She sits calmly in the saddle as she leads horses around Churchill Downs, often with the sun glinting off her sunglasses. Mary Ellet, 29, was raised in Southern California. She is currently based in Kentucky where she ponies for the Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn in the morning.

Prominent owner Mike Repole is living the American dream. He grew up in Queens, N.Y. His mother, Anna, was a seamstress and his father, Benny, was a waiter. He developed a passion for racing while making frequent trips to nearby Aqueduct Racetrack.