Breeders' Cup 2011

Here's a few of my personal Breeders' Cup connections as experienced via my long summer at the Saratoga meet:

Think names aren't important? Sometimes they're everything. Stopshoppingmaria became an instant fan favorite at Saratoga even before she broke her maiden which she accomplished easily in her second start by over nine lengths. She became the talk of the two-year-old fillies. Not a bad second place finish in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf either.

Some of the owners of Turbulent Descent (there are several and some are first timers) came into my booth to see my artwork but I wasn't there (argh)! Michael did his best to coax them into returning to meet me. Their excitement of being at Saratoga with such a nice filly was understandable, but a few did come back. When we were in California many years ago, Michael galloped a couple of horses for Turbulent Descent's trainer Mike Puype - most notably, Old Trieste. The two of them had a few minutes to chat when Mike P. also visited my booth. The next day Turbulent Descent blasted the field in the Test Stakes. The gang had to be so disappointed with the trouble she experienced in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint, finishing fifth.

Early one morning I was photographing reference at the Oklahoma training track. A very amiable boyish-looking man walked up to me and introduce himself - George Bolton. Okay, I'm embarrassed that I didn't know who he was at first but quickly assessed his connection to Stonestreet Stable. We discussed The Factor and he invited me into the paddock that afternoon to photograph a filly he was extremely high on - My Miss Aurelia who was running in the Adirondack Stakes. In the paddock, George was too busy to talk to me as he was engaged in crowd control and ambassadorship, but I did manage to invite him to my booth. Unfortunately, he never made it. But his filly won the Adirondack and she also won the BC Juvenile Fillies convincingly.

My Miss Aurelia prior to winning the Adirondack Stakes.

Last year I had the honor of creating the commission of Big Drama as a gift for his owner, Harold Queen. Winner of last year's Sprint Eclipse Award and last year's BC Sprint, this year he didn't repeat and finished seventh. I still enjoy my personal connection and loyalty to this professional racehorse. Just love him.

BC Classic winner Drosselmeyer looked small and thin to me as he was brought to the paddock for the Sword Dancer Stakes.

Drosselmeyer

This gal, however, looked magnificent...

Havre de Grace on her way to her victory in the Woodward Stakes.

So there you go. From the artist's perpective.

Love to all the horses who ran their best, Sharon

I Got a Fever

I'm honored to be chosen by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) to design and paint the 10th Anniversary Horse Fever prototype presented by the Marion Cultural Alliance. Because I was asked not to share the latest design with you before the big reveal, I will tell you that his name is "World Champ". He illustrates the thoroughbred industry here in Ocala, Florida aka The Horse Capital of the World. But I've said too much...

It's safe to give you a peek of  "the herd" at the warehouse:

Laboriously being liberated from their shipping crates.

"World Champ" suspiciously eyes his transport to the FTBOA.

Here's the original "Champ" prototype, still looking great after ten years. He represents the racing silks of 14 prominent thoroughbred breeding farms here in Marion County. Posing in front of the FTBOA offices, he was also sponsored by the FTBOA who also sponsored the first Horse Fever project and...who also sponsored...me.

The flip side of "Champ", photographed at Double Diamond Farm.

"Above & Beyond" was painted by moi for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America for their annual White Horse Awards. He represents the heroic backside workers at the racetrack. A & B took me to the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park in '04.

I also designed and painted "Cultural Champ" who was the foal belonging to the original herd. He represented the major cultural aspects of Marion County and Ocala, but I'll be darned if I can find a photo of him!

"It is, after all, the dab of grit that seeps into an oyster's shell that makes the pearl, not pearl-making seminars with other oysters." - Stephen King

Selling Out

There's marketing and then there's crappy overwrought commercialism. Any mention to this year's Kentucky Derby must (apparently) be referenced in print media as: "Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)". Wonder how the blue bloods feel about this. And now, any indication to the world-wide, global Breeders' Cup Classic must be referred to as: "Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1)". Where's the tradition, purity, integrity?

Those who know me are aware of my intentions to learn marketing, branding, self-publicity and promotion during this past year or so, in spite of my left-brained preponderance. It just seems cheesy for America's top races and be soooo beholden to corporate sponsors.

Okay, I'm ranting again. Humor me. This afternoon I watched a caterer win the filly and mare sprint (sorry Oprah), Nownownow do it without cobra venom (we can only assume), and the son of the giant killer carry on the tradition. I've been in the studio slapping paint on canvas all week in anticipation of an afternoon of beer and munchies tomorrow. Oh, and speaking of paint, what artist lives and breathes horse racing and is an intrepid ambassador to the sport? What artist has done more to promote horse racing, has lived the life from hotwalker to racing official more than moi? HUH? So, I'm perusing the Breeders' Cup website today and what do I stumble upon...an artist giving a painting away in exchange for publicity! Humongous publicity! Oh yeah, for charity. Is this what I have to do to get noticed by the marketing departments of various race tracks, organizations and/or corporate sponsors? One would think they'd take advantage of such an aficionada, fanatic, devotee, enthusiast, addict, groupie, supporter, admirer and...buff! And a former owner/trainer, damn it!

I'll put my work up to anyone's anytime.
An exciting and glorious day of Breeders' Cup racing to all...