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ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK AUGUST 4, 2010 by Arlington Publicity Jockey Tim Thornton has come a long way since he broke his maiden aboard the 12th mount of his career on June 13, 2003. On that day seven years ago the native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, 16-years-old at the time, scored aboard David Campbell's 30-1 longshot Saturday Sin for trainer Christine Janks. However, now at the ripe old age of 23, Thornton has three riding championships to his credit, winning his first title at Hawthorne in the fall of 2007 and coming back to win a second at that Southside Chicago oval in the spring of 2008. One year later, he won his third Hawthorne title in the spring of 2009. At Arlington, he has been consistently among the top 10 riders at the end of the local season, and started off the current session with a flourish before enduring a few slow weeks. That all ended Saturday when he recorded his first hat trick of 2010 at Arlington. He won Saturday's opener aboard Richiegirlgotclass (Malabar Gold) for trainer Larry Rivelli, came back to the winner's circle after the 5TH on Hurta (Silver Deputy) for conditioner Mike Reavis, and concluded his troika aboard Rob Young (He's a Tough Cat), owned and trained by Terry Young. "I've got no complaints at all about this season," said Thornton following his three-win afternoon. "I started off really fast, and then things slowed down for awhile but now they're starting to pick up again. The guys I ride for like Larry (Rivelli) and Mike (Reavis) -- things slowed down for them but they're starting to pick it up again, too. "This is a game of ups and downs, anyway," Thornton concluded. "The most important thing is staying healthy in this business. Thankfully, I've been fortunate in that regard all summer long." After finishing ninth in last year's local standings, Thornton is currently a solid seventh this summer, and is on a pace to enjoy his best season ever in terms of number of wins. Interestingly, it was Thornton's father Mark who guided Arlington's 2006 jockey champion Chris Emigh in the initial phases of his career. Although the senior Thornton trained as well exercised horses -- and eventually became a blacksmith -- he was never a jockey. HORSES TO WATCH Sunday (8/1) 1ST -- THIEF (Cat Thief) was a beaten favorite carried out at the start. 3RD -- SANTA TRINITA (More Than Ready) was carried out late when challenging the winner in deep stretch. 5TH -- ANOTHEROTHERWOMAN (Pioneering) hopped and was bumped at the start in her career debut. The exxperience and a clean trip should help next out.
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