Las Carreras de Caballos (Horse Races) are big in Baja, Mexico, and I finally caught my first race in the town of Santiago. The events are full of pomp and partying, with lines of pickup trucks backed up to the short straight track, and tailgate parties well under way long before the event begins. Mexican music competes from car stereos and beers are sucked down in the dusty heat. Eventually the first two contenders are paraded down the track for all to judge, bets are made, and the horses are coaxed into the starting gate. Each race lasts only a few seconds and as they walk the winner past the spectators, there is a lot of high-fiving and shaking of heads going on.
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| Grandes Carreras de Caballos! |
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The Santiago racetrack sits on the east side of the Sierra La Laguna,
south of La Paz, and north of San Jose del Cabo |
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| Tailgate parties start early |
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| Horse talk |
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| Showing the racers |
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| Partner in crime, Elizabeth, says "What? No surf gear?" |
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| The first jockey is up |
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| The starting gate |
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| The winners pose |
