I recently traveled to Kentucky to photograph lots and lots of Thoroughbreds. I saw Triple Crown winners Justify and American Pharoah, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Flightline, I saw a Grade I race at Keeneland, and I got to travel to the original Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, whose satellite location I volunteer at. The one place I traveled to that sent chills down my spine, though, was Churchill Downs. Even though I preferred the ambiance at Keeneland, traveling to the track where the Kentucky Derby is run and seeing those twin spires reminded me a little bit of my first trip to Paris when I was 16 and seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. As a true francophile, it meant a lot to me. And as a racing fan, so did this. In this post I will share my favorite photos from my visit.
Traveling from Georgetown, we traveled an hour and fifteen minutes to arrive at Churchill Downs just after 6:30 AM. I love how in Kentucky, the sun rises almost an hour earlier than it does where I live in Saratoga. More time to sleep! When we arrived, there it was: The famous statue of Barbaro, winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby, who tragically died less than a year later from complications stemming from an injury he sustained during the Preakness Stakes.
Ahhhh, we’re here!
The twin spires in all their glory. When I was there, they hadn’t updated the year yet.
Having a blast!
What a thrill it was to look through (and also stand in) the Kentucky Derby gate and see the twin spires off in the distance. Tomorrow evening 20 horses will break from this gate in the 149th Run for the Roses!
A Brad Cox trainee gets a bath.
A horse gets some love on the backside.
Kentucky Derby contender Rocket Can (left) and a stable mate being exercised.
Japanese Kentucky Derby contender Derma Sotogake looking gorgeous under the early morning light.
Japanese Derby contender Continuar being ponied.
Kentucky Derby contender Disarm, ridden by exercise rider Roberto Howell, is ponied by Steve Asmussen’s assistant trainer Scott Blasi. I managed to catch Disarm at both Churchill Downs and at Keeneland!
Exercise rider Katie Tolbert rides Salute the Stars.
Steve Asmussen trainee Pauline’s Pearl is ponied.
A pair of Dale Romans trainees. Romans is the winningest trainer at Churchill Downs, but the Derby has escaped him. His also-eligible Cyclone Mischief drew into the field yesterday when Practical Move was scratched due to an elevated temperature.
Classic Smile aka Smiley is a retired Thoroughbred who resides at the Kentucky Derby Museum Stable.
Mighty Aristides aka Ari, named for the first winner of the Kentucky Derby (Aristides), is a miniature horse who acts as a companion to Smiley.
So long, Churchill Downs! I’ll be back!
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
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One thought on “Kentucky Trip Part I: Dreamin’ of the Derby at Churchill Downs”
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Fantastic!