Trainer Atkins-Tippett's First Starter Wins at Turfway

Trainer Ellen Atkins-Tippett's first career starter came home a winner Sunday when Silent Desert won Turfway Park's fourth race, a one-mile event for $5,000 claimers. Atkins-Tippett has held her trainer's license just since January 26.

With Eddie Zuniga aboard, Silent Desert closed from far back, passing the pacesetter Greeleytime in deep stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths. An 8-year-old gelding by Desert Secret (IRE), Silent Desert has spent his career in the claiming ranks and has 6 wins, 3 seconds, and 3 thirds in 41 starts.  

Atkins-Tippett has worked with Thoroughbreds for about 15 years and has owned Silent Desert for three years. The gelding previously was trained by Atkins-Tippett's husband, Steve Tippett.