(South Bend / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

It’s now officially “FALL” in the Bluegrass, and it is just another example of why I live in the greatest place on Earth. Once again, the beauty of Kentucky is simply amazing.

The trees and the foliage will be changing colors. The great artist Peter Williams was one of the best at capturing the image of the horse racing against the time of the calendar, and was able to present the beauty of all the colors against the backdrop of the canvas.

The rivers, creeks, branches run true and clear. The water never better.

The smell of the sour mash peeks over the hills and drops on the nose like a young bourbon waiting for the barrel and time to age it to perfection.

The horses love the chill of the morning air, and the dapples pop like corn in a microwave.

Our very own Holly M. Smith captures the mood and the movements on camera just like an artist with a brush and oil. Each image better than the last, and, yet, not as good as the one to come.

Here are a few of her “looks” from a Friday morn at Churchill Downs:

Speaker’s Corner:

Speed Limit Strictly Enforced — Sometimes:

The Grand Champ: Letruska

Baseline Beater:

Slammed:

Speaker’s Corner:

South Bend: