Through adversity, Kristen Torre cemented her love of harness racing

by Chris Lomon

Kristen Torre could hardly have asked for a better way to begin her training career.

The infield tote board suggested she had a chance — a good one, at that — to record her first training win in what happened to be the very first start of her career.

Albright, a horse Torre co-owns with her husband and fellow conditioner Andrew Torre, was the 7-2 third choice of bettors in the fifth race at Batavia Downs on Jan. 20.

With Andrew Monti in the race bike, Albright, a 4-year-old daughter of Cattlewash, got away fourth and moved into second ahead of the half.

A-quarter-of-a-length behind the leader after three-quarters in 1:31.4, Albright kicked into high gear down the lane on her way to a three-quarter-length score in 2:01.4.

It was time to celebrate.

“I was very ecstatic,” Kristen said. “I believed in her. I was very happy and so many people congratulated me that night, which made the moment even more special. It was so nice.”

She had her usual front-row seat, so to speak, to watch the moment unfold.

“I always yell for my horses, every race,” she said. “Even if it’s bad weather and I am the only one out there, I will scream for my horse.”

The most memorable part of the victory came afterward, with a picture-perfect pose in the winner’s circle.

“Just holding my horse and having those photos taken for my first win was so special,” Kristen said. “I just love her so much.”

One week later, Albright made it two straight scores at Batavia, holding tough for a neck victory in 2:01.

“She is a wonderful mare,” Kristen said. “She is one of those horses who gives her best effort every time she races. She goes out there with all her heart. When I was training her with my husband, she was very strong – and I liked that. She is very special to us.”

While success has come quickly, Kristen has resisted the urge to rest on her laurels, instead focusing her attention on the next race her stable is entered in.

“This industry is full of ups and downs, so there isn’t much choice other than to take things from race to race,” she said.

The Buffalo-born horsewoman, who lives in East Bethany, a small, rural hamlet in Genesee County, NY, based her decision to pursue a trainer’s license out of a blend of necessity and want.

Achieving that goal would not be an easy undertaking.

“When I made the decision to become a trainer, I took things slowly, jogging horses here and there,” Kristen said. “Once I did that, I never stopped. I loved it. I wanted to become a trainer last year. I started working on my referrals in October of 2024. Aside from working with horses, my husband and I own a concrete business, so it is very busy all the time.”

There were also other challenges to overcome – a life-altering one for Kristen.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2025,” she said. “In the beginning, I was still working with the horses, but then I had surgery and was off for six weeks. I got back slowly and I was so happy to be jogging my horses and training them with my husband. It felt so good to feel that connection with the horses again.

“There have been ups and downs since I was diagnosed, but I have faced it head on. And that is what I will continue to do.”

A scheduled knee surgery for Andrew in January, combined with an unexpected racing schedule, amped up the pressure on the Torre’s 11-horse stable — each one owned by the couple.

Kristen was ready for the challenge.

“Batavia’s racing schedule was supposed to end in December, but a decision was made to have a winter racing meet,” she said. “That is what really pushed me to take the test during my own health recovery. I was told I could do it online and I passed. And then I went from there to being the designated trainer for our horses while Andrew was off and slowly getting horses that were in my name.”

It was a journey that, despite its many hurdles, made her initial successes even more rewarding.

Kristen’s connection to the pacers and trotters under her care played an inspirational role throughout the stressful times.

“It’s a great feeling, getting up and knowing you are going to see the horses and it will be my husband and I at the barn together,” Kristen said. “They all have their own personalities – which is wonderful. I think it is just the privilege of taking care of them that is so wonderful. They can trust us and know we are there to do anything for them.”

Support from the local racing community — and from her husband — has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

“I am so very grateful to a lot of people, including Andrew,” she said. “There were times in the lead up to getting my license where you feel a little down or you are maybe having a bad day, but people pick you up and it makes you keep going. When I look back at the months leading up to getting my license, I realize how fortunate I was to have so many people in my corner.”

It is a busy life, both inside and outside of racing, for the couple – one that leaves little time for personal pursuits or much else.

And while it would be understandable if they bristled at the early mornings, late nights, and the unexpected that comes with running a business and a standardbred barn, there is no trace of regret in Kristen’s voice.

Instead, it is quite the opposite.

“With racing, horses come first,” she said. “About 10 years ago, Andy’s father passed away. He was in the business, so Andy took over his two racehorses. I joined with Andy and at that time, I knew very little about racing and racehorses. I had riding horses, but this was obviously something different altogether. I was eager to learn about these horses and to do more. Andy and this amazing group of harness racing people supported me throughout everything. It is a great feeling to have that.”

Just as it is to be around her beloved horses.

Whether they win by open lengths, secure a top-three placing, or finish off-the-board, the Torre horses come back to smiling faces.

“Working with them, making sure they are healthy and ready to race, and they come back the same way – that is what we want for our horses,” Kristen said. “Seeing them win is so rewarding, not only for ourselves but for the horses. I think they know when they have won and I love seeing that in their eyes.”

It is a look that the resilient and respected horsewoman hopes to see many more times over the years.

“When I first started in harness racing — I’m not naïve — but I didn’t know much,” she said. “When I look back to where I started and where I am today – I wouldn’t change a thing. I love my horses so much. Yes, it is business, but for me, it is something more.”