The Gallop Out

Four Kentucky Derby wins between 'em, trainers Bob Baffert (left) and Chip Woolley Jr. chat at the Barretts January Mixed Sale at Fairplex Park on Jan. 26, 2010. This, a short conversation between two people, was the highlight of both days for me. The sale was pretty depressing, with many mares, yearlings, and two-year-olds not even meeting the minimum $1,000 bid.

Random horse racing-related observation of the day:

The USA's two ladies' figure skating representatives for the 2010 Winter Olympics are from Del Mar, Calif. (where the turf meets the surf) and Arcadia, Calif. (home of The Great Race Place). This year's Winter Olympics will be held in Toronto, home of Hastings Park.

http://sports.espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2010/figureskating/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=4853945

Right on the heels of my first Web photo for the Daily Racing Form, my first ever cover photo appeared in Wednesday's national edition! Head on over to my "Published Work" page to check it out!

Q: What's soft, white, and afraid of peppermints?

A: The famous white nose of Australian Horse of the Year and Group 1 King's Stand winner Scenic Blast. The photo is of John Shirreffs' assistant trainer Frank Leal trying to feed the gelding a peppermint. Leal tried to get him to eat for a good 10 minutes, but Scenic Blast was afraid of it, recoiling each time it touched his nose. He is also afraid of carrots. He's a very laid-back horse, but I guess they do things differently down under. He's still adjusting to his new life at the Shirreffs barn after arriving about three weeks ago from his native country. He came here so he would be able to race with anti-bleeder medication.

Check out Shirreffs' videos of Scenic Blast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQBXPfWqgqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih8T_6wILaA

My first photo published for the Daily Racing Form, currently on their homepage:

http://drf.com/news/article/110182.html

Of my favorite horse, no less. Now, if only she can miraculously win Horse of the Year tomorrow...

This drew a big "LOL" from me!

http://arcadiasbest.com/2009/12/a-rosie-picture/

Via Equidaily:

Michael Mann is in talks to direct "Luck," an hourlong HBO series pilot about horse racing culture created by David Milch.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013352.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

The view from my office, including Santa Anita Park's majestic grandstand.

         I am nearing completion of my first month of an internship at California Thoroughbred magazine, the official publication of the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. A journalism-related internship is required for graduation from the Communication program at my college, and I was lucky enough to get one in the field I love! I am mainly proofreading their weekly E-newsletters and writing an editorial each month, the first of which can be found on my "Published Work" page. Special thanks to managing editor Rudi Groothedde for affording me this opportunity.

Zenyatta was runner-up in the Associated Press' Female Athlete of the Year poll. Serena Williams won by a large margin, but I'm still excited to see an equine get recognition.

http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/Serena-Williams-is-2009-AP-Female-Athlete-of-Year-55066554

I happened to be in the right place at the right time as I entered Santa Anita to watch morning workouts this morning. I saw a forklift taking a large, mummified horse to the Kingsbury Memorial Fountain. It was Nina Kaiser's life-size sculpture of John Henry, set to be unveiled opening day, Dec. 26. I was told the track paid about $300,000 for it. Here's a sneak peek (but not too much!).