My advice Jason is to find a trainer close by, go and volunteer your time to them for a while and see what is involved in training a race dog! It is actually a bit expensive to train dogs unless they are winning. You do need a license, a warm clean kennel, vet bills, leads, muzzles, good qaulity tucker, vitamins etc, etc.
In saying this its also a great thrill to train a dog and a great sport to be involved in!! But don't go into it blind as there is a lot more to it than meets the eye!!
ps You can get a giveaway dog at the track in a heartbeat, your best bet would be to put a notice in the office, just make sure its no a broken down hack!!
Good Luck!!