FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Linda Ellman
April 11, 2010 info@jockthemovie.com
(323) 860-8500
GENDER, AGE AND PASSION COLLIDE ON-CAMERA WHEN EIGHT FEMALE JOCKEYS
ATTEMPT TO GO FROM RETIREMENT TO THE WINNERS CIRCLE IN A
HISTORY MAKING PARI-MUTUAL HORSE RACE SET TO BE RUN PREAKNESS WEEKEND
AT PIMLICO RACE TRACK IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
“Everybody said a race like this could never happen.”
–Jason Neff, Filmmake r
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – On the 40th anniversary of the first female jockey ever to ride in a triple crown race, the
feature length documentary, JOCK is following 8 RETIRED FEMALE jockeys as they participate in a first of it’s kind
RETIRED FEMALE JOCKEY LEGENDS RACE.
JOCK, from Director/Producer Jason Neff and Emmy Award-winning Producer, Linda Ellman presents the never-beforetold
story of the courageous female jockeys who overcame sexual harassment, ridicule and life threatening injuries to wage
a gallant fight for the right to ride more than 40 years ago. They used passion as a weapon in the sexual revolution and paid
a price with their lives.
As part of JOCK, Neff and Ellman are documenting the 8 retired jockeys as they prepare for the LADY LEGENDS RACE
FOR THE CURE. The race is being organized by the Maryland Jockey Club and benefits “Susan G. Komen For the Cure,”
the world’s largest breast cancer organization. It will take place on Black-Eyed Susan Day, Friday May 14, 2010 at Pimlico
Race Track in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Lady Legends Race for the Cure will provide the closing act of JOCK, bringing the stunning journey of the pionee r
female jockeys to a conclusion that’s as dramatic as the day it began. Riders include:
• Barbara Jo Rubin, age 60, first woman to win against a man at a recognized racetrack, 41 years ago.
• Jennifer Rowland, 57, top pioneer female rider on the Maryland Circuit in the 70’s.
• Cheryl White, 56, the first African-American female jockey.
• PJ Cooksey, 52, the third all-time leading female jockey with over 2000 wins and breast cancer survivor.
• Mary Wiley Wagner, top 5 apprentice jockey in the nation in 1987 and breast cancer survivor.
• Andrea Seefeldt, Kentucky Derby and Preakness jockey.
• Gwen Jocson, record holder for the most wins in a single year by a woman.
• Mary Russ Tortora, 56, first woman to win a Grade 1 stakes race.
The oldest in the race, Barbara Jo Rubin said, ‚ÄúI can’t believe I’m doing this at 60 and a grandmother (chuckle)!‚Äù
Barbara Jo began working out in January with weights. She’s been galloping and will begin breezing this week at
Fairmount Park in St. Louis, MO. She says she actually feels pretty good. ‚ÄúEach day I gallop I remember more, but it’s
amazing how my body just doesn’t react the way it used to. ‚Äù
Mary Wiley Wagner is a breast cancer survivor. She underwent her last chemo treatment in November and is well on he r
way to being fit to race. She hopes that if one woman newly diagnosed with Cancer can look at what I am about to
accomplish and feel positive about light at the end of treatment, it is worth every single minute I’ve devoted to this.
Mary has been galloping and breezing at Laurel Park in Laurel, MD.
According to Director/Producer Jason Neff, “I’ve watched these women train. They are working hard at getting fit and thei r
competitive spirit is stronger than ever.”
Producer Linda Ellman who Directed and Produced “On Native Soil: The Documentary of the the 911 Commission Report,”
which made the short list for an Oscar nomination, says JOCK is both an action film and an empowerment story: “This race
and the film explore what happens when perseverance and passion collide.”
About the Director: Director Neff is no stranger to the horse racing world. He grew up on a horse farm and at the
racetrack. His uncle (Don MacBeth) and father (Myles Neff) were both jockeys and both of his grandfathers were horse
trainers. Says Neff, “It’s always been my desire to recognize these women for what they accomplished and what they had
to go through to get there. It’s a classic underdog story that’s historically significant beyond the racetrack.”