Apprentice Pierre Tomas Wins First U.S. Race

Apprentice jockey Pierre Tomas won his first race in North America on Friday when he rode Victorious Leader to a 41-1 upset in the seventh race at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Tomas, 20, is from Deauville in France and has been competing in New York since the 2012 Belmont Park fall meet.

“I love New York. I love the life,” said Tomas. “I’ve been here for one year and I love to ride here.”

Tomas had previously won six races in France, his first victory coming aboard Annee Du Tango on June 6, 2010 at Les Sables-d'Olonne racecourse. The apprentice’s agent, Jean-Luc Samyn, won 2,613 races as a jockey before retiring from the saddle in November 2011.

Victorious Leader’s upset helped set up a $28,709 Pick 6 carryover into Saturday’s card, which features the Grade 3, $200,000 Withers, Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan, $100,000 Busher, and $100,000 Correction.