Reflections on a summer photo journey at the races

At the beginning of this summer I took a big risk. Some call it a gamble or a bet. I took leave from a pretty rewarding and lucrative day job to immerse myself in equine and horse racing photography.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I went from leading to learning. I moved from the world of reason to following my gut instincts, hunches and anticipation. Instead of sitting behind a desk, in conference rooms, or working in labs, I roamed the dust of horse tracks and barns in my boots.

Getting up long before sunrise meant that some days I had logged four hours of focused photography effort before my usual start of the work day at 8 a.m. I relished the outdoor weather, from monsoon to humid heat, instead of struggling in sterile office air. I moved from interdependence to independence. I followed my curiosity about horses.

I did not make a huge profit, but I am an immeasurably richer person. What I learned, experienced and accomplished I would not want to have missed. 

So I am taking you on a photographic journey through the past 15 weeks that allowed me to experience memorable moments at race tracks in the Northeast.

It started with a bang: the Triple Crown-clinching Belmont Stakes. I was able to watch the Belmont Stakes contender Hofburg breeze at the Oklahoma track in Saratoga (with Yoshida along the rail) ahead of the race...

… before admiring Justify in person at the Big Sandy during his morning training race week.

Watching Justify make history as the 13th Triple Crown winner was gripping. Nobody knew at that time that trainer Bob Baffert would have put the blanket on Justify in the winner’s circle for the last time, which in retrospect makes that moment even more special. It almost seems as if Maestro Baffert was putting his finishing touches on one of his masterpieces.

After the conclusion of the American Triple Crown series, the Canadian version one got under way with the Queen's Plate at Woodbine in Toronto. Morning workouts, like at all race tracks, provide their special moments. For this photo I played with the morning light as exercise riders were coming out from the tunnel on their way to the main track.

The Queen's Plate was won in dominating fashion by the filly, Wonder Gadot, named after actress Gal Gadot.

Pretty soon, the regular morning workouts got under way at the Saratoga main track, which provided their own moments of morning magic.

The fan darling and the most photographed horse of opening weekend at Saratoga was certainly Southern Phantom with his unique white face, having his maiden race on July 21.

Back at Saratoga, I reconnected with Hofburg, and captured his win in the Curlin Stakes under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. After this win Hofburg was pointed at the Travers later that summer in Saratoga. He unfortunately ended up missing the race due to a spiked fever.

The mid-season highlight, the Whitney Stakes, had a similar weather scenario as the Prince of Wales. This time, add in lightning. After a 45-minute delay, Diversify won in dominating fashion.

The victory gave jockey Irad Ortiz Jr and Diversify their moment under the rainbow as they were heading to the winner’s circle.

I followed up the morning after the race, and was fortunate to witness the affection that Diversify received from his groom.

As the Saratoga race season inched closer to its signature race, the Travers Stakes, there was substantial excitement about a filly racing against the boys, for the first time since 1979. Wonder Gadot, whom I had witnessed in the winner’s circle at Woodbine and Ft. Erie, mesmerized in her 5:30 a.m. morning workouts...

...as well as during cool down under the shed row of the Mark Casse barn.

After the finale of the racing season at Saratoga, morning workouts have come to a closure on the main track, including my favorite spot, around Clare Court. The serene morning atmosphere there is really precious, as in this moment when trainer Kathy Barraclough is heading right into the camera with her horse under the last rays of warming sun on closing day.

So this week I will return to my office. What will remain from the past 15 weeks are my memories of the best summer in a long time -- the summer around horses, their riders, grooms, jockeys and trainers. As well as my colleague photographers from whom I was able to learn a lot. And I will certainly continue to capture the work with these magnificent race horses and athletes in my spare time, and with increased passion.