Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Kaknight

I love this guy. I just had to show you some pictures of him today, because, well, it seems like a good day for some entertaining pictures.

This horse cracks me up; he really does. This is just the start of one of his inevitable funny faces. See that lower lip starting to move?

The faces he makes, oh, the faces.

Knight, this may not be your best look. But hey, I can relate to feeling like that about things sometimes.

When all is not right with the world, though, I never cease to be amused by this 1,000 pound creature. And you can never have too much laughter.

Happy Presidents' Day, everyone!

Where I Wish I Was Today

It's opening day for the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita; first post is at 1 pm PST. Colorful silks, roaring crowds, thundering hooves...there's bound to be excitement in the air. And I say "bound" because I'm not actually there, so I really can't say for sure. But I'm willing to bet on it. Speaking of bets, I'm off to do some handicapping.

One-Two-Three

I can hear the horses long before I (or my camera) can see them. The sound that predominates on the track is a gentle noise that defies description; it sounds as though you were to put your lips together and breathe out hard, and then repeat in a rhythmic in a phhhhhph-phhhhhph-phhhhhph-phhhhhph. And that sound is followed by a slow crescendo in 4 beat, as the horses gallop toward you.

It's a sound (and a feeling) that is both comforting and exciting. It's the sound of horses on the track.

Stride for stride, these horses seem to be in sync (not to be confused with the boy band).

Ready, set, go baby go.

Don't Look Now

But it's a celebrity, a racetrack sensation, by the name of Colonel John. You pretty much know that you've made it when you get a Wikipedia entry.

You might remember him from last year's Kentucky Derby, where he got some favorable betting, and ultimately finished sixth. Boy, he's a handsome fella. But I may be biased towards bay horses with a star. Especially when they stick their tongues out.

When Matchy-Matchy Doesn't Actually Bother Me

I caught this horse and rider in repose before a Sunday morning workout, quietly taking in the sounds of the track. I have to wonder how much of this coordination was intentional.