[h=1]NYRA racing analyst sizes up the horses[/h] [h=2]Maggie Wolfendale lets you know if animals are fit[/h] By Michaela Kilgallen/For The Daily Gazette August 7, 2015
NYRA racing and paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale interviews CC American Oaks winning jockey Javier Castellano.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS — If you have been to the Saratoga Race Course recently, you’ve probably heard Maggie Wolfendale give her evaluation of the day's horses. She might have even helped you win a few bucks.
Wolfendale is a physical analyst for the New York Racing Association. She checks out the horses before each race and reports her findings to the crowd and on NYRA TV.
“My job is to look at the horses in pretty much every race and analyze them physically,” Wolfendale said. “Are they fit enough? Is the energy where you want it? Does their coat look good? Those are the general things I look at, then I match them up physically with the conditions of the race.”
[h=3]More Saratoga[/h] Get more features, things to do and horse racing news in Today in Saratoga.
Although there are “loose rules” to her job, Wolfendale admits it is hardly a science. She says most of the analysis is subjective and relies heavily on her experience with horses.
Wolfendale began to gain that experience at a very young age.
"My dad is a trainer," she said. "I grew up in a barn pretty much, and I'm married to a trainer [Tom Morley] now so it's second nature to me. I've galloped horses for 13 years now, I got my first pony when I was 2 and I still have a pleasure horse that I ride."
Horses have consumed her entire life, but Wolfendale would not have it any other way.
At the Belmont Stakes this past June, Wolfendale even met American Pharoah. She was able to see the Triple Crown winner up close in a way very few people do.
“Seeing American Pharaoh for the Belmont was really, really special,” she said. “He's such a unique horse in that he has got an amazing personality. He's so human interactive. He seems like he's part human in a way. He looks right at you. He seems ultra-intelligent, and I've never seen muscles highlighted on a horse the way I've seen on him.”
Wolfendale, like many Saratogians and Saratoga fans, hopes the Triple Crown winner will make an appearance at Saratoga, but she puts the odds at 50/50.
“I'm sure there are a lot of different race tracks pulling him in different directions,” Wolfendale said. “And also timing wise with the Breeders Cup I don't know if our race really fits into that. It matters how many starts they want to give him, but granted he won the Haskell so easily, I don't think it took much out of him.”
American Pharoah made national headlines, but Wolfendale is a bit of a local celebrity herself. Racing fans often give their thanks to Wolfendale for her input.
“People are very complimentary,” she said. “It's only up here that I get recognized. It doesn't happen for the rest of the 10 months out of the year. It's nice.”
A day in the life of a NYRA physical analyst is no easy one, but Wolfendale's love for the sport makes the job enjoyable. And she sees that same spirit in Saratoga.
“I just appreciate this town so much and their enthusiasm about horse racing,” she said. “It's a great kind of melting pot of horse racing fans that come every year and I love interacting with them.”
NYRA racing and paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale interviews CC American Oaks winning jockey Javier Castellano. Text Size: A | A
SARATOGA SPRINGS — If you have been to the Saratoga Race Course recently, you’ve probably heard Maggie Wolfendale give her evaluation of the day's horses. She might have even helped you win a few bucks.Wolfendale is a physical analyst for the New York Racing Association. She checks out the horses before each race and reports her findings to the crowd and on NYRA TV.
“My job is to look at the horses in pretty much every race and analyze them physically,” Wolfendale said. “Are they fit enough? Is the energy where you want it? Does their coat look good? Those are the general things I look at, then I match them up physically with the conditions of the race.”
[h=3]More Saratoga[/h] Get more features, things to do and horse racing news in Today in Saratoga.
Although there are “loose rules” to her job, Wolfendale admits it is hardly a science. She says most of the analysis is subjective and relies heavily on her experience with horses.
Wolfendale began to gain that experience at a very young age.
"My dad is a trainer," she said. "I grew up in a barn pretty much, and I'm married to a trainer [Tom Morley] now so it's second nature to me. I've galloped horses for 13 years now, I got my first pony when I was 2 and I still have a pleasure horse that I ride."
Horses have consumed her entire life, but Wolfendale would not have it any other way.
At the Belmont Stakes this past June, Wolfendale even met American Pharoah. She was able to see the Triple Crown winner up close in a way very few people do.
“Seeing American Pharaoh for the Belmont was really, really special,” she said. “He's such a unique horse in that he has got an amazing personality. He's so human interactive. He seems like he's part human in a way. He looks right at you. He seems ultra-intelligent, and I've never seen muscles highlighted on a horse the way I've seen on him.”
Wolfendale, like many Saratogians and Saratoga fans, hopes the Triple Crown winner will make an appearance at Saratoga, but she puts the odds at 50/50.
“I'm sure there are a lot of different race tracks pulling him in different directions,” Wolfendale said. “And also timing wise with the Breeders Cup I don't know if our race really fits into that. It matters how many starts they want to give him, but granted he won the Haskell so easily, I don't think it took much out of him.”
American Pharoah made national headlines, but Wolfendale is a bit of a local celebrity herself. Racing fans often give their thanks to Wolfendale for her input.
“People are very complimentary,” she said. “It's only up here that I get recognized. It doesn't happen for the rest of the 10 months out of the year. It's nice.”
A day in the life of a NYRA physical analyst is no easy one, but Wolfendale's love for the sport makes the job enjoyable. And she sees that same spirit in Saratoga.
“I just appreciate this town so much and their enthusiasm about horse racing,” she said. “It's a great kind of melting pot of horse racing fans that come every year and I love interacting with them.”
