My Breeders’ Cup Friday started with a bit of a surprise: after waking up every morning well before the crack of dawn, I decided to let myself sleep in a bit. Silly me: I forgot that I had a photographers’ meeting in the winner’s circle at 8:30 a.m. Thankfully, my internal alarm roused me at about 7 a.m. and after a fortuitous e-mail moment I got myself together and to the track in plenty of time.

While I was there, I ran into my Clocker’s Corner pooches of the day: meet Barney (the Chihuaua mix) and Baldwin (the fuzzy fellow) – they belong to amazing photographer Cecilia Gustavsson and they love her so much: any time she spoke this was their expression:

They are regulars at Clocker’s Corner, so be sure to say ‘hi’ next time you’re there!

After the meeting, the gates to Santa Anita Park opened up and horse racing fans started to stream in. I saw so many amazing people dressed in their best today – and a few very cool Halloween enthusiasts, too! Below are some of the best of the day:

I also spotted the hats of Christine A. Moore, the official milliner of the Breeders’ Cup. I love her creations, and this year’s Breeders’ Cup bounty was especially stunning.

I may have even sampled the goods a bit myself:

Loving this @camhatsNYC creation- it goes perfectly with my @BreedersCup photographer's vest! pic.twitter.com/O5317vgBJJ

— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) October 31, 2014

It’s all about coordination, folks.

So many people showed up for today’s races: there was a huge crowd gathered around the paddock, and they were in for a show.

I even got the chance to hang out with my main man Reggie, who pulls the carriage around Santa Anita Park to take the officials who oversee the beginning of each race to the starting gate. Reggie looked good in his braids, which were in the Breeders’ Cup signature purple.

Which, of course, meant that it was time for my favorite personal Breeders’ Cup tradition: the Reggie selfie:

Gotta have my Reggie selfie at @BreedersCup! #BC14 pic.twitter.com/Db5t1qj5xN

— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) October 31, 2014

That horse is awesome.

Then it was time for the Breeders’ Cup races to commence. The first up was the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and there was beautiful fanfare to herald the start of the World Championships of horse racing.

I’m proud to say that the handsome Hootenanny took this one in impressive fashion. I can’t wait to see what he does in his three-year-old career!

The next big race was one I was so excited for: the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. This is going to sound weird, but I’ve been buddies with last year’s winner Goldencents for a long time on Twitter so I have a deep love for this horse. So when the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile horses broke out of the gate, I had my heart in my throat.

And did it he did! What a horse – it’s his second time in a row to win this race, and he was breathtaking in his victory.

The next big race of the afternoon was the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. I somehow managed to finagle a spot where I could take pictures of the horses emerging from the saddling paddock to the racetrack, and it was a beautiful thing to see.

Again: if I ever start complaining about my life, please give me a digital reality check.

So! Juvenile Fillies Turf time. The two-year-old female horses were off to the post, and one of them was bound for greatness. Lady Eli proved her backers right by cruising home as an easy winner, making it look like her job as she floated under the finish line.

One of my favorite moments of the day came right after that: I heard a huge commotion in the Santa Anita Park grandstand and managed to capture this moment of celebration from Lady Eli’s owners.

Folks, if you want to know why it’s fun to own a racehorse, look no further.

The last race of the day was the biggest: the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. This is the most important race for female horses in the nation, and the best of the best were lined up to try their hand at glory. When the starting gate opened, 35,000 voices carrying bets, boasts and beliefs urged the horses into the race of their lives.

And after one mile and one eighth, it was Untapable who cruised home carrying Rosie Napravnik and one other surprise passenger across the finish line.

The surprise passenger was Rosie’s baby: after she rides out the rest of the Breeders’ Cup, Rosie will be hanging up her boots in favor of booties, and I for one wish her the best of luck in her next huge adventure. When it comes to her races, I will never forget her victory aboard Believe You Can to become the first woman to ever guide a horse to the lilies.

And, y’all, this woman will be just as awesome a mother as she as been a role model to young people everywhere:

So, Rosie, thank you for celebrating a fantastic Distaff Day aboard Untapable. We will miss you, but we will never, ever forget you.