My Favorite Photographs of 2014, Part II

Please enjoy part two of a selection of my favorite photographs from 2014. Part one may be seen here.

Artemis Agrotera and Rajiv Maragh win the Ballerina Stakes (Gr. I) at Saratoga by 6-1/2 lengths.

Rajiv Maragh watches aboard Wicked Strong as Javier Castellano and V.E. Day sweep by in a stirring finish to capture the 145th Travers Stakes (Gr. I) by a nose.

The James Jerkens barn celebrates finishing 1-2 in the historic Travers Stakes.

Horses float out of the mist at the old Oklahoma training track at Saratoga the morning after the Travers Stakes.

A groom poses his horse on the Oklahoma backstretch at Saratoga.

Untapable is bathed after her morning exercise at Saratoga. Save a fifth-place finish in the Haskell Stakes, the filly is undefeated for 2014. At the time of this photo, she was victor in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (Gr. III), Fair Grounds Oaks (Gr. II), Longines Kentucky Oaks (Gr. I), and Mother Goose Stakes (Gr. I). She would go on to win the Cotillion Stakes (Gr. I) and Longines Breeder's Cup Distaff (Gr. I).

Mr Speaker is grazed outside the McGaughey barn at Saratoga the morning after his fifth-place finish in the Travers Stakes.

A horse works on the main track at Saratoga the morning after the Travers Stakes.

Coco Mon, an Illinois-bred son of Monarchos, peeks from behind his pony in the Arlington Park paddock before winning an allowance race.

Jockeys converse in the paddock prior to the Pucker Up Stakes (Gr. III) at Arlington Park.

A feisty Creative Cause on a windy fall day at Airdrie Stud.

Owner Morton Fink (black cap and jacket) looks on as his champion gelding, Wise Dan, is saddled before the Shadwell Turf Mile (Gr. I) at Keeneland.

Wise Dan, John Velazquez up, powers down the stretch to win the Shadwell Turf Mile. The race was Wise Dan's first Grade I win since recovering from colic surgery in May.

A fit and impatient Wise Dan acts up in the winner's circle after winning the Shadwell Turf Mile.

Hall of Fame mare Silverbulletday is regarded as one of the greatest horses of the 90s.  Her record of 15 wins in 23 starts includes victories in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies, Fair Grounds Oaks, Ashland Stakes, Kentucky Oaks, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and Alabama Stakes.

Midnight Lute at Hill 'N' Dale Farm.

Cigar's death in October personally touched the hearts of many racing fans, including mine. I was moved to write about how much the great horse meant to me on my personal blog, which may be seen here. The following month, my mom and I traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park to attend Cigar's memorial. More photos from the memorial may be seen here.

Man o' War's grave on the afternoon of Cigar's memorial at the Kentucky Horse Park.

My mom and Game On Dude at Old Friends Equine Retirement. I had met Game On Dude at Del Mar in 2013 and was eager to introduce my mom to the great gelding. Mom found him very charming, and I sensed that the feeling was mutual.