Becca Templeton traveled from Iowa to the Breeders' Cup.

They have come to Lexington, Ky. They gather under a stately 83 year old sycamore tree that is affectionately named “Morrie” by a Keeneland Race Course employee. They have travelled far and wide. It took some planning to be here. They have mapped out their trips to include charity luncheons, farm tours and parties. They plan their outfits in Breeders’ Cup colors of purple and gold. Some plan their strategies for betting. It’s part of the fun of the day! Many sit in groups on the apron of the track hours before the first race studying past performances and marking up their programs, like a football coach drawing out plays for a team. 

Katie Stone from Colorado proudly shows me her silver cowboy boots. She loves horses and used to work in the industry. Her husband Brian Stone shares her love of horse racing and has gone to races in Europe. “If you can hit one of the races in the Breeders’ Cup, you can win!”  More importantly, Katie convinced her husband to drive to Kentucky instead of flying from Colorado. This was so Katie could bring her hats to wear because “That’s the thing we do!” She brought more than 30 hats for all the festivities this week.

Homer Hurst Jr. cuts a fine figure in the crowd with his cowboy hat. He owns a construction business and is a farmer from Kentucky. He has always loved horses and coming to Keeneland. He bought his Breeders’ Cup tickets on the first day they were available. He “likes to see a great horse run but they are all great horses in the Breeders Cup!”

THE FAMOUS SYCAMORE TREE

The park benches on the apron have been moved to the rail by the gathering crowd. Some are sipping the Breeders’ Cup Breeze which is a blend of Makers Mark bourbon, orange juice, triple sec and topped with ginger ale. Fedoras and bowties are worn with crisp suits tastefully accessorized with purple pocket squares. Some gentlemen are enjoying a morning cigar. 

The women are wearing a wonderful kaleidoscope of fashion. Brocade and velvet are tastefully worn with leather boots and gorgeous shawls. Fascinators with feathers dance in the wind. Purple is prominent everywhere. Purple vests, scarves and hats. Gentlemen in tweed hold hands with women in linen. This is a world where young men wear navy blue blazers and bow-ties with ease and look totally in place.

It feels like we have stepped into a Peter Williams oil painting. The trees are gently turning color. Orange is triumphing over green in the trees leaf by leaf, bringing out all the rich hues of autumn. Ivy climbs up the famous Keeneland stone walls covering their famous “two over two” pattern. Landscapers have strategically placed pots of purple and yellow mums to accent the prominent Breeders’ Cup signs and banners.

A woman leans back on the paddock rail and says “I am just enjoying the outfits. This is a great place to people watch.”

Indeed as it seems that every person there wants to have their picture taken with the Breeders’ Cup horse situated between the paddock and the walking ring. Lines patiently form and people politely ask strangers if they will take their picture. Few know the history of the statue while everyone admires its beauty. It is actually called an ecorche which shows the muscles of the horse in great detail. The original was created in Florence, Italy in the late 1580s and this a faithful reproduction. An important part of attending a Breeders’ Cup is that one must simply get their picture taken with the horse! 

THE BREEDERS' CUP ECORCHE

A group of four men named Ryan, Jim, Brian and Brian meander by on the apron and stop to chat. They have come here from Chicago and have been to several Breeders’ Cups. With race track humor, Brian said that he met his wife at Longacres when they were standing in a betting line. With a twinkle in his eye, he said “I liked her wheels” referring to a complex betting pattern. Scott said they were looking forward to seeing Liam’s Map before he retires. I ran into Scott from Pennsylvania on the apron and he has also been to several Breeders’ Cup, including Santa Anita. He likes Runhappy because the horse is known for sleeping 20 hours a day. He admires him for “only working four hours a day!”

Sporting a fabulous purple bowtie, Jeff Ginter and his wife Laura came from Michigan. Sitting across from them on a bench is Beth from Louisville who is regally wearing a spectacular fall colored hat with feathers. The crowd surged to the track to follow the horses for the first race but the more seasoned race trackers held back to watch the schoolers (horses in tomorrow’s race getting acquainted with the paddock and walking ring). Trainer D. Wayne Lukas stood silently in the walking ring taking in every detail as Grand Arch and Marchman walked quietly with their handlers. Their royal purple blankets added to the pageantry of the day while Lukas sported a long rain coat and sunglasses giving him a man of mystery look.      

Rick and Cathy Ratajczak from Waxhaw, N.C. are the epitome of the joy of horse racing. Rick sports a Breeders’ Cup baseball cap, a purple print bowtie and a perfectly matched purple vest with a gray jacket.  He and Cathy radiate happiness as they stand near the Breeders Cup statue. They come to Keeneland frequently. They took great care in planning their outfits for today. Rick says that he loves horse racing because “It’s a unique sport. We come to the Breeders’ Cup to have fun and a good time. This is the best of the best!” They both smiled as they talked about their special outfits for Saturday. Rick is going to sport an argyle vest while Cathy has a special purple fascinator. 

CATHY AND RICK

The Breeders’ Cup brings out the best in people. The crowd is well dressed and polite. The venue is beautiful. The races are wonderful to watch as champions duel it out with champions and then clear out of the blue, a long shot can win. There is great anticipation and great love for the sport of horse racing at the Breeders’ Cup. People wait all year for this unique and special event. 

Rick Ratajczak summed up the Breeders’ Cup perfectly when he said “It’s an event you dress up for. This is a big deal for Kentucky and for the world. We have been to the Super Bowl and the Indianapolis 500 and nothing compares.”

As the sun set after the last race of the day, I stopped in the tunnel and nuzzled a tired pony named Perky. He was trying to fall asleep and I knew exactly how he felt. But it was the best type of being tired for I had fallen in love with Keeneland today. I really admire the people that I met. I know exactly why they treasure this track and its beauty. We are here to witness history at one of the most beautiful race tracks in the nation. The journey was well worth the effort.