Veterans Get Up Close With Omaha Beach

As veterans of America's recent conflicts approached Omaha Beach , a horse whose name honors those who fought on D-Day in World War II, the classy 3-year-old calmly greeted each visitor, welcoming their pats on a sunny Oct. 30 morning on the Santa Anita Park backstretch.

Richard Mandella, who trains the son of War Front , conversed with three of the gathered veterans and their families. He asked Marine Cpl. John Smith if he'd like to climb aboard the two-time grade 1 winner, but the tall, hulking Marine declined. 

"Maybe after he wins Saturday, I'll climb aboard," he laughed.

The veterans—who each sustained severe injuries during their tours of duty—gathered at the barn Wednesday to meet Omaha Beach through a program supported by Sentient Jet, a pioneer in private aviation and longtime racing supporter. Omaha Beach, who enjoys meeting people as much as he enjoys delivering big wins on the track, is preparing for a start in the Nov. 2 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Mandella marveled at Omaha Beach's demeanor as the colt warmly greeted his new fans.

"You can see what a personality he's got, just a sweetheart," Mandella said to several of the veterans, before adding, "I'm honored to be involved in this. I mean that."

The partnership with Omaha Beach, who returned off an extended layoff to win the Oct. 5 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G1), builds upon Sentient Jet's multiyear awareness campaign to support Homes For Our Troops, which donates specially adapted homes to assist severely injured veterans from post-9/11 conflicts. The horse sponsorships in support of Homes For Our Troops began with the company's partnership with Combatant at the 2018 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), followed by Tenfold at the 2018 Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1). 

"We have been strong supporters of the mission of Homes For Our Troops since 2018, and we're thrilled to join forces with Fox Hill Farm and Team Omaha Beach to continue raising awareness of the good work the nonprofit does on behalf of injured veterans who have done so much for their country," said Andrew Collins, president and CEO of Sentient Jet. "With his impressive comeback over the last month, Omaha Beach is a remarkable representative for this worthy cause, and we're going to be rooting for him down the track at Santa Anita Park."

As part of the sponsorship, Sentient Jet brought the veterans to the backstretch Wednesday, and they'll bring some of those same veterans, along with some newcomers, to the race Saturday. Sentient Jet reached out to Omaha Beach owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms, and the longtime supporter of veterans enthusiastically agreed to participate. Sentient Jet's partnership with Omaha Beach will carry through the horse's entire career, as veterans will be brought out to his races. 

"As the names of so many of our horses reveals, Fox Hill Farm is strongly and wholeheartedly committed to honoring our nation's veterans and bringing attention to all they have done for our country," Porter said. "We're proud to partner with Sentient Jet and Homes For Our Troops to celebrate and support the veteran community at the 2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships."  

Smith will be one of the veterans returning for the races Saturday, which will be his first Breeders' Cup day and just his second day watching racing. He enjoyed the visit with Omaha Beach.

"Not bad at all. It's been a while since I've been that close to a horse, probably when I was 5 or 6 years old—31 years ago," Smith said. 

Veteran Kaleb Weakley, who lost a leg when he was wounded by two bullets and an IED blast, is in the process of having a home built and has met other vets who have had homes built. After meeting with Omaha Beach, he noted the charity gives injured vets needed independence.

"At my previous apartment, I couldn't use my wheelchair, so I would scoot on the ground. At Homes for Our Troops, they build you a house from the ground up. Whatever your needs are, they customize it toward you. You can live your life without depending on someone else, which is huge for us because as veterans and military service members, we're used to go, go, go—be on your own. You want to be able to cook, you want to be able to clean, do things around your house without being held up.

"You want to be able to do things by yourself. That's why it's so amazing."

Weakley was a natural for Wednesday's trip as he became a race fan while recovering at Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego in February 2012. He was rehabbing with a combat-injured Army veteran who introduced him to her daughter, Sydney, on a 2013 trip to Del Mar. They began dating and soon married and had a daughter, who also loves seeing the horses on their now-regular visits to Del Mar.

"Between getting injured and the horse racing community, it's shaped where I am now," Weakley said.

Smith, who lost a leg and an eye after being hit by a mortar round in Fallujah, Iraq, noted the program allows for both personal and financial independence, which he said is invaluable for veterans returning home. 

"These are some of the reasons there are 22 a day," Smith said, referencing the stark suicide statistic of veterans. "You're getting that independence back. You can do more for your family and for yourself. To me, the program means the world."

Smith, a Harrisburg, Pa., native, has found a new home in Menifee, Calif.

"I enjoy it," Smith said. "Every day I wake up and look outside at acres of land."