Only in New Orleans can you one minute be looking for a festive hat and the next in the Winner’s Circle with a Derby hopeful wearing a feather boa. Much of it can be attributed to the Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
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| Laurie Hicks, with Stride correspondent Maria Glorioso |
attitude that is infused in all parts of the Big Easy. The feeling is not confined to the French Quarter, it makes its way all the way out Esplanade Avenue to the race track next to City Park, the Fair Grounds Race Course.
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| Patti and Julie Reeves in the winner's circle. |
As I wandered the track to get the feeling of Louisiana Prevue Day, I ran into many fans decked in their Mardi Gras finery – it is that time of year, you know. There were members of the royal court of the Krewe of Nereids. Their 44th Mardi Gras parade will take place on Feb. 27th. There was also Ms. Mardi Gras Fair Grounds for the day (voted on by a small pool of trainers, jockeys and jockey agents), Laurie Hicks.
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Mucho Macho Man, looking as macho as he can while wearing
boas - post Risen Star win. |
And who else did I run into - Patti and Julie Reeves, part of the ownership team of Mucho Macho Man. They were in the market for a Mardi Gras-inspired hat. Well, you can guess the rest of the story.
Those hats are now considered lucky hats. After disappointing in his last start, Mucho Macho Man redeemed himself, another very Mardi Gras concept. His win in the Risen Star Stakes brought my new acquaintances from Reeves Thoroughbred Racing Stables $180,000 in grades stakes earnings for the Kentucky Derby trail. The 3-year-old son of Macho Uno also reveled in the Mardi Gras spirit that enveloped the day. He proudly pranced out of the winner’s circle wearing two boas of his own! I heard he was going to Bourbon St. to celebrate.
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| Ms. Mardi Gras Fair Grounds, Laurie Hicks |
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The winning connections in the winner's circle at
the Fair Grounds Race Course. (Jonathan
Bachman/ Eclipse Sportswire) |
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| The paddock at the Fair Grounds |
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Fans in the paddock at the Fair Grounds(above)
The Royal Court for the Krewe of Nereids(below) |
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| A selection of festive hats at the Fair Grounds. |
Great job Maria. Always a fun day at the track.
ReplyDeleteGreat twist on what goes on at the Fairgrounds besides horse racing. Really enjoyed the article.
ReplyDeleteGreat Win for Mucho Macho Man!...Nice to see his trainer healthy and all full of life!. I have a VERY good feeling about this guy!.
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