(Essential Quality today / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

It was arrival time at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morn. Essential Quality — winner of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday — was due to arrive back home.

And, there waiting — patiently and with camera in hand — was our very own Holly M. Smith.

She has fast become one of the colt’s biggest fans.

And, the colt has fast become a big fan of the the tiny photographer, too.

He poses.

She shoots.

They both do everything fast.

And, they are both happy as larks.

Today, they met up again.

Along with Mandaloun, who was runner-up in this year’s Kentucky Derby and likely to be elevated to winner of this year’s “Run for the Roses,” with the impending disqualification of Medina Spirit.

It was a photo session for the day; and, perhaps, one for the ages.

Here’s some of Holly’s best looks:

Kentucky Derby Runner-Up Mandaloun, who will leave this week for the G1 Haskell Invitational:

G1 Winner Essential Quality, who just won the Belmont Stakes last Saturday: