FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015
Apprentice jockey Williams records first career
win
Austintown, Ohio-Ajhari Williams, a 19-year-old apprentice, recorded his first career
win when he guided 9.00 to 1 outsider Bold Wolf to an off the pace victory in the
afternoon’s second race on Monday, November 2nd at Hollywood Gaming at
Mahoning Valley Race Course. Trained by Rodney Faulkner, the Arkansas bred 8year-old gelding won by a length and covered the 5 ½ furlongs on a track labeled fast
in 1:07.36
Williams, who goes by A.J., is a native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands who came to
Ohio 5 months ago looking to follow in the footsteps of his older cousin, Julio Felix, a
former multiple-leading rider at Thistledown Racetrack and winner of more than
2,750 races who encouraged Williams to begin his career in Ohio.
“I’m so excited” said Williams, who had sixteen mounts previously with just one in
the money finish. He added “This has been my life’s dream. My father, who was a
jockey, put me up on a horse at the age of three, and since then it is all I have ever
wanted.”
Although a small trio of islands that total just 133.73 square miles of land and little
more than 100,000 total residents, the U.S. Virgin Islands has long been a fertile
proving ground for jockeys and horsemen. Despite having only one recognized
racetrack (Randall “Doc” James Racetrack) with limited racing and a small purse
structure, the eastern Caribbean trio of islands that is located in the Leeward Islands
of the Lesser Antilles (about 1,100 miles Southeast of Miami, FL) has produced
several successful U. S. based jockeys in the past 30 years including Kevin Krigger
and Victor Lebron.
Also on Monday, the Elliot Sullivan owned and trained Chella ($2.60) registered her
eighth consecutive victory since being claimed for $10,000 this past April at
Mahoning Valley Race Course. The Where’s the Ring 4-year-old filly outran her rivals
capturing a $12,500 starter allowance in front-running fashion by seven lengths
under regular rider Luis Colon. Bred in Ontario, Chella has now earned more than
$99,000 in 2015 and $179,839 overall.
The running time for the six furlongs was 1:12.60.
Racing is conducted on a four-day-a-week schedule, Monday-Wednesday, and
Saturday with a first post of 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time.
About Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
The $250 million Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course features 920 Video
Lottery Terminals, a variety of food and beverage options plus a sports bar and
entertainment venue. The one-mile thoroughbred track features more than 1,000
enclosed, track-view grandstands seats; a state-of-the-art simulcast theater where patrons
can wager every day on tracks throughout North America; and food and beverage
concessions on both the upper and lower levels. Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley
Race Course is located at 655 North Canfield Niles Rd. at the 1-80/Ohio Route 46 exchange
in Austintown, Ohio. More information is available at www.hollywoodmahoningvalley.com.