Tired already?

It's only the second day of the Celebration and I'm already tired, but still excited.

The Futurity was great last night -- I love watching the weanlings and yearlings being led around the ring and I love watching their handlers huff and puff as they try to keep up with them. Makes me feel a little bit better about huffing and puffing up and down the Calsonic Arena stairs. Of course, I'm not wearing a full, formal riding habit in 90 degree, 90 percent humidity either ... I'm just lugging around a million pounds of camera and laptop.

I got to see a couple of my favorites last night, especially little Switch Hitter, the orphaned foal from Rising Star who placed ninth in the weanling colt division. He'll be showing at the Celebration,too.

My favorite spot to hang out at the Celebration grounds is the entrance to the warm-up area. That's where a lot of the industry folks hang out as their horses are being inspected and warmed up and I can always get a tip on a good story, or just sit back and enjoy some whoppers from the old-timers.

The only problem is that when the wind is right, it comes right past the Optimist Club booth and I have to abandon the liars club for some donuts.

I like the fact the inspection area was moved to the front, where the lighting is better and people can watch the inspections going on. Good move on everyone's part.

What I liked the most was the atmosphere. For the first time in a long time, there was a definite feeling of optimism in the air and the only ones I saw walking around and looking grumpy were some of my favorite trainers, who always go around looking grumpy, even though they aren't.