The Anatomy of a Horse Crush

Country Tough posing for the camera with groom Lionel Molina in the Santa Anita paddock.

Here's my current horse crush... a lovely four-year-old chestnut gelding named Country Tough. I watched Country Tough school in the Santa Anita paddock yesterday morning, then again today during the races. He's in Santa Anita's 6th race tomorrow for owner Dream Walkin' Farm and trainer Howard Zucker.

I've been following Country Tough since he first arrived in California during last summer's Del Mar meet. The very first time I met him, I felt a kind of magical connection to this boy. I looked into his warm eyes and really felt that he was studying me... and maybe taking a liking to me. One thing has always been apparent -- he loves to ham it up, stopping to pose when he sees my camera.

I've been wondering what it is that makes a person feel such a connection to a horse. For me, there's just something in his eyes that tells me he is on my wavelength. It's like meeting another human for the first time, when you just hit it off and instantly feel that connection. I'm not sure if there's a better way to explain it than just to say Country Tough is my kind of person!

Isn't that the sweetest face?

I've also been wondering if many owners feel this kind of connection to one or more of their horses, because I believe it is probably not the kind of reaction one would experience all that often. Just like in human relationships, you don't always "click." I'd sure love to hear some comments from people who have had similar experiences.

In the meantime, I'll be rooting for my friend tomorrow at Santa Anita!

Rain, Rain Go Away... Country Tough Wants to Run

Country Tough with groom Lionel Molina at Santa Anita.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Country Tough, one of my favorites, to get a race in tomorrow at Santa Anita! He has been rained out of his last two starts. He was scratched from his Feb. 11 race due to bad weather then re-entered for Feb. 27, when racing was cancelled due to rain. He looked marvelous Friday schooling in the paddock in the bright sunshine for trainer Howard Zucker.


We'll see what kind of weather tomorrow brings and hope that the third time's the charm.

Country Tough Schooling at Santa Anita

Here's one of my favorites, Country Tough, caught gazing right into the camera with his big, warm eye today. Country was schooling in the paddock for tomorrow's fifth race at Santa Anita. He looks tough!

Lookin' Tough: Country Tough Schools at Santa Anita

Country Tough in the Santa Anita paddock with groom Lionel Molina.

I snapped a photo of one of my favorites, Country Tough, as he schooled in the paddock at Santa Anita Wednesday afternoon during the races. Country Tough is entered to run in Thursday's 5th race, a starter allowance at one mile on the turf. He won his last race, a maiden claiming event at one mile on the all-weather track, on Dec. 30 at Santa Anita.

Country Tough is trained by Howard Zucker for Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., a partnership that includes country music star Toby Keith and major league pitcher Brad Penny.

Country Tough Looks Tough for Wednesday's 6th Race

Here's a look at Country Tough schooling in the paddock at Santa Anita during Monday afternoon's races. He appears fit and ready for his race on Wednesday, and is one of my current favorites because he's such a ham. Notice how he stops to pose and never takes his eye off the camera!

Jockey Joel Rosario, who is currently 6th leading rider in the nation, will have the mount on Wednesday. Country Tough is trained by Howard Zucker for Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., a partnership that includes country music star Toby Keith and Brad Penny, starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.

Country Tough: A Morning Gallop at Santa Anita

Country Tough gallops and gets a bath, Santa Anita Park, 11-24-09

I followed Country Tough, a lovely chestnut son of Smart Strike, as he went out to the main track at Santa Anita for a gallop then back to trainer Howard Zucker's barn for a cool-down and bath. He is quite the looker, with his coat still showing dapples and gleaming like copper in the morning sunshine.

Country Tough, Santa Anita Park, 11-24-09

I've had my eye on Country Tough since he arrived in California from the Fair Grounds for the summer meet at Del Mar, where he hammed it up for a video in his stall.

Country Tough in his stall at Del Mar, 8-16-09

Owned by Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., a partnership that includes country music star Toby Keith and Brad Penny, starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, Country Tough ran second in his first California start on November 4 at Oak Tree. I look for more exciting things to come from this three-year-old!