Hooked On Horse Racing: Mike Repole

Tired of all the bad news? So were we. So, in our new series, we focus on the positive, asking people from non-horse racing families two questions: how they get hooked, and how they'll hook someone else on horse racing this year.

MIKE REPOLE

What was the experience that made you fall in love with horse racing?

Growing up in Queens, I would cut out of high school early to spend the day at “the beautiful Aqueduct Racetrack” to place a $2 bet and watch these amazing Thoroughbreds compete at the highest level. And if I was lucky, I'd cash the $2 win!

Would you commit to creating one new fan this year and, if so, what would be the experience you use to introduce them to the sport?

I think racing should be more about spending time educating more people about the sport and investing time in giving current fans and future fans a beautiful sneak peek behind the scenes of this great sport. I would take them to the barn in the morning, watch the horses gallop and work out, watch the horses get brushed down, and watch them feed. Then take them to the track and give them an incredible experience in the paddock–watching these amazing athletes close and up-front, meeting the trainers and the brave jockeys. And then maybe an opportunity to be in the winner's circle. To me, there is no greater feeling than being in the winner's circle after your horse has won.