Status: Freshman
Graduation Date: May 2010
Home State: Minnesota
Specific Racing Interest: Management, Marketing, Journalism
Mike’s exposure to the sport of horse racing began at the age of eight months when he watched Forty Niner win the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course from the top of his dad’s shoulders. Annual trips to Saratoga and frequent trips to the local track, Canterbury Park, propelled his enthusiasm for the sport. Mike learned about the RTIP through a close friend of his grandfather’s, Tom Metzen, who is director of the National HBPA. After visiting The University of Arizona and the RTIP, Mike realized he could follow his dreams and still get the education he desired. While he thinks you would have to be crazy not to enjoy the excitement of the live race, he holds an equal passion for handicapping a race and discussing how it will unfold. Mike looks forward to expanding his knowledge of horse racing while in the RTIP and in future jobs.
Status: Freshman
Graduation Date: May 2010
Home State: New York
Specific Racing Interest: Track Management
Billy has been associated with thoroughbred racing for his entire life. Born in Salem, NH, less than two miles from Rockingham Park, he was introduced to horse racing by his father, who is currently employed as NYRA Chief Operating Officer, and his grandfather, who was a long-time regulator for the New Hampshire Racing Commission. He moved to New York in 1995 and has worked a variety of jobs, ranging from merchandising to maintenance, at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
Status: Freshman
Graduation Date: May 2010
Home State: Michigan
Specific Racing Interest: Race Horse Ownership, Breeding, Farm Management
Horses have been in Grace’s life since she started riding at six months of age. Grace became hooked on racing when she got TVG Network and saw the replay of the 1998 Kentucky Derby. From 2004 to 2006 Grace worked at a harness racing stable trucking, driving and cooling out horses. She also helped train in the summer of 2005 and went to all the harness tracks in Michigan as a groom for the trainer for both fair and pari-mutuel meets. When Grace turned 16 she got her first horse and since then she has bred, trained, shown and owned arabians. Also, in the summer of 2005, Grace worked training and driving trottingbred race ponies. Grace has always wanted to attend The University of Arizona RTIP and have her racing-bred arabian gelding run and prove himself on the track.
Status: Freshman
Graduation Date: May 2010
Home Country: British Columbia
Specific Racing Interest: Race Horse Ownership, Breeding & Marketing
Jim has been interested in horse racing ever since he was a young boy listening to his late grandfather Alec Thomas tell stories about the days when he was a champion suicide rider. His grandfather explained how not only good breeding of a horse, but also good training and a lot of luck are what get you to the winners circle. Jim has been involved in the industry as an owner, breeder, paddock judge, and fan since 1975. After being injured in 2005, he has enrolled in the RTIP program to follow his dream of staying involved in the industry. He hopes he can contribute in some capacity to the success and future of the industry.