Dawn at the Downs
Training starts at 6am for all horses; Derby and Oaks runners only are allowed the first fifteen minutes after the renovation break about 8:30am.
Chapel spire and cell tower
On the line
Leg wraps dried overnight in one of the stables.
Stables
The easy quiet of the backside before Derby week.
Paola Queen
Oaks fillies are issued pink saddle cloths; Derby entrants sport their names on neon yellow ones.
Meidia Room
The countdown begins: the grid tracks activities of the top 20 Derby horses.
Local TV booths erected
Derby /week on the backside is a staple for all the local morning shows.
I'm A Big Fan!
I'm A Big Fan! Part II
Never a dull moment
Midnight Cello can play tether ball whenever the mood strikes.
Cooling down on the shedrow
At Aangel Montano's barn, horses and their hotwalkers circle the stalls.
Not just horses!
Cats, too!
Backside view to the Twin Spires
Footprints
Renovation break
A trio of harrows grooms the track for the Derby/Oaks training session.
Harrowing
A giant diamond of squares evens out the main track.
Add water....and anaother round of the harrows
Cherry Wine
Longshot Cherry Wine looks grand.
Mohaymen
Lani
Although stalled in isolation, Japanese import Lani joined the Derby/Oaks training session Monday morning.
Mor Spirit
Bob Baffert's entry this year. American Pharoah won the Triple Crown last year for the Hall of Fame trainer.
