Pyfer made the most of her weekend chances

ARCADIA, Calif. – The first weekend of April has revived the season of 2021 champion apprentice Jessica Pyfer.

In the first three months of the year, Pyfer had 1 win from 42 mounts at Santa Anita. On Saturday and Sunday, she rode a winner on each program, including a late pickup mount on Pinedale in the fourth race Sunday.

Pyfer said a third-place finish on 23-1 Race Judicata on Friday for her stepfather, trainer Phil D’Amato, provided a boost.

“I rode one for my dad and was third,” she said. “I had so much fun.

“I’ve learned through the ups and downs to have more fun.”

On Saturday, Pyfer had three mounts and won the final race on Xmas Surprise ($37).

“I know I had some okay shots, but didn’t expect to win,” she said.

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Pyfer did not have any scheduled mounts Sunday, but gained the ride on Pinedale when trainer Britanny Vanden Berg, and her husband, jockey Chris Emigh, relocated their stable from Santa Anita back to Illinois over the weekend. Emigh was scheduled to ride Pinedale, but took off his two mounts on the program.

Pyfer rode Pinedale when the colt was trained by Ryan Hanson earlier this year.

“It worked out,” she said. “A win comes up and you enjoy it. I can do this.”

Pyfer, 24, lost her apprentice status last November and has struggled to gain mounts at a time when field size has been an issue at Southern California tracks. She was named champion apprentice for a 2021 season that included 59 wins.