Page 7 - Spirit Of Oaklawn 2017

Advertising Supplement Tri-Lakes Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 • 7TT
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAWN/COADY PHOTOGRAPHY
Katie Clawson, right, rides Nicky Numbers as she passes four-time leading jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. to win a recent race at Oaklawn.
Q: What would winning the Eclipse Award mean to you as an apprentice jockey?
A: Winning or being nominated for the Eclipse Award would give me, personally, a lot of validation, but also, it gains me more attention from owners/ trainers who may not know me, thus potentially helping my business grow.
Q:What is the biggest lesson you have learned during your apprenticeship?
A: One which sticks out to me is to be aware — to always know where I am, where I want to go, how to get there and where everyone else around me is.That is first and foremost the most important because it’s basic safety for all involved.
Q: What is your favorite thing about horse racing?
A:It’s giving every horse,whether in the morn- ings or racing in the afternoon, its best shot to win
and the joy that goes with watching this happen for someone else or riding the horse myself. I’ve done my job well if I can accomplish that.
Q:What are some of your other goals?
A: Some of my other professional goals at this time are winning a stakes race, riding at Saratoga on Oaks/Derby Day and, a little further in the fu- ture, winning a riding title.
Q: What are some of your main strengths as a jockey?
A: I see my main strengths as a jockey being getting horses away from the gate well and letting them relax during the race.
Q:What are your goals for your time at Oaklawn?
A: My goals for the remainder of the meet are to continue learning from the riders who I share the racetrack with, grow the business I have and keep winning races.
Did you know?
Oaklawn Racing & Gaming recently added a new tote board, which features 14 separate wagering interests. In the past, Oaklawn could offer only 12 wagering interests, and if there was a 14-horse field, two horses would have to be coupled as “the field.”The new tote board is also brighter and easier to read.
— Courtesy of Oaklawn Racing & Gaming