News
Miss Waka Wins Season Opener
Miss Waka and jockey Rafael Hernandez kicked off the 14th season of Thoroughbred racing Friday, Aug. 29, winning the first race of the meet. The duo beat the field of 10 to the wire first in the five and one-half furlong event, posting a time of 1:06.1. 
“She (Miss Waka) got out of the gate well and we had a good start,” said Hernandez, who just pulled in another leading rider title at Fairmount Park. “Every time the horses would start running at her, she would pick up and run a little more. She was strong through the wire and turned in a nice race.”
Making only her second career start, Miss Waka surged into position early, only contending with Presidents Legacy and Juan Matos for the early lead. A few steps later, she had full control of the field and settled in nicely for Hernandez, who is a native of Puerto Rico.
By the head of the lane, Miss Waka was two lengths in front of the field and maintained that lead to the wire to break her maiden. Presidents Legacy finished second while Hope’s Pleasure and Victory Lebron rallied home for third.
Miss Waka is owned by Kevin Roth and Sam Dorris, who make up R and D Stable. Earl Murphy trains the four-year-old by Waki Warrior. The Indiana sired filly now has more than $12,000 on her card in only two career starts.
In other opening day news, Rodney Prescott earned three wins on the card. The Portland, Ind. native won the final three races, beginning with White Spike in the ninth followed by Mortensen in the tenth, and finally Stamp It For Linda in the last race.
Prescott is listed second on the list of all-time leading riders at Hoosier Park with 438 wins, following leader Terry Thompson with 447. He won the 2005 leading jockey title, adding the honor to his list of titles from Indiana Downs and River Downs. He is currently ranked 36th in the nation with 129 wins in 2008. He has more than 2,200 career trips to the winner’s circle.
Other jockeys having multiple wins on the opening day card included newcomer Azael De Leon and Victor Lebron, who finished second in the 2007 standings at Hoosier Park. Also, trainers Gary Patrick and Barbara McBride each earned two wins on the program.
