Apprentice Kelly Gets First Win in Indiana
Image:
Description:
Jockey Geena Kelly guided in her first career winner April 28 when Voter rallied from last to capture the sixth race at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.
Voter rallied along the rail won by a half length at 10-1 odds in the one-mile and 70-yard event for $5,000 claimers.
"Coming up around the last turn, I told my horse to pick it up a little bit," said Kelly. "I sneaked up around the other riders who were battling it out. At first, I thought I hadn't won and when I found out that I did win, I went to the winner's circle not really knowing what to do. I was so surprised but very thankful."
Voter is owned by Marion Wells' Romar and trained by Ronald Kinmon. The win was the sixth from 44 career starts for the Victory Gallop gelding. He increased his earnings to more than $134,000.
Kelly, 24, has been around horses all of her life and started riding at the age of 5, competing on the show circuit in show jumping before making the move over to Thoroughbred racing. In addition to riding, she has also had much success on the East Coast as a fitness model. Her agent is John Herbstreit.
"I started riding Thoroughbreds when I was 15 years old," said Kelly. "I began galloping horses for WinStar Farm. It's very rewarding to get my first win. I have worked very hard to be here, just like everyone else has."
After riding only a few horses in 2012 and 2013, Kelly has returned in 2015 with more concentration on race riding. She has had 32 mounts this season, beginning at Oaklawn Park earlier this spring, and 41 overall.