Horse Racing Nation: Arlington Classic Day at Arlington Park in Photos

As eyes were turned to California Chrome and his upcoming attempt at Triple Crown history, a filly quietly made history of her own in the first leg of the Mid-America Triple at Arlington Park on Saturday. Consisting of the Arlington Classic (Gr. III) in May, the American Derby (Gr. III) in July, and the Secretariat Stakes (Gr. I) in August, the Mid-America Triple is Arlington Park's turf response to the traditional Triple Crown races.

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Happy 23rd birthday, Limerick!

 I took some new photos of Lim on Sunday for her birthday. She's looking pretty good for 23!

I've also begun riding her again. I am starting very slow with 20 minute rides, maximum, that incorporate walking and trotting only. It's been quite a long time (10 months? longer?) since I was able to ride her regularly so getting back into the swing of things will take patience.

Limerick and friend Phoenix

First bath of 2014

I gave Limerick her first bath of 2014 on Saturday night (yes, Derby day--the bath was something of a celebration activity for me!) and well, let's see if you can guess which photo is "before" and which is "after"!

Limerick says hello!

I still haven't ridden Lim this year--ack!--first thanks to the weather and now thanks to ongoing hoof issues. She is now getting over a bad hoof abscess. She's a happy mare otherwise, so hopefully I get some saddle time soon.

Horse Racing Nation: Illinois Derby Day at Hawthorne in Photos

I had a great time photographing the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course on Saturday! Check out all the photos at Horse Racing Nation.

Horse Racing Nation: Blue Grass Stakes Day at Keeneland in Photos

At Keeneland on Saturday, the Blue Grass Stakes day weather was as good as it gets--bright and hot without being humid. After the terrible winter of 2013-2014, it was nice to have a taste of summer.
Two Grade III and three Grade I stakes races were the highlights of the Blue Grass Stakes card. 

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Horse Racing Nation: Local Racing History in Photos: Danada Farm and St. James Farm

On Saturday, California Chrome appeared to skip gaily down the Santa Anita stretch en route to winning the $1,000,000 Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) in 1:47.52, one of the fastest times in recent years. If all goes well, on May 3 the flashy chestnut son of Lucky Pulpit will hope to join the roster of horses to win both the Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby, of which includes I'll Have Another, Winning Colors, Affirmed, and Swaps, among others.

And as I discovered in recent years, another member of this prestigious roster was trained a little over a mile from where I live, deep within the Chicago suburbs, at Danada Farm. Danada Equestrian Center, as it is called today, is now maintained by the DuPage County Forest Preserve and is open to the public.

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