by Victoria Howard

Born in the Philippines, Jenny Leslie moved to the United States with her family when she was a baby and settled in the Horse Capital of the World: Lexington’s bluegrass region of Kentucky.

Although her family was not involved with horses, that didn’t deter the young, horse crazy girl from sharing a grade mare with a girlfriend.

“The horse’s name was Bear and she gave me great joy,” Leslie said. “She was a chestnut with a blaze. When I was 13 or 14 years old, there was a farm down the road from where my family moved and I’d ride my bike there to watch the girls with their horses.

“I got the nerve to ask the horse’s owner if I could help take care of Bear. She said, ‘Yes’ and we shared expenses. Ironically, Bear liked to pace. I didn’t do much except muck stalls and attend some 4H shows, but they were the best times. When I went away to college, I gave up Bear and wasn’t involved with horses for many years.”

Leslie was always horse crazy; reading books, watching movies and collecting Breyers. She took riding lessons, attended horse camp and did everything she could that was horse related.

“When I read the book Born To Trot, written by Marquerite Henry, I got my first look into standardbreds,” she said. “The story was about Rosalind, the filly who won the 1936 Hambletonian. That was my first exposure to harness racing. After that, I asked my parents to drop me off at the Red Mile to watch the races.

“In college, I studied social work and did that for 20 years. I was working in Washington, D.C. for Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency: a federal agency that provided probation and parole for D.C. criminal code offenders, when my life took some unhappy turns. I returned to Lexington 10 years ago, and live there now.”

Leslie remembered that horses gave her a lot of joy when she was a teenager so she started seeking out working with horses.

“I started as a volunteer at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) before they hired me as a seasonal groom in the Hall of Champions,” Leslie said. “I’m now on my 10th season there. Working with the standardbred horses there is what really turned me on to the breed and the sport of harness racing.

“A few years ago, I saw an ad in Hoof Beats for the USTA Driving School in Delaware, Ohio. I signed up and was ‘assigned’ to the Brian Brown stable for the three-day workshop. I was thrilled for Brian started my favorite horse — Won The West — who I work with at the KHP.”

Although Jenny is not currently working for a standardbred trainer, she was once employed by trainer Erv Miller.

“One day a friend saw on social media that trainer Erv Miller was looking for help that winter, so I called him,” Leslie said. “I told him I had zero experience, but thankfully Erv gave me a shot. I had an amazing time and have great admiration and respect for Erv Miller.

“Erv and his family were so kind to me and taught me so much. During that time, I took care of the horse Geez Joe who competed in the Breeders Crown Open Pace.”

Several years ago, Rob Willis, her boss at the Kentucky Horse Park got Leslie interested in photographing racehorses.

“Although it is a hobby to me, I’ve become passionate about it,” she said. “I started a Facebook page called Trackside & Backside to share my photos. I thought I would get maybe 20 or 30 friends but, surprisingly, I now have over 200 followers. I really see it as an opportunity to promote the sport and the horsemen.”

Let’s talk a little about several of the horses that you work with at the Kentucky Horse Park. Could you give the readers a little insight about the standardbred champions who live there and what their life is like now that their racing career has ended?

“Currently, there are six horses in the Hall Of Champions. There are four standardbreds and two thoroughbreds. The first one is my favorite: Won The West. He is a 19-year-old pacing gelding that has stolen my heart. At first, Won The West intimidated me for he was big and pushy. He is very food motivated and would scare me when I went to feed him. Now, I adore all of his quirks. During his racing career he earned $3.9 million and took a mark of 1:47 in the Breeders Crown Open Pace.

“Next is Western Dreamer, another pacing gelding who is the son of Western Hanover. This horse is supernaturally beautiful. He is now 29 years young, but could pass for 20. He’s charming, sassy, has a playful soul and is one of the Park’s ‘favorites’ largely because of his beauty and sweet personality. He is a ham and absolutely loves attention. He will stand for hours to be petted and poses for his fans. Trained by Bill Robinson, Western Dreamer won the Triple Crown in 1997 and was the Harness Horse of the Year in Canada and Pacer of the Year in the U.S.”

“Mr Muscleman, a sweet trotting gelding, was the first
trotter to live in the Hall of Champions. Standing over 17 hands high, Mr Muscleman was trained by Noel Dailey who faithfully visits him every year he is in Lexington. Mr Muscleman is 23 years old and shares a paddock with his buddy Won The West. Although ‘West’ likes his buddy, Mr Muscleman tolerates his paddock mate.”

Leslie said she also had the pleasure to work with “Stanley” aka Staying Together.

“Sadly, he died a few years ago and is buried in the Memorial Walk of Champions, along with Rambling Willie, Cam Fella and several other horses that have lived in the Hall of Champions.

“And last, but not least, is Marion Marauder, the 2016 Trotting Triple Crown winner who came to us in May 2022. He is small, but mighty, and instantly fit right in. He is very sweet and always wants to be part of what’s happening in the barn. He is now 10 years old and was gelded after his racing career ended for, he proved to be infertile.”

Leslie said in addition their wonderful standardbreds, there are some thoroughbred champions who call the KHP their forever home.

“Among them are: Funny Cide, 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and Point Given, 2001 Preakness, Belmont, Haskell and Travers stakes winner, as well as Thoroughbred of the Year. Of all the horses there, Point Given is the only stallion.

“If you have never been to the Kentucky Horse Park, I highly recommend taking a day to visit some of our champions there. It is definitely worthwhile.”