Lindsay, Yanez Post First Wins at Tampa Bay

Jockey Chad Lindsay and trainer Karen "Boots" Yanez notched their first wins Jan. 1 at Tampa Bay Downs.

 

Lindsay, a 22-year-old Fort Worth, Tex. native, broke through with his fourth career mount, guiding 5-year-old Invasion Point to a front-running four-length triumph in the day's sixth race.  

 

Lindsay was doused with a bucket of ice water, sprayed with a hose, smeared with shaving cream, and blanketed by baby powder in celebration. He emerged from the ritual accorded every first-time winning rider eager for the next challenge. 

 

"It was awesome," said Lindsay, who works as an exercise rider for trainer Ian Wilkes. "Getting all that powder in my eyes was probably the worst part, but it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it."

 

Lindsay was a late replacement aboard the Invasor gelding for fellow apprentice Eduardo Gallardo, who has moved his tack to Turfway Park.

 

Invasion Point broke alertly, led all the way, and finished strong to win from Charles Russell in the mile-and-40-yard claiming event. Invasion Point, owned by Ridenjac Racing and trained by Dennis Ward, paid $12.80 to win.

 

"We broke out of the gate good and went easy all the way around," Lindsay said. "When we turned for home, I just let him go. I was pretty confident the whole way."

 

Another New Year's Day first came two races earlier, when Yanez saddled 7-year-old Milwaukee Brew   mare Brewmistress to a three-length win in the 1 1/16 mile claiming race.

 

Married for 29 years to Moises Yanez, a long-time fixture on the Illinois racing circuit, she serves as his assistant, breaking the couple's young horses for their clients at their Del Sol Farm near Ocala.

 

"It feels nice, because this is one of my favorite horses and she loves this track," Yanez said. "We've had her since she was a baby."

 

Brewmistress is the 10th starter for Yanez. Her husband has nearly 1,500 victories, but chose to take a break this winter, handing the training reins to his wife. 

 

Brewmistress, who paid $10.40 to win, was bred in Illinois by her owners, Sharon and Gordon W. Bredeson and Pete Mattson.