Natalie Voss with her off-track Thoroughbred, Underscore, known around the barn as Blueberry
Just as there are “baby” races at the track, off-track Thoroughbreds have their own kind of competition restricted to newcomers — the Thoroughbred Makeover, scheduled for Oct. 12-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington, Ky.
The event, offering $100,000 in prize money and consisting of 10 different disciplines, brings together Thoroughbreds that are in their first year transitioning from the racetrack to a second career.
Jonathan Horowitz, who calls the races at Colorado’s Arapahoe Park, has been the announcer at the Thoroughbred Makeover since 2015. Since January 2020, he’s been documenting his new avocation in a series of articles at the Paulick Report, “Horowitz On OTTBs,” highlighting the challenges and triumphs that come with working with off-track Thoroughbreds.
“I appreciate that it’s not easy to do,” said Horowitz, who joins publisher Ray Paulick and editor in chief Natalie Voss on this week’s Friday Show. “I appreciate that when you get it, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings. It’s a sport where … imagine if you’re a basketball player and the basketball had a mind of its own.”
While Horowitz will not be competing at this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover, Voss will be in the dressage ring at the Horse Park with her off-track Thoroughbred, Underscore (fondly known as Blueberry around the barn). She’s a tireless advocate for giving ex-racehorses the best chance possible for a second career that can be just as rewarding for the horse as a trip to the winner’s circle.
Watch this week’s Friday Show, presented by Monmouth Park, below:
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