Faith and passion steer Borjas in the right direction

Anibal Borjas has a passion for harness racing and life, and it shows.

The 40-year-old Guatemala native, who has worked for trainer Tony Algana since the conditioner opened his public stable in 2009, scored his first pari-mutuel victory in his first attempt, on July 17 at Pocono Downs. Anibal (pronounced A-knee-ball) sat patiently in the two-hole guiding the 3-year-old filly Mint Julep Hanover (Stay Hungry) and pulled in late stretch to brush by the leading Eazy Hunting (Huntsville) in :28.2 to prevail by a head in 1:55.3.

“I’m very excited and happy and I can’t believe that I could win,” Anibal related. “I really didn’t believe it at first and then Marcus Miller (driving Eazy Hunting) told me congratulations. It was very emotional for me, and I was crying a little bit, because years ago, back in Guatemala, I would have never dreamed that something like this was possible, and at the time, I had no knowledge of harness racing. So, this win, for me, really was a dream come true.”

Besides Anibal and his family, there was no one happier than Tony, who made the two-hour trek to the Poconos for his friend’s official debut behind the gate.

“I met Anibal when I was out here running Erv’s (Miller) barn years ago,” Tony revealed. “When I opened up my own barn in 2009, he came with me, and has gone right up the ladder. He started out as a caretaker, and moved up to being a trainer, and the last few years he’s really shown that he wants to learn more in the industry and has been my go-to guy for just about everything.”

“I really like Tony and how he takes the time to teach people to do things with the horses,” Anibal stressed. “Tony puts all the time into the horses and treats them all like individuals no matter what he is doing with them, whether he’s training them, or working with them in the barn. He is very knowledgeable about managing the stable, the farm, and the track.”

Tony and Anibal both share their daily duties at Alagna’s training center in New Jersey, a 148-acre facility with a 7/8 track.

“Anibal is one of those guys who is at the barn all day, every day, and looks at things, and figures out a way to make it work,” Tony explained. “We wanted to have a training strip and jog track inside our main track here at the farm, and one day, Anibal just got on the grater and carved out what we needed. When our regular trackman showed up, he said that Anibal had done a great job with setting those up for us. That’s the kind of person he is.”

Anibal had 43 qualifying starts prior to his Pocono Debut behind Mint Julep Hanover.

“He always had the knack for horses and when he showed interest in wanting to get his qualifying license, I supported him,” Tony confirmed. “I started letting him qualify some horses and he did really well, he had such a desire to learn. Eventually I put him on some 2-year-olds and did a great job for us. And I figured what better place to learn than at the Meadowlands, where you have the best driving colony in North America?

MINT JULEP HANOVER REPLAY

“I can’t say enough good things about the Big M drivers as they’ve all supported him a lot in his driving pursuits,” Alagna added. “They’ve been there to offer guidance and suggestions and have helped to boost his confidence. When the judges finally gave him his “P” license, he had been sitting behind Mint Julep since she was a baby, and I figured it would be the perfect horse for him to get his first parimutuel drive with.”

Tony’s intuition definitely proved correct.

“This was something Anibal has dreamt about for a long time, and he’s shown that he wants to be part of the industry, and we need to support people like that,” Tony stressed. “I mean, if I can’t help the next guy out like people have helped me, then what am I doing here?”

“Tony really took the time to teach me about the horses and how to run the barn,” Anibal confirmed. “I got the chance to qualify horses because one time at The Meadowlands, a driver did not show up, and I called Tony and told him that, and he told me to drive the horse. When he told me that, I was nervous, and when I was behind the horse my legs and body were shaking, and I became pretty emotional. But that horse had been making breaks and he stayed flat for me and that made me happy.

“All the drivers at the Meadowlands have been good to me,” Anibal explained. “And they try to help me. After qualifying horses, they were always encouraging me, telling me how to drive safe, and I really appreciate their words. The guys who drive the gate and the starter also explained stuff to me to, and that really helped me too–they explained to me what is good and what is not good to do in the race.”

Anibal was with Tony when the trainer journeyed to Lexington this Spring to visit farms and look at mares, foals, and prospective yearlings.

“Anibal expressed interest in learning about the yearling process, so I took him to Lexington with me to visit the farms this year,” Tony explained. “I know a lot of folks think that we sit around under an umbrella drinking lemonade all day while the farm parades horses back and forth in front of us, but it’s not like that.

“Most of the time we are out in the middle of a field,” Alagna explained. “In all kinds of weather, looking at weanlings and yearlings, and we’re driving from one farm to another for two days solid, non-stop. Anibal was pretty beat-up after we were done, but he also picked up pretty quickly on things to look for in horses, and reasons to cross one off your list. It was really refreshing to see him experience the process for the first time.”

“Tony has a good eye for picking the young horses,” Anibal said. “Going to Lexington was a very good experience because he showed me what to look for with the babies, and what kind of problems they might have, with their legs or back, or the way they stand. This was something new for me that I didn’t really know about. It helped me to understand now why horses are a certain way.”

Anibal is not only passionate about the horses and the racing lifestyle, but has a deep faith, and routinely gives back to his community through his involvement with his church. Married with twin girls, he devotes a good portion of his free time to helping support his church.

“In 2014 I had some problems,” Anibal admitted. “I had two DUIs from alcohol, and problems with immigration because of that. I spent 22 days in jail, and while I was there, I made a promise to God that I would never drink again if he helped to me get out and become better. I never touched any beers, drugs, or smoking after that, nothing. I received God’s blessing over my life, and I pray to him to help me stay true to my promise to him.”

Anibal attends church nearly every day and credits Tony and his mother, Donna Lee, with helping to solidify his faith.

“Tony and his mom Donna Lee helped to change my life alongside God,” Anibal said. “Seven years after that time in jail, I had my court date and they asked me six questions about drinking and attending church, and just last year, in June 2022, I got my US residency. I know that through God I will always help my family, and if my family is good, I’m good, and I’m happy.”

Anibal not only attends church on Sunday mornings, but on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, is at church to speak to others about God and his faith. He also sings in the church choir.

“Being with God has changed my whole life for the better,” he said. “I preach and sing in the church and pray for a lot of people, and I’ve seen God change things for the better for not just myself, but others. I can truly see the results—I’m so lucky to be training really good horses and working with Tony. God has given me the confidence to help a person who might not want to work, and I try to help that person through good words, not through yelling or beating them down, and I’ve seen the results.

“When people need something,” Anibal said. “I will do everything I can to help them. I always try my best and I’ve had so many rewards. Just last year, my mother and father were able to visit me here from Guatemala—and I had not seen them for 19 years, so for me, this was another act of God’s blessing. Everything I have now, is because God has helped me.”

“Anibal is just one of those people you’re drawn to,” Tony said. “He’s a very likable, passionate, full of life type, and he loves the horses, loves the lifestyle, and is really happy with the way things are going for him. He’s definitely on the path to success.”