Apprentice Ritvo scores in Suffolk Downs debut

EAST BOSTON, Mass. – It’s all about the bloodlines in this game, so it was no surprise to find apprentice jockey Michael Ritvo in the winner’s circle with his first mount at Suffolk Downs on Wednesday.

Although he was raised in south Florida and began his career in March at Gulfstream Park, the 19-year-old Ritvo’s New England roots run deep. He is the son of former New England rider and trainer Tim Ritvo, now the president of Gulfstream Park, and Kathy Ritvo, who grew up on the backstretch of the local tracks as the daughter of owners and the sister of jockeys and trainers.

Kathy Ritvo started here as a hot walker, groom, and exercise rider years ago and made history last fall with the recently retired Mucho Macho Man, becoming the first woman to saddle a Breeders' Cup Classic winner.

Michael Ritvo’s win aboard Everyday Dave for trainer Wesley Ward in the third race for $8,000 claimers was the 20th of his career. Ice Wine Stable’s Everyday Dave cruised to a 3 1/2-length victory under the apprentice and covered the five furlongs over firm turf in 58.83 seconds.

The horse was his only mount on the card, as he and his mother, who proudly posed for the win photo with him, were visiting for the day.