In the early 1990s I began working for a thoroughbred racetrack photographing all the glamour and glitz that was the “frontside” of horseracing. Photographing the owners and breeders of million-dollar horses who gathered in the private suites, where the champagne flowed as the races were run.

Early one morning I went to backstretch or backside. Where the dreams and dreamers of the "Big Horse" reside. The “Big Horse” is the one that will win all the money and change your life.

It is also the place where the horses live and, very often the people who take care of them. It is where all of the work happens, day in and day out 365 days a year.

The backstretch is seldom seen except for maybe a heartwarming story at the time the Kentucky Derby is run.

These images were taken in the Chicago area, Arlington Park was purchased by the Chicago Bears and has begun to be torn down, but will no longer be their stadium. Sportsman’s was used as a motorsports racetrack, but it was unsuccessful and was torn down in 2009. I believe a Walmart is there now. Only Hawthorne racetrack remains.

 “Since 2000, 41 racetracks in the U.S. have permanently closed (26 of those within the last 10 years)”

I continue to photograph on the backside, where the dreams and dreamers of the ‘Big Horse” reside and where old race trackers go to die.