Farrell, 17, rides her first winner

Apprentice rider Jaleina Farrell got her ceremonial dousing with water by members of the Hoosier Park jockey colony last Friday evening as the 17-year-old from Biloxi, Miss., had her first career win in the seventh race.

Farrell rode Valid's Beauty up the rail, survived a bumping incident near the wire, and prevailed by a neck at 39-1 over the muddy track for trainer Ronald Bosarge. The inquiry light was lit as the stewards investigated contact in deep stretch, but the order of finish stood with Farrell and Valid's Beauty in front in a three-way photo for the win.

The victory came six weeks after she appeared to have her first career victory, at Ellis Park. On Aug. 30 she rode French Coach to finish first but was disqualified to third after a bumping incident in the stretch. Farrell started her riding career this summer at Ellis Park and was 0-79 going into Friday's card. She had finished third aboard Little De Flight earlier in the night in her Hoosier Park debut, also for trainer Bosarge.

Meanwhile, Ramsey Zimmerman continues to sizzle at Hoosier Park. He rode five winners on Saturday's 12-race card and has moved to a 74-43 lead over Rodney Prescott in the rider standings. Zimmerman's wins included a $23.60 upset aboard Hebe a Genius in the sixth race.

* El Nino Caliente became a track record holder on Saturday, when he captured the 1 1/2-mile edition of the claiming marathon series. The new distance was run for the first time, and El Nino Caliente, with Billy Patin aboard, led start to finish, covering the distance in 2:40.35 over the muddy going.

* The top Indiana-breds will meet this weekend in the $40,000 Merrillville Stakes for fillies and mares on Saturday night and the $40,000 Brickyard Stakes on Sunday. Both are at six furlongs.

Ellens Lucky Star and One Eyed Jackie, one-two finishers in several meetings over the past two years, highlight the list of nominees for the Merrillville.

The nomination list for the Brickyard includes Red's Honor and Donnies Pick, plus 3-year-olds Edgerrin and Call Roy. Earlier this month, Edgerrin became the second Indiana-bred to compete in the Indiana Derby. Call Roy won his two races at Hoosier by a combined total of over 25 lengths.