A Visit to Days End Farm Horse Rescue

In early September, Hidden Meadows Equine Rescue in Martinsburg, WV had over 50 horses seized by the the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department. The horses had little to eat and had no water. Eight were euthanized within the first few days due to their failing health.

Days End Farm Horse Rescue a 501(c)(3), volunteer-based, animal welfare organization in Woodbine, Maryland took the most critical horses into their care. On my way out to Kentucky to photograph the World Equestrian Games, I visited Days End and met both the horses in their care and the volunteers who care for them.

My first impression of Days End was how organized the rescue is. On the phone and in person, every volunteer was courteous, knowledgeable, and businesslike. The barn was tidy and orderly, with clearly marked signs, color-coded buckets, carefully latched gates, swept barn aisles, and a special section of the barn designated to the West Virginia horses. A day sheet hung from each stall door, marked with notations from every visit to the stall: “Filled hay.” “One manure pile.” “Cleaned stall.” “Filled water. Drank half a bucket.”

All of the horses at Days End from Hidden Meadows are Thoroughbreds (all are off the track as far as I know), and the condition of some of them is extremely critical. When I was visiting the farm, Zodiac was the horse who needed the most care. He was placed in a sling when he had problems standing, and he needs bandages changed, vital signs monitored, and some activity in his stall to keep his circulation moving. Zodiac’s entire digestive tract is riddled with ulcers, and he requires medication for them. His eyes have ulcers, which also need care. When I read about him, I expected him to be completely lethargic and disinterested in his surroundings, but this was not the case; he was alert and would perk up just a bit whenever someone entered his stall. Through his runny eyes, he examined visitors. When I visited with him, he nibbled hay and eventually dozed off when things were quiet.

The level of starvation of these horses is extreme, and the rescue has to take great precautions when re-introducing food to them. Stone dust and dirt were found in the horses’ digestive tracts. The digestive system of a horse is quite delicate when it is thrown off, and horses are prone to colic, founder, and choke, just to name a few risks. The horses in the care of Days End are fed very frequently in small amounts. The process of renourishment is a tricky one, and horses can suffer something similar to refeeding syndrome in humans. When the horses are in their stalls between meals, they have to wear muzzles to keep from eating their stall bedding. Nibble Nets have been placed in their stalls so they can eat a small amount of food on a frequent basis.

When I walked in the barn, I immediately noticed the mattress in one of the stalls. I commented that it is probably appreciated for a little shut-eye after a long night watch, and one of the volunteers remarked that they had no time for sleep for the first few days that the horses were in their care. I met the veterinarian who is caring for the horses, some local Animal Control officers, as well as some of the primary caregivers. They all knew their jobs very well and knew every lump and bump on the horses’ bodies.

Some of the horses are bouncing back more quickly than others due to their age and overall health. One filly named Buttercup is about 3 years old, and I could already see her filling out since her last photos that were taken two weeks earlier. Although her hips jutted out and her spine clearly protruded from her back, there was a sparkle in her eye and a spring in her step. Days End turns out the horses whenever possible, and when they put Buttercup outside with her paddock buddies Aaron and Felicity, she did a little playing before she settled down to munch on her hay.

Before I left, Days End President Kathleen Schwartz-Howe took time out of her day to meet up with me and we got to talk about the rescue. She explained how things are run and a little bit about the history. I get the feeling that she could fill a book with everything that she’s seen, both good and bad. I thanked her for all she is doing for these horses.

Readers, here’s a little more information about how to learn more and to help Days End:

– Notes From the Barn (blog with updates about the horses)
– Days End wins ASPCA Henry Bergh Award
– A little info about the history of the rescue
– How to tour the facilities
– Financial/donation data
– How to help
– Wish list
– Facebook page
– Euthanasia policy

Just one day later, I was at the World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, photographing the greatest equine athletes on earth as they competed at an elite level of their respective sports. Six hours east, seven mighty Thoroughbreds fought their own daily battle for their lives and they never left my mind once while I was in Lexington.

Congratulations to the 2009 Eclipse Award Winners…

Congratulations to the connections of this year’s champions…

Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Female: Rachel Alexandra

Older Female: Zenyatta

Older Male and Male Turf Horse: Gio Ponti

3-Year-Old Male: Summer Bird

Male Sprinter: Kodiak Kowboy

Female Sprinter: Informed Decision

2-Year-Old Female: She Be Wild

2-Year-Old Male: Lookin at Lucky

Female Turf Horse: Goldikova (Ire)

Owner: Godolphin Racing

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Now go read your TDN and browse your blogs to catch up on all the details!

Photographer Moonlighting as a Pony Rider

3:55am Pacific Standard Time. The only times I’ve slipped out of bed so willingly at this hour were for a horse show, a sunrise at Saratoga, or to try to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus on Christmas morning. Today was a bit of all three rolled into one.

Within minutes, I was dressed, out the door, and on the road to the racetrack. It was not yet 4:30 when I arrived at the barn. Barn cats sashayed toward me and exercise riders greeted me as if I was a regular. Sunrise was almost two hours away but the barn lights glowed warmly and the track bustled with activity. The sharp odor of stalls mixed with the warm, earthy smell of the horsepath and familiar notes of shampoo and liniment.

Decades of win photos decorated the walls of the office of legendary California trainer Bruce Headley. The trainer stepped into the office to begin the day’s work and turned the dial up on the heater. November at Santa Anita is chilly air for Californians but downright balmy for a Jersey Girl. Bruce’s daughter and assistant trainer Karen greeted me with the casual cheer of a person who spends every morning at a racetrack. I wondered if she could see just how nervous and excited I was. I’m pretty sure she could.

I left the office and spotted my mount for the morning, a stout bay gelding named Captain who was snoozing in the barn before the day’s work began. The first thing I noticed was how placid he was and the second thing I noticed was his tack. He had a western bit and bridle and an exercise saddle on his back. I had been expecting a big western saddle, but the exercise saddle was even more interesting since I’ve never ridden in one before.

Captain stood obediently at the mounting block as I slipped my paddock boot into the small lightweight stirrup and mounted up. The stirrups were jacked up shorter than my shortest jumping length. Karen asked if I needed them longer. I smiled and said they were great- when in Rome… right? The pony’s back was broad and he felt quite solid. The saddle was remarkably comfortable.

I rode Captain to the edge of the shedrow and waited for Karen to get a leg up onto her morning’s ride: Silver Swallow, a mare who was entered in a Breeders’ Cup race the following day. Silver wore the signature royal purple Breeders’ Cup saddle cloth with her name embroidered below the logo. There were no freckles on her snowy coat; she was nearly white with a perfect silver mane. It is difficult to see shine on most grey horses, but this mare was different- she shimmered like alabaster. Her luminous, expressive, almond-shaped eyes were set wide on her head, offsetting her round jaw and delicate muzzle. Her ears were slightly curled at the very tips and one seemed to be set on a slightly steeper angle than the other, giving her a jaunty expression.

I rode beside Karen and Silver Swallow on their left, past the barns and toward the training track. Both horses briskly walked down the path; my pony knew his job so well he could have done it by himself. The mare was eager to stretch her legs. She walked on a loose rein and her closely-set ears were radar antennae, rapidly swiveling to gather information. She had a fine, silky, neatly-pulled mane- it swayed and bounced like human hair with each nod of her elegant head. Upon first glance, she appeared dainty, but her feminine features belied her constitution- she was deep and muscular through the chest with a powerful loin and strong, sound legs set on well-balanced feet. She had the heart, speed, and class to race against the finest mares in the sport, finishing second to Rags to Riches and third to Zenyatta.

After we walked through a tunnel and onto the track, we asked the horses to stand for a moment. My vest pockets were stuffed with carrots. Karen asked me to feed the mare a bit of carrot- she politely accepted her snack. Captain turned his head to me hopefully and he got a carrot as well. Everything I did this morning was alternately foreign and familiar; feeding treats from the horse’s back was second-nature to me since I do it all the time back home. Feeding treats to a Breeders’ Cup contender, however, was something I had never done before.

Silver Swallow’s trainers had done a masterful job with her preparation for the big race- her sharpness and fitness were palpable but she was not too sharp. Timing is essential, Karen told me. As if to prove her point, at just the right moment, she and the mare slipped onto the track like an Olympic diver slipping into a pool. She called over her shoulder and said, “Sarah, turn around.”

I had been so focused on my task that I had not looked up even once until now. When I did look up, I grinned and my eyes glowed. The surrounding scene was breathtaking. The sky was dark and the Santa Anita grandstand sparkled. Palm trees were silhouetted against the lights. Exercise riders softly sang to their horses and the horses purred rhythmically in time with each stride as they cruised around the oval.

I rode Captain to the gap and greeted Cindy, the outrider, and her pony with a hello and a carrot. Cindy and I chatted for a moment as I peered over the rail, watching for Karen and Silver. From halfway across the track, I could see them gliding over the dirt in perfect harmony. The mare powerfully switched leads and navigated the turn, ears still forward and swiveling. Her pilot’s heels were flexed and her skilled hand followed as softly as a Grand Prix rider guiding a horse over a fence. They were a perfect pair. The mare’s neck bowed proudly into the bit as they slowed from a gallop to a jog and met back up with me and the pony. We slipped off the track together. The mare’s veins stood out on her neck and she appeared to be a hand taller than she was before her gallop. She had barely broken a sweat. Her walk had changed- no longer was there anticipation or urgency in her gait. Now she had a proud spring in her step. She was ready for her race.

We walked back through the tunnel, down the path, and back to the barn. Silver accepted a good-luck pat on her nose and returned the favor by playfully nipping at Captain. I gave Captain a pat and a carrot as a token of my appreciation and I dismounted. When I was on horseback, my perspective changed. I was no longer the photographer recording the scene, instead I was a part of the scene. When my joyride was over, I was back to having two feet on the ground and I had work to do.

The rest of the weekend did not disappoint. Breeders’ Cup 2009 is the year of Zenyatta’s Classic triumph and the year when Conduit and Goldikova reaffirmed their dominance on the turf, but I will never forget it as the year I spent a little time in the saddle on an early California morning on the training track.

2009 Belmont Stakes Logo = Awesome

2009 Belmont Stakes Logo: Sweeeet!

Love it, love it, love it! I might even have to purchase some swag.

And speaking of the Belmont Stakes…

Will she or won’t she?

Will he or won’t he?

He will, but who will ride him?

Sidelined!

Lookin’ good…

And in other racing news…. It has come to my attention that there has been some jibber-jabber on the blogs about Zenyatta’s “conservative” 2009 plans. It has been said on the forums that the plans are unambitious. This complaint does not work for me. She’s the best horse in training. If an owner or trainer wants to challenge that notion, her schedule has been mapped out for all to see. Come and get her. In the meantime, she’ll work on being only the second horse in history to win the Distaff. And I must admit, repeating victories is one of my favorite things that great horses do.

And check out Zenyatta’s happy feet on Fran Jurga’s HoofBlog.

Ritual de lo Habitual: Photographer Charles Pravata’s Top Ten Albums of All Time

In Spanish, “Ritual De Lo Habitual” means the ritual of the habitual. Taking our daily lives and making them sacred, or taking our addictions and making ritual of them. It’s a high-minded mission, and it is for that reason worth celebrating. Most albums are content to share a good time (or a sad one) between the artists and the listeners, but some work to make the ordinary and the sordid to appear to us as truth and transcendence. –Justin Hall’s 1999 Nude As The News wrapup of the iconic 1990 Jane’s Addiction release, Ritual de lo Habitual

I’ve got a thing for discipline. I don’t like hearing about how Paul McCartney does not know how to write or read music. My head spins when I hear about people who learned to ride in a back yard on a green horse. My teeth grit when I read about painters who rocket to notoriety with artwork that has no foundation in the history of art. Without a foundation, art is cheap and one-dimensional. You cannot have subversive creativity without knowing what you’re subverting. One only gains artistic breadth and scope with an eye on every other artist who has tried before to express the very same concept, emotion, or theory.

Charles Pravata is our country’s best horse racing photographer under the age of 35. Imagine my horror when I found out that he’d only been shooting a year or so before his work started gracing Daily Racing Form covers and showing up in all of the most prestigious racing publications in the country. How did a person with no formal training and half a decade of practice become a highly-esteemed editorial photographer in the racing community and a big inspiration to my own development as a photographer?

A little more than three years ago, I remember wondering, “who IS this punk?” as I browsed through Pravata’s killer photos of Brother Derek on Flickr. I’ve been a racing fan since I was a little girl and I never saw his name before on photos credits in editions of Blood-Horse or Thoroughbred Times. At the time, I was looking to take a step into photography and was in the market for my very first SLR camera. I had sent out several emails to people who shot equine sports asking for help selecting a camera and a lens. Of the dozens of emails I sent, only a handful wrote back: Charles was one of them (Bud Morton was another). He was not the typical condescending, mystical, tight-lipped shooter- he was happy to share details about lenses and cameras and answer any questions I had.

I met Charles the following year and we got to spend some quality time in my home state, standing on ladders in torrential downpours on the inside rail at Monmouth Park for the 2007 Breeders’ Cup. Photographers all around us complained about the weather and groused about water in their cameras, but Charles enjoyed the mud and the grit- you can almost taste the sloppy track in his photo of Curlin winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It was a far cry from the arid air and synthetic racing surfaces of his home state of California, where the Breeders’ Cup was held the following year.

When I went out to Santa Anita for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, I learned first-hand just how challenging the light can be, with the harsh sunlight and the off-kilter grandstand angle. But when you look at Charles’ work, the shadows and angles are incorporated handily into excellent images. He is a master of harnessing light and using it to his advantage:

Santa Teresita, by Charles Pravata

Colonel John, by Charles Pravata

But mastery of light is not the only ingredient in his images. Through his lifelong love of racing, he manages to capture the essence of the track and distill it into his photos:

Storm at Santa Anita, by Charles Pravata

Santa Anita, by Charles Pravata

Del Mar Start

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and now residing in California, Charles knows the best and worst of both coasts of racing. Talk to Charles and you’ll learn a lot about the sport- look at his photos and you’ll learn even more. From a deeper place still come the most creative and evocative photos of his collection, from his artistic statements about the sport to his creative treatment of the warrior Curlin and American girl, Zenyatta. I so dig the surreal and illustrative treatment of his favorite horses.

Zenyatta, by Pravata

And sometimes Rock and Racehorses gets way out-rocked!

Andy Summers, by Charles Pravata

Perry Farrell, by Charles Pravata

Discipline is needed to shape an artist. But perhaps my definition of discipline is a little short-sighted. Perhaps art school is not the only place to learn the laws of composition and exposure and to study the greats who have come before us. Maybe the hot California sun is the spotlight on the studio of Santa Anita. And maybe the work of the Old Masters surrounds us at the racetrack, hangs on the walls in the racing museums, and lives on the pages of our epistles, the racing trade publications. No matter how I attempt to define it, Pravata has made a holy ritual of our habitual. Truth and transcendence.

What does Charles Pravata rock out to on his way to the track? Here’s his list of the Top Ten Albums of All Time:

1. Jane’s Addiction – Ritual De Lo Habitual – “Stop”, “Then She Did”, “Three Days”, “Ain’t No Right”, “Of Course”, etc. “Three Days” is one of the greatest rock anthems of all time. Stranded on an island, this is the one album I want with me. The one TV show would be The Honeymooners, but that’s another list.

One of the funniest things about Nothing’s Shocking, Jane’s Addiction’s much-ballyhooed 1988 release, was how it skewed the conventions of L.A. Sunset Strip metal, managing to be distinctively perverse in a world already saturated with bad taste and bacchanalia. At times the music was glorious, playful psychedelic metal, as Perry Farrell’s avant-gypsy garb, weird eye makeup and prepubescent voice plugged you into the visionary amorality of children. With its trippy nature imagery and porno bent, Nothing’s Shocking struck the gong.

Ritual de lo Habitual finds Jane’s Addiction thin and wandering, blowing ploys that worked before – overdubs and echoes, loose jamming, Farrell’s playground melodies. Split into a hard-rockin’ side and a prog-rock side, the album doesn’t cohere – whatever the band members have been doing for the last two years, they haven’t been practicing much. –Erik Davis’ 1990 Rolling Stone review of the iconic 1990 Jane’s Addiction release, Ritual de lo Habitual

Life imitating art: Charles Pravata (center) costumed as Perry Farrell

2. The Police- Regatta De Blanc – Every album they recorded was great, as evidenced by the present day Karma of the great filly Zenyatta.

3. The Clash – Story of The Clash Volume 1 – One of the most dynamic bands of all time, and this compilation is evidence of that.

4. The Ramones- Ramones Mania – Another compilation; call me a cheater. The guitar player steals the lead singer’s girlfriend, marries her, and the band stays together. That’s true punk…. and Joey Ramone is the epitome of style.

5. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – Even though they robbed most of the songs on this album and took credit for writing them (I can replace this album with any other Zeppelin album).

6. Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon – Many adventures to the Hayden Planetarium for this album’s laser show between the ages of 11 and 21. Was fortunate enough to see Roger Waters perform the entire album live a few years ago. Epic.

7. The Smiths – The Best of the Smiths 1 & 2 – Listened to these albums, and The Queen is Dead on my drives down to Del Mar last summer; hurled me into a depression that I just recently started to come out of. It’s all about impact, good or bad.

8. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced – Inspired a lot of people to take acid (so did #6 on my list).

9. Metallica – Master of Puppets – This used to be a great band.

10. Tool- Undertow – One of the few honest bands left in modern music.

Charles Pravata at the Kentucky Derby

Continuing my collection of Top Ten lists from my favorite photographers, writers, musicians, and athletes in the world of rock and racehorses. Also check out the Top Ten lists of jockey Joe Talamo, Barbara Livingston, Bill Finley, Bud Morton, Jonathan Andrew, Kevin Martin, Holly Van Voast, and Jon Forbes.

The Kentucky Derby and Movie Lists: Jockey Joe Talamo’s Top Ten Movies of All Time

Continuing my collection of Top Ten lists from my favorite photographers, writers, musicians, and athletes in the world of rock and racehorses. Check out the Top Ten lists of Barbara Livingston, Bill Finley, Bud Morton, Jonathan Andrew, Kevin Martin, Holly Van Voast, and Jon Forbes.

New York racing fans are a tough bunch. They don’t take kindly to just anybody. They’ve seen it all, from Man o’War to Secretariat. They are stingy with their applause and only reserve it for a select few. After the 2009 Wood Memorial, the New York applause thundered through the small but tough crowd. Joe Talamo and I Want Revenge were officially welcomed to the fold.

Before we go on, take another look at the 2009 Wood Memorial.

Watched it? OK, good. What did you think of Joe Talamo’s ride? I loved it. Balanced riding out of the gate when the colt awkwardly broke, infinite patience waiting to make his move, and a quiet ride to the wire, encouraging his colt but not pushing him any more than needed. Gotta save some of that run for the first Saturday in May.

I’m a racing fanatic, but I’m also a fanatic of excellent riding of any discipline. Check out Talamo’s position at the start of the Wood: eyes up, elastic and giving hands, patient posture.

How does a 19-year-old jockey develop these skills? Where did he come from? Who taught him? Was he born a rider? Being a Louisiana native, he cut his teeth on the very same tracks as many of the greatest riders in the sport. Check out the little HRTV clips: Joe Talamo’s Meteoric Rise: Part 1 and Joe Talamo’s Meteoric Rise: Part 2.

I met Joe very briefly at a work function when I was in California shooting the 2008 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita. I only spoke with him for a few moments, but I could tell that he was keen to make a good impression with anyone who spoke with him. I can imagine the same keenness when he is hustling mounts at the barns at dawn every morning. Coupled with excellent riding skills, it takes a certain amount of charisma, discipline, and boldness to get a good reputation.

Gamblers and horse racing fans alike have known about Smokin’ Joe Talamo since he took California by storm in 2007, winning Grade 1 races at the tender age of 17, becoming the youngest jockey to ride in a Breeders’ Cup race (Monmouth Park 2007 aboard Nashoba’s Key), and winning the Eclipse Award for Best Apprentice Jockey. A larger population got to know Talamo through Animal Planet’s hit series, Jockeys. Talamo’s drive and determination are a large part of the show’s success and the show is currently filming its second season as we count down the days til the Kentucky Derby.

What does the jockey of the 2009 Kentucky Derby favorite deem the top ten movies of all time? Check out his list:

1. The Godfather (1972)
2. Goodfellas (1990)
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
4. Seabiscuit (2003)
5. American Gangster (2007)
6. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
7. Cinderella Man (2005)
8. Wedding Crashers (2005)
9. Phone Booth (2002)
10. A Bronx Tale (1993)

Racehorses and Rock Lists! Photographer Bud Morton’s Top 10 Albums of All Time

Bud Morton, circa 1975

This is part of my ongoing series of Top Ten Lists. Check out the lists of Bill Finley and Barbara Livingston.

Website: http://www.budmortonphotography.com
Website Gallery: http://www.gallery.budmortonphotography.com
Flickr Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/budmeister

No contest. That’s what Bud Morton wrote about his top album of all time. Same can be said for some of the greats captured by his Nikon: Cigar, Go For Wand, Skip Away, Real Quiet’s Triple Crown loss by a nose, Sky Beauty in The Alabama, Fourstardave at The Spa. Classic, all of them. No contest.

I first saw Bud’s photography when I was just learning the ins and outs of my mom’s point and shoot camera, which I brought to the track whenever I had the chance. Bud’s work was displayed in the Final Turn Photo Gallery. I attended the 2003 Jockey Club Gold Cup and was wowed by Mineshaft’s victory; however, the photos I took were abysmal. How could photos of such a great race be so awful? Must have been impossible to shoot, I decided. Then I saw Bud’s photo of Mineshaft in the post parade: head bowed, nostrils flared, bracing against the bit. Bud had captured the horse’s fire even in the notoriously obnoxious Belmont lighting. I begged my then-boyfriend now-husband to locate the print for me for Christmas. Jonathan contacted this amazing and talented photographer from the Boston area and I ended up with a framed, matted photo of Mineshaft, which is proudly displayed on my wall.

In 2006, I purchased my first SLR camera, a Nikon D70s. I read the camera manual, browsed the photography forums, and asked everyone I knew for help with my new pet hobby. A friend of mine purchased the same camera at the same time and we met up at Aqueduct to try out our new goodies. My friend knew Bud and introduced me to him. Bud said hello, then eyed me, and asked, “Are you the one who posts her photos online as soon as you get home from the track?” I said yes, a little embarrassed by my own dorkiness. Bud then helped my friend learn about shooting horse racing. I silently shadowed them as they shot the turn and the stretch of the day’s races. I knew the basics that Bud explained, but then he started talking about the good stuff- the stuff that separates the men from the boys, the stuff that makes his racing photos special.

The next time I saw Bud at Aqueduct, I was full of questions. And Bud answered them! A lot of photographers are under the mistaken impression that they are doing something that nobody else has ever done and they are a little reluctant to share their methods. I’ve only met a few who are so comfortable with their work that they can be generous in helping others: Bud Morton is one of these people. He taught me why it’s cool to shoot racing in aperture priority. He taught me how to shoot an image so sharp I can see “the dirt in the jockey’s teeth and every whisker on the horse’s muzzle”. He taught me how much better the inner rail shots are than the outer rail shots. He taught me how the big photographers got their images to look unique. He taught me that if I totally flub a shot, don’t despair because “there are nine more races tomorrow”. And above all else…. background, background, background.

This is all classic stuff that has been done many times before and will be done so many times after, but with these tools, a photographer begins to define a style. True mastery of a craft yields artistic style. Standing just a few feet away from me, Bud can get a totally different-looking image from mine. And he’ll go for the more daring shot instead of the cookie-cutter safety shot every time. He playfully teases photographers for getting “pretty pony” paddock photos but when nobody is looking, he sneaks in the paddock and gets some real beauties (Bud and his wife are also wonderful horsepeople who tend to a small herd of senior horses at home). In addition to the classics of 20+ years ago, Bud has some new classics, too, like this beauty of Rags To Riches winning the 2007 Belmont Stakes over Curlin, another print which resides at the Andrew residence.

On a miserably hot, cold, rainy, or otherwise unpleasant day, a lot of photographers complain about the day’s work. Bud does not- he reminds me that it is a real privilege to shoot these events and be close to such amazing horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners. Shooting is FUN- setting up remotes is FUN. When I assisted Bud at Saratoga, I first learned The Rules before I got to shoot. Working for Bud means following a few basic but classic rules about attire and conduct at the track; these rules have fallen by the wayside for some of the newer photographers. Bud explains it like this, “I’m old school and this is how I was taught…” I’ll work by the old school rules any day- I respect Bud’s opinions and he’s been a great mentor to me.

What kind of Top Ten List would you expect from an old-school, classic, no-contest photographer? Here it is:

1. Bruce Springsteen: Born To Run – No contest.
2. Bruce Springsteen: Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ – The “old “ boss- not the new whiny one- gets the top two.
3. The Beatles: The Beatles (White Album) – “And in the end…”
4. The Grateful Dead: American Beauty – “Keep on truckin’… like the doodah man…”
5. Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company: Cheap Thrills – Janis took a piece of my heart with that record.
6. Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin I – Left me dazed and confused after good times and bad times.
7. Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells a Story – Gave me a “reason to believe”.
8. The Who: Tommy – A truly unique album
9. Queen: A Night at the Opera – “Bo Rap” and “Best Friend” get the nod.
10. James Taylor: Sweet Baby James – “ The turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston”, also known as the road to Saratoga

Bud Morton completing the Boston Marathon in 2007

Racehorses and Rock Lists! Sports Columnist Bill Finley’s Top 10 Albums of All Time

It’s tough being a horse racing fanatic. TVG is nice for seeing the actual races, but you have to suffer through awful commentary, not to mention commercials for ShamWow, the Snuggie and Mighty Putty. Horse racing trade publications, racing blogs, and forums provide news and opinions, but there are few people with the industry knowledge, scope, and experience to provide racing fans with real insight into the sport.

Bill Finley is one of the finest writers in horse racing. He speaks to handicappers, fans, and to members of the racing industry. I admire his unwavering dedication to the Sport of Kings, as well as his visionary ideas to improve it. Finley has the courage to buck popular thought about the racing industry and speak out about deep problems within the institution. He writes for the New York Times, USA Today, and ESPN, and in 2008, he published Betting Synthetic Surfaces, a book of in-depth research and analysis of what makes a winner on a synthetic track. He’s also a co-host of Down The Stretch, a racing program on Sirius Satellite Radio and has appeared in editions of ESPN’s SportsCentury.

Check out Bill’s thoughts on the 2008 Eclipse Awards, the unsung heroes of 2008, the legacy of Barbaro, a throwdown between Big Brown and Curlin, Eight Belles’ tragic demise, and some early 2009 Kentucky Derby picks (including Old Fashioned, pictured above with trainer Larry Jones).

… and check out Bill Finley’s Top Ten Albums of all time!

1. English Beat: I Just Can’t Stop It
2. The Clash: London Calling
3. The Clash: Sandinista!
4. The Who: Who’s Next
5. Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run
6. Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
7. Bruce Springsteen: Born in the USA
8. Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros: Rock Art and the X-Ray Style
9. The Smiths: Louder Than Bombs
10. Graham Parker: Squeezing Out Sparks