Through a one-person operation as a content creator, Rasi Harper shares stories of backstretch workers who play a vital daily role in horse racing.
Anyone working on the backstretch has a story, and Rasi Harper has been sharing those stories through his social media platforms.
Over the last three years, the barber and entrepreneur has spent a good portion of his time navigating the backstretch in the search of various people who play an integral part of working with horses and share their narrative.
Once Harper finds someone to share his or her experiences, each of these stories are recorded and posted in his Facebook group: The Real Players Inside the Backstretch. He also shares his content on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Whether he interviews a farrier, exercise rider, groom or assistant trainer, each of these stories also have a common theme: the love they have for the sport and the love they have for the horses.
“What stands out the most to me is that every guy on the backstretch his own story,” Harper said. “There are no two stories that are the same. People aren’t doing it for the money. You have to love it to do it.”
Harper was aware of this about 10 years ago when he cut hair at the Henry Street Barber Shop. Many of his clients were trainers, owners and jockeys that included Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown and Bill Parcells. Because he was fascinated by their off-the-record stories, Harper thought creating a podcast in the barbershop.
“Horse racing wasn’t necessarily my background. People are my background. I love people. As a barber, I have great conversations with people,” Harper said.
“Everyone talks about the game – not necessarily the racing aspect. It’s about the love for the game and how they got started by hopping the fence as kids. It’s about the old-time grooms and how they did things back then,” he added. “I got super intrigued and wanted to do a podcast in the barbershop. A local horse racing fan could have the opportunity to talk to a trainer in the barbershop.”
Though, that idea abruptly halted when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Henry Street Barber Shop to permanently close in March 2020. At that point, Harper had another plan: creating videos to share on social media. Once Harper purchased a video recorder, he made his trek on the backstretch and was stricken with awe from the workers.
“When COVID came, I went out on a limb and invested into equipment and went on the backstretch,” he said. “When I got there, I was blown away. I had never been on the backstretch. I was always on the front side of things. It was amazing to see the hard work and dedication.”
Just like with many of the backstretch workers, Harper is also diligent in producing content for his followers. Harper suggested that he probably spends at least 10 hours a day from filming, editing, and posting so that his 600 pieces of materials per month remains within the algorithm loop.
“Social media is like the Cookie Monster – you have to keep feeding it,” he said. “If you slow up, you are not in the algorithm. You have to keep feeing it. How do you not tell the story of the people? When you look at this content, it’s all organic.”
Because of the appeal of these organic stories, his Facebook platform has gained a lot of interest and views.
Every two weeks based on the algorithm, the Real Players Facebook page reaches 93.4 million viewers, which includes 3.8 million viewers who engage with the content. Since Harper’s first recorded video, the Facebook page has gained nearly 340,000 followers.
“I am happy and people appreciate the work,” Harper said. “People really love what I am doing. They know who I am and they want to tell me stories. They email me all over all parts of the world. If you want to know anything about these horses, you have to go to the people who know the most. It’s a beautiful thing. I don’t want to leave anyone out.”
One former Hall of Fame jockey who has enjoyed Harper’s content is Julie Krone. As a way to help Harper with his content, Krone has been offering suggestions.
“She messaged me on Facebook and told me how she loved it,” Harper said. “She gave me books about all. She came across so genuine and gave me pointers. She wanted to help me.”
In between delivering content, Harper provides community outreach. Along with offering haircuts to the homeless each month while being a mobile barber, he has been on a mission of getting backstretch employees nominated for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, which is sponsored by Godolphin.
Harper’s motivation for his project, his act of kindness, and his life purpose focuses on pretty much one element that derived from his mother who also helped the homeless when he was a child growing up in Brooklyn: blessings.
“My whole purpose in life is to be a blessing to somebody else,” Harper said. “I wake up every day trying to help somebody else, whether it is on the backside telling these stories, providing haircuts for the homeless. I want to lead my life with love and help people as much as I can.”
Harper also has another message carried through his hat line Don’t Hide the Plug, which is produced by the popular New Era Cap Company. He believes people should share their network and connections with others.
“People don’t give others the credit,” he said. “Most people will step on others to get to the next level. Sometimes, I feel that’s the society we live in. next level. Don’t Hide the Plug is all about sharing your network and sharing your connections. We are stronger together.”
Right now, Harper believes all of his work is still at the foundation that has the potential impact in the horse racing industry.
“I believe, one day, that the Real Players is going to be an institution that can help people,” he said. “It is about the people. I am just chasing the stories.”
