Brandon Meier's First Win

The not-so-good news is that the mare Houseboat, who provided the 19-year-old with his first winner, reared up entering the gate banging him solidly in the mouth to make for a bloody winner's circle photo.  However, there is more good news.  Despite three stitches on the inside of his mouth, four more on the outside, and some fractured teeth, the Elk Grove Village teenager plans to ride Saturday.

 

"No problem," said Meier Wednesday, three days after his winning debut.  "My teeth are still a little sore, but it is all part of the game.  Once the gates opened Sunday, I didn't feel a thing.  She relaxed beautifully for me, and once I swung her outside and had that opening, she took off.  I was picking (rivals) off left and right.  By the end of the race I was hand-riding her, and I got so excited everything became kind of a blur.  I can't wait to get back to riding.  This is not going to slow us down one bit.  Now, my Dad and I just need that race with both of us in it."

 

How did the elder Meier react to his son's auspicious debut?

 

"He was very excited for me," said the youngster.  We didn't get to talk much because they took me to the hospital, even though I asked them if they could stitch me up right there.

 

"He was very calm when I saw him in the jocks' room before the race," Meier added, "but they told me he started pacing around after I left."

 

Brandon Meier becomes the first jockey to win at Arlington with his first career mount since Zoe Cadman accomplished the same feat on June 10, 2000. Arlington Park Communications Department