Those who believe Friday the 13th is a bad-luck day will get no sympathy from Wayne and Alma Swisher. Their locally born and bred thoroughbred racehorse, Alma Lee, crossed the finish line with a six length-lead in last Friday’s fourth race at Golden Gate Fields.

The 4-year-old bay filly with white sox and a white face is the foal of Chanting Gal and Western Fame and grew up in Brentwood. With three races behind her – one third-, one fifth- and one seventh-place showing – “She gets it, she knows what to do,” said trainer Lloyd C. Mason, reassuring the Swishers as they stood in the paddock watching Inoel Beato take the mount.

Alma Lee led wire to wire and brought the fans to their feet as she took a substantial lead. Coming into the home stretch, the jockey took one look back and Alma Lee took off – ears up, eyes forward and tail waving in the wind. She was the favorite at post time and finished the six-furlong heavy track in a time of 1:11:17.

“I wish everyone who supported her last three races could have been with us today,” Wayne said as he entered the winner circle. “She was amazing!”

Coming from a horseracing family, Alma Swisher was thrilled to have her first racehorse carry her name and take first place. “She was beautiful! I can’t believe it! She won!” shouted Alma as her steed crossed the finish line. Alma and Wayne rented a bus to escort friends and family to Alma Lee’s first race and were busy making calls to everyone seconds after she won.

“This one is high spirited and a handful,” said Mason. “ Right now, though, it’s great to have Alma Lee bring home a win for the Swishers of Brentwood.

–Contributed by Peggie Schuitemaker