“The Real Am Yisrael Chai” my California Bred Thoroughbred
By Josie Goldberg
Los Alamitos Racetrack (The Hollywood Times) 06/(09/2025
They say everything always works itself out in Divine timing but sometimes when your life falls apart you think it’s over, you’re finished and wiped out for good. Being in show business, high profiled relationships and mixing with the elite I have had many wipeouts. I don’t know how I have survived them. Being my own person has gotten me places where others could not achieve but it has also got me alienated from many places as well. Although many of you think I am a conservative, I find myself not fitting in with any religious or political group at 100 % in 2025. I don’t like being labeled. My ONLY label is “ONLY JOSIE KNOWS”. As a reporter/journalist I find myself to be OBJECTIVE in all my opinions. Okay sometimes, I let my emotions get the best of me! I am human, but I try! What I liked about the Democratic party in the Entertainment industry is that changing, evolving, multiple chances and forgiveness comes with the agenda of the Administration which has allowed many people to have multiple chances, including myself when we screw up in a major way and then end up in a better position than when started. Ironically here is my story of “Am Yisrael Chai” my thoroughbred racehorse that I bred, which ended up teaching me one of my most valuable life lessons.
I used to be a VIP GUEST at Santa Anita Racetrack from 2011-2019 as the owner was my dear friend (Frank Stronach). Then the owner and his daughter had a big lawsuit, and the daughter took over and let’s just say not only was I not a VIP, but I became her nemesis, and I had to take my horses and find a new Thoroughbred racetrack that allowed me to be successful and fruitful. This is how I discovered Los Alamitos Racetrack….
I started Breeding my racehorse “Spoiled and Entitled” and I must tell you that I had very bad breeding luck. I bred her 3 times. She had a great pedigree but for some reason, things were not working out. Her first foal, My Balabusta, was so small that she could not keep gaining weight and growing and the trainers said she looked and ran like a Mule. The second foal was a handsome colt named “My Uncle Phil” who sadly died of covid, and her third foal was a cutie, but also on the small side. I always do things in 3’s. I remember looking at the third foal and thinking please GOD, just give me one winner, as I spent so much money, time and I was devastated to breed nonproductively. I remember there was a Rabbi in Poway whose Temple got shot up and he survived the massacre and yelled on the news “AM YISRAEL CHAI” meaning (is a Jewish SLOGAN that translates to the people of Israel live” it’s a phrase expressing solidarity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. It’s often used during times of hardships or to celebrate Jewish unity. I had an epiphany, and I said this will be the name of the last thoroughbred racehorse I bred.
As soon as her name was approved by “The Jockey Club” (oversees the breed registry in North America), my luck changed. I knew she was going to prevail. I was introduced to a prominent trainer who was good with younger horses and who was stabled at Los Alamitos Racetrack, Senor Lorenzo Ruiz from, Chihuahua, MEXICO. When we shook hands, I knew he would win for me. He was a real Mexican handsome cowboy. He got “Am Yisrael Chai” to be a real racehorse. We won 2 times and placed many times for a good 2-year run. I also got my first award from the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Senor Ruiz also introduced me to my favorite new beer “Modelo Especial” and some authentic Mexican Food, which was something I lived for weekly when I attended the racetrack. (I’m a foodie) The Chefs are superb at Los Alamitos and the ambiance at the Vessels Club reminds me of the former Turf Club at Santa Anita. The location is also ideal, as I live in Orange County. The sea breeze is also refreshing when sitting on Terrace at “The Vessels Club” watching the ponies.
As my life in owning thoroughbreds changed overnight, I really got knocked off my feet. I lost many connections. When you have championships racehorses, and some fame from reality tv/ Playboy life is much more fun. I put in many years and made some big connections at Santa Anita Park.
I started at Los Alamitos Racetrack not knowing anybody and it was hard for me to start at ground zero. But within a couple of weeks, I started going to the backside, attending night races and making many friends (Mexicano Style). It was so much fun. Before I knew it I started a new chapter in my thoroughbred career and to be honest, I was happier at Los Alamitos than Santa Anita. I started to look within this season in my life and was able to rebreak in life and stand on my own 2 feet all by myself. At Santa Anita, I rode the success of David Milch’s (A-list director) HBO LUCK SHOW his connections, my partner Phil who was a prominent owner, and of course my friend and BILLINAIRE OWNER of Santa Anita Racetrack Frank Stronach.
I thought about it, and I became “Am Yisrael Chai”. It does not matter what Jewish people face in this world; this was my war of not being eliminated by some new powerhouse owner who wanted to destroy me. I am so lucky to live in America where I had another venue to continue as a successful Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder. My horse Am Yisrael Chai, who gave me the strength that will carry me for the rest of my life. The current owner of Santa Anita is a very successful woman who was able to have a real “Succession” while her dad is alive. No one is taking her accomplishments away from her, but I also had a big “Succession” too. I got back my “EMPRESS” Queen Josephine Deborah Goldberg and won without anyone but me, myself and I when all odds were against me!
I highly recommend you check out Los Alamitos Racetrack. You will really enjoy the food, the horses and most of all its AMBIANCE of greatness!!!
