by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The opening song for the long-running television show Mister Ed began with “a horse is a horse, of course of course” and then went on to point out that Mister Ed was different from the “everyday horse.”

Blue Creek Angie

Some folks say that all horses look alike, comparing them to deer and cows. It’s true horses have four spindly legs, a bulky body, and they come in just a few shades of color, but to the trained eye of those who are involved with them on a daily basis, every horse is an individual, looks different and has its own personality, even if it can’t talk like Mister Ed.

Of course, when horses are in their ‘battle gear’ — equipment they need for their best performances — there is usually a considerable difference between the steeds.

Case in point: Blue Creek Angie and Edie’s Desire, two of the winningest horses at Monticello Raceway this season, who together have combined for 35 wins — 18 by Blue Creek Angie and 17 by Edie’s Desire.

Geri Schwarz photos

Edie’s Desire

Now it’s true that Edie’s Desire is somewhat lighter in color than Blue Creek Angie, but at a distance, under the same lighting and without any harness, one would be hard pressed to distinguish one from the other. But put them in their racing gear and one could see that they really do look different from one another.

Pictured are head shot photos of each mare winning their respective races at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon (Dec. 5). And because of the different equipment on each, it is somewhat easier to distinguish one from the other.

But in deference to all, unless one is closely involved, it still is a task to be able to tell one from the other. However, with or without their equipment, horses are certainly beautiful animals.