Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter is making headlines off the court, celebrating a win in horse racing ownership as he prepares for his first full NBA campaign with the team. The Shenendehowa High School graduate is a part-owner of The Good Life, a contender in Saratoga's Hopeful Stakes, bringing a unique thrill during the NBA offseason. The Pistons are coming off a 94-125 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 18, 2026, and have lost their last two games after a brief winning streak.
How did Kevin Huerter get involved in horse racing?
Huerter's path to ownership started through connections in the basketball world. He got linked with Preston Troutt, a former college player and son of WinStar Farm owner Kenny Troutt. Preston Troutt is a big basketball fan who knew Huerter lived in the Saratoga area. "He's around my age, and he's getting more and more into it and starting to work really closely with the farm," Huerter said.
Their conversations led to Huerter doing his homework on WinStar Farm. He decided buying into their powerful syndicate was a smart move. By investing, Huerter now owns a share in each of the 28 horses in the farm's 2026 2-year-old crop. He compared it to buying into an entire NBA draft class.
What was Huerter's first experience as an owner like?
The Good Life quickly became the standout from that group. The 2-year-old colt, trained by Brad Cox, made a powerful debut on July 18 at Saratoga. He won a maiden special weight race by 3 ½ lengths under jockey Manny Franco. That victory immediately put him in contention for the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes.
This race was also the first time Huerter saw a horse he owned run in person. It sent him to the winner's circle on his very first outing. He admitted to feeling unexpected nerves. "I joked when it happened that I didn't realize I'd be nervous," Huerter said. "When they all got in the gate, there was definitely a different feeling of nervousness and anxiety that came over me."
How does this off-court passion connect to his basketball career?
Huerter is about a month away from NBA training camp for his ninth season. His first full campaign with the Detroit Pistons presents a new challenge on the perimeter. The team's recent form shows two wins and three losses in their last five outings (LLWWL). They will need his three-point shooting and playmaking to improve.
Balancing professional sports passions is not unique. Retired quarterback Russell Wilson also celebrated a maiden win at Saratoga this summer with his horse Club Reign. If things go well, The Good Life and Club Reign could face off in future stakes races. For now, Huerter has a pair of chances in the Hopeful, as WinStar-owned Lifesong is also entered.
What's next for Huerter and the Detroit Pistons?
Huerter's immediate focus returns to basketball as training camp nears. The Pistons must address their defensive consistency and offensive execution after the heavy loss to Cleveland. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page. Integrating new strategies will be key for head coach Monty Williams.
Meanwhile, the thrill of ownership adds a compelling layer to Huerter's life. Watching The Good Life develop is like tracking a promising rookie's progress. This unique experience provides a mental break from the grind of the NBA schedule. It also connects him to his hometown roots in a brand new way.
