(Explora / All Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

Just when you least expect it, then a surprise as bright and shiny and brilliant as a rainbow appears above your head.

The colors so brilliant.

The painting above like the world’s own Sistine Chapel, and God not imitating Rembrandt, but the other way around.

The beauty of the world just astounds.

A rainbow just makes the whole day better. Right?

A surprise in the mail. A note from a friend long faded into forgotten. A phone call from a loved one who just wanted to say “Hi,” and chat.

That’s what it is like for me when I get any email from my friend and ally — Holly M. Smith.

She went to Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Suddenly the green started to appear.

She went to photograph the Stakes races on the card.

The yellow started to pop.

She went to see some of her favorite friends and horses and see how they would look before, during and after she aimed her trusty camera in their directions.

The purple appeared.

And, she shared her “rainbow” with me.

So, I will share her “rainbow” with you.

Enjoy.

All Photos by Holly M. Smith:

(We will identify all the horses in a subsequent post)