A pandemic and good fortune brought Alexis Rafus to harness racing
by Chris Lomon
When she went looking for a job a few years ago, Alexis Rafus never anticipated that her path would lead her into the world of horse racing.
It was during the global COVID-19 pandemic when Rafus began her job search, keeping an open mind as to where it might take her.
“I didn’t have a job after everything shut down and so many people had been laid off,” said the native of Cambridge, NY, a town nestled within the surrounding foothills of the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. “So, I messaged a friend who is in harness racing and asked if anyone was looking for a groom.”
Not long after, Rafus’ phone pinged.
“I found out that [trainer] Dave Spagnola was looking for someone and needed them to start right away. And that’s how it all started for me.”
Rafus, who worked with Spagnola for several years before moving on to the stable of her future husband, trainer Wil DuBois, was not unfamiliar with horses – though she was new to the standardbred breed.
She has a longstanding connection to riding horses, a familiarity that began at an early age.
“I have always loved horses and that bond you create with them,” she said. “In some ways, there aren’t that many differences between riding horses and the standardbreds. But I found out right away just how sweet the standardbreds are. They have great brains and I just enjoy working with them so much. They are definitely an easy breed to work around.”
Asking her to pick out favorites is no easy task for Rafus, but a couple of names come quickly to mind.
One of them is Yankee Bluestone, a son of Muscles Yankee out of the Conway Hall mare Opulent Bluestone.
Rafus was immediately drawn to the bay gelding, bred by Little E LLC, who was under the tutelage of Spagnola.
In 42 career starts, Yankee Bluestone posted a record of 4-4-7 with earnings of $39,182. His speed badge was 1:59.4, set at Saratoga in a 25-1 score on Sept. 7, 2021.
“He was a cute little guy,” she said with a laugh. “I loved him so much. He was tough to train and drive — I never got to sit behind him — but there was something about him. I had the barn version of him and Dave had the training and racetrack version of him.”
Another horse close to Rafus’ heart is Star Of Terror, a recently retired son of Western Terror out of the Precious Bunny mare Game Bunny, who has now taken on pet status for Rafus and DuBois.
The pacer, now 13, is living the good life after a 284-race career that yielded 39 wins and $287,946 in purse earnings.
“He was the first racehorse that we bought together, and he was the one who started our whole stable,” Rafus said.
Currently, the couple has a dozen horses in their 14-stall stable, some of whom have finished their careers on the racetrack.
Working together with the horses has proven to be a perfect match for the husband-and-wife team.
“I stay at home and do a lot of the barn work, and I also go on the road if he needs help that night,” Rafus said. “But, most of all, I guess I am a stay-at-home wife, so to speak.”
In a business known for its ups and downs, Rafus is well versed in the challenges that harness racing presents. None are enough to diminish her fondness for the horses or the sport itself.
“Hanging out with horses is by far the best thing about my job,” she said. “The downside is seeing a horse race for the last time. All you want to do is find them a place where they can live out their days.”
When she watches one of her horses compete, the diminutive Rafus can be both seen and heard throughout the paddock.
Cheering on her horses in an emphatic and enthusiastic manner is never pre-planned, but rather a spur-of-the-moment emotional response.
“I am definitely the one yelling at the TV and everyone in the paddock is looking at me,” she said. “I am so short that I can’t see over the fence, so I watch the races from the paddock.”
Welcoming a winner back for a photo never gets old.
“They absolutely know when they are heading to the winner’s circle,” Rafus said. “It’s such a great feeling. No matter how many horses we have in a night, it is always a happy atmosphere. It’s fun to send them out on the track. And there is nothing better, whether it’s expected or not, when one of your horses wins. What they do is amazing and I am always so happy for them.”
Rafus and DuBois are focused on building upon their recent successes, including a personal-best 31-win season in 2024, which also featured career-high purse earnings of $452,251.
Although they set personal goals each year, the couple views their operation through a short-term lens.
“Our goal is to do better and get higher quality horses, but we love it,” Rafus said. “We really just take things day by day.”
Away from the often-hectic pace of the racetrack, the couple doesn’t have much time for outside interests. Simply being able to spend time together is important to both.
“We don’t have much time for many things outside of racing, but we just appreciate any time we can spend together,” Rafus said. “I will putter around on my riding horses, but that’s pretty much it for any interests outside of racing.”
Rafus often reflects on her journey and the good fortune that brought her to standardbred racing.
When she does, those recollections are accompanied by a wide smile and a deep sense of contentment.
“I am very happy with the choices I made to get here, and I am so grateful for those who have supported and encouraged me,” she said. “I remember making that phone call to my friend about finding work as a groom and I suppose luck was on my side. I am so happy with the way it has all worked out.”
