by Chris Lomon

The foundation of trainer Alex Urbanski’s success story is built on staying ahead of the game.

It has long been a part of her identity, an uncanny ability to enjoy the moment, while also looking beyond the task at hand.

Case in point, a $6,000 purchase that the third-generation horse person made as a young teenager.

“I bought the mare Uilleann, who was a Chris Ryder horse,” said Urbanski, who decided to be home-schooled after her freshman year to spend more time with horses. “I was 14 when I bought her from Gilbert Garcia-Herrera. I cleaned stalls for a whole summer so that I could buy her. I wanted to race her and then have her as a broodmare.”

A hard-knocking daughter of McArdle, Uilleann was a $25,000 purchase at the 2011 Lexington Select Yearling Sale who would make 252 starts and earn just shy of $190,000 over her lengthy career.

After a third-place finish at Freehold in her final race on Feb. 28, 2020, Uilleann was retired by Urbanski and bred to Sunfire Blue Chip.

“Right now, I have five horses,” she said. “I have Uilleann and a 2-year-old that’s getting ready to qualify soon. I have a yearling out of Uilleann and now she’s back in foal. I’m trying to build my stable through her. I want the babies, horses that are my own.”

It is, in many ways, a perfect example of how Urbanski operates: focus on the present and plan for the future.

Urbanski, who grew up on her family’s farm in Jackson, NJ, and earned her trainer’s license in March 2019, earned her first training win with Mister Love, a son of Heifetz Hanover she purchased from Maryland owner Marjorie Kazmaier.

Two months after she welcomed the pacer into her barn, the brown gelding cruised to a four-length victory in 1:57.2 at Freehold on Nov. 20, 2019.

In 2021, Urbanski won seven races and posted 37 top-three finishes from 87 starters.

“This sport is all about work ethic,” she said. “You need to put in the time to see the results. That’s something you learn as soon as you become part of this industry.”

Putting in those long hours, in the barn and on the road, is something Urbanski embraces.

So, too, is listening to and learning from more seasoned horse people.

“I’m constantly travelling, driving all over the East Coast — Pennsylvania, Maryland, lots of other places, too — to race my horses. Anywhere I can race, I will go there. I’m not afraid to put the work in. I would also say being open-minded is important, taking people’s suggestions. Whether it’s my dad [John], my uncle [Ned], or drivers, a lot of people have been in this longer than I have, so if I have a question I don’t hesitate to ask. I’m not afraid to ask someone who knows a lot more than I do.”

Alex is also undaunted by having a lot on her plate.

Whether it’s training her stable of five, including Princess Glydana, an 8-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar whom she plans on breeding after the bay mare is retired, or considering an alternative racing path, the 22-year-old is content with a busy life.

“I just finished the judging course at Saratoga,” she said. “I went out there for eight days. I passed four of the five tests, and I have to retake one of them. I have that as a backup plan in case I don’t want to train horses one day. But I want to stay in the industry. I’m still a student at Ocean County College, but I haven’t finished my courses for my business degree yet. Right now, I would like to expand my stable.”

Her greatest satisfaction is watching her horses compete throughout the northeastern United States. Watching her pacers and trotters cross the wire first is admittedly a huge thrill, but there are equally, if not more important, outcomes that make her the happiest.

“The most rewarding part is going to the winner’s circle,” Alex said. “There is nothing better than that feeling, but I love my horses. It’s not all about the money. That’s secondary for me. You want to win and be successful, but it’s getting to work with them, care for them and find them a good home when their racing days are over.”

That’s the plan for Mister Love.

“I’ve raced him all year and he has made just shy of $1,500,” Alex said. “But I love taking him to the races, being around him and enjoying his company. He’s the love of my life. It doesn’t matter if he makes money. I just like spending the day with him. I’m already putting something in the works as far as his retirement plans. I contacted some police departments, so there is a possibility he could be doing riding patrol.”

All part of the Alex’s way of thinking.

As to where this chapter of her career will take her, she’s not quite certain.

One guarantee, however, is the support she will continue to receive from her family.

“My mom isn’t a horse person, but she loves the horses,” Alex said. “We have a great relationship. My father and I are constantly travelling together. If we aren’t, it’s because I’m going one way and he’s going the other way. I’m with him and my brother [John] 24/7. I love working with my family. Same thing with my uncle Ned. He doesn’t work in our stable, but we talk all the time, every day. So, it’s great.”

On this day, Alex was off to Chester for a day of racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

There was no need for any long-term planning on the drive from her home in New Jersey.

Instead, it was a time to be in the moment, listen to music and sing along to the tunes.

“I enjoy country music,” she said. “That’s my go-to. Warren Zeiders, he’s my favorite country singer. There is also Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and others I listen to. I’m definitely singing along. I did a karaoke night once and I don’t think anyone wants to hear me sing after that performance.”

Nothing really to fuss over for the horsewoman who knows what it takes, present and future, to hit all the right notes.