Southtown Star correspondent Dan Cusack recently spent a day working for fourth-generation horseman Roger Welch, and in today’s edition of the Chicago, Illinois paper, he introduces his readership to the world of

harness racing.

The column comes as part of the paper’s Joccupations Series, which takes an inside look at the lives of those engaged in sports-related jobs. In today’s Southtown Star, Cusack offers a first hand account of his experience mucking stalls, training, bathing, feeding and caring for horses at the Roger Welch Stables at Balmoral Park.

“As we approached the track, My Boy Luke instinctively sped up,” writes Cusack. “Welch took the straps to ‘merge’ onto the track amid dozens of other horses and drivers. I was given control on a track that suddenly seemed like a highway, with faster horses speeding past slower ones."

“Surprisingly, I seemed to do OK. Welch and I took My Boy Luke around the track about five times as he gave me pointers and made sure I didn't kill us both.”

Click here to view a photo gallery of Cusack in action at the Welch Stables.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Southtown Star)