FC–CPM-2026-3Q-merged - Flipbook - Page 23
Gather in Grace,
All in One Place.
Break Bread and
Remember, too,
Enjoy the Blessings
In Front of You.
ALL PHOTOS ROBERT WITKOWSKI
–Robert Witkowski
Appropriately for the
Kentucky Derby-meetsMardi Gras atmosphere,
popular cocktails including
Mint Juleps and Old
Fashions are easy to 昀椀nd
for Fair Grounds fans
imbibing while counting
their winnings— or, at
least their blessings if its a
losing bet.
Despite patrons enjoying
the day-long revelry, the
actual Thanksgiving Classic
is a single six furlongs (3/4
of a mile) race later in the
day. The winning purse is
open to 3-year-old 昀椀llies
and mares. However, no
race is truly predictable.
Horses fall, jockeys get
thrown, competitors bump
into each other or block
one another into the rail,
and of course, the dirt track
conditions dramatically
change in the rain or cold.
So no race is ever the same.
From A Day at the Races
to Seabiscuit, the excitement
of the ground shaking when
horses thunder across the
昀椀nish line is intoxicating.
Surrounded by loved ones
is enchanting. That alone is
a blessing for which to be
thankful. ◆
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