BALTIMORE, MD., 05/25/15 - Jockey Wallynette Rodriguez won her first race in the United States Monday when she rode Lightnin Fast Girl to victory in Pimlico's first race.

Rodriguez's circuitous route to the winner's circle started in 2004 when she graduated from jockey school in Puerto Rico and won her first race there three months later. She stopped riding, however, to raise her two children and only started riding again two years ago. Lightnin Fast Girl was her fourth mount in the U.S.

"I work for trainer Wayne Potts and thank you to him for giving me the opportunity to ride," she said. "It's totally different in the morning than in the afternoon. I'm so happy. I'm so excited, so glad. Thank God for the opportunity."

Lightnin Fast Girl, owned by Marilu Pastrana and trained by Jonathan Maldonado, covered six furlongs in 1:13.27 and returned $7.80.