CC PERKINSON TO SADDLE HER FIRST STARTER SINCE 2002 ON FRIDAY NIGHT

        CC Perkinson, a winner of 93 races as a jockey and a former racing analyst on TVG’s “The Quarters”, is back training at Los Alamitos Race Course for the first time in 19 years when she saddles the Clubhouse Ride filly Crookhaven Lass in the first race here on Friday night. Crookhaven Lass will be Perkinson's first starter here since January 27, 2002.

          Perkinson claimed the Nevada Equine LLC 4-year-old for $5,000 at Golden Gate on February 15 following the filly’s third consecutive runner-up effort. To be ridden by Efrain Hernandez, Crookhaven Lass will start from post number seven in the 1,000-yard race for 3-year-olds and up.

          “I had been looking for a speed horse that would fit nicely at my home track (of Los Alamitos),” said Perkinson, who works as an exercise rider here. “I had my eyes on one horse at Golden Gate, but he scratched that day only to later come back and win.  I was looking at lightly raced maidens. It was a tossup between Crookhaven Lass and one other (horse).”

          Perkinson (right) eventually decided on Crookhaven Lass, a California-bred who will be making her fifth career starts on Friday.

          “What I loved about this filly is she is very lightly raced.  Her first start was a learning one for her. She caught on quick.  This filly has gears. She did amazing at a mile and then came back running at a shorter distance. Her last race she was clearly the best but (she) had to check twice and still ran second. Her talent is just starting to bloom.”

          During her riding career, Perkinson won 46 races Thoroughbred races, including 24 at Los Alamitos. She also won 33 Arabian races and five Quarter Horse races. She also won the 1998 Santa Rosa Marathon on Katella Lad at 870 yards. Perkinson trained horses briefly in 2001 and 2002, saddling Policy Maker to a victory at Fresno in October of 2001. Her stable was based in Northern California, but she did have two starters at Los Alamitos in 2002.

          Following her time as trainer, Perkinson hosted and produced an online entertainment show. Many years since her last starter, she will now look to produce her first training victory at the Orange County oval with Crookhaven Lass.

          “She’ll be in good hands with jockey Efrain Hernandez,” Perkinson said “I’m going to buckle up and enjoy the ride.”

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