Kelly Breen and Paco Lopez at Saratoga. NYRA/Adam Coglianese

As an 89-pound high school freshman on the wrestling team, Kelly Breen dreamed about being a jockey. Growing up in Old Bridge, New Jersey, he went to nearby Monmouth Park with his family, and though small and light enough to think he’d have a shot, he realized that he’d unlikely be able to develop the skills he’d need to succeed in the saddle.

So instead, he headed to the backstretch…and to the big city.

“My dad and my brother were Local 368 steamfitters in Manhattan, and I actually went through a couple of years of the apprenticeship,” said Breen this week at his barn at Santa Anita, where he’s preparing Stonetastic and Pants On Fire to run this weekend.

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Featured image: Stonetastic and Paco Lopez win the G2 Prioress at Saratoga.  NYRA/Adam Coglianese.