Keeneland with Mr. McCarron

This past Friday, was College Day at Keenelend Race Track. It is a day where college students get in free and have a chance to win $1,000 scholarships and other prizes that are raffled off after every race. I was lucky enough to win, but not lucky enough to win the scholarship. I ended up with an elegant Vineyard Vines custom Keeneland tie.  It is now the most expensive piece of clothing I own.

      When the other jockey students and I arrived at Keenelend, we met Chris McCarron outside of the Jocks Room. It was awesome to watch all the people who came up to talk to him.   Whenever Chris spotted someone in the crowd he wanted us to meet, he would call them over to talk to us.  We even got to visit with Jean Cruguet,who won triple crown on Seattle Slew.  We then went to the paddock where only the jockeys, trainers and owners are allowed and watched the jockeys as they were thrown up on their mounts for the first race. We then walked over to the winners circle and watched the race from there. It was an awesome opportunity most  fans never get to witness. After the race was over, Chris took us up to the Jocks Room where we had  the pleasure of meeting and talking with two NARA graduates, as well as with Calvin Borel and Edgar Prado, the jockey who took Barbero to the Winners Circle in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.  After the tour of the Jocks Room we were escorted to the starting gate where we could actually watch the horses break from the gate. We then went back to the Paddocks where we were able to talk with retired jockey, Gary Stevens. Chris McCarron can practically go anywhere at Keeneland and be granted access with open arms. Our trip to Keeneland with Mr. McCacron was a rare opportunity and will never be forgotten.

NARA with retired jockey Gary Stevens 

NARA in front of the keeneland starting gate 

Have a great week