Sixteen-year-old apprentice rider Shannon Uske won the tenth race at Calder Race Course Thursday on her first career mount, Lilah, for trainer Allen Jerkens and owner Hobeau Farm. Uske, born on Mar. 1, 1986 in Manhattan, NY, grew up around Freehold, NJ, where she exercised racehorses on a farm. From there she went to Belmont Park to work with trainer Leo O'Brien. About five months ago, she went to work for Jerkens to pursue her career as a jockey."This is so exciting I can't believe it! This is the biggest thrill of my life," she said after getting doused with water by fellow riders outside the jockeys' room.
"I really want to thank Mr. Jerkens for the opportunity."(Chart, Equibase)