Hawthorne Racecourse (2/4/11)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Karlsson to Join Miller On-Air for Hawthorne Spring Meet
STICKNEY, IL – While taking some time away from riding due to pregnancy, jockey Inez Karlsson will be joining Handicapper Jim Miller on-air during the Hawthorne spring Thoroughbred meet.
Karlsson, 27, has been away from the saddle since September as she begins a family. Due in July, Karlsson is able to stay around the races during the pregnancy before she returns to riding this fall or next spring. As a jockey who has direct contact with many of the day-to-day players, Karlsson will provide unique insight in several areas, including: the pre-race handicapping show, between race analysis, jockey and trainer interviews, and will also contribute to live chats on HorseplayerNow.com during the Hawthorne meet.
The native of Sweden, Karlsson began her riding career in 2007 and finished second in the voting for the Eclipse Award as leading apprentice for 2008, narrowly losing out to Paco Lopez that year. Karlsson was the leading rider for the 2008 fall meet at Hawthorne, winning the $100,000 Indian Maid Handicap about Ciao for trainer Frank Kirby. This past summer, Karlsson rode Rahystrada to victory in the Grade III Arlington Handicap and was aboard that mount in the Grade I Arlington Million, finishing fourth. She also pulled the upset in the Grade III Hanshin Handicap aboard Country Flavor.
On her career, Karlsson has had 418 victories from 3,027 mounts for earnings of $8,529,324.
“I thank Hawthorne for this opportunity to have me at the races every day,” stated Karlsson. “Although I can’t be riding races right now, I am still able to walk horses in the morning for Frank Kirby and now I can be here in the afternoon as well. I am not expecting to be an expert handicapper, but Jim and I will have fun on the air and hopefully I can give some insight that will help the bettors in making their selections.”
“Inez has had a great riding career already and I’m looking forward to her winning many more races as a jockey,” said Hawthorne President Tim Carey. “We have been very supportive of her through her career and are pleased that she can join us this spring on the air. Inez and Jim should make our racing production very enjoyable all meet long.”
Hawthorne Race Course is in its 102nd year of racing under Carey family ownership. Hawthorne races Friday and Saturday in February, beginning February 11. In March and April, live racing will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through the end of April. First post daily is 1:30 pm. For more information on racing at Hawthorne, visit our website at www.Hawthorneracecourse.com.
