Stephanie Storin, a 23-year-old phlebotomist from Tucson has won the "Ultimate Female Fan" contest, jointly sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form.

The contest required entrants to submit an essay of 100 words or fewer explaining why they are Thoroughbred racing's "Ultimate Female Fan." More than 1,000 entries were received and later judged by a panel that included author Betsy Berns.

"I am the ultimate female fan of Thoroughbred racing," Storin wrote in her submission, "because I was eight years old when I was bitten by the racing bug at Rillito Park in Tucson. I started working there the day after I turned 16, working before and after school and at least 14 hours a day on the weekend, making a whole $50 a week!

"The joy I had working, though, surpassed the money I was making. I plan on attending the University of Arizona's Racetrack Industry Program, and my goal is to become the first female trainer to win the Triple Crown. Think that's a wild dream? Wait and see!' "

Storin will receive two tickets to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, a $1,000 betting voucher, along with transportation and hotel accommodations.

"I'm so in shock to be the winner of the 'Ultimate Female Fan' contest," said Storin. "There are no words to describe how overjoyed I am to be going to the Breeders' Cup. I went in 1997 and was going to go next year at Santa Anita. This year we were just going to have a Breeders' Cup party at the house, but this is so much better.