Robert Paterno interview conducted by Ellen E. McHale, 2013-02-17

An interview with Robert "Bob" Paterno, who works as a "pony person" at the Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack. He talks about the daily routines in the backstretch, and gives his thoughts on training, on horses, and on the racetrack world in general. This interview was recorded in two parts: The first is a general interview. The second is a complete description of a day in the backstretch. He also speaks about "claiming races" and the relationships among trainers.
This interview was recorded in the tack room of Robert Paterno's stabling area. It was conducted during a racing day and so there are junctures when the interview pauses to listen to the race announcer because Paterno was working as a pony person for a race in the late afternoon. The interview takes place directly below a bird cage, so there are bird sounds recorded throughout the interview. In a few instances, Robert Paterno's words have been transcribed in their entirety and put in quotation marks. He uses two proverbial expressions during the interview. He uses several instances of racetrack "language" and defines those words that he uses.
Recorded at the Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack, Tampa Bay, Florida, February 17, 2013.
Stable Views--Voices and Stories from the Thoroughbred Racetrack : Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/034: 00485) Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
To honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a fellowship program was established at the American Folklife Center in 2010. Archie Green Fellowships support new research in the contemporary culture and traditions of American workers.
In English.