Ten Reasons for Racing Fans to Be Thankful
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Keeneland Race Course did an amazing job hosting the 2015 Breeders' Cup World Championships. (Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)
As we prepare to gather with family and friends to scarf down traditional Thanksgiving fare, let’s not forget to take a moment to be grateful for the amazing horse racing moments and heroic icons we have been graced with over the past year.
Below are my 10 reasons for racing fans to be thankful.
1. American Pharoah’s Legendary “Grand Slam” Campaign: The opportunity to witness history with each and every stride en route to capturing the first ever sweep of the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic is something never to be taken for granted and something we will never forget.
AMERICAN PHAROAH WINNING BELMONT
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
2. Breeders’ Cup Homecoming: How neat was this year’s venue for the annual Super Bowl of horse racing? Keeneland Race Course lived up to the hype and the Bluegrass State rolled out the red carpet for the connections of the contenders and horse racing fans to savor the best the sport has to offer in the cozy, historic venue.
3. Unforgetable Efforts: Beholder’s romp against males in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes, Honor Code’s late charge to win the Whitney Stakes, and The Pizza Man stealing the hometown spotlight in the Arlington Million all stand out on a national level. But don’t forget to also be thankful for your local, hard-knocking claimer who finally broke through to win by open lengths. No matter what level, an exceptional effort is worthy of appreciation.
BEHOLDER'S PACIFIC CLASSIC RUNAWAY
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
4. Looking Forward: Exaggerator’s flash of talent exemplifies the never-ending promise of 2-year-old racing. Is he going to win the Kentucky Derby? Probably not. But standout races, like that of Songbird in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, get you thinking about which horses in training out there are ready to blossom in 2016.
5. Return to Health: Fan favorites California Chrome, Shared Belief, and Lady Eli are pointing toward a return in 2016. Be thankful our equine athletes are resilient and able to return to the racetrack so we can enjoy them for another year of competition.
6. Good Luck at the Racetrack: Be thankful for that good break that perhaps led to a nice score. Be exceptionally grateful if you registered a score that made it into one of America’s Best Racing’s editions of Breaking the Bank. Whether it be blind luck or refined skill, be thankful for the big days and savor them.
SAVOR THE THRILL OF VICTORY
Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing
7. Owners: Our sport would not exist with out them. They invest many hours and countless dollars into developing their racing enterprises. Whether owners come in the form of a partnership or a celebrity chef, be thankful for their commitment to the progress of the sport.
8. Those Behind the Scenes: Our beautiful racing venues from coast to coast and our favorite horses don’t maintain themselves. Take a moment to be thankful for the hard-working individuals who dedicate their lives to cleaning horses and stalls, hot walking, those who work as mutual tellers and countless others who make our sport run on a daily basis. We wouldn’t be able to enjoy horse racing without them.
BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE TRACK
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
9. New and Old Friends: Savor those moments with friends and family shared at the racetrack. Think about the cheers, high fives, and hugs that followed a winning wager as well as the camaraderie that a day at the races provides.
10. Our Elders: Let’s be thankful for those whose careers have come to a close. Wise Dan and Main Sequence were great turf stars of the past few years. Now they get to enjoy life as retired gentleman in the green pasture. Also be thankful for the industry’s continued development and support of Off-the-Track Thoroughbred and racehorse retirement programs, which provide second career and/or homes for our beloved equine athletes.
Be sure to let us know what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving!