Summer Internships

Diego Cervantes is getting lots of hands-on experience with racehorses while interning at Los Alamitos this summer with Monty Arrossa Racing Stable. Photo: Diego (black jacket) in the winner's circle with one of his charges.

From the backstretch to the halls of Congress, Alex Sausville has been getting a 360º view of the responsibilities of the United States Trotting Association during his summer internship. He heads to the Hambletonian, then Saratoga, before fall classes start back in Tucson. Photo: Alex with Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter

Nick Fanucchi is working for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito at Saratoga this summer. His main two jobs are hot walking and cooling out horses in the shed row – he also walks some of the more “rambunctious” horses to the track and back. “This experience has taught me the differences between working at a track in comparison to a training center or farm.”

Matthew O’Connor has resumed working with Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito in Saratoga and is assisting in daily training, medications, vet work, feeding, and running horses, among many other elements of Zito’s operation.

Taylor Owens is spending the summer interning with Brad Hemba Racing Stable at Prairie Meadows. She is learning the training ropes, picking up valuable hands-on experience. Leg wraps, packing feet, racehorse diet and nutrition, and medicinal remedies are all skills she has added to her repertoire. She says it is a lot of hours, but she really enjoys the work!

Chris Chatters is spending the summer interning with the New York Racing Association. He learned the ropes in the racing office at Belmont, then moved to Saratoga to continue his racing office responsibilities. He says the atmosphere at Saratoga is like no other and he loves “how the entire town embraces the racetrack and the horseman. It’s really special to see how everyone is involved in what’s happening on a daily basis, not just on big race days.” Photo: Chris in placing stand with NYRA's Sonny Taylor