Article by Tom Law for New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Originally published at www.nytbreeders.org.
Students from the College’s Thoroughbred Industry course gathered in the paddock at Saratoga Race Course before the fifth race on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Standing in the shade, the students watched the field enter the paddock, kept a close eye as they walked about and were saddled, talked amongst themselves and decided that No. 4, Help a Girl Out from trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn, would receive that day’s BEST Turned Out Award offered by the Backstretch Employee Service Team.
“It’s been awesome,” said student Sage Badman (Tully, N.Y.). “We went to the barns this morning, we saw some really cool horses. Like Sovereignty, that was cool, and then we came to the races. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been once before.”
The students started the day with a tour of the expansive Saratoga backstretch with program organizer Tom Gallo. They took the time to watch morning workouts on the Oklahoma Training Track, making the most of the cool, clear morning as horses galloped past. They made their way around the turn and had the opportunity to visit with trainers Adrianne DeVaux and Bill Mott, where they were treated to a visit with Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Whitney Stakes winner and 2025 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male Sovereignty.
“I used to be a guest lecturer out at Cobleskill,” said Gallo, who considers his work with the school and students a passion project. “And my thing has always been introducing young people to the sport in any way you can. … They’re really like sponges. They’re absorbing everything. One girl this morning was taking notes, intense notes, I hadn’t seen anyone take notes like that in years.”
Between the morning and the afternoon, the students toured the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. After, the group made their way across Union Avenue to the track, ending up in the paddock just in time to decide the BEST Turned Out Award.
“It’s a fun way to get them out to the races, see some horses in person,” Gallo said. “They can get a full appreciation of how this day runs, how the whole industry runs. And I already had two people asking me how to get possible jobs, so really that’s what you want to hear.”
The students enjoyed a few races prior to presenting the BEST Turned Out Award in the winner’s circle before the fifth race. After their responsibilities were completed, the students had the opportunity to explore and enjoy a day at the races. A handful made their way to the rail to watch the horses thundering down the stretch, others headed upstairs into the grandstand for a view of the track from above, while some more explored the backyard and checked out horses in the paddock.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said student Morgan Capone (Bethel, C.T.). “We’ve been going back and forth from the paddock, watching the races. It’s really cool. It’s been a fun day.”
“It’s important to get the younger generation interested,” said Gallo. “And when I bring them by the barns and they describe certain situations I’ve been through and they can see the care the horses get and the love that they get. They’re wowed by it, which is amazing. And they were all so excited for it, one student said she was up until 4 o’clock in the morning because she was so excited. It’s great to see.”
