I’m not much of a gambler, but as I was passing by the track on my morning run, I was struck by the beauty of the place. You can smell the horses as you drive by slowly with your windows down. It’s a wonderful smell of leather, saddle blankets, and sawdust that was imprinted on me throughout my youth of showing quarter horses. These were thoroughbreds, though, tall and muscular, with their own swimming pools, beautiful farms, and teams of humans focused on their success.

It was Wednesday morning, so the jockeys and trainers were preparing for the races that evening. Young, lean men and women in flak vests and riding helmets were working their horses. Some were running, some jogging, but all were beautifully backlit by the rising sun as it pierced through the morning fog.

The track also hosts a restaurant and bar, the Turf Club. Had I been in the area another night, I think I could have enjoyed a night at the races.