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Krone back at Downs, reflects on early wins

She was a 17-year-old apprentice rider, making her second career start on a gorgeous winter afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs. Julie Krone had the mount on Lord Farkle, a $3,500 claimer in a 6-furlong race.

By DON JENSEN, Times Correspondent
Published March 10, 2007

OLDSMAR - She was a 17-year-old apprentice rider, making her second career start on a gorgeous winter afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs. Julie Krone had the mount on Lord Farkle, a $3,500 claimer in a 6-furlong race.

"I remember him switching to his left lead around the turn, outgalloping all the horses and coasting to the wire," Krone said. "I kept thinking, 'Oh, they're going to pass me any second.' But the closer I got to the wire, the more I started thinking, 'Wow, I'm going to win. No one's passing me.' "

Winning with the Les St. Leon owned and trained horse on Feb. 12, 1981, was the start of a Hall of Fame career for Krone, the sport's all-time leading female rider with 3,704 victories.

Krone made a return to her roots Friday through March 19 as the featured guest of the 15th annual Hearts Reaching Out fundraiser to benefit the Race Track Chaplaincy of America-Tampa Bay Downs Division. It is the first trip to the Downs in 15 years for Krone, who retired in 2004.

"It's definitely going to bring back a lot of memories," she said by phone from her Del Mar, Calif., residence. "I guess my friends are tired of my stories. So I might as well get a new group and tell them some stories."

Krone will be accessible to fans at several functions. On Friday night, she was scheduled to attend a party at the Downs that featured a silent auction, providing someone the opportunity to play golf with her in a benefit tournament March 19 at Eastlake Woodlands Country Club in Oldsmar. On March 17, she will be at the Downs as a guest of the Morning Glory Club, autographing photos of her first win and presenting a trophy to winning connections of the Grade III $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby. On March 19, she will attend a dinner and auction at the Downs upon conclusion of the golf tournament.

Sharyn Wasiluk, president of the RTCA Downs chapter, said items to be auctioned include an Indianapolis 500 package for four, Preakness Stakes tickets and a shadow box featuring Mickey Mantle.

Funds raised will assist more than 200 individuals, most employed on the Downs' backside.

Krone, 43, said the Downs was her choice over defunct Detroit Race Course when she and her late mother, Judi Krone, searched for a starting track in 1981.

Trainer Jerry Pace gave Krone her first mount on Jan. 30, 1981, when she rode Tiny Star to a second-place finish.

Krone said she overcame a slip-up before riding Lord Farkle to victory.

"I breezed the horse a week before the race and broke him off at the wrong pole," Krone said. "(St. Leon) was laughing at me afterward and said, 'Well, I hope you ride better than that when you go to the post.' "

Krone became the first woman inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in 2000. She also was the first woman to win a Triple Crown race (1993 Belmont Stakes with Colonial Affair) and Breeders' Cup event (2003 Juvenile Fillies with Halfbridled). Her mounts earned more than $90-million in purses.

"I miss racing every single day," she said. "I miss the relationships with the thoroughbred race horses and the people, the camaraderie of the jockeys' room, and the challenges and rewards.

"My highlight was getting to do something that I loved every day. Waking up almost every morning between 4:30 and 6, and being happy and excited about what you're doing for 15-20 years is a big highlight in itself."

Krone gave birth 17 months ago to daughter Lorelei. The Benton Harbor, Mich., native is married to Daily Racing Form executive columnist Jay Hovdey.

For information on the fundraiser, call (813) 298-1576 or (813) 494-1870.

MORE HORSES: Hemingway's Key, a third-place finisher to Bernardini in the 2006 Preakness, heads a field of eight in today's $65,000 Budweiser Challenger Stakes at the Downs. Daniel Centeno rides the Nick Zito trainee for owner Kinsman Stable in the featured eighth race with post time at 3:31 p.m.

DOGS: Derby Lane recorded season-high totals with a crowd of 8,275 and all-source handle of $1,079,091 for its 14-race Derby Lane Million card on March 3 in St. Petersburg. Track spokeswoman Vera Filipelli said Racing Life Challenge will not be participating in the Million next year with Derby Lane carrying more responsibility.

[Last modified March 9, 2007, 23:35:48]