Sara Meets a Horse

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Going to the race track has always been a favorite activity of ours. We go to watch the horses and make a few bets several times a season. Some of the best days to go to Emerald Downs is on Triple Crown race days. Everyone dresses up in traditional race attire: spring dresses for the ladies, and pastel sport jackets for the men. And of course, the hats! The bigger, crazier, and more creative, the better! It's so much fun, and you can place bets on the actual big races, which are simulcast on screens all over the facility so you won't miss a moment of the action!

This year, we chose Kentucky Derby day to take Sara to her first race. I dressed her in a cute little dress with a matching headband, which she quickly pulled off from her head, and away we went!

Sara loves people watching, and she loves animals! She was definitely enjoying kicking back in her stroller and watching everyone around her. Many people even came up to her to say hello! The race track is a very family friendly event, and there were tons of kids around, and Sara enjoyed watching them laugh and play and run around. I can't wait until she's big enough to join them!

In the early afternoon, before the Derby, the first of the live races took place. We took Sara to where they lead the horses in from the stables, so that she could get a close up view of them. She didn't notice at first, but when they started leading them around the paddock, she saw them, and couldn't keep her eyes off them!

As they continued to lead the horses around the ring, and then onto the track, Sara couldn't get enough! She smiled as they walked by, just a few feet from her. When it was time for the race, we took her down to the rail alongside of the track so that she would have a good view when the horses crossed the finish line.

As the horses came thundering down the track, Sara turned towards them, probably wondering, "what was that?" She watched as they crossed the line, and then led them back to the stables.

After the first race, I left to get mint juleps for Mark and I, while he and Sara watched a few more races. At one point, a lady came up to Sara and asked her which horse she liked for the next race. Mark told her, "She likes number 6!" And the 6 horse actually won the next race!

When it came time for the Derby, we found a seat, and watched the broadcast from the main screen above the track. Unfortunately, none of the horses I bet on won. We stayed for one more live race, and then set off for home, because Sara was starting to get sleepy.

It was a fun day, and the first of what hopefully will be many fun trips to the races!

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