On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Michelle Borisenok and her partners meet by the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga Springs.

“Let’s walk to [Ray Handal’s barn]. He’s expecting us,” said Borisenok, to the group after doing a headcount to make sure everyone was there.

It’s usually an informal session to have some coffee, assess a recent race, visit trainers and learn about life on the backstretch.

“Good job, thank you very much. Next time,” Borisenok said to La Salvadorena, a 3-year-old filly who raced a few days ago.

They’re all part of Brown Road Racing – a syndicate that focuses on helping interested women and families get involved in the thoroughbred racing industry.

“I had a vision. I bought a horse at the Fasig-Tipton with another partner, and the rest is history,” Borisenok said. “In 2018, I established Brown Road Racing.”

Borisenok is the owner and founder of the boutique partnership. The idea came to life after being excluded from the decision-making process in previous partnerships, which were dominated by men.

“We did face some headwinds in the beginning, having a group of ladies in the backstretch,” she said. “But I feel that the women before us gave us the foundation to succeed.”

Interest really took off after the height of the pandemic, according Borisenok, with 17 members this season. That includes Maureen Barringer, who joined about a year ago.

“It's not about winning. It's about the health of the horse, the experience and the education,” Barringer said.

“I love it. It's kind of like a nice combination,” said Dawn Canney, another partner. “I’ve always been interested on the sidelines. And I'm still on the sidelines, but it's having my thumb a little bit more in it. It is great.”

While it’s women-focused, men are part of the partnership as well. Members are all at different stages of racing knowledge, rooting on the 18 horses currently in their stable.

“We have some that are racing, some on the flat track, as well as steeplechase,” Borisenok said. “We have two broodmares and a retired horse. And a yearling.”

For Borisenok, she uses the syndicate to focus on philanthropy and education, in addition to the thoroughbreds. It’s part of her effort to bring the next generations of racing enthusiasts into the sport.

“The more that I can help people enter into the field, into the industry, it's heartwarming,” Borisenok said. “Horses bring people together, and that's what my vision is.”