Madison Olver all smiles after winning her first career race aboard Curbstone (NYRA/Coglianese)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Apprentice jockey Madison Olver, who launched her career on November 12 at Aqueduct Racetrack, earned her first victory in her 16th attempt aboard Curbstone for trainer Tom Morley in Friday’s sixth race, a $40,000 claiming route, at the Big A.
“I don’t think I would have been happier to win the Kentucky Derby right now,” an emotional Olver said after being doused with water by her fellow celebrating jockeys. “It’s the best kind of cold.”
Curbstone, a 3-year-old homebred for owner Patricia Moseley, scored the second win of his career after breaking his maiden in May at Churchill Downs. The son of Street Sense was sent to post at 12-1 odds under Olver for the first time and stalked in fourth through the first half-mile of the nine-furlong test before coming under a ride from Olver.
Curbstone went three-wide and began to pick off his rivals passing the three-quarters pole, and by the stretch call, had taken a 5 1/2-length advantage on the field. Olver continued steady urging and Curbstone responded, coasting home six lengths in front in a final time of 1:52.82.
“A good horse makes me look good,” said Olver, who was greeted by a large crowd of cheering fans upon her return to the winner’s circle. “He is just honest and I knew he didn’t want kickback, so I took him out where there wasn’t any. He’ll just keep going and he’s a good kid.”
Olver’s win came after hitting the board in seven other races, including five runner-up efforts, one of which happened earlier on the Friday card aboard B C Glory Days. Olver, 23, is represented by agent Joe Migliore and is named on four horses on Thursday’s card at the Big A.
