by Victoria Howard

Although Sasha Moczulski’s family wasn’t involved in the sport of harness racing, like many other young girls who dream to be around horses, Moczulski’s mother knew that her daughter was no different.

After dropping Moczulski off for her first riding lesson, her mom knew she was hooked.

“I dropped her off at the barn and she never left,” Moczulski’s mom said with a laugh.

Since that day, Moczulski’s entire life has been centered around horses in one way or another.

After relocating to Delaware from her hometown of Toms River, NJ, Moczulski began taking riding lessons and showing horses. From there her love for the magnificent equine grew in leaps and bounds. Her riding instructor, Michelle King, was the person who introduced Moczulski to Standardbreds when she was in her teens.

“I got involved in RUS [Riding Under Saddle], then obtained my trainers license,” Moczulski said. “I started jogging and training which carried over to a full-time career racing horses, but was captivated when I learned what monte/RUS is. It literally combines my two favorite disciplines of riding and racing.

“My fiancé, Josh Green and I together operated a stable at Dovington in Delaware where we had many good years. We cross-trained a lot of horses so some didn’t get hooked to the bike until race day. Getting their miles under saddle on the track is massively beneficial for working the different muscles of the horse and seemed to make them happier. Taking a horse that’s ‘sour’ and starting to ride them changes everything. They love it!”

A couple of years ago, one of Moczulski and Green’s owners, Eric Good, asked if the pair would consider changing course by hanging up their training colors to move south to Kentucky to fully submerge themselves in the breeding world.

“Eric is a great guy who enjoys the business and is now the owner of Spring Station Bloodstock,” Moczulski said. “Presently, Josh and I co-own broodmares and multiple racehorses. Two of our standardbreds are retired and live on the farm. My ‘do it all’ gentleman is a horse named Hyway Marcus who is my partner in crime in foxhunting and we’ve done a multitude of shows. I really enjoy having an entire area to flat and jump right next to our house. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure this is not a dream, but a reality.”

Moczulski’s favorite horse is Majority Rules, aka Pony, and her fastest is one that many horsemen have heard of, a filly named Its A Love Thing, which is also the horse that brought Moczulski her most exciting times in the sport.

On Sept. 23, 2023, Its A Love Thing was in the prestigious race She’s A Great Lady held at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Starting from post 5, driver James MacDonald floated forward and got his filly in the fourth position after a brisk :26.4 first quarter. After the favorite, Caviart Belle, got to the top she remained there through most of the stretch before Its A Love Thing surged up putting pressure on the favorite and took command in the final eighth to win.

Horsemen dream about one day having a horse race in the She’s A Great Lady, and Its A Love Thing did not disappoint. But she wasn’t done making her team proud for the next year in 2024, 3-year-old Its A Love Thing continued where she left off. The daughter of Betters Delight—Love For Sail, won the Jerry Silverman Memorial, and the Fan Hanover Stakes taking her lifetime mark of 1:48.2, ending the 2024 season with $843,884.

So, it was no surprise to trainer Dave Menary and owners Eric Good, Thomas Biederman and Green when on Feb. 8, 2025, Its A Love Thing took home the O’Brien Award in the Three-Year-Old Filly Pacer category.

“What a memorable night that was,” Moczulski said. “Josh and I were there to support both Legendary Hanover [co-owned by Good] and Its A Love Thing. That night is going to be a hard act to follow but anything’s possible.”

When asked if there were any females in particular that she looked up to, Moczulski said, “Wow, we have some of the strongest and most intelligent ladies in the business; it would be hard for me to pick just one. From drivers Lauren Tritton to dominating trainers such as Nancy Takter and Linda Toscano, to the never-ending caretakers Natasha Steacy, Heather Reese-Marshall, Elizabeth Yontz, Elizabeth Lewis-House and Caroline Vasquez, who are the backbone of the breeding world, to Judy Davis-Wilson who literally keeps all the wheels greased and rolling, I’m just trying to learn from the best as I go to be totally honest.

“I absolutely love to promote standardbreds and the sport and to show the world just how these athletes can do it all. I think that is pivotal for our industry as well.”

Moczulski said her future goals and plans include helping to grow Spring Station Bloodstock and to make sure they reach peak performance on all fronts.

“This has been a huge undertaking and I’m very proud of what we have accomplished so far,” Moczulski said. “I would also like to continue to help promote and raise standardbreds on and off the track. Our sport is truly incredible. Tim Tetrick has a quote about harness racing. He talks about how anyone can be involved and how unique our sport is. I think it’s important to continually bring outsiders in and get the younger generation involved. I’m living proof that dreams can and do come true.

“I know that in 2025 it will be hard to beat 2024, but I have complete faith and hope in Its A Love Thing. She is my first thought when I wake up and my last prayer every night.”

Note: This past week, harness racing lost one of its best female trainers/horsewomen. Donne Lee was a friend of mine and also trained for me along with her son, Tony Alagna. The sport lost one of its hardest working and most loyal people in the sport. Donna Lee, you may be gone from us, but you will never be forgotten.