A day at the track.

The past few years of my life have been miserably chaotic...crisis mode and depression for much of it. It took me away from photography, my passion and my balance. I am not the type of artist whose work thrives on suffering. I create when I am happy. I have learned I need a muse. I haven't had one for a while. I'm back now, strong and happy...still lacking a significant muse, but sifting through the images I did manage to shoot during this time. I am currently trying to edit about 300 images down to a photo essay of a day in the life at the track. My brother-in-law is a horse trainer & driver of standardbred race horses: trotters & pacers, with the "jockey" being a driver in a sulky (race bike) behind the horse. He runs a stable at Pompano Park Racetrack in Pompano Beach, Florida, near Ft. Lauderdale. These are some photos of a typical day.

The day starts early, around 7am. The horses are enthusiastic about the activity. Racehorses are not typically as friendly and docile as riding horses. Many are young, ungelded males (stallions), and are quite feisty. Mostly they just want to play, and are not so much aggressive, as they play pretty rough. They are curious about me and my camera, so I had to use a wide angle to get close shots like these. Otherwise they would have slammed my camera into my face. I'm just out of reach.

Groomed, harnessed and ready to go for a training session on the track. He looks miserable, but they really do love what they do, and they have a good life.

On the move...

Training on the track. The grandstand and clubhouse in the background.

My brother-in-law, Peter, returning to the stable after training.

Bath time after a little cool down. My personal favorite to watch and photograph.

Horses are very expressive with their upper lip.

They are also very messy eaters.

More playtime with the lips. I guess that's really my favorite. So predictable too.

So there's a peek into my family life and loves.