Page 142 - February 2016 Speedhorse

Perez will celebrate his 20th anniversary as a professional in the racing industry this year.
by John Moorehouse
DINO PEREZ
by John Moorehouse
Of all the state racing associations, the one repre- senting California—the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association (PCQHRA)—is
one of the biggest with more than 2,000 members and several full-time staff members. It’s no surprise that the Quarter Horse industry is so big in California, especially in the southern portion of the Golden State with peren- nially pleasant weather that allows training on a year- round basis in relative comfort.
The PCQHRA business manager, Dino Perez
will celebrate his 20th anniversary as a professional in the racing industry this year. After graduating from the University of California-Santa Barbara with a B.A. in business economics, Perez then attended the University of Arizona, where he received a B.S. in that institution’s Race Track Industry program.
Perez has been involved in the horse racing industry ever since.
He spent seven years as a racing official on Thoroughbred tracks in the Golden State, including at Santa Anita, Del Mar, Hollywood Park and Fairplex. Perez then took over as business manager of the PCQHRA in 2004, a position he still holds to this day.
With such an extensive background in horse racing, there still is much more to learn about Mr. Perez here in our latest “Lighter Side” feature.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Hemet, California.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of horse racing?
A: Playing the guitar, snowboarding and swimming.
Q: What is your favorite movie, and why?
A: Jaws, I was like 7 when it came out and the movie scared the heck out of me.
Q: Give an interesting fact about your family.
A: My great grandfather came from Italy to Northern California as a teenager and during prohibition ran a small drinking establishment out of the basement of his home. It’s a great room, we still enjoy hanging out there.
Q: Do you have a nickname and, if so, what is it and how did it come about? A: No, not that I am aware of.
Q: What is the strangest personality quirk you have ever seen in a horse?
A: My dad trained a horse that seemed to bite every- one. I think the whole racetrack knew about that horse.
Q: If you were not in the horse racing business, what job would you like to have?
A: Professional musician.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living where you live?
A: The weather and the beautiful people.
Q: If you could vacation anywhere on the planet, where would it be and what would you do there?
A: Santorini, Greece. I would eat and enjoy the atmosphere.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote and, if so, what is it?
A: “Twice the pride, double the fall.”
Q: If you could sit down and visit with anyone, past or present, who would it be? A: John Lennon.
Q: What drink would your friends describe you as, and why?
A: Jack Daniels and Coke. Start smooth and finish strong.
Q: Who’s your favorite athlete of all time, and why?
A: Larry Bird. Great 3-point shooter.
Q: If you were making a movie about yourself, who would you cast to play you, and why?
A: Harrison Ford—I just like his acting ability.
Q: What’s one thing you don’t like about Quarter Horse racing?
A: I don’t like the fact that so many individuals perceive Quarter Horse racing to have a major drug problem.
Q: What’s one thing you like about Quarter Horse racing?
A: Speed!
140 SPEEDHORSE, February 2016
THE LIGHTER SIDE