The Day at the Races: Memorable day for apprentice jockeys at Keeneland

Friday’s figures: On-track attendance, 14,859; on-track betting, $1,190,555.60; total betting including simulcast, $7,338,228.85.

This day last year: On-track attendance, 19,237; on-track betting, $1,414,281; total betting including simulcast, $7,125,826.

Coming up: In Saturday’s 7-furlong, $250,000 Lexus Raven Run (Grade II), Kiaran McLaughlin will send out two fillies, Takrees and Coniah, among the 12 3-year-old fillies entered.

FINAL FURLONG

▪  Apprentice jockeys had their day Friday at Keeneland. Katie Clawson had her first Keeneland winner (and her fourth career win) on Newfound Gold in the fourth. “It was fantastic. It doesn’t get any better than Keeneland,” said the 19-year-old native of Mesa, Ariz. As an early apprentice, Clawson receives a 10-pound break in her horses’ weight assignments — until she rides her fifth winner.

▪  The other apprentice of note Friday was Jennifer Miller of Wales, Mass., who was riding her first race among professional jockeys. Although she finished sixth on Trust in Diane in the fourth, “it was incredible,” she said of the experience. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.” Miller, 31, was a show rider in grand prix dressage when she discovered racehorses. She had traveled to Florida to open a training operation in dressage and when she needed a little extra money, she began working in a racing stable. Before she rode Friday at Keeneland, she had finished second and third in some amateur-rider races in the East.

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 7:27 PM with the headline "The Day at the Races: Memorable day for apprentice jockeys at Keeneland."