Reply #2: Thompson to Ride Old Fashioned

[two gun sid]

(Edited press release)

Leading jockey Terry Thompson has dominated the fierce riding colony at this Oaklawn Park meeting so far. The 37-year-old jockey holds a commanding lead atop the jockey standings, with 38 wins as of Thursday’s races. Chris Emigh sits in second with 26 wins. Not bad for one of Oaklawn’s fan favorites.

To put icing on the cake, trainer Larry Jones announced that Thompson will now ride Fox Hill Farms’ Old Fashioned in the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) April 11th. Thompson has been no stranger to the Arkansas Derby as he won the 2003 edition with Sir Cherokee . The duo of Jones and Thompson also has had success in years past, winning the Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn with Ruby’s Reception and the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park on Island Sand.

“I have been getting on the colt in the mornings working him, and we have worked well together,” Thompson said before the March 20 races. “He is an easy colt to ride, and there is nothing tricky about him. The first time I worked this horse, I knew he was a prospect. There is a presence about him. When I am on Old Fashioned, I have the feeling of being on something special.”

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49770/thompson-to-ride-old-fashioned