Meet the Top Ten Ms. Racing Queen Finalists

Meet the Top Ten Ms. Racing Queen Finalists: The 2014 Ms. Racing Queen pageant, held by the Stronach Group, is currently underway. The finale takes place on Friday, March 28th in the Sport of Kings Theater at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida where one lucky lady will be crowned Ms. Racing Queen and awarded $100,000. Ms. Racing Queen will serve as a brand ambassador to the sport on behalf of the Stronach Group. After three qualification rounds, the top ten Ms. Racing Queen finalists have been selected and announced, five from California at Santa Anita Park, and five from Florida at Gulfstream Park.

The top five 2014 Florida Ms. Racing Queen State Finalist include Paige Duke, Ashley Conley, Anna Roberts, Linsey Toole, and Anastagia Pierre. Anastagia, Linsey, and Ashley all made it to the finals last year. The top five 2014 California Ms. Racing Queen Finalists include Rebecca Rosell, Brittany Payne, Brandi Milloy, Keeley Boess, and Natasha Martinez.

While in an airport this morning, Gulfstream Park delegate Anna Roberts told us that she is extremely excited about making it to the Ms. Racing Queen finals. The former jockey tells us, “The competition has been a lot of fun!” Anna adds, “The Ms. Racing Queen pageant is great because it teaches the girls, some of which have little experience with horses or horse tracks, so much about the industry. I’ve been in the business since the age of nine and I’ve definitely learned some things along the way in this competition. Anna also mentioned that even though she has great experience on the front and backside of the track, the Ms. Racing Queen pageant brought her to Gulfstream Park for the very first time. Anna described Gulfstream Park as, “the prettiest track I’ve ever seen!”

Santa Anita Park delegate Brandi Malloy told us via email, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this experience. It’s been a whirlwind of excitement! I’m so honored to be representing one of the top five at the national competition! Spending time at the track is like coming home for me. Being from Arizona, I’ve grown up having a strong bond with horses so to be able to combine two of my passions (horses & public relations) is a perfect fit for me. What I love most about going to the race track is what a thrilling, fun and exciting time you can have-and the wagering and betting is one of my favorite parts! Horse racing is such a beautiful, rich part of our history but it’s also the stories of the jockeys and trainers combined with the spirit of the horses that makes me fall in love with the sport all over again every time I’m at the track. On the weekends I love to dress up with a group of my girlfriends and enjoy brunch at Santa Anita Park, place our bets and watch the races! I look forward to encouraging more young people to come out to the track with me! From corporate events to alumni days and more, the opportunities at the track are endless!”

Santa Anita park delegate Natasha Martinez, who returned to the Ms. Racing Queen competition at Santa Anita Park for the second time said, “My experience with Ms. Racing Queen has already changed my life. After competing last year and making it to the top 20, I guess you could say I caught the racing bug. I wanted to learn more about the beauty of the track and the thrill of seeing the magnificent horses fly by in a race. Now coming back a second time, I feel honored to have been chosen in the top 5 because I know that the people in this industry live and breathe horse racing. So the fact that I’m representing a community that is so passionate and committed to their love of the sport is like already winning. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be immersed in this great sport and I cannot wait to go to Gulfstream Park and compete for the title of Ms. Racing Queen 2014.”

Gulfstream Park delegate Ashley Conley stated, “I was very touched and inspired by our two guest speakers (a female jockey & trainer) as they told their story about how their ambition to become a jockey & trainer was frowned upon. Yet they persisted & proved the many strides women have made in this industry. As someone who came from a difficult upbringing, I can admire & relate to both of these women who were not willing to let any setbacks stand in the way of their dreams. Another favorite part of my journey was being up close to the horses & interacting with them. It was a very peaceful moment. Overall, this entire experience has been wonderful & one that I hope to tell future generations about. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the state finals!”

The top ten Ms. Racing Queen finalist were initially selected from a total of 100 contestants consisting of fifty from Santa Anita Park and fifty from Gulfstream Park. Beginning in March, representatives from each racetrack narrowed down the finalists while the girls learned about the sport of horse racing, listened to guest speakers, took tours of the back stretch and barns, visited the racing office, learned how to place bets, and engage in social activities at the racetrack.

The mission of Ms Racing Queen, as stating on MsRacingQueen.com, “is to promote Thoroughbred Racing by representing The Stronach Group Racing Association at various events on a national level. The 2013 competition, which featured over 300 girls from California and Florida, was the vision of Mr. Frank Stronach who was searching for an ambassador to the Sport of Kings, while also looking to change someone’s life. Ms Racing Queen 2013 walked away with a grand prize of $100,000 cash and the opportunity to attend some of racing’s most premier events during her reign.”

Santa Anita Park delegate Tatiana Schoeppler was crowned the first Ms. Racing Queen at the inaugural competition in March of 2013 at Gulfstream Park. (Read Full Story/See Photos)

The Ms. Racing Queen pageant is just one of the many wonderful events taking place during Florida Derby week at Gulfstream Park. Ms. Racing Queen will make her debut at the annual cocktail party and silent auction to benefit “TRAC” (Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Aftercare) that will take place Friday, March 28, 2014 in the walking ring at Gulfstream Park. All proceeds from the event, which is open to the public at approximately 8:00 PM EST, will be donated to TRAC including money raised from food, cocktails, silent auction items, and donations made at the door. The Besilu Stables Florida Derby takes place on Saturday, March 29, 2014, where a three-year-old colt will take home 100 points on the Kentucky Derby Trail!

For complimentary tickets to the Ms. Racing Queen finale in beautiful South Florida at Gulfstream Park on March 28, 2014 from 3:00-5:00 PM EST, email Jennifer at [email protected]. Our very own Trixie will be seated on the official judging panel. Be sure to stop by to say Hello!

Ms. Racing Queen 2014 Top Ten Finalists: