Best Mother's Day Ever

Last Mother's Day my daughter gave me the best present ever.The gift didn't arrive on Mother's Day nor was it celebrated onMother's Day, but even to this day it makes me smile from ear toear to think about it.So I suppose you're wondering what it is ~ I have to give a weebit of history before I reveal the gift.I am a lover of horse racing ~ especially the Triple Crown races.I have watched The Derby, Preakness and The Belmont since Iwas a small child.  It is my favorite time of the year.  We don't havemuch horse racing here in Ohio, so my in person watching islimited to when we visit my brother and his wife in San Diego andwe visit the Del Mar races ~ what a beautiful track!  The track iscalled "Where the surf meets the turf" and that describes it exactly.From the stands, you not only see the track, but the mountains, palm trees, and the ocean.Well, last year, my daughter surprised me with tickets to The Preakness.Although I had lived in Baltimore for 15 years, I had never been to theraces in Maryland.  She bought the tickets on Ebay, so we had no ideawhat kind of seats we would have, but let me tell you ~ they were GREAT!We were 3 rows from the track directly in front of the finish line.

Right beside out seats was the winner's circle where the pictures weretaken with the owners.

Some of the horses were hosed down immediately after the race, directlyin front of us, so there was always something to entertain us between races.

This is Nicanor, the full brother and spitting image of the famous Barbaro.When he stepped onto the track, the cameras started clicking. Everyone wanted to see if Barbaro was reborn in Nicanor.  Sadly hedid not win, but he sure is a beauty.

The horses were saddled for The Preakness directly across the trackfrom out seats, so we had a great view of all these famous thoroughbredsand their trainers.

Here is Super Saver, The Derby winner and favored to win The Preakness, but it was not to be.

This is my favorite picture.  The starting gate was at the opposite end ofthe track from where we were sitting and yet it feels like it ishappening right in front of us.  This is when I first realized what a goodcamera I had.

 Yesterday was The Derby and in two weeks, The Preakness will take place andall these memories will be revisited again.I will never forget this day.  I told my daughter to never try to top thispresent because everything was perfect.  I don't ever want tovisit another Triple Crown race because I can't imagine it everliving up to that weekend.
Dresses and shoes ~ $100Tickets ~ $250Event Parking ~ $95Memories ~ Priceless 

 To all the Mothers out there ~ wishing you a wonderful andmemorable Mother's Day. ~Linking with~A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday