Joe Lee, McLaughlin assistant, opening public stable

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Joe Lee, who has worked as Kiaran McLaughlin’s Belmont Park-based assistant for the last five years, will open up a public stable.

Lee, 57, will be getting a few horses who previously raced under McLaughlin’s name, including Spice Road, Holland Park, Flush, Spring Drama, Cairo Queen, and Larceny. It is likely, though not definite, that the New York-bred Pauseforthecause will stay with Lee following her run in Saturday’s La Verdad Stakes.

Lee literally has a world of experience in the racing industry. Upon graduation from the University of Kentucky in 1989, Lee worked with McLaughlin when both worked for D. Wayne Lukas. Lee trained on his own briefly, winning three races from 28 starters over a two-year period from 1991-93.

In 1993, Lee went to Dubai with McLaughlin and spent seven years there. He then spent 11 years in Japan working for his father-in-law Takemi Kaga, a champion jockey turned trainer.

Lee then operated his own feed company both in Japan and later in the U.S. before returning to work for McLaughlin in 2015 at Belmont.

“If I get the horses I’d like to just continue training,” Lee said. “Without quality horses or support, you’re going to be up against it.”

Lee will be helped by his three sons, who work with him at the barn in the morning and attend college in the afternoon.