Page 96 - Speedhorse March 2018

Racetrack Officials:
CLERK OF SCALES
“I respect what they do and how honest they are with me...”
Steve Schmid
by Dillon Hamilton
NAME: Steve Schmid
HOME BASE: Oklahoma City
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 4 years as Clerk of Scales, 8 years in the Quarter Horse industry TRACK: Remington Park
HOBBIES: Hanging out with friends, fishing, being outdoors, and working on vehicles
Steve Schmid spent 5 years in the military before being introduced to the Quarter Horse racing industry at a farm 8 years ago. He’s been part
of the industry ever since, becoming an indispensible jack-of-all-trades at Remington Park, where he started as a groom, shoer, and valet before becoming Clerk of Scales. Steve was kind enough to visit with Speedhorse and give an inside look at his day-to-day at the track.
Q: What brought you to Remington Park, and the world of horse racing?
A: I started in the industry by helping a cousin’s friend out working on a farm. From there, I came to the racetrack as a groom and a shoer.
Q: How did you become Clerk of Scales?
A: I had worked with starting gates for a few years. I handled horses in the gates and I was also taking
care of the riders’ tack in the jock’s room and working with the jockeys as a valet. I was approached by the assistant racing secretary to see if I wanted to work as the Clerk of Scales, and I told him I would love to. I had the experience in the room and the experience with riders. I was taking a job that I had witnessed and been around, so I knew most of the primary functions of it.
Q: What does your race day look like?
A: I take entries in the morning and help set races. As soon as we get done printing the overnight, I come home, eat lunch, hang out with the dogs,
get ready, and then I’m back in the jock’s room at about 3:00. I start preparing paperwork and get
the hotbox and sauna turned on. That way, I have accountability on what riders are coming in the room and when they’re coming in. It makes it easier to be there early. That way, the riders can report their weight to me, and I’m not writing their weight down amidst trying to get everything else ready.
Q: How would you describe your interaction with jockeys & other racing officials?
A: It’s a pretty good relationship. There’s a lot of respect given both ways. I respect what they do and how honest they are with me, and they respect me because of
the professional relationship we have together. But away from the track, I’m friends with quite a few of them.
Q: What is the most difficult part of your job?
A: Dealing with the riders! In seriousness, it’s probably dealing with the stress of all the people I work with. I’m on the phone and face-to-face with up to 70 people per day. That’s counting the stewards, the racing secretary, the assis- tant racing secretary, the jockeys, and the valets that run the jocks room. Taking care of riders’ tack, making sure they saddle their horses on time, and making sure that the riders get on their horses on time is probably the hardest part.
Q: Since racing is seasonal & traditionally on weekends, how do you spend your off time? A: I work on vehicles for friends and side work
that is easy money. You’ve got a car that needs brakes done and you if you take it in, it will cost you $80 to $100. I’ll do it for about half the cost.
Q: What do you most enjoy in your work?
A: Being able to meet some of the world-class riders that come in here. G. R. Carter Jr., Ricky Ramirez, Cody Jensen, they’re all great people. And in the Thoroughbred meets, you have Mike Smith and a lot of those guys who are Hall of Fame jockeys coming in here. Being able to meet them and see that they’re a Hall of Fame rider, but it doesn’t go to their head. They’re all down to earth, very nice people, and we have great conversations.
Q: Has being a Marine Corps veteran influenced your work?
A: It’s given me the ability to deal with high stress situations. I don’t freeze or lock up under a lot of stress. I handle it well and take it as it goes.
Q: Would you recommend working as a Clerk of Scales?
A: I would for the experience of the day-to-day situa- tions in the room and seeing the sheer professionalism of the riders. You get to see riders in the room happier than all get out. You might see them in the room mad and upset. It lasts about five minutes and then he’s ready for the next race and that last race is out of his head.
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SPEEDHORSE, March 2018
Dillon Hamilton
THE BACKSIDE