Each week we will be featuring a horseman or horsewoman at Turf Paradise or someone who works at the track.
Marilee Herrera is a new racehorse owner at the 2021 Turf Paradise race meet. Her story is one of incredible perseverance, patriotism, a desire to be the best as well as the transformative power of the sport and the love of horses. But as she will tell you in her own words, it is just part of a far greater journey! Marilee also shares details about a horse you need to look out for running at Turf Paradise!
“My Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather were all jockeys, so racing is definitely in my blood. They rode the bush tracks in NM and CO but were mainly goat farmers in the Santa Fe area. They saw talent in my Dad when he was young and sent him to CA where he got to work under contract with the "Bald Eagle" himself, Charlie Whittingham.”
“My Dad got his first big break in the late 50s and was one of the leading riders up and down CA and Caliente. In the early 60s, he started to ride a few races at Turf Paradise and became very good friends with Mr. Clurer and Mr. Herbuveaux. In the 70's, my dad got the opportunity to ride first call for Jack Van Berg, so we moved out to the Midwest for most of that decade.”
“In 1979, my father "retired" and we settled in Phoenix. My parents loved the weather and the fact he could ride most of the year at one track while my sister and I were in school. My Dad rode at Turf Paradise up until his death at age 54 in 1985. His, along with many other great AZ riders, ashes are on the track!”
“I was 15 years old when he passed but loved racing so much, I went to U of A and earned my degree in Racetrack Management. I went on to work in KY and Australia and then ended up in Portland where I worked at both Portland Meadows and Multnomah Greyhound Park, and in 1995, I got the opportunity to move to Connecticut to help open Shoreline Star Greyhound Park.”
“Anyhow, from about 1997 - 2010 I strayed from racing, got married, had kids and only enjoyed racing from afar. Then, with my first divorce, found myself joining the military, yes, the Army, at age 40! While I don't regret having the honor of serving my country, I found myself getting further and further away from my first love, HORSERACING.”
“In 2015, I had a horrible injury that ended my military career and took about three years to recover. I was in my second marriage living in the Bay area and not happy with life. Then came 2020 and with COVID, my life felt like it hit rock bottom. One day, my now soon-to-be-ex, picked up and moved out and I, along with my cat and two dogs were abandoned. My life no longer felt worth living....my children are young successful adults, and don’t need me (so I thought) and my pets could live with my roommate, I was really on the verge of doing something that I could never reverse, it scares me right now to think about what I was planning to do...then, out of nowhere, I reunited with an old friend and we started to talk about getting me back to racing.”
“Almost overnight, I had the opportunity to buy a beautiful 2-year-old filly from another friend that I went to U of A with who was looking to sell off some of her horses who were running at Del Mar. Next thing I know, I'm talking to a trainer (my Dad rode his and his Dad's horses 40 years ago) who said he would help me out with her, and the rest is history.”
“MY LIFE WAS LITERALLY SAVED BY RACING!!!! In an instant, my life changed. Despite being one of the darkest times of my life, I find myself with a fresh, optimistic attitude and thrilled beyond belief to be back “home” at Turf Paradise and in the industry, I LOVE!!!!”
“Keep an eye out for my filly, Spicy Sommelier! She had her first official work at Turf Paradise recently and ran quite well 47.20 4f….she does have three races under her belt which includes a third at Los Al for a $50k tag, but I think she’s going to like this track. She’s a pretty filly by Stay Thirsty out of Hadarra (Harlan’s Holiday).”
Marilee Herrera is a new racehorse owner at the 2021 Turf Paradise race meet. Her story is one of incredible perseverance, patriotism, a desire to be the best as well as the transformative power of the sport and the love of horses. But as she will tell you in her own words, it is just part of a far greater journey! Marilee also shares details about a horse you need to look out for running at Turf Paradise!
“My Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather were all jockeys, so racing is definitely in my blood. They rode the bush tracks in NM and CO but were mainly goat farmers in the Santa Fe area. They saw talent in my Dad when he was young and sent him to CA where he got to work under contract with the "Bald Eagle" himself, Charlie Whittingham.”
“My Dad got his first big break in the late 50s and was one of the leading riders up and down CA and Caliente. In the early 60s, he started to ride a few races at Turf Paradise and became very good friends with Mr. Clurer and Mr. Herbuveaux. In the 70's, my dad got the opportunity to ride first call for Jack Van Berg, so we moved out to the Midwest for most of that decade.”
“In 1979, my father "retired" and we settled in Phoenix. My parents loved the weather and the fact he could ride most of the year at one track while my sister and I were in school. My Dad rode at Turf Paradise up until his death at age 54 in 1985. His, along with many other great AZ riders, ashes are on the track!”
“I was 15 years old when he passed but loved racing so much, I went to U of A and earned my degree in Racetrack Management. I went on to work in KY and Australia and then ended up in Portland where I worked at both Portland Meadows and Multnomah Greyhound Park, and in 1995, I got the opportunity to move to Connecticut to help open Shoreline Star Greyhound Park.”
“Anyhow, from about 1997 - 2010 I strayed from racing, got married, had kids and only enjoyed racing from afar. Then, with my first divorce, found myself joining the military, yes, the Army, at age 40! While I don't regret having the honor of serving my country, I found myself getting further and further away from my first love, HORSERACING.”
“In 2015, I had a horrible injury that ended my military career and took about three years to recover. I was in my second marriage living in the Bay area and not happy with life. Then came 2020 and with COVID, my life felt like it hit rock bottom. One day, my now soon-to-be-ex, picked up and moved out and I, along with my cat and two dogs were abandoned. My life no longer felt worth living....my children are young successful adults, and don’t need me (so I thought) and my pets could live with my roommate, I was really on the verge of doing something that I could never reverse, it scares me right now to think about what I was planning to do...then, out of nowhere, I reunited with an old friend and we started to talk about getting me back to racing.”
“Almost overnight, I had the opportunity to buy a beautiful 2-year-old filly from another friend that I went to U of A with who was looking to sell off some of her horses who were running at Del Mar. Next thing I know, I'm talking to a trainer (my Dad rode his and his Dad's horses 40 years ago) who said he would help me out with her, and the rest is history.”
“MY LIFE WAS LITERALLY SAVED BY RACING!!!! In an instant, my life changed. Despite being one of the darkest times of my life, I find myself with a fresh, optimistic attitude and thrilled beyond belief to be back “home” at Turf Paradise and in the industry, I LOVE!!!!”
“Keep an eye out for my filly, Spicy Sommelier! She had her first official work at Turf Paradise recently and ran quite well 47.20 4f….she does have three races under her belt which includes a third at Los Al for a $50k tag, but I think she’s going to like this track. She’s a pretty filly by Stay Thirsty out of Hadarra (Harlan’s Holiday).”
RSS Feed