Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Aug. 20, 2026

A good Thursday morning to you all! After a week where most of the news has been off track instead of on it, the Pacific Classic (G1) will highlight another big weekend in the racing world. Wednesday was National Photography Day and I thought it offered a good chance to write about some of my favorite people in our game, the photographers. Racing is a naturally photogenic sport because of the outdoor atmosphere, the beautiful grounds, the fans up close, and of course the majesty of our equine athletes in motion with their riders. 

Obviously, photography has changed in the last couple of decades as most of us now have good quality cameras in our pockets. I think sometimes we don’t recognize just how talented and hard working those folks with the big cameras are around the track. The other neat part about so many racing photographers is that they so often share their amazing work with us on their social platforms. 

I remember being a kid going to Longacres with my dad and the track photographer’s office (Four Footed Fotos) was out behind the grandstand, and we’d walk by it on our way in and out. The one photo I always remember seeing was a shot from Aksarben Racetrack in Nebraska where a horse was basically jumping over the rail while the rider was on the ground below. It was jarring to see the shot and how they captured it, truly unreal. 

I’ve often joked that to win the Eclipse Award for best photo a jockey must be falling off, because it seems for a few years that was the case for the winner. I suppose there is some drama in those moments, but there’s also fear and danger. In fact, I think last year’s winner was jockey Irad Ortiz falling off his mount. But there’s been some amazing shots over the years in our game, so much of it due to the hard working and talented photographers at tracks.  

From my announcer’s booth I can often see the photographers at work. Out in the elements, trying to find new angles and shots to shoot the game. My friend Ryan Thompson is a photographer at Gulfstream Park and one of the hardest working photographers I’ve ever seen. Back in 2018 and 2019, I had the good chance to fill-in announcing at Gulfstream Park West (formerly Calder). I called the races from the storage sheds they had set up because the grandstand was torn down by that point. 

They had two photographers shooting Gulfstream West at that time. One would stand at the finish line to get the traditional winning shot. Ryan was set free like a caged bird to go find new and interesting spots and angles. One race I’d see him walking on top of the infield tote board. The next he’d be on the ground looking straight up the turf chute as they ran toward him. He even told me that he was going to try and get a hold of the hotel at the three-eighths pole and see if he could shoot from up on the roof. He was doing all this while it was 90 degrees and super humid. The heat would have been too much for me, but he was out there grinding. It was so impressive.

That first year there he was taking random shots with me in the background in my trailer and posting them on Twitter. This one was one of my favorites. The excitement of the horses somewhat blurred and then me and the birds in the background. 

Big shoutout to all the track photographers and photographers who share their hard work and images with us. We appreciate you!