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Rosemary Homeister
Photo Credit: Jim McCue/MJC
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LAUREL, MD. 10-29-09---Six years ago jockey Rosemary Homeister became the fifth female rider to have a mount in the sports’ greatest race, the Kentucky Derby. Next Friday, the 37-year-old will become the fifth female rider to have a mount in the game’s richest event, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Homeister, the sixth leading rider during the current Laurel Park fall meeting, will be aboard Cloudy’s Knight in the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon for Hall of Fame conditioner Jonathan Shepherd. The 26th annual Breeders’ Cup consists of 14 races and purses totaling $25.5 million at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 6-7.
Homeister and the nine-year-old gelding have teamed up for a pair of Grade 3 wins on the turf this fall- the Kentucky Cup Turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 19 and the Sycamore at Keeneland last week. The 1 ¾ mile Marathon, on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface, drew 11 pre-nominations, including likely favorite Mastery.
“I am ecstatic,” Homeister said. “I looked at the PP’s to see what kind of horses are in the race and we’re third choice (by Daily Racing Form handicapper Mike Watchmaker). When I rode in the Derby, I was a longshot (Supah Blitz finished 13th). But this, legitimately I have a big chance. The horse is at the top of his game right now. The only obstacle is he is going on a different surface. He looks good, he’s doing great, and he came out of the race excellent. The distance, he’ll love it. He’s just a gentle giant, a big long strider. He and I just clicked. I said I will follow this horse wherever he goes, even to the Breeders’ Cup. And look where we’re at.”
Homeister has been based at Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park and Colonial Downs this year before settling at Laurel Park in August. She ranks 25th nationally with 182 victories for earnings of more than $3.5 million. In July, she passed P.J. Cooksey for second place on the all-time win list for female riders and is approaching 2,200 trips to the winners’ circle, trailing only Julie Krone, who amassed 3,704 during her Hall of Fame career.
“This is a tough, challenging business and you have to be at the top of your game all the time,” added Homeister. “I was 10th in the country in wins when I left Tampa but things started out slowly at Delaware. I went to Colonial Downs and became leading rider which got me a lot of business in Maryland. I love Maryland and think it will be my home base next year.”
She’ll leave Laurel for the balance of the year after next Wednesday’s card. Following the Breeders’ Cup, she take a well-deserved vacation before heading to Florida where she’ll ride at Tampa Bay Downs during the winter.
“I’ve had an incredible year and want to keep it going,” Homeister said. “It would be icing on the cake to win the Breeders’ Cup.”
Krone, Donna Barton, Greta Kuntzweiler and Chantal Sutherland are the other female riders who have ridden in the Breeders’ Cup. Only Krone, aboard Halfbridled in the 2003 Juvenile Fillies, has a victory.
-MJC-