Kentucky Derby Diaries: Outstanding Oaks Day

I love Kentucky Oaks day – not only is it an amazing day of Thoroughbred racing, but there’s an added sense of anticipation in the air since Oaks takes place on the eve of the Kentucky Derby.
Every year, Friday starts out with what is oddly one of my favorite activities: the photographers’ meeting. This is when Keith Klein, the King of the Photographers (I assume that he has an official title, but that’s how I think of him) tells all the shooters the rules of the racetrack, then assigns spots to take pictures. Since every photographer is supposed to be there, it sort of becomes like a college reunion for the pony paparazzi; it’s quite fun!

It’s also awesome because the track is still deserted, so you can get cool photos of the famed twin spires and take selfies and whatnot.

Here I am with Greg Charkoudian, who is the man responsible for the digital video you see here at ABR.

Fun times!
After we marked our spots on the outside rail, it was time to set up shop in the press box and get ready for the day. Churchill Downs knows the people here to cover their races are early risers, so lunch was served promptly at 10:30. It was delicious and not a moment too soon. 
Before I knew it, it was time for the gates to open and the crowds to surge in. And what a crowd it was – a new Oaks Day record of 123,763 fans poured into the track, and it was a party atmosphere in Louisville to celebrate the Lilies for the Fillies.
The Oaks is a pinked out event, with everyone bringing their fashion A-game in hues of blush, rose, magenta and beyond. 
The very first couple I saw this morning was this amazing duo; the gentleman had unfortunately broken his ankle, but his wife told me that she got up extra-early this morning to make sure that his cast was Oaks Day-appropriate.

It was. They – and the cast – are awesome.
I was then lucky enough to catch up with my friends Derek Brown and Matt Watts. They, too, were stylin’ it up for Oaks Day, and graciously let me snap a picture. 

Matt had on a super rad pair of reflective aviators and further indulged my artistic side, resulting in one of my favorite photos of the day: 

After that, my team and I decided to head up to the roof of Churchill Downs, which provides some pretty amazing views and opportunities to take photos.

And also have some fun:

It really is one of the coolest places to take photos, and I can’t wait to get back up there on Saturday to get some Derby Day shots.
After hitting the roof, I decided to take in some of the fashion parading at the track for Oaks Day. From the glamorous to the goofy, I love seeing people express themselves through style; and today I was not disappointed by the attendees at Churchill Downs. 

And of course, everywhere you looked there were Mint Juleps and Oaks Lilies; they’re both incredibly popular libations and they looked incredibly tempting nestled in their crushed ice beds.

By the time the first major races of the afternoon rolled around, the crowd was truly massive. Oaks Day was fully underway!

That meant it was time for me to hit the track for the major races of the afternoon. As I was waiting for the runners of the sixth race, the Edgewood, I fell in love. Meet Moe: 

He was such a doll; his rider let me pet and play with him, which is basically heaven for me.
The good news is that I’m not alone; pony love is a real thing, and I saw another member of the media indulging herself as well:

Like I said: heaven! 
Then it was time for the Edgewood Stakes to begin. Feathered took flight to lead from the start and never looked back, soaring to an easy win.

Up next was the La Troienne; this is a major race for fillies and mares (aka female horses) four years old and up, and I was very excited to see who would come out on top. I had a few hunches, but unfortunately they didn’t include Molly Morgan, who cruised to victory. 

I’ve always loved the Alysheba; it’s a mile and one sixteenth event for horses four years old and up, and this year the field included one of my favorite Thoroughbreds, Honor Code. He’s such a handsome dude, and he’s also a very solid racehorse. Quite a wonderful combination!

In fact, when he walked by, I couldn’t help myself and called out, “I love you, Honor Code!” At which point my friend and fellow photographer Eric Kalet said, “I do, too!” This prompted one of the security guards to shoot us a weird look and ask, “You *do* know that’s a horse, right?” “Of course we do!” we chorused.  Crazy. We’re all probably crazy. 
Unfortunately for me, today wasn’t Honor Code’s day, but Protonico put in a tremendous performance to stick his nose in front of Noble Bird to get the win.

Then it was time for the Twin Spires Turf Sprint.  I didn’t really have a big rooting interest in the race, but I always love a gray horse so I was delighted when the gorgeous Power Alert won with Julien Leparoux aboard.
 
The last race before the Oaks was the Eight Belles, which is a 7/8 of a mile test for three-year-old fillies running on the dirt. Promise Me Silver put in a – wait for it – sterling performance, and got home in first by a very comfortable margin.

Finally, it was time for the crown of the day, the Kentucky Oaks. The moment the horses and their human entourages make their way to the saddling paddock is known as the “walkover,” and it’s an incredible sight to see this wall of Thoroughbreds and humans moving toward you with legions of fans crowded into the stands behind them. 

Each filly rounded the turn into the tunnel that led to the saddling paddock as a phalanx of photographers (myself included) snapped away.

As we waited for the horses to reemerge from the paddock with their saddles on their backs and their jockeys in the stirrups, I noticed the blanket of lilies reserved for the winner being unfurled on the turf course. 

So beautiful! 
I also caught this adorable couple sharing a smooch; it turns out that they had just gotten engaged – talk about a winning Oaks Day! 

Before I knew it, it was time for the Kentucky Oaks to begin. As the fillies began their race, Condo Commando led the field with Lovely Maria sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack.

Then, all I could do was wait and watch with excitement as the horses raced around the backstretch; but as the field turned for home it was Lovely Maria who led them all, winning with her ears forward as her jockey Kerwin “Boo Boo” Clark gave her a big pat as she crossed under the finish line. 

You could tell Lovely Maria was a fan favorite as people celebrated her victory in the stands.

I will add right here that I am a huge fan of Lovely Maria’s trainer Larry Jones; and that fondness only became stronger today when I saw him right after the race. Instead of celebrating and accepting congratulations, he was totally focused on checking on his other Oaks filly I’m a Chatterbox to make sure that she was taken care of and to shake her jockey’s hand. 

I then headed back to the press box to go Interneting, and while I was there the post-Oaks press conference kicked off. Lovely Maria’s jockey Kerwin Clark was all smiles; his story is an amazing one, and I encourage you to read it in the remarkable words of Tom Pedulla. He was all smiles at the press conference, and the entire media center was clearly thrilled for him as they asked him questions.

In fact, the entire human part of Team Lovely Maria – trainer Larry Jones, jockey Kerwin Clark and owner Brereton Jones - were tickled throughout the conference, and they all grinned as they watched the Kentucky Oaks replay together.

It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable Oaks Day, and I for one can’t wait for the adventure to continue at tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby!