For thirteen years, I was a track rat. And maybe I’ll write about that sometime. Or not.
When a horse is on his way up, he’s treated like a king. When a horse is on his way down, it’s unutterably sad.
But today, I was at Santa Anita to meet friends, watch the morning workouts, and have some breakfast at Clocker’s Corner. The sky blue, air clear, the snort-snort of the horses racing down the backstretch. Mornings at the track are nothing but hope, and everyone rides a wing and a prayer.
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32 comments:
Oh, I would have loved that! The pictures take me right there. Great job, KB.
I would call this a "Santa Anita" prose poem.
I never knew you could go early and watch morning workouts. But then again, whenever I went to Santa Anita I liked the people-watching as much, if not more, than the races themselves.
So, is Oak Tree leaving Santa Anita after all?!
Oh your photographs are wonderful KB. I am glad you had just a great day with friends and ponies! :)
V
Beautiful. Thanks for not going into the gory details of a losing horses life...race horses do love to race though. That, I know. Even my little school mare loves to go fast when given the chance and gets totally sparked up.
all the pretty horses
for all the time I've lived, I have NEVER been to a horse race. I worked at the mall next door for a few years, parked in their outer lots for holidays. But NEVER been to a race. I recall reading a want ad for a hotwalker once, some sort of muck work another time and once, even, an ad for training to be a jockey. My father told me I could never be a jockey, I'd never keep my weight down without barfing up breakfast. Oh well. Probably saved my knees and teeth!
Your post reminded me that going to the track is STILL on my bucket list
The track rat story sounds interesting. Great photos. I like the last one best, showing the mountains and sun coming up from the east. Save the top of the mall parking structures, Santa Anita offers some of the best mountain views out there.
The snort-snort is my favorite.
Yep I want to know your track rat tales.....I was one too. Some of the best horses we've owned came off the track.
I've been to the races a couple times. It seems the track would be a relaxing place in the mornings when the horses are exercising. I know two people who are exercise riders and they're both musicians.
Interesting that horses are also a topic on the comments to Glimpses of South Pasadena today.
Gosh, I've missed this place. What a perfect morning.
"If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride."
Not exactly on target, but I've always liked that, and it's within a wink of the actual topic.
My parents were nuts about trotters and pacers, so I have an inkling.
Spectacular. I'm glad to hear the horses like racing. I once had a horse who loved racing so much it made her forget about everything else.
The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb
JJ
that horse looks rather sarcastic!
Breakfast at Santa Anita is always fun. One of these days I'll get back over there and enjoy coffee and scones in the stands while watching the workouts. Such a treat!
Looks and sounds beautiful, KB. I've had to be reminded often as to how much horses love to race when I've been howling over seeing the other side of it on the news. "Snort-snort." I'll focus on that!
Darn, your photos make wish I could have been there - perhaps I can take my visitors next week, if they get up early enough (unlikely). I love the top photo - wonder what he's saying? My company in England had an outing to the races in Newmarket, and gave us each 20 pounds to spend. I slowly lost all mine, but the company treasurer trebled his with some risky betting that paid off (he's now working at Goldman Sachs).
You never took me .... there.
Bellis, I'd suggest 8:30, at the latest. And the breakfast is really good.
Shell, I know.
Never spent time with the ponies. It sure looks like a nice way to spent the morning.
Bellis, I'll go with you sometime if it doesn't work out.
I agree with -K- - you have written a poem. Love the smell of horses, the leather creak, the snort-snort. Nice reminders, Karin!
I particularly love the motion one in the middle!!!
I used to teach PE in a Jr High school in Fontana (before they were changed to Middle Schools!) One of the PE teachers told me that he used to make extra money by going to Santa Anita everyday and betting on the horses (yep...during school hours)...the 4 PE teachers went to Santa Anita together once (on a weekend), we followed his advice and my teaching partner and I won over $200!!! (Did I mention he got in a bit of trouble betting during school hours...by the time I met him, he had mended his ways and only went to the track when school was out!!!)
I'm thinking I need a home in the Denas and one in Paris and ..........damn, I need a Shugah Daddy first, then I'll deal with the rest.
V
Looks great--sigh!
Perfect way to spend one of these gorgeous mornings, AND, the breakfast sausage there is really good.
Ooh, I like the shots. I feel like I'm in the stands.
I was a track rat throughout my grade school years. My family raced horses too, but the kind of racing with a sulky/cart behind them. We did the county fair circuit in Ohio, and I spent many a summer Sunday under somebody's awning trying to hide from the dust and heat.
Great big sky picture... But you can have your fancy ponies, Miss Karin "Trouble" Trifecta.
I'm in love with Barry Famous at the San Pasqual.
So there.
A track rat! Lucky you.
I love these pictures.
Your "snort-snort" just opens the gates of my long-ago horsey memories. Thanks!
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