Advertisement
Published: April 13th 2010
This Man is the Best Handicapper
Let's just call him Superfecta Wes. That's picking four in a row IN ORDER of finish! “Redbud Season” in Kentucky is like “Leaf Peeping Season” in Vermont. Special tours, designated routes, photo ops galore! This is our fourth time to stay at the RV Park at Kentucky Horse Park. Obviously, it suits us. The actual Horse Park will be the venue for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games from Sept. 25- Oct. 10. Equestrians from around the world will compete in eight sports including jumping and a 100 mile cross country endurance ride.
The horse park is worth a visit just for the exhibitry, which includes daily live appearances by New York Bred Derby and Preakness winner, Funny Cide, who was born at McMahon of Saratoga, making Joe & Anne McMahon the breeders of record .
We had a surprise visit by our great niece and nephew, Madison and Aiden McMahon on Saturday morning. The children love the “house on wheels!” This is a great place for children, wonderful playground and ample space to romp around outside. We love it when the visit the RV. They came back on Sunday to play and have a nice late breakfast picnic cooked by Wes on the grill. The weather has been summery!
Later we
Long Shot
Saratoga isn't the only graveyard of favorites. This 40 -1 shot - Stately Victor - took them all for a ride. met Madison and Aiden’s parents, Natanya and Michael, for nice lunch at the Thoroughbred Club. We hopped the club’s shuttle to adjacent Keeneland Race Course for Bluegrass Stakes Day. This event compares with Travers Day at Saratoga.
Wes and I camped out on the Club House lawn with some beautifully dressed young people (to their credit, the people of Kentucky take its dress codes seriously) before we were “invited” up to the hospitality of “sky box” country where we rejoined Natanya, Mike and niece Kate McMahon. Wes, the master handicapper, hit a $375. Superfecta. No wonder I don’t bet! Don’t need to! Also very happy to see Mechanicville native, trainer Chad Brown, bring home a winner, Silver Timber!
Shuttled back to the Club where these Kentuckians prove once again to be the consummate “partiers.” Restaurant reservations were in high demand and Kate snag a table for four at Portofino downtown on Main St. Nice meal and so great to be with Kate (it was her birthday weekend) and her friend Fergus.
Monday morning signals time to move on. We’re getting closer to home and eager to roll onto Westside Dr. We’ve been on the road,
Keeneland Bugler
Everything about Keeneland is great; but Sam (Saratoga's Bugler) and Tom Durkin (Saratoga's Race announcer) take top billing in those areas. with two brief trips home, since October. Adjusting the original plan and will skip Gettysburg this year do some Finger Lake attractions instead. Hopefully the next blog will be about NYS wineries along Cayuga Lake AND a visit to Mackenzie Childs' home base in Aurora, NY. Friend and neighbor, Ellie, highly recommends this part of the itinerary.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.513s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 29; qc: 116; dbt: 0.2116s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.3mb
Jill
non-member comment
Kentucky!
LOVE the photos and stories! Keeneland is gorgeous, and also wish Saratoga enforced the dresscode, at least in the clubhouse (snob or not, I'm just sayin'). I'm glad Funny Cide's at KHP. Was there several years ago - saw Cigar and John Henry. It's a beautiful place and a testimony to all things horses. Kentucky is beautiful - it's a whole state of Saratoga County! ( : Enjoy your time there and travel safe!