It was a stretch drive, the likes not seen even in horse racing.
That didn’t deter Paula Besset.
Besset, of Encinitas, had a hankering to work for Sherman Racing Stables.
But the local horse trainer didn’t know anyone associated with the crew.
She didn’t have a formal interview, but informally, presented herself to California Chrome’s handlers.
She did have gumption, motivation and a resume which revealed she knew her way around ponies.
Still it was stretch in November when Besset climbed in her car and drove to the Los Alamitos Race Track. She was determined to join the Sherman stable and if it didn’t happen, so be it.
“I wasn’t sure where anything was,” Besset said, about roaming the Orange County oval where the Sherman bunch hangs its shingle.
She sniffed a trail to the right area and found Art Sherman. Besset’s story was quick and to the point.
“I told him I just wasn’t a California Chrome follower trying to get in,” she said. “I was a true, dedicated person that has a passion for thoroughbred race horses. I just introduced myself and that is kind of how it started.’’
It’s a start without a finish, and why would Besset want it to end?
“They just scooped me up,’’ Besset said.
That has Besset, 50, at the Sherman table in Florida for Saturday’s Eclipse Awards. California Chrome, a 3-year-old colt and winner of two legs of the Triple Crown, could be named the 2014 Horse of the Year.
Is this the spot Besset pinches herself? If Al Michaels wasn’t busy peddling his new book, he could deliver a nifty, “Do you believe in miracles?”
“I had no expectations,” said Besset, a Torrey Pines High graduate. “This is more than I could ever dream of.’’
Before getting too far ahead — it’s easy when California Chrome is the subject — let’s retreat to last fall.
Besset’s training pitch was enough to intrigue Art and Alan Sherman, the owners of Sherman Racing Stables. So they invited her to Del Mar to watch California Chrome run in November’s Hollywood Derby.
Although when she RSVP’d, it wasn’t just for the race.
Besset was among trainers helping in the week-long Del Mar lead-up and that’s where her bond with California Chrome became clear.
“Whoa,’’ Art Sherman said when spotting California Chrome nuzzling Besset. “You guys really have a connection.”
It’s not surprising considering Besset’s background.
She was training off-track horses for their new life at Grindstone Farms before finding the Shermans.
She rode and competed on horses as a youth.
She’s a self-described “tom boy” and doesn’t mind getting dirt under her finger nails or boots.
“I can definitely hold my ground,” Besset said, and if you doubt her, that’s on you. “And I’m definitely confident around horses.”
That’s obvious when she’s sharing space with the high-strung California Chrome.
“Most people can’t get close to him and not that many people are even allowed to get close,” Besset said. “He’s pretty aggressive and if you get too close, he’ll bite you.’’
That same is true with Besset, but California Chrome nibbles instead of chomps.
“He’s very sweet and almost romantic with me,” Besset said. “He gives me these tiny little love bites and is very gentle.
“I think horses have a sixth sense on things, as all animals do really. He’s leery about people but we have a connection.’’
So for the week before the Hollywood Derby, Besset was hands-on.
“I even walked with him to the race that day,’’ she said. “I was with him every moment.’’
The same is true today.
Besset is in Los Alamitos by 5:30 most mornings, helping with all 20 of the horses in the Sherman Racing Stables.
Who says long shots don’t hit? Besset is among the two-legged variety to find her own winner’s circle.
Kudos to Besset for shooting for the moon.
Kudos to the Shermans for letting her help train their sport’s biggest star.
“They just took me under their wing,’’ she said.
Proving that California Chrome had nothing on the Shermans.
“I think,” Besset said, “they had a sixth sense about me, too.”
Contact Jay Paris at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at jparis_sports and at mighty1090.com
7 comments
Re-read the article. It says three times that she is helping to train the horse. Still UNBELIEVABLE
I personally know Paula and while I can appreciate the passion of the previous comments, let’s set the record straight.
No one ever said that Paula was the trainer. This is a simple feel good story of a woman trainer who was being mentored by the kindness of Art and Alan Sherman since November. Just check the UT feature from November 26th to confirm this fact.
The woman is extremely passionate about horses and horse racing and is just learning the ropes from the best. Don’t take away her love of the animals by writing negative things. The Sherman’s were kind enough to allow this experienced horse trainer to learn from them.
She really connects with the animals and is just following her passion. We should support that.
Paula is banned from the Sherman Stables for falsely presenting her credential. It was impossible for her to help training CC…she does not even has a trainer license. She did not know much about horse racing either. Jay Paris, you need to do fact checking next time.
Is this true? Is she now banned from the stables?
Apparently the person who wrote this article, I won’t use the word journalist, did ZERO fact checking. I have worked in the thoroughbred industry for more than half my life and am fortunate to know Art & Alan Sherman. Art Sherman is an amazing horseman and is the person responsible for California Chrome’s success. This “Paula” person had NOTHING to do with his training, work schedule, etc. How dare she try to get credit for such an amazing accomplishment! I got my picture taken with Chrome the day after he won the Kentucky Derby – it doesn’t mean I helped him train him for the win!!!
Art Sherman is the trainer. Period. There needs to be a correction to this article. Many people stand next to Art at Los Al when HE is training California Chrome but NO ONE has the NERVE to actually SAY they are HELPING to train him and have a newspaper article written about themselves!!! UNBELIEVABLE
Great story, perhaps Paula will bring Chrome good luck on Saturday night The world is full of special people add one more to Chromes team.
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