It is the greatest two minutes in sports. And whether it is the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home” as the contenders for the Run for the Roses come on to the track or the roar from more than 150,000 in attendance as the horses break from the gate, the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs is an experience like no other.
Normally weighing in on average at 109 lbs. and 5’3” tall, these men and women are, pound for pound, among the strongest and finest athletes in the world.
In her book, The Training Game, author Karen Johnson captured the essence of the highs and lows trainers face each day during a racing season. “Racing is a cyclic business. Good runs come to sudden halts. Winners evaporate and losers mount. Slumps are part of the game, and trainers are not immune to them. But just as swiftly, a stable can gain momentum.”
The silhouette of trainer Michael Matz during an early Keeneland morning.
The sport of horse racing draws a varied cast of memorable characters. It is an industry often made up of families, passing their trades and skills from one generation to another. It is owners, writers, exercise riders, celebrities, stable hands and so many more. And each brings his or her unique passion and contribution to the sport.
Tranquil and serene. This is but one of many ways to describe mornings at a racetrack. Whether you are watching horses suddenly appear from the Oklahoma Training Track mist at Saratoga, or relaxing with friends over breakfast at Clockers' Corner at Santa Anita, there are few things more enjoyable for a fan of the sport than morning workouts. A racetrack comes alive as early as 5:00 am when many horses are fed breakfast, kicking off a bustle of activity on the backstretch and track throughout the duration of the morning.
