getting a job at a track
 

i may be moving close to lexington in the next couple of months. i was wondering how difficult it was to get a job working at a track..like being an outrider, gate attendent..etc. i really would like to get in with the track, b/c that would be my dream job.

best of luck to you. as a suggestion, consider the tracks in Canada. at least you'll have national health coverage up there. i don't think you'll have any health coverage at most jobs at the tracks in the USA.

The jobs you are talking about are nearly impossible to get in KY. You really are looking at hotwalker/groom jobs and working your way up if you want to work in the horse business in KY. You might be able to find some work as an exercise rider too.

that would be great, i would really like to do exercise riding.

Yeah you have to be buddies with a person that has the ability to hire. Jobs at the track that u can get are maintenance (the person that sweeps up the losing tickets). But Keeneland it is hard to get a job because they are only open 8 weeks of the year.

There are jobs on the farms in Lexington too. You might want to try heading up to Saratoga for the summer and hooking on with a KY trainer.

thats it...maybe I will get me a side gig at one of the Colonial Downs OTB's...
I can be a teller...I can see it now someone hands me a winning ticket...

"$500 winner??? wow...GFY...this is MY money now...NEXT IN LINE PLEASE.":D

Here in Central Ohio if one is willing they can get a job right now at Scioto Downs as a "helper" of sorts, more or less cleaning stalls, etc.. In August there are opportunities abound at the most scenic track in America (:eek: ) Beulah Park. All one has to do is show up at 4am at the gate and someone will most likely put you to work in no time.

If you consider working as a Teller, let me offer you this piece of advice. The next Saturday you have an hour or so to spare in the afternoon, go to your local otb parlor, track etc and just hang around and watch the interaction between the bettors and the tellers. Coming from someone who has been a teller before, the job requires PATIENCE and the ability to shrug off rude behavior unlike what you might have seen before. Also, you have to be quick with the numeric pad of course. If by chance you are a female, you just might make some very nice tips. My ugly butt couldn't get a smile:D

Good luck whatever you pursue!

It is a hard life and hard to get. Most places start you as a Hotwalker/groom type person unless ya know someone who knows someone. Pay isn't great to start and it is most of the time from what I understand a 7 day a week job. I haven't heard from my friend in about a month now who headed from FL to NJ following jobs.

Good Luck in your job hunting.

depends how cute you are. I've noticed Pletcher, Lukas etc have stumbled onto some very good looking grooms and assistants. I'd suggest a pushup bra, tight jeans and a willingness to learn might be all that is needed.

OK, that made me laugh out loud!

Huh...I might have to try that one. LOL!

No really, I probably won't have to. I'm going to the new jockey academy in Kentucky, and with it comes an internship. I hope that makes my start in racing easier...well, it should.

OH You must take pics and fill us in on how things are going when you get a chance. You must be so excited! When do you go?

I live in Kitty Hawk, NC for the next week, then I am moving back to Yorktown, VA. Takes me about 40 minutes to get to Colonial Downs up in New Kent from where I will be living.

You in that area?

Things working out dude?

Dude....I was there on Saturday.

I was born and raised in Hampton. Moved to York County as a teenager. Graduated from Tabb H.S. in 1990.

You from the area originally?

well video i wish you the best of luck as well as you jessica if you both are seriously gonna follow through with a career in the sport! if you have no luck in KY video or wherever you try contact me and i can try and get you started on the backside here in chicago


john

i would definatly love that. i will keep you updated. what do you do at the track?

Videogirl, how old are you? Do you have experience riding or grooming racehorses? If not, I would recommend getting a job on a farm in Lexington. Tell your potential employer what you are looking for. Tell them you are interested in galloping horses. If you have never done it, starting from the ground up is the best way to go. Learn about the legs and how to groom a racehorse properly, then eventually learn to gallop. Watch out for people that will "help" you but are looking for their "pay back." DO NOT GO TO CHICAGO!! Arlington is a beautiful racetrack, but it is no place for a young woman getting into the business. It is a dangerous backside.
The only down side to living in Lexington is the 8 weeks of racing that is there. That's it. But there are the sales to work and that is always something to consider if you're looking for experience and quick cash.

That does work.:p

KRIM, what is the cost for this school? Is this the one McCarron is running at the Horse Park? How long is the schooling? I am a little skeptical of it, so you will need to keep us posted about it.

I have a friend who is in the business in Lexington, KY. He told me to tell you that the best way to get into the business if you have zero experience is through the program at Central Florida Community College. He said it is easier to get a good job in Ocala,FL where he sometimes works than in Lexington, KY, where it is very competitive.

Here is the link to the program. You might want to look into it. I often wished I worked on a farm instead of working in an office in NY.

http://www.gocfcc.com/programs/equine_studies.htm

There is also a certificate program.

http://www.gocfcc.com/programs/equinecert.htm

if you want in on a farm in KY--learning how to prep yearlings or starting yearlings etc. which can segway into a track job if that is what you want--look into the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (www.KEMI.org ) --no other program except perhaps Darley's Flying Start will give you as much opportunity to work and make valuable contacts in the Lexington area.

i am 25. i do not have experience with racehorses but i have ridden my whole life. i do know there is a difference. i would just like to get into the business somehow, and i do not mind working at a farm. i wouldn't care to just muck out stalls, just so i can be around the track/farm. i live in southwest va now, so there isn't really anything close by...if there is, can anyone give me a heads up....

oh off topic, does anyone know david doane...he is a breeder that lives in jonesborough, tn. i think in 2000, he bred the NY 2 year old of the year...le grande dansier (sp?) does anyone know where that horse is or has heard of david. i think he was going to breed his mare back to skip away the next year, but i lost touch.

thanks everyone for their help!

If I get accepted, I will go after I graduate from my current college next May, and move to Kentucky during the summer, and then start the classes in the fall of next year. It is going to be so awesome! It is all I can do to keep myself from taking off this fall!

Le Grande Danseur was by Citidancer. He now stands in New Mexico for $1,500. Not sure about David Doane, although he would be 84 years old now, wouldn't he? I remember he was in his late 70's or early 80's.

Yes, McCarron is the one. It looks very legit. I am going to give it a year to get started before I attend to make sure it is everything that I think it is going to be. If not, I'm heading off to the racehorse program in Louisville. You will spend 18 months in the class, and a year in an internship. They have a great website up that tells you everything you need to know. I contacted them yesterday about it, and asked them to send me as much information as possible on it. They sure look like they are doing everything right. Check out the curriculum, and the frequently asked questions section.
Oh yeah, it costs 3300 to 3600 per semester, which I think is fair based on the cost of the facility we will be using, and the costs of keeping up the horses.

We will spend six days a week, eight hours a day learning how to take care of and ride Thoroughbreds.

One hour-mechanical horse
three hours-chores
one hour-exercising two racehorses
three hours-classroom work

They are trying to simulate exactly how it will be when working under a real trainer. Personally, I think the school is going to be great and is really going to work. Why wouldn't it work? It has worked in every other country.

http://nara.kctcs.edu/index.cfm

Lucas is like the 68 yr old science teacher you had in high school who sat all the hot chicks up front and "accidently" dropped his pencil...

LOL, I had the thirty year old social studies teacher in 7th grade who just had to always have the window open during the cold of winter and he just so happened to have all of the "developed" girls sitting right by the window...hmmmm

i am sure david is up there in age. he was quite old when i met him, my mom showed dalmatians and knew them through that...they were really nice, and had a great start it seemed in breeding...i am not sure what they have had since then.

i own a racehorse and i help pick out horses to claim for some of my trainers other clients

Show a little SKIN!!! That the only chance in the corporate thoroughbred world you got LMAO!!!!:D :D

I went to Bethel my 10th grade year before going to Tabb. Never knew Terry that well, but Chris was a friend and hands down the nicest guy you will ever meet. Even after all those years with the Patriots he will still come home and be the same old Chris.

Do you go to the Hampton OTB much? I'm undecided between there or actually going to New Kent and watch them live.

You play any baseball growing up? I was in the Northampton Little League.

There an echo in here???:D