Burgoo and Horses

Ever have one of those evenings where you're surfing channels and you stop upon an obscure program or documentary? And then suddenly you realize you’ve been watching it for the last 30 minutes or more?

Well, that happened to Hubby and me the other night and, silly or weird as it sounds, it was a documentary on the food known as “Burgoo.” Yes, a Kentucky favorite traditionally made of mutton, potatoes and other veggies, burgoo is a tasty stew. In some parts of the country (typically the South), it’s known as Hunter’s Stew, and can include just about any meat, often times chicken or beef. There's even a recipe featured on the well-known Louisville Stoneware burgoo bowl, although I'll refrain from adding wild squirrel.

Burgoo has a huge following in Western Kentucky, especially at many of the Catholic church picnics where it’s the main attraction. Apparently there’s quite the competition among churches for best burgoo, with secret recipes and treasured mixing paddles being passed down from generation to generation. Burgoo is serious stuff in these parts.

And, I learned that there are two ways to pronounce it, depending on what part of the state you’re from…in Western Kentucky, it’s BUR-goo, while in other regions it’s Bur-GOO. I think I fall into the latter pronunciation category.

Personally, my favorite burgoo is made at Keeneland Race Course, although it features stew meat rather than mutton. Still, a very delicious meal. Click here for Keeneland’s Burgoo recipe. When at Keeneland, I have to end my meal with the oh-so-tasty bread pudding. Here’s the recipe – not for those on a diet, but given that I only dine on bread pudding once or twice a year, I’m okay with indulging in some of the finest, most caloric bread pudding around. Boy, am I hungry now.

And, speaking of Keeneland, only 51 more days until the Spring Meet. Can’t wait! Gals, get your sundresses ready and guys, tie your bow ties. It's almot time to bet the ponies in the Bluegrass sunshine!Images from Keeneland Race Course, indianapolisamy.com via Google Images and Taste of Kentucky.

Blame the Winner

Yesterday's Breeders' Cup was a heartbreaker. Zenyatta, that amazing mare, almost took the crown, but in the end, it was #5, Blame, that edged her out.

Cheers to you, Zenyatta. You are a majestic horse and we've enjoyed your prancing, dancing and amazing racing skills. We'll miss ya, girl!
Photo from The Courier-Journal

Break Out the Autumn and Winter Hats for Breeders' Cup

This coming weekend, Nov. 5 and 6, the Breeders' Cup returns to Louisville. So, the who’s who of the horse world will again descend upon our fair city. I have a chance to go to the preview races on Friday, but I’ll have to see how my schedule shakes out.

With the cooler weather, Breeders Cup offers a different take on the fabulous finery at Churchill Downs. Instead of straw hats and Lilly Pulitzer-inspired colors, the fall meet features wool cloches, leather boots and more earth tones, yet some vibrant colors still manage to get thrown in the mix. These hats from Susan Van der Linde are simply gorgeous.

Très expensive, but gorgeous nontheless.

The Breeders Cup only makes it to Churchill every few years, so when there’s a chance to wear a great hat in November, be sure to jump at the chance.
Images courtesy of taigon.com

Secretariat

“Please and thank you go a long way with a horse.”

- Actress Diane Lane, who plays Penny Chenery in the new film, “Secretariat”

The other day I wrote about a football movie. Today I’m writing about a horse movie.

This Friday, Disney releases “Secretariat,” a film about one of the greatest horses in the history of racing. Diane Lane plays Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery and John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin. Many of the scenes were filmed in Kentucky.

If you’ve read my blog long enough, or even for a brief time, you know my love of horse racing and Kentucky. So, as you can imagine, Secretariat is near and dear to my heart, as well as the hearts of many Kentuckians.

“Big Red,” as he was also known, won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont, thus capturing the elusive Triple Crown. He won the Belmont by 31 lengths on June 9, 1973. I was born on June 10, 1973.

Last Sunday, Diane Lane attended the premiere of the movie at the Kentucky Theatre in downtown Lexington. She has endeared herself to Kentuckians through her kind and gracious attitude; never the diva. In addition to flying in from Los Angeles for the premiere, she served as the Grand Marshall for the Kentucky Derby Festival Parade this year and attended the Derby (in a lovely hat, I might add).

Now, before you think that all I watch is schmaltzy, light-weight films, know that I do enjoy independents, art house films, character studies and psychological thrillers as well. But every once in a while, you need to watch a movie that brings back your faith in human kind; that makes you cheer for the underdog (although in the case of Secretariat, he wasn’t the underdog, he was a champion; Chenery was the one who had to fight against the giants, holding her own in the Good ol’ Boy club. So we cheer for her as much as the horse in this picture).

This weekend, consider watching a light-hearted, feel-good Disney film. Put a smile on your face and forget about the world for a couple of hours (or 116 minutes to be exact).

Seen any good movies lately? If so, what would you recommend?
Images courtesy of chamiongallery.com and Disney

Equine Gifts

During our brief getaway to Lexington this weekend, we found that besides Kentucky basketball, a big focus in that region is on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will take place Sept. 25 – Oct. 12 at the Kentucky Horse Park . This international event will shine the spotlight on our Central Kentucky region as the equine world descends upon the Commonwealth during that two week period. I’ve heard that some of the international teams have already been in Kentucky scouting out farms to house their teams of horses in advance of the games. In some cases, the horses will arrive three months early to acclimate to the area. Luckily, we just happen to have a few stables around to accommodate these folks. ;)

As you can imagine, with an event such as this, vendors will be in full force to sell a variety of equine-related products. And while I don’t own or ride horses, I do have an affinity for equine art, jewelry, you name it. If you do as well, consider some of the following gift items.

Toss Designs created the “Steeplechase” pattern for Keeneland Race Course. The bags are available at the Keeneland Gift Shop, as well as online at Toss Designs. How about stackable bangles from Lauren G. Adams? Or, for the guys, there’s the Versailles Hoof Pick belt, which is crafted by an artisan in the region, and is a replica of an actual hoof pick. Our buddy, J. Peterman sells this fine accessory. There’s also the jockey silk needlepoint belt from Smathers and Branson – always a classic option. Looking for a nice print for your home? You can’t go wrong with images of Secretariat or Keeneland’s Paddock. Just gorgeous. I’m sure you’ll find items like this and plenty more for sale at the World Games.

It’s a new month and a new day, my friends. Enjoy!
Images courtesy of Keeneland Gift Shop, J. Peterman and Toss Designs

Halloween Eve at the Races

Happy Halloween Eve everyone!

The kids are decked out in their Halloween gear this morning, celebrating the pagan holiday with trick-or-treating and a party at pre-school. My daughter is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, my son is a tiger. Too cute!

And where is mommy going today? Why, gambling, of course! My department is headed down to Lexington for a day at Keeneland Race Course. We have a suite, plenty to eat and drink (bread pudding – yum!) and bets to be made on the ponies. Plus, it’s homecoming weekend at the University of Kentucky, so today is “See Blue” day at Keeneland - I’m sporting my Kentucky-blue pashmina in honor of the event. Here's hoping I win a little money today. But, given that I often bet $2 to show, that's probably not going to happen. :)

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween.
Image courtesy of keeneland.com.