When members of Congress and Hill staffers need advice on horse racing, there are two people they turn to: Amy Steinmann, a Republican staffer for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Christian Fjeld, a Democrat who’s in the process of moving from the House Commerce Committee to the Senate Commerce Committee.
Experts on a sport that’s no longer top of mind for many Americans — save for three weekends each spring — Steinmann and Fjeld are known for sending out detailed handicapping sheets for each of the Triple Crown races, giving their less-obsessed colleagues a chance to make a winning bet.
Steinmann and Fjeld approach the ponies from two different perspectives: She grew up riding horses, and now trains a horse named Silent Thunder at Penn National Racetrack in Pennsylvania. Fjeld, on the other hand, says, “I come from a long line of gamblers. It’s always been in my culture.”
So who do they like in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes now that Rachel Alexandra, their winning pick in the Preakness, isn’t running? “Obviously I like [Kentucky Derby winner] Mine That Bird,” said Fjeld, “but I won’t be betting Mine that Bird because I didn’t think he’ll have good value. If I had to make a bet, it would be Dunkirk.”
“He can have Dunkirk,” Steinmann said. “It pains me to admit it, but I’m leaning toward Mine That Bird.” For the extra-adventurous, she mentioned that her Derby pick, Chocolate Candy, was in the field, and she may pick him as an exacta.
Top: Mine that Bird; Bottom: Steinmann’s horse, Silent Thunder, runs a recent race (Photo: Vidal Photography)
