Barbara Livingston

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!!!

You know what I forget from time to time?  That people actually enjoy simply looking at photos of horses.   Here are photos of horses flourishing in southern Florida right now - from promising rookies to all-stars  - at Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows. Above:  The Gulfstream Park paddock.  

Toby's Corner and a Fair Hill sunrise, December 13, 2011