This year I spent Halloween at the track (race horses). You wouldn't know it, but there are several small children that live at the track with their parents who care for the horses. Theses people work 7 days a week, they start as early as 5 a.m., and since most do not have transportation, their recreation consists of playing soccer or basketball in the dorm areas. This is not just a job for them, it's their entire existence. When the meet is over, most will move on to Houston for their meet, then from there they go to Grand Prairie, near Dallas, taking their children with them. It's nice that we can offer something special for them, even something as simple as hot dogs and trick or treating. Most of these kids don't speak English and have very little in the way of toys and clothing, so you can see it in their faces how much they appreciate just the little bit that we can do for them. I've attached some of my favorite pictures from Wednesday's Halloween party. We had a face painter volunteer her services, Retama Park donated hot dogs and drinks, I did the photography and the trainers passed out candy at their barns. It was the best time I've ever had at Halloween. All of this was organized by the track Chaplain (Chaplain Mike), who is amazing with children. He truly was the Pied Piper of the night, the kids just flocked around him all night.
Little Pirate Baby
Jimmy Ray, one of the trainers passing out candy.
This is one of the daughters of a trainer at Retama.
Chaplain Mike lined all the kids up for a race, I think it was to wear their butts out!
Chaplain Mike putting on the charm to a cute little witch.
This horse was perfect to play a 70's Peace Lovin Animal. Notice his eyes are half closed and his tongue is sticking out. We think he was smoking something earlier. Seriously though, this horse had just placed second in a $100,000 futurity race! And he's this mellow? Amazing.
