Horses racing down the stretch at Churchill Downs
Running Away
Galloping Horses
Galloping Down the Stretch
Tag Archives: racing
Down the Stretch
“Down the Stretch” is the “home stretch” in Thoroughbred Racing. It can also be called the “last leg,” but certainly not as often. The home stretch is the last quarter of a mile to the 8th of a mile of the race and is parallel to the backstretch.
Here are the horses coming down the stretch at Churchill Downs.
Down the Stretch
Horse Race Starting Gate
A starting gate, also called a starting barrier or starting stall, is a machine that ensures a fair start in horse racing. Here is a starting gate at Churchill Downs.
Horse Race Starting Gate
Narrow Gates
Secretariat at Claiborne Farm
After his racing career, Secretariat stood as stud at Claiborne Farm until he passed away at 19. Here is the nameplate of the barn where he was stabled.
Secretariat’s grave is in an understated horse cemetery, past two brick pillars with granite roosters atop them. It is a simple headstone often surrounded by flowers, apples, and peppermints left by fans.
Secretariat Nameplate
Secretariat Tombstone
Preparing for Races
The entrance to the racing trek at Churchill Down, Louisville, Kentucky, is being prepared for the day’s races. The racing trek is pristine, even at the bends.
Getting the Entrance Ready
Bend in the Track
Twin Spires at Churchill Downs
Initially designed and created as simply an addition, these structures have become permanently linked to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Used countless times over the years as a promotional tool, links to numerous stories, and a reminder of the place, the Twin Spires have become a revered symbol.
If Churchill Downs is American Thoroughbred horse racing’s cathedral, its steeple and eternal landmark is the Twin Spires. These two pinnacles cast a glow up and down Louisville and across the landscape of horse racing history.
Twin Spires
At Churchill Downs
While in Kentucky, we had a private tour of Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named after Samuel Churchill, whose family had been prominent in Kentucky for many years.
Here is the entrance with a Barbaro statue in the front. Barbaro will be remembered for his six first-place finishes, including the 2006 Kentucky Derby, which he dominated by 6 1/2 lengths. The bronze statue, created by Kentucky artist Alexa King, showcases Barbaro and jockey Edgar Prado in mid-flight between strides nearing the finish line in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
At Churchill Downs
Barbaro