January: Eclipse Awards will be announced. I'm not holding my breath, I don't have any skin in the game, I didn't submit a writing entry. Must. Be. More. Disciplined.
February: Foaling. Foals. Pale pink and pale blue foal jammies.The whisper-soft net of whiskers on a foal's muzzle. A mare cocking her hip and rolling her belly so her baby can easily latch on and full-contact-nurse. Bliss.
March: Gulfstream Park, FL. What can I say? The August-September-October-and-November offhand invites of "You have to come down and visit," resonate every time I knock ice out of a water bucket.
April: The Derby field will be sorting itself out. Will Union Rags' quality translate?
May: Starts with the Derby, ends with the Met Mile. After watching Shackelford's gritty run in the 2011 Derby, he was my 2012 Met Mile horse. I haven't changed my mind. Hope it happens.
June: The Belmont. Keep it a mile and a half.
July: Doesn't Saratoga start this month? Practicing my wave for the carriage ride to Ascot.
August: Saratoga. Up and down the Northway. TOBA Pedigree&Conformation Clinic and Ownership Seminar -- the best! Scrounging around on the backside. Going to the paddock then disappearing into the Clubhouse. Watching the races on a tiny TV set in a tack room smelling of Bigeloil, beer in hand and the stories flowing.
September: Getting an idea of where the 2012 two-year olds stand. It's my birthday.
October: Race meet in Geneseo, NY. NSA-sanctioned steeplechasing and all kinds of kid and amateur races. Where else in New York do draft horses and wiener-dogs run? Wicked fun day.
November: Breeders' Cup. Will my 2011 crush, So You Think be back? Is Galikova going to match big sis Goldikova's charms? How tall will Joseph O'Brien be? Will Black Caviar come to the show?
December: Whine about not being at the Breeders' Cup. Review my blogs and writings and maybe find something to submit to the Eclipse. Show my age by asking "Where did the year go?" at every opportunity, particularly when rereading this list. BE THANKFUL.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.