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
jen brasser: exercise rider for havre de grace
· Working Toward FG’s
· Rosie Surpassed $2 Million Mark in FG Purse Earnings This Winter
· Asmussen Ends Saturday On Cusp of $1 Million Mark
By Graham Ross, Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, February 19, 2012) – There’s a touch of geographic irony in the fact that Jen Brasser, who was born in The Netherlands, ended up as the exercise rider this winter for Fox Hill Farms’ 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, the champion mare who is named for Maryland’s picturesque town as well as its historic Thoroughbred race course that flourished there from 1912 to 1950.
Although she was born in
“I fell in love with racehorses right away,” said Brasser, “but with an American mother and a father whose job brought him to this country, we moved to
“That career didn’t work out very well because I was quite tall to be a jockey and I knew weight would quickly become a problem,” said the 28-year-old Brasser, speaking during training hours this week from the tack room of the Larry and Cindy Jones Stable on the Fair Grounds backstretch. “I exercised horses for Larry (in the Mid-Atlantic region) and also worked for him down here when he was here a few years ago, but when he retired from training I decided to go back to school at the University of Maryland (located about 60 miles from the town of Havre de Grace).
“I thought I needed a career to fall back on if being an exercise girl didn’t work out for me,” said Brasser, “but I missed being around horses, so I as soon as I got my degree I went back to being an exercise rider for Larry as soon as he got back into training. I’ve been back working for Larry since last fall at Keeneland. Cindy and Larry are like a second mother and father to me.
“It was when Havre de Grace arrived down here at Fair Grounds this winter that Larry told me I was going to be her exercise rider,” said Brasser. “I was very flattered, of course, but also, I admit, a little bit intimidated. However, I try not to let that get in the way. I just concentrate on the horse and doing what I’m supposed to do. The great thing is that she is so classy and so well behaved that she makes riding her a great pleasure. I’d like to think she knows who I am. I visit with her in her stall and feed her (peppermints) whenever I can.”
The Joneses make it seem like something of a mutual admiration society when asked how Brasser has fit in around the barn and as Havre de Grace’s exercise rider.
“She’s been back with me ever since I returned to training,” said Larry Jones. “It’s good to have her back with me. She’s a good hand on a horse and she’s also a good human being.”
WORKING TOWARD FG’S
Also on that tab, in preparation for Saturday’s Grade III Rachel Alexandra Stakes, was Gillian Campbell et al.’s Summer Applause, who breezed four furlongs in 47.40.
In a Feb. 18 tune-up for the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap on Feb. 25 was Lothenbach Stables’ Mister Marti Gras, who went five-eighths in 1:01.60 (and is cross-entered in the Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap that day.)
Also, in Feb. 18 breezes for the Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap Feb. 25 were Andrews T and S Racing’s Mr. Vegas, who went five furlongs in 1:03 flat; Terry Hamilton and Robert Morgan’s Gleam of Hope, clocked in 1:02.20 for that same distance; and Team Block’s Ioya Bigtime, who got the five-eighths in 1:00.80.
Carl Moore Management’s Chamberlain Bridge went a half-mile in 48.60 on Feb. 18 in preparation for Saturday’s $75,000 Colonel Power Stakes.
On Sunday, Jim Tafel’s Fast Alex went five furlongs in 1:01.40 in advance of this Saturday’s upcoming $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap.
ROSIE SURPASSES $2 MILLION MARK IN FG PURSE EARNINGS THIS WINTER – With two wins on Saturday’s storm-shortened racing program, Fair Grounds defending jockey champion and current leading rider Rosie Napravnik went over the $2 million mark in purse earnings this winter, ending up the abbreviated day with $2,031,703 so far during the Fair Grounds 2011-2012 season.
ASMUSSEN ENDS SATURDAY ON CUSP OF $1 MILLION MARK – Also on Saturday, Fair Grounds defending trainer champion and current leading conditioner Steve Asmussen closed out the afternoon just shy of the $1 million mark in local purse earnings this season, concluding the afternoon with $997,700 in earnings.
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]
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