From the Horse's Mouth? Retired Thoroughbred to Be Horsemen's Ambassador at Senate Gaming Hearings

A different kind of "ambassador" will be on hand to greet legislators, reporters and workshop attendees as they enter the Senate gaming hearing at Broward College North Campus in Coconut Creek Wednesday, scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The horse "PocoChico," a working member of Little Dreams Racing Stable of Parkland, will be mounted by jockey Isidro Perez wearing the racing colors of the stable, and will be in position by 3 p.m. at the entrance of the Omni Auditorium with his handler, Little Dreams assistant trainer Faustino Orantes.

Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents nearly 6,000 owners and trainers statewide, said, "It's our hope that this equine ambassador will serve as a reminder to our lawmakers and the general public of the importance of Florida's horsemen and the many jobs created by just one racehorse." He added, "Senators will hopefully get a chance to hear from some of the many people who are instrumental in getting a young horse ready to race."

Little Dreams Racing Stable owner Carlo Vaccarezza and his all-star trainer Dale Romans are prepared to testify in person at the hearing. Other horsemen who have registered to speak include Eddie Plesa Jr., the South Florida-based trainer of 2013 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes star "ItsMyLuckyDay."

Nonhorsemen whose businesses and livelihoods are affected by Florida horse racing will also be on hand to testify, such as Michael DiGiorgio, owner of a large Florida Allstate agency that insures a significant number of horsemen.