(Edited Tampa Bay Downs report)

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Lori Smock, who in the week of Feb. 24 – March 3 has escorted two of her seven starters to the Winner’s Circle at average odds of 24-1; additionally, 16 percent of her starters in the 2009-2010 Tampa Bay Downs season have found their way to the to the finish line first.

From never having a horse growing up to running an efficient stable of 25 horses, Smock owes her success to a willing attitude to learn.  She depends on strong, honest relationships with owners.  With no one in her family involved in racing, Smock was introduced to Thoroughbred racing through a jockey.  She owned her first horses at Thistledown in Ohio; she won with the first horse she ever sent to the paddock, Kehoe’s Ribot.  Smock spent time at the Institute of Computer Management in Cleveland, Ohio and also studied Pharmacy before leaving school for the track; although it was difficult for her parents to adjust to her change of career, they are now her biggest supporters.  She splits her year between four different tracks: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park, and Ellis Park. 

Smock finished the 2008-2009 Tampa Bay Downs season having escorted 13 horses to the winner’s circle for $163,156 in purse earnings.