by Victoria Howard

Ashley Bako spent time around horses most of her young life due to her mother and stepfather running a stable, and as time went on she got more and more involved.

A lover and advocate of standardbreds, she soon got a job working for trainer Dan Dailey. Not only was it a privilege to have someone like Dan teach her many things (especially the value of hard work), but she got to spend her winters in sunny Florida instead of the cold winters in New York.

And relocating would bring probably the most exciting thing into her life, for in April 2021 while she raced one of her horses at Monticello Raceway in a $4,000 claiming race, young Canadian horseman Jared Bako also had one of his horses in the same race. Jared had only been in America for two weeks at that time, but that introduction would change both of the young people’s lives. They say, “timing is everything” and “being in the right place at the right time” is so true for that day when these two young people would meet while racing their horses, both of their lives would drastically change for the better! Today, Jared and Ashley are married, and baby daughter Brooklynn makes three.

“Besides Dan, I briefly worked for several other trainers, but what I really wanted to do was become a veterinarian,” Ashley said. “I guess God had other plans for me for I found my way back to the horses and I don’t regret anything and am so glad to be where I am today.

“Presently, my husband and I run a stable of 52 horses, however the overall number with the broodmares, retirees and babies would be closer to 60.”

Jared and Ashley recently purchased a farm in Wallkill, NY, but stable their racehorses at Mark Ford Stables in Middletown, NY.

The Bako’s have big hopes for 2025 as they believe they have a pretty strong stable of 20 2-year-olds, both pacers and trotters, which include a blue roan New Jersey trotting colt that is owned by Houston football star William Jackson III, two Pennsylvania trotting colts and 14 New York hopefuls, a good portion is owned by Blue Chip Farms.

“Since we started training babies, this is the most we have had, and we are loving every minute,” Ashley said. “To work with these young athletes from Day One watching them evolve and make it to the races is so satisfying and makes all our hard work and long hours, worth it.”

The roster includes: (New York) My Philomene, Footsteps Falco, Happy Court, Sipping Firewater, Cocoa Hanover, Colorful Choice, One Fell Swoop, Acoustic Bluechip, Hunt Off The Press, American Cheese and Avalon Bluechip; (New Jersey) Steel Grey, (PA) Major Crimes, Armani Bluechip, (Canada) Aboriginal Bluechip, Byron Hanover and Lou’s Game.

“We also have a very nice group of standout 3-year-olds from Cowgirl Hanover, The Last Martini, Fast Choice, and Stonebridge Wizard who are all champions in their own ways and have proved to be so,” Ashley said. “Wendell Bluechip was a late bloomer, and we are excited about his 3-year-old career, as well as Wisteria Bluechip who only raced twice last year, but was pretty impressive.”

Although Ashley has been in the sport for a short time on her own, her most memorable moment was when her horse Fast Choice won at Vernon Downs in 1:50.3 making it four-in-a-row in the NYSS. She talked about that day with a huge smile on her face.

“There have been many thrilling moments, but Fast Choice was very special to me for the journey that horse went on was incredible,” Ashley said. “Horses like him don’t come around very often. His accomplishments have been nothing short of a miracle and a dream come true since the day I bought him.

“He got injured towards the end of last year, but he is back in training, and we are hoping to have even more success with him this year.

“And of course, Hemsworth N, for he is our fastest horse who took a mark of 1:48.3 on a five-eighth’s, and consistently competes in the open at Yonkers Raceway and sometimes he competes in major races around North America. I call him my ATM Machine.”

In general, the Bakos race, but also dabble in all aspects of the business. They own a trotting broodmare and Ashley owns a pacing broodmare, both residing at Blue Chip Farms.

Picking her favorite horse was a little tough for Ashley.

“Fast Choice, don’t tell Hemsworth,” she said with a laugh. “Only because I own 75 per cent of him and I picked him out myself in Lexington and my daughter loves him. They are the best of friends, not to mention he has exceeded all expectations thus far.”

The female in the sport that Ashley looks up to the most is her mother, Ann Yurenka.

“She is the hardest working person I know and deserves so much more than what life has given her,” Ashley said. “She works so hard while putting everyone in her life first. While running a business she manages to maintain her very hectic life with her grandchildren and still manages to train and race her horses all over New York, and kills it. In my eyes, no one deserves to be recognized more than her!”

But it’s not just her mother that she gives credit to for her success. There are several people.

“First of all, can I say, ‘my haters?’” she said. “I give credit to a lot of people and no one in particular. Everyone, big and small, who have stood behind us along the way. Jared and I have built everything from the ground up and it wouldn’t be possible without our friends, family, owners and employees. Everyone who stuck with us through the good and bad times and kept us on the right path. One thing about Jared and I, we never settle for ‘as is.’ We strive to be better, especially for our daughter. Our goal is to do the best we can and be better than we did last year. It’s all about growth and success and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful support team behind us.

“And as far as my dream? It is for Fast Choice to win the Little Brown Jug. I realize perhaps it’s a long-shot, but I personally know that dreams do come true.”