The first thing most people who visit Belmont Park for the first time notice is how big the track is. It’s unusually big. The turns are wider than most tracks. The half-mile pole sits where the ⅜ pole is at other tracks. A mile and an eighth race most everywhere in America starts and finishes in front of the grandstand, with the horses going around two turns. At Belmont it’s a one-turn affair. The width and breadth of the track can feel overwhelming to riders.

One requirement in her morning job is to not fight the horse. At night, well, it's closer to no holds barred.

That's the career tug of war, rare in this case, Chel-c Bailey faces most days. As an exercise rider and aspiring jockey, Bailey relies on finesse to keep a 1,100-pound Thoroughbred race-ready. Flip the emotion switch and she becomes Chel-c "Battle Born" Bailey, unbeaten MMA fighter.