbred racing, sales, fashion, food, beverage, tips and more.
Last weekend was a maiden for me. I took my first trip to Thistledown to see the Ohio Derby. It was as thrilling as I had anticipated. I loved the full day of racing and especially the feature that included 4 horses from this year’s Kentucky Derby. The race was a photo finish for Girvin and the winner, Irap. I can not forget the roar of the racing fans as the two approached the finish line. You just can’t beat live racing!
Continue reading “Thistledown Thoroughbred Thrills”
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Good morning, racing fans! The action never stops. Last weekend was a wrap for the Triple Crown series. Congratulations to Tapwrit for winning the Belmont Stakes. Now, we can turn our attention towards the collecting of contenders for the next Breeders’ Cup World Championships as the Challenge Series is underway.
Continue reading “Churchill’s Champions”
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Get ready to witness The Run for the Carnations! This week closes out with The Test of the Champion(s), The Third Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes! While there will be no Triple Crown winner this year, the energy in the air is still very electrifying. Racing fans everywhere can not wait to see who wins the 149th running of the Grade I, Belmont. Here’s the scoop.
Continue reading “Belmont Bulletin”
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Happy Memorial Day! Today we recognize our fallen heroes. Many great men and women have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Animals have served as well. While many of them perished in battle many survived. Sergeant Reckless is one of the greatest of America’s War Horses.
Sergeant Reckless became a Marine on October 26, 1952 when she was about 3 to 4 years old. She was a Korean horse, a Jeju pony. Her original translated name was Flame of the Morning and she was sold to Lieutenant Eric Pedersen. Sergeant Reckless hauled ammunition in the Korean War. During the Battle for Outpost Vegas she was wounded while carrying more than 9,000 pounds of supplies, ammunition and soldiers. While injured she worked for 3 days. One day alone she made 51 trips, a distance of 35miles while carrying the explosives. Each shell she carried weighed over 20 pounds and she toted as many as 9 at a time.
Sergeant Reckless began her career as a private. She was twice promoted first to corporal then to staff sergeant. She was injured twice during her active duty and received two Purple Hearts. She was well decorated. After the war she moved to America and stayed at Camp Pendleton. She gave birth to 4 foals before injuring herself on a fence and passing away during a medical procedure at about age 20.
There are memorials for Sergeant Reckless at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and at Camp Pendleton. Each was sculpted by Jocelyn Russell. Currently the Kentucky Horse Park is accepting donations to have a large sculpture placed at their National Museum of the Horse.
Make time today to honor the great people who sacrificed their lives for our country. It is a nice day to visit a cemetery and reflect on the brave soldiers that gave all. If visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps or Camp Pendleton, check out the monuments to Sergeant Reckless.
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It’s the centennial celebration for this super stallion! Man o’ War, also known as Big Red, is one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time. He was foaled on March 29, 1917 and in honor of the 100th year since his birth, there are multiple festivities and events taking place all year long.
Continue reading “The Mostest: Man o’ War”
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Here we go, racing fans! Up next, is the second jewel. Will we get a Triple Crown winner? History would predict it is unlikely but the fans know what they want. The early favorite for the Preakness Stakes is no other than, Always Dreaming, winner of the Kentucky Derby. Check out his competition here.
Continue reading “Preakness Perspective”
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The 143rd Kentucky Derby took place a week ago today! It was every bit as surprising and thrilling as I had imagined. The race dates back to 1875 but aspects of the race’s traditions were in the making so many years prior. Great things were happening in KY that built the foundation of the state’s modern day Thoroughbred greatness. Many of the KY Derby bloodlines and customs were under development at My Old Kentucky Home long before Churchill Downs held its first race.
Continue reading “My Old Kentucky Home-The Race is On!”
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Welcome to the 143rd consecutive running of the Kentucky Derby! We have waited a long time to get to this historical moment and the time is upon us this weekend. Who will win The Run For The Roses?
Continue reading “Derby Digest”
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The celebration is in full swing! I started out Kentucky Derby week right. On Sunday, I went to Churchill Downs for Fan Fest. The Kentucky Derby Museum hosted a special day with museum access, tours of Churchill Downs and presentations by famous horsemen. So many activities are taking place right now ahead of the KY Derby but certainly don’t miss out when the Fillies Run for the Lillies in the 143rd Kentucky Oaks.
Continue reading “Outlook On The Oaks”
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It was a big day for Shackleford and Darby Dan Farm yesterday! As part of Horse Country, the same group I book most of my farm tours through, there was a special event, for local fans, on March 18, 2017. Tickets were limited but several area wide farms offered free tours for the day. Hot on the Kentucky Derby trail, I chose Darby Dan Farm!
Continue reading “Shake It Up Shackleford”
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