Looking Through the Lens on Blue Grass Day
Looking Through the Lens on Blue Grass Day: The sun was still down when I left for Keeneland this morning. I was nervous. I’ve never been a member of the press and here I was, headed to Keeneland on one of their biggest days of the meet: Blue Grass Stakes day.
I arrived at 6:45, in company with my parents, to eat breakfast offered by Keeneland as I watched the morning workouts. Horses from every trainer made their way onto the dirt to give their riders and trainers some idea of how they were progressing. Having already seen faces such as Chad Brown, Shug McGaughey, and plenty others, I was, should we say, awestruck.
Keeneland has a lot to offer those who take the time to come and enjoy it. There are free tours, face painting for the kids, breakfast, a demonstration from a horse currently apart of the adoption roster from the Secretariat Center, and later in the afternoon, for those hold enough, there is a craft beer tent featuring local and popular beers.
Keeneland is one of the most beautiful, and historic, places in Kentucky. Whether that is fact or opinion rests on the shoulders of the individual. However, the spring, fall, and Breeders’ Cup meets are some of the best racing has to offer.

If the Blue Grass were a beauty contest, Gorgeous Bird would be odds-on-favorite. Photo: Casey Laughter

Horses approach the gate for the Blue Grass on a beautiful April day. Photo: Casey Laughter

The 2015 Blue Grass Stakes field parades before the race. Photo: Casey Laughter

Who will win the Blue Grass Stakes? Come to find out, seizing the day was the answer. Photo: Casey Laughter

Carpe Diem is looking to give Dortmund a run at Kentucky Derby Favorite with a win the Blue Grass. Photo: Casey Laughter

The young, less experienced Danzig Moon was no match for Carpe Diem but is still a likely starter for the 2015 Kentucky Derby following his second place finish. Photo: Casey Laughter

Leading most of the way, Pepper Roani was eventually caught by Carpe Diem. Photo: Casey Laughter

Todd Pletcher’s colt Carpe Diem knows who to seize the day. Photo: Casey Laughter

Frammento seemed to be Zito’s best shot at making the Derby. Photo: Casey Laughter

Lovely Maria passes Angela Renee in the stretch. Photo: Casey Laughter

The Grade I Ashland post parade. Photo: Casey Laughter

Buggler Calling the Ashland to Post. Photo: Casey Laughter

David Pope, of Siena Farm, poses with Family while he awaits the Grade I Ashland and Angela Renee. Photo: Casey Laughter

Grade I winner Peace and War is saddled for the Grade I Ashland. Photo: Casey Laughter

Angela Renee in the paddock before the Grade I Ashland. Photo: Casey Laughter

Just a few of the winners from last year’s spring and fall meets. Photo: Casey Laughter

Stopchargingmaria looked fantastic before her four-year-old debut. Photo: Casey Laughter

The Breeders’ Cup is coming to Keeneland in 2015. Photo: Casey Laughter

The Paddock, while empty, has seen multiple great horses. Photo: Casey Laughter

Crowds gathered throughout the day, but Keeneland comfortably accommodates everyone. Photo: Casey Laughter

The first sight I see in the morning are young Thoroughbreds training, Photo: Casey Laugher

One piece of Keeneland sets it apart: the hedge in the infield. Photo: Casey Laughter

Frammento is a star in his own mind but got no respect from the public. Photo: Casey Laughter

Keeneland April 4, 2015. Photo: Casey Laughter