As One Racing Launches Intentionally Diverse and Inclusive Horse Racing Partnership

Edited Press Release

As One Racing Stables has launched its first diverse and inclusive racing partnership. The group will race under the As One Racing banner and has acquired its first equine athlete to promote the group's mission and vision.

As One Racing was formed by a group of six like-minded individuals with a desire to grow the sport by broadening its base and bringing new faces to the industry. Turning to history, the group recognized the need for the African American community that had once been a vital part of the industry to be welcomed back. The group's founders and management committee reflect its vision– a diverse group of individuals working together to compete at the highest level while carrying out a vision and mission of promoting diversity and inclusion. To date, the group has focused its efforts on its educational mission, speaking on the history of African Americans and diversity in the sport at numerous public and private events. Now, As One is ready to move forward with racing.

As One acquired its first horse, multiple stakes winner Bipartisanship (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), in partnership with Commonwealth Racing and others for $260,000 at the recent Keeneland January Horses of All Ages sale.

The first partnership carries out the mission of the venture by pairing newcomers to the sport from diverse backgrounds together with industry stalwarts. Founder and partner Leon Nichols said that partnering together shows a real desire of the industry to be welcoming and inclusive.

“Being able to participate in this great sport as a minority and pay tribute to the famed horsemen from the late 1800s is thrilling,” Nichols said. “Doing it as business partners with industry insiders who welcome us shows that we can set an example for the future and drive real change.”

Recognizing the need and goals of the venture, Eric and Tammy Gustavson with Spendthrift Farm were quick to join from the outset.

“We are strong believers in the mission of As One Racing and were immediately interested in participating when we heard about it,” said Eric Gustavson.

Other notable names who have partnered in As One include Alex Rankin with Upson Downs Farm, Everett Dobson with Cheyenne Stables and Candy Meadows Farm, and Bret Jones with Airdrie Stud.

The founders of As One, who also serve on its management committee, include Nichols, who co-founded the Project to Preserve African American Turf History; Jonathan Israel, a longtime racing fan and administrator at the University of Louisville; Romain Malhouitre, President of Runnymede Farm; Ronald W. Mack, Lexington businessman and founder of Legacy Equine Academy; Brutus Clay, Chairman and CEO of Runnymede Farm; and Jay Ingle, an equine attorney with Jackson Kelly PLLC in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Hit The Road Finds Room Late, Takes Kilroe Mile For Blacker’s First Grade 1

In a thrilling head and head battle to the wire, trainer Dan Blacker's Hit the Road prevailed by a neck over 5-2 favorite Smooth Like Strait, in Saturday's $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita, providing Blacker, 38, with his first Grade 1 triumph.  Ridden for the first time by eastern-based Florent Geroux, Hit the Road, 4-year-old colt by More Than Ready, out of the U S Ranger mare Highway Mary, got the mile on grass in 1:34.48.

With longshot Flying Scotsman hustled from his outside post, Smooth Like Strait fell into a stalking trip second, while Hit the Road was at joint third at the rail with Casa Creed to his outside and about three lengths off the lead heading into the far turn.

Leaving the quarter pole, Smooth Like Strait, under Umberto Rispoli, assumed command while Hit the Road was forced to wait for racing room behind a three-horse spread that included Smooth Like Strait, Flying Scotsman and Casa Creed.  Full of run, Geroux found a seam two from the rail a furlong out and from there, it was game-on between Hit the Road and the runner-up.

“I was pretty anxious, but I thought if he can get through, he's got a good chance,” said Blacker in recanting the final quarter mile.  “Luckily 'Flo' found a gap and he proved he's the best today.  I gave myself 10 years to win a Grade I and luckily we got it done in year nine.  I don't want to make this all about me.  It's all about the horse, he's such a professional animal, he is a true racehorse.  He was born that way, he's just a true athlete and so mentally focused on racing.”

With Rispoli opting to stay with multiple graded winner Smooth Like Strait over recent G3 Thunder Road Stakes winner Hit the Road, Geroux was more than happy to take the Kilroe call and Hit the Road was off at 4-1, returning $10.40, $5.40 and $4.20.

“The trip made the difference, we got very lucky with the trip,” said Geroux.  “It opened up at the right time and the horse got the job done.  It was all heart.  Sometimes when you have to go through a tight spot, the horse doesn't necessarily cooperate, but he did great and did everything I asked him to … I liked my horse and the one horse (Smooth Like Strait), and I thought it was going to be very tough between those two.  I was able to follow him all the way around and got through on the inside.”

Owned by D K Racing, LLC, Radley Equine, Inc., Taste of Victory Stables, Rick Gold, Tony Maslowski and Dave Odmark, Hit the Road, in taking his first Grade I stakes, improved his overall mark to 9-6-0-0 and with the winner's share of $240,000, increased his earnings to $494,751.

In a huge effort, Smooth Like Strait, who finished a neck better than a flying Count Again, paid $4.40 and $3.40.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Count Again rallied from far back and paid $6.60 while off at 16-1.

Fractions on the race were 23.17, 47.32, 1:11.28 and 1:22.91.

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