Hershbell, former rider, dies

Jockey Alison Hershbell, who rode primarily at Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park during a career that ended in 2004, died Saturday in Philadelphia after a lengthy illness. She was 30.

Hershbell, who began her career in 1992, rode 275 winners from 2,537 mounts. She also rode frequently in Arabian races at Delaware, and statistics from those races are not included in her career totals.

At the time of her death, Hershbell was engaged to veteran trainer Mike Petro, who told the Wilmington (Del.) News-Journal, "Alison had a talent that I hadn't seen before. All animals loved her. She enjoyed riding, and horses knew that."

Funeral services were private.