In this post, I will continue to share photos from my recent trip to Kentucky. Click here to read my previous Kentucky posts. Today I will share photos I took of racing at Keeneland in Lexington.
The Keeneland grandstand and apron are quiet in the morning, but will soon fill with patrons.
Pictured above is the lobby of the historic Keeneland Clubhouse, one of the track’s luxury venues.
Horses can be found schooling in the paddock and walking ring in the morning.
The Winner’s Circle is where every owner, trainer, and jockey dreams of standing.
Aside from a world class racetrack, Keeneland also has a sales pavilion, where many world class horses are bought at auction each year.
A horse is walked in the paddock prior to a race.
Ans they’re off!
Margoinabubblebath wins a starter allowance race with Corey Lanerie in the irons.
I enjoy watching races from the grandstand. You really get a great view from up high.
The bugler plays the call to the post.
Frankie Dettori on Allamericanbeauty after winning an allowance race.
I like to capture the races from all different locations. While up in the grandstand is my favorite, at the rail has a certain excitement to it.
The clouds were cooperating perfectly that day.
Pony riders ride past me at the rail after the start of the race.
Analyst Andie Biancone rides by on her pony.
Down the stretch they come.
Distinctlypossible wins an allowance race with Tyler Gaffalione at the helm. She later went on to win the Serena’s Song Stakes at Monmouth Park earlier this month.
Three-year-old filly Love Reigns (IRE) was the winner of the Limestone Stakes with Joel Rosario onboard.
Love Reigns and Joel Rosario return to the front side after the race.
I made my way down to the rail and got a shot of her walking by.
Fans were able to give one of the ponies a pet down at the rail.
Praise and Honor (the #8) wins an allowance race with Joseph Rocco onboard. Chi Town Lady (the #9), who came in third, won the Grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga last summer.
Irad Ortiz rides Travel Column.
An outrider passes by the rail.
Chi Town Lady is walked back after her race.
Irad Ortiz rides Up to the Mark to a third place finish in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile. While he didn’t win this one, he scored a win his next time out in the G1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day. It was an emotional win for owner Mike Repole, whose horse Forte, the favorite in the Derby, had been scratch from the race earlier that morning.
Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Modern Games (IRE) was the favorite, but he ultimately came in second.
And they’re off! The horses head toward the finish line for the first time in the Maker’s Mark Mile.
Around the backstretch they go!
It was French-bred, French-owned, French-trained, and French-ridden Chez Pierre (FR) who was victorious, with Flavien Prat onboard.
Winner’s Circle ceremonies are held out on the turf at Keeneland for big races like this one.
Chez Pierre is walked back after the race.
Keeneland, you did not disappoint!
While I’m sharing all my Kentucky trip photos, I wanted to share this video I made. It sums up my entire trip in two minutes. Email subscribers, click here to watch the video.
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 III: Racing at Keeneland”
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Beautiful!