Thornton, Kirby earn titles at Hawthorne

In a battle that came down to the final day, Tim Thornton and Frank Kirby

earned the leading jockey and trainer titles, respectively, at Hawthorne. The

fall meet ended Sunday.

Thornton earned his first riding title by booting home 92 winners, three more than Chris Emigh.

Emigh won the 10TH and final race, but it was too little, too late. Thornton

won the 1ST, extending his lead over Emigh to four races, which proved to be an

insurmountable advantage.

"I worked hard all year, had a couple setbacks in the meet, but it feels

great to win my first title," Thornton said. "It's great to beat a veteran like

Chris (Emigh). He knows how to win of course, so it's nice to beat somebody like

that…It's also nice because my family is really excited."

Emigh, who was shooting for his eighth Hawthorne jockey title, fought

tenaciously during the final weeks, but fell short.

"We made a good run at him, made him sweat a bit, but Timmy's a good rider

and hung in tough," Emigh said. "He showed a lot of class and never gave up. Now

I have to come back and give it another shot."

The award for leading trainer wasn't decided until the 8TH race. Thanks Lord

(Classified Facts) won the six-furlong event, giving Kirby 38 winners for the

meet and sealing his seventh Hawthorne crown. Kirby racked up his 39th score

with Yearly Expression (Event of the Year) in the meet's final race.

Mike Reavis

saddled 37 winners, making it a tight battle throughout the meet.

"I'd like to congratulate Mike (Reavis) on a good meet, too," Kirby said.

"Mike's a fierce competitor and always does a really good job. Winning the title

always feels good, but it's just nice to win your share."