Verrazano wins the Haskell

"He made a huge statement today," trainer Todd Pletcher said. I'll say! Verrazano pulverized the rest of the talented field, winning by over 9 lengths and proving without a doubt: he's BACK. He will next meet his stablemate, Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy winner Palace Malice, in the Travers at Saratoga.

Photography-wise, shooting this race was a riot. The weather held out, even though thunderstorm forecasts were updated sporadically throughout the day (good news, bad news, good news, etc). Around Haskell time, an ominous cloud covered the sun and darkened the track, and I boosted my ISO. I turned to my friend (who, like me, was lamenting the loss of that gorgeous, perfect Monmouth light) and joked, "Watch, the sun will come out as the winner is crossing the wire." And would you know it, that's exactly what happened! LOL Thankfully, the photo came out wonderfully, despite settings I would have preferred to alter. I have yet to shoot a Haskell poorly. I'm thanking Monmouth for that: both for its fantastic location, and the gracious people who run the track and make us photographers feel so welcome.