That video above is my unexpected but inspiring interview with Sheri and Lexi, grandmother and mother to Mila Spillone. You may not know Mila, but if you read below, I don’t think you will forget her. I know I won’t. Thanks to Sheri and Lexi for telling me their story, so I could tell it to the HorseRacePlace audience.
The site, www.horseraceplace.com is brand new, something I started to both document my own journey the last 10 years from "hey horse racing is fun" to "I want to have an online community of others that enjoy it like I do: whether it's just a day at GP or other tracks, playing games around picking horses/handicapping races, or ownership.
The best part of horse racing is the way it creates inspiring and enjoyable human stories that bring people together
It is my outlet for my writing and energy, after 30 years in another industry, one where I did and still do a lot of writing and reporting. And so to use an expression likely heard around stables everywhere, I really “stepped in it” in a great way last Friday. Here’s what happened.
I arrived at Gulfstream Park just in time for the first race. It is freaking hot out, even more than usual for this time of year. I can’t wait to escape the heat and head up one floor to Ten Palms, the finest restaurant in Hallandale Beach, Florida, which happens to have a stunning, country club-like view of all the racing action. But as long as I’m on my way there, might as well catch race 1 up close.
As the horses come down the stretch in front of me, I hear lots of screaming to my right. I mean a lot of screaming. Screams of joy. Just then I hear GP announcer Pete Aiello, one of best in the business, say, "you've heard of Cody's Wish," this is the Florida version. Here’s the finish of the race on this video I found on X (Twitter). You’ll hear what I heard, and its a beautiful sound!
Winner’s Circle, meet Mila!
Then I put 2 and 2 together and it adds up to 5...the post position number of first-timer Mila's Wish, who stormed down the stretch and held on for a debut win. The small crowd entering the winner's circle is carrying a precious young girl, and I know what's going on. This is a Make-A-Wish Foundation dream come true!
I stop and ask the family just leaving the winner's circle if they mind telling me the story. They graciously agreed, and that video interview, moments after the race and winner’s circle picture, is the most inspiring thing I've seen this year.
Mila’s Wish: A Michael Yates-trained star is born
Like Mila, the horse named for her continues forward. An inspiring child, a spirited racehorse, and a another great day at the races. All part of what horse racing and HorseRacePlace are about. We’re looking forward to bringing more of this side of the sport to our audience.
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