Inez Karlsson Makes Arlington Park History

Jul 11th, 08
Apprentice jockey Inez Karlsson made Arlington Park history on July 10 - becoming the first female rider to ride four winners on a single program at Chicago's premier oval.

"Everything's starting to come together for me, now," said Karlsson at the end of the afternoon. "I'm getting stronger every day, I'm getting a better sense of pace each time I go out there, and these guys here (other members of the Arlington jockey colony) are making me better, too. You make a mistake against these guys and they'll get you everytime.

"As long as my horses keep running like this, I'll be happy," said Karlsson. "Mr. Kirby, Mr. Block and Mr. Mitchell all put me on good hroses today."

Karlsson, 23, a former boxer in her native Sweden, lit up the tote board with a $62.60 win price aboard Thundering Mick's Mr. Cooley in the third for trainer Tony Mitchell; came right back in the fourth at $13 on Team Block's Death Valley, the Chris Block trainee who gave Karlsson her first career winner last September 12; returned to the winner's circle after the sixth on Gary and Beth Leverton's Stanley G. at $31 straight for trainer Frank Kirby; and got her fourth win in the finale astride Sweet Darlene, giving the Levertons and Kirby an owner-trainer double.

Former South African-born Arlington jockey Zoe Cadman, who helped Karlsson in the initial stages of her career, sent a text-messaged note about Karlsson's record-breaking feat.

"I once won three races in a row on a single day at Arlington," said Cadman, "but I never had a four-win day." Arlington Park Communications Department