The very definition of a key employee, Oregon native Ami Atkinson, Santa Anita's executive racing assistant, maintains a consistently positive attitude and brings a level of energy to the track's Racing Office that is undeniable. With Santa Anita's Winter/Spring opener fast approaching on Saturday, Dec. 26, the track's Racing Office is gearing up for opening day entries this Monday, Dec. 21.
Raised on a dairy farm east of Portland, Ami Atkinson, mother of two daughters, brings a love of racing and innate ability to navigate egos, personalities and daily “issues” that helps to make her a truly irreplaceable person in a work environment that is tasked with presenting the product that drives Santa Anita's core economic engine.
Headquartered in the Santa Anita Racing Office adjacent to Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Chris Merz, Ami agreed to a brief question and answer session this past Wednesday.
Q: You grew up working on your family's dairy farm near Portland. What was that like and how did that experience help you prepare you for a life in racing?
A: I grew up in a little town called Boring, Oregon! I think it taught me the value of hard work and that animals need feed and water no matter how tired or sick you are. My family all worked on the dairy, my dad was a practicing large animal veterinarian at the time, so he would tell us what had to be done and when he got back home it was done. I never thought of it as hard, it was just doing what needed to be done.
Q: You often speak about your parents. Were they interested in racing and how big of an influence have they been in your life?
A: My Dad worked incredibly hard and still does to this day. My parents moved to east Texas a few years ago and he now just has a few feeders and one milk cow, but he still works 400 acres of land. I enjoy visiting them, it is a simple life that is refreshing and satisfying. My Uncle Dallas, my dad's brother, was the rebel of the family and he loved horses. He had beautiful saddle horses and he trained both cutting horses and race horses, which ran at Portland Meadows. I started punching mutuel tickets there at night for a while, which is how I caught the racing bug.
Q: You worked as a groom and assistant trainer for a period of time about 30 years ago, how did that come about?
A: Well, I was picked up as a free agent groom in Vallejo, California by (trainer) Don and Dee Collins. I had started working for another trainer from Grants Pass and as a starry-eyed kid, when asked if I wanted to go to California, I said “sure.” It turned out, (this trainer) was planning on paying me by teaching me to be a groom. That of course doesn't pay many bills, so I was crying in my tack room when Don Collins rode up on his pony and asked if I wanted a paying job. Don trained Appaloosas on the fairs and then wintered with a few Thoroughbreds in Phoenix. I worked for him for the next seven years. I moved up to ponying horses and eventually became his assistant trainer. Don had close to 50 horses each summer and we based in one place and shipped to the tracks to run. I hauled horses and helped run the barn. During my time with Don, I got to see the transformation from foal to race horse and all of the time, the people and the steps it takes to make that happen. I have a deep appreciation for all of the people involved in the breeding, development and then training the horse at the track. It takes hours and hours of time, energy and passion to do what they love and to just have that hope “that this is the one.”
Q: In your current role in the Racing Office, you are truly on the “front line” when it comes to interacting with horsemen, owners, track employees and management. From your early morning run before you come in, what's a typical workday like for Ami Atkinson?
A: I enjoy my time on the backside and prior to the COVID era restrictions, I would go around the barn area and deliver programs to the trainers running that day and see if they needed anything. The backside of a racetrack to me is where the real work is done. There is something to be said for getting up before dawn and seeing the barn area come alive. Horses going to the track, people bantering as they work. Then I go to the Racing Office which is like any office, but not like any office. I consider myself very fortunate to have a job I enjoy and a cast of characters to work with that I also enjoy. I wear many hats and I also have a lot of people helping me get everything done. We are a team and a family that put together a racing card, make sure that training and racing go smoothly, attempt to keep everyone happy and getting the service they need is all part of the day. I love it because every day is different, some days are exhausting but every day is an adventure.
Q: Everyone knows there's been a great deal of turmoil in our industry over the past couple of years and Santa Anita has experienced a good deal of it. What keeps you so optimistic and so positive in your interpersonal dealings?
A: I truly believe that happiness is a choice. Some days it is harder to find the silver lining but it is always there. And when things are tough or uncomfortable, a smile and a kind word can't make it worse, so why not?
Q: Your two daughters are a huge part of your life and I know you're very proud of them. Tell us what they're up to and what if any advice you might have for other working Moms in racing.
A: I am very proud of my girls. My oldest, Makenzie, recently graduated USC, the class without a graduation. She is an extremely focused young woman and thanks to COVID, she is working from home currently and I feel like I got the gift of extra time with her. Sarah is a junior at Monrovia High and she enjoys show jumping. She is a gifted rider and I hope that she will get experience a “normal” senior year of high school. I think all working Moms are amazing. It is definitely a balancing act on a narrow beam. It is hard to leave your kids, or miss out on their games or events in their lives, so we make choices. To succeed at work, you have to be there and perform as well. We just hope that they understand that everything we do is to help them to have the best life.
Q: Chris Merz has returned to Santa Anita from Maryland and he's now our Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. Tell us about your relationship and what you envision as we approach opening day.
A: I have known Chris since he started here as Stakes Coordinator a few years ago and it has been a real pleasure to watch him mature into an executive. He came home from Maryland with such a positive attitude and confidence in this program and it was the breath of fresh air we needed. If I sound like a parent, I feel like I am the Racing Office Mom, and I can't wait to see what the New Year brings.
Q: By any estimation, 2020 has been a year like no other. Do you have any New Year's resolutions or suggestions you'd like to share?
A: I think that 2020 has made us all find enjoyment in the little things. Spending time with family, shopping for meals or binging on Netflix. I think everyone handles things differently and I have tried to spend a little extra time touching base with friends. I think a little kindness goes a long way and we could all use a little more of that.
Fans are advised that there will be a special early first post time on opening day, Saturday, December 26, of 11 a.m. Santa Anita's races can be viewed live and free of charge at santaanita.com. Fans can watch and wager at 1ST.com/Bet. For additional information, please visit our santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
The post ‘Every Day Is An Adventure’: Ami Atkinson Keeps Santa Anita’s Racing Office On Even Keel appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
