Thursday, February 19, 2009

JONATHAN JOYCE RIDES CAREER-BEST FIVE WINNERS WEDNESDAY

LAUREL, MD. 02-18-09---Jonathan Joyce had a stellar day in the saddle at Laurel Park, winning a career-best five races. The 24-year-old won four as an apprentice rider at Philadelphia Park in July 2005.

Joyce reached the milestone aboard multiple stakes winner All Giving ($4.80) in the eighth race, a $40,000 allowance test for trainer Flint Stites. The Maryland-bred mare is now 10-for-28 for earnings of nearly $350,000.


“Incredible,” Joyce said. “It is an indescribable feeling and to reach the mark on a quality mare like that makes it even more special. I worked hard to get on her and Flint has been more than willing to give me the opportunity by riding her here, in Philly, at Mountaineer (in West Virginia) and The Meadowlands (New Jersey). I am nearly at a loss for words.”

Joyce took the first three races on the card aboard A Greater Affair ($5-first), Home Run Star ($5.60-second) and Punchintina ($7.40-third) and reached the winners’ circle for the fourth time with Dr Stick ($20.20-fifth).

“It looked like all the horses were in good spots so I just let them do what they had to do,” added Joyce, who has been in the Maryland jockey colony since the fall of 2005. “I work every morning and do the best to get on what we can get on. Days like this don’t hurt, that’s for sure. I am grateful-they don’t happen too often.”

Joyce had just three wins with 12 second place finishes and eight third place finishes from 47 mounts during the winter meeting entering the afternoon and had not visited the winners’ circle since January 15.

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