Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Donna D — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 03:52:12 GMT

Great piece of writing!! I have a pin from Eight Belles signed by Larry Jones. My son was Golden Doc A's groom when she was in Kentucky for the Oaks and was stabled in the same barn as Larry. I had followed Eight Belles career, as well as stablemate Proud Spell, both fillies ran with hearts as big as they were. Keep on believing in your writing and in thoroughbreds.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

C Hatfield — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 05:21:37 GMT

You're absolutely right: We are here.

Maria, this is a wonderful article! I, like you, aspire to be a meaningful part of this wonderful industry some day. My foot is just barely in the door and in my short time here, it's been a crazy and wonderful ride; I wouldn't have it any other way. Grab ahold of your passion for this industry, take some risks, and follow your dreams.

I'll keep a look out for your book when I'm doing my Christmas shopping.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Danzel Brendemuehl, Ocala, FL — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:40:14 GMT

What a great article! Thank you Maria, for reminding us that you are indeed out there. For those of us who live and breathe race horses, your article is a refreshing change from the negative messages that pervade discussions of our sport. Hang on to your passion and follow your dreams. We need you and welcome you, all of you.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Mike Relva — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:27:27 GMT

MARIA

Great writing! Thanks for your contribution.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Annabelle N — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:48:04 GMT

I'm the one she's talking about, the one who's matching Zenyatta colors. Maria is an awesome horse person and writer. She's helped me with some of my horse projects. I hope she writes another biography about another great race horse. You go Maria! :)

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Maria Michalak — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:07:56 GMT

Just wanted to say thanks so much for all the great comments, full of kind words and encouragement. They're much-appreciated!

And to my fellow horse-racing-crazy teens who posted here: it was AWESOME to see your posts (you helped me prove my point: "we're here!"), and, hey, good luck to each of you! Maybe we'll meet someday, somewhere. You never know right? Whether we do or not, I hope all your dreams come true and that we can all keep our passion for the thoroughbred industry, and the greatest sport there is. :)

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

AGS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:25:36 GMT

Sounds like me and a thousand other kids 20 years ago.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Zen4Zen — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:40:22 GMT

Great article, Maria! I hope you keep on writing about horses and remain in the horseracing "industry" (as owner, trainer, author...whatever you choose) to which you're already a credit!

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Sophie15 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:36:48 GMT

Fantastic article. I am so glad that there are other young people out there that love racing. I am 18 and plan to go into the research side of the racing industry to help those beautiful horses. I hope to own racehorses someday. Your words are inspiration. Thank you for the wonderful article.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Kelly — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:06:18 GMT

I've had the pleasure of meeting Maria Michalak and she is truly an inspiration. What a wonderful article. She was able to put into words the love affair I had with horses when I was a young girl, too. Congratulations Maria! I can't wait to read your next book or article!

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

txhorsefan — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:00:06 GMT

Maria, thank you for writing this wonderful story about your passion for the sport growing from your love of Eight Belles. Your writing is well above your age level and you can count me as one older lady who is thrilled to see someone so young determined to follow a dream about horses. Thank you for sharing with us.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Blondie — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:44:26 GMT

Amen Maria! Could not agree with you more! I'm 19 and a freshman in college and once I graduate I plan on working in the racing industry!

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Darla Burton — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:42:52 GMT

Wonderful article!!!!! I love it!

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Susan Watkins Hot Springs, Arkansas — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:54:15 GMT

AMEN Maria!!!! You could not of said it more perfectly and a goal of mine is to make sure that younger people see the bright side of this industry. Yes, there are down times but there are in any industry so you keep on with your chin up and LOVE these wonderful horses that God made...thanks for the article!!

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Alex — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:47:29 GMT

Wow, another teen who loves racing! I'm 16, and I want to be a jockey someday!

One day, I'll give you an exclusive interview or something! =P

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Adele Williams — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:32:30 GMT

LOVELY STORY tHANK YOU FOR SHARING IT.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Richie D — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:08:53 GMT

Great story!!! It is refreshing to see such enthusiasm from the young racing fan, however you talk about the industy NOT disappearing tomorrow because a new generation of fans love and support it. Fans alone are not going to save horse racing. The industy must be tasked with saving itself. We can all get excited when watching the best horses race for huge amounts of money in the races that are televised on national TV but the reality is owning a race horse has become so expensive that the "small time" owners are being pushed out of the game. Racing in California is dying. Nothern California lost one of its two tracks and now is "treated" to 5 horse fields and very low mutuel payouts. Southern California racing is also experiencing extremely small fields because of a lack of horses ready to run, many racing days have been cancelled due to races not filling. It is a sad state that racing finds itself in at this point, I have been a fan for 35 of my 45 years and am sad to see racing slowly die in my home State of California.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalak

Heather — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:03:56 GMT

What a great article. I see a future turf writer here!

It gives me such pleasure to hear that there are young fans who are into this amazing sport.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

Blue Blue Sea — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:50:54 GMT

Hear, hear! I became a fan first through Seattle Slew and really gave my heart to Alydar. I've never stopped being a fan from those early years (around 3) and I've seen many a horse go down. It is sad, but these horses do love to run. I've owned and worked with many off-trackers and there is no other horse for me. Thanks for such a beautiful article.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

RockHardTenGroupie — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:48:08 GMT

Dont EVER lose this passion young lady. It is a beautiful obsession to have! :) Thank you for your story!

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

poormansracehorse — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:45:12 GMT

Are you listening Thoroughbred Industry?

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

susan kennedy — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:30:35 GMT

I have been impressed with racing's young fans ever since I overheard two young ladies discussing the success of Tiznow's babies one spring at Keeneland. They were young enough to be university students, but they were obviously well-informed students of "the game" as well. Racing's next generation is out there. I'm willing to bet Zenyatta's last race has captured many new young fans, too. Now it's up to the industry to promote the sport and keep their interest. Maria, you've expressed the sentiments of many young people like yourself beautifully, and I hope the "establishment" is listening, especially to the final two paragraphs.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

Susie — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:28:21 GMT

Beautifully written! I hope there are many, many more young people like you who will keep the sport alive for your generation and generations to come. Thank you for writing.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

Karen in Indiana — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:12:58 GMT

You go, girl!

You're right - there does need to be more publicity about the good stuff. With the access to Zenyatta that the public has been given and the response to it, maybe others in the industry will start opening up more as well.

re: Racing: 'We're Here' - By Maria Michalakis

Mark Toothaker — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:39:41 GMT

Maria fantastic article so glad you are passionate about the greatest sport there is. THere are a lot of us out there that had the same dreams of being involved in the sport as you have now and were able to make it a reality. You and others like you are the lifeblood of out sport going forward. Don't give up on your dreams and keep spreading the word about this great sport.