Ben Atkinson: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Ben with a bird's eye view in the patrol tower
For two summers I had the opportunity to intern at the prestigious Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. I was able to get a hands-on experience with the entire racing department along with the frontside operations of the track. I was able to work with some RTIP alumni and also other people who had various backgrounds in racing. I was able to shadow and learn from Tom Robbins and David Jerkens which gave me a much deeper knowledge of the sport. I was also able to have conversations with them and pick their brains about the industry and how they got to where they are today. In the mornings I would take entries for the races. In the afternoons I would do a various number of things; like being up in placing, on the patrol tower, with the stewards, at the starting gate, and much more. – Ben Atkinson