MARY WILEY WAGNER RETURNS TO THE SADDLE AFTER 12-YEAR ABSENCE
LAUREL, MD. 08-07-10---On May 14, when Pimlico Race Course hosted the inaugural Lady Legends for the Cure Race™, the first pari-mutuel race featuring retired champion female jockeys, it was supposed to be a one-time event for the eight riders.
Mary Wiley Wagner had other ideas.
“Of the eight riders that came out for Legends Race, seven are still going out to the racetrack and Andrea Seefeldt has two horses on her farm so she gets her horse fix there,” Wiley Wagner said. “I am the only one who pursued riding races again. I have continued to breeze horses at least three or four days a week and love it. I have been getting on some good horses for some top trainers and hopefully we will be getting some opportunities.”
Wiley Wagner, who finished fourth in the Lady Legends race aboard Mass Destruction, was joined by Seefeldt, P.J. Cooksey, Barbara Jo Rubin, Mary Russ, Cheryl White, Jennifer Rowland and Gwen Jocson in the historic event held the day before the Preakness.
“The process of getting fit was hard for all of us but I was completely bowled over by the support we received leading up to Preakness weekend and the media attention was unbelievable,” she added. “Horse racing doesn’t get a ton of positive press and everything about that event was incredibly uplifting. It was like I never left. There wasn’t a bit of anxiety or nerves. It went by way too fast.”
In Sunday afternoon’s finale at Laurel Park, the breast cancer survivor and mother of two daughters will ride 10-1 shot Ms Millie Robbins in a maiden race on the turf. The four-year-old filly has yet to hit the board.
“She has a good shot,” added Wiley Wagner, the wife of Maryland Jockey Club starter Bruce Wagner. “With a little racing luck we have a chance. She ran really well in her first start and was in a world of trouble last time out. I am really looking forward to riding this horse. All the trainers I have been getting on horses for are taking a wait and see attitude. I don’t blame them, it has been a long time.”
Wiley Wagner ranked among the top five apprentice riders in the nation in 1983 and won 275 races before retiring in 1997.
“My kids and husband are supportive,” said Wiley Wagner, who turned 47 on Aug. 1. “I was still getting chemo treatments when I was asked to participate in the Lady Legends race. I worked really, really hard to get fit. I didn’t realize how much I missed getting on race horses in the morning and the atmosphere during the afternoon.”
A licensed real estate agent, Wiley Wagner has seen business soar as she returned to the backside.
“I am working with (jockey) Sheldon Russell on finding a house and last week settled on a home for a guy who works in the jocks room,” she said. “This has been a win-win situation.”
A victory tomorrow would kick start act II of her career as a rider.
LEATHERBURY WINS NUMBER 6,300
In today’s sixth race, Ben’s Cat scored for the fourth time in as many starts and served up victory number 6,300 for legendary Maryland trainer King Leatherbury. The 77-year-old ranks third on the all-time list trailing only Dale Baird (9,445) and Jack Van Berg (6,400).
Under Julian Pimentel the 4-year-old gelded son of Parker’s Storm Cat, who was bred by owner-trainer Leatherbury, battled for the lead before sprinting away to win by four lengths in the optional/allowance test. Pimentel has been aboard for all four of Ben’s Cat’s front running scores.
“I couldn’t think of a better horse to reach the milestone with,” said Leatherbury, who has 52 training titles at Laurel Park and Pimlico during his career. “He broke his pelvis early and had to spend six months in his stall. We might see him next on Maryland Million day (October 2 at Laurel Park).
The winner completed the seven-furlong distance in 1:22.48 and paid $7.40.
Leatherbury became the third conditioner in history to win 6,000 races when Cherokee Sunrise won at Timonium on Aug. 23, 2003.
TOBES THE MAN SETS TRACK RECORD
Tobes the Man showed a real liking for the turf when he sped to victory in his first try on the surface and broke the track record. The Gary Capuano trainee completed the 5 ½ furlong distance in 1:01.22 under Joshua Navarro.
The three-year-old son of Concorde’s Tune paid $13.60.
Blue Sailor previously owned the track record at 1:01.70.
-mjc-
PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club (both photos)
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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