Inside the Owner’s Box with Auerbach, Restrepo and Seitz

Thoroughbred owners Harris Auerbach, Ramiro Restrepo and Anna Seitz take readers inside the owner's box in 2015. Auerbach, Restrepo and Seitz will give readers insight into race day habits, their favorite race track and their biggest accomplishment, plus things like what kind of music, fashion and vacations they prefer. 
In this edition we learn about the best horses they've seen and whether they'd rather win the Kentucky Derby or Breeders' Cup Classic (or neither!), as well as their hobbies and the size of their shoe collection. 

What is an average race day in the life of an owner?
AUERBACH: I don’t really have an average day as every day is different for me. Once a week, I am at farms, whether it is to visit our horses, stallion showings or farm tours. Another day a week, I typically spend at meetings (California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, California Horse Racing Board, committees, meeting with Thoroughbred Owners of California board members). The rest of the week, I can typically be found at Santa Anita or Del Mar in the morning for works, then I head over to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association to catch up on what we’ve got going on there. In between, I am generally on the phone with either the farm, industry people or our lobbyist catching up on the business of horse racing. And then, I either head to the races or head home to do office work. It is a seven-day a week job when one is as heavily invested as we are.
RESTREPO: Race day is the closest thing to an NFL game day or a boxing prize fight. I like to get to the track early and head to the backstretch barn. I’ll go see the horses, give them a pep talk, shoot a prayer to the big man upstairs, and then go get settled in my seats. A big group of family and friends usually shows up on race day, so I like to have an area to accommodate everyone. When post time comes around, you head down to the paddock. There, you get to size up your opponents, shake the jockey’s hand and it’s on. I usually head down to the apron by the finish line and watch the race from there. The race itself is a great adrenaline rush and, if you’re fortunate enough to be in contention coming down the stretch, well, that’s where most owners lose their minds cheering. If you’re blessed with a win … high fives, hugs and kisses ensue followed by a picture in the winner’s circle. Words cannot explain the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.
RESTREPO IN THE BARN WITH A HORSE

Photo courtesy of Ramiro Restrepo
SEITZ: For me, I’d say I do a lot of worrying mixed with a ton of excitement and plenty of stall walking. My fingernails never catch a break.
What’s the best horse you’ve ever seen and what made him/her special?
AUERBACH: That’s really a tough one. John Henry was versatile, durable and reliable. Affirmed was determined. Spectacular Bid was scintillating. But the one who stands out the most was Zenyatta. No matter the field or how much work she had to do, she always seemed to get there. Even in her loss to Blame, she probably ran her best race coming from as far back as she did and running so much farther than everybody else. She just knew where the wire was and had the intangible drive to win.
RESTREPO: Well, I have two: John Henry and Cigar. I was very young when John Henry ran; I guess that added more to the legend. He was an older horse who was written off many times, but he knew where the wire was and won on turf, dirt, West Coast, East Coast … it didn’t matter. Shame he never got to compete in the Breeders’ Cup and got sick at the Japan Cup. Cigar came around when I was in high school. The 16-race winning streak, the Dubai World Cup and Tom Durkin’s wonderful [Breeders’ Cup] Classic call … what more can you ask for?
SEITZ: I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Winning Colors. She was a beautiful, gray filly, and I remember crying when she won the Kentucky Derby in 1988. I was 8 years old. I just couldn’t believe a filly did it. I also won our big group bet at home, so maybe that’s why I was crying. I used to visit her when she was retired and always admired her heart.
What’s the one horse you didn’t own but wish you had the opportunity to have owned? 
AUERBACH: I don’t think in those terms and am grateful for the horses we have owned and currently do own.
RESTREPO: I’d go with the great Cigar. 
SEITZ: Black Caviar. I have gotten to know the owners in Australia, and they are so nice and have so much fun. I would have loved to have been a part of that ride! My dad always said it takes a great man to own a great horse, and those owners are truly great people the way they managed her and still do today.
Would you rather win the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders’ Cup Classic and why?
AUERBACH: The Breeders’ Cup Classic simply due to the fact that it is the biggest race on the biggest stage within the industry. I would love to win the Derby, but just feel the Breeders’ Cup Classic is a bigger race as it includes older horses and generally more international entries.
RESTREPO: “Have you ever won the Kentucky Derby?” is probably the most asked question to owners by first-time or casual fans. It’s one of the most famous and prestigious races in the world. I can’t take anything away from the Classic, but winning the Derby is everyone’s dream.
SEITZ: Easy question … the Kentucky Oaks, hands down.
Horses who tweet: yay or nay?
AUERBACH:  Yay, as long as it doesn’t get too goofy.
RESTREPO: NAY. It’s a novel idea and all, but some just cross the line.
SEITZ: Sexy tweets so yay.
I'M ALREADY SEXY IS A HORSE WHO TWEETS

Photo courtesy of Anna Seitz
What’s the most embarrassing song on your iTunes?
AUERBACH: “Hummingbird,” by Seals and Croft
RESTREPO: Hahaha, all right I’ll be honest … Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce: “Telephone.”
SEITZ: My mother wouldn’t approve of the name.
What hobbies do you have away from horse racing?
AUERBACH: Traveling, attending major sporting events, watching college football and basketball, going out with friends to great restaurants and spending time with my family.
RESTREPO: I’ve been into CrossFit for quite a few years; I’m a big Miami Hurricanes college football fan and New York Yankees fan, so I try to go to a few games a year. I love fishing lakes and ponds for bass and catfish. Also, living Miami there are lots of nightlife venues and restaurants always popping up to check out.
SEITZ: Piano, basketball, reading, dancing when I’m out. 
Who or what influences you?  Can you give a specific example of how you have positively used that influence as inspiration?
AUERBACH: This is a really difficult question as I’m a person who tends to operate by feel and feelings. Yes, I am a numbers person and they do not lie, but without going into specifics, I also go with my innate senses and react to each situation differently. 
AUERBACH AND DAUGHTERS WITH UNUSUAL HEAT

Photo courtesy of Harris Auerbach
SEITZ: I was very inspired by Wayne Catalano this year. He got very sick and we almost lost him, and it made me realize how much I respect and admire him. Not only is he a good horse trainer but a great person. Thank God he’s still around to make us all laugh.
If I came to your home and looked inside the refrigerator, what would I find?
AUERBACH: Milk, sourdough bread, American cheese, cottage cheese, salsa, lots of condiments, sliced turkey and roast beef, oranges, apples, bottles of water and leftover hard lemonades or beer that never made in back to the refrigerator in the garage.
RESTREPO: Prepared organic foods from a delivery service, lots of fruit, and pre/post energy drinks.
SEITZ: Lots of veggies, almond milk, dark chocolate, plenty of white wine. My mom’s honey and her chickens’ eggs are always in our kitchen.
How many pairs of shoes you own?
AUERBACH: I own 10 pairs of shoes: two pairs of sneakers, three pairs of dress boots, one pair of dress shoes, two pairs of casual boots, one pair of mud boots I keep in the trunk of my car and one pair of deck shoes.
RESTREPO: I used to collect Nike Dunks. A couple of years ago I gave away like 50 pairs to homeless children. I think I’m down to 10-15 pairs.
SEITZ: Ha! No clue.
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
AUERBACH: A cup of coffee
SEITZ: Lattes