Owner Leslie Smith holds a position on the board of directors for the Arabian Racing Association of California, and is one of the heads of a mentoring program to attract new owners to the oldest racing breed. Smith hopes to pass on the thrill she received from winning Arabian races at the highest level to new owners. She has been instrumental in programs created by the Arabian Horse Association and the Arabian Jockey Club to connect potential owners with Arabian enthusiasts. Along with Deb Mihaloff Kirshner in the northeast and Kathy Smoke in the southeast, Smith is one of three "main national mentors" and is in charge of the region defined as west of Louisiana.

"When you're doing the mentoring, it's so nice if you can meet someone at the track and show them around. I'm sure the enthusiasm that we feel is infectious. If the person is going to get hooked at all, it helps if you have someone who can explain things with you when you go."

"I know from my own experience I had someone that kind of took me under their wing, and I wanted to know everything about it," Smith said. "A lot of us have had Arabians already - they're doing showing or endurance running or for pleasure - but are discovering that we do race. I think it's once you see a race, that sort of thing has to be appealing."

The mentor program represents the latest phase of Smith's involvement with the Arabian horse breed. Smith, 55, has owned Arabians for 26 years. She visited the horse races for the first time 15 years ago at Los Alamitos Race Course with a former chairman of the Arabian Racing Association of California. She bought her first Arabian racehorse 10 years ago. Smith is now the chairman of ARAC, an annually elected position she has held for four years.

"She's been a real backbone to the industry," ARAC administrator Jay Corcoran said.

Smith is originally from Vancouver and moved to California when she was 14. She lives in Temecula with husband Don Smith, a professor at Mt. San Jacinto College. Her next goal is not just to win more stakes races, but to win them with Arabians she breeds.

Hes The Most 5/62(6-15-16)1-5 (SOLD)

2002 Gelding
Makzan x Shes The Most by MHF Eclipse

Hes The Most retired from racing after 5 years, earning $75,170 and is now pursuing a career in endurance.

Kadillac Jacque 2/7(3-1-0)(SOLD)

2004 Chestnut Gelding
Kador De Blaziet x Truly Flaming by Flaming Tiki

Real Finesse 1/5(1-0-0)(FOR SALE)

2004 Chestnut Filly
Genuine Monarch x Full Of Finesse by MHF Eclipse

Alakzan 1/10(2-2-2

2004 Chestnut Filly
Makzan x Aleyah by MHF Eclipse
Alakzan has retired from racing and pursuing a dressage career with 12 year old SAVANNAH FURREY.