Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
June 12, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Amanda Bower Scores First Victory On Break From Business Office Life
She doesn't change her clothes in a phone booth, but Amanda Bower, an apprentice jockey at Thistledown and a successful northern Ohio business woman, is juggling a schedule that makes her a candidate to play Superwoman.
Bower, who began her riding career last year with a handful of mounts, found the winner's circle for the first time when she won Friday's eighth race at Thistledown aboard the Tony Rini owned and trained Yelp.
"She squeezes quite a bit into each day," said Rini, a former Thistledown riding champion who has served as Bower's mentor. "Amanda starts each day at the track, exercising horses, then heads for her office to shower and dress for a day as a business woman. It's a nine to five job. She only takes off an afternoon when she has a mount."
Bower is at the track from 6 to 8:30 a.m. each morning, Monday through Friday, then heads for the nearby Garland Company where she's the executive assistant to the company's board of directors.
"But I'm free to spend as much as I want at the track on weekends," said Bower. "And, whenever there are movies (stewards review of race video tape), I hurry back to the track on my lunch horse. Apprentice riders are required to be at the movies."
Bower didn't do much celebrating of her first career victory. "Not really," she said. "I headed home and met a few friends for a glass of wine."
Victory No. 1 came in Bower's 12th career mount. Bower's background is in show horses, which lead her to the racetrack. She began riding last season. "It's exciting, but I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my regular job, just yet. I always wanted to ride since I was three or four years old and now I'm doing it."
Bower’s presence on a scale will make her the envy of many, even though she's worried over her current weight. "I'm riding at 108 pounds," she said. "Last year I rode at 104."
LEADERBOARD --- A riding double on Monday by Weldon Cloninger Jr. vaulted him into a tie for the lead in the Summit-Thistledown Meeting riders' derby with Jeffrey Skerrett. Both have 21 winners. Ernesto Oro also doubled on Monday and is third with 18 winners, followed by Victor Urieta (17), Louis Stokes (16), and Anne Sanguinetti (15) . . . Jeff Radosevich saddled two winners on Monday and is running away with the training title. He has 23 winners. Tied for second at 14 winners are Rodney Faulkner and Burton Sipp.
A BIGGIE IS NEXT --- Thistledown is without a stakes race this weekend, but a week from Saturday (June 28) will see the $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup go to the post, the richest state-bred race for sophomore colts and geldings. The field for the 1 1/8-mile test will probably include Type A Personality, winner of the recent $50,000 Green Carpet Handicap at River Downs. The colt races for breeder Betty Alexander of Hunting Valley and is trained by Eric Reed.
SADDLE MILESTONE --- Solon native Kevin Radke, who won his first race at Thistledown in 1998, scored the 1,000th victory of his career Saturday when he rode Biddynthechief to a wire-to-wire triumph at Emerald Downs. In the winner’s circle, Radke, 36, received two special cakes, a 1,000-win sign, and a phone call from his mother back in Ohio. While he contemplated retirement last year, Radke is enjoying a big meeting at Emerald Downs. He is currently second in the riding derby to Ricky Frazier, 43 to 41 winners.
THE FEED BAG -- Felipe Santos, tied for 13th in the Summit-Thistledown Meeting jocks' derby with six victories, needs just eight more wins to reach the 1,000 plateau . . . Dry weather continues at Thistledown. Monday's fast track was the 16th consecutive of the Summit-Thistledown Meeting. The last time the surface was listed as "off" was May 18th when the strip was sloppy . . .TV Analyst Rich Ruda continues his Thursday night "Thistledown Track Talk" this week on WKNR AM 1540. The show airs from 6 to 7 p.m. and fans can ask a question or offer a comment by dialing 216-583-9527 . . .There was a celebrity spotting at Thistledown on Sunday. Actress Valerie Bertinelli, star of TV sitcoms, including One Day at a Time, was in town for a family party at the track. She said she enjoys Cleveland and betting on winners . . . Horses come from just about every corner of the United States to race at Thistledown, but handicappers may have been scratching their heads last Thursday when the past performance lines of sophomore gelding Mystic Charger included a start at a track listed as "MoF." The abbreviation is for the Mohave County Fair in Kingman, Ariz. Mystic Charger, racing for Milton Chapman and trained by John Schmidt, must have learned his lessons well out west because he won. Further research reveals that while "MoF" is for Mohave County, the races are really run under the banner of Hualapai Downs . . . Thistledown will be open for evening simulcasting Thursday of this week, as well as Sunday. Of course, the plant is open seven days a week for afternoon full-card simulcasting . . . Bernice Egan, the mother of Cleveland Plain Dealer turf and outdoors writer D'Arcy Egan, died Sunday. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday just four days earlier.
Get Hook’d From The Top
Each week Thistledown Announcer Matt Hook will share his thoughts on the Thistledown races and what to watch out for in coming weeks.
Thursday (6/5) Horses to watch stretching out next time will be a common theme this week. War Chest had absolutely zero chance going six furlongs. No doubt trainer Dennis Shankleton just wanted to get the eight-year-old veteran a race for his 2008 debut. I am confident that when this stretch runner does receive extra distance he will fare much better. Keep an eye out for this guy.
Friday (6/6) Online makes this list for a second consecutive time. I mentioned him last time because I could not wait for him to go two turns. Today he was in another sprint race. I didn't bet and decided to watch. I thought I made a mistake at the three furlong pole because he was putting in a big run. He got into trouble and only managed fourth. I got lucky. Next time I would be shocked if he didn't go a route of ground. And if he does I will be betting with authority.
Saturday (6/7) What has happened to Wonbid? This season has been somewhat lackluster for the Joe Faulkner trainee. She did very well here last year and I expected more of the same from her this season. We haven't seen it yet. Joe's barn is beginning to heat up and I wouldn't be surprised to see this mare turns it around soon. Keep tabs on her because she certainly is capable of beating the horses she has been losing to as of late.
Sunday (6/8) Trainer Ronald Allen sent out first time starter Chantilly's Friend. This filly didn't get out of the gate on time. She was late for her debut. She then rushed up to contest for the lead and didn't get tired until deep stretch. Post position one isn't always the ideal position for a youngster. It is even worse when you are off a step slow. Her effort was tremendous and I expect her to break her maiden post haste.
Monday (6/9) Kid's Prize needs a stretch out. For a second consecutive time this Doering charge was moving fastest at the finish. He simply just ran out of room on both occasions. His pedigree screams out for extra distance. This is another I would be surprised to see return in a similar sprint. If he does stretch out I expect him to win very soon.