Photography Friday – Fairgrounds Race Course
I don’t consider myself a horse racing aficionado by any means, but I can’t help but love watching horse racing in person… and photographing it! In honor of the Preakness tomorrow, I decided to post some of my favorite horse racing pictures.
These were all taken at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. I haven’t been to many tracks, but I was so impressed with Fair Grounds each time I visited. The place is impeccably clean. The tack paddock doubles as a Bloody Mary & raw oyster bar, and they have the best bread pudding in the city (in my opinion). Of course leave it to New Orleans to have a smancy race track with amazing food and drink!
Random fact – Black Gold (the race horse Marguerite Henry wrote a novel about) is also buried her. I literally ran into his grave marker during Jazz Fest one year (they hold a music festival at the race track in the off season) and was so excited! I loved that book.
So that’s my little horse racing Friday for ya. My favorite horse from the Kentucky Derby was Commanding Curve, but since he’s not running in the Preakness then I’ll be rooting for California Chrome. Would be great to see a Triple Crown winner in my lifetime!
Do you think California Chrome has what it takes?
10 thoughts on “Photography Friday – Fairgrounds Race Course”
I was indifferent about racing before I got an OTTB with saddle scars, a scarred/twisted/engorged tongue, and head shy/whip shy issues. Now I don’t care for it, though I recognize that not all racehorses are treated improperly (and that Fiction’s issues pale in comparison to others!). Just not my cup of tea. Love the pictures though!
Jezebel won a race at the fairgrounds! There was a picture of her from the winners circle and everything. Of course, that was probably around 2000.
I got to go to the Preakness once, I have to say that Pimlico isn’t that fancy. It’s more blue collar, I guess a lot like Baltimore itself!
I was cheering for Hoppertunity until he was scratched, now I’m pulling for California Chrome. His owners just seem so likeable and I love the story behind their silks design.
I would love for California Chrome to go all the way and sweep the triple crown because its been so long. Though I think Wicked Strong if he runs in the Belmont could upset it, what a closer.
What happened in the second to last picture? Looks like he ended up on the wrong side of the starting gate!
The horse broke early, and the rider and the in-gate person had to spin them around so they didn’t take off down the track. Rider hopped down in the next shot.
I was rooting for Vicar’s In Trouble because we have two horses at our barn by his broodmare sire, Vicar. Of course, I would love to see a Triple Crown winner!
Man, I do love watching horse races, even though I have my strong opinions on them, as you know ( http://ourhouseonahill.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/up-on-the-soapbox-the-racing-industry/ ). I will be rooting for California Chrome as well, if only because his owners are hilarious and I too would love to see a Triple Crown winner in my lifetime!
I loved the Black Gold book! I’m hoping for a Triple Crown winner too!
As always, your photos are gorgeous, Lauren. We love California Chrome as he is connected in all the right ways to our very own county (Kern). We bet on him for the Derby, and we have bets on for Saturday, too. Best of luck to him; I, too, would love to see a Triple Crown winner. :0)