Where Did You Get Started in Racing?

Looking back over many happy years of working in racing, it is usually on a slow-moving Sunday afternoon when I remember the good old days. I have some words of wisdom from my mom. She wasn't a real racing fan, but she knew I loved everything about it. She told me, "You'll get to enjoy it twice in your life. The first is when you are there doing it, and the second comes later in life when you look back at the wonderful memories." She was right.

For me, it started in the parking lot at Turfway Park, and at River Downs in the summer. Wearing my shorts and my Turfway polo shirt and cap was the best thing in the world. When it was a little cooler, we wore a thin windbreaker that became a second skin. I wore it to college, to parties, and especially while parking cars. Nothing better for a guy who loved to watch and wager on the ponies.

Time moved on, and I made my way inside. Each year I climbed a little higher on the ladder. When I was in charge of the Race Book and the bigger players, I was sure it couldn't get any better. There was a weekly radio show, and for a guy whose face was made for radio, I even went on live Turfway TV to give out my selections for the first race and the feature. I would have paid them to work there, as everything was falling into place.

Well, as the old saying goes, all good things don't last. I left Turfway Park on July 23, 2003. It was all my decision, as the folks I enjoyed working with were leaving and some were great friends. I was informed by a higher-up that things would be changing and would have a corporate undertone. The track was being sold, and he was surely right.

I went back to substitute teaching, and racing was in my rear-view mirror. Or so I thought. I came home from a long-term stint subbing for a sick teacher, and it was Christmas break for the kids. I walked in the door, and my house phone rang. Yes, my house phone. It was John Engelhardt asking if I wanted to interview for Director of Marketing at River Downs. It didn't take long before I said yes, and off I went to meet with John and GM Jack Hanessian.

To this day, if you ask John, the greatest show he ever saw was me selling myself like my life depended on it. Little did I know I already had the job on John's advice, but he got to watch a hungry man sell like his head was on fire.

It was at River Downs where I learned the most, working with John, the longtime PR Director, photographer, and all-around good guy. We had events galore, and some are still talked about to this day. We could pack the place for wiener dog races and pig races, and NFL legend Chad Ochocinco once raced a Thoroughbred on the turf course. They gave Chad the head start, though watching him go, I'm not sure he needed it. We also hired incredible interns who helped make things run smoothly while they accrued hours toward a degree. Those kids were great to work with. All of them are gainfully employed in racing now, with the exception of one who wanted to be a wife and mother. She was still great to have on the team.

When I joined John at River Downs, I was the second "Regular Guy." Long before TVG and FanDuel, John had come up with the idea of a live TV show that went out to anyone watching River Downs. He taught me to have fun and not take myself too seriously. It was teaching the fans about handicapping while we had a great time. As long as it didn't cost a million bucks, we could do what we wanted. We shared an office that looked less like an office and more like the fraternity house in Animal House.

On October 10, 2010, I was informed the track was sold and the dream job was over. That took me back to a dark January evening when John uttered the immortal words, "You know, Ed, we are never going to have jobs like these again." He was right.

Being off that winter wasn't too bad. I was given the opportunity to be the ADW Coordinator at Keeneland. It was like being called up by the Yankees. I loved every single person there except one, and no names, as mom would say. That year was a taste of what it was like to work in the big leagues, and I still look back on those times fondly. Where else could I make that kind of money handicapping, writing blogs with free selections, doing radio work, and running an early Saturday handicapping seminar near the winner's circle with Donna Barton Brothers? She was great. Not as much fun as John, but not many things would ever be again.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my house phone rang again. John was working at Belterra Park, and he was calling to ask if I wanted to call the races. Kind of like winning the lottery without the millions. We shared the announcer's booth as an office, and we tried putting the band back together. There was no more "Regular Guy Show," but if I said the fans didn't ask five times a day why we don't do it again, I'd be fibbing. We just enjoyed the races, and John would entertain winner's circle groups with fun history in his own Irish storytelling style. I've been there over 12 years now. John went another direction, taking over a big position serving the Ohio horsemen, and nobody is better for the job. We still talk twice a week if not more, whether he wants to or not.

I have been a lucky man. Getting to be around horses, riders, and owners, who are some of the best people I have ever met. Many wonderful people have afforded me opportunities, and some of my cohorts are my best friends.

So how did you get into racing? Was it a love for the sport, or a job that grew on you? Either way, if you know someone who has an interest, there is no better time than now to spend a day at the races. There are college programs, and tracks are usually looking for interns. Go ahead, get in the game. You will be glad you did.