Horse Race — Our First Experience

Part of the reason we came to Saratoga Springs this weekend is to watch the horse racing.  Labor Day is the last weekend of the season.  We won’t see this until next year.

 

There are two different kinds of horse racing — jockey race and herness race.  Jockey race is the kind that you usually see with a rider on the horse back.  Herness race is the race with a small cart at the back of the horse.  For me, seeing the jockey race is more interesting so we started with that.

 

The weather became somewhat unstable after we left the state park.  We soon realized that had no effect on the passion from the crowd.  Since this is the last weekend, this place was crowded with hunger people who wants to win some money.  Did I mention that you can place a bet during the game?

 

Mimi enjoyed her cotton candy ($4.75 for a very small one).  She didn’t know what she will see the next day — stay tuned.

 

 

 

Very cloudy day with a big crowd.

 

 

 

Same thing inside of the pavilion.  People are all staring at the TV monitor trying to figure out which horse to place their bet.

 

 

 

Proud owner (on the left) with their horse.  Racing horse is a highly valuable commodity.  Each horse is carefully care for with many people attending its need.  The kind of individual who can afford to raise a racing horse is not an ordinary person like you and me.  That requires a very deep pocket to be able to show off like this.

 

 

Another racing horse.  Again, many people attending to its need.  Some will brush its hair, some will feed it with water or hay, and some will be on the watch to catch anything “produced” by the horse (you know what I mean).

 

 

Since the race is highly competitive, everything counts.  You have to be very slim to be a rider for a race.  Each jockey is probably about Mimi’s size (in terms of weight and height).

 

It is interesting to see that many of the jockey (riders) have foreign faces (mostly South America).

 

 

 

They all wear beautiful and eye catching outfit.  See the whip they hold on hand?  It became very handy in the race.  They beat their horse like crazy to gain their speed.

 

 

 

 

Of course, this is a rich man’s club. 

 

 

Getting ready for the race.