Veronica Razo woke up with a smile on her face and an extra pep in her step.

“Even the night before, it's like a little kid going to Disney World,” said Razo. “You're like preparing things, making plans in your head. We're going to do these things, we're going to walk these horses. There’s no words to explain the joy, it’s just overpowering."

As the hot walker at Saratoga Race Course finishes her tasks for the morning, a coach bus filled with family members of people who work on the backstretch is headed to Saratoga from New York City. Razo’s 7-year-old daughter Trinity is on board and filled with just as much anticipation as her mom.

Funding from the New York Thoroughbred Horseman Association and New York Race Track Chaplaincy has made visits like this possible for the last 15 years.

"It's a taxing job on you. It really can wear you down, and to bring the families and unite them together, wow, what a positive,” said Nick Caras, program director with The New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

As the bus rolls in, Veronica's is the first face Trinity sees when the doors open. She's first off the bus and straight into mom's arms.

"It's like life comes back to you,” said Razo. “She's everything to me.”

There are typically more than 50 family members on the day trip, and many of them are kids. Families catch up over a donated lunch before going off on their own for some quality time.

At Trinity's request, Veronica takes them for a ride to visit the horses she takes care of. It helps Trinity understand why her mom can't be with her this summer.

"I tell her every day ‘I'm here for us,’ ” said Razo. “When we get back, school starts and everything is going to be better. I'm always trying to tell her that the work is for her, the sacrifice is for her."