Apprentice jockey Dylan Davis recorded the first win of his career in the seventh race at Suffolk Downs Sept. 19 aboard favored Soldier Sam for trainer Colin Sherwood.
Soldier Sam ($8.40) raced last of 11 in the $4,000 claiming event. The 6-year-old son of Smart Strike made a bold last-to-first move, weaving through traffic and angling to the middle of the track under Davis. They caught Big Cash and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths.
"I don't even know what to say," said an exuberant Davis after the race. "That was a blast. I want to do it again!"
Davis, an 18-year-old graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, is the son of former New York jockey Robbie Davis. He is also the younger brother of Jacqueline Davis, a graduate of Chris McCarron's North American Racing Academy and one of the top riders at Suffolk Downs.
Davis, the youngest of six children, began his riding career in August at Saratoga Race Course. He plans to spend the rest of the fall competing at Suffolk Downs before moving his tack to Aqueduct Racetrack this winter along with his sister.