Belmont - Fall Championship Race Day

[suek596]

A beautiful fall day and 5 Grade I races. It was a tricky day to shoot. By October, the shadows from the granstand fall across the dirt track near the finish line by 3:00pm. So it's challenging shooting to say the least.

With 5 Grade I races, there's a few in this series. All these winners are expected to go to the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs in November. Of course I'll be there

#1 - The Beldame Stakes for fillies and mares - Racing for the wire, Fleet Indian (inside) tries to fight off Balletto

#2 - At the wire, Fleet Indian holds on by a desperate head to win

[suek596]

#3 - The Flower Bowl Turf - The ladies on the grass, breaking from the gate. The turf races were shot from the second floor grandstand

#4 - Down the stretch in The Flower bowl - Jade Hunter on the rail, Honey Rider (the Grey) and Film Maker (the favorite) race for the finish. The three hit the wire together, the grey won the race by a nose.

#5 - The Vosburg - a sprint race, won by the spectacular Henny Hughs. I love this beautiful chestnut, and couldn't take enough pictures of him

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#6 - The Joe Hirsch Invitational on turf - down the stretch, English Channel leads the pack

#7 - The Jockey Club Gold Cup - down the stretch, Bernardini is dominate against the only 3 horses not afraid to face him. Actually they're in it for the purse - $750,000

#8 - Bernardini - nonchalant brillance