Female jockey has settled right in at Hastings
Tom Wolski, The Province
Published: Friday, May 30, 2008
Judging by her upbeat smile and confidence around horses, new girl in town Stephanie Fedora should fit right in among horsemen and fans at Hastings racetrack.
Just as her predecessor Nicola Wright showed a few years back, with the right attitude and chutzpah, you can be as good as any of the boys you are competing with on a daily basis.
Fedora began her jockey career at Ajax Downs in Ontario, riding sometimes unruly and cantankerous quarterhorses. Tiring of that, she moved her riding tack to Woodbine racetrack and won her first race on Queen's Plate day.
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Stephanie Fedora is comfortable being the only woman in the jockeys room at Hastings racetrack.
Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province
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Font:****After winning six races at a racetrack where over 100 jockeys are hustling for limited rides, Fedora decided it was time to move on.
"I knew jockey agent Trapper Barroby was returning to Vancouver," she said. "After talking with him, he suggested giving Hastings a chance. I knew Trapper worked hard and thought I would do well here."
When it was time for her first race, Fedora entered an all-male Hastings jockeys room with a smile and the self-assurance befitting a journeyman rider.
"My first thought was this is great. I am the only girl," said Fedora.
"That is a great feeling and what a great confidence builder that is. How do you even describe it?
"I had been the only girl rider in Chicago. I guess I learned there how to handle myself among men. I enjoy being one of the guys even tough I am female."
Fedora's room is equivalent to those of her male counterparts.
"I enjoy my space in there because this is where I have a chance to study racing forms and watch race replays. It is important to learn about the horses you are riding."
STRATEGY BEGINS
Casino Drive, the most coveted Triple Crown horse next to Big Brown, now has a jockey for the June 7 Belmont Stakes, Hall of Famer Edgar Prado.
Prado has ridden in eight Belmont Stakes with victories aboard Sirava (2002) and Smarty Jones (2004).
PROGRAM NOTES
Saturday at Hastings popular actor/singer Steven Seagal, an ardent horse racing fan, will be on hand for a race named in his honour. And the $50,000 Senate Appointee card has drawn an outstanding field, including Holy Nova, Yourock Gal and Napa.
twolski@shaw.ca
Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, Saturday, 11 a.m., Citytv.
© The Vancouver Province 2008
--------------------------------------------------------
suzi
Tom Wolski, The Province
Published: Friday, May 30, 2008
Judging by her upbeat smile and confidence around horses, new girl in town Stephanie Fedora should fit right in among horsemen and fans at Hastings racetrack.
Just as her predecessor Nicola Wright showed a few years back, with the right attitude and chutzpah, you can be as good as any of the boys you are competing with on a daily basis.
Fedora began her jockey career at Ajax Downs in Ontario, riding sometimes unruly and cantankerous quarterhorses. Tiring of that, she moved her riding tack to Woodbine racetrack and won her first race on Queen's Plate day.
View Larger Image
Stephanie Fedora is comfortable being the only woman in the jockeys room at Hastings racetrack.
Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province
Email to a friend
Printer friendly
Font:****After winning six races at a racetrack where over 100 jockeys are hustling for limited rides, Fedora decided it was time to move on.
"I knew jockey agent Trapper Barroby was returning to Vancouver," she said. "After talking with him, he suggested giving Hastings a chance. I knew Trapper worked hard and thought I would do well here."
When it was time for her first race, Fedora entered an all-male Hastings jockeys room with a smile and the self-assurance befitting a journeyman rider.
"My first thought was this is great. I am the only girl," said Fedora.
"That is a great feeling and what a great confidence builder that is. How do you even describe it?
"I had been the only girl rider in Chicago. I guess I learned there how to handle myself among men. I enjoy being one of the guys even tough I am female."
Fedora's room is equivalent to those of her male counterparts.
"I enjoy my space in there because this is where I have a chance to study racing forms and watch race replays. It is important to learn about the horses you are riding."
STRATEGY BEGINS
Casino Drive, the most coveted Triple Crown horse next to Big Brown, now has a jockey for the June 7 Belmont Stakes, Hall of Famer Edgar Prado.
Prado has ridden in eight Belmont Stakes with victories aboard Sirava (2002) and Smarty Jones (2004).
PROGRAM NOTES
Saturday at Hastings popular actor/singer Steven Seagal, an ardent horse racing fan, will be on hand for a race named in his honour. And the $50,000 Senate Appointee card has drawn an outstanding field, including Holy Nova, Yourock Gal and Napa.
twolski@shaw.ca
Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, Saturday, 11 a.m., Citytv.
© The Vancouver Province 2008
--------------------------------------------------------
suzi