Al Hamla Colt 2017

Al Hamla Colt Drawing

I love the foaling season! My last post contained pictures of the Standardbred Foals at Diamond Creek Farm. They were the first ones I had ever seen in person. 

This is Al Hamla and her colt out of Olympic Glory. The picture was taken at Haras De Bouquetot in France for Al Shaquab Racing.

This photograph was taken by Zuzanna Lupa, and she gave me "Image use permission."

Diamond Creek Farm Feb.21,2017

Always B Miki Drawing

Last year I posted my drawing of Always B Miki, with the story of his come back from injury. Miki became the only Standardbred ever to win four races in less than 1:47. Then on Oct. 9,2016 racing in the Allerage Farm Pace at Red Mile in Kentucky, Miki set the world Standardbred record stopping the timer at 1:46:00  Miki now stands at stud at Diamond Creek Farm. Recently they contacted me with interest in the drawing.

Entrance to Diamond Creek Farm

On a gorgeous Feb. day, Jacob and I drove to Diamond Creek Farm in Wellsville Pa. We were welcomed by Caroline and her staff and started off with a tour. 

 Foal less than a week old

The first thing we saw were the new foals. There were a few of them less than a week old. I had never seen a foal in person. Jacob and I could not believe how soft they were, and how willing to have human interaction while the mares watched closely. 

Jacob pets one of the foals under the watchful eye of Mom

 The Stallion Barn

Our next stop was the Stallion Barn. The staff had kept Creatine and Always B Miki in the barn until our visit so that they would be clean and shiny for photos before being turned out into their fields. 

 CREATINE

Creatine was also a champion Standardbred, with a big win coming in the 2013 Kentucky Futurity.

 ALWAYS B MIKI

Of course the highlight of the trip was meeting Miki. The fastest Standardbred in history! What an incredible creature!

 Always B Miki in his field

 SWEET LOU

Sweet Lou "The Great White Blaze" earned his nickname in the Summer of 2014 winning 10 consecutive races, with six races being sub 1:48. He is the only Pacer in history to accomplish this. He also still holds the World Record mile for 2 year old (1:49.0)

Sweet Lou in his field

Sweet Lou just returned from breeding in New Zealand.

Dortmund 2017

Dortmund Drawing

Dortmund is a big chestnut colt foaled on Feb.7,2012. known for his size (17 hands, 1280 lbs.) he is the son of Big Brown who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008. Dortmund himself was considered a Triple Crown contender during the American Pharoah campaign. He finished third in that Kentucky Derby, and fourth in the Preakness before a long lay off. He is currently still racing. 

This drawing was done from a photograph by Alex Evers who gave me image use permission.

Renee Barrel Racing 2017

Renee Drawing

Renee a friend, gave me a picture of her Barrel Racing. This was a fun drawing, and I changed her hat from a riding helmet. 

FROSTED 2017

Frosted Drawing

I still get goosebumps when I re-watch the home stretch run of the 2015 Belmont Stakes. American Pharoah had won the fist two legs of the Triple Crown. As the horses came off the final turn Larry Collmus, who has called so many huge races was screaming, "American Pharoah's got a two length lead, Frosted is all out at the Sixteenth pole, and here it is, the 37 year wait is over, American Pharoah is finally the one, AMERICAN PHAROAH HAS WON THE TRIPLE CROWN!" 

Rarely in this NOW society does anyone remember who comes in second. I believe that with the exception of baseball, does anyone really remember history in sports. Im quite sure most NFL fans can not tell you who won the last 5 Super Bowls, and certainly not who they beat. Even in horse racing. I doubt that most fans can name all, or half of the twelve Triple Crown Winners. But because of American Pharoah, and the Belmont call of Larry Collmus, people will always know who came in second to AP when he won the Triple Crown. 

Although Frosted is best known for that second place finish (he was second to AP four times), he actually was very succesful, with five G1 wins. He set a record with a Dazzling permformance in the 2016 Metrololitan Handicap (Met Mile) at Belmont Park. He followed that up with a win in the Whitney Handicap in Saratoga Race Course. 

This drawing was done from a photograph at the 2016 Breeders Cup Classic by Robin Buchanan. It is the fourth drawing I have done from one of her photographs. 

Jim McCue- Maryland Jockey Club 2017

Jim McCue at Laurel Park

Jim McCue is the track photographer for Maryland Jockey Club who runs Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course. 

 Jim and I with my Secretariat Drawing

Jim took the photograph that of Secretariat during the 1973 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico that I did this drawing from. I gave him a print. 

 Jim photographing in Winners Circle at Laurel Park

I did an article about Jim for my column "From the Apron" on DanonymousRacing.com I joined Jim at Laurel Park and he allowed me to join him on the rail for the 9 race card. We discussed his story and career during the day. 

Jim photographing the finish wire at Laurel Park

Jim has been the track photographer for Maryland Jockey Club for 47 years! I believe that Jim is the only active professional equine photographer to have shot more that one Triple Crown Winner. He has actually shot four with Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and now American Pharoah! 

Secretariat 2017

Secretariat Drawing

Secretariat was the 1973 Triple Crown Winner. His record times in all three jewels of the Triple Crown Races still stand today. Those records include his winning the third jewel, the Belmont Stakes, by 31 lengths! 1973 was the first time the Triple Crown had been won in 25 years. It was won twice more in the 70's with Seattle Slew in 1977, and Affirmed in 1978.

The photograph that inspired this drawing was taken by Jim McCue of the Maryland Jockey Club during the post parade for the  1973 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore Maryland.