Loading Up Trusting Hearts

(Photo of Delta Storm, 2009 Breeders Cup Sprint, by John Chun)

This morning while assisting the groom in loading Delta Storm into a small two horse trailer, it occurred to me how trusting these athletes are. They are certainly used to trailering from one racetrack to another, and you hope that they will load easily. Of course, most times they are in large vans with several other horses, not a small trailer that must look oddly like a starting gate space.

This was the third horse in as many days that we have loaded onto a small trailer for their new adventure in life. And it got me to thinking how incredibly trusting race horses are. They go from person to person, not a question as to what will happen next, just assuming someone will take care of them at 4 a.m. or 4 p.m.. I felt wistful and a bit melancholy about the horses that load up not really knowing where they are going to next, but assuming at the end of the ride, someone is there to care for them. It's really all they know.

And I thought too of the tremendous responsibility The Second Race and hundreds of other groups and individuals place upon themselves to protect the horses after their racing days are over. To be sure its a daunting task day in and day out, but as I pinched Delta Storm's leg so he would bend it and I could place it on the step up trailer and help him steady himself as he walked on the trailer, it all seemed worth the trust his heart was putting in me at that moment.

I hope he and the others this week will be happy in their new lives.

Touching Greatness in a Special Way

Sometimes platitudes of greatness are thrown around to easily. In horse racing this is often the case. We talk of greatness often prematurely, and are disappointed when our hopes for a race horse don't pan out.

Luckily, I am able through my volunteering as the "Artistic Director" for the Equine Expression paintings done for CERF (California Equine Retirement Foundation in Winchester, CA) to spend my time in a unique way and give back while touching true greatness in a very special way. I have the enviable task of creating artwork with notable horses at the race track. Through the "masterpieces" created by name race horses; they (the race horses) touch those that purchase their artwork, and in turn support the retired race horses at CERF.



Equine Expressions are made using non toxic paints, some encouragement through treats, and a knowing eye when enough is enough. I work to secure the artists with the horsemen at the track, asking for a donation of the talents of their horses. The painting sessions, include pictures taken during the painting, a clipping of their tail or mane and the satisfaction of spending time around horses that mean so much to so many.





This past year I was able to paint with Lookin At Lucky, who is currently on the Triple Crown trail for the Bob Baffert barn. Other stars that offered their talents were Misremembered winner of the Big Cap at Santa Anita, and Richard's Kid who won the Pacific Classic. Evita Argentina, the multiple winning race mare for John Sadler was a willing subject, and Bluesthestandard, formerly claimed by Kristin Mulhull at the end of his racing career, painted for us before being permanently retired to Old Friends in Kentucky.


Others that lent their talents were M One Rifle, Silver Swallow, Kinsale King who went on to win in Dubai, the recently retired (again) Lava Man, The Pamplemousse, Bertrando, Tribal Rule, The Tin Man, Grazen, Springhouse and the recently departed, Hyperbaric.


Not all greatness is on the race track. Commissioned paintings were completed for owner of their horses that think they are very special even without winning on the track. Commission artwork can be arranged throughout California. Your horse does not have to be an accomplished race horse; any breed can paint and support CERF!

New arrivals off the track to CERF joined in the painting circle, Top This and That, in particular gifted a former police officer struggling with ALS a portrait of his work to cheer him as he works everyday to fight his disease.


Some of the retired race horses at CERF that have painted are Debonair Joe, Truly A Judge, Sigfreto, and Unfurl The Flag. A resident horse at CERF is available most anytime to paint a commissioned painting.

Yes, greatness is a word thrown around easily, but the above mentioned talented thoroughbreds and their generous connections show there are times when the word is right on target.

To learn more about CERF and Equine Expressions visit their website at www.cerfhorses.org

(PHOTOS top to bottom): Lookin At Lucky, Bluesthestandard, Evita Argentina, and Top This And That

The Eclipse Awards and Me?

As I looked out unto the ballroom of the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel before the start of the 39th Annual Eclipse Awards; I said to myself "How did I get here"?

Now, obviously I had driven myself and handed the car keys to the valet, and that the gift of attendance to the Eclipse Award celebration was my Christmas gift from my Mom. What I needed to do was stop and answer the "why" while soaking in the moment.

My return to watching horse racing began around 1999, with the cementing of my passion for it with the Kentucky Derby win of War Emblem a couple years later. I still remember watching War Emblem the almost black colt in the pre-parade, something about him sparked inside me an immediate love for this horse. I knew in watching him that afternoon that he was going to win. When he did in fact win, I whopped louder than anyone else in the restaurant (where I was watching the Derby). I was hooked once again by the beauty, the pageantry, the thrill and the action of Thoroughbred racing.

I regularly went to the track with my Mom, it was a bonding experience for our relationship that had been somewhat distant from time constraints, careers, and my marriage. This was something that the two of us could do together and we did often. My favorite racetrack was (and is) Santa Anita, something about the walking ring, the architecture, and the backdrop of the San Gabriel mountains always made me feel like I was at 'Home'. I don't know another way to express it.

In 2003, I attended with my Mom the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. Something about that day, made me dream a bigger dream for myself, and I remember saying out loud while starring into the paddock "someday I want to be part of that world". I remember my Mom chuckled and said that this wasn't ever going to happen. I am sure she wasn't laughing at my dream (well she probably was), but the fact that we were not from a racing family, had not the means for a race horse, or any friends in racing how could that come true?.

The following year I began sponsoring an ex-racehorse named Remote Controller at CERF (California Equine Retirement Foundation), and volunteered to assist them with their fundraising including the painting of "art pieces" with famous race horses. At one of the annual golf tournaments I met my good friend, Denise. The first big horse that I painted with on my own for CERF was Lava Man, this was set up through the connection and friendship of Denise, who introduced me to Doug O'Neill. My dream was taking shape in ways I couldn't have begun to have imagined in 2003. I am blessed that my dream is renewed daily.

The PA announcement of "Five minutes before show time, please take your seat", returned my mind to the present. "How"?, I knew the answer thanking War Emblem, Remote Controller, and Denise in my heart.