Jason Hoyte, a longtime respected exercise rider at Woodbine racetrack near Toronto, celebrated his first Canadian win as he guided the 3-year-old filly French Charm ($3.30) to a maiden-breaking score in Sunday's opener.
The daughter of Commissioner overtook longshot leader Classy n' Silent down the stretch and held off Anita Grigio at the end of the 5-1/2-furlong contest to win in 1:06.18 for trainer Ricky Griffith and owners Steve Duffield and Racing Canada Inc.
“It means so much to me. It's just a blessing come true. Hard work does pay off,” said Hoyte of his first Woodbine win.
Hoyte began his race riding career in Barbados back in 2000, winning his first race with Tikashar at the Garrison Savannah racetrack. He arrived in Canada in 2004 and started galloping horses for Steve Owens then became the go-to morning rider for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse for 16 years, breezing some of the biggest stars of the sport in preparation for the biggest races including the likes of Hall of Famers Tepin and Sealy Hill.
Hoyte, who was inspired by his friend and fellow jockey Keveh Nicholls to return to racing action, made just his 13th start a winning one.
Live Thoroughbred racing continues, without spectators, on Thursday, featuring the season's debut of sprint sensation Pink Lloyd in the $125,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes (Grade 3). First post time is 3:45 p.m. ET. Fans can watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and tune into Racing Night Live on TSN3 and TSN5 from 6-8 p.m. for live racing from Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The post Hoyte, Exercise Rider To The Stars, Gets First Woodbine Race Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
