Michelle Babbie invested in Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey because she was drawn to the name of his dam, Smart Shopping. Will Diaz felt the son of Arrogate represented a shot worth taking due to his trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. Kerri Herlick saw it as a fun way to spend unexpected money.

All are ecstatic that they are among the 2,570 people who purchased at least one $127 share in Seize the Grey through MyRacehorse as they eagerly await the next chapter of his career in Saturday’s $2 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets.

Babbie with the Belmont Stakes trophy. (Michelle Babbie photo)

Babbie, 53, from Malone, N.Y., initially got involved with MyRacehorse when she thought a share in a horse named Magical Ways would make a different kind of 50th anniversary present for her parents, Delilah and Bill Brown. She currently has a financial stake in seven horses and knew she could not pass on Seize the Grey when she saw Smart Shopping in his pedigree.

“When that horse became available,” Babbie recalled, “I said, ‘Shopping. I love shopping. Shoe shopping, purse shopping, clothes shopping. That’s my horse.’ It just spoke to me.”

Surely, there are more scientific ways to land on one of the nation’s leading 3-year-olds. But, hey, whatever works.

For Diaz, 76, from Palm City, Fla., the thought of owning a horse trained by Lukas, a living legend, was impossible to pass up. He felt sure the Hall of Famer still had it – even at 88. “I specifically wanted him because of Wayne Lukas,” Diaz said.

Sure enough, Lukas became the oldest trainer to win a Triple Crown race when front-running, mud-loving Seize the Grey provided him with his 15th victory in one of the spring classics. No one would be all that surprised if the age-defying conditioner captured his fifth Belmont when the action unfolds at Saratoga Race Course.

When Herlick’s mother-in-law inherited money, she shared some of her good fortune with Herlick, 55. Herlick turned what she had always viewed as a far-fetched dream into reality when she purchased eight shares in Seize the Grey.

“I decided not to spend the money given to me on bills,” Herlick said, “but on a fun thing instead.”

Now, the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., resident looks forward to attending the Belmont as a wide-eyed owner. “I am thrilled to have it in my backyard. It is really exciting,” she said. “It is beyond my wildest expectations.”

Rain would not dampen her day. In fact, an early-afternoon downpour would be just fine with her. “He loves that mud,” she said. “He’s a definite mudder.”

Diaz can attest to that. He was at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course when Seize the Grey and precocious jockey Jaime Torres splashed home 2 ¼ lengths ahead of Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner. He did not mind when his footwear became caked with mud on the way to one of the most crowded winner’s circles in racing history.

“It’s an experience you never imagined,” said the former military veteran. “This industry is very expensive. MyRacehorse has given us this opportunity and you don’t have to invest a lot. It’s been marvelous.”

Diaz envisions continued success in the Belmont, which will be run at a mile and a quarter at Saratoga. “This horse is unbelievable. Every day he gets better. Wayne has said every day he gets on the track he gets stronger … he feels like he’s on top of the world right now.”

Diaz at Preakness with winning jockey Jamie Torres. (Will Diaz photo)

Diaz’s only regret? That he bought only two shares in Seize the Grey. “I wish I had more,” he said wistfully.

Among other things, Diaz is enjoying the camaraderie he established with his other partners. “This group has been like family,” he said. “We do things together. We have all kinds of events. It’s just a wonderful organization. I’m glad to be part of it.”

Babbie could not be more satisfied as a customer of MyRacehorse, established by Michael Behrens in 2018 to make the Sport of Kings accessible to the vast majority of people.

“MyRacehorse does a great job,” she said. “They send you updates on their training, how the horse is doing. They really go above and beyond in letting the people know what is happening with their horse.”

Caitlin Dunne, experience manager for MyRacehorse, said they expect anywhere from 500 to 700 investors to attend the Belmont. Although there are not nearly enough tickets to accommodate everyone, she welcomes a massive turnout.

“If you own one share, if you own 100 shares, we want you there,” she said. “We try our best to give the ownership journey to as many people as possible.”

A group toast is planned for mid-day Saturday. If all goes as hoped, celebratory group hugs to follow.