By Mari Ballinger
When she’s not winning on the track, jockey Lori Keith loves to spend her Minnesota summers outside. She stays very active, whether that be enjoying the many lakes or taking her new pup Fergie out for a long walk.
Fergie is an 11-week old Boxer with an outgoing personality. She has captured the hearts of everyone, including the horses, at the barns. That should come as no surprise because who can pass up a cute dog?
“Fergie is very lively,” said Keith. “She will walk right up to the horses and start playing around. She isn’t afraid of anything.”
Unfortunately, Keith had to say goodbye to her beloved Boxer, Seve, around Christmas this past year. She has hopes of breeding Fergie so she doesn’t have to experience that kind of loss again.
As if a seven day work week at the barn isn’t enough, adding a furry partner in crime to the mix will definitely bring out Keith’s go-getter attitude.
Originally from Epsom, England, Keith moved to the states in 2003. She eventually found her way to California where she worked for horse trainer Neil Drysdale. In 2005, she began her riding career at Hollywood Park and finished third in her first race.
Keith came to Canterbury Park in 2007 and has made a lasting impression ever since. Her first ride was a claiming race for $6,500 on May 5, 2007 where she won.
Keith’s accomplishments don’t stop there, though. Minnesota-bred gelding C C Tat and Keith were an unstoppable duo. It didn’t matter whether the race was long or short, or turf or dirt, C C Tat and Keith always seemed to finish near the top. In fact, the pair
won the Minnesota Turf Championship on Festival Day 2008. “My fondest racing memories include that horse,” added Keith.
Keith has had many more impressive achievements since then, including winning the Mystic Lake Derby, Canterbury Park’s richest race, two years in a row. “I’m two for two in the derby so far and I don’t think I want to go back just yet,” joked Keith.
Through the first 18 days of the meet, she has won 3 of 21 starts and finished in the money 49 percent of the time. Keith will travel to Remington Park in Oklahoma after the season at Canterbury Park is finished.
