Early, Penny Ann (c. 1946–)

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Early, Penny Ann (c. 1946–)

American jockey. Born c. 1946 in California.

The 1st American woman to be licensed as a horse jockey (1968) was scheduled to ride at Churchill Downs, KY, but replaced after male jockeys, in a show of solidarity, threatened a boycott; in retaliation, was signed by Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association, though she had never played basketball (1968–69), and made "cameo" on-court appearance inbounding the ball in a game against Los Angeles Stars (Nov 28, 1969); rode the favorite to victory in the all-women Lady Godiva Handicap, MA (1969).

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Early, Penny Ann (c. 1946–)

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