started with John. The first horse that ran
was at Garden State Park. This was about
1992 or '93. My wife [Betsy] and I went up
to watch the race and the filly won. We got
in the winner's circle and the rest is history.
I got the bug!"
Porter, who currently has 25 horses in
training split between Jones, Richard Man-
della and Mark Casse, continued, "Then we
started buying a little better horses at the
2-year-old sales. We weren't spending a lot
of money. It kept progressing and my first
good horse, I think we bought in '98, and it
was Jostle. Mike Smith rode her. She won
the Alabama."
In addition to Jostle, Songbird and
Havre de Grace, Porter has campaigned
three other Grade I victors, 2006 GI Breed-
ers' Cup Distaff heroine Round Pond and
2013 GI Santa Margarita S. victress Joyful
Victory.
"YOU HAVE TO
HAVE THE PASSION"
The passion for racing that Porter devel-
oped as a child has increased tremendous-
ly throughout the years, and at age 77, he
may be more passionate than ever. It is this
passion that drives him in this tough indus-
try known for its extreme highs and lows.
"You have to have the passion for it," said
Porter. "You start somewhere and then you
really get the passion when you get the
big wins. I won that Mr. Fitz award
HAVRE DE GRACE
