1751 Gentilly Blvd.,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager, 504.948.1233, james.mulvihill@fgno.com
Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255, graham.ross@fgno.com
pair of annas win on opening day at fair Grounds
Also:
· Heidi Hits the Road in Time to Saddle Mambo Galliano
· Reminder: Horse Owners Seminar Saturday
By Graham Ross, Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS (Friday, November 26, 2010) – Female jockeys may have developed an increasing presence at Fair Grounds in recent seasons, but having two different female riders visit the winner’s circle on opening day at the Crescent City oval – that’s a rare happening that was accomplished on Thanksgiving, the opening day of the 2010-2011 Thoroughbred Racing Season in New Orleans.
And to have two different female jockeys with the first name of “Anna” win on the same day, one would have to assume that has never been done before at Fair Grounds. Surprisingly, though, that would be an incorrect assumption.
On Thanksgiving Day, in front of hoards of native New Orleanians, jockey Anna Rosie Napravnik won the second half of the Daily Double aboard Valene Farms’ Buck’s Revenge for trainer Sturges Ducoing and a $7.60 win price.
Four races later, James Dalton’s Kelly’spremonition won the sixth race for conditioner Kenneth Hargrave with jockey Anna Roberts astride. That horse paid a whopping $61.20 win mutuel – highest price of the opening day program.
Navpravnik, one of the top female jockeys in the nation, will be hanging her tack here this winter for the first time with her engagements being handled by Derek Ducoing, while Roberts, daughter of Eclipse Award-winning Fair Grounds photographer Lynn Roberts, won five races here last season as an apprentice, became a journeyman rider last summer at Louisiana Downs and has improved steadily during her brief career. Richie Price is handling her book.
But what makes Thursday’s winning Anna twosome more unusual was that it happened last season on Feb. 8 when Napravnik made her initial one-day foray to Fair Grounds and won the fourth race that day with Jacob Haddad’s Watz His Name. In that afternoon’s finale Roberts was the winning rider aboard Nolan Creek Farm and Joann Finley’s Cherokee Caucus.
Both Watz His Name and Cherokee Caucus were trained by Mike Stidham, who enjoyed a summer of multi-stakes success in
HEIDI HITS THE ROAD IN TIME TO SADDLE MAMBO GALLIANO – Hiedi Patton, wife of trainer Cory Patton, began her duties as owner-trainer Louie Roussel III’s assistant right after the conclusion of last year’s Fair Grounds season, but the dedicated young horsewoman had to put the pedal to the metal to be on hand locally to saddle Roussel’s Mambo Galliano to his winning effort in Thursday’s 85th running of the $60,000 Thanksgiving Handicap.
“I had to saddle (2008 Illinois Derby winner) Recapturetheglory on Wednesday in
“Naturally, it makes it all worthwhile when you win a race like that,” Patton said. “Luckily, our daughter Cierra is spending her time with Cory’s Mom in
REMINDER: HORSE OWNERS SEMINAR SATURDAY
New Orleans Thoroughbred racing fans are reminded that on Saturday Fair Grounds will host a Horse Ownership Seminar for prospective new owners at trackside from 9 to 11 a.m. in front of the Horseman’s Relations Office, across from the 1/16-mile pole.
Guests will enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries while taking in the sights and sounds of morning training hours. After training ends at 10 a.m. rising star Louisiana-based trainer Michelle Lovell and ownership managing partner Thomas J. Gallo III will address the group and remain on hand to answer questions from the audience.
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in
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James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company
1751 Gentilly Boulevard,
504.948.1233 [office]
504.481.8770 [cell]
504.944.7853 [fax]
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