Jockey seeks win at 71

Frank Amonte Sr., 71, will ride at Aqueduct on Saturday and attempt to become the first jockey over the age of 70 to win a horse race.

The trainer of the horse he will be riding, Eightyninecentsday, is Amonte's son, Frank Amonte Jr.

Amonte Sr. last won a race on Sept. 4, 2005 - a day before his 70th birthday - guiding Cuff the Quote to victory at the Northampton Fair in Massachusetts. Amonte and Willie Clark are believed to be the oldest jockeys to win a race, both having done so at age 69. Amonte Sr., who lives in Boston, said he has not ridden in New York since 1977.

Eightyninecentsday is entered in a first-level allowance race for New York-breds and will break from post 11 in the 5 1/2-furlong race.

"Last one in, I hope first one out," Amonte Sr. said Thursday. "I watched that horse run, he's got a lot of speed. Frankie asked me to ride him [two back], but I couldn't come at the time. The last time he got off in a tangle. He should run good; I got on him this morning."

Two starts back, Eightyninecentsday won a $35,000 claiming race in gate-to-wire fashion. Last out, Eightyninecentsday stumbled at the break and was headstrong entering the first turn. He finished last beaten, 58 1/2 lengths.