Rachel at The Fair Grounds

[PleasantlyPerfect]

I finally got my photos downloaded from The Fair Grounds. It was a horrible weather but sooooo worth it to stand in the pouring rain to get some shots of Rachel !!!


[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/Rachelheadingtothetrack.jpg[/img]

[PleasantlyPerfect]

[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/RachelinthePostParade.jpg[/img]

[PleasantlyPerfect]

[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/RachelcloseupinPostParade.jpg[/img]

[PleasantlyPerfect]

[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/Rachelaftertherace.jpg[/img]


[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/Rachelisreadyforhercloseup.jpg[/img]


[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/Rachelaftertherace2.jpg[/img]


[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/Rachelinthepaddock.jpg[/img]


And my personal favorite...the view all the boys see.....

[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/Rachelshowingtheangletheboyssee.jpg[/img]

[PostTimeMike]

Outstanding photos!!! :grin:

You must have been standing very near to where myself, a79, and War Emblem were!!! Rachel looked like she was skimming over the track!! The [glow=red,2,300]Fire[/glow] was impressive also!!

Hope you'll be there for the LA Derby next year?? Planning a Backstretch Boys Stables day and inviting all the TBC Forum members to join in!!! :wink:

[PleasantlyPerfect]

Yes I was lucky enough to have the guard at the cross over let me in the paddock and I walked down the tunnel to the paddock and got a couple shots, then stood in the tunnel as she came out! And then I stood in the pouring rain as she ran....but it was worth it.lol She was just amazing even with all of the rain and slop, she didnt turn a hair! And speaking of the Louisiana Derby, of course I will be there! Love the date change, should get us some nicer horses! That is such a great day of racing.

[Prairie Bayou]

Wow. That rain looks miserable. Only diehards go out in that stuff. :wink:

[PleasantlyPerfect]

[quote author=Prairie Bayou link=topic=36428.msg785554#msg785554 date=1250201909]
Wow. That rain looks miserable. Only diehards go out in that stuff. :wink:
[/quote]

It was horrible, and did I bring an umbrella....of course not! And was it pouring down when Rachel stepped onto the track...of course!! lol But I didnt care I stood there in the pouring down rain cheering my butt off for her anyway, and had a blast! I had a friends fancy new camera and between the rain, being afraid I would ruin a $400 camera, And not knowing how to work it, they came out better than I thought they would. :grin: Atleast there is a horse in each picture. I have one of Gary Stevens and Jon White doing an interview in the paddock under an umprella and it shows just how hard it was raining. I will try and find it and post.

[Ellesshoe]

We must've been by each other for the race because I have a picture pretty similar to the fourth one you posted:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3633313...7617543398082/

Rachel Alexandra (and Friesan Fire!) were really something to see. I'm really glad I braved the weather to attend that day. :smiley:

[PleasantlyPerfect]

Oh we must have been.lol It was horrible weather but I wouldnt have missed it. I will say for the weather it was packed! When we pulled up to valet, there were cars and people everywhere. The 2 valets come and are rushing us out of my car and I get my purse, camera bag, guy gives me my valet ticket and I jump out! Alittle while later we hear them calling several times for someone to come move their car, cause its parked in the valet line. I didnt think anything about it, then when we get ready to leave we wait for our car forever. then I see my car in the same spot I left it in....seems in the rush to get me out of the car, the valet guy didnt take the car keys!! Then the head valet guy had the never to tell me "Well your lucky we didnt tow your car"...he was really pissed. Finally I just told him "Look buddy, your guy was the one that gave me the valet ticket and didnt get my keys, and if they had not been hustling me out of my car like we were in a nascar pit stop, I would have given them to him". And he still wanted to give me attitude, and I told him "Buddy if you would have towed my freaking car and I had a valet ticket, there would have been hell to pay around here"! I know I should have given the guy my keys but they were rushing us so much and he gave me the valet ticket I just hurried up and got out. And when they were calling about the car they only gave the license plate never said a gray Dodge Charger! :angry:

[PleasantlyPerfect]

Here is one of Fresian Fire that day..

[img width=800 height=600]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/Eliset6/FresianFireatTheFairGrounds.jpg[/img]

[WesternDreamer]

I so wish she still had that dark bridle and free-flowing mane. IMO it enhanced her looks before she was Asmussen-ized.