Cheltenham Festival Photos

Horses jump during the JLT Specialty Handicap Steeple Chase race on the first day of the Cheltenham Racing Festival in Gloucestershire, western England, on March 13, 2012. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Al Ferof ridden by Ruby Walsh jumps a fence in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase run during day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2012 in Cheltenham, England. (Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

Spectators arrive for the first day of the Cheltenham Racing Festival in Gloucestershire, in western England, on March 13, 2012. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Jockey Barry Geraghty (C) riding the horse 'Simonsig' during the Neptune Novices Hurdle on the second day of  Cheltenham. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Runners and riders begin the first race, The William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle during day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2012 in Cheltenham, England.  (Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

Barry Geraghty riding Finian's Rainbow (L) win The Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Runners and riders turn the bend in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle during day two of the Cheltenham. (Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

Racegoers watch the action from the course on ladies day during day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham racecourse on March 14, 2012 in Cheltenham, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

 Finian's Rainbow ridden by Barry Geraghty clears the water jump in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. (Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

Racegoer's check their papers on the last day of the Cheltenham horse racing Festival in Gloucestershire, England on March 16 2012. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Big Buck's ridden by Ruby Walsh leads the field on its way to winning the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.  It was Big Buck's 16th straight win.  (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

 The Cheltenham Gold Cup. (Getty Images)

Horses run during the Ryanair steeple chase on the third day of the Cheltenham horse racing festival. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Samba dancers arrive for the last day of the Cheltenham horse racing Festival in Gloucestershire, England on March 16 2012. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Pictures Of The Day

Runners flick up the mud at Sandown racecourse on March 10, 2012 in Esher, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

The re-call man (we call him “the starter”) waves his flag after a false start at Sandown racecourse on March 10, 2012 in Esher, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Denis O'Regan riding Ambion Wood (3R, maroon) clear the last to win The EBF paddypower.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Race Final at Sandown racecourse on March 10, 2012 in Esher, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Prince Harry plays polo for the Sentebale team at the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup 2012 on March 11th, 2012 in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The 2012 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup closes Prince Harry's Official Tour of Brazil. Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal family in response to the plight of the neediest and most vulnerable of Lesotho's children. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images Europe)

Horses and riders get an early morning exercise prior to the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham racecourse in England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Pictures Of The Day

Jack Madden riding Hurricane Fly, the winners of the famous Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2001, cross the track during exercise prior to the festival meeting commencing on Tuesday at Cheltenham racecourse on March 11, 2012 in Cheltenham, England.  Most consider the Champion Hurdle the most prestigious steeplechase in Great Britain. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

2011 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

A horse and rider exercise prior to the festival meeting commencing on Tuesday at Cheltenham racecourse on March 11, 2012. (lan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Runners race down the back straight at Wincanton racecourse on March 09, 2012 in Wincanton, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Picture Of The Day

Horses and riders head down the hill in the Nissan Sunline Vase on Auckland Cup Dat at Ellerslie racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.  (Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

Things That Make You Go...

Hmmm...

(PacificCoastNews.com)

Well...at least both outfits have “gold” in them...

These are the creations of U.S. designer Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton's Fall-Winter 2012-2013 Ready-To-Wear collection show held at Cour Carree Musee du Louvre in Paris. 

Pictures Of The Day

Richard Johnson riding Marufo (R) clear the water jump before winning The williamhill.com Support Greatwood Veterans' Handicap Steeple Chase from Niche Market (L) at Newbury racecourse on March 03, 2012 in Newbury, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

A runner takes a flight of hurdles at Newbury racecourse on March 03, 2012 in Newbury, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Let The Countdown Begin...

Well now, it's the first day of March and it looks like winter is pretty well in the can.  And while it isn't quite spring just yet, it's time to get serious with your plans for this year's Virginia Gold Cup run at Great Meadow in The Plains on the first Saturday of (every) May.

While it is true that we sometimes peruse the fashion world for our popular series of post knows as "WHAT NOT TO WEAR,"  here and there we do see some spectacular selections coming off various runways.

Here's one now.

If you are looking to make a splash at your company's tent or your friend's tailgate or you simply want to make that ex-boyfriend or girlfriend's knees buckle, check out this combo as offered by Italian designer Lorenzo Riva.

The outfits were part of the Lorenzo Riva Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 fashion show featured during the Milan Womenswear Fashion Week a few days ago in Milan, Italy.

And you thought Nehru Jackets and paisley were long gone...

Photo Of The Day

Paddy Brennan riding Baby Mix (R) on their way to winning The Download William Hill From The App-Store Adonis Juvenile Hurdle Race at Kempton racecourse on February 25, 2012 in Sunbury, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Photos Of The Day

Union Rags, ridden by Julien Leparoux, captures the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes Gr.2 Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The FOY is an important prep for the $500,000 Florida Derby Gr.1 and eventually that other little race that is also run on Gold Cup Saturday -- the $1 million Kentucky Derby Gr.1.  (AP Photo/Gulfstream Park)

Noel Fehily riding Chariot Charger on their way to winning The toteexacta Novices' Steeple Chase at Fontwell racecourse on February 26, 2012 in Fontwell, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

David Bass, riding Cucumber Run, falls at the second fence in the Toteexacta Novices Steeplechase at Fontwell racecourse in England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Picture Of The Day

Horses and jockeys clear a hurdle during the Donenico Adorno 85th Birthday Novice Hurdle at Huntingdon Racecourse in England.  (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Picture Of The Day

Jockeys and horses compete during the 73rd Gubelin Grand Prix of St. Mortiz on the frozen Lake of the White Turf in St. Mortiz.  (Photo by Imago/Zumapress.com)

Pictures Of The Day

Sam Thomas riding Super Duty (L) clear the last to win The Espirito Santo Investment Bank Novices' Hurdle Race from Keys (R) at Ascot racecourse on February 18, 2012 in Ascot, England.  (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Jockey Luke Nolen riding Black Caviar wins Race Six the Coolmore Lightning Stakes during Lightning Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse on February 18, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. The win by Black Caviar was her 19th in a row, and will race at Royal Ascot in the United Kingdom in June this year.  (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Picture Of The Day

Camels, ridden by tiny mechanical robots, race to the finish during a six kilometer race at teh 12th International Camel race in Kebd, Kuwait.  Real jockeys were replaced by the robots in 2005.  (Photo by Stehpanie McGehee/Reuters)

What Not To Wear

You know, it’s never too early to start planning your wardrobe for the Virginia Gold Cup on the first Saturday in May.

That said, don’t wear this.

(PacificCoastNews.com)

Here, models walk the runway for the David del Rio show during the Mercedes Benz Fashion week in Madrid.

Pictures Of The Day

Runners in the Yes Promo Products 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Race pass the grandstand at Plumpton racecourse on December 19, 2011 in Plumpton, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

 Ruby Walsh riding Aerial clears the last to win The Shawbrook Bank Graduation Steeple Chase at Ascot racecourse on December 17, 2011 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Picture Of The Day

Runners turn into the home straight in The oddsanywhere.com Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase at Towcester racecourse on December 15, 2011 in Towcester, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Pictures Of The Day

Ruby Walsh riding Join Together clear the last to win The Ryman Stationer Novices' Steeple Chase at Cheltenham racecourse on December 10, 2011 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Barry Geraghty riding Grandouet (C) winning The stamjames.com International Hurdle Race from Overturn (L) at Cheltenham racecourse on December 10, 2011 in Cheltenham, England.  (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Craig Williams of Australia riding Dunaden celebrates after winning the 2400 metre event of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races in Hong Kong on December 11, 2011. The prestigious annual event is one of the world's richest meetings, putting it in the company of America's Triple Crown, the Dubai World Cup and Britain's Royal Ascot. (AFP PHOTO / Philippe Lopez)

Pictures Of The Day

Barry Geraghty riding Shakalakaboomboom (R) clear the last to win the Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Steeple Chase from Mon Parrain (L) at Cheltenham racecourse on December 09, 2011 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Jake Greenall riding Inga Bird (L) on their way to winning The Betfred The Bonus King Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase at Huntingdon racecourse on December 08, 2011 in Huntingdon, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Picture Of The Day

Richard Johnson riding Duke Of Lucca clears the last to win The Weatherbys Talking Horse Beginners' Steeple Chase at Wincanton racecourse on December 01, 2011 in Wincanton, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Remembering Cinzano

ROUSE AND CINZANO IN 1981 (Douglas Lees Photo)

Back in June, Dr. Mark Gerard died.  Gerard was convicted of a horse-swapping scam and banned from racing back in 1977.  One of the horses involved in the swap was Cinzano.  The speedy South American champ would be stripped of his papers by the Jockey Club after the scandal and purchased by noted Virginia horseman Randy Rouse.  Rouse successfully raced Cinzano in the unsanctioned point-to-points where Jockey Club papers weren't required.  The pair were undefeated in ten starts. Cinzano died a pensioner at Rouse’s farm in 1999 at the ripe old age of 26.

Not long after Gerard died, the Washington Post published a very well-written and complete obituary written by T. Rees Shapiro, the son of retired newspaper Washington Post columnist Len Shapiro and author and publisher Vicki Moon of Middleburg renown. The obituary does a great job of retelling the Cizano story.

    

Shortly after reading the obituary, we asked Eclipse Award photographer Douglas Lees if he had any old photos of Randy and Cinzano, and, of course, he did.  The problem was finding the old negatives from the pre-digital days.  This conversation was re-enacted a few times over the summer and early fall, and this morning these photos arrived from Douglas. 

Spectacular, as always.

ROUSE AND CINZANO IN 1982 (Douglas Lees Photo)

Pictures Of The Day

Runners make their way into the bottom turn in The toteplacecpot Novices' Hurdle Race at Chepstow racecourse on October 25, 2011 in Chepstow, Wales. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Runners take a flight of hurdles in front of the grandstand at Chepstow racecourse on October 25, 2011 in Chepstow, Wales. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Horses and riders complete gallops during Breakfast With the Stars at Flemington Racecourse on October 25, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images AsiaPac)