♪ ♪ ANNIE: We are at the incredible Glenwood Park.

You're under the century Old Oaks, where you can actually see every single fence on the course.

And so from a spectator's perspective, it doesn't get any better because you don't miss any of the action.

So if you've heard of racing, you probably think of flat racing, which is the Kentucky Derby.

The Middleburg Spring Races, this is actually steeplechase racing, which it started in the 1700s in Ireland.

They would race from point to point or steeple to steeple, and that's how they knew where to go and they would basically jump anything in between.

Daniel Sands started the races here in 1911 because he was the master of the Middleburg Hunt.

It was a way to thank the farmers and the community for all of their support through the years, so I think it's really important for us to have these banner days and these events that can really stand up and showcase the equestrian side and racing as a whole.

You'll see a lot of hats and people just dressed really beautifully.

LAUREN: We have made it onto the grass.

You can see behind us the track where the horses will be running today.

LAURITA: It's so beautiful and sunny.

This is the perfect day for racing.

LAUREN: But first, we need to get ourselves some hats.

So what's the trick to finding the perfect hat?

LORRAINE: Well, sometimes you just work with the face shape, which is really important.

LAUREN: Well, you ready to go check some hats out?

LAURITA: I'm ready, you ready?

LORRAINE: I'm ready.

LAURITA: Okay, we'll follow you.

LORRAINE: Okay, come in the back door.

(laughing) LAUREN: That's cute!

LAURITA: Ohh, one and done.

LAUREN: I like this one.

LAURITA: That totally reminds me of my grandmother.

She loved a huge hat.

(screams).

So I really like this because it goes with the boots, it goes with my jacket.

LAUREN: Okay, I think I might go with this blue.

LAURITA: So let's Vogue it out, girl.

Woo!

(laughing) LAURITA: Thank you so much.

LAUREN: Thank you so much, Lorraine, you have been amazing.

LAURITA: I know, this has been a pleasure.

LORRAINE: You are great models.

BOTH: Aw, thank you.

LAURITA: Thank you.

LAUREN: One, two, three!

(camera shutter).

Got it.

ANNIE: Well, I'm so happy you all could join us in the Middleburg Spring Races.

We have nine races today.

LAURITA: Okay.

ANNIE: Over 90 horses are here to run... LAUREN: Nice.

ANNIE: $285,000 in purse money.

LAUREN: Wow.

LAURITA: Okay.

ANNIE: I know it's... LAURITA: To be a horse or the jockey or whatever, right?

(laughter) LAUREN: Awesome.

How long is the longest race that we'll see today?

ANNIE: So the longest race today will be the timber stakes, which is about three and a half miles.

LAUREN: We've seen so many pictures of horses, every little place that we've gone.

So I'm excited to see the real deal today.

ANNIE: I know, well I'm excited to show it to you guys.

I was born and raised in Middleburg and I just think it is the most special place on Earth because we've been racing here for over 100 years now.

BOTH: Wow.

ANNIE: And so I'm gonna walk you all down to the paddock.

We can see some real horses.

LAUREN: Woohoo!

LAURITA: Alright, let's go!

ANNIE: Alright, let's take... LAURITA: We'll follow you!

ANNIE: Alright, let's take a little walk.

LAURITA: All right.

♪ ♪ LAUREN: Oh, look at the horses.

ANNIE: I know.

And then they're gonna come right by us here.

LAURITA: Oh, sweet.

Oh, yeah, this- they're on.

Her horse is a little frisky.

ANNIE: Yeah, he is.

He's ready to go.

LAURITA: Yeah.

LAUREN: Fiesty.

ANNIE: I think we can start to make our way to the tower.

LAUREN: Alright?

Let's go.

LAURITA: Let's do it.

ANNIE: Alright.

ANNOUNCER: Beautiful Glenwood Park.

First of nine on the card today, training flat race and we'll be underway shortly.

ASA Starter.

(inaudible announcements).

ANNIE: All right, here we go and they're off!

(shouting).

LAUREN: They are zooming!

LAURITA: They are.

Wow.

LAUREN: We are in the tower watching the horse races.

They have taken off.

(inaudible announcements).

LAUREN: See them over there?

LAURITA: We're right at the finish line.

LAUREN: We're right at the finish line, right there.

ANNIE: Hello!

LAURITA: Come on, come on, come on, come on.

(cheering).

Oh yes!

ANNIE: How was your first race?

LAURITA: That was so exciting!

LAUREN: That was so fun!

LAURITA: You know, they were so close at the end.

So you couldn't tell who was gonna actually win that race.

ANNIE: I, I know someone got a nose out.

LAURITA: I love that.

I love that.

LAUREN: It was so cool to see it from up above and actually watch as they finish.

LAURITA: I was so invigorated by watching that I'm like, ahh!

ANNIE: I want to introduce you to my friend Taylor.

LAURITA: Okay!

ANNIE: And then she'll watch the next race with you while they're jumping.

LAUREN: Perfect.

LAURITA: Awesome, awesome.

ANNIE: So one of the best parts is cheering on hometown heroes.

It's really cool because we have jockeys that are local, so it's really fun because you'll hear certain cheers for certain horses because they are hometown favorites.

TAYLOR: Hi.

BOTH: Hi!

ANNIE: Lauren and Laurita, this is my friend Taylor.

LAUREN: Hi Taylor.

LAURITA: Hi Taylor, it was exciting watching.

LAUREN: It was so exciting watching you.

TAYLOR: We went quick around there, that's for sure.

I know.

LAURITA: Tell me, how long have you been riding the horses?

TAYLOR: So I've been galloping my whole life, but race-riding two years.

LAUREN: Awesome.

LAURITA: And I understand you ride outside the country.

Where else have you ridden?

TAYLOR: I do.

I've written twice in Ireland, Morocco, and then I rode a race in Abu Dhabi so.

LAURITA: Ohh.

(overlapping chatter) LAUREN: Right?

LAURITA: Yes, yes.

LAUREN: Thank you so much for talking with us during this race.

TAYLOR: Enjoy the rest of the racing.

LAURITA: Thank you.

LAUREN: Thanks.

Ready, one, two, three.

(camera shutter).

ANNIE: So you'll get to notice as we walk by, all the amazing tailgates and bringing their beautiful cars.

LAURITA: Ohh yeah that one is... ANNIE: Isn't that stunning?

I know.

Tailgating at the races is a little bit different than tailgating at a football game.

You'll see a lot of silver.

You might see some stuffed foxes.

It's just a really lovely way to bring your friends together, and sort of have an outdoor picnic, but maybe a little bit more elevated than what you would think of normally.

ALL: Hi!

LAURITA: How are you?

SHELIA: I'm so glad to have you all here.

LAURITA: So we're really excited to be here and this is the first time we've come to this race.

LAUREN: Yes.

SHEILA: And it's really showcasing the Middleburg area.

LAUREN: Absolutely.

SHEILA: And what we stand for is horses and socializing and just having a great time.

LAURITA: Yes.

LAUREN: What brought you to this area and made you think that this is a great place to start your resort?

SHEILA: Well, it's all about horses.

My daughter had been coming here from the age of really five years old to all the pony shows.

LAUREN: Oh, okay.

SHEILA: And the horse shows.

So, every time I come out here and I'm like, this is the most beautiful area I have ever seen in my life.

LAURITA: It is very beautiful.

LAUREN: Well, we want to thank you so much for being here and inviting us to this.

This is an amazing experience and I'm so excited to be at Salamander tonight.

SHEILA: I'm so glad you all could be here.

(camera shutter).

LAURITA: Awesome, thank you so much.

LAUREN: Thank you so much, it's been a pleasure.

(cheering).

(cheering).

SPECTATOR: I'll drink to that.

LAUREN: Yeah, yeah.

♪