(Cyberknife gets some education on Monday / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

The sun was certainly shining bright on my Kentucky home; your Kentucky home; our most favorite and famous Kentucky home at Churchill Downs and all the horses that took to the track this morning to prep and pose for this year’s Kentucky Derby Week Festivities.

The fans and onlookers started to show up, in both numbers and in interest, pressing belly button to rail for closer examinations of all those wearing both yellow Kentucky Derby saddle towels and pink Kentucky Oaks saddle undergarments.

The horses showed up glistening and gleaning, just as if they stepped out of the sun-tanning bed with both sweat and shine popping.

The trainers and their respective entourage showed up, a little more tense and a little bit tighter than normal.

The day school was open, too, for those trainers who wanted to put their prized pupils through a little education ceremony.

The moments are starting to show up daily. Soon, we will see which horse will step up to grab the glory and the roses.

The game is now on.

Here’s the looks from our very own Holly M. Smith, who was on hand to capture all the glory and all the action:

Tawny Port, got some schooling with trainer Brad Cox:

Cyberknife, another KY Derby Hopeful trained by Cox, got some lessons in the Churchill Downs’ paddock:

Zozos, the third KY Derby Hopeful for Cox, was guided through his paddock schooling on Monday, as well:

Cyberknife:

Tawny Port had cotton stuffed in his ears:

More Cyberknife:

The Kids going to school on Monday:

White Abarrio, has arrived on the premises:

Happy Jack: 

KY Oaks Hopeful Turnerloose:

KY Derby Hopeful Smile Happy:

KY Derby Hopeful Happy Jack gets first tour of Churchill Downs’ duty:

KY Derby Hopeful Barber Road:

KY Derby Hopeful Tiz a Bomb:

KY Oaks Hopeful Candy Raid:

KY Oaks Morning Line Favorite Nest:

KY Oaks Hopeful Yuugiri:

KY Derby Morning Line Favorite Zandon:

KY Derby Hopeful Taiba:

KY Derby Hopeful Mo Donegal draws the rail:

Churchill Downs’ morning lines…