Piermarini Becomes Third-Leading Woman Rider

Jockey Tammi Piermarini, who last year became just the fifth woman to reach the 2,000-win milestone, recorded three victories Monday at Suffolk Downs to surpass Patti Cooksey as the third-leading female rider of all-time with 2,139 career wins.

Piermarini, 45, accomplished the feat with a front-running score aboard Massachusetts-bred Victor Laszlo ($2.80) in the seventh race for owner Patricia Moseley, former chairwoman of Suffolk Downs, and trainer George Saccardo. Piermarini now trails only the retired Julie Krone (3,704) and Rosemary Homeister (2,527), who is currently riding at Arlington Park.

“It's a real honor and it was even more special to do it on a Massachusetts-bred in my home state,” said Piermarini, a native of Amesbury. “The great thing is so many of my wins came here, at home.”

When asked if she has her sights set on moving up to second place, Piermarini’s answer was an emphatic “Yes.”

Piermarini entered the day with 2,136 wins, one behind Cooksey. She earned the equalizer in the third race with Quiet Wave ($7.20) for owner Old Coach Farm and trainer Mike Gorham before taking sole possession of third place with her second win of the afternoon in the seventh. Piermarini tacked on to her career total in the eighth with the favored Blue White Fire ($3.20) for owner Moyglare Stud Farm and trainer Christophe Clement.

Piermarini began her riding career in 1985 as Tammi Campbell, amassing 986 wins under her maiden name. She has competed as Tammi Piermarini since 1999 after marrying her husband and current agent John.

Piermarini’s riding career has included time off to give birth to her and John’s three children: Izabella, Johnny, and Sophia-Lawren.

In 2007, Piermarini became just the third woman in Suffolk Downs history to win a meet riding title. She is the two-time defending champion at the East Boston oval and is presently atop the standings again this year. Piermarini is also a three-time recipient of the Eli Chiat Memorial Outstanding Jockey Award presented by the New England Turf Writers Association.

Piermarini has won races at 15 different racetracks over the course of her 28-year career, with the vast majority of her triumphs−1,667−coming at Suffolk Downs.