Havre de Grace (Gracie)

Havre De Grace beating the boys at Saratoga

I am a racing fan, fanatic might be a better word. I don't think that's news to anyone. What I want is to  think of ways to encourage part time or one time fans to become full time. They don't have to work at the track or voluntarily muck stalls or own a horse,or even learn to handicap, but just follow it a little.

Last weekend, I had my pictures out an arts and crafts show here in Saratoga.  Most of them are horses  and they are hanging on racks where shoppers can see them.  Two years later I still have people, usually women, but not always, that walk in my booth with sort of dreamy eyes and say "Raaaay chelll" in a sing songy voice. I have some images of Rachel and I show them. Then I say,"I also have a couple of pictures of Zenyatta" and they look at me blankly.  I show the Havre de Grace picture and tell them that this filly beat the boys in the same race that Rachel won and they walk off. They love Rachel and that's great. Maybe they'll buy something. But they know nothing about horse racing and they live in a horseracing town.                                                                              

Rachel Alexandra.

Now I know I'm a racing zealot.  I love it all. How can I as a fan, share all this in a way that attracts others to fandom? When Rachel Alexandra competed in the Woodward, NYRA and the city of Saratoga publicized it all over town. There were special souvenirs, banners hanging on light poles, Rachel coloring contests and everyone was excited. The grandstand was packed  and the filly lived up to expectations. 2 years later, she is still adored by many, but they still don't all follow racing.  What kind of effort does it take to fill racetracks at least on weekend days. I read theories, but I don't see much change. I wish I had the answer.

It's Tricky

 More Fabulous Fillies.Royal Delta is retiring after the Breeder's
Cup, but she's a great filly to watch and cheer for next weekend.
Friday is Filly day at the BC and their race will be in the evening. It's Tricky won the Coaching Club American Oaks right in Saratoga and she's in the same race. Plum Pretty raced in Saratoga too, but she's a west coast based filly.

Royal Delta

Plum Pretty gets new shoes

If you follow the sport, you know them. If you kind of like it and are looking for some exciting TV this Friday evening  watch their race and even Google  their names so you will have an idea of who to cheer for. The race is called
Thee Breeder's Cup Ladies Classic.If you look through my links on the right I'm sure you'll find plenty about all the other fillies racing also.  


 Back to Havre De Grace. She's a great filly too. Not everyone thinksshe'll win. I want her to because it's fun when fillies win over the boys, but I handicap and there are some boys in the race I like a lot. She beat the boys in the Woodward stakes at Saratoga, just like Rachel.  She seems to be a real personality girl. Larry Jones told Blood horse that she's happy wherever her hay is. She's so calm he tries to make people think she's his pony. And now she's entered to race on the Breeder's Cup classic, just like Zenyatta.

Havre de Grace

"It's a real horse race." How many times do we hear that expression? It's part of out daily lives and talk. Racing is great. Many of it's terms and expressions are common colloquialisms. Watch some Breeder's Cup over the weekend and try to watch it as if you are me.  I'll be at Churchill Downs wearing my green Old Friends Cabin Creek baseball cap and lugging at least one camera. Stop and tell me about what brings you to racing or give me ideas. I want to talk to you, unless its Post Time!

I've read through this 5 times. I hope it's spelled correctly and everything makes sense. I have to stop so I can get up early and spend the morning at the track . Connie