by Victoria Howard

When considering the question what, if anything, can be done to revive harness racing, one answer is to entice fresh young blood, such as this week’s Superstar Female, Alexandra Sarkine.

“I was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, and although I was not brought up in the business, my grandfather was very good friends with the owners of the great Abercrombie,” Sarkine said. “Like many other 18-year-olds, I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life after graduating from high school. “One day I looked on Craigslist and found a job working with horses. Originally, I thought the job was with thoroughbreds, but discovered they were standardbreds. I started working for trainer Mike Hollenback when I was 18. He actually began the transition to being a race secretary last year, and since then I took over the stable as my own.

“I had spent 10 years in that barn and knew that the end game was to one day take it over. All the long hours and blood, sweat and, yes, tears over the years finally paid off.”

Hollenback taught Sarkine how to train and drive, and they even co-owned horses together.

“I also give credit to Alvin Miller and Larry Pointdexter for having faith in me and giving me my first qualifiers and fair drives. Between Mike and Larry, they are the ones responsible in helping me get my ‘P’ license.”

At first, conditioning standardbreds was all new to Sarkine, until she trained a horse named Lima Showoff (aka Snooze) for the first time and she was hooked.

“But it didn’t take long after getting my feet wet that I went all in,” she said. “Today, I train 12 horses at Taylor Made Farm located not far from Hoosier Park. I race mainly at Hoosier but occasionally ship to tracks in Ohio and Kentucky. Personally, I own two pacing fillies: a 3-year-old named Fashionably Late and a 2-year-old named Beautiful Mistake.”

Sarkine said her fastest horse is probably Ponda Aesthetic who recently finished second at Hoosier in 1:54.

“That was by far the most thrilling time since I started training,” she said. “I’m hoping she can soon finish first and get a new lifetime mark.

“But the most exciting time was when I was at The Meadowlands this year participating in the Ladies Pace. I had just gone through a tough time and my life had changed quickly. My girlfriends encouraged me to participate in the race and I can say it was the most pivotal moment in my career. It was only my second pari-mutuel race as a driver, and I finished third.

“That opened my eyes to what I could actually do if I tried and believed in myself. Ever since the Ladies Pace I’ve been riding a wave and have gotten more opportunities to drive.”

It’s no surprise that Sarkine said her all-time favorite horse is the aforementioned Lima Showoff.

“Snooze is now retired and is my show horse,” she said. “Snooze is that ‘once in a lifetime’ horse.

“I remember the time I was paddocking him and had to leave him for a minute. Security had to page me because Snooze threw a fit every time I left him. Although he wasn’t the fastest horse, he has proven to love his new career as a jumper. I can honestly say Snooze is my soulmate and I’m forever thankful to own him.”

Sarkine said she is happy with how her stable of horses are doing so far in 2025.

“My girl Ponda Aesthetic had back-to-back wins in the slop at Hoosier last month, and Macarena Winx won a conditioned pace, wire-to-wire with Jordan Ross in the bike.

“It’s times like this that make all the long days’ worth it. I love my ponies so much and am so thankful for these blessings.”

Sarkine said she considers herself to be a newbie when it comes to buying and breeding horses, but loves what she does.

“I have only raised one horse so far,” she said. “I prefer to buy, but if Beautiful Mistake turns out to be good enough, she will be my future broodmare. It’s one of my dreams.

“I take the job and business very seriously and know that hard work is an absolute must in this game. If you don’t give it your all and grind through, the horses will let you know. The grind never stops for some days are great while others are downright tortuous. But I’ve learned that it’s the love of the horses and the sport that keeps us going.”

Sarkine said the key to becoming successful in the sport combines hard work and play.

“Like I said, once you go in, you’re in,” she said. “It’s pushing through the hard times and the long days and being rewarded by watching your horse succeed and prevail. Success is the ultimate reward, but never forget to have fun doing it.”

Harness Racing has always been known as a man’s sport, but in the last decade, women such as Linda Toscano, Nancy Takter, Melanie Wrenn, and others, have not only stepped up to the plate but are now hitting home runs out of the park.

When asked if there is a woman that Sarkine looks up to, she said, “I know these women are all superstars, but I would have to say I admire Melanie Wrenn the most. I’ve known her for several years and she has always been so encouraging and humble. I think it’s important for the women in the business to remember that it is a male dominated sport, and we should encourage and support each other.”

Sarkine said that harness racing has afforded her a favorable combination of circumstances.

“I’m very thankful for my mentors and everyone who gave me an opportunity and believed in me,” she said. “It truly means more than they will ever know. To be that 18-year-old girl who found this job on Craigslist with no experience or idea of the business and today be training and driving is unreal. I’m very blessed, indeed.”