The Sallie Wheeler East Coast Breeding Championships

I attended the East Coast Hunter Breeding Championships this weekend and it was wonderful to see some of the finest horses in America in one spot.  This one was named National Reserve Champion.  He is being handled by Kenny Wheeler, the owner.  Mr. Wheeler is a legend and he's in his upper 80's and still "doing it."  So great to see.

 Here are some of the others....

And here's the winner, Prospect Hill, for the second year in a row (Sean Reilly photo):

If you love hunter breeding make sure you come to the Virginia Horse Center next year. It will be held there again and it was a wonderful event! Congratulations to the winners and all of the participants.  And they offer great prizes to the winners of each class!

The Travers

 The best horse race in America this year (IMHO anyway) will be run on Saturday at Saratoga.  Almost all of the top three-year-olds will be in this race, nine of the twelve, graded stakes winners.  The race is nicknamed the "Mid-Summer Derby" and you may remember American Pharoah's stunning defeat in this race in 2015. Last year, the real Arrogate showed up and stole the show toppling the track record by a few seconds and winning by 15+ lengths.  The Travers is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds according to international classifications, only behind the Derby and the Belmont.  The 148th running of the race is Saturday.  This year's race is 1 1/4 miles.

Some of the greatest horses in American racing history have won the Travers, including Easy Goer, Point Given, Holy Bull, Alydar, Buckpasser, Native Dancer, Whirlaway, Arrogate and Man o' War. 

In 1941, Whirlaway became the only horse ever to win the both the Triple Crown and the Travers Stakes, sometimes referred to as a "superfecta".

I don't know who is going to win this race on Saturday but I'd put these three: Girvin, Tapwrit and Good Samaritan as my top picks.  I will throw in West Coast Flatter as the upset horse - Bob Baffert trained, Mike Smith in the irons, shipping in from California - they must have faith in this horse.  This will be one good horse race for sure. Tune in!

2017 Travers Stakes Draw

TRAVERS S. PRESENTED BY NYRA BETS (G1)
Saratoga, Saturday, August 26
10f (dirt), $1,250,000, 3yo, 5:44 PM (local)
P # PP Horse Sire Age/Sex Jockey Weight M/L Owner
1 Cloud Computing Maclean's Music 3/c Javier Castellano 126 8/1 Klaravich Stables, Inc. and Lawrence, William H.
2 Giuseppe the Great Lookin At Lucky 3/c Tyler Gaffalione 126 20/1 Mossarosa
3 West Coast Flatter 3/c Mike E. Smith 126 4/1 Gary and Mary West
4 Tapwrit Tapit 3/c Jose L. Ortiz 126 7/2 Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, LaPenta, Bridlewood
Farm et al.
5 Good Samaritan Harlan's Holiday 3/c Joel Rosario 126 5/1 WinStar Farm LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC,
China Horse Club, SF Racing Group
6 Girvin Tale of Ekati 3/c Robby Albarado 126 10/1 Grady, Brad
7 Always Dreaming Bodemeister 3/c John R. Velazquez 126 6/1 MeB Racing, Brooklyn Boyz, Teresa Viola, St Elias,
Siena Farm and West Point
8 Lookin At Lee Lookin At Lucky 3/c Ricardo Santana, Jr. 126 30/1 L and N Racing LLC
9 McCraken Ghostzapper 3/c Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 126 12/1 Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC
10 Irap Tiznow 3/c Mario Gutierrez 126 8/1 Reddam Racing LLC
11 Gunnevera Dialed In 3/c Edgard J. Zayas 126 20/1 Margoth
12 Fayeq Malibu Moon 3/c Luis Saez 126 30/1 Shadwell Stable

The Dynasty That Was Diana

On the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death (has it really been that long?) - her photos are everywhere and it seems that every aspect of her short tragic life are being rehashed in the press again, as if there is something out there that we don't already know. I remember her death well, I know exactly where I was and what I had done that day when I heard the news.  But I also followed her ascent and remember vividly when she was "discovered" and how idolized she was by all of us way back when. 

For those of you old enough to remember the hysteria and hype - well, it's unlike anything I've ever seen. She was followed everywhere she went, her clothes and jewelry were analyzed constantly but she had such style and flair, she was truly an original in my mind.  Her influence on fashion and royalty in general will be felt for generations to come. I wonder what she'd be doing now if she were alive? Would she be in the UK?  Somewhere else?  Remarried?  We'll never know.

For those who adored her, you'll be interested in this Florida man's Diana Collection. We'll always remember Diana.....

Ariat Does Hunt Scene for Fall

Love these new fall staples from Ariat.  And you don't even have to hunt to want to own these.....

(Hunt Scene Vest)

(Hunt Scene 1/4 Zip)

OOH LA LA to Talbots

Talbots has some great clothes this fall, reminiscent of the "old" Talbots which is a refreshing change.  I may even pay a visit to one of their stores.  They seem to be channeling Chanel or "Paris" at the very least.  Take a look.....

(Pink and Black Tweed Jacket)

(Paris in the Fall Scarf)

(Navy Dress)

(Quilted Barn Coat)

 (Black Jacket)

(Merino Sweater)

(Suede Pumps)

(Red and Navy Bow Sweater)

Weekend Update

We're half-way through August already, so what's in store for one of the few lazy summer weekends left this year?

1) The Arrogate Show
If you are into horse racing, there is a good (G1) race on NBCSN on Saturday at 8 pm EDT (the race is in California). If you follow Arrogate, theworld's richest race horse, he's going to run again, after his dismal performance a few weeks ago.  This is an "in if you win" race, meaning, you get an automatic (and fully paid trip) to the Breeder's Cup in November if you happen to win. Will the Arrogate we all know and love show up this time?  Let's hope so.

And I am a big fan of his jockey, Mike Smith, one of the best in the world.  Read this great article about him here in the New York Times.

2) USHJA Hunter Derby Finals 
Today and Saturday, in Lexington, KY, the country's most talented huner derby horses will be competing for big money in the Hunter Derby Finals.  The rounds are being streamed online but you have to pay for access which is unfortunate.  But if you happen to live near Lexington, the KY Horse Park is the place to be.

3) New Fall Arrivals at J Crew
The fall clothes are starting to come in and I am loving puffer coat in Liberty print.  Like I need another coat but I'd pair this with a navy turtleneck. And it's reversible.

4)  The Glass Castle
I actually went to see this movie early in the week as I had read the book and loved it and the movie was receiving rave reviews.  If you are ready for a deep emotional dive type movie then go see this one.  The book is excellent and I'd recommend the book too.  There is certainly going to be some Oscar buzz here and Woody Harrelson who plays the main character's father is superb.

Hope you have a wonderful Friday!

My Style Influencers

I just read about Tory Burch's "influencers" in her life - mostly her parents, Buddy and Reva, who, by all accounts, had incredible style. What or who influenced the choices you have made, in your style?  I did not have a "Buddy" or a "Reva" in my world.  My parents did not have great style and my mother is far from a fashionista.  My father was preppy and sensible and I get that part of my style from him.   I am not one to take great chances, I love tradition and the "classics" for sure.

Growing up, my sisters and I waited for The Talbots catalog to arrive every season.  There were few catalogs back then, no Internet shopping and in my hometown, we did not have a ton of stores like we have today.  So that catalog influenced me for sure and it would be wonderful if Talbots could somehow rekindle the aura they once had. I remember the Herman Geist t-shirts.  They were solid colors with a small band around the neck and sleeves, with a white piping. I had a lime green one.

The clothing back then was vibrant, with lots of colors and patterns, many of the brands we cherished are long gone - J G Hook blouses, Geiger jackets (maybe still around but certainly not in style).

We wore Dean's sweaters, Malia sundresses, Vested Gentress dresses and carried Bermuda Bags. Pendleton wool was also big. Lilly was "in" too.

(Vested Gentress Dress)

I actually owned this exact sweater.  My father bought this for me in New York during a trip there with him one summer.

And the patchwork Dean's were all the rage.  Men wore these too. The horror, I know.

(Malia Sundress)

So how does all of this preppy style turn into real style as you get older? I am not sure it does.  It's almost comical to see the things that we adored way back when.  But your early choices and your early loves influence what you choose your style to be when you really "get it."  I never wear floral dresses now, ever except for Lilly.  And the patchwork sweater?  Not. On. Your. Life.  I won't even wear madras now that it has come back in a bit.  My almost minimalist style today is almost counterculture to what I loved in my youth.

Simple lines.....

Classics

A little of color here and there....

And a little bit of preppy every now and then just to remind me of my youth and my roots.....

My style icons?  Jackie.  Grace. Audrey.  And of course, Tory.