Apprentice Maria Thornton Debuts at Arlington

Apprentice jockey Maria Thornton makes her racing debut on Thursday in the eighth race at Arlington International Racecourse aboard Voy Por Uno Mas for owner trainer Moises Yanez and his Del Sol Farm. 

 

“I’m a little nervous, but it’s good nerves,” Thornton said Thursday morning.  “I’m excited and you know what the say – if you aren’t nervous, you aren’t human.”

 

The 25-year-old sister to local jockey Timmy Thornton has been working horses in the morning over the last year and credits conditioners John Haran, Frank Kirby and Mike Stidham – in addition to Yanez – for helping her get to this point.  Since just prior to the meet, she had been under the employ of Stidham in the mornings, working many of his quality horses.