Apprentice jockey Maria Falgione won with her first-ever mount in Saturday's second race at Del Mar on Thursday aboard Tee Em Eye ($13.60).

Falgione, 38, a full-time exercise rider for trainer Mike Machowsky, guided Tee Em Eye to a relatively easy win in a $16,000 claimer for fillies and mares at 5 1-2 furlongs. After an awkward start, Tee Em Eye raced in fifth in the field of eight on the backstretch.

Falgione guided her mount five-wide on the turn and four-wide entering the stretch, always closing on the leaders. Tee Em Eye won by 3 1-2 lengths over 12-1 Lady Cloud.

After the race, Falgione was mobbed by friends in the winner's circle and on the path toward the jockey's room, with many stopping her for photos and congratulations. 

Tee Em Eye is trained by Machowsky for Richard Barton.

Falgione has worked for Machowsky in recent years. A native of South Carolina, she worked as an actress before devoting full-time to horse racing.