| BIOGRAPHY |
This story definitely has a different twist to it, Sandy Schleiffers, actually went from apprentice nun, to apprentice jockey, hence the nickname "the flying nun". Looks like everyone in the class of 69 had some sort of first, Schleiffers, the fourth woman to ride a race, was the first lady to ride in both Arizona and Colorado. She would also be the first female to be inducted into the Jockey's Guild.
Schleiffers, started her journey in her home state of California, seeking to ride at Santa Anita. Unable to make her mark there she headed to Phoenix, Arizona home of Turf Paradise. She made her first start on March 2, 1969 and scored her first win on April 12, 1969. She then moved on to Colorado, riding at Pikes Peak and Centennial before heading east in 1970.
Schleiffers, would spend the better part of her career in the east, riding mainly at Pocono Downs and The Finger Lakes. She road on and off at a few other eastern tracks, before heading back west later in her career. She would return to California to ride at Bay Meadows, then headed south of the border to join up with fellow class of 69 member, Penny Ann Early, who was now a trainer at Caliente. Her next and final year of riding, she made a total about face.
1976 would be Schleiffers, final year of riding and she ends her career in of all places Canada. Somehow she leaves Mexico, bypasses all of the United States and ends up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she would ride at Exhibition Park, now known as Hasting Park. Looks like she returned to the states for one ride at the defunct Playfair Park, in Spokane, Washington. There is no record she ever returned to the convent.
One final note, Schleiffers, like her fellow trailblazing jockeys also had to pay her dues, riding in some of the all female, or male against female publicity events put on by tracks across the country, but she would participate in my favorite. You've surely heard of the Triple Crown, maybe even the Triple Tiara, but how bout the Panty Hose Triple Crown?
The Crown consisted of the Paint 'n Powder at Bowie, Boots and Bows, at Atlantic City and the My Fair Lady at Laurel Park. I have no idea how long it ran, whoever won it, but I had to pass that on.
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| Centennial Race Track September 8, 1969 |