Kansas Collins’ childhood love for harness racing has never wavered
by Chris Lomon
Kansas Collins has always shown plenty of drive when it comes to horse racing.
Before she reached double digits in age, Collins was a staple in the standardbred barns, a kid who was always happy to lend a helping hand and equally eager to be around pacers and trotters.
The only regret she had, one that has remained unchanged over the years, was having to leave for the day.
“I remember my mom bringing me to the barn, showing me what she does and I thought, ‘I am in love with this,’” Collins said. “I just enjoyed being around the horses so much. I told my mom that this is something I really wanted to do. I would have stayed all day if I could.”
Collins, a caretaker by trade, comes by her love of horses and racing naturally.
Her mother, Tracy, is a familiar face on the U.S. East Coast harness racing scene.
In 2025, the elder Collins joined the training ranks and sent out her first starter, at Rosecroft, in April of that year.
Recently, mother and daughter shared a milestone moment thanks to that same horse, now 4-year-old trotting mare St Pattys Platinum.
The daughter of E L Platinum out of the Malabar Millenium mare St Pattys Paige recorded her first career victory in what was her 19th lifetime start, the win coming on June 29 at Ocean Downs.
With Eugene Robinson in the race bike, St Pattys Platinum, sent off at 18-1, was five lengths clear of her closest rival after three-quarters in 1:30.1 and extended that advantage to seven lengths at the top of the stretch.
The bay crossed the wire a half-length in front in 2:00.4.
It was an emotional triumph on several levels.
“When she won, I was bawling,” Kansas said. “I was crying so much, but I was happy. It was the best feeling. I don’t think anyone outside of the business could ever understand the feeling when your horse wins.
“I jogged her and I have learned a lot from her.”
The victory was bittersweet for Tracy.
“My boss at the time, Daryl Glazer, got very sick with cancer,” Tracy said. “He passed away in September 2023. His husband [Chris Yochim] wanted me to keep going with his horses. They had a lot of young trotters and some I have in the barn are Chris and Daryl’s, the last ones they bred together.
“St Pattys Platinum was one of them and he was a tough one to figure out. A lot of people thought it wouldn’t work out with her. Kansas kept telling me she had potential, so we decided to keep her. Kansas has been a big part of this filly’s success. It’s been a journey with her. So, that win was my first training win and for Chris, who owns and bred her, it was his first win since Daryl passed away. It was a special moment for both me and Kansas.”
Working side-by-side with her mother continues to be a match made in horse heaven for Kansas.
“She teaches me a lot and helps me a lot,” Kansas said. “She has given me a lot of great advice over the years. I would say the one that stands out the most is to be patient with the horses and I will be successful.”
Tracy also encourages her daughter, who paddocks horses every week, to chase her own dreams in harness racing.
Kansas’ ultimate goal, one she thinks about often, is to become a driver.
“Ever since I started training horses and jogging them, it is something I really want to do,” she said. “And I love to go fast. My colors will be light blue and white.”
For now, the young horsewoman will take each day at a much slower, but equally rewarding pace – enjoying every moment she spends with her horses.
“I love being with them every day, coming to the barn and seeing their faces,” she said. “As soon as I walk through the door, I have a big smile on my face. I am always thinking about them and talking about them when I’m not at the barn. I can never get them out of my head.
“It’s tough when one of them gets claimed and you have built an attachment to them. But you know that is part of this sport. It doesn’t make it easier, but you know it is always a possibility.”
During her time outside of the barn, she still manages to get her horse fix, thanks to a pair of retired standardbreds.
“Arthur and Stacy Stafford owned Blazing Bobby Sox when he was racing,” said Kansas, of the pacer who won 35 races and recorded $504,632 in purse earnings. “I will be taking him to the National Standardbred Horse Show this September. I also have Super Fly (a 14-time winner with $260,570 in career purse earnings), another horse from Arthur and Stacy, who they have leased to me.
“Both horses are great and I spend a lot of time riding them and taking care of them.”
When asked what would define a successful 2026 season, Kansas takes a moment to consider the question.
“I would like to do well with my two retired horses at the National show, and I would love to keep winning with the horses in our barn,” she said. “I just want to keep going forward.”
Just what one would expect from someone with plenty of determination and drive.
