An Art Historian’s Hunch Picks (and Reader Contest!)

With due apologies to Alan at Left at the Gate, I offer my annual attempt at hunch picks with an unusual twist—an art history emphasis—for Friday, December 26. Some are just obvious, like:

Hadrian’s Image (Aqueduct, race 1)










One Starry Nite (Aqueduct, race 5)










Kandinsky (Turfway, race 6)







Mighty Nike (Fair Grounds, race 1)


Georgian (Calder, race 8)

Others, however, are more subtle. Here’s the twist: I’m offering a tempting prize for the reader who earns the most points by first naming the artist who painted each work. Each correct guess is worth 1 point, so let’s see how art savvy you are. The winner will receive (mailed via USPS) a collection of seven paperback thoroughbred childhood classics, either for your own edification or to pass along to your favorite budding thoroughbred fan—all in good to like new condition. They include five Black Stallion books by Walter Farley (The Black Stallion; The Black Stallion Revolts; The Black Stallion and Flame; The Black Stallion Challenged; and The Black Stallion’s Courage); four of these have the classic Ruth Sanderson covers, while one is the newer Pamela Patrick cover. Another book is from the Joanna Campbell Thoroughbred series (Wonder’s Champion) and the other is from the Bonnie Bryant Saddle Club series (Racehorse).

Just enter your guesses in the comment section, along with the image’s number. Contest will end once all images' artists are named, or December 31 (whichever comes first!) Merry Christmas!

1. Tulipmania (Aqueduct, race 3)










2. Absinth (Calder, race 5)










3. First Snow (Charles Town, race 4)









4. Devilish Redhead (Delta, race 1)










5. Machine in Motion (Fair Grounds, race 5)










6. Big Wig (Fair Grounds, race 7)










7. Pokermom (Golden Gate, race 2)










8. Island Miss (Hawthorne, race 4)









9. Thanks Lord (Hawthorne, race 9)











10. Spanish Tango (Hawthorne, race 10)










11. Day of Suffering (Penn National, race 7)










12. Steelyeyed (Turfway, race 8)










Remember, just the artist's name, not necessarily the work's actual title.

EDITED TO ADD: In order to keep it interesting, let's say that the person who correctly names that last artist in the group (thus completing the entire set) earns 3 points rather than just 1 point. For the runner-up finisher, I'm adding a second prize: three paperback copies of Marguerite Henry books (Misty of Chincoteague; Stormy, Misty's Foal; and Misty's Twilight)