A Dream… To A Phone Call… To The Winners’ Circle
January 12th, 2002by Vicki H. Rasmussen
Vicki’s “Our Main Man”
Benoit Photo
It was just a small ad, positioned below the previous day’s racing charts, in the sports section of my local newspaper. “Del Mar Claiming Partnership Now Forming – Class Racing Stable – Home of Breeders’ Cup Champion Reraise.”
I had been a “regular” at the track for several years and attended several seminars, presented by industry groups, promoting racehorse ownership. I still felt that I lacked the information and the capital to become a Thoroughbred owner. All that changed, in June, three years ago, with a telephone call to the toll-free number listed in that tiny ad.
That one call to Bob Feld, vice president of Class Racing Stable would positively impact every aspect of my life and put me on a path to realize my dream of owning a Thoroughbred racehorse.
Bob explained that one of the primary benefits of a partnership is the sharing of expenses. This would allow a working person like me to afford the opportunity to participate in racing.
I told Bob that I wasn’t interested in getting into the game to make money, but to have fun, meet new people, be around the lovely horses and enjoy the social interaction with others who have a love of horses and racing.
One of the main goals of Class Racing Stable, Bob explained, was to generate fun and excitement for the partners. I liked the sound of that! We closed with a promise to talk about the financial arrangements in a couple days.
He called me as promised and we agreed on a manageable dollar amount that would enable me to become a partner in the new claiming partnership. I immediately sent in my check and my contract. Now all we needed was the horses! I was over the moon with anticipation.
On the Fourth of July, our group claimed a Kentucky-bred, four-year-old gelding, sired by a Breeders’ Cup Champion and I was officially a Thoroughbred owner.
The next morning, I received a call at my office from Joe Masino, president of Class Racing Stable, to discuss the claim and our plans for the horse. I couldn’t wait to get to the track and meet “my” horse at the barn, feed him carrots, meet our trainer and visit with my excited partners.
I don’t remember how much film I used that weekend taking pictures of Belal, but a few races later, I was having my picture taken with him in the winners’ circle! The joy and excitement at seeing your own horse coming down the stretch ahead of the field is a feeling for which there are no words. It simply must be experienced to be appreciated and understood.
Since that first claim, I have owned a part of nine different horses, raced at seven different tracks in three different states. The horses that I have owned have earned over $250,000 in purse money for the partnership.
I remember getting my first check for my share of a horse’s earnings and thinking, “This is the best second job ever!”
The several winners’ circle photos on my wall are a constant reminder that I have shared some very exciting moments with wonderful partners and nice horses. Everyone should be able to say that they have lived their dream and being a partner in Class Racing Stable has enabled me to live mine.
