Megan Ludlow
I knew Megan when she was an apprentice rider over at Garden State Park a few years back. She ended up riding there for about 2 years before moving on to Mountaineer Park and then over to some tracks in Nebraska. The other day I got an email from her asking if she could be on the site. Armed with my genie bottle (inside joke between Megan and I) and some questions here is what was said.
FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
ML: I was born in Lakeland, Florida.
FOTH: Were you close with your parents growing up and do you have any brothers or sisters?
ML: I was close to my parents even closer with my grandpa Dr. DeRosa the horse trainer and doc. I have one sister, a half-brother and a stepsister that I just adore!
FOTH: What sort of child were you growing up?
ML: I was very athletic, competitive energetic child! Thirsty for horse knowledge, I used to read so many books, watch videos of the Breeders Cup races over and over and rent every horse movie out there, there was. Pharlap and The Black Stallion were my favorite!
FOTH: What did you think of racetracks and jockeys before you went to a racetrack?
ML: I knew the racetrack was for me and it was where my heart would be with those jockeys I truly admired. I still have articles of Chris McCarron on Alysheba, from the late 80s in my scrap books!
FOTH: What events led you to becoming a jockey? Were you sacred getting up on a horse for the first time?
ML: The events that led me up to riding races were back in grade school knew I would set out to try racehorses someday, I spent every holiday and summers at Arlington with my grandpa working the shedrow. Riding, grooming, I even laid down in the stall with my favorite racehorse. I graduated high school, and went to a racing school, than galloped in Kentucky, Florida...Than I got myself to Calder and under Walter Blum the head Steward and Rosemary Homeister Jr. and help from trainers and jockeys' I got my license to ride. They made me go to the gates for 6 months during the races, also break from the gates, and watch the races from different poles, as well as going to the jocks room for the movies! Than I met Julie Krone at Gulfstream, she autographed a picture for me and wrote, "Maybe someday we'll be coming down the stretch together." I knew than and there I would do everything it takes to not only do that but beat her and I have!
FOTH: How long did you gallop/exercise horses before becoming a jockey?
ML: I galloped for 3 years before I rode races.
FOTH: Tell me all you can remember about your first race.
ML: My first race was a rush! March 17th 1997, at Hialeah. I rode Humour Coyote for Jason Stodghill. We finished 5th I beat my mentor Rosemary Homeister, I still have that pic! Great memory for me I can remember thinking during the turn for home I am actually living my dream, and riding my first race!
FOTH: When did you get your first win? How excited were you? Did you get hit with various items from the other jocks?
ML: My 1st win came in Sept. 27th 1997, on a filly named Starry Limits in Hawthorne Chicago. I got slammed with everything, water, shaving cream, shoe polish and the Chicago tribune and daily racing form wrote very nice articles about me, I got a lot of interviews and congrats from all my friends and family! It was one of the happiest days of my life!
FOTH: I know after riding at Tampa Bay Downs you made the trek up here to the NJ/DE/PA area. Why was that?
ML: At Tampa I was hurt so I always knew NJ liked girls so I decided to return!
FOTH: What are some of your favorite memories of riding in the NJ/PA area?
ML: My favorite memories of NJ/PA were the night races at Garden State and Philly in the day! I used to ride back in forth with my friend Isiah Sala who was killed this year in Canada in a race. Riding for Willard Thompson and his son Glenn who helped push me to be the best! The fans were the best the trainers were great to me!
FOTH: You then went to Laurel Race Track for a few weeks and then came back to NJ. Why?
ML: When I rode at Laurel it was because Arnie Elesque was my agent and I had my shot to ride for trainers like Buddy Delp, Dickie Small, so I just rode there in the day and Jersey at night and I'd win a lot a GSP, not any in Maryland too tough. I was riding with a whole different caliber of jockeys and during the Preakness.
FOTH: After you lost your "bug" you went out to West Virginia to ride at Mountaineer Park. How was it riding for you out there? Compare the 2 different racing circuits.
ML: Mountaineer Park was a good experience for me because I got to learn a lot of different styles and more aggressive way of riding with my peers than back east tracks. The track was a more difficult one to figure out somedays it was fast, slow, deep, hard, cold wet conditions, hot very much the mix of variety. If you were on the best horse that is all you needed.
FOTH: Ever go into the slot rooms and pluck down a few quarters?
ML: I never played the slots there.
FOTH: After Mountaineer you went out to Nebraska to ride at Fonner and Lincoln Park. How did you do at these 2 tracks and how was it different was the riding as opposed to the other tracks you had ridden at?
ML: I really liked it when Dale Baird in Mountaineer Park told me about Nebraska, out of curiosity, I took his advice and stepped into scene of Bull ring riding where speed took a whole new turn, yet coming from off the pace was as equally as smart way to win there. I learned to be quicker, and faster, from the gates. It came really at a good time in my life. The riders there are good guys, and the trainers there are good folks who really love their horses, and take pride in that. Fonner Park was terrific track to ride on in the winter, and I rode with class A riders. Lincoln State Fair is always is a fun track too, a lot of speed, a lot of steam. 1/2 mile races are common there in Nebraska.
FOTH: Do you plan ever coming back to the East Coast at all?
ML: I do plan on a trip back east again in the future!
FOTH: Were you ever taken off a horse cause your a female?
ML: Being a female is tough, so if your going to do it! Do it good and No, I have never been taken off a horse because of my gender, but there are trainers who like girls, and who don't! Just pick your spots, and stick with the people who help you!
FOTH: How much longer do you think you will ride for and do you have any goals for yourself?
ML: I think I'll ride another 10 years maybe more maybe less, depends on the body, and the way an athlete such as myself maintains her weight safely as well as her physical, and mental fitness. My goal is to win! Help others along the way the way as to was helped, and reach 1000 wins before I retire. Short term goal is to win the leading rider title this next year in Nebraska. Be a great new mom to be!
FOTH: Are your parents into the idea of you being a jockey and have they ever seen you race?
ML: My parents are very proud of me sometimes my dad has his concerns about my profession, as I am sure all parents do about there kids. My mom and dad have seen me ride since I was 3!
FOTH: Have you ever rode or won a stakes race?
ML: Yes, Columbus races Sept 2000 The Labor Day Handicap!
FOTH: What do you do in your spare time?
ML: For fun I play on my computer, and go shopping for my new son! I also enjoy art, painting and drawing!
FOTH: Any last words. I'll rub the genie bottle for ya when I see ya.
ML: Last words, if you have a dream take a hold of that and never let go! Nobody can live your dreams but you, and even when its tough always believe in yourself, you'll be amazed what you can accomplish!