America’s Best Racing has launched a monthly series to celebrate women in racing, explore the challenges they face in what has been a male-dominated industry, and highlight their achievements.

Adversity provides the greatest test of a leader. Cate Masterson, director of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, aces the test.

Masterson responded to the challenge when the devastating pandemic all but brought the world to a halt in 2020 and again when board chair John Hendrickson, the driving force behind the museum’s renovation and a $20 million capital campaign, died of cardiac arrest on Aug. 19, 2024.

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While others worked from home during the pandemic, Masterson continued to report to her office every day. “I got into that mode of taking action and making sure things get accomplished the way they need to,” she said.

Masterson spoke to Hendrickson at 11:30 a.m. the day he died. Approximately two hours later, she received the almost incomprehensible news that Hendrickson was gone. He was 59.

“It was a shock,” she recalled. “We had a staff meeting right away.”

Her message to members of her team, many of whom were still reeling from the pandemic?

“None of us would ever have expected this,” she told them. “Unfortunately, life throws us curveballs. We’re going to be OK.”

Planning immediately began for a tribute to Hendrickson, a memorable Celebration of Life attended by more than 500 people two weeks after his death.

Seemingly nothing can stop Masterson, 45, or even slow her.

Cate Masterson (Cate Masterson photos)

“Cate is a dynamo. She is all about perfection and what is in the best interests of the museum,” said Charlotte Weber, who succeeded Hendrickson as board chair. “She does not shy away from hard work or getting her hands dirty.”

Masterson’s passion for all things racing is reflected in her early-morning walks.

“There is no place like the backstretch at Saratoga in the mornings,” she said. “It’s a great place to walk around, talk to people, get a cup of coffee and just get caught up with what’s going on.”

Anyone accompanying her to Saratoga Race Course should be prepared to spend some time. “She knows everybody at that racetrack from the guy who is pushing a broom to the stewards. She’s friends with all of them,” said Michael Denio, her long-time partner. “It’s amazing to watch.”

Masterson is enjoying her 27th consecutive summer meet. She grew up in Troy, N.Y., a short drive to Saratoga Race Course. Her wish for her 16th birthday was to attend the races for the first time at the iconic upstate New York venue. Her parents, Paul and Ann, happily obliged.

Masterson majored in business marketing with a minor in communications before her graduation from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Not surprisingly, she applied her lessons to racing.

She was employed for 10 years by Ed Lewi Associates, which worked closely with the New York Racing Association, before gaining a great knowledge of life on the backstretch as office manager for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin for eight years.

Masterson was office manager for Kiaran McLaughlin, left. (Courtesy of Cate Masterson)

At Hendrickson’s urging, she joined the museum as its director of development in 2016. She became the museum’s director three years later.

“She’s certainly the perfect person and I think the timing has been a win-win for both of us,” Weber said. “I honestly think the museum was a little stale. It was run like a boys’ club a little bit, if you know what that means. I don’t think it really had an energy and Cate has thrown the light switch on.”

There is nothing stale about the institution now.

“People had said if they came to us once, they didn’t have to come back,” Masterson noted. “We want horsemen to come to us every year, so we started changing exhibits every year.”

She continuously ponders creative ways to move into the future. “I love that we’re constantly thinking ahead. We have exhibits planned through 2027,” she said. “We’re constantly looking to continue our mission, continue our educational programming.”

As the museum marks its 75th anniversary, highlights in July included a children’s drop-in program in the HorsePlay Gallery, the first Winner’s Circle Summer Camp, and a Racing and Rose fashion show.

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. is scheduled to lead a museum tour on Aug. 6. Retired legendary track announcer Tom Durkin regales visitors every Thursday as they view a remarkable collection dating to the 17th century.

Masterson, left, with friends at Arlington International. (Courtesy of Masterson)

Want to know what it feels like to ride in a race? There is a racing simulator for that. Want to learn more about those enshrined in the Hall of Fame? Watch a captivating 18-minute movie – “What it Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame” – for that. All Hall of Fame plaques are interactive.

Masterson said of the museum, “It has to be living and breathing and active. We like to say our age group is zero to 99.”

Masterson does everything in a big way, even when she cooks. She recently prepared chicken cutlet parmigiana. According to Denio, his partner made sure she had enough to feed family members and co-workers. She also made sure to remember an elderly neighbor with health issues.

“Any time she makes a big meal,” Denio said, “he gets a container.”