NEWS
Veteran rider Dane Kobiskie transitions to training
Posted: Saturday, March 01, 2008 4:17 PM
by Ron Parker
Jockey Dane Kobiskie dreamed of being a trainer, and when PTK LLC offered the 29-year-old the opportunity, he hung up his tack and accepted the challenge to pursue his career goal.
Kobiskie started his Thoroughbred career in 2000 as an intern at Taylor Made Farm after two years of active duty in the Marine Corps.
His education subsequently included galloping horses for trainers Dallas Stewart, John Ward, and Todd Pletcher before working as an exercise rider and assistant trainer for Steve Asmussen and Michael Pino.
Kobiskie started riding professionally in 2002, but began riding full-time in June 2005 in Kentucky, where he was the leading rider at Turfway Park. He enjoyed success at Keeneland Race Course, Churchill Downs, and Ellis Park before moving his tack to Maryland.
Trainer Rodney Jenkins, for whom Kobiskie rode first call, connected Kobiskie to PTK.
“They found out I always wanted to be a trainer and were willing to give me a start,” Kobiskie said.
Kobiskie, who rode 288 winners from 1,902 starters that earned $5,343,079, currently trains nearly 25 horses for PTK at Bowie Training Center in Bowie, Maryland.
“I have never been this tired, overworked, and happy at the same time,” Kobiskie said. “I plan on being successful. Not being successful is not an option.”
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
