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