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Santa Anita Park, Cal Poly Pomona Department Of Animal And Veterinary Sciences Continue Partnership With New Class Of Interns
Santa Anita Press Office
ARCADIA, Calif. — Two students from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), studying in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Equine Studies program, have been selected to join Santa Anita as interns through an ongoing partnership between the famed racetrack and the world-renowned university.
Sabrina Nakasone, a senior and Leslie Batista, a junior, were selected for this year’s class. Both are majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary with a minor in Equine Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. The internship program, which began last year, is designed to provide students with authentic work experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry with a focus on veterinary best practices and racetrack operations. Each student will complete a minimum of 60 hours between now and the internships end on May 10.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, providing driven Equine Studies students an introduction to the Thoroughbred racing industry and best veterinary practices with Santa Anita’s incredible team,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Vice President of Industry Relations for 1/ST Racing. “These internships provide invaluable experience and insight for the next generation of professionals.”
Nakasone will graduate this semester and Batista is on track to graduate in May 2026. Both plan to attend veterinary school after completing their undergraduate degrees.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Holly Greene, an equine lecturer in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, helped select this year’s class.
“As an educator, mentoring and guiding students is one of the greatest rewards,” Greene said. “Providing students with the internship at Santa Anita presents them with work experience and first-hand knowledge of the equine racing industry. What they learn during the internship will provide them with a stronger equine foundation for their future veterinary school goals.”
To be selected, students are required to provide a statement of interest for the internship to Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Preferences is given to students majoring in the Animal Science/Pre-Vet option or Animal Health Science option. In addition, students with the intent of working in the equine veterinary medicine (DVM or RVT) are strongly desired.
Cal Poly Pomona, part of the California State University system, is the most diverse polytechnic university in the nation and is known for its hands-on approach to learning.
