Page 98 - July 2015

RANDY SOTH
“Secretariat, as I believe he was the greatest athlete of my lifetime, man or horse.”
by John Moorehouse
Hialeah Park is a relative newcomer to the Quarter Horse circuit in North America. The track didn’t start running Quarter Horse
events until the winter of 2009.
Randy Soth has been there as one of the archi-
tects of the rise of Quarter Horse racing in the Sunshine State at a track that was once a bastion for Thoroughbreds.
Formerly the racing secretary at Hialeah and then the president at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Soth is now the general manager at Hialeah Park.
Now, let’s get to know a little more about him here.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Fishing, reading and traveling.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Any of the “Indiana Jones” series, particularly the first one.
Q: Give an interesting fact about your family.
A: They are all right-handed.
Q: Do you have a nickname and, if so, what is it and how did it come about?
A: Not at this time. However, my wife undoubtedly has a few that are possibly not print worthy.
Q: What is the strangest personality quirk that you have ever seen in a horse?
A: I used to train a horse that was a complete savage to other horses, animals or people.
Q: If you were not in the horse racing business, what job would you like to have?
A: Travel writer.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living where you live?
A: Access to many spots for fishing.
Q: If you could vacation anywhere on our planet, where would it be and what would you do there?
A: Anywhere that has superb roosterfishing and access to a nice chilled Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote and, if so, what is it?
A: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Q: If you could sit down and visit with anyone, past or present, who would it be?
A: Zane Grey.
Q: What drink would your friends describe you as?
A: “A bottle of iced Fiji water.”
Q: Who’s your favorite athlete of all time?
A: Secretariat, as I believe he was the greatest athlete of my lifetime, man or beast.
Q: If you were making a movie about yourself, who would you cast to play you?
A: Bill Murray.
Q: What’s one thing you don’t like about Quarter Horse racing?
A: It’s not as popular as Thoroughbred racing.
Q: What’s one thing you like about Quarter Horse racing?
A: It’s not as popular as Thoroughbred racing.
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SPEEDHORSE, July 2015
THE LIGHTER SIDE
Coady Photography