Trainer Mary Eppler lodges 800th career win
Mary Eppler. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.
From a Maryland Jockey Club release
Trainer Mary Eppler, who became the first woman to win a training title at Laurel Park last year, saddled her 800th career winner when Our Independence won Friday’s eighth race at Laurel Park.
Claimed for $20,000 by Eppler Aug., 26 at Monmouth Park, Our Independence won at first asking for Eppler, winning a $45,000 optional claiming event on the turf. It was the 5-year-old’s third consecutive victory.
“It was wonderful,” said Eppler of the win.
Asked why she claimed Our Independence, Eppler said: “Just the way he was running. He looked good. I watched him race before he won against Billy the Bull [July 14]. I claimed Billy that day but I couldn’t claim [Our Independence] so I had to wait until he raced at Monmouth.”
Eppler has been in Thoroughbred racing since 1979, when she left her job at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Her wins include the 1996 Grade 1 Futurity, with Traitor, and the 2016 Grade 3 General George with Page McKenney — another claiming horse made good.
