Barbara Livingston

Twenty five years ago today, a bay filly with a streak down her face took her first breaths near her dam.  The old broodmare was named Obeah, a Jamaican word signifying an evil spirit.  Her newborn daughter would be given a name meant to ward off such spirits. The filly did not last long on this earth - just 3 1/2 years - but, in that time, she became one of racing's greats. The day she drew her final breath - October 27, 1990, in the cold shadows of the Belmont grandstand - she became an immortal.  

Perfectly Gray inspires nicknames - like Funny Face - wherever she goes.  “Everybody falls in love with this horse,” says her trainer Bertrell Vaz, with a laugh.  “They think she’s the pony!” Why?  Because Perfectly Gray sports a prominent blood mark down the right side of her face.

Florida Derby day at Gulfstream Park featured brilliant sunshine, hot temperatures, enthusiastic fans and topnotch racing.  Here are some of the performers -with a few extra photos mixed in - that helped to make the day so special.

FLATTERER keeps company nowadays with a strong-willed, lively mare ten years his junior – although, at his age, nearly every mare is his junior.  After all, at age 33, Flatterer is among the sport’s oldest living Thoroughbreds.

Has there ever been a year when the top two Derby contenders - 1-2 in last year's championship voting - were so visually captivating?  Here's the alabaster beauty HANSEN, last year's juvenile champ, romping in the Gotham at Aqueduct this past weekend.  How could a person help but be smitten?!  Oo-la-la!!!