September 09, 2007
Apprentice Melanie Pinto Wins Her First Race

Apprentice jockey Melanie Pinto crossing the finish line.

FORT ERIE, September 9…Apprentice jockey Melanie Pinto chalked up the first victory of her career in the fifth race Sunday at Fort Erie and three races later notched her second win.

The 26 year-old native of Brampton, Ontario, guided Campari to a 1 ¼ length victory and followed up in the eighth race with a 3 ¼ length win aboard More The Mari’er.

“It feels great but it really hasn’t set in,” said Pinto when asked about her first win. “I was so tired at the wire I couldn’t muster up enough energy to get excited.”

Campari, trained by Josh Robillard, covered the 1 mile and 70 yards on a sloppy track in 1:43 2/5.

More The Mari’er ran six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 for conditioner John DiMarco.

Pinto, who had ridden in only two races prior to her win today, is scheduled to ride Pepee The Barker for trainer Noel Randall in Monday’s tenth race.

Daryl Wells
Media and Communications
1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204
e-mail: dwells@forterieracetrack.ca